The crazy happenings going on at Into the Night Reviews or Heather's ramblings..

As many of you know (or don't know) I published my first book on May 2nd. Yay!! Okay, having said that, I've been a bit absent from the blog and I hate that with a passion! I have so missed you guys and wanted to let you all know what's been going on.

First, my Author friends; I have missed you all something fierce and will be spending all summer reading, reviewing and making it up to you all. But, I did leave you in very capable hands, my new blog partner Tami. The best way to describe it is Tami is the jelly and I'm the peanut butter and we just mesh well. Yeah, horrible analogy but it's what I've got and hopefully you catch my drift. She has been able to help when I couldn't and she's just an all around sweet heart and I'm glad to have her as my friend! Between my kids, baseball, my job and the book, time has just not allowed me a whole lot of reading time. 

Some of you know I work in a high school kitchen and it's a really hard job. I left a high paying job to be able to spend more time with my kids. (The things we do for our children).  It's definitely not a rewarding job and a lot of times you are treated like poo by some of the staff. However, I love my high school kids and feel like I'm making some what of a difference. Yes, even in a kitchen. I make a point to smile at each and every one. I may be the only adult to physically take the time to look them straight in the eye and smile. That is the rewarding part. I have kids that make a point of coming to see me daily and come in to say good bye at the end of summer. I will miss my seniors that are going on to bigger and better things. 

Now we've FINALLY reached summer, where I will have the whole two months off! Let the choir sing!! What will I be doing this summer? Well it's funny you asked... I will be spending it writing my second book in the series titled Heartstrings, that hopefully will be released in early August AND I'll be back on schedule with blogging. That makes me happy, like rediculously so. The books I'll get to read and catch up on. I seriously can't wait!! While my kids will be swimming, I'll be lounging in the sun with a book or kindle in hand. 

Now for the fun part. Tami and I are in the process of getting a giveaway together of our favorite books so far in 2013. Wahoo!! I do have some catching up to do though, so be patient with me. ;) I would also love if you all would leave some comments of what some of YOUR favorite books have been so far this year.

Something new I want to start doing is, once a week I want to hi-lite an Author and spend the whole week pimping them. Of course we will also continue supporting other's as well. But I thought it would be fun to have you as the reader's involved. Those that pimped the best would receive some special swag and or gift. I'm still working out the details, but I would love to hear your thoughts. Is this something that you as a reader and a lover of books like to be involved in?

I absolutely love conversing with you guys and comments are always appreciated and fun. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings!

We appreciate you guys and thanks for your support!!

<3

Heather

Promotion Tour & Giveaway: One Tiny Secret by C. A. Kunz

**Mature Content Warning** Recommended for 17+ due to language, violence, and sexual content.

Just one tiny secret has the potential to ruin everything.

Being the daughter of the sheriff in a small town like Holden Ridge means that eighteen-year-old Danielle “Dani” Marks’ life is under constant surveillance. She’s made a habit of staying under the radar by being a floater among social circles at school, which has kept her out of trouble—until now.

After a missing persons case stirs up the entire town, Dani finds herself caught right in the middle of the scandal. When she’s labeled a possible suspect, things quickly go from bad to worse. The sudden return of her old flame, Parker Reed, manages to make her whole situation even more complicated.

When an elusive unknown person begins to blackmail Dani by threatening to reveal her deepest secrets, Dani refuses to play along. That is, until the person’s actions take a violent turn. Holden Ridge loses its sense of quaint town security, and Dani is caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Who can she trust when anyone around her could be a suspect?

One thing’s for certain though: Never underestimate the power of one tiny secret.

4 out of 5 stars

Oh my goodness!! Talk about sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time.  Adam Kunz has achieved a perfect balance of suspense and romance in One Tiny Secret - a rather unusual combination but it definitely works.

Danielle (Dani) Marks is the teenage daughter of the Sheriff in Holden Ridge - following unexpected events at a Halloween party Dani finds herself the target of blackmail threats from an unknown person.  As they increase in intensity and things around town start to get decidedly creepier Dani has to try and work out just who it is that has it in for her before people she loves fall victim to "Unknown".  Add into the mix Parker Reed, Dani's ex boyfried, and the undeniable feelings she still has for him and you've got a hotbed of emotions, fuelled by lust, terror and good old teenage drama.

Having watched many, many horror/slasher movies in my day (Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining etc) I really appreciated the style of One Tiny Secret.  While not as gruesome as the examples I've listed, there was certainly pleny of suspense, with just enough blood to satisfy the horror fan in me.  At times I found Dani's actions and reactions a little bizarre, but of course if you reflect on the role of the female lead in most horror movies, they do tend to make the obvious 'stupid' choice.  Having said that, Dani was surprisingly resilient and I was super impressed with how she held things together towards the end of the book.

Parker deserves a special mention.  Kunz has created a fabulous love interest for Dani, particularly with the history between the two of them.  He is swoon worthy and regularly says all the right things ... but ... there's a few things that happen that had me wondering whether he could be trusted ...[and you'll have to read One Tiny Secret to find out!]

One Tiny Secret is very well written in a style that was easy to read and engaging.  I was hooked early on and while I had an inkling of who 'Unknown' was, it wasn't until quite late in the story - and there were defintely elements of the outcome I didn't pick.  I think there's enough romance in the story to satisfy the majority of YA/NA readers and when combined with the mystery/intrigue of 'Unknown' all with a little bit of Halloween flavor this book will appeal to quite a wide audience. 

One Tiny Secret Promo Tour Grand Prize Giveaway - Open Internationally

Make sure to visit each blog on the One Tine Secret Promotion Tour schedule to grab the hidden word or words to crack the code!  *Hint: the blogs are in order for a reason.

Once you’ve gathered the puzzle pieces from each blog, and arranged them to complete the hidden phrase, please send your answer directly to authoradamkunz@gmail.com for an entry into the Grand Prize Givaway.

One winner will be drawn for the GRAND PRIZE:

1. A signed paperback copy of One Tiny Secret
2. A Hello Kitty Masquerade plush doll
3. A mini pink skull and crossbones clutch purse
4. A hand crafted skull and crossbones over the shoulder bag
5. A One Tiny Secret button
6. A purple skull and crossbones lanyard with a pink skull and crossbones charm attached
7. A pair of black and silver skull and crossbones earrings
8. A One Tiny Secret beaded bracelet
9. A One Tiny Secret bookplate
10. A One Tiny Secret glitter framed front cover picture (made by Adam Kunz himself)
11. A $10.00 gift card to Amazon
12. A $10.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble

One Tiny Secret Promotion Tour Schedule

Thursday, May 16^th – A Reader’s Confession

Friday, May 17^th – A Love Affair with Books
Saturday, May 18^th – Little Read Riding Hood

Sunday, May 19^th – I read Indie Book Blog

Monday, May 20^st – I Love Indie Books Blog

Tuesday, May 21^nd – Blog critics

Wednesday, May 22^rd –Into the Night Book Reviews

Adam Kunz is the A part of the mother and son author duo C.A. Kunz. Growing up, he always had a fondness for R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series. So, it was a no brainer when he decided to write his own novel that it’d be a thrilling mystery with a dash of horror. When he’s not busy writing, Adam enjoys his job at a theme park in Orlando, Florida as a décor consultant. This job brings him face to face with all sorts of nightmarish creatures, especially when he decorates the haunted houses for the park's annual Halloween event. It’s been said by many that his addiction to Starbucks coffee will most likely be his downfall later in life. If you would like to find out more about this author, C.A. Kunz, or One Tiny Secret,  please visit the links below:

Author Website- http://www.cakunz.blogspot.com

Facebook Author Page- http://www.facebook.com/authoradamkunz

Cover Reveal: Working it by Kendall Ryan

Title: Working It

Author: Kendall Ryan

Expected Release Date:  August 5, 2013

Genre: New Adult Romance

 

A New Adult Romance from New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Kendall Ryan.

Straight-laced Emmy Clarke’s assistant job at the modeling agency provides her with one distinct perk – getting to watch pretty mancandy parade around all day. But having to work under the ultra-bitchy, ultra-British Fiona Stone barely makes it worth it. Emmy enjoys looking, but she’s not stupid enough to fall for one of the tempting specimens. Especially not rising star Ben Shaw. 

Ben is everything Emmy’s not: well-traveled, highly paid and exquisitely gorgeous. He’s also got more issues than Vogue. Against her better judgment to get involved, Emmy’s southern roots kick in, and whenever he’s on set, she makes sure he’s treated well and looked after. But she refuses to become one of the pathetic groupies lusting after him, and soon Ben’s drawn toward her refreshingly real attitude.  

Against the backdrop of fashion shows in NYC, Paris and Milan, their casual flirting turns into more, and they embark on a journey of sexual discovery. But when Ben’s twisted past is uncovered, it threatens both their relationship and careers as the bitter Fiona digs her claws in, unwilling to let her golden boy go without a catfight.

Filled with passion, jealousy and heart-thumping sex, Working It is the tale of falling for a supermodel.

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the contemporary romance novels HARD TO LOVE, UNRAVEL ME, MAKE ME YOURS and RESISTING HER.  She's a sassy, yet polite Midwestern gal with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Cover Reveal: Serendipity by Stacey Bentley

Synopsis:

The saying goes that there is a fine line between love and hate…but what happens when the line becomes blurred?

When life hands Phoebe Andrews her dream job, she’s ecstatic. That is, until she realizes that in order to pursue her dream she’ll have to give up her cosmopolitan lifestyle in Chicago and move to Nashville. As if leaving all she knows behind wasn’t enough, a car accident on her first day in town does nothing to convince the city girl that country living is all it’s cracked up to be.

As an only child, Dean Montgomery has obligations—obligations which have left him angry at the world. Just as his monotone life has begun to leave him jaded, he is brought back to earth with a bang…literally.

Fate conspires to bring the city girl and the country boy together, but can Dean stay out of trouble long enough for the pair to test the boundaries of their tempestuous relationship?

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17905375-serendipity

 

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/author.stacey.Bentley

 

Cover Reveal: Smash Into You by Shelly Crane

Title: Smash Into You

Author: Shelly Crane

Expected release date: Summer 2013

Genre:  Contemporary

Age Group: Young Adult

Cover Designed by: Okay Creations

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Jude has spent the whole twenty three years of his life running. From what, he wasn't quite sure. His mother tried to keep him safe; a low profile, a constant move on the horizon, a week's pay always stashed away. She tried to instill in him that he was special somehow, though would never elaborate. He never felt different. He was so completely normal and vanilla that he wondered if it had all been in her head. But then she was murdered and all he saw was a running silhouette of a man as his mother said three final words to him. Three words that changed his whole being.

Never stop running…

Now he's semi-settled into a big town. The college is huge and easy to blend into. It's been three months since he had to move because 'Biloxi', as he calls the man who killed his mother, found him once more.

Then Marley, an eighteen year old girl who is as infuriating as she is blissfully ignorant of her gorgeousness, smashes into his car with hers. Then smashes into his life as he realizes that whatever it is he has that Biloxi wants, she has it, too. And now, they're after them both.

Shelly is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south.  She is wife to a fantastic husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes.  They currently reside in everywhere USA as they happily travel all over with her husband's job.  She loves to spend time with her family, binge on candy corn, go out to eat at new restaurants, buy paperbacks at little bookstores, site see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music everywhere and also LOVES to read.

Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process.  She doesn't go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Blog Tour Stop & Giveaway: Distractions by J. L. Brooks

“We are all pawns in some one else’s game.”

No one knows this better than Violet Phillips. When her beloved mentor goes missing, she suspects murder, which sends her spiraling out of control and away from the stable life she has built for herself. Soon, her past will begin seeping out with a vengeance.

“I will teach you how this game is played.”

Self-destruction threatens to consume Violet when a handsome neighbor that has been watching her from afar intervenes on her behalf. Shepard Leone may be six years younger, but it does not stop him from seducing her ears as well as her heart.

“Fascinating how much life can change in twenty-four hours.”

When Violet is forced to go down a dark road into a past where she must confront the demons that nearly destroyed her, will she be unable to deviate? Struggling with the loss of her missing friend, Shepard will find a way in and reawaken desires that she thought were forever lost. But Violet never forgets that if you are not careful, distractions will be your undoing.

Tami's Review:

5 out of 5 stars

"Stay alert, Violet.  Distractions will be your undoing."

Distractions was not what I expected.  It was so much more, far exceeding my expectations to the point that I have found myself mulling over parts of the book, re-reading chapters as I write this review and thinking about the characters and events since finishing it.  My challenge now is writing this review without spoilers (which hopefully I have achieved) because for me, a significant chunk of the enjoyment was unravelling the story and I don't want to take that away from anyone else.

In the Prologue we meet 14 year old Violet Phillips:  a complex mix of intelligence and emotion.  Drawn to the gypsy culture that would descend upon her home every summer, and under the guidance of her older sister Vivienne, Violet learnt to belly dance and would lose herself in the fantasy world she could create as she danced.  After her sister left, Violet struggled to balance her reality and turned to drug use as a means of escape.  In amongst the drug stupors, she manages to find some solace in studying literature, amongst other things, and somehow escapes the complete destruction and desolation experienced by most hard drug users.  

Distractions then moves forward eight years to a time when Violet is 26 years old and has established herself as lead Research Assistant in the lab of Dr David Robertson, a renowned geneticist working on developing what is hopoed to be a revolution in genetic therapy.  Violet holds "Doc" in very high regard.  He is her "mentor, father figure and knight in shining armor" so what happens one night between the two, followed by the inexplicable (and apparently sinister) disappearance of Dr Robertson impacts Violet significantly.

From here we travel a series of journeys with Violet as she seeks to understand herself, her past and the impact this has for her future.  Violet must balance many 'distractions' on her journey, which is filled with mystery, intrigue, deception, romance and ultimately a discovery of just how strong one woman can be.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Shephard in this review.  Shephard is Violet's neighbour and source of support following the events with Dr Robertson.  The two have a chemistry that is heart warming, not to mention the intimacy of their connection and I'm not just referring to the sex scenes!  Despite Violet's reservations, primarily due to their age difference but also due to the timing of them coming together, she cannot deny her feelings for Shephard or just how right their relationship feels:

"If someone has the ability to make you glow in the darkness, they must be remarkable.  That does not mean there is something wrong with you.  It means there is something right.  Only you would believe the worst."

Violet is a wonderful character.  She is an ecclectic mix of her life: teenage gypsy, drug user, erotic dancer, academic, researcher, sister, friend.  She is complex and carries a hurt from her past (and Connor Lewis) that is in part responsible for both her achievements and her introversion.  Violet's life is not what it seems and Distractions follows her path to discovering just what it should be.  It is more than a love story, so much more.  Violet must manoeuvre herself, as if in a giant chess game, in order to remain whole.  Each move is made in the absence of the full picture and she must determine who she can trust along the way as she evaluates and makes each move:

" ... no one would listen, they can't see the truth.  They are so wrapped up in trying to figure out what their opponent's next move is, they can't conceive that maybe there is someone who can see the big picture.  He can see every piece on the board and every game that is played.  It's not just about him shouting down; they have to let him know they can hear him, and trust him.  But submission is a very hard thing for most people.  They need to feel like they are in control, even if it is an illusion.
...
It could be so much easier, Violet, if they would just stop for a second and listen."

I really loved Distractions.  It requires a level of concentration to make some of the connections but it is worth the investment.  The conclusion was nothing like I thought it would be and everything I hoped. 

About the Author:

JL Brooks lives with her active family along the Ohio River at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. A former columnist turned novelist, she spends most of her time engaged in women’s health issues and education. Believing everyone has a story to tell, chances are she will encourage you to tell yours.

Connect with JL Brooks

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Email

Purchase Distractions:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books

Giveaway (US Only):
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Cover Re-Reveal: The Upside of Letting Go by Nacole Stayton

Title: The Upside of Letting Go

Author:  Nacole Stayton

Genre: New Adult Romance

Publish Date:  April 20, 2013

Event organized by: Literati Literature Lovers

Haley Martin is no stranger to loss. One tragic event takes her entire family, leaving lingering nightmares to torment her at every turn. She decides the only way to let go of those nightmares is to literally move away from all that is familiar. Boarding a Greyhound bus, she leaves behind her past filled with heartbreak and misery, in hopes of starting a new life.

By accident she meets Kyler King, a beautiful young man with a tragic past as well. He has no interest in settling down with anyone. With a reputation as being emotionally unattainable, he uses this façade to hide the burdens he bears every day.

As Kyler and Haley’s physical attraction becomes deeper, the secrets they have kept hidden threaten to surface. An unannounced visitor causes their pasts to collide with their present. Will their secrets prove to be too big of an obstacle, hindering their happily ever after, or will letting go be the key that locks their bond forever?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nacole Stayton was born and raised Christian “Nacole” Stayton. She is twenty-three years young and currently resides in the Bluegrass state, Kentucky. She spends her days working at the local hospital and nights writing vigorously on her current novel. She has a passion for helping others and wears her University of Kentucky gear proudly. While her husband loves all things outdoors Nacole enjoys the finer things in life like getting pedicures while reading on her Kindle Fire. Her hair color changes with the seasons and she has a weakness for tattoos and iced coffee.

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