Patchwork Press PICK YOUR PAGES: Mostly Marceline or Lovely, Dark, & Deep by Erica Crouch!

Pick Your Pages is a Patchwork Press feature that puts readers in control of the publishing process. With PWP PYP, two titles will compete for your vote. You'll see the cover and have access to the first chapter. Both books will eventually be published, but your vote will decide which book hits shelves first. So take a look, read a sample, and pick your pages!

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Today for Pick Your Pages, two of Erica Crouch's new adult novels will be competing for votes, both from very different genres: Mostly Marceline and Lovely Dark & Deep. Check out the blurbs below, and make sure to read the first chapter of each story before you vote. Then let me know which book you want to see published first! (Click the image above to see the covers BIGGER!)

About Mostly Marceline

Genre: New Adult Contemporary/Romance

Marceline has this whole “adult” thing under control… mostly.

Even after carving out a decent career for herself as a young author, she still has trouble remembering to feed her cat—who she’s sure is plotting her death—pay her bills, do the dishes, or cook anything more complicated than pasta. But most unnervingly, Marceline is having trouble writing.

Just months after a catastrophic breakdown, Marceline’s not sure she’ll be able to put pen to paper again, and it terrifies her. Critics once called her writing dark, haunting, and poignant, but now they’re only wondering if she’ll publish anything else ever again, or if her previous successes were flukes.

Post-breakdown Marceline can’t seem to fit in the same headspace as pre-breakdown Marceline, and her awkward on-again/off-again relationship with her once serious boyfriend Cyrus isn’t helping to clear her mind, especially since he’s become more on-again as of late.

With a deadline looming and her apartment quickly turning in to a blanket fort kingdom of garbage, Marceline must let go of who she once was if there’s any hope of the new Marceline shining through the mess.

Read Chapter 1 of Mostly Marceline here.

About Lovely Dark & Deep

Genre: New Adult Dark Fantasy

Here's a dilemma: how do you destroy a witch without incurring her wrath? Sending one into the wintry woods to die didn't work. After all, the woods loves witches, and it loves silvirn even more.

Aysel was the first girl to disappear into the woods and become a silvirn, a siren of the forest. Luring hunters deep into the dark woods to die, her and her three adopted sisters are responsible for repaying nature for its shelter by protecting it from the greed of man. But before the hunters she catches are strung up in her tree, Aysel delights in syphoning their stories.

When she snares a victim that manages to hold her attention rapt with magnificent tales, she finds herself hesitant to tie the hunter’s noose. Her fascination with Cadence puts her life in peril, especially since he’s harboring a dangerous secret and Valeria, Aysel’s vengeful mother, grows hungry for flesh. With a kingdom hellbent on destroying magic and search parties rallying to find their missing hunters, the rope is tightening—for the first time—on Aysel’s neck.

Read Chapter 1 of Lovely Dark & Deep here.

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Well, what do you think? Make sure to vote below to have your voice heard in deciding which book Erica will be writing next! If the poll isn't working below, you can vote at this link. The poll will be open until 8/28. Let me know in the comments how you voted, and why!

Which pages are you picking?

Mostly Marceline

Lovely Dark & Deep

Poll Maker

About Erica Crouch

Erica Crouch is a young adult and new adult author from Baltimore, Maryland. She has a strange blended aesthetic of cute and spooky, and her books reflect her ever changing mood. (You may find romance, you may find gore—sometimes both in the same book, but probably not at the same time. Probably.)

Erica is the cofounder of Patchwork Press — an indie publishing collective that produces middle grade, young adult, and new adult titles in all genres — and Weapenry — a resource for writers. She is the head of editorial services and design, with over fifty projects to her name.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Engage (Ignite #2.5) by Erica Crouch - Ashley's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Patchwork Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Goodreads | Series Bundle | Barnes & Noble

Title: Engage (Ignite #2.5)
Author: Erica Crouch
Publication Date: May 5, 2015

My Reviews:  Ignite (#1) • Entice (#1.5) • Incite (#2) • Infinite (#3)

Synopsis: Kalaziel is a terrible guardian angel: her temper’s shorter than she is, she swears, she’s missing a wing, and she sees no problem with letting man make their own choices—no matter how questionable. That’s what free will is all about, right? Her overseers disagree. 

After she mishandles an assignment, Heaven strips Kala of her title and throws her back into training, hoping to reinforce the covenant of vows she swore to uphold as a guardian. But the angels’ motives aren’t as pure as they appear: they want to eradicate any opinions that conflict with Heaven’s code. 

With a mass cleansing on the horizon, Kala discovers she is not alone in her insubordination; there are other angels who are restless with the stasis of Heaven and ready for change. Progress doesn’t come easily, though, especially when it means uniting ancient enemies to fight for a common cause. 

Engage is a novella that prequels Kala and Ana’s story in Incite

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Review: I love this series, and I love Kala, so I was so excited to find out the second novella would be about Kala and Ana's relationship before we meet them in Incite! I'm a sucker for backstories, and this one did not disappoint. Well, maybe a little bit - I do wish it had been longer because I could totally read a full-length novel about Kala! 

Kala is stubborn, brash, and willing to break the strict rules as long as she believes her way is the right way. It was fun to watch her as a guardian angel, especially since we learn why she ends up back in training. I honestly agreed with Kala's actions, but obviously the angels in charge didn't. But this incident leads to Kala meeting Ana, which is pretty much perfect.

Ana and Kala might be my favorite couple in this series, and how they meet and end up in a relationship is perfect for them. Ana agrees with Kala but can't openly speak her mind, and Kala doesn't really care what anyone else thinks of her. Even though the two angels are opposites, their love story is adorable and watching Kala fall in love with Ana was so sweet. Things do happen quickly, but it makes sense in the context of the book and doesn't feel like instalove. 

As always, Erica's writing is beautiful and had me hooked from the first page. If you've read any of the other books in the Ignite series, you definitely want to read this novella! Kala is one of my favorite characters, and I loved learning more about her and Ana and even seeing what Heaven was like before all of the angels fell and before New Genesis. 5/5!


--Ashley

BLOG TOUR: Infinite (Ignite #3) by Erica Crouch - Ashley's Review + Excerpt + GIVEAWAY!

It's been a while since we've posted (June has been super busy for both of us), but hopefully this coming month will be better! To kickstart us getting back into blogging on a regular basis, we're really excited to be participating in the blog tour for Erica Crouch's most recent release, and the last book in her Ignite series, Infinite!

We've got Ashley's review for you, as well as an excerpt (so that you can see exactly what all of the (much deserved) hype is all about), and a giveaway that you should definitely enter!

So before we get to the review and the excerpt, how about a little bit more about the book and Erica?

About the Book

Infinite by Erica Crouch
Series: Ignite #3
Published by Patchwork Press on June 16, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Goodreads

Synopsis: There are infinite ways to die, and the fates are calling for blood. After evading Azael since her betrayal, it’s finally time for Pen to stop running and face her desperate brother. But she won’t have to challenge him alone: the rebel army of New Genesis is ready to stand strong and fight to secure the future they believe in.

As Azael spirals deeper and deeper into darkness, and Pen grapples with her new leadership role, a familiar name rises to power whose decisions have the potential to rewrite everyone’s future. Dangerous secrets, silent traitors, and unraveling fates means that time is running out. There’s no telling who will survive the final battle.

In this thrilling conclusion to the Ignite series, Pen and Azael return to finish what they started over a millennia ago.

Add Infinite on Goodreads, and order it on Amazon, B&N, or Kobo. Or, start from the beginning of the series with Ignite and buy the ebook bundle of the series for just $6.99 from Amazon, B&N, or Kobo.



Let us know what you think of the cover — and what you’re most excited to see in Infinite — in the comments!

About Erica Crouch

Erica Crouch is a young adult and new adult author from Baltimore, Maryland. She has a strange blended aesthetic of cute and spooky, and her books reflect her ever changing mood. (You may find romance, you may find gore—sometimes both in the same book, but probably not at the same time. Probably.)

Erica is the cofounder of Patchwork Press — an indie publishing collective that produces middle grade, young adult, and new adult titles in all genres — and Weapenry — a resource for writers. She is the head of editorial services and design, with over fifty projects to her name.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Read an Excerpt!

Descending the stone stairs of the tower, I shove all thoughts of Jeremy aside. When I crash out into the courtyard, I see her. It’s like running into a wall. It stops me dead in my tracks, seeing my sister for the first time since she betrayed me.

She’s dressed in dark, sturdy leather, and her skin is the color of the spidering ice beneath her. Her shoulders are back—the slump she’d held herself in over so many years ironed away by defiance. There’s a new strength about her that I can’t quite pin, and when Michael reaches out to touch her, a roaring begins in my ears. I’ll cut his fingers off one by one. Then maybe I’ll feed them to the birds.

The wind tosses Pen’s hair across her face for a moment before I can see her more clearly. She’s dark and deadly, her eyes bright and her weapons at the ready. All of her muscles are poised to strike at anything that comes near her, and I drink in the picture of my warrior sister. This is who I always wanted her to be: a fighter, forged from iron and bathed in blood. She could rule Hell by my side. If others saw this version of her, they’d understand.

But no one’s seen this rendering of Pen. They saw the weak girl splashed with ink. The small demon who ducked her head and spoke to herself too often. They see a traitor, a coward, an angel-lover.

I want to kill her. I want to save her.

I don’t know which one will win out tonight.

Ashley's Review

Ashley's reviews of Ignite, Entice, and Incite

You guys. THIS BOOK. I mean, I loved the rest of this series. Everything about the story and Erica's gorgeous way with words made Pen, Azael, Michael, and the other characters come alive and jump out of the pages. I always felt like I was right in the middle of their world and the battle, and I often feared for their lives as if I had known these characters all my life. I am SO sad this series is over, although I'm content with where things are now. 

I went into this book pretty much knowing that Erica was going to basically just break my heart in every single way possible. I mean, it wouldn't be right if I read one of her books and didn't cry big, ugly tears at least once (see Madly, Deeply). There's Gus' prophecy hanging around, that Pen and Azael will destroy each other. And then there's crazy Lilith, who keeps throwing a wrench in the bucket and making things so, so strange and weird and wonderful. I really enjoyed reading sections from Lilith's point of view, especially knowing things she knows that Pen and Azael don't yet. I love having more information than the characters and watching things unfold. 

Don't get me wrong - I love seeing things from the conflicting viewpoints of Pen and Azael. I mean, Pen just wants everyone to have the option to make their own choices and Azael just wants to be the king of Hell and rescue his sister from the crazy angels. But there's so much more beneath all of that, and it was such a thrill to be along for the ride on both sides. And Lilith... she's all over the place and doesn't give two craps about what anyone else does as long as it benefits her. I thought Pen was a great female lead - smart and strong-willed and always looking for the good in people, yet still with her vices and weaknesses and just so very real. But Lilith is power-hungry and willing to do whatever it takes to claw her way to the top. I mean, you go girl! But maybe slow down a little bit, you crazy woman.

Although I have wanted a happy ending for Pen and Michael, and even Az, from the very beginning, I kind of always figured in the back of my mind that things were not going to work out for everyone and someone was going to get screwed in this whole war and my heart would be in a bazillion pieces all over the floor. I don't want to give anything away, but I ended up in an okay place by the end of the epilogue. It wasn't what I was hoping for, and it wasn't what I was expecting at all, but Erica made it work. And I was able to put myself back together a little bit, so that was a bonus. 

All of the supporting cast is fantastic too, and I never felt like anyone was superfluous or just there to be killed off or anything. Erica somehow manages to give every single character a well-rounded story and makes them important to Pen, Az, and Michael. Kala and Ana and Eligor, and all of the other angels and demons in New Genesis, and even Az's group of demons all had their purposes and their places, and were all very true to themselves throughout the entire book (actually, the whole series). 

So, TL;DR, you need this book in your life. Now. If you haven't read Ignite or Incite yet, or either of the novellas, go get them ASAP so that you can read Infinite. I'd say that anyone who loves paranormal books with a romance that's important but not overwhelming should definitely read these books, but really anyone who enjoys a great story with amazing characters and absolutely wonderful world building should pick up this series RIGHT NOW. Erica is incredible, and I can't wait to find out what she's got up her sleeves next! 5/5, but I'd give it higher if I could!  

Enter the giveaway, and tune into the live chat 6/30 at 7:30PM EST!

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The Lost Locket of Lahari Anthology from Patchwork Press - Ashley's Review

*I received a copy of this book as an eARC from Patchwork Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Lost Locket of Lahari Anthology

Authors: Erica Crouch, Terra Harmony, Janna Jennings, Ruth Silver, Kellie Sheridan, Kara Baird

Release Date: September 9th, 2014

Synopsis: In a dusty, dilapidated stall tucked away in an alcove of a bustling Bazaar in India, a man with a rickety spine and a spindly beard bends over his work bench, forging a locket with accidental magic. There’s power in a wish, and there’s nothing he wants more than for his children to return home. The locket was intricately crafted, adorned with one dragonfly for each of his children—and the power to find them.

With the guidance of fate, the locket skips through time and journeys across oceans, traveling from person to person in a constant search for the souls whispered into its vessel. Centuries after the magical old man in the Bazaar became near-forgotten myth and whispered legend, the locket has fallen into the hands of those with echoes of the six dragonflies: the empath, the dreamer, the confidant, the adventurer, the dancer, and the mystery.

In the hands of its new owners, the power of the locket adapts, bending and remaking itself to answer need. While the locket never found the children of Lahari, it found the next best thing… Their spirits.

The six novellas of the Lost Locket of Lahari anthology pause a moment in time when the locket finds the ripples of its ancestry. From the Victorian-era to the Roaring Twenties, the 1940s to modern day and beyond, this anthology is a collection of stories as dynamic as the authors themselves.

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Review: I have yet to be disappointed by a Patchwork Press title, so I was really looking forward to reading this anthology as soon as I heard about it. I've loved what I've read from these authors, and the idea behind this anthology is really interesting and unique. When the description says that the stories are "as dynamic as the authors themselves," it isn't kidding at all! 

As with every anthology, there are certain stories and moments that stand out as exceptional and unforgettable. Erica's story, The Empath, is probably my favorite. I've loved everything I've read from Erica, and The Empath was just as exciting and heartbreaking as the rest of her books even though it was a short story. I also really enjoyed Ruth's story, The Adventurer. I'm always looking for a good sci-fi story, and Ruth really hit the nail on the head with this one. 

A few of the stories had parts that just seemed really slow to me, which I think made me like them a little less. I also couldn't connect with some of the characters and it made it hard for me to care what happened to them. The main girl in The Confidant, for example, was really annoying to me and I felt like someone just needed to slap her. The world and the story itself were exciting and exactly what I hoped they would be, I just didn't like the girl. 

For the most part, though, all of these stories could definitely stand on their own. The characters are pretty much all well developed and go through quite a bit in their respective short stories. I enjoyed that I could read one story, put the anthology down, and come back to it later without having missed anything, but I also enjoyed that the stories are all interconnected and represent each of the children. I enjoyed learning the history of the locket in the prologue and seeing the echoes of the people who made it in the characters in the stories. Overall, this anthology was really well done. I'm really looking forward to reading the next anthology from these talented authors soon! 4/5.


--Ashley

COVER REVEAL: Infinite (Ignite #3) by Erica Crouch

Infinite by Erica Crouch
Series: Ignite #3
Published by Patchwork Press on June 16, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Goodreads

Synopsis: There are infinite ways to die, and the fates are calling for blood. After evading Azael since her betrayal, it’s finally time for Pen to stop running and face her desperate brother. But she won’t have to challenge him alone: the rebel army of New Genesis is ready to stand strong and fight to secure the future they believe in.

As Azael spirals deeper and deeper into darkness, and Pen grapples with her new leadership role, a familiar name rises to power whose decisions have the potential to rewrite everyone’s future. Dangerous secrets, silent traitors, and unraveling fates means that time is running out. There’s no telling who will survive the final battle.

In this thrilling conclusion to the Ignite series, Pen and Azael return to finish what they started over a millennia ago.

We’re in the final stretch of celebrating the Ignite series! The final installment, Infinite, comes out in just over a month, and we are so excited to be sharing the cover with you today. Erica's been waiting to reveal this one since January (when she first made it, after she decided to split Incite in half).

What do you think? Here’s the series all lined up:

Add Infinite on Goodreads, and pre-order it on Amazon, B&N, or Kobo. Let us know what you think of the cover — and what you’re most excited to see in Infinite — in the comments!

Sign up for the Blog Tour (6/9-6/23)

Sign up for the Release Day Blitz (6/16)

About Erica Crouch

Erica Crouch is a young adult and new adult author from Baltimore, Maryland. She has a strange blended aesthetic of cute and spooky, and her books reflect her ever changing mood. (You may find romance, you may find gore—sometimes both in the same book, but probably not at the same time. Probably.)

Erica is the cofounder of Patchwork Press — an indie publishing collective that produces middle grade, young adult, and new adult titles in all genres — and Weapenry — a resource for writers. She is the head of editorial services and design, with over fifty projects to her name.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Engage (Ignite #2.5) by Erica Crouch + GIVEAWAY

Engage by Erica Crouch
Series: Ignite #2.5
Published by Patchwork Press on May 5, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 128
Goodreads

Synopsis: Kalaziel is a terrible guardian angel: her temper’s shorter than she is, she swears, she’s missing a wing, and she sees no problem with letting man make their own choices—no matter how questionable. That’s what free will is all about, right? Her overseers disagree.

After she mishandles an assignment, Heaven strips Kala of her title and throws her back into training, hoping to reinforce the covenant of vows she swore to uphold as a guardian. But the angels’ motives aren’t as pure as they appear: they want to eradicate any opinions that conflict with Heaven’s code.

With a mass cleansing on the horizon, Kala discovers she is not alone in her insubordination; there are other angels who are restless with the stasis of Heaven and ready for change. Progress doesn’t come easily, though, especially when it means uniting ancient enemies to fight for a common cause.

Engage is a novella that prequels Kala and Ana’s story in Incite.

Today’s the day — release day! We are so excited to share Kala and Ana’s story with everyone. This book is the book that almost wasn’t; without Erica Crouch splitting Incite in half, we never would have had the opportunity to hear the background of just how New Genesis came to be…at least, not in a format like this!

And really, we can't get enough of our favorite lesbian angel couple!

Like Entice, Engage is available as both a paperback and an ebook, so you can have it sitting on both your physical bookshelf or your virtual one! You can order Engage from:

Amazon • B&N • iTunes • Kobo.

Sign up to participate in the Infinite cover reveal May 15th! Just a little over a month until the conclusion of the series comes out -- Infinite will be available June 16th, so mark your calendars!

About Erica Crouch

Erica Crouch is a young adult and new adult author from Baltimore, Maryland. She has a strange blended aesthetic of cute and spooky, and her books reflect her ever changing mood. (You may find romance, you may find gore—sometimes both in the same book, but probably not at the same time. Probably.)

Erica is the cofounder of Patchwork Press, an author-powered publisher of middle grade, young adult, and new adult titles. She is the head of editorial services and design, with nearly fifty projects to her name.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

The Giveaway!

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Puppet by Pauline C. Harris - Ashley's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Patchwork Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Title: Puppet

Author: Pauline C. Harris

Publication: October 2014

Publisher: Patchwork Press

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Cover Design: Erica Crouch

Synopsis: Penelope lives in a world of advanced technology but many claim society has yet to catch up. Marionettes have advanced in the form of robots; lifelike creations remote controlled to perform super human tasks.

When Penelope makes a deal with Jed, a marionette-obsessed scientist, she doesn’t fully realize what she’s getting herself into. In order for Jed to take her away from the orphanage she lives in, she must first agree to undergo his experiments and tests, ultimately creating something no one ever dreamed possible; the first living marionette.

As Jed shows off his scientific creation to the world, concerns arise surrounding Penelope’s abilities and what she’s capable of doing. Ordered to somehow lessen her abilities, Jed makes a desperate attempt to change Penelope to make her more human, more vulnerable. After Penelope lies to the officials about her past, Jed makes sure it’s the last one she’ll ever utter. The truth is now the only thing she is capable of telling.

As Penelope struggles with her past, her disturbingly new present, and her uncertain future, she is thrust into a magically twisted world of mayhem in search of the one thing she wants, but knows she can never have. The chance to be just a girl again. To be normal. To be real.

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Review: It's no secret that I love a good retelling. Especially when the bones of the original story are there, but they've been manipulated into something new and exciting. That's what I was really looking forward to most about this book - a new take on Pinocchio, with all sorts of twists to make it futuristic and something entirely its own. 

For the most part, this story really delivers. I loved the way that puppets are incorporated into the story, and how Penelope is like the story of Pinocchio in reverse in that she starts out human, ends up something not quite human, and then wants to be a real girl again. So maybe a back-and-forth Pinnochio? Regardless, I really enjoyed the way Pauline twisted the story and the idea of a "puppet," especially in this futuristic sense. I also enjoyed how Penelope's ability to lie is taken away in a completely different way than Pinocchio's. I mean, it would be pretty ridiculous for a (mostly) human girl's nose to just start growing every time she tells a lie.

Things move fairly quickly, although there were a few times when I felt like the story dragged a little bit and the pacing was off. I definitely spent most of the book feeling like I should read just one more page, or just one more chapter, since I was anxious to know what was going to happen next. Even though some parts were slow, that underlying nervousness about what was going to happen next kept me turning pages well past my bed time! I think that everything flows nicely, but maybe some of the more exposition-y world-building sections could have been incorporated somewhere else to let the plot move along more quickly. 

I was unsure about the romance at first, since Penelope's love interest is kind of her adopted brother. It was a little weird, but then it definitely grew on me, especially as I saw more of their friendship turning into something more. I think this story could have still done without the relationship, but it isn't too overwhelming and is just another facet of Penelope, so it ended up being alright. Maybe that's what made this book feel like it was dragging in some places? I don't know.

Overall, this was a really interesting and unique take on the classic Pinocchio story. Pauline totally recreates marionettes and makes them more sci-fi than anything, and I really enjoyed reading about them and learning more about how people could be turned into a marionette. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a sci-fi retelling of Pinocchio, and am looking forward to reading more from Pauline! 3/5.


--Ashley

COVER REVEAL: Engage (Ignite #2.5) by Erica Crouch

Engage: An Ignite Novella by Erica Crouch

Series: Ignite #2.5
Published by Patchwork Press on May 5, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Goodreads

Synopsis:

Kalaziel is a terrible guardian angel: her temper’s shorter than she is, she swears, she’s missing a wing, and she sees no problem with letting man make their own choices—no matter how questionable. That’s what free will is all about, right? Her overseers disagree.

After she mishandles an assignment, Heaven strips Kala of her title and throws her back into training, hoping to reinforce the covenant of vows she swore to uphold as a guardian. But the angels’ motives aren’t as pure as they appear: they want to eradicate any opinions that conflict with Heaven’s code.

With a mass cleansing on the horizon, Kala discovers she is not alone in her insubordination; there are other angels who are restless with the stasis of Heaven and ready for change. Progress doesn’t come easily, though, especially when it means uniting ancient enemies to fight for a common cause.

Engage is a novella that prequels Kala and Ana’s story in Incite.

The day is finally here! We are so thrilled to finally share the cover reveal of Erica Crouch's Engage, the next installment in the Ignite series. Engage follows Kala and Ana’s story before the events that unfold in Incite.

Engage comes out May 5th. You can preorder the ebook now on Amazon so you can get it the moment it’s out! Sign up to participate in the RELEASE DAY BLITZ!

We're in love with the cover -- the feathers! Kala! ANGELS FALLING FROM HEAVEN??? -- but we want to know what you think! Let us know in the comments!

ABOUT ERICA CROUCH

Erica Crouch is a young adult and new adult author from Baltimore, Maryland. She has a strange blended aesthetic of cute and spooky, and her books reflect her ever changing mood. (You may find romance, you may find gore—sometimes both in the same book, but probably not at the same time. Probably.)

Erica is the cofounder of Patchwork Press, an author-powered publisher of middle grade, young adult, and new adult titles. She is the head of editorial services and design, with nearly fifty projects to her name.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

COVER REVEAL: Polaris Awakening - A Patchwork Press Anthology

We're so excited to be a part of the cover reveal for Polaris Awakening, the second anthology from the authors at Patchwork Press, today! Before we get to the cover, how about a little bit of information about the book?

About the Book

ZEUS PROTOCAL 000101: REBOOT, SCAN.

DANGER DETECTED.

THREAT LEVEL: UNKNOWN.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: INCREASE MILITARY PRESENCE.

There’s trouble brewing on Polaris. Under the watchful eye of the space station’s supercomputer, Zeus, the lower classes are awakening to the corruption of their wealthy, privileged, and protected leaders. When the quiet voices of protest get louder and alliances form, change dawns on the horizon. But the small acts of resistance won’t be enough to subvert the system for long. Zeus is alert to the growing threat level, and he will do whatever’s necessary—including purging the lower levels of Polaris—to preserve stability for all.

Inspired by the mythology of the constellations hung around Polaris, the seven stories in Polaris Awakening reimagine the classic characters in a futuristic world where alien creatures are commonplace, combat arenas are used for entertaining foreign dignitaries, slaves and soldiers stand side by side, and music orchestrates a revolution. And their first acts of defiance are just the beginning. Polaris will never be the same.

ZEUS PROTOCAL 000099: ENGAGE THREAT.



There are seven stories contributing to the anthology. And our authors (in order of appearance) are: Kellie Sheridan, Erin Latimer, Erica Crouch, Janna Jennings, Hannah Davies, Terra Harmony, and Meghan Jashinsky.

Are you ready for the cover now? 

So, what do you think? Do you love it as much as we do? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 


--Ashley & Paul

BLOG TOUR: Incite (Ignite #3) by Erica Crouch - Ashley's Review, Excerpt + GIVEAWAY!

Hello! We're really excited to be participating in Erica Crouch's blog tour for her newest novel, Incite.We've got Ashley's review for you, as well as an excerpt and a giveaway! Ashley loved this book, so you definitely don't want to miss the excerpt!

You can also find Ashley's reviews of  Ignite (#1) here and Entice (#1.5) here.

And don't forget to entire the giveaway via the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post! You could win a paperback of Incite, one of three ebooks of Incite, or even one of two Ignite series ebook bundles!

But first, how about some information about Incite and Erica?

About the Book

Title: Incite (Ignite #3)
Author: Erica Crouch
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Release Date: February 17, 2015

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Synopsis: Earth is in ruins, and the war of Heaven and Hell has spilled over into the mortal world. In the frozen wasteland of the apocalypse, Azael and his band of cohorts search for Pen and Michael with orders to kill. Little does he know that his sister has incited a rebel army of her own.

Angels and demons alike stand side by side, ready and willing to fight for a future they didn’t realize they could have. Change doesn't come easy, though. Pen is wary of joining New Genesis's revolution, but when Azael shows his hand and Pen learns all that he holds over them, she chooses to fight back, no matter the risk. She only has to survive, one hour at a time.

About the Author

Erica Crouch is a young adult and new adult author from Baltimore, Maryland. She has a strange blended aesthetic of cute and spooky, and her books reflect her ever changing mood. (You may find romance, you may find gore—sometimes both in the same book, but probably not at the same time. Probably.)

Erica is the cofounder of Patchwork Press, an author-powered publisher of middle grade, young adult, and new adult titles. She is the head of editorial services and design, with nearly fifty projects to her name. Find a complete list of Erica’s books at ericacrouch.com.

Read an Excerpt

From Chapter 4 | Azael

I enjoy destruction. I like the sound of glass shattering, of paper tearing apart and fabric ripping at its seams. I savor the groan of bending metal and the snap of splintered wood. The smell of ashes and smoke and blood and sweat soothes me, so when I get back to my extravagant room, I destroy everything.

The thick, four-poster bed sitting in the middle of the room clothed in heavy, gold-and-red drapery is the first to go. I claw at the sheets and scatter them across the floor in ribbons, pull apart the intricate headboard with my fingernails until the wood is soaked black with my blood. The gold spindles that extend to the ceiling are pliable under my angry hands, and I twist them into a knot so sharp that I cut my forearm. Then I toss the mattress across the room and kick up the chairs that bookend a small side table.

My blood spills across the room as I continue my path of destruction. I barely feel the piercing burn of the shrapnel from the wooden wardrobe in my abdomen through my rage, hardly notice the small shards of glass that stick into my leg from the cart of drinks I requested be delivered earlier this morning.

I crave mayhem and terror and devastation, but I can’t gather enough composure to inflict it on anyone but myself.

A tall mirror sits wide and proud on the floor next to the washroom. I throw my fist into the glossy reflection with a snarl and watch as the fissures spiral out from my bleeding hand. I’m shattered in the reflection, both one being and dozens of smaller, angry images. There’s a large gash across my forehead that dribbles black blood over half of my face, wetting my hair down to stick to my scraped cheeks. My eyes are furious and feral, deep purple and black swallowing up the whites of my eyes.

I pull my hand back from the mirror and flex my fingers, lavishing in the agony of my broken knuckles before they begin to heal. The loud thud of my bedroom door closing grabs my attention, and when I look up, Lilith is reflected in miniature all around me.

She stays standing by the door, wearing a grin and a short, white dress in silk so smooth that it looks like liquid.

“What a mess you’ve made,” she says, curling her lips around every word.

“Leave me alone, Lilith.” 

Ashley's Review

I really, really enjoyed Ignite and Entice, and I had such high expectations for Incite (I mean, how could you not after that ending from Ignite?!). I didn't think that this series would get any better, but Erica totally blew me away with Incite. There was so much I loved about it, and I am so relieved that there's another short story and another novel to follow it. This is one series that I know will give me the worst hangover when it's over! 

Incite is not a quick read by any means - this is one hefty book! But I'm so glad that it wasn't over quickly. I wanted to savor each moment, and hold on to the characters and this world as long as I could. I love Pen and Michael, and I even love Azael even though I'm not really sure that I'm supposed to. They're all such complex characters, and I was really excited when I found out that we'd be inside Azael's head in this book. He's intrigued me since I first read Ignite, and I loved being able to see what he's thinking as he hunts Pen and Michael. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing things from Pen's perspective too, but I just thought it was a nice change of pace and really interesting to see things from the other side as well. Especially since the reader knows things that the characters don't, and it made me want to scream at them that they were making wrong assumptions or walking into a trap and that they should stop immediately. 

Unfortunately, yelling things like that at a book makes me look like a crazy person, so I'm glad that I read this book in the comfort of my home with only the dog and the cat to judge me. 

I am so invested in these characters, and I'm already dreading the ending of this series. Even the new characters, like Kala, have stolen my heart. Kala is by no means your stereotypical angel, and I thought it was great that Erica included such a diverse character in this series. I think Kala might actually be my new favorite character. I might have given that distinction to Zepar, but he terrifies me so I'm pretty sure I'll just stick with Kala. Even as secondary characters though, they're all well developed and multi-faceted, and I can't wait to find out more about them. 

As always, Erica's writing is gorgeous and her world-building is flawless. The words jump off of the page and I always feel like I'm being transported to a different time and place whenever I read her books. If you haven't started the Ignite series yet, I highly recommend them! Especially if you enjoy books about the supernatural and romance. The romance is important, but it's not overwhelming - this series is so much more than just the relationship between Pen and Michael, and there's a nice balance of action and swoon-worthy scenes. A 5/5, for sure!

 --Ashley

The Giveaway!

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COVER REVEAL: Four of a Kind by Kellie Sheridan

Hello! We have a really exciting cover reveal for you today from the lovely folks over at Patchwork Press! Kellie Sheridan's newest book, Four of a Kind, is the first in a YA family saga following the Donovan sisters—identical quadruplets over the course of four (or more!) books.

This week is also the launch of the new website, FourofaKindSeries.com, where you can sign up to be a member of the series street team!

 

Title: Four of a Kind

Author: Kellie Sheridan

Publication Date: November 4, 2014

Cover Design: Erica Crouch

Synopsis: The odds of giving birth to identical quadruplets: 1 in 13 million.

The population of Fairview, a town so small that all anyone talks about is the Fairview Four returning after fourteen years: 7208.

The chance of Reagan blending in with the crowd after a boy in her new town starts to see her for who she really is: zero.

Following in the footsteps—and all too often, the shadows—of her sisters was nothing new to Reagan. But after fifteen years of fading in to the background, she’s finally finding her own way. Amidst all the gossip and assumptions, one person sees Reagan for what she’s always wanted to be. One of a kind.

Finally feeling like she belongs, Reagan wants to enjoy every possibility her new life has to offer, but things aren’t going as smoothly for her sisters. How can Reagan possibly let herself be happy—or maybe even fall in love—when her family is finally turning to her for support?

About the Author

I have been in love with stories in all of their forms for as long as I can remember. Admittedly, sometimes that means falling into places like Stars Hollow and Sunnydale, but books have always been my true love. In early 2011 I began writing a book blog in order to share my favorite reads with book lovers. From there, the bookish community encouraged me to stop sitting on my own stories and share them instead. Since then I’ve been madly devouring everything I can about digital publishing.

For the past two years I have been mainly obsessed with young adult books, but my favorite stories still come from the adult fantasy genre. As far as I’m concerned, Briggs, Bishop, Vincent and Vaughn are all must reads.

I spent part of my twenties living in Galway, Ireland and swooning after various lilting accents but am now back home in Ontario, Canada. My family includes two Glen of Imaal Terriers and a Green Cheek Conure.

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Thanks for stopping by!


--Ashley & Paul

COVER REVEAL: Puppet by Pauline C. Harris

Happy Monday! And for all of you in the US, Happy Labor Day!

We're really excited to be taking part in the cover reveal for Pauline C. Harris' newest book, Puppet, this morning. It's a fantastic cover, and the synopsis sounds really interesting too. The fabulous Erica Crouch has really out-done herself on this cover, and we can't wait to have this one on our shelves in October.

So, without further ado..

About the Book

Title: Puppet

Author: Pauline C. Harris

Publication: October 2014

Publisher: Patchwork Press

Cover Design: Erica Crouch

Synopsis: Penelope lives in a world of advanced technology but many claim society has yet to catch up. Marionettes have advanced in the form of robots; lifelike creations remote controlled to perform super human tasks.

When Penelope makes a deal with Jed, a marionette-obsessed scientist, she doesn’t fully realize what she’s getting herself into. In order for Jed to take her away from the orphanage she lives in, she must first agree to undergo his experiments and tests, ultimately creating something no one ever dreamed possible; the first living marionette.

As Jed shows off his scientific creation to the world, concerns arise surrounding Penelope’s abilities and what she’s capable of doing. Ordered to somehow lessen her abilities, Jed makes a desperate attempt to change Penelope to make her more human, more vulnerable. After Penelope lies to the officials about her past, Jed makes sure it’s the last one she’ll ever utter. The truth is now the only thing she is capable of telling.

As Penelope struggles with her past, her disturbingly new present, and her uncertain future, she is thrust into a magically twisted world of mayhem in search of the one thing she wants, but knows she can never have. The chance to be just a girl again. To be normal. To be real.

About the Author

Pauline C. Harris is the author of middle grade and young adult science fiction novels and published her first book at the age of fourteen.  She's currently working toward a degree in English.  Other than writing, her time is consumed mainly by reading, playing the violin, watching old black and white movies, and trying to survive her college classes.  You can find her on Twitter at: @PaulineCHarris and at her website.




So, what do you think of the cover for Puppet? Let us know in the comments! 


--Ashley & Paul

COVER REVEAL: The Lost Locket of Lahari Anthology!

We're really excited to be a part of the cover reveal for The Lost Locket of Lahari Anthology today! The five authors of Patchwork Press - Erica Crouch, Terra Harmony, Janna Jennings, Ruth Silver, and Kellie Sheridan - have come together to write this anthology and it definitely sounds like one you won't want to miss.

Before we show you the cover, how about a little bit about the book?

Title: The Lost Locket of Lahari Anthology

Authors: Erica Crouch, Terra Harmony, Janna Jennings, Ruth Silver, Kellie Sheridan

Release Date: September 9th, 2014

Synopsis: In a dusty, dilapidated stall tucked away in an alcove of a bustling Bazaar in India, a man with a rickety spine and a spindly beard bends over his work bench, forging a locket with accidental magic. There’s power in a wish, and there’s nothing he wants more than for his children to return home. The locket was intricately crafted, adorned with one dragonfly for each of his children—and the power to find them.

With the guidance of fate, the locket skips through time and journeys across oceans, traveling from person to person in a constant search for the souls whispered into its vessel. Centuries after the magical old man in the Bazaar became near-forgotten myth and whispered legend, the locket has fallen into the hands of those with echoes of the six dragonflies: the empath, the dreamer, the confidant, the adventurer, the dancer, and the mystery.

In the hands of its new owners, the power of the locket adapts, bending and remaking itself to answer need. While the locket never found the children of Lahari, it found the next best thing… Their spirits.

The five novellas of the Lost Locket of Lahari anthology pause a moment in time when the locket finds the ripples of its ancestry. From the Victorian-era to the Roaring Twenties, the 1940s to modern day and beyond, this anthology is a collection of stories as dynamic as the authors themselves.



Are you ready to see the cover now?  We won't make you wait any longer!

Patchwork Press | Goodreads

So, what do you think of the cover? Are you as excited to read these stories as we are? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by to check out the cover and support these authors!


--Ashley & Paul

Madly, Deeply by Erica Crouch - Ashley's Review

*I received a copy of this book from Patchwork Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Madly, Deeply
Author: Erica Crouch
Publication Date: June 17, 2014

Synopsis: It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea...

Annaleigh Wells and William Calloway had a love even the angels envied. It was as if the universe spun them toward one another, like the stars crafted their souls to fit perfectly together.

With a wedding on the horizon, fate had a change of heart. Whispered warnings from phantoms and morbid nightmares darkened every night—but even visions of the future couldn’t save Annaleigh.

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem Annabel Lee, Crouch’s period romance Madly, Deeply tells the tale of love so great, it cannot be contained in just one life.

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Review: I don't know why I thought that a book that was a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's Annabel Lee would do anything except make me cry ugly tears all night long. I've been excited to read this book since Erica announced it, mostly because I loved her Ignite books and I love retellings, but I seriously should have known better. Annabel Lee is so full of heartbreak and Erica's story remained true to the original while still maintaining a fresh new voice. 

I was hooked on Madly, Deeply from the first sentence. Erica just has this way with words that made me want to keep reading even though I just knew something terrible was going to happen. Her descriptions of Annaleigh, William, and their world are flawless. Instead of telling us how strong their love is, she shows us. Every word, every action drips with their love for each other and it's no wonder even the angels envied it! 

I loved the gothic feel of this book, and I loved the little bit of magic that was woven in. The setting is haunting enough as it is and it just makes everything feel a little bit darker and a little bit more other-worldly. I often found myself thinking, "that seriously did NOT just happen. Things will right themselves in the next section!" The Victorian feel of the book really made this story that much better and I'm not sure it would have had the same impact if it was set in any other time period. I'm also kind of a sucker for books set in the Victorian era, so I just loved all of that. 

One of my favorite parts of this book was how it was broken up into sections based on the stanzas of the original poem. It doesn't exactly follow those stanzas, but it does give an idea of what's to come and what might happen next. The crying, for me, started around the second stanza, and quickly changed to ugly crying by the third stanza (for the rest of the book....). Especially after Annaleigh and William's fight in the cabin. That scene took my hurting heart and broke it into a million pieces. 

The end, although not your typical "happily ever after" was satisfying and still happy in a way. If you read this book, you'll totally know what I mean. I was still crying all over the place, but my heart started to mend so I walked away feeling a little bit better. But Madly, Deeply has stuck with me for several weeks while I've tried to write this review and I just can't get it out of my head.

So I would 100% recommend this book to anyone looking for a re-telling of Annabel Lee that remains to Poe's original poem while still taking on a life of its own. Especially if you don't mind a good cry. This book has all of the feels and Erica's gorgeous writing will probably turn you into a blubbering mess before it's over. I loved everything about this book, and I can't wait to find out what Erica has up her sleeves next! 5/5!


--Ashley