No Such Thing as Perfect by Sarah Daltry - Ashley's Review

Title: No Such Thing as Perfect
Author: Sarah Daltry
Publication date: December 11th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo | Paperback | Goodreads

Synopsis: College was supposed to be perfect. She was supposed to be perfect.

For Lily Drummond, life is about following the rules. To be specific, her mother’s rules. College fit into the plan – maintain perfect grades, date the perfect guy, and live the perfect life. On her own, though, Lily realizes that she doesn’t actually have a plan. Without being told what to think and do, she keeps making mistakes.

Away from home, the perfect facade is beginning to shatter. When Lily herself starts to break, it’s the support of an unlikely friend that teaches her how much of a lie perfect really is – and how to be whole on her own terms.

No Such Thing as Perfect was inspired by Sarah's Flowering series, but it stands completely alone as its own title. The same characters appear and some situations are similar, but this was written with a different goal in mind. There is NO on-camera sex in this novel and it is not a "romance" novel by most standards, but a story of growing up and being okay with who you are.

For more info, visit Sarah's website

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Review: I've been a huge fan of Sarah Daltry's books since I stumbled across Backward Compatible, and when I heard she was writing a new book inspired by her Flowering series, I knew I had to read it. And while I really liked the Flowering series, I'm so glad that No Such Thing as Perfect came out of it, because I think this is the story that was aching to get out and be heard. 

Although Lily's experiences were not entirely my own, there were parts of her life that I could completely understand. I was lucky in that I had friends and family supporting my decisions and not holding me to ridiculous standards, but I know what it's like to be afraid of failing. I've known people who are terrified of disappointing their parents or who refuse to let go of the past and can't see the present for what it is. I felt for Lily throughout this whole book, and most of the time I just wanted to give her a huge hug and be there for her.

I'm not huge on contemporary realistic YA. I mean, I know there's a place for it and I know a lot of people enjoy it, but I'd rather lose myself in a fantasy world than have to read about the problems that run rampant in this world. But Sarah's writing is captivating and drew me in from the first sentence, and I found that I couldn't put this book down. I stayed up well past my bed time, wanting to know what was going to happen next in Lily's life. I had to know if she could break through her chains and be her own person. 

This is a very character driven book, and it was nice to read something that wasn't so heavily focused on plot. I very much enjoyed getting to know Lily, Jack, and Alana, and I'm really hoping that we get to learn the rest of their stories soon. I did not enjoy getting to know Derrick, and I'm glad that things happened the way they did. I know he was important in Lily's story and her growing up, but I hope we never have to see him again. He's basically the worst. Ugh. Just thinking about him makes me angry. 

If you enjoy contemporary YA, I think you'll really enjoy this book. Sarah's writing is just so fluid and beautiful, and the words become reality as they draw you into the page. I am so glad that No Such Thing as Perfect is out there in the world, because I think it can help give voice to some of the problems that many young girls face and help them to know that they are not alone. Go grab your copy ASAP! You won't regret it. 5/5.

--Ashley

RELEASE BLITZ: No Such Thing as Perfect by Sarah Daltry + GIVEAWAY!

If you've been around for a little bit, you know how much Ashley loves Sarah Daltry. Backward Compatible is one her favorite books ever, and Dust is up there too. And now, Sarah has a new book out and we're so excited to read it! 

We also have an excerpt and a giveaway for you, so be sure to enter for your chance to win a $15 Amazon gift card via the Rafflecopter form below!

About the Book

Title: No Such Thing as Perfect
Author: Sarah Daltry
Publication date: December 11th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Amazon | Smashwords | Kobo | Paperback

Synopsis: College was supposed to be perfect. She was supposed to be perfect.

For Lily Drummond, life is about following the rules. To be specific, her mother’s rules. College fit into the plan – maintain perfect grades, date the perfect guy, and live the perfect life. On her own, though, Lily realizes that she doesn’t actually have a plan. Without being told what to think and do, she keeps making mistakes.

Away from home, the perfect facade is beginning to shatter. When Lily herself starts to break, it’s the support of an unlikely friend that teaches her how much of a lie perfect really is – and how to be whole on her own terms.

No Such Thing as Perfect was inspired by Sarah's Flowering series, but it stands completely alone as its own title. The same characters appear and some situations are similar, but this was written with a different goal in mind. There is NO on-camera sex in this novel and it is not a "romance" novel by most standards, but a story of growing up and being okay with who you are.

For more info, visit Sarah's website

Read an Excerpt!

I make it through the week otherwise unscathed. All my work is done, I seem to be maybe becoming friends with Kristen, and Derek’s on his way up to campus. I’ve been pacing for the better part of an hour.

“You need to relax,” Kristen says. “What could go wrong?”

For people who don’t need things in their places, it’s easy to relax. If something goes awry, it can always be fixed later. For people like me, though, everything can always go wrong. When I can’t control it, I panic. It’s the only thing I know how to do.

“What if something’s happened?” I ask for the third time. He was supposed to be here an hour ago.

“Nothing happened. He hit traffic, I bet.”

“But why didn’t he call?”

“Because he’s an idiot. Now sit down and stop pacing. You’re making me nervous.”

There’s a scuff on the toe of my shoes, so I do sit down. I scrub at it, but it won’t come out; myattempts end up making it worse, so now the entire toe is dirty. “I look like hell,” I tell Kristen.

“You look fine – just like you have for the last few hours when you’ve asked. How long have you been dating again?”

“Ten months.”

“Ten months, and you think he’s going to show up having not seen you in a week and realize he must have been crazy?” she asks.

“It’s just… he’s the only boyfriend I’ve ever had.”

“So?”

How do I tell her about Rebecca Ellison, about Heather Yost, about Jill Pevarski, about Gina Frey, about all the girls Derek’s dated? How do I explain that nothing ever seemed to happen, that one day he was with them and then one day he wasn’t? How do I make her see that I’ve only wanted him and he fits into the puzzle and that I don’t have a backup plan?

“Never mind. Can I borrow your shoes? The black ones you wore yesterday?”

Kristen shakes her head and jumps down off her bed. “Lily, none of it matters. If Derek doesn’t want you, you’re good enough without him.”

Good enough is not good enough, I think. No one wants good enough. I don’t say anything, though, but I take the shoes and change them. There’s no sign of the scuff. Nothing is out of place, nothing out of order.

About the Author

Sarah Daltry is a varied author, known best for the contemporary New Adult series, 'Flowering', a six-title series that explores the complexities of relationships, including how we survive the damage from our pasts with the support of those who love us. Although the books are no longer in print, they are being rewritten and redeveloped for future publication. Please visit Sarah's website for more details.

As a former English teacher and YA library coordinator, Sarah has always loved Young Adult literature and 'Dust', an epic fantasy novel where romance blends with the blood and grit of war, is her second official foray into YA, following the gamer geek romantic comedy, 'Backward Compatible'. Most of Sarah's work is about teens and college students, as it's what she knows well.

Sarah's passion in life is writing - weaving tales of magic and beauty. The modern and vast social networking world is an alternative universe that she makes infrequent trips to, but when she does, readers will find her attentive, friendly and happy to discuss the magic of stories and reading. Please stop by and say hello anywhere Sarah is online! You can find these places at http://sarahdaltry.com

Sarah has moved back and forth between independent and traditional publishing. Her first novel, 'Bitter Fruits', is with Escape, an imprint of Harlequin Australia, and she signed with Little Bird Publishing in the spring of 2014.

Sarah has also written 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,' a reimagining of one of her favorite poems in a contemporary setting.

She is an obsessive Anglophile who spends more time watching BBC TV than any human being should, as well as a hardcore gamer and sarcastic nerd.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

The Giveaway!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dust by Sarah Daltry - Ashley's Review + GIVEAWAY!

Dust is finally out! I love Sarah, and I love this book. If you haven't had a chance to get it yet, we also have a giveaway going on for a copy of the ebook - and it's open internationally! Make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post for your chance to win. 

Amazon | Goodreads

Title: Dust
Author: Sarah Daltry
Publication Date: November 6, 2014
Publisher: Little Bird Publishing House

Synopsis: Who makes YOUR choices?

"I was once the type of person who was impressed by starlight; the type of person who would dance beneath glass ceilings and let the world swim in its loveliness. The sky reminds me of the parties we used to throw - parties like the one last night. The memories bring back the trill of harps and endless ripples of satisfied laughter. Now, though, when I try to recall what I felt, all I hear is screaming."

In a world ravaged by war and oppressive forces of evil, a princess must fight to claim her bloodright and save her people.

When the princess, Alondra, falls for the beautiful, blue eyes of a hooded stranger, it awakens in her a taste for freedom and an escape from her duty. But her parents have other plans; they have a kingdom to protect and Alondra must marry to ensure the peace between nations. Only what happens when your parents choose a cold-hearted assassin as your betrothed?

As lies, illusions, and long hidden vendettas surface, the princess has to confront a very secret history. One that makes her realize that she not only risks losing her liberty, but also everything she has known and loved.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Review: I read a lot of YA fantasy. It's my favorite genre, and I always jump at the chance to read something new and different. And Sarah Daltry delivers in her first foray into YA fantasy! Sarah's books have always been very character-based, and this story is no different. I absolutely loved getting to know Alondra, Seamus, Tevlin, and Layla and their world. 

I thought the pacing in this book was really excellent. There are jumps between the past and present, but the chapters fit together seamlessly and give information from the past that is now, or will soon be, relevant in the present. Alondra has a lot to discover about her parents and their past, and about the way the world used to be. There is so much more at stake in this book than just Alondra's freedom, and she has to make so many hard choices. Even though the jumps in time might be a little disorienting to some people, I think they really tell the story in a way that going from point A to point B just would not do. The meandering path adds so much depth to the plot and the world. 

Alondra is probably one of my favorite heroines that I've read about recently. She starts out as kind of a spoiled brat, bored with her life and upset that she's being forced to marry Seamus, an assassin prince from a neighboring kingdom. But as she learns secrets and gets to know Seamus better, she matures in to a strong young woman, capable of leading the country she's set to inherit. 

And then there is Seamus, who is totally swoon-worthy. I fell in love with Seamus pretty much from the beginning, and I kind of wanted to slap Alondra every time she didn't want to give him a chance. Sure, he seems cold and apathetic, but he's go secrets of his own that could destroy him and Demoria. One of my favorite things about Seamus is that he treats Alondra with respect, and knows that he cannot force her to love him. He wants to at least be friends, since neither of them has any choice regarding their marriage, but he allows Alondra to love him on her own terms. He's really a sweetheart underneath everything, when he allows himself to actually care and show emotion.

Sarah's world-building is some of the best I've seen in YA Fantasy. There's a little bit of telling how the world is, because that's just how fantasy goes, but most of the world building is done through Alondra discovering more about Anara and Kooram and all of the other countries. Even though she's the princess of Kooram, she's led a very sheltered life and doesn't know much about her world. So when she's forced to save it, we get to see Anara through the eyes of someone who is also learning about a world that she's lived in her entire life.

I would 100% recommend Dust to any fans of fantasy, especially if you're looking for a YA fantasy. I think the really great thing about this book is that it can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, so I'd really recommend it to any age group. Maybe not too young, since there are some situations that may not be appropriate for a middle-grade reader (there are a couple of scary/gory parts!), but there's nothing too bad or anything. I adore Sarah and her books, and this one is no different. A 5/5 for sure, and I can't wait to see what Sarah has up her sleeve next! 

--Ashley

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK BLITZ: Dust by Sarah Daltry + 2 GIVEAWAYS!!

Sarah Daltry's newest book, Dust, is out now! Dust is an epic YA Fantasy,and definitely one that anyone looking for a great fantasy read should check out. Ashley loved it, and we're so excited to be a part of this release blitz! We've also got an excerpt for you, so don't miss that. 

Be sure to enter BOTH giveaways at the end of this post. You have the chance to win an ebook of Dust, as well as one of three swag packs!

About the Book

Title: Dust
Author: Sarah Daltry
Publisher: Little Bird Publishing House
Publication Date: November 6, 2014

Synopsis: Who makes YOUR choices?

"I was once the type of person who was impressed by starlight; the type of person who would dance beneath glass ceilings and let the world swim in its loveliness. The sky reminds me of the parties we used to throw - parties like the one last night. The memories bring back the trill of harps and endless ripples of satisfied laughter. Now, though, when I try to recall what I felt, all I hear is screaming."

In a world ravaged by war and oppressive forces of evil, a princess must fight to claim her bloodright and save her people.

When the princess, Alondra, falls for the beautiful, blue eyes of a hooded stranger, it awakens in her a taste for freedom and an escape from her duty. But her parents have other plans; they have a kingdom to protect and Alondra must marry to ensure the peace between nations. Only what happens when your parents choose a cold-hearted assassin as your betrothed?

As lies, illusions, and long hidden vendettas surface, the princess has to confront a very secret history. One that makes her realize that she not only risks losing her liberty, but also everything she has known and loved.

Read an Excerpt!

Curiosity echoes through the room. No one goes to Challar. We live in a world that does not need history books; stories that we need to know are preserved through the bards and everything else... Well, some things are better left in the past. I know there is much of Anara that has been kept from me, but I always believed my parents and elders when they said the past was buried to save us. Now, though, I feel like a marionette, and I want to know who’s holding the strings.
“Something’s bothering me,” I tell Seamus. “I can’t explain it, and please don’t ask. But I want to go to see if I can get some questions answered. I planned on going without telling anyone and being back for dinner. Still,” I pause, “I would be happy to have your company.”
“Sure,” he says. The truce is unspoken, but it’s there. As he said yesterday, I cannot fight my destiny; now at least I have someone to go alongside me.
“Thank you. I’m sorry I can’t say more, but I hope you take comfort in knowing that my asking is…”
He nods. “I understand. Actually, there was something I wanted to say to you before you left, and I suppose now is as good a time as any. You see, Alondra, I… Well, I know that this is challenging for you. I know that our parents strive to think for the future, to establish an alliance that will better both of our kingdoms and Anara as a whole. However, I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Seamus,” I start, but he brushes his fingers across my lips and continues.
“I never anticipated that you would love me, but I don’t want to be hated. Not by my wife. I see the way you look at me. I see what you see, and I know what I am. I am prepared to offer you a choice, Alondra. After you depart Demoria, I will not contact you until we return to your kingdom for the engagement ball. When I return to Kooram, I ask that you tell me how you feel then. If you still feel that our marriage would never be more than a punishment, I will publicly ask for a dissolution of the agreement.”
“Your kingdom will blame me,” I argue.
“Although I am an assassin, Alondra, I am also a prince. I know how to affect change with words as well as with a blade.”
I want to reply, to say something, even though I don’t know what words would bubble to the surface. Choices swim in my mind and I try to pull the threads of them apart to see the future lying at the end of each. As I contemplate, Seamus leans over. He gets closer and I realize he is going to kiss me. I don’t have time to decide if that’s okay before a scream rings out from the party below.

Buy the Book!

About the Author

Sarah Daltry is a varied author, known best for the contemporary New Adult series, 'Flowering', a six-title series that explores the complexities of relationships, including how we survive the damage from our pasts with the support of those who love us. Although the books are no longer in print, they are being rewritten and redeveloped for future publication. Please visit Sarah's website for more details.

As a former English teacher and YA library coordinator, Sarah has always loved Young Adult literature and 'Dust', an epic fantasy novel where romance blends with the blood and grit of war, is her second official foray into YA, following the gamer geek romantic comedy, 'Backward Compatible'. Most of Sarah's work is about teens and college students, as it's what she knows well.

Sarah's passion in life is writing - weaving tales of magic and beauty. The modern and vast social networking world is an alternative universe that she makes infrequent trips to, but when she does, readers will find her attentive, friendly and happy to discuss the magic of stories and reading. Please stop by and say hello anywhere Sarah is online! You can find these places at http://www.sarahdaltry.com

Sarah has moved back and forth between independent and traditional publishing. Her first novel, 'Bitter Fruits', is with Escape, an imprint of Harlequin Australia, and she signed with Little Bird Publishing in the spring of 2014.

Sarah has also written 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,' a reimagining of one of her favorite poems in a contemporary setting. She is an obsessive Anglophile who spends more time watching BBC TV than any human being should, as well as a hardcore gamer and sarcastic nerd.

Stay up to date with news at Facebook (Personal Profile), Sarah's Facebook Page, Twitter, tumblr, Instagram, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Sarah's book trailers are available on YouTube

You can also check out samples of Sarah's work at DeviantArt and Wattpad.

Giveaway!

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Thanks for stopping by, supporting Sarah, and pre-ordering! 

--Ashley & Paul

ALL-IN-ONE REVEAL: No Such Thing as Perfect by Sarah Daltry + GIVEAWAY!

 

No Such Thing as Perfect

CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC YA

Author: Sarah Daltry

College was supposed to be perfect. She was supposed to be perfect.

For Lily Drummond, life is about following the rules. To be specific, her mother’s rules. College fit into the plan – maintain perfect grades, date the perfect guy, and live the perfect life. On her own, though, Lily realizes that she doesn’t actually have a plan. Without being told what to think and do, she keeps making mistakes.

Away from home, the perfect facade is beginning to shatter. When Lily herself starts to break, it’s the support of an unlikely friend that teaches her how much of a lie perfect really is – and how to be whole on her own terms.

Release Date: December 12, 2014 (tentative)

Preorders to be available in November unless something changes.

 “My name’s Lily and James Naismith ruined high school for me,” I offer.

It’s too hot in this room. The window fan is blowing nothing but heat over us, along with some old dust or dirt from the window. It makes the noise of plastic that is being asked to do more than plastic can do; the fan’s cheapness makes it too weak to be a fan and it groans with its own failure.

I’m not good with social events. This is some kind of mandated floor meeting for all new students and I’m sitting in the middle of my RA’s room with ten other girls, all of us in pajama pants, and trying to sound interesting.

“I mean, he didn’t personally. I think he died almost a hundred years ago,” I stutter.

“So why don’t you explain how the inventor of basketball did ruin high school then?” one girl asks.

She’s angry, but I don’t know her. I don’t know anyone, except my roommate Kristen and so far all I know about her is that she’s majoring in education, she brought the fridge, and she’s decorated her side of our dorm room to look like the inside of a Pepto-Bismol bottle. This girl doesn’t want to hear my story. She doesn’t want to be here, but I don’t, either, and now that I’m here, I was the one dumb enough to open my mouth.

“It was gym class,” I try to explain. “I don’t know. Something about ed reform. We had homework and tests and all that in gym now and I’d been up all night writing an essay about James Naismith. I hadn’t slept and I was in a rush trying to make the bus that morning.”

It had been cold, the rushing towards winter that mirrors the years that aren’t like this one. This is one where summer lingers and it resists every attempt to make it yield to fall. I remember the leaves were already falling that year, even though it was only early September. Some years it seemed like they were in a greater rush to die. In the moments between life, each leaf took its suicidal leap and fell slowly while no one noticed. We always only notice when they’re all dead and suddenly the sky hangs on us and we crave shade.

The bus was about to pull away from the curb near my house and I cried out for it, running faster and slipping on a clump of leaves. The entire patch was squishy. I wondered as I fell if I had taken out a small family of worms in my descent. My outfit was ruined, but it wasn’t the clothes that scared me...

“I tripped on leaves and fell on the driveway hard. The gravel left a slash along my cheek and it looked like someone had punched me. That was the day of school pictures, which we used for the yearbook and our IDs. Not to mention the fact that my mom...” I can’t finish. I don’t want to take about my mother.

I certainly don’t feel like confiding in these girls about how disappointed she was that I had ruined everything. It wasn’t my fault that fall had come early, but I ruined the pictures and in her album of school photos, my freshman year still remains a giant, empty black page. A constant reminder that I will never be whole, never be perfect, never be what she wanted.

“What about your mom?” someone else asks.

“Nothing.” I don’t want to tell my story anymore. I want the fan to stop trying. I want it to be tomorrow and the day after and any day when I can start in the morning and get through to night without making a mistake.

It’s dropped, though, anyway, because Ellie, the RA, turns to someone else who is pocketing a handful of condoms. “You don’t need to take them all,” she barks. “I have plenty, but other people practice safe sex, too. Unless you’re planning on having a massive orgy tonight, you can probably come back and get some later.”

The condom hoarder blushes and returns half her pile and the floor meeting turns back to pointless small talk and ice breakers that no one wants to be a part of. The fan clicks another meaningless rotation. I’ve been a college student for six hours now and I’ve never been so lonely in my entire life.

Sarah Daltry is a YA author, hardcore gamer, sarcastic nerd, and obsessive Anglophile who watches too much BBC TV. She is the author of Backward Compatible: A Gamer Geek Love Story, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock: A Modern Reimagining, Bitter Fruits, and the upcoming YA fantasy, Dust. No Such Thing as Perfect was inspired by Sarah's original Flowering series, but is a completely different take on similar concepts.

When she's not writing, Sarah spends a lot of time with her Xbox and her cats.

Website | Facebook Page | Facebook Profile | Twitter | Tumblr| Instagram | ello| Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Wattpad | DeviantArt | YouTube | LinkedIn

Enter to win a signed ARC!

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PRE-ORDER BLITZ: Dust by Sarah Daltry + GIVEAWAY!

Guys, I love this book. Like, a lot. And you should totally pre-order it now, because Sarah is offering up some signed bookmarks and swag to go along with your shiny new book. You won't be disappointed!

Who makes YOUR choices?

"I was once the type of person who was impressed by starlight; the type of person who would dance beneath glass ceilings and let the world swim in its loveliness. The sky reminds me of the parties we used to throw - parties like the one last night. The memories bring back the trill of harps and endless ripples of satisfied laughter. Now, though, when I try to recall what I felt, all I hear is screaming."

In a world ravaged by war and oppressive forces of evil, a princess must fight to claim her bloodright and save her people.

When the princess, Alondra, falls for the beautiful, blue eyes of a hooded stranger, it awakens in her a taste for freedom and an escape from her duty. But her parents have other plans; they have a kingdom to protect and Alondra must marry to ensure the peace between nations. Only what happens when your parents choose a cold-hearted assassin as your betrothed?

As lies, illusions, and long hidden vendettas surface, the princess has to confront a very secret history. One that makes her realize that she not only risks losing her liberty, but also everything she has known and loved.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sarah Daltry is a varied author, known best for the contemporary New Adult series, 'Flowering', a six-title series that explores the complexities of relationships, including how we survive the damage from our pasts with the support of those who love us. Although the books are no longer in print, they are being rewritten and redeveloped for future publication. Please visit Sarah's website for more details.

As a former English teacher and YA library coordinator, Sarah has always loved Young Adult literature and 'Dust', an epic fantasy novel where romance blends with the blood and grit of war, is her second official foray into YA, following the gamer geek romantic comedy, 'Backward Compatible'. Most of Sarah's work is about teens and college students, as it's what she knows well.

Sarah's passion in life is writing - weaving tales of magic and beauty. The modern and vast social networking world is an alternative universe that she makes infrequent trips to, but when she does, readers will find her attentive, friendly and happy to discuss the magic of stories and reading. Please stop by and say hello anywhere Sarah is online! You can find these places at http://www.sarahdaltry.com

Sarah has moved back and forth between independent and traditional publishing. Her first novel, 'Bitter Fruits', is with Escape, an imprint of Harlequin Australia, and she signed with Little Bird Publishing in the spring of 2014.

Sarah has also written 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,' a reimagining of one of her favorite poems in a contemporary setting. She is an obsessive Anglophile who spends more time watching BBC TV than any human being should, as well as a hardcore gamer and sarcastic nerd.

Email: sarahdaltrybooks@gmail.com

Stay up to date with news at Facebook (Personal Profile), Sarah's Facebook Page, Twitter, tumblr, Instagram, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Sarah's book trailers are available on YouTube

You can also check out samples of Sarah's work at DeviantArt and Wattpad.

Thanks for stopping by, supporting Sarah, and pre-ordering! 

--Ashley & Paul

PRE-ORDER BLITZ: Dust by Sarah Daltry + GIVEAWAY!

Who makes YOUR choices?

"I was once the type of person who was impressed by starlight; the type of person who would dance beneath glass ceilings and let the world swim in its loveliness. The sky reminds me of the parties we used to throw - parties like the one last night. The memories bring back the trill of harps and endless ripples of satisfied laughter. Now, though, when I try to recall what I felt, all I hear is screaming."

In a world ravaged by war and oppressive forces of evil, a princess must fight to claim her bloodright and save her people.

When the princess, Alondra, falls for the beautiful, blue eyes of a hooded stranger, it awakens in her a taste for freedom and an escape from her duty.

But her parents have other plans; they have a kingdom to protect and Alondra must marry to ensure the peace between nations. Only what happens when your parents choose a cold-hearted assassin as your betrothed?

As lies, illusions, and long hidden vendettas surface, the princess has to confront a very secret history. One that makes her realize that she not only risks losing her liberty, but also everything she has known and loved.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sarah Daltry is a varied author, known best for the contemporary New Adult series, 'Flowering', a six-title series that explores the complexities of relationships, including how we survive the damage from our pasts with the support of those who love us. Although the books are no longer in print, they are being rewritten and redeveloped for future publication. Please visit Sarah's website for more details.

As a former English teacher and YA library coordinator, Sarah has always loved Young Adult literature and 'Dust', an epic fantasy novel where romance blends with the blood and grit of war, is her second official foray into YA, following the gamer geek romantic comedy, 'Backward Compatible'. Most of Sarah's work is about teens and college students, as it's what she knows well.

Sarah's passion in life is writing - weaving tales of magic and beauty. The modern and vast social networking world is an alternative universe that she makes infrequent trips to, but when she does, readers will find her attentive, friendly and happy to discuss the magic of stories and reading. Please stop by and say hello anywhere Sarah is online! You can find these places at http://sarahdaltry.com

Sarah has moved back and forth between independent and traditional publishing. Her first novel, 'Bitter Fruits', is with Escape, an imprint of Harlequin Australia, and she signed with Little Bird Publishing in the spring of 2014.

Sarah has also written 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,' a reimagining of one of her favorite poems in a contemporary setting.

She is an obsessive Anglophile who spends more time watching BBC TV than any human being should, as well as a hardcore gamer and sarcastic nerd.

Email: sarahdaltrybooks@gmail.com

Stay up to date with news at Facebook (Personal Profile), Sarah's Facebook Page, Twitter, tumblr, Instagram, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Sarah's book trailers are available on YouTube.

You can also check out samples of Sarah's work at DeviantArt and Wattpad.

COVER REVEAL: Dust by Sarah Daltry + GIVEAWAY!

Hello again! We've got another cover reveal for you today - this time, it's for Sarah Daltry's YA Fantasy Dust, coming out in November from Little Bird Publishing! This cover is really fantastic, and we hope you love it.

There's also a giveaway at the end of this post for some swag and other things from Little Bird Publishing and Sarah, so make sure you fill out the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win.

Are you ready for the cover and some information about Dust?

Amazon.co.uk | Amazon

Title: Dust
Author: Sarah Daltry

Release Date: Friday, November 7th, 2014

Publisher: Little Bird Publishing

  

“I was once the type of person who was impressed by starlight; the type of person who would dance beneath glass ceilings and let the world swim in its loveliness. The sky reminds me of the parties we used to throw – parties like the one last night. The memories bring back the trill of harps and endless ripples of satisfied laughter. Now, though, when I try to recall what I felt, all I hear is screaming.”

In a world ravaged by war and oppressive forces of evil, a princess must fight to claim her blood-right and save her people.

When the princess, Alondra falls for the beautiful, blue eyes of a hooded stranger, it awakens in her a taste for freedom and an escape from her duty.

But her parents have other plans; they have a Kingdom to protect and Alondra must marry to ensure the peace between nations. Only what happens when your parents choose a cold-hearted assassin as your betrothed?

As lies, illusions and long hidden vendettas surface, the princess has to confront a very secret history. One that makes her realize that she not only risks losing her liberty, but of everything she has known and loved.

About the Author

Sarah Daltry is a varied author, known best for the contemporary New Adult series, Flowering, a six-title series that explores the complexities of relationships, including how we survive the damage from our pasts with the support of those who love us. 

As a former English teacher and YA librarian, Sarah has always loved Young Adult literature and Dust, an epic fantasy novel where romance blends with the blood and grit of war, is her second official foray into YA, following the gamer geek romantic comedy, Backward Compatible. Most of Sarah's work is about teens and college students, as it's what she knows well.

Sarah’s passion in life is writing; weaving tales of magic and beauty. The modern and vast social networking world is an alternative universe that she makes infrequent trips too, but when she does, readers will find her attentive, friendly and happy to discuss the magic of stories and reading. Please stop by and say hi @SarahDaltry.

Sarah has moved back and forth between independent and traditional publishing. Her first novel, Bitter Fruits, is with Escape, an imprint of Harlequin Australia, and she signed with Little Bird Publishing in the spring of 2014.

Author’s website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Pinterest | Youtube | Tumblr | Instagram

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FREE BOOK!: Backward Compatible by Sarah Daltry and Pete Clark

Happy Thursday! Today is an extra-special Thursday too, because Pete Clark and Sarah Daltry have lowered the price of their gamer geek romance down to FREE on Amazon! Ashley absolutely loved this book, and recommends it to all of her gamer/nerd/geek friends. We've also featured it, and Pete & Sarah, a couple of times, so be sure to check out this interview with Sarah & Pete and Pete's Top (more than) Ten Video Games!

In case you haven't heard about Backward Compatible, Sarah, or Pete, here's a little information about the book and the authors. 

About the Book

Amazon | Goodreads


Title: Backward Compatible

Authors: Sarah Daltry and Pete Clark

Synopsis: Not too long ago, in a town that, depending on your current location, is either not super far or actually quite close… 

It is a time of chaotic hormones.

Two nerdy gents home for winter break have discovered a female gamer at a midnight release.

During the break, the gamer trio manages to reveal the game’s secret boss, a hidden enemy with enough power to destroy anything in its path. 

Pursued by other gamers who want to be the first to beat this boss, George and Katie race to level up, and, in so doing, restore decency and sexual activity to their personal galaxy…

About the Authors

Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She's written works in various genres - romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn't as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she's been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships - romantic, familial, friendly - because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn't matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future - human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah's stories.

Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.

When Sarah isn't writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window. 

She has written several books, most notably Bitter Fruits, an urban fantasy in the Eden’s Fall series, and the Flowering series, including Forget Me Not, Lily of the Valley, and Star of Bethlehem.

Pete Clark likes writing, animals, potato chips, and cheese. Midnight Riders is his first published novel, although he can also proudly say he finally finished Helix Crashing, the fantasy novel he has been working on for over a decade. In addition, he has written Across the Barren Landscape, a collection of linked Western short stories. He also writes plays, both dramatic and comedic. 

When he is not writing, Pete tends to ignore everyone around him and obsess over sports.

Author Social Media Links:

Sarah: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | YouTube | Authorgraph 

Pete: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks for stopping by and supporting Sarah & Pete! 


--Ashley & Paul

Bitter Fruits (Eden's Fall #1) by Sarah Daltry - Ashley's Review

*I was gifted a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Bitter Fruits (Eden's Fall #1)
Author: Sarah Daltry
Publication Date: December 1, 2013

Synopsis: For fans of dark urban fantasy comes a novel that questions why forbidden fruit is always the most tempting...

A vampire-themed masquerade party isn't really her scene, but Nora is sick of frat parties and bars. When she meets Alec, the appeal suddenly becomes clear. It's obvious that they've been struck by the same intense mutual attraction, but Alec keeps his distance. Intrigued despite herself, Nora pushes a little deeper -- and discovers Alec's unimaginable secret...

Nora is not afraid of following Alec into the darkness, but the choice is soon taken from her. Someone is hunting her -- someone tied to the secret and desperate to see it play out. But when Nora finally meets her aggressor, she finds herself hopelessly drawn to him. She needs to make a choice between the two men, but can she save them both, knowing one is destined to die?

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Review: I usually am not a huge fan of vampire romance books. The only vampire books I really get excited about are ones like Buffy where the vampires are the ones being killed or ones where there are vampires that are a new take on a classic horror creature. So I was really pleasantly surprised when I actually enjoyed this book! 

The romance in this book is a main plot point, but it's messy and complicated. Oh, and very steamy. Definitely 18+. Nora is torn between two men - Alec and Caleb - and feels inexplicably drawn to both of them. Alec is the sweet one; he refuses to sleep with her until she knows his story and even then wants to make sure she understands what exactly will happen to him. He doesn't want to involve her in his world unless she decides that's where she wants to be. I really enjoyed learning more about him as Nora did and watching his secrets unfold.

And then there's Caleb, who is seen as the "bad boy" and the scarier of the two. His fate is tied to Alec's in a big way and I really enjoyed the connection that's endured through time. Nora feels totally different with him than with Alec and tries to avoid him as much as possible until the pull is just too much. There's a really strong connection there, and I thought it was really interesting to see how Nora was connected to both men in totally different ways. I also really liked how she made her choice when the time came, and am glad that things worked out for them.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the inclusion of the Biblical mythology. Lilith plays a huge role in this book, and I really liked how she was portrayed. She's not really evil, but she's definitely not good. I think she's just really misunderstood and I appreciated her side of the story too. I also think there's still a lot more to learn about her, and I really hope that Sarah continues this series and completes the trilogy she had planned. 

This book is so much better than the Twilight series, in my opinion, and I think that fans of vampire romances will really enjoy this book. Even if the vampires are unlike any you've read about before. The writing is excellent, the characters are likeable and relateable, and the plot is exciting. There are quite a few really steamy scenes so I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under 18 though. The explicit scenes are important to understand Nora, Alec, and Caleb, so they are pretty necessary, but they're well written and don't take away from the other major problems that need solving. I really can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy eventually! 4/5!

--Ashley