Book Blitz: The Perfect Boyfriend by Renee Novelle

@XpressoReads @rs_novelle #giveaway #bookblitz

The Perfect Boyfriend by Renee Novelle
(Boyfriend #2)
Publication date: July 27th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

The Perfect Boyfriend picks up right where we left Reagan and Ian in The Boyfriend List.

As their friendship blossoms quickly into a steamy romance, Reagan and Ian have to learn to navigate their shifting relationship…and everything that entails. But their newfound bliss doesn’t come without a few unexpected challenges.

In the midst of realizing just how sweet the romance can be between them, and all the benefits of their new dynamic, Reagan is informed that her ideal situation has changed. Not only will she need to begin taking on more classes to speed up her graduation date, but she’ll also have to start looking for a job to supplement her fading income. Meanwhile, Ian has chosen to pull out of school once his father is diagnosed with a terminal illness in order to help manage the family business and spend time with him while he still can. But he wrestles with the guilt of leaving Reagan behind, and the pressure of his new responsibilities.

As the two meet their new challenges head-on, they’ll be forced to discover whether or not they’re as compatible as lovers as they were as friends. With their focus pulled in so many directions, will they have what it takes to keep a long distance relationship alive? Can Ian prove that he’s still be the perfect boyfriend, or will they fold to statistics under the growing tensions of their lives? Throw in some manipulative exes, a new boss with an inflated ego, and a co-worker from hell and the two have a recipe for either a fairy tale ending, or a complete disaster.

The Perfect Boyfriend is a New Adult Romance about trust, love, and discovering the true depths of personal strength.

Goodreads

Purchase:

Amazon US, paperback
Amazon US, ebook
Amazon UK, ebook
Amazon CA, ebook
Amazon, AU, ebook
iTunes
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

AUTHOR BIO

Renee’ Novelle is Preceded by a long line of published family members, including Pulitzer Prize nominated author and Poet Laureate of Kentucky Jesse Stuart.

As a child, Novelle was already gaining recognition for several of her works, and in her formative years, she continued this trend by earning local awards for her short stories and poems.

Inspired to cultivate her talent, Novelle pursued freelance journalism and has found placement of 75 of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her savvy, effective writing style to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. She writes psychological and paranormal thrillers, as well as contemporary fiction and new adult fiction. For a complete schedule of upcoming releases, please visit www.RSNovelle.com

Though she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, Summa Cum Laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you're meant to be.

Author links:

http://www.rsnovelle.com/ReneeNovelle/Home.html

https://www.facebook.com/ReneeNovelle

https://twitter.com/rs_novelle

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7249191.R_S_Novelle

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Blog Tour: Goodbye To You by A.J. Matthews

 @ajmatthews_ @swoonromance @NereydaG1003 #giveaway #blogtour

Goodbye To You by A.J. Matthews
Release Date: 07/01/14
Swoon Romance
New Adult
Rating 4 stars


Summary from Goodreads:
Europe? Nope. Mexico? Nope. Key West? Not me. This summer, I'm playing nursemaid to my sister. Yeah, I know. Relatively good looking twenty-two-year-olds don't spend the summer bedside in the cancer ward, but that's the plan - until my sister threatens me with bodily harm unless I get on the plane. That's when I met him. He likes me. Really likes me. But more than that, he loves my boobs -- like can't get enough. I have no idea how to tell him that they'll be gone soon. Courtesy of a preventative double mastectomy. Yep. That's what testing positive for the breast cancer gene mutation will do to a girl. But don't feel sorry for me. I'm enjoying him, holding on until the last possible minute, while I muster up the strength to tell him, and watch him walk away.

My Review:
I like this book. The subject of this book is different. A heavier topic  than the usually boy meets girl/girl meet boy plot. I have had people in my life you have died from cancer. I did not have to nurse them while they died but it is an emotional experience. One of those people had breast cancer. I could not and do not want to imagine having to make the decision to have a mastectomy. I have quite busty...hell I have huge boobs. So much so my doctor is always mentioning reduction surgery to me. My brain says that I am more than my breasts but I don't think I could recognize myself without them.

This story is all about a young woman who watching her sister go through cancer. Then she finds out that she has the breast cancer gene and makes the brave choice to have a preventative double mastectomy. Her summer is a countdown to the surgery basically. After that will the guy she met (the guy who loves her breasts so much) stay or will he runaway? Just a really good story.

Should you read it? Yes. Who should read it? Those you like New Adult stories but looking for slightly more than the regular romance.

GOODREADS

Buy Links: 

AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE 

About the Author
I wrote my first book at six. A retelling of The Three Little Pigs, illustrated by my grandmother, the book was never picked up and was self-published instead, glued to cardboard with a cover fashioned from wallpaper scraps.

Today, I write stories featuring nice guys (or nice guys in-the-making) in between my other jobs writing research reports for a commercial real estate company, refereeing two young daughters, navigating the teen waters with a too-cute-for-his-own-good son, spoiling a neurotic cat, and making my darling, patient husband shake his head. I'm also an autism mom, chocolate enthusiast, sports-watcher, nacho-eater, and beer-drinker. A Maryland native, I live in North Carolina now, but dreams of the beach fuel my fantasties, and my characters can often be found strolling in the sand or sailing along a coast.


Author Links:
http://www.ajmatthews.net/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7813967.A_J_Matthews
http://www.twitter.com/AJMatthews_ https://www.facebook.com/authorajmatthews


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 *This is an ARC. If you would like to support this blog consider purchasing your books through the links provided. Thank you for stopping by and Happy Reading!

Book Blitz: Found in Us by Layla Hagen

@XpressoReads @laylahagen #giveaway #bookblitz

Found in Us by Layla Hagen
(Lost #2)
Publication date: July 24th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

**This can be read as a STANDALONE. The second book in the Lost series tells Jessica and Parker’s story.**

All Jessica wants -as a college graduate — is to be a good girl. She landed the job of her dreams at a museum and is trying to eliminate temptations. No more short skirts (when she can help it). No wild parties. And no men.

She particularly excels at that last thing. . .

Until her path crosses Parker’s. Again. Jessica remembers the last time their paths crossed very well. She was left with a seriously bruised ego. She knows it would be best to avoid him altogether. But the charming Brit makes it hard for her to elude his electrifying pull. He is as irresistible as he is captivating.

And enigmatic.

Because underneath the sleek Armani suit and the sweet British accent that makes her crave his touch, Parker isn’t the perfect gentleman everyone thinks he is.

He’s exactly what Jessica doesn’t want, but desperately needs.
A bad, bad boy.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20686393-found-in-us?ac=1

Purchase:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M2F2F7C

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00M2F2F7C?*Version*=1&*entries*=0

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/found-in-us-layla-hagen/1119999641

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id902880011

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/found-in-us

----

AUTHOR BIO

My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.
I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.
I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.
And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough 

Author Links:

http://laylahagen.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7520984.Layla_Hagen

https://www.facebook.com/LaylaHagenBooks

https://twitter.com/laylahagen

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Wishlist Wednesday 32

@Bunnitaz #wishlistwednesday

So what do you need to do to join in wishlist fun?
 •Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
 •Please consider adding the blog hop button to your blog somewhere, so others can find it easily and join in too! Help spread the word! The code will be at the bottom of the post under the linky.
 •Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.
 •Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.
 •Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of this post.
 •Put a link back to pen to paper (http://www.pentopaperblog.com) somewhere in your post, and a note saying that Pen to Paper is the host of the meme.
 •Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

From Barnes and Noble:

Fans of classic frontier survival stories as well as readers of dystopian literature will enjoy this futuristic story where water is worth more than gold.

Teenage Lynn has been taught to defend her pond against every threat: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most important, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. But when strangers appear, the mysterious footprints by the pond, the nighttime threats, and the gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it. . . .

Only with You by Lauren Layne

@_LaurenLayne @tastybooktours #giveaway #blogtour

Only with You
The Best Mistake #1
Lauren Layne
Releasing July 29th, 2014
Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Rating 3 stars

Blurb
Love is the Biggest Gamble of All . . .
Cocktail waitress Sophie Dalton doesn't exactly have a life plan. She's perfectly happy being everyone's favorite party girl. But when a Las Vegas bachelorette party goes awry and an uptight businessman mistakes Sophie for a prostitute . . . well, Sophie wonders if it's time to reevaluate her priorities. Swearing off her thigh-high boots for good, Sophie slinks back home with damaged pride-and a jackpot of a hangover.
Yet what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there. On a trip to Seattle to open a new office, Grayson Wyatt meets his latest employee-who turns out to be the same woman he recently called a hooker. Wealthy and gorgeous, Gray is a man used to getting what he wants. And it doesn't take long to figure out that smart, sassy, sexy Sophie is everything he's been looking for. As their late nights at the office turn into hot morning-afters, they realize their Vegas misunderstanding may lead to the real thing . . .

My Review:
This is going to be a short one. I liked the story. The characters were likable. The romance was good. The story was predictable but such is romance right. Off topic, there are a few books where the hunky guy is named Grayson. The pace of the book moved slowly. As y'all know I don't like too much like suspense. I am a let's get to it type of reader...most of the time.

Should you read it? Sure. Who should read it? Fans of romance with happy endings. Ummm not that type of happy endings, you know what I mean.

Goodreads 

Buy Links 

Amazon I Barnes and Noble I iBooks I Kobo

Author Info

Lauren Layne is a snarky cynic with a serious weakness for happily ever afters.
Marrying her high school sweetheart was a good start. *cue Disney soundtrack.*
But Lauren wanted all romance, all the time.
Now she writes fictional happy endings, and considers her job done well if you swoon while reading her books. Don't worry. You will.
Once upon a time she lived in a Manhattan high-rise, but now she's on the laid-back train in the Seattle area. If you ever find yourself in Issaquah, she'll probably buy you a drink. Maybe.

Connect with Lauren: 

Facebook | Twitter | Website

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This is an ARC. If you would like to support this blog consider purchasing your books through the links provided.

Cover Candy 88

@Bunnitaz #lustingforcovers #covercandy

Another eye. I like the gray scale background with the vibrant color.

Lusting For Covers a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession
with fellow book lovers hosted by TBQ's Book Palace

Fated For Love by Melissa Foster

@Melissa_Foster @TastyBookTours #giveaway #blogtour

Fated for Love
The Braden’s Series Book 8
By: Melissa Foster
Releasing July 14th, 2014
rating 3stars


Blurb
Librarian Callie Barnes has visions of reading and relaxing—and maybe having a few too many drinks—on her girls’ weekend away. Her hopes are crushed when her friends pull into a dude ranch instead of a spa, and she refuses to stay longer than one night. That is…until she realizes the ranch is owned by sinfully sexy, and dangerously rugged, Wes Braden—the subject of her late-night fantasies.

Fearless rancher Wes Braden thinks he’s the luckiest guy on the planet when the sweet, sexy librarian from his hometown shows up at his ranch. Their connection is white-hot, making it impossible for either to ignore their carnal desires. Wes is more than willing to convert sweet Callie from chick lit to a world of erotic romance, but Callie ties sex to love, and Wes avoids commitment like the plague.

Callie is thrust into physically demanding activities that ignite her deepest fears. Luckily, Wes is as tender as he is strong, and he’s there every step of the way to help her find her inner strength. With Callie’s influence, Wes might even discover that he’s been nursing a few fears of his own. Passion pulls Callie and Wes from their safe, comfortable lives into each other’s arms, and they’re about to find out just how alike they really are.

My Review
I was put off at the beginning of the book. The character states how she prefer things left up to the imagination...as it should be. Uhhh, as it should be. That put me straight off. Now I"m reading with a sour taste for this prude of a character and the author who wrote her. Once you get passed that (I kinda didn't) the story is a sweet romance.

Callie is a conservative library assistant. Wes is the hunky guy who comes into thee library every Thursday. He also owns the dude ranch that Callie friends surprise her with a trip to. There Wes and Callie find themselves falling in love though neither one of them expected it.

Should you read it. Yes. Who should read it? Romance fans.

Buy Links

AMAZON * B&N * iTUNES * KOBO

GOODREADS

Author Info
"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"-- Bestselling Author Jennie Shortridge
"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose

Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.


Author Links
Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com
World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com
Fostering Success: http://www.fostering-success.com
Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor (Fanpage)
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/04/now-booking-tasty-review-tour-for-fated.html


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*If you would like to support this blog consider purchasing your books from the links provided. Thank you for stopping by and Happy Reading!

Wishlist Wednesday 31

@Bunnitaz #wishlistwednesday

So what do you need to do to join in wishlist fun?
 •Follow Pen to Paper as host of the meme.
 •Please consider adding the blog hop button to your blog somewhere, so others can find it easily and join in too! Help spread the word! The code will be at the bottom of the post under the linky.
 •Pick a book from your wishlist that you are dying to get to put on your shelves.
 •Do a post telling your readers about the book and why it's on your wishlist.
 •Add your blog to the linky at the bottom of this post.
 •Put a link back to pen to paper (http://www.pentopaperblog.com) somewhere in your post, and a note saying that Pen to Paper is the host of the meme.
 •Visit the other blogs and enjoy!

From Kobo:

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L'eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she'll have inside information about the mysterious L'eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara's blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn't sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L'eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn't seem more alien. She's certain about one thing though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn't just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life-not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Blog Tour: The Founders' Plot by Frank Victoria

@FrankMVictoria @BookNerdTours #giveaway #bookblitz #worthreadingit

Synopsis 

Clarion Reviews – Five Stars: … an
intriguing and rich novel. The char-
acters, dialogue, and plot will
entertain readers…to the end.

Kirkus Reviews: … for a fictional
account of a contemporary political
dispute, this is a competent if not
inspiring option.

When California Governor Michael J. DiGrasso pushes through a tough immigration law, the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional, but the decorated Vietnam veteran refuses to accept the ruling. This ignites a clash between federal, state, and judicial power that threatens to jar the country’s political and justice systems. And it leaves the governor’s long-time friend, President of the United States, Martin W. Ballard, with the decision of whether to federalize the California National Guard to enforce the Court’s order.

Tension increases when Elizabeth Stern, a savvy member of the opposition party tries to ram through a new immigration law that will pass judicial review. An expert in back-room legislative machinations, she’ll go to any length to force the governor to obey the Court decision, and her devious maneuvers throw DiGrasso’s personal and professional life into turmoil.

One subplot involves DiGrasso’s close personal friend, Congressman Manuel Mendoza, who is indicted for taking bribes. Another concerns two Mexican families in the country illegally and the tragedies that befall them because of the new immigration law.

The unfolding of these interwoven events creates a tense, fast-paced thriller that parallels the current tumult over illegal immigration and the on-going debate on Constitutional interpretation that will leave readers craving for the eventual outcome.

My Review:

Talk about a page turner. This book deals with immigration law. In particular, it deals with illegal immigrants in CA. There is another plot going in this book but I think that it is important to discover that for yourself. Governor DiGrasso wants to make it a hard as possible for illegal immigrants to function in California. He states that they are a drained and burden to the state's economy. He thinks that is not right that they are entitled to the same things that taxpayers are entitled to.

DiGrasso and Stern butt heads on the issue. Stern is quite vindictive when things don't go her way. I thought that it was unfortunate that they didn't have an actual conversation. That conversation would have probably made more of a difference in the way that Stern reacted. They both had reason why they went so hard for their beliefs but Stern was off based in her assumption of the type of person

The story is told from the point of view of a three characters. The first two are obviously DiGrasso and Stern. The third is Carlos. He, his wife, and two of their friends are showing the issue from the illegal immigrant side. I can see why he added this p.o.v. the book but I must be honest. I wasn't all that interested in these characters. 

Hey! Don't you yell at me. I was interested in the story of DiGrasso. He was the main character and to me the most interesting. Stern was too over the top for me. The two immigrant couples was a good work-along story but I just didn't connect the way that other people probably would.

Should you read  it? Oh yeah. Who should read it? Anyone looking for a good fast paced political story. I do mean fast paced took me less than 5 hours. 

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | KOBO | iTUNES 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frank Victoria was born and raised in Chicago, a city rich in industry and ambitions and many of his ideas were molded by its brand of politics and immigrant culture. He served in the Marine Corps, which left an imprint of just how much he could do and helped create the persistence needed to earn his BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University.

It took him nearly eight years to get the degree because he repeatedly had to interrupt his studies with full-time work to pay for his expenses. He toiled on the docks loading and unloading freight, moved furniture, worked construction, was a cabbie, a shoe salesman and a factory worker. The payoff: Time in the ivory tower setting balanced by a nitty gritty education in the real world.

WEBSITE: http://www.frankvictoria.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorFrankVictoria

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/FrankMVictoria

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5873779.Frank_M_Victoria

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Follow tour http://www.booknerdtours.com/2014/the-founders-plot-by-frank-victoria.html

*If you would like to support this blog consinder purchasing your books through the links provided. Thank you for stopping by and Happy Reading!

Book Blitz: Time of Ruin by Shauna Granger

@dyingechoes @NereydaG1003 #giveaway #bookblitz #worthreadingit

Time of Ruin (Ash and Ruin #2)

by Shauna Granger

Release Date: 07/22/14

Summary from Goodreads:

The world has ended, and hope is the most dangerous thing left.

Battered and bruised after barely escaping San Francisco with their lives, Kat, Dylan, and Blue press north – desperate to reach the possibility of a new home.

But strange, monstrous ravens are tracking the remaining survivors, food is becoming scarce, gasoline is running short, and people are becoming suicidal, making survival almost impossible.

And the Pestas are growing bolder. Somehow, their numbers are growing.

The further north they go, the harder it becomes to ignore the signs that they’ve made a fatal mistake. Kat must face the impossible truth that there is no escape, there is no safe haven, and their worst nightmares don’t come close to their new reality.

Book One:
(linked to Goodreads)

Purchase

AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * KOBO * iTUNES

About the Author

Like so many other writers, Shauna grew up as an avid reader, but it was in high school that she realized she wanted to be a writer. Five years ago, Shauna started work on her Elemental Series. She released the first installment, Earth, on May 1, 2011 and has since released four sequels, with the series coming to an end with Spirit. She is currently hard at work on a new Urban Fantasy series, staring a spunky witch with a smush-faced cat named Artemis.

Author Links:

   

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Blitz Organized by:

*If you would like to support this blog consider purchasing your books through the links provided. Thank you for stopping by and Happy Reading!

Book Blitz: Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

@AdiAlsaid @NereydaG1003  #giveaway #bookblitz #worthreadingit

Let's Get Lost

by Adi Alsaid

Release Date: 07/29/14

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost.

Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named LEILA. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most.

There's HUDSON, a small-town mechanic who is willing to throw away his dreams for true love. And BREE, a runaway who seizes every Tuesday—and a few stolen goods along the way. ELLIOT believes in happy endings…until his own life goes off-script. And SONIA worries that when she lost her boyfriend, she also lost the ability to love.

Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth— sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way.

Pre-Order Today!
Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Indie Bound * Harlequin.com

Early Praise:

“Reminiscent of John Green’s Paper Towns and road trip novels that feature a teen paving the way to adulthood, Alsaid’s debut is a gem among contemporary YA novels.” – School Library Journal

“Five love stories, beautifully woven together by a special girl in search of adventure, hope, and full appreciation of life’s simple pleasures. A do-not-miss.  ” – Justine Magazine

“Moving and poignant.”  - Glitter Magazine

“An entertaining and romantic road-trip debut.” – Kirkus

"Leila's quest to find the Northern Lights takes readers on a captivating cross-country journey, where four strangers' adventures collide into one riveting tale of finding yourself." ―YABooksCentral.com

“This will likely be a popular summer hit, especially for older teen about to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery.” –Booklist

About the Author
Adi Alsaid was born and raised in Mexico City, then studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While in class, he mostly read fiction and continuously failed to fill out crossword puzzles, so it's no surprise that after graduating, he did not go into business world but rather packed up his apartment into his car and escaped to the California coastline to become a writer. He's now back in his hometown, where he writes, coaches high school and elementary basketball, and has perfected the art of making every dish he eats or cooks as spicy as possible. In addition to Mexico, he's lived in Tel Aviv, Las Vegas, and Monterey, California. A tingly feeling in his feet tells him more places will eventually be added to the list. Let's Get Lost is his YA debut.  
Let's Get Lost Website!

Author Links:

   

Excerpt:

LET’S GET LOST by Adi Alsaid

After half an hour of aimless driving, the air hadn’t cooled at all. The faux-velvet seats had become uncomfortably sticky, so they decided to park and stretch their legs for a bit. Seeking solace from the heat, they chose a spot under the shade of a tree with long, low-hanging branches that reached out over the street like protective arms.

Across the road from them, surrounded by a ten-foot white wall that stretched farther than Bree could see, was the Kansas City Country Club. The landscaping outside was immaculate, everything bright green and evenly trimmed, bushes rounded into perfect spheres. Every now and then a car would drive up to the lone valet attendant. The people getting out of the cars were dressed up, the men in expensive looking suits, cuff links, and pocket squares, the women decked out in jewelry and brand-name handbags. A big, golden Mercedes came up the driveway. A car like that had never once stopped to pick Bree up when she was hitchhiking.

“I bet that Mercedes has some pretty sweet AC,” Bree said.

“I bet,” Leila said. She wiped at the sweat on her forehead. “It looks like there’s some kind of event going on.”

The sun was still high, the sunset a couple of hours away. Bree felt her shirt stick to her lower back.

“Yeah . . .” Bree said, her voice trailing off. “You think they’d mind if we borrowed it for a little while?”

Leila turned to Bree, arching one eyebrow. “It would be nice to drive around with some air-conditioning for a bit. Why? Your soul getting itchy again?”

They watched the valet attendant get into the car, drive about fifty feet up the driveway, and turn into the parking lot that was hidden from view. After a few moments he reappeared, trotting back to the entrance, waiting for the next car to show up. He left the keys of the Mercedes on a hook next to about two dozen other sets of luxury-car keys.

“We’ll just borrow it for an hour,” Bree said. “They won’t even notice it’s gone.”

“I’m not so sure about that. Rich people have a weird sixth sense about their belongings.”

“It’ll just be a few quick laps on the highway.”

“Quick because there’ll be someone chasing us?”

“No one will be chasing us.”

“I know,” Leila said. “I’m stalling because I’m nervous.”

“Hey, I’m not gonna deny you the right to be nervous. But once you’ve dealt with your nerves, I think you know what we have to do.”

“What do we say if someone catches us?”

“That we were dying of heat stroke and it was a medical emergency,” Bree said.

Leila paused. “Then we’ll come right back and leave it exactly where it was before?”

“Same parking spot.”

Another car was coming up the street, likely headed for the club. The girls looked at each other, grinning like madmen. Bree could feel her heartbeat speed up.

Bree opened the door. “Come on, we’ll grab the keys when the valet’s parking this car.”

Leila took a few deep breaths, as if she was about to try swimming a long distance underwater. “Seize the Tuesday,” she said.

They jogged across the street and hid behind the outer wall of the country club. When they heard the valet start pulling the car around, they left their cover and walked quickly up the driveway. The keys were hanging unprotected, as tempting as pies cooling on windowsills. Bree reached them first, grabbing the set with that recognizable Mercedes symbol glinting silver in the sunlight. It was almost disappointingly easy.

“Just act like you belong here,” Bree said as they walked into the parking lot. “The best ID in the world is a smile and a wave.”

The weight of the keys in her hand already felt so gratifying, more than her entire duffel bag of stolen goods had. She couldn’t wait to get into the car, to start the engine, to drive around and pretend that cold air had been their only motivation.

“Can I help you guys?”

The valet appeared up ahead, a couple of rows over. He wasn’t badlooking, Bree thought to herself. He was goofy in his valet’s vest, his white button-down shirt more shoved into his pants than patiently tucked. He had the kind of facial hair that can’t quite yet be more than scruff.

“We just need to get something out of the car,” Bree said, not slowing down.

The valet squinted at them, noticing the keys in Bree’s hand. She closed her fist tightly against them, as if he might try to take them away from her forcefully. She wondered if they could outrun him.

“Oh,” he said, starting to walk in their direction. “Are, uh, are you guys club members?”

“My parents just forgot something,” Bree said, pointing vaguely in the direction of the golden Mercedes. Leila followed Bree’s lead, but the valet kept walking toward them, as if he meant to cut them off. He’d pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “Okay,” he said, but it was clear that he wasn’t going to leave them.

Shit, Bree thought, sensing an impassable obstacle. Then she remembered how easy it had been to just walk away with all they’d stolen at the convenience store, how that guy pumping his gas had looked at them. The Mercedes was only about three cars away now, close enough that the remote would have no trouble unlocking the doors. She met the valet’s gaze, searching his rather pretty eyes for something besides suspicion.

“Can I ask you a question?” she said, stepping right up to him.

“Um,” he said. They were standing by the Mercedes now. The valet’s gaze went from the car, to Leila, to Bree, who was now less than an arm’s length away. “Sure.”

“When was the last time you felt really alive?”

“What?”

Without another word, Bree put her hand on his waist and pulled herself toward him. She kissed him with abandon. Despite what had happened, Bree still believed in reckless kisses. She pulled back and couldn’t help but laugh at the dazed look in the valet’s eyes.

“Whoa,” he said.

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