The Practice Proposal by Tracy March + giveaways!

Liza Sutherland isn’t looking for love. Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is. 

Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked.

When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever?

ebook, 229 pages

                                                                            Published March 11th 2013 by Entangled: Bliss 

                                                         Source: Publisher provided copy. Thank you Entangled Bliss!


I was incredibly excited to start "The Practice Proposal." It has tons of stuff that I love: romance, secrets, and baseball. A romance about baseball was like a dream come true for me, because I LOVE the game. It seemed like the perfect summer read.

"The Practice Proposal" was a quick and cute read, but for me, that's really it. I don't know if I went in with too high of expectations or what but the story itself fell a little flat. 
When you have two people make two different bets that neither of them know about pertaining to love something is bound to blow up in their faces, but even when problems arise, nothing really happens. There is build up to some kind climax, but it never seems to happen and that was a bit disappointing. I was waiting for a really good fight to break out, because if you love someone they are worth fighting for right? 

Other than that it was an enjoyable story that I was able to get through in one sitting, as it's not too long.
It's a cute romance that doesn't take a lot of time to read, so it's a good book to spend a lazy Saturday curled up on the couch drinking a glass iced tea with.
It's sweet and has some adorable moments. So if you're looking for a summer romance to kick off the season, this would be it!

Find The Practice Proposal on:

GOODREADS

AMAZON

BARNES&NOBLE

Find Tracy March at:

WEBSITE

GOODREADS

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

Now, on to the giveaways!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

There is a tour-wide giveaway for a Kindle Paperwhite (US/Canada Only).

Not only do we have the that giveaway, we also have this giveaway. Yep, that's right, two giveaways!

This one is for a Practice Proposal bracelet!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me who you would like to pull a "Practice Proposal" with. Is it an actor, musician, sports player? Remember, this could end in love ;)

US/CANADA ONLY.

Winner will be chosen randomly.

Make sure to also leave an email to get in touch with you if you win.

This giveaway will run from April 12th-April 20th.

The winner will have 48 hrs to get back to me or a new name will be drawn,

Top Ten Boys That Make Me Wish I Was Fictional.

It's pretty safe to accuse me of being obsessed with books that have a killer romance in it.
I have a lot of book boyfriends. A lot.
Here are some of the guys that make me wish I were fictional and on the same pages as them.


1. Peter from My Blood Approves by Amanda Hocking
  

Dark, brooding, and beautiful. He's my kind of guy.

2. Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
  
Vampire-ass-kicking hunk of Russian. I wouldn't mind switching places with Rose.

3. Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth
  
Oh, Four. Let's run away together.

4. Noah Shaw from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
  
He's rude, crass, and conceited...but we love him so much.

5. Etienne St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
  
He made me want to run away to a Paris boarding school. *le sigh*

6. Conrad Fischer from The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
  
This boy and the beach sound perfect. Take me there.

7. Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  
The boy is humorous. But not in an immature way. That kind of humor wins my heart. Every time.

8. Jericho Barrons from Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
  
Powerful, broodingly good-looking, insanely wealthy, frighteningly intelligent, and has exquisite taste. Bottom line: He's the stuff of heroes. ;p

9. Vlad Tepesh from Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost
  (He's on the cover...so I didn't really have to think of anyone)
He was so intriguing. I can't wait for book two so I can just lose myself in that one.

10. Trevor from Pivot Point by Kasie West
  (I haven't decided who I picture as Trevor, yet)
Loved him from the beginning. Can't wait to see what happens in book 2!

That's my list of 10 men that have me wishing I lived in between the pages with them.
Who are the guys on your list?

20 Questions with Kia Garriques + Giveaway

The UK based author Kia Garriques has stopped by my blog today to do an interview and tell us more about herself and her book "Innovera Yakov: A Journey of a Thousand Eyes"

J:Have you always wanted to be a writer?

KG: I wanted to be lots of different things: a psychologist, and actress... until I tried them and realised I didn’t like them. In actuality I have always written. Writing has always been what I return to after my attempts at different things - so I guess I have always been a writer, whether I chose to become one or not.

J: If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

KG: Well I am currently in fashion, so I would probably be doing what I am doing right now.

J: Was there anything specific that inspired you to write Innovera Yakov, or did the idea just come to you?

KG: The concept of Innovera Yakov originated from my dreams. I used to dream about these Beings in some other world. At first, it was scary but then I learned to overcome that fear and started looking forward to them. At one point, I became so enthusiastic about science, evolution and the possibility of realities and forms of life that might exist outside of what we know, that I wanted to absorb anything in relation to that. Innovera Yakov addresses many of the questions I have about our earth and the universe in general. It’s my attempt to understand life.

J: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

KG: When I am faced with characters that have to die or disappear. Losing them is very hard.

J: Are any of your characters based on people you know? Which character is most or least like you, and in what ways?

KG: I haven’t based my characters off anyone in particular. I think Ayana, in Innovera Yakov is similar to me. She is the underdog and it takes her a long time to discover her strengths. It took me a long time to start to believe in myself. The day I started doing that, I realised that I had the power to transform my life and be the person I wanted to be. I can relate to her because she has scars - both inner and outer scars - that she has to learn to live with and it’s only when she embraces them that she begins to find herself.

J: Do you need anything specific when you write? Music on, quiet, snacks?

KG: I always write after midnight - around 2 or 3 am - when it is very quiet outside and I imagine that everyone else is asleep. My impulse to write and dream up worlds comes alive around that time. I like listening to music from swing-beat to blues to jazz. But I write best while listening to classical music turned down low, especially Bach.

J: How long does it take you to write a book?

KG: It depends really. The first draft takes a couple of months, and then there is the whole refining process – cutting out things here, fleshing out other bits - it’s a long process.

J: Can you tell us a little bit about what you are working on right now?

KG:I am working on my second book in the series while networking and meeting other authors.

J: What do you like to do when you are not creating such great stories?

KG: I love watching movies. I enjoy going to the gym, spending time with my family and friends I guess.

Alright, let's do some 'Get to Know You' questions:

J: Are you a morning person or night owl?

KG: Night owl!

Last song that was stuck in your head?

KG: I was here by Beyonce

J: Do you have a guilty pleasure TV show?

KG: The Simpsons. I can watch the same scenes over and over again and laugh myself silly. I really can.

J: What was your favorite book as a kid?

KG: Beauty and the Beast!

J: If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

KG: Working! I can’t sit still. I feel guilty when I do.

J: If you had to eat one thing and one thing only for an entire week, what would it be?

KG: Special fried rice. I love it!

J: If you could recommend one book that everyone should read, what would you choose?

KG: Animal Farm! I think everyone should read that.

J: Picture this scenario. You just received a phone call from someone who wants to turn your book into a movie. They also tell you that you have full control over who gets cast in the movie. Who do you pick to play the parts?

KG: I am all for giving people a chance. Whether you are new and established, for me it’s all about the talent and that person’s ability to embrace the part and make the most of it. There are new and emerging talents out there and so it would come down to how well you can play the characters and whether you are a perfect fit.

J: Finish this sentence. My perfect day off would be... 

KG: having readers around the world, read, love and recommend Innovera Yakov to others; tweeting me and talking about the book. When that day happens it will be my perfect day off.

J: Everyone can always use another piece of good advice. Is there a piece of advice that someone has told you that you or something you have learned on your own that you would like to share with us?

KG: Follow your dreams. Work for what you want and even in the depths of despair or fading confidence never give up. It is important to believe in yourself because not everyone is going to believe in you.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Kia! It was great to have you!

You can find out more about Kia by visiting her website HERE, her Facebook page HERE, or following here on Twitter HERE.

Now for the giveaway.

Giveaway goes from March 27th til April 10th.

Open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And keep an eye out for my review of "Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes"!

Top Ten Books I shove at people. All the time.

We all have those books that we have read that we just think that everyone should read no matter if they like that genre or not. If you loved it and it has pretty much changed your life forever, you think everyone should read it, no?

Yeah, here is my list of those books and the reasons why I pick those books.

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This is one of my all time favorite books.

If I had the money I would buy all the copies and throw them out my car window to people like they were candy.

Candy that rips your heart out and makes you bawl into the wee hours of the morning. But candy nonetheless.

2. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Boarding School. Catty Girls. Magic. Secret World. Historical Gothic Romance.

Libba Bray...

Why would you not read this series?

3.  Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

A story of mercy and grace.

It's beautiful.

4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Dimitri. Vampires. Battles. Kickass Herione. Dimitri. 

They don't sparkle...did I mention Dimitri?

Yeah, I like pushing this one at vampire lovers.

5. Wither by Lauren Destafano

For the dystopian lover.

Her writing is magical and you'll want to marry it.

6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

A world where you are killed for loving.

Yeah, check it out.

And it's being turned into a tv show!

7. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Some days I love this one more than I loved Hunger Games.

It's that good.

And I'm still terrified to read the second book.

8. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The cover will look gorgeous on your shelf. 

It will mess with your mind and keep you up til all hours of the night.

Noah Shaw.

9. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna. Etienne. Paris.

LOVE.

Stephanie Perkins take all my money for your future books!

10. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

I was skeptical about this series at first. Everyone loved it so I was nervous I'd be that one person that wasn't impressed.

Now I push it at everyone I can. If I see you looking at summer romance books in a bookstore I will drag you to this one.

11. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

This was my first urban fantasy and I LOVED it. 

Fae. Dark Underworld in Dublin. Mac. BARRONS.

12. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

This one didn't grab me right off the bat. But I stuck it out and am so glad I did.

It ended up being such a fantastic story.

LOVED it.

So there's my list...plus a couple :D

BUT YOU SHOULD READ ALL OF THEM EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE THAT GENRE.

DO. IT.

What's on your list that I should read?

Top Ten Books I HAD to buy...but are still unread

                Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovelies over at The Broke and The Bookish.

This week's topic is about those books we were counting down the minutes until they were released, or those books that a friend told us we HAD to read A.S.A.P....so we got it...and it's still sitting on our shelf or in our Kindles waiting to be read.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

So I'm gonna start this out by saying I have a deep seeded fear of sequels.

When I love the first a whole lot I am usually willing to sell my kidney for the next one...but once I actually acquire the next one it takes me FOR-EV-ER to actually read it.

I'm just so nervous it won't live up to the first.

So is the case with Mara Dyer #2.

Also, I'm scared of the ending since the first had the cliffhanger of DOOM.

Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton

Fear of Sequels.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

John Green is one of my favorite authors.

The only book I've only read by him is The Fault in our Stars.

That book destroyed me, and I loved every minute of it.

I tried reading An Abundance of Katherines but I DNF'd it for now as I just wasn't in the mood for it.

I'm worried his other books won't stand up to TFioS...so I keep putting off reading them.

But since I put this one of my Spring TBR TTT, I do plan on giving it a whirl in the next couple months.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This is such a popular book.

It has over 280,000 ratings on Goodreads with an average rating of 4.35. Dang. I rarely see that.

But that makes me nervous that it is super hyped and I won't like it, as has happened with other super loved books.

And then there are all the other people who say this book ruined them, that it ripped their heart out and stomped on it.

I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Another super hyped book.

All the super hype made me buy it.

All the super hype has made me scared to read it.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy is one of my favorite series ever.

I about died when I finished the last book, so imagine my excitement when I found out there was going to be a spin-off series involving two of my favorite characters.

Bought it almost immediately.

Still have yet to read it.

I'm nervous I won't love it as much...and it scares me I may love it more...cause I am a Dimitri kind of girl and I don't want to cheat on him :p 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I'm dying to find out what happens next...but, ya know, Fear of Sequels.

A Million Suns by Beth Revis

I preordered this one so that it would get to my doorstep the day of release.

Fear of Sequels.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

I didn't think Lauren Oliver could do anymore damage to my soul than she did with Delirium, but every time I pick this one up to read it, to see what happened to a certain character, I get all nervous and put it back.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

I was kinda 'meh' about the first half of Nightshade, but the second half of the book had me pretty hooked.

I really wanted to get on to Wolfsbane so that I could find out who Calla picked, Ren or Shay (I really am hoping for Ren...BUT DON'T SPOIL IT FOR ME) so I bought this one pretty quickly after I finished Nightshade...still haven't gotten to it.

I actually kinda keep forgetting I have it.

So there is the list of the 10 books that I just HAD to buy but haven't read...

I will read them ALL this year though.

What about you? What books are on your list?

  

Perfect for Summer Romances!

It's not secret that I love romances. Here are a couple from Entangled that are going to be just the perfect summer romance reads!

 JUST FOR THE SUMMER: Dani Sullivan has come to Lake Bliss to write her latest cookbookÉand to see if the baby she gave up for adoption eight years ago is happy. When she’s done with her reconnaissance, she plans to return to Detroit without any doubts about past decisions. But when she sees her little boy—indeed happy despite living with his single dad—she finds she can’t keep her promise to stay awayÉfrom her son or from his flirtatious father, who has no idea of her true identity.

Recently divorced sheriff Matt Reagan is ready for a new relationship, but he doesn’t want short-term—his son needs permanence, and so does Matt’s heart. Unfortunately, it’s the smart-mouthed and sinfully sexy Ms. Sullivan who catches his eye. But when Matt learns Dani’s secrets, will he still want her to stay? Or will her chance for love last just for the summer?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Just-Summer-Lake-Bliss-ebook/dp/B00BQMMT2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362967975&sr=8-1&keywords=just+for+the+summer+jenna+rutland

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-for-the-summer-jenna-rutland/1114794882?ean=9781622668786

iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/just-for-the-summer/id616370422?mt=11

Books on Board: http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=1482155&TITLE=Just+for+the+Summer&AUTHOR=Jenna+Rutland
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17562039-just-for-the-summer 

THE PRACTICE PROPOSAL: Liza Sutherland isn’t looking for love. Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is.

 

Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked.

 

When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Practice-Proposal-Suddenly-Smitten-ebook/dp/B00BQMOGKQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1362968021&sr=1-1&keywords=the+practice+proposal

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-practice-proposal-tracy-march/1114794883?ean=9781622668762

iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-practice-proposal/id616370666?mt=11

Books on Board: http://www.booksonboard.com/index.php?BODY=viewbook&BOOK=1482212&TITLE=The+Practice+Proposal&AUTHOR=Tracy+March

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17562073-the-practice-proposal