Blog Tour: The Girl I Used to Be by April Henry | Review + Giveaway!

The Girl I Used to Be
by April Henry
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Release Date: May 3rd 2016

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Suspense

When Olivia's mother was killed, everyone suspected her father of murder. But his whereabouts remained a mystery. Fast forward fourteen years. New evidence now proves Olivia's father was actually murdered on the same fateful day her mother died. That means there's a killer still at large. It's up to Olivia to uncover who that may be. But can she do that before the killer tracks her down first?

The Girl I Used to Be is the first book I've read by author April Henry. When starting any new books by an author I've never read before my expectations going into it are somewhat natural but this time, I was really hoping I would love it. I've always been a big fan of YA thrillers and mysteries so I wanted this book to be an exciting read and thankfully I was not disappointed in the least. In fact, I was totally mesmerized by it. From page one until the very end. It was one big thrill ride throughout. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, leaving me on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next or who the killer was I shocked to learn it was the exact opposite. 

The story takes place in a small town where Oliva, or formally known as Ariel once called home. When she was 3 years old her parents were killed in front of her while out looking for a Christmas tree. Her Mother's body was found but her Father remains missing and presumably was assumed to be the killer, still at large. Ariel then went on to live with her Grandma until she passed away a few years later. After that, Ariel was tossed around in foster homes throughout most of her childhood and by one family she was renamed, Oliva.  Tired of living in the foster system, Oliva decides to become an emancipated minor and goes on to find a job and small apartment to call home. One day she gets a knock on her door and opens it to find two police officers standing there with news about her parent's case. She comes to find out her Fathers bones were found miles away from where her Mother's body was found 14 years ago, proving her Dad was not in fact the killer. With this game-changing new evidence, Oliva decided to go back to her hometown to in hopes to find out herself what really happen all those years ago, and who killed her family. 

Oliva soon learns the key to unlocking the truth may lie in her own memories.... but sometimes the secrets we want to forget are the ones that are most frightening to remember.  

Will she be able to figure out who the killer is in time or will the killer find her first....

Well... you'll have to read the book to find out! 

Oh, and you're going to want to! Trust me, this book was outstanding! It truly was. I was quite amazed by how much I really loved this book.  Oliva's narration was written perfectly. I really felt her emotions in the words. Her dedication to finding out who killed her family and the reasoning behind it almost became an addiction for her. She never gave up even when things were looking grim and lost. She would do anything to find out the truth, even tapping into her own subconscious. 

Every new chapter held a new piece of evidence, a thrilling build up to the very end where the truth becomes revealed. There was never a dull moment, that's for sure. I'm looking forward to reading more books from the author that's for sure! 

I highly recommend The Girl I Used to Be! If you're a fan of psychological thriller and mysteries then this book is perfect for you!

4.5 STARS -  Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

Follow the The Girl I Used To Be by April Henry Blog Tour and don't miss anything! 

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I write mysteries and thrillers. I live in Portland, Oregon with my family.

If you've read one of my books, I would love to hear from you. Hearing from readers makes me eager to keep writing.

When I was 12, I sent a short story about a six-foot tall frog who loved peanut butter to Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He liked it so much he arranged to have it published in an international children's magazine.

My dream of writing went dormant until I was in my 30s, working at a corporate job, and started writing books on the side. Those first few years are now thankfully a blur. Now I'm very lucky to make a living doing what I love. I have written 13 novels for adults and teens, with more on the way. My books have gotten starred reviews, been picked for Booksense, translated into six languages, been named to state reading lists, and short-listed for the Oregon Book Award. 

I also review YA literature and mysteries and thrillers for the Oregonian, and have written articles for both The Writer and Writers Digest.

Prize: Win (1) finished copy of THE GIRL I USED TO BE by April Henry (US/CAN Only)

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Sales Blitz + Giveaway: Killer Instinct by S.E. Green | Only $1.99!

Killer Instinct by S.E. Green is on sale this month! 

To celebrate, we’re having a blitz, with an excerpt and a giveaway. Make sure to check it out and grab your copy of Killer Instinct while it’s still on sale! 

About Killer Instinct: 

She’s not evil, but she has certain... urges. Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. Afterschool job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But her secret obsession is studying serial killers. She understands them, knows what makes them tick. 

Why? 

Because she might be one herself.

Lane channels her dark impulses by hunting criminals—delivering justice when the law fails. The vigilantism stops shy of murder. But with each visceral rush the line of self-control blurs. And then a young preschool teacher goes missing. Only to return... in parts. When Lane excitedly gets involved in the hunt for “the Decapitator,” the vicious serial murderer that has come to her hometown, she gets dangerously caught up in a web of lies about her birth dad and her own dark past. And once the Decapitator contacts Lane directly, Lane knows she is no longer invisible or safe. Now she needs to use her unique talents to find the true killer’s identity before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim... 

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

Exclusive Excerpt: 

I study serial killers. They’re loners. Obsessive compulsives. People who lack emotion and fantasize violence. Intelligent people who on the outside seem normal.

Interesting thing is, I am those profiles. I have urges. I plot ways to violently make people pay for what they’ve done to others.

Nature versus nurture. Of course I’ve studied that. I’ve got good parents with decent genetics so for me I’ve always suspected it’s something else. Except . . . I have no clue what.

I don’t know why I am the way I am, why I think the way I think, why I do the things I do. All I know is that I’m different. Always have been. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know something was off in me.

At ten, when other kids were coloring with crayons, I started tracking serial killers and keeping details of their murders in a journal—a journal no one has ever seen but me.

Now, seven years later, most teens hang out with friends. I, however, prefer spending my spare time at the court house—with Judge Penn to be exact. He tries all the hard cases.

His staff expects to see me, believing my lie about wanting to go into law, and so I give my customary nod as I enter the back of Penn’s court and quietly take my usual spot in the left rear corner. I sit down and get out my summer reading just in case today’s log is boring.

It’s not.

A balding, short, pudgy, accountant type man sits beside a slick lawyer he’s obviously spent a lot of money on. The Weasel is what I decide to name him.

In the viewing gallery sit a handful of women, three are crying and two stoically stare straight ahead.

On the stand is another one of the expressionless ones and she’s speaking, “. . . classical music, a candle. He knew his way around, like he’d been in my house before. He handcuffed my ankles and wrists to the bed posts and stuffed gauze in my mouth so my screams couldn’t be heard. He cut my clothes away and left me naked. He wore a condom and was clean shaven, everywhere. He had a full face mask on.”

No evidence.

“He raped me,” she matter-of-factly reports and then describes in detail all the vicious ways he violated her.

“I’m going to be sick,” the woman in front of me whispers before getting up and leaving the room.

I continue listening to the details, mentally cataloging them. Details don’t bother me. They don’t make me sick. They don’t make me want to leave a room. If anything they draw me in because they are just that—details, facts.

A few of the women in the room sniffle and I glance to The Weasel. Although he’s doing a good job of keeping his emotions blank, I catch a slight smirk on his lips that kicks my pulse.

This is one of the things I consider a talent of mine. While some people show every emotion, I show none. And I can read others’ body language, others’ faces when they think they’re doing a stellar job of masking. The Weasel obviously thinks he’s getting away with something.

Thirty minutes later The Weasel is found not guilty due to lack of evidence. As he walks from the court room, his slight smirk becomes more visible when he glances at one of the sniffling women.

This is another thing people make the mistake of—confidence, cockiness, ego.

The Weasel will rape again. Of this I’m sure.

If it is my destiny to be a killer, I’m going to need a type. And today decides that my type will be criminals—specifically, those that have managed to avoid punishment.

I turn seventeen next week. The Weasel will be my birthday present to myself. I think I’ve just found my first victim.

E. Green (aka Shannon Greenland) is the award winning author of the teen thriller, Killer Instinct, a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers; the teen spy series, The Specialists, an ALA Popular Paperback and a National Reader’s Choice recipient; and the YA romance, The Summer My Life Began, winner of the Beverly Hills Book Award. Her books have been translated into several languages and are currently on numerous state reading lists. Vanquished is her debut novel for adults.

Shannon grew up in Tennessee where she dreaded all things reading and writing. She didn’t even read her first book for enjoyment until she was twenty-five. After that she was hooked! When she’s not writing, she works as an adjunct math professor and lives on the coast in Florida with her very grouchy dog. 

Find her online everywhere @segreenauthor. 

Links: TWITTER | TUMBLR | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM 

 NEWSLETTER | WATTPAD | WEBSITE 

Enter S.E. Green’s giveaway:

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Cover Reveal: Paint My Body Red by Heidi R. Kling

Today I am sharing the cover reveal for author Heidi R. Kling's upcoming book, Paint My Body Red from Entangled Teen. The release date will be this fall 2015! I myself am excited to get my hands on a copy! I love a good thriller. So without further ado....the cover. 

Paint My Body Red by Heidi R. Kling

Release Date: 11/02/15

by Entangled Teen

They think I'll be number seven. Unlucky number seven.

Dead teenager number seven. With the rash of suicides at my school, I've been shipped off to my dad's Wyoming ranch for “my own safety.” My mom worries I'll be next—another depressed teenager whose blood will end up on the train tracks. But she doesn't know my secrets...or what I did.

Everything has changed at the ranch since I was there last. The staff is gone, and there aren’t any visitors. The place is struggling, and ALS is destroying my dad. The one bright spot in this mess is his new—and only—ranch hand, Jake. He’s gorgeous, cheerful, healthy and sane. Shadows don't haunt his eyes and eat away at him in the night.

But the ranch and Jake can't save me from the darkness inside, or the knowledge of what I've done. This time, it's up to me to save myself...

   

Heidi Kling writes fantasy novels set in a contemporary world and contemporary novels about girls in fantastic situations. The bestselling Spellspinners series (Coliloquy/Vook), is 9-book series leading with Witch's Brew. The Gleaning, Devil's Frost and Beautiful Monster are out now with more adventures to follow. Her debut contemporary, Sea (Penguin), was an IndieNext Pick, Northern California Book of the Year nominee, Gateway Reader’s Award choice and Scholastic Readers Pick. Her forthcoming contemporary novel, Paint My Body Red, launches with Entangled Teen Fall, 2015.

Told in dual narratives, several more installments are planned in this "Romeo and Juliet with magic" series readers compare to stories by  LJ Smith, Cassandra Clare and Melissa de la Cruz.

After earning her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School, she returned to her native California. She lives with her husband, two children and the cutest accidental puppy mix ever, Sailor Lily, just over the coastal mountains from the sea. 

What do you all think about the cover? 

Leave me a comment and let me know. 

Blog Tour: Feral by Holly Schindler | A Short & Sweet Author Interview + Giveaway: win a signed hardcopy of Feral!

Hello my wonderful readers! *waves*

Today I have the pleasure of being a part of the FERAL blog tour! I am so excited about this book. I love a good YA thrillers, in fact I wish there were more of them in the YA genre. Of course I am planning on reviewing Feral someday soon but today I bring you a fun post all about the book and author Holly Schindler. There will also be a short and sweet interview with Holly and a giveaway to win a signed print copy of her book. :) Open INTL!

Sit back, relax, and read on. ;)

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Feral by Holly Schindler

Hardcover (ebook), 432 pages

Published August 26th 2014 by HarperTeen

Genre: YA - Psychological Thriller

The Lovely Bones meets Black Swan in this haunting psychological thriller with twists and turns that will make you question everything you think you know.

It’s too late for you. You’re dead. Those words continue to haunt Claire Cain months after she barely survived a brutal beating in Chicago. So when her father is offered a job in another state, Claire is hopeful that getting out will offer her a way to start anew.

But when she arrives in Peculiar, Missouri, Claire feels an overwhelming sense of danger, and her fears are confirmed when she discovers the body of a popular high school student in the icy woods behind the school, surrounded by the town’s feral cats. While everyone is quick to say it was an accident, Claire knows there’s more to it, and vows to learn the truth about what happened.

But the closer she gets to uncovering the mystery, the closer she also gets to realizing a frightening reality about herself and the damage she truly sustained in that Chicago alley….

Holly Schindler’s gripping story is filled with heart-stopping twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very last page.

Purchase @ HarperTeen | Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | TBD

FERAL AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER:

FERAL falls squarely into the realm of the classic psychological thriller. While the book features mystery, horror, and paranormal elements, the emphasis is on the “psychological” rather than thriller / action. The novel features a Hitchcockian pace and focus on character development (here, we’re exploring the inner workings of the main character, Claire Cain). Essentially, every aspect of FERAL is used to explore Claire’s inner workings—that even includes the wintry Ozarks setting. The water metaphor is employed frequently in psychological thrillers to represent the subconscious, and in this instance is incorporated in the form of a brutal ice storm (that represents Claire’s “frozen” inner state). The attempt to untangle what is real from what is unreal (another frequently-used aspect of the psychological thriller) also begins to highlight the extent to which Claire was hurt in that Chicago alley. Even the explanation of the odd occurrences in the town of Peculiar offers an exploration into and portrait of Claire’s psyche. Ultimately, FERAL is a book about recovering from violence—that’s not just a lengthy or hard process; it’s a terrifying process, too. The classic psychological thriller allowed me to explore that frightening process in detail.

A short and sweet interview with Holly. 

What are a few of your favorite books and authors?

I’m just an overall fan of the written word, and always have been.  One of my earliest book memories is snagging a new Little Golden Book every single time I went to the supermarket with my mom (back in the days when I was still small enough to ride along in the cart).  

I’m an old literature major, so I honestly do love reading the classics (I’ve read JANE EYRE more times than I can count).  I also read everything from the latest in juvenile literature to mystery to romance to women’s fiction to sci-fi.  Gabrielle Zevin’s ELSEWHERE is actually my all-time favorite YA; I’d also have to say Truman Capote’s IN COLD BLOOD is maybe one of my favorite books, regardless of genre.  

I’m a bit of a pinball in the bookstore, though—one day, I’m tearing through the newest general fiction releases, the next I’m in poetry, the day after that, horror.  And while I do have authors I love, if I’ve got to choose between one I know I like and a new-to-me author, I’m probably going to snag the new author.  I think it’s really important, as a writer, to expose yourself to as many different voices and styles as possible.

How long did it take you to write FERAL?

From first sentence to published version…about ten years.  I first drafted the book in my pre-publication days (it took seven and a half years of full-time effort to sign my first book deal).  In the beginning, FERAL was an MG mystery.  But revision kept taking me into increasingly darker territory—and that was when I knew it needed to be bumped into the YA category.  With that bump, I also believed what I was putting together was a YA horror novel.

I soon discovered, though, that my main character was too juvenile for YA.  I didn’t even think I could try to age her.  I thought I needed a brand-new protagonist.  When I brainstormed the new MC’s backstory, I crafted the beating subplot.  It became apparent that the book had to be about recovering from violence…I also knew at that point that the book wasn’t a straight mystery OR horror, but a psychological thriller.

Once the book was acquired by HarperCollins, we went through several rounds of rewrites, all of which aimed at pulling the recovering from violence theme closer to the front and placing the book more solidly into the realm of the psychological thriller.

…I’m always insisting that an author should NEVER give up on a book.  I’m a big, big believer in the power of revision.  I’m not sure that a book ever becomes multi-layered with only one draft; I think that happens with a slew of successive rewrites.  It certainly happened that way with FERAL.

About The Author: Holly Schindler

Find Holly @

Website / Twitter / Facebook 

Goodreads / Google+ / Tumblr

Holly Schindler is the author of the critically acclaimed A BLUE SO DARK (Booklist starred review, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year silver medal recipient, IPPY Awards gold medal recipient) as well as PLAYING HURT (both YAs).  

Her debut MG, THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY, also released in ’14, and became a favorite of teachers and librarians, who used the book as a read-aloud.  Kirkus Reviews called THE JUNCTION “...a heartwarming and uplifting story...[that] shines...with vibrant themes of community, self-empowerment and artistic vision delivered with a satisfying verve.”  

FERAL is Schindler’s third YA and first psychological thriller.  Publishers Weekly gave FERAL a starred review, stating, “Opening with back-to-back scenes of exquisitely imagined yet very real horror, Schindler’s third YA novel hearkens to the uncompromising demands of her debut, A BLUE SO DARK…This time, the focus is on women’s voices and the consequences they suffer for speaking…This is a story about reclaiming and healing, a process that is scary, imperfect, and carries no guarantees.”

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Prize: A signed copy of Feral! 

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