PRE-RELEASE BLOG TOUR: How To Disappear by Ann Redisch Stampler

We are pleased to be participating in this exciting Pre-Release Blog Tour for Ann Redisch Stampler's How To Disappear, a Young Adult Mystery Thriller! Check out what I thought about the book! Plus, check out the cool pre-order promo giveaway at the end of the post!

Genre:

Young Adult

Contemporary Romance

Mystery Thriller

Publish Date:

June 14, 2016

Publisher:

Simon Pulse

Synopsis:

This electric cross-country thriller follows the game of cat and mouse between a girl on the run from a murder she witnessed—or committed?—and the boy who's sent to kill her.

Nicolette Holland is the girl everyone likes. Up for adventure. Loyal to a fault. And she's pretty sure she can get away with anything...until a young woman is brutally murdered in the woods near Nicolette's house. Which why she has to disappear.

Jack Manx has always been the stand-up guy with the killer last name. But straight A's and athletic trophies can't make people forget that his father was a hit man and his brother is doing time for armed assault. Just when Jack is about to graduate from his Las Vegas high school and head east for college, his brother pulls him into the family business with inescapable instructions: find this ruthless Nicolette Holland and get rid of her. Or else Jack and everyone he loves will pay the price.

As Nicolette and Jack race to outsmart each other, tensions—and attractions—run high. Told in alternating voices, this tightly plotted mystery and tense love story challenges our assumptions about right and wrong, guilt and innocence, truth and lies.

       

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**About the Author**

Ann Redisch Stampler is the author of the young adult novels Afterparty and Where It Began as well as half a dozen picture books. Her work has garnered an Aesop accolade, the National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor honors, the Middle East Book Award, and Bank Street Best Books of the Year mentions. How To Disappear (Simon Pulse, 2016), her first Young Adult thriller, is available now.

Ann lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband Rick.

Stay connected with Ann Redisch Stampler

   

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Yet again...I have read another emotionally driven story by Ann Redisch Stampler! This time, How To Disappear is a mystery thriller told in two points of views. Two major characters whom of which are involved in a murder one way or another. The story pretty much follows a "whodunit" scenario. Did Nicolette, also known as Cat, commit the murder...or did she witness it??? That is the question...right!?! Then there is Jack who is sent, by his brother, to "get rid of Nicolette" with whatever means necessary.

They both go through this cross-country journey pretty much discovering themselves...one on the run and the other chasing the other. Cat and mouse...right!?! Anyways, these two characters learn and fall for each other based on a bunch of lies...but is it all lies!?! With each of their distinct perspectives intertwining with each other creates a cohesive story that brings the reader(s) to solve this mystery.

I also enjoyed the building romance between these two characters, even with their own secret agendas in place. Moreover, the romance was subtle...without taking away from the mystery thriller in the story.

With each perspective, we delve into their minds and thoughts of the tension they carry with them. Although these two POVs carried the story forward, I just couldn't help feel that the middle of the story dragged... and seemed slow. But then again...it's probably just me. Moreover, the story's flow maintained it's continuity which kept me in the dark on Nicolette's innocence or guilt. Even Jack started having his doubts if she committed the crime.

Of course, that's what make for a good mystery thriller... The end being a total shocker...haha!

My rating:

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***The Pre-Order Promo Giveaway***

Giveaway Open to the U.S. Only

Order a signed copy of How To Disappear before June 14, 2016 and receive a swag pack with your book order.

The swag pack will include: a How To Disappear bookmark; a tiny flashlight from Nicolette's escape kit; Nicolette Holland and Cat Davis' (fake!!!) IDs; and one skeleton key in a pretty tulle bag (there are lots of different kinds of keys) that Nicolette used to unlock the doors at the Bluebonnet.

Here's how to get your swag pack!

Pre-order a copy of How To Disappear online at shoponceuponatime.com. Enter "signed copy" in the Order Comments field. Please enter "please personalize to (name) or "signature only" if not personalized in the Order Comments as well.

If pre-ordering an ebook copy of How To Disappear, forward receipt or proof of purchase to HowToDisappearBook@gmail.com with the name and address to where to send the swag pack.

Pre-Release Blog Tour Organized by

BOOK BLITZ: Coming Home Series by Meli Raine

We are so excited kick off this week long Book Blitz for the Coming Home Series by Meli Raine! This series contains Return (book 1), Revenge (book 2), and Reunion (book 3). Read an exciting excerpt from the trilogy! Check out the awesome giveaway(s) at the end of this post!

Genre:

New Adult

Romantic Suspense

Mystery Thriller

Series:

Coming Home Trilogy, #1

Publish Date:

July 28, 2015

Synopsis:

MY HEART WANTS A KIND OF JUSTICE THE LAW CAN'T GIVE

On a dark, rainy night I drove my overstuffed junker car back to a town I never expected to see again.

And when I needed a rescue by the side of the road, a six-foot tall piece of hot, unfinished business named Mark was what the universe sent me.

Three years earlier I'd fled town (and Mark) to follow my wrongly-convicted father to his federal prison, working crappy jobs to stay afloat and visit him every second I could. But now Dad's dead and I'm mysteriously offered the best job of my life at the college where his life blew up when he was accused of a crime he didn't commit.

Someone wants me here. Desperately.

I'm hoping it's Mark.

Because if its not, I'm in more danger than I ever imagined.

And if it is?

Mark may be the most dangerous choice of all.

~~~

Genre:

New Adult

Romantic Suspense

Mystery Thriller

Series:

Coming Home Trilogy, #2

Publish Date:

August 17, 2015

Synopsis:

MY HEART WANTS A KIND OF JUSTICE THE LAW CAN'T GIVE

Everything I know about my life is a lie. The more I dig into my father's death, the more I find myself in peril.

Mark turns out to be a liar, someone I thought I could trust. He's not what he seems, and worst of all, a part of me can't let go.

My boss might be an international drug lord disguised as a dean at one of the top five universities in the country.

Like anyone's going to believe me if I try to out him?

But I can't help myself. I should learn to keep my mouth shut.

Someone's decided to do that for me.

Make me quiet once—

And for all.

~~~

Genre:

New Adult

Romantic Suspense

Mystery Thriller

Series:

Coming Home Trilogy, #3

Publish Date:

August 31, 2015

Synopsis:

MY HEART WANTS A KIND OF JUSTICE THE LAW CAN'T GIVE

You can think you've had everything stolen from you. That there's nothing left to lose.

You would be wrong.

My best friend's been kidnapped. I was just captured. What I thought was a massive drug operation run by a man who killed my father turns out to be ten times more horrific.

I'm trapped. My best friend may be dead.

And Mark has no idea where to find me.

Some secrets should remain buried, my captors tell me.

And it looks like I will be, too.

Buried alive.

~~~

A Coming Home Trilogy Excerpt!

In the first few weeks after I moved to Oklahoma to follow Dad, the dreams started. The same two dreams. This one, and one where I almost see the face of the being that captures me. Almost.

It’s maddening.

But I’ve spent two years without the dreams. Why are they back?

As I think, Mark studies me. His eyes change. Concern floods the irises until they’re a dark brown with a golden ring. It’s the color of worry. The color of compassion. 

The color of love.

“You were screaming,” he says in a voice hoarse with agony. “I thought someone was attacking you.”

They were, I think. Just not in the way you imagined.

I sniff and blink lots of times. My mind feels split in two. Blood floods my arms and feet. My toes feel numb. My lips feel big. Nothing is normal. I pull the sheet over my body and just stare at him. The only sound in my little home is our breath.

We’re both panting hard, but for totally different reasons.

His brow deepens with worry, the muscles around his jaw tight. His eyes flit around the room as if he’s scanning. Surveying. Still on constant watch for danger.

Danger.

“It was a dream,” I finally choke out.

“Some dream,” he says in a voice filled with sympathy. “You really screamed like someone was killing you, Carrie.” His concern becomes greater. Mark’s eyes narrow. He’s watching me like I hold the key to everything.

“They were.”

Alarm floods his features.

“In the dream, I mean,” I blurt out, reaching for his hand. I don’t know why I do that. I can see my hand stretch into the space between us. The part of me that knows it’s wrong isn’t saying anything. The part of me that needs to be connected to Mark must be stronger. 

My fingers feel like a brick of ice. His hand is hot. It feels like I’m touching a stove burner and I pull back.

He softens and tilts his head. A wave of sandy blonde hair slides over his worried brow. He reaches for my hand and I let him.

“You’re so cold,” he says, his voice dropping. He sounds so protective.

My teeth start to chatter. He’s right. Suddenly, I can’t stop shivering. Everything in the trailer begins to bounce slightly, like in earthquake scenes in the movies. I shake so hard my skin starts to hurt. 

“Oh, Carrie,” Mark says in a voice full of sadness. He crawls across my little bed and moves behind me, kicking off his shoes in the process. They thump—thud thud—and the sound echoes in my head.

Thud thud.

Thud thud.

Like a heartbeat.

Like my own heart in my mouth in the dream.

A sob fills my chest, growing like a balloon. It swells and fills, so big I can’t breathe again. Can’t talk. Can’t anything.

And then Mark is behind me on the bed, his jeans-covered legs around my hips, his heat pressing against my thighs, my calves. He pulls me back against his warm, muscled chest. He tucks the covers up to my chin and wraps his arms around my shoulders.

He’s so warm. He smells like old sweat and dust and coffee and autumn leaves. He feels so good behind me. I can’t stop shivering. The vibration radiates out of me from within.

I feel like a gong. Like someone hit me as hard as possible and now the ripple effects can’t stop.

“Shhh,” he says against my ear, rocking me slightly. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.” 

Safe.

~~~~~

Read the exciting Coming Home Trilogy now!

  

      

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**About the Author**

Meli Raine rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes -- and the women who love them.

She lives in New England with her family.

Stay connected with Meli Raine

    

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway is Open Internationally

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is Open Internationally

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by