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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Depression & Stress: Good Riddance, 2015!




Good evening, my lovely followers.

It has been too long since I've posted here. I believe my last post was in November. I am embarrassed of how far behind I am with this blog, and the promises and dates that I was unable to keep. I'd first like to apologize for that. To any author, blog tour service, blogger, or anyone else that I scheduled on my blog the past few months and was unable to deliver: I am sorry. It is unprofessional, and I hope to move forward into 2016 on good terms with all of you.

Why have I been gone?

In short? Depression is a bitch. It is something that I have been battling for over a decade. I have good days, I have bad days. This fall semester I fell into the worst "funk" I have ever been in in my entire life. I did not want to leave my bed. I did not want to leave my room. I didn't want to shower or eat or do anything. I was like a zombie; sleeping and playing Farmville. It's laughable a bit, now that I'm on a mood upswing, but it was terrible for me.

People have a misconception that depression is simply being sad. Or that it's not debilitating. That it's easy to tell someone "just shower and go to class" or "just cheer up and be happy" or the worst of them all "but you have nothing to be sad about". That is not how disorders work. I know, logically, that I am not supposed to feel this way. But depression can be crippling. The thought of doing something as little as getting out of bed to make a cup of tea seems Herculean. Which then made me feel worse, like worse a failure. Because oh my god, how useless are you, you can't even get out of bed. Which then made me more depressed. It is a vicious cycle. And it is one that I didn't get shaken out of me until the beginning of December. It started in September. That is three months of drowning in my own hatred and self-loathing. It wasn't until I saw my girlfriend, at Thanksgiving, that I started to pull out of it.

I'd like to segue off-topic for a moment to express my appreciation for the aforementioned girlfriend. I do not know what I would do without Emily. This is not just me being romantic, this is not a hypothetical "oh heavens where would I be without love!?". I honestly do not know that I would be alive. When my mind is a violent hurricane trying to tear me apart piece by piece from the inside out, she is the anchor that keeps me grounded from the storm. She is so patient, caring, and understanding of me and my disorders. I don't know how she puts up with me, or why, but I know that on more than one occasion, she has saved my life. How she sets aside her own demons in order to play with mine, I am not sure I will ever really know. I don't think I tell her enough, but I will do so here: Thank you. For dealing with my depression, my anxiety, the panic attacks, the misophonia, the compulsive acts. I'm so embarrassed by all of it, but you act like nothing is wrong with me. You make me feel like there's nothing wrong with me. And words will never be enough to thank you. But I can promise you, like you promised me with garnets and onyx, that I will live every day trying to be what you deserve. I don't know what I did in a past life to deserve you, but Christ am I glad I did it, whatever it was.

Anyway, once Thanksgiving rolled around, I started to waken. It was not unlike how you picture a bear coming out of its hibernation in the spring. It started with baby steps, and eventually I was back in the swing of things. And then came round two of panic: making sure my grades and work were okay. This involved lots of stress, a few panic attacks, and lots of lost sleep, mixed with constant meetings with professors and advisers.

I'm happy to say, my grades were great and I'm still perfectly on course to graduate. That huge stress-causer is finally lifted.

I came home to the Chicagoland, and to my family. And that was the last burst of fresh air I needed to clear away the fog. I stepped away from the computer to enjoy my family. We had relatives come in from New Jersey and, further still, from Colombia. We celebrated Christmas Eve with a nice party as we do every year. We ate tons of ham and cookies, I drank probably a bit too much Jack. We exchanged gifts on Christmas morning, where I was spoiled and blessed with much more than I anticipated. Today is New Year's Eve, and I have declined partying with friends to stay with this family that has supported me through so much. Tomorrow, my sister and I will be spending some much needed girl time exploring Chicago, seeing a play, and trying a new wine bar for dinner. And I can't wait. This Christmas has felt like the best of my life, probably because of the darkness I had been in before. The drinks seem sweeter. The lights seem brighter. The tree seems sparklier. This has been a very happy holiday indeed.

Now what does this mean for Bitches n Prose?

I will be back to my cheery old self, I hope. I am not going to jump back in all at once, but once more you will be seeing blog tours, reviews, and giveaways posted to this blog, at least once a week. That much I can promise you.

I have reviews to write in the coming days for books such as Splintered by AG Howard, Afterparty by Ann Redisch Stampler, and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Some good, some bad.

And now, my readers, I want to thank you. Thank you for putting up with my staggered emails. Thank you for dealing with my moody DMs on Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for staying my followers when it would have been so easy to unfollow. Thank you for checking in on me, those of you who did, to make sure that I'm still alive and kicking.

I hope you all have a very fun and safe New Year. I hope 2016 is your best year yet. May your books be free of love triangles, may your movies be like the books, may your cocoa be rich, and your household be healthy.

Bunches of love,
Jillyn <3

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Ice Moon by Lisa Kessler!




Jared Ayers works outdoors, embracing a solitary life, hiding from his inner demons. But after so many of his Pack brothers have found their mates, he starts wondering if there might be a mate in his future too. His world turns upside down after he's hired by the "Ice Queen of Lake Tahoe". One touch is all it takes. One touch to send the wolf howling within...

A gifted psychic with pyrokinesis, Taryn Goldstone wields fire beyond her control– sometimes with dire consequences. With Jason, she discovers that some flames are meant for passion–and healing. She has enemies who covet her powerful gift, but they are about to learn just how far a wolf will go to protect his mate.




Purchase your copy of ICE MOON:









About the author:




Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel, Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.


When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.




Connect with Lisa Kessler



Monday, November 16, 2015

Tour Promo & Giveaway: To Dare a Seal by Sara Jane Stone!


Book Title: To Dare a SEAL
Author: Sara Jane Stone
Release Date: 11/16/15
Genre: Contemporary Romance (HOT)
Tour Host: DRC Promotions


Book Blurb

Playing best man in his teammate’s Las Vegas wedding is not U.S. Navy SEAL Jack Barnes’ idea of a vacation—especially when the maid-of-honor is the one woman who knows how to push his buttons. Now his teammates are taking bets on whether he’ll end up in the fiery bartender’s bed. Not one to turn away from a challenge, Jack vows to seduce Natalie Lewis. And he’ll do so on his terms—demanding complete control.

The tantalizing SEAL may have a hand-over-your-panties smile and a body she’d love to explore, but there’s no way Natalie’s falling into his bed. No, she’s going to get revenge. After bringing Jack to his knees with a series of Sin City dares, she’ll walk away. It’s the perfect plan—until it backfires. Beneath his devil-may-care attitude, Jack’s unbridled desire proves irresistible. But he also requires the one thing Natalie can’t give. Control.

 

Buy The Book

Amazon - BN - iBooks - Entangled Publishing


Other books in the series

The first book in the sexy new Sin City SEALs series by Sara Jane Stone!

He can resist everything...except her.

For the first time in her life, art therapist Lucia Lewis is ready to live. And the masquerade ball in Las Vegas is just the place to find a ridiculously hot guy to complete her wicked to-do list. The only rule? Her elegant Venetian mask-which conceals the scars that have always held her back from the life she deserves-stays on.

Navy SEAL Cade Daniels heads to Vegas on a mission to keep his best friend's little sister out of trouble. Except the woman he's sent to find is all heat and flame...and perfectly capable of handling herself. And him. But the moment Lucia's mask slips, the need to heal her, body and soul, is complete and absolute temptation.

But revealing himself could cost him the one thing he isn't willing to risk...his heart.

 

Buy The Book

Amazon - BN - iBooks - Entangled Publishing


Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


About The Author

After several years on the other side of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to pursue her dream-writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat. Visit her online at www.sarajanestone.com or find her on Facebook at Sara Jane Stone.

For sneak peeks at Sara Jane Stone's latest red-hot reads, giveaway and more, join Sara Jane's Seducers! facebook.com/groups/324831797700603/

 

Connect with Sara

Website - Blog - Twitter - Facebook - Goodreads - Newsletter



Hosted by

 

 

 


Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: Beauty and the Boss by Diane Alberts!

BATB_Blitz


Today we are celebrating the release of BEAUTY AND THE

BOSS by Diane Alberts. This book is from Entangled Publishing's Indulgence line and is a

Modern Fairytale! Check out the buy links below.


 

BatB_500


BOOK

BLURB:


Researcher Maggie Donovan has no luck with men, and it doesn't help that she can't keep

her eyes off of her sexy boss – the one everyone else in the office calls The Beast.

Relationships in the office are forbidden. So no one is more surprised than Maggie when she

pretends to be his fiancée to save him during a difficult situation. Not only has she put her job on

the line, but the future of the company.


Billionaire Benjamin Gale III doesn't believe in love or romance, but the look on his

mother's face when Maggie tells her that she's his fiancée is worth millions. Instead of firing her

for her insubordination, he goes along with the ruse. In his arms–and in his bed–she'd be

everything he could ever want...which is why he can't have her.


But if he doesn't let her go, they'll lose everything...



BATB_ONSALE


PURCHASE NOW


Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo


 

CLICK HERE TO ADD BEAUTY AND

THE BOSS TO GOODREADS
.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

AUTHOR INFORMATION:


Diane 1 small

Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author

with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York

Times
, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books

with Penguin Random House. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James

as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is

represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put

her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract

offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was

surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania

with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and four cats. Her goal is to write so many

fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

AUTHOR LINKS:


Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads



-zlogo

Friday, November 13, 2015

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Overwhelm by Layla Messner




Title: Overwhelm

Author: Layla Messner

Release date: 11/13/15



Summary from Goodreads:


Meet the three teenagers responsible for sinking Atlantis:

KALIOPE is an empath, a water person who feels other people’s emotions as if they are her own. All she wants is to grow up and escape her cruel mother.

DANICA is Kaliope's guardian and secret lover. She will protect Kali, no matter the cost to herself or anyone else.

CHIARAN is the reckless prince of the fire people. His deepest wish is to be seen as something other than a monster.

When Chiaran arrives in Atlantis, he's the first fire person to set foot on the island in a hundred years. Kaliope naturally considers him an enemy and attacks him. But the battle reveals that the two have more in common than anyone could have guessed.

Anyone, that is, except the living crystals who feed elemental energy to Atlantis.

The citizens of Atlantis depend on that energy to create better and better technologies, homes, and standards of living. Each year, they use more energy—and the crystals become more exhausted.

Sixteen years ago, the crystals came up with a plan to make it all stop.

As Kaliope’s fight to escape her mother’s control winds her tighter and tighter into the crystals’ plot, she struggles to make sense of her confusing feelings for Chiaran and Danica.

With three teenage antiheroes, a bisexual love triangle, and an island about to sink, OVERWHELM by Láyla Messner is a darkly sensual fairy tale about growing up against all odds.


Review:


★★★

Overall, this book was okay. It wasn't everything that I wanted it to be, but I'm not sorry that I read it either. Initially, before reading it, I was drawn into the book by the promise of a bisexual love triangle with an Atlantean backdrop. Not to mention, of course, the insanely gorgeous cover. I had high hopes for it.

I'll start with the positives. I did like the extent to which the reader gets to know the characters. They felt like they were given depth and a lot of thought, they became real on the page. They had well thought out/well explained backstory, and I felt like overall I had a pretty good handle on each of them as a person. This is a big plus for this book.

Unfortunately, I think this book bites off a bit more that it can chew. It seemed like there were way too many things happening at once. There was a lot to try and follow, and honestly I'm not sure that I followed it all. I was left with more questions than I was answers, but I'm guessing there will probably be a book two that will clear some of that up. The different characters' plots became smooshed together for me, and it was hard to keep track. At least that made this book far from boring.

All in all, I really like the concept for this book. I like the mythology of Atlantis, and I like the characters. Even the ones I didn't like so much, I felt like I knew them well enough to not like them in a good way? If that makes sense. I don't know that I'll be rushing out to get the sequel when it comes out, but it's worth a read. There's never a dull moment, that's for sure.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.


Get it Here:


Amazon



About the Author:


Láyla Messner is a young-adult author and the founder of ChrysalisSanctuary.com for healing childhood sexual abuse. She has an M.A. in embodied writing from Goddard College and her novels provide New Sexual Mythology for teens. She believes that love is real. She does not believe in unsolicited advice or the word "impossible."

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook



Follow the rest of the tour here!

Giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blog Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours

Monday, November 2, 2015

The Fox and the Snowman Book Blast & Giveaway!

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for a new picture book by author Angela Muse, "The Fox and the Snowman" (November 2 to 4, 2015).

The Fox and the Snowman

About the Book

Title: The Fox and the Snowman | Author: Angela Muse | Illustrator: Helen Wu | Publication Date: October 5, 2015 | Publisher: 4EYESBOOKS | Pages: 28 | Recommended Ages: 0 to 8


Summary: This is a story of a lone fox and his journey through a year of changing seasons. He discovers friendship and family in this colorful winter tale.

Also check out Lil Glimmer, The Nutt Family: An Acorny Adventure, The Pig Princess, The Bee Bully, Eager Eaglets: Birds of Play, Cactus Charlie, Suzy Snowflake, Monsters Have Mommies, The Christmas Owl, The Cat Who Lost His Meow, Caterpillar Shoes & Ten Thankful Turkeys by this author.

Grab a copy of the ebook, available for a limited time at the introductory price of 99 cents! (REG $2.99)

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

iBooks * Createspace * Goodreads

 

About the Author: Angela Muse

Angela MuseAngela Muse was born in California to a military family. This meant that she got used to being the "new kid" in school every couple of years. It was hard trying to make new friends, but Angela discovered she had a knack for writing. In high school Angela began writing poetry and song lyrics. Expressing herself through writing seemed very natural. After becoming a Mom in 2003, Angela continued her storytelling to her own children. In 2009 she wrote and published her first rhyming children's book aimed at toddlers. Since then she has released several more children's picture books and released her first young adult romance series, The Alpha Girls.

Angela's husband, Ben Muse writes suspense/thriller books that can also be found on Amazon.

Check out what else she's working on by visiting www.4eyesbooks.com

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

 

** Book Blast Giveaway **

Prize: One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card or $100 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice

Giveaway ends: November 15, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open to: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Angela Muse and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


MDBR Book Promotion Services

Monday, October 26, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Damage Control by Jess Anastasi!




Nick-named Captain Hardass by the new recruits, Captain Leigh Alphin is captain of the Fighter Force of the battleship Valiant Knox. He’s honorable, straightforward, and hard as nails – except for the soft spot he has for a young woman he rescued off a transport that was under attack. Now that she’s one of his new recruits, it’s imperative he stop thinking about her in that way.



Especially now that the Knox has been secretly infiltrated by the enemy.



Mia Wolf’s new commander is icy, no-BS, and completely gorgeous. His glances send heat searing through her. Neither of them can afford to make this mistake, yet desire takes hold, consuming them. For the first time, Leigh’s iron sense of honor falters as his heart fights for love… and against an enemy trying to destroy everything they hold dear.




Purchase your copy of DAMAGE CONTROL:






About the author:

Jess has been making up stories ever since she can remember. Though her messy handwriting made it hard for anyone else to read them, she wasn't deterred and now she gets to make up stories for a living. She loves loud music, a good book on a rainy day, and probably spends too much time watching too many TV shows. Jess lives in regional Victoria, Australia, with her very supportive husband, three daughters, one ball-obsessed border collie, and one cat who thinks he's one of the kids. 

Connect with Jess Anastasi

Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Moonshadow's Daughter by Kaylie Newell!







To the citizens of Wolfe Creek, Aimee Styles is dead. What they don’t know is she’s alive...and a werewolf. After she was bitten two years ago, Aimee isolated herself away from the town, determined to keep them safe. But all it takes is an icy winter evening—and an incredibly virulent flu—to interrupt her self-imposed exile.

Nothing prepared doctor and single dad Jake Blackstock for the sight of Wolfe Creek's missing girl, or her delicate beauty. He's instantly and fiercely attracted to her, despite her secrets and the shadows in her near-black eyes. Jake's falling hard. He knows nothing about Aimee...or what she really is.

But something else lurks in Wolfe Creek's shadows. Something malevolent. Something that won't hesitate to rip apart their life and new love…


Purchase your copy of THE MOONSHADOW'S DAUGHTER:


About the author:

Kaylie Newell was born in the great state of Oregon, where she was raised alongside rivers and lakes and scruffy dogs that chased their tennis balls as far as Kaylie's noodle arms could throw. As she grew, so did her imagination, and it didn't take long to realize she was a romantic at heart. She began to fancy herself the future wife of a cowboy, the likes of which graced every paperback novel she could get her hands on. She decided to go to college in Oklahoma to snag herself one, but irony won over when she fell in love with a hippie in sheep's clothing instead. Together, they came back to Oregon, started a family and watched their dreams unfold. Kaylie wrote her first book when her girls were toddlers, editing sex scenes with The Wiggles on in the background. She's proud of many things in life, among them the fact that she can still recite her lines from Romeo and Juliet from her seventh grade play, the fact that she can set a grilled cheese sandwich on fire faster than most people can make one, but mostly she's proud of the stories blossoming inside her noggin on a daily basis.


Connect with Kaylie Newell

Friday, October 23, 2015

BRAZEN Blitz & Giveaway Featuring Tempting the New Boss by Angela Claire!

If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they've got the hero destined to melt your... heart. Visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.




Today's featured read:
Tempting the New Boss by Angela Claire




When Camilla Anderson loses her job just as a position at Talbot Inc. opens up, there’s no way she’s questioning the lucky break. Working for the quirky, reclusive CEO will pay off her student loans within a year, and they’re flying to Europe in his private jet.




Mason Talbot isn’t good at talking to women. Well, to anyone, really. But when his new lawyer boards his plane, biology kicks in. But he can’t tell if her adverse reaction is to him or his painfully awkward attempts at flirting.




As the flight gets bumpier, Mr. High IQ gets calmer. And…he holds her hand? Maybe the guy is redeemable after all. As soon as they land, she’ll have to teach her endearingly awkward new boss how to seduce a girl properly.




That is, if they don’t die in a fiery plane crash first.






Played

Played
Played




About Angela Claire


Angela Claire, like most writers, grew up loving to read, which led to a degree in English literature, which in turn led to unemployment. Not having been born to wealth, Angela developed a more practical plan for eating and paying her rent—hence the dreaded and expected descent into law school and inevitable career as a lawyer. Once she paid off her pesky yet massive student loans, Angela saved for an escape from the law profession one day. Now a multi-published author, she does what she loves, but with a little less leeway on the eating and paying rent thing. She is represented by Kerry D’Agostino at Curtis Brown, LTD.





Don't miss all five fabulous 10/19 Brazens!
Good girl,
meet bad cowboy...




Find out more!
  
When Fantasy and reality collide...



Find out more!
He can fight anything...except his need for her.



Find out more!
 
Play.
Or be played.




Find out more!
Sometimes you have to break the rules...



Find out more!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, October 22, 2015

BRAZEN Blitz & Giveaway Featuring Played by Clare James!

If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they've got the hero destined to melt your... heart. Visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.




Today's featured read:
Played by Clare James




The music should be enough. End of story. But Aaron Major is finding out it’s not, and now his agent has hired a firm of suits to help launch his debut album, turning his life into a goddamn circus. Smile here. Play there. Be nice. Well, screw that. If Aaron wanted to spend his time shaking hands and kissing babies, he would’ve gone into politics.




Helping launch the career of country singer Aaron Major should be a cakewalk for PR pro Melody Sharp. Aaron is charming, sexy, and oh-so-appealing when he’s on stage. Off stage, though, he’s her worst nightmare. A stubborn, ornery, reclusive nightmare without a lick of business-or fashion-sense. The only way he’s going to make it in music is with a serious makeover-and quite possibly a personality transplant.




Soon, they’re engaged in a game of give and take, and though it’s Melody calling the shots, it’s Aaron who holds all control…






Played

Played
Played




About Clare James


Clare James writes contemporary romance and new adult novels with spunky heroines and sexier-than-sin heroes. Her books have made several best-selling lists including the tender love stories in the Impossible Love series; the steamy romantic comedy Dirty Little Lies; and the touching family drama Wednesday. She’s also the author of a new series with Entangled’s Brazen line about the women of Elite PR and their very naughty clients. The first two books in the series are out now!





Don't miss all five fabulous 10/19 Brazens!
Good girl,
meet bad cowboy...




Find out more!
  
When Fantasy and reality collide...



Find out more!
He can fight anything...except his need for her.



Find out more!
 
Play.
Or be played.




Find out more!
Sometimes you have to break the rules...



Find out more!
a Rafflecopter giveaway