"Out of My League" by Sarah Sutton

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

Out of My League

by Sarah Sutton

This book blitz and giveaway for Out of My League by Sarah Sutton is hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. 

For another book by this author, please check out my blog post on What Are Friends For?.

Description

It’s all fun and games until someone catches feelings.

Sophia Wallace is convinced her life is over when her high school cuts the journalism program. Without the elective, she loses her chance to intern with the biggest newspaper company in the county, and why? All because the baseball team needs more funding.

To make matters worse, her boyfriend publicly dumps her at a party, which is mortifying. But the icing on the cake is when the captain of the baseball team and the most popular guy at Bayview High, Walsh Hunter, decides to be chivalrous. He jumps in, throws his arm around Sophia, and declares his undying love for her. In front of everyone.

Suddenly, Sophia is thrown into a world of fake relationships and undercover journalism, and she realizes she’s way, way out of her league.

Good thing she’s got the team captain to teach her how to play.

But faced with choosing between saving her journalism class or her newfound feelings for Walsh, will she strike out or hit a home run?

Excerpt

Staring at his face, I noticed a faint, silvery scar underneath his right eye, as small as my thumbnail. I reached out with my free hand, tracing my fingertip along his skin. A featherlight touch, barely there. “What happened here?”

His gaze never left mine. “Baseball cleat. Fourth grade. One of my teammates threw it at me.”

“Some little league kid threw their shoe at you? Why?”

“I told him that he couldn’t bat very well.” Walsh shrugged. “He couldn’t take the truth.”

I snorted. “You were that kid? The dream crusher?”

“Well, someone had to be.” His small smile was unapologetic. “Ask me who the kid was.”

I looked at him for a moment before tipping my head. “No way. Scott?”

“Who else would be that aggressive as a fourth-grader?”

Dina pulled at my arm as I laughed, shaking my head at the thought of miniature Scott throwing a shoe at small Walsh. I stepped out from the tangle of leashes at our feet, glancing down. “Oh, your poor rich-boy shoes.”

“What?” Walsh looked at his feet. “Oh.”

Brown smeared the side of his expensive-looking shoe, probably coating along the bottom. “With dogs around, you should probably watch where you’re walking.”

Walsh let go of my hand to switch the leash and proceeded to try and smear the offensive substance onto the grass. “Now you tell me.”

“Should we clean the poop off your shoe together? Is that romantic?”

His response was dry. “Ha-ha.”

“What? Shouldn’t we get a photo and caption it, ‘This might’ve been an accident, but falling in love wasn’t’?”

“Watch it, or I’ll wipe it on your ankle.”

I jerked back just in case he tried it, nearly tripping over Dina’s wealth of leash.

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Book

“The entire book tugged at my heartstrings.” ~ Lynelle Barrett, author of Kiss and Consume

“Get ready to swoon.” ~ Goodreads Reviewer

“Another home-run from up and coming YA author Sarah Sutton!” ~ Carrie Baker, author of Gull's Cry Cottage

“It felt like I was back in high school experiencing these things first hand.” ~ Tathy's Cozy Nook, Goodreads

“A story that keeps you hooked!” ~

My Review

By Lynda Dickson

Sophia is about to enter her senior year of high school and can finally apply for the internship with the local newspaper. But, when her school journalism course is shut down, she is no longer eligible to apply. She discovers that the funding is being diverted into the school’s baseball program and focuses her anger and frustration on Walsh Hunter, the oh-so-perfect captain of the baseball team. She decides to try to persuade the school board to change their minds with a killer article – an exposé on the baseball team. Sophia is publicly humiliated when her boyfriend breaks up with her at Walsh’s end-of-year party and, when Walsh comes to her rescue, they somehow end up fake-dating. Sophia’s reasoning is that the situation will be helpful to her to write her article. But what could Walsh be after?

Sophia has an endearing, overly-dramatic way of telling her story. The characters around her are interesting: her best friend Edith is a breath of fresh air, ex-boyfriend Scott is a jerk, and Walsh is a super-sweet hero. I felt sorry for Sophia because of her parents’ self-centered and uncaring behavior and was glad they redeem themselves in the end.

This funny (yet, at times, sad) young adult romance hits a home run for me.

Warnings: underage drinking, alcohol abuse, marital difficulties.

Some of My Favorite Lines

“I was losing heartbeats, misplacing them in the fog in my mind.”

“The moment rapidly cracked apart like glass, and I inhaled the broken shards in, cutting my lungs.”

“This was the kind of kiss people wrote about in books - the toe-curling, heart fluttering kiss I’d always dreamt about.”

About the Author

Sarah Sutton is a YA Romance author, bringing you stories about teenagers falling in love (sometimes with magic)✨She spends her days dreaming up ideas with her two adorable puppies by her side being cheerleaders (and mega distractions).

Giveaway

Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card.

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"War of the Institutes" by Paul James

NEW RELEASE and EXCERPT

War of the Institutes
(The Modest Proposal Institute Book 4)

by Paul James

War of the Institutes, the fourth and final book in The Modest Proposal Institute series by Paul James, has just been released. The author stops by today to share an excerpt from the book. Also available for only $0.99 each (or FREE on Kindle Unlimited): An Old Path to a New Future, No More Empires (read my blog post), and Rival Institutes.

Image created using Mockup Shots.

Description

The Modest Proposal Institute, which began in 2018 with such high hopes of saving the future progress of mankind, has broken into rival factions by 2030. Book 4, War of the Institutes, brings to an end this dystopian young adult, near-future sci fi, history of Earth.

Alexis and his pioneers have set up home on the moon and Mars, with an Earth 2.0 to come. Shane and his ocean pioneers are establishing mankind's presence on the seabed. Nadia and Tomas reign supreme in Western Europe and would like to extend their dominion across all the old Western lands. A splinter group, led by Jamie, wishes to live free in North America. All would be well if only they would be happy with what they have - but not everyone can and on Earth mankind returns to its pre-industrial state.

Excerpt

Moon City, 2129

Alexis frowned. He wished, and not for the first time, that he’d never started this history and yet it had to be told. To be honest, all he really wanted was his view of events told in his own voice. Looking back, he could see so many times where he failed and people would wonder why? They would ask why the same man who, in his early days, had pushed the Space Institute forward so forcefully, but then had been so unsure of himself when the Institute began to fracture. And they’d be right to ask. He could hardly understand it either. Until 2040, he’d been striding forward into space. After 2040 he’d been out of his depth on Earth. People there made no sense to him. Unfortunately, that’s the time he’d reached in this history, and he felt almost afraid to go on. He shrugged. Best to get it over with, he thought, and began recording.

It was the darkest time of the Institute’s history. The time when the three branches drifted farther and farther apart in growing mistrust and then violence. These events had happened only a few years ago and yet were almost forgotten by most. Or here in space they were, anyhow. He couldn’t speak much about those left on Earth because he never visited now, but he suspected their everyday thoughts were consumed by just finding enough food to keep living.

It wasn’t a dark time for everyone. Here in space, life went on as if nothing had changed. It was always a reflection of the Earth of 2018 here, only better. Before the moon and Martian cities were even half finished, exploratory missions had gone out in search of asteroids, other moons, and anything in the solar system that looked like it could be colonized. The drive was relentless. Even Alexis was staggered at the energy his pioneers showed in every possible new territory. Now he could see how the ancestors of the Western world could have arrived in a wilderness hundreds of miles from the nearest outpost of their civilization and built a city almost overnight.

He also now saw why the Founders had not focused on recruiting men with any one particular attribute—not IQ or physical strength or any other single quality. The Institute needed a range of qualities. Once those who explored had put roots into a new territory, pioneers needed to arrive and build. Nothing stopped the pioneers—not heat, cold, or exhaustion. They threw themselves into building each new settlement like there was no tomorrow. The contrast to the people he’d tried to help on Earth was staggering. Back on Earth people were starving, freezing, and yet could barely organize a hunt. Any one of the Institute’s men was worth ten of them.

After the pioneers came the builders, farmers, manufacturers, and those who provided them the services they needed. Where there had once been a barren, lifeless rock whirling in space, there was soon a thriving community sending resources back to the older colonies and importing things they needed in order to expand. No one directed anyone. The men just did what they did and the rest of life followed naturally.

The same story, of course, had been played out many times throughout men’s history on Earth. As Dean had told them, barren islands and lands had been turned into bustling cities and booming countries for thousands of years, but it was still astonishing to watch happen in space.

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Book

“This author is a born story-teller, and I enjoyed this immensely. I’m especially impressed because it’s a first book. Superbly edited and excellently written, it’s a story of growing up, facing challenges, and finding the ‘you’ that you were meant to be; but all that’s extraneous to the plot, which I found unique and fascinating. About a group of young boys working to solve the problems of their society by creating a better future, you’ll experience tension, and relief, and more tension.”

“The story reaffirms that no matter how technologically advanced or intelligent we humans are, our basic human nature doesn't change, or rather, the more things change, the more they stay the same.” ~ MJC

“Loved this book. Great build up from the 3 and like the others couldn't put it down. Would recommend to those who love sci fi and an adventure.” ~ NB

“You will enjoy this book more - as you will know the history of the main characters and the plot if you read books 1-3 of the Modest Proposal Institute. Be advised that the characters’ life spans last for hundreds of years. Tomas and Nadia rule Europe, Alexis controls Outer Space, Shane the Oceans, Jamie - Jamestown, North America, and Asia and the rest of the world had more localized control. What happens when one leader wants to control the Earth?” ~ Terry Biehl

“The end of the end. Heavy, yet satisfying. It made me cry. I was secretly hoping for a different ending, but knew it has to end this way. The Modest Proposal Institute series is truly a masterpiece that makes you wonder on so many issues that we're facing right now.” ~ Rugova Writes

About the Author

Paul James is an engineer with a life-long interest in books and writing. Originally from England, he's lived with his family near Toronto, Canada, for many years and where he walks, runs and takes wildlife photos whenever the weather will let him. In his writing, he likes to capture the humorous side of life even when sometimes the world doesn't seem to warrant it - as we saw in his earlier book, Diary of a Canadian Nobody.

For his new series, The Modest Proposal Institute, he has returned to one of his earliest loves - science fiction.

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"Wings of Fate" by Skye Horn

NEW RELEASE and EXCERPT

Wings of Fate
(Kingdoms of Faerie Book 1)

by Skye Horn

Author Skye Horn stops by today to share an excerpt from Wings of Fate, the first book in her Kingdoms of Faerie series. Available for pre-order: Wings of Deception (releases 30 June).

Description

Death chose her for her blood; Fate chose her for her heart.

In a world without magic, Thea is ordinary, but everything changes when she discovers she is a Lost Princess from a kingdom in Faerie.

Now, a land Thea never knew existed expects her to become queen - but only if she can stop her villainous father who sits on her throne from releasing the Goddess of Death first. As darkness spreads across the Kingdoms of Faerie, Thea must prepare for the battle ahead by mastering the magic that runs through her veins with the help of the Fae who brought her home - a guardian sworn to protect her with his life.

With proper training, Thea might able to stop her father, but saving her kingdom may cost her heart.

Wings of Fate is the first book in the Kingdoms of Faerie series. The series explores a world of magic, myth, and legend through the lens of a powerful female heroine.

Book Video

Excerpt

Standing drenched in the rain of a foreign country after over twenty hours of travel definitely made Thea Gilbert’s list of top-ten-worst days. She admitted it probably didn’t rank as high as her parents’ dying in a car accident or finding out she was adopted, but it definitely outranked breaking up with her high school sweetheart, Marcus, after his heartfelt proposal. Apparently, being eighteen and an orphan meant she needed a husband to take care of her. That was one reason she’d left Colorado and fled to Ireland, despite the guilty voice in her head patronizing her and slating her decisions.

“Are you here to see the Faeries too?” a little boy asked from beside her, startling Thea out of her thoughts. He stared at the unextraordinary green hillside with eager eyes.

Sure, Ireland was beautiful, but once she’d seen one rolling green plain, hadn’t she seen them all?

Thea glanced at the boy briefly. He stood with his hands tucked into his red hoodie next to an elderly woman who wore a matching red raincoat. “Granny says they only come out at dusk.”

“Don’t bother the poor girl,” his grandmother scolded, tugging the little boy away from the hill. “Let’s get inside before you catch your death.”

Before Thea could formulate a response they pulled their hoods tight over their heads and hurried down the path to the village, leaving her alone in the rain. She knew this weather was normal in these parts, but by the ominous clouds forming over‐ head and the shortage of people willing to stand outside, she wondered if this would sooner grow from a sprinkle into a storm.

Regardless, she forced her feet toward the Hill of Knockainey, which was the entire reason she’d chosen Ireland as her destination to begin with. According to her adoption file, this was where her biological parents had abandoned her, wrapped in a purple silk blanket with no hint of who they were. She’d let herself sink into an aching numbness since her parents’ deaths, but it never extinguished the loneliness that constantly plagued her. It resurfaced in the form of a stomachache, twisting her insides until she felt as if she might puke, but she swallowed back the bile, inhaling sharply. Just because she was now an orphan didn’t mean she needed to fall apart at the seams.

Like the little boy who wished to see the Faeries, Thea wished she could see what her biological parents had thought when they left her in this cold, rainy country fifteen years ago. She was grateful for the loving and supportive parents who’d raised her. They’d put her through private school and intended to send her to art school in the fall, but the car accident had changed everything. Thea hadn’t touched her sketchpad since.

[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]

Praise for the Book

“I liked the author's take on Faerie and the creatures that make up its citizenry. There’s action, humor, and romance. I highly recommend this book!” ~ Brett Humphrey Author

“This is a tale, richly woven and brilliantly told. Celtic mythology lovers, this fantasy story is just the thing you will want to read!” ~ Ashley Zerwas

“Skye does an amazing job of painting a vivid world, lifelike characters, and a unique and thrilling tale! […] I recommend this book and am so excited that the author is already working on the next books in the series!!!” ~ SvenAdorbs

“What a great first book in the series. Intriguing fantasy world with plenty of opportunity for further world building in future books. The danger to the main characters and the four kingdoms helped turn the last half of the book into an unputdownable read. I also liked the inclusion of a bunch of mythical creatures throughout the story! I’m interested in seeing what happens next.” ~ Matt

“I really enjoyed the adventure that unfolded in the Wings of Fate book. I felt drawn into the storyline and felt the characters pulled me into each page offering me the chance to watch them grow and overcome numerous obstacles along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone whether they like science fiction or fantasy. Actually, I would recommend them to readers of any genre.” ~ Ken Keiscome

About the Author

Skye Horn lives in the San Bernardino Mountains with her husband and two fur-babies. She enjoys the beautiful and quiet mountain life, morning writing sessions with a cup of coffee on her home's large deck, and dancing in her living room to help her creative juices flow, while her dogs look at her like she's a madwoman. She hopes to inspire a new generation of young writers to always follow their dreams by telling the stories that constantly distract them from reality. All she really wants is to keep creating worlds of myth and magic to escape to for the rest of her life.

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