Compelling Reads Tour Recap and November/December Final 2014 FORBIDDEN Giveaway!

I can't believe my Debut Year Celebration is almost at an end. Since this is the last giveaway, I'm making it extra special and chock full of goodies!

This month's prize pack includes a signed finished copy of Forbidden, Middle Eastern earrings and veil, Forbidden buttons, a belly dancing DVD, Middle Eastern Jamberry Design Nail Set, and a set of Book Club Cards. Use the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post for your chance to win!

I'm home from the Compelling Reads Tour. It was an absolute blast! We wrote collaborative stories, I taught people how to belly-dance, played the book dating game, spent time with some of my YA Series Insiders sisters, and met some fabulous readers, booksellers, librarians, and authors!

After the first tour stop in Arlington VA, I had tapas with Wendy Higgins, Jessica Spotswood, and Martina Boone.

The next day, Melissa Marr and Leah Cypess joined me, Martina, and Wendy at One More Page Books for the Compulsion launch party.

A few days later, Martina and I were joined in Charlottesville VA by Kristen-Paige Madonia, Joy N. Hensley, Diana Peterfreund, and Jodi Meadows.

In Raleigh and Chapel Hill, we were joined by two of our YA Series Insiders sisters, Claudia Gray and Shannon Greenland (S.E. Green), plus Megan Shepherd, Beth Revis, and Meagan Spooner.

Then we headed over to the adorable bookstore in Tryon NC.

We had lunch at the Lavender Bistro in Tryon, NC (love that little town to pieces!), and you know I loved their purple doors!

And the Tryon Horse - which made Publisher's Weekly!

 

I had a fabulous Double Launch Party with Claudia Gray in Charlotte!

And I hired a tribal belly dancer to perform and teach us some shimmy moves - so much fun! She was gorgeous and very sweet! 

And I was finally able to meet my good friend Holly Hughes, after years of being online pen pals.

Here's a picture of me and Martina in front of the gorgeous Books-a-Million store in Columbia SC.

I had a blast at YALLFest! Here I am at the YA Series Insiders booth with blogger Fallon Vaughn.

I was able to attend the Red Carpet Preview Event, which featured David Levithan, Ellen Hopkins, Laini Taylor, fellow YA Series Insider Jennifer L. Armentrout, Danielle M. Paige, and Susan Ee.

Here I am at the Charleston Public Library for the last stop of the Compelling Reads Tour with my YA Series Insiders sisters Shannon Greenland (S.E. Green),  Martina Boone, and Tracy Clark.

Another great thing about the Compelling Reads Tour was all of the signed books I brought home with me. I can't wait to dive into these beauties!

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A thousand thank you's to everyone who has made the launch of FORBIDDEN possible! My agent and editor (who are huge blessings in my life!), Harpercollins, my publicists, the fantastic Art Dept team, the gorgeous model on the cover, my friends and family - and you, dear reader! Thank you for all the love and support over the years of this very long and crazy journey . . . !! I'm a little bit in shock at the surreal-ness of FORBIDDEN actually out in the world and on bookstore shelves - and a whole lot of thrilled.

xo,
Kimberley 

Amie & Bethanie Borst - Mom/Teen Daughter Writing Team - Scarily Ever Laughter Series!

Thanks so much for participating in our blog tour, Kimberley! We appreciate your support and are so happy to tell your audience a little about our book, LITTLE DEAD RIDING HOOD!

You know things are going to suck when you’re the new kid. But when you’re the new kid and a vampire… well, it bites!

 

Unlike most kids, Scarlet Small’s problems go far beyond just trying to fit in. She would settle for a normal life, but being twelve years old for an entire century is a real pain in the neck. Plus, her appetite for security guards, house pets and bloody toms (tomato juice) is out of control. So in order to keep their vampire-secret, her parents, Mort and Drac, resort to moving for the hundredth time, despite Scarlet being dead-set against it. Things couldn’t be worse at her new school, either. Not only does she have a strange skeleton-girl as a classmate, but a smelly werewolf is intent on revealing her secret. When she meets Granny—who fills her with cookies, goodies, and treats, and seems to understand her more than anyone—she’s sure things will be different. But with a fork-stabbing incident, a cherry pie massacre, and a town full of crazy people, Scarlet’s O-positive she’ll never live to see another undead day.

 

Not even her Vampire Rule Book can save her from the mess she’s in. Why can’t she ever just follow the rules?

Add Little Dead Riding Hood to your Goodreads to-read list here.  Purchase LDRH at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your favorite Indie bookstore!

***

Five facts about Scarlet Small:

1. She has a sweet fang. Unless you want your goodies to disappear, I highly suggest you hide all sweets from sight.
2. Scarlet has issues with dogs. You can imagine her trouble when she realizes her new school is host to a smelly werewolf.
3. Scarlet has been twelve years old for a century. Do you know how hard it is to keep up with fashion trends? She'll stick with her high-collared mourning dress, thank you very much.
4. Bonnie & Clyde were fangsters. Bet you didn't know that. Bet you also didn't know that Scarlet wears Clyde's fedora religiously.
5. Scarlet is afraid of the dark. And of creepy woods. And of losing her afterlife. What's it to you?

Did I mention that Scarlet has a bit of an attidude? Yeah. There's that.

About us:

Amie Borst is a PAL member of SCBWI. She believes in Unicorns, uses glitter whenever the opportunity arises, accessories in pink and eats too much chocolate. 

Bethanie Borst is a spunky 14 year old who loves archery, long bike rides and studying edible plant-life. She was only 9 when she came up with the idea for Cinderskella!

Little Dead Riding Hood is their second book in the Scarily Ever Laughter series. Their first book, Cinderskella, released in October 2013.

You can find them on facebook. Amie can be found on twitter, pinterest, and her blog. 

***

We're having two great giveaways as part of our blog tour! The first is for a copy of LITTLE DEAD RIDING HOOD! So be sure to enter the giveaway by following the steps on the rafflecopter form below.

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THEN - as soon as you finish that, be sure to stop by my blog for a second contest! I'm having a SCAVENGER HUNT that you won't want to miss with lots of extra great prizes! All you have to do is make sure you enter the contest below first then hopping over to my blog and filling out the rafflecopter form there! Super easy! Here's the rafflecopter form for my blog just in case you missed it!   

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See you soon! 

Thank you so much, Amie and Bethanie!

Grab a humorous, spooky books for your voracious middle-grade reader, guys! 

xo,

~Kimberley

 

TODAY IS . . . FORBIDDEN Launch Day!!!

I'm seriously freaking out, overwhelmed, and thrilled that FORBIDDEN is out in the world at last!

I've been researching for 15 years, traveled to the Middle East, drafted and rewritten this book off and on for 10 years; the manuscript sold twice over to 2 different publishers, publication date was delayed a year - and it's FINALLY HERE!!! A real book I can hold in my hands and cry a little bit over!! Okay, so I bawled just a little bit. And it's a gorgeous hardcover with gold raised lettering . . . I carry it around the house with me, running my fingers over the cover and spine.

Be sure you head over to the very smart book industry blog, CYNSATIONS run by Cynthia Leitich Smith *this* Thursday, November 6th, where I talk about the very long writing and selling process of FORBIDDEN in more detail and all of the selling/taking it back gory details. A very nail-biting time with my agent that lasted several months . . . oy!

But for now please celebrate with me! Virtual brownies, cookies, and Dr Pepper! Raising my glass to the world and my friends!

 

FORBIDDEN is available for purchase at any bookstore or ebook retailer, online or real world.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

Books-a-Million | The Book Depository | iBooks

A sweeping, epic saga of romance and hardship, set against the dramatic backdrop of ancient Mesopotamia—perfect for fans of Cleopatra's Moon or the adult bestseller The Red Tent.

This is a fast-paced, entertaining choice which will appeal to fans of historical fiction and romance, as well as readers interested in this dance form. -- School Library Journal

There are so many surprises and twists in this amazing book!! I was shocked and just completely stunned at certain parts. This book is truly a treasure and just the atmosphere will amaze you. The belly dancing and tribe traditions were so mesmerizing. -- Beth, Curling Up With a Good Book

(The most stunning, live action book trailer ever!)

   


Engrossing! I devoured this book and loved every minute of it. It's a character-driven story with tons of action, sword-fighting, murder, dancing, and romance against a stark but beautiful ancient desert background. I really enjoyed the writing style and Little's descriptions of the desert and dances and silk dresses. --Leigh, Mrs. ReaderPants 
   

Forbidden has one of the richest worlds and romances I've read, and the whole story is completely moving and beautiful. --Samantha, I Heart YA Fiction   

ENJOY A FEW TEASER GRAPHICS created by the amazing Jan Lewis at Author Sidekick! 
 

I hope you enjoy the book! Please ask your local public library to order copies! Share it with your Book Club! It's Young Adult, but Harpercollins is marketing it as Adult Crossover, too. **Happy, happy**


Here's a fabulous Book Club Guide, too, with Discussion Questions and a dessert recipe. 

xoxo,
Kimberley

Christmas in Snow Valley, Six Clean Romances for the Holidays - Launch Day Special! One Week Only

LAUNCH DAY SPECIAL - ONE WEEK ONLY!!! 

GRAB YOURS TODAY! 
These new Christmas stories are heartwarming, thoughtful, romantic, and delicious!

Christmas in Snow Valley is only $.99 until November 8th.

Amazon * iTunes * B&N * Smashwords * Kobo

Snow Valley, Montana, is a small community with the tradition of doing Christmas big. Festivities begin with tree lighting in the town square the day after Thanksgiving and continue until the culminating romantic Christmas Ball. From the Polar Express to a Winter Carnival, there’s something for every wonder-filled  child—and every couple who’s in love—or about to be.


An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson

Lucy Phillips doesn’t want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than the guy she kissed at the airport?


Feels Like Love by Jeanette Lewis

Christmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiancé, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, Wade is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she’s been seeking all along.


Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts

Kazlyn is too busy with her schooling and future plans to enjoy life, let alone fall in love with a man who has heartbreak written all over him. Tyrese Hamilton, a college basketball star and major heartthrob, is intrigued when Kazlyn doesn't pursue him or even seem interested. Ty's career is in jeopardy, and he needs a miracle and Kazlyn to save him.


The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor Hart

When Molly O’Hare gets a prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve, she thinks it’s utterly ridiculous. But when she gets teamed up with Kevin Snow, aka her ex-boyfriend, to decorate a Christmas tree, things start to change. Too bad getting over the past is hard and seeing him kiss another girl is even harder. Now Molly is left with a choice—run away from home and heartbreak or let Christmas work out a miracle all of its own.


Risking it all for Love by Award-Winning author, Kimberley Montpetit

Ever since her high school boyfriend's death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica Mason and her hometown of Snow Valley, Montana with all its awful memories have NOT been compatible. Running away to New Orleans on a ballet scholarship, Jessica cringes when she thinks about confronting Pastor John and the community church--she doesn't want to talk about God, not after He took Michael, the boy she was going to marry ever since third grade.

In the local scene of funky New Orleans, Jessica seeks out Madame LaBlanc, hoping Michael will absolve her of her guilt the night of the car accident in a seance, but the spirit world is silent and she fears the grief will drown her.

Finally succumbing to family pressure, Jessica reluctantly returns for Christmas - and the little town of Snow Valley does Christmas BIG. When she visits Michael’s grave in the church yard, Jessica is shocked to meet handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. No, she is NOT going to be attracted to someone who wants to be a preacher! Definitely not compatible! But James Douglas is unlike any minister-in-training she's ever met. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down.

Can Jessica forgive herself for that terrible, fateful night? Can she take another risk on love?


Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell

As head of Snow Valley hospital's fundraising effort, Paisley Hackett barely has time to organize the craft show, cookie decorating party, and the annual Christmas Ball. What she doesn't have time for is falling in love with Clay Jett, the incredibly handsome bass player who sweeps into town. She's been burned by a tourist romance before and, with everything going on, Paisley will have to work overtime to protect her heart from Clay and his swoon-worthy ballads.


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