Hot on the Scene Debut Release Party!

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Multi-Author New Adult Debut Release Party!

Join me, Diana Gardin, Ara Grigorian, Kate L. Mary, Jessica Ruddick, Laura Salters, Annika Sharma, and Meredith Tate as we celebrate our New Adult debuts! 

When: May 26, 2015

Where: Facebook (in the comfort of your home!)

Click here to join the party! 

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

We’re talking books, sports, romance, and whatever else comes to mind! Oh, and did I mention giveaways? YES!!! There will be giveaways! So, don’t miss out on the fun and come party with us on May 26th! 

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Here’s a sneak peak of the ACROSS THE DISTANCE swag I’m ready to give away!

THE REARRANGED LIFE Blog Tour


 I’m pleased to be a stop on THE REARRANGED LIFE Blog Tour! I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Annika Sharma’s beautiful debut and now I’m thrilled to post a my review for THE REARRANGED LIFE for Annika’s blog tour! 

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Amazon

Barnes and Noble

My review: 

THE REARRANGED LIFE is a poignant tale of a young Indian-American woman, proud of her Indian heritage and traditions, yet ready to embrace the American side of herself too. When the two cultures clash, Nithya is forced to make a decision that could potentially ruin the close relationship she has with her parents.

Nithya, an intelligent, decisive college senior is ready to take the next step in her college career: med school. But, she encounters some road bumps along the way. Specifically, when she meets the handsome James, an American.

Nithya isn’t supposed to fall for James. Her whole life, she’s never done anything against her parents wishes, and they wish for her to be with the nice Indian boy, Nishanth…and he is nice. Ms. Sharma does a fabulous job of showing both of Nithya’s choices, which are equally wonderful. Nithya is drawn to both guys and each of them have endearing qualities.

As I read, my heart hurt for Nithya and her suitors, because I knew she could be happy with either of them. I liked both boys and didn’t want to see either one get hurt. But, like real life, choices aren’t easy and someone will be the inevitable looser. Ms. Sharma portray’s Nithya’s struggle beautifully. If she chooses James, Nishanth will be hurt, and she runs the risk of disgracing her conservative Indian family. If she chooses Nishanth, James gets hurt. And ultimately, Nithya, our lovely protagonist, will experience a degree of loss and hurt in making her decision as well.

THE REARRANGED LIFE is a quiet story that gets under your skin. It has characters you’ll connect with on a deeper level. You’ll experience their joy and feel their pain as if it were your own. This is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading. I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Sharma has in store next!

 

Annika  About Annika: 

Annika Sharma was born in New Delhi and brought up in the United States, where she moved with her parents as a baby. A proud alum, she graduated from Penn State University with dual degrees in Biobehavioral Health and Neuro-Psychology, and minors in Biology and Human Development and Family Studies. She received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education before pursuing her dreams of becoming a writer, landing her agent Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group while daylighting as a preschool teacher. The Rearranged Life, her first novel, was written in the month before graduate school.

Annika, a Gryffindor and Scorpio, spends much of her time dreaming of adventure, working on her next book, going on Starbucks runs with family and friends, shopping online and watching superhero movies.

The Rearranged Life will hit shelves on May 15th, 2015, published by Curiosity Quills Press.

Connect with Annika on Social Media:

Website: annikasharma.com

Twitter: @AnnikaSharma

Facebook

Goodreads

The Rearranged Life Cover Reveal and Giveaway!!

THE REARRANGED LIFE

by Annika Sharma

I’ve had a lot of cover reveals lately, but that’s because there is sooooo many amazing New Adult books coming out soon. May is going to epic!

Today’s reveal is for Annika Sharma’s THE REARRANGED LIFE. I’m super excited to host Annika Sharma’s cover reveal! I’m not going to lie, this story sounds amazing and I cannot wait to read it! 

 

About The Rearranged Life:

Nithya, a vivacious, intelligent and driven college senior has always known what she’s wanted: a successful career in medicine and the love of her family. She’s even come to terms with the idea of an arranged marriage, a tradition her conservative Indian family has held up for thousands of years.

When a night of partying puts her on a collision course with danger, Nithya’s entire life changes. Enter James St. Clair, the smart, challenging and heartbreakingly handsome American. As Nithya and James fall in love, she questions the future she and her parents have always planned. To make matters worse, Nishanth, the son of newly reunited family friends is the perfect match for her in the eyes of her loved ones.

Now, Nithya has a choice to make: become a doctor and a good Indian bride, or step away from her family and centuries of culture to forge her own path. The decision she comes to takes her on a journey that transforms how she sees her future, her relationships with loved ones, and how she learns to put herself back together when even her best-laid plans fall apart.

 

Sounds intriguing, right? So, what about that cover… Are you ready to see it? Alright, since you asked so nicely! I give you, THE REARRANGED LIFE…

 

 

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Gorgeous!!! 

You can pre-order it here: Amazon

And because I love you all so much, I have an excerpt from THE REARRANGED LIFE to share with you! 

Exclusive Excerpt

There it is again. That electric charge. It’s as if the air between us has solidified into a molten mass, white-hot and pulling us together like magnets. My heart pounds so hard, I’m afraid it’ll break the stone we are sitting on. His eyes stare into mine, and I am engulfed by their vibrant green sheen. James crosses his legs and straightens his back from the way he was leaning. He’s closer to me now. I can see the shade of stubble on his chin and exactly where his jaw flexes. There’s a scar on his forehead near his eyebrow, and I wonder distractedly where he got it.

“You can really see the stars out tonight.” He tilts his head. I turn around, taken aback by the change of subject. The shadows of the mountains in the distance are huge waves of dark blue on the horizon. The green grass in the fields behind the pavilion appears teal in the night. There are no lights there, while the other side of the arboretum is lit by campus streetlights. The stars are brilliant, glittering specks against a dark background. Suddenly, one jets across the sky, trailing faint white light behind it. It travels so quickly, my eyes can hardly keep up.

“Hey!” James and I cry out, pointing to the shooting star. The second it disappears into the universe, I close my eyes.

“What’re you doing?” James whispers. I hold up a finger to make a wish, willing it to happen with all of my heart and soul. I wish this night would never end.

“I had to make my wish.” I whisper back. I’m not sure why, but after the fleeting glimpse of the meteor, it feels appropriate.

“What did you wish for?” He has shifted his weight again, his position mirroring mine perfectly.

“I can’t tell or it won’t come true. Did you wish for anything?”

He shakes his head, smiling.

“It’s not too late. You still have time. Give it a shot.”

He closes his eyes, and the vision of him with his eyes serenely closed, cross-legged on the stone floor inches away from me, is seared into my mind. He looks so peaceful, like a child. A wistful smile lingers on his lips—until his eyes flutter open, and his smile turns playful.

“Are you going to tell me what you wished for?” I repeat his question.

“It won’t come true.” He echoes my response.

We are inches from each other. Our faces tilt toward one another, our images reflecting in each other’s eyes.

“I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispers.

“I really want you to,” I reply, breathlessly.

He moves in closer, taking his time. The world has stopped. There are no passing cars, no breezes blowing through the trees, no ties binding us to anyone but each other. When his lips finally touch mine, it is as if a fire bursts to roaring, glorious life inside me—it is flaming, reaching for any way to free itself from my body. Though I’ve never done this before, I have no worries. I am a lost soul, and he is my lifeline.

“You taste like chocolate,” he whispers to me, grinning.

“Is that a racial reference?” I ask him, smiling.

He laughs softly, his forehead pressed against mine, his hand still grazing my cheek, fingers entwined in my hair. “I guess I got what I wished for.”

“You wasted a wish. I would have kissed you anyway.” I tell him, playfully.

“I didn’t want to take any chances,” he murmurs and kisses me again.

I am in heaven, and there is nowhere I would rather be.

 

Ugh!! Swoon! Is it May 15th yet? *pouts*

Did you catch the title of this reveal? I mentioned something about a GIVEAWAY! That’s right, Annika is offering up a $25.00 Amazon gift card! Click on the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to enter!

 Rafflecopter Giveaway

 

Annika  About Annika:

Annika Sharma was born in India and moved to the United States (Pennsylvania!) when she was a baby. Annika was a daydreamer from day one, always coming up with stories and games of pretend that seemed real. She was a serious journal-writer from fifth grade to college and wrote dramatic scenes for stories often, inspired by soap operas she watched in summers off from school.

Eventually, when the time for college came around, Annika’s parents encouraged her to pursue journalism. Convinced she couldn’t make a living from writing, Annika disagreed. After five years, two degrees, two minors, working with children, being a dancer teacher, and creating a two-and-a-half page resume in college that had interests so all-over-the-place that even she couldn’t make sense of it, Annika finally decided her parents were right. Writing was where her heart was, all along.

In the month before graduate school, the idea Annika had in my mind for years finally poured out in the form of the novel, The Rearranged Life. Annika began editing in earnest after she finished her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education, landing Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group as an agent. Three months later, she had a book deal with Curiosity Quills.

In her spare time, Annika loves spending time with her family and friends, often indulging in the three S’s: Starbucks, shopping and superhero movies. As a chocolate lover and general all-around vegetarian foodie, Annika also adores cooking.

Also, be sure you follow Annika on social media: 

Facebook // Twitter // YouTube // Goodreads // Website

 

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