News: Special extras for Vortex - Julie Cross

To celebreate the release of 'Vortex', the second book in Julie Cross's time travelling series, My Kinda Book are hosting lots of special extras for readers to enjoy.   Visit their website or click on one of the links below for some exciting extra content.

Read the first chapter of Vortex

Read a diary entry from Jackson's agent training

Read a deleted scene from Tempest and Vortex

Uncensored extra content from Tempest (must be 16 or older to read)

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, all that changes when Holly—the girl he altered history to save—re-enters his life. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents find themselves under attack and on the run. 

I haven't read 'Vortex' yet but as soon as I do, I'll be sharing my review of the book!  Have you read it yet?  If so, let me know in comments what you thought.

Hotly Anticipated Reads 2013: Macmillan Children's Books

Macmillan are one of my favourite publishers and I always look forward to seeing what new books they have out each year.  There's always plenty to get excited about!  Plus they are the UK home of Meg Cabot whose books I absolutely adore.

Here's a selection of some of the titles they have in store for us lucky readers in 2013!

All links go to Goodreads where you can add them to your wishlist

Vortex by Julie Cross, published 3rd January

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, allthat changes when Holly—the girl he altered history to save—re-enters his life. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents find themselves under attack and on the run.

One Crow Alone by S.D. Crockett, published 31st January

The long, bitter winters are getting worse, and a state of emergency has been declared across Europe. In Poland, the villagers are subject to frequent power cuts and fuel shortages. After the death of her grandmother and the evacuation of her village, fifteen-year-old Magda joins forces with the arrogant, handsome Ivan and smuggles her way onto a truck bound for London - where she hopes to find her mother. But London, when they reach it, is a nightmarish world, far from welcoming. Riots are commonplace and the growing chaos is exploited by criminals and terrorists alike. Magda's mother is not to be found, and as the lost girl struggles to come to terms with her changing situation, she eventually becomes friends with a rag-tag group of travellers planning a new home and future. They will need all the cunning and know-how they possess as they realise that the frozen wilderness of Britain has become just as lawless as the city.

Unremembered by Jessica Brody, published 14th March

Sixteen-year-old Jena is the only survivor of an explosion on a plane. She wakes up in hospital to find that she has no memory. The only clue to her identity is a mysterious boy who claims she was part of a top-secret science experiment. The only adult she trusts insists that she shouldn’t believe anything that anybody tells her. In a tense and pacy novel exploding with intrigue and action, Jena must work out who she is and where she came from. Eventually she will learn that the only thing worse than forgetting her past is remembering it.

Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin, published 11th April

Reluctant heir of a Mafia boss. Star-crossed lover. Paparazzi darling. Hitman’s target. Anya Balanchine’s amazing story continues in the second part of the Birthright trilogy.

Abandon: Underworld by Meg Cabot, published 25th April

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.  Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance . . . on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there . . . and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.  And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

Goddess by Josephine Angelini, published 6th June

She must rise, or they will fall . . . Helen's powers are increasing—and so is the distance between her and her mortal friends. To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a dangerous traitor is lurking among them, and all fingers point to Orion. Still unsure whether she loves him or Lucas, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, or risk all-out war.

Comment and let me know which books you're most looking forward to in 2013!

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Tempest - Julie Cross

I am thrilled to welcome Julie Cross to the blog today as part of her tour for the fantastic 'Tempest'.  It may only be January but I have a feeling that this is going to be one of my favourite debuts of the year!  'Tempest' is a rollercoaster ride of time-travel, romance, action and adventure and is so utterly gripping that you won't be able to put it down!

I’m super excited that TEMPEST is going to be available to the UK audience around the same time it is in the US. It works out perfect because in the UK it will be cold and everyone will be looking for a new book to cozy up with inside. Of course, those in Australia can read TEMPEST on the beach. And anyone who’s made New Years resolutions to shed holiday pounds can read the book while burning calories on the elliptical. So, really, I couldn’t ask for a better publication month.

#This Time Last Year

This time last year, TEMPEST was getting all set for copy edits. There was no cover. No one in my town or hardly anyone online had heard of me or knew that I was a writer. Only one person in my family had read the book. I was still working full time and still not sure exactly where I was headed with this trilogy.

#This Time Next Year

Honestly, I can’t even imagine next year. I’m in the mode to think about tomorrow and the day after and not much beyond. But I suppose, I’ll be preparing for the book 2 release and that’s just scary since only three people have even read it as of right now. Since Tempest is my debut, I have no idea what to expect in the next year. Maybe my life won’t change as much as people are predicting. Knowing me, I’ll cling to every ounce of my current self for as long as humanly possible.

Check out Julie's Blog

Follow on Twitter @Juliecross1980

Don't forget to check out the next stop of the 'Tempest' blog tour
over at The Vault tomorrow.

The wonderful people at Macmillan have very kindly provided me with a copy of the book to giveaway.  This giveaway is UK only at the publishers request.  Please fill out all the details required on the form below and good luck!

Giveaway rules.

• There will be one winner.
• Open to entrants with UK addresses only. International entrants may enter, provided they have a UK address to send the books to.
• Please fill out the form completely - including email address 
• You do not have to be a follower to enter but it's always appreciated
• Deadline for entries will be on 15 January 2012
• Winner(s) will be drawn by random.org
• Winner(s) will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to response. Otherwise, a new winner will be drawn.
• Any details will be deleted after use and will not be passed on to any third party.

Review: Tempest - Julie Cross

Tempest by Julie Cross, published by Macmillan Children's Books on 5th January 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Jackson Meyer is hiding a secret. He can time-travel. But he doesn't know how he does it, how to control it or what it means. When Jackson, and his girlfriend Holly, find themselves in fatal danger, Jackson panics and catapaults himself two years into his past, further than he's ever managed before, and this time he can't find a way back to the future. All the rules of time-travel he's experienced so far have been broken and Jackson has no choice but to pretend to be his younger self whilst he figures out a solution. Jackson is tearing himself apart with guilt and frustration, wondering if Holly survived. He's also become the target of an unknown enemy force and it seems even his dad is lying to him. Jackson is racing against time to save the girl he loves, but to do that he must first discover the truth about his family and himself. And stay alive.

Review:
'Tempest' is a time-travelling romantic action-adventure which will probably be read by most people in one sitting because it's so compulsively good that you won't be able to put it down!  It's the debut novel from Julie Cross who's an exciting new writing talent and is the first in a trilogy which I'm thrilled about because I want more...now!  There's been a lot of buzz surrounding the release of 'Tempest' and the film rights have already been optioned by Summit Entertainment, the company behind the Twilight Saga.

I'm a huge fan of books about time-travel.  One of my favourite adult novels is 'The Time Traveller's Wife' and I love the idea of being able to travel both into the future and into the past to revisit people and events.  Jackson's ability to travel through time is initially explained at the start of the book in a very manner of fact type of way, which makes it feel like although this is something quite extraordinary, it's also believable and not beyond the realms of possibility.  Because Jackson is constantly time-travelling I did have to concentrate on keeping track of what was happening and when but the date and time were often provided at the start of the chapter which made this a bit easier.   

Having a male narrator in the form of nineteen year old Jackson, is a refreshing change.  I enjoyed seeing and hearing about things from a male perspective and he makes a fantastic central character who I really loved by the end of the book.  His sole purpose in 'Tempest' is to ensure the safety of his girlfriend Holly and he's willing to do literally anything to protect her.  Jackson and Holly are both only nineteen but they have a very mature and grown-up relationship and are secure in their feelings for each other.  There are some incredibly romantic and sizzling moments between them and I was rooting for them all the way.  I loved Jackson's completely unswerving devotion and loyalty to Holly and the sacrifices he makes for her are admirable.  They're definitely my new favourite book couple!

The writing was fast paced, the plot exciting and there were some great action scenes interspersed.  There was also a good balance between chapters which were jam-packed full of adventure and excitement and quieter scenes where Jackson had time to stop and share a special moment with Holly. 

'Tempest' had everything you could wish for in a book including time-travelling teenagers, good guys doing battle with bad guys, an awesome sidekick best-friend and a spine tingling romance.  I was constantly kept on my toes and there were so many surprises and intriguing revelations.  The ending broke my heart and the sequel can't come soon enough.  This was an amazing start to a trilogy which will blow your mind.