Showing posts with label Jessica Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jessica Park. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Happy Release Day: 180 SECONDS by Jessica Park

We're celebrating the release of 180 SECONDS by Jessica Park!


180 SECONDS

Author: Jessica Park
Publisher: Skyscape
Release date: April 25, 2017
Age: NA
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:
Some people live their entire lives without changing their perspective. For Allison Dennis, all it takes is 180 seconds…

After a life spent bouncing from one foster home to the next, Allison is determined to keep others at arm’s length. Adopted at sixteen, she knows better than to believe in the permanence of anything. But as she begins her third year in college, she finds it increasingly difficult to disappear into the white noise pouring from her earbuds.

One unsuspecting afternoon, Allison is roped into a social experiment just off campus. Suddenly, she finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. Neither she, nor Esben Baylor, the dreamy social media star seated opposite her, is prepared for the outcome.

When time is called, the intensity of the experience overwhelms Allison and Esben in a way that unnerves and electrifies them both. With a push from her oldest friend, Allison embarks on a journey to find out if what she and Esben shared is the real thing—and if she can finally trust in herself, in others, and in love.

********************

I was lucky enough to read an early copy of 180 SECONDS by Jessica Park. I shared my review this week. You can read my review HERE, but I'll give you some highlights:

"If you're just discovering Jessica Park's writing with 180 SECONDS, THIS is the story that will make you fall in love with her books."

"180 SECONDS exudes the power of human kindness and compassion, and everything you want to believe in love and trust and friendship. It's a book that you'll want to put into the hands of those most dear to you. It's the book that you'll want to share with a stranger.

5 Stars are not enough. So I give it my heart."


********************





About the Author:

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicapark and Twitter @JessicaPark24

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Giveaway: 180 SECONDS by Jessica Park

What do I do when I love a book and want you to read it?

I give away a copy!



180 SECONDS by Jessica Park
Published April 25, 2017 by Skyscape
Pages: 300
Purchase Amazon 

I was lucky enough to read an early copy of 180 SECONDS by Jessica Park. I shared my review this week. You can read my review HERE, but I'll give you some highlights:

"If you're just discovering Jessica Park's writing with 180 SECONDS, THIS is the story that will make you fall in love with her books."

"180 SECONDS exudes the power of human kindness and compassion, and everything you want to believe in love and trust and friendship. It's a book that you'll want to put into the hands of those most dear to you. It's the book that you'll want to share with a stranger. 

5 Stars are not enough. So I give it my heart."




I want everyone to have a chance to read 180 SECONDS so this giveaway is international (Int'l - as long as The Book Depository ships to you). You must be 18 or older to enter the giveaway. Enter by Rafflecopter below. Invalid entries will be disqualified.



Thursday, April 20, 2017

Review: 180 SECONDS by Jessica Park




180 SECONDS
by Jessica Park
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Published by Skyscape
Pages: 300
Source: Netgalley
Purchase Amazon 








Synopsis


Some people live their entire lives without changing their perspective. For Allison Dennis, all it takes is 180 seconds…

After a life spent bouncing from one foster home to the next, Allison is determined to keep others at arm’s length. Adopted at sixteen, she knows better than to believe in the permanence of anything. But as she begins her third year in college, she finds it increasingly difficult to disappear into the white noise pouring from her earbuds.

One unsuspecting afternoon, Allison is roped into a social experiment just off campus. Suddenly, she finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. Neither she, nor Esben Baylor, the dreamy social media star seated opposite her, is prepared for the outcome.

When time is called, the intensity of the experience overwhelms Allison and Esben in a way that unnerves and electrifies them both. With a push from her oldest friend, Allison embarks on a journey to find out if what she and Esben shared is the real thing—and if she can finally trust in herself, in others, and in love.



My Thoughts


If you're just discovering Jessica Park's writing with 180 SECONDS, THIS is the story that will make you fall in love with her books.

After having read just a few chapters, I messaged a friend told her "It's already amazing. I'm just going to hand over my heart to Jessica Park. Seriously, just take it." I felt this way early on and that emotion continued throughout.

There is a tone and pacing to her writing that makes everything else fall away and I became immersed in the lives of the characters. I love the college setting and depiction of college life and the combination of social media. I work on college a campus and I could imagine walking up and seeing some of the scenes playing out.

180 Seconds has a lot of the Flat-Out Love vibes, but the Left Drowning feelings. Left Drowning is the book that means everything to me, and 180 SECONDS makes my heart feel just as full.

My favorite quote:
"There's no sorry here, only love." 


180 SECONDS exudes the power of human kindness and compassion, and everything you want to believe in love and trust and friendship. It's a book that you'll want to put into the hands of those most dear to you. It's the book that you'll want to share with a stranger. 

5 Stars are not enough. So I give it my heart. 



Disclaimer:  I received this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided.  I've also purchased a copy of this title for my personal libraryThoughts and opinions are my own.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Restless Waters by Jessica Park: Audiobook Release and Giveaway


I am so excited to celebrate the audio release of Restless Waters by Jessica Park! 


RESTLESS WATERS Audiobook
Author: Jessica Park
Narrated by Arielle DeLisle
Music by Troy
Release date: November 2015




A storm is coming, and with storms come restless waters.

Pulled from the depths of catastrophe and depression, Blythe McGuire has learned to escape from her past while embracing the future. A future now entwined with the Shepherd siblings.

With Chris, she shares a staggering romance that kicks heartbreak’s ass.

With Sabin, she shares an intense friendship, one that’s becoming more complicated than either had expected. A friendship now being put to the test because Sabin’s brutal past still haunts him. Because trauma is the gift that keeps on giving without mercy.

Now Sabin is the one left drowning and struggling to breathe, and his turmoil threatens to send all three into dark currents they cannot escape. Even after going through her own hell, saving Sabin will take much more than Blythe had anticipated. Their connection and their love could help, but getting him to reach for her hand could be Blythe’s biggest challenge ever.
 



From Author Jessica Park

Gah! I am so excited for the release of the Restless Waters audiobook! It’s always exciting when a book I’ve written comes to life in a new form, but this project snowballed into something more beautiful than I could have imagined. I wasn’t sure I was even going to do an audiobook, but then I reconnected with my fabulous Left Drowning narrator, Arielle DeLisle. Once she was on board, my enthusiasm for creating this version of my book soared. She understands my characters as well as I do, and she’s the only person in the world I would entrust to deliver their voices.

So, as thrilled as I was to have her attached to this project, there was one idea I had to present, and I wasn’t sure how it would go over with her...

Restless Waters includes lyrics from my friend and phenomenally talented musician, Troy. Beyond that, he actually wrote a song for me! Er, well, for the book. “Coward” is the powerful single he created, and everything about it reaches into my heart. More music from the book is available on his recently released EP, When The Lights Came, and he’ll also be releasing more music from the book soon!

So, I couldn’t imagine having these lyrics narrated... I mean, it’s one thing to read the lyrics in the context of the book, because it’s sort of the equivalent of poetry, but I felt sure something would really be lost if they were read aloud. More than that, we had an opportunity to do something incredibly unique and dynamic.

Because Arielle is a sassy rule breaker and a rebel, like I am, she agreed: We would ask Troy to record acoustic versions of his music to incorporate into the audiobook.

And then Troy agreed.

And then suddenly the three of us were working together seamlessly on this production! An indie trifecta, each of us bringing something different to this work, and all of us supporting and cheering on the other. It was an extraordinary experience.

Troy and I have been trying to work together for years (his former band, In Like Lions, is mentioned in Flat-Out Love!), and we finally got our chance. Troy is, without a doubt, the voice of Sabin. Nobody sings with Troy’s level of passion, emotion, depth, soul, and beauty. It was an honor to use his lyrics in the text of the book, but hearing his voice as Sabin’s in the audiobook is phenomenally moving, and I am so grateful for all the work he put in. Troy also narrates the chapter titles and opening lyrics, and I think it’s just perfect having him as Sabin doing those introductory pieces.

As far as the three of us know, an audiobook that incorporates music as the Restless Waters one does hasn’t been done before, so that’s another thrill for us! Listeners not only get to savor Arielle’s perfect narration (Man, does she capture these characters and all the ups and downs of the story!), but they get to hear what it would be like to be right there with Sabin as he sings and plays guitar.

We are so proud of this audiobook and terribly excited for fans of the Left Drowning series to take a listen!










From narrator Arielle DeLisle

Restless Waters was a project I held very close to my heart. The timing of how it came together for me -- as a narrator and collaborator and fan of the prequel I'd recorded 2 years ago -- was truly a beautiful experience for me. It's one of my favorite projects I've worked on, ever. To say this was an intense recording experience would be an understatement! Not only was this thick with emotion and depth, which required a lot from me as a narrator, a challenge I absolutely loved, but it also is an exceptionally unique multimedia audiobook. I could not imagine a better suited team, all of us with our own personal connections to the work, and all driven toward the end-product being as great as we could make it. 

Working with Troy and his producer, Dante, to get just the right feel and timing to allow the story to unfold around and on top of the music was a beautiful enhancement to this already moving story. I have a background in commercial production and was able to facilitate this collaboration, and Jessica and I were on the same page -- if we break the rules of how audiobooks are produced, it has to have meaning and it has to be perfect. The script informs the narration, introducing the music adds dimension to the tone, and the blend of narration and music work together to create an atmosphere that you just don't get when it's only one piece or the other. I love what we've done and couldn't be happier with how it all came together.





Read Restless Waters, Chapters 1-2



 
  
 

GIVEAWAY



3 winners will receive Left Drowning (ebook) via Amazon





About Jessica Park



Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

Please visit her at 
jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicapark and Twitter @JessicaPark24






Connect with Troy










Instagram (@iamtroymusic):  http://instagram.com/iamtroymusic
YouTube: http://youtube.com/troyrmusic
Twitter: (@iamtroymusic) http://twitter.com/iamtroymusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troy.ramey.96

 




Friday, August 28, 2015

New Release and Giveaway: RESTLESS WATERS by Jessica Park


SURPRISE NEW RELEASE!!!

AUTHOR JESSICA PARK ANNOUNCED AND RELEASED HER NEW BOOK

ON THE SAME DAY!!!

CHECK IT OUT!!


Restless Waters
Left Drowning #2
by Jessica Park
Published: August 26, 2015

From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Park comes the long-anticipated sequel to Left Drowning. 
***** 

A storm is coming, and with storms come restless waters. 

Pulled from the depths of catastrophe and depression, Blythe McGuire has learned to escape from her past while embracing the future. A future now entwined with the Shepherd siblings. 

With Chris, she shares a staggering romance that kicks heartbreak’s ass. 

With Sabin, she shares an intense friendship, one that’s becoming more complicated than either had expected. A friendship now being put to the test because Sabin’s brutal past still haunts him. Because trauma is the gift that keeps on giving without mercy. 

Now Sabin is the one left drowning and struggling to breathe, and his turmoil threatens to send all three into dark currents they cannot escape. Even after going through her own hell, saving Sabin will take much more than Blythe had anticipated. Their connection and their love could help, but getting him to reach for her hand could be Blythe’s biggest challenge ever. 



WATCH THE TRAILER
(Music by Troy)


I'm so happy for Jessica and want to celebrate
with a GIVEAWAY

Prize
$5.00 Amazon Giftcard 
(You can get Restless Waters, Left Drowning, or any book of your choice, but I hope that it is one of Jessica's books)

Enter by Rafflecopter Below
Must be 18 or Older to Enter
Invalid entries will be disqualified



Friday, June 5, 2015

My Thoughts: LEFT DROWNING by Jessica Park





LEFT DROWNING
by Jessica Park
Published by Skyscape 
Publication Date July 16, 2013
Source: Purchased

Add to Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon










(from Goodreads)
What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe?

Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn’t expect—an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she’s been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family’s traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.

This book is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.



My Thoughts

Left Drowning is:
  • My favorite book by Jessica Park.
  • One of my favorite books EVER.
  • The book I reread 3 times last year.
  • The book that has makes me a complete emotional mess EVERY TIME I read it.


It's the book that I was scared to read and let it sit on my shelf for far too many months (I recommended it to a friend and she read it before I did); and it is the book that I always want to read "right now" but I have to hold off because of the emotional toll it takes on me.

It's a book that I won't fully share what it means to me because it has affected me so deeply and the why is something that I want to keep to myself.

It's the book that I can't "review" but I want to tell people about it.

In April of 2013, I named Left Drowning my "Waiting on Wednesday" title because of my adoration of her books that I'd read previously:
"I have fallen in love with Jessica Park's humor and writing style with her novel Flat-Out Love and her novella Flat-Out Matt.  Now I want to read everything she writes . . . I am even more excited about her upcoming Left Drowning. It is just the kind of book that I like to read and if she puts as much care in developing her characters and their story as she did with Julie and Matt in Flat-Out Love then it is sure to be a hit."
Left Drowning is not Flat-Out Love. Blythe is not like Julie. Chris is not like Matt. If readers are looking for a story with the same quirk and humor like Flat-Out Love, they aren't going to find it in Left Drowning. The humor is there. The heart is there. The humanity is there. But it's different. It's more. That's the only way I can think to describe it, just More.

Left Drowning is a book that I will hold close to my heart. Forever.

Disclaimer:  I purchased a copy of this title for my personal library and am providing my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for providing this review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Review: CLEAR - A Death Trippers Novel by Jessica Park





CLEAR: A Death Trippers Novel
by Jessica Park
Publication Date: February 17, 2015
Pages: 260
Source: Provided by author; Purchased copy
Purchase Amazon / B&N / Kobo / i-Books









from Goodreads

Stella Ford’s grasp on reality is already loose, and it’s about to come undone.

When the college junior flees Chicago and leaves her toxic family behind, she heads for coastal Maine to find the one person who brought her peace years ago: Sam Bishop. But the Sam she once knew now has painful secrets.

Stella is determined to heal them both. Healing, however, is a challenge when the walls of her everyday existence collapse. And when Sam’s best friend is his worst enemy.

When the line between life and death blurs.

When an end is just a beginning.

When lust and rage rule.

Yet during extraordinary chaos, there can be extraordinary love, even if that love comes with a twist.

Welcome to death tripping.

A thriller, a paranormal, and a passionate romance, CLEAR crosses genres and breaks boundaries.


My Thoughts

CLEAR: A Death Trippers Novel needs to come with a warning label because READERS, you'll need to hold on, you're about to go on a wild ride. From the very first pages, in fact the first few paragraphs, I was entranced by what would become one of the most exhilarating books I've ever read. 

CLEAR will give readers a rush of adrenaline. It's so sensual and erotic, and not just because of the sexytimes (which are awesome!). Park digs deep and delivers an emotionally complicated story. There are moments when I questioned, should I be having this kind of reaction to what is going on? And the only answer is a resounding YES!

At one point the book was so intense I had to put it down, take a breather and step away. I was scared of what was going to happen to the characters and for every moment that I wasn't reading, I couldn't stop thinking about them. 


Fans of Park's books will gladly embrace her unique style and demand more books like CLEAR. Readers who are just discovering her books for the first time will thank their lucky stars that they have more books to devour.

CLEAR is beyond remarkable. I loved it. I can't stop thinking about it. I want to yell at my friends to READ IT NOW. I plan to read it again and again. And I WILL!

Disclaimer:  I received an e-ARC from the author and I purchased a final copy for my personal library. I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

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