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“Over 1000 ‘Likes’ on Facebook” $20 Giveaway

You'll look this happy after you win.
You’ll look this happy after you win. Big money!

Next Friday I’ll be conducting a giveaway on Facebook for people who have “Liked” the Blue Hearts of Mars page! The contest will be two $20 giftcards to Amazon! So, if you haven’t become a Blue Hearts fan on Facebook, go there now and like it so you can enter to win. The rules will be that you have to “like” the page, and then you’ll need to “like” the status that details the giveaway. I’ll be conducting the giveaway using RandomPicker.

Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and/or rated Blue Hearts of Mars! I sincerely appreciate and notice the support of readers. 🙂

Blue Hearts of Mars Reviewed by SMI Book Club

Tropical beach

Kat from SMI Book Club did a review for Blue Hearts of Mars that appears on their blog today. She did an excellent job and I really appreciate her insights and the great things she said about the book. Here are a few highlights from her review. You can read the rest here:

I loved that even in the future when life as we know it is gone, the human spirit is still the same. People will be people! You can’t take that away no matter the technology. The ending of this book is exceptional. While it was different from what I imagined, the way the author brought in a shocking revelation was amazing. I probably reread the last chapter 3 times letting it sink in and the meaning behind it. It was truly beautiful.

Yes! Thank you, Kat! One more:

After talking about this book to my 16 year old daughter as I was reading, she has added it to her TBR list as well. This is a great read for anyone who likes young adult, romance or science-fiction. According to the author, this book was written as a stand-alone, but I could really see their story continuing. I would love to see more of Retta and Hemingway!

 

I did write Blue Hearts of Mars as a stand-alone novel, however, I’ve been getting such positive feedback about interest in a sequel that I may write one, and if not that, then at least a novella or something in the Blue Hearts universe. I have a lot of other projects in the works at the moment, but I’m willing to put some of them on hold to work on one that seems to be in demand. If you read Blue Hearts of Mars and want me to do a follow-up, speak up! Either here or on Goodreads or in an Amazon review. I’m a great listener!

April Fools Giveaway: No Joke, Win Big! Kindle Fire Giveaway

No Joke – Win Big April Fools Giveaway
Kindle Fire HD 7″ Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)





Sponsoring Authors
The Breeders by Katie French

“The Breeders is a YA dystopian read that’s as gritty and dark as the cover and title suggest. It takes a look at how society might devolve if females were commodities: bought, sold, stolen, and traded to keep the dwindling human race going. Frightening concept. I loved it.” –A.G. Henley, author of The Scourge

Dissidence by Jamie Canosa
“An amazingly snarky protagonist, two hot boys, a mass rebellion, and an ending that will blow your mind are the perfect ingredients that will make Dissidence the next big thing in YA.” –Beth, YA Sisterhood

The Moon Dwellers and Fire Country 
by David Estes
“Fire Country is an epic start to the Country saga and left me with my heart pounding and totally breathless. Phenomenal” —K-booksxo.blogspot.com

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas
Love between humans and androids is forbidden, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen…







The Tale of Mally Biddle by M.L. LeGette
“To say I loved this book is an understatement.” –April Holgate









Terra by Gretchen Powell
“This could be your world… but it’s definitely Terra’s, and she navigates it with determination, and a longing for answers that makes her story engrossing and entertaining.” — abookobsession.com



After the Fear by Rosanne Rivers


“The book is just breathtaking from the moment you start till the moment you put it down.” — Amazon review

Entanglement by Dan Rix
A YA Dystopian Romance where every human is born with a soulmate, whom they meet on their 18th birthday…and the one boy who’s the exception.

daynight by Megan Thomason

“Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story” –Kirkus Reviews
 “Gripping; page-turner” –BlueInk Review (starred review)

Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan
“The novel’s take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans.” – Kirkus Reviews

Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).
Ends 4/15/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blue Hearts of Mars Review from Words to Dreams Website

Clouds

The website Word to Dreams just posted an AWESOME review for Blue Hearts of Mars as part of the blog tour that’s going on right now. It’s so good to get feedback like this! Here are some excerpts from it.

I had just come off a read for review that was a DNF. So you can imagine, as a reader, how down I was feeling. I went straight into Blue Hearts of Mars thinking that I had lost my mojo but quickly found myself loving the story and the fabulous writing. This story is unique in so many ways. You may think, androids, been there, done that. Don’t think that! You may think, teenage girl carelessly treating her life like it doesn’t matter. Don’t think that either! What you can think is a new evolution of life. Something other than the normal, something powerful, something driven, something full of never-ending possibilities.

Another little blurb:

This story starts out as a love story. Teen girl..teen android boy…a love, like Romeo and Juliet’s that is considered intolerable but theirs is also illegal. But this story turns into so much more than a love story. It is a story that has another layer to it, a story within a story. And there is an awesome twist near the end that puts the humans on Mars in a tailspin.

And probably my favorite!

Do I recommend this book? A resounding YES. For lovers of YA sci-fi, this will satisfy your craving. For lovers of dystopia, this gives you human life on another planet but without Earth being destroyed or war ridden. For lovers of action, this gives you plenty to keep you on your toes. An all-around good read that will have you thinking long after the last word is read.

For the rest of the excellent review, go here.

 

Blue Hearts of Mars Blog Tour! Enter to Win $25 Gift Card (or Paypal cash) and a Signed Copy of Cinder

Hey everyone, this tour is being hosted by Kathy from I Am a Reader! I just wanted to link to it here so you guys can enter the Giveway easily. The Rafflecopter form is at the bottom.

 

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas


Retta Heikkinen knows the unspoken rule of society: love between androids and humans is forbidden. A simple enough edict until Hemingway Koskinen spends an evening charming her with his intense gaze, bewitching smile, and sparkling conversation that hints at so much more than the usual obsessions of high school boys. Rules were meant to be cast aside, especially when love beckons.

If only it were as simple as being in love.

Trouble is brewing, not just for Hemingway–for all androids. Secrets have been kept, lies propagated, and Retta soon discovers that a frightening future awaits thousands of androids if she doesn’t do something to stop it. Worse yet, she will lose the one love she’s ever endangered herself for: Hemingway.

Praise

“Nothing like I’ve read before. A true original story! Everything is so well described. Now if they could make a follow up book and movie, that would be great!” ~Mrs. Z (Amazon)

“I was addicted to this book from the beginning. Life on Mars was very real and not at all a sci fi world I didn’t understand . . . I found myself rooting for Retta and Hemingway from the very beginning. Easy reading, couldn’t put it down and had it read in a weekend. Waiting for a sequel!” ~TNielsen (Amazon)

“The ending of this book is exceptional. While it was different from what I imagined, the way the author brought in a shocking revelation was amazing. I probably reread the last chapter 3 times letting it sink in and the meaning behind it. It was truly beautiful . . . I would love to see more of Retta and Hemingway!” ~Kat Meyer, (Goodreads)

“I love how the author populated Mars . . . so descriptive and comprehensive . . . I could clearly picture everything as if I was seeing the movie &/or was along for the ride. . . . Retta, the main character, is strong, opinionated, and a great champion for her cause.” ~Megan (Amazon)

“I had been in the worst reading slump ever and came across this on Goodreads and thought I’d give it a try. Well, I was pleasantly surprised on how funny and exciting and mysterious it was . . . Mei, Retta’s bff, had me laughing out loud quite a bit as well as Retta herself. I’d definitely hang out with those two.” ~Deanneluvbooks (Goodreads)

Blue Hearts of Mars has made it to the quarterfinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Readers are invited to download the excerpts (here) and rate and comment on the entries. So please, if you want to contribute, download and rate Blue Hearts! Your support is incredibly appreciated!
Or purchase the full version of the book here: Amazon

 

Author Nicole Grotepas

Nicole wrote her first fantasy novel in 7th grade on her mother’s old Brother typewriter. It was never finished but it strongly resembled a Dragonlance plot and she’s forever wondered what happened to the manuscript and Tonathan–the handsome elven protagonist. After living in Nashville where she worked as an editor, she returned to the Utah desert where she was raised. Nicole now lives near the Wasatch mountains with her husband. She writes and raises her son and three cats full time.

 

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash (Internationally)

Signed Copy of Cinder & Blue Hearts of Mars (US only)

Ends 4/19/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Blue Hearts of Mars Book Blast $50 Giveaway

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas



Retta Heikkinen knows the unspoken rule of society: love between androids and humans is forbidden. A simple enough edict until Hemingway Koskinen spends an evening charming her with his intense gaze, bewitching smile, and sparkling conversation that hints at so much more than the usual obsessions of high school boys. Rules were meant to be cast aside, especially when love beckons.

If only it were as simple as being in love.

Trouble is brewing, not just for Hemingway–for all androids. Secrets have been kept, lies propagated, and Retta soon discovers that a frightening future awaits thousands of androids if she doesn’t do something to stop it. Worse yet, she will lose the one love she’s ever endangered herself for: Hemingway.

Praise

“Nothing like I’ve read before. A true original story! Everything is so well described. Now if they could make a follow up book and movie, that would be great!” ~Mrs. Z (Amazon)

“I was addicted to this book from the beginning. Life on Mars was very real and not at all a sci fi world I didn’t understand . . . I found myself rooting for Retta and Hemingway from the very beginning. Easy reading, couldn’t put it down and had it read in a weekend. Waiting for a sequel!” ~TNielsen (Amazon)

“The ending of this book is exceptional. While it was different from what I imagined, the way the author brought in a shocking revelation was amazing. I probably reread the last chapter 3 times letting it sink in and the meaning behind it. It was truly beautiful . . . I would love to see more of Retta and Hemingway!” ~Kat Meyer, (Goodreads)

“I love how the author populated Mars . . . so descriptive and comprehensive . . . I could clearly picture everything as if I was seeing the movie &/or was along for the ride. . . . Retta, the main character, is strong, opinionated, and a great champion for her cause.” ~Megan (Amazon)

“I had been in the worst reading slump ever and came across this on Goodreads and thought I’d give it a try. Well, I was pleasantly surprised on how funny and exciting and mysterious it was . . . Mei, Retta’s bff, had me laughing out loud quite a bit as well as Retta herself. I’d definitely hang out with those two.” ~Deanneluvbooks (Goodreads)

Blue Hearts of Mars has made it to the quarterfinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Readers are invited to download the excerpts (here) and rate and comment on the entries. So please, if you want to contribute, download and rate Blue Hearts! Your support is incredibly appreciated!

Or purchase the full version of the book here: Amazon

Author Nicole Grotepas

Nicole wrote her first fantasy novel in 7th grade on her mother’s old Brother typewriter. It was never finished but it strongly resembled a Dragonlance plot and she’s forever wondered what happened to the manuscript and Tonathan–the handsome elven protagonist. After living in Nashville where she worked as an editor, she returned to the Utah desert where she was raised. Nicole now lives near the Wasatch mountains with her husband. She writes and raises her son and three cats full time.

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/14/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Calvin Grotepas Obituary

Calvin Heber Grotepas, 69, of Salt Lake City, died peacefully Saturday morning in Bountiful, Utah at Lakeview HospitaScreen Shot 2013-03-25 at 2.03.31 PMl. He was born to the late Roelof and Magdalene Mount Grotepas on July 23, 1943 in Salt Lake City. Calvin graduated from West High School. He went on to the University of Utah where he studied art and was just a few credits shy of graduating. While attending the U of U he met and married Sally Anderson on September 5, 1969 in the Manti LDS Temple. They later divorced.

For much of his life, Calvin ran presses for publishing companies, including the Deseret Press and Horizon Press. He loved art and printing. Later in life, he worked exclusively on his pottery, developing and honing his skill until it culminated in the beautiful, organic hand-built vases that many see as his crowning work. These vases were partially created as a result of a debilitating muscle condition that made work on the wheel impossible.

Calvin loved his family very much and during his final days, expressed immense gratitude and concern for the people who had loved and influenced him, including his daughters and their husbands, his sister, his nieces and nephews, and Rona and Bill Terberg of Farmington, Utah. His daughters wish to express their love and gratitude for those patient people who never forgot the roots of their friendship with Calvin.

Screen Shot 2013-03-25 at 2.02.46 PM

Calvin is survived by five daughters: Sara Raquel “Kelly” Crockett of Farmington; Aimee Danielle Sanders (Jason) of Littleton, Colorado; Nicole Antoinette White (Stoker) of Lehi; Anjanette Marx (Nathan) of Clinton; and Cassi Brielle Grotepas of Omaha. He is also survived by ten grandchildren.

Services will be held Thursday, March 28, 2013, at 3:00 pm at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road where a viewing will be held, 2-2:45 p.m. prior to services. Calvin’s final resting place will be in the Salt Lake City cemetery near his late parents.

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Good news everyone! A bunch of us are doing a giveaway together for a Kindle Fire, or, if you don’t love Kindle, then you can take it as a $199 Amazon giftcard or as Paypal cash. All you have to do to enter is follow the authors who are participating in the giveaway–the more follows you do, the more chances you have to win!

New to this giveway thing? No problem! 🙂 How to enter: Click on the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post and sign in. Then you’ll be invited to add each author to your Facebook or Twitter feed–which is how you enter. You can have one free entry where you don’t have to follow or like anybody or that sort of thing. If you crave more chances to win, follow more people! And especially follow me, because I love you. I do. I really do.

This is officially being hosted by the awesome Kathy at I Am a Reader, and was organized by the fantastic Megan Thomason! I love her. If you haven’t read her book, you should! I posted my review here a few days ago. And follow her! She’s the whole reason you have the chance to win big!

Anyway. Here’s the information you need to sign up to win a dang Kindle Fire or a bunch of money!

 

No Joke – Win Big April Fools Giveaway
Kindle Fire HD 7″ Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)




Sponsoring Authors
The Breeders by Katie French

 

“The Breeders is a YA dystopian read that’s as gritty and dark as the cover and title suggest. It takes a look at how society might devolve if females were commodities: bought, sold, stolen, and traded to keep the dwindling human race going. Frightening concept. I loved it.” –A.G. Henley, author of The Scourge

 

Dissidence by Jamie Canosa
“An amazingly snarky protagonist, two hot boys, a mass rebellion, and an ending that will blow your mind are the perfect ingredients that will make Dissidence the next big thing in YA.” –Beth, YA Sisterhood

 

The Moon Dwellers and Fire Country 
by David Estes
“Fire Country is an epic start to the Country saga and left me with my heart pounding and totally breathless. Phenomenal” —K-booksxo.blogspot.com

 

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas
Love between humans and androids is forbidden, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen…

 

 






The Tale of Mally Biddle by M.L. LeGette
“To say I loved this book is an understatement.” –April Holgate

 






Terra by Gretchen Powell
“This could be your world… but it’s definitely Terra’s, and she navigates it with determination, and a longing for answers that makes her story engrossing and entertaining.” — abookobsession.com


After the Fear by Rosanne Rivers

 

 
“The book is just breathtaking from the moment you start till the moment you put it down.” — Amazon review

 

 

Entanglement by Dan Rix
A YA Dystopian Romance where every human is born with a soulmate, whom they meet on their 18th birthday…and the one boy who’s the exception.

 

daynight by Megan Thomason
 
“Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story” –Kirkus Reviews
 “Gripping; page-turner” –BlueInk Review (starred review)

 

Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan
“The novel’s take on otherworldly travel is a compelling one, and the romantic plot will likely appeal to Twilight fans.” – Kirkus Reviews

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).

Ends 4/15/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blue Hearts of Mars Selected as a Quarterfinalist in the ABNA!

Good news everyone! Blue Hearts of Mars was selected to move to the next round of voting in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel contest!

At this stage, each contestant’s novel will be read and reviewed by Publisher’s Weekly. I don’t even want to think about how PW’s going to accomplish that. I mean, how many reviewers do they have to employ to pull that off? They have a month to do it. Best of luck to the reviewers!

Screen Shot 2013-03-12 at 1.33.59 PM

Readers are invited to download the excerpts (here) and rate and comment on the entries. So please, if you want to contribute, download and rate Blue Hearts! Your support is incredibly appreciated!

 

Review of daynight, by Megan Thomason

I got daynight when it was free on Amazon. It was the top download in teen sci-fi and my own book couldn’t move it from that top spot. So I thought, what the hey? And I got it and began reading it. Screen Shot 2013-03-03 at 9.17.54 PM

There is so much that is amazing about daynight. It’s a complex story with a complex background, so much so that there were times when I was reeling from trying to absorb it all. The pacing is often quick, and sometimes too quick because the ideas are just that complex, which I think testifies to the creativity of the worlds within the story.

I’m not sure how to explain without potentially giving away spoilers, and since I can’t really tell what the spoilers would be (because there are super cool revelations all through the book that might blow your mind a bit), I won’t go into very many details. My review will simply gloss the surface in order to preserve the element of surprise.

Let’s just say, I was completely blown away by potentially one of the coolest ideas about Earth and this alternate world of Thera. That doesn’t even explain it. But it’s brilliant.

So anyway, I prefer to be REALLY subjective in my reviews because I’m not a professional reviewer, nor do I work for Clarion or Kirkus. I just like to hear myself.

I loved Kira. Sometimes I thought she was too smart for her age, but then, I have no recollection of how intelligent or dumb I was at her age. She’s incredibly clever and tough. I rooted for her from the beginning. The only time I ever wanted to punch her out was when she was being totally blind about who loved her and who didn’t.

BUT, I remember LOADS of times when I was intentionally BLIND to the romantic inclinations of my guy friends. Like, completely and purposefully daft just to preserve the friendship or because I wouldn’t DARE be so arrogant as to assume that all these guys wanted a piece of me.

So I forgive Kira for being blind. Totally human.

I thought Blake and Ethan were great, and I can see why Kira is torn between them, but I think I’m in the Ethan camp. Sorry Blake. Their histories explain them really well, though I tend to hate flashback as a way to reveal it–sometimes I don’t know if there’s another way to do that, especially for Blake.

I think in the end, daynight only reveals a fraction of the complexity of the story. The end left me wanting to read the next book, which is great. My biggest reason for only rating it 4.5 stars is because there were times when the inner dialogue could have shed MORE light on specific events in the story.

There were circumstances where I was like, WTF!? But the characters just keep moving forward. I have no idea if that’s even fair of me to say, because it ends up being akin to one of those 48 Hours Mysteries where witnesses are saying things like, “She just behaved really oddly after he was murdered. Like, no tears. And then she said let’s go out for coffee to me. And WOULD A PERSON WHO’S BOYFRIEND WAS JUST BRUTALLY MURDERED SAY THAT?” And the answer is, who the hell knows? Guess what? People handle things differently.

So would Kira do some of the stuff she does? Who knows? The author knows. Kira knows. But I just want to know what Kira is thinking. I want to know why she presses forward and if she’s anguished inside and scared and doesn’t want to even crawl out of bed, I want to know that. And sometimes she says that, but often she doesn’t.

I hope Megan keeps writing and the series just gets better. She has wicked sweet ideas that I’ve never read before, nor thought of before, but they’re so good that I’m like, “Damn her! It should have been mine!”