Showing posts with label Lilly Avalon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lilly Avalon. Show all posts

Monday, February 29, 2016

CAN'T STAY AWAY Release Day Interview With Lilly Avalon + Giveaway

Happy release day to Can't Stay Away by Lilly Avalon!

Today I have a fun spotlight on my friend and critique partner Lilly's new book, including an interview with the woman herself, a couple of teasers from the book (made by yours truly, as was the cover), and a pair of giveaways!

Ready?

Can’t Stay Away by Lilly Avalon
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Release Date: February 29th, 2016
{Add on GoodReads}
Piper Winchester is fresh out of college. With only three weeks until her father remarries and five weeks until her first business venture launches, she's got her hands full. She certainly doesn't need any distractions to get in the way of building the future her father's always wanted for her. But when a familiar boy with bright green eyes walks back into her life, she's thrown for a loop.

Four years ago, Chase MacKenzie left for college without looking back. He didn't mean to disturb the peace then, and he definitely doesn't want to do that now. Once he lays his eyes on Piper again, there's no way he can leave without fixing what went wrong in the past. Although she's more determined than ever to push him away, he still manages to get under her skin. Regardless of what happens between them, there's one thing that will always be standing in their way...

He's about to become her stepbrother.

~Interview with Lilly Avalon~

Marie: Let’s break down what Can’t Stay Away is really about. In tweet length (140 characters or less), tell us about Piper and Chase’s story.

Lilly: Piper thought she had her career and love life under control until her estranged future stepbrother returns with what she truly needed.

Marie: Can you share a few songs from your Can’t Stay Away playlist?

Lilly: Oh my. The primary song is "I Can't Stay Away" by The Veronicas. I hadn't selected the title yet when the song came up on a playlist and it struck me how much it fits (lyrics and title). Also, "crushcrushcrush" by Paramore. Actually, multiple songs by Paramore, but mostly that one.

Marie: Do you have a favourite scene from Can’t Stay Away?

Lilly: Um...this is difficult to narrow down. Especially since some of the ones that come to mind might head into spoiler territory. One of my favorite parts is where Piper and Chase make references to Mario characters during a hospital benefit. It kind of makes me giggle every time.

Marie: What are some of your favourite New Adult books?

Lilly: I really enjoy reading Caitlin Daire's stepbrother stories (the obsession with these and others led to my own stepbrother romance). Foreplay by Sophie Jordan is an exceptional NA novel that really drew me in. Let's not forget Something in the Air by you! (Readers, you can read a chapter from Marie's book in the back of Can't Stay Away.)

Marie: Thanks so much for the shout-out! Last question: What can we expect from you next?

Lilly: I still haven't decided what I want to write next. There are a couple short stories I'm planning on doing soon. One of them is the second story in my short story series on Wattpad (the collection is called Irresistibly Yours) and the other is an m/m romance (unsure if this will be short story or novella length yet). My next full-length is up in the air, though. I'm debating on a few ideas, mostly contemporary romance, but I'll hopefully decide soon. 


Marie: Thank you so much for being here today, Lilly, and for answering my questions! Readers, as Lilly mentioned, there’s an entire chapter sneak peek of my latest release, Something in the Air in the back of Can’s Stay Away. I’m really excited and honoured for this chance for us to do some cross promotion!


Lilly Avalon is the author of the erotic romances Here All Along and Resist, and the upcoming novella More Than Words. She's somewhere in the midst of her twenties and lives mostly in the stories in her head. When she's not enveloped in the worlds she creates, she's out in the real world making stories happen. That or reading other romances. It's a toss-up. 

Find Lilly online:
{Goodreads || Website || Facebook || Twitter}



Giveaway #1: A prize pack from Lilly, open to US residents. 

Giveaway #2: Since Lilly is one of my closest friends and I'm really excited about the release of her newest book, I'm chipping in a $5 gift card from Amazon.ca. Since I'll be sending it from Amazon Canada, I'd say this is open to Canadian residents only, but I'm not 100% sure if people from other countries can use it (like I can use gift cards from Amazon.com for instance, so I tend to enter giveaways for gift cards...I'm just not sure how it works for Amazon.ca). If you're from outside Canada but know that you'll be able to use the gift card, feel free to enter the second giveaway, too!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway


http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca/p/about-me.html
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4690637

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Cover Reveal: CAN'T STAY AWAY by Lilly Avalon


Today I'm super excited to help reveal the cover for my friend and critique partner Lilly Avalon's Can't Stay Away. As with Lilly's other covers, I designed this one for her, and I have to say, it's my favourite. I've never wanted to keep a client's cover before, but I would have kept this one for myself if I could have! Ready to see it?

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Can’t Stay Away by Lilly Avalon
Coming February 29, 2016
Add on GoodReads
Cover Designed by: Marie Landry

Piper Winchester is fresh out of college. With only three weeks until her father remarries and five weeks until her first business venture launches, she's got her hands full. She certainly doesn't need any distractions to get in the way of building the future her father's always wanted for her. But when a familiar boy with bright green eyes walks back into her life, she's thrown for a loop.

Four years ago, Chase MacKenzie left for college without looking back. He didn't mean to disturb the peace then, and he definitely doesn't want to do that now. Once he lays his eyes on Piper again, there's no way he can leave without fixing what went wrong in the past. Although she's more determined than ever to push him away, he still manages to get under her skin. Regardless of what happens between them, there's one thing that will always be standing in their way...

He's about to become her stepbrother.





Lilly Avalon is the author of the RESIST series as well as other romances. She's somewhere in the midst of her twenties and lives mostly in the stories in her head. When she's not enveloped in the worlds she creates, she's out in the real world making stories happen. That or reading other romances. It's a toss-up.




(1) Swag Pack




http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca/p/about-me.html
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4690637

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I’ve Read the Most Books From

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

~Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most Books From~

JK Rowling: 9
HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER HARRY POTTER

Maddy Hunter: 9
The Passport to Peril series is one of my favourite series ever. These cozy mysteries are each set in a different place (Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Hawaii, Australia, Norway, Holland, Scotland, and France, respectively), and not only are they hilarious, but even after 9 books, I've never been able to figure out the mystery. Plus they stir up my never-ending wanderlust, and I get to live vicariously through Emily.

Cecelia Ahern: 8
Ahern is best known for PS I Love You (gaaah my feels), but she also writes fantastic magical realism. I haven't loved her newer books as much, and I even DNF'd One Hundred Names (it just about killed me to do it because I loved her older books so much, but I was bored senseless). She has a few newer ones I haven't read, and I'm going to take a chance and give them a try sometime soon. If you haven't read any of hers but want to, I'd recommend starting with Where Rainbows End (also known as Rosie Dunne or Love, Rosie), If You Could See Me Now (also known as A Silver Lining) or A Place Called Here (also known as There's No Place Like Here). PS I Love You and The Gift are also personal favourites, but be prepared to be punched in the feels.
 


Sarah Dessen: 6
One of my favourite authors since I was about 15. I hate to admit that despite owning all but two of her books, I still haven't read them all!

Sarah Addison Allen: 5
Another author who writes incredible magical realism. The Sugar Queen is one of my all-time favourite books, and I absolutely love Garden Spells. I re-read it recently, and loved it even more than I did the first time.

Veronica Rossi: 5
THIS SERIES. Gah. Perry, Aria, and Roar are characters that will never, ever leave me.

Lilly Avalon: 5
Lilly is a good friend of mine, plus one of my critique partners (and I happen to design her book covers), so I've read pretty much everything she's written!

Stephanie Perkins: 4
Anna and the French Kiss is another of my all-time favourite books. I adore this whole series, plus Stephanie's contribution to the My True Love Gave to Me anthology was adorable and lovely. 
 

Lia Riley: 4
The Off the Map series is amazing beyond description. I adore Talia and Bran, and Lia's writing is fantastic. These books are honest, bold, sexy, emotional, and totally swoonworthy.

AC Gaughen: 3
ROBIN HOOD. These books turn the Robin Hood legend on its head, with "Will Scarlet" actually being a girl in Robin's band. Tons of action, adventure, heartache, swoons, and feels.


Who are some of the authors you've read the most books from? If you did this week's TTT, feel free to leave your link and I'll visit you in return!

Blog reminders: the cover reveal for my 7th book, Something in the Air, is August 20th, and sign-ups are currently open. I also have 3 giveaways open right now: a wishlist giveaway to celebrate the new design of my blog, plus 2 giveaways from Lilly Avalon!
http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca/p/about-me.html
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4690637

Monday, August 10, 2015

Review: Unexpected by Lilly Avalon

Unexpected by Lilly Avalon
Series: Standalone
Published: July 21st, 2015
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Disclaimer: Lilly Avalon is one of my critique partners, so I read bits and pieces of Unexpected as she wrote, as well as the final draft, then bought a copy
{
GoodReads  || Buy this book: Amazon || Kobo}


Ever had one of those days? Alina Lyons is having one. Everything keeps falling apart and going wrong. Just when she thinks it couldn't get worse, it does. After a case of mistaken identity and a broken heart, she finds herself questioning the things she thought she knew. She wonders who she can turn to or trust anymore.

An unlikely bond with her former best friend's ex, Ryan Wilcox, sends her life in a new direction. He offers her a place to stay while she gets her life back on track. His friendship is exactly what she's been missing—what she's been needing. Alina's never felt this alive. As time goes by, the dynamic of their relationship becomes more than either of them expected. A few innocent kisses could lead them in a new direction, but are they prepared for what's on the other side?

Only one way to find out.


If you’ve read any of Lilly Avalon’s short stories, novellas, or novels, you’ll know her as an erotic romance author. But, surprise! She mixed things up a bit with Unexpected, a sweet friends-to-more contemporary New Adult story.

Alina and Ryan find themselves in similar situations. They seem like unlikely allies, but their shared bad experience leads to them becoming friends. I really enjoyed watching Alina and Ryan form a bond. They actually get to know each other and spend time together before developing feelings, which is one of my favourite things to read in books. With so much instalove and insta-relationship stories, I love seeing characters really getting to know each other, learn each other’s quirks and ticks and personalities. They both needed someone to count on, and they became that for each other, which was really beautiful to see. And despite them having reservations about taking their relationship further, the story wasn’t heavy and angst-riddled like many of the other books I’ve read recently. Very refreshing!

I enjoyed getting to see things from both Alina’s and Ryan’s perspective. Avalon did a great job of giving the characters distinct voices and personalities, and there was no overlap of the story, which I appreciated. Getting to see things from both characters’ perspective added extra depth to the story, and really made this couple one to root for.

A perfect blend of sweet and sexy, Unexpected is a must read for fans of contemporary NA. 



Lilly shared 6 fun facts about Unexpected, plus an exclusive giveaway for readers of Ramblings of a Daydreamer. There's also a giveaway for a $10 gift card as part of her book blast!

Have you read Unexpected? What did you think? If you haven't read it, do you plan to? What are some of your favourite friends-to-more romances? Let's talk here or on Twitter!
http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca/p/about-me.html
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/4690637

Friday, July 31, 2015

Lilly Avalon Shares 6 Fun Facts About UNEXPECTED

I'm excited to have my good friend Lilly Avalon on the blog today to share 6 fun facts about her new release, Unexpected, a sweet friends-to-more New Adult romance. Plus she has an exclusive giveaway just for readers of Ramblings of a Daydreamer!


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Fun facts about Unexpected

1. I started writing Unexpected right before I wrote Resist. I wanted so much to tell Alina and Ryan's story because I love it (and I love them), but it just wasn't working. There was something missing from it and I couldn't pinpoint what it was at the time, so I set the project aside until I could figure out what the "something missing" was.

2. It was originally supposed to only be in Alina's point-of-view. When I picked it up again after finishing Longing, Ryan decided to start talking to me. I couldn't ignore him, so I started mapping out a dual POV plan and everything fell into place from there. I actually think the story wouldn't be what it is today without his perspective, so I'm thankful he spoke up.

3. The cover you see isn't the cover I intended to have. Right before the amazing Marie Landry was going to work on it, I ended up discovering that another author used the photo I had in mind for it. This, of course, caused instant panic in me as I frantically began a search for a new photo. Luckily for me, I managed to find one within a day. Honestly, I'm much happier with this cover than I would have been with the other. It really personifies Ryan and Alina much better.

4. I spent a decent portion of my time complaining about how much I wanted Ryan and Alina to "just kiss already" to my best friend. She reminded me that I'm the author and I can make them do whatever I wanted them to do. It wasn't my fault that my characters were being stubborn!

5. The shower scene was written and rewritten about fifteen different ways. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it's essentially true. I kept changing my mind about how I wanted it written, and at one point early on I even made the story into an erotic short. I reread the "short story" earlier this year and couldn't help but laugh at the cheesiness of it (and believe me it was a big old hunk of cheese). To be completely honest, it was probably the smartest thing I've done with my writing--just playing around with it a little bit. Testing the waters. Taking the story into the wrong direction on purpose to see if I could figure out the right direction. It helped me grow a lot in my writing, so I'm thankful for it. And it lead me to writing Unexpected the way it needed to be.

6. The story in the book ends on July 21st... the same day as the release! This was a happy accident and not planned out. I picked the date, then went through the story to make sure what days the story coincides with on the calendar and discovered the last day in the book is the day of release. It made me giggle.



Ever had one of those days? Alina Lyons is having one. Everything keeps falling apart and going wrong. Just when she thinks it couldn't get worse, it does. After a case of mistaken identity and a broken heart, she finds herself questioning the things she thought she knew. She wonders who she can turn to or trust anymore.
An unlikely bond with her former best friend's ex, Ryan Wilcox, sends her life in a new direction. He offers her a place to stay while she gets her life back on track. His friendship is exactly what she's been missing—what she's been needing. Alina's never felt this alive. As time goes by, the dynamic of their relationship becomes more than either of them expected. A few innocent kisses could lead them in a new direction, but are they prepared for what's on the other side?
Only one way to find out.


 Lilly Avalon
 Lilly Avalon is the author of the RESIST series as well as other romances. She's somewhere in the midst of her twenties and lives mostly in the stories in her head. When she's not enveloped in the worlds she creates, she's out in the real world making stories happen. That or reading other romances. It's a toss-up. 



~GIVEAWAY~
Lilly has generously donated the above pack of goodies to one lucky winner in the US or Canada. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win! And be sure to enter Lilly's INTL giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card as part of her release week book blitz.
   
Have you read Unexpected? If you haven't, you should! ;-) What do you think of Lilly's fun facts? Let's talk here or on Twitter

Friday, June 5, 2015

Cover Reveal: Unexpected by Lilly Avalon

Today is the cover reveal for my friend Lilly Avalon's upcoming New Adult book, Unexpected...and it just so happens that I designed the cover!

Ready?

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Unexpected by Lilly Avalon 
Release Date: July 21st, 2015 
New Adult/Standalone 
  Cover designed by: Marie Landry (oh hey that's me!)
Add to GoodReads 
Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours
Ever had one of those days? Alina Lyons is having one. Everything keeps falling apart and going wrong. Just when she thinks it couldn't get worse, it does. After a case of mistaken identity and a broken heart, she finds herself questioning the things she thought she knew. She wonders who she can turn to or trust anymore.

An unlikely bond with her former best friend's ex, Ryan Wilcox, sends her life in a new direction. He offers her a place to stay while she gets her life back on track. His friendship is exactly what she's been missing—what she's been needing. Alina's never felt this alive. As time goes by, the dynamic of their relationship becomes more than either of them expected. A few innocent kisses could lead them in a new direction, but are they prepared for what's on the other side?

Only one way to find out.
About the Author
Lilly Avalon
Lilly Avalon writes new adult and erotic romances. She's in her twenties and lives in a cute little apartment in a small city. She loves reading romantic stories as much as she loves writing them. Her favorite things include dancing, watching scandalous television dramas, and autumn. Lilly Avalon is a pseudonym.
 


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