Once Upon an Ever After by Angela N. Blount

Once Upon An Ever After

by Angela N. Blount

Released July 2014

Set after the events of Blount's debut memoir, Once Upon A Road Trip, this short story anthology focuses on the unusual courtship of Angeli and Vincent.

When Angeli left Minnesota on a post-high school road trip, all she wanted was to see the East Coast and finally meet some of her online friends. She didn't expect to end up in a long-distance relationship with a computer-savvy Southern boy. Yet Vincent seems determined to defy the odds. To prove his intentions, he sets off on his own quest to visit Angeli and win her family's approval. But along the way he’ll have to contend with her offbeat friends, trigger-happy father, and a few questionable run-ins with Northern hospitality. 

South meets North this time around, and "normal" isn't anywhere on the map.

With a thousand miles and radically different upbringings between them, can Angeli and Vincent forge a forever-worthy bond? Or are the roadblocks they face too much for either of them to overcome?

Amazon  /  Goodreads

What are reviewers saying?

This is an absolutely beautiful and sweet coming of age memoir and I went through every emotion whilst reading it. I laughed, I nearly cried but was quickly picked back up and read the rest of the story with a big grin! Is it too much trouble to be hoping for another installment to this? I can't get enough of Vince and Angie's story! Inspiring through and through! A big 5 stars from me on this review! Sky on Amazon

If you haven't yet read Angela's amazing awe-inspiring memoir, Once Upon a Road Trip, I'm telling you to go out and get it now! I have never meant that sentence more. Once Upon an Ever after wraps up Angeli's and Vince's story perfectly and has you happily sighing, laughing out loud and hoping their story will be a happily ever after. Bonny Bon Bon on Amazon

You guys can also find my review here at Kittens and Books. I've reviewed the first book here and the second here.

A little About the Author

Award-winning author Angela N. Blount is a Minnesota native, transplanted to the deep South--where she currently resides with her understanding husband, their two children, and a set of identity-confused cats. A Registered Nurse by trade, she is also a freelance content editor, former book reviewer for RT Book Reviews, a memoirist (though, not much a fan of referring to herself in first-person *cough*), craft blogger, sporadic poet, and webcomic artist. 

Angela is a PRO member of the Romance Writers of America, and was named a finalist in the 2012 Sheila, Laurie, and Orange Rose contests. She also took first place in the 2012 OKRWA Finally A Bride contest. In 2014 her debut memoir, Once Upon a Road Trip, was an NIEA finalist, a Chanticleer Journey Award finalist, and winner of the silver metal in the Literary Classics International Book Awards.

In her spare time, Angela enjoys reading, coffee shop loitering, and all things geeky. Her latest project is a YA sci-fi series.

Goodreads / Amazon / Facebook / Website / Twitter

Don't forget to grab a copy of 

Once Upon a Road Trip

Goodreads / Amazon

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly event where bloggers share a book release they are excited about.

Kissing Ted Callahan (And Other Guys) by Amy Spalding

Goodreads Summary: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist meets Easy A in this hilariously realistic story of sneaking out, making out, and playing in a band.

After catching their bandmates in a compromising position, sixteen-year-old Los Angelenos Riley and Reid become painfully aware of the romance missing from their own lives. And so a pact is formed: they'll both try to make something happen with their respective crushes and document the experiences in a shared notebook.

While Reid struggles with the moral dilemma of adopting a dog to win over someone's heart, Riley tries to make progress with Ted Callahan, who she's been obsessed with forever-His floppy hair! His undeniable intelligence! But suddenly cute guys are popping up everywhere. How did she never notice them before?! With their love lives going from 0 to 60 in the blink of an eye, Riley and Reid realize the results of their pact may be more than they bargained for.

Top Ten Tuesday

Here is the link to the Top Ten Tuesday information from The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR.

 

1. Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

2. Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper

3. If I Fall, If I Die by Michael Christie

4. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

6. California by Edan Lepucki

7. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

8. Landline by Rainbow Rowell

9. The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma

10. I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly event where bloggers share a book release they are excited about.

A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy

Goodreads Summary: High school swimmer Abby Lipman is on track to qualify for the Olympic trials when she's diagnosed with a deadly heart condition. Will she give up her dream or risk everything--including her life?

Top Ten Tuesday

Here is the link to the Top Ten Tuesday information from The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait To Get. This is going to be another (SUPER) short list, because I don't usually read series unless all the sequels are out - so I don't have a lot of books that I'm actually waiting on.

1. You and Everything After by Ginger Scott

This is the sequel to This is Falling. I'm really excited for more of Ginger Scott's writing and to see different character stories as the series continues.

2. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I'm only on the first book of this trilogy, but that still means I'm awaiting the last book! I have been waiting some time to begin this series, since I normally like to wait until the last book is out before I begin book series.

3. The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick

The cover art isn't even out for this one yet, but I'm super excited about it. I really fell in love with every character in the first book, so I look forward to Tim's story and seeing some old faces again.

Friday Reads

Hey guys! I just wanted to stop by, in between my writing struggles this month, to update you on the small (but growing!) amount of reading I have been doing.

Lately I have been focusing a lot on poetry collections, so there will definitely be some of those this weekend. Aside from that, I'm currently reading a review copy of For Real by Alison Cherry.

This is an incredibly fun book. Every time I put it down, that's what I find myself thinking - that was so fun. So I'm incredibly excited to finish and get my review posted here.

I do admit it's a bit of a wait - the release date is December 2nd - but this is one I already highly recommend picking up.

For some reason I can't put a summary into words myself today, so I'm going to end this with the Goodreads synopsis:

No parents. No limits. No clue what they're in for.

Shy, cautious Claire has always been in her confident older sister's shadow. While Miranda's life is jam-packed with exciting people and whirlwind adventures, Claire gets her thrills vicariously by watching people live large on reality TV.

When Miranda discovers her boyfriend, Samir, cheating on her just before her college graduation, it's Claire who comes up with the perfect plan. They'll outshine Miranda's fame-obsessed ex while having an amazing summer by competing on Around the World, a race around the globe for a million bucks. Revenge + sisterly bonding = awesome.

But the show has a twist, and Claire is stunned to find herself in the middle of a reality-show romance that may or may not be just for the cameras. This summer could end up being the highlight of her life... or an epic fail forever captured on film. In a world where drama is currency and manipulation is standard, how can you tell what's for real?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly event where bloggers share a book release they are excited about.

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

Goodreads Summary: New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver delivers a gripping story about two sisters inexorably altered by a terrible accident.

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other.

Top Ten Tuesday

Here is the link to the Top Ten Tuesday information from The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is Top Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their OWN Book. I'm interested in seeing if I can even come up with ten of these, but we'll see!

1. Sloane from Since You've Been Gone

I loved seeing Emily's character develop, but there was so much to Sloane's character that wasn't discovered until the end of the book. She seems complex and the end leaves so much room for a sequel in her point of view anyway - I would really love to see that happen.

2. Jonas's Dad from The Giver

I read every sequel wondering what happened to the community after the events of this book. (See how much I'm trying to avoid spoilers here?) I would really like to see a sequel with this setting that takes place after book one, and for reasons that happen in future books, I think Jonas's dad would be the most complex/likeable character to finish the story.

3. Maddie's Dad from Awaken

Apparently I just want to hear from all the dads! But really, if I had to choose anyone on this list to hear from it would be him. He proved to be so complex and even a novella in his point of view would be interesting.

Only three? I've been through my entire 'read' shelf on Goodreads and this is still all I can come up with. I guess the problem is that I read a lot of contemporary, and if there are interesting side characters they usually DO get their own novel. 

Anyway, let me know what you think of the short list, and let me know who's on yours! Maybe I forgot somebody?

Judging Books by Covers #3

Today I've decided to tease us all with 2015 releases. These are all books I'm anxiously awaiting, because I judged them by their covers long before their release dates!

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

The colors on this one are just too pretty. That sky is gorgeous and the font is just perfect. This one comes out on March 31st, so we still have quite some waiting to do!

Even When You Lie to Me by Jessica Alcott

I really love the chalkboard and how well the font matches. The smeared background chalk is really cool and doesn't overshadow the title font, and I like the little teeny pieces of chalk sitting on the bottom as well. This one releases on June 9th.

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne

 The different fonts come together so nicely here. I like the city silhouette at the bottom and the pink and orange colors. Everything about this is just so cute! It releases a bit earlier than the others, on March 17th.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly event where bloggers share a book release they are excited about.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Goodreads Summary: Sometimes, there are no words…

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

Top Ten Tuesday

Here is the link to the Top Ten Tuesday information from The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is Top Ten Books I Want To Reread. I'm sticking to five books this week, because rereads are pretty rare for me.

 

1. My True Love Gave to Me

This is actually my most recent read, but I can already see myself bringing this book out every year. It's perfect for winter, especially because it's a short story collection - so it would be easy to read one or two, even if I didn't have time for the whole book.

2. Ghosting by Edith Pattou 

I read this book earlier this year and loved it. It really surprised me, because I didn't expect to love it quite so much - but I will definitely be rereading in the future.

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This book quickly became a favorite of mine. I really connected to the characters and the story, and I feel like I could read it again and again. 

4. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith

I read this first book awhile back and immediately continued the series, but only read half of the second book. I was definitely enjoying it, but other books caught my attention that I was more in the mood for. I would like to do a quick reread before continuing with the series.

5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I read this for class, but I always get more out of books if I read them on my own time.

November Plans

Hey guys! I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I am slowly trying to get back into this blog. As we move into November, I want to let you guys know what I'm planning for the next month.

As some of you probably know, NaNoWriMo takes place in November. For this reason, I've been scheduling posts these past couple weeks of October and trying to pull the blog together so that it can stand on it's own for a month while I write in my every moment of free time in November.

That said, I'm going to try to keep up with the blog, but reviews will probably be scarce. I'm just not reading enough to post two reviews every week like I did in the past. Also, at least for this month - maybe longer, because it's working a TON better for me - many of my posts will be weekly events such as Top Ten Tuesday and Waiting on Wednesday, etc.

If I do have the time/motivation to blog in November, it will be a pre-scheduling of December posts. I'm determined to get and stay ahead, even if it means less reviews than I'd like - sticking to a review schedule really stressed me out and made reading seem mandatory, which isn't what I want.

Anyway, I hope you guys have a great November. I hope you enjoy the posts I've been working on and that I don't disappoint in my scheduling and such. And if you're also a writer participating in NaNoWriMo, I wish you luck with your novels!