Cover Reveal: Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram

Exciting CINDER & ELLA news + Giveaway!


Exactly two years ago, a little book titled Cinder & Ella made its way onto Amazon. And then it exploded, making it's way to # 1 on Amazon in all of its categories and even hitting the top 20 on all of Amazon. (Way to go Cinder & Ella!)

And nearly every day of the two years since its release, author Kelly Oram has received requests for an epilogue or a short story or something--anything--that would give readers more of their beloved Brian (aka Cinder) & Ella.

It may have taken 2 years, but Kelly has finally decided to grant all of those requests, which means:

Cinder & Ella is getting a SEQUEL!!

That's right people, there's a whole second book coming! But that's not all. Not only has the book been announced, it's less than 5 months away, and today we're revealing the cover and blurb!

Along with this cover reveal the first book, Cinder & Ella, is also getting a new look. They've redesigned the cover to match the sequel

THIS:

IS NOW THIS:

Title: Cinder & Ella
Author: Kelly Oram
Publisher: Bluefields
Pages: 312
Buy Links: AMAZON & KINDLE UNLIMITED

 Written by the inestimable Kelly Oram, Cinder & Ella is a contemporary Cinderella re-telling set in present day Hollywood.

4.8 out of 5 stars with over 1,500 reviews on Amazon!

Summary: What would you do if your anonymous Internet best friend turned out to be Hollywood’s hottest celebrity?


Cinder458: Your blogaversary is coming up, right?
EllaTheRealHero: Do all those Hollywood friends of yours know you use words like blogaversary?
Cinder458: Of course not. I need your address. Got you a blogaversary present.

Cinder got me a gift?
My heart flipped.
Not that I was in love with my Internet best friend or anything. That would be utterly ridiculous. The boy was cocky and stubborn and argued with everything I said just to be infuriating. He also had lots of money, dated models—which meant he had to be hot—and was a closet book nerd.
Funny, rich, hot, confident, book lover. Definitely not my type. Nope. Not at all.

It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder.

***

Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

With a heartwarming online celebrity romance reminiscent of Jennifer E. Smith’s This Is What Happy Looks Like, bestselling young adult author Kelly Oram has struck gold with her new adult contemporary retelling of the timeless fairytale classic Cinderella.

"A story that has it all: tears, laughs, sparks and a drop-dead swoonworthy hero. Give it a while and DreamWorks will pick up this story for a movie adaption, no doubt." Anna Katmore, Author of Play With Me & Neverland 

"Both funny and heart-wrenching, Cinder and Ella will give you all the feels. It’s the best twist on the Cinderella tale I have come across. I am not just a fan of Kelly Oram. I am an addict." Cassie Mae, author of Switched & How To Hook A Bookworm 

"Cinder & Ella is a beautiful modern-day fairytale with a great cast of characters that made me laugh and swoon. It had me staying up late at night to read just one more chapter, and at the end, I was left with a big grin on my face." Cindi Madsen, USA Today Bestselling Author of Falling For Her Fiancé & Cinderella Screwed Me Over

If this hasn't convinced you to check this book out, you can preview the prologue and first chapter by reading along with Kelly Oram.

And now for the moment you're all really waiting for...

Are you ready...?

Okay...here it is!!!

Title: Happily Ever After
Series: Cinder & Ella #2
Author: Kelly Oram
Publisher: Bluefields
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Buy Links: Signup to Kelly Oram's NEWSLETTER to be notified upon release.

Summary: The end of one story is often the beginning of another. Hollywood heartthrob Brian Oliver and his Cinderella princess Ellamara Rodriguez have finally found love outside the digital world. But leaving their anonymity behind creates a whole new set of obstacles for the nation's new favorite sweethearts. With the stress of Brian's fame and the pressures of a new relationship weighing down on them, the It Couple quickly begins to wonder if they can hold on to their newfound joy, or if maybe happily ever after is only a fairy tale.

***Sign up for Kelly's newsletter to be notified when Happily Ever After releases!***

Enter this Rafflecopter to win a signed copy of Cinder & Ella WITH THE NEW COVER.

Author Info & Links:

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen—a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat, Mr. Darcy.

Don't miss the latest news from Kelly Oram! Sign up for her newsletter to receive e-mail notifications for all of her new releases, events, sales, & giveaways. This is a monthly newsletter often with exclusive giveaways and freebies from some of her favorite authors.


Connect with Kelly:
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Interview with Kelly Oram

First, the blurb everyone gets: 

I love to read and I'm a ginger. I wrote my first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about my favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which my family and friends still tease me. I’m obsessed with reading, talk way too much, and like to eat frosting by the spoonful. I live outside of Phoenix, Arizona with my husband, four children, and my cat, Mr. Darcy. And we named his litter box Pemberly because it’s where he makes ten thousand (poops) a year! 

The Fun Stuff: 

1. I love to sing and went to college as a voice performance major.
2. I once competed in the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant. (I did not win LOL.)
3. I’m a baseball fanatic. (Go D-backs!)
4. I broke my head as a kid and had to wear a hockey helmet to school as my cast.
5. I own my own 10-sided dice for role-playing that no one but me is allowed to role.
6. I’m left handed.
7. I am credited as associate producer for the independent film Amber Alert.
8. I live for road trips. Best vacation I ever took was a three-week coast-to-coast-and-back drive with my father.
9. The Backstreet Boys were my 1D in high school, and I was a total fangirl. I still have a whole collection of fan paraphernalia.
10. I took both golf and bowling classes in college to fulfill my PE credits. (I still suck at both.)

Where did you grow up? Tell us a little of your childhood. I grew up with two amazing, loving parents and a bunch of siblings that I only realized were amazing after I grew up and moved away from them. We moved around quite a bit, but I spent the majority of my life in Colorado, Michigan, and California. My childhood was crazy and chaotic at times but fun and full of love. I have no complaints. 

What was it like living in Los Angeles right out of college? LA is crazy, and the film industry is rough. It was overwhelming for my husband and I to go there when we were so young, had never been there, and had no family within hundreds of miles. But it was an adventure. We learned a lot, grew up a lot, and have a lot of great memories of our time there. 

Share with us one thing most people do not know about you? Umm… like I mentioned about in the fun facts, I modeled a little bit as a teenager and once competed in the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant. Neither modeling, nor the pageant circuit was really my thing and I quit both pretty quickly. But it was an experience I’m glad I had. I got to do something that not many get the chance to do. I also learned that I belong behind the spotlight, not in it. LOL. 

If you could pick one, which one of your books would you make a movie based on? Hmm. I think it would be a toss up between Serial Hottie and Cinder & Ella. Serial Hottie is just fun and I can totally picture it being done similarly to The Burbs, or Suburbia. A fun quirky murder mystery romance. I’d love it. But I’m also a HUGE sucker for anything Cinderella, and it’s always done so well in the movies. Seeing Brian and Ella on the big screen would be so awesome. 

Do your family and friends read your books? Some of them. The ones who enjoy reading do. I never expect people I know to read my work, and I only encourage them if I think they will genuinely enjoy my stories. As a writer, I know not everyone is going to love my work, but my friends and family don’t always believe me when I say it’s okay if they don’t like my books. I’ve had friends read my books because they were curious but who don’t normally read the YA romance genre and then they felt really bad when they didn’t like it. It’s really okay. But it’s also fun when someone I know comes up to me and says, “OMG I finally read one of your books and I loved it!”

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be? Uh… are there other options? Kidding. Well before this I was a stay home mom and it worked well for me. I’d also love to give musical theater a shot. Broadway would be fun!

What inspired you to write Cinder & Ella?

I didn’t need to be inspired for this one. I have ALWAYS wanted to write my own Cinderella story. It’s my favorite fairy tale. I will watch and read every single Cinderella adaptation I can find. And I will read or watch them over and over and over again. So ever since I started writing, I knew that one day I would write a Cinderella retelling of my own. I simply had to wait for the right idea. I actually had the idea of the celebrity and the “normal” girl knowing each other from an online roleplaying game and meeting up at a fantasy or gaming convention sitting in my “idea” folder. And one day when I was between projects I was looking over my list of ideas and I thought that would be the perfect idea for a Cinderella story and voila … Cinder & Ella was born.

What scene was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was probably the scene where Brian and Ella finally meet face to face. That’s not necessarily my favorite scene in the book, but it was a lot of fun to write. To think up the moments and conversation that would make Brian recognize Ella, and getting to have them banter as strangers was a lot of fun! Seriously, not to be egotistical or anything, but when Brian told Ella to say car for him… I almost died laughing. Kinda thought I was a genius for a while. (Of course, then I went back and read the first draft when it was done and realized that genius was a bit of a stretch! LOL) But anyway, yeah, the face-to-face was a lot of fun.

Who is your favorite—Brian or Ella? Pshhh. That totally depends on which one of them I’m dealing with and how they are treating me at the time. Kind of like my kids, it’s hard to play favorites, but well behaved characters are usually higher on my list than the difficult ones.

Release Day Blitz: Scion by Kelly Oram

Scion (Supernaturals #3)

from bestselling author Kelly Oram

NOW AVAILABLE!

Just $3.99 on AMAZON

Title: Scion

Series: Supernaturals #3

Author: Kelly Oram

Publisher: Bluefields

Release Date: April 14, 2015

Other books in the series: Chameleon, Ungifted

Summary: Russ Devereaux used to have it all—loving father, beautiful best friend, a carefree life in a town he loved, and strong magic. He was the king of his happy universe. Five months ago, that life was taken from him. Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. 

He’s spent months fighting back and building himself a new life, in a new city, with new friends he now considers family. But suddenly, his new life might be in jeopardy of getting shot straight to hell just like the last one. Literally, this time. 

He’s discovered power inside of him—an ancient, dark power that he shouldn’t have, can’t explain, can’t control, and definitely needs to keep secret. He needs answers, but before he can get them, he finds himself arrested and on his way to face the supernatural council. The same council that stole everything from him the first time. 

As Russ struggles to keep his new power under wraps, his old life and he new one are about to collide and it’s bound to be explosive. He may not have all the answers he needs, but one thing is certain: he’ll be damned if anyone is taking his new life from him. That is, if he’s not just plain damned.

***TEASER***

BONUS CONTENT:

Each book in the supernaturals series focuses on a different character and is told in there point of view. Scion (Book 3) is Russ's story, and he is excited to finally have his voice heard. If you'd like to get a sneak peek inside of his head, please enjoy this bonus scene from Chameleon written in his perspective. It's the very first chapter of the entire series, so even if you haven't started the Supernaturals series yet, you can still read it. It's totally spoiler free! (And hey, then you'll know what you have to look forward to in book three!) Here's a short excerpt:

I was trying to make her nervous on purpose. My whole intent tonight was to make her see me in a new way. What better way to do that than to crawl into bed with her in the middle of the night?

We hadn’t been in bed together since we were kids. Back when the fact that we were the opposite sex didn’t matter. It definitely mattered now. She looked so incredibly sexy at the moment that I could hardly think of anything other than the fact that I wanted to obliterate the word “friendship” from all known languages.

“What happened to the Disney Princess nightgown you wore the last time we were in bed together? That was hot.”

But not nearly as hot as the tank top and panties she was wearing right now. Damn. I hadn’t expected her to sleep so risqué. I’d genuinely been prepared for Captain America pajamas or something, considering her infatuation with Chris Evans. But this…she looked… Double damn. Even if this plan totally backfired on me tonight, right now it felt like the best idea I’d ever had.

As I took a mental picture of her, Dani finally realized she wasn’t wearing a bra and freaked out, pulling her covers up over her chest while glaring at me. If she hadn’t been awake before, she definitely was now. “You’d better have a damn good reason for being here or you’re going to be very sorry.”

She was pissed but it was worth it. I gave her a pout. “Since when do I need a reason?”

She opened her mouth to unleash a verbal tirade but I lifted a hand to stop her. I didn’t need to hear her rant. No lecture in the world was going to make me feel bad for sneaking in here and catching a semi-naughty glimpse of her. Am I shameless? Why, yes. Yes I am. It’s one of my many talents. Click here to read the entire RUSS POV Bonus Scene from Chameleon.

Or you can get started reading the series now. Chameleon, the first book in the series, is available for FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon now through April 18th. 

It's a limited time offer, so don't miss out on the promotion! Snatch it up, while it's free!

Chameleon (Supernaturals#1)

For small-town rebel Dani Webber magic and monsters are no more real than the Easter Bunny… until the day she accidentally stops time. Dani quickly discovers that not only do supernaturals exist, but she herself is one of them. This is great news for her life-long best friend Russ, who can finally come clean about his own supernatural status and his undying love for her. Before the two can start to enjoy the long overdue relationship, Dani is taken by a powerful council of supernaturals who believe she is the Chosen One destined to save them from extinction. 

As if being kidnapped and expected to save the world isn’t bad enough, an ancient prophecy warns of the Chosen One’s dark nature: “Only the truest love will keep her an agent for good.” The council believes they know who this “true love” is and, unfortunately, that person isn’t Russ. The mysterious, powerful and devastatingly handsome Seer is the last person Dani wants in her life, but when she starts having visions of a horrific future, she has no one else to turn to for help. 

Soon Dani finds herself torn between two very different boys with two very different opinions of whom she can trust. With the visions getting worse and time running out, Dani is forced to put aside her feelings and work with both the Seer and Russ before an ancient evil is unleashed upon the earth.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and a cat named Mr. Darcy.

Connect with her through social media:

Website * Amazon * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * GooglePlus

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Cover Reveal: Scion by Kelly Oram

So excited for this release!!! I Heart Russ Devereaux, and I can't wait to read his book. Enjoy the cover. 

There's a summary, short excerpt, and a Russtastic giveaway too!

Title: Scion

Series: Supernaturals #3

Author: Kelly Oram

Publisher: Bluefields

Release Date: April 14, 2015

Other books in the series: Chameleon, Ungifted

Cover:

Blurb:

Russ Devereaux used to have it all—loving father, beautiful best friend, a carefree life in a town he loved, and strong magic. He was the king of his happy universe. Five months ago, that life was taken from him. Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. 

He’s spent months fighting back and building himself a new life, in a new city, with new friends he now considers family. But suddenly, his new life might be in jeopardy of getting shot straight to hell just like the last one. Literally, this time. 

He’s discovered power inside of him—an ancient, dark power that he shouldn’t have, can’t explain, can’t control, and definitely needs to keep secret. He needs answers, but before he can get them, he finds himself arrested and on his way to face the supernatural council. The same council that stole everything from him the first time. 

As Russ struggles to keep his new power under wraps, his old life and he new one are about to collide and it’s bound to be explosive. He may not have all the answers he needs, but one thing is certain: he’ll be damned if anyone is taking his new life from him. That is, if he’s not just plain damned.

Excerpt:

As we took the elevator up to the fifty-sixth floor my nerves reached an all-time high because of what I knew would be waiting for me when I reached the top. Or rather, who would be waiting. I glance at Duncan, trying not to let my panic show. “Are you taking us directly to the council?”

“Yes.” Duncan eyed me suspiciously. “Is that a problem? It sounded like you guys wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.”

“We do,” Ethan assured him. 

I did, but that didn’t mean I was looking forward to it. I swallowed back the chunks that were starting to rise in my stomach and asked something I had to know. “Will she be there?”

I avoided Ethan’s gaze and held my breath as I waited for Duncan’s answer.

“She’s a member of the council now Russ, as is the Seer. They will both be there.”

Of course they’d both be there. Because the universe hates me. “Does she know I’m here?”

Duncan took a minute to answer me. “I thought it best not to warn her. She would have just agonized over it unnecessarily.”

“Agonize over it?” That pissed me off. “She has no right to—”

“You don’t understand. She’s been a wreck, Russ. I never even told her I saw you.” 

“She’s had no idea where I was this whole time?” For a second I felt bad. But then I remembered the way she clung to him when she said goodbye to me and I got angry again.

Duncan sighed. “You asked me to keep her out of your life. If she knew where you were, she would have come looking for you. This is going to be very difficult for her. More so than for you I think. You seem to have moved on better than she has.”

“I’ve moved on better?” I couldn’t listen to any more, and since I couldn’t really punch anything I kicked the side of the elevator. “She moved on before I left.”

“Would you like to see her before you’re brought in front of the whole council? I can take you to a holding cell and tell her you’re here. The council would understand the delay.” 

“No.” That sounded like hell on Earth. “I don’t want to talk to her. I was sort of banking on never seeing her again. Lets just get it over with.”

“It might make things go a little smoother if you got it out of the way before you’re questioned.”

I laughed hard. “You think the council cares about questioning us? They’re going to do whatever they want no matter what Ethan and I say. To tell you the truth, Duncan, I don’t really believe they’re going to let us go. That’s why I came. If they’re going to try to kill Ethan, then they’re going to have get through us both.”

Duncan laughed as the elevator doors chimed open. “Nobody is going to kill anybody. You’re always so dramatic, Russ.” 

As Duncan ushered us down the hall, I stopped hearing what he was saying. The consulate was fairly busy. There were people everywhere, but it wasn’t their stares that made my heart pound as I looked at them. I kept waiting for one of them to be a familiar face.

Duncan gave me a sympathetic smile and shook his head. “The council isn’t what you think. They aren’t cruel monsters. Dani was an unfortunate case, so your perception of them is skewed. I promise you they can be reasonable, caring people. They want order and justice, and they will be fair. They’ll listen to your story. I honestly don’t think you’re in any danger.”

“We’ll see,” I grumbled.

I stumbled to as stop as we came to a set of large double doors. “Where’s Grace when you need her?” I gasped. Ethan glanced at me and I nodded at the doors. “Dani’s in there. I can already feel her energy.”

“You want to hold my hand?” Ethan asked, holding out his cuffed wrists to me and batting his eyelashes. “I may not dissolve bonds, but I’m every bit as pretty as Grace.”

I appreciated his attempt to give me crap. I needed the distraction. I was supremely messed up right now and he knew it. Joking might be the only way to get me through this. “Bite me.”

We laughed, but the smiles left our faces the second the doors opened. Game time.

Giveaway:

Kelly is giving away 10 signed posters of the Scion cover, and one grand prize of all three books in the series so far (signed).Giveaway is international. To enter, help Kelly with her cover reveal by sharing the cover, passing along photo teasers, or making your social media profiles and avatars Russtastic. The more you share the better your chances of winning!


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Have fun and good luck!

Scion is the third book in Kelly Oram's Supernaturals series. Be sure to check out the first two books in the series, Chameleon, and Ungifted.

            

Review: Cinder & Ella by Kelly Oram

Cinder & Ella

Author: Kelly Oram
Publisher: Bluefields
Pages: 269 pages
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: October 1st 2014

Summary:

It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder.
…
Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

Review:


I’m always so happy when a book that I expect to be average turns out to be one of the best I’ve read in a long time… and especially when I’ve been in such a terrible, never-ending book slump.

I remember that a couple of months back my book friends were raving about Cinder & Ella. I would have added the book to my TBR pile right then if not for my skepticism for the author. As it turns out, this book has all the elements that I completely adore in a book. But before I go all gaga over my love for the story and the characters, I’ll just give you a brief synopsis of what to expect in this lovely, feel-good, fluffy romance.

As the blurb promises, we have Ella and Cinder, two internet book buddies (BOOK BUDDIES YOU GUYS! LIKE US!! YAASSSS!) who share their love for a book series called the Druid Chronicles and are secretly in love with each other. Everything is good in their lives, till one day Ella has a horrible accident and loses almost everything. Cinder, knowing nothing about Ella’s real life, even her actual name, doesn’t know what to believe other than thinking her dead after her sudden disappearance. While Ella is hospitalized and recovering, trying to get a grip on her life that’s turned upside down, Cinder (a.k.a Brian) is getting all the media attention as the next “it” thing in Hollywood. They find each other again after months and realize that their feelings for each other are stronger than before; but… if only relationships in real life were as easy as the online ones…

So as the story goes, the title hints towards this being a rendition of Cinderella, and I won’t deny that it does have few Cinderella-sque moments, but the plot is so much more than a girl getting married to a Prince after one fine night at a ball! We have a female MC who has been through shit and has been treated like shit but unlike Cinderella, she doesn’t sit and weep in a corner waiting for a fairy godmother to fix it. She stands back, calls people out on their BS and doesn’t act rebellious or nasty for no reason. The story isn’t just about evil step mothers, step sisters and an aloof dad either. It also focuses on the strained relationships between the MC and her step family and as the story progresses, we see each relationship strengthen and witness the MC accept and begin to appreciate the importance of her new family and friends. But among all this, for me, the romance steals away the spotlight. The relationship that Ella and Cinder shared was beautiful and made me completely fall in love with this book. It was their friendship, their banter, their attraction, the way they understood each other, made each other happy, just about everything, that made their romance magical.

*happy sigh*


Anyway, the other thing I adore about this book, are the main characters. Ella is one of the most relatable and likable female characters that I’ve come across amidst all the angst ridden, snowflake, bimbo head cases we have as protagonists. As for Cinder, he is one of those characters you roll your eyes at but still really like. He uses cheesy lines, is a flirt, uses “woman!!” to address Ella way more than I like, treats Kaylee like shit (but she was a spoiled brat so I didn’t really mind) but is also a fellow book reader who follows bloggers, is passionate about his career and takes it seriously, (did I mention he reads books and gets into discussions about it?), is a celebrity with super-hot looks and is so in love with Ella that it just made me grin like a goof and like him more.

As for the other characters, well, Ella’s dad was an ass for majority of the book. The reasons he gave in the end gave me a better perspective on why he left Ella and her mom, but the way he reacted in certain instances just made me want to smack some sense into him. Ella’s principal and shrink were the worst actually. I think I disliked them even more than Ana. So get this, Ella’s shrink, who is supposed to help Ella, actually threatens to put her in a mental hospital because of her not socializing in school.
…
……
………….
Anyway, that’s one crazy shrink. The other douchebag we have in the story is Ella’s principal. He thinks that Ella should be in a school for the disabled because she is scarred and limps. That guy actually had the balls to say that he wasn’t responsible for students bullying Ella because she seemed to invite trouble. Like, why is this man even running the school?

Apart from them, Juliette, Vivian and Rob were pretty cool. Even though I highly doubt the existence of guys like Rob.

All in all, this book was really fluffy and full of drama till the end. It entertained me a hell lot and had me feeling all sorts of warm fuzzies by the time I was finishing it. That hasn’t happened in a very very long time.

So, 5 stars for Cinder-Ella awesomeoness alone!


Rating: 

(click on the name for reviews of this geek)

Blog Tour: Cinder & Ella

Guest Post & Playlist by Kelly Oram

Hey Everyone! I’m excited to be here today to talk a little about my new book! Cinder & Ella is a contemporary spin on the classic fairy tale Cinderella. I am a huge Cinderella junkie and had so much fun writing my own adaptation of it. I can’t wait for people to read it.

For today’s blog tour stop, I thought it would be fun to give you an idea of what the book sounds like to me. Writing and music are like baseball games and hotdogs—they just go together. Most writers create playlists that remind them of their work in progress. Whether it’s a tone or lyrics, certain songs will just jump out at us.

Personally I can’t write to music. I need quiet to focus. I am a singer. Not a good one, but an enthusiastic one, and if there is music playing anywhere, you can guarantee I’ll be singing and dancing along, getting absolutely no writing done. Still, I always have a playlist that reminds me of my books and characters, and I will wear it out while working on that particular manuscript. I just have to listen to it during the off-work hours.

The Cinder and Ella playlist is totally going to date me. Can we say 90’s alternative rock, anyone? Not every song on this list is from the 90’s, but a lot of them are. And now that you all know I’m a 90’s child and entering into my mid-thirties, maybe we should get to the music. Here it is, my Cinder & Ella playlist…

Better Together                            Jack Johnson

Umbrella                                      Train
Hey Leonardo                              Blessed Union of Souls
Iris                                               Goo Goo Dolls
Farther Down                              Matthew Sweet
Deep Inside of You                     Third Eye Blind
Truly Madly Deeply                   Savage Garden
Over My Head                            Brian Littrell
Kiss Me Slowly                          Parachute
Everything                                  Michael Buble
I’ll Be                                         Edwin McCain
Crazy For This Girl                    Evan and Jaron
Parachute                                    Train


For one reason or another each of these songs just reminded me so much of Brian and Ella. If I had to pick one of them to be Brian and Ella’s theme song, it would probably be Parachute by Train. Love that song, but the lyrics were also just too perfect. If you get a chance, go listen to it!

About Kelly Oram

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen—a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and her cat named Mr. Darcy.

Author Links:

Facebook  Goodreads

Twitter and My Website

 

Cinder & Ella

It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder. 

… 

Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

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Kiss & Tell with Kelly Oram

1. Tell us 5 random fact very few people know about you?

1. I’m left handed

2. I own my own set of gaming dice that no one but me is allowed to roll. (I don’t want anyone’s bad luck cooties on my dice!)

3. I once competed in the Miss Michigan Teen USA Pageant. (No I didn’t win LOL!)

4. I was an associate producer on a small independent film that hit theaters in the US in 2012. It’s called Amber Alert, and I think it’s on Netflix now. (Seeing my name in the credits still makes me giggle.)

5. I fell off my bike when I was five years old and broke my skull in almost half. They can’t put a cast a head, so I had to wear a hockey helmet at all times until I healed. I had to start kindergarten wearing a hockey helmet to school every day! 

2. What's the last book you read?

The last book I finished was Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt and I am currently in the middle of Defiance by C.J. Redwine. I am loving it!

3. Coffee or Tea?

I don’t drink either.

4. Who is your hero?

Hmm. I guess Jesus, my dad (I’m a total Daddy’s girl), and Jennifer L. Armentrout (for giving me Daemon Black, duh!)

5.  What are your 5 favorite books and movies?

You expect me to narrow my favorite books down to FIVE??? Gah! 

Okay, um, how about Graceling by Kristen Cashore, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, Broken Aro (and the sequel Broken Prince) by Jen Wylie, and the Seven Realms series by Chima Cinda Williams. For movies I’d say, Die Hard, Can’t hardly Wait, A Cinderella Story, Pride & Prejudice (the Colin Forth mini series), & The Proposal.

6. Who's your fictional crush? 

Ummmm… who ISN’T my fictional crush? Okay, I already mentioned Daemon Black from JL Armentrout’s Lux series. But I also love Archer Cross (Hex Hall, Rachel Hawkins) Caleb Becker (Leaving Paradise, Simone Elkeles) Rob Wilkins (1-800-Where-Are-You, Meg Cabot), Dimitri Belikov (Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead), and many, many others. Oh, and also Number Six (Lorien Legacies, Pitticus Lore). No, seriously, she’s my total girl crush. I love her!

7. Favorite Book Cover? 

Is it wrong to say The Avery Shaw Experiment? I know it’s mine and that makes me completely biased, but I fell in love with that cover! Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev is another gorgeous one.

8. Favorite Colour? 

Blue

9. Summer or Winter romance?

I love both for different reasons, but I guess if I absolutely had to pick, I’d go with summer.

10.Top place to visit on your bucket list?

I’d love to tour Europe, and I’d love to visit Australia and New Zealand.

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.
Connect with Kelly on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, & her Blog.

Kelly Oram's Amazon page
Kelly Oram on Barnes&Noble

Don't miss Kelly's newest Book!

Ungifted


Series: Supernaturals #2
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Release Date: February 25, 2014

Amazon
Goodreads

Summary:
Even though her father is running for President of the United States, Grace St. Claire is as normal a girl as they come. She’s clumsy, shy, and an outcast among her peers. She even manages to nearly die in a freak accident in front of the entire school. But when Grace survives a vampire attack she quickly learns that she is anything but ordinary.

There’s something about human Grace that has all the supernaturals around her going crazy. Her best friend’s brother suddenly wants to date her. Her worst enemy has sworn to protect her even against her wishes. Someone with very powerful magic wants her dead, and the vampire that attacked her has developed an obsession with making her his eternal mate.

In order to survive—and not as Count Dracula’s undead bride—Grace dives head first into the terrifying world of the supernatural. She teams up with a charming but mysterious warlock who strolled into town causing trouble and spouting stories of a Prophesy and Chosen One that looks exactly like Grace. Together they must figure out why Grace is different, who wants her dead, how she’s connected to the Chosen One, and who they can really trust

Battle of Book Boyfriends

So I got a little confession to make, when Kelly Oram asked which one of her hotties was my favorite, it took me a while to decided. Because well, they all hot. And let's just be honest right here right now, all of us girls want them to be hot. The whole they have be inwardly beautiful- is not quite as important in books as in real life- Ok ok, we said we gonna be honest. It's the first category they have to fulfill. If they not hot, they don't even make the list. So dillema number one: they all hot.
Now my dilemma number two: *whispers* I haven't read all of Kelly's books I uhm found myself not as well inform about all the characters as I would like to be.

So at the time Kelly asked.. I only had Gabriel, Ryan, Russ to chose from. I had read the Jamie Baker books and Chameleon at that stage.
Which made it a no brainer....Yeah seriously! And let me just warn you!  I am not below slinging mud at the competition! Because lets face is; Russ is a jerk. He bulldozed over Danielle. Was totally arrogant and self-absorbed, unsupportive and did I mention a jerk? So let's just forget about him.
Ryan.. well he is a douche, with a few redeeming qualities- BUT he still is a douche. I don't do the douche-boys how ever hot (Yes he is hot, BUT they ALL are) or however redeeming they might be in book 2- besides the others hadn't gotten their second book chance yet. And Gabriel doesn't need his second book chance. He is HOT, I mean tattoo on his back?... oh so hawt!  
Standing in the moonlight with just his low slung pj bottoms?.. *fans herself* hot hot hot!
Hush! I know they all are. BUT he has a TATTOO! that makes me that much hotter.
Then is is supportive, generous, sweet and stands by Danielle no matter what. Ok, so confession number three: he might be a tad to goody goody but I plan to change that  when it matters he snaps out of it and becomes hard ass

So *drumroll* 

Gabriel it is!
Vote for GABE people...

Now since that fatefull day I made my choice, I have read Being Avery Shaw..which became my favorite Oram book so far, *grumbles* and I adore Grayson
SO should Grayson win I'd be happy as well.

Still vote for Gabriel!

And I will promise to read all the other Oram novels asap, staring Monday with Ungifted!
 You can find more about the battle here

OH wait! I got better news!
There is a giveaway!
Yep! You could be one of the lucky people who gets to read about Grayson in a signed Avery Shaw Experiment Copy!

GOOD LUCK!!

(click on the name for reviews of this geek)



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Valentine's Day Celebrations with Kelly Oram

In celebration of the paperback release of Amazon Best-seller The Avery Shaw Experiment, YA author Kelly Oram is having a special Valentines Day sale and Giveaway. 

From science geeks & serial killers to warlocks & rockstars, no matter your flavor, Kelly Oram has a fictional boyfriend for you! Make the most of this holiday of love and cuddle up with a boy who's sure to make you swoon, will never talk back, and will never ever break your heart!

Visit KELLYORAM.COM to see which boy is right for you and enter the giveaway.

Kelly Oram's Amazon page

Kelly Oram on Barnes&Noble

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children. Connect with Kelly on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, & her Blog.

 

Review: The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

Publisher: Bluefields
Pages: 278 Pages 
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: May 4, 2013
Summary:
When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest

Rating: 


Review: 

I'm usually all in for a cute, fun, fluffy read but this book....

Arggghhh!

This book is so full of cliched characters and stereotypes, that my head hurts.

Where should I even begin?

Avery is one of those naive and weak characters I've ever had the displeasure to read (*cough*BellaSwanincludedofcourse*cough*). Imagine a girl who can do nothing but cry over every little thing whether she's happy or devastated, imagine someone who is your stereotypical geek with a fruity mouth-watering smell (I wonder what that is, like, why would someone wanna smell like food?), imagine someone who blushes beet-red at the mention of anything slightly provocative, and if you do that with a blond haired blue eyed girl in your head (yes, just that blond stereotype), you have Avery. Not that there is something wrong with girls like that having anxiety attacks or whatever, but it's only cute and bearable to an extent.

If that wasn't enough to make me run for the woods, you have Grayson.

Charming?
Yes.

Stereotyped jock with a popularity that makes him a God?
Yes.

Immensely shallow, immature and clingy?
Hell to the yes!

I tried to like him. I tried not to pass out with all the eye-rolling and sappy romance that was thrown at me and I tried, tried really hard to find anything remotely cute about Grayson and his "Aves"; but I failed big time.

Their parents were unreal. Grayson was pushy, imposing and a pervert. I think I liked Libby and I say that for her cat t-shirts and straight-forward commentary. All the other characters were a nuisance. I guess I'm being too harsh, but there wasn't any comical moment or witty humor to make me feel otherwise.

All in all, it's short and something you can read when you're not in a mood to read any serious stuff or one of your never ending sequels to a series you had the misfortune and insensibility to start... like me. You might end up liking it. It's supposed to be short and cute after all, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. So the 2 stars.

Hope you like Grayson! ;P        

(click on the name for more reviews of this geek)