Blog Tour: Easy by Tammara Webber + GIVEAWAY!

Earlier this year I read the book Easy by Tammara Webber, not knowing much about it.  I quickly became a fan of her writing and the characters this story surrounded.  I am thrilled to be a part of the blog tour to promote this book, as well as offer a giveaway for a paperback copy.

Please see my review for the book HERE that I posted earlier in the summer, that details my thoughts on Easy. And make sure you check out tomorrow's blog tour stop at The Book Pushers.

More about the book...

Easy by Tammara Webber
Published: May 25, 2012 (ebook); November 6, 2012 (paperback) by Berkley Books
Buy: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | IndieBound

A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.

When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy. [goodreads]

A few questions answered by Tammara Webber...

New York Times Bestselling Author Tammara Webber on Writing:

There are some graphic scenes in the book. How did you create the opening scene so that it was digestible for readers, but yet still serious and frightening enough to hook us?

My objective with Easy was to make the difficult scenes realistic but tolerable. I wanted to write an accessible book for those of us who can’t quite handle the detailed rendering of a sexual assault. Graphic portrayals absolutely have their place – maybe with those who’ve never experienced it and who hopefully never will. I specifically wanted readers with rape triggers to find healing in Easy, not a reliving of a painful experience.

Do you have any writing rituals?

No – but it’s best if I can clear my schedule of annoying details. I don’t write well if I’m constantly distracted by errands I need to run or bills that need to be paid or a post, interview, or critique promised but not delivered.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enter the GIVEAWAY below for a paperback copy of EASY:

+ Open to US residents ONLY

+ Must be 16 years old to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Summer Reading in Review

I have had a very successful summer when it comes to reading!  I started out wanting to read a few books, but didn't give myself an exact schedule to read by.  I think this worked to my advantage.. and it also encouraged the laid back, relaxing atmosphere which always entices a good book.

I had the pleasure of traveling quite a bit as summer began... jet setting from Texas all the way to Seattle, jumping in the car and road tripping it to the river, or spending a week at the beach with my family.  All of these vacations were fun, relaxing, and memorable.  And OF COURSE there were great books involved for each one!  Below are a few of the books which stood out as my "favorites" read this summer.  There's still a few weeks left of the season, so hopefully it will encourage you to grab a few and finish out your summer with a great book.

How to Kill a Rock Star by Tiffanie DeBartolo
Written in her wonderfully honest, edgy, passionate and often hilarious voice, Tiffanie DeBartolo tells the story of Eliza Caelum, a young music journalist, and Paul Hudson, a talented songwriter and lead singer of the band Bananafish. Eliza's reverence for rock is equaled only by Paul's, and the two fall wildly in love.

When Bananafish is signed by a big corporate label, and Paul is on his way to becoming a major rock star, Eliza must make a heartbreaking decision that leads to Paul's sudden disappearance and a surprise knock-your-socks-off ending. [goodreads]

Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker
Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life.

Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now.

Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? [goodreads]

Night Beach by Kirsty Eagar
Imagine there is someone you like so much that just thinking about them leaves you desperate and reckless. You crave them in a way that's not rational, not right, and you're becoming somebody you don't recognise, and certainly don't respect, but you don't even care.

And this person you like is unattainable. Except for one thing...

He lives downstairs.

Abbie has three obsessions. Art. The ocean. And Kane.

But since Kane's been back, he's changed. There's a darkness shadowing him that only Abbie can see. And it wants her in its world.

A gothic story about the very dark things that feed the creative process. [goodreads]

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo
Love is awkward, Amelia should know.

From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, is 15.

Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?

Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up. [goodreads]

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also one another's only friend. So when Cameron disappears without warning, Jennifer thinks she's lost the only person who will ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she's popular, happy, and dating, everything "Jennifer" couldn't be---but she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend.

When Cameron suddenly reappears, they are both confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken. [goodreads]

I ended up re-reading three books this summer, as well. The stories were so good I just wasn't quite ready to say goodbye!

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over. [goodreads] 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.

But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business — until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers — and the consequences could be deadly. [goodreads]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Easy by Tammara Webber
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex’s frat brother, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Her econ professor gives her an email address for Landon, the class tutor, who shows her that she’s still the same intelligent girl she’s always been. As Jacqueline becomes interested in more from her tutor than a better grade, his teasing responses make the feeling seem mutual. There’s just one problem—their only interactions are through email.

Meanwhile, a guy in her econ class proves his worth the first night she meets him. Nothing like her popular ex or her brainy tutor, Lucas sits on the back row, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. At a downtown club, he disappears after several dances that leave her on fire. When he asks if he can sketch her, alone in her room, she agrees—hoping for more.

Then Jacqueline discovers a withheld connection between her supportive tutor and her seductive classmate, her ex comes back into the picture, and her stalker escalates his attention by spreading rumors that they’ve hooked up. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy. [goodreads]

So tell me, which books have you read and enjoyed this summer? Did you travel anywhere and take a book along for the trip? I love summertime, but I am definitely looking forward to some reprieve from the heat... and all things pumpkin! Bring on Fall!

Easy by Tammara Webber

Easy by Tammara Webber
Published: May 25, 2012
Received: Purchased e-book copy

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex’s frat brother, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Her econ professor gives her an email address for Landon, the class tutor, who shows her that she’s still the same intelligent girl she’s always been. As Jacqueline becomes interested in more from her tutor than a better grade, his teasing responses make the feeling seem mutual. There’s just one problem—their only interactions are through email.

Meanwhile, a guy in her econ class proves his worth the first night she meets him. Nothing like her popular ex or her brainy tutor, Lucas sits on the back row, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. At a downtown club, he disappears after several dances that leave her on fire. When he asks if he can sketch her, alone in her room, she agrees—hoping for more.

Then Jacqueline discovers a withheld connection between her supportive tutor and her seductive classmate, her ex comes back into the picture, and her stalker escalates his attention by spreading rumors that they’ve hooked up. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy. [goodreads]

Not too long ago I asked a simple question on twitter: What has been your favorite read so far this year?  I was curious to know which books stood out the most around the blogosphere.  A little known title kept popping up in my twitter feed.  I thought, what is this book called Easy?  It must be good since numerous people are telling me it's their favorite.  So I hopped over to Barnes & Noble, saw that it was pretty cheap, and quickly downloaded it to my nook.  Yup, it was that easy.  I settled in one evening to begin reading this book, and by total surprise I found myself devouring the WHOLE THING in one sitting.  I can definitely see why this is a favorite for most right now.

Jacqueline is a college student who is attempting to recover from a devastating break up.  The beginning of this story took my breath away, literally hooking me in the first chapter when something tragic happens to Jacqueline.  Just when her life could not get any worse, she's given an opportunity to turn it around.  The first opportunity is in the form of a tutor for one of her classes that she's unexpectedly failing: Landon.  Immediately she is drawn to his intelligence and need to help her succeed.  The only problem is, their correspondence has been strictly through email.  The other opportunity presents itself in the form of a hero, who is disguised by his tattoos and mysterious behavior: Lucas.  She attempts to find her footing again with the help of both Landon and Lucas, but it all suddenly comes to a head when secrets are revealed.

I was intensely intrigued by the mystery that surrounded Lucas.  Whenever his character popped up on the page, I immediately lost track of time and submerged myself within the story.  The tension between Jacqueline and Lucas was unreal.  From that first passionate kissing scene, to the physical levels they encountered later in the story, I was constantly fanning myself.  Though I was rooting for Lucas in Jacqueline's life, I still held on to Landon.  His presence brought a sense of calm to Jacqueline's life that she so badly needed.

I am a new fan to Tammara Webber's writing, and this book has solidified my want to continue with more of her stories.  She has the ability to connect the reader with her characters, pulling them in and losing all sense of reality.  I went to bed that night (or early morning I should say) reliving the delicious moments from this book.  I was almost tempted to pick it back up and read it for a second time immediately after it's conclusion.  I love this type of story-telling.  It's raw and addicting.  I have discovered a new favorite amongst my contemporary novels: New Adult.  Easy is at the top of my list, but I am certain there are other gems out there just waiting to be discovered.