Category: Book News

Blue Hearts of Mars Review from Words to Dreams Website

Clouds

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

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

Another little blurb:

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

And probably my favorite!

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

For the rest of the excellent review, go here.

 

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

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

 

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas


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

If only it were as simple as being in love.

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

Praise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Author Nicole Grotepas

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

 

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash (Internationally)

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

Ends 4/19/13

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

Blue Hearts of Mars Book Blast $50 Giveaway

Blue Hearts of Mars by Nicole Grotepas



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

If only it were as simple as being in love.

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

Praise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Or purchase the full version of the book here: Amazon

Author Nicole Grotepas

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

Tour Schedule

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

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)




Sponsoring Authors
The Breeders by Katie French

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 






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

 






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


After the Fear by Rosanne Rivers

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

Giveaway Details

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

Ends 4/15/13

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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

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

Screen Shot 2013-03-12 at 1.33.59 PM

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

 

Blue Hearts of Mars Out Now!

So Blue Hearts is out now, as the post title states. And guess what? Today it’s free! So if you hurry your butt up, you can hop over to Amazon and get a copy for free! The best part about free stuff is that it’s FREE. And even if you don’t plan on reading it now, you can still get it and then read it later!

I’m feeling very exclaim-y today. I usually NEVER use exclamation points. Because in real life my humor is extremely dry and sarcastic. Honestly.

And all I ask of you, my reader, is that if you enjoy the book, rate it on Goodreads or Amazon. You don’t even have to write a long review, just a line or something that testifies of how completely awesome I am and how you’d love to meet me and have lunch with me and if you say that, I will sincerely consider inviting you to lunch.

I mean, as long as you buy. Me. A. Steak.

In case you’ve forgotten how awesome Blue Hearts is, here’s the cover image in high resolution:

Blue Hearts of Mars Final 2

Yep. It’s young adult sci-fi romance. I had no idea that was even considered a genre until just a few days ago when I saw a thread on Goodreads of people looking for sci-fi romance. Who knew? But I’m glad I’m not trying to break ground on some new genre because let’s face it, I’m no pioneer.

That said, the science fiction is very light. At least, in my opinion it is, because I’m not into hard core science fiction myself. I’m more of an Orson Scott Card fan and less a Larry Niven fan (I really just wanted Ringworld to get into more details about the relationships and stop telling me about the diameter of the world and etc). I loved the idea of Ringworld but became exhausted at the description of how tall the mountains were and the floating building and stuff.

So go download my book while it’s free!

If you miss the free window, it only costs $2.99, which is almost free. That costs less than that grande white chocolate mocha you’re drinking right this minute, and the book is infinitely more rewarding than the drink as well. I know from experience.