Spectacle is FREE on Instafreebie!

Happy Thursday, Angels! SO excited to announce that Instafreebie picked my book to be featured on their "Science-Fiction and Fantasy Wednesday" promo! I'm beyond honored to be promoted alongside these other fabulous authors. If you love a good Sci-fi or Fantasy, you should give one of these a try. And hey, they're FREE! ;) Just click on the banner below...

xoxo
SJ

I'm giving away a book... AND A KINDLE FIRE!!!

***Giveaway CLOSED***

Happy Tuesday, Angels! As we anxiously await Lilliana's release, I wanted to give you something just for being awesome - my YA Sci-fi novel Spectacle for FREE! Right now the book is $2.99 on all major retail sites, but at instaFreebie.com, you can have the book for nothing at all! Just follow the link below.

And oh, yeah... if you also share this post on social media, you'll be entered to win a FREE KINDLE FIRE! Just comment comment below or email me here to let me know you shared. Winner announced October 1st. Good luck! ;)

xoxo
SJ

"For those of you who love the Hunger Games and Divergent, Spectacle will be sure to tickle your readerly taste buds." - LisAnn, The Indigo Quill Book Reviews ★★★★★

"Spectacle has made it to my top ten list of dystopian books to read." - Nancy, The Avid Reader Blog ★★★★★

Summary:

Avatar meets Gladiator in this spellbinding new Young Adult, Science-Fiction novel by bestselling author Susan James Pierce. 

Two hundred years after the Great Disaster, the day earthquakes ravaged Earth's landscapes, humanity has finally regrouped and is working toward a better future. But in New America - one of three remaining landmasses - overpopulation makes a better future seem bleaker by the year.

Mira (Mirabella) Foster and her parents are citizens of New America, and with the threat of starvation and disease looming on the horizon, a new discovery threatens to push everyone to the brink of chaos: blue markings develop on people's skin. Markings that allow them to camouflage their skin, but also make them feared, and eventually, targets of violence.

Mira's dad is one of them.

GET YOUR FREEBIE HERE!

Blog Tour Final Day - Spectacle

Tour Stops:

–Reading in Wonderland (Review)

–Random Redheaded Ramblings (Review)

–A British Bookworm’s Blog (Review)

–EscapeNBooks (Review)

Favorite Review: 

"Random Redheaded Ramblings"

So I really enjoyed Spectacle, it has a dystopian setting and like the tag line above says it does have hints of Avatar (blue, lots of blue!).

Set in a future where the world has been ravaged by earthquakes changing the landscape for the worse, Mira lives with her parents on what is left of the USA.

We first meet her as a young child during a time when her life changes for the worst. The discovery that her family, more specifically her father is not what he seems.

He is far from human, he is of alien descent and Mira discovers that he is covered in blue markings that will easily identify him from everyone else. He is a changer.

Not to spoil the story for you, due to events in the book involving her father, Mira ends up banished to island along with others like her who have been descended from the aliens. They are kept away from the human population, they are a threat.

Mira, we meet again as a teen still on the island, most of the residents live like it is the dark ages. Mira still has one foot in her old life, where others are now wearing animal skins she still wears normal clothes.

The story progresses with Mira getting the opportunity to prove the innocence of her father, how, well I won't spoil it for you but the government of New America are not known for their kindly nature and Mira is going to have a hell of a time clearing her fathers name.

This is a really enjoyable novel, dystopia of course is everywhere just now and a novel in this genre really needs to stand out from the masses out there. Spectacle does a good job with a interesting plot, characters you can root for and wonderful descriptions of those blue markings! Well worth a read!

Great review, Heather!!! xoxo

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Day Five - Spectacle

Tour Stops:

–Arkham Reviews (Review)

–Two Ends of the Pen (Excerpt)

–The Avid Reader  (Review)

Favorite Review:

"The Avid Reader" Book Blog

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

The earth was destroyed two hundred thousand years ago by earthquakes. They were so many that most of the land ended up in the ocean. Mira and her family lives in one of the three pieces of land that is left called New America. There are a lot of people where she lives and they are running short on food and supplies. There is a lot of sickness going around and a lot of people are dying. People are starting to lose it and there is a lot of chaos.

Mira learns that her father is not from earth that he is from another planet. Her father and around one hundred thousand people had to leave their own planet because people from another planet came in and took over their planet so they stole their pods and escaped to earth. Where they lived among humans in disguise for many, many decades. No one knew that they were from another planet. They lived and worked among the humans until they couldn’t hide their markings any longer.

Once everyone learned that they had been living with aliens it scared them. They really didn’t know what to do. They didn’t know if they could trust them or not. You would think that if they had been living with them for all these years that they would be no problems. But people are afraid of the unknown and they are also afraid of someone that is different than they are. Instead of trying to get to know them and learn who they are they finally rounded up all of the changers and sent them far, far away to live on an island all by their selves. All because they were afraid of them, they left them there to die. But Mira and her new family and friends fooled all of the humans they learned to adept to the land and how to survive.

Mira missed her mom and dad very much but she had some great friends who helped each other through their lost. Mira learned to hunt for food just like the guys did but she also loved working in her little garden. Everyone on the island had a job to do and they each knew what that job was and they did without any questions. Mira was just as good of a hunter as any of the guys and even better than some. Mira cared a lot for the people she loved and would put her own life in danger before putting one of her friend’s lives in peril. Mira was a strong young woman both mentally and physically. Mira would do anything for one of her friends.

I loved the world that the author created for Mira and her friends. The author drew you into Mira’s life and made you feel as if you were right there beside her wanting to help every step of the way. Mira and Luxxe were two of the best characters who could make you laugh one minute and crying the next. Spectacle pulled you in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the very end. Well ok maybe I am stretching it a little bit there it didn’t let go at the end it is still hanging on making you want more. It has the tendency to make you get lost in its story so deep that you may not find your way back out if you are not careful. In my opinion if like dystopian stories then you are going to love Spectacle. I know I did. I am hooked on dystopian stories at the moment and can’t seem to let them go and Spectacle has made it to my top ten list of dystopian books to read.

Thanks, Nancy, for the wonderful review!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Day Four - Spectacle

Tour Stops:

–My So-Called Book Reviews (Review)

–Jazzy Book Reviews (Review)

–Brian’s Book Blog (Review)

–The Indigo Quill (Review)

Favorite Review of the Day:

"The Indigo Quill" Book Reviews

For those who love The Hunger Games and Divergent, S.J. Pierce's new novel, Spectacle, will be sure to tickle your readerly taste buds.

In this newly established dystopian, the world is becoming overpopulated 200 years post "The Great Disaster." After a series of ravaging earthquakes, the planet suffers from limited land. Mirabella Foster resides with her family in New America. One day, her father reveals to her a secret that seems to uproot the earth all over again...he is part of an alien group called Changers. They are covered with blue markings that are mistaken as a disease that sets the community into an uproar, leaving the Changers quarantined on an isolated island to live away from the humans.

I enjoyed the plot of this book, and the undertones of acceptance woven into the storyline. The opener is attention-grabbing, which is always more pleasant than trying to plow through the foundations of the plot just so you can reach the part where the story travels on its own. The best part was the Changers. They were well-developed and I felt a connection to their story that surfaced emotion.

Some low points for me were that some of the ideas weren't quite original. There were a lot of parts that seemed to be taken from other stories, such as The Hunger Games, Game of Thrones, and Avatar. But, if you're looking for a book that contains similar elements as these, then you'll enjoy Spectacle. I also felt like the romance was rushed near the end, and I just wasn't feeling it. It felt underdeveloped and a little messy.

Overall, I liked this book. People who enjoy young adult dystopians as their main genre of choice will likely enjoy it as well.

Thanks for the review, LisAnn!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Day Three - Spectacle

Tour Stops:

–Bemused Bookworm (Review)

–Us Girls & A Book (Review)

–YA Book Reviews (Excerpt)

Favorite Review of the Day:

"Us Girls & A Book"

There is something you should know about this book before you ever begin to read it. DO NOT judge this book by it's cover and beneath the cover there is so much excitement, adventure, love, and devotion that will make you want to reread this book over and over again!

Spectacle grabs your attention from the first page in and does not let up. Once you think you have everything figured out S.J. Pierce hits you with a massive plot twist and you are left wondering what is coming next.

They say this book is a mix between Hunger Games and Avatar, I tend to disagree. I believe it is Hunger Games meets Divergent meets X-Men meets anything you can dream up and more.

I can not say anything about this book cause then it would be giving it away. I will say this; Mirabella (heroine) is going to try to save the people with the blue markings. Does this put her in more danger? Does she have the blue markings since her dad is one of them?

S.J. Pierce is a talented author who gives this world a gift in a book called, Spectacle. This story is written in such intense and great detail that she enables readers to both see and imagine it vividly. Please go pick up your copy today! You will not regret your decision!

Thanks for such an awesome review, Jaci!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Day Two - Spectacle

Tour Stops:

–Fangirls Read It First (Review)

–Painted Words (Review)

–Twisted Book Junkie (Review)

–Bedazzled By Books (Review)

Favorite Review of the Day:

"Painted Words Reviews" Book Blog!

That was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Star Crossed meets Hunger Games meets Avatar. This was a tear jerker that was impossible to put down. The characters had such raw and endearing qualities that I found it impossible not to love them. This was also a very ‘meaty’ book, long and descriptive but never once boring. Its over 60 beautifully written chapters that took a good chunk of my day to read through. That was really refreshing and I can definitely see people enjoying this book throughout a nice long rainy weekend.

I loved how the girls were portrayed and the whole premise of this story was enthralling. My only forewarning to any prospective readers is the synopsis. That was literally the least descriptive synopsis ever, it barely skims the surface of this book. The story was about sooo much more than what you are lead to believe. If this was written any differently that may have been the nail in the coffin for this book but luckily, I found this story so appealing that I didn’t care that the synopsis was vague and lacking. It was literally just a quick summary of the first couple of chapters and not at all of the story as a whole. Had this book been split into different novels it probably would have suited the book more but as it stands, the description could use a little sprucing up.

I loved the way the friendships were forged and portrayed and found our main characters to be some of the most real and noble I’ve ever read. The romance takes a really long time to show itself so if you’re looking for an instant connection love story, this probably isn’t for you but I actually loved that about this book. It lets Mira develop as a person and do what needs to be done.

I not only recommend this book to all science fictions readers but I also recommend some tissues be in your general vicinity. I loved the length of this book and the content. It was literally an all-around good read. The cover is amazing and yet simplistic and the title is absolutely perfect.

Thank you, Tiffany, for such a wonderful review!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Day One - Spectacle

Happy Monday, angels!!! It might be soggy today down here in the South, but I'm not going to let that get me down! Today is the start of my week-long blog tour for Spectacle, my newest Young Adult Science-Fiction novel. See the links below for reviews and more on various lovely blogs across the blog-o-sphere. And guess what? I'm giving away 10 e-copies! So make sure to scroll down and enter to win one.

PS- A BIG THANKS to Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours for organizing the entire thing!

Love to all xoxo

SJ

Tour Stops:

–Books Can Take You There (Review)

–Buried Under Books (Review)

–Aria Stuck in Wonderland (Excerpt)

–Hey, It Was Free! (Review)

–Piper’s Book Blog (Spotlight)

Favorite Review of the Day:

"Hey it Was Free" Book Blog!

This story was definitely a mix of hunger games meets divergent. Based in an alternate reality the author wrote a fictional narrative involving aliens that mirrored contemporary history and dystopian possibilities. Definitely a book that will leave you thinking things over long after you've finished reading.

Two hundred years after the Great Disaster, The world is facing an overpopulation problem and doesn't half enough land after the massive earthquakes that ravaged the planet, leaving only 3 continents. Readers are introduced to a young Mirabella "Mira" Foster, who lives a simple ordinary life with her parents in New America. Until one day her father shows her he has blue markings all over him, which signifies he is not human but an alien called a Changer. Spurred by panic the community of Changers are forced to explain themselves as the markings where starting to be believed to be a disease. Mira is elated to witness her father and her friends Cole and Luxxe's dads represent their race to the president. But events go horribly wrong and and assassination attempt is made being blamed on the Changers. Soon the Changers are rounded and placed on an island alone to live as away from humans. It's not until Mira is offered a chance to prove her father's innocence and gain Changers freedom that Mira has to make the hard decisions. 

 Overall, good read which got me thinking and got a few tears. Not gonna lie this book really had me thinking more in a history kinda way than literature perspective. The Changers are rounded up and put in an island to basically die, and all I could think of was the holocaust. Perhaps the way the New America carried their plan out and how the Changers were marked like the Jews had been, the situation just clicked. Besides that the relationship drama in this book was interesting, because I assumed Mira was going to fall for her hot BFF, Luxxe but she didn't. In fact the author repeatedly made sure everyone understood they were just best friends. That a huge rarity in any book since 90% of the time male - female best friends in books always admit attraction or end up together, so props to showing that doesn't always have to happen. However, down side was it was extremely repetitive on relationship status for everyone, when I felt as if the focus needed to remain on the politics, schemes and such. So if you are into dystopian worlds were people are separated for being a different people group and then fight back to be accepted all the while the characters try to figure out who they are and who they want to be with and where they want to live, than this might be a good book to try.

Thanks, Rae, for such a thoughtful review!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spectacle Release Day!!!

This is the seventh novel I've released, and it never gets any less nerve-wracking or exciting!!! And, as I always say on release day, I swear this is my favorite one so far, but I'm beginning to realize I'm just being fickle and allowing myself to get swept up in the moment. lol But I don't care!

See below for your links to purchase, and as always, happy reading and much love.

xoxo

Where to Buy:

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

Summary:

Hunger Games meets Avatar in this spellbinding new Young Adult, Science-Fiction novel by bestselling author Susan James Pierce.

Two hundred years after the Great Disaster, the day earthquakes ravaged Earth's landscapes, humanity has finally regrouped and is working toward a better future. But in New America - one of three remaining landmasses - overpopulation makes a better future seem bleaker by the year.

Mira (Mirabella) Foster and her parents are citizens of New America, and with the threat of starvation and disease looming on the horizon, a new discovery threatens to push everyone to the brink of chaos: blue markings develop on people's skin. Markings that allow them to camouflage their skin, but also make them feared, and eventually, targets of violence.

Mira's dad is one of them.



My Real Life Jacks, A Boy Named Brayden

Morning, Angels!!! If you’ve been keeping up at all with Spectacle, you know Jackson, Jacks for short, is one of Mirabella’s lifelong friends who’s living with Muscular Dystrophy. And if you aren’t familiar with the disease, here’s a little excerpt from the Mayo Clinic’s website:

 

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.

 

Recently I’ve had the pleasure of coming in contact with a family who’s oldest boy is living with a form of MD called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and it was placed on my heart to help them. After much thought as to how I could do that, I’ve decided to donate all the pre-order proceeds for Spectacle to the family to assist with any medical costs. See below to learn a little more about Brayden (my real life Jacks) and this brave young man’s journey with this disease, as well as links to pre-order Spectacle to help donate to this cause.
 

Love to all

Xoxo

Meet Brayden:

Brayden is a smart and witty twelve-year-old boy, who loves video games and sports of all kinds, especially football, but the only thing holding him back is that he has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He was diagnosed on April 1st, 2010 with the disease, which will one day (possibly sooner than later) put him in wheelchair fulltime. His mind is sharp as a tack, but his little body is giving out daily; the more tired he gets, the more frequent the falls. Luckily he hasn’t broken any bones (yet). He will one day need a tracheotomy to be able to breathe and speak, and his lungs and heart are muscles that will give out just as easy as his arms and legs. Most boys with this disease will not live into their 20’s, and the disease claims lives daily. To help Brayden in his journey with DMD, I’ve decided to donate all my pre-order proceeds to Brayden’s family.

Pre-order Links:

(On sale for .99 during pre-order)

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO



BIG NEWS - Spectacle Pre-order Links and New Release Date!!!

So I know I'd planned on publishing Spectacle on August 1st, but the beauty of being an indie author is that I can make my own rules. lol And guess what? I'm releasing two weeks early on July 13th!!! To pre-order, see the links below. Spectacle will also be on sale for .99 until its release date, so make sure and snag a pre-order copy today!!!

xoxo

  

Pre-order Links:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | APPLE | KOBO

Meet the Characters - Spectacle

Time to play the who I'd cast for the movie game!!! See my choices for Spectacle below.

xoxo

 Mirabella



 It's no secret that I'm a Walking Dead fan, but I didn't intentionally fashion Mira around the actress who plays Beth in the wildly famous zombie series on AMC, she just happens to favor her. I did, however, immediately think of Emily Kinney when I considered who I'd want to play Mira if the book ever made it to the big screen. Ha! I can dream, right? Though she's half Changer, Mira is fair-skinned with light blue eyes and blonde hair. She also exudes innocence with undercurrents of strength. Emily would be a perfect fit.

Luxxe

(Mira's best friend)

 Changers by nature are tall and broad with olive skin and dark hair/ eyes. They're also gorgeous. Slap some dreads on a tanned Gregg Sulkin and he'd be a perfect fit. Not to mention those lips!!!

Excuse me while I drool.

Jackson/ Jacks

(Mira's other best friend)

Dark, messy hair, glasses and a sweet disposition, Asa Butterfield is my number one pick!!!

Cole

(Luxxe's best friend)

 Tyler Posey screams Cole - he has those typical Changer traits, squinty eyes and... well, he looks pretty dang good with his shirt off.

  

Taylor

(Luxxe's not-so-likable girlfriend)

She's nauseatingly striking with dark hair and piercing eyes. Lucy Hale, you'd be my ideal Taylor!!!

 Garrett

 (Mira's human love interest)

Mira describes him as having cropped dark hair, green eyes and bushy eyebrows. She's also so drawn to him that she hates herself for it. But look at him... can you blame her? Dave Franco would rock the role of Garrett.

Like who I picked? Do you have someone else in mind for the role of Mira, Luxxe or Jacks? Leave a comment below! I LOVE to hear from my readers!!!

Taking a Break for Vacation this Week!!!

Happy Easter, Angels!!! Tomorrow we'll be headed out of town so no more Spectacle Web Series posts or book reviews until I return. But don't worry, I'll be posting first thing next Monday the 13th, so you'll find out then why Mira passed out!!! Also, here are some reviews to look forward to:

Sleepless by Michael Omer
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Until then, I leave you with a song that inspired a scene in the Spectacle Web Series, but don't try reading into it too much. I'm mostly posting because it's about Mary, Jesus' mother, and her loss the day He was crucified. The song is for all mothers who've lost a son.

With love xoxo

Mary by Patty Griffin