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Today we're thrilled to host the blog tour stop for RIVAL by New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas

Rival is book 3 of The Fall Away series - one of our favorite super steamy, angsty, and compelling New Adult series. Penelope does not disappoint with Madoc and Fallon's love/hate and forbidden romance. Filled with lies, betrayal, revenge, heartbreak, and hot, hot sex (whoa these two have explosive, undeniable, combustible HEAT) it's the total package when it comes to an addictive love story you will not be able to put down.

Read an gut-wrenching reunion excerpt, a revealing character interview with Madoc, check out hot teasers, and enter a HUGE tour Giveaway to win (2) $100 gift cards for either Amazon or B&N winners choice (2) Signed paperbacks of Rival (1) Signed set paperbacks of Bully, Until You and Rival. 


Blog Tour Organized by the lovely As the Pages Turn.

“That beautiful girl hated me, and I hated her, but – goddamn it – I loved how we hated, because it was raw and real. It didn’t make any sense, but yeah – it was real.”
- Rival by Penelope Douglas

Excerpt: Madoc and Fallon's Turbulent Reunion

“This is my father’s house.” I spoke low and straightened my back. “And someday all this shit will be mine, Fallon. That bed you sleep in, along with everything else under this roof.”

“Not me, Madoc. You don’t own me.”

“Yeah.” I brushed her off. “Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Thanks.”

“Get out,” she ordered, her tone hard.  

I took another sip of my beer. “The thing is Fallon…I told you before to lock the door if you wanted me to stay out. Funny thing is…” I leaned in. “You. Never. Did.”

In one swift movement she whipped off her covers and stood up on the bed. Charging to the end, she slapped me across the face before I even knew what was happening.

I almost laughed. Hell, yeah.

My body stayed in place, but my head had twisted to the side with the blow, and I closed my eyes out of reflex. The sting started as a few little needles under the surface but exploded and spread like electricity.   I kept my eyes shut for a few seconds longer than necessary, savoring the rush.

With the bed elevating her, she stood about six inches higher than me, and I turned my head back to her slowly, welcoming whatever she had.

She scowled down at me. “I was sixteen years old and too stupid to keep you off me,” she spat. “Little did I know that they have toothbrushes bigger than you. And I’ve definitely had better than you in the past two years, so count on the door being locked from now on.”


Character Interview with Madoc:
Love, Life, Regrets and Fallon

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What were your gut reactions/feelings when you heard Fallon was back in town?

Part of me was on fire. I wanted to see her again. I wanted the fight. But I didn’t trust her, and I thought she was just back to take over and push me out. I had every intention of confronting her but not letting her close.  

Why didn’t you tell Fallon how you felt when you were 16 and had to sneak around?

I could barely make sense of it myself. At the time, I was self-absorbed. I like getting what I wanted, but I wanted it all the time. That was the problem. I found that when I wasn’t with her, I was thinking about her. She was so stubborn and snarky, I never dared admit it. It was a contest. Who could hold out the longest…

During your time apart, you were with a lot of girls, how did you feel when you learned Fallon’s actions were very different than yours?

I was with other girls, because I thought she didn’t want me. I thought she left of her own accord AND lied about me. It was immediate gratification, and even for a little while, I needed to forget her. When I found out she hadn’t been with anyone, I felt really guilty. Had she saved herself for me? I was glad when she told me that she just needed to grow up, that she wasn’t ready to do what she was doing. She didn’t save herself for me, it wasn’t about me.   

After Fallon left the second time, you went right back to your old ways, what happened?! (stern look)

Yeah, after she left. Again! Okay, I know the first time was a misunderstanding, but put yourself in my shoes. She sleeps with me, blackmails my father, lies to me, and then leaves again. I was angry, and I didn’t feel like I owed her anything. I acted out. But she was still in my head. Always in my head. 

Why didn’t you go after/find Fallon the first time she left?

After I thought that she lied to our parents and told them that I was forcing her at night, I had no interest in crawling after her. I thought she’d left of her own accord. 

Why did you assume Fallon would be promiscuous like her mother?

I didn’t. I simply wanted to gauge what she was up to. I loved her, and I wanted to know if she was seeing anyone else.  

We loved your relationship with Lucas. How and why did you get involved w/the Big Brother program?

It was a lot of things. I was kind of free-floating after Fallon left the first time, and I needed to do something to feel good about myself. And it was Jax. Slowly learning about the life he had and watching him grow up in the system for the couple of years that I knew him, I thought it was a good cause. My father hooked me up with the local group—he thought it would be good on my college resume—but I like kids. It was a good fit. 

Did you know or had an idea what Jax was planning? Gut reaction when you found out?

I had no idea, and while I was shocked, I wasn’t surprised. Jax just kind of decides what needs to be done and does it. He doesn’t ask permission or work well with others. 

How do you feel about your dad and Jared’s mom’s relationship now?

As long as they stay happy, I’m happy to gain two brothers. 

After everything that's happened, what is your relationship like now with your parents?

It’s definitely closer. My mom and Fallon have a relationship, and my father and Katherine come back from Chicago regularly. My dad is trying to be around more.

What is your biggest regret in life?

I never pushed hard enough. I should’ve made my dad come home more, I should’ve told him about Patricia, and I should’ve gone after Fallon—to find out what her problem was at the very least. It took me too long to learn to lead. 

If you had to do over any one event in your life, what would it be and why?

Throwing Tate’s keys in the pool. It really fucking hurt when she broke my nose. 

Fallon… what are your first thoughts when you say her name?

Krispy Kremes (Don’t analyze me)

Finally… what do you love most about Fallon?

The way she makes me feel at home.  




Rival Teaser Pics: More Madoc and Fallon


Rival Synopsis and Purchase Link

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From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You.
 
Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between 
love and war… 
She’s back. 
For the three years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when 
we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door 
open for me at night. 
I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game… 
I’m back. 
Three years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me. 
But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he 
wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me….


The Fall Away Series Reading Order and Purchase Links
Have you met our other BBF obsession Jared Trent? 
Go HERE for our Bully & Until You Spotlight


Author Bio: Meet the Fabulous Penelope Douglas

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Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a 
Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily. 


Stalk Penelope: Website Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest


Huge Blog Tour Giveaway (International)
(2) $100 gift cards for either Amazon or B&N winners choice 
(2) Signed paperbacks of Rival 

 (1) Signed set paperbacks of Bully, Until You and Rival 

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We're honored to host Penelope Douglas' Until You Blog Tour today! I pretty much stalked Penelope for Until You and after I read it I might have proposed to her on Twitter. I will neither deny nor confirm this, however, I will say that Until You is one of the most compelling male POV stories I've ever read. You will love getting into Jared's heartbreaking, naughty, dark, and complex mind. Once you get into his head, you will want to pitch a tent and stay in there forever. A lot of our questions from Bully, Book 1, were answered with gut wrenching and happy surprises! And wow, wow, WOW, Jared & Tate are scorching! I loved Jared in Bully but now it's an obsessive and consuming devotion. Read. This. Book!

Note: You don't need to read Bully first but we highly recommend you do, it's only $0.99! One of our Top Reads of 2013!

Today read our fun interview with Jared & Tate, read a powerful excerpt, and enter a HUGE tour Giveaway to win (1) Kindle Paperwhite, (5) $50 gift cards to either Amazon or B&N, (5) Prize packs (bookmarks, rack cards, a custom key chain and signed copies of Bully and Until You) or (10) eBook copies of Bully. Blog Tour Organized by the lovely As the Pages Turn.
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Character Interview with Tate & Jared! 
Regret, Forgiveness, Love & Their Future

Questions for Tate & Jared:

What is your biggest regret in life?
Tate: Not fighting back sooner. Maybe if Jared and I had engaged more, we would’ve fought through what was wrong much earlier. 
Jared:  Hurting the only person that was ever truly there for me.

If you had a do over of any one event in your life, what would it be and why?
Jared: When I left my brother. I know I should say the moment I started to hurt Tate, but I have no idea what happened to Jax after I left. What really happened in the basement. I wish I’d been more brave, because I let him down. I abandoned him.
Tate: The first time Jared humiliated me at school freshman year. I should’ve kicked him in the balls.
Jared: *rolls eyes* Yeah, that would’ve solved my problem.
Tate: Well, it  would’ve made me feel better. 

Aren't they adorable?! Psst, we approve Tate!

What is the one word that comes to mind when you think of Tate/Jared?

Jared: Storm
Tate: Kiss

What do you love most about the other?
Tate: I like the way he looks at me. It’s like at any second he’ll throw me over his shoulder and carry me off to the closest secluded spot.
Jared: I love her fight. She pushes back and has me feeling five different emotions all at once. I feel alive.

What's next for you both as individuals and a couple?
Tate: Jared’s applying to schools, and I’m planning to leave for New York in the fall. We want to be close to each other, but we know the next step is a scary one. It’ll be hard to part and be separated for even a day.  


Questions for Tate:

How did you really feel when your best friend started to hook up with Jared, because you handled it much better than I would of?
I was very upset, as you saw. But I cared more about surviving Jared than confronting my best friend. I didn’t want him to win. He couldn’t win.

What happened in Paris to make your come back such a strong person?
Nothing extraordinary. Traveling , especially in a foreign country, gives you self-awareness and confidence. I knew who I was when I came back. I trusted that I could handle myself. 

What was the most hurtful thing Jared did to you?
Just every mean thing he ever said. The words coming from his mouth hurt so much more than his actions.

What made you decide to help Jared out by driving in that race? You had the perfect opportunity to get back at him there.
Oh, I just wanted to race! I wasn’t letting Jared or anyone else ruin that high.

Why did you forgive Jared?
Because he deserved a chance. We had a past—memories—and I trusted that the past few years weren’t the real him. He was worth a try.
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Questions for Jared 
(he is so sexay!):

What made you finally break when it came to Tate? The poem Tate read in class? 
The kiss?
The poem. When I knew that she always cared. That she always loved me. And when I kissed her, and she kissed me back, I was hungrier than I’d ever been. I wanted more, and knowing she wanted more, was like all the anger and resentment turned into an appetite for something else. 

What were you most afraid of if Tate learned about what happened to you with your Dad & Jax?
I was afraid she would see me as weak for letting that get in our way. 

What was your reason for hooking up with Tate's best friend?
Make Tate hate me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to walk away from her, so I thought that if I turned her best friend against her, then she’d truly be done with me. 

Why didn't you just MAN UP and talk to Tate in the first place?
I ask myself that all the time. 

Thank you Tate & Jared! Big Love from TRSOR!


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Until You Excerpt: Tate is Home

Pulling up the window and leaning out, I spied the branch sliding against the panes above me. With him gone, I’d have to take care of that tomorrow.

The rain was coming down in sheets and made everything glisten under the bright glow of the streetlights. I let my gaze wander through the maze of branches, shaking off memories of which ones I’d scraped my leg on or which ones I’d sat on with Tate.

I loved the damn tree, and I wanted it cut down.

And then…I didn’t even see the tree anymore.

My eyes caught sunshine in a midnight sky, and I fucking stilled.

Tate?

“What the hell?” I whispered, breathless and not blinking.

She was standing in her bedroom, leaning on the doorframe of her open French doors. And she was staring at me.

What the hell am I seeing right now?

She was supposed to be in Germany with her dad, at least until Christmas.

Every muscle in my body tightened as I supported myself on the window sill, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from her. It was like I was in an alternate universe, starving, and she was a fucking buffet.

She was home.

I closed my eyes for a moment and swallowed down my heartbeat that was creeping up my throat. I was sick, excited, and grateful all at the same time.

Jesus, she’s home.

She wore some little pajama shorts and a white tank top. Not really so different from what I’d noticed she wore to bed a year ago, but for some reason, the sight of her was like a raging fire through my chest. I wanted to rip through the fucking tree and peel all the clothes off of her and love her like the past three years had never happened.

Her hair blew around her, and I could feel her eyes, locked in shadow, on me.

My mouth was dry, and the rush of breath and blood through my body felt so damn good.

Until she backed up and closed the doors.

No. I swallowed, not wanting her to go away. 

Go on. Go pick a fight, I told myself, but I shook my head.  

No. Just leave her alone. She hasn’t been thinking about me, and I needed to get over it.

I was crawling the walls inside my head, knowing for fact that I needed to grow up and let her be. Let her go to school without rumors and pranks hovering over her. Let her be happy. We were nearly adults now, and this petty shit had to end.

But…

I’d just felt more alive in the past ten seconds than I had in a year.

Seeing that face, knowing I’d wake up to her blaring music and seeing her leave the house to jog in the morning…

My phone buzzed with a text, and I walked over to check it.

It was from Tate’s dad. 

Change of plans. Tate’s home. On her own until Christmas. Give her back the house key, and be nice. Or else.

I narrowed my eyes, rereading the text over and over again.

I don’t even think I breathed. 

She was alone? Until Christmas?

I closed my eyes, and let out a laugh. 

And all of a sudden I was as thrilled as hell to wake up tomorrow.  


Until You Synopsis & Purchase Button

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NEW ADULT ROMANCE---UNTIL YOU (Book 1.5 in the Fall Away Series) 

***This book contains graphic sexual content, harsh language, and violence. It is intended for ages 18+. 

Have you ever been so angry that hitting things felt good? Or so numb that you actually felt high? The past few years have been like that for me. Traveling between fury and indifference with no stops in between. 

Some people hate me for it, while others are scared of me. But none of them can hurt me, because I don't care about anything or anyone. 

Except Tatum. 

I love her so much that I hate her. I hate that I can't let her go. We used to be friends, but I found out that I couldn't trust her or anyone else. 

So I hurt her. I pushed her away. 

But I still need her. She centers me, and I can pool all of my anger into her. Engaging, challenging, bullying her--call it what you will--but it's my food, my air, and the last part of me that feels anything human. 

But then she went and screwed everything up. She left. She went to France for a year and came back a different girl. 

Now, when I push, she pushes back. 

*This is Jared's point of view and a companion novel to BULLY. It can be read as a stand alone, but reading BULLY first is strongly encouraged. Having Tate's point of view will help you appreciate Jared's side more. This is NOT Bully re-told. 

This is Jared's story.


Bully Synopsis and Purchase Button

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My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally, if he referred to me at all. No, he'll barely even speak to me.

But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got more sadistic as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went to France for a year, just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way in hell I'll allow him to ruin my senior year. He might not have changed, but I have. It's time to fight back. 

*This novel contains adult/mature young adult situations. It is only suitable for ages 18+ due to language, violence, and sexual situations.

**This book is the first in a series but can be read as a STAND ALONE. The next books will focus on side characters from this story.

Author Bio: Meet Penelope Douglas!

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Penelope Douglas is a writer and teacher in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, the show Sons of Anarchy, and she shops at Target almost daily.

Stalk Penelope:  Website Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest


HUGE Giveaway: Paperwhite, $50 GC, Signed Books & SWAG!

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We're honored to spotlight Bully by Penelope Douglas. This book blew us away. The testament of a truly amazing book is how long the story and the characters stays with us after we're done reading - Bully is one of those books. If you've been hesitating to read this because you think it's YA and the characters are in high school, do not wait any longer - Penelope's writing and story development has you feel all the emotions you want to experience in a good NA book - your heart will physically ache for Tatum, you will hate, lust, and love Jared, you will say WTF for the secondary characters actions, and you will blush, big time, because Jared is one hot as hell bad-boy. A MUST READ!

But don't just take our word for it, read an excerpt and meet Tatum and Jared, a Dreamcast, our favorite quotes and moments, and a Giveaway to win a Signed Paperback or ebooks! 3 Winners! Open Internationally! 
"I had loved Jared once, but now I knew, without a doubt, that ‘my Jared’ was gone."
- Bully by Penelope Douglas

Read An Excerpt from Bully

After coming out wrapped in my towel, I joined the other girls at the lockers, who were mostly dressed and going to dry their hair.

“Get out. Tatum stays.”

I jerked my head up at the masculine voice and audible gasps. I zoned in on Jared….who was in the girls locker room! I clutched my towel, which was still wrapped around my body, and pulled it tighter as I frantically looked around for Coach.

A chill ran over my body. His eyes were on me as he spoke to everyone else, and it made me disgusted with my sex to see how everyone scurried away, leaving me alone with a boy who had no right to be in here.

“Are you kidding me?!” I heaved at him as his advancing steps matched my retreating ones.

“Tatum”–he hadn’t used my nickname Tate since we were kids–“I wanted to make sure I had your attention. Do I have it?” He looked relaxed, his beautiful eyes bore into mine making me feel like there was no one else in the entire world but us.

“Say what you have to say. I’m naked here, and I’m about to scream. This is going too far, even for you!” I stopped retreating, but my frustration was evident as my voice raised and my breathing quickened. Score one for Jared. He’d surprised me, and now I was completely vulnerable. No lifelines and…no clothes.

I clutched the towel at the top of my breasts with one hand and hugged myself with the other. All of my important parts were covered, but the towel rode up just under my butt, leaving most of my legs exposed. Jared narrowed his eyes at me before they began to fall downward….and kept going. My mind swirled and my face flushed with heat as he continued checking me out. His intimidation tactics were stellar.

No smirk accompanied his violation. He didn’t eye-fuck me like Madoc did. His roaming gaze was reluctant, as if it was involuntary. His chest heaved slightly, and his breathing got heavier. Tingles covered my body, and another sensation I was a little pissed off about settled between my legs.

After a few moments, his gaze met mine again. The corners of his mouth turned up.

“You sabotaged my party last week. And you assaulted my friend. Twice. Are you actually trying to assert some force in this school, Tatum?”

“I think it’s about time, don’t you?” Surprising myself, I didn’t blink.

“On the contrary,” he said, leaning his shoulder into the lockers and crossing his arms, “I’ve moved on to more interesting pastimes than punking you, believe it or not. It’s been a very peaceful year without your smug, I’m-too-good-for-everyone-else fucking face around these halls.”

His biting tone was old news, but the words cut me, and I clenched my teeth.

I mocked him with fake concern. “What–are you, big, bad Jared–feeling threatened?” What the hell was I doing? I had an out. He was confronting me. I should be trying to talk to him. Why wasn’t I trying to reason with him?

In an instant, he pushed off the lockers and invaded my space. Walking up to me, he placed his hands against the locker doors on both sides of my head with his eyes glaring down at me. I suddenly forgot how to breathe.

“Don’t touch me.” I’d meant to yell, but it came out as a whisper. Even with my eyes to the floor, I could feel the heat of his stare mauling me as he hovered. Every nerve in my body was on alert at his proximity, and every little hair on my skin stood on end.

Jared moved his head from side to side trying to catch my eyes, his lips inches from my face. “If I ever lay my hands on you,” he said low and husky, “you’ll want it.” He brought his lips in even closer. The heat of his breath covered my face. “Do you? Want it, I mean?”

Bully Synopsis and Purchase Link

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NEW ADULT ROMANCE--Bully (Book 1 in the Fall Away Series)

My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally, if he referred to me at all. No, he'll barely even speak to me.

But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got more sadistic as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went to France for a year, just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way in hell I'll allow him to ruin my senior year. He might not have changed, but I have. It's time to fight back. 

*This novel contains adult/mature young adult situations. It is only suitable for ages 18+ due to language, violence, and sexual situations.

**This book is the first in a series but can be read as a STAND ALONE. The next books will focus on side characters from this story.


“Are you mine?” I asked as I wiped my tears.
He kissed the corners of my mouth softly, and I felt heat rise up my neck. “Always have been,” he whispered against my mouth.

- Bully by Penelope Douglas

Dreamcast: Meet Jared and Tate


Author Bio: Meet Penelope Douglas

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Penelope Douglas is a writer and teacher in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the damn degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she HATED public administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked (yes, she was drunk at work)that his son was hot, and three years later she was married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, the show Sons of Anarchy, and she shops at Target almost daily.

Bully (Fall Away #1) is my first book, published June 3013. Please look for the companion novel, Until You, in late fall 2013 and Rival in the summer of 2014.


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Giveaway: Signed Paperback and ebooks! 3 Winners!