Blog Tour Excerpt & Giveaway: Magnolia by Krisi Cook


Welcome to my tour stop for Magnolia by Kristi Cook! You can see my review here. Scroll on down for the book and author info, excerpt, and the fabulous giveaway!

MagnoliaMagnolia
YA Contemporary
Hardcover384 Pages
August 5th 2014 by Simon & Schuster

Summary

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.
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Excerpt

“Look,” he says, pointing toward the sky. “Right there—that’s Venus. Just above and to the right of the moon. See it?”

I release my knees and brace my hands against the ground as I gaze up at the spot he’s indicating—at what looks like a bright, twinkling star. “That’s Venus? You sure?”

He nods. “And see that, up higher and off to the left? That’s Saturn.”

“Cool,” I say. “You were always good with that stuff—stars and planets.” He’d spent our entire childhood pointing out constellations in the night sky that I could never quite make out—things that were supposed to look like bears or dragons or what have you. To me they were just…stars.

For a moment we just sit there silently, our heads tipped back as we stare at the sky. A minute passes, maybe two. And then Ryder’s hand grazes mine before settling on the ground, our pinkies touching.

I suck in a breath, my entire body going rigid. I’m wondering if he realizes it, if he even knows he’s touching me, when just like that, he draws away.

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About the Author

As a child, Kristi Cook took her nose out of a book only long enough to take a ballet class (or five) each week. Not much has changed since then, except she’s added motherhood to the mix and enjoys penning her own novels as much as reading everybody else’s. A transplanted southern gal, Kristi lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

That’s the official version–here are some other fun facts:

~ As an undergrad, I majored in History and minored in English at the University of Southern Mississippi. While at Southern Miss, I was a member of Phi Mu sorority, and I was a Dixie Darling. And yep, Brett Favre was our quarterback at the time!

~ I studied American History in grad school at Columbia University. I *love* history, especially the Civil War era (U.S.) and Regency- and Edwardian-era British history.

~ My all-time favorite book *and* movie is GONE WITH THE WIND. My favorite literary characters are Rhett Butler, Atticus Finch, and Mr. Darcy. I kind of want to add Peeta Mellark to that list!

~Weirdly enough (or maybe not so weirdly?) I’m also a big fan of STAR TREK (the original series). I never can remember if I’m supposed to call myself a “Trekkie” or a “Trekker,” though!
    

Tour-Wide Giveaway


Win (1) $25 gift card to an online bookstore of choice (Amazon or B&N) plus an entire paperback set of the Winterhaven series (Haven, Mirage, and Eternal) [INT]
a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments

  1. Contemporary YA is kind of a hit or miss with me too. But from your review Magnolia sounds pretty good! I liked Kristi Cook's Winterhaven series, so I'll give this one a try sometime! Great review though.

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  2. maybe it would depend on the person's personality

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  3. Linda Szymoniak7/29/14, 12:03 PM

    I'm a little old for that to happen, but when I was younger, I would have definitely been willing to take at least one date with someone my mom set me up with (not sure if I would have trusted my dad in the same way).

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  4. Well, I'm way beyond dating but no, I probably would not have when I was younger!

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  5. No!!!! Actually that would be a H*ell NO!!! Not in a million years ..... NEVER!!! :D

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  6. My parents are both dead now, so this doesn't apply to me. When I was younger, I might have done it once, so they would leave me alone, but after that it would depend on how the date went.

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  7. Sounds like a cute read, which is something I'm always up for. Thanks for the informative, honest review - and I like that the characters sound unique and all you say about the family dynamics. :)

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  8. Loved "Rules of Murder." It was a fantastic read for me, plus I liked the time frame it was set in (I'm a huge fan of British shows 'Marple' and 'Foyle's War'). I've not had the time to read the other two (yet), but plan on remedying that as soon as possible. :)
    Thanks for blogging about these, Tressa.

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  9. they sure as heck couldnt have picked a worse choice than I managed to do myself lol. I guess it would have depended on who they tried to set me up with

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  10. Charlie Anderson7/29/14, 4:01 PM

    Considering that I was a sophomore in college and my mom gave my cell phone number out to the guy I dated in high school, who stood me up for HIS prom only a few days before (after I made a hair appt. at a salon where you CANNOT cancel and bout a $250 dress). who later STALKED me at school (seriously, my cousin had her senior friends and a few varsity football players on patrol) ... NO! My parents matchmaking days are over!

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  11. This one does sound cute and it's on my TBR list. Glad you enjoyed it! ~Pam

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  12. Zonell Conant7/29/14, 6:07 PM

    Sure I'd give them one chance

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  13. I am SO excited for this one! Your review makes me even more excited for it!

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  14. My mom and I both thought my father was a great guy but he turned out to be a liar, cheater, and thief living a double life with our family. So I guess the answer is: I'm not sure...it depends on how well my mom sells me on this mystery date!! Haha.

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  15. Melissa Benson7/30/14, 2:29 AM

    I would give them a chance. You never know how things will turn out.

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  16. Thanks for the excerpt! I like this cover :)

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  17. Great review! This sounds like a great book! I'm glad that you enjoyed the story despite some set backs.

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  18. I really loved it to for the same reason as well. The setting and language were fabulous! :D I'm planning on reading the other two soon. I have them both on my shelves.

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  19. Lol! You know, my dad was better at some things than my mom and vice versa, so I get that.

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  20. Lol! I hope to never date again!! Except, my husband. ;)

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  21. I think it does all depend on who the actual person is.

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  22. Lol!!!! That should earn you an award or something. I hope your parents don't attempt anymore!

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  23. I might too. Just depends.

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  24. Even then, who knows? Sometimes we can find friendship or romance in unexpected places. ;)

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  25. Thanks, Natalie! I rather like it too. It feels the southern setting of this story.

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  26. I hope you like it when you do try it. The characters made this one for me, with the vulnerability of them both and how they came together.

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  27. It was great! The mothers' plotting their children's future was hilarious and how those children reacted was also great. It was a cute read, but intense too.

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  28. I hope you do too, Pam! I'll have to look for your review when you end up getting to it.

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  29. I liked that I didn't have specific expectations going in, but it turned out better than I was hoping for. Definitely a fun read! :)

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  30. I did. The characters were great and the story kept me engaged. I'll definitely check out her other books.

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  31. oh yes - at the time I was one fiesty female and I don't think any of the "nice" people mom and dad have in their circles would have survived me lol

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  32. thanks for sharing. it sounds interesting enough to be added to my tbr

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  33. I really enjoyed this one. I hope you do too!

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  34. Sherry Hoernig8/3/14, 5:51 PM

    I might, IF, it's the right person. I would have to get to know the individual first.

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  35. Isn't that the truth? :)

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I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.