The Infected Release Blitz: Giveaway and Trailer

Welcome to the Infected Book Blitz!  Today make sure to check out the book trailer and enter the giveaway below.

About the Book

Title: The Infected

Author: Michelle K. Pickett

Series: PODs #2

Publication Date: October 12, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Post Apocalyptic, Zombies, 

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

From the author of the award winning Unspeakable, and the best selling PODs, comes the highly anticipated sequel to PODs. A world where death stalks the unsuspecting, and this time even the PODs might not save them.
A virus nearly wiped out humankind...
Months have passed since a human infection has been reported. Survivors of the deadly pandemic have finally started to build a life in a world left devastated by plague.
Ironically, for nineteen-year-old Eva, life made more sense when she battled the deadly Infected than it does in the serenity of her new home in Rosewood. Separated from fiancé and former POD-mate, David, after an impossible ultimatum, Eva finds her life a little lonely and a lot confusing.
But as troubled as Eva’s life is, it's about to take a turn for the worse as untold dangers watch and wait for the right moment to attack…
The virus refuses to die quietly.

Book Trailer

About the Author

I can’t write without a hoodie. Yeah, I live it Texas. We all have our quirks.
I majored in accounting in college. I was required to declare a major, but I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I picked accounting because it was the first thing listed in the booklet the counselor gave me. Surprisingly, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Go figure.
Forget coffee. Hand over the Red Bull or Monster Khaos and no one gets hurt. Seriously, just set it down and step away. I will turn into a normal human after I guzzle my can of caffeine.
I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television.
I paint my nails weird colors just to see my husband roll his eyes and make my 9 year-old twin girls giggle. Oh, and mortify my 13 year-old son.
I’m a hopeful romantic and love swoon-worthy endings that keep the butterflies going for days, but I don’t believe a HEA always ends with the boy getting the girl. Sometimes a HEA is an ending we don’t see coming, but is still best for the characters.
I write across genres in the young adult and new adult age groups while eating way too many peanut butter M&Ms (but we’ll keep that second part just between us).
I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but now live in a suburb of Houston, TX with my very supportive family, a 125lb rescue “puppy” and a 12lb attack cat, also a rescue animal.
And last, (but certainly not least), I love my family with everything in me. Everything I am, is theirs. There are no words in any language known to man to describe my love for them. They are my center.

I’d love to hear from you. So drop me an email! Let’s chat. You tell me what you like in books, what you’d like to see happen in the writing community, what type of books you like to see more of…less of—I want to hear it all! So tell me, please. Because the one thing I wish I could put on my list, but I still haven’t figured out how to do, is mind-reading. But don’t tell my kids. I still have them fooled. :)
   

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Cover Reveal: The Infected

The Infected by Michelle K. Pickett
PODs #2

Expected Publication: October 12, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Horror

From the author of the award winning Unspeakable, and the best selling PODs, comes the highly anticipated sequel to PODs. A world where death stalks the unsuspecting, and this time even the PODs might not save them. 

A virus nearly wiped out humankind...

Months have passed since a human infection has been reported. Survivors of the deadly pandemic have finally started to build a life in a world left devastated by plague. 

Ironically, for nineteen-year-old Eva, life made more sense when she battled the deadly Infected than it does in the serenity of her new home in Rosewood. Separated from fiancé and former POD-mate, David, after an impossible ultimatum, Eva finds her life a little lonely and a lot confusing. 

But as troubled as Eva’s life is, it's about to take a turn for the worse as untold dangers watch and wait for the right moment to attack…

The virus refuses to die quietly.

 About the Author

I can’t write without a hoodie. Yeah, I live it Texas. We all have our quirks.
I majored in accounting in college. I was required to declare a major, but I had no clue what I wanted to do, so I picked accounting because it was the first thing listed in the booklet the counselor gave me. Surprisingly, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Go figure.
Forget coffee. Hand over the Red Bull or Monster Khaos and no one gets hurt. Seriously, just set it down and step away. I will turn into a normal human after I guzzle my can of caffeine.
I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television.
I paint my nails weird colors just to see my husband roll his eyes and make my 9 year-old twin girls giggle. Oh, and mortify my 13 year-old son.
I’m a hopeful romantic and love swoon-worthy endings that keep the butterflies going for days, but I don’t believe a HEA always ends with the boy getting the girl. Sometimes a HEA is an ending we don’t see coming, but is still best for the characters.
I write across genres in the young adult and new adult age groups while eating way too many peanut butter M&Ms (but we’ll keep that second part just between us).
I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, but now live in a suburb of Houston, TX with my very supportive family, a 125lb rescue “puppy” and a 12lb attack cat, also a rescue animal.
And last, (but certainly not least), I love my family with everything in me. Everything I am, is theirs. There are no words in any language known to man to describe my love for them. They are my center.
I’d love to hear from you. So drop me an email! Let’s chat. You tell me what you like in books, what you’d like to see happen in the writing community, what type of books you like to see more of…less of—I want to hear it all! So tell me, please. Because the one thing I wish I could put on my list, but I still haven’t figured out how to do, is mind-reading. But don’t tell my kids. I still have them fooled. :)

   

My Thoughts: 

I absolutely loved PODs and I wanted to get more of Eva and David's story. For the sounds of the synopsis, their story is about to take a turn again. I hope it is as heart pounding as the first one, and judging from the cover it is going to be exciting.

I want to hear what you think!

Let me know in the comments

Thank you for visiting Unabridged Bookshelf!

PODs Book Blitz with Giveaway and an Excerpt

Welcome to the PODs Book Blitz!  Today I have an Excerpt and a Giveaway for you to enter today!

About the Book

Title: PODs

Author: Michelle Pickett

Series: PODs #1
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Publication Date: June 4, 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble  | Book Depository

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.
Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

About the Author

I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order.  I write young adult urban fantasies, science/fiction and paranormal romances and have recently started dabbling in young adult and new adult contemporary romance. Reading was one of my earliest passions, writing soon followed. I began writing seriously during college where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a career that frowns on creativity remains a mystery.
I’m addicted to Reese’s peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write (I’m currently trying to kick this habit—so far no luck), have an abnormal obsession with hoodies and can’t write without one, and I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows on television. An unabashed romantic, I love a swoon-worthy ending that will give me butterflies for days.
I wrote my debut young adult novel, PODs, in 2011. My second young adult title, Milayna, a paranormal romance, will release through Spencer Hill Press June 3, 2014. Milayna’s Angel (Milayna #2) is scheduled for release September 2014. The Infected, a PODs novel, will release November 2014. It is the second, and final, book in the PODs series. The Innocent (Milayna #3), the third and final book in the Milayna series, will release in April 2015.
I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and an extremely snooty cat.
Keep up-to-date with my current, future projects, appearances, and fun giveaways by visiting my website or blog!
I always love to hear from readers, bloggers and other authors!

    

Excerpt of PODs by Michelle Pickett

“Who ate all the damn strawberries?” Aidan yelled. “I was saving them for my cereal.” 

“I did. Use the banana,” Josh said. 

“A banana isn’t a strawberry. I marked the container with my name. You’re a jerk—” 

The container hit the metal wall of the chute with a crack. I always jumped when it did that. I hated it. It reminded me of the banging and crunching we’d heard when Cam’s sub-POD was cut off from the main. 

“It’s not time for our blood checks,” I said. 

“Maybe it’s strawberries. I’d really like some strawberries… Josh,” Aidan said, an edge to his voice. 

“Drop dead,” Josh replied, never looking up from his computer. 

David got up from the table where we were having breakfast. Taking the container from the chute, he pulled a manila envelope out of the basket. 

He dumped the contents on the table for everyone to see. Inside were ten name badges, one for each of us. Our photos— except Faith’s— and names were printed on one side; the other had barcodes. David scanned the label on the envelope, his face growing pale. “What’s it say, David?” I whispered. 

“‘The seals to each sub-POD will be broken tomorrow morning. Do not attempt to leave your sub-POD. Officers will give residents directions and escort them to their appropriate area topside.’ That’s all it says.” 

“It’s over,” Tiffany murmured, pulling the baby close. 

“Hot damn! Finally, I’m free of this tin can,” Josh jumped up and hurried to the guys’ bedroom. 

Well, at least Josh is happy. Why aren’t the rest of us? I thought we’d be excited. But instead everyone looks… anxious. What will we find up there? What has the world become? 

“Well, guess we should start packing up our stuff,” Aidan said.

 “Yeah, I guess so,” Seth agreed, rising slowly from his seat, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs. 

One by one, everyone walked to their sleeping areas and started packing their belongings— except me. I sat in the living room alone, flicking the corner of my name badge with my fingernail. The lanyard wound so tightly around my fingers they turned red. My insides were quivering, jittery. Something wasn’t right. For fifteen months we’d all looked forward to the moment we could leave, but now that the time was here it felt… wrong.

You can also check out my review of PODS

First place: Signed copy of PODs, tote bag, and swag (US only see note for international)

Second place: Signed copy of PODs and swag (US only see note for international)

(**International winners will receive a print copy of PODs only if www.Bookdepository.com delivers to their country. Otherwise they will receive an e-book. Swag will not be included.**)

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PODs Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the PODs Blog Tour! I have a review and the amazing people at Spencer Hill Press have a giveaway for you!

About the Book

Title: PODs
Author: Michelle Pickett
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Genre: Juvenile Fiction (Fantasy and Magic)
Pages: 288

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.
After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.
Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

About the Author

Michelle Pickett has been an avid reader since a young child. She began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Deciding sitting in a cubical all day was cruel and unusual punishment, she decided to do what she really wanted to--share her passion for reading and writing with others. She wrote her debut Young Adult novel, PODs, in 2011

Michelle was born and raised in Michigan. She now resides in a small community outside Houston, Texas with her husband, four children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a very grumpy cockatiel. Michelle writes adult and Young Adult Sci-Fi romance.

Follow Michelle:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

MY REVIEW

PODs is the book I have been waiting for since hearing about it last fall. I could not have been happier to been asked to participate in the blog tour. As I started PODs, I knew that Eva was going to be a character I would love, she tries to keep things light with sarcasm and jokes in the face of the world ending and having to leave everyone she loves behind to be one of the few chosen to live in the PODs systems. Each POD is home to ten individuals who have to share a very small space for over the next year until the virus that took over the world is wiped out. 

Finding love in the hopeless time is something that can make even the darkest of times seem brighter. Eva falls for her POD roommate, David. The romance is a beautiful one, until the PODs are opened and they are separated. As Eva tries to go on with her life in the new compound she is assigned too, she begins to discover that not everyone topside died and the virus has mutated causing the infected to become monsters. 

This story captures your attention right away, and it holds it, because the story is written to suck you in. There are times I found myself holding my breath while dangers arouse and Eva struggled to survive in the new world. The stories the cause you to have physical and emotional reactions to the story, making you apart of the story in a sense are really the best kind of stories. PODs is that kind of story, and I loved every second of it. 

Michelle Pickett has created a world that I cannot wait to experience again. I loved experiencing Eva’s story and everything that happened. PODs made my heart pound, my heart ache, and best of all made me want to read it over again.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series, The Infected which is promised to be darker and deadlier than PODs.

**Unabridged Bookshelf recieved this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Would you take your chance topside or try to live in the underground PODs?

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