Books Obsession

Waiting On Wednesday: Harbinger

2012-02-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

This week's WoW book is Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne! It will be released on February 2, 2012.

SUMMARY: When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast. But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red. Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too. Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

I absolutely love psychological thrillers! This one looks great and had many positive reviews; I'm excited to read it. PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 2, 2012.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

2012-01-27T10:41:00.000-08:00

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Published: December 2011 by Sourcebooks

My Rating: 4.5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Realistic | Football
Includes: Sexuality, Profanity

First Lines: I once read that football was invented so people wouldn't notice summer ending. But I couldn't wait for summer vacation to end. I couldn't wait for football.

Jordan Woods, a senior in high school, is the captain and quarterback of the football team. In fact, she's one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Tennessee! As Jordan tries to score a scholarship to her dream college, Alabama, she's also trying to gain respect from her father, who disapproves of her playing football. Jordan has always been 'one of the guys', constantly hanging out with her teammates and best friend, Sam Henry. But at the beginning of senior year a new guy comes to town and joins the football team. A very cute new guy, named Ty...who happens to be the quarterback at his old school. Can Jordan keep her head in the game and focus on leading her team, or will she be distracted by Ty, who just may be competing for her position and her heart?

I have never been a fan of football nor have I ever seen a football game in my life. However, this book - with its mix of girls, football, romance, and friendship - I am definitely a fan of. Just because you aren't a sports fanatic doesn't mean that you can't enjoy this awesome book! Right away I liked Jordan's strong character. She has a tough exterior, but also has a sweet, emotional side buried deep within. I admired how she stood up for herself and was a willful, determined person.

You would never have guessed that this is Kenneally's debut novel, because her writing is stunning! She has a way of weaving together words to create a flawless visual of what's happening in the story. It was almost exactly like watching a movie because I could imagine the characters and events so perfectly. The relationships in this story were probably one of my favorite things about the book. I liked seeing Jordan and Ty's fling quickly become romantic. Even though I think their steamy relationship happened way too soon, it was definitely believable and never felt forced. I loved the friendships between Jordan and her teammates, too! Henry, JJ, and Carter were typical high school boys, letting their pride and testosterone make decisions for them. But they were so sweet at times and protected Jordan when the need arose.

From page 79
Flipping through the channels, I stop on ESPN as Henry sits down on the sofa cushion next to me. He slumps down and closes his eyes, and even though he was acting normal a couple of minutes ago, I can feel sadness radiating off him like steam rising from hot asphalt in summertime.

The actual storyline itself was extremely predictable and I guessed right away what would happen, but I still really enjoyed reading it. The strong character ties were so realistic and there were some super cute scenes in the book. I would recommend reading this great debut novel, football lover or not!

Cover Thoughts: It's sweet and I'm so glad that the characters' faces are not showing, so that we can imagine what they look like instead.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

2012-01-20T10:04:00.000-08:00

Title: Shatter Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: November 2011 by Harper Collins

My Rating: 5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Paranormal | Dystopia
Includes: Sexuality, Violence, Profanity

First Lines: I've been locked up for 264 days. I have nothing but a small notebook and a broken pen and the numbers in my head to keep me company. 1 window. 4 walls. 144 square feet of space. 26 letters in an alphabet I haven't spoken in 264 days of isolation.

Juliette's touch is fatal. There's no explanation as to why but one thing's for sure: if she touches someone, the agonizing pain can quickly lead to their death. As society crumbles apart and civilization begins dying out, the Reestablishment takes charge. They lock up Juliette in a terrifying asylum, preventing her from human contact for 264 days. While diseases kill the population, crops cease to grow, animals are dying, and water is hard to find, all Juliette wants is a chance. To be touched. To be loved. But the Reestablishment seems to have made plans for her, to use her abnormal ability to their advantage in war. Juliette must choose to be their monstrous weapon or to fight back.

Wow, this was truly unlike any book I've ever read! I fell in love with Juliette right away, instantly connecting to her personality and emotions. For a few chapters into the novel, not that much is explained. I liked that thrilling sense of mystery, and how the reader must figure out on their own for awhile what's going on. The horrifying, dystopian world that the author created was scary because it felt real and believable. In contrast to the crumbling world and its dying, weak inhabitants, Juliette was just the opposite. She was bold, brave, fierce. I greatly admired her and liked that she wasn't totally predictable - I never really knew what actions she'd do next. As for her special ability of having a fatal touch, it made the story so interesting and unique. It was definitely a brand new superhuman power that I've never come across before!

The story progressed quickly and there was almost always nonstop action. The author lingered on scenes and settings just long enough to hold the attention of the reader and let them become accustomed to it, before introducing an entirely new setting. I never knew what to predict next. The novel kept me on my toes, absorbing all my time and attention. The character development was amazingly well-done for the main characters and not to mention all of the many secondary characters. The romance between Juliette and Adam was very believable and they had so much chemistry together. They were perfect for each other and the poetic prose during scenes with them just melted my heart. I can't wait to read the next book in the series and see how their strong relationship grows even more. This was an incredible, action-filled, and thrilling debut from an author to watch!

From page 57
The air is crisp and cool. A refreshing bath of tangible nothing that stings my eyes and snaps at my skin. The sun is high today, blinding as it reflects the small patches of snow keeping the earth frozen. My eyes are pressed down by the weight of the bright light and I can't see through more than two slits, but the warm rays wash over my body like a jacket fitted to my form, like the hug of something greater than a human. I could stand still in this moment forever. For one infinite second I feel free.

Cover Thoughts: It's definitely eye-catching and pretty to look at. It also fits the trend that many new paranormal books have these days: gorgeous models in over-the-top dresses. However, it really doesn't have anything to do with the story; there's not even a scene in the book where Juliette wears a flouncy, white dress.

Waiting On Wednesday: Forbidden

2012-01-18T09:57:00.000-08:00

This week's WoW book is Forbidden by Syrie and Ryan James! It will be released on January 24, 2012.

SUMMARY: She should not exist. He should not love her. Claire Brennan has been attending Emerson Academy for two years now (the longest she and her mom have remained anywhere) and she’s desperate to stay put for the rest of high school. So there’s no way she’s going to tell her mom about the psychic visions she’s been having or the creepy warnings that she’s in danger. Alec MacKenzie is fed up with his duties to watch and, when necessary, eliminate the descendants of his angelic forefathers. He chose Emerson as the ideal hiding place where he could be normal for once. He hadn’t factored Claire into his plans... Their love is forbidden, going against everything Alec has been taught to believe. But when the reason behind Claire’s unusual powers is revealed and the threat to her life becomes clear, how far will Alec go to protect her?

Looks like a good, intriguing book! It sounds a little like the Hush, Hush series which I loved. PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 24, 2012.

17 Winners Announced! - End of the Year Madness Giveaway

2012-01-11T17:02:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone liked my End of the Year Madness Giveaway! After over a month of planning and collaborating with authors, the actual contest itself seemed to be a huge success however I probably won't be having a giveaway this big again. Thank you to all the wonderful blog followers (new and old!) that entered. Now...here are the seventeen winners!

First winner is: Ephrielle from Hope, Love, and Happy Endings!
who won: The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen, Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman, Between by Jessica Warman, and The Revenant by Sonia Gensler

Second winner is: Sophia from The Book Basement!
who won: Misfit by Jon Skovron, The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder, and Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer

Third winner is: Andrea from The Busy Bibliophile!
who won: Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach and Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Now for the fourteen winners who each won one book...

Dani N won You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

Kapri from Book Fanatics won the Holly Schindler SWAG pack

Stacey E won Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Lauren from Paper Wings won Shifting by Bethany Wiggins

Ann M from Annabell's Book Nook won The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

Amanda from Pages Turned won Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Pao P won Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Robert Z won Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

Tia S won Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Amy from The Library Lady won OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

Victoria won the Stasia Ward Kehoe SWAG pack

Jen from I Read Banned Books won Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Caitlyn Y won Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Maidenveil from Musings of a Reader Happy won the assorted goodies SWAG pack

A big thank you again to everyone who entered the giveaway! I already sent out all the emails to the winners so please reply as soon as possible so that you can receive your prizes. Hope 2012 is a fantastic year for you all. :)

YA Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

CONTEST CLOSED

The winner is... Kara D

I absolutely love young adult fantasy books, so I of course signed up to participate in the Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and vvb32reads. If you're an old follower of my site, thank you so much! For those of you first timers, please check out my other posts; I have written tons of young adult book reviews, author interviews, and hold many giveaways! Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog, be sure to visit the other blogs participating in this giveaway hop, too.

Wanna know what the prize here at Books Obsession is?....

An ARC of The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton!
Published September 27, 2011

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood. Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist. Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

Note: This is a gently read ARC that unfortunately doesn't have the pretty cover art, but does have the amazing story inside! Click here to read my review.

Giveaway Details:
-The only requirement? Be a blog follower via GFC (Google Friend Connect).
-Open to U.S. residents only. (Sorry international friends!)
-Giveaway runs from Jan. 6th to Jan. 12th.
-One winner will be randomly selected and emailed.
-Fill out the form below to enter. Comments are very appreciated but won't count as entries.

Click here to fill out the entry form!

The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten

2012-01-05T12:52:00.001-08:00

Title: The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers
Author: Lynn Weingarten
Published: December 2011 by HarperTeen

My Rating: 4.5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Girls | Paranormal | Magic
Includes: Sensuality, Profanity

First Lines: In the beginning, there was Lucy Wrenn, standing all alone out in front of her school on the first day of sophomore year, with a seductive little message written on her stomach in Sharpie marker.

After spending an entire summer apart from her boyfriend Alex, Lucy is beyond excited to see him on the first day of school. What she wasn't expecting was that he was going to break up with her instead. Then along comes Olivia, a fierce senior who has a cure for Lucy's broken heart. All she has to do is make a guy fall in love with her within seven days, then break his heart and collect one of his teardrops. With the help of Olivia, her two friends, Gin and Liza, and a little magic, Lucy takes up their offer and embarks on becoming a Heartbreaker.

Lucy was a girl blind with love. Her character was sweet and lovable, but my goodness she was NEEDY. After a few chapters reading about how in love with Alex she was and how impossible it would be to live life without him, I wanted to slap some sense into the young girl. Sure, heartbreak sucks but life goes on! However, if Lucy's character was different and she was actually very independent, then it would change the entire story. So even though at first it was annoying to see how desperate she was to get back with Alex, it really set the stage for the rest of the book. Lucy was relatable, realistic, and one determined girl. And even though the story was told in third person, I really grew to understand Lucy well and was put on a personal level with her.

I adored Weingarten's beautiful writing! She wrote so vividly, including little details that most authors would overlook. Being able to read about the descriptive sights, sounds, smells, and tastes created a lively, clear visual. It really impressed me that she included all of the different senses to make it feel like I was actually in the book, too.

From page 62
Lucy stood near the front of the room looking for Alex. She had been waiting months for this, their first photo class together. She's spent hours and hours watching little movies in her head about it - she and Alex holding hands during lectures, she and Alex kissing secretly under that warm, red darkroom light surrounded by the harsh photo chemicals that would smell delicious to her because she was smelling them with him.

The other characters in the story were also deeply developed and I'm crossing my fingers that there will be many scenes with them in the sequel! Tristan, Lucy's best friend, was one of my favorites and I definitely have a fictional crush on him. The three Heartbreakers themselves - Olivia, Liza, and Gin - were so much fun to read about and each had rich, memorable personas. I grew to have a strong opinion about each and every character in the book...don't even get me started about Alex. This was such a creative tale and I loved the mix of magic and realism. There were some really deep and thought-provoking scenes in the book, along with intriguing quotes (that I shamefully dog-eared) to reread again and again.

Cover Thoughts: Gorgeous! The cover itself is what initially drew me to the book and is so eye-catching. Plus, I love how the picture of the girl blowing glitter completely relates to the story and is not just a pretty photograph.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Fault In Our Stars

2012-01-04T11:53:00.000-08:00

This week's WoW book is The Fault In Our Stars by John Green! It will be released on January 10, 2012.

SUMMARY: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

I've heard marvelous things about John Green's writing so I'd love to check out this book! PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 10, 2012.

Author's Favorite Writer of the Year

2011-12-28T12:46:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, I asked an author to share who her favorite writer of 2011 is.

FAVORITE WRITER OF THE YEAR: AUTHOR PICK

Jody Gehrman, author of Babe In Boyland:

My big discovery of 2011 is Stacey Jay, a writer who spins tales infused with humor and palpable atmosphere; you won’t be able to put her books down. She creates totally sexy love interests, too—fantasy-worthy-yet-somehow-believable men who pretty much leap off the page. I instantly adored her. I started with the first book in her Megan Berry, Zombie Settler series, You Are So Undead to Me. Technically this isn’t a 2011 release, but I read it this year, so I’m throwing it in. Loved this light, humorous take on the zombie genre—totally fresh and fun. Megan Berry has a voice that’s completely believable and I bonded with her from page one. Next I read Dead on the Delta (out this year, with a sequel out in 2012, Blood on the Bayou). This incredibly strange and original novel mixes killer fairies and a strong yet endearingly human heroine. Add not one but two steamy love interests and a swampy Louisiana setting, you get a super-charged recipe for reading-all-night. Her latest YA, Juliet Immortal, proves once again her knack for dreaming up delicious male characters. The guy in that, Ben, totally stole my heart; he made poor old Romeo look like a pathetic loser! So yeah, check out Stacey Jay. She’s fun, eclectic, and definitely a writer to watch.

Jody Gehrman is participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win her book!

Authors Talk About the Class of 2k11

2011-12-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, I asked two authors to share what their favorite characters/books written in 2011 are. Not being able to simply pick one, they decided that all the books from the Class of 2k11 were worthy of making the cut!

THE CLASS OF 2K11

Amy Fellner Dominy, author of OyMG:

My Favorite Read of 2011: This is an incredible story. It’s about a girl who walks across the country, falls in love with a guy from Hell, slowly unravels into multiple personalities, takes a trip to Faerie land, stuffs her bra, gets mixed up in a zombie epidemic, makes an incredible cake to save her family, sneaks into the country illegally, ends up at an artist’s colony, saves an accused murderer, is told to get tattooed for sex, takes a pill to forget everything…oh, and there’s this guy who becomes stupid fast, and takes a bus trip to fulfill a dying friend’s wish.

(I told you it was incredible!) What I just described was the stories of The Class of 2k11. If you’ve never heard of 2k11, it’s a group of middle grade and young adult authors who all debuted with their first novels sometime during the past year. What you just read was a small taste from most of the books.

I have to come clean and admit that I’m a part of 2k11—so yeah, I’m slightly biased. But the many reviewers and bloggers out there are not and you’ll find a ton of fan favorites. I’ve listed the titles below, but you can go to the website to read more. http://www.classof2k11.com/ And while you do, be sure and check out next year’s class. The Class of 2k12 is looking pretty dang amazing. http://classof2k12.com/
Happy Holidays and Merry Reading!

The Class of 2k11 Books Mentioned Above:
The Year We Were Famous, Carole Estby Dagg
The Mephisto Covenant, Trinity Faegen
Popular, Alisso Grosso
The Faerie Ring, Kiki Hamilton
The Lipstick Laws, Amy Holder
Bad Taste in Boys, Carrie Harris
The Sweetest Thing, Christina Mandelski
Illegal, Bettina Restrepo
Sparrow Road, Sheila O’Connor
With A Name Like Love, Tess Hilmo
XVI, Julia Karr
Memento Nora, Angie Smibert
Stupid Fast, Geoff Herbach
The Pull of Gravity, Gae Polisner

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Amy Holder, author of The Lipstick Laws:

This year has been an amazing year for fabulous books, both debuts and new books from already loved authors. As a 2011 debut author myself, it's been an extra special, exciting year for me and my debut, THE LIPSTICK LAWS. One of the many perks of being involved in the book world is getting to know other authors and their stories. I had the pleasure of reading many 2011 debuts before they hit the shelves and entered the hearts, minds and imaginations of so many readers. Because of this, I have to say that some of my favorite books and characters of 2011 came from fellow 2011 debut authors in both the Class of 2k11 and the Elevensies. I have way too many favorites to list, but there have been characters for every type of reader to identify with and adore. From Kate Grable, the quirky zombie fighting heroine in BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris... to the dramatic clique and brilliant twist in Alissa Grosso's POPULAR... to Bettina Restrepo's beautifully written plight of an illegal immigrant named Nora in ILLEGAL... to Kiki Hamilton's enchanting portrayal of a pickpocket orphan named Tiki in THE FAERIE RING.... These are just some of the many characters from 2011 that have made me laugh, gasp, sympathize, reflect, and/or dream. I have been so inspired by my fellow authors and the amazing stories and characters that they've brought to life. I feel very grateful to know that my book has been in such wonderful company this year. And I'm looking forward to the new voices and characters of 2012 as well.

Both of these authors (Amy Dominy and Amy Holder) are participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win their books!

Author's Favorite Character of the Year: Part 2

2011-12-26T10:56:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, I asked an author to share what her favorite character from books written in 2011 are.

FAVORITE CHARACTER OF THE YEAR: AUTHOR PICK

Sonia Gensler, author of The Revenant:

My favorite character in a book written this year has to be Eldric from CHIME. In a world of brooding bad boys, he’s a refreshing change. (Which isn’t to say that I don’t sometimes love brooding heroes – it’s just nice to find a character who is nice and yet still manages to be compelling.) Eldric is the new boy in town, and he lodges with the family of CHIME’s protagonist, Briony. Briony wants nothing to do with him – she’s got too much on her mind, what with feeling responsible for all her family’s problems, including her twin sister’s seemingly damaged mind. Briony also keeps secret the fact that she’s a witch. She can’t allow herself to trust Eldric and certainly doesn’t need the distraction of his charm and good looks. Eldric makes no secret of the fact that he thinks Briony is wonderful. So does he tempt and tease her? Turn warm and cold until she’s utterly confused? Relentlessly pursue her until she wearies and gives in? No. He offers friendship. He exhibits patience. He takes the time to learn about Briony’s hopes and fears, offers support, and gives her space when she needs it. Eldric has all these wonderful qualities and still manages to be incredibly sexy and mysterious. Who are your favorite YA romantic heroes who just happen to be nice? :)

Sonia Gensler is participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win her book!

Stasia Ward Kehoe Guest Post

2011-12-25T12:54:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, author Stasia Ward Kehoe wrote a guest post about a fun book tour she participated in this year called Stages on Pages.

FANGIRLING AUTHORS WHO ROCK AND SING AND PLAY VIOLIN CONCERTOS (LITERALLY)
Guest Post written by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Along with the excitement of lauching my debut novel, AUDITION (Viking/Penguin 10-13-11) this October, there has been incredible end-of-year madness for me involving a book tour I put together called STAGES ON PAGES (www.stagesonpages.com). Since I grew up as a dancer and actress, I've always loved books about the performing arts. For the tour, I connected with authors who not only write YA about the arts but who ARE ACTUAL AWESOME PERFORMERS! And I came to learn that there are many ex-dancer/actor/musicians in the writing world. It's a tremendous tribe. We started the Stages on Pages tour in Los Angeles, meandered up to Seattle, made our way through New York, and finished in New Hampshire, sharing stories about our teen years as performers, and how we now write about rock music and violins, show choirs and ballet slippers. We had lots of laughs and some amazing creative moments. Here are just three:

--The amazingly talented violinist and VIRTUOSITY author Jessica Martinez jamming with guitar-playing ADIOS, NIRVANA author Conrad Wesselhoeft at A CHILDREN'S PLACE BOOKSTORE in Portland, OR. Two beautiful novels about very different string instruments and music styles, but both with incredible heart and soul. Great reads!

--Students from El Segundo Middle School acting out scenes from AUDITION (by me), POSSESS by Gretchen McNeil (cuz, um, there's a choir scene), and MY LIFE, THE THEATER & OTHER TRAGEDIES (techies against actors, oh yeah!) by Allen Zadoff. Best moment: When Allen told the kids in the audience that Gretchen would sing an opera song in ANY language they could name. Talk about glare-of-horror from Gretchen! Luckily, they picked French :)

--Speaking to an audience of television performers, stage actors, musicians and dancers at Books of Wonder in New York City (whose owner, btw, is the most amazingly informed theater person I have ever met--he's in the middle of the picture surrounded by us writer-people). Plus, we played a new game I invented called Author Roulette. It involves authors and improv and book quotes--fun beyond measure and, well, quite potentially very embarassing.

So, even if you are mired in madness right now, I suggest that, along with resolutions, you make at least one themed list of YA novels about things that fascinate you. The coolest part of all is that once you tell the world you're starting your list, the suggestions come pouring in. Of course, I recommend to you the terrific books by Stages on Pages authors Elise Allen, Sheela Chari, Kim Culbertson, Danielle Joseph, Tara Kelly, Jessica Martinez, Gretchen McNeil, Rosanne Parry, Louise Spiegler, Sara Bennett Wealer, Conrad Wesselhoeft, and Allen Zadoff. But, thanks to some of the folks I ment on tour, I've also got THE FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB by Anthony John and Jennifer Donnelly's REVOLUTION sitting on my bedside table. Will I finish them before this mad year ends? We'll have to see. But, regardless, I'm in love with my list!

Stasia is participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win a swag pack from her! It includes a signed poster, bookmarks, and ballerina sticky notes.

Jennifer Castle Guest Post

2011-12-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, author Jennifer Castle wrote a guest post about her favorite book of 2011.

My Favorite Book of 2011

Jennifer Castle, author of The Beginning of After

Choosing a favorite book of the year is usually tough for me, because I read a lot of different kinds of books and they all serve different purposes. How do I compare a juicy chick lit novel to a fascinating collection of non-fiction essays, when I loved them both? Ack! But not in 2011. There's one book that really floored me, and actually made me feel like I'd developed a secret love affair, because I kept looking for ways to sneak away and be alone with it. Once, I told my family I had an important errand to run, then drove to a supermarket parking lot and sat in the car, reading. What was the book? That would be Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

I'm not afraid to admit, I'm kind of a snob when it comes to the actual writing in a novel. Even if a story has hooked me, it won't fully have my heart unless the telling of it is just gorgeous. I love me some poetry in my prose, where the words sparkle and sing and I re-read a sentence just to enjoy it again. The way Laini delivers that, in a totally accessible way, is amazing to me. Then there's the character thing. I need my characters to stay with me even when I'm not reading, to give me that giddy feeling of having just met the coolest new friend or -- even better -- an intriguing crush. (When readers tell me that Laurel and David from The Beginning of After seemed so real, they could really see and hear them, that they couldn't stop thinking about them, I take that as the highest possible compliment.) The characters in Daughter of Smoke and Bone are like that for me; they're living-and-breathing real...freaky animal parts and all.

Laini Taylor's gift is to be able to weave these things together with incredible world-building and a killer story. If you write, then you know a great book will inspire your work -- just like all great art inspires other great art -- and that's what Daughter of Smoke and Bone does for me. Laini, thanks for making 2011 a year where I went somewhere truly astonishing! Oh my. Just talking about it makes me want to go read it again. Will you excuse me? I...uh...have something very important to pick up at the store...

Jennifer is participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win her book, The Beginning of After.

Authors' Favorite Characters of the Year: Part 1

2011-12-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, I asked two authors to share what their favorite characters from books written in 2011 are.

FAVORITE CHARACTERS OF THE YEAR: AUTHOR PICKS

Geoff Herbach, author of Stupid Fast:

Hi my name is Geoff. I wrote the book Stupid Fast. It’s about a jumpy boy named Felton (people call him Squirrel Nut, poor guy, at least until he grows a lot and gets kind of scary big). My pal Gae Polisner wrote another piece of contemporary realism in the past year called The Pull of Gravity. It stars a kid named Nick who’s dad has left and who suffers from bad fevers (he hallucinates early in the book and climbs a water tower in his underpants). Since there aren’t that many books for young dudes, and I really want young dudes to read, I’m a huge fan of Nick and The Pull of Gravity. One of the things I really love about this book is that Nick is dealing with an enormous amount of guilt, not only for his relationship with his dad, but for a friend who suffered a debilitating disease and died (Nick sort of backed away from the kid, Scooter, in the year or so before his death). But Nick doesn’t talk about his guilt, he shows it through his actions, through his desire to make things right. He’s not entirely self-aware – he’s not sure what he believes – but he knows he has to do something. I think The Pull of Gravity is heartbreaking, funny, sweet, and very real. You’ll love Nick (and his pal Jaycee, the girl who gives him the courage to go on his quest).

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Beth Kephart, author of You Are My Only:

I will confess to feeling awfully close to Emmy, the young mother who loses her baby in You Are My Only. I’ll never know how my own imagination found Emmy, or why I started to hear her story in the unusual way she wanted to tell it. But once I heard those first few words—The baby is missing. The baby is not where I left her—I couldn’t walk away. I know a whole lot about motherly love. I know something of despair. But Emmy was taking me places I’d never gone, and I felt haunted as I worked and wrote. I felt as if I had no choice but to follow. It never felt like I was writing Emmy. It only felt like I was listening and trying, as I listened, to protect this young woman, with her unorthodox intelligence and her enormous broken heart. And so there she is, in You Are My Only—speaking in her own rhythms, finding her own way, reminding me of what can happen when we sit back and surrender to our dreams and empathetic imaginations.

Both of these authors (Geoff Herbach and Beth Kephart) are participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win their books!

Holly Schindler Guest Post

2011-12-22T15:50:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, author Holly Schindler wrote a guest post about her favorite character from Playing Hurt.

Clint - My Favorite Character from Playing Hurt

As an author, I know I’m fully fleshing out my characters when I start to like them. When they become people, instead of sentences on a page. When I see them every bit as clearly as I can see in my mind the living, breathing people I’ve met out and about in my hometown of Springfield, MO. The fleshing out of characters isn’t easy work, though. Just as it often takes time in real life to really get to know someone, it often takes multiple drafts until I finally feel as though I’ve “met” some of the characters in my books.

In PLAYING HURT, the YA I released this past March, I was the most pleasantly surprised to meet Clint—a character I didn’t get to interact with until the very last rewrite. Those of you who are familiar with the book are already frowning in confusion. “How could you not have met Clint until the last rewrite?” you’re asking. “He’s the love interest in your romance! Without Clint, you don’t even HAVE a love story!”

True enough. The thing is, though, when I first started to write PLAYING HURT, my intention was to illustrate the difference between loving someone and being IN LOVE with someone. Chelsea was a girl involved with her hometown high school sweetheart (Gabe), who went on a vacation with her family after graduation, and found herself falling for a resort guide (Clint) in a way that she never fell for her boyfriend at home.

Never did seem like the book had enough going on, though—I realized, just before the last rewrite, that it needed a subplot. That’s when I invented Chelsea’s sports history, when I made her an athlete…I got about a fourth of the way through that rewrite when I felt I needed to invent some backstory for Clint, as well…So I made him an athlete, too…But even that didn’t quite seem like enough.

The book (which I first drafted in around ‘04 or ’05) had always been told entirely from Chelsea’s POV. When I invented Clint’s backstory, though, I suddenly felt as though I needed to write from his POV, too. When I started writing chapters from his eyes, I felt I was finally, finally, FINALLY getting a chance to meet Clint—REALLY meet Clint, in a way I never had, even though I’d lived with the story for about five years at that point. I started to love him, as a character…and I think that my falling in love with him allowed my readers to fall, too…When the book released, I was absolutely thrilled to read blog reviews that claimed Clint was a completely “swoon-worthy” protagonist!

It really is true, though—as an author, your own feelings for your characters bleed through into your story. Once you truly understand—even love—your characters, your readers have a better chance of loving them, too!

Holly Schindler is participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win a swag pack from her! It includes a signed bookplate, signed bookmark, and button.

Authors' Favorite Books of the Year: Part 1

2011-12-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

In celebration of my "End of the Year Madness" event, I asked two authors to share what their favorite books written in 2011 are.

FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR: AUTHOR PICKS

Gemma Halliday, author of Deadly Cool:

One of my favorite young adult books that I’ve read this year has to be CODENAME: DANCER by Amanda Brice. First off, it’s set in the world of ballet dancers, which, to someone who took dance classes all through her tween years, is way fun. There’s just something so glamorous about ballet dancers to me. I mean, what’s better than sparkly tutu’s, right? But then Brice adds in the twists of a reality TV dance show, a super hot-guy dancer partner, and a thrilling mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. I read this whole book in one sitting and am eagerly awaiting the sequel, POINTE OF NO RETURN! P.S. I’m not the only one who enjoyed this book, either. Romantic Times magazine named it an Indie Hot Pick in the December 2011 issue, and it is nominated for a Cybil award for young adult literature!

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Bethany Wiggins, author of Shifting:

For Ashley's amazing "End of the Year Madness," (THANKS FOR INCLUDING ME ASHLEY!) I was invited to gush about a 2011 book I loved. So, I tried to pick just one book from the many I read this year. But I can't. CAN'T I tell you!!! Why? There are two books that are so amazing, so gripping, so envy-inducing, I still think about them, months after I read them. They are the kind of books a writer like me reads and thinks, "Holy crap. I WISH I WROTE THAT!" What are these two little book beauties? The first is Veronica Roth's DIVERGENT. Absolute perfection. That woman is a gifted story-teller. The second is Franny Billingsly's CHIME. Again, absolute perfection. That woman is a word genius. GENIUS! So if you're looking for writing geniuses, or genius writers, go read their books.

Both of these authors (Gemma Halliday and Bethany Wiggins) are participating in my huge End of the Year Madness Giveaway, so be sure to enter for your chance to win their books!

Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

CONTEST CLOSED!

Winner is...

Carrie A

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! To celebrate the holidays, I'm participating in the Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Oasis for YA. If you're an old follower of my site, thank you so much! For those of you first timers, please check out my other posts; I have written tons of young adult book reviews, author interviews, and have lots of giveaways! Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog; be sure to visit the other blogs participating in this giveaway hop, too.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Paperback publication on December 27, 2011

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Giveaway Details:

-The only requirement? Be a blog follower via GFC (Google Friend Connect).

-Open to U.S. residents only.

-Giveaway runs from Dec. 21st to Dec. 27th.

-Fill out the form linked below to enter. Comments are very appreciated and count as an extra entry. Also, you'll gain some extra entries by sharing about my giveaway.

-One random winner will be announced on this post & emailed the next day.

Click here to fill out the entry form!

End of the Year Madness Giveaway

2011-12-20T10:25:00.000-08:00

CONTEST CLOSED

This year has been a fantastic year of books, authors, and amazing debuts! To celebrate, I'm having the biggest giveaway that I've ever held before. Why celebrate? IT'S CHRISTMASTIME! I've been in the giving mood, want to share fabulous 2011 books, and also want to thank all of my lovely blog followers who continue to stick around. I've compiled 20 young adult books that were published this year to be given away by their authors to you!

Here's what's up for grabs...
(click a title below the picture to see its Goodreads page)

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman
You Are My Only by Beth Kephart
Between by Jessica Warman
Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard
Shifting by Bethany Wiggins
OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy
The Revenant by Sonia Gensler
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey
Love Story by Jennifer Echols
The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle
Misfit by Jon Skovron
Possess by Gretchen McNeil
Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

AND ALSO THREE SWAG PACKS!
Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe swag prize: signed poster, signed bookmark, and ballerina sticky notes
Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler swag prize: signed bookplate, signed bookmark, and button
Aaaaaand a VERY awesome, huge swag prize of an assortment of author/book goodies that I've been collecting: 6 bookmarks (some signed), temporary tattoos, signed postcard, stickers, pin-back button, and chapter samplers from young adult books

There will be seventeen (17) winners! This is my biggest giveaway in Books Obsession history!
First winner gets to choose four books.
Second winner gets to choose three books.
Third winner gets to choose two books.
Fourteen winners get to choose one book or swag prize.

Giveaway Details:
-The only requirement? Be a blog follower via GFC (Google Friend Connect).
-Open to U.S. residents only.
-Giveaway runs from December 20th to January 3rd.
-Fill out the form linked below to enter. Comments are very appreciated and count as an extra entry. Also, you'll gain some extra entries by sharing about my giveaway.
-17 random winners will be chosen & emailed. Everyone will have 1 week to reply before new winners are chosen.

Click here to fill out the form!

Waiting On Wednesday: Flyaway

2011-12-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

This week's WoW book is Flyaway by Helen Landalf! It will be released on December 19, 2011.

SUMMARY: Fifteen-year-old Stevie Calhoun is used to taking care of herself. But one night, her mom, who works as an exotic dancer in a downtown Seattle nightclub, never comes home. That’s the night Stevie’s life turns upside down. It’s the night that kicks off an extraordinary summer: the summer Stevie has to stay with her annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy; the summer she learns to care for injured and abandoned birds; the summer she gets to know Alan, the meanest guy in high school. But most of all, it’s the summer she finds out the truth about Mom. Flyaway is the story of a teen girl’s struggle to hold on to what she’s always believed, even as her world spins out of control.

I think that this one sounds pretty interesting. I like a good, realistic fiction book that's not like all the others. PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 19, 2011.

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

CONTEST CLOSED!
The winner is entry #118, Christine A., who chose Favorite by Karen McQuestion.

I can't believe it's already December! This year is just flying by and the holidays are right around the corner. To celebrate, I'm participating in the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Kid Lit Frenzy. If you're an old follower of my site, thank you so much! For those of you first timers, please check out my other posts; I have written tons of young adult book reviews, author interviews, and if you come back later in the month there will be a HUGE giveaway! Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog, be sure to visit the other blogs participating in this giveaway hop, too.

Here's what's up for grabs...
(click a title below to see its Goodreads page)

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (ARC)
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler (Paperback)
Favorite by Karen McQuestion (ARC)
OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy (Signed Hardcover)
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin (ARC)
The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel (Signed ARC)
Beastly by Alex Flinn (Paperback)
The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman (ARC)

Note: These have all been read and reviewed by me & are gently used.

One winner will win one of these books! With eight very different YA titles to choose from, I'm sure there's a little bit of something here for everyone.

Giveaway Details:
-The only requirement? Be a blog follower via GFC (Google Friend Connect).
-Open to U.S. residents only. (Christmas shopping for friends and family is wearing a hole in my wallet. Sorry international friends!)
-Giveaway runs from Dec. 2nd to Dec. 6th.
-Fill out the form below to enter. Comments are very appreciated but won't count as entries.
-Winner will be announced on this post & emailed the next day.

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If you can't see the form above...
Click here to fill out the form to enter!

Debutante of the Month: Miranda Kenneally

2011-12-01T12:06:00.001-08:00

de·but
-noun: A person's first appearance or performance in a particular role.

Welcome to author Miranda Kenneally's debutante ball...

Miranda Kenneally enters the ballroom wearing a whimsical hello kitty dress. Escorting her is actor Sam Worthington.
And now (mostly) ladies and (a few) gentlemen, I introduce to you...Miranda Kenneally! *cue applause* This new author in the literature realm is debuting this month with her book Catching Jordan.

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

As guests begin entering for the party, the DJ gets to work!

The setting of your party: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Australia. I’ve always wanted to visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback, and after reading all of Melina Marchetta’s books, I’m dying to visit Australia.

The guest list: Who are the top three authors (dead or alive) that you would like to meet? JK Rowling, Sarah Dessen, and Orson Scott Card.

The menu: What do you consider your "brain food", the snacks that kept you going while you wrote your novel? Mexican food! Nearly every weekend, I go out for chips and queso and margaritas and think about my plots and characters.

The deb's high heels: If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why? Author/editor David Levithan. I would love to see and read the manuscripts that come across his desk every day.

The table centerpiece: What's the #1 thing that you can't go anywhere without? Caffeine in my bloodstream! I’m sort of addicted. Can caffeine be a centerpiece? Hmm. The other thing I can’t go anywhere without is a wifi signal, and I don’t think that can be a centerpiece either. :)

Now it's time for the debutante and her date to share their first dance! What song has stuck with you through life? “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney. It really is the perfect, heartfelt song.

We have a special guest tonight at the ball...Jordan from Catching Jordan! Jordan, what was your favorite scene from the novel you starred in? Probably the scene in home ec class, where my best friend Henry and I are told we’re “married” and have to take care of an electronic baby for an entire week. Henry is the mom and I’m the dad. Thanks for having me at the ball, but dances aren’t really my thing. I’m gonna go to Jiffy Burger for a milkshake now. Bye!

The heartfelt speech: How has the publishing process changed you? What have you learned from your experiences? I’ve always gone after my dreams and done what I’ve wanted to do, but publishing is probably the biggest thing I’ve ever done. When I first started seriously writing, I think a lot of people around me were skeptical. I don’t think everyone necessarily believed I could get published. I’m so glad I stuck with it. I think that’s the biggest takeaway about publishing – you just never know what’s possible until you put yourself out there.

The future: Now that you are officially introduced to society, what's next? Do you plan to write another book? Yes! I’m working on two companions to Catching Jordan: Playing Parker (fall 2012) and Bad, Bad Thing (spring 2013). Parker is about a girl who falls for the coach of the school baseball team, and Bad, Bad Thing is about a girl who can’t get over the roll she played in helping her best friend to get an abortion. Also, I’m the editor of the Dear Teen Me anthology, to be published in fall 2012.

To finish up this debutante ball, Miranda is letting me host a fun contest! One of you lucky blog readers will get the chance to name a character in her next book Bad, Bad Thing.

Contest Details:
Ends on December 31. Open internationally.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread the word about this interview & contest (via twitter, facebook, blog post, sidebar, etc).
One winner will be randomly picked and emailed.
Fill out the form linked below to enter; comments are very appreciated but don't count as entries.

Click here to fill out the entry form!

FIND MIRANDA ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Waiting On Wednesday: Still Waters

2011-11-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

This week's WoW book is Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne! It will be released on December 20, 2011.

SUMMARY: Hannah can't wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He’s leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they’ll never forget. But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit...off. They can't find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone's been living there, even though it's been deserted for years. And Colin doesn’t seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin’s dark side, and her own safety. Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.

This one sounds and looks SO good! PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 20, 2011.

OyMG by Amy Fellner Dominy

2011-11-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

Title: OyMG
Author: Amy Fellner Dominy
Published: May 2011 by Walker & Company

My Rating: 3.5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Religion | Realistic
Includes: Sensuality

First Lines: I love to argue. I'll argue about anything - school uniforms, raising the driving age, or ear hair. I can be for something or against it - doesn't matter. That's why my speech coach says I'm such a natural.

The summer before ninth grade starts, Ellie wants more than anything to go to the private and exclusive Benedict's high school. But because her family doesn't have the money to pay for tuition, she must rely on winning a scholarship from the Christian Society Speech and Performing Arts summer camp. The only problem? Ellie is Jewish, and the sponsor of the private scholarship is Christian, with negative feelings towards Jews. Ellie decides to hide her Jewish identity and try to blend in with the other Christians at camp in order to win the money for her dream school.

This was a really fun, quick read with an interesting story line. Ellie was a likable character who loved to talk and share her opinion about things. I had never read a book dealing with debates/Speech tournaments so it was interesting learning more about it and seeing how the students prepared for their oratories. I also really enjoyed the mix of Jewish and Christian beliefs and practices. I grew more familiar with the Jewish religion, thanks to Ellie's crazy grandpa Zeydeh. His character was so humorous and I could imagine him perfectly throughout the story. In fact, the character development for all of the characters was spot on and I grew to know them all well.

From page 175
"It's a miracle is what it is. My heart is singing, Ellie. Even my liver is doing a dance." Then he pulled out of my grasp and started stepping side to side, in a Jewish dance step. I glanced at Devon, but he stood there, watching and grinning. Encouraged, Zeydeh snapped his fingers, lifted his elbows like two chicken wings, and sang nonsense words in his off-key voice.

Another leading role in the book was Devon, Ellie's love interest, who also happens to be the grandson of Mrs. Yeats, the lady in charge of the private scholarship to Benedict's. Even though Devon seemed arrogant and always won the debates, he was a softy and I liked him. His and Ellie's relationship flowed naturally and was very appropriate for their age. I'm so used to reading mature YA books with some steamy romance scenes, so this was a nice, innocent change since the two kids are only about to enter high school. I got some good laughs and kicks out of this book, and the author did a wonderful job incorporating religion and debating in the story. It's not a book that I'll remember for a long time or will leave a big impression on me, but it was definitely cute and enjoyable.

Cover Thoughts: Err.. I think it makes the book look way more juvenile than it really is.

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

2011-11-24T22:19:00.001-08:00

Title: If I Tell
Author: Janet Gurtler
Published: October 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire

My Rating: 4.5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Realistic | Girls
Includes: Sexuality, Brief Profanity, Drinking

First Lines: My heart raced as I stumbled down the steps. I needed to make sure I wasn't having a horrible hallucination, but I really wished that someone had spiked my soda and that drugs were distorting my reality.

Jasmine, or "Jaz" for short, grew up living with her grandmother, since her own mother didn't want to take care of her. Jaz's white mother became pregnant as a teen after sleeping with a black guy. The result? A bi-racial child that can't seem to fit in in a black and white town. Jaz's biological father, the Sperminator, fled as soon as he heard he was going to be a dad, and Jaz's messed up mother couldn't handle the burden of a baby. Which led to why Jaz grew up with her grandmother and grandfather. Now, at age seventeen, Jaz is trying to accept her race and figure out where she belongs. Life is finally starting to feel okay until it happens: Jaz witnesses her mother's boyfriend making out with her best friend at a party. Faced with a choice, Jaz must decide whether to tell her mom what she saw or keep it a secret from her.

From page 25
I imagined myself standing up and pointing an accusing finger at Simon. Not cool at all, you two-timing freak. How far did you go after I saw you making out with Lacey? Did you get her pregnant too? I pictured Grandma smashing her good china on Simon's head. I swallowed the permanent wedge in my throat and added an image of my mom collapsing on the floor in a ladylike faint to my fantasy.

Right away, I didn't like Jaz. And even as the chapters progressed, she irritated me more and more. I almost stopped reading the book because her selfishness just made me mad, but I decided to stick through it because I was dying to know how the story would end. I made the right choice and I'm so glad I kept reading. Jaz was, like I said, selfish. She only thought of herself, was extremely stubborn, and seemed to love to find ways to argue with people. It ticked me off how she would repeatedly complain about not having any friends, when really it was her problem that was so. She didn't trust people or let them in, always distancing herself from people. Most of the big problems in this book were the result of Jaz's fault, and I kept wanting to scream at her, "You are your own problem, and your own solution, too!" Now you may be wondering, if you hated Jaz so much, why give this book 4 and a half stars?!

Lately, some of the realistic YA books I've read have been kind of a let down. But this one was different. It was one of those novels that while reading it, it doesn't seem that great. But as soon as I finished reading the last page, I just sat there and thought, "Wow, that was an awesome story." Sure, it had its moments where it dragged, and the main character wasn't my favorite cup of tea, but the actual story and writing itself were fantastic. I adored the romance in this book - it felt so real and flowed nicely. Jackson, Jaz's love interest, was a phenomenal fictional guy that I absolutely loved reading about. He was secretive, charming, cute, and funny. How he fell for Jaz and her serious personality, I'll have no idea, but I'm glad he did. By the end of the novel, my emotions were all over the place and that's when the book becomes so real and personal. The author really impressed me with how smoothly she could transition into different emotions - one minute I'd find myself smiling from one of Jackson's corny jokes, and the next I'd be on the verge of tears. The book dealt with some heavy issues, but ended beautifully. I'm so glad I gave this author a second chance (I wasn't a big fan of her first novel) because this was realistic fiction at its finest.

Cover Thoughts: It's sweet; I like the colors, and the fact that the cover model's face is not showing. (I like to imagine what the character looks like, not make them fit the face of the girl on the cover.)

Revealing Eden (Save the Pearls #1) by Victoria Foyt

2011-11-21T15:18:00.001-08:00

Title: Revealing Eden (Save the Pearls Part One)
Author: Victoria Foyt
Published: January 2012 by Sand Dollar Press Inc

My Rating: 4.5 stars
Tags: YA | Paranormal | Sci-Fi | Romance
Includes: Violence, Sensuality

First Lines: Eden jumped at the sound of approaching steps. They must not see. Hide Beauty Map! Her mental command caused the Life-Band she wore to send a tiny white spark into the air. In a flash, the holographic images that appeared in front of her - a blond girl playing on a sunlit beach - disappeared.

In a post-apocalyptic world, everyone must live underground to protect themselves from the extreme heat on Earth. People with white skin, called Pearls, are the most susceptible to die from The Heat, and most have already perished. Eden, a Pearl herself, has managed to survive with her father, an intelligent scientist. They now live underground surrounded by a population of dark-skinned people called Coals. Eden's light skin forces her to be in the lowest class, being looked down upon by the powerful Coals. There's only one way for her to earn respect from them, and that's by mating before she turns eighteen. With just half a year left, Eden must find a man that will accept her as a Pearl, or be left stranded on the surface of Earth alone to die. Meanwhile, Eden's father has been working on a secret biological experiment that could save the existing Pearls. But when the experiment is put into the wrong hands, Eden must flee with her father and boss, Bramford, above ground and into a whole new world.

There were so many great and wonderful things about this book, it's hard to find a place to start! First of all, the entire story itself was brilliantly thought out and creative. It was really interesting reading about a super high-tech setting underground, where the people dwelled. Sure, it was very farfetched, but that's what made it fun. Also, even though the setting itself wasn't realistic, the people that made up the community living there sure were. Right away, I liked Eden's character. She was independent, open-minded, brave, and rebellious. I admired how she marched to the beat of her own drum, and refused to just deal with the rules given to her. She was also flawed, which made her character seem that much more real! She whined and complained some, ached to fit in and belong among the Coals, and like any girl does, yearned to be loved by a mate.

Another unique thing about this book was how the concept of racism was turned around. It was interesting seeing how people with white skin were in the lowest class and treated like scum, while those with very dark skin were superior and ruled over everyone. Something I would have liked to know that was never mentioned in the book was how the surface of the Earth grew so overheated that it began killing off people. The Heat, which was the deadly disease that white-skinned people got, was described as like an extreme sunburn that after a few days lead to sickness and then eventually death. I would have liked to know the background behind all that.

The only thing that felt a little awkward sometimes in the story was the relationship between Eden and Bramford. Sometimes it felt forced or unnatural, and the romance wasn't completely believable. There were a lot of unexpected things that happened in the book that I never saw coming. I liked how it was unpredictable and full of action. This was a great book to the start of a new unique series.

Cover Thoughts: I really love this cover art! It captures the whole essence of the book, and I absolutely love how the girl's face is half light and half dark.

For the Future (22)

2011-11-18T07:33:00.000-08:00

This is a monthly meme of mine that I made up! :) It's similar to my "Waiting on Wednesday" posts, but highlights many books, not just one, and doesn't include summaries. Here's a list of young adult books that are still in-the-making or will be published in the future. These can range from being released tomorrow, to two years from now! The covers and release dates might not be permanent, it's just what I saw on Amazon, Goodreads, or the author's website. Hope this will be efficient to expand your reading pile! All of the titles are linked to their Goodreads' pages so you can add them to your TBR shelf. :)

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep (November 29, 2011): I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive the rest of the semester.
Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith (December 27, 2011): Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club?
Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook (January 3, 2012): Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges (January 10, 2012): St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead.
Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie (November 22, 2011): The Wolf Springs Chronicles introduces readers to a town of secrets and the new girl who's about to start believing in werewolves.
The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten (December 27, 2011): When her boyfriend breaks up with her on the first day of sophomore year, Lucy has no idea how she’s going to make it through homeroom, let alone the rest of her life. Enter three stunning girls with a magical offer Lucy can’t refuse. All she has to do is get a guy to fall in love with her in the next seven days, and then…break his heart and collect one of his brokenhearted tears.

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey (January 5, 2012): Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.
The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe (January 24, 2012): When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.
Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer (February 14, 2012): To Rosa Alcantara, the exotic world of Sicily, with its network of Mafia families and its reputation for murder and intrigue, is just that—exotic and wholly unknown. But when her life in Brooklyn begins to fall apart, she must travel there, to her family’s ancestral home, where centuries of family secrets await her.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Probability of Miracles

2011-11-16T11:40:00.000-08:00

This week's WoW book is The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder! It will be released on December 8, 2011.

SUMMARY: Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingos in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles. A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page.

This book has received a lot of positive reviews, and I'm excited to check it out for myself. PUBLISHED ON DECEMBER 8, 2011.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

2011-11-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

Title: The Replacement
Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Published: September 2010 by Razorbill

My Rating: 3 stars
Tags: YA | Fantasy
Includes: Violence, Sensuality, Profanity

First Lines: I don't remember any of the true, important parts, but there's this dream I have. Everything is cold and branches scrape the window screen. Giant trees, rattling, clattering with leaves.

In the town of Gentry, every seven years a child is taken and replaced by something not quite human. It's something that the townspeople don't speak of, understanding that by allowing this, their town can remain prosperous. The majority of the replacements die, unfit for the conditions in the human world. But as for Mackie Doyle, a replacement himself, he survived. When a girl named Tate has her baby sister taken and replaced, she refuses to just go along with it. So she turns for help from the only person she can think of: Mackie. However, living in the human world is taking a toll on Mackie, and he's slowly dying from his fatal blood and iron allergies. The dead replacements underground in the House of Mayhem supply him with medicine to let him live. But soon Mackie must make a choice: to follow along safely with the rest of the replacements, or go against them to help save Tate's sister.

After seeing this disturbing, eerie, and dark cover (which I absolutely adore!), I had set expectations for the book. I thought this was going to be a terrifying novel, when in fact it wasn't really scary at all. The story is actually told from Mackie's perspective. So even though the replacements were supposed to be scary, they weren't since I was reading from their POV. Now don't get me wrong, the ambiance of the book is definitely deliciously dark. The author created a completely original, one-of-a-kind world with strange, quirky characters. It was like something straight out of a Tim Burton movie. The downside to all of this though, was the lack of explanation. I was confused from the very beginning to pretty much all the way to the end. For some reason I just couldn't grasp my mind around the idea of why a bunch of dead, ugly creatures would kidnap and sacrifice a child every seven years for the sake of the town's "prosperity". It still doesn't really make sense to me and I would have liked it if the author had explained it better, and mentioned when it first started and where these replacements had even come from. This book stirred up so many questions that were sadly never answered for me.

From page 107
A little girl was crouched on the floor. She had on a white party dress that looked like it was made of old surgical gauze and also like it might have been on fire at some point. She was sitting with her legs pulled up, drawing on the stone with a burned stick. All the pictures looked like eyes and giant mouths full of teeth. The girl turned and looked up at me. When she smiled, I stepped back from the desk. Her face was young and kind of shy, but her mouth was crowded with small, jagged teeth. Not a nice, respectable thirty-two, but closer to fifty or sixty.

The freaky, whimsical characters that lived underground were what made the story. They were described in a beautifully ugly way, to the point where instead of being scared, I felt sorry for them. The actual storyline dragged on and on, which was a disappointment. There was so much potential for this book, and it didn't live up to my expectations. It wasn't until the final chapters that it finally picked up and was full of action and mayhem. There were significant things that I loved and didn't love about the book. It took me a long time to finish reading, and after a while I was just ready for it to end. If you're someone who likes digging into the characters of interesting, bizarre creatures than this is the book for you. But if you're looking for a scary, thrilling, action-packed storyline, prepare to be let down.

Cover Thoughts: Oh my gosh, one of the best covers I've ever seen! I love everything about it: the creepy red text, antique stroller, metallic fog, and dangling weapons. They all work so well together and create a terrifying cover.

Pure Enough by Sandy DeLisle

2011-11-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

Title: Pure Enough
Author: Sandy DeLisle
Self-Published: October 2011

My Rating: 3.5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Realistic | Ebook
Includes: Sexuality

First Lines: If I had known wearing my cowboy boots was going to cause me so much grief on my first day of classes at Deer Grove High School, I would have worn the white sneakers my mom bought me for the occasion.

Growing up in Black Earth, Iowa, Katherine Brinkman has lived a very sheltered and conservative life. Because of her extremely protective parents, she has never had a boyfriend. After her mother receives a great teaching opportunity for a semester in Chicago, Katherine leaves with her mother to live there. Life in Chicago is very different than that in Black Earth. On the first day of school, as Katherine is teased for being a "hick" and "cowgirl", a goth named Charlotte stands up for her. From there, a tight friendship is formed between the two girls - one that Katherine must keep a secret from her mother, who only wants Katherine to befriend Christians. Katherine, who later changes her name to Kat, also falls for the attractive Aiden. Soon, they begin secretively dating and expanding their relationship to be more physical. Kat has grown up believing it's important to be pure and wait to have sex until marriage, but that value becomes more difficult to follow every day that she's with Aiden. Torn between the decision of whether to have sex or not, Kat must choose which is more important: to be pure and wait or give in to her sexual desires.

I've read a fair share of romance YA books that act as if sex is no big deal, which is something I disagree with. Being a Christian and firm believer in abstinence myself, I was really interested in reading this ebook. It was so different than all of the many other romance books I've read, since it treated sex as a big life-changing decision for Kat. Katherine's character was very realistic and I liked being able to see her grow and change throughout the book. It was interesting watching her question values that she had always learned to believe, and becoming more open-minded. By reading this book, I myself, realized that sometimes I can act just like her extremely conservative and close-minded best friend, but on a lower level. So I really connected with the characters and the storyline, and got a lot out of this book.

The author's writing was not extraordinary or memorably fantastic, but she definitely brought up great things to think about. I found myself really aggravated with Kat's uptight mother, and Kat's best friend irked me a lot. I love when a book's characters stir up emotions and reactions from the reader though, it really engrosses them in the novel even more. This was a quick and enjoyable read; it may at first seem light on the surface, but will leave you thinking in depth by the end. It's nice to know that there are still books in this generation that haven't completely abandoned the idea of sex being an important decision.

Cover Thoughts: For a self-published novel, it's actually pretty good. Nothing that memorable and it doesn't really stand out to me, but it is pleasing to look at.

The Iron Knight Blog Tour

2011-11-10T11:48:00.002-08:00

During the release of the much-anticipated book The Iron Knight, I am playing host for today as I welcome Julie Kagawa to my site as part of the blog tour!

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
Published October 25, 2011

Bestselling author Julie Kagawa is back with the highly anticipated fourth book of The Iron Fey series. Unable to survive in the kingdom of his beloved due to his supernatural nature, a warrior prince sets out to turn himself human. But first he must cross deadly lands and overcome nightmarish obstacles before reaching the fabled testing grounds, where he will endure a series of challenges. He is joined on his quest by a team of fantastical creatures, each with an agenda of their own—one, a faery prankster whom the prince has vowed to kill for past misdeeds; another, a wise-speaking cat who claims to be a truthful guide; the third, a legendary and villainous beast pulled right from the fairy tales; and finally, the last, a seer who appears to be the resurrection of the prince’s former love, long thought dead but now restored to life and as beautiful and tempting as ever. With these dubious allies by his side, the prince sets off to achieve his ultimate prize, but to do so will require overcoming the greatest challenge of all in his quest for a human soul—himself.

What five books are most important or influential to you?

In no particular order:
Harry Potter by the great J.K. Rowling: For obvious reasons, not the least being the whole new world she introduced.
Helm by Stephen Gould: Little known sci-fi about a seventeen year old boy who takes on enormous responsibility.
The Druid of Shanarra by Terry Brooks: My first literary crush came from the Shannara series, and this book had one of the most beautiful (and tragic) love stories.
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher: This book had me thinking about it for days. Extremely powerful and emotional, probably my favorite contemporary YA.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery: Another book that needs no introduction, Anne taught me that it was okay, even admirable, to be different. Though that stubbornness also made me want to smack her when it came to Gilbert Blythe.

Fun Facts About You:
Favorite food?
Sushi! Raw fish over pizza any day!
Dog-lover or cat-lover?
I live with two dogs and two cats, so I think that classifies me as both (or crazy).
Vanilla ice cream or chocolate?
Chocolate.
If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would it be?
Will Shakespeare.
I can't live without my...
Caffeine, my precioussssss.
If I could take an all-expense paid trip anywhere in the world, I would go to...
Japan.

FIND JULIE ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Blog

Waiting On Wednesday: Wherever You Go

2011-11-09T13:48:00.000-08:00

This week's WoW book is Wherever You Go by Heather Davis! It will be released on November 14, 2011.

SUMMARY: Seventeen-year-old Holly Mullen has felt lost and lonely ever since her boyfriend, Rob, died in a tragic accident. The fact that she has to spend most of her free time caring for her little sister and Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather doesn’t help. But Holly has no idea that as she goes about her days, Rob’s ghost is watching over her. He isn’t happy when he sees his best friend, Jason, reach out to help Holly with her grandfather — but as a ghost, he can do nothing to stop it. Is his best friend really falling for his girlfriend? As Holly wonders whether to open her heart to Jason, the past comes back to haunt her. Her grandfather claims to be communicating with the ghost of Rob. Could the messages he has for Holly be real? And if so, how can the loved ones Rob left behind help his tortured soul make it to the other side? Told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob, Wherever You Go is a poignant story about making peace with the past, opening your heart to love, and finding the courage to move forward into the light.

For some reason I'm infatuated with books that have ghosts - good or bad - in them, so I'm excited to check out this book. PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 14, 2011.

Winners of the Halloween Giveaways

2011-11-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

A copy of The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (my October 'deb of the month') goes to...

Melanie M at A New Kind of Ordinary

The 3 winners for The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki are...

Indigo from Shattered Prose

Mary D [M.A.D.]

Tiffany D from Book Cover Justice

The winner for an autographed copy of Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts is...

Joy Davis

A signed copy of Frost by Marianna Baer goes to...

Cheyenne T from The Hollow Cupboards

The winner of The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall is...

Katie from Novel Society

A copy of Damage by Anya Parrish goes to...

Ren from All My Myshelf

Thank you to the authors that let these giveaways even happen, and for the many wonderful blog followers that entered them! :)

For the Future (21)

2011-11-05T07:28:00.001-07:00

Fix Me by Rune Michaels (December 6, 2011): Orphaned as a child, terrorized by her abusive brother, and haunted by memories, Leia feels exposed, powerless, and vulnerable. When her tormented mind can stand it no longer, she escapes to the zoo, where she finds shelter and seeks refuge.
Legend by Marie Lu (November 29, 2011): Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
Fracture by Megan Miranda (January 17, 2012): Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Illuminated by Erica Orloff (December 8, 2011): Some loves are not made to last. Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life.
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Macker (November 21, 2011): It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet. Emma just got her first computer and Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on - and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.
Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala (January 3, 2012): Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the hurt of bullying, the meaning of family, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood (February 7, 2012): Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.
Under the Influence by Lynda Sandoval (December 20, 2011): For the first time, Alyssa has to decide whether to follow everyone else’s rules and remain in her perfect bubble, or rebel and abide by the rules of her heart.
Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire (November 15, 2011): Lightbringer tiptoes down the line between love and horror as an independent young woman discovers herself and the darkest parts of the afterlife.

Waiting On Wednesday: Don't Expect Magic

2011-11-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough! It will be released on November 8, 2011.

SUMMARY: Delaney Collins doesn't believe in fairy tales. And why should she? Her mom is dead, her best friend is across the country, and she's stuck in California with "Dr. Hank," her famous life-coach father—a man she barely knows. Happily ever after? Yeah, right. Then Dr. Hank tells her an outrageous secret: he's a fairy godmother—an f.g.—and he can prove it. And by the way? The f.g. gene is hereditary. Meaning there's a good chance that New Jersey tough girl Delaney is someone's fairy godmother. But what happens when a fairy godmother needs a wish of her own?

Sounds like a cute, quirky, fun read. PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 8, 2011.

Halloween Guest Post by Dandi Daley Mackall

2011-10-31T09:03:00.001-07:00

In celebration of Halloween, my second favorite holiday, Dandi Daley Mackall wrote a creepy guest post and shared an excerpt from her latest book!

The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall
Published October 11, 2011

Seventeen-year-old Hope Long's life revolves around her brother Jeremy. So when Jeremy is accused of killing the town's beloved baseball coach, Hope's world begins to unravel. Everyone is convinced Jeremy did it, and since he hasn't spoken a word in 9 years, he's unable to defend himself. Their lawyer instructs Hope to convince the jury that Jeremy is insane, but all her life Hope has known that Jeremy's just different than other people—better, even. As she works to prove his innocence—joined by her best friend T.J. and the sheriff's son, Chase—Hope uncovers secrets about the murder, the townspeople, her family, and herself. She knows her brother isn't the murderer. But as she comes closer to the truth, she's terrified to find out who is.

I have to confess that I used to dread Halloween. Don’t get me wrong - I loved the candy, popcorn balls, parading around in a spooky costume. But I grew up in a small town in Missouri, where there weren’t a lot of “tricks” kids could pull without getting caught. So nearly every year, a couple of guys in my class used to let our horses out of the pasture, or the barn. I’m not sure why they thought that was fun or funny. My sister, my dad, and I spent far too many Halloween nights trying to find our horses and put them back into the pasture. Boo to that!

I have no trouble coming up with the scariest thing that ever happened to me. A number of years ago, I started seeing a white pickup truck everywhere I went. It parked on my street in the middle of the night. It followed me. It showed up in the parking lot of the grocery store, parked next to my car. Then the driver of that pickup began to show up everywhere too. I started getting creepy phone calls I’d hang up on.

It all came together one night when I was home alone. A pounding on the door woke me, and that pickup-truck guy was shouting crazy things, screaming that he was going to get even with me for locking him out, that I was supposed to “belong” to him. In the end, I dialed 911. The police came and carted the guy away. I never knew why he’d targeted me, but he was a real, live stalker. I’ve told the long, scary version of the white pickup truck story when I’ve done school visits and author conferences across the U.S. Students would always ask me if I’d ever written about that pickup-truck guy, and I’d have to answer no. Only now, I have! In The Silence of Murder, I recreated the white pickup truck and its frightening driver.

An excerpt from The Silence of Murder:

When I go inside, my arms and shoulders cry out for a long, hot bubble bath. I start the water, then remember to close the shades and curtains. I’m struggling with the living room curtains when I catch sight of something white across the street. It’s the white pickup truck.
How long has it been there? Was someone watching me while I mowed? I shiver, thinking about it, picturing it. What if they were waiting for Rita to leave?
Fast as I can, I lock the doors. Then I edge toward the window and peer out.
Nothing moves.
No cars drive by.
If the pickup is still there, I can’t see it. But I didn’t imagine that truck.
I hear the bathtub water running and dash in to shut it off before it overflows.
911. I need to dial 911. I race through the living room looking for my cell. I don’t know what I did with it. I don’t have time to look.
Heart pounding, I run to the house phone. I reach for it, and the phone rings. I jump back.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
I watch as my arm stretches down and my fingers wrap around the receiver. I lift it to my ear, but I don’t speak. I don’t breathe.
Someone’s there. There’s a rustling noise. I think I hear an engine, a car. Then he-or she-says, “I’m watching you.” The voice is calm, firm, as sexless as it is faceless.
"Who are--?"
"Quit poking around where you don’t belong. Leave...it...alone." The line goes dead.
I stand there, receiver to my ear, until it buzzes. I drop the phone back onto the holder.
Almost instantly, it rings again. I stare at it.
Ring, ring, ring. It won’t stop.
I jerk the phone off its hook. "Stop it! Stop calling here! You leave me alone!"
"Hope? What’s wrong? Did they call again?"
It’s Chase. I burst into tears.
"Hope, is Rita there with you?"
I shake my head. "No."
"Hang on. I’ll be right over." There’s a click of the phone, then nothing but the roar of the dial tone.

* * * * * * * * * *

I curl up on the couch, pulling the Afghan blanket around me. And I wait. Pipes creak. The fridge roars. Branches scratch the roof. Each noise is louder than the one before.
Outside, I hear a car drive up. A car door slam. Footsteps running up the walk. A knock. A banging at the door. It gets louder and louder.
"Hope! It’s me! Open up!"
I fling the blanket to the floor and rush to the door. The lock won’t turn. My hands are shaking. Finally, I yank the door open and throw myself into Chase’s arms.
Without a word, he picks me up and carries me to the couch. He has to go back to the door and lock it.
"Chase?" I call.
"I’m here." He kneels beside the couch and wraps me in the blanket. "You’re shivering." He rubs the blanket, warming my arms and legs. "Tell me what happened."
"The truck was outside." I start to sit up. "It might still be there!"
He eases me back down. "It’s okay. I didn’t see it out there. Go on."
"The phone...rang. They said to stop poking around, or something like that." I can’t finish because that scratchy, breathless voice is in my head, telling me to let it go or leave it alone.
Chase sits on the couch and takes my head in his lap. He strokes my hair, and I wonder if this is what children feel like when their parents take care of them when they’re sick or frightened. I think it might be.
"Hope?" His voice is as soothing as his fingers on my hairline. "Talk to me. Tell me again what the caller said."
I tell him. It’s easier now. I’m safe.
When I finish, Chase lets out a breath, like he’s been holding it during my account. "Did the person on the phone sound like a man?"
"Yes. At least, I think so. I guess it could have been a woman. It doesn’t even sound human. But I thought it was a man."
"It’s got to be the same person who’s stalking you," Chase says, "the guy in that pickup. I wish I’d seen him."

Wanna read more? THEN GO BUY THE SILENCE OF MURDER!
I hope everyone has an awesome & scary Halloween night!

FIND DANDI ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Book's Website

Interview + Giveaway with Dandi Daley Mackall

2011-10-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

I was so lucky to get the chance to interview author, Dandi Daley Mackall!

A little bit about the author: I think I’ve always wanted to be a writer, even before I could hold a pencil. My parents were great storytellers, so bringing characters to life seemed as natural as riding horses bareback, which I also grew up doing. I won my first writing contest as a 10-year-old tomboy. My 50 words on “Why I Want to Be Batboy for the Kansas City A’s” won first place, but the team wouldn’t let a girl be batboy. It was my first taste of rejection. Since then, I’ve had over 400 of my titles published for children and about 25 for grown-ups, with millions of copies in over a dozen countries.

The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall
Published October 11, 2011

Seventeen-year-old Hope Long's life revolves around her brother Jeremy. So when Jeremy is accused of killing the town's beloved baseball coach, Hope's world begins to unravel. Everyone is convinced Jeremy did it, and since he hasn't spoken a word in 9 years, he's unable to defend himself. Their lawyer instructs Hope to convince the jury that Jeremy is insane, but all her life Hope has known that Jeremy's just different than other people—better, even. As she works to prove his innocence—joined by her best friend T.J. and the sheriff's son, Chase—Hope uncovers secrets about the murder, the townspeople, her family, and herself. She knows her brother isn't the murderer. But as she comes closer to the truth, she's terrified to find out who is.

Which of your books are your personal favorites and why?

THE SILENCE OF MURDER will always be one of my favorites because I love mysteries and finally get to have one of my own—a real mystery whodunit. But it’s more than that. My dad and I had the rocky times most kids have with their parents, but we could always connect over mysteries. We watched them on TV, read books each other recommended, and made up plots together. Dad died a few years ago, but I know he would have loved this mystery.

MY BOYFRIENDS’ DOGS is another favorite, proving that if guys were more like dogs, we’d all be happier. Dogs are loyal, loving, always glad to see you. I loved being able to bring a heroine through three boyfriends and watch her learn from each love—way too much of me in that book...

LARGER-THAN-LIFE LARA was my magical book, the one that “wrote itself.” I remember waking up every day, eager to see what would happen next. I was one-third of the way through the story before I realized that the book, besides being a story, was teaching the reader how to write a story. Chapter titles then became parts of the writing process: Character, Point of View, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action. And now a number of schools use that book to teach writing.

LISTEN TO THE SILENT NIGHT is a picture book coming out this month. I love the sound of the words in this one and the amazing illustrations by Fancher and Johnson.

All of my horse books and series, especially WINNIE THE HORSE GENTLER, who has put food on my family’s table for several years. Readers have made it a best-seller in several languages, and I get the best fan mail from horse-loving readers.

Do you have any Halloween traditions?

My husband still makes our kids spend the night before Halloween carving pumpkins. We are all (including hubby Joe) horrible at this, and our pumpkins suffer mightily. But we play loud music (I dance) and we eat pizza. On Halloween we pass out enough candy to keep Hersheys in business.

If you had to spend the night in a haunted house, who and what would you bring with you?

Well, I would definitely spend the night with my hubby because he’s my hero. We’d bring loud music so we wouldn’t hear anything spooky (and so I could dance). Hmmm…sounds like a new Halloween tradition. Thanks!

What's your favorite horror movie and why?

I love scary movies like Psycho (original version only). But I’ll be honest with you—I don’t like horror because it never feels like the writer played fair. You know what I mean—the solution turns out to be something supernatural, like someone who died centuries ago, or a monster that comes from the grave, etc. Feels like cheating! IN a mystery, you have to make things believable—and still fool your reader. If a mystery writer could invent an easy answer, like “None of these characters did it after all. It was a ghost from someone who died in the 18th century,” what fun would that be?

You write books for all ages, but do you have a favorite age group to write for?

The answer is...whichever age I’m writing for today! That’s the truth. When I write for young adults, I’m thinking that this is the age group for me. Why would I write for any other? Then I’ll get an idea perfect for middle grade, and off I go…until I get that super idea for young kids and picture book that will be such fun to write! I guess I get to be the ADD of writers.

What can fans be expecting from you next?

Thanks for asking this! I have middle-grade novel coming out next month from Bloomsbury: DREAMS OF A DANCING HORSE; and a picture book from Marshall Cavendish: THERE’S A BABY IN THERE! (very funny—a little boy who points to his pregnant mom’s belly and tells the reader: “There’s a baby in there. At least, that’s what they’re trying to tell me. I don’t believe it. I was in there once, about five years ago, and I didn’t see anybody. I think I would have seen somebody if there’d been a baby in there.”) I have a new horse series: BACKYARD HORSES. Plus, I’m working on a WWII novel for grown-ups, another mystery for YA (IF I SHOULD DIE...), a funny YA: B.Y.O.B.—BUILD YOUR OWN BOYFRIEND; a funny middle-grade: TATTOOS WHILE YOU WAIT. And more...

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Dandi is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a copy of The Silence of Murder! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview & contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
What are you doing/what did you do for Halloween?

FIND DANDI ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Book's Website

Interview with Sarah Beth Durst

2011-10-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to interview YA author, Sarah Beth Durst, about her newest novel and Halloween!

A little bit about the author: Sarah Beth Durst has been writing fantasy stories since she was ten years old and holds an English degree from Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children.

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Published September 13, 2011

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees. The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?

What part of Drink, Slay, Love did you enjoy writing the most?

I loved writing Pearl. She's a 16-year-old vampire without a heart of gold. Or any heart at all. She was immensely fun to write. Basically, for any scene, I'd simply think, "What would I NEVER do or say in this situation?" And that's what she'd do and say.

Three words or phrases to describe Pearl?

Funny, fearless, and (mostly) evil.

What is the most memorable Halloween you've ever had?

I will never forget the year that I had the not-so-brilliant idea to dress up as a robot. I found an enormous box and decorated it with buttons and so forth. It looked great, but when I tried to follow the big kids through the woods between houses... I got stuck between two trees.

Why do you prefer writing young adult books?

I write what I read. I firmly believe that the sage old writing advice "write what you know" should really be "write what you love." You should write the kind of book that you would delight you. And personally, I love YA books. Especially fantasy. I am a sucker for any girl-with-sword, girl-with-dragon, girl-with-wolf, girl-with-talking-cat kind of book.

What's the funniest costume you've ever seen or worn during Halloween?

Last Halloween, I saw a woman dressed as a spiderweb. She had her baby strapped to her stomach in a spider costume. Adorable.

Most haunting nightmare you have ever had?

This is somewhat embarrassingly odd, but I used to have a recurring nightmare that a robotic Gonzo would come from outer space and shoot M&M-size beetles out of his nose that would burrow into people's foreheads. I couldn't watch the Muppets for years.

If you had to spend the night in a haunted house, who and what would you bring with you?

I'd bring the Ghostbusters and their ghostbusting supplies. If they were unavailable, I'd bring my husband (to comfort me) and my laptop (to write down everything that happened).

Are you superstitious?

I'd like to say no, but I do knock on wood when the occasion warrants it... I have no issue with black cats, though. And not walking under a ladder is just common sense. I've seen enough cartoons to know that's how you get a bucket of paint on your head.

What can fans be expecting from you next?

I am currently working on revisions for Vessel, a standalone YA fantasy that will be out from Simon & Schuster in fall 2012. I'm really, really excited about it!

Thank you for answering my questions, Sarah!

Thanks so much for interviewing me!

FIND SARAH ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Blog

Interview + Giveaway with Dan Poblocki

2011-10-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

I interviewed Dan Poblocki, who writes creepy YA novels perfect for reading during the Halloween season!

A little bit about the author: On any given day, you might find me strolling through the Brooklyn Museum or Botanic Garden, reading books at the library, window-shopping in Park Slope, people-watching in Prospect Park, snapping photos of strange stuff I find on the street, gossiping with friends, sneaking off to matinee movies, swooning over puppy dogs, day-dreaming way too much... oh yeah, and writing.

The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki
Published August 24, 2010

Timothy July has been having nightmares. About his brother, who is in a coma after being wounded in Iraq; about his best friend, Stuart, who is behaving like a jerk; about the old biology specimens in jars lining the walls of his classroom; and about Abigail, the new girl who seems to be a magnet for trouble. Or perhaps she is the cause. Suddenly Timothy’s nightmares are coming true. His brother, his face decaying, approaches Timothy on the street. Stuart ends up in the hospital, terrified that monsters are stalking him. And the specimen jars are tormenting not only Timothy but his teacher as well. What is the secret in Abigail’s past that is the key to these horrors? And can Timothy figure it out before his nightmares become a deadly reality?

What was your inspiration for The Nightmarys?

I had a dream in which I was in a garden surrounded by a group of girls wearing white Victorian dresses. For some reason, I couldn't see their faces. Of course, they gave me a very creepy feeling, and when I woke up, I knew they were called the Nightmarys. That was the image that I started with. In my first book, The Stone Child, the main character is a boy named Eddie. One of his favorite books is called The Revenge of the Nightmarys. I imagined that the Nightmarys from my dream were a group of ghostly girls who have the power to make all your worst nightmares come true. I decided to play with that idea and that theme for my second book, which eventually became The Nightmarys.

What's the most memorable Halloween you've ever had?

Unfortunately, the Halloween I remember the most was the one time I wasn't able to out trick-or-treating. I was about 10 years old and came down with a HORRID case of poison ivy. It was such a bad allergic reaction that my eyes nearly crusted over and swelled shut. I had it in my nose and my mouth and all over my body. I was so uncomfortable that I could barely move. I thought it was strange how when all of my friends were dressing up in costumes, I'd pretty much turned into a monster all by myself. But my friends and family were kind. While I sat at home, watching scary movies on cable, they all went out trick-or-treating for me and brought back a huge bag of candy. It didn't quite make up for missing the holiday, but I'm pretty sure that was the night I learned to love horror films.

Who are your favorite villains from literature and movies?

I adore the Grand High Witch from Roald Dahl's The Witches. She's so scary and silly and purely evil. In a similar way, I also think the Other Mother from Neil Gaiman's Coraline is super creepy. And who can forget Tim Curry playing Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the tv miniseries of Stephen King's IT? I think that one gave me nightmares for years. More recently, I think the ghost of the haunted suit in Joe Hill's book Heart Shaped Box is a pretty unique and terrifying villain. I love a good ghost story. Finally, the best baddie ever, the one that can still make me scream out loud, I believe, is the shark from JAWS. That beast is just an unrelenting eating machine, and I can't imagine anything scarier.

What is the strangest or funniest Halloween costume that you've ever seen or worn?

Living in New York City, I've seen some pretty tasteless Halloween costumes over the years (Superman in a wheelchair...? Wince!), but the strangest one would have to be the fuzzy red, full-body suit my friend Nico wore to the Greenwich Village parade a few years ago. I believe it had a feathered pink mohawk. And all we could think to call him was "The Disco Chicken."

What can fans be expecting from you next?

My next book is coming out in fall of 2012 and another is coming in 2013. The first one's a ghost story about an abandoned psychiatric hospital in upstate New York. I've just started the one after that, but it's sure to be spooky too! I'm having fun writing it so far.

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Three lucky blog readers will win copies of The Nightmarys! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview/contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
What was the scariest nightmare that you've ever had?

FIND DAN ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Blog

Interview + Giveaway with Marianna Baer

2011-10-27T12:00:00.001-07:00

I got the chance to interview debut author, Marianna Baer!

A little bit about the author: Marianna Baer received an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a BA in art from Oberlin College. She also attended boarding school, where she lived in a tiny dorm called Frost House, the inspiration for her first novel, Frost. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Frost by Marianna Baer
Published September 13, 2011

Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological...well, which answer would let you sleep at night?

What's the inspiration behind Frost?

My senior year at boarding school, I lived in a tiny dorm called Frost House with a few of my closest friends. It was SO much fun, but also an intense social situation -- no going home at night to escape any drama. When I started writing YA, I knew that it would be a great setting for a novel. The ghost story/psychological suspense aspect of FROST came from my love of that genre, and from the fact that the real Frost House, a dilapidated old Victorian, always seemed like it held secrets in its walls...

Describe Leena's character?

Haunted.

What is the scariest thing that ever happened to you?

On Halloween several years ago, I was watching a horribly scary movie -- Dementia 13 -- with my boyfriend and his friend. They went into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the front room. The movie was still playing, and I began getting progressively more freaked out, even though I could hear the guys talking in the kitchen. All of a sudden, a loud CRASH came from right next to me. I turned and there was a huge man outside, slammed up against our window. He was staring at me, his hands and face pressed against the glass. He looked absolutely insane. I didn't even think, just let out a true bloodcurdling scream and RAN back into the kitchen (with my hands in the air, according to a witness). I was sure that we were about to be attacked by an enormous lunatic.

When I got to the kitchen, my boyfriend was there alone. It turned out that his friend had snuck outside -- wearing a massive coat -- and was the one who had scared me. The whole time, my boyfriend had been in the kitchen talking to himself, to make me think they were back there together! They still laugh about it now, years later, remembering the sight of me tearing through the house with my hands in the air. I don't remember it quite so fondly! I experienced real terror for those few moments.

Who are your favorite villains from literature and movies?

Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs (and other Thomas Harris books) is a classic. He changed the way I think of Chianti forever.

What is the strangest, funniest, or most unique Halloween costume that you've ever seen or worn?

Okay, this is R-rated, so fragile souls should avert their eyes. A woman I knew through a friend came to a Halloween party dressed as a pirate. She was carrying a beautiful wooden box in front of her chest. I asked if there was anything inside. She lifted the lid and the inside of the box lit up with a few twinkling lights. First, I just saw some large, fake jewels; but after a quick moment I saw the real booty -- her bare breasts (with jeweled pasties)! The box was built without a back, and she was holding it right against herself. It was her "Treasure Chest." Very memorable! (Don't try this at home, kids. She's a fabulous artist and it only worked because the box was so well made. It was really remarkable -- all lit up with Christmas lights -- even aside from the boobs!)

Do you have a favorite Halloween or autumn recipe?

I do! 1. Go to store. 2. Buy bag of mini-Snickers bars. 3. Open bag, remove a Snickers. 4. Tear open wrapper. 5. Eat!

Can you share an excerpt from Frost, or if not what was your favorite scene to write?

Page 152 (slightly edited to make sense):
"Leena?" Celeste's voice called out from the bathroom. "Can you... can you come in here?"
Figuring she had forgotten something -- she had a hard time getting out of the tub with her cast, and was always needing me to bring her a razor or towel or something else -- I tossed my laundry bag in our bedroom and went in. Celeste sat in the bath, a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface of the water. Her cast was propped up on her special stool, in its plastic bag. Her other leg was bent, her arms wrapped around it. There was something not quite right about her face. Her jaw muscles were tense, her skin paler than usual. She looked like she might be trembling.
"Are you okay?" I said.
She shifted positions slightly to show me: a bright red mark seared the back of her left upper arm. I knelt quickly by the tub. It was a burn. The size of a baby's fist. Not blistered, but still obviously painful.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I...I was sitting here while the water was running," she said. "And I guess I bumped against the faucet. I don't remember. It happened so quickly and then it hurt so much."
"That's from the faucet?" I said. "The water must have been so hot."
She shook her head. "I was trying to cool the bath down. Only the cold water was turned on."
"You must have turned the wrong handle."
"I didn't." Then she said it again, louder. "I didn't. I know which handle I turned. This wasn't my fault."
The faucet couldn't have burned her if it was running cold water, obviously, but there was no point in me fighting with her. What mattered was her burn.
"Let's drain the bath," I sad. "And then you need to hold your arm under a stream of cool water. I'll cover the faucet with a facecloth." As I did, I found that the metal wasn't hot at all. The bathwater wasn't especially hot either. How long had she been sitting here? I didn't ask, just handed her towels to wrap over her legs and her shoulders, so she'd warm up. Her whole body was shaking.
What had gone on here while I was with David?

What can fans be expecting from you next?

I'm writing a second standalone YA titled IMMACULATE. It's about a 15-year-old girl in Brooklyn who is pregnant, but says she has never had sex. It's a complicated story to write, but I'm incredibly excited about it.

Thank you for the interview!

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Ashley!

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Marianna is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a signed copy of Frost! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
Would you be able to spend the night in a haunted house?

FIND MARIANNA ONLINE: Website | Goodreads

Interview + Giveaway with Anya Parrish

2011-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

I interviewed a fairly new YA author, Anya Parrish, about her writing and her views of Halloween.

A little bit about the author: I'm Anya Parrish. I write books about killer imaginary friends and falling in love. I have a very short attention span and I write for similar people who must have something HAPPENING on every page. I hope readers enjoy my 2011 debut, DAMAGE. I'm also a mother of two and a wife to an amazing man in addition to a cook, a knitter, a wine drinker, a dancer, a game player, a song singer, and a mess. My house, however, is usually clean.

Damage by Anya Parrish
Published September 8, 2011

When Dani was eight, she fell from a building. No one believed her claim that she was pushed by Rachel... her imaginary friend. It took years of therapy to convince Dani that Rachel wasn't real. Now fifteen, Dani wants to make it as a dancer. But a deadly freak accident sends Dani a terrifying message: Rachel is back, she's real, and she'll stop at nothing to kill Dani. Complicating matters is Jesse, the school bad boy who's being stalked by his own invisible childhood nemesis. Dani and Jesse join forces to learn why their astral tormenters are back. Their investigation leads to a horrifying discovery—and the terrible experiment that binds them to each other.

Where did the idea of a 'killer imaginary friend' come from?

I was horror story brainstorming--as I am wont to do--imagining what would have been the scariest thing that could have happened to me as a child. The answer was: If something/someone were trying to hurt me, but my parents didn't believe me/couldn't see what I saw. I couldn't think of anything more terrifying than having the people I love and trust the most thinking I'm crazy, while an evil force hunted me in the night. The concept of killer imaginary friends grew from that brainstorming session.

If Damage was to be made into a movie, who would you choose to play the roles of your characters?

Total unknowns. I would love to see some new talent get a chance on the big screen. I'm all about new talent ;).

Do you have a favorite Halloween/autumn recipe?

I make pumpkin soup. It's a tradition that started in college and I still make it every year right after the release of the Beaujolais nouveau. (You use a cup of wine in the soup.)

What is the scariest thing to ever happen to you?

About a year ago, my family moved cross country. We signed a one year lease on a rental home while we got to know the real estate market in our new county. During this one year stay, I heard high-pitched, ghostly voices--children's voices--singing at 2 a.m. no less than fifteen times. Once, I made the mistake of going downstairs to investigate the voices, to make sure one of my little boys hadn't crawled out of bed, and saw a fuzzy white cloud floating in the corner of the living room. It was about three feet tall. The singing seemed to be coming from the cloud. I ran back upstairs and never came down those stairs at night again. (I pinkie swear this is the truth. I never believed in ghosts before this, but I sure as heck do now.)

Do you have any Halloween traditions?

Every year my kids and I bake creepy cupcakes with "grave dirt" icing and doll parts stuck inside. It's disturbing, but they love it. They fight to see who gets to lick the icing off the disembodied arms...

What’s the scariest ghost story you’ve ever heard?

Paranormal Activity was pretty darned scary. I couldn't watch it until we moved out of our own "ghost house," however.

Who are your favorite villains from literature and/or movies?

Pennywise the clown from Stephen King's "It". How brilliant is Mr. King? I mean, really, what is there in the world that's scarier than an evil clown? (Other than maybe a zombie baby. Those are pretty creepy.)

If you had to describe yourself as a candy bar, what would it be and why?

I can't go to this place imaginatively. If I imagine myself as a candy bar, that introduces the possibility that I might chew my own arm off in the night.

Can you share with us an excerpt from Damage?

There's an excerpt on the home page of my website (and a longer one on my blog). Click here to get started: http://anyaparrish.com/

Do you plan on writing another book?

I would LOVE to write another book set in this world. As of now, however, we're waiting to see if sales of DAMAGE are strong. If so, I have a lot of ideas for book two. There are several secret-reveals that were cut from the original draft of DAMAGE. I'd love to be able to let my readers in on some of those secrets!

Well good luck with the release of your debut book and thank you for answering my questions!

Thanks so much for the interview, Ashley!

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Anya is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a copy of Damage! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA and Canada only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview & contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
How would you convince others that you had a killer imaginary friend?

FIND ANYA ONLINE: Website | Blog

Interview + Giveaway with Jeyn Roberts

2011-10-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

I got the chance to interview debut author, Jeyn Roberts!

A little bit about the author: Jeyn is a former singer, songwriter, actress, bicycle courier and tree planter. An avid traveler, she’s been around the world, most recently, teaching high school in South Korea. A lover of animals, Jeyn volunteers regularly with helping abandoned and abused animals, especially cats.

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts
Published November 1, 2011

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everyday people into hunters, killers, crazies. Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd. Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.

If Dark Inside was to be made into a movie, who would you choose to play the characters?

That’s a really tough question. I honestly don’t know the answer. I’d almost like to see some new talent out there for the main characters. However, there is a Bagger coming up in book two that Colin Farrell is more than welcome to portray.

What's the most memorable Halloween you've ever had?

A few years ago my old roommate and I decided to get creative and we built an entire cemetery from scratch. It included a full sized wooden coffin and several tombstones. It ended up being so scary; the smaller kids wouldn’t come to our house. In fact, for several days, kids crossed the street so they didn’t have to pass our place. I loved it.

Who is your favorite Disney villain and why?

It would have to be John Silver from Treasure Planet because he’s a grey villain and those are my favourites. I also loved Ursula from The Little Mermaid.

What's the scariest book you've ever read?

That would have to be The Stand by Stephen King. There’s something very terrifying about a super flu that wipes out the entire world’s population.

What's the funniest Halloween costume you've seen or worn?

When I was a little girl I went as the ten of diamonds one year. My Mom was very disappointed because she wanted me to be the Queen of Hearts but for some strange reason I was determined to be the ten of diamonds. No clue why.

Can you share an excerpt from Dark Inside, or if not what was your favorite scene to write?

I think my favourite scene to write in Dark Inside was when Mason first talks to Twiggy. What made the scene so much fun was that I didn’t know the twist until I actually wrote it. Came as a bit of a surprise to me but it worked beautifully. I also love the scene where Clementine is in the woods and bumps into the bodies swaying from the trees.

Do you plan on writing another book?

Yep. I’m currently in final edits for the sequel to Dark Inside and I’m working on another stand alone book.

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Jeyn is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a signed copy of Dark Inside! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

FIND JEYN ONLINE: Facebook | Goodreads

Get ready for Halloween goodies!

2011-10-23T13:00:00.001-07:00

Be sure to stop by my blog every day during the last week of October because you don't want to miss out on what I'll be posting! There will be author interviews, guest posts, and giveaways! I'd love it if you all could spread the word to others, too. Stop by starting on Tuesday, Oct. 25 up until Halloween night!

Waiting On Wednesday: You Are My Only

2011-10-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is You Are My Only by Beth Kephart! It will be released on October 25, 2011.

SUMMARY: Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock. Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever...

I really love this cover, and I like how the book is told from alternating narratives. PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 25, 2011.

Waiting On Wednesday: Chopsticks

2011-10-12T13:06:00.001-07:00

This week's WoW book is Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral! It will be released on October 13, 2011.

SUMMARY: Glory is a young piano prodigy. Frank is the boy who moves in next door. Over the years, their friendship blossoms into an undeniable romance. As Glory descends from stunning piano prodigy into a kind of madness, Frank's love becomes more and more unshakable. They both become hopelessly fixated on the song "Chopsticks". Part love story, part mystery, part visual collage, this novel is told through images as much as it's told through words. Ultimately the reader must decipher what is real, what is imagined, and what has been madness all along.

This book sounds so unique and creative! I love how the authors incorporated art into it to help tell the story. I can't wait for its release. PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 13, 2011.

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

2011-10-11T13:05:00.001-07:00

Title: All These Things I've Done
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Published: September 2011 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

My Rating: 3 stars
Tags: YA | Future | Romance
Includes: Sensuality, Violence

First Lines: The night before Junior year - I was sixteen, barely - Gable Arsley said he wanted to sleep with me. Not in the distant or semidistant future either. Right then.

It's the year 2083, where chocolate and caffeine are illegal to have, and water is scarce. Anya Balanchine is the sixteen-year-old daughter of a famous crime leader who was murdered. So when her ex-boyfriend is poisoned by a chocolate bar that her family manufactures, all fingers point to Anya. As she struggles to clear her name and also take care of her dysfunctional family, she meets Win, who happens to be the son of a new government leader. And even though she's given direct orders not to date him, Anya seems to not be able to stay away from Win.

The novel had very strong, interesting characters that all played unique roles in the story. Leo, Anya's older brother, suffered a brain injury after a horrible car crash, so he's unfit as the guardian. He was very unpredictable, but I liked him because of his sweetness and innocence. Natty, Anya's younger sister, acted realistically for her age. Anya herself was a pretty strong and brave protagonist. I'm not sure what the main plot of the book was - because there were of course side plots - but it seemed like Win and Anya's relationship wasn't that drawn out. I didn't become immersed in it, and in fact, it felt a little forced at times. I was more interested in Anya's home life than her love life.

The book as a whole felt a little awkward...like it wasn't completely developed. I'm hoping that it's the beginning to a series, because I'd like to read more about this interesting world that the author created. I loved seeing how Zevin used all the NYC landmarks and gave them new purposes: the Statue of Liberty is now a youth detention center and museums became popular nightclubs. However, I was disappointed that the author never described how life became like that. It's like the reader was just supposed to understand and dive right in to the story right away, without any background information. The book dragged, especially from half way through to the end. There just wasn't a lot actually happening in the story to keep my interest. The summary of the book sounded so creative and the first few chapters really intrigued me, but after a while it just went downhill. If there will be a sequel, I'll probably check it out at some point, but I won't be jumping out of my seat to read it.

Cover Thoughts: I honestly don't understand the title of the book or why there is a numbered list on the cover. I do like the chocolate heart though!

Waiting On Wednesday: Deadly Cool

2011-10-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday! It will be released on October 11, 2011.

SUMMARY: First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously? As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim. I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.

This cool cover caught my eye, and I love a good mystery book; can't wait to check this one out! PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 11, 2011.

Debutante of the Month: Leigh Fallon

2011-10-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

de·but
-noun
A person's first appearance or performance in a particular capacity or role.

Welcome to author Leigh Fallon's debutante ball...

Leigh enters the ballroom wearing a simple, elegant, black dress. Escorting her is actor Jason Behr.

And now (mostly) ladies and (a few) gentlemen, I introduce to you...Leigh Fallon! *cue applause* This new author in the literature realm is debuting this month with her book Carrier of the Mark.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís. But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

As guests begin entering for the party, the DJ gets to work!

The setting of your party: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Ooooh, I think I'd like my party to be in one of those ice hotels up in Scandinavia. You know, dance under an ice chandelier, with icy walls that are lit up with blue lights, giving the whole chilly cave effect. Then later, sleep on an ice bed lined in furs. Fabulous!

The guest list: Who are the top three authors (dead or alive) that you would like to meet? Authors... ummmm. I'd have to say, JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, and Jilly Cooper.

The menu: What do you consider your "brain food", the snacks that kept you going while you wrote your novel? Coffee (and lots of it), cinnamon brown sugar poptarts are a bit of a weakness, tea (copious amounts), oh and toast...lots of toast. Nummy.

The deb's high heels: If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why? I'd love to step into Elizabeth Bennett's shoes for day. I'd get to smooch Mr. Darcy, wear whale bone corsets and beautiful dresses, and I'd have a mom who got away with saying this like 'I admire all my three sons-in-law highly. Wickham, perhaps, is my favorite, but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane's.' Hahahaa!

The table centerpiece: What's the #1 thing that you can't go anywhere without? I hate to admit it, but my iPhone is surgically attached to my hand.

Now it's time for the debutante and her date to share their first dance! What song has stuck with you through life? REM - Everybody hurts. Gorgeous song that has stayed with me from when I was a younger. Love it.

We have a special guest tonight at the ball...Megan from Carrier of the Mark! Megan, what was your favorite scene from the novel you starred in? Oh that would have to be where I evoked my power. Taking control, and being seriously bad ass. I don't get to be like that often. Wow! It was such a buzz.

The heartfelt speech: How has the publishing process changed you? What have you learned from your experiences? I've had to come out of my shell a bit more, put myself out there. The publishing world is a tough place, with a lot of competition. People criticize, it's the nature of the business. You have to learn to not take things personally, to move on and not dwell on overly critical comments. In publishing promoting yourself as a person and as an author is a big part of your job. I always hated having my photo taken and being in videos, now I've learned to hold my head up and smile, just be myself.

The future: Now that you are officially introduced to society, what's next? Do you plan to write another book? I've just finished the yet to be named sequel to Carrier of the Mark, and I have third book planned to complete the trilogy. I am also working on a stand alone title, and have another series brewing. All I need now is a second set of hands and endless time to do it all in. LOL.

To finish up this debutante ball, Leigh is generously giving out a party favor to one of her lucky guests! One blog follower will win a signed, finished copy of her book, The Carrier of the Mark, along with some swag!
Just fill out the form below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower. Ends on October 31. USA only. Two extra entries to those of you that spread the word about this interview & contest (via twitter, facebook, blogger post, sidebar, etc).

FIND LEIGH ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Deb Winner + Feedback

2011-09-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

In August, I featured Victoria Schwab as my first ever debutante of the month on my blog. Then, for September my deb of the month was Kiki Hamilton. The winner of Kiki's awesome debut book The Faerie Ring is Sherre from Beckoned By Books!

The "Debutante of the Month" posts are becoming one of my favorite, unique things to do on my blog. I'm getting a pretty good turn out on the whole giveaway part of the post, because who doesn't like free books!? So I really appreciate you all entering the monthly giveaways. But I was just wondering what you guys think about my fairly-new "Deb of the Month" posts? Is it interesting? Is it something you look forward to reading at the beginning of each month? Is it something that I should continue doing? I'm just curious because I usually only get a comment or two from followers, so it's hard to see if it's something I should keep up. It's A LOT of work for me and the cooperating author to put together, but it's fun and something I really enjoy doing.

So if you wouldn't mind just leaving me a quick comment with your feedback I'd so appreciate it; if I should continue with the Deb posts, what you like about it, any suggestions, etc. OR just leave a comment on tomorrow's Debutante of the Month post! :) Thanks, love you all.

p.s. MY BIRTHDAY WAS YESTERDAY AND I AM OFFICIALLY 18 YEARS OLD NOW!! Ahh so crazy that I'm an adult now... that doesn't mean I have to stop reading YA books though does it?! :P

Waiting On Wednesday: Eve

2011-09-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is Eve by Anna Carey! It will be released on October 4, 2011.

SUMMARY: The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her. Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

I've read so many positive reviews for this book, and I absolutely love its gorgeous cover! PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 4, 2011.

Bookshelf of the Week (13)

2011-09-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is so awesome..imagine if they had these in libraries!

Mini Challenge: Scariest Word

2011-09-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is the Scariest Word Challenge, hosted by The Non Reluctant Reader and Princess Bookie.

For this mini-contest you had to:

Open a book you are currently reading
Turn to the 13th chapter
Scan for the scariest word you can find
Search the word on Google Images, and select a picture

The book I'm currently reading is: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

The word I chose is: KILLING

Eeep I'm so excited for Halloween!

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

2011-09-23T15:32:00.001-07:00

Title: I'm Not Her
Author: Janet Gurtler
Published: May 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire

My Rating: 3 stars
Tags: YA | Realistic | Cancer
Includes: Sexuality, Death

First Lines: No matter how much I don't want to care, it's not easy being stranded all alone in the middle of a crowded room, like the ugliest dog at the animal shelter. Kristina shoved me into her shiny red Toyota like she's my fairy godmother, insisting I do the party "for my own good."

Tess is artsy and smart, while her older sister Kristina is the athletic and beautiful one. Tess is a freshman nobody, and Kristina is the exact opposite - being an overly popular senior. But all of this changes once Kristina discovers that she has cancer in her knee and may never be able to play volleyball again. Kristina immediately withdraws into herself at the horrible news, refusing to see any of her friends from school. Which leaves Tess to deal with all of the many, many eager and curious peers at her school who are concerned for Kristina. As Tess begins to almost fill Kristina's role, and befriends many of the seniors, her home life begins to fall apart. She's forced to struggle between an absent father, a sick sister, and a crazed mother.

If you're looking for a sweet, happy novel then this is the wrong choice for you. I knew from the summary and just the mention of the word "cancer", that this would probably be a sad book. What surprised me is just how much the sadness overtook the happiness...because there was none. Every time that I thought maybe something positive would happen, an even worse event in the story would take place. It came down to the point where there was simply no hope left, and I just wanted the book to end already. At least on a happy note, (which it did not). Another thing, and this may just be a personal opinion, but it was hard for me to relate to Kristina, and sometimes Tess. I understand how Kristina would be depressed about having cancer, but the negativity was just flowing out of her in every chapter. I kept waiting for the moment that she would accept her fate and make the most out of her new life, but that failed to happen. Maybe it's just because I personally am a positive person, but this was just such a negative book and I do not recommend it to people suffering from cancer themselves.

On a better note, the novel had pretty strong character development. Tess' family members each had their own personalities and stories, and I liked seeing them all weave together and watch how each person coped with Kristina's cancer. The mother fascinated me the most. At the same time though, I felt detached from Kristina and never really grew to know her, which lead to me not feeling that sorry for her. Even though this was a sad book, it wasn't emotional and it didn't spark a single tear. I did like the author's writing style and I'd like to check out more books she has written, even though this one wasn't a favorite of mine.

Cover Thoughts: It's sweet, simple, girly...I like it. It doesn't really have anything to do with the story, but I do like the photograph and the placement of the text.

Waiting On Wednesday: A Beautiful Dark

2011-09-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies! It will be released on September 27, 2011.

SUMMARY: On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past. In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine. A Beautiful Dark is the first book in a captivating trilogy by debut author Jocelyn Davies.

I really love this cover and the summary got me interested. I haven't read any reviews about this one yet, so we'll just have to cross our fingers that it's as good as it looks! PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2011.

Bookshelf of the Week (12)

2011-09-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

These are just too cute! I loved playing with legos as a kid, but was never able to build an actual bookcase out of them. These would be a great addition to a child's room. It's nifty how you can choose the height, too.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

2011-09-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin! It will be released on September 27, 2011.

SUMMARY: Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. There is. She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

Not quite sure what this book is about since the summary is pretty vague - however, I'm in love with this cover, and the title is catchy, and there are tons of great reviews written for it already. PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2011.

Waiting On Wednesday: All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky

2011-09-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky by Joe R. Lansdale! It will be released on September 13, 2011.

SUMMARY: Jack Catcher's parents are dead—his mom died of sickness and his dad of a broken heart—and he has to get out of Oklahoma, where dust storms have killed everything green, hopeful, or alive. When former classmate Jane and her little brother Tony show up in his yard with plans to steal a dead neighbor's car and make a break for Texas, Jack doesn't need much convincing. But a run-in with one of the era's most notorious gangsters puts a crimp in Jane's plan, and soon the three kids are hitching the rails among hoboes, gangsters, and con men, racing to warn a carnival wrestler turned bank robber of the danger he faces and, in the process, find a new home for themselves. This road trip adventure from the legendary Joe R. Lansdale is a thrilling and colorful ride through Depression-era America.

I really like the sound of this one, and it's taken place during an interesting part in history. PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2011.

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

2011-09-04T11:11:00.001-07:00

Title: The Nature of Jade
Author: Deb Caletti
Published: February 2007 by Simon & Schuster

My Rating: 4 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Realistic
Includes: Sensuality, Profanity

First Lines: When you live one and a half blocks away from a zoo like I do, you can hear the baboons screeching after it gets dark. It can scare the crap out of you when you're not used to it, as I found out one night right after we moved in.

Jade DeLuna, a senior in high school, is struggling with her family relationships, along with her Panic Disorder. After figuring out that the elephants at the zoo seem to keep her calm, Jade watches the zoo's live webcam on her computer daily. It's there that she first sees the cute boy in the red jacket with a baby - and not just once because soon he's visiting the elephants every day. When the two finally meet, they quickly hit it off and begin spending time with each other frequently. Sebastian is unlike any other guy Jade has ever met, but is he too good to be true? After all, everyone has their secrets...

Right from the start, I felt very connected to Jade, which is an important factor in a book for me. Her character was so real and easy to relate to; sometimes she would say or think things that I never thought anyone else had thought of before. From reading the book's summary, I was imagining the main character to be extremely paranoid and have anxiety about everything (since Jade is diagnosed with Panic Disorder), however this played a very, very small role in the story. In fact, there are only one or two times that I remember her even having a panic attack. So just be aware that the whole Panic Disorder concept is not a big portion in the novel.

I really wish there were more Sebastian's in the world. I liked him from the beginning and he had such a sweet and caring personality. His maturity for being 20 was believable and I liked how he could be sophisticated but also goofy. He had his flaws - every character in the book did - so I liked how he was actually human rather than perfect (unlike many of the guys in YA fiction). I thought the relationship between Jade and Sebastian was sweet and it took up just enough part of the story, rather than having the whole book center on them. The other half of the storyline focused on Jade and her family. Her mother is trying to live Jade's life, her father is slowly becoming distant, and her younger brother Oliver is being forced to play sports he hates. I grew to love Oliver and thought he was just plain adorable.

At the beginning of each chapter, the author includes short excerpts from "The Fundamentals of Animal Behavior" about how certain animals show human traits. These were so interesting and really leave something for the reader to think about. My biggest complaint is the vague ending that kind of drops off and leaves for the reader's own interpretation. It wasn't solid, which I prefer. However, this was such an enjoyable read with a great set of characters. It really put me in the mood to take a visit to the zoo and spend an afternoon watching the elephants. Who knows, maybe I'll meet my very own Sebastian there?!

From page 126
I sprawl on my bed and look through my lava-lamp frame, at the stars glittering, at the wisp of a cloud drawing across the sky like the tip of a paintbrush. I hold up the moments with Sebastian, gaze at them again with a gentle eye, with careful hope. I do the necessary work of falling in love, that time spent alone with your imagination. I close my eyes, remember the smell of mint, the baby's cheek against his back, his smile, not quite perfect.

Cover Thoughts: It's alright I guess.. not too memorable though.

Debutante of the Month: Kiki Hamilton

2011-09-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

de·but
-noun
A person's first appearance or performance in a particular capacity or role.

Welcome to author Kiki Hamilton's debutante ball...

Kiki enters the ballroom wearing a sleek, dark dress. Escorting her is actor Pierce Brosnan.

And now (mostly) ladies and (a few) gentlemen, I introduce to you...Kiki Hamilton! *cue applause* This new author in the literature realm is debuting this month with her fantastic book The Faerie Ring.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood. Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist. Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

(Read my review here!)

As guests begin entering for the party, the DJ gets to work!

The setting of your party: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? I love London. I want to live there. The city is so full castles, kings, culture and history. I LOVE
it!

The guest list: Who are the top three authors (dead or alive) that you would like to meet? JK Rowling, Robert Ludlum and Dan Brown.

The menu: What do you consider your "brain food", the snacks that kept you going while you wrote your novel? Always some form of chocolate. I’ve been addicted to plain M&M’s since I was a kid and often eat them while I’m writing. Or when I’m reading. Or hanging out. Or pretty much anytime. You get the idea.

The deb's high heels: If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why? I’d love to be in JK Rowling’s heels (and her head) for a day. I think that would be fascinating.

The table centerpiece: What's the #1 thing that you can't go anywhere without? My iphone.

Now it's time for the debutante and her date to share their first dance! What song has stuck with you through life? There are so many, but Stairway to Heaven came out when I was in high school, so that’s always a good one. But so did Aerosmith’s Dream On and I love that one too.

We have a special guest tonight at the ball...Tiki from The Faerie Ring! Tiki, what was your favorite scene from the novel you starred in? Thanks for letting me attend and not making me sneak in! ;-) I’d have to say that one of my favorite scenes occurred in a different ball room - this one was in Buckingham Palace. When you read the book you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

The heartfelt speech: How has the publishing process changed you? What I used to think was the most important point in the process (besides selling my book) was getting my cover but I know better now. I have met so many wonderful authors through the Elevensies and the Class of 2k11 that will be friends forever. Also, I am very grateful for all the kind and wonderful notes that I’ve received from readers who have either read an advanced copy of the book or are so excited to read the book and that, by far, has been the best part of my path to publication. What have you learned from your experiences? Patience!

The future: Now that you are officially introduced to society, what's next? Do you plan to write another book? I have written the next book in THE FAERIE RING series and I’m waiting to hear back from my agent on whether we can send it on to my editor. So while I’m waiting for her response I just finished a realistic contemporary novel called THE LAST DANCE that I absolutely loved writing. Now I’m either going to work on a new paranormal or a steampunk novel I’m halfway through.

To finish up this debutante ball, Kiki is giving out a party favor to one of her lucky guests! One blog follower will win a signed copy of her book, The Faerie Ring.
Just fill out the form below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower. Ends on September 30. USA only.

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FIND KIKI ONLINE: Website | GoodReads | Twitter

Waiting On Wednesday: Damage

2011-08-31T13:17:00.001-07:00

This week's WoW book is Damage by Anya Parrish! It will be released on September 8, 2011.

SUMMARY: When Dani was eight, she fell from a building. No one believed her claim that she was pushed by Rachel . . . her imaginary friend. It took years of therapy to convince Dani that Rachel wasn't real. Now fifteen, Dani wants to make it as a dancer. But a deadly freak accident sends Dani a terrifying message: Rachel is back, she's real, and she'll stop at nothing to kill Dani. Complicating matters is Jesse, the school bad boy who's being stalked by his own invisible childhood nemesis. Dani and Jesse join forces to learn why their astral tormenters are back. Their investigation leads to a horrifying discovery—and the terrible experiment that binds them to each other.

This one sounds so unique, I've never read a book even similar to that description! PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2011.

Bookshelf of the Week (11)

2011-08-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

I love see-saws! You wouldn't be able to store that many books on here, but it's still a clever idea.

For the Future (20)

2011-08-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

The Predicteds by Christine Seifert (September 1, 2011): Daphne is the new girl in town and is having trouble fitting in. At least she has Jesse... sort of. He wants to be more than "just friends," but there's something he's not telling her about his past. Something dangerous.
Bloodborn by Karen Kincy (September 8, 2011): Brock always hated werewolves and Others like them. While trying to trap a werewolf pack, he and his brother Chris were attacked and bitten—becoming what they have always feared and despised.
If I Tell by Janet Gurtler (October 1, 2011): Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But Jasmine's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey (September 20, 2011): When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can’t imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she’s inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved.
Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe (October 13, 2011): When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties.
The Shattering by Karen Healey (September 5, 2011): Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief.

The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen (September 27, 2011): Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat.
Without Tess by Marcella Pixley (October 11, 2011): Tess and Lizzie are sisters, sisters as close as can be, who share a secret world filled with selkies, flying horses, and a girl who can transform into a wolf in the middle of the night. But when Lizzie is ready to grow up, Tess clings to their fantasies. As Tess sinks deeper and deeper into her delusions, she decides that she can’t live in the real world any longer and leaves Lizzie and her family forever.
Battle Fatigue by Mark Kurlansky (October 25, 2011): In an insightful and compelling novel from bestselling nonfiction writer Mark Kurlansky comes an exploration of one teen's struggle to understand himself amid the harsh realities of life during wartime.

Waiting On Wednesday: All These Things I've Done

2011-08-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin! It will be released on September 6, 2011.

SUMMARY: In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

I don't know where to begin...chocolate is illegal, the year 2083, mafia family...this sounds like one heck of an interesting and unique book! Can't wait for its release. PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2011.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

2011-08-20T19:43:00.001-07:00

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
Published: December 2008 by Walker Books

My Rating: 5 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Realistic | Gangs
Includes: Violence, Sexuality, Profanity

First Lines: Everyone knows I'm perfect. My life is perfect. My clothes are perfect. Even my family is perfect. And although it's a complete lie, I've worked my butt off to keep up the appearance that I have it all.

Brittany Ellis has a seemingly perfect life from the outside. Others are jealous of her good looks, boyfriend of two years, rich family and mansion of a house. But what they don't know is that she's faking it all. As her home life is crumbling apart, so is her relationship with her boyfriend Colin. And to make matters worse, on the first day of senior year she gets paired up with gang member Alex Fuentes in chemistry class. The two are from different parts of town and are constantly at each others' throats. But when Alex makes a bet with his friends that by November he can get Brittany to sleep with him, things turn around. Suddenly, Alex is always on Brittany's mind and he can't get her out of his own either. As the two begin a secret relationship, they realize that maybe they aren't so different after all.

From page 82
I take one of his hands in mine. I'd never be this bold if we had an audience, and am thankful for the privacy of the nonfiction titles surrounding us. His breathing slows as I sit up on my knees and lean into him. I'm ignoring the fact that his fingers are long and rough and that I've never actually touched him before. I'm nervous. I shouldn't be, though. I'm the one in control this time.

This was a unique blend of Romeo and Juliet meets West Side Story. One thing I loved about this book was that it was told in both Brittany and Alex's point of view, alternating chapters. I was able to see both of the characters' home lives and cultures, and grow equally close to the main characters. They were deeply developed and almost right from the beginning I really connected to them. I could relate to Brittany and her struggle at plastering on a smile, while I could also understand Alex's reasons behind being in a tough gang to protect his family.

I hadn't ever read anything by this author before so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Her writing blew me away though, and left me hungry for more. Simone Elkeles has such a talent of weaving together an interesting plot, steamy romance, unforgettable and compatible characters, and words that flow perfectly together. There was never a dull moment in the story, and even the tiniest of details seemed to play a role in the book. Even me, someone who is completely turned off by profanity, didn't have a problem at all with the many f-bombs included in the dialogue. And that's because the author used them when needed, to make a point, and to bring the story even more to life. Alex is a bad boy - he has tattoos, scars from knife fights, wears a bandanna with his gang colors, and talks tough. But I swear he'll melt your heart. The passion between Alex and Brittany was so raw and real; I believed every second of it. I do think the ending was a little far fetched and dramatic, but that doesn't lower my 5 star rating of this fantastic and emotional novel. I enjoyed every page of it and recommend it to all you mature romantics!

Cover Thoughts: I think it accurately portrays the book, but at the same time, I didn't imagine Alex and Brittany to look like the cover models so it was a little off-putting to me.

Bookshelf of the Week (10)

2011-08-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

A spinning bookshelf?! Haha even though this reminds me of a hamster wheel, it's still pretty awesome.

Waiting On Wednesday: Witch Song

2011-08-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is Witch Song by Amber Argyle! It will be released on September 1, 2011.

SUMMARY: The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons - but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.

Alright so I'm not gonna lie when I say that this summary confuses me and I'm not quite sure what the plot of this book is... but I've recently taken to a liking of books with witches so I must read this one. PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2011.

On My Bookshelf (33)

2011-08-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

(Originally by The Story Siren, as "In My Mailbox") On My Bookshelf is used to share what books I bought, won, traded, received for review, or got from the library this week. It's to let you know what to expect for me to read/review next.

RECEIVED FROM TRADING:

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti: Jade DeLuna is too young to die. She knows this, and yet she can't quite believe it, especially when the terrifying thoughts, loss of breath, and dizzy feelings come. Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, she's trying her best to stay calm, and visiting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That's why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, and that's where she first sees the boy in the red jacket. A boy who stops to watch the elephants. A boy carrying a baby. His name is Sebastian, and he is raising his son alone. Jade is drawn into Sebastian's cozy life with his son and his activist grandmother on their Seattle houseboat, and before she knows it, she's in love. With this boy who has lived through harder times than anyone she knows. This boy with a past. Jade knows the situation is beyond complicated, but she hasn't felt this safe in a long time. She owes it all to Sebastian, her boy with the great heart. Her boy who is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right, and what feels right.

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth: When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart. When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different—dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy—her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan’s life, meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.

RECEIVED FOR REVIEW:

Ashfall by Mike Mullin: Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget.

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody: Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure. But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated! Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

WON FROM CONTESTS:

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore: Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

Paradise by Jill S. Alexander: Paisley Tillery is the drummer for a country rock band. If they can make it to the stage at the Texapalooza music fest, then Paisley will be closer to her dream of a career in music and a ticket out of her small Texas town. Drumming and music are what Paisley has always wanted. Until the band gets a new lead singer, the boy from Paradise, Texas. With Paradise in her life, what Paisley wants, and what she needs, complicate her dreams coming true.

Settling by Shelley Workinger: Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill. Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them…

BOUGHT FROM BOOKSTORES:

Spells by Aprilynne Pike: Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever. When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2011-08-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Title: Beautiful Creatures
Authors: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Published: December 2009 by Little, Brown Books

My Rating: 4 stars
Tags: YA | Romance | Paranormal
Includes: Violence, Sensuality

First Lines: There were only two kinds of people in our town. "The stupid and the stuck," my father had affectionately classified our neighbors. "The ones who are bound to stay or too dumb to go. Everyone else finds a way out."

Ethan lives in Gatlin, South Carolina: a small, Southern, historical town full of people who are all alike. His mom died last Spring so he just lives with a father that locks himself up in his study to write, and Amma the housekeeper. It's no surprise that when a new girl moves into the Ravenwood mansion, it's the talk of the town. She's living with her Uncle Macon, who is the equivalent to Boo Radley - he never comes out of his house and no one has seen his face in years. Ethan is strangely drawn to Lena and the two share a powerful connection. Together they must learn how to fight off a curse that's been running through Lena's family for generation after generation...because Lena's life may depend on it.

First of all, for a book written by two women, they absolutely blew me away at writing from a teenage guy's point of view. I personally love reading from the male perspective because it's different and usually interesting. Ethan was a great protagonist and his and Lena's characters were very much developed. I became familiar with them both almost instantly and really felt connected to them. I liked seeing their relationship grow, and it flowed smoothly. It didn't feel forced at all.

This was a nice break from the typical paranormal romance novel. For one thing, it's Lena that has the special abilities, not Ethan, the main character. I don't think that this book would fit into just one type of genre either. It felt very realistic at times, the romance was toned down (so this could be a book for either male or female I think), there was a bit of suspense, some great action scenes, and I learned a little history along the way, too. Which brings me to my next topic: the setting. I adored reading about this small Southern town and the people that inhabited it. The tiny history lessons about battles and wars involving the Confederacy and how they related to Gatlin, South Carolina were interesting. The girls who lived in Gatlin who were all alike and knew everyone's business were amusing and believable. Seeing the whole town turn their nose up at Lena because of how different she was was a shocker but I really admire how Lena handled things. She was a tough chick and a memorable character who I can't wait to read more about in the sequel.

From page 32
She tucked her dark curls behind her ear, black nail polish catching the fluorescent light. Her hands were covered with black ink, like she had written on them. She walked down the hall as if we were invisible. She had the greenest eyes I'd ever seen, so green they could've been considered some new color altogether. Macon Ravenwood's niece.

With over 500 pages, this book was no doubt a long one. At times it did drag and I think certain scenes could have been left out to keep the story flowing more smoothly. It's just that the explaining portion of the book - about Lena, her background, and her powers - took way too long. Don't get me wrong, I think the two authors are geniuses and extremely imaginative and talented writers. However, because of how creative the setup of the story was, the explanation took chapters to uncover but nonetheless was worth it in the end. I wasn't ever confused and all of my questions were answered at some point. Once I got near to the climax, my interest in the story spiked off the charts. I stayed up all night to finish the book, devouring it page to page. I don't want to spoil anything, but let's just say that I was not disappointed in the ending. It was the perfect way to leave room for the next installment.

Cover Thoughts: It's eye-catching, elegant, and unique. I like how dark and simple it is. Just like the summary, it doesn't give anything away and remains mysterious.

Bookshelf of the Week (9)

2011-08-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

Ahh this one is so cool! It's like an illusion and I love the way it wraps around. My only question is: how do you get to the books in the inside?

Waiting On Wednesday: Anna Dressed In Blood

2011-08-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake! It will be released on August 30, 2011.

SUMMARY: Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay. When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home. But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

I've been so interested in reading this book since I first heard about it months ago. It sounds so creepy and I love a good horror book. Plus check out that eerie cover! PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 30, 2011

Interview with author Joshua Cohen

2011-08-07T12:33:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of interviewing Joshua C. Cohen, author of Leverage!

You've always been an avid athlete interested in gymnastics and football, so where did your writing interest come from and what made you want to write a book?

When I was growing up, I liked coming up with different endings to stories I read or movies I watched, trying to make them sadder or funnier or crazier. I think, at some point, when I was in college, I really wanted to create a complete story from beginning to end. That was the first time I sat down and put all my ideas and thoughts on paper. It followed that when I saw I could string together a story, I wanted to create a complete novel.

So why gymnastics?

When I was in grade school, I was into karate and I really loved it. I think I started seeing these showy karate tricks in the kung-fu movies where the guy would do a flip and then incorporate a kick and, being a young boy, I thought that was the coolest thing in the world and would be a great way to impress girls. Looking back, I'm guessing the girls could not have cared less. Anyway, I started getting more interested in performing the flips and less interested in the kicks and punches. That's when I found out our junior high school had a gymnastics program. Budget cuts have eliminated that program and many other programs like it which is really a shame. Students should have the chance to discover new sports and hobbies. Without that after school program, I probably never would have been a gymnast.

Do you see any of yourself in your characters?

Excellent question! I've definitely exaggerated the trials and tribulations that both the characters Kurt and Danny face in Leverage. The incidents that surround the two boys are complete fiction. Having said that, as I wrote the story, I tried to put myself in both boys' place and imagine how would I face bullies if I was still in a tiny body or if I stuttered and felt trapped by my voice. So, yes, in that regard, the choices that both boys make--specifically to stay silent when that is probably the worst choice--are a character flaw I'm capable of possessing myself at times--or at least it was when I was 16. I'd like to think that part of becoming a full-fledged adult is that you make better choices when you are confronted with heavy moral choices and obstacles. That's part of the challenge of writing in the voice of a teenager when you no longer are one.

Leverage deals with some pretty serious issues. Was it difficult to write about these heavy topics? What was the hardest part about writing your novel?

The topic was both difficult and compelling. I really felt I had this story that I needed to get out. I'd written many drafts trying to get certain parts just right. I'd think I had them and then re-read what I'd written and know they were still not right. The hardest part about writing the novel was pacing. My editor worked with me to cut out lots of extra stuff. There was a secondary love story between Danny and Indira but it was adding to the already hefty page count and was taking away from the central conflict so that was cut out. Also, trying to build the prank wars and keep layering the tension was a hard balancing act to perform on paper. Writing any specific scene for me is usually not difficult but making those scenes blend smoothly is where I need help.

If your life was made into a movie, what actor would play you? What would be the title?

Doesn't every guy pick Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Johnny Depp to this question? :-) I've been told I resemble Elijah Wood a bit so maybe him. But I like George Clooney even though I'm not as charming or good looking as he is. My life, like others, has so many different aspects to it that any one title would be really difficult but since I just finished reading Johathan Franzen's novel, Freedom, and felt a real empathy with a number of the characters in that book (plus it's partially set in Minnesota and NYC) I'll go with that title at the moment. Freedom.

If you could meet any author (alive or dead) who would it be and why?

Hmmmm.... I have dozens I'd love to talk to but I think I might pick Jodi Picoult at the moment to find out how she managed to juggle parenting and writing. I love her work and could use her advice in that balancing act now that I'm a new father. I love being a new father, by the way. It's fantastic!

What do you hope your readers will take away with them after reading Leverage?

First and foremost, I want them to be gripped by the novel and come away thinking "that was a great page-turner." But I also want them to maybe see something through the eyes of another human and empathise with a different person's predicament. Growing up, I felt like books really opened up my world and I want to return that favor to the next generation of readers.

Have an interesting fact about yourself that not too many people know?

When I'm feeling stressed out or cooped up (which happens after doing a lot of sitting in front of the computer for both work and my own writing) I'll break out into spontaneous handstands in my living room. It feels good.

I'll wrap up this interview with a little bit of "This Or That":

Thunderstorms or sunshine? Sunshine! But a summer thunderstorm that cools everything off is great, too! (Yes, I'm a total wavering politician here with my answer).

Summer or winter? Summer! Growing up in Minnesota, it either makes you hate winter or embrace it. It made me hate winter.

Mountains or beach? The older I get the more I like the mountains better because they offer so much to see. But growing up, I adored the beach. I still do. I love swimming in the ocean and snorkeling.

Computer or television? Computer. I'm addicted to internet news surfing.

Coffee or tea? Tea in the morning. Coffee in the afternoon with chocolate covered almonds to help me stay awake.

Thank you so much for the great answers, Joshua!

Waiting on Wednesday: Possess

2011-08-03T08:50:00.001-07:00

This week's WoW book is Possess by Gretchen McNeil! It will be released on August 23, 2011.

SUMMARY: Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.

This one sounds completely AWESOME. I'm in awe of its stellar cover, too! PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 23, 2011!

Debutante of the Month: Victoria Schwab

2011-08-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

de·but
-noun
A person's first appearance or performance in a particular capacity or role.

Welcome to author Victoria Schwab's debutante ball...

Victoria enters the ballroom wearing a vintage black and white halter dress. Escorting her is none other than Alexander Skarsgard of True Blood.

And now (mostly) ladies and (a few) gentlemen, I introduce to you...Victoria Schwab! *cue applause* This new author in the literature realm is debuting in August with her book The Near Witch.

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him. As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

As guests begin entering for the party, the DJ gets to work!

The setting of your party: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I'd have it in a forest, fey-style, right at dusk when the whole world smears at the edges. Lights in the trees, a thousand small ones like stars or fireflies, or magic.

The guest list: Who are the top three authors (dead or alive) that you would like to meet?

Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling, Laini Taylor.

The menu: What do you consider your "brain food", the snacks that kept you going while you wrote your novel?

Chocolate, most definitely. I'd want chocolate in a dozen forms, and if people didn't like chocolate, well, then, they probably wouldn't be at my party.

The deb's high heels: If you could step into someone else's shoes for a day, who would it be and why?

It's less someone else's shoes I'd want, and more their eyes. I so often wonder how different my view is of the world than another's, so I think I'd like Neil Gaiman's eyes, just for a day.

The table centerpiece: What's the #1 thing that you can't go anywhere without?

Pens. I have to have pens on me at all times. I write on everything, receipts, notepads, my arm, etc. I'd love a bouquet of pens on every table.

Now it's time for the debutante and her date to share their first dance! What song has stuck with you through life?

Queen's "We Will Rock You" :)

We have a special guest tonight at the ball...Lexi from The Near Witch! Lexi, what was your favorite scene from the novel you starred in?

The first time Cole led me out onto the hills. When he showed me what he was. Or maybe the moment before we left, when he kissed me, just in case.

The heartfelt speech: How has the publishing process changed you? What have you learned from your experiences?

Publishing continues to change me. To shape me.

The future: Now that you are officially introduced to society, what's next? Do you plan to write another book?

My next book is called THE ARCHIVED. I'm positively shaking with excitement for this project. I am not really supposed to talk about it right now, but I'll say it's kind of like Buffy meets If I Stay. That mash-up seems to change daily.

To finish up this debutante ball, Victoria is giving out a party favor to one of her lucky guests! One blog follower will win a swag pack that includes a signed bookplate, bookmarks, and buttons. Just leave your email in a comment if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a blog follower. Ends on August 30.

FIND VICTORIA ONLINE: Website | Blog | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday: A Long, Long Sleep

2011-07-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan! It will be released on August 9, 2011.

SUMMARY: Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now her parents and her first love are long dead, and Rose -- hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire -- is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existance, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes -- or be left without any future at all.

This one sounds pretty cool yet I haven't heard any talk about it. PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 9, 2011!

For the Future (19)

2011-07-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

Envy by Gregg Olsen (August 23, 2011): Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits. Based on the shocking true crime about cyber-bullying, Envy will take you to the edge - and push you right over.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (September 27, 2011): Karou sketches monsters that may or may not be real, speaks many languages (not all of them human), and has bright, blue (all natural) hair. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
Going Underground by Susan Vaught (September 13, 2011): Basing her story on real-life cases of teens in trouble with the law for texting explicit photos, Susan Vaught has created a moving portrait of an immensely likable character caught in a highly controversial legal scenario.

Wildefire by Karsten Knight (July 26, 2011): Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life.
Hades by Alexandra Adornetto (August 30, 2011): The sequel to Halo (which I still haven't read!) and yet another beautiful, stunning cover.
The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle (September 6, 2011): Laurel's world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, and overpowering memories lurk everywhere.

A Plague Year by Edward Bloor (September 13, 2011): It's 2001 and zombies have taken over Tom's town. Meth zombies. The drug rips through Blackwater, PA, with a ferocity and a velocity that overwhelms everyone.
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger (September 5, 2011): A contemporary reimagining of the Greek play, "Lysistrata," in which high school senior Lissa decides it's time to end her school's ridiculous sports rivalry once and for all by starting a hook-up strike.
Shifting by Bethany Wiggins (September 27, 2011): Fitting in has never been Maggie's strong suit, but it's not for the reasons most people would expect - it all has to do with the deep secret that she is a shape shifter. Full of romance, mysticism, and intrigue, this dark take on Navajo legend will haunt readers to the final page.

Waiting On Wednesday: Between

2011-07-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is Between by Jessica Warman! It will be released on August 2, 2011.

SUMMARY: Elizabeth Valchar --- pretty, popular and rich --- wakes up the morning after her 18th birthday on the yacht where she’d been celebrating with her closest friends. A persistent thumping noise has roused her. When she goes to investigate, she finds her own drowned body is hitting the side of the boat. Liz is dead. She has no memory of what happened to her, and can only observe in horror the fallout of her death. She’s also soon joined by Alex Berg, a quiet boy from her high school who was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The two keep each other company, floating in and out of memories and trying to piece together the details of what happened to each of them. In her regular life, Liz was a runner. It wasn’t abnormal for her to run 8-10 miles per day. But as memories from closer to her death begin to surface, Liz finds that she’d been running much more than normal, and that she’d all but stopped eating. Liz’s mother, who died when Liz was nine, had battled with anorexia as well, and those around her worried that Liz was following in her mother’s footsteps. But something more sinister was consuming Liz from the inside out...

Sounds like an awesome book; can't wait to read it once it comes out. PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 2, 2011!

Winners!

2011-07-20T06:12:00.000-07:00

The two lucky winners of my giveaway for Paradise Rules by Jimmy Gleacher are...

Cassandra H from Book & Movie Depository

and

Lydia M from Gardening Literature

Congrats! I emailed you both so please claim your prize within the next 5 days or new winners will be picked. Thanks for entering everyone!

Six Moon Summer by SM Reine

2011-07-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

Title: Six Moon Summer
Author: SM Reine
Published: April 2011

My Rating: 3 stars
Tags: YA | Paranormal | Werewolves | Camp

First Lines: Empty buses idled in the parking lot at the bottom of Gray Mountain. Almost everyone had arrived for the first day of camp an hour ago, but one girl came in her own car.

As Rylie's parents arrange for their divorce, they send her off to camp for the summer. Right away, Rylie hates camp. All of the other girls are mean to her, there's nothing vegetarian on the menu, and she doesn't like the camp activities. One night after finding a camper reading her diary outloud, Rylie has had enough. She darts into the woods on a full moon...and gets attacked by a wolf. The next morning, Rylie can't remember anything from the night before. She does take note of the scratches on her chest though. A guy from the other side of camp, Seth, seems to have the answers to everything and aids Rylie as she begins to change. Into a werewolf.

From Page 46
She collapsed to her knees. The fever had been momentarily cooled by her flight in the forest but returned with a fury, and Rylie tore at her own skin. She wanted to shed it like clothing. She wanted to let the thing inside of her out. Throwing her head back, Rylie screamed. The sound that ripped from her throat was more beast than human.

I'm definitely a fan of werewolf novels, don't get me wrong, it's just that lately they are all the same. However, this is one werewolf story that you've never read before. Rylie's change into becoming a werewolf is raw and gruesome, there's no sparkle or glitz. I also liked how the author gave background history of Gray Mountain and how the werewolf process took six moons, not one night. She took an overused concept and made it her own, and for that I give her kudos. On the other hand, unfortunately the character development lacked. For one thing, the novel is written from the third person point of view - ugh - so it was hard to get into Rylie's mind. I would have liked to know exactly from her perspective, what slowly changing into a werewolf felt like, not just looked like. I didn't feel connected to her character and she didn't do much for me.

The more that I read the story, the more it grew on me. At first, I found Rylie annoying but by the end of the book she had grown and matured into a new person! These kind of characters are the ones that really impress me; I love watching a protagonist change.

The book was very predictable and didn't throw any curve balls, yet I still enjoyed it. Reine's writing was interesting and she included some scenes in the novel that were hard to forget. The climax of the book was well done and the ending left just the right amount of room for the sequel. This is a good choice of book to read over the summer and will really get you into the camp spirit!

Cover Thoughts: I like all of the little details like the multiple moons in the background and the creepy text. One thing I don't get is the picture of the girl - Riley is supposed to have very light blonde hair...?

Bookshelf of the Week (8)

2011-07-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

This one's pretty funky and interesting. It's kind of like an illusion, and would be so much fun to have in my house!

Waiting On Wednesday: Wolfsbane

2011-07-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

This week's WoW book is Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer! It will be released on July 26, 2011.

SUMMARY: This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended - Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

I fell in love with Nightshade and am crossing my fingers that the sequel is just as awesome. I'm not a huge fan of this cover though. PUBLISHED ON JULY 26, 2011!

A & L Do Summer by Jan Blazanin

2011-07-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

Title: A & L Do Summer
Author: Jan Blazanin
Published: May 2011 by Egmont USA

My Rating: 3 stars
Tags: YA | Girls | Realistic

First Lines: "Just imagine it, Aspen." Laurel walks beside me waving her arms. I feel like a football player, dodging her flapping hands and the lunatics rushing to their lockers.

It's the summer before senior year and best friends Aspen and Laurel are craving some attention. They're tired of being single and nobodys at their school, so they decide to change just that. Aspen has lived the Iowa country-life since she was born, but Laurel moved to Cottonwood Creek from Chicago just last summer. She's still getting the hang of things. Over the course of three months, a lot happens in such a boring, small, country town...

From the summary on the back of the book, I expected this to be another story about a girl switching from city-life to country-life, but I couldn't have been more wrong. For one thing, the story isn't even told from Laurel's perspective - but from Aspen's. The best friends have a tight bond and the basis of the book was centered on their friendship. For awhile, I couldn't quite figure out what the plot of the novel was. It seemed like every few chapters a big event would happen, and the chapters in between would just be fillers. However, when these said big events would take place, they were so much fun to read! Aspen and Laurel have trouble lurking in their shadows because they get grounded more times in one summer than I've ever been in my life. Their little adventures were clever and real, and I liked seeing how country girls spend their time surrounded by chickens, pigs, and farm boys.

Probably the best thing about this book is the realism. After reading so many romantic paranormal books lately, with plots and character bonds that could never happen, this novel was a nice change. The guy that catches Aspen's attention, Clay, is just your average farm boy. He doesn't have chiseled abs and a Greek God's face, but instead has freckles and red hair. Their interest in each other was merely a side story and wasn't that developed in the book. I liked how they weren't automatically in love with each other, like many YA couples are, but I do wish that their almost-romance could have played a bigger part in the story.

This was a light, breezy, and fun read for the summer. It's not a book that will stick with me for many years, but was still enjoyable. The author seemed to stay in the shallow end of the pool, and only near the end of the book did she start dipping her toes into the deep end. There were some laugh-at-loud moments that kept me grinning (and my family giving me weird looks) and the novel held my interest. There was a mix of interesting characters, not to mention a group of infuriating bullies who will make your skin itch, a cute little romance, and a nice, realistic plot.

Cover Thoughts: Nothing that great or memorable. I do like the text though, and the red barn background.