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The super awesome Jessica Brody is visiting my blog to talk
about the first book in her exciting new series: UNREMEMBERED. Jessica makes the BEST trailers for her books—make sure to stick
around to the bottom to see her trailer for this new book!
About the Book:
The only thing worse than forgetting her past...is
remembering it.
When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific
Ocean, no one ever expected to find a single survivor; which is why the
sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating amid the wreckage—alive—is making
headlines across the globe. She has no memories of boarding the plane. She has
no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories…period. As she
struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is,
every clue raises more questions. Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who
claims to know her. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him?
And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her
forget?
Set in a world where science knows no boundaries and
memories are manipulated UNREMEMBERED by Jessica Brody is the first novel in a
compelling, romantic, and suspenseful new sci-fi trilogy for teens.
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: How did you get the idea for Unremembered?
JESSICA: A few years ago, I read a newspaper
article about a teen girl who was the sole survivor of a plane crash. I was
instantly fascinated by the story. Namely because they had no idea why she
survived when no else did. I started brainstorming reasons as to why she was so
lucky. One particular reason (a rather intricate, science-fiction-inspired one)
stuck in my mind and refused to leave. It continued to grow and blossom until I
had an idea for an entire trilogy. A trilogy that starts with a mysterious
plane crash and a single survivor.
KRISTINA: If
your book was made into a movie, who would star as your main character?
JESSICA: This
is always SUCH a hard question for me! You would think it would be easier!
However, for the lead role of Seraphina, I’ve always
pictured Nina Dobrev from the Vampire Diaries. Seraphina is described as having
a “flawless” beauty. I’ve always thought Nina Dobrev fit that description so
well. In fact, as I was writing, I took a picture of Nina Dobrev, photoshopped
in Seraphina’s purple eyes, and hung it above my computer as inspiration.
Maybe Nina will read this, contact me, and be like, “Cool!
I’ll totally be in the movie!” Hey, an author can dream. :)
KRISTINA: How
do you come up with the names of your characters?
JESSICA: Well,
I will say this much: The name Seraphina actually is a nickname for the
character, who was originally named SERA. But this isn’t a random name. It’s an
acronym. That’s all I’ll tell you!
KRISTINA:
Who is the Young Adult author that turns you into a fangirl?
JESSICA: I
just recently met James Dashner at an event and kind of lost it. I was like,
“OMG, you’re James Dashner!” And he was like, “Um, yes.” And then my mind went
completely blank. It was embarrassing.
KRISTINA:
What is your most favorite comment you’ve received from a fan?
JESSICA: A
blogger tweeted me a review of my book the other day and called it “biopunk”
novel. I’d never even heard that term before but of course, I immediately
looked it up on Wikipedia. Here’s what I found.
Biopunk science fiction is a subgenre of cyberpunk fiction
that focuses on the near-future unintended consequences of the biotechnology
revolution following the discovery of recombinant DNA. Biopunk stories explore
the struggles of individuals or groups, often the product of human
experimentation, against a backdrop of totalitarian governments and
megacorporations which misuse biotechnologies as means of social control and
profiteering.
I totally got the chills because I was like, “YES! That’s
exactly what Unremembered is.” I was so grateful to finally have a term for it.
I could never figure out what to call it before! I was also excited that this
seems to be a “thing.”
KRISTINA:
Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
JESSICA: Please
do! I’m @JessicaBrody on twitter and on Instagram! Holla! Folla! (Okay, that
was kinda lame. It sounded much better in my head.)
KRISTINA: What are you working on now?
JESSICA: I
just finished writing book 2 of the Unremembered Trilogy, which is called
UNFORGOTTEN. And I’m gearing up to start working on book 3, which is called
UNTITLED. Haha! But seriously, I’m thinking of keeping that title. What do you
think?
KRISTINA: I think that would be sooo funny! :) Good luck with the new book Jessica! It looks amazing!
About Jessica:
JESSICA BRODY knew from a young age that she wanted to be a
writer. She started self “publishing” her own books when she was seven years
old, binding the pages together with cardboard, wallpaper samples and
electrical tape. She is the author of 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, My Life
Undecided, The Karma Club, and now, Unremembered. Her books have been
translated and published in over 15 countries. She currently splits her time
between California and Colorado. www.jessicabrody.com
Melissa Walker's SMALL TOWN SINNERS is out in paperback (with a new cover too)! Check it out:
About the book:
Does falling in love mean falling out of faith?
“Lacey Anne Byer is a perennial good girl and lifelong member of the House of Enlightenment, the Evangelical church in her small town. With her driver's license in hand and the chance to try out for a lead role in Hell House, her church's annual haunted house of sin, Lacey's junior year is looking promising. But when a cute new stranger comes to town, something begins to stir inside her. Ty Davis doesn't know the sweet, shy Lacey Anne Byer everyone else does. With Ty, Lacey could reinvent herself. As her feelings for Ty make Lacey test her boundaries, events surrounding Hell House make her question her religion."
Read an excerpt.
Reviews:
"Walker has written a credible and tender evocation of the moment when a young person’s beliefs begin to emerge and potentially diverge from the teachings of a family’s religion... Near the end, Lacey contemplates a verse from the prophet Isaiah: 'Come now and let us reason together.' It’s a good summation of what Walker asks of her characters and, by extension, of her readers." --The New York Times Book Review
"A non-judgmental, nuanced, fascinating look at the teenage religious right... Walker writes an outstanding contemporary novel with a cast of characters who, far from being portrayed as hateful zealots, are relatable for readers of all faiths. The extremism of Hell House is tempered by the perfectly understandable attitudes and intentions of Lacey Anne, who struggles with what it means to grow up, to question and to think for herself." --Romantic Times
"Both tender and provocative... Walker creates an astutely balanced portrait of a conservative congregation's in-your-face response to perennial issues of domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide, as well as of those who struggle to fit the prescribed Christian mold." --Publishers Weekly
"This secular story about religious people could easily devolve into camp mockery, but because Walker takes her character’s crisis of faith seriously and sensitively, readers will, too." --Kirkus Reviews
Lucienne Diver is stopping by my blog tonight were her
newest YA novel, Fangtabulous.
About the book:
Gina Covello and her band of federal fugitives are on the
run after taking down a secret (and sinister) government facility. Strapped
without cash or credit cards—a fate worse than death for Gina—the rebels must
find a place to lay low. They roll into Salem, Massachusetts, the most haunted
town in America and the only place they have friends flying under the radar.
But within a day, Gina and her gang are embroiled in a murder mystery of the
supernatural kind.
Someone—or something—is strangling young women, and it's
rumored to be the ghost of Sheriff Corwin, late of the Salem Witch trials. Is it the ghostly Sheriff or is someone on
this side of the veil using the famous story as a cover up? Gina is determined
to get to the bottom of this mystery, and she needs to do it before a
paranormal reporter on the scene exposes them for what they are...fanged
federal fugitives.
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: How did
you get the idea for Fangtabulous?
LUCIENNE: Fangtabulous is set in Salem, Massachusetts. I didn’t actually have an idea in mind when I
set out to write it, just a contract and a setting. (My publisher had made a two-book offer based
on my proposal for the previous book, Fangtastic, which was a wonderful show of
faith.) But visiting the town of Salem,
walking the haunted streets, visiting the Witch Dungeon Museum, The House of
the Seven Gables (Nathanial Hawthorne’s house), The Witch House, where one of
the judges from the witch trials held interrogations, The Old Burying Point
Cemetery and other sites that appear in the book, I was inspired. The plot of unsettled spirits stirred to
deadly heights by something happening present-day suggested itself, and the
book took off from there.
KRISTINA: How
much time do you spend on marketing your book? Is there one specific type of
marketing that you find works best for you?
LUCIENNE: Not nearly enough!
I wish I could clone myself sometimes.
Trying to write my current book while revising, editing, proofing and
promoting previous books seems like a full time job, and I already have one of
those (as a literary agent)!
KRISTINA: Have
you ever based one of your characters on someone you know? If so, did that
person find out? How did they react?
LUCIENNE: One of my ex-boyfriends from college was the
inspiration, visually, at least, for Ulric, a charming/cocky goth guy who shows
up in two of the Vamped books— Revamped and the current novel
Fangtabulous. When we reconnected on Facebook
I let him know that he’d been part of the creation of Ulric, so, of course, he
had to read Revamped. His reaction, “Was
I really that cocky?”
KRISTINA: Would
you ever try writing in another genre?
LUCIENNE: I would! In
fact, I’ve already got the Latter-Day Olympians urban fantasy series going,
although it’s not so much in a different genre as for an older audience. But the next young adult novel I want to work
on is darker than the Vamped series, and very mainstream/suspense based without
any paranormal elements, which will be quite a departure for me!
KRISTINA: Who is
(or who are) the Young Adult author that turns you into a fangirl?
LUCIENNE: I would be a complete and utter fangirl if I ever
met Suzanne Collins or Rick Riordan. I
love them both! I’ve already gotten to
fangirl to Barry Lyga for I Hunt Killers, which I can highly recommend. I’m also a rabid fan of all of the young
adult authors I represent as a literary agent: Rachel Caine, Rosemary
Clement-Moore, Chloe Neill, Molly Cochran and Amy Christine Parker, whose debut
novel, Gated, is coming out in August from Random House Children’s.
KRISTINA: Are you
on twitter? Where can we follow you?
LUCIENNE: I’m everywhere!
KRISTINA: Do you
prefer reading on an ereader or book in hand?
LUCIENNE: Book in hand!
I knew e-books are better for the environment, but I spend so much of my
work time working on computers and e-readers, I really enjoy the break and the
format of printed books.
About the Author:
Lucienne Diver writes the humorous, suspenseful Vamped
series of young adult vampire novels for Flux Books, including Vamped,
Revamped, Fangtastic and the most recent, Fangtabulous. Her short stories have been included in the
Strip-Mauled and Fangs for the Mammaries anthologies edited by Esther Friesner
(Baen Books), and her essay on abuse is included in the anthology Dear Bully:
70 Authors Tell Their Stories (HarperTeen).
She also writes the Latter-Day Olympians urban fantasy series for
Samhain (Bad Blood, Crazy in the Blood and the forthcoming Rise of the
Blood).
Websites:
I just love Eileen Cook’s books and she has a new one coming out
December 4th! Check it out:
Book Summary:
From the author of Unraveling Isobel and The Education of Hailey
Kendrick, a smart, romantic novel about a teenage con artist who might be in
over her head.
Sadie can’t wait to get away from her backwards small town, her
delusional mom, her jailbird dad, and the tiny trailer where she was
raised…even though leaving those things behind also means leaving Brendan.
Sadie wants a better life, and she has been working steadily toward it, one con
at a time.
But when Sadie’s mother wipes out Sadie’s savings, her escape plan is
suddenly gone. She needs to come up with a lot of cash—and fast—or she’ll be
stuck in this town forever.
With Brendan’s help, she devises a plan—the ultimate con—to get the
money. But the more lies Sadie spins, the more she starts falling for her own
hoax…and perhaps for the wrong boy. Sadie wanted to change her life, but she
wasn't prepared to have it flipped upside down by her own deception. With her
future at stake and her heart on the line, suddenly it seems like she has a lot
more than just money to lose....
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: How did you get the idea for THE ALMOST
TRUTH?
EILEEN: Most often book ideas come to me as a collection of unrelated
things. A bit of an idea here, another piece there, until it sticks together as
one idea. This process can take months
or years. This is one of the few books where I can remember the exact second I
had the idea. I was on the ferry and saw
a missing child poster. At the bottom
there was an age-enhanced photo so you could see what the person might look
like now. I had the thought "How weird would it be if I looked like the age
enhanced photo?" In that instant
the idea of the book dropped into my head. I ran back to my seat and wrote it
down as fast as I could. I spent another
week thinking over some different details, but I started writing almost right
away.
KRISTINA: If
your book was made into a movie, who would star as your main character?
EILEEN: I’m terrible at this! I always want to cast actors who died
years ago or else I can’t remember their names. I think I would have them cast
all unknown actors- that way I won’t have any preconceived ideas. However, I’m open for them putting Colin
Firth in the movie just so I can meet him.
KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your
characters?
EILEEN: I search baby books that list names along with what the names
mean. Sometimes a name pops out right away and just feels right. Other times it
takes a long search. I have a hard time starting the book until I know the main
character’s name.
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow
you?
EILEEN: Yes, please! My twitter name is
Eileenwriter
KRISTINA: What
are you working on now?
EILEEN: I am working on a new YA which is currently being called LOST
TO BE FOUND, but stay tuned the title may change. It’s about a girl named Avery
who decides to search for her birth mom as part of her senior project, but ends
up finding out more about herself than she expected.
Praise for
Eileen Cook’s books:
".. enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy
read.....the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real
treat." - Kirkus Starred Review
"Thrilling and creepy, super sexy, and so very hilarious." -
Lisa McMann, bestselling author of the Wake trilogy
"Sassy and sly and sweet all at the same time, this book made me
laugh out loud." - Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries and Airhead
About Eileen
Cook:
Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in
eight different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were
someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. Her latest release, Unraveling Isobel came
out in Jan 2012. You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that
strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen
lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be
anyone or anywhere else.
About the Book:
High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing
more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her
absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her
flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising
business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies
suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.
But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec
and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying.
Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved
in what now seems like a doomed business--until Grayson betrays her by digging
up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for
secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn
into a battle between brothers--and the consequences could be deadly.
Engrossing and intense, SUCH A RUSH is a
captivating adventure that is sure to keep readers soaring.
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: Would you
ever try writing in another genre?
JENNIFER: Besides YA romantic dramas like this
one, I also write YA romantic comedies. I’ve published five of those already,
with three more forthcoming from Simon Pulse in 2014 and 2015. I also have my
first adult romantic comedy, Star Crossed, coming out with Simon & Schuster
on February 26.
KRISTINA: Who is (or who
are) the Young Adult author that turns you into a fangirl?
JENNIFER: I am a huge fan of the hilarious and
brilliant Rosemary Clement-Moore, and especially her latest novel, Texas
Gothic. A related novel is coming out soon and I simply can’t wait.
KRISTINA: Are you on
twitter? Where can we follow you?
JENNIFER: Yes! Please follow me at
@JenniferEchols.
KRISTINA: What are you
working on now?
JENNIFER: I’m so excited to be writing another
YA romantic drama for MTV Books called Dirty Little Secret, which will be in
stores this time next year.
KRISTINA: Do you prefer
reading on an ereader or book in hand?
JENNIFER: I’m so appreciative of all the
people who have purchased my novels as e-books, but I just can’t get used to
the e-reader. I buy e-books only if a book isn’t available in print.
About the Author:
Jennifer Echols is the award-winning author of
multiple romantic dramas and romantic comedies for teens. She lives in
Birmingham, Alabama.
Today’s visiting girlfriend is Denise Jaden with her latest book, NEVER ENOUGH.
About the Book:
Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special…even if that means betraying her sister.
But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. And Loann is frightened she could lose the sister she’s always idolized.
As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship—and her sister—before it’s too late?
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: How did you get the idea for Never Enough?
DENISE: At the time, I had a close friend who was struggling with a severe eating disorder. I started writing the book mostly so I could understand my friend and her struggles more.
KRISTINA: If your book was made into a movie, who would star as your main character?
DENISE: If Kat Dennings was a little younger, she would make a perfect Loann.
KRISTINA: Would you ever try writing in another genre?
DENISE: Maybe dystopian, but I’m a YA Contemp girl at heart.
KRISTINA: Who is the Young Adult author that turns you into a fangirl?
DENISE: Laurie Halse Anderson
KRISTINA: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?
DENISE: My favorite comment is that my writing voice reminded her of Laurie Halse Anderson
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
DENISE: Yes! I LOVE Twitter. I’m at @denisejaden and, sadly, you can find me there at most times of the day.
KRISTINA: What are you working on now?
DENISE: I’m working on another YA contemporary novel, this one a romance/mystery. It’s called FOREIGN EXCHANGE, and is about a girl who sneaks away from her class trip in Europe, along with her crush, to find her missing best friend.
KRISTINA: Do you prefer reading on an ereader or book in hand?
DENISE: I prefer a hard book, but I do have two ereaders, and they’re certainly convenient for taking work or reading with me.
About Denise:
Denise Jaden spent her high school lunch hours trying to tame her frizzy/curly hair in the bathroom, or playing freeze tag in the drama room. She attended the theatre program at college, and then enjoyed a variety of occupations, including stage production, mushroom farming, and Polynesian dancing. The first draft of her debut novel, Losing Faith, was written in 21 days during National Novel Writing Month. This is her second novel. She lives just outside Vancouver, Canada with her husband and son. Find out more online at http://www.denisejaden.comor on Twitter: @denisejaden
Check out Denise’s CONTEST!
Jessica Brody stop by the blog to talk about her new book, 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER.
About the Book:
Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either.
Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteenth birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.
In a hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: How did you get the idea for 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER?
JESSICA: Actually it’s kind of a funny story. I was sitting in my car, watching a meter maid write someone a parking ticket and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to be a meter maid? But only for like a week. Just to see what it was like.” Then I start to brainstorm all these other jobs I’d like to do for one week. And I decided, “Well, I’m too busy writing novels to actually do all these jobs, so I guess I’ll just have to write a book about someone else who does them.” And then I tried to think of the funniest character to put in that kind of situation and the answer was instant: a spoiled heiress who has never had to work a day in her life. And alas, Lexington Larrabee was born. But really the joke’s on me, because in researching the story, I actually did take on some of the jobs that are in the book! My favorite was working the drive-thru at a fast food restaurant. Those head-sets you have to wear are like something out of Star Trek!
KRISTINA: If your book was made into a movie, who would star as your main character?
JESSICA: This is always a really tough question for me. Actually, the book has been optioned for film and we’ve had some early interest from Victoria Justice (from the show Victorious on Nickelodeon) to star in the film. Nothing has been officially decided yet but I think she would be totally perfect for the part! She definitely looks like how I imagined Lexi to look.
KRISTINA: Would you ever try writing in another genre?
JESSICA: Funny you should ask! Last year I signed a deal with my publisher for a young adult sci-fi trilogy. I just finished revising the first book called UNREMEMBERED which releases in March 2013. It’s about a sixteen year old girl who wakes up amongst the wreckage of a devastating plane crash with no memories, she's forced to piece together her forgotten past with only one clue to her identity— a mysterious boy who claims she was part of a top-secret science experiment.
KRISTINA: Who is the Young Adult author that turns you into a fangirl?
JESSICA: Suzanne Collins! Totally! I LOVE her books! I saw the Hunger Games movie like 5 times in the theatre. I was there at midnight for the opening. I can’t wait for the next movie!
KRISTINA: Do you prefer reading on an ereader or book in hand?
JESSICA: I can only read non-fiction on my ereader. It’s weird. With fiction, I have to have the book in my hand. I think it’s because I really love looking at the cover as I read the book. I like how covers can change the more you get into the story.
KRISTINA: Are you on Twitter? Can we follow you?
JESSICA: Please do! www.twitter.com/jessicabrody
Author Bio:
Jessica Brody is the bestselling author of The Karma Club and My Life Undecided, as well as two books for adults: The Fidelity Files and Love Under Cover. In researching this book, she took on several minimum wage jobs, her favorite of which was working the drive-thru at a fast food restaurant. She splits her time between California and Colorado. Visit her online at: www.jessicabrody.com
Myra McEntire stopped by to talk about her newest YA book, Timepiece.
ABOUT TIMEPIECE:
Kaleb Ballard was never supposed to be able to see ripples—cracks in time. Are Kaleb’s powers expanding, or is something very wrong? Before Kaleb can find out, Jonathan Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, reappears. Why is he back, and what, or whom, does he want?
In the wake of Landers’s return, the Hourglass organization is offered an ultimatum by a mysterious man. Either they find Landers and the research he has stolen on people who might carry the time gene, or time will be altered—with devastating results for the people Kaleb loves most.
Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their extraordinary powers to find Landers. But where do they even start? And when? Even if they succeed, just finding him may not be enough. . . .
The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science-fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.
OUR INTERVIEW:
KRISTINA: How did you get the idea for Timepiece?
MYRA: The first title came naturally, as the Hourglass is the name of an organization in the book, and both are about time travel. Timepiece was harder, but once I reread when I was finished, it jumped out as the perfect one.
KRISTINA: If your book was made into a movie, who would star as your main character?
MYRA: Kaleb is hard to cast, but Chris Zylka, most recently of Secret Circle fame, seems like a good choice.
KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your characters?
MYRA: I have a HUGE baby names book. Also, depending on the character’s age, I search for the most popular names for their birth year.
KRISTINA: Have you ever based one of your characters on someone you know? If so, did that person find out? How did they react?
MYRA: I did! Dru is based on a couple of girlfriends, and I’m pretty sure they both liked it!
KRISTINA: Would you ever try writing in another genre?
MYRA: I'd love to try pure romance one day. That genre has such dedicated fans!
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
MYRA: I am, and my handle is @MyraMcEntire
KRISTINA: What are you working on now?
MYRA: The third book in the Hourglass series, titled Infinityglass!
ABOUT MYRA McENTIRE:
Myra McEntire knows the words to every R&B hit of the last decade, but since she lives in Nashville, the country music capital of America, her lyrical talents go sadly unappreciated. She's chosen, instead, to channel her "mad word skills" into creating stories. She's an avid Doctor Who fan and will argue passionately about which incarnation is the best.
You can find her at:
http://MyraMcEntire.com
https://twitter.com/#!/MyraMcEntire
Introducing Amanda Ashby’s new middle grade series, Sophie’s Mixed up Magic! Books one and two were just released. Here’s more information about them.
Book One: Wishful Thinking (May 31st Puffin)
Be careful what you wish for…
After eleven year old Sophie accidentally gets herself turned into a djinn, she starts to think that it might not be so bad after all. (Of course, that’s after she gets the whole orange skin problem sorted out.) Who wouldn’t enjoy having the power to grant wishes! But when Sophie develops RWD (Random Wish Disorder) and can’t STOP granting wishes, things get more than a little mixed-up!
Book Two: Under a Spell (May 31st Puffin)
And that spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E…
As Sophie gets used to her magic, her relationship with the adorable Jonathan Tait is blossoming. There’s only one problem: Jonathan’s twin sister, Melissa. She’s a total mean girl who seems intent on making Sophie’s life miserable. On top of that, Melissa somehow seems to sense that Sophie has powers–and manages to bind Sophie to her in a totally self-serving way. Can Sophie figure out a way out of this–without ruining her chances with Jonathan?
Book one and two are a simultaneous release and watch out for book three in October…
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: Would you ever try writing in another genre?
AMANDA: Before I wrote young adult and middle grade books, I spent many years writing romance and chick lit novels. I still really enjoy writing romantic comedies and I’m actually thinking of self-publishing some of those stories, so watch out!
KRISTINA: Who is (or who are) the Young Adult author that turns you into a fangirl?
AMANDA: I’m a huge fan of Jonathan Stroud. I didn’t read his books until after I did my Sophie books and I remember thinking, “ah, so that’s how you write a djinn book.” Anyway, he’s amazing and I would be very bouncy if I ever got to meet him!
KRISTINA: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?
AMANDA: I was at a writing festival last week and this lovely teenage girl came up and told me that my aura was amazing and that she could tell how much I loved doing what I did. I was deeply touched!
KRISTINA: What are the last five young adult books you read?
AMANDA: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, Nightpeople by Antony Eden, The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson and Shipbreaker by Paulo Bacigalupi (phew – thank goodness for Goodreads or I never would’ve remembered)
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
AMANDA: https://twitter.com/amandaashby
KRISTINA: What are you working on now?
AMANDA: I’m just about to start revising my next young adult novel, Demonosity. I’m pretty excited about this book. It’s a lot darker than anything I’ve done before and it has a lot of cute, complicated boys in it!
Bio:
Amanda Ashby was born in Australia and after spending the last sixteen years dividing her time between England and New Zealand, she’s finally moved back and now lives on the Sunshine Coast. When she’s not moving country, she likes to write books (okay, she also likes to eat chocolate, watch television and sit around doing not much, but let’s just keep that amongst ourselves, shall we?)
She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book, You Had Me at Halo was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award, and her first young adult book Zombie Queen of Newbury High was listed by the New York Public Library’s Stuff for the Teen Age 2010. Her latest release, Fairy Bad Day, has been selected by Voya as one of their Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers 2012 and is a SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist for the Australia/NZ region. To find out more, please go to www.amandaashby.com
Melissa Walker's latest novel, Unbreak My Heart, released recently and is a perfect romantic read for the summer!
From the Author's Web Site:
The year that broke her heart. The summer that healed it. A dual love story.
Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.
♥ “A super cute love story! Melissa Walker will inspire readers to never stop believing in true love.” —SUSANE COLASANTI, author of When It Happens and Keep Holding On
♥ “A raw, real, and ultimately heartwarming discovery of what it means to be a true friend. Walker gets it exactly right.” —JENNIFER ECHOLS, author of Love Story and The One That I Want
♥ “ I can’t stress enough how firmly this book has wedged itself in my heart.” -The Hiding Spot
♥ ”This book earns an infinity amount of stars!” -Novel Nerd Bailey
♥ ”Unbreak My Heart challenged me as a reader…and I loved every bit of it.” -Anna Reads
♥ ”There are tinges of Julie Taylor and Matt Saracen in this one. For real, y’all.” -Clear Eyes, Full Shelves
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your characters?
MELISSA: I always walk through Greenwood Cemetery near my apartment in Brooklyn and look for names I like. Seriously! I love old graveyards--so many stories there!
KRISTINA: Have you ever based one of your characters on someone you know? If so, did that person find out? How did they react?
MELISSA: My first books, the Violet on the Runway series, had a love interest/best friend named Roger who was very much like my high school boyfriend. He totally called me on it, but he was flattered (I think).
KRISTINA: Who is (or who are) the Young Adult author that turns you into a fangirl?
MELISSA: If I met Judy Blume, I might faint. I'd definitely need smelling salts on hand.
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
MELISSA: Yes! I tweet a lot about food and TV, and books. If that sounds good, I'm here: twitter.com/melissacwalker
KRISTINA: What are you working on now?
MELISSA: I have a letter in DEAR TEEN ME, an anthology of YA authors writing letters to their teen selves, which is out in late October. And I've got another book in the works for 2013, but I'm keeping mum for now.
Find it at IndieBound, B&N, or Amazon. Follow Melissa on twitter at @melissacwalker or visit her Web site at: www.melissacwalker.com.
Title: IN
HONOR
Author: Jessi Kirby
Reading
level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 240
pages
Publisher: Simon
& Schuster Books For Young Readers (May 8, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-13:
978-1442416970
About the
Book:
Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days
after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the
flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see
Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he
jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love
with her.
Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she
rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before
running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar
opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two
guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. .
. and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for
in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that
makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and
sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when
shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be
able to cope with the consequences?
Early
Reviews:
“A beautiful, engaging journey with heart,
humor, and just a pinch of Texas sass. Hands down my favorite contemporary of
the year.”
--Sarah Ockler, bestselling author of Twenty Boy Summer, Fixing Delilah,
and Bittersweet
“An amazing novel about first kisses, last
goodbyes, and what it means to finally let go. I absolutely loved it.”
--Lauren
Barnholdt, author of Two Way Street
About Jessi Kirby:
Jessi Kirby is the author of Moonglass, published in May 2011 by Simon and Schuster. She is also a
wife, mom, English teacher and former librarian, beach bum, runner, and lover
of Contemporary YA, strong coffee, and dark chocolate.
Jessi’s second novel, In Honor, will be released in May of 2012.
Our
Interview:
Kristina: Who is (or who are) the Young Adult author that
turns you into a fangirl?
Jessi:
There
are so many! My number one
would be Judy Blume, then there’s Sarah Dessen, Sarah Ockler, Deb Caletti,
Jenny Han, Morgan Matson—basically every contemp YA writer I meet.
Kristina: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest,
craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?
Jessi:
This
was from a younger girl, and despite it sounding a touch morbid, it made me
smile. In a letter to me
she wrote: “I love MOONGLASS so much I want to be dead with it.” Still puzzling over that one…
Kristina: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow
you?
Jessi:
Of
course! I’m at @jesskirby, and would love if you followed me!
Kristina: What are you working on now?
Jessi: Right now I’m in the revision stage of
my third novel, GOLDEN, which is due out Summer 2013, and I’m getting ready to
dive into the drafting of Book 4.
Kristina: Do
you prefer reading on an ereader or book in hand?
Jessi: Book in hand, always and forever!
Kristina: Thanks Jessi! Good luck with your new
book!
Here’s a book that is so up my alley! Jennifer Echols’s LOVE STORY was just released last week and it sounds awesome.  About the Book: From Jennifer Echols, the award-winning author of Going Too Far and Forget You, comes LOVE STORY(Gallery Books; July 19, 2011; $11.00), a provocative and powerful story of teen romance, set against the bustling world of a New York City university. For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions – it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter… so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment? Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter… except this story could come true. Our Interview: KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!) JENNIFER: Skinny vanilla latte. KRISTINA: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan? JENNIFER: I’ve gotten several messages lately from people who have been sick and were able to forget their lives for a while and get through treatment by reading. That always touches me, especially when they have read my book GOING TOO FAR, which has a heroine who has been very sick. KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you? JENNIFER: I’m @JenniferEchols. If I’m going outside to write and accidentally kick a rattlesnake, as I did the other day, you will find out there first. KRISTINA: What are you working on now? JENNIFER: I’m writing a new romantic comedy that will be published by Simon Pulse in December. Then I’m finishing a new romantic drama, SUCH A RUSH, which will be my hardcover debut in July 2012. Thanks so much for stopping by! I can’t wait to read your newest! About the Author: Jennifer Echols is the author of teen romantic dramas for MTV Books and teen romantic comedies for Simon Pulse. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her family. Please visit her online at www.jennifer-echols.com. 
I am beyond excited to read Melissa’s new book, SMALL TOWN SINNERS! And so glad she stopped by to chat.  ABOUT THE BOOK: Small Town Sinners is the story of Lacey Anne, daughter of the pastor and perennial good girl, who is eligible for a lead role in the season’s Hell House production—a role she’s been coveting for years. But when Ty moves to town as casting begins, a new perspective is added to Lacey Anne’s world and she starts to see her tight-knit, Evangelical community in a different light. With the help of her two best friends Starla Joy and Dean, and her potential first love Ty, Lacey Anne begins exploring her own thoughts and feelings about her religion, her community, and her place within both. While this novel deals with provocative issues like religion, teen pregnancy and underage drinking, it is not an “issue” book; the topics are masterfully interwoven into this story of friendship and family. Early readers agree: “Small Town Sinners shines a light on the fascinating world of the teenage Hell House. Sit back and let Melissa Walker be your guide. She writes without a shred of judgment and plenty of heart.” —Dana Reinhardt, author of A Brief Chapter of My Impossible Life “Walker is sympathetic and respectful of her characters’ faith, while putting on display the shocking extremist scare tactics that make Hell Houses, well, hellish.” —Donna Freitas, author of This Gorgeous Game and The Possibilities of Sainthood. “A non-judgmental, nuanced, fascinating look at the teenage religious right… Walker writes an outstanding contemporary novel with a cast of characters who, far from being portrayed as hateful zealots, are relatable for readers of all faiths. The extremism of Hell House is tempered by the perfectly understandable attitudes and intentions of Lacey Anne, who struggles with what it means to grow up, to question and to think for herself.” –Romantic Times “Both tender and provocative… Walker creates an astutely balanced portrait of a conservative congregation’s in-your-face response to perennial issues of domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide, as well as of those who struggle to fit the prescribed Christian mold.” –Publishers Weekly “This secular story about religious people could easily devolve into camp mockery, but because Walker takes her character’s crisis of faith seriously and sensitively, readers will, too.” –Kirkus Reviews OUR INTERVIEW: KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!) MELISSA: Iced coffee, even in winter. Light and sweet, please! I like it to taste like coffee ice cream. KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your characters? MELISSA: Sometimes they just come to me, but if they don't, I like to walk through cemeteries and look at names. Quirky, I know, but it's really fun! KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you? MELISSA: I am! I'm twitter.com/melissacwalker. Warning: I tweet a lot during March Madness (Go Heels!) and I tend to obsessively tweet about TV I love (the latest being "Friday Night Lights"--so sad it's over!). KRISTINA: What are you working on now? MELISSA: My next book, Unbreak My Heart, will be out in 2012 from Bloomsbury. It's a story about lost friendships, betrayal and summer love (I'm vague, I know! I haven't talked about it much in detail yet!). ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MELISSA WALKER: Melissa has worked as ELLEgirl Features Editor and Seventeen Prom Editor. She is the author of the Violet on the Runway series as well as Lovestruck Summer. Melissa manages I Heart Daily, an e-newsletter and blogs for ReaderGirlz, an online community for teens. www.melissacwalker.com 
Thanks Melissa! Good luck with your new book!
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