Waiting On Wednesday: Week 46

My pick this week is:

They Never Came Back by Caroline B. Cooney

In a busy school cafeteria, a teenage girl is confronted by a classmate who questions her identity. He explains to the students who have crowded around that the girl bears an uncanny resemblance to his cousin, who was taken away by social services five years ago. Her parents abandoned her, fleeing the country after being accused of embezzling millions of dollars. The students are intrigued, but the girl shrugs off the attention as a case of mistaken identity.

As the days pass, however, the boy refuses to relent and even brings his parents in to back him up. But they are not the only adults involved. An FBI agent who has been working the case these past five years believes that whoever this girl is, she can serve as bait to help the FBI capture the fugitives. In this powerful novel that explores the possibility of mistaken identity, the evils of money and greed, and the heartfelt obligations of family and loyalty, Caroline B. Cooney has once again crafted a page-turner that will resonate with readers.

My Thoughts:

I'm not usually a big Caroline Cooney fan, but this one actually looks good. So, I guess I'll have to see if I like it or not when it hits shelves January 12, 2010.

Liar is officially out today...

and it has a smashing new trailer!

So, check it out below:



* Liar was recently reviewed by me here. Also, it is now available everywhere in the US!

Traveling To Teens Tour: Duplikate by Cherry Cheva

Summary:

Getting into Yale has been Kate Larson’s dream for years—and being overworked and under-rested is the price of admission. But when she opens her eyes after falling asleep on her keyboard one night, she comes face-to-face with, well, herself

Meet Kate’s computer-generated twin. Kate doesn’t know why she’s here or how to put her back where she belongs, but she’s real. And she’s the last thing Kate has time to deal with right now. Unless. . .could having a double be the answer to Kate’s prayers?

In this hilarious second novel, Cherry Cheva introduces a character who has been granted the wish of every overscheduled teen everywhere—for there to be two of her. But as everyone knows, you should be careful what you wish for...it just might come true and wear all your clothes and steal your boyfriend.

Review:

Duplikate was a funny and cute book that I adored!

The concept of having computer-generated twin was an interesting topic that I don't think I've seen before in a book. Even though it was unique, it still kind of scared me. Since, I kept thinking about the possibility of this occurring in real life. I mean with technology getting more advanced every day, this could possibly occur in the future. But even with saying that I still loved how Rina and Kate kind of became "sisters" from this ordeal because their constant bickering proved several laugh out loud moments and I adored how close they became because of this.

Kate was a character that I could relate to on many levels. One being the all the stress she had from school and her trying to achieve the goal of her live: getting into an Ivy League school. Seriously, you should see me during the school year, I get so worked up/ stressed over tests, quizzes, and extracurriculars just like Kate. Overall, I think having Kate being a character that girls can relate to will earn many brownie points in readers' eyes all around. Also, I really enjoyed reading about Rina and Jake.

Cherry Cheava's writing also was a high point. Since, it flowed extremely well which lead to the story going by in an extremely fast pace, allowing me to finish Duplikate in one semi-long sitting.

In all, Duplikate was a great story that had a fantastic message of "Don't overwork yourself, since you only have one life to live" to go along with it. I highly suggest you all pick this up when it comes out!

Grade: B+

Duplikate will be released September 29, 2009.

* Much thanks to MB at Harper Collins for sending this too me. =)

This review was part of a Traveling To Teen Tour, to find out more about past and future tours as well as contests, please visit the website.

Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani

Summary:

I'm marooned.

Abandoned.

Left to rot in boarding school . . .

Viola doesn't want to go to boarding school, but somehow she ends up at an all-girls school in South Bend, Indiana, far, far away from her home in Brooklyn, New York. Now Viola is stuck for a whole year in the sherbet-colored sweater capital of the world.

Ick.

There's no way Viola's going to survive the year—especially since she has to replace her best friend Andrew with three new roommates who, disturbingly, actually seem to like it there. She resorts to viewing the world (and hiding) behind the lens of her video camera.

Boarding school, though, and her roommates and even the Midwest are nothing like she thought they would be, and soon Viola realizes she may be in for the most incredible year of her life.

But first she has to put the camera down and let the world in.

Review:

I have been ecstatic to read this novel, since it first showed up in my mailbox a few months ago thanks to the extremely nice, Adriana. And let me tell you, I was no where close to being disappointed by the end of this darling book titled Viola In Reel Life.

Viola, as well as her boarding school friends, were characters that I found easy to relate to. Since not only are the same exact age as me but she faced a lot of problems that me and my friends, as well as girls around the globe are going through. Such as boy trouble ( her best boy friend at home or the new charming boy?), making friends in a place were no one knows you, and finding your place in this crazy world. This all made this a great coming of age novel with a mix of girl power and cute boys.

The plot was yet anther high point. Mostly because I loved her "Viola Reels Diary" as well as reading about her journey of writing and directing a short film. Also, Adriana's writing was fast paced and addicting, making this a quick read for me, which is pretty amazing right now considering the loads and loads of homework I have.

In all, Viola in Reel Life is a sweet story that I suggest to girls everywhere looking for a great new read to transition them into the fall back to school season. Also, I can't wait to see where Adriana takes Viola and her friends next in the second installment, which is hopefully coming out soon. =)

Grade: A

Viola in Reel Life is now out!>

* As mentioned above much thanks goes to Adriana for sending me a copy of this novel!

In My Mailbox: Week 45

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. All summaries are from either Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Goodreads.

For Review:

Struts & Frets by Jon Skovron

Told in a voice that’s honest, urgent, and hilarious, Struts & Frets will resonate not only with teenage musicians but with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to a favorite album, wondering if they’d ever find their place in the world.

Music is in Sammy’s blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy’s indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don’t self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band’s compromises and reassure Sammy that his life’s dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy’s grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.

When everything in Sammy’s life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together?

I've hear a lot of great things about this one!

Ballad: The Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater

In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.

This looks so good. And isn't the cover just gorgeous?

From Contest:

The Lip Gloss Chronicles Vol. 1: The Ultimate Test by Shelia M. Goss

The Lip Gloss Chronicles explores the life of three sassy and hip urban high school freshmen who are high on fashion and magnets for drama. Britney Franklin, Jasmine McNeil, and Sierra Sanchez, daughters of Dallas, Texas socialites met in their private grammar school, and now they are ready to tackle their freshman year in a new public high school as a team.

The girls soon realize that life at Plano High School is far different from their private junior high. From the moment they step on the school campus, drama awaits them in the form of two people—Dylan "DJ" Johnson and Tanisha Ross. The girls are smitten with DJ's good looks and good manners. Tanisha is jealous of the attention that DJ shows to these freshman girls, and threatens to harm them physically if they don't back off. Though they don't bow to her demands, they are still intimidated by Tanisha, who quickly becomes a thorn in their side with her outlandish behavior.

The Diva's Creed (All for one, one for all; never let the other fall) is soon tested when Jasmine and Sierra both fall head over heels in love with DJ. Drama ensues, fights break out, and trust is tested. Will the trio be able to hold their friendship together, or will they let a boy come between them?

Haven't heard the greatest things about this, but I'm still going to give it a try.

Overall, a pretty good week! I especially can't wait to read Maggie's novel. =)

Quick Q and A's with Melissa Walker

Melissa Walker is not only the author of the fab Lovestruck Summer ( Review!), but also the fun Violet series about a teen model. Plus, she's the one of the founders of "I Heart Daily" newsletter!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

1) Your latest novel, Lovestruck Summer, was released this past spring. Can you tell us about what inspired you to write it?

A trip to Austin two summers ago totally inspired me--the music, the heat, the cowboys... it made me think of romance.

2) In Lovestruck Summer the main character, Quinn, has a big love of music which leaves me to wonder what some of your favorite musical artists and groups are.

I love a lot of different types of music, from Taylor Swift and Loretta Lynn to The Shins and Animal Collective. I also adore classics like The Beatles and Michael Jackson.

3) Quinn and her cousin, Penny, have two totally different personalities, with Penny being a prep and Quinn being more of a tomboy, indie music girl, which leaves me to wonder which one you are most like in real life.

You know, I'm really neither, or maybe a mix of the two!

4) If you could pick a theme song for Lovestruck Summer what would it be?

I do love "Waltz Across Texas," which plays big role in a final scene...

5) If you could meet any of the characters in your books for lunch, which one would you choose? What would you talk about?

Um... Russ! We'd talk about how charming he is, and maybe have a little innocent banter.

6) You recently launched a daily newsletter called “ I Heart Daily” with an another ex- Elle girl, leaving me to wonder what lead you to start this?

I had a lot of things that I wanted to share with people--just random stuff I love in the realms of style, beauty, news and entertainment. Anne and I really missed writing for ELLEgirl so we thought we'd start a newsletter so we could keep writing that way!

8) A couple of days ago, I saw that you just signed a contract for a new book deal, the title of the book being “ Small Town Sinners”. So, would you care to share more of what it’s about?

Yes! I'm excited. It's about a girl who's grown up in a church community where they hold an annual HELL HOUSE, or a haunted house of sin, around Halloween. She's always wanted to take part in it, and suddenly some big changes happen in her life, including the return of a boy she used to known. As she starts falling in love, she may start falling out of faith...

9) Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just thanks! Thanks!

~~~~~~

Your welcome, Melissa. You can visit Melissa at her blog or website, if you would like. :)

Hold Still by Nina Lacour

Summary:

An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, from a breakthrough new voice in YA fiction.

Dear Caitlin, there are so many things that I want so badly to tell you but I just can’t.

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend’s suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn’t die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid’s descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid—and Caitlin herself.

Review:

Hold Still was a beautiful and refreshing read about love, loosing, and learning how to move on while still keeping a piece of the lost with you always.

At first, Catlin was not my favorite character ever, because of her constant mooping about Ingrid's death. Sure, I understood why she would be sad, since I would be the same way if I lost one of my best friends. Though, I felt that at a couple of times it got out of hand. Luckily, as Hold Still continued, I began to enjoy reading about Catlin and her friends such as Taylor and Dylan.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about this story were the different types of characters Nina introduced to us through her writing. Mostly because thay were easy to relate to and everything but cookie cutter cut outs.

Lastly, the plot and writing was also a key point the story, because Nina has created a story that is not only memorable but flows extremely well for a debut author. I'm really looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next!

Overall, Hold Still was a stunning novel that I highly suggest you pick up come October.

Grade: A

Hold Still comes out October 20, 2009. Also, be sure to check out the trailer below, as well as Nina's website for more info regrading this book.

*Much thanks goes to EB at Penguin Young Readers Divison for sending this to me!

Quick Q and A's with Jess from Say What?

Today, I have an interview with Jess from Say What?, a really cool blog that I just recently discovered and I hope you'll like it, too. Though, without a further ado, here's my interview with Jess.

~~~~~

1) First off, I’m going to give you a couple of categories and I would like you to list your favorite.

Food?

Does chocolate count? I'm also a huge fan of fried green tomatoes.

Drink?

Water, believe it or not.

Book?

Wow, this is a tough one. Can I pick three? Thanks!
1) Stephen King's The Shining.
2) Alice Sebould's The Lovely Bones.
3) Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls.
3.5) Ellen Hopkins' Impulse.

(I could keep going, but I'm already such a big cheater that I'll leave it at that.)

Author?

Ellen Hopkins. What she does with so few words is amazing.

Movie?

Clueless is my all time favorite. Bring it On runs a close second. I love "serious" movies as well, but the ones I'm going to watch over and over again are the ones that make me laugh.

Musical Artist or Group? Jimmy Eat World.

2) You recently started up your blog, Say What?, which leaves me to wonder what inspired you to do so?

I was browsing through Publishers Lunch and saw Becca Fitzpatrick's blurb of Hush, Hush. The book looked interesting, so I Googled (is that a proper noun?) her, and found her blog. I devoured it like cotton candy and decided, "I need one of these!" I'd been writing seriously for about 4 years at the time, and I wanted to be around others who were doing the same. 5 months later, here I am, and loving every second of it.

3) Is there anything that makes you blog unique from the other ones out there? If so, in what ways?

I can be a little random at times, but the core of my blog is reading and writing. I blog about my personal writing experiences, as well as any professional information I gain that may be of benefit to other aspiring writers (e.g., all of my notes from the LA SCBWI conference are posted). I recently began running book giveaways, and I'll continue to do so for as long as everyone keeps entering. I like to think I'm funny on occasion, however rare those moments may be. And to top it off, my tiny little profile picture was taken in a McDonald's playpen. How many others can say that? =)

4) What has your reaction to the blogging community been like so far?

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up! I've "met" so many amazing people through blogging that I never would've known otherwise. I'm a hardcore booknerd at heart, so having the opportunity to interact with published (or soon-to-be-published) authors leaves me giddy. I've had my writing critiqued. I've given feedback to others. I've learned about books I never knew existed. I've even won my very first ARC! I AM that kid in a candy store, and my bag is overflowing with gummy bears and saltwater taffy.

5) If you were only allowed to buy three more books, which ones would you buy? (Could include already released or to be released books)

Only 3 more books ever??? Please tell me this is a nightmare and I'll wake up by the time I finish book number three! I know I'm going to leave out something important, but here goes:

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, because the cover is stunning and everyone has such positive things to say about it.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown, because I was already stoked before I saw the awesome book trailer.

And Fallout by Ellen Hopkins, because I couldn't stand to leave Kristina, the MC of Crank and Glass, halfway through her journey. (Okay, okay, so Fallout doesn't come out until late 2010, but I must have it!)

6) What is your idea of the perfect day like?

Waking up late because I just can't stand to pull myself out of my 800-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets in my castle across the street from JK Rowling, reading and/or writing until the hubby drags me out from underneath the covers, spending a few hours goofing around with the hubby, JK, and my little sis, and ending with an outdoor concert on a humidity-free night, where we all get so wet that the water doesn't feel cold anymore, and the band keeps playing encore after encore after encore. A midnight flight around town on the band's private jet wouldn't suck, either.

7) Do you have any hobbies or sports you like to do besides book blogging?

I write YA, although I'm not sure if it's a hobby so much as a lifestyle. I could spend every waking hour reading, if that was an option. I volunteer with the animal shelter to help adopt out homeless cats and dogs, and I love photography. I played basketball in high school, but I'm so uncoordinated now I'd probably kick the ball off my foot and somehow manage to smash myself in the face. :)

8) Where do you hope to see Say What? in the next year?

I hope to see a fancy background and a more user-friendly site, which will require the blog owner to become much more technically savvy. I would love to see posts, from yours truly, about my new agent, my new editor, and my long-awaited book deal. (Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?) And, most important, I hope to still be reaching new bloggers and helping others as much as they've helped me.

9) Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you haven't already, you must watch Glee. It's nerdy in the best possible way, and I haven't laughed that hard from a television show in years. And thank you, Lauren, for the opportunity to dip my toes a little deeper in this book blogging pool we all call home.

~~~~~~

Oh, I just started watching Glee too the other day and I'm totally Glee crazy now! :) So, I have to say that I agree with Jess, you have to go watch Glee! Anyway, thanks Jess and be sure to check out her blog here.

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 45

My pick this week is:

Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams

A dazzling debut that is both literary and accessible.

When sisters Sadie and Zuzu Brooks move to Salt Lake City, they discover a secret room in the attic of their new house, with a sign that reads “Palace Beautiful” and containing an old journal. Along with their neighbor, dramatic Belladonna Desolation (real name: Kristin Smith), they take turns reading the story of a girl named Helen living during the flu epidemic of 1918. The journal ends with a tragedy that has a scary parallel to Sadie and Zuzu’slives, and the girls become obsessed with finding out what happened to Helen after the journal ends. Did she survive the flu? Is she still alive somewhere? Or could her ghost be lurking in the nearby graveyard?

Sarah DeFord Williams has created a gripping read that covers two time periods, many fantastic characters, and a can’t-put-it-down.

Why I Want This:

Well, since, Sarah's a 10'er, duh. Seriously, though, this book sounds really cute even if it seems like it's geared to a younger audience.

Palace Beautiful will be released April 15, 2010.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Summary:

Micah will freely admit that she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them—and herself—that she’s finally come clean, Liar is a bone-chilling thriller that will have readers see-sawing between truths and lies right up to the end. Honestly.

Review:

After finishing Liar all I could basically say was 'Wow'.

Liar was and is twisted in ways that you could almost never believe what you were reading and had unreliable tendencies obviously, but it was still addicting and an extremely well written novel. One that I raced through just because I wanted to find out what would occur next and which of Micah's lies were actually truths.

Talking about Micah, it was so had to decide an opinion on her, it still is even. Mostly because on one side I liked her even though she was a compulsive liar. Since, I only wanted her to get better so that in result she could get on with her life. Plus, I understood her love for Zach and constantly felt sorry for her. But on the other side, all I wanted to do was dislike her non honesty and how she always had me, the reader, question wether I could believe and trust her.

The plot was one that felt like a roller coaster ride. One that had twists and turns you could almost never see coming and at the same time could make you feel a bit ill even. Though, within this Justine does create a story that is extremely well crafted leaving me to give her nothing but kudos for taking on a project as hard as this one must have been.

The one thing I didn't really like about this novel was the big twist in the middle. I felt that not only did it give us some unoriginality, but it made the pace of Liar slow done considerably to a point were it was kind of hard for me to go on. Luckily, it did began to get better after a while leaving it to not deduct too much from the overall story.

In all, I did love Liar and have it high on my list for the best novels of '09, even though I'm still debating if Micah left us with all truths in the end or not. =)

Grade: A+

Liar will be released September 29, 2009.

* Much thanks goes to AD for sending this to me! :)

I'm Not Usually One to Post About Covers, but.....

I just couldn't pass this one up. =)

This stunningly beautiful cover is the one for Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala which is debuting sometime next
June.

Here's the summary:

It’s tough, living in the shadow of a dead girl…

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

In this powerful debut novel, stunning new talent Holly Cupala illuminates the dark struggle of a girl who must let go of her past to find a way into her own future.

Eh, doesn't it sound fabulous? I seriously can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Though, anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts on this cover. Love it? Hate it? Leave a comment! :)

Contest for a SIGNED copy of Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Thanks to the amazing, Jenny, at Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, I have a fablous signed copy of Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough to give away! If you haven't heard what it's about before, here's the summary:

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Intrigued, yet? Well, you should be, it's a really cute book. :)

How to enter:

Leave a comment on this post telling me what supernatural power you would want, if you could have any one your heart desired. For example, some of the characters in Once A Witch, can time travel and compel people into doing what they want. Oh, and no answer equals no entry, so be sure to answer it. :)

Extra Entries:

+4 for already being a follower/ subscriber of this blog.
+2 for becoming one.
+1 for commenting on my review of Once A Witch here.
+1 for commenting on my interview with Carolyn below.
+ 2 for each time you link to this contest from sidebar, facebook, myspace, twitter. ( Though with twitter please add @Lauren817 to your link, so I can track them easier, thanks!)

Ends:

October 5th at midnight eastern and this is open internationally! :)

GOOD LUCK!!

Quick Q and A's with Carolyn MacCullough

Carolyn MacCullough is the author of several books for Young Adults, one being Once A Witch which I recently reviewed here.
~~~~~~~~~

1) Once A Witch is your latest teen book. So, can describe it one sentence?

Once a Witch is about a 17 year old girl, Tamsin Greene, who comes from a long line of witches, but she herself has no magical power...or does she?

2) What inspired you to put Tasmin’s story to paper?

Exercise! I took up running for all of two weeks one April and in an effort to distract myself from the agony of exercise, I would study all the really cool old brownstones as I ran through Brooklyn. There was one house with a little gargoyle statue and I always wondered what stories he could tell if he could talk. Then I thought about a character who possessed the magical ability to make him speak. And then I thought about a character who didn't possess any magical abilities whatsoever, but who happened to belong to a family who was very Talented. What would she be like? And that's how I started hearing Tamsin's voice.

3) In Once A Witch most of the characters have “Talents”, otherwise know as magical powers, which leaves me to wonder what talent you would want to have if you could choose one?

Too hard of a question! I would love to be invisible, to fly, and to read minds. But I would also love to be able to rewind time even for a day or even just a few minutes to get a chance to "do over" things.

4) Do you have a favorite scene or line from Witch?

When Gabriel asks Tamsin out right after they've returned from time traveling to the 1800's and she says:

“I don’t know. I mean, you just took me back, like, a hundred years. Dinner would probably be so . . . anticlimactic now.” There is a small silence and finally I dare to look up at him. One eyebrow jabs upward. “If you and I went out on a date, the last thing it would be is anticlimactic.”

5) Is there one thing that you hope readers of your books take from them?

That everyone has a talent, no matter who you are. And that you should find that talent and focus on it, follow it and see where it takes you.

6) Was there a specific moment in your life when you decided, “ I want to be an author”?

I always wanted to be an author. But then I always wanted to be a lot of things--a pilot, a vet, and a princess in a tower to name a few.

7) What other hobbies do you enjoy besides writing?

Horseback riding. Swimming. Taking long walks in the woods. (This makes me sound athletic and I'm really not!)

8) Is there one book out there that you just wish that you had written yourself?

Wow--I love that question. Yes, there are so many books that I wish I had written myself. But I'm going to aim high here and say The Road, by Cormac McCarthy.

9) Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Persistence and patience are what you need to become published. That's more than half the battle. That, and read. Read everything out there--it will make you a better writer in the long run.

10) Are you currently working on any new projects? Perhaps, a sequel to Once A Witch?

Yes, I am working on the sequel--titled Always a Witch--it contains more Talents, time travel, undercover spywork, and of course some romance!

11) Is there anything else you would like to add?

Come visit me at http://www.onceawitch.com/!

~~~~~~

So, what are you waiting for? Go check out Once A Witch. It truly is a fantastic book! :)

Really Cool Contest happening at The Undercover Book Lover

My friend, Reggie, at The Under Cover Book Lover is giving away a Jennifer Echols Prize pack including all four of Jennifer's books ( The Ex- Games, Going Too Far, Major Crush, and The Boys Next Door)! So, I highly suggest you go check this contest out. Plus, Reggie's blog is awesome! =)

In My Mailbox: Week 44

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it click here. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. All summaries are from either Barnes and Noble, Amazon or Goodreads.

For Review:

The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols ( Paperback/ September 2009/ Simon Pulse)- Not only is this signed by the author herself, but it's by Jennifer Echols, which therefor already makes it fabulous in book. I mean do I have to bring Going Too Far into the picture to prove this point further? :)

Girl In The Arena by Lise Haines ( Hardcover/ October 2009/ Bloomsburry Children's Publishing)- This looks so great!

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst ( Hardcover/ October 2009/ McElderry Books)- This is part of a tour I'm doing for Traveling To Teens come October and I can't wait to read it.

Poison Study by Maria Synder ( March 2007 Paperback Editon/ Mira Books)- I had absolutely no clue this was coming, so it was an awesome surprise when I saw it in my mailbox this week.

I also got a few library books this week, but I'll include them next week since I'm extremely busy right now and it's getting late.

Anyway, I had a great week and I hope you did too. =)

Troy High by Shana Norris

Summary:

Homer’s Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High.

Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena—who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders—transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie’s brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten.

The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans’ wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans’ offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school. Troy High will seduce readers with its incendiary cast of mythic proportions.

Review:

Troy High was a book that was easy for me to adore. Since, not only was it a cute read but a retelling of Homer's classic Iliad, a story that I've always been intrigued by, though have not yet had the chance to read.

While the plot was basic and had twists that you could see coming miles away, I was still immersed in Troy High, because of the humorous pranks the schools played on one another and the sweet characters Shana brought into the story.

One of those characters was Cassie, a girl whose a loner by nature expect for her one best friend, Greg, who is a Spartan. Though, everything changes for her when the beautiful Elaina comes goes from being a Spartan to a Trojan and wants to be not only her friend, but date Cassie's brother, making the rivalries between the Trojans and Spartans even worse. I really admired the quality in Cassie that made her always stick up for what she believed in and be there for her friends even though it didn't always make the best situations. Also, I loved the male cast in this too, my favorites being Roger and Hunter, of course.

Overall, Troy High is a cute read for a rainy ( or even snowy) day this fall season and while it's not the best story out there, it does have several redeeming qualities about it that I'm sure readers will love.

I suggest this to fans of Meg Cabot's novels.

Grade: B

Troy High is now out! Also, you can find out more info about it on Shana's site, as well as the book trailer featured below:



* Much thanks goes to LM at Amulet for sending this to me! :)

Soulstice by Simon Holt

Summary:

The terrifying, nail-biting, and grossly intriguing sequel to The Devouring.

It's been six months since Reggie first discovered and fought against the Vours, malicious and demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on the eve of the Winter Solstice.

The Vours still haunt Reggie, but only in her dreams-until one night, when an unexpected visitor turns her nightmares into reality.

The battle against evil continues in Soulstice, the second book in the thrilling The Devouring series, which School Library Journal called, "Comparable to books by R. L. Stine and Stephen King....A must-have for horror fans."

Review:

While The Devouring was only slightly scary, in Soulstice Simon Holt ups his game in a big way by making it a scarier and more thrilling read.

The one thing that really won me over with this was the action packed plot. Since, there was always some new twist and turn to come into action and more was told and explained about the Vours. This all made Soulstice go by much faster then it's prequel.

Unfortunately, the characters still weren't all the way there for me. This could partly be because I don't particularly like third person books since it always seems like you can't fully connect with the character and that's what happened in this. Sure, you understand Reggie's, along with Aaron's and Eben's, fears and struggles to overcome the Vours, but none of these characters truly jumped of the page and came to life. The same kind of thing applied to the writing, too. I do have to say, though, that while these two things weren't the best they could be, they defiantly improved from The Devouring.

Overall, Soulstice is a chilling and scary read that I suggest for a rainy night when there's nothing else to read or do. Lastly, while I didn't fully enjoy Soulstice, I still will be reading the third in the series when it comes out. Mostly because I want to know what happens next.

Grade: B

Soulstice is now out!

* Much thanks goes to AM at Little, Brown for sending me this!

The Devouring by Simon Holt

Summary:

"When dark creeps in and eats the light,
Bury your fears on Sorry Night.
For in the winter's blackest hours,
Comes the feasting of the Vours,
No one can see it, the life they stole,
Your body's here but not your soul..."

THE VOURS: Evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice.

When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.

To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?

The Devouring is an engrossing tale of terror that will have you wondering: what if your worst fears became your living nightmare?

Review:

For a while now, I've been craving to read a scary book, so when the chance came up to read The Devouring, as well as it's sequel Solstice, I agreed. Though, while The Devouring was a compelling read, I didn't come to find it drop dead scary, more like just a bit scary, I guess.

Simon Holt has an interesting idea in the Vours, which is one of this novel's main focuses. It was fun to read about their history as well as see what they could do to you if they captured your soul.

But the writing and the characters just didn't do it for me. I felt that both were mostly one dimensional and flat throughout The Devouring which left them to not be memorable by the end.

Luckily, what the characters and writing lacked, the plot partly made up for it because of it's fast pace and occasional twits and turns.

Overall, The Devouring is a good read, but not a great one. Though, I still will be reading the sequel , because I have a feeling that the story may grow to be better as time goes on.

Grade: C

The Devouring is now out!

Quick Q and A's with Megan Crewe and Giveaway!

Megan Crewe is the author of the one of the most faboulous books of the year, Give Up The Ghost, which is now out!

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1) Give Up The Ghost is your debut novel. Can you tell us a bit about your road to publication for it?

It was pretty straight-forward, actually! When I'd finished and revised GHOST, I started querying agents, and after a few months of sending out partials and fulls got an offer of representation. My agent sent the book out to editors, and then there was a lot of waiting, a few close calls (editor loved it but someone higher up said no), some revision, and finally two offers. Well worth the wait!

2) In Give Up The Ghost, Cass has the ability to talk to ghosts, people who have died, but have not yet crossed over. Which leaves me to wonder if you could talk to any ghost of someone you loved who has died who would it be?

I would talk to the ghost of my maternal grandfather, who died when I was in junior high school. I always got along with him well, but I never really got to know him because I was still pretty young when he got sick. It'd be nice to find out more about his life.

3) Did Give Up The Ghost change in any big ways from first draft to what you see in the final version?

All of the important stuff stayed pretty much the same. :) The biggest change was removing a subplot that didn't entirely fit the story and replacing that material with other stuff that did.

4) Is there one specific thing that you hope that the readers of your book will take from it?

I hope they'll take the idea that there's more to people and situations than may first appear--that even if things seem hopeless there are ways to deal with them, that someone you never expected may be able to help you if you give them a chance.

5) If you could pick a theme song for Give Up The Ghost what would it be?

"Trouble" by Lisa Germano--I listened to it a lot while I was writing.

6) What is your favorite thing about being an author so far? Least?

My favorite thing is writing! I love making up stories and figuring out how my characters will react in certain situations, all the creative stuff.

My least favorite part is the waiting that's such a large part of publishing. Even once your book sells, you have to wait at least 18 months before it comes out. And during a lot of that time, there's relatively little you can do for that book. Which is why I distract myself with more writing. :)

7) Are you currently working on anything?

Of course! (See above.) I'm taking a little break to focus on GHOST's launch, since it's so soon, but I have a couple of YA novels waiting for revisions once that's done.

8) Is there anything else you would like to add?

I love to hear from readers, so if you'd like to know more about me or GHOST, feel free to stop by my website (http://www.megancrewe.com ) and contact me via email or my blog!

~~~~~~~~

Thank so much, Megan! Now, you can check out my review here, which I posted earlier this week, or go look for Give Up The Ghost in your local book store! :)

Also, I have some Give Up The Ghost bookmarks to giveaway to two lucky people. So, just leave a comment on this post saying you would like to be entered. :) I guess this will end...... next Thursday, the 24th.

Contest for a SIGNED copy of Fire by Kristin Cashore

If you've read my previous post you knew this was coming. :) Anway, the lovely people at Penguin have provided me with a signed copy of Fire to giveaway. Here's what it's about just in cause you don't already know:

Fire, Graceling's prequel-ish companion book, takes place across the mountains to the east of the seven kingdoms, in a rocky, war-torn land called the Dells.

Beautiful creatures called monsters live in the Dells. Monsters have the shape of normal animals: mountain lions, dragonflies, horses, fish. But the hair or scales or feathers of monsters are gorgeously colored-- fuchsia, turquoise, sparkly bronze, iridescent green-- and their minds have the power to control the minds of humans.

Seventeen-year-old Fire is the last remaining human-shaped monster in the Dells. Gorgeously monstrous in body and mind but with a human appreciation of right and wrong, she is hated and mistrusted by just about everyone, and this book is her story.

Wondering what makes it a companion book/prequel? Fire takes place 30-some years before Graceling and has one cross-over character with Graceling, a small boy with strange two-colored eyes who comes from no-one-knows-where, and who has a peculiar ability that Graceling readers will find familiar and disturbing...

Interguied yet? Well, you should be, this book is pure greatness. :)

How To Enter:

Just leave a comment on this post, it's as easy as that.

Extra Entries:

+4 for already being a follower/ subscriber of this blog.
+2 for becoming one.
+1 for commenting on my review of Fire here.
+1 for commenting on my Kristin's brief character profile below.
+6 for adding the Fire widget to your blog/ myspace/ facebook/ or basically any place people can see it. ( +6 for each time!)
+5 for dedicating a whole post on your blog to this contest
+ 2 for each time you link to this contest from sidebar, facebook, myspace, twitter. ( Though with twitter please add @Lauren817 and #firetour trending topic to your link, so I can track them easier, thanks!) Oh, and there's an unlimited amount of time you can do this.

Ends:

October 1st at midnight eastern and this is open only to the US, sorry international readers. Though, if you can provided me with an address of a US friend if you win, feel free to enter! :)

GOOD LUCK!!

Getting to Know the Characters of Fire Blog Tour!

I don't know if you've heard about the fabulous Kristin Cashore yet, but you totally should have. Since, not only has she created a magical and enchanting world in her books- Fire and Graceling- but she has some kick ass female protagonists that I not only admire but envy.

To be honest, in the beginning, when I heard about Graceling, I wasn't too keen on giving it a chance. Though, after my step sister, A, had read it this previous summer and couldn't stop raving about it, I finally gave it the chance it deserved and I'm so glad I did!

Now, getting back to her newest release, Fire, it's definitely as fantastic as it's companion, if not better. I recently reviewed it , plus here's a tidbit straight from that said review:

" Overall, Fire is one of the most fantastic books I've read so far in '09 and I seriously can't wait for others to get their hands on this novel so that they can see the power in Cashore's writing and characters as I have!"

Yeah, I know, totally fan girly, right? :)

Anyway, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm part of the blog tour of this novel, which includes this post about one of the characters in Fire and a contest for a SIGNED copy ( will be posted latter on!). So, without a further delay, here's some info directly from Kristin about Small, Fire's horse.

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" Small, Fire's horse, is dun and drab and drooly; when he sleeps, he leans to one side, like a building about to topple; but don't be deceived by names or appearances. No horse could be braver."

~~~~~~~~

To find out more about this novel, please do check out the excerpt here, as well as Kristin's blog here.

Also, Fire will be release October 5th, 2009, and I, among many many others, can't wait for you to get your hands on a copy! :)

* Plus, major props go to Jillian Lakes at Penguin for organizing this all, it wouldn't be nearly as fantastic without her. :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Week 44

My pick this week is:

A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by Brenda Woods

Surprising truths are revealed in a high school writing class.

If you could get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for anything at all, what would it be?

This writing assignment, given out in Ms. Hart’s tenth-grade creative writing class, sparks a group of nine students each to tell his/her own story. Readers are introduced to Jake and Shante’s interracial romance, Carlos’ fear of deportation, and Sunday’s determination after being sexually assaulted. These
teens persevere through hardship and heartache, laughter and love, and in the end, their voices shine through inspiring journal entries that answer the question in unusual and unexpected ways.

Once again, Brenda Woods shows a keen understanding of the teenage psyche, as she did in Emako Blue, winner of the 2005 IRA Children’s Choice Young Adult Fiction Award.

My Thoughts:

This sounds so good! Plus, I adore the cover.

A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame will be released Feburary 4, 2010.

Traveling To Teens Tour: Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Summary:

At the sound of a shot everything can go askew and dark.

Five moths ago something terribly bad happened. Something that changed just about every ones lives at Valerie Leftman's high school.
You see, her boyfriend, the guy she loved with all her heart, opened fire on their school killing at least 8 people and injuring dozens. They say it was a hate crime based on a list ironically called " The Hate List" which was written by Nick- Valerie's boyfriend- and.... Valerie.

Now, it's been five moths, but people are still blaming her for what happened. Saying that she could have stopped it all, but she didn't. Though, others are saying she's a hero because in the middle of the shooting she jumped in front of Jessica, a fellow classmate, and saved her life in process of being shot herself.

Now there's a question in her fellow classmates heads and even Valerie's- Hero or Villain? All Valerie knows is it's going to be one hell of a senior year.

Review:

Wow, Wow, Wow. Yes, I know incredibly descriptive. Though, that's all that comes to mind after reading this book. To say it was amazing just would not be enough. Hate List basically needs it own word to describe how spectacular it was.

From the start you could get in Valiere Leftman's head, feeling the anger and guilt that took her over every day. I felt sorry for her numerous times because of how nobody would ever trust her again- even her own mother and father- just because her boyfriend was the shooter and she had helped write the list. Since, for one she had never knew that this was going to happen and that the Hate List was going to be used to pick the victims. All along, I was rooting for her family and ex friends to realize how lucky they were for her to still be alive, though sadly that moment never truly came. Also, other main characters such as Dr. Hieler, her therapist, and Jessica, the girl she saved, were presented in three dimensional way that made you enjoy reading about them.

The plot was one that was controversial and never appears much in YA which made in even more compelling to read. I loved how Jennifer switched between the day of the shooting-leading up to it and then the main showcase- and the present. Since, it gave you a basic understanding of what had happened. Also, the plot was know to have some twists and turns that made it a extremely fast read.

The main thing I took from reading this book that hate and bulling are never the answer to anything. Not just because of possible school shootings, but because of how much pain it causes the people who are being hated. How much effort it takes to just wake up in the morning to have someone call you bad nicknames or to pull pranks on you. Luckily, I've never been one to have the hate put on. Though, I've seen plenty of people doing it to others which makes this an even more important topic in high schools and colleges. I therefor want to make a goal to never pick on someone to an extreme and to try to stop it if I see it going on.

Overall, Hate List is a true gem, making it a must read for any teenager or adult. I look forward to reading more by Jennifer, because I expect more great things from her in the future. :)

Grade: A+

Hate List is now out!

This review was part of the Traveling To Teen Tours, to find out more about past and future tours as well as contests, visit the website.

Quick Q and A's with Michelle Moran and Contest!!

Michelle Moran is the author of several books for adults, but in her newest she creates a magical historical fiction that's an Adult/ teen crossover titled Cleopatra's Daughter.

First off, please welcome Michelle to Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf, were she'll be answering a few Q and A's that she's provided to give you a further look into the topic(s) of her novel(s). As well as giving away some goodies! :)

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Q: What prompted you to write a novel about Cleopatra’s daughter?

A: I do a great deal of traveling both for research and for fun, and most of my destinations are archaeological sites. On a trip to Alexandria in Egypt, I was afforded the amazing opportunity of participating in a dive to see the submerged remains of Cleopatra’s ancient city. More than ten thousand artifacts remain completely preserved underwater: sphinxes, amphorae, even the stones of the ancient palace. Although I'm not a fan of diving, it was an incredible experience, and it changed the way I looked at Cleopatra. I immediately wanted to know more about her life, and it was mere coincidence that my next trip took me to Italy, where her ten year-old children were brought to live after her suicide. While in Rome, I was able to retrace her daughter's steps, and upon seeing where her daughter had lived on the Palatine, I knew I had my next novel.

Q: What was it like to walk where Selene walked? In particular, what was it like to visit Octavian’s villa?

A: Unbelievable. For two thousand years, Octavian’s villa has sprawled across the top of the Palatine Hill, slowly deteriorating. At one time, its vibrantly painted dining room had hosted magnificent feasts, one of which would have been the celebration of the emperor’s triumph over Marc Antony and Cleopatra in Egypt. As the heir to Caesar, Octavian was determined to rule the western world without interference. He changed his name to Augustus, and with the help of his general Agrippa and his architect Vitruvius, he turned a city of clay into a city of marble.

I had known all of this on that day in March when the villa was opened for the first time in more than a century. What I hadn’t known, however, was just how unbelievable that trip back into the world of ancient Rome would be. After three million dollars in restoration, Italian archaeologists have been able to recreate not just the intimate library and studies Augustus used, but the mosaic floors he once walked on and the vividly painted ceilings he once walked beneath with Ovid, Seneca, Cicero, Horace, and even Julius Caesar himself. As we were quickly escorted through the frescoed rooms, we stopped in the triclinium – the dining room which had once seen so many famous faces smiling, laughing, even crying for mercy. With a little imagination, it was easy to see the tables and couches that had once adorned the chamber, and there was the undeniable feeling of standing in the presence of the ancients. It was the kind of feeling you only get in Grecian temples or Egyptian tombs.

Q: In all three of your novels, your narrators have been teenage girls. Is there are reason for this?

A: Actually, yes. I like to begin my novels during the time of greatest transition in a person’s life. And in the ancient world, the greatest transition in a woman’s life was often the time when she was married. Because women married at much younger ages two thousand years ago (twelve years old was not uncommon), my narrators have all been very young girls. In fact, Random House will be making a concerted effort to market Cleopatra's Daughter to young adults as well as adults. However, as my novels progress through time (my next book, for example, will be about Madame Tussaud), my narrators will be older.

Q: Is the Red Eagle based on an historical person?

A: Yes. The Red Eagle is actually based on several men who led slave rebellions (unsuccessfully, I might add) against Rome. Spartacus led the most famous revolt, but there were other men too, such as Salvius, who waged war with his army of slaves in ancient Sicily.

Q: You write in your acknowledgements page that the character of the Red Eagle is an homage to the works of several authors. What made you decide to do this?

A: Creative as well as personal reasons. First, I wanted to create a character that fans of swashbuckling adventures might love, and it wasn’t at all difficult to find historical personalities on which to base such a hero. Men like Spartacus and Salvius were heroes in the truest sense of the word. But I didn’t want there to be too much action, and certainly not so much that it would detract from the real story – that of Selene and her twin brother Alexander growing up in a foreign court. I could certainly have chosen not to include anything as obviously fictitious as the Red Eagle. But I wanted to illustrate just how threatening slave rebellions were at that time, and how ever-present the danger of becoming a slave would have been, even to captured royalty. And the creation of the Red Eagle wasn’t a huge stretch. Many rebels who came before – and after – the Red Eagle employed similar tactics: rousing the plebs, arming the slaves, and encouraging those in servitude to passive resistance.

On a more personal note, however, I wanted to include the Red Eagle because I knew it would be a character my father would have loved. He devoured anything having to do with ancient Rome, and I deeply regret not having written this while he was still alive.

Q: Was a third of Rome’s population really enslaved?

A: Sadly, yes. And you didn’t have to be born a slave to become one. You could be kidnapped and sold into slavery, your city could be overrun and you could be turned into a slave, or you might be sold into servitude by your own parents. Slavery meant an absolute loss of every human right we now take for granted, and as a slave, your body was no longer your own. Many slaves were physically and sexually abused, regardless of age or gender.

Q: Where did these slaves come from?

A: Many were Gallics and Greeks. The Gallics were from Gaul, a region which now encompasses France, Belgium, parts of Switzerland, and Germany.

Q: When did slavery end?

A: It hasn't. In the Western World, it was slowly - very slowly - phased out with the coming of Christianity (which was one of the reasons Christianity flourished… it appealed to the disenfranchised and enslaved, making everyone equal if not on earth than in the next life). But slavery certainly hasn't ended for everyone. There are women and children who are ensalved today, even in America and Europe. Of course, this isn't legal. Many of these victims of modern-day human trafficking have been brought over from places like Albania or Algeria and have no resources to escape. That's why organizations such as STOP International exist. You can visit them here.

Q: Is it still possible to visit the places Selene visited when she was in Rome?

A: Yes. In 2008, I went on a photographic safari in search of the places Selene would have gone during the brief years she was in Rome. Many of the photos are included here!

Q: What are you working on next? Will it also be marketed to both adults and YA?

A: Actually, my next book will be firmly adult fiction. MASKS OF THE REVOLUTION is about Madame Tussaud, who joined the gilded but troubled court of Marie Antoinette, and survived the French Revolution only by creating death masks of the beheaded aristocracy. I’m very excited about this novel, since Marie (the first name of Madame Tussaud) met absolutely everyone, from Jefferson to the Empress Josephine.

~~~

Thanks so much Michelle! Now, on to the contest portion of this post. Michell has been sweet enough to donate a copy Cleopatra’s Daughter as well as an ancient Roman coin complete with certificate of authenticity such as the one pictured on the left.

How To Enter:

Just leave a comment! It seriously can't get easier then that. :)
Though, creativity will earn you bonus points.

Extra Entries:

+4 for already being a follower/ subscriber of this blog.
+2 for becoming one.
+ 2 for each time you link to this contest from sidebar, facebook, myspace, twitter. ( Though with twitter please add @Lauren817 to your link, so I can track them easier, thanks!)

Ends:

September 28th at midnight eastern and this is open internationally! :)

GOOD LUCK!!

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

Summary:

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

Review:

With the interesting premise ( Ghost Whisper meets High School, anyone?) and awesome cover Give Up The Ghost had, I knew that I was in for one superb treat.

Give Up The Ghost was a new and fresh take on the whole ghost seeing subject. I liked how the ghosts Cass saw such as Norris and Bitzy were a key part of the story and two of Cass's closest friends. Also, it was interesting to see Cass and Paige's, her dead sister, relationship. Since, it provided for some drama and was a cute part of the book.

While Cass was a funny and heartwarming character, she could get on my nerves at times, because of her awkwardness around her classmates. Though, at the same time, I admired her no crap attitude. Tom was another likable character that had many layers to him. Since, at first glance you would think he would be an annoying full of himself jock, but at heart he was a normal teenage boy dealing with the loss of a loved one.

The plot was well developed and always kept me on my toes, with the different revelations that occurred. Such as, what happened in middle school to Cass to why did Paige die?

Lastly, I have to say, Megan Crewe is another great add to the YA Market. Her writing was well done while still having a feel that the novel was being told from a true teenager's mouth. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by her in the future.

Overall, Give Up The Ghost is a fantastic debut that I suggest to all! I can't wait to see what others think about it.

Grade: A+

Give Up The Ghost will be released on September 15, 2009 otherwise know as tomorrow! :) Also, be sure to check back latter this week for an interview with Megan!

* Much thank to Megan, as well as SH, for sending me a copy! :)