Karen Metcalf's In the Storm (Review, Interview, and Giveaway)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer and gives in to a thunderous rage, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

No one escapes fate without sacrifice, but is the price more than Carly is willing to pay?

Review:

Startling, mind-boggling, unique, and enthralling, Karen Metcalf's In the Storm is the perfect read for one stormy, rainy afternoon.

In the Storm tells the story of Carly, a girl who has never had an easily life. For one, her mother deserted Carly and her brother Mitch a few years ago, leaving them stranded and with only one house to go to- their abusive and frightening stepfather's. There they face punishment like no other- punishment that Carly and Mitch don't know how to escape from or stop. Though, one day when Carly is pushed too far, she lands herself into a stormy yet perfect world, but is it a sanctuary or a purgatory? More importantly, what happens when Carly meets the stunning and secretive Morgan? Will he help her save her brother in time, or will everything fall apart? Only time and more pages will tell in this fast-paced read that will leave nearly any reader breathless.

For a short story, Karen Metcalf's In the Strom leaves quite the impact. For one, the premise of this one is fantastic. I loved the idea of a sanctuary in which Carly could retreat to when she desired an escape. Luckily the execution was even better, because not only did it leave my mind reeling but I constantly was amazed by how in depth Karen went in such few pages.

Carly was a character I admired and liked from the beginning. She was strong, determined and let nothing get in her way, not her stepfather's cruel antics nor the misery that kept landing in her life. I especially liked the scenes between her and her brother because they managed to show just how caring and loving she was towards her brother.

Well-written and mesmerizing, In the Storm packs quite the punch, which leaves me with only one request: you all must give this book a try. Karen is a great author, and this short story is even better!

Grade: A

In The Storm is now out.

Source: Author- thanks Karen!

Interview:

Karen Metcalf is the author of In the Storm, and recently I got the chance to ask her a few questions. So, without a further ado...

~~~

What are the top three reasons why teens (or even adults) should consider picking up In the Storm the next time they see it online or in stores?

I think the latest trend in YA is beginning to dying out a bit, and it seems to be moving towards sci-fi. In fact, I think a lot of pop culture is returning to sci-fi. In the Storm fits into this category. It’s also a short read, and it only costs $2.99.

In the Storm tells the story of Carly so would you mind sharing a little about her?

Carly is a girl who just wasn’t dealt a good hand. She was abandoned by both parents and raised by an abusive step-father. Her only joy in life is her younger brother Mitchell. At some point she snaps under the pressure, which sends her to another world.

I think what I admire about Carly is that she knows who she is. She goes on an emotional rollercoaster, but I think considering the situation, she handles herself pretty well.

Besides Carly, I really enjoyed reading about her little brother Mitch, so what was the inspiration behind his character?

I have a little brother, who I can clearly picture when he was Mitch’s age. I kept that in mind as I wrote about her emotions and reactions regarding him. Mitch was the first character that I thought up, and the true reason I started writing In the Storm.

Do you have a favorite scene or line from In the Storm? If so, would you mind sharing it, or a bit about it to get readers excited about the book?

Although I love thunderstorms, my true love is the ocean. Having grown up on the water, it was a hard thing to leave behind. There is a short scene in which the ocean there moves very differently than ours, which I really enjoyed writing.

In the Storm is a short story, so what made you decide to write it that way rather than a full-length one?

There was never an active decision to make In the Storm so short. I just wrote until I felt the story was complete. Even after sitting on it for a few months, I never felt like anything should be added. I felt anything more would have just been fluff, and detract from the story.

If you were given your own private sanctuary like Carly’s, what would it be like?

It would be the same stormworld. In reality, I have never seen storms like the ones I grew up with on the North Carolina coast. The lightning has a purple tint to it like nowhere else. I could live in those storms. That was my inspiration for the colors in Carly’s stormworld.

Name three things you were readers would be surprised to know about you.

I am one of five children.
I love pickles so much I used to get gallon jars of them for Christmas.
I have a pretty intense Southern accent.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me on your blog, and thanks to everyone who reads In the Storm!

~~~

Thanks so much, Karen!

To find out more about Karen and her books, be sure to visit her website. You can also visit her Facebook author page here; the In the Storm fan page here; and lastly the In the Storm teaser and excerpt here.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Karen and Vagabondage Press, I have THREE e-copies of In The Storm to giveaway.

To enter please fill out the following form.

Here are the official rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older to enter.
~ Open internationally.
~ This giveaway will close on March 14, 2011!

In My Mailbox (111)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren.

For Review:

A World I Never Made by James LePore

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton (Already reviewed this one here.)

Secrets (Ivy #2) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur (I loved the prequel to this so I can't wait to see what will happen next!)

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt (Read this one as soon as I got it! It was great! Look for a review/giveaway coming soon!)

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler (Heard so many fantastic things about this author!)

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

From Library:

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

A Discovery of Witches by Deobrah Harkness

Netgalley:

The Royal Treatment (Princess for Hire, #2) by Lindsey Leavitt

Mercy (Mercy, #1) by Rebecca Lim

Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin

Much thanks goes to Hyperion/Netgalley, HarperTeen/Marissa, Flux, Kate at Blomsbury, Tracee at Pump Up Your Book, and Katie at Little Bird Publicity!

So many great books this week! I don't know how I'll be able to read them all. :)

Though, enough about me, what did YOU get this week? Anything amazing? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to link to your IMM posts! Oh, and have a great week everyone!

Kick by Walter Dean Myers and Ross Workman

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

For the very first time in his decades-long career writing for teens, acclaimed and beloved author Walter Dean Myers writes with a teen, Ross Workman.

Kevin Johnson is thirteen years old. And heading for juvie. He's a good kid, a great friend, and a star striker for his Highland, New Jersey, soccer team. His team is competing for the State Cup, and he wants to prove he has more than just star-player potential. Kevin's never been in any serious trouble . . . until the night he ends up in jail. Enter Sergeant Brown, a cop assigned to be Kevin's mentor. If Kevin and Brown can learn to trust each other, they might be able to turn things around before it's too late.

Review:

Fast paced and inspiring, Kick is a book that sure to become a favorite of many teens out there who love sport related reads with a touch of mystery.

Kick tells the story of Kevin Johnson and Sergeant Brown and the bond they began to form a unquie bond. Kevin is the typical young man. He loves soccer more than anything, and he's a pretty good student as well as friend. Though, everything changes the night Kevin is arrested for taking a car without permission. Soon enough he lands an offense on his previously clean record, and the touch, sensible, and somewhat sweet Sergeant Brown enters Kevin's life with hope that he'll be able to get Kevin's life back on track again. Little do they know that everything is soon to change yet again, that soon they will have a great friendship. But will it be able to take the heat of a possible future court date as well as the secrets and confessions that keep tumbling out about that fateful night? Only time and more pages can tell in this read that will leave Myers fans cheering for Kevin and Sergeant Brown every step of the way!

The best part of Kick is hands down the characters because both were likable and relatable. Kevin was the average teen boy, one that I'm sure boys and girls alike will have no problem relating to, and while Brown was tough on the edges on first, it was easy to see he was a softie at heart. One of the things I loved most about Sergeant Brown and Kevin was the friendship they began to form over the course of the book, because not only was it touching but inspiring as well to see Kevin began to look up to Brown as his mentor and step in father figure so to say.

While the execution of the premise were a bit average and predictable, I had an easy time falling into the story, because I enjoyed learning more about soccer, the lives of the characters, and the legal process with every page. Also, I felt both Myers and Workman did a great job of leading up to the big reveal of what happened that night as the book progressed because it had just the right amount of tension and suspense to keep me intrigued.

Lastly, the most inspiring aspect of this book would have to be the fact that Walter took Ross (a teen fan of his) on to write this novel with him after exchanging several emails. It was originally what got me interested in this book, and the final outcome was decent overall, because while Kick had its choppy parts at time because of the alternating perspectives, it was easy to see the talent Myers has and Workman is sure to accumulate plenty over time with his stories as well!

In all, Kick is a promising debut from this writing duo, and I look forward to reading more by each, especially if they will be writing together!

Grade: B

Kick is now out!

Source: Publicist/HarperTeen. Thanks Laura!

Blog Tour: Kelly Keaton's Darkness Becomes Her (Review, Interview, & Giveaway!)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

Review:

Darkness Becomes Her is like nothing I've read before. It's spooky, charming, and intriguing. A book that has one of the most unique plot lines I've read in the last few months, which proves Kelly Keaton to be one fabulous author, in my opinion.

Darkness Becomes Her tells the story of Ari. Ari's felt different than most people not only because of the fact she's been in foster care the majority of her life, but with her teal eyes and silver hair it's hard to call herself "normal." Add in the fact that she just discovered her mom killed herself over delusions, Ari has never felt more lost in life. She decides the best way to get answers about her past and her mom, is to go back to her birth-place, the newly rebuilt city of New Orleans called New 2. There she meets a group of misfits just like herself, as well as a possible romantic interest, but is everything as it appears? And when she finally does figure out the secret behind her mother's delusions, will she be able to handle it, as well as everything that it means for her and her new friends? Only time will tell in this action-packed novel!

One of my favorite parts about this book was the main character Ari. She's someone who is fearless and not afraid of getting her hands dirty when it comes to saving her life and the lives of her friends in New 2. I thought the way Kelly Keaton presented Ari's feelings over the death of her mother, as well as the secrets her mother took to her grave, were done in a realistic way, even with the paranormal aspects contained in the book. Adding to this, I loved Ari's friendships with the other teens and kids of New 2 because each were distinguishable, as well as likable, and brought something truly special to the world contained inside the pages of New 2. I specifically liked Ari's bond with Sebastian and the little spark of romance that came with it.

Another aspect of this book I enjoyed was the plot. As mentioned before, it was action-packed and unique, making Darkness Become Her one un-put-a-down-able book! I loved finding out more about Ari and her background, as well as the story of New 2 and its leaders, with each twist, turn, and new plot line that came with the story. This is truly one story that will manage to blow your mind time and time again!

Kelly Keaton's writing was also fabulous. She did a great job of fleshing out the plot lines and characters, as well as making their story truly jump of the page with the setting at hand.

In all, Darkness Becomes Her is sure to become one huge hit in the new year, and because of that I highly, highly, highly recommend you pre-order it. You wouldn't want to miss out on the all mind-blowing now would you?

But ward of warning: the ending will leave you dying to read the sequel!

Grade: A+

Darkness Becomes Her is now out!

Source: Simon and Schuster's Galley Grab program

~~~

Interview:

I also had the chance to ask Kelly a few questions, so without a further ado...

In your opinion, what are the top three reasons why teens should consider picking up Darkness Becomes Her the next time they see it in stores or online?

Well, I'd say please consider if... 1) you're into paranormal creatures and mythology, especially Greek mythology. 2) you're into post-apocalyptic-like settings and semi-dystopian stories 3) if you're into heroines who are independent and can take care of themselves, but who have a soft side too.

Darkness Becomes Her tells the story of Ari so would you mind telling us a little about her? Also, if you could offer her any type of advice what would you say?

Ari is tough because life made her that way. She's a product of one foster home after another. She's learned to keep her heart out of the equation and she's learned how to fight and how to deal with whatever issues come her way. She's an expert at disconnecting herself from pain. Inside, though, she is very lonely. She wants to know who she is, where she came from, she wants to find a place where she can just let her guard down, be at peace, and know she is accepted and loved. And right now, she's too scared to hope that's possible.

I guess if I was giving her advice, especially in the beginning of her journey, I'd tell her that it's okay to be different, that I'm proud of her for surviving her childhood and growing into a strong young woman with a admirable sense of right and wrong. I'd tell her to listen to her instincts and her heart. To be open and that she'll find that place where she longs to be.

The majority of Darkness Becomes Her takes place in New 2, the rebuilt city of New Orleans, which leaves me to wonder the following: why did you not only decide to set it there, but construct a whole new New Orleans around the remains with New 2?

I chose the city because I LOVE it. And when I write, I want to write about the things I love and find insanely cool and exciting. New Orleans has so much character. It's haunting, mysterious, the architecture is gorgeous, there's Mardi Gras and cemeteries, voodoo, so many flavors and cultures colliding. It's a rare place where it seems like the veil between the living and the dead is very thin. But, I wanted to go one step farther and make the city even more haunting, more lush, and mysterious, more raw and dangerous, more like a frontier town -- alluring to those seeking sanctuary and opportunity.

In Darkness Becomes Her, Ari feels that one of the main things that sets her apart from everyone else is her teal eyes and silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, which leaves me to wonder the following: why did you choose to have Ari have those characteristics specifically?

Honestly, Ari appeared in my mind fully formed with the white hair and the strange eyes. Kind of like how Athena burst forth fully grown and armed from the forehead of Zeus! I just had this vision of her and then everything else came together. I think in very visual terms, and I saw her in this gray, decaying, lush world, in her dark clothes, fighting, her white hair flying about as she moved with deadly grace. Yet she held a sadness, too. I'm not sure I chose her at all. I think she might've chosen me, LOL.

Besides Ari, who was your favorite character to write about in Darkness Becomes Her? Why?

Athena! Because she is so bad and psychotic and manipulative. That kind of character is extremely fun to write! Violet comes in a close second. Oh, how I love that strange little girl!

What was one of the most challenging aspects of writing Darkness Becomes Her?

Probably presenting the myth I chose in a way that didn't turn the book into a horror story, and to present Ari the way I saw her in my mind.

How did the title Darkness Becomes Her come to be?

I think I came up with the title around the time I started thinking about Ari, or it might've been a little before. I like to play with titles the way other people doodle or do crossword puzzles. If I'm bored, sometimes I'll just flip through the thesaurus... I have a *ton* of titles in my notebook! But anyway, I knew it fit this story perfectly and my editor agreed, so it stayed.

With Darkness Becomes Her's release date fast approaching, do you have any plans on how you'll spend the day?

I'll probably work on revisions (for the sequel) and hope it distracts me from the nerves! I have the launch book signing that night, so I'll be getting ready for that and then its off to Barnes & Noble.

You also write adult urban fantasy under the name Kelly Gay, so what made you decide to make the switch to YA with your Gods and Monsters series?

It was the story that made the switch. I didn't think too much about genre or markets when I was writing it. It was just an idea that I was really excited about and wanted to pursue. I thought as I was moving along through the story that it was older YA, but I let my agent decided what route to take and what publishers to go after. For me it's all about writing the stories I'm passionate about no matter where they might fall in the market -- though one thing that will always remain is the paranormal elements. I can't seem to write anything without it!

What's up next for you book wise? Also, is there anything else you would like to add?

I have my third adult book coming out August 30, 2011, and then the sequel to Darkness Becomes Her will be out Feb 2012. I have an AWESOME title for this second Ari book, too. I cannot wait to share it! It's spooky and just perfect for the book! And I'll just add a big thank you my readers! And to you, Lauren, for having me! :-)

~~

No thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! I seriously can't wait to see what will happen next in the New 2 world! :)

Now what are you waiting for? Go and buy your copy of Darkness Becomes Her! I promise you won't regret it one bit.

~~

Giveaway:

Now for the part you've all been waiting for...the giveaway!

Thanks to Kelly I have ONE copy of Darkness Becomes Her to giveaway, and better yet this contest is open INTERNATIONALLY!

Here are the official rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older to enter.
~ This contest is open internationally.
~ It will end on March 11, 2011!
~ Please fill out the following form to enter.



Other stops on the tour:

Larissa's Bookish Life - Guest post/Giveaway - February 18th 2011
The Bookish Type - Interview/Giveaway - February 20th 2011
The Book Butterfly - Interview/Giveaway - February 21st 2011
Paper Cut Reviews - Interview/Giveaway - February 22nd 2011
Fantastic Book Review - Book Summary/Excerpt/Interview/Review/Giveaway - February 21st-24th 2011
Dark Faerie Tales - Interview - February 23rd 2011
Wicked Awesome Books - Interview - February 25th 2011
Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf - Interview - February 25th 2011
Girl about Books - Interview - February 26th 2011
Good Choice Reading - Guest post - February 27th 2011
Once Upon a Twilight - Grand-prize Giveaway - February 28th 2011

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything—including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Review:

I've been dying to read Nightshade for the longest of times, because not only did I love the cover but the premise looked very promising. Thankfully, while Nightshade did have somewhat of a slow start, in my opinion, it quickly became a spellbinding and incredible book about one girl and her fight for love and freedom.

Nightshade tells the story of Calla Tor, a normal teen girl exact for several things. For one, she's a part wolf, and since she's the alpha of her pack, she'll become the mate of Ren Laroche, the other alpha wolf of the rival pack, soon after she turns 18. But while for most teen girl's marriage and pack problems aren't the normal things to have to worry about, Calla's okay with this....that is until Shay lands in her path. Shay is like no one she's meet before, and before Calla knows she begins to fall for him and consider his questions and ideas- ones that could lead to Calla not only out of the the pack but the arms of Ren. Will Calla be able to betray the pack she's known since birth for a boy? And is everything as it appears? Only time will tell in this deeply thrilling novel of love, loyalty, and wolves...

Calla was a fierce narrator, and a character I absolutely loved reading about. One of my favorite parts about her was that she would go to end of the world to save someone, even if it meant major trouble on her end, because it showed just how nice of a person see is. Better yet, I loved that while she is a part wolf, she still has the average problems teens have-boys, friends, etc. It made her more relatable, in my opinion. Adding to this, Andrea did a great job of making her feelings over the Ren and Shay, as well as the uncertainty of her future, realistic and in a way that didn't make her seem like another whiny type of MC. I also loved the side characters in this, such as Ren and Shay, who both had there good and bad points, as well as Calla and Ren's packs, which Andrea did a great job of developing as the story progressed.

As mentioned before, one of the main reasons I read this book was because of the premise, and thankfully, the execution of it was up to par, because while I did have a hard time getting into this story, after the first 100 or so pages I was hooked on Calla's story of love and betrayal and hard decisions. Especially when new dire plot turns and twists were introduced into the story.

In all, Nightshade is a strong paranormal debut- one that has me eager to see how Andrea, as well as the world of Nightshade, will grow and develep over time.

Grade: B+

Nighshade is now out!

Source: Unsolicted review copy provided by Penguin

Book Trailer:

Waiting on Wednesday (101)

Waiting on Wednsday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski (May 10th 2011)

Christina Mandelski's debut novel, about a young teen juggling first love, a cake-decorating business, her dad's reality TV show, and a search for her missing mother.

Here's some more about it from SLJ's Librarian Preview:

"Dessen-rific. Dessert-rific, for that matter.

In this story a girl loves decorating cakes, which is a good thing since much of the rest of her life sucks. To improve her lot, she becomes convinced that if she can just find her missing mom then everything will be peachy keen and roses. Sort of the Keeper way of looking at things. Naturally, this doesn’t quite turn out to be the case."

Doesn't this one sound like it's going to be adorable? I think so. Plus, I've heard that it's similar to something Sarah Dessen would write so that earns Christina bonus points in my opinion.

You can find out more about Christina and her books on her website.

Mary Hooper's Fallen Grace (Review & Interview)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

This breakout novel--a page-turning gothic mystery--is not to be missed.

Life has been nothing but unfair to Grace Parkes and her sister. Penniless, the two orphans manage to stay alive-but only barely, like so many on the streets of Victorian London. And Grace must bear a greater heartbreak, having become pregnant from terrible circumstances and then given birth to a stillborn baby. But the infant's death sets Grace on a new path, bringing her into contact with people who hold both riches and power. A great fraud has been perpetrated on young Grace and her sister, and they are the secret recipients of a most unusual legacy-if only they can find the means to claim it. Mary Hooper's latest offers Dickensian social commentary, as well as malicious fraud, mysterious secrets, and a riveting read.

Review:

Full of secrets, twists, and turns, Mary Hooper's Fallen Grace will have readers rooting for Grace and Lilly, two poverty stricken girls, every step of the way, no doubt about it!

Fallen Grace tells the story of Grace, a girl who has fallen into tough times as of lately. For one, at the the young age of 15, she has give birth to a stillborn baby, and she doesn’t know if she should be happy that the child won't have to life a poverty stricken like her and her sister Lilly, or sad that she'll never get the chance to know her baby boy. Though, with this tragedy sets forth a set of various circumstances that will forever change the lives of Grace and her sister, because there are secrets and deceit lying at every corner, but Grace doesn’t know it just yet, which leads to the following question: will Grace be able to find out everything before it's too late? Will she and her sister get the great lives they deserves? Better yet, will Grace ever recover from her “fallen” status? Only time and more pages will tell in this richly told and compelling story taking place in the mid 1800s.

In most ways, Grace is a “saint” so to say, because not only is she strong, hopeful, and kind, but she's taken care of her “simple” but lovable sister Lilly for the majority of their lives. Grace is the kind of girl who constantly has tragedy strike her life, but she doesn’t let it get her down, instead she moves on while still keeping hope for a good future. And while I did really like Grace's character, I also felt she was a bit slow on the uptake at times and bit too trusting of people, but those characteristics are partly the reason why this story had such a mysterious undertone to it, so I'll let them go. I also really enjoyed the character of James, a young man who quickly become a good confident of Grace's, and Violet, another girl's who life hasn't always been peachy.

Though, while the characters in Fallen Grace were fully developed and full of life, I feel that the best part of this novel would have to be the plot, because not only did it constantly leave me guessing, but it painted such an informative view of mid-1800s England for me. I truly always enjoyed learning more about the death scene of England with Grace and Lilly's jobs at the funeral parlor as well as seeing how squalid and rundown some parts of the country were and how that affected the lives of people similar to the main characters.

Lastly, Mary Hooper's writing was great. As mentioned before, she did a great job of creating a historically accurate view of England as well as characters I'm sure many will come to root for. I honestly can't wait to see what time periods she dives into with her future releases.

Perfect for fans of mysteries or/and historical fiction, Fallen Grace the a novel to add to your TBR pile!

Grade: B+

Fallen Grace is now out!

Source: Publicist at Bloomsbury. Thanks Kate!

~~~

I also had the chance to interview Ms. Hooper, so without a further ado...

In your opinion, what are the top three reasons why teens (or even adults) should consider picking up Fallen Grace the next time they see it online or in stores?

Well, according to the (UK) Times newspaper, FALLEN GRACE was the best new historical novel of 2010. Secondly, they will learn a lot about Victorian funeral practices and thirdly...um...lots of fascinating stuff about mourning wear and all the rules and regulations that went with wearing it.

Fallen Grace tells the story of Grace Parkes so can you share a bit about her? Also, if you could offer her any type of advice, what would you say?

Grace manages to survive despite all the terrible things that are done to her. She (mostly) keeps her composure, is serene and loving. And at the very end of the book, she does the right thing!

What was one of the hardest parts of getting Grace's “voice” down?

It wasn't so hard. Once you have immersed yourself in the period you are writing about: Victorian, say, you start to think Victorian. You get inside your main character's head and really think about what she would have done/said/felt in any given circumstance.

What made you decide to set Fallen Grace in the Victorian London time period? Because I was so fascinated by the Gothic elements of this time period. And London because it is my home town.

Do you have a favorite scene or line from Fallen Grace? If so would you mind sharing it or a little about it?

I love the last few lines of the book. They made me cry when I was writing them and they make me cry now.

How did the title Fallen Grace come to be?

 Well, her name was always Grace, and my editor came up with FALLEN GRACE, as she is a "fallen woman". At first I was keen - seeing as Grace was a funeral mute - to incorporate something about graveyards or death in the title, but we couldn't think of anything appropriate and I had grown to like my editor's idea by then.

What are three things your readers would be surprised to know about you?

 Bad news: I left school when I was fifteen. Good news: I went back and got a university degree when I was forty. I can't think of anything else surprising!

What's next for you book wise? Is there anything else you would like to add?

I have just this week put the final touches to my next book, set in the Victorian/Edwardian period (around 1900) about a fraudulent medium. It is called VELVET, which is the name of the main character.

~~

Thanks so much for stopping by Mary! Velvet sounds fabulous, and if Fallen Grace is any indication, I'm sure it'll be nothing short of spectacular!

To find out more about Mary as well as her books, be sure to head on over to her website.

Oh, and here's the book trailer for Fallen Grace:

Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen

Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:

What would you do if your husband wanted to rewrite the rules of your relationship?

Julia Dunhill, a thirty-something party planner, seems to have it all: Married to her high school sweetheart and living in a gorgeous home in Washington D.C., she imagines her future unfolding very much as it has for the past few years, since she and her husband Michael successfully launched their companies. There will be dinner parties to attend, operas to dress up for, and weddings and benefits to organize for her growing list of clients. There will be shopping sprees with her best friend, Isabelle, and inevitably those last five pounds to shed. In her darker moments, she worries that her marriage has dissolved from a true partnership into a façade, but she convinces herself it’s due to the intensity of their careers and fast-paced lifestyle.

So as she arranges the molten chocolate cupcakes for the annual Opera benefit, how can she know that her carefully-constructed world is about to fall apart? That her husband will stand up from the head of the table in his company’s boardroom, open his mouth to speak, and crash to the carpeted floor… all in the amount of time it will take her to walk across a ballroom floor just a few miles away. Four minutes and eight seconds after his cardiac arrest, a portable defibrillator jump-starts Michael’s heart. But in those lost minutes he becomes a different man, with an altered perspective on the rarified life they’ve been living and a determination to regain the true intimacy they once shared. Now it is up to Julia to decide — is it worth upending her comfortable world to try to find her way back to the husband she once adored, or should she walk away from this new Michael, who truthfully became a stranger to her long before his change of heart?

Review:

Skipping a Beat is a book that caught my eye the first time I heard about it, because not only was the cover stunning but the premise sounded intriguing as well as promising. Thankfully enough Sarah Pekkanen's Skipping a Beat was a book that took a hold of my heart with its very first sentence and didn't let go until the very last.

Julia and Michael meet under some unusual and scary circumstances all those years ago and ever since that fateful day they have been hooked on each other. Though, as of lately everything between them is starting to drift apart. For one, they both have their own careers that keep them busy. For Julia it's her party planning business and for Michael its his self started business that over time has accumulated a wealth in the millions. And second of all, Michael's just a different person these days. He never seems to have time for Julia, and as of lately, she's been wondering if they should break it off for good. But then Michael goes into cardiac arrest and comes out a different person, a person who wants to make things right with Julia once and for all, a guy who wants to sell his mega-successful business so he'll have all the time in the world for her. Julia doesn't know what to think. At first, she just puts it off as Michael being crazy, but after she begins to believe him, and before she knows it she begins to fall in love with him once again. Though, with this comes shocking revelations and secrets, ones that will have any reader wondering what will happen between these two people as they begin to rewrite the rules to their marriage.

This novel was so fantastic that I don't even know where to begin, though I guess I'll start where I always do...with the characters.

One of the things I love most about adult fiction is the layers and layers of development and time the writers put into their main characters and the lives and relationships at hand and the same rang true with Skipping a Beat.

For one, I adored Julia. She was a character who I never failed to root for, even when she did some pretty silly things, because she just felt so real to me. She made mistakes, she wasn't the perfect wife or friend at times but that didn't stop her from being someone I completely admired as as person, and the same was true about her husband Michael. Michael is that typical sweet and nerdy kid in high school that turns out to be a fabulous and brilliant guy during adulthood. What I liked most about them, though, was their relationship. It was complicated beyond relief, filled with so many unsaid things, but yet I could easily see how much they loved each other even when they couldn't weren't able to. Better yet, I loved the questions Sarah brought about me with their relationship. Questions like, how far would I go to try to understand someone I used and still love? How much change is too much change? How far can a person go before loosing all faith in a person and calling it quits once and for all? How would I feel if someone asked me to rewrite the rules of my relationship? It was a thoughtproking read to say the least.

I also enjoyed the plot in this once again because of the layers and layers of details and twists and turns that will have nearly any reader on the edge of their seat dying to know what will happen next. Best of all, when mixed with the characters and Sarah's excellent writing, this book was one I couldn't put down, not even for a second.

Lastly, I have to say something about the ending in this, though I won't giveaway anything. It was heartbreaking to say the least, though the impact it left on me as well as the characters it involved made it worth it in the end, and it also shows just how brilliant of a writer Ms. Pekkanen is.

In all, readers of adult fiction, teen fiction, or a mix of both, you all must read this one! It's simply amazing, a heartbreaking and heartwarming book that I'm still thinking about even though I finished it several days ago.

Grade: A+

Skipping a Beat is now out! You can read the first chapter here.

Source: Publicist at Simon and Schuster. Thanks Cristina!

*Also, if you've had the chance to read this book, I would love to know your thoughts on it, especially the ending, so feel free to leave a comment, or send me an email.*

Oh, and I don't usually do this, but here is as song that I think goes along perfectly with book except for a few lyrics:

In My Mailbox (110)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I had a pretty amazing book week because not only did I get a few books I've been dying to read, but I got a few surprises as well.

For Review:

Haunted (Dreaming Anastasia, #2) by Joy Preble (Thought the first one in this series was only okay, so I'm hoping I'll enjoy this one better.)

Summer and the City (The Carrie Diaries #2) by Candace Bushnell (Can't wait to see what happens to Carrie next!)

Father of Lies by Ann Turner (Haven't heard too much about this one.)

Betrayal (Haunting Emma, #2) by Lee Nichols (Read it as soon as I got it, and oh my gosh, it was so good! My review will be up soon.)

Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen (Read this one already as well, and it was amazing too. One of the best books I've read this year. My review will be up in a couple of weeks.)

The Chaos (Numbers #2) by Rachel Ward (Really enjoyed the first one in this trilogy so I can't wait to see what happens next!)

Viola in the Spotlight (Viola, #2) by Adriana Trigiani (Loved the first one in this series so I can't wait to read this one. Oh, and look below, it's signed!)

From Library:

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler (AMAZING! You all MUST read this one!)

The Trust (Secret Society, #2) by Tom Dolby

The Daughters (The Daughters, #1) by Joanna Philbin

From Galley Grab:

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott (Love Scott's books!)

From Netgalley:

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (The cover of this one is stunning!)

The Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp

Much thanks goes to Netgalley, Harlequin, Galley Grab, Adriana Trigiani and her lovely assistant Kelly, Kate at Bloomsburry, HarperCollins, Laura, Sourcebooks, Chelsy and Scholastic, and Cristina at Simon and Schuster!

Anyhow, enough about me, what did YOU get this week? Anything exciting? Let me know in the comments, and feel free to link to your IMM posts!

Blog Tour: Kristi Cook's Haven (Review, Character Playlist, and Giveaway!)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Violet McKenna isn't a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad's murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She's had flashes of other events too. The problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven.

At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group friends and discovers that they too have psychic 'gifts'—as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy's death start to haunt her. In her premonitions the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself. And to Violet's horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical--and deadly--way.

Review:

In today's YA world there's a lot of paranormal books out there, and while all of them have interesting ideas, very few have the ability to have me completely entranced in their worlds. Luckily enough, Kristi Cook's Haven is one of the few, because not only is it a refreshing and unique paranormal read but it's a book you can't help but read in one very long sitting; a good sign indeed.

Haven begins with Violet's very first day at Winterhaven, an elite boarding school. At Winterhaven, Violet is hoping to officially start over. This time she won't be the girl who has startling and omniscient visions, instead she just be a normal teen girl leaving a normal life. And at first it is that way. She manages to make some great friends and finds her place, because as it turns out this is a school were everyone has "gifts" similar to hers. Though, everything changes the day Aidan walks into her. Aidan is different from all the other guys at her school. He's quiet yet brilliant and completely intriguing and he just may be the guy for Violet, but with his presence comes Violet's strongest visions yet, visions that could mean the end of Violet and Adrian. So, will Violet be able to take control of everything before it all goes awry? And is her relationship with Adrian nearly as great as it seems? Only time and more pages will tell in this amazing story of one girl's path to discovering herself as well as the secrets that lay on her path.

Violet was a character I loved from the start. Like most girls in today's YA, she's trying to find her place in this crazy world, and with that comes the development of the many friendships and relationships I loved reading about. Better yet, Violet's a strong girl; she's someone who while has her moments of weakness like us all, manages to stand up for herself and her friends time and time again. Furthermore, I really liked how her relationship with Adrian wasn't always perfect, because it made it much more real to me than having her in one that never has problems.

One of the first things that made me want to read this book was the premise. I love books about boarding schools, especially when the said boarding school involves students with "gifts." Luckily enough, the execution of that idea proved to be great! I adored all the plot lines and ideas Ms. Cook introduced in this, and how she constantly used the setting of Winterhaven in her favor. Better yet, when tying the plot together with her well-developed characters and writing, this story proved to be made of awesome.

If you're looking for a refreshing and unique paranormal read, well look no further because Haven is the book for you. Filled with interesting plot lines, well-developed, relatable characters, and a swoon-worthy romance, this a book that manages to have it all and more!

Grade: A

Haven will be released February 22, 2011!

Source: Galley Grab

~~~

Character Playlist:

Kristi also provided me with an exclusive sneak-peek of Aidan Gray's paylist for this stop of the tour. Eventually, she will have it up on her website with more info and such, so be sure to keep an eye out for that. But until then...

In the book HAVEN, Violet gives Aidan an iPod for Christmas. Here’s an exclusive sneak-peek at what songs Aidan put in his “Favorites” playlist:

AIDAN GRAY’S PLAYLIST

Waiting for the End, Linkin Park
And She Was, Talking Heads
October, Broken Bells
Young Forever, Jay-Z (featuring Mr. Hudson)
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, Neutral Milk Hotel
Slow Hands, Interpol
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), Green Day
Bodies, Drowning Pool
Let it Bleed, The Rolling Stones
The Only Exception, Paramore
A Sky for Shoeing Horses Under, WHY?
I Wanna Be the One, Fun.
Like Dylan in the Movies, Belle and Sebastian
Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve
Better That We Break, Maroon 5

You can find the entire playlist (and listen to samples) here in the iTunes store:

http://c.itunes.apple.com/us/imix/aidans-playlist-haven/id421575857

~~~

Giveaway:

Now, the part you've all been waiting for- the giveaway!

To enter, please fill out the following form.

Though, as with any giveaway there are rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older to enter.
~ Must have a US mailing address (sorry international readers!)
~ This giveaway will end on February 22, 2011!


*Prize provided by Simon and Schuster.*

~~~

Other stops on the tour:

Good Choice Reading
Between the Covers
Books With Bite
Bewitched Bookworms
Books Complete Me

Contagion by Joanne Dahme

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Rose Dugan is a young and beautiful woman living in Philadelphia in the late 19th century passionate about keeping Philadelphia’s water reservoir clean and healthy. But when Rose starts receiving threatening letters, warning her to convince her husband to shut down his plans for a water filtration system or else, things take a turn for the worse. A conspicuous murder and butting heads cause Rose to search for the culprit, the truth, and a way to keep the people of Philadelphia safe from contagion in more ways than one.

Review:

Joanne Dahme's Contagion is one the best historical fiction books I've read in a long time. Deeply compelling, mysterious, and romantic, Contagion takes the reader back to 19th century Philadelphia where a scandal is just about to break out.

Contagion tells the story of Rose and Sean with alternating perspectives. To the untrained eye, Rose is a girl who seems to have it all- a rich husband, a life filled with riches, a best friend, and best of all, a cause to devote her time to. Though, underneath it all Rose's life isn't all that peachy. For one, her husband isn't nearly as great as he seems, instead he's coming home with another woman's perfume on him, and he treats Rose like she's his property. And when Rose begins to receive mysterious, scary letters and tragedy strikes, Rose's husband puts it off as nothing. But Rose knows there's more it. It must involve Philadelphia's much talked about water, so she recruits Sean, the sweet and kind local water plant owner, and soon they are on a mission to discover the culprit behind it all. Though, is she ready to find out the truth, especially when it may just contain her husband as well? Only time will tell in this page-turning of a read!

One of my favorite parts of Contagion was the setting. I thought Joanne did a fantastic job of setting the scene in a way that informed the reader of the different problems that faced Philadelphia and its water in the 19th century, as well as using it as a tool to compel the reader into becoming thoroughly immersed in the story at hand.

I also adored the characters. Rose is a strong and smart girl, even though I sometimes wanted to shake her on shoulders for believing all the lies and slander her husband told to her. Though, when taking in the time this story occurs, I understand why she wouldn't want to go against his word because it truly mean the end of everything for her, and it also helped that when it boiled down to it she rose to the task and discovered the truth behind it all. Another character I enjoyed in this story was Sean because he was also fearless and brave. He's a guy I would want on my side if something happened, so I was so glad when Rose brought him into it all, especially when their friendship began to develop into something grand and fun to read about.

Lastly, even though the plot of this was a bit predictable at times, it still kept me reading non-stop, because I couldn't want to see how everything ended. Would Rose and Sean get a chance of something more? Was Rose's husband really as evil as he seemed, and if so, would he face the punishment disturbed? And what really was causing all the death and destruction in Philly? The water or something even more sinister? Those were all questions constantly running in my head as the story progressed, and I have to say Joanne did a great job of answering them through her writing.

In all, if you're an avid fan of historical fiction or would just like to try something new, this is the book for you! Well written, compelling, and mysterious, Contagion is a book that will keep you up well into the night.

Grade: A-

Contagion is now out!

Source: Publicist at Running Press. Thanks Nicole!

The False Princess by Eilis O' Neal

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

Review:

It's as simple as this: I LOVED (and I mean LOVED) The False Princess. It's one of those books that has it all- an intriguing plot that constantly leaves you guessing, a strong, relateable main character, swoon-worthy romance, and fantastic writing.

The False Princess starts on the day when Nalia, princess of and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, finds out the most unsettling news of her life. For one, she isn't the princess of Thorvaldor, instead she's the false princess, put in place to keep the real princess safe for the first sixteen years of her life. Her real name is Sinda. And to top everything off, she's sent away from everything she knows (and her best friend) to live with an aunt she doesn't know. Her new life is filled with loneliness and longing for the life and and friends she's left behind, but she soon finds out a secret- one that puts her life and the whole kingdom's in danger. Soon enough, her and her friend Kiernan are off to fix everything. But can she truly fix everything before it's too late? Especially when an old acquaintance stands in her way? And what about her friend Kiernan? Does she like him as more than a friend? Only time will tell in this deeply engrossing tale that fans of Kristin Cashore and Gail Carson Levine will gobble right up.

One of the favorite parts of The False Princess was the setting and the plot and how they worked together to make the book fabulous. The setting was the classic fairytale one. It had the queen, the king, and the usual commoners associated, and what I liked most about it was seeing how it played along with the plot. And with saying that, the plot of this was made of awesome. I loved the idea of a false princess and the deceit and lies that came with it. I adored seeing how Kiernan and Sinda worked together to piece every little secret together to save their world, as well as how during this time something more began to form between them.

Moving on, as I'm sure you can already guess, I loved the characters! Sinda was someone who was strong and smart... someone who would go to the end of the world to save everything, no matter how she may feel about it at the time. And best of all, she felt real to me. Her emotions were ones I feel anyone in her place would experience... loneliness, anger, and sadness about how everything in her life turned out. And best of all, instead of letting those feeling consume her, she moved on and change everything. I also loved her relationship with the sweet and charming Kiernan because it truly was the perfect topping to this book.

In all, Eilis O' Neal has a real winner within The False Princess, and I truly can't wait for its release date so that everyone can see how well-written and addicting this novel is. I can only hope Eilis will have the chance to revisit this world in future novels.

Grade: A+

The False Princess is now out!

Source: Publicist at Goodman Media. Thanks, Jenny!

One Hundred Candles by Mara Purnhagen

Summary/Cover Image from Goodreads:

It’s taken a long time for Charlotte Silver to feel like a normal teenager. But now that she’s settled in a new school, where she’s made friends who know about her parent’s infamous paranormal investigations, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with the popular Harris Abbott? After all, it’s not as if Noah is anything more than a friend.

But Charlotte’s new life takes a disturbing detour when Harris takes her to a party where they play a game called One Hundred Candles. It all seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until the spirits supposedly unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now, Charlotte, her friends and her family are in very real danger, and the door that she’s opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.

Review:

With every one of Mara Purnhagen's books I read I come to like her more and more as an author, and with One Hundred Candles this trend has continued thankfully. Because not only is One Hundred Candles Mara's best book yet, but this one is filled with even more suspense, romance, and intrigue than its prequel Past Midnight.

One Hundred Candles begins on Charlotte Silver's Christmas day, and while most families spend the day relaxing and having fun at home, Charlotte's doesn't, though, they've never been one to be normal. Instead they are spending their day at a empty and supposedly haunted sanitarium filming a segment for one of Charlotte's parents' documentaries. Though, a quick trip to the sanitarium soon turns deadly, landing Charlotte in the ER with a bruised arm and her parents in one of their biggest clashes ever. Returning home Charlotte hopes everything will quickly return to normal, though everything soon goes amiss when she plays a game called One Hundred Candles at a party. With the game comes mysteries and paranormal happenings, as well as the most deadly energies Charlotte's dealt with yet. So, will Charlotte be able to rise to the task and finish it off once and for all, or will she fail at the task? Better yet, what about Harris, the new guy who is paying attention to her? Does he truly like her, or this something more sinister to his intentions? Only time will tell in this deadly and spooky follow up to Past Midnight!

In this fantastic, action packed sequel there's more of everything- plot development, character development, you name it...

Though, my absolutely favorite out all of it was the character development. In Past Midnight, I was only to quickly come to like Charlotte and in One Hundred Candles this trend continued. One of the things I love most about Charlotte is her spunk that always leads her to be fearless when it comes to helping her friends and family out and in this addition this trait continued to be prevalent. Better yet, I loved how Charlotte got some romance in this one, because not only did it lead to an interesting sub-plot, but it also lead to some much needed tension between Charlotte and her friend Noah, a guy who may just be perfect for Charlotte if they gave each other a chance.

Adding to this, I loved the plot of this book. It was filled with enough action and suspense to keep my hands stuck to the pages like glue. I was ceaselessly wondering what would occur next, especially when it came to the events following the One Hundred Candles game. And while I'm one to get annoyed with cliff-hanger endings, the one at the end of One Hundred Candles was fabulous and well worth the frustration I'm now feeling over having to wait until Fall '11 to find out what will happen next.

In all, if you're a fan of paranormal books, be sure to pick up Past Midnight as well as One Hundred Candles. These are two books that are sure to rock your world and they may even add a certain new author to your list of favorite authors ever!

Grade: A+

One Hundred Candles is now out!

Source: Netgalley

Suzanne Selfors' Mad Love (Review, Interview, and Giveaway!)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.

Review:

Last year, Suzanne Selfors' heart-warming Coffeehouse Angel managed to work its way into my heart with its quirky characters and sweet romance, and this year, Mad Love has done the same, because not only is Mad Love funny and well-written but it contains a lot of heart and real-life scenarios. Ones that I'm sure many will end up appreciating.

Mad Love tells the story of Alice Amorous, the daughter of the acclaimed Queen of Romance. As the daughter of the Queen of Romance, Alice has enjoyed many perks to her mothers fame, though under it all lays some deep dark secrets that Alice and her mom can't beer to admit- secrets that have now left Alice all alone with her mother's next book deadline lying right in front of her. Though, everything changes when Errol works his way into Alice's life. Errol is like no one Alice has meet before. For one, he claims he's cupid, and because of it begs Alice to write his life story. Will Alice write his story? Is Errol truly cupid? Will Alice and her mom get their happy endings? Only time will tell in this fast-paced book of one girl's quest for love and happiness in one of Seattle's biggest warm spells.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book were the characters, Alice to be exact. Alice is someone I feel many will come to love as much (if not more than) I did. She's sweet, trustworthy, and a girl who has her friends and family's backs no matter what. And most importantly, she always seemed like a real teenage girl to me because she had problems, though managed to deal with them. Sure she could have hid in her apartment when her mom was hospitalized for mental illness, but no, she held her own and tried to solve it, leaving me to know this is one girl I would want on my side if she was real. I also loved her relationship with Errol. Errol was someone who I adored because he was yet another person who could have been extremely negatives but instead was positive and installed hope and love into Alice's life. Also, he way very funny at times. Lastly, loved the side characters such as Mrs. Bobot, Realm, and Tony, because all brought something great to the table.

Adding to the plot of Mad Love was also very enjoyable. I really liked how while it was lighthearted it was also serious at the same time, which left it to have the perfect balance of each. Furthermore, I loved how Ms. Selfors brought to life the myth of cupid and tied into Mad Love in such a perfect and intriguing way.

In all, Mad Love is yet another fantastic attempt by Suzanne Selfors. It's funny, adorable read. One I can't wait but to suggest to others come its release.

Grade: A+

Mad Love is now out!

Source: Author. Thanks, Suzanne!

~~~

Interview:

Suzanne Selfors is the author of many novels for Young Adults (Coffeehouse Angel, Saving Juliet, and the newly released Mad Love) and Kids (Smells Like Treasure, Smells Like Dog, To Catch a Mermaid, and Fortune's Magic Farm), and today she's here to answer a few of my questions about Mad Love and various other topics.

~~

In your opinion, what are the top three reasons why teens (or even adults) should consider picking up Mad Love the next time they see it online or in stores?

Well I think the most important reason to pick up a book, be it Mad Love or any book, is to be whisked away into another world for a bit. I'm all about escapism. I want a story to entertain and take me to new places. I hope I'm successful at writing that kind of story.

Mad Love tells the story of Alice so would you sharing with us a little about her? Also, if you could offer her any type of advice, what would you say?

Alice lives in the shadow of her mother's mental illness. And that totally sucks. I grew up with an alcoholic father, so I know what it's like to have a parent appear one way to the outside world, but be another way at home. Alice's battle is claiming her own identity. Each of us goes through this in varying degrees.

Mad Love takes place in Seattle, Washinton, so what made you decide to have the story take place there?

Most of my stories take place in imaginary worlds. Because Mad Love deals with weightier issues than any of my previous books, it felt right to set it in the real world. I know Seattle better than any other place.

One of my favorite parts of Mad Love was Errol, as well as his claims of being cupid. So what first inspired you to tackle the story of cupid with Mad Love? And what was one of the hardest parts of getting Errol's character down?

I'm crazy about Greek mythology. In Coffeehouse Angel, I reinvented the Greek messenger, Hermes. So when I started to think about Cupid, I realized he would be great fun to reinvent. My Cupid would be nothing like the little cherub we see on Valentine's cards. I went through dozens of revisions, more than any other book I've written, to figure out Errol's story. In the early drafts he was a dwarf. In the early drafts we went back in time with him. The mistake I made in the earlier drafts was to focus on his backstory. But I realized that the story belonged to Alice so I deleted many chapters. I'm thinking, though, that Errol's story could make a great sequel. We'll see.

That would be such a great topic for a sequel! In Mad Love, Alice's mom is the Queen of Romance, which cases much chaos throughout the novel. So what inspired you to give her mother that particular profession?

I know many romance writers. And honestly, before I got to know them, I had a pretty negative opinion about the genre. Pure ignorance. These writers are amazing, and work harder than any other writers I know. So it was fun to highlight the stereotypes while defending the genre at the same time.

What's a really great book you've read recently?

I haven't had much time to read lately. That's the price I've paid for writing two books a year. However, I did just read Across the Universe and found it very entertaining.

Oh, I love that book! What's up next for you book wise? Also, is there anything else you would like to add?

In May 2011 Smells Like Treasure will be released. It's the sequel to my middle grade book, Smells Like Dog. And I'm busy writing my 4th teen novel, which will be released in 2012. I'm really excited about it. It's a fairy tale so it's been fun playing with that genre.

~~

Thanks so much, Suzanne!

To find out more about Suzanne and her books, be sure to head on over to her website.

Also, here's the book trailer for Mad Love.



Giveaway:

Now for the part you've all been waiting for, Bloomsbury/Walker Books have given me the chance to giveaway not only one hardcover copy of Mad Love but a paperback copy of Coffeehouse Angel as well!

Though, as with any contest there are rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older to enter.
~ Open to those with US mailing address (No PO boxes please!).
~ There will be ONE winner who receives both books.
~ This contest will close on March 1, 2011!

*This giveaway is now over.*

Cover Reveal: Tera Lynn Childs' Sweet Venom (and Giveaway!)

I along with over a 100 others are participating in the big cover reveal for Tera Lynn Child's Sweet Venom, a book that I simply can't wait to read, and let me tell you the cover is simply spectacular!

But the big question is are you ready to see it yet? Hopefully you are because here it is:

Now I bet you are dying to read as much as I am now, right? So, here's all the info you need to know (release date, summary etc.).

• It will be released October 2011.
• You can add it to your Goodreads account by clicking on this link. (You know you want to!)
• You can become a facebook fan of the series here.
• You can also learn more about it by heading on over to Tera's website or Tera's group blog ( Books, Boys, Buzz) to see the official character collage.
• And here's a short blurb for it: Three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in a world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Better yet, I have a couple of SIGNED bookmarks to giveaway. I'm not sure how many winners there will be just yet (at least one) but I'll let you know as soon as I do. To enter the giveaway leave a comment on this post telling me why you love Sweet Venom's cover and/or why you can't wait to read it along with your email address. I'll pick a winner next Tuesday (2/22!). Oh, and the giveaway is open to worldwide to people ages 13 or older! GOOD LUCK!