I'm really excited to be sharing an excerpt from the newest LGBTQ+ anthology being released this month. I support this book, because ALL PROCEEDS from the sale will be donated to The Trevor Project.
Derek Murphy, YA author and founder of the YA Author Alliance, is running a giveaway this month, 10 signed books by bestselling authors and a $200 giftcard.
I have way too many series that I've started, but haven't finished for whatever reason and this is a list of those I plan to finish this year.
Lies We Tell Ourselves is an eye-opening, heartbreaking, and beautifully written novel that will leave an everlasting impression on you.
The winner has been notified via email and will be receiving their prize soon. Thanks to everyone who entered and a special thanks to Bloomsbury Teen and Kate for supplying the ARC to be given away.
I will be hosting another giveaway that I'll be posting, later tonight. So, be on the look out for that, because it's got some really awesome things that I think you'll like and there's going to be multiple winner's too.
After Obsession Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong.
Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.
Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.
*Summary taken from Goodreads.
After Obsession is an intriguing novel, full of suspense that will grab the reader's attention almost immediately. What makes After Obsession so interesting, is the paranormal elements paired with Native American traditions. There character's are well developed, the plot gives a unique spin on possession in general, and the imagery is so well penned that it puts the reader in the story along with the character's giving them a chance to experience the adventure as well.
Jones and Wedel are able to incorporate the supporting characters in such a way, that they end up providing some pretty good insight into the events of the story unfolding. It's a rather supsensful and thrilling journey, this story takes the reader on and one they won't want to miss out on. It's filled with strong, independent character's who aren't afraid to jump in and do what they need to in order to keep the darkness from winning. These are attributes that make them shine, so well.
The connection shared between the two main protragonists, was handled fantastically well. I personally enjoyed their connection and applauded Jones and Wedel for not turning this connection into insta-love. Both of these character's possess flaws, but they are so well developed that those flaws don't work against them in contrasting with the story and their task at hand.
It was certainly interesting to read about Alan's Indian Warrior Spirt and all of the insights into Native American tradition and to see the way they so flawlessly tied in River Man. All of these things, make After Obsession a very creepy, suspenseful read that will give the reader goosebumps and have them wary of things that go bump in the night. The psychological edge, is thriller enough to make me want to read it again, personally.
{ This ARC was provided by Bloomsbury Teens, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was/wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such.}
"Waiting On" Wednesday (or ya know WoW!) is a nifty little weekly event, hosted by the ever so lovely Jill at Breaking The Spine that puts the spotlight on various new and upcoming book releases that have become the"ohmigod! i gotta have this or i'll just die," eagerly anticipated novels to adorn your shelves.
Fever
By Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon&Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publish Date: February 21, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 352
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.
Okay, I just have to say that I love books that deal with polygamy, because I love learning everything I can from a completely curious perspective about it, the history of, and just Mormanism in general. I was HIGHLY ADDICTED to the show Big Love when it was on air and I've watched as many movies and read as many books as I can get my hands on, regarding polygamy. The first novel, Wither, was utterly astounding and I know this follow-up novel is going to be simply fantastic.
*Summary taken from Goodreads.
Thanks to the lovely Kate at Bloomsbury, I was lucky enough to be given the chance to share this amazing interview with Carrie Jones the author of the Need series and her soon to be released novel, After Obsession. Carrie Jones has a way of captivating readers with fantastic stories filled with dark alluring pixies driven by needs and desires and keeping them on the edge of their seats, waiting for what's to come next.
With After Obsessesion, she's not only continuing to spin magnificent stories filled with paranormal romance, dark and alluring overtones, and memorable characters. She's introducing a new voice in young adult genre, Steven Wedel. After Obsession is definitely a novel for any fan of Carrie Jones. Since I'm part of a blog tour put together specifically for After Obsession by Kate at Bloomsbury, my review will be coming on September 19th and that is also the day that I will be announcing the winner for an ARC of After Obsession that's also been graciously provided as part of this book tour.
The Rules For Giveaway:
(+)The giveaway is US ONLY (sorry International fans, I'll do something for you later) and it's easy.
(+) All you have to do is leave a comment to this post with your name, your email address, and a link to your blog. (Mandatory!)
(+)You also need to be a GCF follower and a follower of my blog, to be eligible.
(+)You need to be 13+ years old, as well.
(+)The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on September 19th. They will then be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to contact me with their information. If they don't, then a new winner will be chosen and contacted. Good luck, guys!
1. How did you two meet, anyway? Is it true this Wedel guy used black magic to lure Carrie to Oklahoma in 2008?
Carrie: Actually author Melissa Marr set us up on a speed date at a conference in Oklahoma where we had to go around to tables talking to people for five minutes. Melissa said she put us together because we were both mellow and nice. Ha! We had her fooled. Oh! Wait, maybe that was part of the Wedelian black magic. Geesh! How did I not know?
Steve: hehehe I love it when a plan comes together! Seriously, until I saw the schedule Melissa had put together, I didn’t have a clue who Carrie Jones was. But the chemistry was instantaneous. We developed a little introduction as we went table to table and just had a great time. Later, Carrie stole the fruit out of my beverage, though. I’m not sure I’m over that yet.
2. Carrie, you are a respected New York Times bestselling author. It probably came as no surprise to you to learn that Wedel had created some fantasy in which you would write a book with him. Why didn’t you simply report him to the police immediately when he continued to harass you? Do you feel you encouraged his demented obsession through your innocent e-mails?
Carrie: Since I work as a part-time police dispatcher, I knew that the complaint about Wedel would not really be taken seriously. There were no explicit death threats involved. Since I was on my own without law enforcement back-up, I figured that I might as well just do it.
No, actually I was super excited to try to write a book with Steve. It seemed like a cool experiment. And if I failed, I got to fail WITH someone. That’s never happened before. I’m used to failing alone. How about you, Steve? Was it freaky writing YA instead of Adult?
Steve: Oh, I’m used to failing alone. But then, I am older than you, Carrie. Writing YA wasn’t all that freaky, really. Getting used to first person present tense took a while, though.
3. Rumor has it Steve chained Carrie to a desk and forced her to write this novel. In an effort to end the torment, you both set a breakneck pace and finished the book in a very short time. Is that how it happened?
Carrie: It took less than a month to write that first draft. Enough said. Although as supporting evidence, I do have chain marks on my ankles. Really, I’ve never had so much fun writing a book before. I’d check my email all the time muttering, “Has he sent a new chapter yet? What?! WHAT?!? No new chapter.” Then I’d rush out my chapter to see what would happen next.
It was kind of like when you have a crush on a boy and you really want him to text and he doesn’t and you’re like – come on! Come on!
It was probably the opposite for Steve. He was probably all, “NO! NOT ANOTHER CARRIE CHAPTER!” Was it? (Please say “no,” Steve. Please say “no.”)
Steve: Not even close! I felt exactly the same. I couldn’t wait for that next chapter, and as soon as I got it I was inspired to write my next part right then. If something happened and I couldn’t write my chapter on the same day I got Carrie’s latest I was wracked with guilt and afraid she would need more time, or would withhold her chapter as punishment and I’d have to wait longer for it. Like she said, writing has never been so much fun.
4. Artistically speaking what did each of you contribute to this book? How is it different than the usual novel you write?
Steve: Well, the most obvious answer is that the book is written in alternating points of view between Aimee, Carrie’s character, and Alan, my character. Carrie’s writing is very much character driven and very feminine. She sees a lot of detail that I tend to gloss over. I’d say this novel is much richer in detail and tone than anything I’ve done previously and I blame Carrie for that.
Carrie: It is much quicker, much more plot-driven, and has a lot more testosterone in it. Steve puts a really man energy into his chapters and he’s so good at dialogue and flow. I was really lucky to write with him.
5. Wedel has been sighted wearing a cowboy hat and driving a 40-year-old pickup truck. Carrie, on the other hand, is an East Coast girl with a Mini Cooper. Is it possible that you both found shared ground upon which to build a plot? What are some of the commonalities and differences between the two of you?
Steve: I think our politicians could learn a lot from me and Carrie. Sure, we have some differences, but our ultimate goals are pretty much the same. We both want to tell good stories that entertain and just maybe carry a positive message. We share an interest in the supernatural and Norse mythology and the plight of the modern teenager. To be honest, I didn’t really know how good Carrie was with the paranormal elements until we wrote this book. Need wasn’t published yet, remember. I figured I’d provide most of the chills, but she wrote a scene with a knife that stands my hair up every time I read it.
Carrie: Dude. When your hair stands up on end you’re like 87 feet tall. Steve has long hair…. Really, really long hair.
Sorry. Back to the question.
Well, he is quite tall and I’m --- I’m not quite tall and he has a lot of facial hair and I – I DO NOT! I think the thing we have in common is that we both really care about people and stories and teens. I mean, Steve will become a huge stress monkey if something is wrong with one of his students or his kids, and I think that passion and caring and love of people comes out in both our writing despite our political, physical, and motor vehicle differences.
6. What reaction do you anticipate from your loyal fan base regarding this collaboration? Is it something they’re going to like? Will they pity you for what you’ve endured? Or will they simply ignore it?
Steve: Hopefully Carrie’s fans won’t feel the need for pity. No residents of Maine were harmed in the creation of this book. Not physically, anyway. I think my fans will like it. I know my students will, and I’ll be thrilled to have a book school librarians will make available to high schoolers.
Carrie: I hope they like it despite the fact that there are no pixies. They will all probably fall in love with Alan, the main character that Steve created, the way I did. Oh my gosh! You think they’ll ignore it? Hold on. I have to go panic now.
7. After Obsession features a girl in Maine and a boy who comes from Oklahoma. Are there other elements in the novel that mirror your lives or your relationships to your Okie or Mainiac collaborator?
Carrie: Well, Steve is tall. Alan is tall. Steve is less politically correct than I am. Alan is like that too. Aimee and I both try to eat healthy and we both paint…… Um…… Wedel? Can you answer this one?
Steve: Alan and Aimee learn a lot about each other, and that was true for me and Carrie as we worked together. I learned a lot about living in a small Maine town. Can you believe they really don’t have football in most Maine high schools? I know I worked in several details gleaned from my life as a high school teacher.
8. The concept of demonic possession is something you haven’t dealt with in your previous fiction. Did the idea for the novel come from your month-long captivity? Carrie, was it a feeling of helplessness as Wedel subjected you to a Southern drawl and stories about the high school students he tries to teach?
Carrie: I think it came from Wedel because he is twisted like that.
Steve: I honestly don’t remember. I remember there was a pretty short period where we kind of kicked around some pretty basic plot ideas. That was November 2008. Carrie was working on something for the National Novel Writing Month, so we agreed to start writing in December. Not being bound to NaNoWriMo, I went ahead and wrote a chapter, then confessed to what I’d done. Turns out, Carrie had done the same thing. So, I’m not sure who’s idea the possession was, but I guess I did the research on it as we got into the book.
9. Carrie, you are known for strong young female characters instrumental in solving their own problems, much like you allegedly gnawed through the chains and escaped Wedel. Has the revolving point of view used in After Obsession in diluted the strength of Aimee, the female protagonist? And Steve, you are known for your horror and your detail. Did you find it hard to tone it down for this book?
Carrie: No. I think by seeing her actions through Alan’s eyes it actually makes her stronger.
Steve: In YA, even demons have to watch their language. Actually, the scary elements aren’t that toned down from my solo novels. And, I guess I’ve mellowed with age, because I’m not including as much graphic content in my other books as I used to.
10. Carrie, are you suffering from Stockholm Syndrome? Would you collaborate with Wedel again, or are you simply glad to be free? Steve, have you moved on to bigger and better authors to torment? What are your states of mind as After Obsession moves closer to publication?
Carrie: I would love to experiment again, if he still wants me.
Steve: Bigger and better? That would be hard to find. I’d write with Carrie again in a heartbeat. Maybe I wouldn’t even have to use that old black magic next time.
Remember, DON'T FORGET to enter to win an ARC of After Obsession.
I'm super thrilled and excited to be sharing the cover reveal for As You Breathe Again , the breathless anticipated sequel to As Yo...
