Guest Post Featuring Talia Jager

I had the wonderful pleasure of reading and reviewing Talia Jager's novel, Damaged: Natalie's Story, which is about a girl who finds herself in an abusive relationship, literally fighting for her life in more ways than one. Because, I thought this was an important issue that needs as much awareness as it can get, I thought it would be wonderful to feature the lovely Talia Jager in a guest post where she speaks about "the why" she writes novels centering around abusive relationships, addictions, and medical conditions.

Needless to say, it was a very enlightening and thoughtful post. So, I hope you guys join me in making her feel welcome, and it moves you in a similar way that it did myself. The review for Damaged will be coming soon, within the next couple of weeks. For now, enjoy the guest post below.

Talia Jager: Tackling The Tough Stuff

When people find out what I write about, they sometimes ask why in the world I write about depressing topics such as addictions, abusive relationships, or medical conditions. My husband is actually one of these people. I suppose it does take a certain type of person to love my books.

So, what’s the answer, you ask? Why did I start writing about these subjects? Honestly, I’m not sure. As a teen, I enjoyed reading young adult edgy dramas and medical dramas, but there weren’t enough of them. So, I started writing more.

I love drama. I also love the thought that I might be helping someone out there who has one of these problems. I can’t count the number of times I looked for a book as a teen that dealt with one of the problems I was facing. The times when I did find one, I bonded with the characters and I didn’t feel alone anymore. I hope my books reach teens who are looking for that feeling.

Some of my favorite books dealt with a teen facing death, usually because of cancer. I decided to go beyond cancer and wrote about epilepsy, a medical condition not a lot of teens know about. I also wrote about needing a heart transplant. My first eBook is about a teen with a violent boyfriend who finds herself in the hospital after one of his attacks. She has to deal with all the physical and emotional damage that he’s done to her.

Two of my books are a little closer to home. Before I finished writing my epilepsy book, Teagan’s Story, I found out a friend’s daughter had a form of epilepsy and decided to dedicate the book to her. I hope that my book helps create awareness for this condition.

The other book is If I Die Young. Many people in my family have heart problems including one of my daughters and myself. One of my family members is even on the heart transplant list. When I released this book, I matched the sales for the first ten books and donated it to The Children’s Heart Foundation.

I have unfinished books that deal with car accidents, paralysis, pregnancy, drug abuse, cutting, running away – all very challenging subjects to write and read about, but all very important nonetheless.

I guess the answer to the question why do I choose the subjects I write about is to help someone in that situation. If I can help just one person for each book I write, writing the book was worth it.

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#012 Teaser Tuesday

This meme is brought to you weekly by MizB over at Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along, just do the following:

01. Grab your current read and open to a random page
02. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page, but BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
03. Share the title and the author, too, so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR List if they like your teaser!

The Faerie Ring
By: Kiki Hamilton
ARC From Jen I Read Banned Books Tour
b&n // amazon
Published Date: September 27 , 2011
Publisher: Tor Teen
Book Format: Hardback; pp 352
Age Demographic: Young Adult

"Reiker slid onto the bench next to Tiki, his long legs stretched out, his shoulder brushing against hers. She flushed at the unexpected contact, a wave of nervousness washed over her. Damn Reiker anyway. Why did he always make her feel like this?" (pp 118)

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

Damaged
By: Talia Jager
b&n // amazon
Published Date: February 2011
Publisher: Talia Jager
Book Format: Kindle Edition ;; 450 KB
Age Demographic: Young Adult

"Monday came too soon. I wasn't ready to see Josh or Sophie. I couldn't explain that a girl from school beat me up when there isn't a girl with that name at school. I needed a different lie. And what was I going to say to Josh?" (pp )

Natalie Jarrett is a seventeen-year-old girl who falls in love with the wrong boy. When she finds herself in the hospital after one of his violent attacks, she can no longer turn a blind eye. Suffering from severe injuries, her doctor tells her she will never be the same again. Although injured and feeling guilty, alone, scared and most of all, damaged, everyone seems to expect her to return quickly to her normal life – but how can she bounce back when she blames herself for all that’s gone wrong?

Damaged: Natalie's Story is approximately 82,500 words and is recommended for grades 9 and up.

This book previously published under the title Natalie's Story.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

New Look + New Reviews and an Interview Coming Soon!

As you can see, I have a brand new look here at A Soul Unsung and I'm extremely pleased with it. It's sort of a cross between Doctor Who and Alice In Wonderland through the looking glass, feel to it and I love it. It turned out to be everything that I was hoping for and more, thanks to Lori over at Use Your Imagination who graciously designed it for me and put up with all of my never-ending crazy questions. And, also a very special thanks goes out to Siobian at The Owl Bookmark Blog for hosting the lovely giveaway for the custom blog design. Both of these ladies were extremely generous and sweet and it was a pleasure.

If you haven't visited either of their blogs, well then what are you waiting for? YES, YOU! Definitely take a look around Lori's blog offering custom designs. She's really incredibly nice and she will be more than happy to help you out in any way that she can.

In other bookish news, I recently had the chance to interview Jennifer Bradbury regarding her newest released novel, Wrapped, so be on the look out for that post coming soon within the next week, I'm thinking possibly as early as this Friday. I also have a guest post from Talia Jager that will be forth coming in the next month as well, plus a giveaway to go with it. And of course, I have a few reviews that will be posted within the next few weeks, too.

I believe that is all for now, happy reading. :)