BLOG TOUR: SIX MONTHS LATER by NATALIE RICHARDS ~ REVIEW AND AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Today is my stop on the Six Months Later Blog Tour, hosted by Sourcebooks. My post includes a review and author interview.

Category/Genre: YA Contemporaray
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: 10/1/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 336
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Chloe didn't think about it much when she nodded off in study hall on that sleepy summer day. But when she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life. Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.

What happened to her?
And why can't she remember?

I haven't been in the habit of reading Young Adult in the last year or so, but when I do, I tend to enjoy a good suspense or mystery. Six Months Later delivered in that respect. I spent the first seventy-five percent of the story trying to solve what was going on with Chloe, and the rest wondering how the fallout would go down. This definitely kept my attention throughout. No easy feat with a mind like mine.

Six Months Later had several aspects that worked well for me. Of course, as I've already mentioned, the well-developed mystery, but I also enjoyed the characters and the way the story unfolded. Chloe was an engaging protagonist. I appreciated that she was a average. Average student, average popularity, and seemed to be genuinely okay with that. She didn't spend her time coveting the top of the popularity pile, and isn't happy when she "wakes up" in that very position. We also get a cast of secondary characters: Mags, the supportive best friend, well-meaning but annoying parents, the suspicious psychologist, the seemingly perfect boyfriend, and the brooding bad boy who may be a hero, or another baddie. Each character had an important place in the story.

Six Months Later opens with a "normal" beginning, and the mysterious changes happen shortly thereafter when Chloe wakes up six months in the future. Is she ill, or has her memory been tampered with? I love mysteries that pose this question, it's a true mind game. I ended up not being completely surprised by the answer to the puzzle, but appreciated  the reason for the nefarious actions. The ending left me satisfied instead of angry or disbelieving.

If you love Young Adult, or just a good mystery in general, Six Months Later is definitely worth a try.


Favorite Quote:

  My memory decides to have some sort of massive file corruption and these are the months I missed? What about my years in braces? Or the summer my dog and grandmother died a month apart? No, I get to miss the six months that turned my life from train wreck to perfection. Lovely.  ~eARC, 10%

Purchase Six Months Later

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

 

What inspired you to write a story that dealt with memory loss?
NR:  Sometimes I wish I could say I met an amazing amnesia victim at a train station or something, but it's totally not true! The truth is the idea for Six Months Later was sparked by a creepy dream I had about closing my eyes and opening them to find several months had past.

My book ideas usually start with a very small scene that pops into my head. Almost always, it’s a scene that makes me ask a question. For Six Months Later the question was, "What would you do if you fell asleep and woke up six months later?" And then that sent me right me down the rabbit hole. What if you weren't asleep at all? What if you just didn’t remember that six months? What if everything is different? What if everything is perfect, but somehow very, very wrong? Somewhere in answering those questions, the story unfolded. J

Did you learn any interesting facts about memory loss while researching for the book. Can you tell us about one?
NR:  Hm. Tricky sticky business, this question! If I answer it with too much detail I'll reveal some important things about the book. I will say I learned a great deal about how very fragile and subjective memories are. And also how connected we are to our memories. Memories can hold tremendous power over us.


Did you ever suffer from writer's block while writing this book?
NR: Oh, I suffered alright. ;-) I'm pretty sure anyone who's ever written an entire book realizes that it's one part sunshine and puppy dogs, and ninety-nine parts unbelievably hard work. Don't get me wrong, I deeply love what I do, but it can be brutal. There was a scene at the end of the book that I wrote so many times I lost count. But that's all a part of it. I don't think of it as writer's block. I think writing is a little like a road trip. Sometimes you're going to get stuck in the mud and make wrong turns. The days when you're changing a tire in the rain, it reeeally sucks, but it's just part of the adventure.


What would you say is the overall message of Six Months Later?
NR: I didn't write Six Months Later with a theme or a message in mind, but it did happen. At the end, I realized Chloe had to come to terms with her own version of success. Perfection is a myth that many of us tend to aim for, but I think it’s more important to be authentic. Being true to who you are and being able to swallow the good and the really-not-good parts of who you are is its own kind of success.

 

Is there a particular book/author that has inspired you?
NR:  Ah, the hardest question of them all. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that most writers are readers first and foremost. There are so many authors that inspire me. John Green, Libba Bray, Jay Asher, Neil Gaiman, Laurie Halse Anderson, Gayle Forman, Suzanne Collins, JK Rowling...if you're not getting the point already, let me warn you, this could go on for a long, long while! I add to this list every year. Rainbow Rowell is the most recent author to make her way onto my list. J


Can you tell us about a current or future project?
NR:  My next YA thriller is in edits now and I've got to say, I'm beside myself about this book. It's a book about a girl who makes a very sinister discovery and ends up tangled in a web of moral ambiguity and vigilante tactics in her quest to make things right. I absolutely CAN’T WAIT for this book to come out. J



Thanks again for having me, Andrea! I’ve had a great time and really hope everyone enjoys Six Months Later!

 

 

Connect with Natalie Richards

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook


 

REVIEW: OUT OF PLAY by JOLENE PERRY and NYRAE DAWN

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: 8/6/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 320
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.　

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

 

So, I've read almost all of Nyrae Dawn's books, and have truly enjoyed them. She's one of the authors I always make time for. However, this is the first of Jolene Perry's books I've read (though I own several) and I have to say that I really enjoy her writing as well. Out of Play also happens to be the first book I've read written by more than one author. This is what really had me curious. The story blended together so well that I would have never realized otherwise.

Well, I say it blended, but there was one way Out of Play most certainly did not blend and that is in the characters' voice. Because one character is a male teen rock star and the other is a female teen hockey player, obviously this is a good thing. Dawn wrote Bishop Riley, and as always, her knack for writing the male point-of-view amazes me. Bishop is a guy with some heavy issues, but he never felt like a cliche, to me. He was troubled, but still had a lot of humor. I love the emotional and physical journey Bishop undergoes on his way to becoming a better, stronger man.

Out of Play's heroine, Penny Jones, was a pleasant surprise. Penny was an independent, tough, brave young woman. I mean, she's a hockey player! Penny's world revolves around her team, and her family. I absolutely adored the way the team was written as a good bunch of guys who respect Penny. Penny is a force. Her strength, determination and heart makes her a stand out character.

Out of Play is not only about an emerging relationship, but also deals with substance abuse. I appreciate that this was handled so responsibly, with a strong focus on accountability and proper treatment. But honestly, I could basically say the same for the rest of the book. Whether dealing with family issues, friend issues, or love, Dawn and Perry handled each issue with care, and I loved that.

Out of Play is a very strong Young Adult story. It has humor, a love story, and depicts two young people at a crossroads. And though Bishop and Penny seem meant to be together, they must ultimately choose their paths and hope they once again converge. And that makes Out of Play a responsible and beautiful story.



Favorite Quote:

    Are all Alaskans this nosey? The only thing I know about the state is it's cold, full of trees, and Sarah Palin can see Russia from here.   ~eARC, 20%
 

  "There's more to you. And once I decide I need to know, I'll figure you out."
  Whatever hint of a smile he used to have is gone. "I don't doubt it."
  I spin and move back toward the exit, feeling a bit like we've talked a step too deep on both ends, and I don't think that's what either of us wants today.
  "But Penny?"
  When I turn to face him, he actually looks vulnerable. I stop and suck in a breath, afraid to speak. "Don't dig, okay? Not yet."   ~eARC, 35%


  So this is why people say they "melt together." I've always wondered. Like melting candle wax, and blending colors -- the more we're together and kissing, the less I can tell where I stop and he starts.  ~eARC, 70%

Purchase Out of Play

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble


 

About the authors

Jolene Perry
I wear juvenile T-shirts, worn-out chucks, and eat too much chocolate. I write. A lot. I make up words, drink Shirley Temples, and suffocate a little without my iPod.

Website  |  Blog  |  Tumblr  |  Facebook  |  Twitter


Nyrae Dawn
I am a compulsive · and writer who loves YA fiction.

I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.


I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.

Connect with Nyrae:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads


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REVIEW: A TRICK OF THE LIGHT by LOIS METZGER

Category/Genre: Young Adult Realistic Fiction
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: 6/18/13
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 208
Source: Received from publicist for review
Rating: 4 stars

Mike Welles had everything under control. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they’re getting confusing at school. He’s losing his sense of direction, and he feels like he’s a mess.

Then there’s a voice in his head. A friend, who’s trying to help him get control again. More than that—the voice can guide him to become faster and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything that’s holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.

Telling a story of a rarely recognized segment of eating disorder sufferers—young men—A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a book for fans of the complex characters and emotional truths in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Wintergirls and Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why/

 

A Trick of the Light was a very tough story for me. Very tough. I didn't have a hard time because I didn't like it, I did. It was hard because it struck just a little too close to home. So well that I kept putting it down, looking at my husband, and saying "I'm scared, because I have had these same thoughts swirling around in my own head."

Mike Welles's life is out of control. His dad is absent, his mom is emotionally absent, and he  has no control over anything. Except for his body. Mike finds a way to regain power over his life, an eating disorder. Anorexia, that voice in his head that promises control, is the narrator of A Trick of the Light, and as odd as that seems, it works. This disease tells the story of how it waited, put thoughts into Mike's vulnerable mind, and struck when it sensed his weakness. Feeling bad about yourself? Run more laps. Upset with your mom for not being dependable? Do more pushups. Don't listen to your friend or teacher when they tell you that you're too thin. They're just jealous. And always, always deny.

A Trick of the Light is a shockingly accurate depiction of a life consumed by an eating disorder. I have my own personal issues with this subject; it's one I've battled for most of my life. What makes me sad is that I never considered this subject from a male point-of-view. As a wife, I am working on being more sensitive about male body image. As a mom, I am adamant about being just as aware of what is going on in my son's life in this respect as I am my daughter's. I have many years of experience that came into play while reading the story. What I am most curious about is what a teen's thoughts would be after reading this.

A Trick of the Light is a very imaginative and strong take on the psychological aspect of eating disorders. And while I felt uncomfortable and stressed while reading it, I do believe that it is a powerful story that needed to be told.

Purchase A Trick of the Light at:

         

About the author
Lois Metzger is the author of three previous novels and two nonfiction books about the Holocaust, and she has edited five anthologies.
Ms. Metzger currently lives in New York City with her husband, writer Tony Hiss, and their eight-year-old son, Jacob.

Connect at her website

REVIEW: CIPHER by CINDI MADSEN

Series: Cipher #1

Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 7/22/13

Format: eARC

Pages: 325

Source: Received from author for review

Summer Davis sees deaths before they happen. She attempts to live a normal life by focusing on the dance team and her quarterback boyfriend. But then the way-too-cheery Angel of Death shows up and tells her she’s a Cipher—a person chosen to help people who are going to die resolve problems with their loved ones. Ashlyn Moore, one of Summer’s classmates, is going to die, and she needs Summer’s help before that happens.

It’s nearly impossible to get through to Ashlyn, who surrounds herself with chess nerds and geeks and makes it clear she doesn’t want to be friends. Desperate to complete her Cipher task before it’s too late, Summer turns to Troy, the guy who’s always been there for her and one of the few people she can trust. With his help, she makes progress. In fact, the closer she gets to Ashlyn and her friends, the more she feels like she’s finally found where she belongs.

As the clock starts running down on Ashlyn’s life, Summer decides to change her objective. She’s going to save her new friend before it’s too late—even if it means messing with fate.

 

 

Whether she's writing a story from an adult or a teen point -of-view, Cindi Madsen always manages to create strong characters with tons of heart. 

Cipher is a Young Adult Contemporary story with magical realism. And though that "magic" is a very important part of the story, what really impressed me about Cipher was just how truthfully Madsen was able to portray the teen experience.

I won't lie, I had a pretty great experience as a teenager. I was popular and had a good family. But like almost every teen, I also had a lot of doubts, confusion and insecurities. Summer, the heroine of Cipher, is a popular girl who feels lost. Madsen did such a thorough job of bringing Summer to life that I couldn't help but to be taken back to my own teenage experience. Summer was sweet and funny and brave, but she was also real. She doesn't always make the right choice, react the "right" way, or say the right thing, but she does her best, and for me, that is what makes YA so important. Not for me, with my ability to see things in hindsight, but for a teen, who is facing many issues and decisions on a daily basis. This is the kind of story I will want my own daughter to read when she is old enough.  

Back to the supernatural, or magical, aspect to Cipher.... Being that I'm not reading much of anything but realistic fiction these days, I was wondering if I would be able to truly embrace that aspect. I've read many books with reapers and guardian angels and the like, but nothing with the same angle as Cipher. I found the change to bring both tension and emotion to the story, and I was hooked. 

Cipher was a complete win for me. Madsen's writing was as charming and nicely paced as always, the characters were well-developed with tons of heart and humor, the story was humorous, intense, and emotional. The ending left me both satisfied and ready for more. In many ways, Cipher is only the beginning. and this is going to be a great series.

Favorite Quotes:

  "Sometimes I do feel a little lost, though." To her dismay, her voice cracked. "I don't even know how to get back to the person I used to be." And I don't even think it's possible with everything that's happening to me.

  His hand brushed across her shoulder and then he gently lifted her chin with his fingers. "You're still in there." His eyes locked onto hers, and it felt like he was peering inside of her, pulling out all her secrets.   ~eARC, 46%

  Troy smiled down at her, and her heart jumped into her throat. The lights turned his skin colors. Red, green, blue. Glimpses of every shade of Troy, and they all looked good. The song ended, and the world seemed to stop, just her and Troy, standing in the middle of the floor.  ~eARC, 58%

  "Be good. You're awesome. I love you"  eARC, 66%

Purchase Cipher

   

 

About the author:

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, and Demons of the Sun and adult romances Falling for Her Fiancé, Act Like You Love Me, and Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

Connect with Cindi at:
her website | Twitter | Facebook | blog

REVIEW: ALMOST EIGHTEEN (WILSON MOONEY #1) by GRETCHEN DE LA O

Series: Wilson Mooney #1
Category/Genre:
Publisher: gdelao
Publication Date: 9/4/11
Format: Kindle ebook
Pages: 314
Source: Received from author as a gift/review

Abandoned by her mother at the vulnerable age of eight; only to be shipped off to a boarding school in Northern California by her grandparents, Wilson Mooney, is one girl who knows what it’s like to have to grow up way too fast. Now, a month away from turning eighteen and orphaned by the death of her grandparents; she knows exactly what she wants. All it takes is a spontaneous ski trip with her narcissistic roommate to Colorado, to make it a reality. When he happens to show up at a party in Aspen, Wilson becomes tangled in the powerful emotions of first love, sexual inexperience, and society’s principles. She lives a whirlwind weekend filled with newly discovered boundaries, calloused aches for a family she never had, and all the pressures of keeping their weekend together a secret.

 

Almost Eighteen left me feeling one strong emotion: Conflicted.

I knew that this was a story of a "forbidden" romance, but wasn't aware that the relationship in question that between a student and teacher. I don't have an inherent problem with that trope, particularly when the teacher is twenty-two and the student is almost eighteen. I have no problem with it at all when it's at the collegiate level, as long as neither participant is married. I'm not saying that it is okay, at all, but I am saying that I can see how it happens. The problem for me is, when I was a senior in high school, I was put in the middle of a "he said/she said" situation between a teacher I was close to and a friend. It wasn't an affair like this, but it was pretty traumatic nonetheless. It's an area that still upsets me all these years later. So I'm not the easiest sell on teacher/student relationships.

That's not to say that I can't be at least won over by their story. If I can feel the emotions, that torture between wanting someone and knowing that it is wrong. If there is an establishment of the characters and relationship. If the emotions are slow building, pulling me along on a path that is both wrong and undeniable. And that's where Almost Eighteen lost me. It wasn't the forbidden relationship between Wilson and Max that didn't win me over. It's that the build-up of emotions and tensions between them was minimal.

The story begins with Wilson's internal thoughts about her teacher, Max. How much she wants him, and would do anything to have him. Lo and behold, the two end up in Aspen on the same weekend. After partying together, Wilson and Max begin flirting heavily, and confess their attraction. Max says it can't happen and Wilson is devastated. Then Max comes back, and it's on. He does draw the line at actually consummating the relationship until Wilson's birthday, but they do engage in other activities. I can understand Wilson's actions. She is seventeen years old, and has no family to speak of. She needs someone. She's young and seemed immature, and that's okay. She's seventeen. It's Max that bothered me. He never seemed truly conflicted over becoming involved with an underage student. And, he seemed more like a high school boy than a grown man, which I guess works in this case.

Having said that, I didn't actively dislike Almost Eighteen, and I wouldn't discourage anyone else from giving it a try. I was compelled to see how the this installment of the story ended. I'm not a mean person, and I know that love can have really bad timing. I just didn't feel it in this instance. I have a few friends that love this book, and have read that the second book, Becoming Eighteen is better. So, there's that.


I do want to share a couple of positive GoodReads reviews for Almost Eighteen:

Erin's Review (I love Erin's reviews) and Musing's Review

Purchase Almost Eighteen at (only $0.99!):

(I receive no compensation for purchases)

           

 

 

The Wilson Mooney Series

About the author:
By day Gretchen teaches computers, by night she dawns the cloak of motherhood, wifehood, and authorship. She is finding her way through self-publishing and is truly learning to let go with every curve and bump in the creative process. Gretchen enjoys writing about first loves and first times, in the first person. She is a firm believer that anything is possible if you set your mind to it; and what you expect out of life, always finds a way of showing up.

She happily lives in Northern California with her amazing husband, their three terrific boys, her talented mother, one goofy black lab, one crazy kitty, and eight happy chickens. Even though it sounds like it, she doesn't live on a farm.

Connect with Gretchen at:
Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook (Author Page)  |  Facebook (Series Page)

COVER REVEAL: CIPHER by CINDI MADSEN

 

I'm so happy to share today's cover reveal with you, Cipher, by the always awesome Cindi Madsen.

Cipher is a Contemporary Young Adult, with magical elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series: Cipher #1

Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Publication Date: 7/13

 

Summer Davis sees deaths before they happen. She attempts to live a normal life by focusing on the dance team and her quarterback boyfriend. But then the way-too-cheery Angel of Death shows up and tells her she’s a Cipher—a person chosen to help people who are going to die resolve problems with their loved ones. Ashlyn Moore, one of Summer’s classmates, is going to die, and she needs Summer’s help before that happens.

It’s nearly impossible to get through to Ashlyn, who surrounds herself with chess nerds and geeks and makes it clear she doesn’t want to be friends. Desperate to complete her Cipher task before it’s too late, Summer turns to Troy, the guy who’s always been there for her and one of the few people she can trust. With his help, she makes progress. In fact, the closer she gets to Ashlyn and her friends, the more she feels like she’s finally found where she belongs.

As the clock starts running down on Ashlyn’s life, Summer decides to change her objective. She’s going to save her new friend before it’s too late—even if it means messing with fate.

 

 

 

 

Be sure to add Cipher to your to-read list!

 

 

 

 

About the author:

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, and Demons of the Sun and adult romances Falling for Her Fiancé, Act Like You Love Me, and Cinderella Screwed Me Over.

Connect with Cindi at:
her website | Twitter | Facebook | blog

 

 

TEASER TUESDAY ~ DARE YOU TO by KATIE McGARRY

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

·Grab your current read

·Open to a random page

·Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

·Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others.

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

Series: Pushing the Limits #2

Category/Genre: Mature Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date:5/28/13

Format: ARC

Pages: 462

Source: Received from publicist for review

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

 

My Teaser~

   Noah--his hair hiding his eyes, keeping the world from seeing his soul.
  Isaiah--a sleeve of beautiful tattoos that frightens the normal and entices the free.
  Me--the poet in my mind when I'm high.
  I came to this house for safety. They came because the foster care system ran out of homes. We stayed because we were stray pieces of other puzzles, tired of never fitting.  ~pg. 20

Fabulous writing, yeah? Dare You To releases today! You can see my review  here.

Pushing the Limits Series

(click on cover for GoodReads page)

Purchase Dare You To at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository 

COURTNEY REVIEWS: CASTLES ON THE SAND (SHATTERED CASTLES) BY E.M. TIPPETTS

Series: Shattered Castles #1
Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 8/17/13
Format: ebook
Source: Received from author for review

"A fast-paced blend of high-stakes drama and average teenage concerns (sex, appearance, friends), capped with a welcome message of hope." ~Kirkus Reviews

If there’s one thing Madison Lukas understands, it’s pain. The pain she feels when her mother ignores her completely. The pain her best friend endures as her parents starve her as punishment. The pain of a dangerous boy whose mother has to be carried away by law enforcement on a regular basis.

She gets it. She feels the pain of others as if it were her own.

But when a mysterious man claiming to be her long lost brother appears with promises of relieving her suffering, trusting him could reveal more truths than Madison is ready for. Because the truth can hurt, too.

 

 

Madison lives her life second best to her best friend Kailie, invisible in the same house as her mother, and in an overall state of severely low self esteem in that she thinks of herself as fat and pasty. The story is completely from her point of view, but chronicles her experiences navigating mean girls at school and the joys of first kisses and first dates. Throw in public humiliation and a long lost brother she didn't know she had and you're in for an emotional ride.

Starting with her brother John, I thought that part of the story was going to be the main focus and I was so wrong. He is on his Mission as a part of the Mormon Church and has spent a great deal of time searching for his sister, who he hasn't seen for 15 years. He throws the big brother card around early, and I was glad to see something that would get a real emotion out of Madison. This girl is so downtrodden by everyone around her that I was sad for her, but also so mad at her that she wouldn't just stand up for herself. She thought what she should say, and not to rock the boat wouldn't actually say it. Which brings us to the boys.

Jean-Pierre is the popular guy at school and wants a physical relationship with her on the DL....next....if only! She likes how he makes her feel, but made her feel guilty for not being ready to do more like he was. And that is not okay with me. Cue more anger. Carson is the opposite but puts down her choices, whether it be for kissing JP (thanks to small town gossip that will live on forever) or who she has as friends. Dude needed to get a clue. If he's already telling you what to do and you're not officially dating him, don't date him! Alex is one of those strong silent types. He's in trouble a lot, but still tries to do his best taking care of his mentally ill mother. Another thing you'll learn about this small town is they're not all that understanding of people who are different. I liked Alex the most just because he would simply talk to her with no agenda, or judgments. Friends first type of relationship building are a joy to read for me, so I liked this even though Madison didn't give him a chance for almost forever.

So boy drama was heavy, but it was nothing, and I mean nothing compared to the mama and BFF drama that was in store. Her mother stays focused on her pottery and is so distant they're almost not on the same planet. She literally cuts her off in the middle of a sentence and would be "oh, well I'm going to bed." and just walk away and close and lock her door. What was that about? That plot is slow and gives out information even slower, so don't expect them to be winning mother/daughter duo of the year anytime soon or to let you in on why her mom treats her this way until the end. Equally crazy behavior comes from her best friend Kailie. This is the real kicker of the story, and I cannot risk spoiling it. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss this book because some cray cray stuff goes down between those two and I was so surprised. Heavy, but thought provoking in a way I wasn't counting on.

Castles on the Sand is one of those books that makes you feel. I went through the gamut of emotions early but mostly I felt mad and frustrated at how Madison is treated by the people she is close to. I really hated her mom and her best friend Kailie for, I would guess, at least 75% of the book, maybe longer. Teenage years are hard, but when you don't have your mother or a good girlfriend on your side to get through it, it can be even tougher. Madison has to dig deep time and time again to prove what she is made of and surprisingly I always rooted for her, even when I wanted to help her wake up from her nightmare because she didn't seem to be doing much but treading water. Take a chance on this one, and I think you'll enjoy it too. It's one of those raw, real to life stories that you know could have or is happening to someone you love.


Favorite quote:
"I just imagine everyone in your life taking and taking because you've got it to give," he adds. ~27%


"So how was your day?" I quip.
"Fine - oh I see. It does just roll off the tongue automatically, doesn't it?" ~ 29%

 

 

 

Purchase Castles on the Sand at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

 

 

About the author: 

Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance under the name E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy under the name Emily Mah. Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. Before she was a published author, she was an attorney who specialized in real estate, contracts, and estate planning, especially literary estate planning.

Her most recent pro publications have been her science fiction and fantasy short stories in magazines like Black Gate, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and the anthology, Shanghai Steam.

Connect with EM at:
Website  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads

{BLOG TOUR} VAIN by FISHER AMELIE ~ REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome to The Bookish Babe's stop on the Vain Blog Tour! The tour is hosted by InkSlinger PR Blog Tours. My stop includes a guest post and giveaway!

Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: 12/25/12

If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you’re gonna’ hate my story.

Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.

I’m Sophie Price...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

***
“Hold me tighter,” I whispered against his teeth. He clutched me closer yet not tight enough. “More,” I demanded.
He drew me firmer against him and I felt every ridge of his body.
“Is that close enough?” he laughed into my throat.
“Perfect,” I told him.

My Review of Vain

 

 

 

GUEST POST

The Hellacious Sophie Price


Sophie. Sophie. Sophie. *sighs* Where do I even begin?

When I sat down that first night after hashing her character out, my fingers sat motionless on the keyboard. Not because I couldn’t conjure up some nasty things. After all, what are imaginations for? It was because I struggled with the delicate balance that is her character.

I knew she had to be salacious, cruel, egotistical, of course, vain and someone with a complete disregard for anyone other than herself but I also knew that there had to be room for the reader to still believe in her, still find her likeable or at least hope to like her. In the beginning, she was the hardest character I’ve ever written simply for the fact that I felt I had to somehow convince the reader she was beyond redemption then turn around and redeem her but also make it believable.

I decided to fill her up with every conceivably vile attribute I’ve ever encountered in a girl. The sum of which would turn people off but keep them drooling over the pages to see what terrible thing she would do next. We’re voyeurs all of us. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t. (But that’s okay because we’re all human and what makes us human is what makes us so wonderful, so beautiful.) So I took that along with me. I also knew that she would only be convincing enough in that respect because, in order for people to act as Sophie did, they’d have to be one of two things: evil or truly lost. If I’d gone the way of evil, no one would have read past the first page because evil turned good isn’t as convincing nor as dramatic as someone lost. You lose a connection to that type of character but lost? Lost has potential to be believable because nothing is more attractive in someone than hope. It’s limitless.

Which is why I went with my gut. I told myself over and over again, “Write this book for you and for no one else.”

So I did.

Truthfully, I never thought anyone would read it. I thought its subject matter was unattractive because the character was so impossibly rancid or that her route to redemption was too heavy. I thought many would read the first few pages and drop it or get the gist of her from the synopsis and let her go which is why I wrote with such abandon. I wrote her the way I wanted her, never thinking for a single moment what anyone else would think or want because I just never thought another soul would truly read it besides the occasional Fisher Amelie fan.

And writing with such abandon was more freeing after the first chapter than I thought it could be.

Which is why when The Bookish Babe asked me to describe the challenges of writing an unlikeable female character, I knew my answer would be an unexpected one because the challenges of writing Sophie Price weren’t the character itself, really, it was my own insecure hang-up’s.

So I hung up my hang-up’s and wrote what I felt and what I felt was Sophie Price and all her ugliness and all her beauty. She’s my favorite so far, not because she was the last character I wrote but because she came from the depths of my heart.


VAIN Playlist Here!

 

 

Purchase Vain at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble 


 

 About the author:
Fisher Amelie is the author of The Leaving Series, Callum & Harper and Thomas & January. She began her writing career as a copywriter for an internet marketing company wherein one of their client's said, 'Hey! You're funny. You should write books'. Which in turn she said, 'Hey, get out of here! This is the lady's restroom.' While washing her hands and the embarrassment from her face, she thought they may have had a valid point. So, she took the thousands of hours of writing stories growing up, tucked them into her pocket and began writing and writing and writing.
Connect with Fisher at:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | GoodReads

 

 

GIVEAWAY

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BLOG TOUR: THINGS I CAN'T FORGET (HUNDRED OAKS #3) ~ REVIEW AND GUESTPOST

I am excited to be today's stop on the Things I Can't Forget Blog Tour. My stop includes a review and guest post from Miranda Kenneally. Thanks to Sourcebooks for inviting me to take part in the tour.

Series: Hundred Oaks #3
Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: 3/1/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 320
Source: Received from publisher for review

Companion to Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker.

Kate has always been the good girl. Too good, according to some people at school—although they have no idea the guilty secret she carries. But this summer, everything is different…

This summer she’s a counselor at Cumberland Creek summer camp, and she wants to put the past behind her. This summer Matt is back as a counselor too. He’s the first guy she ever kissed, and he’s gone from a geeky songwriter who loved The Hardy Boys to a buff lifeguard who loves to flirt--with her.

Kate used to think the world was black and white, right and wrong. Turns out, life isn’t that easy…

Read an excerpt here.

Note: Mature themes, sexual situations, religious discussions.
 

At this point I have read a ton of reviews for Things I Can't Forget. Almost all have given Miranda Kenneally high praised (very well-deserved) for her writing and the story. Almost all have also mentioned having a hard time connecting with Kate. I am absolutely not trying to argue or discount those feelings, each person comes to a book bringing their unique outlook on life and relationships. What I want to do is offer an alternative point-of-view in regards to Kate.

Kate Kelly is maybe the best example I have personally read for a character who is driven, and often conflicted, by their faith. I know this might make her appear to be judgmental and pushy, and I'm not going to argue with that. The thing is, if you've been raised in a very strict church that takes the Bible and it's rules very literally, this is often who you become. I know this because almost all my friends were like Kate, and I even caught myself doing it when I was really young. We were raised going to a very, very strict church, probably even stricter than Kate's because it didn't even allow music in church or dancing. Kate was raised with a specific set of standards to live by, God's standards, and she takes that seriously. I had a friend (of an even stricter religion) tell me I was going to Hell for cutting my bangs. My best friend told me my Uncle would go to Hell for getting a divorce. Though my feelings were hurt, I didn't exactly get mad at them, because I knew that's what they were taught. A lot of that went by the wayside, though, when we became teenagers. We went to parties, we kissed a lot of boys. We still knew these things we "wrong", we just traded our piousness for a buttload of guilt.

See, Kate feels guilty; for things she's done, things she's said, every errant thought or feeling. Guilt. Guilt. Guilt. And it will drive you crazy, trust me. My point is: Yes, with her judmental thoughts, worries, and guilt, Kate may be hard to connect with, but that just means that Kenneally nailed the portrayal of a girl conflicted by the world around her. Kate sees the world in black or white, wrong or right. Things I Can't Forget is Kate's journey of learning that the world is not concrete, there are many shades of grey to what she thought was absolutes. And if you don't see that when you're reading this, you're going to miss a really powerful story.

Okay, I'm climbing down off my soapbox now... So how about that story?! I personally love books set at summer camps, maybe because I never got to go. I enjoyed the different personlities of the counselors, and how they interacted with one another. Of course, my favorite counselor was Matt, a super cute, super sweet guy Kate knew from her own camp experience. I loved that Matt had this open, affectionate way with Kate, but still maintained a bit of a mysterious edge. To see Matt, with his relaxed nature, help bring Kate out of her shell was so endearing. I loved being able to experience them falling in love. AND, it was so so so great to have Parker and Will at camp, and to get to see a bit of Sam and Jordan!

Ultimately, for me, Things I Can't Forget was Kate's journey of forgiveness and acceptance. She needs to forgive herself. She needs to accept that others won't always see the world the same, or feel the way she does. And she needs to accept herself.

Things I Can't Forget was a beatifully written, very thoughtful story. It's my favorite Miranda Kenneally book yet.


Favorite Quote:

  "Your dress is pretty," he whispers in my ear.
  "You dance well."
  "You feel good."
  He thinks I feel good?
  "You do, too," I mumble, nearly choking on the words.
  "I love your hair," he says, clutching a clump of it.
  "I love your invisible shoes." We look down at his bare feet, and laughing, we look up at each other. He shakes the dirty blond hair out of his eyes and holds my gaze, pulling me closer. My heart pounds against my chest.  ~eARC, 39%


  I like how he touches my jaw and stares deep into my eyes, like I'm the only girl he's ever seen. He drinks beer and I know he wouldn't mind sharing a bed with me.
  But this week, when I asked him if he believes in God, he said, "What a silly question. Just look at that." He turned me to face the sun setting above the rolling hills beyond camp.
  If I were to ditch Matt and wait for a guy who's 100 percent devout, I might end up with a guy who doesn't stare at me like I'm the only girl he's ever seen.  ~eARC, 61%

Top Ten things Miranda Kenneally would change about her high school years if she could go back in time


1. I would do my homework the night before school rather than 10 minutes before class.

 

2. I would pull my pants up. Sagging was not cool then and it’s not cool now.

3. I would not consider the daughter of the owner of the local car dealership a “celebrity.”

4. I would not wear those two-inch long crocodile earrings. Really, Miranda, what were you thinking?

5. I would accept the soccer captain’s invitation to come swim at his pool instead of wussing out.

6. I would’ve waited for my first kiss. The guy I kissed first was not a good guy, and it wasn’t worth it just to say I’d kissed someone.

7. I would confront the school guidance counselor, who told me I’d “fail” if I went to an out-of-state college. And if I got in trouble for telling her off? So be it.

8. I would push harder for a role in Fiddler on the Roof instead of settling for stage manager again!

9. That time me and some of the guys took my mom’s SUV mudding? Yeah, I would not do that again. Even 5 trips through the carwash didn’t get rid of the mud. What a nightmare.

10. I would read more books instead of worrying about guys so much!

 

 

 

About the author

Miranda Kenneally writes and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. She is also the co-creator of the website DearTeenMe.com. You can visit her at www.mirandakenneally.com or @mirandakennealy.

Purchase Things I Can't Forget at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

{REVIEW} THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by JENNIFER E. SMITH

Category/Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: 4/2/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 416
Source: Received from publisher for review

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

In This is What Happy Looks Like, Jennifer E. Smith's new YA novel, perfect strangers Graham Larkin and Ellie O'Neill meet—albeit virtually—when Graham accidentally sends Ellie an email about his pet pig, Wilbur. In the tradition of romantic movies like "You've Got Mail" and "Sleepless in Seattle," the two 17-year-olds strike up an email relationship, even though they live on opposite sides of the country and don't even know each other's first names. Through a series of funny and poignant messages, Graham and Ellie make a true connection, sharing intimate details about their lives, hopes and fears. But they don't tell each other everything; Graham doesn't know the major secret hidden in Ellie's family tree, and Ellie is innocently unaware that Graham is actually a world-famous teen actor living in Los Angeles. When the location for the shoot of Graham's new film falls through, he sees an opportunity to take their relationship from online to in-person, managing to get the production relocated to picturesque Henley, Maine, where Ellie lives. But can a star as famous as Graham have a real relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie's mom want her to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs. Just as they did in The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, the hands of fate intervene in wondrous ways in this YA novel that delivers on high concept romance in lush and thoughtful prose.

This is What Happy Looks Like was surprising, to me. I read a review yesterday by Jen YA Romantics, that described it as a mix of You've Got Mail, Notting Hill, and What a Girl Wants. That's about as accurate of a description as I could ever hope to come up with.

What was surprising for me about This is What Happy Looks Like is that it was, hmm... underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, it was sweet, and charming. I liked the characters, but there was not a lot to keep me hooked. In fact, I put this down for three days because I got swept away in another series that was full of fun and passion and angst, highs and lows. And in comparison, this was just nice.

Smith is obviously an extremely talented author. I absolutely adored The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I raved about it to all my friends for months, and credit it with making me love a boy named Oliver. Maybe that has caused me to judge this book a little too much. And though I liked Ellie and Graham, their portrayals were just sort of flat. I understood were they were coming from with their feelings and questions about their lives, but they didn't feel fully developed. I almost felt a true attachment to them and their story at certain points, the epic was just within reach, but then the story would move along and the feeling went away. Also, I would have like a least a smidge more resolution in the ending.

This Is What Happy Looks Like was a good, if underwhelming, story. I did like it, but will also say that I never fell in love with it. And I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it, but I would also say to maybe be prepared to not be swept away.


Favorite Quote:

  "I'm sorry--" she began, but that was as far as she got, because Graham couldn't wait any longer. He leaned in, his lips meeting hers, which tasted fairly of peanut butter, and he closed his eyes, and he held her by the shoulders, and he kissed her.
  It was exactly as he'd thought it would be, like the first time and the millionth time all at once, like being wide awake, like losing his balance. Only this time, it wasn't just him; this time they were losing their balance together.  ~ eARC, 44%

Purchase This is What Happy Looks Like at:

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

 

 

About the author

Jennifer E. Smith is the author of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, The Storm Makers, You Are Here, and The Comeback Season. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and currently works as an editor in New York City. Her writing has been translated into 28 languages.