Look Out For These Books + Contest Reminder!

Food, Girls, And Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: September 8, 2009
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 272
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: Life used to be so simple for Andrew Zansky—hang with the Model U.N. guys, avoid gym class, and eat and eat and eat. He’s used to not fitting in: into his family, his sports-crazed school, or his size 48 pants. But not anymore. Andrew just met April, the new girl at school and the instant love of his life! He wants to find a way to win her over, but how? When O. Douglas, the heartthrob quarterback and high school legend, saves him from getting beaten up by the school bully, Andrew sees his chance to get in with the football squad. Is it possible to reinvent yourself in the middle of high school? Andrew is willing to try. But he’s going to have to make some changes. Fast. Can a funny fat kid be friends with a football superstar? Can he win over the Girl of his Dreams? Can he find a way to get his Mom and Dad back together? How far should you go to be the person you really want to be? Andrew is about to find out.

Mirrorscape by Mike Wilks
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Egmont USA/UK
Pages: 320
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: Mirrorscape is a thrilling and inventive adventure for all fantasy fans, children and adults alike. The book is the first in a trilogy and will be succeeded by Mirrorstorm and Mirrorshade. In this his debut novel, the artist and illustrator Mike Wilks brings his extraordinary visual imagination from the canvas to the page! Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, Melkin Womper is apprenticed to a master painter, Ambrosius Blenk. Son of a village weaver, Mel is over-awed by the master’s richly coloured and vividly detailed paintings. He is particularly amazed by the colours, because there are no colours back home. To have colour in your life, you have to buy the Pleasure, and the sinister scarlet-robed Fifth Mystery owns the rights to such Pleasures. Soon, Mel and his new friends Ludo and Wren find themselves caught in a power struggle between the Mystery and the master. One that involves stepping through paintings into a world where the bizarre is commonplace and all logic is irrelevant. A world where angels, pyramid mazes, imaginary monsters, talking houses and - most importantly - the simple paintbrush all combine to form a hugely original and deeply compelling fantasy.

Of All The Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Release Date: December 22, 2009
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 256
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: When a rumor starts circulating that Tara's boyfriend, Brent, has been sleeping with one of the guy cheerleaders, the innuendo doesn't just hurt Tara-it marks the beginning of the end of three lifelong friends. Tara's training for a marathon, but also running from her fear of abandonment after being deserted by her father. Whitney Blaire seems to have everything, but an empty mansion and absentee parents leave her to look for her own value in all the wrong places. And Pinkie has compulsive need to mother everyone to make up for the mom she's never stopped missing. This friendship that promised to last forever is starting to break under the pressure of the girls' differences. Of All The Stupid Things offers insight into three very different lives sharing one unforgettable high-school year.

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Please remember my giveaway of The Society of S is still going on and ends on August 10, 2009, so if you haven't entered yet, what are ya waiting for! The winner will be picked by Susan Hubbard herself and if she likes your answer you'll get a shout out in her next book, can't get any better than that! So, hurry up before it's too late!
Press here: I want to enter!
**Contest is open to everyone**

Author Interview: Cayla Kluver of Legacy + Book Review: Stolen Lives: Twenty Years In A Desert Jail by Malika Oukfir

Author Interview: Cayla Kluver of Legacy

Cayla Kluver is the author of Legacy which is being released on August 18, 2009. She is currently 16 years old, but wrote Legacy when she was only 14! Their will be a second book called Allegiance and a third book called Redemption which will conclude the trilogy, so make sure you look out for them! I wanted to thank Cayla for doing this interview and giving me the chance to review her book, I am inspired by her dedication and I hope she has great success because she is truly a gifted writer.

For more info on Cayla Kluver, check out her official website:
http://www.caylakluver.com/
Also, become a follower on her blog here:
http://caylakluver.blogspot.com

Check out a super cute video of Cayla and her sister Cara: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1VAIBDMFW7Q20

If you're interested in reading Legacy, please enter my 3 Book Giveaway to have a chance to win! Click here for further details: Enter Me!

1) Cayla, how does it feel to be a published writer at such a young age?

It’s incredibly exciting – although I have to imagine the feeling of having your first book published is relatively the same no matter what age you are. I suppose it’s stranger to be my age just because I’m still trying to figure out who I am and how I fit into the world, and it can be difficult to keep myself separate from the experience, if that makes any sense. I’ve been extraordinarily blessed, but it gets confusing sometimes!

2) What inspired you to write Legacy?

Growing up, my two sisters and my friends and I were encouraged to entertain ourselves with our imaginations. We didn’t do much in the way of organized activities (with the exception of some local plays and a soccer league here and there – my shining moment was when I almost made a goal on my seventh birthday), and I think as I grew out of playing make-believe in the backyard, the sort of creativity my mom and dad supported found its way into my writing. I’d always loved writing, and I think I was just the right age for that passion and the transfer of focus in creativity to fuse into a novel.

3) Are the characters in the book based on someone you know?

A few of my characters were definitely based on people I know, whether advertently or not! I think it’s important, especially when you’re just starting out like I am, to write what you know. The narrator is my older sister in a lot of ways, Steldor is based off of someone I know pretty well, there are flares of my good friends in London and Miranna, and there’s a spice of my mom in “lawyer mode” in the character of Cannan.

4) What was the hardest part of writing Legacy?

Since it was my first book, just figuring out how to approach such a project was difficult. It required an outline much more extensive than I’d done before, and pushing through to the end of that first draft was a challenge. Luckily I was surrounded by wonderful people — my mom, my English teacher Mrs. White, my best friend, my sisters — who encouraged and helped me whenever I needed it. And certainly once I’d finished the first draft, there were a lot of revisions that had to be made. For me, probably the most difficult part of the writing process is description – it doesn’t come as naturally to me as characters and dialogue, but the way I look at it, having room to improve in any area is never a bad thing.

5) If you had to pick one word to describe your book, what would it be?

Oh boy, one word. “Indescribable.” Sorry, couldn’t resist!

6) I see that Legacy will be followed up with Allegiance, what can we expect from the second book?

Allegiance literally picks up about a week after Legacy ends, and continues the same story arc. The second book is darker, however — it gets more intense with some aspects of the war between Hytanica and Cokyri, and there are some casualties. Alera also becomes much more empowered as a character and as a woman — her progression has been exciting and a lot of fun to write. Then after Allegiance, Redemption picks up the story again and concludes it.

7) Are there any new authors that have sparked your interest?

She’s not a debut author, but I really enjoyed Alisa Libby’s The Blood Confession, which came out in 2006, and I know her second book, The King’s Rose, just came out in March 2009. Check ‘em out!

8) What book are you currently reading?

I’ve been so on the run that I’m actually in the middle of two books at the moment (and have been for a while…). One is The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, and the other is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Kind of a contrast there, but both great books!

9) Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your future readers?

I just want to say that for me, this is a dream come true, to even think of my book in your hands. Writing the Legacy series has been an amazing experience, and my only hope is that people – you – enjoy reading it. For me it’s all about finding happiness for myself and my family by bringing happiness to you, and if that happens, I couldn’t ask for more. Thank you so much.

10) Tell us something about yourself that no one knows about.

My grandma wanted me to be a pharmacist. My mom pointed out that at least I’d be able to write prescriptions. (It just so happens I’m TERRIBLE at math and pretty much all the things you need to be good at in order to be a pharmacist – but thanks for the thought, Grandma!)

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Book Review: Stolen Lives: Twenty Years In A Desert Jail by Malika Oukfir & Michelle Fitoussi

Stolen Lives: Twenty Years In A Desert Jail by Malika Oukfir & Michelle Fitoussi [Not a YA Book] - Based on a True Story
Publisher: Miramax Books
Pages: 293
Available Now: Amazon.com

Summary: At the age of 5, Malika Oufkir, eldest daughter of General Oufkir, was adopted by King Muhammad V of Morocco and sent to live in the palace as part of the royal court. There she led a life of unimaginable privilege and luxury alongside the king's own daughter. King Hassan II ascended the throne following Muhammad V's death, and in 1972 General Oufkir was found guilty of treason after staging a coup against the new regime, and was summarily executed. Immediately afterward, Malika, her mother, and her five siblings were arrested and imprisoned, despite having no prior knowledge of the coup attempt. They were first held in an abandoned fort, where they ate moderately well and were allowed to keep some of their fine clothing and books. Conditions steadily deteriorated, and the family was eventually transferred to a remote desert prison, where they suffered a decade of solitary confinement, torture, starvation, and the complete absence of sunlight. Oufkir's horrifying descriptions of the conditions are mesmerizing, particularly when contrasted with her earlier life in the royal court, and many graphic images will long haunt readers. Finally, teetering on the edge of madness and aware that they had been left to die, Oufkir and her siblings managed to tunnel out using their bare hands and teaspoons, only to be caught days later. Her account of their final flight to freedom makes for breathtaking reading. Stolen Lives is a remarkable book of unfathomable deprivation and the power of the human will to survive.
My Review: I actually read this book last year, but I wanted to share it with all of you. Stolen Lives is by far the most inspirational books I have ever read. It is based on a true story and that's what makes it so amazing, because someone actually went through that hell. Malika Oukfir re-lives her story through this book. Her childhood was actually very luxurious but when her father is found guilty of treason, Malika and her family are imprisoned. Twenty years of their lives were held in numerous jails. Some jails were okay but most of them were horrific to live in, especially the one that caused pure starvation and cruel living arrangements. My heart went out to Malika and her family because throughout the whole process they managed to stick together and fight their way to freedom. I definitely recommend this book if you're interested in a real life story that is inspirational. However, their are moments in the book where the details could get really graphic, so if you can't handle that, I don't recommend you read this book.
My Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Waiting On Wednesday! [July 29, 2009]

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Epitaph Road by David Patneaude
Release Date: March 10, 2010
Publisher: Egmont USA
Pages: 272
Pre-order: Amazon.com

I couldn't find a book summary, but I've heard a few bloggers who have received
ARC's rave about how interesting the summary sounds :)

3 ARC Book Giveaway of Legacy by Cayla Kluver!

Yay! Another giveaway! If you guys haven't noticed by my review, I'm in love with this book and I'm so happy that Cayla and her marketing agent Natalie are sharing 3 ARC books with all of you!

Here's the summary for those of you who aren't familiar with the book: An award-winning YA fantasy debut, 16-year-old novelist Cayla Kluver brings a magical touch to an unrelentingly suspenseful coming-of-age tale. Duty-bound to wed her father’s choice in successor to the throne, Princess Alera of Hytanica believes that she is being forced into the worst of all possible fates—a marriage to the arrogant and hot-tempered suitor, Steldor. When a mysterious boy from enemy Cokyri appears bearing secrets and an entirely different view of what's appropriate behavior for a young lady, Alera learns that her private desires threaten to destroy the kingdom. When Narian’s shocking past comes to light, Alera finds herself in a shadowy world of palace intrigue and ancient blood feuds, facing an uncertain future with dwindling options—and must learn to decide between right and wrong all alone. Marked by witty, rapid-fire dialogue and dramatic complexity that belie the writer’s age, Legacy brings a fresh, new sensibility to age-old questions of duty and inheritance and to a young heroine’s quest to find her true voice.

CONTEST IS CLOSED.

**CONTEST RULES**

+1 Answer question + your e-mail address: If you were a prince or a princess and your duty was to marry a person that your father wanted, what would you do? Would you fulfill your responsibility or follow your heart? [You must answer this question to be entered]
+2 Become a follower
+3 If you're already a follower [I love ya all!]
+1 Twitter about contest [Please add link]
+3 Announce the contest on your blog post or sidebar [Please add link]
+3 Any other type of promoting [Please add links]

-Contest is open for US only.
-Their will be 3 different winners.
-Deadline: August 30, 2009, winner will be announced on August 31, 2009.

Start....NOW!

Tempted [House of Night Series, Book 6] Cover Revealed!

I love the House of Night Series by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast, and this cover is so nice! It oozes suspense, I can't wait to read this book. It's being released on October 27, 2009 by St. Martin's Press.
Pre-order it here: Amazon.com

Book Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Legacy by Cayla Kluver [Young Adult]
Release Date: August 18, 2009
Publisher: AmazonEncore
Pages: 464
Pre-order it: Amazon.com

Summary: An award-winning YA fantasy debut, 16-year-old novelist Cayla Kluver brings a magical touch to an unrelentingly suspenseful coming-of-age tale. Duty-bound to wed her father’s choice in successor to the throne, Princess Alera of Hytanica believes that she is being forced into the worst of all possible fates—a marriage to the arrogant and hot-tempered suitor, Steldor. When a mysterious boy from enemy Cokyri appears bearing secrets and an entirely different view of what's appropriate behavior for a young lady, Alera learns that her private desires threaten to destroy the kingdom. When Narian’s shocking past comes to light, Alera finds herself in a shadowy world of palace intrigue and ancient blood feuds, facing an uncertain future with dwindling options—and must learn to decide between right and wrong all alone. Marked by witty, rapid-fire dialogue and dramatic complexity that belie the writer’s age, Legacy brings a fresh, new sensibility to age-old questions of duty and inheritance and to a young heroine’s quest to find her true voice.
My Review: First let me just say wow. I am in love with this book and with Cayla's beautiful writing. Cayla wrote this book when she was only 14 years old! I know, can you believe it? I am so impressed with the storyline, it kept me at the edge of my seat. I loved the descriptive details which helped me imagine the life of Princess Alera. I enjoyed most of the characters, with the exception of one, Steldor, which was her father's choice for suitor, he was an arrogant son of a gun. I don't want to say a lot about the story since I want everyone to experience it for themselves. Legacy is a mix of King Arthur and Romeo and Juliet in a way. I honestly will say it's now on my top five favorite books with Twilight and The Hunger Games. The ending left me wanting more and I can't wait to continue the story with book 2, Allegiance. So, as you can all see I thoroughly enjoyed it and I recommend it to everyone.
My Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Author's Website: http://www.caylakluver.com/ & make sure you start following her blog: http://caylakluver.blogspot.com/

I also will be having an interview with Cayla Kluver, coming up soon, so look out for that!

November Releases + Author Interview: Thomas Fahy of Sleepless

November Releases:

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles [Young Adult]
*This is the continuation of How to Ruin A Summer Vacation*
Release Date: November 1, 2009
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 264
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: Guess who's jetting to the Holy Land this summer! Remember me, Amy Barak-Nelson—a.k.a the queen of disaster? In case you forgot, my boyfriend Avi is in the Israeli army. A visit is definitely in order. Somehow my grandmother convinced me to sign up for two weeks of pure hell in a military training base. Getting up before dawn, peeing in a hole, and playing war games in the desert isn't my idea of fun. But what's worse? Our team leader turns out to be Avi!

Deadly Little Lies (A Touch Novel, Book 2) by Laurie Faria Stolarz [Young Adult] *This is the continuation of Deadly Little Secrets (A Touch Novel, Book 1)* Release Date: November 10, 2009
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 288
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, the mysterious new boy at school who turned out to have a very mysterious gift--pyschometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben's romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry, and experiencing her own strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have somehow rubbed off on her. Can the power of psychometry be transferred? Even once Ben returns to school, Camelia can't get close enough to share her secret with him. Despite the romantic tension between them, Ben remains aloof, avoiding contact. Then when an unexpected kiss leads to a frightening argument, Camelia makes the painful decision to let Ben go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at work, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't. Adam is easygoing, and seems to really care about her.
But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events upturns secrets from Ben's past--and Adam's. Someone is lying, and it's up to Camelia to figure out who-before it's too late.

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate [Young Adult]
Release Date: November 12, 2009
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 248
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: A steamy Southern beauty makes one fatal mistake..Natalie Hargrove would kill to be her high school’s Palmetto Princess. But her boyfriend Mike King doesn’t share her dream and risks losing the honor of Palmetto Prince to Natalie’s nemesis, Justin Balmer. So she convinces Mike to help play a prank on Justin. . . one that goes terribly wrong. They tie him to the front of the church after a party—when they arrive the next morning, Justin is dead. From blackmail to buried desire, dark secrets to darker deeds, Natalie unravels. She never should’ve messed with fate. Fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove. Cruel Intentions meets Macbeth in this seductive, riveting tale of conscience and consequence.

On Viney's Mountain by Joan Donaldson [Young Adult]
Release Date: November 15, 2009
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 192
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: Strangers have come to Viney's mountain, and she is furious! The arrogant invaders are leveling acres of forest in her beloved home in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a Utopian democratic settlement in 1880, the dream of English writer and labor pioneer Thomas Hughes. Sixteen-year-old Viney Walker is determined to sabotage their plans, but her sister Lizzie is thrilled, convinced that she will find a wealthy husband among the newcomers. Independent and uncompromising, Viney rails against the traditional fate of a mountain woman--marriage, children, unending drudgery--and prefers to focus on her true love and extraordinary talent--weaving. But Viney hasn't reckoned on Charlie Breckenridge, a handsome Englishman who takes a fancy to her. When she feigns a relationship with Charlie to put an end to the pressure from her family to find a man, her plot backfires in surprising ways, changing Viney and her mountain forever.

The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliott [Young Adult]
Release Date: November 15, 2009
Publisher: Holiday House
Pages: 320
Pre-order: Amazon.com

Summary: Spoiled, beautiful, fourteen-year-old Eugenie de Boncoeur is accustomed to outrageous privilege. The French Revolution may rage around her, but Eugenie's luxurious lifestyle is only improved by visits from her brother, Armand, who is especially doting since the two were orphaned. What Eugenie doesn't know is that their guardian has promised her in marriage to the wealthy, vengeful Le Fantome, a revolutionary who is nursing a secret grudge against her family. As the Revolution becomes increasingly violent, Eugenie is shipped off to convent school. Finally, there is no place in France that is safe for her. Eugenie dusts off her lightly used brains and rises to the challenge of survival. Soon she is in the thick of turmoil and romance, confronting spies, secret agents, and double-crossing suitors in her quest to get out of France alive. Sympathies shift, and every choice can change--or end--a life.

Author Interview: Thomas Fahy of Sleepless

Thomas Fahy is the author of Sleepless which is being released on August 11, 2009. He has also written The Unspoken and Night Vision: A Novel of Suspense. Thank you for doing this interview, I look forward to reading Sleepless when it comes out!

For more info on Thomas Fahy, check out his official website: http://www.thomasfahy.com/

1) Tom, when did you start writing?

I’ve enjoyed reading and writing for as long as I can remember. In junior high, I wrote my first murder mystery. It was pretty cheesy, but it was inspired by the Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle stories I was reading at the time. So, I guess I’ve been drawn to this genre for a long time.

2) What inspired you to write Sleepless?

I came up with the idea while working on my last book, The Unspoken. which is about a group of teens who are haunted by their childhood memories of growing up in a cult and now must face a horrifying prophecy—that they will die from their worst fear. The main character, Allison, is epileptic, and during her seizures, she has these visions of terrible crimes before they happen. Her visions made me think about nightmares and the power they can have over us—to make us scream, break out in a sweat, and, in some cases, sleepwalk. I thought it would be interesting to write something about sleepwalking—as if it were a disease that could infect people and make them do things.

3) Are the characters in the book based on someone you know?

In some ways, yes. Emma in Sleepless isn’t based on anyone in particular, but I think her sense of humor is similar to mine. I based Lily’s personality (as well as her long hair) on a good friend of mine, and Terence’s physical features and his interest in witchcraft were inspired by this guy I knew in high school who was the first (and only) self-proclaimed witch I’ve ever met! I guess there are bits of people I know in lots of my characters. Sometimes it’s intentional; sometimes it isn’t. They’re all still fictional, but certain aspects of them are influenced by real people.

4) What was the hardest part of writing Sleepless?
Writing about insomnia can be risky--the more you think about not being able to sleep the harder it is to sleep. I certainly had my share of sleepless nights while writing the book!

5) What is the meaning behind the title choice of your book?
Once the teens realize that they’re hurting people in their sleep, they try to keep each other awake. They hope to stay awake (to stay sleepless) long enough to figure out who is causing them to sleepwalk. Is it magic, a curse …? I titled the book Sleepless because they’re trying not to sleep, because they’re afraid of what they might do if they close their eyes.

6) Who came up with the cover design of your book?
Authors don’t have much say over the cover design, so you just need faith that the publisher will do a great job. And I think they did with Sleepless.

7) What was the worst nightmare you ever had?

I was drowning in this swamp. Thick, black muck was covering my body, and before I went under, I forced myself awake. I opened my eyes but couldn’t move. I tried to lift my arms and my legs. I got no response. I tried to turn my head. I couldn’t. I was absolutely paralyzed. It took a few moments before I could feel my body again. It was terrifying.

8) Are there any new authors that have sparked your interest?
Well, I’m a fan of Neal Shusterman’s and Jay Asher’s work. I always like to keep up with what they’re doing.

9) What book are you currently reading?

I’ve just started The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m also interested in cults and wrote about one in The Unspoken. Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book is next on my list. I also just picked up a copy of his illustrated book The day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish.

10) Tell us something about yourself that no one knows about.

When I first met my girlfriend, she was worried that I might be a serial killer because I write horror novels. (I’m not, by the way).

Sleepless by Thomas Fahy [Young Adult]

Release Date: August 11, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 224
Pre-order: Amazon.com
Summary: Emma Montgomery has been having trouble sleeping. Whenever she closes her eyes, all she can see are horrible nightmares ... nightmares of gruesome murder. And she's not alone. All of the students in Dr. Beecher's secret society have been having terrible dreams and sleepwalking. Now, as their classmates start turning up dead, Emma and her friends race against the clock to keep themselves awake and find out what is causing them to kill in their sleep--before the next victim dies.