Blog Tour: Emily Wing Smith Interview

1. Did your writing style change at all from your debut novel to Back When You Were Easier to Love?

I don’t think my style as a writer changed, but by necessity, the writing style of the book changed. My first book, THE WAY HE LIVED, is told in six separate short stories, narrated by several different characters. BACK WHEN YOU WERE EASIER TO LOVE is told by only one character, who is in a very fragmented state of mind as she’s telling the story, so the style is completely different.

2. Did you put parts of people you know into your characters? Do you relate to Joy in any way?

I definitely relate to Joy, and have put a lot of myself into her—some of my experience moving to a new, strange town, and my personality type—I tend to get easily obsessed, whether it’s with a project, my “life plan” or—yes—guys. However, she’s not me. Re-reading the book I found that although all the scenes sounded so familiar to me, none of them actually happened.

3. Your cover is very fun and different; did you have any say in its design? Do you think it suits the book?

I absolutely LOVE the cover. And it probably looks as good as it does because I had nothing to do with designing it! I love the doodled-over effect—it matches the mood of the book perfectly.

4. What has been the nicest thing a teenager has told you about your books?

I was once at a school book event and a girl came up to my signing line after everyone else had left. She was holding THE WAY HE LIVED, my first book, and said she had to buy it because she had to figure out the story. She was from Nepal and didn’t like to read because English was difficult for her, so this was the first book she was reading of her own choice. I could tell this was a big step for her, and it was for me, too.

5. Have you read any books lately that you would recommend?

Just off the top of my head, I recently enjoyed WHERE SHE WENT, the sequel to Gayle Forman’s amazing IF I STAY. I also loved, loved, loved CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS by Natalie Standiford. I thought it was so clever and unique.

--

Thanks so much for answering my questions, Emily! I am dying to read your book and agree with your recommendations 100%! Be sure to check out Emily's website for more info on her and her books.

Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelope #2) by Maureen Johnson

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions

Review:

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes has been one of my favorite books for years. When I heard Maureen was writing a sequel I was beyond ecstatic, but also nervous. Could a sequel possibly be as wonderful as the first book? Would I be sorely disappointed? I don't know why I had those worries, because The Last Little Blue Envelope was just as fantastic as the prequel, if not better.

This book opens up a few months after Ginny has returned home and is trying to figure out what to write for her college admissions essay. The final blue envelope is lost somewhere in Europe....or so she thinks! One day, Ginny receives an email from a mysterious lad in England named Oliver, claiming he has found the final envelope. Never one to shy away from adventure, Ginny packs up her bags and flies back to her second home- London. What transpires on this trip is nothing that Ginny could have expected.

I was so happy that many of the characters from the first book were re-introduced. People like Ginny's uncle Richard, plus the guy who stole her heart on her last journey-Keith, and more. We also got to meet some new characters as well. Most importantly, Oliver and Ellis. Oliver was a mysterious guy and I never knew what to expect from him. Ellis was such a fun loving and sweet girl, and a terrific friend to Ginny.

When Ginny sets off on another whirlwind trip around Europe, we meet a lot of new intriguing people and so many new places are mentioned. The setting is my favorite aspect of the book, next to the characters, and I am always anxious to see where Ginny will go next and to try and visualize the sights in my mind. Ginny's adventures are always full of excitement and this one was no exception. From page one, Ginny was sucked into a trip that could rival her first.

The Last Little Blue Envelope's plot was constantly surprising me. I never knew what was going to happen next and how things would turn out for Ginny in the end. Things were not all fun and games, and Ginny had some disappointments by the end.

By the time I turned the last page I was a tiny bit sad, could this be the last of Ginny's adventures? I certainly hope not, because the ending left me wanting a little more. The Last Little Blue Envelope is truly a rival for my favorite out of the two because it was just that good. Maureen Johnson can bring a smile to my face no matter what and I was often laughing at the situations Ginny and the gang got involved in.

If The Last Little Blue Envelope succeeded in doing anything, it made me want to drop everything and take a trip around Europe as soon as possible. If you were a fan of the first book, I highly recommend picking this up, it did not disappoint. And if you haven't read Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes- what are you waiting for?!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

April 26, 2011/HarperTeen/304 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two

Source: Netgalley

Other books in the series: Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes

Review: The Time Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

The Time Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

When Louise Lambert receives a mysterious invitation to a traveling vintage fashion sale in the mail, her normal life in suburban Connecticut is magically transformed into a time traveling adventure.

After a brief encounter with two witchy salesladies and donning an evening gown that once belonged to a beautiful silent film star, Louise suddenly finds herself onboard a luxurious cruise ship in 1912. As Alice Baxter, the silent film star, Louise enjoys her access to an extensive closet of gorgeous vintage gowns and begins to get a feel for the challenges and the glamour of life during this decadent era. Until she realizes that she's not just on any ship-- she's on the Titanic!

Will Louise be able to save herself and change the course of history, or are she and her film star alter ego, destined to go down with a sinking ship in the most infamous sea disaster of the 20th century?

Review:

The Time Traveling Fashionista was a spunky and original start to what I am certain will be a very popular series among the middle grade crowd. I finished it over a couple of hours and was left wanting more. While time travel may be a highly overdone topic, Bianca Turetsky presented it in a new and interesting way. And of course the destination was one that was both exciting and heartbreaking to read about. The Titanic.

When twelve year old fashion loving Louise Lambert gets invited to an exclusive fashion show, she never expects to be transported back in time- literally. After trying on a dress belonging to a young woman who had been on board the ship all those years ago, Louise wakes up in the body of Alice Baxter, a well known teenaged silent film star. Louise reacted quite well for one as young as she was and soon took up the role of Miss Baxter with ease (and only a few mistakes!). But soon Louise realizes that the glamorous ship she was thrilled to be getting the chance to visit is not the exciting adventure she originally thought. Why? Because she is on board the Titanic, the ship Louise knows is doomed to hit an iceberg and sink; killing so many innocent passengers.

Louise was a fun loving and adventuresome twelve year old and while sometimes I can get frustrated when the narrator is that much younger than me, I ended up really liking Louise. Her love for vintage fashion was apparent right away and reading about all the fabulous clothes she had found at local thrift stores left me eager to try and snag some of my own vintage clothes. While her parents and friends didn’t have a huge role in the story, I did like the glimpse of them I did get.

Reading about Louise’s experiences on board the Titanic made the voyage seem that much more vivid to me and I grew attached to the various passengers as the days passed. Louise, and many of the people she encountered on the ship, were interesting characters and all had some unique characteristic that stood out to me after I finished the book.

I liked how the story tied together in the end and how it left things open for Louise’s next adventure. I ended up googling several of the characters mentioned in the book and so many proved to be actual survivors or victims of the Titanic tragedy. It was obvious Ms. Turetsky did her homework and put her heart into this story. While this may not appeal to older readers, it is perfect for the middle grade crowd and introduces them to an important part of our country’s history. A magical dress next takes our protagonist on a whirlwind trip to the time of Marie Antoinette and I couldn’t be more excited.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

April 5, 2011/Poppy/272 Pages/Middle Grade & Young Adult Appeal/Book One

Source: Publisher (ARC)

Blog Tour: Amy Plum Interview

1. In your opinion, what makes revenants stand out among the sea of paranormal creatures being written about today?

I’ve been trying to catch up on my YA paranormal reading lately, because the only thing in the genre that I had read before writing DIE FOR ME was TWILIGHT. So I can’t claim to know the whole gamut of creatures that are out there.

But I think I can safely say that revenants stand out amongst vampires, werewolves and the like because even though their history is as long and colorful as these other beings, revenants have worked hard to prevent humans from finding out about them...and, until DIE FOR ME, they succeeded. (Hmm, I hope there won’t be any revenant reprisals after the book is published!) I’ll let this conversation between Vincent and Kate illustrate what I mean:

“You’ve heard of vampires?” he asked, smiling mysteriously.

I nodded.

“You’ve heard of werewolves?”

“Of course.”

“Had you ever heard of us?”

I shook my head.

“That’s called ‘staying under the radar’, dear Kate. It’s what we’re good at.”


2. What are some of your favorite places to visit in Paris?

I love the Marais, a neighborhood with amazing old buildings, an incredible history dating back to medieval times, and great restaurants and shops. A few scenes in DIE FOR ME are set there.

The Musée Carnavalet is the museum of the history of Paris. It starts out with all of these tiny Roman god and goddess statues that were found in the Seine and goes through the centuries up to modern times. The most incredible objects and sometimes whole rooms or shop fronts are exhibited. It is MAGICAL and could inspire a thousand books.

I love the basement of a department store called BHV (Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville). That’s where their hardware section is located, and you can find everything there from brass doorknobs with ladies heads on them to four different colors of chain mail.

Bertillon is a shop on the Ile Saint Louis that has the best sorbet in Paris. I swear the lime sorbet tastes like you’ve just bitten into a lime. I get two scoops and wander around the island or walk down to the quay to watch the water.

The Musée Jacquemart Andrée is a museum set inside a 19th century private residence. I like to see paintings exhibited in homes, like they would have been when their collector first bought them. This museum’s rooms are chock-full of amazing art and furniture and wandering through them makes me feel like you’re a character in a historical novel. I haven’t yet dared wear a ball gown when visiting, but will get my guts up someday.


3. In what ways do you relate to Kate?

In so many ways it’s almost embarrassing. But since this was my first novel, I decided to write what I knew...and I like to think I know myself! Kate and I both are passionate about art, film and books. We both have a sister who is thirteen months different in age. (Except I’m the elder and Kate’s the younger.) Our favorite clothes are jeans, t-shirts and Converse low-tops. In a scene where Vincent quizzes her, all of her answers to his questions are the same as mine would be. (Shoe size, favorite film, etc.)

On a deeper level, I lost my mom 11 years ago and did not have to dig deep to describe how Kate felt after the death of her parents. The paragraph where she sees her mom in the mortuary is my description of seeing my mother’s body in the hospital.


4. If you weren't a full time writer, what would you do?

Well, I quit my job teaching university English after I got my book deal, but I definitely would not go back to being a professor. I’m not a disciplinarian and take it personally when people don’t pay attention to me when I’m talking. (And the place I was teaching was like a zoo: people making out, playing cards, and carrying on conversations while I taught.)

I love translating, though, and translated a few books and television shows from French to English as a supplement to my teaching. If I couldn’t write, I think I’d want to go back to translating. For me, it’s like getting paid to do crossword puzzles.

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

On my “to go to” list are Jordan (I LOVE ruins), the Galapagos Islands and India. I also want to visit Norway and Estonia since my ancestors from my dad’s side are from there.

Thanks so much, Amy for answering my questions! I will be reading and reviewing Die for Me soon and I can't wait! Be sure to check out her website as well!

In My Mailbox (77) and Happy Easter!

I came home from Florida yesterday to a stack of packages! I am beyond excited to read all of them. (My cat Mittens is posing in the pictures!)

Bought at Borders Closing Sale:

Changeless by Gail Carriger

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Grace by Elizabeth Scott (already read and wanted my own copy!)

The Ivy by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

Fat Vampire by Adam Rex

Night Star by Alyson Noel

Books for Review:

Unfriended: A Top 8 Novel by Katie Finn

Intrinsical by Lani Woodland

The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

The Babysitter Murders by Janet Ruth Young

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Corsets and Clockwork: 13 Steampunk Romances edited by Trisha Telep

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon

Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia

I hope everyone who celebrates Easter has a wonderful day!

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.
While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

Review:

Moonglass was a beautifully written debut novel by Jessi Kirby that will surely appeal to fans of contemporary novels like those of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han.

I loved how the setting was so real. I could hear the crash of the waves in the background and hear the creaks of the floorboards in the old cottages. The places described in Moonglass just came alive and literally jumped off the pages. Since I read this in the middle of winter, it left me craving a visit to the beach.

The characters were another fantastic aspect of the story. Anna, the main character, particularly. Her mother died when she was younger and when the book begins she is moving to a cottage on the beach where her parents first met. Reading about Anna’s relationship with her father was a fantastic side story and one of the most developed. Parents don’t often play a huge role in young adult novels, but this was certainly not the case with Moonglass. In addition to spending time with her father, Anna is also haunted by her mother’s death. The more time she spends at the cove the more Anna learns about her mother’s history and death. Anna doesn’t let anything stop her from finding out what she needs to know and she learns a lot not only about her parents, but about herself in her new home. I especially liked how real Anna was. She was just a typical teenager and wasn’t afraid to step out of her comfort zone at times. The more I read about her, the more I liked her and wanted to get to know her in real life.

There are so many well done sub-plots tied together in this novel. Anna’s friendship with some of the local girls, her love of running, a local tragedy, and even a hint of romance. Tyler was such a fantastic character. He was anything but the typical handsome, rugged lifeguard. The moment he and Anna first meant each other, I knew they had to get together. Watching their relationship develop was sweet, and it was portrayed very realistically.

I experienced so many emotions while reading; and went from crying to laughing on a dime. Jessi Kirby is a wonderful writer and in just over 200 pages she enraptured me with Anna’s story.

I highly recommend picking Moonglass up this spring and summer. It will make you want to run out to the beach and run your toes through the sand while searching the waves for sea glass. Plus be on the lookout for hot lifeguards! ;) I am eagerly awaiting Jessi’s next release and I will be recommending this to as many people as I can.

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

May 3, 2011/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing/224 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Teen Book Scene (ARC Tour) and Publisher (Hardcover)

Review: Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

Lani and Erin are lifelong best friends — and total opposites. Lani’s a down-to-earth Taurus; Erin’s a fiery Leo. Lani likes to do her own thing; Erin prefers an entourage. They’ve always had wildly different tastes, from pizza toppings to guys.
That is, until Erin starts dating Jason.
From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can’t deny the amazing connection she feels with him. It’s like they’ve known each other their whole lives. She’s not sure if he feels it, too — but even if he does, he’s off-limits. Lani’s determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than hurt her best friend.
Then Erin goes away for the summer — and Jason seems to appear everywhere Lani turns. How long can she keep running from the guy who just might be the love of her life?

Review:

Something Like Fate was my first read by Susane and it definitely won't be my last. I received this around the same time as The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott and I decided to wait a while to read it since the plots were so similar. I'm glad I waited because I really did like it. Susane is a terrific writer and presented high school life in a believable and understandable way. The plot may be one that has been done a few times over, but Susane put her own twist on things and created an overall unique and fast moving novel.

To start with, there were a variety of characters in this book and each one had a significant role in the story. Lani, the main character, was not the most likable character ever and at times I just wanted to grab her shoulders and scream at her to stand up for herself. She was weak and didn't stand up for herself and what she wanted. I loved the fact that she was so pro-environment and encouraged people to recycle and save the planet. Her other "hobby" was horoscopes, fate, palm reading, etcetera. This played a huge role in the story and fate and horoscopes were constantly being discussed. I personally don't really read much into horoscopes but Susane Colansati made them believable and tied them into the story in a unique and fun way.

Lani and her best friend, Erin, have been tied together ever since an accident a few years ago and Lani feels as though she owes Erin. Erin was a character I couldn't stand. She was so mean to Lani and never paused to hear Lani's side of the story. Erin was dating Jason, but the first time Jason and Lani meet they feel a connection. They are so alike and it appears that fate has brought them together. When Erin goes away to camp, leaving Jason and Lani behind, it's hard for them to keep hiding their feelings for one another. Jason was a nice guy, but there was always something a little off about him to me. He was sweet and kind to Lani but I never truly connected with him.

There were a few subplots in the book, the biggest involving Lani's friend Blake. I loved Blake and always wanted the best for him. Also, Lani's job was mentioned quite a few times and it made me want to rush out and pick raspberries.

The plot of Something Like Fate was well orchestrated and I liked how the subplots were tied in to the story. Lani was a main character I got easily frustrated with, but at the same time I really felt bad for her. Overall, Something Like Fate was a quick read that left me eager to pick up more by Susane Colasanti. I recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction and to those who enjoy Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott's novels.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

May 10, 2010/Viking Juvenile/268 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Trade (ARC)

Other books by this author: When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting for You, and So Much Closer (May 2011)

Review: Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

A haunted castle, a handsome young man dead for four hundred years, one heck of a scary portrait of a witch, and a treasure hunt -- not to mention a princess for a roommate! -- all await 15 year old American girl Caitlyn Monahan when she earns a scholarship to a French boarding school.

There are secrets behind the stone walls of Chateau de la Fortune, buried for centuries along with the mystery of who killed Raphael, the charming ghost who visits Caitlyn at night. But as Caitlyn unearths the history of the castle, nothing scares her as badly as the secret she learns about herself, and the reason she was chosen to come to the Fortune School.

And nothing breaks her heart as badly as falling in love with a dead guy.

Review:

Wake Unto Me was a beautifully written and complex young adult debut for Lisa Cach. There were so many wonderful twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing and I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page.

Our protagonist Caitlin leaves her home and goes to attend boarding school in France and a sea of adventures and mysteries welcome her at the Chateau de la Fortune. Ghosts, death, love, friendship... Caitlin was a very relatable and likable main character. She was ordinary (or so she thought) and had her head firmly on her shoulders. Readers discovered things alongside Caitlin and my heart stopped when she got into a dangerous situation.

Caitlin arrives in France to attend boarding school only to discover that nothing is what she expected. The plot was just... wonderful. The small details made the biggest impact and I was immediately drawn into the majestical world Lisa described. Reading about the rolling French country sides and the enormous, old fashioned castles was one of my favorite aspects of the story. Wake Unto Me was more than just a typical girl-goes-to-boarding-school-girl-meets-guy-girls-falls-in-love story. I loved watching the relationship between Caitlin and Raphael unfold. He was such a gentleman and so different from any other male YA lead.

The secrets and plot twists in this story were unlike any other. While the beginning started off a little slow, soon I was on a roller coaster ride. What was real life? What was a dream? Who could we trust? I LOVED never knowing what was going to happen next and being completely thrown towards the end. You may think you know what's going to happen but I never could figure it out!

Lisa Cach has a great writing style and she introduced a lot of cool facts about history, architecture, and figures from times past. The summary didn't really tell me much, so be prepared for a terrific combination of mystery, romance, and intrigue, all alongside the fantastic Caitlin and Raphael. There are several secondary characters who I liked as well!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While it wasn't perfect, it was full of mystery and suspense and I adored the two main characters. I am eager to read more by Lisa Cach, especially if it involves Caitlin and Raphael!

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 stars

March 31, 2011/Speak/304 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher/Author (ARC)

Blog Tour: Interview with Ann Aguirre

1. Considering you previously wrote adult novels, what made you decide to make the transition into young adult?

This was a book I just had to write and due to the age of the protagonists and the worldbuilding, it made the story natural for YA.

2. The title and cover for ENCLAVE both changed completely before the final product was released. What was the reason for the changes? Are you happy with the outcome?

Certainly. Feiwel wanted to market to a wider audience. The prior title and cover were more genre fiction, and they were afraid a couple on the cover would limit my readership. They wanted a broader appeal in cover and title, and I think they did a marvelous job in making it feel like a "big" book. People certainly seem excited anyway.

3. Can you tell us anything about the next two books in the series?

They're tentatively entitled OUTPOST and HORDE. At this point, that's all I'm prepared to say. Titles may change, as this one did, but I hope not because I like those, and I'm rather attached to them. Also, sorry about the wait. Feiwel wants y'all hungry when the next book comes out. *g* OUTPOST is drafted, and I'll be revising it, according to my editor's feedback. I do know how it all ends, though, and I'm super excited to finish the trilogy.

4. Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to visit?

I love to travel, and it's beyond awesome that I get to do it for book research. I went to Peru this year for Shady Lady. I'll be poking around caves in Oaxaca later this spring for that same reason too. I can't wait until we go to Europe, as I've never been. We also took a research trip to Catemaco for Shady Lady.

5. I read on your website that before becoming a full time writer you had a variety of interesting jobs. Can you elaborate on some of them? (Clown, voice actress, etc?)

I recall driving in my car in full clown regalia and getting double-takes at stoplights. Sometimes people took pictures of me. Mostly, I worked gas station grand openings and the like, passing out free hot dogs and popcorn, filling up balloons with helium and giving them to children. It was rather a miserable gig for someone with mild coulrophobia. Ironic, though.

--

Thanks so much for stopping by Ann! I loved the answers to your questions :) Be sure to visit her website to find out more about her and her awesome books. Also, my review for ENCLAVE will be up soon, so be sure to stop back by for that!

The intense trailer:

Blog Tour: Alex Sanchez on "When I'm Not Writing"!

Alex Sanchez, "When I'm Not Writing"

When not writing, I spend a lot of time worrying about what I should be writing, and where is the money going to come from if I don’t write it? But I also try to reassure myself that writing involves a lot of time thinking, planning, and contemplating whatever I’m in the process of writing. So, for example, when I go swimming every day, I spend time thinking about the story I’m writing. To interrupt my writing, I eat a lot of little meals during the course of the day. At the end of my writing day, I take a nap. Sometimes I do yoga. And in the evening I hang out with friends, eat at restaurants, go to movies… My writer’s life is actually about as mundane as most people’s lives—most of the drama occurs inside my head.

--

Thanks so much for stopping by, Alex! I have yet to read any of his books, but I have Boyfriends with Girlfriends in my TBR and am looking forward to getting started on it! Be sure to check out Alex's website for more info on him and his books!

In My Mailbox (76)

I am currently on vacation in Florida, but these are the fantastic books that arrived before I left!

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Pretty Bad Things by CJ Skuse

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

Monster High: The Ghoul Next Door by Lisi Harrison

The Hunt of the Unicorn by C.C. Humphreys

So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

Die For Me by Amy Plum

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Paradise by Jill S. Alexander

The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander

The Oracle Rebounds by Allison von Diepen

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren