After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades—the city's secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late.
In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
A dark and moving novel—reminiscent of Thirteen Reasons Why—about the mystery surrounding a teenage girl’s fatal overdose.
There was something about Ellie... Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance, and kept watch.
Now Ellie’s dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are 34 clues she left behind. 34 strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. 34 secrets of a brief and painful life.
Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they begin to confront the darkest truths about themselves, they will also find out what Ellie herself had been hiding all along....
"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.
Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.
But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.
Just because Piper's birthday is on Valentine's Day does not mean she's a romantic. In fact, after watching her father and then her stepfather leave, she's pretty sure she doesn't believe in love at all. Then her friends concoct a plan to find them all Valentine's dates, and somehow Piper finds herself with the most popular guy in school. But true love never follows a plan, and a string of heartfelt gifts from a secret admirer has Piper wondering if she might be with the wrong guy.
In this heartwarming romance, true love is more than a maybe - and it might be closer than you think.
1. Did you have any input in the cover design? Was it what you had imagined it looking like?
I have so much respect for designers! My editor asked if I had any ideas, and to be honest, my ideas were all over the place, especially since my editor and I were still in the process of discussing other title possibilities. When I opened the file for the cover design, I was impressed even though it looked different than what I had imagined.
2. It looks like the scene on the cover may be a specific scene from the book. Is it? And does the girl look like Calli?
The colors and the scene match the Louisiana setting perfectly! The model captures my protagonist’s attitude quite well, but she definitely isn’t the Calli I had envisioned as the model is quite thin whereas Calli has more meat on her bones.
3. What is your favorite aspect of the cover? If you could change one thing about it, what would it be?
I especially love the title treatment and the bead overlay! If I could change one thing about the cover, though, I would somehow extract my mental image of Calli and place it on the cover.
4. Were photographs taken for the cover or did they use stock images?
Stock images, I believe. This was the case with my novel, BORDER CROSSING, and it was really interesting to see how other designers used the image of the male model (such as in a church bulletin).
5. What are your favorite young adult covers?
My dear friend, PJ HOOVER, has such a beautiful cover for SOLSTICE! The colors are so vibrant and the cover fits the dystopia/mythology aspects nicely. The cover (hardcover version) for THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX by Mary Pearson caught my eye immediately, and I found it even lovelier after finishing the book.. Lastly, I think the cover for THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher is very memorable and intriguing.
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Thanks so much, Jessica, for stopping by! Be sure to visit her website for more information.
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She’s writing about him. He’s writing about her. And everybody is reading between the lines.
For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions—it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?
Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.
Learn more: http://books.simonandschuster.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Echols is the author of romantic dramas for MTV and romantic comedies for Pulse. She currently lives in Birmingham. Visit her on the web at www.jennifer-echols.com.
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Called a "splendid journey into a world of intriguingly complex fantasy" by NYT bestselling author of I Am Legend Richard Matheson, the release of Chaos Unleashed: Book Three of the Shamra Chronicles blends a fast-paced plot featuring a smart, strong female character that's not afraid to kick a little butt -- no matter what the cost.
In the first book, Curse of the Shamra, a young girl named Dara's peaceful and isolated land of the Shamra is invaded and its people enslaved, and she finds herself in the very unfamiliar role of leading a ragtag resistance to defeat the enemy. But even as she fights the invaders, Dara grapples with self-doubt and is criticized by her own people for being outspoken and different. Venturing into uncharted territory to seek allies, Dara encounters unusual creatures and dangerous lands and is forced to come to terms with the fact that she alone is the only hope the Shamra have to regain their freedom.
In Shamra Divided, the second book in the series, Dara has managed to save her people from one enemy but the cost has been high. While Dara struggles to come to terms with the loss of beloved friends, she finds herself thrust into the leadership role of an improbable army and learns that it is her destiny to unite her people as one, even as she faces her biggest challenge: Chaos. Dormant for almost two hundred years, Chaos has returned, intent on destroying Dara.
In Chaos Unleashed: Book Three of the Shamra Chronicles nothing is as it seems in a world where the living mingle with the dead and dreams can turn into frightening reality. Chaos is beginning to spread across the land. Together, with friends from past journeys and new allies who may not be what they seem, Dara must build an army to confront Chaos. But as she and her army prepare for the final battle, Dara realizes that the only person she can really count on is herself. Chaos Unleashed also includes an original bonus novella, SAFE HAVEN, following the adventures of Dara’s family.
For a chance to win ALL THREE BOOKS in the series, as well as a Shamra journal and pen, fill out the form below.
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Sometimes I dream of falling.
Of course, I start out flying in these dreams. Because that’s what I do. What I am. What I love.
A few weeks ago, I would have said it’s what I love most in the world, but a lot has changed since then. Everything, really.
In these dreams, I’m racing through the sky, free as I’m supposed to be. And then something happens because suddenly I’m descending in a tailspin. I clutch air, my screams eaten up by angry wind. I plummet. A human without wings. Just a girl, not a draki at all. Powerless. Lost.
I feel that way now: I’m falling, and I can do nothing. I can stop none of it. I’m caught up in the old nightmare.
I always wake before I hit ground. That’s been my salvation. Only tonight I’m not dreaming. Tonight I hit the ground. And it’s every bit as painful as I expected.
To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?
1. Were any of your characters inspired by people you know in real life? Do you relate to them in any way?
There’s a little of me, my daughters, teenagers I’ve met either in my church or at one of the schools I’ve visited, in each of the Mystyx characters. But in each of them there is an emotion or a situation that I myself remember feeling at one time when I was younger, so yes, I can totally relate to them.
2. Your character names are a lot of fun (Krystal, Sasha, and Jake)- how did you come up with them?
I named Krystal choosing to spell it with a K because she’s so not the normal teenage girl. My daughter came up with the other names. I have a book of a thousand baby names that I like to use when I write or sometimes I watch the credits as a movie is going off and get an idea.
3. Other than reading and writing, what are some of your hobbies and other interests?
I collect salt and pepper shakers—I know, boring right. LOL I also really love to watch old black and white movies or a series that’s no longer on primetime television that I can buy the DVDs and watch all the episodes back to back.
4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
5. What has been the best response to your series you have gotten from a reader(s)?
When a reader says they can relate to one of the characters, that they’ve either felt the same way or gone through a similar experience—not the supernatural part of course. But I really feel like I’ve done a good job when one of my characters touches a reader in a personal way.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
I have a Mystyx prize pack to giveaway to one lucky winner- a signed copy of Mayhem, Mystyx swag, and other summertime goodies!
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1. The cover of your debut (The Sweetheart of Prosper County) and your sophomore novel (
This is such a great question, and one I’ve never been asked. Like most authors, I have little or no input on covers. The art director is Rich Deas, and he’s amazing. On both covers, I received an email of the cover image and responded with my thoughts – even though the decision had already been made. I loved the Sweetheart covers (both hardback and paperback). However the first image sent to me for
2. Were cover models used for
The
3. The Sweetheart of
SWEETHEART’s hardback cover (the rooster) is fun and whimsical but is more of an intellectual cover – it requires some interpretation. The paperback with the girl rockin’ the hat is less interpretive. You can look at that image and know that it’s a story about a small town girl. The more straightforward cover is probably better for impulse buying at a bookstore. I’m sure that factored into the publisher’s decision to make a change. At school visits, teen readers tell me they prefer the paperback cover with the girl on it. Which do you prefer?
4. If you could have any other image on your cover then the couple currently being used, what would you choose?
One of the things I adore about my publisher, Feiwel & Friends, is that they believe in attention to design detail – both inside and out. When folks buy the hardback, they will find beautiful images on the inside – one of which is a girl with drumsticks in her back pocket. I’d probably put that on the cover if we weren’t going with the kissy couple.
5. You are lucky to have two fantastic covers that really stand out. What are some of your favorite covers?
Thanks so much. I do feel really blessed with fantastic covers. However, there are really some terrific covers in YA fiction. I LOVE the cover for Sara Zarr’s newest novel HOW TO SAVE A LIFE. (Anxious to read that one!). And I have to say; Andrew Smith’s novel STICK, which comes out this fall with my same publisher, has a powerful cover that captures the strength of the novel. Those two covers really stand out to me.
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My last secret revealed how the town in Imaginary Girls is based on a real town, sort of. So you should know that the reservoir is a real place, too, even if I made up some stories surrounding it. This is the Ashokan Reservoir in the Hudson Valley of upstate New York, which used to be a fifteen-minute walk or so across the highway from my house. It really is illegal to go swimming there, but just like the characters in the story, my friends and I ignored the No Trespassing signs and snuck in to cool off on hot summer nights with full knowledge that we may have to flee, and fast, if anyone saw or heard us. I admitted in an interview recently that I did swim illegally in the reservoir as a teen, and I was asked if I was ever caught or arrested. No, I never was. But my friends and I, on a couple occasions, did have to quickly grab our clothes off the rocks on shore and run.
The last time I went swimming in the reservoir was the night before I left town to go to college. A friend of mine suggested we walk there, just the two of us, a friend who is no longer with us. I saw her only once after that, months later in town, and never again. When I think of the reservoir, I think of her, and how I was so preoccupied with my own life I never did anything to help save her. That night kept coming back to me, and I wonder if it’s one of the reasons why a night swim at the reservoir became such a pivotal moment in Imaginary Girls.
When I was writing I began to think that I should go back upstate to see the reservoir again—to breathe the air, catch the reflection of the moon on the water, dip my toes in… I thought it would help me describe the place better, since I live in the city now, and have for years. But I kept postponing the trip. Finally I decided I shouldn’t go back, not until the book was done. It was memories of the place that brought the story to life, and I didn’t want to shatter them. So I stayed away, on purpose. And, actually, I haven’t been back to the reservoir since.
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-The IMAGINARY GIRLS sampler: http://www.scribd.com/doc/
-A link to Nova’s website (www.novarensuma.com) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
I also have one signed, finished copy of Imaginary Girls to giveaway to one lucky winner!
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