Blog Tour: When I'm Not Writing - Charles Benoit, Fall From Grace

Fall From Grace by Charles Benoit
May 8, 2012; HarperTeen


*First off, I need to apologize. This blog tour post should have gone up a month ago, but didn't because of a variety of factors. For those of you who missed the earlier tour, I hope this will remind you to check out Fall From Grace!

Summary

Grace always has a plan. There’s her plan to get famous, her plan to get rich, and—above all—her plan to have fun.

Sawyer has plenty of plans too. Plans made for him by his mother, his father, his girlfriend. Maybe they aren’t his plans, but they are plans.

When Sawyer meets Grace, he wonders if he should come up with a few plans himself. Plans about what he actually wants to be, plans to speak his own mind for a change, plans to maybe help Grace with a little art theft.

Wait a minute—plans to what?(courtesy of Goodreads)

When I'm Not Writing:

Please welcome Charles Benoit to Alison Can Read! .

For a guy who makes his living from writing, I spend a lot of time not doing it. In fact, not writing takes up most of my day. This is even more surprising when you consider that my day job is at an advertising agency, writing ads that drive consumers into a buying frenzy. My official title is Senior Copywriter and Producer, and you’d think that with those titles I’d be writing all day long. But no, there are always lots of meetings to go to and campaigns to be launched and squirt-gun fights to get in, so my time spent physically pumping keys is quite short. The time spent in the writing process (staring at a blank screen, talking out-loud to myself, deleting all the ideas that I thought were brilliant at 6am but that were truly horrible) is longer, but not as long as the time spent not writing.

I do a lot of not-writing at home, too. I play tenor sax in two bands—the first is this all-over-the-place cover band that we started at the ad agency. We’re working on songs for a summer show now, but the highlight will clearly be our cover of Attaboy Skip’s cover of Ghostbusters (which just so happens to be the song I picked)



The second band is called Some Ska Band and we play covers of ska songs from bands you’ve never heard of like The Specials, Rancid, Goldfinger, The Clash, Madness and Buck-O-Nine. The song we’re rehearsing right now that I’m most excited about is (Let’s Get Moving) Into Action by Skye Sweetnam and Tim Armstrong. (Unfortunately, embedding is disabled for this song). This is the song that inspired Fall From Grace (and you can read how and why HERE.

So am I a good tenor sax player? Let’s just say I’m an energetic one and leave it at that.

I’m also married and—surprise, surprise—my wife likes to spend some non-writing time with me as well. Preferably on some exotic beach in Thailand, but she’ll settle for the backyard patio as long I mix her a drink with an umbrella in it. Other non-writing activities include sleeping (daily), watching Mad Men (weekly) and going to the gym (theoretically).

So when do I write? I get a 90-minute block of time every day, usually from 6-7:30pm, to do nothing but write. No Facebook, no Epic Fail pictures, no YouTube videos. Just writing. Or staring at the screen. More of the latter, really.

Wow. I used to think of myself as a writer, but after this blog post, it turns out I’m much more of a non-writer. Which makes me wonder, how did I ever write 5 books? Now I’ve got that to not-write about. Thanks a lot, Alison.

Blog Tour: Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham - Tens List

Reunited by Hilary Weisman Graham
June 12, 2012; Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Summary

1 Concert
2000 Miles
3 Ex-Best Friends

Alice, Summer, and Tiernan are ex-best friends.

Back in middle school, the three girls were inseparable. They were also the number one fans of the rock band Level3.

But when the band broke up, so did their friendship. Summer ran with the popular crowd, Tiernan was a rebellious wild-child, and Alice spent high school with her nose buried in books.

Now, just as the girls are about to graduate, Level3 announces a one-time-only reunion show.

Even though the concert’s 2000 miles away, Alice buys three tickets on impulse. And as it turns out, Summer and Tiernan have their own reasons for wanting to get out of town. Good thing Alice’s graduation gift (a pea-green 1976 VW camper van known as the Pea Pod) is just the vehicle to get them there.

But on the long drive cross-country, the girls hit more than a few bumps in the road. Will their friendship get an encore or is the show really over?(courtesy of Goodreads)

Meet Hilary

Hilary Weisman Graham is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and novelist.  She lives in rural New Hampshire with her husband and son, roughly thirty minutes away from the nearest grocery store.

Tens List: Best Concerts Hilary Has Attended:

Please welcome Hilary Weisman Graham to Alison Can Read! I'm so jealous of all the fabulous concerts she's seen.

1. Sting (first concert)

2. James Taylor (on the way out of the parking lot, he waved at us from his tour bus)

3. Radiohead (Saw them in a small nightclub in Boston way back when they were the opening act for Belly. Crazy.)

4. The Cure

5. The Pixies

6. Morrisey

7. Rufus Wainwright

8. Cowboy Junkies (the only concert I ever cried through—their songs are just so sad)

9. The Grateful Dead (wasn’t really a fan but a hippie friend on tour gave me a “miracle” ticket)

10. Michael Franti & Spearhead (most recent)

Blog Tour: Body and Soul by Stacey Kade

Body and Soul (The Ghost and the Goth #3)by Stacey Kade
May 1, 2012; Hyperion

Summary

The final book in The Ghost and the Goth Trilogy!

The Ghost
I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily...or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am, or if who that is is good enough. I need out of this mess. Now.

Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted...by me. Seriously?

I’m determined to get to the bottom of who’s pretending to be the spirit of Alona Dare (while I’m pretending to be someone else) and then get the heck out of this body. Or die trying...

The Goth
I’ll admit it. It’s really weird to look at Alona but see Lily. I do know the difference, though, contrary to what Alona might be saying. And Alona is more than a pretty face to me, not that she would believe that.

Our one lead for some help in this messed up situation might be a page torn from the yellow pages-—the “Psychics” section-—I found in my dad’s stuff. One of the “fakes” seems a bit more real-—and odd-—than the others. Before I can investigate further, though, Alona is off and chasing a ghost that’s probably nothing more than a figment of Misty’s guilty imagination. Now Lily’s family is freaking out because she didn’t come home, my mom is ordering me to stay out of it, and something is definitely wrong with the person formerly known as Lily “Ally” Turner...(courtesy of Goodreads)

Character Word Associations: Will

Please welcome Will (the Goth) from the Ghost and the Goth series to Alison Can Read!!

What is the first thing that comes to your mind each word/phrase:

Ice cream: Chocolate

Clouds: Black

France: Wine

Vampire: Dead

Airplane: Never (I’ve never been on one; not saying I wouldn’t ever fly.)

Disneyland: Depressing

Column: Greek

Book: Escape

Salad: Alona (She’s always talking about what she wants to eat, but all I ever saw her eat was salad.)

Purse: Gucci. (Oh, my God, I’m spending way too much time with Alona, aren’t I?)
Life: Short but beautiful

Grief: Knowledge (I think if people knew what I know, they’d still be sad when they lose someone they love, of course, but they might also have more hope for what comes after.)

GIVEAWAY! Blog Tour: Goddess Interrupted by Aimeé Carter

Welcome to the penultimate stop in The Goddess Interrupted Blog Tour! You can view all the stops HERE.

The Goddess Interrupted by Aimeé Carter
March 27, 2012; HarlequinTeen
Purchase: Amazon; Barnes & Noble; Harlequin; Indiebound

Summary

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. Henry's first wife, Persephone.

Get to know Aimeé Carter

Aimée Carter was born in 1986 and attended the University of Michigan. She started writing at age eleven, focusing first on fan fiction and later on original work, and hasn't stopped since. The Goddess Test trilogy is her first series. Check out her website at www.aimeecarter.com.

Please welcome Aimeé to Alison Can Read!!

What Summer Means for Aimeé

I have a confession: summer is my least favorite season. The first few weeks or so are always a nice change of pace from the cold months. But when we get into the part of summer that’s sticky-hot, that’s when I start longing for autumn. Sunburns, mosquitoes, and humidity? Give me sweaters, snow, and hot chocolate any day.

Because I’m not a huge fan of heat, I tend to stay indoors, which means I write. In fact, The Goddess Test was written over a summer – one of my favorite summers in recent memory, which is a little strange, because I don’t remember anything else about it other than writing that first draft. That summer changed my life though. It brought me Kate, Henry, James, Ava, and new hope that I might actually have the chance to do what I love for a living – write.

Summer might not be my favorite seasons (purely for superficial reasons!), but it is the season that best represents hope for me. Everything’s a little brighter during the summer. A little happier, a little more promising. When I was a kid, my favorite thing about summer was that I had time to read the piles of library books I checked out each week. When I was in college, my favorite part was not having to worry about essays and exams. Now, as an adult, my favorite part is the reminder that one summer can change everything. Not every summer can be spectacular, but every summer can mean something, even if that meaning comes from the place we least expect it.

I have high hopes for this summer – I’m going to Book Expo America for the first time, I get to meet my wonder editor and agent, and in July, I’m going to Ascendio, a Harry Potter convention, where I have the privilege of being on panels with authors so big that I can’t believe I’ll be breathing the same air as they’ll be. It’s been four years since that summer I can only remember in characters and story, but that summer changed my life, and it’s affected every summer since. I might not like the heat and humidity, but I can never really dislike summer, not when it’s always so full of possibilities.

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Please visit http://allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/ tomorrow for the final stop on Goddess Interrupted Blog Tour and Summer Goddess Giveaway.

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GIVEAWAY!

Celebrate the release of The Goddess Interrupted with an incredible giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall From Grace by Charles Benoit

Fall From Grace by Charles Benoit
May 8, 2012; HarperTeen

Summary

Grace always has a plan. There’s her plan to get famous, her plan to get rich, and—above all—her plan to have fun.

Sawyer has plenty of plans too. Plans made for him by his mother, his father, his girlfriend. Maybe they aren’t his plans, but they are plans.

When Sawyer meets Grace, he wonders if he should come up with a few plans himself. Plans about what he actually wants to be, plans to speak his own mind for a change, plans to maybe help Grace with a little art theft.

Wait a minute—plans to what? (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Fall From Grace goes into the category of books that I appreciate more than I like. The themes of self-discovery and rebellion from expectations are what stand out most from this novel - more than the plot itself. The characters are intriguing but achieve the real feat of all being unlikable. Usually we have a hero, some sidekicks, and some villains. But I don't even like the good guys. But the book comes very close to redeeming itself at the end.

Sawyer is a wuss. He lets his parents and his girlfriend make all his decisions, because he doesn't have the guts to stand up to them. They're not even nice people. They push, they cajole, they manipulate - whatever it takes to get Sawyer to go to the college of their choice, take the classes of their choice, do the activities of their choice. I'm surprised his mother doesn't set out Sawyer's clothes every morning. Perhaps she does and it's not mentioned in the book. I quickly disliked his cardboard passivity. It felt overdone. Are there really 18 year old guys out there completely lacking a backbone? Not just someone who likes to follow rules and obey authority, but who is totally incapable of standing up for himself? There probably are, but I don't like reading about them.

Amazingly, it's taken Sawyer 18 years to figure out that not having any free will is a bad thing. It all starts to change when he meets Grace. She wants to be famous and has decided that the best way to do it is art heist. This makes little sense, but she does have a relatively well thought out explanation for how this will bring her fame (or infamy). She ropes Sawyer into being her sidekick the same way everyone else does - cajoling and manipulation. Only she catches flies with honey rather than the vinegar his parents and girlfriend spew at him.

I enjoyed seeing Sawyer's little rebellions, as stupid as they were. He desperately needed to distance himself from his family and I liked seeing him grow into himself. He came to life around Grace and that was heartening. I also liked how Grace was such an enigmatic character. Is she really a heartless manipulator that I hinted to above or a girl who truly enjoys being with Sawyer and brings him into her game, because she likes him? I can't say for sure which viewpoint of Grace is true. A highlight of this book is how it makes you think and question all your initial opinions of the plot and the characters. Maybe your initial impressions are correct, but maybe there's more going on beneath the surface than you initially noticed.

The ending to Fall From Grace is shocking. It made the book. I will probably (happily) forget this story quickly, but the ending will stick with me for years. It's a choice few authors dare to make and Mr. Benoit did it perfectly.

My recommendation for Fall From Grace is odd. I didn't like this book very much. It was well written and clearly leans toward the literary bent, but the plot wasn't strong enough to draw me in and I hated the characters. However, the ending was fabulous. I'd recommend you read this book just to get to the ending. An odd juxtaposition: this is probably my least favorite book of 2012 thus far, but it has one of the best endings I've read in years. Check it out.

Rating: 3 / 5

Blog Tour: Pretty Crooked by Elise Ludwig - Tens List

Pretty Crooked by Elise Ludwig
March 13, 2012; Katherine Tegen Books

Summary

Willa's secret plan seems all too simple.

Take from the rich kids at valley prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa's turn as Robin Hood at her new high school is anything but. Bilking her "friends"—known to everyone as the Glitterati—without them suspecting a thing is far from easy. Learning how to break into lockers and Beemers is as hard as she'd thought it would be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are bullied just for being different, is more fun than she'd expected.

The complication Willa didn't expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, VP's most notorious ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her—evening the social playing field between the haves and have-nots. There's no time for flirting, especially with conceited trust-funders like Aidan. But when the cops start investigating the string of thefts at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could Aidan wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?

Elisa Ludwig's Pretty Crooked is the first book in an adventurous teen caper series filled with mystery, humor, and heart. (courtesy of Amazon)

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Please welcome Elise Ludwig, the author of the upcoming book Pretty Crooked to Alison Can Read!!

Elise's Tens List: 

Favorite movies 

My (and Willa's, too, probably) Favorite Heist Movies

10. Bonnie and Clyde

Classic, and Faye Dunaway's costumes are incredible.

9. Take the Money and Run

Woody Allen and a gun made out of soap: What not to do!

8. Sexy Beast

Ben Kingsley is terrifyingly badass in this movie about a retired gangster on one last job.

7. The Usual Suspects

With more twists than a bag of slinkies, this mystery keeps you guessing until the end—and maybe after, too.

6. To Catch a Thief

Prime Hitchcock in a thriller about a thief who's suspected of a crime he didn't commit.

5. Jackie Brown

An underrated heist flick from Quentin Tarentino—Pam Grier is fierce.

4. Time Bandits

It's silly, fun and John Cleese plays a Robin Hood to remember.

3. Dog Day Afternoon

Al Pacino is amazing as a bumbling bank robber who needs the money for his boyfriend's sex change operation.

2. Ocean's Eleven (Soderburgh)

Is there a better movie about a casino robbery? I think not.

1. Rafifi

The heist scene unfolds meticulously, almost in real time. The problem is not getting the jewels, but what happens afterward.

Thanks so much for having me! This was fun.

Cracked by K.M. Walton

Cracked by K.M. Walton
January 3, 2012; Simon Pulse

Summary

Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better…. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Like many readers, my enjoyment of a book is strongly influenced by my mood. I happen to prefer books that match my current state of emotions. If I’m happy, I want something light and fluffy. If I’m depressed, I want a dark novel. I picked up Cracked three days after some jerk stole my purse right in front of me. I had taken the day off work to go to the DMV, the Social Security Office, two banks, etc. Needless to say, I was angry. It could not have been a better time to read Cracked.

Victor and Bull’s lives are both full of injustice. Their home lives are nightmarish. Bull’s mother seemingly loves her addictions more than her son. His grandfather is a mean violent drunk, and he’s drunk most of the time. Victor’s parents are prominent and wealthy. They want Victor to be seen and not heard (preferably not seen either) so he won’t disturb their fun. Understandably, both boys are miserable. They act out their sorrows in different ways. Victor wallows and Bull hits the defenseless.

Much of this book is not happy, not at all. Walton does a fabulous job of writing in such a way that the reader feels the characters’ anger and despair. It’s a simple yet hard-hitting prose. The book flows very quickly. In fact, it only took me a few hours to read.

It would be easy to hate Bull given how he played a large role in Victor’s desire to commit suicide. And Bull’s actions don’t help his case. But I didn’t hate him. I liked and pitied him, despite disliking many of the things he did. It’s amazing what a difference living in a person’s head can make of your view of him. Victor also could have turned into a completely sympathetic character. I certainly felt bad for his low self esteem and loveless family, but the author also showcased his actions in the hospital as being less than perfect. Both Bull and Victor were layered characters who had the potential to be good characters. Sometimes they made good choices and sometimes they made bad ones.

The plot was slightly predicable, but not as predicable as I thought it would be. I don’t want to say too much about it. I liked the development of Bull and Victor’s relationship as roommates in the hospital. It felt realistic given their past together. The resolution of Bull’s family problems was a little unrealistic, but not out of the realm of possibility. Victor’s parents were so terrible that I had trouble believing that anyone could actually act that way, but unfortunately, I imagine these people do exist.

Cracked is the perfect punchingbag. After three hundred pages of intense anger, despair, and eventually hope, I felt like my own emotions had the opportunity to be let out. It’s not the type of book that will stick with me for years after I read it or that I’ll want to re-read, but it fit the moment perfectly. It is a solid, well-written issues novel.

Rating: 3.5 /5

Blog Tour: Kathryn Miller Haines of The Girl Is Murder

Please welcome Kathryn Miller Haines of The Girl Is Murder to Alison Can Read!

Iris Anderson is only 15, but she's quickly mastering the art of deception in this YA novel for fans of Veronica Mars. It's the Fall of 1942 and Iris's world is rapidly changing. Her Pop is back from the war with a missing leg, limiting his ability to do the physically grueling part of his detective work. Iris is dying to help, especially when she discovers that one of Pop's cases involves a boy at her school. Now, instead of sitting at home watching Deanna Durbin movies, Iris is sneaking out of the house, double crossing her friends, and dancing at the Savoy till all hours of the night. There's certainly never a dull moment in the private eye business. (courtesy of Goodreads)

1. How do you research for historical fiction books? Do you research first and then write or get the story down and then go back and correct facts?

It’s a little of both. I research just enough to verify that the story is plausible and to get some bare bone facts. Then I start writing and refer to research whenever I have a question or get stuck. Then when I’m editing, I double-check those things I was unclear about.

2. What are some of your favorite books about the WWII era - either young adult or adult novels?

My favorite adult WWII novel is probably John Dunning’s Two O’clock Easter Wartime. It’s about a small town radio station during the war and provides a really interesting look at what life was like in one small segment of the entertainment industry while serving up a really good mystery. For young adult, I would have to say The Book Thief. That book is just extraordinary in every possible way.

3. How would you describe Iris, your main character, in a sentence or two?

Iris is resilient, sly, insecure, and heartbreaking.

4. You've written both adult and young adult books. How does your writing differ for the two genres?

I think the main difference is that there’s more of an immediacy when you’re writing for young adults. Readers don’t want pages of historical description – they want action and dialogue. I prefer that, actually, since as a reader I tend to skim or skip over description unless it’s a crucial to a story. And I think it allows you to see the characters more as individuals then as artifacts of their time.

5. What advice do you have about improving writing - aside from the ubiquitous read more and write more?

Join a writing group. Reading and responding to other people’s work, as well as getting feedback for my own, absolutely changed my writing for the better. You don’t have to listen to everyone (nor should you) but learning to face criticism and discern between what is and isn’t useful will drastically help you read your own work with a more critical eye. And responding to other people’s writing will train you for what to look for in your own.

Thank you so much for the lovely interview Kathryn!

The Girl Is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines

The Girl Is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines
July 19. 2011; Roaring Brook Press
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Summary

Iris Anderson is only 15, but she's quickly mastering the art of deception in this YA novel for fans of Veronica Mars. It's the Fall of 1942 and Iris's world is rapidly changing. Her Pop is back from the war with a missing leg, limiting his ability to do the physically grueling part of his detective work. Iris is dying to help, especially when she discovers that one of Pop's cases involves a boy at her school. Now, instead of sitting at home watching Deanna Durbin movies, Iris is sneaking out of the house, double crossing her friends, and dancing at the Savoy till all hours of the night. There's certainly never a dull moment in the private eye business. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

The Girl Is Murder is a book for lovers of historical fiction or lovers of mysteries. The basic plot lines: girl playing detective to discover the whereabouts of a missing classmate; being the new girl at a poor public school; making and keeping friends; coming to terms with mother's suicide; dealing with decreased financial circumstances; developing relationship with previously absent father. While the story is set in 1942, the plot lines aren't unique to that time period - they could have occurred 500 years ago or yesterday. Moreover, the plot isn't particularly unique. But it's the 1942 world that sets the book apart.

There aren't that many books set on the homefront during World War II. And unlike most stories set in this time period, the War isn't the main focus. Haines does a wonderful job of immersing the reader into 1942 culture. While the War isn't a main character, cultural 1942 is. I loved seeing what a teenager in 1942 wore and listened to on the radio. Some aspects of Iris's life is unique to New York City, which is interesting in and of itself. Class, race, and national origin were very important in those days (they are perhaps equally important today but people are more subtle in their snobbery). We see a strong contrast in mannerisms, lifestyle, and dialogue between Upper East Side and Lower East Side New York City.

The strongest indication of the past in this book is the use of slang. It's everywhere. Particularly with Iris's friend Suze, hardly a sentence goes by with some 1940s phrase. This was fun at first, but it gets old. It's frustrating when all of the dialogue is slang. Granted, many characters do not use slang all the time, but there is still so much of it that the reader ends up rolling her eyes at the fake sounding dialogue. Did people really talk that way? On the bright side, I did think it was interesting that Iris's use of slang increased the longer she was around her Lower East Side friends. It was an interesting way to show her development from Chapin girl to P.S. 110 girl.

The mystery element is quite good. This coming from someone who doesn't like mysteries. There were plenty of twists and turns, red herrings, and villains. I was quite surprised by the end result. That's not saying much though, because I'm horrible at guessing the solution to a mystery. However, there were an awful lot of coincidences. Tom, the missing boy, had an extraordinary amount of connections to Iris's new and old life. A really good mystery is both fun to read and believable. I quite enjoyed seeing "whodunnit," but I didn't believe the story.

I liked Iris as a character. If you weren't inside her head, you'd think a lot of her actions were despicable: she double crosses and lies to everyone - her friends and her father. She jumps to conclusions, she is incautious, and somewhat naive. But seeing all these actions and character traits from Iris's point of view, I sympathized with her. I understood why she did the things she did and realized that her intentions were generally good.

The Girl Is Murder is another one of those stories where you can enjoy the story if you leave your mind behind. Numerous things bothered me: the slang, the coincidences, some poorly developed plot lines. But I quite enjoyed the book. It is a very quick read. The plot flows smoothly. The mystery element supports the historical fiction element and vice versa. I loved learning more about a time period that is relatively unfamiliar to me. It's certainly not perfect, but The Girl Is Murder is a worthy read.

Rating: 3 / 5

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
December 8, 2011; Philomel/Penguin
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review


Shattered Souls is a slow burning book. You start out intrigued but unsure, then change to interest and entertainment, finally evolving into love and fascination. Shattered Souls is a story of reincarnation, ghosts both good and evil, friendship, love, betrayal and altruism.

The first third of Shattered Souls I kept thinking "haven't I read this before?" And, in essence, I have. There are numerous YA paranormal romances with a reincarnated girl and her male guide/love interest. But Shattered Souls distinguishes itself with the shape of its paranormal element took. Lenzi was once Rose, a famous Speaker. She ambitiously and heartlessly worked to bring troubled souls to peace and to eliminate the evil spirits. She kept Alden, her Protector, on a tight leash in order to advance her cause. Now Lenzi is thrust into the role of Speaker with no memory of what to do. Alden is leading her rather than the other way around.

I loved Lenzi. She doesn't start out overly confident or forthright. I like reading books about girls who don't have the best self-esteem and aren't quick to act, because I was that way as a teen. She's terrified that she will suffer the same fate as her schizophrenic father. And when she first starts hearing the voices of the spirits, it seems like she's going crazy. I liked how Lenzi evolved throughout the book. She did not immediately believe or embrace her role as Speaker. She wasn't sure of her actions, but as she saw the difference she was making and the consequences of not acting, she became a bold and determined girl. I like my cautious Lenzi and I like my brave Lenzi.

Alden was another character I really liked. He was utterly devoted to his job as Protector as well as Lenzi. He even managed to add in a cute 4 year old little sister. He was content to let Lenzi lead and made sure that he only helped not hindered her. The more we learn about Rose and Alden's past, the more terrible we feel for him. He is a genuinely nice person, someone who toes the line even at his own expense. It's hard to see his heart get stomped on, life after life.

The romance developed at a good speed. There was instant intrigue, but not instant love. Lenzi was devoted to her boyfriend Zak, who seemed like a nice guy, but had a scary dark side. The relationship between Alden and Lenzi grew out of shared experience and respect. Lenzi came to know Alden through his present-day acts and his past heartache. It's hard not to fall for a sweetheart who adores you and treats you like a queen.

The plot of Shattered Souls is not particularly original, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. I really liked how Lenzi was able to help good souls come to rest. Most paranormal novels feature the characters destroying evil. Shattered Souls does that as well, but there is a large element of altruism to Lenzi's role as Speaker. Ultimately, the plot was less important to me than the characters. The story steadily grew on me as I read it and by the time I closed the last page, I was devastated. I wasn't as interested in knowing what was going to happen next in the story; rather, I was sad that I had to leave two people who I now considered friends. I recommend Shattered Souls for an interesting plot, but mostly for its kind and passionate main characters, Lenzi and Alden.

Rating: 4 / 5

Blog Tour: The Sharp Time by Mary O'Connell - When I'm Not Writing

Please welcome Mary O'Connell to Alison Can Read!

The Sharp Time by Mary O'Connell
November 8, 2011; Delacorte Press

Sandinista Jones is a high school senior with a punk rock name and a broken heart. The death of her single mother has left Sandinista alone in the world, subject to the random vulnerability of everyday life. When the school system lets her down, her grief and instability intensify, and she ponders a violent act of revenge.

Still, in the midst of her crisis, she gets a job at The Pale Circus, a funky vintage clothing shop, and finds friendship and camaraderie with her coworker, a boy struggling with his own secrets.

Even as Sandinista sees the failures of those with power and authority, she's offered the chance to survive through the redemptive power of friendship. Now she must choose between faith and forgiveness or violence and vengeance. (courtesy of Goodreads)

When I'm Not Writing

This is a fun topic for a fiction writer, an excellent opportunity to come up with some fantastic possibilities about madcap escapades and edgy outings But in truth, I have three kids — one in junior high, one in elementary school and a three-year-old, so when I’m not writing I spend a lot of time in a mini van driving people to and from school and activities, and negotiating the finer points of purchasing Fruit Loops vs. Cheerios, that sort of thing.

I suppose it’s not horribly interesting from the outside, but there are those moments when any old day turns suddenly sublime: My three-year-old daughter was looking up at the birds on Sunday and she said, “I wonder if I’ll be big enough to fly next year?”

Of course, when I’m not writing there’s an awful lot of laundry spliced in with the lovely moments. But I’m sort of writing when I’m not writing, too... just trying to figure out scenes in my head as I go about my day. It’s like John Irving says in The Hotel New Hampshire: “You’ve got to get obsessed and stay obsessed.”

Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Alison!

GIVEAWAY! Blog Tour: Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Please welcome Megan Bostic, the author of Never Eighteen, to Alison Can Read!

Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic
January 17, 2012; HMH Children's Books

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.

But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Tens List: Top Ten Concerts You've Attended

1. REM in the late 80’s at the Pantages Theater in Seattle. This one was awesome. It was before they were huge and it was a pretty small venue. We even saw Peter Buck walking down the sidewalk before the show.

2. The Police, 1982, Ghost in the Machine tour. This was my first concert. I was twelve. Huey Lewis and the News opened for them, which was weird. I was at the very front nothing but a barrier between me and Sting. I had the hugest bruise on my hip the next day from being crammed up against the barrier. It was worth it though.

3. The Monkees, this year. I’ve seen the Monkeys three times, but the best by far was the one I just went to a couple months ago. My sister and I bought VIP tickets. We were second row, center stage. They sound the same as they always have and played old videos in the background. Afterward we got to meet them and get our pictures taken at a reception.

4. Joe Jackson, Paramount Theater, Seattle, 1989. This was probably one of the most amazing concerts I’ve ever seen. Very small venue, and it just felt personal, like he was singing just for me.

5. Maroon 5 with One Republic, last summer. I had no idea One Republic was opening for Maroon 5 so it was a big surprise. These are two of my favorite new bands.

6. Madonna with Beastie Boys, Paramount Theater, Seattle, 1985. This show kicked off Madonna’s debut concert tour. Poor Beastie Boys. I loved them, but they were getting boo’d. I mean, was it really a good idea to pair these brand spanking new rappers (they were more than likely teenagers, License to Ill would not release for another year) with the Material Girl?

7. Lenny Kravitz, Fox Theater, Portland, Oregon, 1991. This venue was tiny, and Lenny ROCKED!! His opening act did too, can’t remember her name. His then wife, Lisa Bonet, was lingering in the shadows.

8. Police, Fixx, and Thompson Twins, Tacoma Dome. Now, everything I’ve read says this was 1983, but to me it seemed late. Won’t argue with the net though. Ultimate 80’s concert. I should mention I’ve seen The Police in concert about, hmmm, four or five times, and Sting 3 outside of that. They were my favorite band for a long time.

9. Pearl Jam. Free concert, 1992, don’t remember which park it was at, but it was awesome.

10. Now, for one concert I would LOVE to see but haven’t yet, probably one of my favorite artists of all time . . . Eminem. I love him. I’d like to go on a date with him. Not sure he’d have me though.

Swag GIVEAWAY!

Win an awesome Never Eighteen SWAG pack: Bookmark, sticker, bracelet, notebook, pen, temporary tattoo, a button, pack of tissues and a CD of songs that inspired the novel.

To Enter: Leave a comment about the best concert you've ever attended - or if you haven't been to one, the one you'd most like to attend. Plus an e-mail address, of course

Fine Print

-Contest ends November 12 at 10 PM PST
-Winners will be chosen at random through Random.org
-Open internationally
-You must be 13 years or older
-Alison Can Read is not responsible for items lost or damaged in shipping.

Cracked Blog Tour: Teenage Garage Sale

Please welcome K.M. Walton, the author if Cracked to Alison Can Read!

Check out her new book Cracked. It will be released on January 3, 2012 by Simon Pulse.
Also check out Ms. Walton's fabulous website!

Summary

Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better…. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Teenage Garage Sale

First I’d like to thank Alison for inviting me to guest post today! Now onto the big sale….

I love garage sales. The thrill of selling or finding treasures is exciting to me. I started out selling my junk at the tender age of twelve – to my three younger sisters – and they all fell for it. I used to set up shop on the dining room table and sell my mother’s old makeup and stuff I found around my house. Yes, my sisters still like me.

If I were to have an actual garage sale as the teen me—circa the 80s—I’d definitely have the following items:

1. Full set of EMPIRE STRIKES BACK sheets—circa 1981 - $4.00
2. Sweatshirts with the collars cut out, by hand, from my Flashdance days—circa 1982-
$1.00 each
3. Plastic neon earrings…various colors - .50 cents a pair
4. The Sugar Hill Gang album - $3.00
5. A worn out copy of FOREVER by Judy Blume (a rogue copy that my former babysitter
smuggled into our house in a brown paper bag – literally – because I was NOT allowed to read such a racy novel) - .50 cents
6. My black combat boots from my Mohawk days—circa 1985 - $4.00
7. My Army surplus bag covered with buttons that doubled as my cool-ass purse—circa
1985 - $3.00
8. My boom box with a Depeche Mode cassette tape in the player - $5.00

Carrier of the Mark Blog Tour: Adam's House

I'm honored to be a part of the blog tour for Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon. The book comes out on October 4, 2011. I read it last week and really liked it. I definitely recommend you all check it out!

Summary

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

Meet the Author: Leigh Fallon

Leigh Fallon was born in South Africa, raised in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to Cork in her twenties. While living in beautiful Kinsale, her novel, Carrier of the Mark, was conceived. She promptly abandoned her “riveting” career in corporate treasury and discovered Inkpop, a website for budding writers of teen fiction. Within weeks, her manuscript hit the coveted top-five spot and was reviewed by an editor at HarperCollins. A few emails and some hysterical screaming later, she signed her first deal. Leigh and her family now share their time between Ireland and the United States.

Next Stop: Be sure to stop by A Bookworm's Haven on Wednesday October 5 for the next stop on the tour!

Adam's house

The DeRises house is an old farm house that is slightly outside Kinsale town. It’s just off the road that runs along the Bandon estuary, and is a bit off the beaten track. The house was once quite beautiful, but time has withered its beauty, but it has a warm homely vibe to it and an air of old faded decadence. Out the back of the house is a walled courtyard, surround on all sides by old walls and a ruin of a tower, and on one side are the gates to the yard from the drive that leads in from the road.

In the Carrier of the Mark, the DeRises house had been in their mother’s family for years. It was built way back on Echoed lands, meaning it is protected. Because of the age of the house and the history that goes with it, there are lots of rumors about the land and the families that have lived there. People tell haunting stories of strange things that have happened over the years.

My inspiration for this house actually came from a house near where I grew up in Dublin. I lived in the Dublin Mountains. Up through the woods from my home, in Killakee, there is a house (it’s now a restaurant) called Killakee House. It is a really old place that has lots of history around it. Just up the road is the Hell Fire Club, an old ruin sitting right on the top of the hill where nothing will grow within a certain radius of the ruin and where there is always a smell of burning. *shudder* It is said the Devil himself appeared here and burned the place down. It’s really quite creepy. The Killakee House itself is said to be linked to the Hellfire Club and has its own creepiness. It’s said to be haunted by a big black cat with orange eyes. There are rooms in this building that are permanently freezing, and people have fled screaming on many occasions. They’ve done a couple of exorcisms here to try and ‘cleanse’ the place, but the ghosts don’t seem to want to leave. Wooooo!

Some of my scariest memories are of Halloweens spent doing ‘ghost walks’ around Hellfire. You can’t imagine it’s eeriness until you’ve walked around the freaky ruins in the pitch dark with a low lying mist swirling around you on All Hallows Eve. Ooohh I’ve got the shivers even thinking about it.

Blog Tour: Epic Fail by Claire LeZebnik - Author Tens List

Thank you so much to Claire and Teen Book Scene for allowing me to participate in the book blog tour for Epic Fail by Claire LeZebnik. Check out my review of Epic Fail. I really enjoyed the book.

Please welcome Claire to Alison Can Read.

My top ten favorite ways to procrastinate when I should be writing:

1. Enjoy a slice of coffee cake with a cup of coffee. (You’d think there’d be a limit to how many times a day you can use the coffee/cake excuse to get out of writing, but I’ve yet to find one. You have to pace yourself, of course, but some days, that bitter/sweet combo is all that keeps me going.)

2. Decide I have to exercise because I’ve been eating too much cake; take the dogs for a walk.

3. Feed the cat and beg him to pee in the litter box this time, not on the floor of our bedroom.

4. Clean up the cat pee on the floor of our bedroom. (That isn’t actually one of my favorite things to do but it happens so often you might think it was and it certainly keeps me from working.)

5. Check to see if there are any new posts on Facebook.

6. Check to see if there are any new posts on gofugyourself.com.

7. Check to see if there are any new posts on seriouseats.com.

8. Pick up the little dog and make kissy faces at him, then reassure the big dog that I love him too by rubbing his stomach.

9. Put on some loud music, pretend I’m going to clean up the kitchen, but instead just listen to the music while I push stuff around on the kitchen table.

10. Bake a sour cream coffee cake. You can’t keep eating cake if you run out of it, you know.

Repeat cycle of 10 as often as necessary to keep from being productive.

Epic Fail by Claire LeZebnik

Current Giveaway on Alison Can Read 

GIVEAWAY: Win a SIGNED copy of The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Epic Fail by Claire LeZebnik

August 2, 2011; HarperTeen
*Free copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Teen Book Scene for allowing me to participate in Epic Fail's blog tour!

Summary

Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.

As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Review

Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favorite books. In fact, I re-read it every year. I love a good modern re-telling. Epic Fail is the third Pride & Prejudice re-telling I've read in the past year (the others are Prom And Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg and Pies And Prejudice by Heather Vogel Frederick).

It's difficult to write a good re-telling. You have to play to the fans of the classic novel - recreating elements of the plot and making sure the modern characters resemble the originals. At the same time, you don't want to alienate people who have never read the classic novel. The story has to be able to stand on its own in terms of plot, writing, and characters.

Epic Fail succeeds as a re-telling and a stand-alone novel. The P&P connection aside, I love that it features uber-wealth, Hollywood, and fashion but does not feature a cast of completely amoral characters (with the exception of Webster/Wickham). It falls into my (broadly defined) Gossip-Girl light category.

Elise and Derek are witty, smart characters. Just as I did with the original Elizabeth and Darcy, I loved reading Elise and Derek's astute, sometimes biting, funny views of life. I wish I could just come up with snarky quips off the top of my head like they do. I loved how Juliana, Chase, and Layla were all loyal to the personalities of their doppelgangers, but not as cardboard as the Jane Austen characters. Juliana, for example, is an extremely nice girl, but not incapable of a negative thought.

I liked how Elise and Derek's relationship slowly evolved into something real and that, as modern characters, they had the freedom to actually talk to one another without a roomful of listeners. At the same time, if this was a stand-alone novel, I probably would have thought their relationship made big, unrealistic leaps. Their path to love made perfect sense to me, because I knew how the story was supposed to go. If I hadn't known, I probably would have thought it undeveloped.

Some re-tellings play out every scene from the original novel in a new form. Epic Fail didn't do that. It was definitely loyal to Pride and Prejudice and there were tons of little references that will please fans. However, there were key elements of the original's plot that were skipped or hardly broached. I think the book would have felt stilted if it tried to incorporate everything, yet at the same time, the little things of Pride and Prejudice combine to make it the complex, fun classic romance novel that it is.

Epic Fail isn't a perfect book, but it is a fun one. I thought it was adorable and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. If you're looking for a great light read, you definitely need to get Epic Fail. Any Pride and Prejudice fan will enjoy it and it has a distinct story that will still drawn in those who haven't read Jane Austen.

Rating: 4 / 5

Margie Gelbwasser (Author of Inconvenient) This or That

Current Giveaway on Alison Can Read 

GIVEAWAY: Win a SIGNED copy of The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

I'm so happy to welcome Margie Gelbwasser who wrote the wonderful book Inconvenient to Alison Can Read as part of Teen Book Scene's blog tour.

Margie is doing a This or That post today.

1. Paper book or E-reader

Paper book, hands down. I just can't stare at the screen long to read, and I love how a book feels.

2. New York City or Los Angeles

I have never been to LA, so it's gotta be NY. :-)

3. Computer or Television

Both? That's cheating, I know. But I like computer for games and e-mail and TV to watch shows. I HATE watching shows on the computer.

4. Writing or Reading

That's like a chicken or egg question! If no one wrote, nothing to read. So, I'm going to be lame, and say both again. Reading is great for escape and relaxation. Writing keeps my brain moving.

5. Watch a movie in the theater or Watch DVD at home

I have a 4 year old, so it's DVD or I see no movies. :-)

6. Cookies or Brownies

Cookies! So many more choices for cookies. AND they make brownie cookies so win-win!

7. Realistic Fiction or Fantasy/Paranormal

There have been fantasy/paranormal that I have loved (shout out to Harry Potter!), but I'm usually a realistic fiction girl.

8. Facebook or Twitter

Definitely FB. FB has games!

9. Check out book from library or Buy book from store

Both. I LOVE libraries and always want that option, but I like to own books too, especially if my friends wrote them.

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post: The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt

Current Giveaway on Alison Can Read 

GIVEAWAY: Win a signed galley of Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

Lindsey Leavitt is here today! I'm so excited to host Lindsey as part of The Royal Treatment blog tour. See the full schedule for the tour here.

Read my review of The Royal Treatment and its prequel Princess for Hire.

Welcome to Lindsey!

Below are some of my favorite books, all of which I have recommended/bought for friends. I love being a book matchmaker, love sharing a book and having that reader fall in love. I am mindful, however, when I recommend something of the reader's POV and maturity (especially with some older YA). In another life, I would love to be a librarian, minus organization and administration. So really, I just want to stand in a bookstore and make people buy certain things. Book stalker, not stocker.

So, here we go...

Favorite Books: Classics

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Anything Jane Austen, but especially Sense and Sensibility

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut




Favorite Books: YA

Hunger Games triology by Suzanne Collins

The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

Audrey Wait! by Robin Benway

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins











Favorite Books: MG

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart


Have you read any of these? What did you think?

Blog Tour/Giveaway: Compulsion by Heidi Ayarbe

Compulsion by Heidi Ayarbe
May 3, 2011; Balzer + Bray

Summary

Today has to be perfect.
Magic.
I look at the clock.
10:14 am.
Ten fourteen. One plus one is two plus four is six plus ten is sixteen minus one is fifteen minus two is thirteen. OK.
I turn from the clock and walk into the hallway. "Ready.”

Saturday will be the third state soccer championship in a row for Jake Martin. Three. A good number. Prime. With Jake on the field, Carson City High can’t lose, because Jake has the magic: a self-created protection generated by his obsession with prime numbers. It’s the magic that has every top soccer university recruiting Jake, the magic that keeps his family safe, and the magic that suppresses his anxiety attacks. But the magic is Jake’s prison, because getting it means his compulsions take over nearly every aspect of his life.

Jake’s convinced the magic will be permanent after Saturday, the perfect day, when every prime has converged. Once the game is over, he won’t have to rely on his sister, Kasey, to concoct excuses for his odd rituals. His dad will stop treating him like he is some freak. Maybe he’ll even make a friend other than Luc.

But what if it doesn’t work?

What if the numbers never go away?

Acclaimed author Heidi Ayarbe has created an honest and riveting portrait of a teen struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder in this courageous and breathtaking novel.
(courtesy of Goodreads)

Guest Post: Tens List

*Just a heads-up that there are some swear words in this post, but it fits with the character's point of view

Please welcome Heidi Ayarbe to Alison Can Read. She's kindly provided us with a Tens List for Tanya, one of the main characters of Compulsion.

Tanya is, in her own way, a tragic character. I could write a whole novel with Tanya as my mc. So much goes beyond the Tinkerbell Tatoo surface. The more I thought about her top ten list, the more I thought about who she really is as a person – as opposed to the person other people see. (And maybe, as opposed to the person she shows other people.)

So I wanted to do a list of Tanya’s top ten wishes.

(List found in the margins of her math book)

10. I wish this calculus class didn’t totally suck.

9. I wish I felt more like an antiderivitive – the indefinite integral of the school – instead of like I’m a fucking fundamental theorem.

8. I wish I could move forward instead of feel like I’m always sliding backwards down a sloped tangent line.

7. There’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s. Hate it, hate it, hate it. I wish Reese’s never came up with that stupid ad. It ends “perfect”. I’m not that Reese’s – never perfect.

6. I wish Jake liked me – for real – and we could do that Hannah Montana boyfriend/girlfriend stuff, hold hands. Maybe I could even wear his Varsity jacket.

5. I wish I didn’t want to want those things. It’s easier not wanting.

4. Calculus is all about change, right? Why can’t I? I wish I was that formula – the one that calculates infinity, possibility. Can anybody plug me into a formula and make me into somebody else – the person I was supposed to be?

3. Wishes suck. Wishes don’t change anything except make me feel like total shit. There’s nothing wrong with me.

2. I wish I didn’t care what people thought. Like Mera. I hate, hate, hate wishing I was like a person who has the personality of a Brillo pad soaked in lye. She looks like a Brillo pad soaked in lye.

1. I wish I’d never had those beers at that party when I was a freshman – never got that drunk – never said yes. Too bad calculus can’t change what’s passed. (I wish I didn’t write that, or any of this. Who gives a shit? Next year some kid will read this and have something to do in this shit class other than figure out the highest feasible sales from the sales of some toys made in a sweatshop in Bangladesh. Fuck it.

GIVEAWAY

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray: Interview and Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED! Thanks for entering!

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale by Ramona Wray
2011; CreateSpace
-I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Summary

Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable…especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily’s life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out — and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can’t take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they’ve met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Interview

Ramona was kind enough to answer a few questions for me. Please welcome Ramona to Alison Can Read!

1. Please describe Hex in a few sentences.

Hex is a story about a lovable seventeen year-old, Lily, who can see into people's minds through a simple touch. This puts serious strain on her ability to form normal relationships with just about anyone, as people generally tend to steer clear of her. But then she discovers that her gift/curse doesn't apply when it comes to Ryder, the one guy she was always interested in. In comes a second guy, Lucian, and together they embark on an adventure that will lead to startling discoveries, impromptu trips to seventeenth-century England, and the unravelling of a very old curse that has been running all their lives for the past 300 years. It's a story of love, magic, and betrayal, wrapped up in the narrative of someone whose natural defense against the cruelty of others is to crack inappropriate jokes and laugh at herself. It's funny, quirky, and quite endearing, in parts.

2. Why did you decide to set the book in the United States since you live in England?

Well, first of all, I was actually living in Russia when I wrote Hex :-) But I always knew I wanted the book to be published in the US, so it made sense to set it there. In fact, most of the books I ever wrote are set there, which is quite funny because I have never even visited the place yet. I guess I just find it inspiring.

3. I would love to visit Romania some day. What are a few must-see places?

Lots. For a bit of history, you must see Transylvania, particularly Sighisoara, an authentic and extremely well preserved medieval town dating back to the 12th century. Gorgeous location. Then there's Dracula's Castle (or, as we call it "Bran Castle"), which is near Brasov, another historical place. The Danube Delta is a natural paradise for those interested in wildlife - over 2000 miles of marshes, reed islands, canals, little rivers - it really is an amazing spot. Bucharest, of course, still has some old neighborhoods that are worth seeing, architecture-wise. There are also a number of really old churches in Moldova (the eastern part of the country) which I think are spectacular (but then, I love old things :-) And, of course, the mountains. The scenery of the Romanian Carpathians is truly breathtaking.

4. What is your favorite place that you'd traveled to and/or lived? What place or places do you most want to travel to?

Italy, no question about it. Where would I want to go? I guess, everywhere :-) The US is first on my to-see list. Other than that, I'd like to go to Rio, and Africa, and South America and, like I said, pretty much everywhere.

5. What is your writing process like? Are there differences when you write in Romanian versus English (i.e. the amount of pre-planning required) or is the language the only difference?

Oh, I haven't written in Romanian for years! I actually think I would find it difficult now, compared with English. My writing process is pretty standard, I'd say. I spend a great deal of time getting to know my characters - what I call the post-it phase, because this is when I write all sorts of things about my protagonists (dialogue lines, past-related details, research bits, etc) on post-its, which I stick everywhere around me - and then I sit down and write. I write everywhere, and every spare moment I've got, once the story starts flowing, though I'm at my best early in the morning. I use a MacBook, but I make loads of notes on sheets of papers everywhere. Yeah, I'm pretty messy when I get going :-)

6. What are a few books that you loved when you were young and a few current books you've really enjoyed?

As a child, I loved Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Bridge to Terabithia, all the Greek myths, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells. On Christmas I always got a stack of records and then I'd listen to these audio stories, over and over again.

Recently, I loved Before I Die by Jenny Downham, Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan, everything by Maggie Stiefvater, or Holly Black. Right now, I?m reading The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge, and I'm quickly falling in love with it too.

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale.

Leave a comment with a valid e-mail address to enter.

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Contest ends April 19; 10 PM CDT

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