Denise Jaden's Blog, page 5

Out Today: Remember by Eileen Cook!

Eileen is thrilled to announce that her book REMEMBER hits shelves February 24, 2015.


About the Book: A thrilling tale about what a girl will do to get back a memory she lost…or remove what she wants to forget. Harper is used to her family being hounded by protestors. Her father runs the company that trademarked the “Memtex” procedure to wipe away sad memories, and plenty of people think it shouldn’t be legal. Then a new demonstrator crosses her path, Neil, who’s as persistent as he is hot. Not that Harper’s noticing, since she already has a boyfriend. When Harper suffers a loss, she’s shocked her father won’t allow her to get the treatment, so she finds a way to get it without his approval. Soon afterward, she’s plagued with strange symptoms, including hallucinations of a woman who is somehow both a stranger, yet incredibly familiar. Harper begins to wonder if she is delusional, or if these are somehow memories. Together with Neil, who insists he has his own reasons for needing answers about the real dangers of Memtex, Harper begins her search for the truth. What she finds could uproot all she’s ever believed about her life…

 “Compelling combination of twisty mystery and realistic romance." (Cat Patrick, author of FORGOTTEN and JUST LIKE FATE)

Interview with Eileen:
Where did the idea for Remember come from?
 I’d read an article about some scientific experiments being done with memory. The scientists were looking for a way to reduce the difficulty war veterans have with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It occurred to me if people could get rid of very traumatic memories, there would also be a market for people who wanted to get rid of all sorts of memories. I began to wonder what types of things might go wrong once you begin messing around with someone’s memory. It can be relatively easy to confuse what is a real memory from what someone might tell you happened. What if something you were sure was true, suddenly seemed to be uncertain, possibly a lie? Once all these questions were swirling around in my head I knew I had a book- all I had to do is write it!

If the Memtex procedure existed is there any memory you would like to forget?
I think everyone has some memories they would like to forget, but even the difficult ones have shaped who I am so I’d have to hang on to them.

Tell us a behind the scenes story about writing the book.
I decided that I wanted the main character to ride horses competitively- a subject I know nothing about. I was lucky enough to have two close friends who grew up riding and were able to share all sorts of details and were willing to read early drafts to make sure I had things correct. Now I know more about saddles than I ever expected.

What are you working on now?
It’s a thriller that involves Italy, a possible murder and two best friends who may be enemies. There’s nothing better than writing a book that includes a research trip to Rome, Venice and Tuscany. I ate my weight in pasta, took thousands of pictures and wrote pages and pages of notes.

Link to contest info: http://www.eileencook.com/blog/?p=4590 

MARCH MADNESS Writing, Reading, and Blogging Challenge! #WIPMadness

It’s almost March and time for an Almost-Nano Challenge! If you have a writing project you’re ready to start, or a work in progress you’re ready to finish, come and join the fun. Accountability is our main aim and the more support we have, the easier it will be to sail on through the month of March, bouncing along on each others successes!

And, like last year, we're opening up March Madness to readers who want to challenge themselves to read more, bloggers who want to challenge themselves to blog more, and illustrators who want to challenge themselves to illustrate more! Basically, anything to do with books!

And did I mention there will be PRIZES? Prizes will not be awarded based on how much you write, read, draw, or blog, but simply on how involved you are in the Big Accountability Plan. There will be check-in points most days throughout the month of March. Each time you check in and record your progress, your name will be entered into a draw for some great prizes, donated by our fabulous blog hosts, including some high demand advance copy books, audiobooks, and a writer's survival kit! And not only that, but the more you encourage others along the way (in the comments), the more times your name will go into the hat!

Spread the word, and check out http://denisejaden.blogspot.com Sunday, March 1st, to put your goals officially in writing and find out the locations of the check-in points. If you’re ready to get serious, don’t do it alone…Get serious with us!

Now is the time to be setting your Ambitious Goals for the month of March! (Trust me, you will be able to accomplish much more than you normally would with the added camaraderie and support, so don't be afraid to set the bar a little higher.) If you haven't already, start meeting up with us on Twitter under the hashtag #WIPMadness .

Please spread the word about this Challenge. There will be lots to win throughout the month and the more support we have, the better all of our goals will go this month!  If you're interested in being a blog host for one day per week through the month of March, please let me know. We still have room for a couple more hosts!

So check back in here March 1st. If you're such a proud participant that you want to let everyone know, grab the March Madness badge from below, and put it somewhere prominent.


Everyone is welcome and the more the merrier! Let's march into March like the mad group of writers we are!!!

Heartbreakers Blog Tour!

From quality self-published and small presses to traditional publishers, debut novels to bestsellers, we’re offering access to amazing contemporary young adult and new adult fiction authors. This February, fourteen writers will embark on a heart-stopping blog tour that will hook readers up with great reads and cool SWAG.

Grand Prize GIVEAWAY: one lucky winner will receive a free Kindle, as well as a $20 Amazon gift card. That's a ton of heartbreaking reads... ;)




Who can resist a heartbreaker? 2015 TOUR ROSTER Participating Authors: Eileen Cook: Remember (Simon Pulse, 2015)
D.G. Driver: Passing Notes (Fire and Ice, 2015)Laurie J. Edwards: writing as Erin Johnson. Grace and the Guiltless: Wanted Series (Curious Fox, 2014)Janet Gurtler: The Truth About Us (Sourcebooks Fire, 2015)
Sara Hantz: Will The Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up (Entangled Teen, 2014)
Brenda Hiatt: Starfall (Dolphin Star Press, 2015)
Denise Jaden: Foreign Exchange (Evernight Teen, 2014)
Jen McConnel: Her Secret Inheritance (Bloomsbury Spark, 2014)
Judith Tewes: My Soon to be Sex Life (Bloomsbury Spark, 2014)
Ashley Poston: The Sound of Us (Bloomsbury Spark, 2014)
Dawn Ius: Anne and Henry (Simon Pulse, 2015)
Shari Green: Following Chelsea (Evernight Teen, 2014)
Vanessa Barneveld: This is Your Afterlife (Bloomsbury Spark, 2014)
LS Murphy: Reaper (J Taylor Publishing, 2013), Pixelated (Bloomsbury Spark, 2015)

Participating Bloggers:
Reading is My Treasure
YA Yeah! Yeah!
A Glass of Wine (Where I'm featured on Monday!)
Little Library Muse
Jennzah.dot.net
Tales of Yesterday
The Reader Bee
Words of Mystery

THE GIVEAWAY!Click Here to be taken to the awesome Rafflecopter Giveaway, and enter to win a Kindle AND a $20 Gift Card!

Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop!

 Romance is in the Air Giveaway HopFeaturing Young Adult & Clean Adult RomanceFebruary 4th to 14th
Who doesn't love a good romance? Follow along this Blog Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer to find (and win!) some great new romances!
Enter the Rafflecopter below to enter to win a digital copy of my newest YA Romance/Mystery. Fans of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins will love Foreign Exchange!
Jamie Monroe has always played it safe. That is, until her live-for-the-moment best friend, Tristan, jets off to Italy on a student exchange program. Left alone with her part-time mother and her disabled brother, Jamie discovers that she is quite capable of taking her own risks, starting with her best friend’s hotter-than-hot older brother, Sawyer. 
Sawyer and Tristan have been neighbors for years, but as Jamie grows closer to the family she thought she knew, she discovers some pretty big secrets—not only from her, but from each other. As she sinks deeper into their web of pretense, she suspects that her best friend may not be on a safe exchange program at all. Jamie sets off to Europe on a class trip with plans to meet up with Tristan, but when Tristan stops all communication, suddenly no one seems trustworthy, least of all the one person she was starting to trust—Sawyer.
What People Are Saying About Foreign Exchange:
"Denise Jaden's newest novel, FOREIGN EXCHANGE, is a must read for contemporary YA fans. The characters leap off the pages and readers will furiously turn pages to keep up with the fast pace and intriguing premise. Definitely add a copy of Foreign Exchange to the top of your reading list."
~  Janet Gurtler, Rita Finalist and Best Selling Author of I'm Not Her

“I loved the well-drawn relationships in Foreign Exchange – the tension between Jamie and her mother, Jamie’s tenderness with disabled brother Eddy and especially the intense chemistry between Jamie and Sawyer. Their off-limits attraction and the increasingly dangerous hunt for his sister had me racing through the final chapters.”
~ Jen Nadol, author of The Mark, The Vision, and This is How it Ends

"Foreign Exchange takes you on a thrilling ride through the exotic streets of Europe into the dark side of the fashion world. Our charming heroine will stop at nothing to save her best friend. A sweet dose of romance keeps it light."
~ Lee Strauss - author of The Minstrel Series

"Foreign Exchange is a fresh contemporary YA that will keep readers compulsively turning pages until the very end. Combining international intrigue with a steamy forbidden romance makes for a can’t miss read."
~ Eileen Cook, author of Year of Mistaken Discoveries

"A pitch perfect voice and delicious chemistry between the characters kept me turning those pages!"
~ Tara Kelly, author of Amplified and Encore

"Foreign Exchange is heart pounding and suspenseful...the teenage dream of escaping the boredom of suburbia by travelling Europe and spending quality time with a hot guy shifts into a dangerous nightmare."
~ D.R. Graham, author of Rank and the Noir et Bleu MC series.

"Denise Jaden is a force to be reckoned with! I loved her new book so much. This one is a thrill ride with full realized, lovable characters, and a refreshingly unique premise."
~ Rachel Shane, author of the upcoming Alice in Wonderland High

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter below, and then follow the Linky to the next stop on the blog hop!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEWS!!! Falling for Alice in Wonderland!

I'm super excited to announce Vine Leaves Press will publish my short story, WHITE RABBIT Rx, in an anthology of stories inspired by Alice in Wonderland. The original Alice in Wonderland is celebrating 150 years this year, and what a book to launch a short story from, chocked full of symbolism and thematic elements!
I can't wait for you to read the brilliant work of my co-authors Kitty Keswick, Dawn Dalton, Shari Green, and Cady Vance, who all take you through trippy rides down the rabbit holes of time and space.
FALLING FOR ALICE launches April 24, 2015! Breathtaking cover reveal coming soon!
(Bloggers - Interested in helping with this cover reveal? Please get in touch with me at d(at)denisejaden(com))

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to the Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop, hosted by Dreaming of Books and I Am a Reader Not a Writer! I love blog hops because so many people win fabulous prizes (and I usually discover lots of new and great blogs!)

Don't know how to hop? Simply enter my Rafflecopter contest (below) and then follow along the list of Blogs in the Linky at the bottom. There will be a great new prize at every stop!

I'm offering an awesome prize for one lucky International winner:

A digital copy of my new YA novel, FOREIGN EXCHANGE

and

An audiobook of my YA novel, NEVER ENOUGH!

Here's a little more about these books...


Jamie Monroe has always played it safe. That is, until her live-for-the-moment best friend, Tristan, jets off to Italy on a student exchange program. Left alone with her part-time mother and her disabled brother, Jamie discovers that she is quite capable of taking her own risks, starting with her best friend’s hotter-than-hot older brother, Sawyer. Sawyer and Tristan have been neighbors for years, but as Jamie grows closer to the family she thought she knew, she discovers some pretty big secrets—not only from her, but from each other. 

As she sinks deeper into their web of pretense, she suspects that her best friend may not be on a safe exchange program at all. Jamie sets off to Europe on a class trip with plans to meet up with Tristan, but when Tristan stops all communication, suddenly no one seems trustworthy, least of all the one person she was starting to trust—Sawyer. 






From the author of Losing Faith, a novel about two sisters and the eating disorder that threatens to destroy their family.

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special… even if that means betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship —and her sister—before it’s too late? 


And here is a little teaser excerpt from FOREIGN EXCHANGE. (Hint: you'll have to read it to earn an extra point for the giveaway!)

TEASER EXCERPT:


“Hi,” I say when I find Sawyer at his locker. My face is beaming like someone plugged me into a wall socket.“Jamie.” He smiles back, but his eyes are rimmed with red like he's really tired. “Have you heard from my sister again?”Not exactly the topic of conversation I'd hoped for. I nod. “I got another email. She got to Milan fine and is settling in.”Sawyer pulls out his phone. He looks at me, then at his phone, then back at me again. “She's...everything's okay with the exchange program?” he asks. His words are tentative. “Tristan's fine, Sawyer. She says the schoolwork is going to be harder than expected because of not speaking Italian, but otherwise she's great. She loves Europe.” He looks at his phone again. I put my hand out. “Here, you want me to show you the email?”He hands me his phone. It takes me a minute to figure out how to log in through his browser, but I hope I can put his mind at rest. My email is coming up on the screen when the first bell rings. I have English first class and my teacher's a real stickler about tardiness. I glance down the hall toward my locker.“You go,” Sawyer says, his palm open for his phone. “I'll look it over and see you in class later. Okay?” “I—” I’m not sure what to say. Tristan’s been talking about finding my dad in her emails. It’s our big secret and she’d been adamant about not sharing it with anybody. But I think I can trust Sawyer. And, after all, it is my secret to keep. If I’m making a mistake it’ll only hurt me. “Okay,” I say, finally, passing his phone back to him. Our fingers brush against each other, but we don’t have time to let them linger.By the time I get to English, I'm thinking of another problem. Tristan hadn't wanted me to tell anyone about her modeling over there. I’ll have to tell Sawyer not to mention it.When I dash into class later, Sawyer’s already seated in his usual seat with his head down. He's flipping through something on his phone, and again I think about signing him into my email earlier. Instead of feeling nervous, after having some time to think about it, trusting him makes me feel closer to him. Like we share our private emails with each other all the time.“Hey.” I sit down beside him. He finishes typing something, and then shoves his phone away before Mr. Echols catches sight of it. “Hey,” he says finally, smiling over at me. He still looks really tired.“Everything okay?” I ask.He blinks a few times, looking down, and I wonder if he isn't okay. Is something really wrong? “Do you...” he trails off and seems to rethink what he's saying. “Do you think with the program... do you think everything's okay about that? I don't know what's going on, but maybe...I mean, I think maybe Tristan’s over there trying to model.”I swallow hard. This is the moment of truth, where I have to decide how much I can trust him. But his pause is barely long enough for me to open my mouth. “I need to get on that class trip, Jamie. I need to stop my sister from doing anything stupid.”A host of emotions rush through me. Fear, anger, betrayal. “Wait, what?” I ask him. “You're going to try to get on the class trip so you can interfere with Tristan's dream?” Tristan’s told me how jealous he can be. How he’s done this before.Sawyer looks over at me with wide eyes, like he can't believe I'm calling him out on it.Mr. Echols interrupts us, starting class, but I'm too upset to pay attention to a single word he's saying. Sawyer passes me a note halfway through class.I’m seriously worried about my sister, Jamie. I have to tell you more about the program. Just hear me out. Please?
I keep my eyes from Sawyer for the rest of class. I'm sure he knows I'm angry, but he doesn't try to talk to me again, at least for now. I'm even angry at myself for getting so caught up in my feelings for him and not noticing all the things that Tristan's warned me about. 

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter below before heading on to the next blog in the Blog Hop to enter to win a digital copy of FOREIGN EXCHANGE and an audio copy of NEVER ENOUGH!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Evernight Teen Birthday Blog Hop, Featuring Original First Pages of FOREIGN EXCHANGE!

Happy Birthday to EVERNIGHT TEEN!
EVERNIGHT TEEN turns two this month and we’re having a huge party to celebrate! It may be EVERNIGHT TEEN’s birthday, but you get the presents. So, grab a piece of cake, hop from blog-to-blog and discover EVERNIGHT TEEN!
Be sure to visit every stop on the hop and answer each question. The more blogs you hop to, the more chances to win the GRAND PRIZE of an iPad Mini sponsored by EVERNIGHT TEEN (one entry per blog). Plus, hop to each blog for a host of other fabulous prizes.
Have your TBR list handy because we have lots of new titles for you to add, including my featured book, FOREIGN EXCHANGE:

Jamie Monroe has always played it safe. That is, until her live-for-the-moment best friend, Tristan, jets off to Italy on a student exchange program. Left alone with her part-time mother and her disabled brother, Jamie discovers that she is quite capable of taking her own risks, starting with her best friend’s hotter-than-hot older brother, Sawyer. Sawyer and Tristan have been neighbors for years, but as Jamie grows closer to the family she thought she knew, she discovers some pretty big secrets. As she sinks deeper into their web of pretense, she suspects that her best friend may not be on a safe exchange program at all. Jamie sets off to Europe on a class trip with plans to meet up with Tristan, but when Tristan stops all communication, suddenly no one seems trustworthy, least of all the one person she was starting to trust—Sawyer. 

I had a lot of fun writing about Jamie, Sawyer, and Tristan in many different situations before I found the perfect opening. As a special surprise, I've shared below my very first pages of the first draft of this book. I hope you enjoy this early excerpt!
Chapter One              It should be illegal for girls over five-seven to wear heels. And I’m not saying that because I’m jealous. Believe me. It’s just that when you’re five-two and not a lesbian, there are better ways to spend your day than staring at forty-eight female breasts.            And to be honest, they all look the same from this angle.            But then, I guess that’s the point, isn’t it? To look like a herd of perfect, beautiful, tall bodies. That’s why people will come to this fashion show. To see beautiful bodies in beautiful clothing. That’s why it will pay my way to Spain.            The actual show isn’t for two weeks, Labor Day Weekend, right before school starts up. It’s billed as a back-to-school event, but looking over the rack of outfits the stores are supplying, I’m sure our crowd will be made up of mainly skanky over-forty women and leery-eyed men.            “Can these hemlines get any higher?” my best friend Tristan asks, spinning in front of the mirror to see if her underwear shows. If she’s wearing any, that is. If there are two things I’ve learned about models in the last six weeks they’re these:1.      Models are not shy about their bodies. By not shy, I mean they’d walk through the mall in their own bra, or even without it, if it meant getting to the stage on time.2.      If models wear any underwear at all, it’s usually thinner than the dental floss in my bathroom cabinet.“Any cheek, Jamie?” Tristan is the one and only model I’ve ever met who cares at least a little bit about how much of her goods she’s showing. But she’s still ruled by the dental-floss underwear rule.“Yeah, there’s cheek,” I tell her with a smirk. “But not under the dress.”If Tristan’s one thing, it’s cheeky. She’s also smart, funny, beautiful, popular, and fiercely loyal. To me. Which means I’m fiercely loyal right back. 
You can read the final version of the first chapter at http://www.denisejaden.com/denisejadenbooks.html
Enter for a chance to win EVERNIGHT TEEN’s GRAND PRIZE of an iPad Mini and my blog prize (a digital copy of FOREIGN EXCHANGE!) by answering this question (be sure to include your email address to be eligible to win):
Why is Jamie working hard to plan a fashion show? (HINT: You will find the answer by reading the above excerpt!)
The birthday blog hop continues here:



Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

The Ups and Downs of 2014

Ahhh, 2014. It's been a slice, you've held some amazing moments, but I have to say, I'm glad you're almost over.

1. 2014 was the year my son and I started working as background actors in TV and movies. Lots of fun, but this has also kept our lives very busy. We've learned to use the time to get homeschool work and writing done, so it has ended up being a very useful job for both of us. Plus, the extra money is nice.

2. Family-wise, our son turned 11, and is quickly becoming a young man. We didn't do much traveling this year, other than the odd trip to Seattle. My husband wasn't working as much as he has in the past, which left us without much money and in each other's space much more than usual. But...iron sharpens iron. My husband and I celebrated our 20-year anniversary in 2014, and we are expecting 20 more even better years. We are amazed that even after 20 years, we still continually learn new things about each other and ourselves and how to best get along in life.

3. In 2014 I released two new books--FAST FICTION for writers, and FOREIGN EXCHANGE for readers. Releasing a nonfiction book with a small press was a huge confidence-builder for me, Honestly, there are times that I still don't completely believe I did it. Working with New World Library taught me a lot about writing nonfiction, and about being a radio-show guest--all a little nerve wracking, but I came out a stronger person on the other side. As for FOREIGN EXCHANGE, this novel holds a special place in my heart, so it was with some disappointment that I saw it release with little fanfare, at least in comparison with my other books. I'm still thrilled that it is out and available in the world, of course, thrilled that I can hold a copy in my hands, but I hope it will find more of a readership in 2015.

4. I took on a couple of projects this year (a writing contest and a homeschool co-op), without thinking clearly about how I would fit them into my life. You see, I'm already a busy homeschooling mom, who tries to fit writing and book promotion somewhere into her schedule. I really didn't have time for extra big projects. But I love to be a part of things--especially writing or homeschool related things. And sometimes I just don't plan out my schedule as well as I should. So I think the biggest thing that made this year difficult for me is that I overextended myself. And once I commit to something, I won't back out of it. So I ended the year feeling a bit exhausted, but with better, more realistic plans for 2015.

5. Speaking of which...this is the first year I've taken a full month off of writing since I began writing in 2003. I've mentioned before that taking time off of writing usually leaves me feeling grumpy and unsociable, just because I'm not stoking my creative juices. But I was just so overdone about so many things that I needed the break. So I took one. I tried to be ungrumpy and sociable. I don't think I did too badly through the holidays. But now, as I feared, I'm having a hard time thinking about going back to writing. Maybe I need a longer break. Or maybe it's just the business of publishing is getting me down again (as it often does). We will see what 2015 holds in that regard.

6. In 2014 I met my teen idol! If you don't follow me on Facebook, you may have missed this story, and I didn't get a chance to go into the details, so let me share those now.

When I was 16, I watched General Hospital religiously. I would leave the beach on vacation to go back to my hotel room so I didn't miss an episode. The draw for me, specifically, was Frisco Jones, played by Jack Wagner.

I grew up, eventually, and stopped stalking Jack's appearances on prime time Melrose Place, and eventually stopped thinking about him altogether. But in mid-November, out of the blue, I had a dream that I showed up to work on set and Jack Wagner was there. I didn't think anything of it until I was booked on a locally filming show the next week and showed up to look at the call sheet. I couldn't believe it when I saw his name there! I was not scheduled to work with him at all, but fate intervened, and I ended up in a very small scene--just me and the three main actors. I just about died when Jack Wagner walked up to me, hand outstretched, and said, "Hi, I'm Jack."

I held my professionalism until filming was finished, but then I admit, my inner teen fangirl had to get out and tell him how much I worshiped him as a teen. He graciously joked with me about it and offered to take a picture with me. This day was definitely one of the highlights of my year!

Those are a few of my highlights and lowlights from 2014. Even the lowlights I wouldn't trade...they've helped me grow as a person and understand my limitations and where I want to put my energy. I'm excited for 2015, for new books to come out (I should have more info about that soon!) and I'll be performing with my Polynesian dance troupe on a cruise to Hawaii! Just a couple of things I'm looking forward to.

I hope you've had some wonderful highlights to look back on from 2014, and I wish you a 2015 filled with peace and joy and all of the best opportunities and experiences!

Blessings from our house to yours...

Denise

My Favorite Books Read in 2014!

I read over 70 books this year, and while that may seem like an impressive amount, it's actually down quite a bit from my 2013 total. But this year I was determined to not set a reading goal (well, actually I set it at 10 books, but I knew I would read at least that many). Instead, I wanted to read when I wanted to read and what I wanted to read, not feeling a push to get more and more reading in, like I did last year.

So, because of that, I have lots of favorites this year. I'll try and give a quick sentence or two about why I loved each book here. I hope you'll check some of them out (and also I'd love to hear about your favorite books read in 2014!)

In no particular order...

Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas - What a well-plotted mystery! At some point I suspected almost everyone in the book of the murder, and I was flipping pages furiously to find out.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson - There's been so much buzz about this book, I'm not sure I need to say anything more here. But I will say that Jandy Nelson's writing is evocative and exquisite, and I aspire to write as well as her one day.

Kiss Kill Vanish by Jessica Martinez - I love everything Jessica writes, but this is probably my favorite. It combines her usual literary style with a thriller-esque mystery. Very engaging!

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith - An unusually set romance, combined with a road trip and many interesting locales. Loved it!

Just One Night by Gayle Forman - This was actually a novella, but it's exactly what was needed to complete two of my all-time favorite novels, Just One Day and Just One Year.

Anywhere But Here by Tanya Lloyd Kyi - This book deserved more notice. One of the best male point of view YA's I've read in a long time.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - One of my favorite romances of the year, by one of my favorite romance writers. I've heard there's a sequel, which I'm super-excited for.

Don't Even Think About it by Sarah Mylnowski - I needed a few laughs this year too, and this book definitely fit the bill. It was one of those books where I kept waking my husband up with my sniggering.

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally - Miranda always belongs on my favorite lists. Her romances are so engaging, I could easily drop everything in my life to just read for two days straight.

Just One Year by Gayle Forman - One of my all time favorite books. I love taking travels through these characters' eyes. I will read this one again and again (and I cannot wait for the movie!)

OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu - I already know Corey Ann will be one of my favorite authors for many years to come. Her sharp witty writing and engaging plots make her books un-put-down-able.

Those are a few of my favorites! Now I'd love to hear some of yours.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and an amazing 2015!

A Thorough New Resource and #Giveaway: Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents!

[image error] When I look at most publishing reference guides, my gut reaction is to think they’ll be outdated before they hit the shelves. So much in publishing changes so quickly! But I knew from the moment I scanned the table of contents from Jeff Herman’s GUIDE TO BOOK PUBLISHERS, EDITORS &LITERARY AGENTS, this would be more than just a reference book. This would be a book I would enjoy.
His Advice For Writers section includes such helpful topics as Dumb-Ass Random Questions and Answers, and Find Your Passion and Piss it Away. These give you some idea of the kind of humor Herman infuses into his writing. The how-to section is thoroughly entertaining and informative. This is a great resource for beginning writers, breaking down the job of a literary agent and the process of writing the perfect query letter, but also addresses topics for the more seasoned author, such  as dealing with Ignored Writer Syndrome and Post-Publication Depression.
If only the advice section was included in this book, it would be worth the price of admission, but moving further into the bowels of the book, I was pleasantly surprised to find amazingly up-to-date and comprehensive listings for everything from literary agents to publishers (big, independent, and university), as well as freelance editors. They even had a section listing Canadian publishers. I discovered many, many publishers that were new to me. I love the way Herman delves deep with many of the literary agents listed within the book, so writers will have a sense of who they are and where their tastes lie.
I’m not alone in finding great value in this book! Meg Cabot says, “I got my agent by using this guide!” Nicholas Sparks says, “I highly recommend Jeff Herman’s Guide. It was the most helpful book I bought about how to get published.”  When I was asked if I would like to review a copy of this book, I jumped at the chance. I was offered either a print or digital copy, and I chose print, letting the publicist know I would gladly give it away on my blog when I was done reviewing it. Boy, am I regretting that offer now! I would love to keep this baby on my shelf, and whoever receives my copy is getting a treasure that will serve you as a reference for many years to come.
Fill out the rafflecopter below to enter to win. (Sorry, this is a hefty book, and I’ll only be able to mail out within the US using media mail. But if you’re an international reader and would still like to enter, I’ll offer an ebook of my new young adult novel, FOREIGN EXCHANGE, to one international winner).
More about this book:
If you want to get published, read this book!

Jeff Herman’s Guide unmasks nonsense, clears confusion, and unlocks secret doorways to success for new and veteran writers! This highly respected resource is used by publishing insiders everywhere and has been read by millions all over the world.

Jeff Herman’s Guide is the writer’s best friend. It reveals the names, interests, and contact information of thousands of agents and editors. It presents invaluable information about more than 350 publishers and imprints (including Canadian and university presses), lists independent book editors who can help you make your work more publisher-friendly, and helps you spot scams. Jeff Herman’s Guide unseals the truth about how to outsmart the gatekeepers, break through the barriers, and decipher the hidden codes to getting your book published. 

Countless writers have achieved their highest aspirations by following Herman’s outside-the-box strategies. If you want to reach the top of your game and transform rejections into contracts, you need this book! Jeff Herman’s Guide will educate you, inspire you, and become your virtual entourage at every step along the exhilarating journey to publication. Ask anyone in the book business, and they will refer you to Jeff Herman’s Guide.

NEW for 2015: Comprehensive index listing dozens of subjects and categories to help you find the perfect publisher or agent.
“I highly recommmend Jeff Herman’s Guide. It was the most helpful book I bought about how to get published.”
— Nicholas Sparks, New York Times bestselling author of The Notebook

“I got my agent by using this guide!”
— Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author

“Nothing beats Jeff Herman’s Guide.”
— Jack Canfield, coauthor, Chicken Soup for the Soul series

“Jeff Herman has done a service to every writer who wants to make a living in this business. Every author should have a copy on their shelf.”
— Chip MacGregor, literary agent

“Everything you need to get started.”
— Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author

“Jeff Herman’s Guide remains the Rosetta Stone of writerly success.”
— James Broderick, PhD, BookPleasures.comAbout the AuthorJeff Herman, a successful literary agent, has sold more than a thousand books to dozens of publishers and, since 1990, mentored millions of writers through this guidebook
a Rafflecopter giveaway