Jessie Harrell's Blog, page 7
April 9, 2013
Debut YA Book Birthdays for the Week of April 8th
How is it the second week of April already? That's what I want to know... is the year flying by as quickly for you as it is for me?
In any event, here are the debut YA releases for the week:
NINE DAYS by Fred Hiatt
A fast-paced contemporary thriller in the vein of James Patterson and Anthony Horowitz set against the bustling backdrop of Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the border of China. This heart-pounding adventure takes place as two teens, an American teenage boy and his friend, a Chinese girl from his Washington, DC-area high school, must find her father who has been kidnapped—and they only have nine days. Although the characters in the novel are fictionalized, they are based on a real Chinese family who were part of the Chinese Democracy Movement and inspired this story.
I'm not sure if this is more MG or lower YA, but it still sounds pretty interesting...
HAMMER OF WITCHES by Shana Mlawski
Baltasar Infante, a bookmaker’s apprentice living in 1492 Spain, can weasel out of any problem with a good story. But when he awakes one night to find a monster straight out of the stories peering at him through his window, he’s in trouble that even he can’t talk his way out of. Soon Baltasar is captured by a mysterious arm of the Spanish Inquisition, the Malleus Malificarum, that demands he reveal the whereabouts of Amir al-Katib, a legendary Moorish sorcerer who can bring myths and the creatures within them to life. Baltasar, of course, doesn’t know where the man is—or that Bal himself has the power to summon genies and golems.
Now Baltasar must escape the Malleus Malificarum so he can find al-Katib and help him defeat a dreadful power that may destroy the world as they know it. As Bal’s journey leads him into uncharted lands on Columbus’s voyage westward, Baltasar learns that stories are much more powerful than he once believed them to be—and much more dangerous.
P.S. I did see several debut MG novels coming out this week. If you're interested, check out the Lucky 13s blog.
In any event, here are the debut YA releases for the week:
NINE DAYS by Fred Hiatt
A fast-paced contemporary thriller in the vein of James Patterson and Anthony Horowitz set against the bustling backdrop of Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the border of China. This heart-pounding adventure takes place as two teens, an American teenage boy and his friend, a Chinese girl from his Washington, DC-area high school, must find her father who has been kidnapped—and they only have nine days. Although the characters in the novel are fictionalized, they are based on a real Chinese family who were part of the Chinese Democracy Movement and inspired this story.I'm not sure if this is more MG or lower YA, but it still sounds pretty interesting...
HAMMER OF WITCHES by Shana Mlawski
Baltasar Infante, a bookmaker’s apprentice living in 1492 Spain, can weasel out of any problem with a good story. But when he awakes one night to find a monster straight out of the stories peering at him through his window, he’s in trouble that even he can’t talk his way out of. Soon Baltasar is captured by a mysterious arm of the Spanish Inquisition, the Malleus Malificarum, that demands he reveal the whereabouts of Amir al-Katib, a legendary Moorish sorcerer who can bring myths and the creatures within them to life. Baltasar, of course, doesn’t know where the man is—or that Bal himself has the power to summon genies and golems. Now Baltasar must escape the Malleus Malificarum so he can find al-Katib and help him defeat a dreadful power that may destroy the world as they know it. As Bal’s journey leads him into uncharted lands on Columbus’s voyage westward, Baltasar learns that stories are much more powerful than he once believed them to be—and much more dangerous.
P.S. I did see several debut MG novels coming out this week. If you're interested, check out the Lucky 13s blog.
April 4, 2013
Train Thursdays ~ Hey Soul Sister
I'm dipping back a few years now. This is another song that when it came out, I liked the tune a lot. And then I started listening to the lyrics and well... there are a few bad ones planted among the generally good that mess this song up for me. So I present to you, "Hey, Soul Sister."
Heeey heeeey heeeeey
Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains[here's my first STOP: the use of "brains" instead of "brain" has always bothered me. it makes me think of zombies instead of romance.]
I knew I wouldn't forget you
And so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moonbeam
The smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided you're the one I have decided
Who's one of my kind[I have nothing mean to say about the lyrics above. Good rhymes that are actually working. I'd love to see more of this!]
CHORUS:Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister [how far back did we just date ourselves?]on the radio, stereo[a bit redundant, maybe?]
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight
Heeey heeeey heeeey
Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one track mind like me
You gave my life direction
A game show love connection, [again with the dating ourselves]we can't deny
I'm so obsessed
My heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest[what is an "untrimmed" chest? is that like someone who has no muscle?]
I believe in you, like a virgin, you're Madonna[a virgin with a one track mind? not buying it. ;) ]
And I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind
The way you can cut a rug[ok - now you just dated yourself to the 1930s, jitterbug style]
Watching you is the only drug I needSo gangster, I'm so thug[STOP: worst line of the song. You knew it had to be coming, right? This has absolutely no relation to the song whatsoever aside from the rhyme. Why??? For the love of humanity, why do you do this to your songs? Especially one that is generally enjoyable.]
You're the only one I'm dreaming of
You see I can be myself now finally
In fact there's nothing I can't be
I want the world to see you being with me.
And just for fun, here's something I found while researching for this song. Apparently I'm not the only one fed up with Train in one form or another. :)
April 2, 2013
Happy Debut YA Book Birthday
You know what I'm celebrating this week? My first sunburn of the season... one of these days I will learn! But at least it means I got to enjoy some time on the beach and in the sun, which all-in-all is a very good thing.
We also have some debut YA book birthdays to celebrate this week. There are MANY of these that I REALLY want!! Put your hands together for ...
VENGEANCE BOUND by Justina Ireland
The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge…no matter how far it takes her.Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.
THE COLLECTOR (Dante Walker #1) by Victoria Scott
Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of Hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.
Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment: Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.
Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of Hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions long ago buried.
IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters
In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?
Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.
MY LIFE AFTER NOW by Jessica Verdi
What now?
Lucy just had the worst week ever. Seriously, mega bad. And suddenly, it's all too much--she wants out. Out of her house, out of her head, out of her life. She wants to be a whole new Lucy. So she does something the old Lucy would never dream of.
And now her life will never be the same. Now, how will she be able to have a boyfriend? What will she tell her friends? How will she face her family?
Now her life is completely different...every moment is a gift. Because now she might not have many moments left.
THAT TIME I JOINED THE CIRCUS by J.J. Howard
Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.
A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.
When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.
But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.
With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist.
So, what do you think of this week's line up of debut authors?
We also have some debut YA book birthdays to celebrate this week. There are MANY of these that I REALLY want!! Put your hands together for ...
VENGEANCE BOUND by Justina Ireland
The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge…no matter how far it takes her.Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.THE COLLECTOR (Dante Walker #1) by Victoria Scott
Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of Hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment: Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.
Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of Hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions long ago buried.
IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters
In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.
MY LIFE AFTER NOW by Jessica Verdi
What now? Lucy just had the worst week ever. Seriously, mega bad. And suddenly, it's all too much--she wants out. Out of her house, out of her head, out of her life. She wants to be a whole new Lucy. So she does something the old Lucy would never dream of.
And now her life will never be the same. Now, how will she be able to have a boyfriend? What will she tell her friends? How will she face her family?
Now her life is completely different...every moment is a gift. Because now she might not have many moments left.
THAT TIME I JOINED THE CIRCUS by J.J. Howard
Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.
When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.
But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.
With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist.
So, what do you think of this week's line up of debut authors?
March 28, 2013
Train Thursday ~ Fifty Ways to Say Goodbye
Hello and happy Thursday. It's almost the weekend, so that right there is a reason to celebrate. Another reason is that I have another Train song to deconstruct for you. Up this week is "50 Ways to Say Goodbye."
There's a soundbite on Sirius/XM with good ol' Pat saying the song was originally named "50 Ways to Kill Your Lover," but then they decided it might be played on the radio and they didn't want moms to have to tell their kids that their favorite song is called "50 Ways to KILL Your Lover." I shudder to think that anyone would say this was their favorite song, regardless of the title. :)
Again, I am NOT knocking the music itself. I think Train's music is catchy and upbeat and I doubt most people even listen to the lyrics over the Mariachi beat. At least I hope not. But some of the lyrics drive me nuts.
In this little ditty, we get to hear Pat Monahan explain that when he gets dumped, rather than admit it to his friends, he will just tell everyone that the girl died. I suppose it seems like a *far* more logical explanation than the truth and will earn some much-needed sympathy points for his bruised ego. So here goes: here are the 50 ways one's girlfriend might suddenly pass on into the great beyond:
My heart is paralyzedMy head was oversizedI'll take the high road like I shouldYou said it's meant to beThat it's not you, it's meYou're leaving now for my own good(Up to this point, I have no beef with the lyrics. See? I can be nice.)
That's cool, but if my friends ask where you are I'm gonna say (um... what happened to taking the high road?)
She went down in an airplane (legit)Fried getting suntanned (not sure you could actually DIE from a sun burn, but maybe)Fell in a cement mixer full of quicksand (it could happen...and it rhymes!)Help me, help me, I'm no good at goodbyes!She met a shark under waterFell and no one caught her (hey, it's hard to find something that rhymes with water - props here)I returned everything I ever bought her (WAIT! did this kill her? is she an oniomanic and the return of purchased items sent her into cardiac arrest?)Help me, help me, I'm all out of liesAnd ways to say you died
My pride still feels the stingYou were my everythingSome day I'll find a love like yours (a love like yours)She'll think I'm SupermanNot super minivan (STOP! what the frick does this even mean? this is the #1 lyric that drives me up the wall in this song)How could you leave on Yom Kippur?
That's cool, but if my friends ask where you are I'm gonna say
She was caught in a mudslideEaten by a lionGot run over by a crappy purple Scion (this one actually makes me laugh in a good way)Help me, help me, I'm no good at goodbyes!She dried up in the desertDrowned in a hot tubDanced to death at an east side night club (and... we're stretching for a rhyme again)Help me, help me, I'm all out of liesAnd ways to say you died
I wanna live a thousand lives with youI wanna be the one you're dying to love...But you don't want to
And then we get a recap of all the same reasons previously listed. If you were counting (and I was), we have a total of 12 ways to die (that's assuming you count death-by-return-of-purchased-items). Even doubled (for the repeat of the lyrics), we're only at 24. So how exactly did Train come up with any title involving 50 anything?
To steal a line from Tootsie Pops: the world may never know.
Do you have any particular Train songs you're hoping I examine? Please let me know!
There's a soundbite on Sirius/XM with good ol' Pat saying the song was originally named "50 Ways to Kill Your Lover," but then they decided it might be played on the radio and they didn't want moms to have to tell their kids that their favorite song is called "50 Ways to KILL Your Lover." I shudder to think that anyone would say this was their favorite song, regardless of the title. :)
Again, I am NOT knocking the music itself. I think Train's music is catchy and upbeat and I doubt most people even listen to the lyrics over the Mariachi beat. At least I hope not. But some of the lyrics drive me nuts.
In this little ditty, we get to hear Pat Monahan explain that when he gets dumped, rather than admit it to his friends, he will just tell everyone that the girl died. I suppose it seems like a *far* more logical explanation than the truth and will earn some much-needed sympathy points for his bruised ego. So here goes: here are the 50 ways one's girlfriend might suddenly pass on into the great beyond:
My heart is paralyzedMy head was oversizedI'll take the high road like I shouldYou said it's meant to beThat it's not you, it's meYou're leaving now for my own good(Up to this point, I have no beef with the lyrics. See? I can be nice.)
That's cool, but if my friends ask where you are I'm gonna say (um... what happened to taking the high road?)
She went down in an airplane (legit)Fried getting suntanned (not sure you could actually DIE from a sun burn, but maybe)Fell in a cement mixer full of quicksand (it could happen...and it rhymes!)Help me, help me, I'm no good at goodbyes!She met a shark under waterFell and no one caught her (hey, it's hard to find something that rhymes with water - props here)I returned everything I ever bought her (WAIT! did this kill her? is she an oniomanic and the return of purchased items sent her into cardiac arrest?)Help me, help me, I'm all out of liesAnd ways to say you died
My pride still feels the stingYou were my everythingSome day I'll find a love like yours (a love like yours)She'll think I'm SupermanNot super minivan (STOP! what the frick does this even mean? this is the #1 lyric that drives me up the wall in this song)How could you leave on Yom Kippur?
That's cool, but if my friends ask where you are I'm gonna say
She was caught in a mudslideEaten by a lionGot run over by a crappy purple Scion (this one actually makes me laugh in a good way)Help me, help me, I'm no good at goodbyes!She dried up in the desertDrowned in a hot tubDanced to death at an east side night club (and... we're stretching for a rhyme again)Help me, help me, I'm all out of liesAnd ways to say you died
I wanna live a thousand lives with youI wanna be the one you're dying to love...But you don't want to
And then we get a recap of all the same reasons previously listed. If you were counting (and I was), we have a total of 12 ways to die (that's assuming you count death-by-return-of-purchased-items). Even doubled (for the repeat of the lyrics), we're only at 24. So how exactly did Train come up with any title involving 50 anything?
To steal a line from Tootsie Pops: the world may never know.
Do you have any particular Train songs you're hoping I examine? Please let me know!
March 26, 2013
PICTURE PERFECT ~ Blog Tour, Giveaway & Review
Good morning. Today I am taking part in the PICTURE PERFECT Blog Tour. This novel is New Adult and it's graphic, so if you're looking for a YA review, read no further. But if you don't mind a heaping dose of steamy with your "issue" novels, then this may be the book for you.
Fashion design major Cat Mitchell has a closet full of gorgeous clothes - and not a single thing fits. After two years of runway modeling for easy cash, an accident shattered her lower leg bone and her self-esteem in just one swift fall. Ten months of no exercise, prescription steroids, comfort eating and yoga pants meant returning to campus as a size twelve instead of her former size two. When her gorgeous long-time friend with benefits sees her for the first time after her accident and snubs her in front of all her friends, Cat’s self-image hits rock bottom. Her sorority sisters all insist that she looks gorgeous, but all Cat sees is the roll of her stomach when she sits down, or the dimpling at the back of her thighs that wasn't there last year. Cat’s therapist prescribes something radical to stop the downward spiral - nude modeling for a nearby college's human form drawing classes. When Cat faces her fears and bares it all for the class, she realizes that she's posing naked in front the most gorgeous, buffest guy she's ever seen in her life. He asks her out after the class, and after one steamy night together, Cat's absolutely smitten.
Nate’s pretty close to perfect – he takes Cat rock climbing when he discovers that it makes her feel strong and becomes a great chef after he learns that the perfect pesto sauce makes her swoon. Cat starts to feel like her old self again - confident and beautiful - as long as Nate's around. Even when he discourages her from entering the Real Woman Project, a design competition for plus-sized apparel, she reasons that he's just trying to prevent old body image wounds from splitting wide open again. But when Cat goes home with Nate for Thanksgiving, she discovers something shocking from his recent past that proves that he hasn’t always been so encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. Cat has no idea what to think, but she does know one thing - this might destroy their relationship before it's even had a chance to get off the ground.
Before Cat can figure out whether the real Nate is the sensitive, adoring guy she fell in love with, or an undercover asshole, she'll have to finally feel comfortable in her own skin - even if it means leaving him forever.
My Review:It's hard for me to articulate how I feel about this book. It's an interesting blend of being a really important "issue" book about body image and new adult, full with graphic descriptions of sex. I must say that I've never read a contemporary "issue" book like this one and the message is SO important. As someone who hasn't (and sometimes still isn't) comfortable in her own skin, this book was very real, and often painful to read because I knew all too well what Cat was feeling and how self-conscious you can be even when others don't see you that way.
For any woman who's ever needed reassurance that she's beautiful no matter how her body looks, this is a great book. The problem, of course, is that the younger audience (teens) will miss this message because the book simply is not appropriate for them. The characters are college juniors, doing things college kids do - like sleeping together on the first date. There is also profanity sprinkled throughout.
My only other criticism is that I would have liked to see Cat's metamorphosis unfold a little more at the end of the book. I don't feel like you can decide to love your body purely out of spite for someone else. That may be the catalyst, but the full level of insecurity wouldn't disappear that quickly IMO.
Otherwise, I really did enjoy reading the novel and it reminded me of the beauty in all women regardless of body shape. Plus, the steamy scenes were smoking hot. :) This book is appropriate for 17+ woman who enjoy romance novels, but also want some depth to their plots.Author Bio:
Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she's not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and
girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.
Links:Goodreads | Twitter | FacebookAnd now for the giveaway!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Fashion design major Cat Mitchell has a closet full of gorgeous clothes - and not a single thing fits. After two years of runway modeling for easy cash, an accident shattered her lower leg bone and her self-esteem in just one swift fall. Ten months of no exercise, prescription steroids, comfort eating and yoga pants meant returning to campus as a size twelve instead of her former size two. When her gorgeous long-time friend with benefits sees her for the first time after her accident and snubs her in front of all her friends, Cat’s self-image hits rock bottom. Her sorority sisters all insist that she looks gorgeous, but all Cat sees is the roll of her stomach when she sits down, or the dimpling at the back of her thighs that wasn't there last year. Cat’s therapist prescribes something radical to stop the downward spiral - nude modeling for a nearby college's human form drawing classes. When Cat faces her fears and bares it all for the class, she realizes that she's posing naked in front the most gorgeous, buffest guy she's ever seen in her life. He asks her out after the class, and after one steamy night together, Cat's absolutely smitten.Nate’s pretty close to perfect – he takes Cat rock climbing when he discovers that it makes her feel strong and becomes a great chef after he learns that the perfect pesto sauce makes her swoon. Cat starts to feel like her old self again - confident and beautiful - as long as Nate's around. Even when he discourages her from entering the Real Woman Project, a design competition for plus-sized apparel, she reasons that he's just trying to prevent old body image wounds from splitting wide open again. But when Cat goes home with Nate for Thanksgiving, she discovers something shocking from his recent past that proves that he hasn’t always been so encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. Cat has no idea what to think, but she does know one thing - this might destroy their relationship before it's even had a chance to get off the ground.
Before Cat can figure out whether the real Nate is the sensitive, adoring guy she fell in love with, or an undercover asshole, she'll have to finally feel comfortable in her own skin - even if it means leaving him forever.
My Review:It's hard for me to articulate how I feel about this book. It's an interesting blend of being a really important "issue" book about body image and new adult, full with graphic descriptions of sex. I must say that I've never read a contemporary "issue" book like this one and the message is SO important. As someone who hasn't (and sometimes still isn't) comfortable in her own skin, this book was very real, and often painful to read because I knew all too well what Cat was feeling and how self-conscious you can be even when others don't see you that way.
For any woman who's ever needed reassurance that she's beautiful no matter how her body looks, this is a great book. The problem, of course, is that the younger audience (teens) will miss this message because the book simply is not appropriate for them. The characters are college juniors, doing things college kids do - like sleeping together on the first date. There is also profanity sprinkled throughout.
My only other criticism is that I would have liked to see Cat's metamorphosis unfold a little more at the end of the book. I don't feel like you can decide to love your body purely out of spite for someone else. That may be the catalyst, but the full level of insecurity wouldn't disappear that quickly IMO.
Otherwise, I really did enjoy reading the novel and it reminded me of the beauty in all women regardless of body shape. Plus, the steamy scenes were smoking hot. :) This book is appropriate for 17+ woman who enjoy romance novels, but also want some depth to their plots.Author Bio:
Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she's not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and
girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.
Links:Goodreads | Twitter | FacebookAnd now for the giveaway!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Debut YA Birthday Celebrations ~ Spring Break Edition
Hello everyone and happy Spring! Here in Florida, our January was warmer than the week of Spring Break, so it's a bit disappointing. This weekend has been nothing but rain to the point that I had waves on my back porch. Sigh. If it were just me, I'd take advantage of the rain with lots of reading time, but my hubby and kids go stir crazy, so that's not good.
How's your spring break looking? Anyone have big fun plans?
Before you answer that in the comments (and I hope you do!), check out these two new debut YA authors whose books are taking the stage this week.
DEAR LIFE, YOU SUCK by Scott Blagden
“The shrinkadinks think I have a screw loose. Ain’t playing with a full deck. Whacked-out wiring. Missing marbles.”
Irreverent, foulmouthed seventeen-year-old Cricket is the oldest ward in a Catholic boys’ home in Maine—and his life sucks. With prospects for the future that range from professional fighter to professional drug dealer, he seems doomed to a life of “criminal rapscallinity.” In fact, things look so bleak that Cricket can’t help but wonder if his best option is one final cliff dive into the great unknown. But then Wynona Bidaban steps into his world, and Cricket slowly realizes that maybe, just maybe, life doesn’t totally suck.
IF YOU FIND ME by Emily Murdich
There are some things you can’t leave behind…
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.
Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.
How's your spring break looking? Anyone have big fun plans?
Before you answer that in the comments (and I hope you do!), check out these two new debut YA authors whose books are taking the stage this week.DEAR LIFE, YOU SUCK by Scott Blagden
“The shrinkadinks think I have a screw loose. Ain’t playing with a full deck. Whacked-out wiring. Missing marbles.” Irreverent, foulmouthed seventeen-year-old Cricket is the oldest ward in a Catholic boys’ home in Maine—and his life sucks. With prospects for the future that range from professional fighter to professional drug dealer, he seems doomed to a life of “criminal rapscallinity.” In fact, things look so bleak that Cricket can’t help but wonder if his best option is one final cliff dive into the great unknown. But then Wynona Bidaban steps into his world, and Cricket slowly realizes that maybe, just maybe, life doesn’t totally suck.
IF YOU FIND ME by Emily Murdich
There are some things you can’t leave behind…
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.
March 22, 2013
Cover Reveal ~ NO ATTACHMENTS by Tiffany King
Tiffany is just the sweetest author. I was lucky to meet her in Decatur last fall and was thrilled to learn that Florida gets to take credit for housing this talented author. Today, I'm excited to show you the cover for Tiffany's new NA novel, NO ATTACHMENTS, coming April 30th. Ready?
Ashton Garrison walked away from a privileged life in order to hide from the one thing she's not willing to face. She knows she left behind a trail of pain, but in the long run, her betrayal will hurt less than the truth. She now has one goal: Live life to the fullest with no regrets and no attachments. She has high hopes that a move to new surroundings will provide the escape she desires, but what Ashton doesn't count on is how fate always seems to find a way to screw up any good plan. Sometimes, when love comes knocking, the pull is too strong not to answer. Suddenly, what she thought she wanted to escape from is what Ashton now wants more than anything.Nathan Lockton has one mission: find his target and complete the task he was hired to do—no attachments and no emotion necessary. He's done it over and over again. What he thought was a typical lost-and-found job has turned into a life examining moment as Nathan is forced to deal with something he has always ignored--his feelings. Now faced with a decision, Nathan must choose to either follow his heart or complete the job.Love can come when you least expect it. The question is: If the odds are stacked against you, how far are you willing to go for the one you love?The lovely cover was done by Sarah Hansen from Okay Creations. Do you like it?ABOUT TIFFANY KING:
Tiffany King is the author of The Saving Angels Series, Wishing for Someday Soon, Forever Changed, Unlikely Allies, Miss Me Not and Jordyn: A Daemon Hunter Novel book one. Writer by day and book fanatic the rest of the time, she is now pursuing her life-long dream of weaving tales for others to enjoy.
She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.LINKS:Twitter- @AuthorTiffanyFacebook- Tiffany KingPintrest- Tiffany KingBlog- authortiffanyjking.blogspot.comGoodreads- Tiffany King
March 21, 2013
Train Thursdays - Mermaid
This is a weekly post I have been wanting to write for a LONG time. It's not talking about trains as in locomotives. It's talking about the band Train.
And no, I'm not that fan girl.
This is a post really examining the lyrics of Train songs. Why? Because they are bad. Just downright ... bad. The music is catchy and I'm still always hoping for a stroke of genius like they had when they launched with "Drops of Jupiter." The lyrics there were weird, but that seemed to be the point. It worked.
But as I've been listening recent lyrics, it makes me think about how, as writers, we have to be so careful not to just string words together that sound "pretty," but that also have some meaning beneath their surface. So, I'm going to be examining Train songs, one by one, for fun!! and maybe even to help my own craft as a writer. (Nah - this is really more about having fun.)
So, in the spirit of Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs (one of the funniest books EVER!!), I present the first edition of Jessie Harrell's Blog of Bad Train Songs.
Can’t swim so I took a boatTo an island so remoteOnly Johnny Depp has ever been to it before.(Pause: While I do like the Pirates of Caribbean pop culture reference here, wouldn't you have to take a boat to an island that remote anyway, whether or not you could swim?)Stayed there 'til the air was clear.(Clear of what? You're in the middle of nowhere.)I was bored and out of tears,Then I saw you washed up on the shore.(So now the mermaid can't swim too?)
I offered you my coat,Thank goddess (really?) love can float(good to know - apparently unconscious mermaids remain buoyant. At least, I presume she was unconscious in order to "wash up on the shore")Crazy how that shipwreck meant my ship was comin’ in.We talked 'til the sun went down.Love on the Puget Sound.(Okay -let's stop right there. Puget Sound is in Washington, near Vancover - nowhere near the Caribbean for those of you keeping track. It has been inhabited since 1833, meaning it is not "remote" - or even an island, actually, but an estuary.)My treasure map was on your skin.
CHORUSBeauty in the water,Angel on the beach.Ocean’s daughter.I thought love was out of reach'Til I got her.Had I known it could come trueI would have wished in ’92(At first I thought this was a totally clever reference to the movie Splash. Until I realized that the movie came out in '84. Disney's The Little Mermaid was out in '89. Some research reveals that Golden Films did release a direct to DVD animated version of The Little Mermaid in '92. Unless this is what they're referring to, it appears that the only significance '92 has is that it rhymes with "true" and "you")For a mermaid just like you, whoa,Just like you, whoa.
Sharks green with envy, they wonder what you see in me(Maybe we have entered an animated film, seeing as how fish now have feelings.)Funny but sometimes can’t help but wonder that as well(Based on the quality of your lyrics, we're all wondering at this point.)Now life is a holiday, making up for the years I paidThe way to this heavenly bay it went through hell
Rescued you by the banyan tree,All the girlfish in the sea(STOP! Girlfish? Is Pat Monahan letting his 10 year old nephew write the lyrics now?)Couldn't hold a candle to you,They don’t have a handle on you,They don’t have a scandal on youI love Ecco Sandals on you(Dude. This is truly LOL stupid. How does a mermaid - get that: mermaid, as in tail but no feet - get sandals on a remote island no one has ever been to?)Saving me was B-I-G,(I thought you saved her by the banyan tree?)All the boyfish in the sea(Seriously, girlfish wasn't enough?)They all wish that they could be me(I know I sure do. If I could make millions for writing this inane crap, I'd be a jazillionaire by now.)
Here's my takeaway from the song. It's about an animated children's movie in which a lost Caribbean treasure hunter finds himself stranded 1/2 way around the world in the Puget Sound with a mermaid who is swimming-challenged and likes to try on sandals despite her lack of feet. All the other mermaids are gossipy bitches or jealous jerks (as are the sharks). The hero and heroine fall in love on the first day they meet. Sound about right?
And there you have it, my first running commentary to Train lyrics. I hope you enjoyed this (and are not offended!) and will come back and join me next Thursday, as we deconstruct more god-awful Train lyrics.
And no, I'm not that fan girl.This is a post really examining the lyrics of Train songs. Why? Because they are bad. Just downright ... bad. The music is catchy and I'm still always hoping for a stroke of genius like they had when they launched with "Drops of Jupiter." The lyrics there were weird, but that seemed to be the point. It worked.
But as I've been listening recent lyrics, it makes me think about how, as writers, we have to be so careful not to just string words together that sound "pretty," but that also have some meaning beneath their surface. So, I'm going to be examining Train songs, one by one, for fun!! and maybe even to help my own craft as a writer. (Nah - this is really more about having fun.)
So, in the spirit of Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs (one of the funniest books EVER!!), I present the first edition of Jessie Harrell's Blog of Bad Train Songs.
Can’t swim so I took a boatTo an island so remoteOnly Johnny Depp has ever been to it before.(Pause: While I do like the Pirates of Caribbean pop culture reference here, wouldn't you have to take a boat to an island that remote anyway, whether or not you could swim?)Stayed there 'til the air was clear.(Clear of what? You're in the middle of nowhere.)I was bored and out of tears,Then I saw you washed up on the shore.(So now the mermaid can't swim too?)
I offered you my coat,Thank goddess (really?) love can float(good to know - apparently unconscious mermaids remain buoyant. At least, I presume she was unconscious in order to "wash up on the shore")Crazy how that shipwreck meant my ship was comin’ in.We talked 'til the sun went down.Love on the Puget Sound.(Okay -let's stop right there. Puget Sound is in Washington, near Vancover - nowhere near the Caribbean for those of you keeping track. It has been inhabited since 1833, meaning it is not "remote" - or even an island, actually, but an estuary.)My treasure map was on your skin.
CHORUSBeauty in the water,Angel on the beach.Ocean’s daughter.I thought love was out of reach'Til I got her.Had I known it could come trueI would have wished in ’92(At first I thought this was a totally clever reference to the movie Splash. Until I realized that the movie came out in '84. Disney's The Little Mermaid was out in '89. Some research reveals that Golden Films did release a direct to DVD animated version of The Little Mermaid in '92. Unless this is what they're referring to, it appears that the only significance '92 has is that it rhymes with "true" and "you")For a mermaid just like you, whoa,Just like you, whoa.
Sharks green with envy, they wonder what you see in me(Maybe we have entered an animated film, seeing as how fish now have feelings.)Funny but sometimes can’t help but wonder that as well(Based on the quality of your lyrics, we're all wondering at this point.)Now life is a holiday, making up for the years I paidThe way to this heavenly bay it went through hell
Rescued you by the banyan tree,All the girlfish in the sea(STOP! Girlfish? Is Pat Monahan letting his 10 year old nephew write the lyrics now?)Couldn't hold a candle to you,They don’t have a handle on you,They don’t have a scandal on youI love Ecco Sandals on you(Dude. This is truly LOL stupid. How does a mermaid - get that: mermaid, as in tail but no feet - get sandals on a remote island no one has ever been to?)Saving me was B-I-G,(I thought you saved her by the banyan tree?)All the boyfish in the sea(Seriously, girlfish wasn't enough?)They all wish that they could be me(I know I sure do. If I could make millions for writing this inane crap, I'd be a jazillionaire by now.)
Here's my takeaway from the song. It's about an animated children's movie in which a lost Caribbean treasure hunter finds himself stranded 1/2 way around the world in the Puget Sound with a mermaid who is swimming-challenged and likes to try on sandals despite her lack of feet. All the other mermaids are gossipy bitches or jealous jerks (as are the sharks). The hero and heroine fall in love on the first day they meet. Sound about right?
And there you have it, my first running commentary to Train lyrics. I hope you enjoyed this (and are not offended!) and will come back and join me next Thursday, as we deconstruct more god-awful Train lyrics.
March 19, 2013
Debut YA Book Birthdays
On deck for birthday celebrations this week are ...
The Art of Wishing by Lindsey Ribar
He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life.
Margo McKenna has a plan of attack for everything, from landing the lead in her high school musical to dealing with her increasingly absent parents. But when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the opportunity to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Especially since Oliver--not blue-skinned, not bottle-dwelling, but a genie nonetheless--can see more than what she's willing to show him. With one peek into her mind, he can see the wishes that even Margo herself doesn't know she wants.
But Oliver comes with more than just mind-reading abilities, a flair for magic, and the prettiest eyes Margo's ever seen. Someone from his past is hunting him--someone bent on killing him, along with all the other genies in the world, for the sake of honor. And as Margo soon discovers, it will take more than three wishes to save him.
A whole lot more.
Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
This isn't "technically" Liz's YA debut, since she has another Indie novel out there. But it appears to be largely un-read (at least based on Amazon reviews), so for all intents and purposes, Pretty Girl-13 will be Liz's introduction on the YA stage.
Pretty girl
13 when she
went missinglost
to her family
to her friends
to the worldfound
but still missing
her selfIn Liz Coley's alarming and fascinating psychological mystery, sixteen-year-old Angie Chapman must piece together the story of her kidnapping and abuse. Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing—and ultimately empowering—page-turner about accepting our whole selves, and the healing power of courage, hope, and love.
OCD, the Dude and Me by Lauren Roedy Vaughn
With frizzy orange hair, a plus-sized body, sarcastic demeanor, and "unique learning profile," Danielle Levine doesn't fit in even at her alternative high school. While navigating her doomed social life, she writes scathing, self-aware, and sometimes downright raunchy essays for English class. As a result of her unfiltered writing style, she is forced to see the school psychologist and enroll in a "social skills" class. But when she meets Daniel, another social misfit who is obsessed with the cult classic film The Big Lebowski, Danielle's resolve to keep everyone at arm's length starts to crumble.
Also, this released last week and I missed it. So in case you did too... here's
Brianna on the Brink by Nicole McInnes
Popularity didn't come easily for sixteen-year-old Brianna Taylor. She didn't wear the right clothes or come from the right family. In fact, she didn't come from any family at all, unless you counted Jolene, who just wasn't that much into being a mom. So when Brianna joins the cheerleading squad, she finds herself suddenly popular. But then a one-night stand has life altering consequences, and Brianna must accept help from the one person closest to her mistake.No longer in control, Brianna must reevaluate all that she thought was important and learn the true meaning of family.
Do any of these sound interesting to you? The genie book sounds right up my alley!!
The Art of Wishing by Lindsey Ribar
He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life.Margo McKenna has a plan of attack for everything, from landing the lead in her high school musical to dealing with her increasingly absent parents. But when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the opportunity to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Especially since Oliver--not blue-skinned, not bottle-dwelling, but a genie nonetheless--can see more than what she's willing to show him. With one peek into her mind, he can see the wishes that even Margo herself doesn't know she wants.
But Oliver comes with more than just mind-reading abilities, a flair for magic, and the prettiest eyes Margo's ever seen. Someone from his past is hunting him--someone bent on killing him, along with all the other genies in the world, for the sake of honor. And as Margo soon discovers, it will take more than three wishes to save him.
A whole lot more.
Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
This isn't "technically" Liz's YA debut, since she has another Indie novel out there. But it appears to be largely un-read (at least based on Amazon reviews), so for all intents and purposes, Pretty Girl-13 will be Liz's introduction on the YA stage.Pretty girl
13 when she
went missinglost
to her family
to her friends
to the worldfound
but still missing
her selfIn Liz Coley's alarming and fascinating psychological mystery, sixteen-year-old Angie Chapman must piece together the story of her kidnapping and abuse. Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing—and ultimately empowering—page-turner about accepting our whole selves, and the healing power of courage, hope, and love.
OCD, the Dude and Me by Lauren Roedy Vaughn
With frizzy orange hair, a plus-sized body, sarcastic demeanor, and "unique learning profile," Danielle Levine doesn't fit in even at her alternative high school. While navigating her doomed social life, she writes scathing, self-aware, and sometimes downright raunchy essays for English class. As a result of her unfiltered writing style, she is forced to see the school psychologist and enroll in a "social skills" class. But when she meets Daniel, another social misfit who is obsessed with the cult classic film The Big Lebowski, Danielle's resolve to keep everyone at arm's length starts to crumble. Also, this released last week and I missed it. So in case you did too... here's
Brianna on the Brink by Nicole McInnes
Popularity didn't come easily for sixteen-year-old Brianna Taylor. She didn't wear the right clothes or come from the right family. In fact, she didn't come from any family at all, unless you counted Jolene, who just wasn't that much into being a mom. So when Brianna joins the cheerleading squad, she finds herself suddenly popular. But then a one-night stand has life altering consequences, and Brianna must accept help from the one person closest to her mistake.No longer in control, Brianna must reevaluate all that she thought was important and learn the true meaning of family.Do any of these sound interesting to you? The genie book sounds right up my alley!!
March 17, 2013
REVIEW: Lovely, Dark and Deep
LOVELY, DARK AND DEEP by Amy McNamara
This is not the type of book I would normally pick up, but Simon & Schuster sent me a copy in hardback (probably because I was on the list to get a copy of Touching the Surface) and so I decided I'd give it a try. For what it is - a very dark, but ultimately hopeful story of a girl working her way through tragedy - it was flawless.
Mamie/Wren (she has sort of a dual identity) is holed up in her artist-father's house in Maine, basically trying to disappear after a horrific car crash. I won't give you the details because finding that out is part of the story.
Her parents want her to return to normal, but Wren feels like life is pointless. She makes no effort at the expense of those around her. Her only solace is running through the winter woods, and eventually she comes to enjoy her quiet job at the library. Being quiet is how Wren maintains her grip on sanity. When she finally starts to emerge from her funk, Wren realizes how terrible she's been to everyone around her, and feels worse again.
In the midst of it all is Cal. He's a few years older and is sitting out a semester of college because he has MS - the same disease that killed his mom. Despite Wren's terrible attitude, Cal is drawn to her because he understands her pain and her mix of feelings. We don't see romance here in the sense of stolen kisses or unbridled lust. What we do see is 2 broken people who want to be together but don't really know how.
The ending is wonderful in a not-perfect way. I cried many times reading this book. Not hard, just a tear here and there, but it was that powerful.
McNamara has an MFA in poetry, and so this story reads lyrically, almost like an unrhymed poem in paragraph form. Which for me was perfect, because I'm not a huge fan of poetry, but this was amazing. Here's an idea of the writing from a part in the book where Wren's mom has come into town and they're out to dinner.
"I look around the dining room. People seem to be ignoring us. Of course, she had to take me out. Said it that way. Had to.
I can't say anything she'll want to hear. I used to be good at it. Toed the line. But I can't pull it off anymore. There's no good answer. Nothing that will make her stop worrying. I've been living. That's the best I've got. Feels like a lot."
Check it out on Amazon or Goodreads. Or find Amy McNamara on her website.
