L.S. Murphy's Blog, page 25

Book Review: Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

Synopsis: When “Perfect” Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter’s High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher’s pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn’t want to talk about it. She’d just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there’s a nice guy falling in love with her and he’s making her feel things again when she’d really rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she’d turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

The First Line: “Imagine four years. Four years, two suicides, one death, one rape, two pregnancies (one abortion), three overdoses, countless drunken antics, pantsings, spilled food, theft, fights, broken limbs, turf wars – every day, a turf war – six months until graduation and no one gets a medal when they get out. But everything you do here counts. High school.” Okay, so this is more than the first line, but it gives such an overview of the character and her life that you can’t just stop after three little words. Immediately, I knew this was someone who had issues and had participated in one or more of the things listed. Granted the list seems to go on a bit long, but the synopsis of high school life is what matters here as much as Parker Fadley, our narrator.

The Good: This is one of the most intense books I’ve read in a long time. Right from the get go, Parker slaps you in the face with her intense wit and attitude. And she doesn’t back down until Jake comes along.

Parker does a lot of things that don’t make sense, yet in a way they do. Her relationship with Chris is one of the prime examples. It’s clear he cares deeply for her, and she acts like she doesn’t care, but she does let go either. She acts horrible to Becky who seems nice enough in the beginning. Parker does whatever she can to shoo Jake away, and he keeps coming back for more. Her reaction to relationships is a contradiction to what she shares as the narrator. Definitely one of the best characters I’ve read in a while.

The Bad: Parker is smart with a quick wit, but she tells people to “fuck off” quite a bit. The times she slams her friends with a well-placed one-liner are fabulous, so when she stoops to “fuck off,” it doesn’t fit. It felt more like language for language sake. For example, when Chris uses the phrase, it fits his character. When Parker uses it, it reads false.

Recommendation: Anyone who enjoys young adult novels should pick this up. Cracked Up to Be is smart, funny at times, and heartbreaking. Add it to your MUST READ list.

Tagged: 2012, book Review, Books, Family, Fiction, friends, Fun, High School, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Writing, YA, YA books, YA Contemporary, Young Adult, Young Adult Books, Young Adult Contemporary

Cover Reveal: Crossing Hathaway by Jocelyn Adams

Jocelyn Adams is back with Crossing Hathaway, a contemporary romance coming August 4, 2013 from Liquid Silver Books.

Check out this cover!

Synopsis: Thirtysomething Eva had a choice to make: shut her big mouth and work directly for Ben Hathaway—the übersexy, incredibly arrogant, reclusive owner of Hathaway Pharmaceuticals. Or tell him he’s an ass like she’s dying to do and get herself fired.

Giving up, though, would leave her penniless, land her back home with a father who hates her, and without the only job she’s ever loved.

Decision made, Eva opts for the lesser of two evils. So she thinks.

Ben keeps Eva on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week—tasked with activities that don’t fit her job description: like getting him coffee, staying for dinner, and more … personal requests. Despite having sworn off men, the chemistry between them lights fires she’s supposed to be putting out.

As it turns out, getting screwed by the boss takes on a whole new meaning. When word of their developing relationship leaks, both of Eva’s roles—reluctant girlfriend and IT genius—are subject to termination.

She was absolutely right when she thought getting involved with Ben was a bad idea, and now, balancing work and love may no longer even be an option. Saving Ben may require that Eva walk away. From everyone.

That, or, death may be the cause that parts them. Forever.

Isn’t that cover gorgeous?

Don’t forget to add Crossing Hathaway to your to-read pile!

You can find Jocelyn here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jocelyn-Adams/204748756204572

https://twitter.com/#!/JocelynAdams

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4828608.Jocelyn_Adams

Tagged: 2012, Books, Contemporary Romance, Cover Reveal, Fiction, Musings, Novels, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Writers, Writing

5 Questions with Kelley York

[image error]Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she still resides with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets. (Although she does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.) She has a fascination with bells, adores all things furry – be them squeaky, barky, or meow-y – is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to pretend she’s a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid.

Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers, paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. She loves stories where character development takes center stage.

Some of her favorite YA books include:

BROTHER/SISTER and KILLING BRITNEY by Sean Olin
THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH series by Carrie Ryan
FEED by MT Anderson
SHIVER series by Maggie Stiefvater
WARM BODIES by Isaac Marion
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Brian Farrey
INVINCIBLE SUMMER; ZOMBIE TAG; GONE, GONE, GONE by Hannah Moskowitz
A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness
IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma

As of January 2011, Kelley is a proud member of the Young Adult writers group blog,YAtopia, as well as For the Love of Contemporary. She is currently unagented. Her YA thriller, HUSHED, is now available via Entangled Publishing.

Visit her site:  http://www.kelley-york.com/

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1. Congrats on the publication of Hushed. What inspired you to write this story?

I’m a very character-driven writer. All of my story ideas start out as vague character sketches in my head. Something unique about a person. In the case of HUSHED, it was Archer and the idea I wanted to write a boy who killed people, but did it for—what he thought to be—the right reasons. Everything expanded from there.

2. How difficult was it to dip into Archer’s psyche?

Will you think I’m crazy if I say it was easy? I love, love, love writing ‘broken’ characters. I love the emotionally damaged ones, because there is so much you can do with them. There is so much room for growth—both good and bad. They are never, ever boring. Archer himself tries so hard to keep himself composed and controlled, but he’s a very emotionally-charged character. He’s exhausting to write, but he’s so much fun.

3. What’s next on the horizon?

Well…that’s kind of under wraps for the moment. Can I just say ‘good things’? I’m not quite ready to announce it just yet.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Keep writing. And write what you love. Don’t try to get in on trends or mold your story to fit what you think an agent/editor/whoever will like. It may be harder to sell, but the most brilliant books are the ones where you can just tell the author refused to let anyone tell them how to do it.

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

OH, YAY! I was hoping I’d get asked this one. The Beatles. All. The. Way. If you’ve seen my blog, you would know how much I adore them. If I had a time machine, first order of business would be to go back and see one of their early concerts.

Hushed is available now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

And check out my review here.

Tagged: 2012, Authors, book Review, Books, Fiction, Fun, High School, Interviews, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA books, YA Contemporary, Young Adult Books

Book Trailer: Surrender by Aimee Laine

Check out this awesome book trailer for Surrender by Aimee Laine.

Coming September 3, 2012

Synopsis: Face the past or look to the future? Both will hurt. One could kill her.

All her life, Lily Crane has suppressed her childhood memories, masking the signs of abuse with a variety of looks. From brunette to blonde, tall to short — as a Mimic, changing shape is her gift. Her right. Her achilles heel.

It’s Lily’s latest likeness, chosen simply by accident, which threatens to repeat a history she’s desperate to forget. Worse, she must do so without the one man who takes all her pain away: Cael Aldridge.

Cael has no intention of leaving Lily on her own. He never has. Now, with the woman he loves in the hands of a predator who wants Lily for her genetics, Cael will do everything he can to bring her home.

Alive.

He can only pray he isn’t too late.

Tagged: 2012, Aimee Laine, Authors, Book Trailers, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Paranormal Romance, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Shapeshifters, Videos, Writers, Writing

Book Review: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Synopsis: In this modern take on “Pride and Prejudice,” Elise Benton, who has just moved to California, is a junior at an exclusive prep school where, in spite of her initial bad impression, she finds herself attracted to the moody and handsome son of Hollywood’s most famous celebrity couple.

The First Line: “The front office wasn’t as crazy as you’d expect on the first day of school, which seemed to confirm Coral Tree Prep’s reputation as ‘a well-oiled machine.’” Right from the start we know that Elise (love the name) is in a completely different situation. Her voice is strong and makes you want to read on to learn more about her.

The Good: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of my favorite books. I honestly didn’t know that this was a retelling. It kept showing up on my “Amazon Recommends” list, and for $2.99, I figured I give it a try. It certainly couldn’t be worse than some of the free novels I’ve downloaded. But I digress.

The setting is great. By having the Benton family move into a new neighborhood instead of the Baldwins, LaZebnik adds a fresh twist to the story.

The Bentons resemble the Bennets so completely that I would sometime slip and call Elise Eliza.

The Bad: Cousin Diana could’ve been a more fully realized character. She didn’t really serve a purpose in the story other than to resemble Charlotte.

Recommendation: While I recommend reading  Pride and Prejudice first, this is a good complement to the story and a fun read.

Tagged: 2012, book Review, Books, Fiction, High School, Jane Austen, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Pride and Prejudice, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writing, YA books, Young Adult Books

5 Questions with Kerry Sparks

Kerry Sparks is an agent at Levine Greenberg Literary where she has worked since 2008. She is looking for Young Adult and Middle-Grade fiction, both commercial and literary, with the perfect combination of a great hook and solid writing. In addition to being an agent, Kerry is the co-author (with colleague Miek Bruno Coccia) of the upcoming book Hello, My Name Is Pabst: How to Find the Perfect Nonconformist Baby Name for Indie, Geeky, DIY, Hipster, and Alterna-Parents of Every Kind which will be published by Random House in October 2012.  Kerry grew up in Southern California and rural Oregon.

http://www.levinegreenberg.com/

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

1. How important is a platform for new and established authors in the 21st century?

Platform is certainly important for new and established authors but it depends on what type of book you are writing. If you are writing a business book or diet book, your platform will need to really back up your well-written book proposal. But if you are a debut fiction author, it’s really about what’s on the page. Not to say platform doesn’t matter at all for fiction (and of course it’s fabulous if you have 40k followers on Twitter!) but it’s certainly not the same as needing to have a platform for non-fiction. I have sold many debut authors who started with no platform at all and over time have really built up an audience.

2. You indicate that you’re interested in contemporary YA, quirky MG, and books with a strong cinematic element. What does the story need to win you over?

I really have to find the voice and characters compelling and I look for the book that I am so absorbed in that I miss my stop on the train. This has happened to me on several occasions! I do tend to be a visual person, so I love when I can already imagine the television or film version of the book. But it really is about finding that perfect combination of great hook and great character.

3. What is the most common mistake most authors make when pitching an agent at a conference?

I’ve found that a lot of authors have a hard time summarizing their story and positioning it in a way that quickly and memorably gets the main ideas of the book across. This, of course, is what agents should know how to do—but it helps if the author has an idea of the market they are writing for and knows how to clearly and confidently communicate that in a short pitch.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Having just said that authors should know how to pitch their work, I should add that it really only matters if you have great work to pitch. So I would advise authors to always work on your craft first. Get your book in the absolute best shape before you even pitch agents or start writing your query letter or worrying about the market. It’s true that it helps to be publishing business savvy as well, but first and foremost, the writing is your job. Even with all the changes in publishing trends, good content still wins and that’s what authors should be most concerned with.

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Beatles.

Tagged: 2012, Books, Fiction, High School, Interviews, Literary Agent, literary agent interviews, Literary Agents, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA books, Young Adult Books

Book Review: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Synopsis: Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it’s a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part,Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, is always ditching her to go pick a fight with the soccer team or to prank their locker room. And on three separate occasions Randy’s car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend’s attention.

Then Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all: She and the other players’ girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won’t get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don’t count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. But what Lissa never sees coming is her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys, Cash Sterling…

The First Line: “There is nothing more humiliating than being topless in the backseat of your boyfriend’s car when someone decides to throw an egg at the windshield.” Can you feel Lissa’s embarrassment? I love it. Not only are some of you nodding in agreement, you’re relating to the character right off the bat. It’s impossible to put down from the first line.

The Good: One of the best things about this book, and Keplinger’s other novel The DUFF, is the frank honesty about sex. The “sex strike” is realistic and the reaction of the girls is accurate. Listening to the banter between each girl through Lissa’s innocent eyes is refreshing. Sex is a taboo still for many people. Talking about it is just not done, even now.

Lissa is a fabulous character. She’s genuine and her neuroses are complex. I like that Keplinger didn’t delve too deeply into why Lissa is so OCD. Lissa already knows why and that adds to her character.

The Bad: I wish Chase’s character had been explored more in depth somehow. I would’ve liked to know why he didn’t date exactly.

Recommendation: Anyone who doesn’t think sex should be in YA books, won’t enjoy this, although I would recommend that they give it a try anyway. It really is worth it.

Tagged: 2012, Authors, book Review, Books, Fiction, Fun, High School, Interviews, Just for Fun, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA books, Young Adult Books

Reaper BOOKMARKS

Look at these beautiful bookmarks that came in the mail today. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Tagged: 2012, Bookmarks, Books, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, Photography, Photos, Reading, Reaper, Romance, Teens, Writers, Writing, YA, YA books, YA fantasy, YA Paranormal Romance, ya romance, YA urban fantasy, Young Adult Books

Cover Reveal: The Collector by Victoria Scott

Check out this GORGEOUS cover for The Collector by Victoria Scott. Sadly we have to wait until next year to read it, but you can stare at the cover for a while.

About The Collector

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have 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 deeply buried.

The Collector releases March 2013

About the Author

Victoria Scott is a YA writer with a die-hard affection for dark and humorous books. Her work is represented by the fabulous Laurie McLean of Larsen-Pomada literary agency. She has a master’s degree in marketing, and is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and Teen Shiver.

Her first YA book, THE COLLECTOR, will be published by Entangled Teen in 2013. And her short story, FOUR HOUSES, is available now through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

She currently lives in Dallas with her husband, Ryan.

Connect with Victoria:

Website     l     Twitter     l     Facebook

Add The Collector to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Cover Reveal, Fiction, Fun, Just for Fun, Musings, Opinion, Opinions, Paranormal Romance, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Romance, Teens, YA books, Young Adult Books

5 Questions with Nancy Stewart

Nancy is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children:  One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, Bella Saves the Beach and Mystery at Manatee Key. Her newest book, Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage, is the authorized biography of Katrina Simpkins. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing.

One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch.  Pelican has won the Literary Classics Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite Five Star Award and was nominated for a Global eBook Award.

Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writing conferences throughout the United States.  She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet.  A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to writing for children.

Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.

She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.

 

Now on to the FIVE QUESTIONS

 

1. How did you come to write Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage?

My husband and I bought a condo on Clearwater Beach, Florida four years ago.  One day I happened to see what looked like an aquarium situated on the Inter Coastal.   I visited  and found it to be Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a rescue and release sanctuary for marine animals.  It was there I “met” Winter, the tailless dolphin (now of Dolphin Tale Fame).  In watching the video on offer, I was mesmerized by a little girl, Katrina Simpkins, who must wear a prosthetic leg.  When she met Winter with her prosthetic tale, Katrina’s life changed forever.  I thought, “How wonderful and touching,” and left.

About a year later, I received a phone call from a woman named Maria Simpkins.  I couldn’t place the name but somehow knew I’d heard it.  It was, of course, Katrina’s mom asking me if I would write the biography of her daughter.  I was flabbergasted, as the request came out of the blue.  “Yes,” I said.  “I’d be delighted.”  And then I really began to think about it.  This was serious stuff.  It had to be done correctly and well.  It was a big task.  An important task.  It had to be the best I could do for Katrina.  The book quickly became personal to me and then became a labor of love.  Katrina will always be my hero.

2.  Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage is biographical. How different was it to write a biography as opposed to fiction?

I found it to be totally and challengingly different.  With fiction, the author can go anywhere and have their characters do anything, as long as it creates a reasonable story for the age group.  With biography, one is totally at the mercy of the incidents at hand.  By definition, it’s a bit more journalistic but must be told in as true a way as one can get to the subject. I did, in the end, go with narrative non-fiction, but it is the true story of Katrina and her relationship with Winter.  (I was fortunate to have spent a weekend with the Simpkins family and was able to take copious notes, record conversations and get to know them, particularly Katrina.)

3. What’s next on the horizon?

I’ve just completed a Middle Grade novel called Lost on the Skeleton Coast.  It’s a mystery set in the country of Namibia, next door to South Africa.  A brother and sister, Olivia and Andy, are on an archaeological dig with their Uncle Blake, the lead site archaeologist.  With diamond smugglers, kidnapping, an encounter with desert-adapted lions and the kids’ getting lost in the desert, I’m hoping it will be a delight to readers ready for a full-flung adventure!

4. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

This is a question near to my heart!  The first is to read the genre of your choice.  Go to the library, bookstore, online and get the books. Choose fine books.  Look at the Newbery winners, (Caldecott, if one is an illustrator).  Take notes as to what makes the book/s good.  Second, join a critique group.  One cannot and should not write in a vacuum!  Critiquing is part of the creative process and a necessary part.  Third, create a platform.  Unless you win the “book lottery,” and your book is immediately snagged by a top publisher, you have to work on a platform.  Create a web site, begin a blog, put yourself out there to guest post on other blogs, offer to do blog interviews, etc.  Little by little, a platform is created.  It takes time and perseverance, but there is no way to do it but just go through the process.  Fourth, do not let rejection paralyze you.  Being rejected is as much a part of this profession as the writing.  Embrace it, and learn from it and move on.  Never stop writing and rewriting.  You and your work will become stronger because of it!

5. Finally, Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Rolling Stones, always and every time.

 

 

 

 

Tagged: 2012, Authors, Books, Fun, Interviews, Just for Fun, Musings, Novels, Opinion, Opinions, ramblings, Random, Random Thoughts, Reading, Writers, Writing