Shannon Messenger's Blog, page 33
June 17, 2013
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: ONCE UPON THE END, by James Riley--and a giveaway!
Okay, I finally have an MMGM! And it's for a book I've been meaning to feature for weeks--the final book in a trilogy I've gushed about here before: ONCE UPON THE END, by James Riley. Check out the awesome cover:
Right??? And here's the official description from the publisher:
Will there be happily ever after? Don’t miss the fractured-fairy tale conclusion to the action-packed and humor-filled Half Upon a Time trilogy! Jack and May have gone their separate ways, and each is now set on course to fulfill their destiny…or are they? Nothing is ever quite as it seems in the world of fairy tales, and the two friends are in for some huge surprises as they prepare to battle the Wicked Queen once and for all. Knights, fairy godmothers, giants, and beanstalks—all of these and more fill the pages of the thrilling and hilarious conclusion to the Half Upon a Time trilogy!Which... doesn't actually tell us much about the book. But that's the thing about book 3s--it's impossible to talk about them without spoiling the rest of the series. So I'm going to take a note from the flap copy and keep this vague.
If you haven't read book 1 (HALF UPON A TIME) or book 2 (TWICE UPON A TIME) and you love hilarious fractured fairy tales, you NEED to read this series!!! (I've also gushed about them HERE and HERE). And if you HAVE read the first two, all I'll say is: you're going to love the end. I loved the first two in so so much, and yet somehow Riley managed to top himself in the third. I didn't think that would be possible, but I've never been happier to be proven wrong.
Which is why I'm giving away a copy. To enter, make sure you leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm on Sunday, June 23rd. I'll draw one random winner and post their name on Monday, June 24th. International entries welcome!
For more awesome middle grade love, check out these other MMGMs happening in the blogosphere:
- Roseanne Parry is in love with CALVIN COCONUT. Click HERE to see her review.
- Dorine White is highlighting BORIE ON THE MOVE. Click HERE to read more.
- Akossiwa Ketoglo is feeling THREE TIMES LUCKY. Click HERE to see why.
- Ruth Donnelly is gushing about mermaid books for her MMGM. Click HERE to see what they are.
- Michelle Mason is cheering for IN A GLASS GRIMLY. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Temre Beltz is spreading the word about THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE. Click HERE to see why.
- Brooke Favero is rooting for CHASE TINKER AND THE HOUSE OF MAGIC--with an author interview and an ebook GIVEAWAY! Click HERE for details.
- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends BILLIONAIRE BOY. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Michelle Isenhoff is feeling the magic of THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW. Click HERE to see her review.
- Laurisa White Reyes has a huge swag GIVEAWAY going on. Click HERE for all the details.
- Rosi Hollinbeck is highlighting GREENHORN--with a GIVEAWAY. Click HERE to enter and see her review.
- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.
- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time!
- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week.
- Deb Marshall is an MMGM regular. Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
June 10, 2013
MMGM Links (6/10/13)
Gah--I really wanted to have an MMGM for you guys this week. But alas, my brain is still recovering from my trip up to San Francisco (which was AWESOME, btw. Such amazing bookstores!) so I'm going to have to bail on you guys one more time. Hopefully next week! And in the meantime, the links:
- Mark Baker is taken with THE WIG IN THE WINDOW. Click HERE to see his review.
- Eleven year old Xander is raving about --eep--LET THE SKY FALL and why he thinks it's not just for YA readers (and there's an author interview, too!). He also has a ton of reviews from the 48 hour book challenge. So make sure you click HERE for all of that fun.
- Gina Carey is featuring the 5 BEA Middle Grade Buzz books. Click HERE to see what they are.
- Barbara Watson is gushing about EVERY DAY AFTER--with a giveaway! Click HERE for details.
- Michelle Mason is cheering for MY VERY UNFAIRY TALE LIFE. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Dorine White is caught up in SHADOW CHASER. Click HERE to read more.
- Joni Patterson has chills for DOLL BONES. Click HERE for her review.
- Rebecca Behrens is also gushing about EVERY DAY AFTER. Click HERE for her thoughts.
- Temre Beltz is highlighting REMARKABLE. Click HERE to see her feature.
- Susan Olson is showcasing COUNTERCLOCKWISE. Click HERE to see what she thinks.
- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends SCHOOL OF FEAR. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Maria Selke is raving about THE BARFTASTIC LIFE OF LOUIE BURGER. Click HERE for her review.
- Deb Marshall is an MMGM regular. Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week.
- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.
- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time!
- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
June 4, 2013
Where's Shannon: The San Francisco Edition!
Yes--that's right. I'm traveling again! (frequent flyer miles here I come!)
It's a quick hop this time, just up to San Francisco for the weekend. And while I'm there I have two awesome events (and that's not me, bragging. When you see who I'm signing with you'll be like "duuuuuuuuuuuuude--that's AWESOME!" It's going to be impossible not to fangirl the whole time!)
Here's all the deets:
It's a quick hop this time, just up to San Francisco for the weekend. And while I'm there I have two awesome events (and that's not me, bragging. When you see who I'm signing with you'll be like "duuuuuuuuuuuuude--that's AWESOME!" It's going to be impossible not to fangirl the whole time!)
Here's all the deets:
Dive into a YA Summer!
Thursday, June 6th 7pm
Kepler's Books and Magazines
1010 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 324-4321
Join me, Debra Driza, SJ Kincaid, Stephanie Kuehn, and Kirsten Hubbard for a whole bunch of ramblings and craziness--plus candy. And hey--books. We'll sign books! Stephanie will even have EARLY copies of her book on sale. How can you pass that up? More event info is HERE.
Super Summer Sampler YA Pizza Party
Friday, June 7th, 7pm
Copperfields Books Petaluma
140 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, CA
707 762-0563
Celebrate the start of summer with me, Marissa Meyer, Suzanne Winnacker, Debra Driza, Daisy Whitney, SJ Kincaid and Melissa Buell. Plus pizza!!!! For more event details, go HERE.
If you live in Northern California, I hope to see you there!!!
June 3, 2013
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: I HEART BAND, by Michelle Schusterman
WOO HOO--I was actually organized enough to put together an MMGM for you guys!
Today I have day one of the cover reveal for Michelle Schusterman's I HEART BAND!, a new MG series about the thrills and spills, crushes and crises of middle school band geeks.
You'll want to make sure you catch the illustrator reveal this Wednesday on Claire LeGrand's blog, and the cover reveal Thursday on KidLit Network! But today we're kicking off the week with an interview with Mallory Grigg, Designer at Penguin's Grosset & Dunlap imprint.
Hope you guys enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Can you tell us a little bit about what your job as Designer at Grosset & Dunlap entails
As a graphic designer, most of my time at work is spent in front of a computer. I work with a slew of people (primarily my art director, the editorial staff, managing ed, the production department, and loads of talented illustrators) to help bring the author's story to life. Over the course of a year I'll work on about 30 books, from emerging readers up until middle-grade series. There's a decent amount of paperwork—processing contracts and invoices, and lots of time building the books (and checking for typos) in Adobe's Creative Suite. Essentially it's my job to stitch the different parts of the book together—the narrative, the art, the format and special effects—and then send it all to print.
2. What's the process like for designing covers for a series? What do you consider to be the most important elements when it comes to middle grade covers?
Once a manuscript has been written, the editor (Jordan), art director (Giuseppe) and I sit and chat about cover concepts and illustrators we're interested in hiring. After we've narrowed down our options we ask illustrators to create a sample cover based on the concepts we've developed. If everything goes smoothly, we all fall in love with one over the others and hit the ground running. Our main goal is to capture the essence of the book in a single image. Most middle-grade books are written in series form, so we're focused on finding a cover concept that "has legs". It needs to be strong enough to live through several different books so that each book looks different from the others, but it's important that they look like they belong to the same series.
3. How did you and the team at Grosset come up with the idea for the cover of I HEART BAND?
Well, things aren't always smooth sailing, and I HEART BAND was a bit of a roller coaster ride. We considered dozens of artists over the course of about 8 months. This series has so many things that we want to convey: it's fun, sweet, nerdy, playful, and wonderfully feminine. We ended up with a lovely illustrator who was first mentioned in our second round of cover concept meetings, and she was hired after our fourth. With so many great things to highlight in the books, we chose a concept that shows a series of vignettes on the cover—a French horn, music notes, Holly, lockers, sheet music, doodles, etc—each one hinting at what you'll find inside.
4. How do you go about finding an illustrator? Do they work in-house, do they apply, or do you seek out freelancers?
We look everywhere for illustrators. It's pretty rare for one of us to create the artwork for our own covers—we just don't have that kind of time. But we take a lot of pride in scouring our resources to hire the best illustrator for the job. Sometimes artists will mail us directly, sometimes we find them online, sometimes a representative will get in touch, or I'll serendipitously meet a connection on the street. There's nothing we love more than finding a talented artist that's a perfect fit for one of our stories.
5. Writers typically go through quite a few drafts on a book. Is it common to go through several drafts for covers as well?
Absolutely. There are a lot of people that have to sign off on a cover design: the editor, the art director, the editor-at-large, the publisher, even our sales team and the buyers have a say. We also do our very best to make sure the author is happy with the covers we produce. Thankfully we have a smart team and everyone contributes a unique point of view and a great deal of expertise to the process. It's never easy, but it's an incredible amount of fun and ultimately I believe our books end up being read and enjoyed by the best possible audience.
Thanks so much, Mallory! And a huge thank you to Shannon for hosting Day One of the cover reveal!
Michelle Schusterman is a former band director and forever band geek, starting back in the sixth grade when she first picked up a pair of drumsticks. Now she writes books, screenplays, and music in New York City, where she lives with her husband (and band mate) and their chocolate lab (who is more of a vocalist). Her debut series, I HEART BAND!, will be released on January 9th, 2014, including both the first and second books (FRIENDS, FUGUES, AND FORTUNES COOKIES).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
Today I have day one of the cover reveal for Michelle Schusterman's I HEART BAND!, a new MG series about the thrills and spills, crushes and crises of middle school band geeks.
You'll want to make sure you catch the illustrator reveal this Wednesday on Claire LeGrand's blog, and the cover reveal Thursday on KidLit Network! But today we're kicking off the week with an interview with Mallory Grigg, Designer at Penguin's Grosset & Dunlap imprint.
Hope you guys enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Can you tell us a little bit about what your job as Designer at Grosset & Dunlap entails
As a graphic designer, most of my time at work is spent in front of a computer. I work with a slew of people (primarily my art director, the editorial staff, managing ed, the production department, and loads of talented illustrators) to help bring the author's story to life. Over the course of a year I'll work on about 30 books, from emerging readers up until middle-grade series. There's a decent amount of paperwork—processing contracts and invoices, and lots of time building the books (and checking for typos) in Adobe's Creative Suite. Essentially it's my job to stitch the different parts of the book together—the narrative, the art, the format and special effects—and then send it all to print.
2. What's the process like for designing covers for a series? What do you consider to be the most important elements when it comes to middle grade covers?
Once a manuscript has been written, the editor (Jordan), art director (Giuseppe) and I sit and chat about cover concepts and illustrators we're interested in hiring. After we've narrowed down our options we ask illustrators to create a sample cover based on the concepts we've developed. If everything goes smoothly, we all fall in love with one over the others and hit the ground running. Our main goal is to capture the essence of the book in a single image. Most middle-grade books are written in series form, so we're focused on finding a cover concept that "has legs". It needs to be strong enough to live through several different books so that each book looks different from the others, but it's important that they look like they belong to the same series.
3. How did you and the team at Grosset come up with the idea for the cover of I HEART BAND?
Well, things aren't always smooth sailing, and I HEART BAND was a bit of a roller coaster ride. We considered dozens of artists over the course of about 8 months. This series has so many things that we want to convey: it's fun, sweet, nerdy, playful, and wonderfully feminine. We ended up with a lovely illustrator who was first mentioned in our second round of cover concept meetings, and she was hired after our fourth. With so many great things to highlight in the books, we chose a concept that shows a series of vignettes on the cover—a French horn, music notes, Holly, lockers, sheet music, doodles, etc—each one hinting at what you'll find inside.
4. How do you go about finding an illustrator? Do they work in-house, do they apply, or do you seek out freelancers?
We look everywhere for illustrators. It's pretty rare for one of us to create the artwork for our own covers—we just don't have that kind of time. But we take a lot of pride in scouring our resources to hire the best illustrator for the job. Sometimes artists will mail us directly, sometimes we find them online, sometimes a representative will get in touch, or I'll serendipitously meet a connection on the street. There's nothing we love more than finding a talented artist that's a perfect fit for one of our stories.
5. Writers typically go through quite a few drafts on a book. Is it common to go through several drafts for covers as well?
Absolutely. There are a lot of people that have to sign off on a cover design: the editor, the art director, the editor-at-large, the publisher, even our sales team and the buyers have a say. We also do our very best to make sure the author is happy with the covers we produce. Thankfully we have a smart team and everyone contributes a unique point of view and a great deal of expertise to the process. It's never easy, but it's an incredible amount of fun and ultimately I believe our books end up being read and enjoyed by the best possible audience.
Thanks so much, Mallory! And a huge thank you to Shannon for hosting Day One of the cover reveal!
Michelle Schusterman is a former band director and forever band geek, starting back in the sixth grade when she first picked up a pair of drumsticks. Now she writes books, screenplays, and music in New York City, where she lives with her husband (and band mate) and their chocolate lab (who is more of a vocalist). Her debut series, I HEART BAND!, will be released on January 9th, 2014, including both the first and second books (FRIENDS, FUGUES, AND FORTUNES COOKIES).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Roseanne Parry is gushing about MY FATHER'S DRAGON. Click HERE to see why it was one of her childhood favorites.
- Natalie Aguirre is interviewing author Merrie Haskell and giving away an ARC of HANDBOOK FOR DRAGONSLAYERS. Click HERE for details.
- Maria Selke has a double feature this week with RUMP: The True Story of Rumplestiltskin, and THE KEY AND THE FLAME. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Sheri Larsen is raving about MAGEFABLE--with a giveaway! Click HERE for all the fun.
- Dorine White has a guest post from author JS Kapchinske. Click HERE to read more.
- Michelle Mason has all kinds of fun going on related to WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Sue Heavenrich is cheering for AFTER ELI. Click HERE for her review.
- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends THE AVIARY. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Xander is raving about CLONEWOOD CHRONICLES. Click HERE to see what he thought.
- Mark Baker is highlighting BELLY UP. Click HERE to see his review.
- Karen Yingling is spreading some love for OTIS DOODA. She's also got some info about her 48 hour book challenge. Click HERE to learn more.
- Rosi Hollinbeck is featuring BELOW, with a giveaway of BELOW and DEAD RIVER. Click HERE for details.
- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.
- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week.
- Deb Marshall is an MMGM regular. Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
May 30, 2013
The Bookanistas Epic Relaunch of Awesome--with a giveaway!
As May draws to a close, we're celebrating the start of summer and another great beginning: THE RELAUNCH OF THE BOOKANISTAS! New members, new logo, new website design and a whole lot more of the book love we all adore!
I've been a Bookanista since the beginning, through all the growth and changes and celebrations. I'm not as active as I used to be (stupid deadlines... *sigh*), but I'm honored to still be a part of such an amazing group . If you haven't tracked down and cyberstalked our other members you need to. This is one amazing group of writers.
To celebrate the relaunch we've put together an awesome collection of prizes--but before I get to that, I have a little book love for you (since it wouldn't be a Bookanista post without a little book love, right?). And since I'm behind on my reading AGAIN, I'm going to talk about two books I'm hoping to read soon because they sound ah-maze-ing!
THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE, by Jennifer E. Smith
If fate sent you an email, would you answer?
When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.
Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?
**I bought this book weeks ago and it's been staring at me from my TBR pile ever since. Must. Make. Time.
WILD AWAKE, by Hilary T. Smith
Things you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:
1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.
Things that actually happen:
1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.
Both exhilarating and wrenching, Hilary T. Smith’s debut novel captures the messy glory of being alive, as seventeen-year-old Kiri Byrd discovers love, loss, chaos, and murder woven into a summer of music, madness, piercing heartbreak, and intoxicating joy.
**How amazing is that description? I've been waiting all year for this book to release and now it's FINALLY happened (just released on 5/28). SO excited to finally get my hands on a copy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And, don't forget the prizes!
THE WINNER OF THE BOOKANISTA RELAUNCH GIVEAWAY OF AWESOME WILL RECEIVE
Signed copies of these Bookanista-authored books…
IF I LIE and TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson PLUS ARCs of JUST ONE DAY and SPEECHLESS
LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger
BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart
POSSESSION, SURRENDER and ABANDON by Elana Johnson
TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (plus a swag surprise)
BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris
AUDITION by Stasia Ward Kehoe
THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca (plus sweet swag)
MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
LEVEL 2 by Lenore Appelhans
AND A SECOND WINNER WILL GET A BOX FILLED WITH Bookanista-beloved reads including WILL GRAYSON WILL GRAYSON (signed!) by John Green & David Levithan, DITCHED by Robin Mellom, JELLICO ROAD by Melina Marchetta, TAKEN by Erin Bowman, CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare, MONSTROUS BEAUTY by Elizabeth Fama and SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor.
RAFFLECOPTER CODE: a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can find lots more Bookanista Relaunch Book Love at our sites around the interwebs: Carolina Valdez Miller, Carrie Harris, Christine Fonseca, Corrine Jackson, Debra Driza, Elana Johson, Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Kimberly Sabatini, Lenore Appelhans, Nikki Katz, Rebecca Behrens, Shannon Messenger , Shelli Johannes-Wells, Stasia Ward Kehoe, Tracey Neithercott , Tracy Banghart
I've been a Bookanista since the beginning, through all the growth and changes and celebrations. I'm not as active as I used to be (stupid deadlines... *sigh*), but I'm honored to still be a part of such an amazing group . If you haven't tracked down and cyberstalked our other members you need to. This is one amazing group of writers.
To celebrate the relaunch we've put together an awesome collection of prizes--but before I get to that, I have a little book love for you (since it wouldn't be a Bookanista post without a little book love, right?). And since I'm behind on my reading AGAIN, I'm going to talk about two books I'm hoping to read soon because they sound ah-maze-ing!
THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE, by Jennifer E. Smith
If fate sent you an email, would you answer?
When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.
Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?
**I bought this book weeks ago and it's been staring at me from my TBR pile ever since. Must. Make. Time.
WILD AWAKE, by Hilary T. SmithThings you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:
1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.
Things that actually happen:
1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.
Both exhilarating and wrenching, Hilary T. Smith’s debut novel captures the messy glory of being alive, as seventeen-year-old Kiri Byrd discovers love, loss, chaos, and murder woven into a summer of music, madness, piercing heartbreak, and intoxicating joy.
**How amazing is that description? I've been waiting all year for this book to release and now it's FINALLY happened (just released on 5/28). SO excited to finally get my hands on a copy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And, don't forget the prizes!
THE WINNER OF THE BOOKANISTA RELAUNCH GIVEAWAY OF AWESOME WILL RECEIVE
Signed copies of these Bookanista-authored books…
IF I LIE and TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson PLUS ARCs of JUST ONE DAY and SPEECHLESS
LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger
BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart
POSSESSION, SURRENDER and ABANDON by Elana Johnson
TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (plus a swag surprise)
BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris
AUDITION by Stasia Ward Kehoe
THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca (plus sweet swag)
MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
LEVEL 2 by Lenore Appelhans
AND A SECOND WINNER WILL GET A BOX FILLED WITH Bookanista-beloved reads including WILL GRAYSON WILL GRAYSON (signed!) by John Green & David Levithan, DITCHED by Robin Mellom, JELLICO ROAD by Melina Marchetta, TAKEN by Erin Bowman, CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare, MONSTROUS BEAUTY by Elizabeth Fama and SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor.
RAFFLECOPTER CODE: a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can find lots more Bookanista Relaunch Book Love at our sites around the interwebs: Carolina Valdez Miller, Carrie Harris, Christine Fonseca, Corrine Jackson, Debra Driza, Elana Johson, Jessica Love, Katy Upperman, Kimberly Sabatini, Lenore Appelhans, Nikki Katz, Rebecca Behrens, Shannon Messenger , Shelli Johannes-Wells, Stasia Ward Kehoe, Tracey Neithercott , Tracy Banghart
May 27, 2013
MMGM Links (5/27/13)
After 13 very awesome, VERY exhausting days, I am FINALLY on my way home from tour today (I might even be flying as you read this--hooray!). It was amazing and surreal and so freaking cool and I'm not sure I've ever been this tired and I can't wait to be home in my own bed and maybe never ever get up again. So I'm going to take a stab at the MMGM links, but apologies in advance if they're a mess:
- Mark Baker is spotlighting ONCE UPON THE END. Click HERE to see his review.
- Xander is raving about SCARLET. Click HERE to see why he thinks it works for middle grade readers too!
- Dorine White is struck by THE NOTEBOOK OF DOOM. Click HERE to read more
- Laurisa White Reyes is part of THE EMERALD RING blog tour. Click HERE for details.
- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends LIAR AND SPY. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Jennifer Rumberger is sharing THE FOURTH STALL, Part II. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Andrea Mack is spreading the love for SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT. Click HERE for her review.
- Barbara Watson has chills for THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE--with a GIVEAWAY! Click HERE for details.
- Michelle Mason is cheering for THE HERO'S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.
- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time!
- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week.
- Deb Marshall is an MMGM regular. Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
May 20, 2013
MMGM Links (5/20/13)
Okay, it's 1am in Seattle and I've done 6 events in 6 days and been on two planes and in 3 hotels and in a few hours I'll be doing another event on the S&S Summer Lovin' Tour (side note: if you're near Seattle--come see me! University Bookstore, 7pm!) So obviously I have no MMGM. And I'm not sure my brain is up to preparing the links but I'm going to try--apologies in advance if I miss someone or mess something up
Here we go:*
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
Here we go:*
- Roseanne Perry joins the MMGM with her first feature! Click HERE to see what book she's talking about and welcome her to the group.
- Shari Larson is sharing her thoughts on THE CIRCLE. Click HERE for her review.
- Joni Patterson is back, spreading the love for FABLEHAVEN. Click HERE to see why.
- Michelle Mason is cheering for RUMP. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Susan Olson has a special list for you: TOYS COME ALIVE TME TRAVEL BOOKS. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Jennifer Rumberger is featuring NEW LANDS--with a GIVEAWAY of Deadweather & Sunrise. Click HERE for details.
- Sue Heavenrich is investigating OPERATION OLEANDER. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Laurisa White Reyes is giving away the 10th Anniversary Edition of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. Click HERE for details.
- Xander is interviewing author Shana Burg. Click HERE for all the fun!
- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends THE LOST TREASURE OF TUCKERMUCH. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Michael Gettel-Gilmarten is interviewing author Michaela MacColl. Click HERE to see what she says. (and there's a GIVEAWAY)
- Mark Baker is spotlighting SPY CAMP. Click HERE to see his review.
- Dorine White is interviewing author Jessica Day George. Click HERE to read more
- Rosi Hollinbeck has two giveaways: Dear America: Diary of Minnie Bonner, A City Tossed and Broken and That Time I Joined the Circus. Click HERE for details.
- Deb Marshall is an MMGM regular. Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week.
- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.
- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time!
- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
May 14, 2013
Get ready for some Summer Lovin'!!!
Wow--I can't believe I leave for tour tomorrow! (And I can't believe how many things I have to do before I go--MEEP)
If you're in LA, San Francisco, Seattle, or Phoenix, here's all the awesome times and places that you can find me--along with Kimberly Derting, Morgan Matson, Jessi Kirby, Sarah Ockler, and Suzanne Young (I cannot believe how many cool names are in that sentence):
And we'll be giving out exclusive swag signed by all of us to everyone who comes:
(plus there will be ramblings and shenanigans and all kinds of other hilarity you won't want to miss out on)
Hope to see some of you there!
And btw, I have LOTS of travel coming up over the next few months, so if you haven't already, make sure you check my appearances page. (I'll also be adding a few more things to it in the coming weeks, once I get final confirmation, so keep an eye out for that!)
Okay, I think that's everything. Now, BACK TO PACKING!!!
If you're in LA, San Francisco, Seattle, or Phoenix, here's all the awesome times and places that you can find me--along with Kimberly Derting, Morgan Matson, Jessi Kirby, Sarah Ockler, and Suzanne Young (I cannot believe how many cool names are in that sentence):
And we'll be giving out exclusive swag signed by all of us to everyone who comes:
(plus there will be ramblings and shenanigans and all kinds of other hilarity you won't want to miss out on)
Hope to see some of you there!
And btw, I have LOTS of travel coming up over the next few months, so if you haven't already, make sure you check my appearances page. (I'll also be adding a few more things to it in the coming weeks, once I get final confirmation, so keep an eye out for that!)
Okay, I think that's everything. Now, BACK TO PACKING!!!
May 13, 2013
MMGM Links (5/13/13)
I leave for the S&S Summer Lovin' tour on Wednesday, and I have about 1, 432, 763 things to do before I go. So alas, still no MMGM. But I do have the links ready to go. (And warning: I have NO idea what my internet / schedule is going to be like for the next two Mondays while I'm on tour. So it's *possible* I won't be able to put links together. But I'll TRY)
Here are today's:*
- Natalie Aguirre is interviewing author Kelley Armstrong and giving away a copy of LOKI'S WOLVES. Click HERE for all the fun.
- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Michelle Mason is cheering for PLASTIC POLLY. Click HERE for her review.
- Sue Heavenrich is captivated by THE UNIVERSE OF FAIR. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Gina Carey is singing praises for INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN. Click HERE to read her review.
- Barbara Watson is highlighting the classic MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Mark Baker is spotlighting ALCATRAZ VS. THE SHATTERED LENS. Click HERE to see his review.
- Michelle Isenhoff is spreading the love for THE SILVER CHAIR. Click HERE to see why she loves this classic.
- Xander is rooting for MILA 2.0. Click HERE to see why he thinks it's not just for YA Readers.
- Susan Olson is raving about THE SILVER TREE. Click HERE for her review.
- Laurisa White Reyes is featuring THE SCORCH TRIALS--with a GIVEAWAY. Click HERE for details
- Rosi Hollinbeck is championing NEW LANDS--with a GIVEAWAY! Click HERE for details.
- Michael Gettel-Gilmarten is making sure you all REMEMBER DIPPY. Click HERE to see why.
- Chelanne Green is caught up in NAVIGATING EARLY. Click HERE for her review
- Annie McMahon is soaring for THE BOY WHO FLEW WITH EAGLES. Click HERE to see what she thought.
- Dorine White has an introduction to THE EMERALD RING blog tour. Click HERE to see what that's all about.
- Deb Marshall is an MMGM regular. Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week.
- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week.
- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!
- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week!
- Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time!
- Pam Torres always has an MMGM up on her blog. Click HERE to see what she's spotlighting this week.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count--but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you're featuring and a link to your blog at SWMessenger (at) hotmail (dot) com. (Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so I see it)
NOTE: I used to not have a cut-off time for adding links to the post, but with how insane my schedule is right now, if you don't email me by Sunday evening (usually around 11pm PST is when I put the links together) I can't guarantee I'll have a chance to add you. BUT, you are welcome to add your link in the comments on this post so people can find you!
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen posts ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me ahead of time
May 9, 2013
Bookanista Feature: EXLUSIVE INSOMNIA Excerpt, by JR Johansson--and a GIVEAWAY!
YAY--I am SO excited for what I get to share with you guys today. INSOMNIA, by JR Johansson is one of the books I'm SUPER desperate to read, and since it doesn't come out until June 8th (*impatient sigh*), I'm SO happy to get to share an exclusive excerpt.
But before we get to that, here's a little bit about the book. First: THE AWESOMELY CREEPTASTIC COVER:
And the description from the publisher:
And these awesome blurbs:
AHHHH--HOW COOL DOES THAT SOUND?????
*glares at calendar, wishing it were June 8th*
Thank goodness I have the exclusive excerpt to tide us all over--along with a quick intro from the author. You guys ready for it???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This excerpt is one of the lighter scenes from a few chapters in. Parker is with his best friend, Finn, Mia, and Finn’s sister, Addie. They’re setting up for a soccer team meeting on the stage in the high school auditorium. It should give you a nice taste for the characters and the way they interact with each other. Enjoy!
Finn took off his coat and threw it at to the back wall. His shirt said, Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies. I smiled as he grabbed a stack of chairs and started setting them out in a row behind mine.
“You see who just walked in?”
I turned to the stairs Finn indicated. Thor, a monster fullback from the soccer team, was standing on the top step, nodding while Jeff spoke. I’d intentionally avoided Thor’s dreams. From the way he behaved, I was pretty sure they involved cutting people into bite-sized pieces.
“Perfect.” I watched Thor’s massive shoulders as he followed Jeff across the front of the stage. “Tell me why he picked soccer again?”
Finn frowned. “I’m amazed they let him on the team, after his stunt last year.”
“No kidding.” I shook my head and grabbed another stack of chairs. “Apparently when you’re huge and fast, it doesn’t matter if you break your teammate’s leg your first time on the field.”
“Good thing Jeff volunteered to teach him the rules.” Finn pulled another chair off his stack and set it down a little harder than he intended. “He really wasn’t getting the whole non-contact-sport part.”
Thor’s baseline emotional state seemed to be pure fury. It had really bothered me at first, especially since at his monstrous 6’5”, he was six inches taller than me and built like a brick wall. But I’d gotten used to it. From his attitude and the dark pit stains on his shirt, I guessed God had given him a serious overdose in the testosterone department.
Addie walked up with Mia as Finn slammed another chair down. “Easy there. The chairs don’t work as well when you break them in half.”
Finn jerked his head toward Thor’s back. “We’re taking bets on whose leg he’ll break this year. You in?”
Addie laughed, but then crossed her arms over her chest. “You wouldn’t think it was so funny if it turned out to be you.” She shook her head and lowered her voice. “Liv Campbell was crying in the girl’s bathroom the other day—I swear I heard her say his name.”
“What do you mean?” Finn turned to face her. “Why would she be upset about Thor?”
“Maybe he scared her?” Addie shrugged. “I didn’t hear much, but she was really upset.”
“See what I mean? Girls make no sense.” Finn shook his head. “Liv is hot, but if she’s interested in Thor, she deserves a special kind of padded room.”
I saw Mia flinch, but then she laughed it off. “And you’re an expert?”
“Yes.” Finn looked at her for a second and then tilted his head to one side. “Aren’t you?”
Mia smiled. “Do either of you even talk to him, or do you just hate him because he’s bigger than you?”I leaned over to grab another stack of chairs. “Because he’s bigger than us. Besides, talking to him would require him to learn English.”
Finn stood with his legs spread wide and an exaggerated look of anger plastered on his face. “Thor no need English. Thor God of Thunder!” He beat his chest with his fists.
As if on cue, thunder rumbled outside. The walls shook and both girls laughed.
I raised my eyebrows and pulled the last chair off the stack. “Nice.”
“Thank you very much.” He bowed with a grin. “I’ll be here all week.”
Mia took a seat and I sat down beside her. Addie stood in front of us with a surprised expression, then sat down on the other side of Mia.
“So, where did you live before this?” I asked.
Mia looked at the floor for a few seconds, her face hard to read. “Somewhere else.”I laughed. “At least you didn’t lie this time.”
Finn leaned down and whispered, “She’s a foster kid, dude. Maybe she doesn’t want to talk about where she came from.”
I winced and nodded—total idiot.
Lowering my voice, I tried to sound casual. “Will you tell me why you told me your name was Megan, then?”
She pursed her lips, then they curved up. “I don’t know. Stranger danger?”
“Fair enough.” I leaned in. “But you’re sticking with Mia? Because any more names might confuse me.”
She shrugged. “For now.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AHHHHHHH--NOW I WANT TO READ IT EVEN MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And here's a little more info on the book and the author:
J.R. JOHANSSON is a young adult thriller author published with Flux & FSG/Macmillan. Her debut, INSOMNIA is coming June 2013. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. When she's not writing, she loves reading, playing board games, and sitting in her hot tub. Her dream is that someday she can do all three at the same time. She has two young sons and a wonderful husband. In fact, other than her cat, Cleo, she's nearly drowning in testosterone.
Find her online:Blog ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Tumblr ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads
Find INSOMNIA on
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM ~ Book Depository ~ Goodreads ~ Indiebound
Phew--you guys still with me??? I sure hope so because you wouldn't want to miss out on this AMAZING giveaway Jenn is offering--and she made it nice and easy for you guys to enter with this handy rafflecopter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Okay, that's all for today. But for more awesome book recommendations, check out what my fellow Bookanistas are talking about:
Christine Fonseca marvels at MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza – with giveaway!
Corrine Jackson is blown away by BRUISED by Sarah SkiltonElana Johson buzzes about STUNG by Bethany WigginsStasia Ward Kehoe fawns over THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick YanceyJessica Love raves about THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING by Ashley EltonTracy Banghart swoons for THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen JohnsonLenore Appelhans celebrates 17 AND GONE by Nova Ren Suma
But before we get to that, here's a little bit about the book. First: THE AWESOMELY CREEPTASTIC COVER:
And the description from the publisher:
Her eyes saved his life. Her dreams released his darkness.
After four years of sleeplessness, high school junior Parker Chipp can’t take much more. Every night, instead of sleeping, he enters the dreams of the last person he’s made eye contact with. If he doesn’t sleep soon, Parker will die.
Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that’s utterly addictive. But what starts out as a chance meeting turns into an obsession; Parker’s furious desire for what he needs pushes him to extremes he never thought he’d go. And when someone begins terrorizing Mia with twisted death threats, Parker’s memory blackouts leave him doubting his own innocence.
And these awesome blurbs:
“The perfect blend of everything I love in a story. I hope a sequel comes soon!” –James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of THE MAZE RUNNER
“Completely unputdownable. I’ve decided to nickname Johansson: Scary McScarypants, because she spooked me in all the best ways.” –Carrie Harris, author of BAD TASTE IN BOYS
“Cleverly written and dangerously dark, Insomnia will take you to the brink of insanity. A must-read for thriller and romance fans alike.”—Elana Johnson, author of POSSESSION
“A riveting story of terror and despair that will keep you up long past your bedtime.”—Jennifer Bosworth, author of STRUCK
AHHHH--HOW COOL DOES THAT SOUND?????
*glares at calendar, wishing it were June 8th*
Thank goodness I have the exclusive excerpt to tide us all over--along with a quick intro from the author. You guys ready for it???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This excerpt is one of the lighter scenes from a few chapters in. Parker is with his best friend, Finn, Mia, and Finn’s sister, Addie. They’re setting up for a soccer team meeting on the stage in the high school auditorium. It should give you a nice taste for the characters and the way they interact with each other. Enjoy!
Finn took off his coat and threw it at to the back wall. His shirt said, Come to the Dark Side. We have cookies. I smiled as he grabbed a stack of chairs and started setting them out in a row behind mine.
“You see who just walked in?”
I turned to the stairs Finn indicated. Thor, a monster fullback from the soccer team, was standing on the top step, nodding while Jeff spoke. I’d intentionally avoided Thor’s dreams. From the way he behaved, I was pretty sure they involved cutting people into bite-sized pieces.
“Perfect.” I watched Thor’s massive shoulders as he followed Jeff across the front of the stage. “Tell me why he picked soccer again?”
Finn frowned. “I’m amazed they let him on the team, after his stunt last year.”
“No kidding.” I shook my head and grabbed another stack of chairs. “Apparently when you’re huge and fast, it doesn’t matter if you break your teammate’s leg your first time on the field.”
“Good thing Jeff volunteered to teach him the rules.” Finn pulled another chair off his stack and set it down a little harder than he intended. “He really wasn’t getting the whole non-contact-sport part.”
Thor’s baseline emotional state seemed to be pure fury. It had really bothered me at first, especially since at his monstrous 6’5”, he was six inches taller than me and built like a brick wall. But I’d gotten used to it. From his attitude and the dark pit stains on his shirt, I guessed God had given him a serious overdose in the testosterone department.
Addie walked up with Mia as Finn slammed another chair down. “Easy there. The chairs don’t work as well when you break them in half.”
Finn jerked his head toward Thor’s back. “We’re taking bets on whose leg he’ll break this year. You in?”
Addie laughed, but then crossed her arms over her chest. “You wouldn’t think it was so funny if it turned out to be you.” She shook her head and lowered her voice. “Liv Campbell was crying in the girl’s bathroom the other day—I swear I heard her say his name.”
“What do you mean?” Finn turned to face her. “Why would she be upset about Thor?”
“Maybe he scared her?” Addie shrugged. “I didn’t hear much, but she was really upset.”
“See what I mean? Girls make no sense.” Finn shook his head. “Liv is hot, but if she’s interested in Thor, she deserves a special kind of padded room.”
I saw Mia flinch, but then she laughed it off. “And you’re an expert?”
“Yes.” Finn looked at her for a second and then tilted his head to one side. “Aren’t you?”
Mia smiled. “Do either of you even talk to him, or do you just hate him because he’s bigger than you?”I leaned over to grab another stack of chairs. “Because he’s bigger than us. Besides, talking to him would require him to learn English.”
Finn stood with his legs spread wide and an exaggerated look of anger plastered on his face. “Thor no need English. Thor God of Thunder!” He beat his chest with his fists.
As if on cue, thunder rumbled outside. The walls shook and both girls laughed.
I raised my eyebrows and pulled the last chair off the stack. “Nice.”
“Thank you very much.” He bowed with a grin. “I’ll be here all week.”
Mia took a seat and I sat down beside her. Addie stood in front of us with a surprised expression, then sat down on the other side of Mia.
“So, where did you live before this?” I asked.
Mia looked at the floor for a few seconds, her face hard to read. “Somewhere else.”I laughed. “At least you didn’t lie this time.”
Finn leaned down and whispered, “She’s a foster kid, dude. Maybe she doesn’t want to talk about where she came from.”
I winced and nodded—total idiot.
Lowering my voice, I tried to sound casual. “Will you tell me why you told me your name was Megan, then?”
She pursed her lips, then they curved up. “I don’t know. Stranger danger?”
“Fair enough.” I leaned in. “But you’re sticking with Mia? Because any more names might confuse me.”
She shrugged. “For now.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AHHHHHHH--NOW I WANT TO READ IT EVEN MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And here's a little more info on the book and the author:
J.R. JOHANSSON is a young adult thriller author published with Flux & FSG/Macmillan. Her debut, INSOMNIA is coming June 2013. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. When she's not writing, she loves reading, playing board games, and sitting in her hot tub. Her dream is that someday she can do all three at the same time. She has two young sons and a wonderful husband. In fact, other than her cat, Cleo, she's nearly drowning in testosterone. Find her online:Blog ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Tumblr ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads
Find INSOMNIA on
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM ~ Book Depository ~ Goodreads ~ Indiebound
Phew--you guys still with me??? I sure hope so because you wouldn't want to miss out on this AMAZING giveaway Jenn is offering--and she made it nice and easy for you guys to enter with this handy rafflecopter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Okay, that's all for today. But for more awesome book recommendations, check out what my fellow Bookanistas are talking about:
Christine Fonseca marvels at MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza – with giveaway!
Corrine Jackson is blown away by BRUISED by Sarah SkiltonElana Johson buzzes about STUNG by Bethany WigginsStasia Ward Kehoe fawns over THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick YanceyJessica Love raves about THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING by Ashley EltonTracy Banghart swoons for THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen JohnsonLenore Appelhans celebrates 17 AND GONE by Nova Ren Suma
