ESCAPE FROM EDEN author Elisa Nader says, "Follow Your Dreams!"

by Beth Fehlbaum

When I grow up, I want to be Elisa Nader, author of ESCAPE FROM EDEN. I knew that we'd get along very well when I saw her biography:
Hi. I’m Elisa. I like cheese and reading and TV show marathons. Writing is scary, but not as scary as, say, Civil War amputations. I’m an Aquarius. Uh… let’s see… I’m not very good at writing my own biography. Or autobiography. I guess this is reading more like a slightly incoherent personal ad.

I've never met Elisa in person; I've only "experienced" Elisa through our online messages and discussion boards. We're "publisher sisters"-- we both write for Merit Press-- and also members of this grassroots publicity group, UncommonYA.

(I stole the term, 'grassroots publicity group', from Elisa, by the way...)

Find Elisa online:
Website
Facebook
Twitter

I knew that Elisa was funny, self-deprecating, and, after reading her DEAR TEEN ME post that ran recently, a person who shares with me the history of having an eating disorder. After I read this article on following one's dreams, I realized that we share the juggling act of balancing a passion for writing with things like a day job and housework. (What writer can't identify with the pull of the characters needing to find out where they're going next competing with the pull of "I've gotta vacuum the house first because these dust bunnies are so loud that I can't think"?)

Synopsis of ESCAPE FROM EDEN:
Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of the fundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanatical family of followers. In Edenton, a supposed "Garden of Eden" deep in the South American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend's strict but arbitrary rules--even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen, Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithful in, and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a new boy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.  

But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound's façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of their undeniable attraction to each other as they race to stop the Reverend's paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who's only concerned about his own secrets? Awesome cover, right? Elisa Nader designed it! I'm not the only one who thinks that Elisa's pretty cool: Kirkus awarded her novel, ESCAPE FROM EDEN, a starred review. [Pauses to add "Receive Starred Review from Kirkus" to the list of what I want to do when I grow up...]

And, check out these reviews:

"The chemistry between Mia and Gabriel is palpable in their teasing dialogue and sizzling moments of physical connection. Its rewards...are many: fast-moving action, a capable heroine and a resolution that leaves plenty of room for a sequel." --Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)





"Nader has done something amazing: written a really original novel, one full of characters you'll care about; smart, witty dialogue; and plenty of shocks and thrills. A wonderful balance of light and dark." --Michael Grant, New York Times bestselling author of the Gone Series

"An exciting, terrifying, page-turning thrill ride you will not be able to put down." --Gretchen McNeil, author of Possess, Ten, and 3:59

"Chilling, suspenseful, and evocative, Escape From Eden is one of the most surprising love stories I've read in ages. Elisa Nader is an exciting new talent in YA fiction and her first novel will have people lining up to join her cult. Consider me the first member." --Bennett Madison, author of The Blonde Of The Joke and September Girls

"I'm a sucker for a swoon built on a flirty, love/hate relationship, and Escape From Eden doesn't disappoint. Elisa Nader tells a good story.... Both the pace and the intrigue build quickly, and there isn't any downtime once the plot gets going. I soon found myself...gleefully anticipating the next twist." - Forever Young Adult

Pick up your copy of ESCAPE FROM EDEN, today!
Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound