A Passion for Books

Hitting the Shelves (3): March 2013 Debuts

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Hitting the Shelves is a feature created here at A Passion For Books to showcase the-neverending-list of awesome novels that we've all so patiently waited for. (*Note: Not all YA novels will be listed, only those that I find myself intrigued by.)

Hitting Shelves This Week...

Bruised by Sarah Skilton
On Shelves: March 5 from Amulet/Abrams

When Imogen, a sixteen-year-old black belt in Tae Kwon Do, freezes during a holdup at a local diner, the gunman is shot and killed by the police, and she blames herself for his death. Before the shooting, she believed that her black belt made her stronger than everyone else -- more responsible, more capable. But now her sense of self has been challenged and she must rebuild her life, a process that includes redefining her relationship with her family and navigating first love with the boy who was at the diner with her during the shootout. With action, romance, and a complex heroine, Bruised introduces a vibrant new voice to the young adult world -- full of dark humor and hard truths.

Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos
On Shelves: March 5 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

“I hate myself but I love Walt Whitman, the kook. Always positive. I need to be more positive, so I wake myself up every morning with a song of myself.”

Sixteen-year-old James Whitman has been yawping (à la Whitman) at his abusive father ever since he kicked his beloved older sister, Jorie, out of the house. James’s painful struggle with anxiety and depression—along with his ongoing quest to understand what led to his self-destructive sister’s exile—make for a heart-rending read, but his wild, exuberant Whitmanization of the world and keen sense of humor keep this emotionally charged debut novel buoyant.

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
On Shelves: March 5 from Simon Pulse

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

The Nightmare Affair by Minder Barnett
On Shelves: March 5 from Tor Teen

Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.

Literally.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.

Then Eli’s dream comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

The Murmurings by Carly Anne West
On Shelves: March 5 from Simon Pulse

A teen girl starts hearing the same voices that drove her sister to commit suicide in this creepy, suspenseful novel.

Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.

As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not…

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza
On Shelves: March 12 from Katherine Tegan

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past —that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.

Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza’s bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity–style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be—and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel.

Poison by Bridget Zinn
On Shelves: March 12 from Disney Hyperion

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Pretty Girl 13 by Liz Coley
On Shelves: March 19 from Katherine Tegan

Reminiscent of the Elizabeth Smart case, Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing and powerful psychological mystery about a girl who must piece together the story of her kidnapping and captivity.

Angie Chapman was thirteen years old when she ventured into the woods alone on a Girl Scouts camping trip. Now she's returned home…only to find that it's three years later and she's sixteen-or at least that's what everyone tells her.

What happened to the past three years of her life?

Angie doesn't know.

But there are people who do—people who could tell Angie every detail of her forgotten time, if only they weren't locked inside her mind. With a tremendous amount of courage, Angie embarks on a journey to discover the fragments of her personality, otherwise known as her "alters." As she unearths more and more about her past, she discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: When you remember things you wish you could forget, do you destroy the parts of yourself that are responsible?

Liz Coley's alarming and fascinating psychological mystery is a disturbing-and ultimately empowering-page-turner about accepting our whole selves, and the healing power of courage, hope, and love.

The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar
On Shelves: March 21 from Dial

He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life.

Margo McKenna has a plan for just about everything, from landing the lead in her high school play to getting into a good college. So when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the chance to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Why should she put her life into someone else's hands?

But Oliver is more than just a genie -- he's also a sophomore at Margo's high school, and he's on the run from a murderer. As he and Margo grow closer, she discovers that it will take more than three wishes to save him.

A whole lot more.

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
On Shelves: March 26 from St. Martin's Griffin

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 the girls are found by their father, a stranger, and taken to re-enter the "normal" life of school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must come to terms with the truth of why their mother spirited them away 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.

Waiting On Wednesday (50)

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Waiting On Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, features upcoming books that you are itching to get your hands on.

I'm Waiting For...

Born of Illusion by Teri Brown
June 11, 2013 from Balzar & Bray

Anna Van Housen is thirteen the first time she breaks her mother out of jail. By sixteen she’s street smart and savvy, assisting her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, and easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums and mentalists in 1920’s New York City. Handcuffs and sleight of hand illusions have never been much of a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother, who will stop at nothing to gain her ambition of becoming the most famous medium who ever lived. But when a strange, serious young man moves into the flat downstairs, introducing her to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, he threatens to reveal the secrets Anna has fought so hard to keep, forcing her to face the truth about her past. Could the stories her mother has told her really be true? Could she really be the illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician of all?

What Are You Waiting For?

Top Ten Tuesday: Auto-Buy Authors

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:50:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Each week features a different topic, and you make a top ten list about that topic.

This week's topic is...Top Ten Authors On My Auto-Buy List

1. Richelle Mead - Mead is one of my all-time favorite authors. Every story I have read by her had me instantly hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely just love her stories...Mead is the ultimate story teller. I have yet to get my hands on her adult series, but when I do, I know I will devour them in no time!

2. Alexandra Bracken - I was hooked with Brightly Woven...and then came The Darkest Minds. I will buy anything Bracken writes. She writes some of the most beautiful and vivid stories I've ever read.

3. Cassandra Clare - I first fell in love after reading The Mortal Instruments series.

4. Jeaniene Frost - Love her stories, especially her Night Huntress series...Cat & Bones...need I say more?

5. Michelle Zink - This lady has got a way with words. Her narrators have such beautiful, almost lyrical, voices that just grip me into the story.

6. Larissa Ione - I first discovered Ione after picking up, and devouring, Pleasure Unbound (the first book in her Demonica series).

7. Ellen Hopkins - She can write about some real life shit like nobody's business. I think her stories should be read by everyone!

8. Jennifer Echols - Everything this girl comes out with just blows me away!

9. Veronica Rossi - I adored her debut Under the Never Sky so much so that she made the list.

10. Rachel Vincent - Her adult series, Shifters, is one of my favorites out there. Action packed and full of witty dialogue...Faythe is one kick-ass heroine. I haven't finished her young adult series, Soul Screamers, but what I've read so far, I've enjoyed.

What authors do you love so much that you would buy their books regardless of genre or content? What is it about that author that you love so much?

Waiting On Wednesday (49)

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Waiting On Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, features upcoming books that you are itching to get your hands on.

I'm Waiting For...

The Falconer by Elizabeth May
September 19, 2013 from Chronicle Books

Lady Aileana Kameron can sing, paint prettily, and murder the fae as easily as dancing a waltz. But how far is she prepared to go for vengeance . . . ?

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

18-year-old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined to a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery kills her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season. Between a seeming endless number of parties, Aileana slaughters faeries in secret. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, every night she sheds her aristocratic facade and goes hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But she never even considered that she might become attracted to one. To the magnetic Kiaran MacKay, the faery who trained her to kill his own kind. Nor is she at all prepared for the revelation he’s going to bring. Because Midwinter is approaching, and with it an eclipse that has the ability to unlock a Fae prison and begin the Wild Hunt.

A battle looms, and Aileana is going to have to decide how much she’s willing to lose – and just how far she’ll go to avenge her mother’s murder.

The heroine...a lady by day, but a fighter at night! This just sounds like a fun, adventure filled read. And how awesome is that cover...very fierce.

What Are You Waiting For?

Book Review: Blood Feud

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:45:00 +0000

Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

Released: June 22, 2010
Publisher: Walker Books
Pages: 272
Series: The Drake Chronicles #2
Rating: 4 stars

The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge. It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks. The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

This is the second installment of the Drake Chronicles, picking up two weeks later where Hearts at Stake left off. The plot was a little bit predictable, but overall this is an addicting and satisfying series.

The writing was enjoyable. Blood Feud is much like its predecessor, but narrated by Logan and Isabeau instead. I loved Logan’s voice and personality. He was funny, sarcastic, and at times insane. Isabeau was an interesting character, but she had a weak voice and I found it difficult to fully connect with her. I did enjoy the glimpses of Isabeau’s life before she was turned when she had to survive the French Revolution.

Blood Feud carried some of the action, humor, and drama from Hearts at Stake, but I felt that it lacked the romance, which seemed a bit rushed and unrealistic to me, and the crazy Lucy, who didn’t have a huge part this time around. I did enjoy this novel, but I wasn’t as enthralled by it as I was with Hearts at Stake. If you’re a vampire fan and is looking for something fun and entertaining to read, then this is a series for you.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Romances

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Each week features a different topic, and you make a top ten list about that topic. This week's topic is...

This week's topic is...Top Ten Favorite Romances

While I was writing down some ideas, I got to thinking and when it comes to romance in books, I can be quite picky. I like to see my romance more on the realistic side...no one just falls in love with a look; they may become infatuated with a person, but not head-over-heels in love. Falling in love takes time and sometimes that may take more than one book to accomplish. And as I look at my list, all of my favorite romances are from series instead of stand alone novels. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Because I'm picky, I couldn't just choose 10 favorites, so I've decided to do a list of my top 5 romance series instead. In no particular order...

1. Shifters by Rachel Vincent - This series has been one of my favorites since the first book was released! This series is simply amazing and very addictive...a must read for all you paranormal romance fans.

Book 1 - Stray
Book 2 - Rogue
Book 3 - Pride
Book 4 - Prey
Book 5 - Shift
Book 6 - Alpha

2. Demonica by Larissa Ione - If you want romance, you will definitely find plenty in this series. Beware, for there is tons of naughtiness going on in these books (hint...it is an adult series).

Book 1 - Pleasure Unbound
Book 2 - Desire Unchained
Book 3 - Passion Unleashed
Book 4 - Ecstasy Unveiled
Book 5 - Sin Undone

3. Night Huntress by Jeaniene Frost - Another favorite since its beginning. The romance between Bones and Cat is just beyond hot!!

4. Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter - The inside will have you drooling just as much, if not more, as the cover does!

Book 1 - The Darkest Night
Book 2 - The Darkest Kiss
Book 3 - The Darkest Pleasure
Book 4 - The Darkest Whisper
Book 5 - The Darkest Passion
Book 6 - The Darkest Lie
Book 7 - The Darkest Secret
Book 8 - The Darkest Surrender
Book 9 - The Darkest Seduction
Book 10 - The Darkest Craving (July 30, 2013)

5. Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward - I've not made it through this entire series yet, but what I've read this far has got my addicted!

Book 1 - Dark Lover
Book 2 - Lover Eternal
Book 3 - Lover Awakened
Book 4 - Lover Revealed
Book 5 - Lover Unbound
Book 6 - Lover Enshrined
Book 7 - Lover Avenged
Book 8 - Lover Mine
Book 9 - Lover Unleashed
Book 10 - Lover Reborn
Book 11 - Lover at Last (March 26, 2013)

Now a question for you...Are you picky when it comes to your romance? What do you like to see in your romance novels? Not like?

Hitting the Shelves (2): February 2013 Debuts

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Hitting the Shelves is a feature created here at A Passion For Books to showcase the-never-ending-list of awesome novels that we've all so patiently waited for. (*Note: Not every YA novel will be listed, only those that I find myself intrigued by.)

*All summaries from GoodReads*

Blaze by Laurie Boyle Crompton
On Shelves: February 1 from Sourcebooks Fire

Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines, drawing comics and feeling invisible. She's desperate for soccer star Mark to notice her. And when her BFF texts Mark a photo of Blaze in sexy lingerie, it definitely gets his attention. After a hot date in the back of her minivan, Blaze is flying high, but suddenly Mark's feelings seem to have been blasted by a freeze-ray gun, and he dumps her. Blaze gets her revenge by posting a comic strip featuring uber-villain Mark the Shark. Mark then retaliates by posting her "sext" photo, and, overnight, Blaze goes from Super Virgin Girl to Super Slut. That life on the sidelines is looking pretty good right about now...

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
On Shelves: February 5 from HarperTeen

An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.

The Ruining by Anna Collomore
On Shelves: February 7 from Razorbill

All too soon cracks appear in Annie's seemingly perfect world. She's blamed for mistakes she doesn't remember making. Her bedroom door comes unhinged, and she feels like she's always being watched. Libby, who once felt like a big sister, is suddenly cold and unforgiving. As she struggles to keep up with the demands of her new life, Annie's fear gives way to frightening hallucinations. Is she tumbling into madness, or is something sinister at play?
The Ruining is a complex ride through first love, chilling manipulation, and the terrifying depths of insanity.

Annie Phillips is thrilled to leave her past behind and begin a shiny new life on Belvedere Island, as a nanny for the picture-perfect Cohen family. In no time at all, she falls in love with the Cohens, especially with Libby, the beautiful young matriarch of the family. Life is better than she ever imagined. She even finds romance with the boy next door.

Pivot Point by Kasie West
On Shelves: February 12 from HarperTeen

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Infinite Sky by C.J. Flood
On Shelves: February 14 from Simon & Schuster

When a family of travellers move into the overgrown paddock overnight, her dad looks set to finally lose it. Gypsies are parasites he says, but Iris is intrigued. As her dad plans to evict the travelling family, Iris makes friends with their teenage son. Trick Deran is a bare knuckle boxer who says he’s done with fighting, but is he telling the truth?
When tools go missing from the shed, the travellers are the first suspects. Iris’s brother, Sam, warns her to stay away from Trick; he’s dangerous, but Iris can no longer blindly follow her brother’s advice. He’s got secrets of his own, and she’s not sure he can be trusted himself.

Infinite Sky is a family story about betrayal and loyalty, and love.

Iris Dancy’s free-spirited mum has left for Tunisia, her dad’s rarely sober and her brother’s determined to fight anyone with a pair of fists.

Me, Him, Them, and It by Carla Carter
On Shelves: February 26 from

ME is Evelyn Jones, 16, a valedictorian hopeful who's been playing bad girl to piss off THEM, her cold, distant parents. HIM is Todd, Evelyn's secret un-boyfriend, who she thought she was just using for sex - until she accidentally fell in love with him. But before Evelyn gets a chance to tell Todd how she feels, something much more important comes up. IT. IT is a fetus. Evelyn is pregnant - and when Todd turns his back on her, Evelyn has no idea who to turn to. Can a cheating father, a stiff, cold mother, a pissed-off BFF, and a (thankfully!) loving aunt with adopted girls of her own help Evelyn make the heart-wrenching decisions that follow?

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Frustrating Characters Ever

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:16:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and Bookish. Each week features a different topic, and you make a top ten list about that topic. This week's topic is...

Top Ten Most Frustrating Characters Ever

Putting together this list was quite interesting. As it turns out, a good chunk of my most frustrating characters are from some of my favorite books out there. Crazy! In no particular order, my most frustrating characters are...

Ash (Black City by Elizabeth Richards) - The most frustrating thing about Ash was that he refused to embrace his Darkling side. He just had too many human emotions, therefore making him a weak character. At the end of the book, he did grow some balls...thank goodness!

Mara Dyer (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin) - I was unable to finish this novel because of Mara's character. She was just too whiny and annoying for my liking...I don't understand how Noah put up with her.

Katniss (The Hunger Game series by Suzanne Collins) - I'm not quite sure what it was about her, but she just got on my nerves quite a bit throughout the series. This series is one of my favorites...only because of Peeta!

Megan Chase (The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa) - This is another series that I really enjoyed and stuck with because of Ash! The thing that bothered me the most with Megan was the fact that she is a damsel in distress, always needing someone to save her. I really wanted to see her fight some of her own battles without the help of other characters. Along with being a wimp, I found her to be rather whiny at times.

Ruby (The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken) - Again another novel that I really enjoyed. The most frustrating thing about Ruby was that it took her practically the whole book to finally accept who she is and what she can do. The fact that she couldn't quite complaining or fathom embracing her powers really got on my nerves.

Addison (My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent) - Addison was a very annoying side character that I absolutely couldn't stand. She was ungrateful and such a brat. I don't understand why Nick and Kaylee would even risk their lives for that girl.

Mary (Burn for Burn by Jenny Han) - Each character in this novel had some reason to want revenge on someone. When I found out Mary's reason for wanting to get back at someone, I ended up losing all interest in her character and really just wanted to tell her to get over it. I don't want to spoil anything for those who may not have read it yet, but I just can't justify holding on to a grudge like that for so long.

What are some of your most frustrating characters?

Hitting the Shelves (1): January 2013 Debuts

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 16:08:00 +0000

Hitting the Shelves is a feature created here at A Passion For Books to showcase the-neverending-list of awesome novels that we've all so patiently waited for. (*Note: Not every YA novel will be listed, only those that I find myself intrigued by.)

One thing I do for myself to help keep track of all the books I want to read is by making lists. And I for one have a TON of lists going on. Nerdy...yes I know, but it definitely works. "Hitting The Shelves" has been an idea floating around in my head for quite some time. This feature will include things like: book information, links to other blogger reviews, author interviews, and giveaways. "Hitting the Shelves" will be a regular feature here on the blog, but posted sporadically.

Enough rambling...onto the books.

Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
On Shelves: January 15 from Simon & Schuster

Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2).
'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.'

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.

Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed
On Shelves: January 22 from Disney Hyperion

One house, two worlds...

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton.

Hooked by Liz Fichera
On Shelves: January 31 from Harlequin Teen

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

Author Interview: Trish Doller

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:10:00 +0000

Trish Doller
Website / Blog / Twitter

Books:

Something Like Normal (June 2012)

Travis Stephenson is a nineteen-year-old Marine on leave after his first deployment to Afghanistan. Back home in Florida, Travis struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, adjusting to civilian life, a disintegrating family, and friendships that no longer fit. When his path crosses that of Harper Gray, a girl whose reputation he trashed with a middle school lie, Travis feels like he might have found something to hold onto--someone who helps him feel normal. Whatever that means.

Describe your book in 5 words or less.

A Marine's life after Afghanistan.

What has your road to publication been like?

A bit of a roller coaster, really. I actually wrote a book before SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL that was cancelled by the publisher while it was in the editing stages. My agent and I sent it out on submission again, but it didn't sell a second time--a pretty disheartening experience. But while I waited, I started writing SLN. I sent a bit to my agent, who suggested we show the partial manuscript to a few editors. To my surprise, there was interest in the book and it sold at auction to Bloomsbury. While not having my first book published was disappointing, I feel like SLN is a much stronger debut novel and I can't wait for people to read it.

If Something Like Normal had a theme song, what would it be?

What a tough question! I have a few songs that touch on one part of the book or another, but I guess the one song that seems to sum it up is LIKE A SOLDIER by Johnny Cash. It's not really about a soldier at all, yet the lyrics still seem to fit the story.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a writer?

My goal as a writer is simply to write books that connect with readers. Sure, it would be cool to win critical acclaim or make a bestseller list, but ultimately the people whose opinions matter most are the readers.

What's something surprising about yourself that most people wouldn't think was true?

I'm a punk rocker. No, really! In reality I look more like a soccer mom than a riot grrl, and instead of dying my head green or blue, I struggle just to keep the gray away, but I can totally hold my own in a mosh pit.

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would you choose? Why?

Gah! Another tough one! I have so many favorites! But…I think I would have to choose JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta. Not only because it's a well-written story with characters I love, but Jonah Griggs is my favorite YA boy ever.

Where can we stay up to date about you and your novel?

You can find my website at trishdoller.com or follow me on twitter (@trishdoller).

______________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bookseller by day. Writer by night. I'm kind of like Bruce Wayne. Only not rich. Or a dude. Or a superhero. Come to think of it, I'm not much like Bruce Wayne at all. I've worked as a newspaper reporter and a radio personality, but I gave all that up to sit on the couch in my pajamas and talk to imaginary people.

I am a member of The Apocalypsies--a group of writers whose young adult, middle grade, and picture books will debut in 2012--and I'm also a member of the YA Outside the Lines group blog.

I live in Florida with my two dogs, two mostly grown kids, and one husband.

Author Interview: Wendy Higgens

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Wendy Higgens
Website / Twitter

Books:

Sweet Evil (May 1, 2012)

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace her halo or her horns?

Describe your book in 5 words or less.

Sweet and sexy emotional ride.

Can you tell us a little about how Sweet Evil was created?

The short version is that I’d felt inspired to do some writing, and angels popped into my head based on an adult book I’d recently read. I became intrigued by the idea of a young, sweet, naïve girl with intense internal struggles. I love tough, fighting, female heroines as much as the next person, but I wanted to examine the strength found in one’s heart. It was a lot of daydreaming and brainstorming until scenes began to tumble and I had to write them.

If Sweet Evil had a theme song, what would it be?

This is SO hard! The first one that comes to mind, which totally makes me laugh with embarrassment, is Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a writer?

I suppose my “job” is to entertain and captivate, which I hope I accomplish. But ultimately I want to touch readers’ hearts.

Quick! Can you share 5 random things about yourself?

1. I’m an Army brat.
2. I was an all-star cheerleader in high school (go ahead and laugh).
3. I was a flight attendant for two months.
4. I’m married with a son and daughter.
5. I taught 9th and 12th grade for two years.

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would you choose? Why?

Hard. So hard. Okay, I wish I could choose a series, but if I have to choose one it would be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows because I relish being lost in that story world and I dearly love the characters.

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

Thank you, with all my heart. I hope you will think of Sweet Evil’s MC, Anna, as a friend, and fall in love with the “K” boys as hard as I did! J Cheers, y’all.

Thanks so much Wendy for stopping by!

Author Interview: Sarah Tregay

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:55:00 +0000

Sarah Tregay
Website / Goodreads

Books:

Love & Leftovers (January 1, 2012)

My wish is to fall cranium over Converse in dizzy, daydream-worthy love.

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it?

Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.

Describe your book in 5 words or less.

A love story in poems.

What has surprised you the most about the publication process?

I worked in my manuscript for two years, one year writing and one year revising. After all that, I thought I was finished!

But in the process of getting it published, I have made hundreds of changes. First, my agent and I rewrote the ending and then my editor had me take out a character (and the plot that related to him). I love how both of these changes made the story both more compact and more interesting. I like the new pacing and the new sequence of poems at the end.

After those edits were made the manuscript was flowed into the layout. Now that the pages were 5 x 7, not 8.5 x 11--and the poems no longer fit on the pages. I’ve been through two sets of revisions with the new page size--both rounds after the ARC was printed. These changes resulted in the poems looking better on the page and flowing to a second page smoothly instead of haphazardly.

So, yes, just when I thought I was “done,” the process taught me that it could be even better.

When you aren't writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I have an appaloosa gelding named Mr. Pots and we like to dabble in dressage. I am also involved in the model horse hobby. I sculpt, paint and show minis (sculptures of horses about three inches tall.) Their saddles and bridles are much smaller than Mr. Pots’s.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a writer?

I hope to reach that special place in a reader’s heart--the place that makes you laugh and cry.

What's something surprising about yourself that most people wouldn't think was true?

I played co-ed ice hockey in college. I was put on defense because I could skate backwards--our team wasn’t very good--and our games were scheduled at 2 am, when no one else was using the rink.

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would you choose? Why?

Wow. Good question. I guess it’d have to be something I haven’t read recently, but that I know is really good. I’ll go with Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon.

Where can we stay up to date about you and your novel?

My author page on facebook and my website are probably the best places to catch me:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Tregay/190704714306351 www.sarahtregay.com

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

I would love to hear from you, please don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail via the contact form on my website.

Thanks Sarah for stopping by!!

________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Raised without television, I started writing my own middle grade novels after I had read all of the ones in the library. I later discovered YA books, but never did make it to the adult section. When I'm not jotting down poems at stoplights, I can be found hanging out with my "little sister" from Big Brothers Big Sisters or stressing over performance classes at a model horse show.

I have both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Art in graphic design, and my obsession with typography and layout naturally translates into formatting poetry on the page.

I live in Eagle, Idaho with my husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots.

YA Buzz

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:16:00 +0000

New Book Summaries

Survive by Alex Morel
Releases: August 2, 2012 by Razorbill

Jane runs away from Life House, a facility for kids with mental health disorders and addictions. She boards a plane to Montclair, New Jersey, though her destination does not matter—she doesn’t plan to be alive when the plane lands. Jane has planned the perfect suicide: she’ll fall asleep on the plane and never wake up. As she’s reaching for her pills in the cabin’s bathroom, the plane hits turbulence. Another jolt, and the engine’s down. The plane crashes into the mountains of Montana, and Jane and a boy named Paul are the only two survivors.

What starts out as a death mission quickly becomes a fight for life.

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield
Releases: May 10, 2012 by Razorbill

On the night of Becca’s high school graduation, the discovery of an unidentified dead girl left to bleed out on the side of a dirt road sends the town—and Becca—into a tailspin. Becca has always longed to break free from her small home town, but as the violence of the outside world creeps into her backyard, she withdraws and retreats inward, paralyzed for the first time in her life.

Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson’s life are intercut with Becca’s own coming-of-age summer, unfolding into the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and tense romantic relationships as the summer’s tumultuous events twist Becca closer and closer to the truth about Amelia’s murder.

Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Altebrando
Releases: July 5, 2012 by Penguin

Mary Gilhooley lost her spot at Georgetown to self-professed “it” guy, bully, and superjock, Pete Lembo, but she’s not about to lose again. With only a week until graduation—when she and her friends will go their separate ways—there’s one last thing Mary and her friends must do together: participate in the Oyster Point High Official Unofficial Senior Week Scavenger Hunt. And Mary is determined to win. Their all-night adventure is fraught with unforeseen complications, shifting alliances, flared tempers and crushing crushes.

The Vindico by Wesley King
Releases: June 14, 2012 by Putnam

Led by the sinister Baron, the Vindico are a group of super villains who have been fighting against the League of Heroes for as long as they can remember. The Vindico kidnap a group of teenagers and train them to be the next generation. Mysteriously arriving at the Baron’s mansion together, James, Lana, Hayden, Emily and Sam are forced to train with their mentors and given powers beyond their wildest dreams. While struggling to uncover the motives of this evil group, the teens learn to trust each other and even form friendships. They plan to rebel against their mentors as soon as they are deemed ready to fight against the League of Heroes, but then they learn things may not be as cut-and-dry as they seem: both in their new roles and in their outside lives.

The Waiting Sky by Lara Zielin
Releases: August 2, 2012 by Putnam

Seventeen-year-old Jane can’t quite face her mother’s alcoholism even though it sucks to spend all her time and energy keeping them afloat—making sure her mom gets to work, that the bills are paid when there’s money to pay them, and that no one knows her mom is so messed up. But when Jane’s mom drives drunk almost killing both them and Jane’s best friend, Jane can no longer deny her mom is spiraling out of control. Jane has only one place to turn: her older brother Ethan, who left years ago to go to college. A summer away with him and his tornado chasing buddies may just provide the time and space she needs to figure out whether her life still includes her mother.

Dear Blue Sky by Mary Sullivan
Releases: August 2, 2012 by Nancy Paulsen Books

Twelve-year-old Cassie feels like her life is falling apart. Her parents are fighting, her formerly perfect big sister is skipping class, her best friend Sonia won’t speak to her, and her little brother, who has Down syndrome, has stopped speaking altogether. Worst of all, Cassie can’t turn to the one person who usually holds everything together—her beloved big brother, Sef, who’s gone to fight in the Iraq war. In her loneliness Cassie turns to Blue Sky, an Iraqi girl she meets through reading her blog. Blue Sky’s stories about her war-ravaged life reveal a side of the war that Cassie didn’t know existed, and the two girls start a correspondence. While Cassie can’t help Blue Sky or keep Sef safe, she becomes determined to keep her family together.

Small Damages by Beth Kephart
Releases: July 19, 2012 by Philomel

It’s senior year, and while Kenzie should be looking forward to prom and starting college in the fall, she is mourning the loss of her father. She finds solace in the one person she trusts, her boyfriend, and she soon finds herself pregnant. Kenzie’s boyfriend and mother do not understand her determination to keep the baby. She is sent to southern Spain for the summer, where she will live out her pregnancy as a cook’s assistant on a bull ranch, and her baby will be adopted by a Spanish couple.

Alone and resentful in a foreign country, Kenzie is at first sullen and difficult. She begins to open her eyes and her heart to the beauty that is all around her and inside of her.

Beauty by Lisa Daily
Releases: May 10, 2012 by Penguin Young Readers

When we first meet Molly, she is plain, shy, and practically invisible to most of her fellow high school students. Hudson, the boy she cannot help but like, is handsome and popular. One day at a town carnival, Molly stumbles across an eccentric artist who offers to sketch her portrait. Thinking aloud, she wishes she was the most beautiful girl in the world. The following day, Molly gets her wish. All the guys at school are vying for her affection. Best of all, Hudson’s finally noticing her. As Molly’s relationship with Hudson heats up, violence threatens to erupt among the guys of their high school, and the newfound attention threatens to destroy the relationships she values.

Dangerous Boy by Mandy Hubbard
Releases: August 2012 by Razorbill

Harper could care less about being popular—she'd rather have fun. She's definitely not worried about falling in love, something Harper is skeptical even exists. Besides, she's too busy with lab experiments. But everything changes when Logan moves to town. He’s charming, rich, and gorgeous. The two tumble into an intense romance. Then Harper meets Logan’s twin brother Caleb, who is everything Logan is not. He’s creepy, rude and sometimes malicious.

This is a modern, high-school retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Playground by 50 Cent
Releases: January 1, 2012 by Razorbill

This poignant novel from international icon 50 Cent opens with thirteen-year-old Butterball in the office of a therapist named Liz. She is trying to get him to talk about why he assaulted his former best friend on the playground with a sock full of batteries. Butterball doesn’t have much going for him. He’s teased about his weight. He hates the Long Island suburb his mom moved them to, and he wishes he still lived with his dad in the city. Butterball’s dad is meaner to him than he likes to admit, and his mom is constantly working. Now Butterball is stuck in mandatory therapy sessions with Liz, who tries to uncover just what happened that day on the playground.

Zoe Letting Go by Nora Price
Releases: June 2012 by Razorbill

While at a clinic receiving treatment for anorexia, Zoe is instructed to write letters. Through letters, she tells her mother and brother about the clinic; the doctors, the food, her struggle to get better. But she tells her best friend Elise about the strange goings on around her, the shady relationships, the dark mysteries. When the lights go out, the place turns into someplace else.

While her mother and brother write back, their letters filled with cheerful encouragement—Zoe’s letters to Elise remain unanswered. As Zoe struggles to understand why her best friend would cut her off, she must unravel the secrets that surround her in the clinic.

The Girl With Borrowed Wings by Rinsai Rossetti
Releases: July 19, 2012 by Penguin

Every aspect of sixteen-year-old Frenenqer Paje’s life is controlled by her father and restricted by the desert, where each day is tediously the same. For as long as Frenenqer can remember, she’s dreamed of having wings to escape. Then a small act of rebellion explodes her world, and she meets Sangris. A boy, but not just a boy—a Free person, a winged person, a shape-shifter. He has everything Frenenqer doesn't—no family, no attachments, no troubles, no nothing. He's free. And he wants Frenenqer. When the delicate balance of their friendship threatens to rupture into something more, Frenenqer must confront her isolation, her father and her very sense of identity.

Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein
Releases: July 24, 2012 by Putnam Juvenile

Sara Jane Rispoli is just a normal sixteen-year-old girl coping with school and a developing crush— until her parents and younger brother are kidnapped, and she discovers her family has been a key figure of Chicago’s Outfit (aka the mob) for decades. Her father, grandfather and great grandfather all used their special ability, cold fury, to settle disputes between the two mob factions—the muscle and the money. And unless Sara wants the mob to think her now missing family has turned state’s evidence, she will have to fill her father’s shoes as the mob’s peacemaker, using her own cold fury.

Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl
Releases: June 2012 by Viking Children's Books

Seventeen-year-old Althea is the sole support of her widowed mother, young half-brother, and two stepsisters—and she must maintain Crawley Hall. Althea, in short, must marry well. But there are few wealthy suitors—or suitors of any kind—in their small Yorkshire town of Lesser Hoo. Then Lord Boring comes to stay with his aunt and uncle. Althea sets her cap to become Lady Boring. There’s only one problem; his friend and business manager Mr. Fredericks keeps getting in the way. And, as it turns out, Fredericks has set his own cap.

New Covers

Fated by Sarah Alderson

*Jan. 12, 2012 by Simon & Schuster*

Touched by Cyn Balog

*Aug. 14, 2012 by Delacorte Press*

Gilt by Katherine Longshore

*May 15, 2012 by Viking Juvenile*

Timepiece by Myra McEntire (Hourglass #2)

*June 12, 2012 by Egmont USA*

Until I Die by Amy Plum (Revenants #2)

*May 3, 2012*

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield

*May 10, 2012 by Penguin*

Shadow Bound by Rachel Vincent (Unbound #2)

*June 1, 2012 by Mira*

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams

*May 1, 2012 by Simon & Schuster

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

* Jan. 10, 2012 by Dutton*

Never Enough by Denise Jaden

*July 10, 2012 by Simon Pulse*

The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal

*March 1, 2012*

Dark Storm by Sarah Singleton

*March 2012 by Simon & Schuster*

The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes

*May 8, 2012 by Candlewick*

Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire

*July 10, 2012 by Delacorte*

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

*2012 by Dial*

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

*April 24, 2012 by Harper Collins*

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson

*Feb. 2, 2012 by Penguin*

My Family for the War by Anne G. Voorhoere

*Feb. 16, 2012 by Dial*

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Hardback Version

Paperback Version

In My Mailbox (48)

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:33:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

Dark Days of Fall Tour

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Bought

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Matched by Ally Condie

Library

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Stay With Me by Paul Griffin

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

YA Buzz

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:33:00 +0000

News

Lauren Myracle's novel Shine was nominated as a National Book Award nominee.Then she wasn't. Then she was. Wednesday, Myracle withdrew her name from the finalists for the 2011 National Book Awards for Young People's Literature. The National Book Foundation claimed Shine became a finalist by mistake.

More articles:

'Shine' Withdrawn as NBA Young People's Literature Nominee

Oops! National Book Foundation Unveils Six YA Finalists

This Week in Clusterfuck, brought to you by the NBA by Libba Bray

Book award nominee withdraws

Vanity Fair interview Lauren Myracle about the mixup

Myracle wrote a post, How I Was Un-nominated For The National Book Award, at the Huffington Post.

Dutton Children's Books acquired rights to two new novels, Just One Day and Just One Year, by Gayle Forman, author of If I Stay and Where She Went. "Forman asks two questions in these companion books: the first probes whether two people can fall in love in a single day, and the second asks whether someone can become a new person over the course of a single year" (publishersweekly.com). Just One Day scheduled for spring 2013, and Just One Year is scheduled for spring 2014.

New Covers

What She Left Behind by Tracy Bilen

*2012 by Simon Pulse*

Innocent Darkness by Suzanne Lazear

*August 8, 2012 by Flux*

Revived by Cat Patrick

*May 8, 2012 by Little Brown*

Immortal City by Scott Speer

*April 2012 by Razorbill*

Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan (Immortal Beloved #2)

*January 2, 2012 by Little Brown*

Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson

*June 12, 2012 by Delacorte*
Keep Holding On by Susan Colasanti
*June 14, 2012 by Viking Juvenile*

Book Trailers

Legend by Marie Lu (Nov 29, 2011)

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Fateful by Claudia Gray

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Eve by Anna Carey

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Dark Days of Fall Signing!

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Last Sunday I traveled the three and a half hour drive to Naperville, IL to attend the Dark Days of Fall tour. I haven't been to too many author signings and to attend an event with not one, but four authors was a big deal for me!

I really enjoyed meeting Claudia Gray (Evernight, Stargazer, Hourglass, Afterlife, Fateful), Kiersten White (Paranormalcy & Supernaturally), Amy Garvey (Cold Kiss), and Jocelyn Davies (A Beautiful Dark). They are all wonderful and hilarious ladies. I loved having the opportunity to chat with them about random things and get my books signed.

Claudia Gray, me, and Kiersten White

Anderson's Bookshop did a fantastic job hosting this signing. I had put some books for the signing on hold to pick up at the store and when I arrived they didn't have my books. I was a little disappointed, but luckily they had some extra copies on the shelf I was able to grab. Other than not having the books I put on hold a few days before the signing, I had a great experience at Anderson's Bookshop and will definitely attend more signings they host.

A few girls had asked each author a variety of questions pertaining to writing, publishing, and personal experiences. I love this aspect in a signing because it is always fun to learn some new interesting things about an author.

Amy Garvey, me, and Jocelyn Davies

my signed books!!

I had an awesome time! I thought I would share some footage of the authors reading from their newly released novels. Enjoy!

Waiting on Wednesday (48)

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:06:00 +0000

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill from Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

Releases: January 3, 2012

Seraphina’s first love made her immortal…her second might get her killed.Incarnation is a new series that introduces a fresh mythology perfect for fans of bestselling series like The Immortals by Alyson Noel and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

After spending six hundred years on earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world’s riches, but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to swap bodies with other humans, jumping from one vessel to the next, taking the human’s life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she’s done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again.

Then sixteen-year-old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she’s inhabiting—and falls for the human boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she’s his again, and every moment she stays, she’s putting herself and the people she’s grown to care for in great danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that’s eluded her for centuries: true love?

Goodreads

What are you waiting on?

In My Mailbox (47)

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
The Gathering by Kelly Armstrong
Possess by Gretchen McNeil

YA Buzz

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

New Covers

Black Dawn by Rachel Caine (The Morganville Vampires #12)
*May 1, 2012 by NAL*
Bitterblue by Kristen Cashore (The Seven Kingdoms #3)
*May 1, 2012 by Dial*
Blackout by Mira Grant (Newsflesh Trilogy, #3)
*June 7, 2012 by Orbit*

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
*2012 by Katherine Tegen Books*
Starters by Lissa Price
*March 13, 2012 by Delacorte*
Above World by Jenn Reese
*February 14, 2012 by Candlewick Press*

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams
*January 3, 2012 by Simon & Schuster*
On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane
*December 27, 2011 by Harlequin Teen*
Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed in Blood #2)
*2012 by Tor Teen*

Forgiven by Jana Oliver (The Demon Trappers #3)
*2012*
The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
*January 10, 2012 by Random House*
The Savage Grace by Bree Despain (The Dark Divine #3)
*March 13, 2012 by EgmontUSA*

37 Things I Love (in no particular order) by Kekla Magoon
*May 22, 2012 by Henry Holt and Co.*
The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George
*March 15, 2012 by Viking Juvenile*

Clockwork Prince Masquerade Ball Teaser

___________________________________________________

Not much this week except a bunch of gorgeous covers. I especially LOVE the cover for Girl of Nightmares and The Alchemy of Forever. What do you think? Which one's do you like the best?

Author Interview: Courtney K. Walker

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Courtney K. Walker
Website / Goodreads

Books:

On the Fringe

Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death.

Describe your book in 5 words or less.

Like going home.

How did the idea of On The Fringe come to you?

My then 12-year-old son and I brainstormed one summer afternoon, trying to come up with a fun paranormal story that he would like to read. Ghosts sounded most interesting…the idea of death separating two friends who never had the chance to explore anything beyond friendship.

The cover is gorgeous! What was your reaction when seeing it for the first time?

Thank you! I love it, too. My first reaction to Elena Kalis’ underwater photo was: I love how it captures a critical scene in the book, as well as the mood of the entire story. It feels beautiful and innocent, with the blues and pinks melting together, yet completely frightening at the way her body is sinking.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a writer?

Just to tell a great story that readers can connect to, and maybe even ask a few questions about themselves.

Quick! Can you share 5 random things about yourself?

I love baked goods. I’m claustrophobic. I wish I could cry more easily because I feel like a major disappointment. I had to get knee surgery after tearing my meniscus while playing Dance Dance Revolution on the X-box. I compose music.

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would you choose? Why?

Impossible! That would be a very sad life.

If you could be anything in the world, what would you be? Why?

How about someone who could eat whatever she wants without any consequences and not wimp out when her husband takes her mountain biking?

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

What I’ve been learning through this process of writing On the Fringe: We are all connected, whether we realize it or not, whether we want to be or not.

Thanks Courtney for stopping by!!

____________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

COURTNEY K. WALKER grew up in Walnut Creek, California, and with her siblings built rocket ships and rafts out of cardboard, determined to make it to both the moon and Niagara Falls. But a trip across the border to Tijuana was as exciting as it ever got.

After being banned from the kitchen after a few too many catastrophes, she discovered a love for writing, music and art. Eventually she decided on graphic design for a career, and earned her BFA from Brigham Young University.

After residing in St. Louis, Chicago and San Francisco, Courtney now lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and four children. She has yet to make it to Niagara Falls, but did give up on her quest to go to the moon...at least in a cardboard box.

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0000

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill from Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: January 3, 2012

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Goodreads / Amazon

What are you waiting on?

Author Interview: Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Jennifer L. Armentrout
Website / Blog / Twitter

Books:

Half-Blood
Pure (April 2, 2012)
Deity (November 6, 2012)

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Describe your book in 5 words or less.

The gods made a big mistake.

What has your road to publication been like?

I think it was fairly common. I started off completely naive about it. Wrote a book (the 1st draft of Half-Blood) and thought now I must go query. I learned that the first draft is not want you to try to get published. After several rewrites and revisions, I really started querying. Fielded rejections and requests right up until I was offered a contract for Half-Blood. By that time I'd already written two more books. Started writing Half-Blood in 2008 if that gives you an idea of how long it took.

The cover is gorgeous! What was your reaction when seeing it for the first time?

Thank you! I was really happy to see something so different from what we see on YA covers. I was really excited. And the cover actually plays into the book, so that makes me happy.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a writer?

That's such a hard question. I guess I hope to immerse readers in my own imagination, for them to be able to forget about things going on and live through my characters. That alone makes writing worth it.

What's something surprising about yourself that most people wouldn't think was true?

That I was a double major in college, Psychology and Sociology with a criminal justice track. Yeah, don't ask how I started writing YA Paranormal. I have no clue.

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would you choose? Why?

Oh man, that's a tough one. I don't know if I could just pick one book. I guess a Soul Screamer novel. Preferably the new one.

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

Thank you so much for giving Half-Blood a chance. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it!

Thanks Jennifer for stopping by!!

Thanks for having me, Casey!

__________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT lives in West Virginia. All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. Well, mostly.

When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write. She shares her home with her husband, his K-9 partner named Diesel, her hyper Jack Russell Loki, and her pet turtle called Michelangelo. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent her time writing short stories. Therefore explains her dismal grades in math.

She writes Adult and Young Adult Urban Fantasy and Romance. Half-Blood, the first book in a planned series, is her debut novel and is available October 2011.

In My Mailbox (46)

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:30:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

How to Save a Life by Sarah Zarr

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Passion by Lauren Kate

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lore by Sarah MacLean

me and my daughter, Kaylee

Author Interview: Stasia Kehoe

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:54:00 +0000

Stasia Kehoe
Website / Blog / Twitter

Books:

Audition

When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent.

Describe your book in 5 words or less.

The audition is only the first step... (Okay, that's seven words. Sorry. Hard question!)

What has your road to publication been like?

When I tell the short-form of the story--queried short-list of agents on a Monday, had four offers of representation within a week, agent with whom I signed sold my book in four days--people tell me that my road to publication has been ridiculously easy. The long-form involves decades of writing my own fiction at night while working by day for trade publishers, including Random House and currently Simon & Schuster. It involves attending many SCBWI conferences, joining critique groups, taking playwriting classes (highly recommend these for honing dialogue), and writing countless manuscripts that will never see the light of day. I think the first turning point for my writing came when I really began to grasp the concept of revision and found the discipline to stick with one story through MANY drafts. The second turning point was summoning up the courage to submit stuff. So, you know, my journey took two weeks plus twenty years!

The cover is gorgeous! What was your reaction when seeing it for the first time?

Before the book design process began, I had been living with Sara and Remington for a long time, watching them dance in my imagination. So that first moment of seeing a photograph of ACTUAL PEOPLE was very surreal. Honestly, the guy on the cover was much hotter than the Rem I envisioned (seriously, where did they find him?)! Once I caught my breath, though, I really liked the cover--especially the tension between the two characters and the way the designer floated bits of verse behind the photographic image.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a writer?

All I hope is that I have the opportunity to write more novels and that I give the process my best effort every day. The rest of it, honestly, is out of my hands.

What's something surprising about yourself that most people wouldn't think was true?

As a teen, I proclaimed that I would never marry, never have kids, and would live only for art. My husband and I just celebrated our nineteenth wedding anniversary surrounded by our four awesome kids, so I imagine folks who know me now would find this surprising. Lesson: Stay open-minded about your future and if a cute guy from your acting class invites you out for a drink, prepare to revise proclamations!

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would you choose? Why?

I love to read plays, so I would choose Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Its theme--the relationship between artist and subject--fascinates me. It is one of the things I wanted to explore in AUDITION. I think it's cool that Shaw wrote a bunch of different endings to Pygmalion (as a now-chronic reviser, I totally get that). The play was also made into a musical, My Fair Lady, so (if no one's around to listen) I can sing the story, too!

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

For me, a novel comes to life in the interaction between writer and reader. The journey from the printed page through the eyes (or ears or fingertips) to the brain is eternally individual, unique and special. The narrative is a product of my words and the reader's personal experience. So, thank you for all that you bring to Audition by reading it!

Thanks Stasia!!

______________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

STASIA WARD KEHOE grew up dancing and performing on stages from New Hampshire to Washington, DC. She now writes books for young adults and choreographs the occasional musical.

APPEARANCES

OCTOBER 13 from 8:30 - 10 PM
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Nightcapper Event
Holiday Inn Portland Airport, Portland, OR

OCTOBER 18 at 6 PM
AUDITION Launch Party at B&N Woodinville, WA!

OCTOBER 20 at 5 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour Kicks off its California at Mrs. Nelson's Book & Toy Shop, La Verne, CA

October 22 at 2 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at Barnes & Noble Manhattan Beach, CA

OCTOBER 23 at 2 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at Vroman's Bookstore, Pasadena, CA

OCTOBER 26 at 7 PM
SCBWI Fall Inside Story at Sunset Hill Community Association, Ballard, WA
Meet lots of Western Washington authors and learn the stories behind their books!

November 3 at 7 PM
Stages on Pages touches down in the Pacific NW at The Secret Garden Bookshop, Seattle, WA

November 4 at 4 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

November 5 at 4 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at Orca Books, Olympia, WA

November 6 at 2 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at A Children's Place Bookstore in Portland, OR

November 10 at 6 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at Books of Wonder, New York, NY

November 11 at 4 pm
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at The Voracious Reader, Larchmont, NY

November 12
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at Dolphin Bookshop, Port Washington, NY

November 13 at 4 PM
Stages on Pages Book Tour stops at Oblong Books & Music, Rhinebeck, NY

November 15
Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, NY, with Rosanne Parry

Author Interview: Mike Mullin

noreply@blogger.com (A Passion For Books) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:55:00 +0000

Mike Mullin
Website / Blog / Twitter

Books:

Ashfall

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget.

Describe your book in 5 words or less.

Alex seeks family after supervolcano.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given about your writing?

The most helpful advice I’ve received accompanied an agent’s rejection of ASHFALL. Here’s a taste, “The tone of the book doesn’t seem to match the horror of the details you’re conveying. Even when things are at their bleakest, the tension doesn’t seem to fully ratchet up,” Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich. Literary agents don’t owe unpublished writers anything. There’s no upside to offering this kind of useful criticism and a lot of downside. I’m still grateful to Jim for his generous advice—so much so that I mention him in the acknowledgements, and I named a (nice) character in his honor. If you’ve got an awesome manuscript, I recommend putting him at the top of your query list.

If Ashfall had a theme song, what would it be?

Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture played in reverse through a mixer that changes the tempo randomly throughout. It starts with a bang, ends in a sorrowful dirge (but with a note of hope), and in between it’s chaotic, scary, and sublime.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as a writer?

I’d like to give my readers the gift that Heinlein, Asimov, Cormier, Blume, and Peck gave me: A few hours of diversion in a childhood that was sometimes kind of shitty. The opportunity to live other lives vicariously through their writing. A few new thoughts, and lots of familiar feelings.

Quick! Can you share 5 random things about yourself?

Five fun facts about me:
1. I keep a pet alligator in the guestroom bathtub. It’s really friendly with my wife’s three cats.
2. I earned a black belt in Songahm Taekwondo in April.
3. The broken arm I got in fourth grade was caused by an unfortunate run-in with a grizzly bear.
4. I shelve my books in binary. You can find The Story of Edgar Sawtelle under 010110100101010.
5. I’m not entirely sure what the word “fact” means, but I’ve got fun down to an art.

If you could travel back in time, what time and place would you choose? And if you can only take 3 things with you, what would you take?

Do I dare go all the way back to the Cretaceous Period? I guess I’d have to. The opportunity to see live dinosaurs, even if only briefly, would be too tempting to pass up.

What would I bring?
1. My brother-in-law. He’s a Sergeant Major, 3rd degree karate black belt, and explosives expert.
2. My father-in-law. I’m pretty sure I could outrun him, so he’d get eaten first.
3. A survival kit. Yep, I cheated there. Neener-neener.

If you have the chance to give one piece of valuable advice to your readers, what would it be?

Everything is temporary. If you’re feeling depressed, it will pass. If you’re feeling on-top-of-the-world, that will pass too. Live like you mean it.

Thanks Mike!!

___________________________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MIKE MULLIN’s first job was scraping the gum off the undersides of desks at his high school. From there, things went steadily downhill. He almost got fired by the owner of a bookstore due to his poor taste in earrings. He worked at a place that showed slides of poopy diapers during lunch (it did cut down on the cafeteria budget). The hazing process at the next company included eating live termites raised by the resident entomologist, so that didn’t last long either. For a while Mike juggled bottles at a wine shop, sometimes to disastrous effect. Oh, and then there was the job where swarms of wasps occasionally tried to chase him off ladders. So he’s really hoping this writing thing works out.

Mike holds a black belt in Songahm Taekwondo. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife and her three cats. ASHFALL is his first novel.

A Passion for Books

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In My Mailbox (48)

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Dark Days of Fall Signing!

Waiting on Wednesday (48)

In My Mailbox (47)

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Author Interview: Courtney K. Walker

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

Author Interview: Jennifer L. Armentrout

In My Mailbox (46)

Author Interview: Stasia Kehoe

Author Interview: Mike Mullin

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