Author Interview: Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Today's guest is the author of one of my favorite books, one that gutted me and kept me gripped and blew me away. Who is it? Jennifer Shaw Wolf, debut author with Breaking Beautiful. Trust me, you want to read this book, and to whet your appetite more, here's an interview with her!


Faced with a situation like Allie’s, would you want to find out the dark truth or remain unknowing?

Oh, this is a tough one. I would want to know the answer enough that I would keep pushing for the truth, but once I found out, I’d wish I’d remained in blissful ignorance. Vague enough?

It’s just Blake and a tiger in the ring of the Roman Coliseum. What happens? What about with Andrew or Trip?

Blake figures out a peaceful resolution and he and the lion part as friends. Andrew outsmarts the lion and gets away. Trip goes for brute force and gets eaten.

If you could pair Allie, Trip and Blake with any character from any book, who would you pick for each?

All of these characters had a “pair” from the book, but if I were to mix it up, I’d put Allie with Randall, Trip with Angie, and try Blake with Caitlyn.

If you were a demigod, what god/goddess would be your parent?

I love Artemis, but she’s sworn to be a virgin so her being my mom is kind of out. How about Colliope, the goddess muse of epic poetry? I can use all the inspiration I can get.

What kind of cookie would you describe yourself as?

For some reason snicker doodle comes to mind. Really they’re just a plain round sugar cookie rolled in cinnamon and sugar, maybe with a little tartness or bitterness from the cream of tartar. I have a distinct memory of sitting with one of my first boyfriends, at his house, eating snicker doodles and talking with his mom so a snicker doodle brings back bittersweet memories for me. Maybe I’m a snicker doodle because on the outside I’m simple and sweet, but when you get to know me, or especially when you read my writing, I’m a little different then what you’d expect.


Thank you, Jennifer, and congrats on the upcoming release! I cannot wait to see it on the shelves!

This one hits shelves April 24 from Walker, but you really should just preorder it now. And if you're a blogger, it's now on Netgalley so go request!

Book Review: Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

SUMMARY: Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.


OPINION:


Beautifully scripted and intelligently woven, Graffiti Moon is such a stellar example of contemporary at its finest. With dual perspectives, and a timeline that takes place pretty much in just one night, this is a compact but potent read. There is intense chemistry between the characters, just the right amount of back story woven in, and such depth infused throughout the story that this one will suck readers in and not let go.

Lucy is a stunningly done character, someone who has plenty of confusion about how relationships work in large part because of her parents. Though they clearly love her, and love each other, they need plenty of space as well. Her home life is a good one, but definitely one with it's differences, and Crowley quietly fuses the effects of that into the story. A little scared, yet feisty and completely willing to face down just about anything, Lucy puts herself out there even when she’s unsure. I loved this girl, from the way she can defend herself to the vulnerability within her as well. Watching her not only be so enthralled with how she thinks Shadow is, but learning about the boy she spends the evening with as well, and the mixing of the two angles had me hooked and entranced.

Mirroring her is Shadow, known to Lucy as Ed. Trying to hide the truth to his graffiti artist side, and clearly carrying a torch for Lucy even before this night started, he is charming and awkward and so genuine. He has some incredibly poignant scenes and moments, and the different way he views the world will make readers step back and think. With a distinctive voice and narrative to him, standing easily apart from Lucy’s voice, and a very smooth flow and writing style weaving the two together, Ed and Lucy are both sizzling and sweet. Music, lyrical and beautiful, the writing is as notable in this book as the story, characters and concepts.

There are a handful of other characters, some more vivid and present than others, yet each one distinctive and fun. With plenty of mishaps and fumbles along the way, this one has a very realistic element to it yet readers won't be pulled out of what’s happening even once. From budding romance to solid and intense friendships, Crowley includes a range of elements into this one, and does each one perfectly and seamlessly. With a raw honesty to it, a guttural beauty, and an overall enthralling and gripping nature, Graffiti Moon is a book that absolutely shouldn’t be missed.

Details:

Source: Netgalley 

Reading level: Ages 14 and up 

Hardcover: 272 pages 

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: February 14, 2012

Author Interview: Liz Reinhardt

Today's guest is Double Clutch author Liz Reinhardt, to talk romance, Denmark, and plants!



If you were in Brenna's position, with two boys to choose from, how would you decide?

That’s a good question, and I’m glad I was never actually in Brenna’s position! I think that what Brenna winds up doing, by just going wherever her feelings take her is selfish but necessary. I would never make a habit of hurting peoples’ feelings, but I think it’s important to date all different people so you can know what your options are and who you might be able to be with for a long time. (I know, I know! I sound like Mrs. Blixen when I say things like that!)

What is your favorite part about writing romance?

I love every single aspect of writing romance! I’m kind of a romantic in real life, and I love all the details…long phone calls, thoughtful gifts, funny conversations, hot make-out sessions. Some people think romance is a less valid genre because it tends to have a happily ever after ending. I think there’s nothing more important. Having a person you love in your life is the most important thing. Celebrating that kind of love makes me proud and happy as a writer.

Of all the places for Brenna to have spent freshman year, why Denmark?

My father was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He’s since become an American citizen, but we were raised going to Danish festivals, fairs, camps, plays…we had a Danish exchange student and my family has visited Denmark. I wanted to give a little shout out to my father! I also love details, and lots of them. Talking about Denmark with some insider knowledge was easy for me, because I’d lived life talking about Denmark and being around Danish culture.

If you could pair Brenna, Saxon and Jake with any character from any book, who would you pick for each?

Oh my gosh, this is a crazy awesome question! Okay, I would pair Brenna with my all-time favorite book crush, Marcus Flutie from Megan McCafferty’s Jessica Darling books. He’s handsome, a rebel, and really smart, but a real romantic! I’d pair Jake with Lola from Stephanie Perkins. I think he’d fit in so well with her family, and she’d bring out the artsy side of him and encourage him to open up and be more confident. Saxon? I’d pair him with Taylor Markham from Melina Marchetta’s Jellicoe Road. Taylor is tough, honest, and smart, and she could whip Saxon into shape!! (I’m sorry to Jessica, Cricket, and Jonas for stealing your loves!)

What kind of plant would you describe yourself as?

Haha! Something tall. Maybe a tall nut tree? I wish I knew more about plants, because I could give a better answer!


Thank you, Liz, for stopping in and congrats on the book!

Author Interview + Contest: Margie Gelbwasser

Stopping in today is the author of one of the most aching, brutal books I have ever read. It's a book that left me a mess for several days after, but also one that really made me think, both as a reader and a writer. And I have to admit, coming up with questions to ask the author of this one was incredibly hard for me. But I did it, and she answered them, and is even giving you guys the chance to win a copy of her book? The book and author in question? Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser, so let's get to it!



This is definitely not an easy book for many readers to stomach, so I can only imagine how it was to write it and be in the character's head. What part of the entire writing process was the most challenging for you?

I was very excited to write in the multiple points of view, but I wanted to make sure they sounded distinctive. I have read books told in multiple POV where one can only tell who the speaker is because of the header on the page. I really wanted readers to be able to know who was speaking even if the header wasn't there. I also didn't want the multiple POV to exist just for the sake of existing. I really wanted each other to have his/her own story. Those were the two most challenging things—making sure the voices were distinctive and to represent each character authentically and wholly.

Which of the four characters do you relate to the most?

While I don't think I would act like any of the characters, I feel most sympathy for Kyle. He's so fragile to me and the most innocent out of all them. I feel he is the only one who is not really given a choice in his life.

If you could pair each of your characters with any character from any book, who would you pick for them?

Oooh, this is such a good questions. Hmm...ok I'll pair Katie with Melinda from SPEAK because they have both been damaged, and I think Melinda can teach Katie to find her voice and be strong.

I would like to pair Julie with Rosaleen Daise and Augusta Boatwright from THE SECRET LIFE OF  BEES. The women can serve as examples of real mothers to her and show her what injustice really is. Perhaps, with them, she can get a better conscience. Alex will make a good match with Atticus Finch from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. I know this may sound out there, but he needs a father figure and someone who has been through hard times as well, and I think he can change Alex for the better. Finally, for Kyle, I would choose Professor Dumbledore from the HARRY POTTER series. He is so kind and wise and can show Kyle how to find the inner strength he doesn't think he has. He taught Harry about fighting Voldemort, so he can definitely help Kyle fight his (human) demons.

If you were a demigod, what god/goddess would be your nemesis?

My nemesis would be Hera because the stories portray her as jealous and vengeful, and I don't think it's necessary to behave this way. Be proud, woman, and don't bring others down! But, I don't know if I would cross her because she would probably make my life (unlife?) hell.

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

My son is four-and-a-half and loves dinosaurs. We read about them all the time, and he even has one of the walls in his room dedicated to just dinosaurs (the others—in case you're curious—are dedicated to superheroes, the CARS movie, construction vehicles, and firefighters). Anyway....I'm going to go with the Triceratops, but not because I'm most like it. Rather, I aspire to be like that dinosaur. It was a plant eater with a laid back, live and let leave personality. It had its spiky back for protection and didn't want to bother itself with the ferocious games of some of the other dinosaurs. I'm a type A personality. I take things very personally and am so not thick-skinned. I worry a lot. But, I'd like to be more relaxed, more zen. Just eat my lettuce and let the world rumble around me.


Thank you, Margie, for both the stunning book and the interview!

Pieces of Us hits shelves March 8, and you should definitely make sure to pick it up, but in the meantime, I've got a copy for one lucky winner to take home!

To enter, just fill out THIS form.

This contest is US only, and ends March 8.

No entries will be accepted through comments, but you should still totally leave one.

Book Review: Double by Jenny Valentine

SUMMARY: When the sixteen-year-old runaway Chap is mistaken for a missing boy named Cassiel, his life changes dramatically. Chap takes on Cassiel's identity, gaining the family and friends he's always dreamed of having. But becoming someone else isn't as easy as he hoped--and Chap isn't the only one hiding a secret. As he teeters on the brink of discovery and begins to unravel the mystery behind Cassiel's disappearance, Chap realizes that he's in much deeper danger than he could have imagined.

After all, you can't just steal a life and expect to get away with it.

Award-winning author Jenny Valentine delivers an explosive mystery where dark secrets, betrayal, and loss pave the way for one teen's chance at redemption.


OPINION: 3 STARS

Though predictable, partly inherent to the set up, there is still a soft intensity to this one that drives it forward. With some very out there moments that pique reader interest, and an overall compelling central character, Double will pull readers in and keep them engaged, even if they are working to figure things out. Beacuse of the way Valentine propels this one, even if you guess it, there is still something satisfying and a bit gutting about finding out the truth behind everything.

Chap is a highly sympathetic character, one who readers will side with and understand. Juggled around, and definitely delt a hard hand in life, there is a clear motive behind what he does and how things have led to him at this point. Loyal in quiet ways, and determined in some bold ones, Chap is both sweet and endearing. Though his development did seem to lack in just a few aspects, considering the mystery built and the double life he is leading, it makes sense.

There is a strong drive behind this one, and though some parts lagged, there was an engaging aspect throughout. With some depth mixed into funny and lighter situations, Valentine hits on some heavy concepts and emotions. There is a strong family element to this one, and a well crafted underlying murder mystery. Though a little more simple in writing, and not quite as strong in voice as this reader would have liked, Double is, overall, an interesting read.

Details: 

Source: Netgalley 

Reading level: Ages 12 and up 

Hardcover: 256 pages 

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Reprint edition: February 21, 2012

Character Interview: Kim from Katana

Dropping in today is Kim, the martial arts master from Cole Gibsen's debut Katana! With plenty of secrets of his own, and kick butt fighting skills, Kim is definitely a character you want to get to know, so here he is!


What was your first impression of Rileigh?

As the great Miyamoto Musashi has said, “It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet.” And yet, knowing this, I still couldn’t pull my gaze from her eyes.

What's the best part about using martial arts over other fighting forms?

Again, I must divert to Musashi who has said, “The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.”

How'd you come about running your own dojo?

I could tell you that it’s a front that allows me to continue my daily operations as an operative for a secret government agency called The Network, but of course that would be completely ridiculous.

What is the first thing that came to mind when you woke up this morning?

The same thing that is on my mind every morning; finding Senshi and making sure history does not repeat itself.

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

Whichever kind can grip a sword.


Thank you, Kim, for stopping by and congrats, Cole, on the release!

Katana hits shelves March 8 so make sure you check it out!