Author Guest Post: Jeff Strand

Stopping in today is Jeff Strand, author of A Bad Day for Voodoo, with a hilarious guest post all about How To Read A Bad Day For Voodoo While Doing A Hostage Negotiation.


It's going to happen to a bunch of you. You'll be sitting on the couch with your brand new copy of A Bad Day For Voodoo. You've got a glass of cold milk and a plate of chocolate chip cookies that you've baked just for this special occasion. You open the book, giggle with anticipation, and prepare yourself to enjoy the very first word on the very first page...and then you get called in to negotiation a hostage situation. Aw, bummer!

Well, your afternoon won't be a total waste, because if you follow the below pieces of advice, you can do both! That's right, you can read the book and save innocent lives!

1. Purchase a customized bulletproof book sleeve. If the bullets start flying, one or more of them could puncture your book and obscure important words. And let's face it, there's nothing worse than reading "And then his [Unreadable Due To Bullet Hole] exploded!" and not knowing what exploded! If you can't afford a special book sleeve, just cut a book-sized piece out of your bulletproof vest.

2. Don't let your boss see what you're reading. Your boss knows that you're a loose cannon who plays by his own rules, but that doesn't mean he won't get mad if he sees you reading on the job. That's why, for the low price of $39.99, your copy of A Bad Day For Voodoo can include a special cover attachment that reads Hostage Negotiation 101.

3. Share really funny parts with the captors. When one of the bad guys tells you that you've got thirty seconds to comply with their demands before they start shooting hostages, people are going to be tense. But nothing diffuses tension like a good laugh. Pick up that megaphone, read a paragraph or two, and watch those murderous frowns turn into smiles!

4. Remember that, in the long run, human lives are more important than A Bad Day For Voodoo. In a worst-case scenario, you may actually have to put the book down and actively try to talk the villains out of killing people. In that happens, just take a deep breath, wipe away a tear, and remember that you can still read the book when you get home. It's a pretty good book, but let's not get carried away.


So there you guys go. You know, just in case you find yourself in a hostage situation (but I love all my readers, so I really hope that doesn't happen.)

A Bad Day for Voodoo is out now, so definitely check it out!

Why Contemporary?

Something I've noticed about myself this year, as I continue to read book after book, is that more and more of what I do read is straight contemporary. Of the books I've read this year, maybe 1/4 of them, if that, have been non-contemps. It's not that I dislike paranormal, or dystopian, it's just that the ones I gravitate towards more are contemp. My issue is picking up a non-contemp book. I still have a pretty good idea of whether I'm going to enjoy it based on the summary, and basically all the non-contemps I've read so far this year have been great. I was totally into them once I started them, and yes, there were several that I was extremely excited to read and pretty much dropped everything to start it once I got the book.

 

But even my own writing is straight contemporary. And not the cute, fluffy romancey kind. Mine are the emotional, dark, painful ones. In talking to a good friend last night about my writing, and about the book I drafted in May while I queried, that I'm going to start revising soon, I started thinking, again, why do I love this stuff so much?

Beyond the obvious, that I just do... for me, it's really how affecting those "harder" contemps can be. There is nothing better, to me, than going through an entire emotional battle while I read. On a bad day, when I'm fed up with things, and tried, and frustrated, or just plain exhausted, there is something invigorating about being locked in someone else's pain and frustration. Not that I am glad they are suffering, plus when it's done right, I'm suffering right there with them. But it's such a good reminder that those things that seem so huge in my life, maybe aren't.

More than that, though, is that feeling, when you put a hard and emotional book down at the end, of being changed. Of having the way you view things changed. Of seeing a character's life, from their side, rather than the outside. Finding out what's really going on in that house down the street, or understanding why that guy spends all his time getting stoned and messing around. I'm not saying that is every character, or every situation, but there have been countless books that have honestly affected me, and even changed me, however subtly.

And as a writer, that's what I want. I want people to walk away from my books gutted and broken, but pieced back together in some way. I want them to think differently of something, however seemingly minor before. I realize that's a tall order to feel, but it's one I'm striving for all the same.

I love connecting to a character so strongly, I lose track of time. I forget what's going on around me (until, you know, Toby pees on my carpet to get my attention...). I love being angry at the other characters who wrong them, cheering when good things happen, and having so many questions about them in my head of things that aren't in the book. The books that leave me aching, that leave me breathless, are the ones that, a year later, I still remember. Not just remember that I loved it, but I'll remember details. I'll remember why. And the ones that really get to me, that leave me gutted for days? Those are the ones I reread.

Characters are always the biggest thing in a book for me... and contemporary books are far more intrinsic and character focused than the paranromal and dystopians. In the latter, so many of what's effecting the main character is extrinsic. Yes, there is an internal element too, but it's different. The non-contemps that end up being my favorite either have a very strong character development component, or the book is primarily contemp, with a touch of something else.

So that's why contemporary, for me. Personal taste, sure, but even more than that, it's what those books to do me, and for me. It's seeing these struggles, so many of them actually pretty ordinary when you get down to it, and how different characters react to it. How their lives have played into who they are now, when we meet them.

It's knowing, when I'm done, that no matter the crap that I get thrown, it's not really so bad, and I've been pretty darn lucky in life.

Book Review: Hidden by Sophie Jordan

SUMMARY: Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.


OPINION: 5 STARS

Launching immediately into the action while gently reminding readers of the events that closed out Vanish, Hidden is fast paced, emotional, and stunning. Leading up to an explosive and gripping climax, and closing out the trilogy in a great and fitting way, this one definitely doesn’t leave readers feeling cheated. Testing both readers and the characters in new ways, and keeping their attention rapt with both the events of the book and the writing, Jordan’s talent continues to shine in this installment.

Much of this plot is unpredictable, yet there are just enough clues to keep readers guessing. With Jacinda still being pulled between Will and Cassian, for reasons more than where her heart lies, and a gutting new set of trials laid before her, there is a very relatable element to this one and beautifully done characterization. Jacinda continues to grow, learning to make choices for herself at times rather than constantly for everyone else, and she is still one of my favorite heroines. Will is, as expected, steamy and endearing, the boy who makes you melt yet also challenges you. Selfless in a lot of ways, yet not a complete doormat, the attraction and connection between Will and Jacinda continues to burn intensely. While they have their own sets of challenges, which Jordan scripts perfectly against everything else happening, there is also a quietness between them that jumps off the pages. Then there’s Cassian, a boy who has won even my heart, despite my preference for Will, and a boy who has an incredible sense of loyalty and honor. Tamra, too, continues to grow in this one, and will certainly leave her own mark on readers.

There is a great pacing in Hidden, letting readers breathe for only a few moments before something is thrown their way. Tying up all the major threads of the book, Jordan will leave her readers in a good place without intentionally cheating them out of anything. Beautifully written, with stellar descriptions and some seriously hot kissing scenes, Hidden showcases the true talent Jordan has. Hitting on some hard notes, and keeping a strong emotional air throughout, Hidden is stunning and bold, and if you haven’t yet picked up this series, you need to. Now.

Details:

Source: ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review 

Reading level: Ages 13 and up 

Hardcover: 272 pages 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: September 11, 2012

Book Review: Whispers in Autumn by Trisha Leigh

SUMMARY: In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.

Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.

The autumn she meets Lucas, everything changes.

Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race.

It’s not who they are that makes them special, but what.

And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.


OPINION: 4 STARS

Intriguing and captivating, Whispers in Autumn is one of those books that blends together several known elements in a way that just totally grabs you. Though a little slow feeling at first, there is a strong undercurrent to this one that holds interest.With some great twists, and quite a few thought-provoking moments, Whispers in Autumn is both fun and intense.


Althea is a great character, the kind with a different sort of journey ahead of her. Truly feeling like an outsider because she doesn't exist in a mindless daze, there is a constant layer of fear around her. Being found out in regards to having control of her own head definitely has consequences, and Leigh navigates this area seamlessly. Althea goes through tremendous strides, while still being very much the perceptive and caring girl we meet at the start. 

Then there's Lucas, a boy who will completely capture readers from his first appearance. Testing Althea in some pretty big ways, the pair have a few strides to overcome. Once they do, though, things heat up... in some rather awesome ways. There is definitely chemistry between these two, and so many of the pages sizzle with what's going on between them. I fell hard for Lucas, and rooted right there with him and Althea, even in their not as stellar moments. 

While this one is a bit confusion to start, being thrown right into things, and the pacing takes some time to really get up to speed, Leigh has enough mystery mixed with well timed reveals to keep reader interest. I had so many questions, where it seemed like each new piece of info only made me want to know more, in that way that lets the book get so into my head. While I admit, I predicted a few of the twists, Leigh still keeps some up her sleeve until the right moment. There are some fantastic elements pulled into this one, woven in a way that I thoroughly loved, and that put a fresh sort of spin on them.


The writing is fabulous, building the atmosphere Althea lives in while also giving a strong voice to who she is. With some amazing descriptions, and an alluring flow, the writing stands out as much as the story and characters do. There is a huge amount of emotions worked into this one, pulling you in right away, and letting you feel everything Althea does, from fear to happiness. Blending some great aspects into something with a new feel, and adding in the right amount of romance and heat, Whispers in Autumn is a great book that shouldn't be missed.

Details:

Source: ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review

Reading Level: Young Adult

Book Review: The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

SUMMARY: She feels like a creature out of a fairy tale; a girl who discovers that her bones are really made out of stone, that her skin is really as thin as glass, that her hair is brittle as straw, that her tears have dried up so that she cries only salt. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t hurt when she presses hard enough to begin bleeding: it doesn’t hurt, because she’s not real anymore.

Sethie Weiss is hungry, a mean, angry kind of hunger that feels like a piece of glass in her belly. She’s managed to get down to 111 pounds and knows that with a little more hard work—a few more meals skipped, a few more snacks vomited away—she can force the number on the scale even lower. She will work on her body the same way she worked to get her perfect grades, to finish her college applications early, to get her first kiss from Shaw, the boy she loves, the boy who isn’t quite her boyfriend.

Sethie will not allow herself one slip, not one bad day, not one break in concentration. Her body is there for her to work on when everything and everyone else—her best friend, her schoolwork, and Shaw—are gone.


OPINION: 5 STARS

Uncomfortable but realistic, The Stone Girl is an aching but beautiful tale of body issues and friendship. Though the third person point of view creates a different kind of connection to the book, especially one so character and relationship focused, it’s still engaging in an inexplicable way. I fell into this one right away, stunned by the depth of Sethie’s hatred towards herself, even when she couldn’t see it for what it was. Sethie’s entire character arc is so well done, so intricate from start to finish, and the book closes at the perfect moment for the story.

Sethie is a character that, in all honesty, I can see a lot of readers hating. More than once I wanted to shake some sense in to her, except she isn't just that oblivious girl who doesn’t realize her boyfriend is less than what he seems, who doesn’t realize he maybe isn't even her boyfriend at all but a guy that just uses her to get some. As a reader, yes, it’s easy to see early that the reality with Shaw isn't what’s in her head. It is frustrating? Yes. But here’s the thing. I understood her. I got that essentially, Sethie is a girl who has such a small view of herself, so much built up self-hatred, that just having a guy who is willing to sleep with her means everything. He wants her, out of all the girls. It’s her that turns him on. And even when faced with some even rougher truths about him, her reaction is something towards herself, towards what that must mean for her, rather than anything outward. This, I think, is what makes this book so potent, but also makes it one of those books that can be easily misinterpreted. This is one of those books, and Sethie is one of those characters, that is so flawed she is painfully realistic, the kind of authentic that you want to turn away from.

Then there’s the eating disorder wrapped into the story, the way Sethie views herself, the fact that she hates the natural curves a woman should have because those curves come from fat. Sethie isn't the kind of anorexic that weighs less than a Barbie. But she still weighs less than she should, she still punishes her body constantly, punishes herself for being hungry. A victory to Sethie is being able to skip a meal and not think about it, or being fine eating half a bagel with barely any peanut butter on it. And though as a reader, I know how much she’s hurting herself, while reading, I understood that it made sense to Sethie, and therefore it made sense to me. Even more notable with this entire aspect of the story was that for Sethie, it just was. She didn’t have a rough home life that pushed her into needing control of one aspect of her life. She didn’t have a mom who made her feel imperfect all the time. She just had a different view of herself in her head, and it just… was. And honestly? I loved that aspect, because I do think there are a lot of girls who go through the same thing. Who can’t adequately explain why they see themselves like that. If every eating disorder was the exact same, then I imagine treating them would be simple. But each case is different, and some of them are more mundane seeming, and that is showcased so beautifully in this book.

Adding another layer to the story is the note of friendship, of the goods and bads of it, of hurting someone and then figuring out how to make up for it. Jane is an amazing character for this, a girl who has a good head on her shoulders, even if she can be a bit selfish or show-offy at times. Understanding Sethie before anyone else does, she tests Sethie in some much needed, even if painful, ways. I loved watching the friendship form between those, particularly set against the backdrop of how Sethie views herself and her relationship with Shaw. And though Shaw is a character that you will probably want to kick in a certain painful place, he, too, has an honest realism to him and an essential role in the story. While instinct says what happens with him and Sethie isn't really that realistic, logic says that yes, unfortunately, it is. It’s those kind of gray areas that are so perfectly woven into the story, the things that challenge readers, that makes The Stone Girl a great and important read. Though hard to take at times, and certainly a bit of a train wreck to follow, this is a book that is, at its center, captivating.

Details:

Source: Netgalley 

Reading level: Ages 12 and up 

Hardcover: 224 pages 

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Upcoming Droolworthy Books: Male POV

Male POV is my favorite. It's generally what I write, and I usually snatch up as many books written in it as I can. And while I do enjoy the split male/female POV books, the all male ones just get me. So this time on Droolworthy Upcoming Books, I'm feature all male POV ones that I am, well, drooling for! This isn't including any sequels, just stand alones or the start to a new series.

Taken by Erin Bowman: I will probably not ever shut about this book. It has just captured me somehow, with the summary... and okay, the male POV. Also, I love the name Gray, and the color Gray, so there's that. But I have been jonesing for this book since last year sometime. It just sounds so amazing, and like such a Kari book.

Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn: Closed off, emotionally shut down boy? Girl with secrets who challenges that? Um. Yes please. Also, this one is set in a boarding school. I love boarding school books. Not to mention, the things at a cycle of abuse in this story pretty much guarantee it will be intense and wrenching, and you guys know how much I love both of those things.

The Collector by Victoria Scott: A soul collector? A hot one, at that? Yes, please. This one just sounds like so much fun, and I'm totally digging the romance angle of this one. Quirky nerd and sexy demon. Yeah. I'm in. Not to mention the fact that this cover is really rather pretty to look at...

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider: First, this title alone has me sold. Add in the male POV, and I'm drooling. But also, it's a book about tragedy... and about more tragedy. I love the heartbreaking ones, the ones that test me as a reader, so I am so set on this one.


Broken Glass by Lisa Amowitz: This one has something about it that has me intrigued. The mystery. Wanting to know what happens. And, really, just watching Jeremy try to work through everything. Nothing like an accident and losing your crush to set you in motion.

Insomnia by J.R. Johansson: Spending the night trapped in the dreams of the last person you made eye contact with? Um. Yes please. Imagine trying to not only avoid sleep, but avoid eye contact, even the innocent and accidental kind? I love that concept! Add in a girl who's dreams you're okay getting sucked into... and what that means trying to make sure it happens night after night? Hello, stalker. Then add in said girl actually having some kind of stalker, someone who threatens her? Yeah. I am so incredibly sold on this one.

Trainwreck by Christa Desir: This is the kind of book that going, I basically expect it to break me. Not to mention, I love that this one is told from the boyfriend's POV. He wasn't the one raped, but that doesn't mean he's not affected. This one sounds so intense, and so damaging, and so, so amazing.


So what upcoming male POV books are you excited for?