Character Interview + Contest: Ellie and Will from Angelfire

I've recently had the privilege to do an interview with the main characters in Courtney Allison Moulton's upcoming Angelfire, Ellie and Will. This is a book that I honestly love, and to give others the chance to get to know these characters, there's a contest after the interview for you to win a preorder of Angelfire.

All images and character art are from Courtney's website. Artwork is by Yue Wang.


Kari: So, Ellie, now that your story is starting to get out there to people, what do you want to tell them?

Ellie: That I'm not crazy and the reapers aren't just in my head. Really, I'm really sure. I had my doubts for a while...

Will: No one thinks you're crazy.

Ellie: Well, you don't realize a lot of people think you're crazy, so you can't really say anything. Hell, I even thought you were crazy.

Kari: She has a point, Will. And is there anything you want to tell people? That isn't mushy and sappy romantic?

Will: Mushy.. and sappy? *blinks* I don't...

Ellie: Oh, jeez. You are a giant mush ball and don't pretend like you have no idea what she's talking about. You usually don't say more than a handful of words at a time, but once you get going, the mush comes right out of you. And I really don't care if I embarrass you, so stop giving me that look.

Will: I... *glowers* I don't know why we're doing this interview. This is a waste of time. We should be out patrolling.

Ellie: Isn't his glare cute, Kari? He tries to be all menacing and it just.. no. Not happening.

Kari: *Looks at Will* You're doing this interview so people can realize you aren't a complete martian. Only, you know... 60%. *Looks back at Ellie and shrugs* I guess he's a little cute. Definitely not menacing though. That went out the window with the root beer float kisses. *smirks at Will* What other mushy secrets are you harboring in that head of yours, now that the world has seen the other side of your creeper exterior.

Will: *goes just a little red and turns to Ellie* Can the root beer float jokes stop, please? If I'd known you were going to tease me about them, I never would have you told they're my favorite.

Ellie: It's absolutely ridiculous that you expect me not to make fun of you for telling me that root beer floats are your favorite food. You are a six-hundred-year-old reaper-fighting tattooed badass with a six-foot-long sword and a sweet tooth. *sings* One of these things is not like the other...

Will: What if I tell Kari about your Sailor Moon movies?

Ellie: You wouldn't dare.

Kari: *Cocks an eyebrow* I think he just did. But it's still not nearly as incriminating as the root beer floats. Besides, Will, tons of girls are already clamoring for your affection. The floats just make them swoon harder. You're like a black hole of hot boy. One introduction, and the girls are toast. Anyway, Ellie, are you glad you listened to Will, even if he was creepy and scary, now that you know what you do?

Ellie: Yeah, I am. You really scared me, you know that, Will?

Will: I didn't mean to.

Ellie: I know. You're a little more than socially awkward, and we're working on that. But before I remembered who I was, everything you knew and said was so hard to take in. It was terrifying.

Will: I was afraid for you, because you couldn't remember and that had never happened before. You always remember me, and that hurt, I guess, when you didn't.

Kari: That's sweet and all... but can we get back on track with the interview? *rolls eyes and grumbles under breath* I don't need your mushy, lovey dovey stare longingly into each other's eyes thing going on right now. This is going on my blog, remember? So anyway. I do have to ask, Will, since I know a lot of people are curious. Can you tell me a little more about this Cadan character? *smirks* He seemed to have made quite the impression on Ellie, with what little bit of him we've seen.

Will: *shifts uncomfortably and scowls* You should ask a different question.

Ellie: Oh, get over yourself. He's not that bad.

Will: He's a demonic reaper. You don't know him and what he's done to the both of us in the past.

Ellie: He's had several chances to kill me and didn't, so as far as I'm concerned, he could be a potential ally and we need all the allies we can get.

Will: This is a huge mistake. There is no way in hell I would ever trust Cadan for anything.

Ellie: *sighs* I'm sorry, Kari. Boys are ridiculous.

Kari: Boys are ridiculous, but I have to admit, Cadan's pretty hot. *Wiggles eyebrows at Will* But I'll give you the out on this one, and drop the mysterious subject of Cadan, but just know I will get to the bottom of your apparent disgust of him. So Ellie, now that you're getting the hang of this fighting beasties thing, how do you like it? Empowering? Awesome you can kick even Will's butt?

Ellie: I can't really say that I enjoy going out every night and killing soul-stealing monsters that want to make peopleburgers out of me, or skipping homework or Movie Fridays with my best friends, but I have to do this and I know why I have to do this. A lot of people would die and worse if I didn't. But yeah, my swords are pretty sweet and it's definitely awesome being able to kick Will's butt. I know I just teased him about not being menacing, but he's freaking scary when it all goes down. A lot of really nasty things are scared of him - it's the angry face, I think - and he's pretty good with that sword. But I still whomp him every time.

Will: Well, I don't know if I'd describe it quite like that...

Ellie: Every time we spar, I destroy you, so don't even. Still, I'm glad to have you at my side. No one else has my back like you do.

Will: I do my best.

Kari: I think it's the fact he has a penchant for getting impaled and yet survives every time. I'd be freaked out by him too. It's abnormal. But, I suppose we should be wrapping this interview. Will looks pretty uncomfortable, and I think some monsters are in need of a butt kicking. But just one last question, anything we can look forward to in the next book? Hints or teasers? Or maybe some more float kisses? *shoots a pointed, annoyed look at Will and grumbles under breath*

Ellie: *gives a sly smile* Well, I'll admit there are very different kinds of kisses. I think we've both changed and grown up a lot after everything we've been through. After what happened in Angelfire, events occur that the both of us never expected, events that change both of our lives forever. Things get darker, a lot sexier, and the monsters get bigger and scarier. It's quite the rollercoaster ride.

Will: I'm just doing my job. I do what I can to help Ellie and prevent apocalyptic war.

Ellie: And there will be root beer floats.


Thank you, Ellie and Will, for that interesting, um, couples therapy. I mean interview. But, awesome followers, that is just hints of the humor and connections that are in Angelfire, hopefully enough to whet your appetites for this book.

Now for your chance to win a PREORDER of this book (released in February 2011), fill out THIS FORM and tell me what Will's favorite food is!

Comments are VERY appreciated (Show Ellie, Will and Courtney some love!), but no entries will be accepted through comments.

Contest IS international, as long as the Book Depository ships to you. Contest ends Sunday, November 28.

In My Mailbox

I had a basically amazing week in books since it was my birthday, and I also gave myself a pre-NaNo reward. And on the note of NaNo, it is going fantastically for me so far! As of Thursday night, since I did no writing on Friday, I've written 31494 words on SlackerBoy and am having a total blast with it. This just might be my favorite of my three manuscripts I've written this year. You can find my NaNo page here, for those of you interested in such things. But now on to my books! Hooray!

For Review:

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Night School (Blood Coven 5) by Mari Mancusi
Blood of My Brother by James LePore
A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford (Not pictured)
(Huge thanks to Ruta Sepetys, Mari Mancusi + Berkley Trade & The Story Plant for these titles)


Purchased:
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
Losing Faith by Denise Jaden
Beautiful by Amy Reed
Mistwood by Leah Cypess
Something Happened by Greg Logsted
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn by Sarah Miller
The Other Girl by Sarah Miller


Birthday Gifts/Contest Wins
Crank Series by Ellen Hopkins (Thanks Corrine!!)
We Were Here by Matt De La Pena (Ditto!)
Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens
Penitence by Jennifer Laurens
Wrecked by E.R. Frank
Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley
Hush by Eishes Chayil
Diary of a Crush Books 1-3 by Sarra Manning

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Crash Into Me: An Evolution, by Ellen Hopkins

As part of the Crash Into Me tour with Albert Borris, author Ellen Hopkins is stopping by with a fantastic, meaningful post about her interactions with Albert.


One of the things I enjoy is mentoring other writers, often at writers’ conferences. I first met Albert Borris at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency’s Big Sur conference. The format is group and one-on-one critique, followed by revision and more critique. As a faculty member, I led a group critique where Al read a portion of a very early draft of what would become Crash Into Me.

The manuscript was rough then, but the characters were well-drawn. Turned out Al Borris was a counselor at a New Jersey high school. He knew these kids, because he worked with kids like these—kids with less than perfect lives. Kids who chose the wrong direction. Kids who had considered, and even tried, suicide.

Over the course of the next several years, I had the privilege of seeing “Mr. Borris” work with his kids. He invited me into his high school to talk to them about my books and the stories behind them. We even did an onstage reading of Crank. So I got to know Al really well. What impressed me most was the way he greeted every student in a very large high school by name. Always with a smile that invited them to come to him with their problems. And they did.

I also got to watch the evolution of Crash Into Me, from a very rough draft to the highly polished version you will read now. First Al’s agent, and then his editor, asked for revision after revision. A less dedicated writer might have called it quits, but Al Borris is one of the most dedicated people I know. He accomplished everything they asked for, and more.

He also returned to the Big Sur conference, this time with a new project. Crash Into Me was already a victory; it was the camaraderie of other writers he sought. He looked fabulous. Fit. Healthy. And off every morning to roller blade by the ocean. It was a great conference, but driving home to Nevada brought me through a huge blizzard and I was stranded for a couple of days. When I finally made it, Facebook was buzzing about Albert Borris, who had suffered a massive stroke. I seriously could not believe it.

His family and friends formed a strong web of positive energy and love around Al, who was touch and go for a while. When it became clear he would live, no one knew how much function he would regain. His body was strong and recovered fairly quickly. But the part of his brain that manages speech was damaged. It took many months for him to be able to type even the simplest email messages, letting us know he was not about to give up.

Today, he still struggles. But he has not given up. That same dedication he had for his students, and his manuscripts, he now offers to his readers. I hope you’ll read Crash Into Me with this understanding. And keep sending positive energy his way. We need another Albert Borris book very soon.

Book Review: Jumpstart the World by Catherine Ryan Hyde (Blog Tour Stop)

SUMMARY:

Elle is a loner. She doesn’t need people. Which is a good thing, because she’s on her own: she had to move into her own apartment so her mother’s boyfriend won’t have to deal with her.

Then she meets Frank, the guy who lives next door. He’s older and has a girlfriend, but Elle can’t stop thinking about him. Frank isn’t like anyone Elle has ever met. He listens to her. He’s gentle. And Elle is falling for him, hard.
But Frank is different in a way that Elle was never prepared for: he’s transgender. And when Elle learns the truth, her world is turned upside down. Now she’ll have to search inside herself to find not only the true meaning of friendship but her own role in jumpstarting the world.

Tender, honest, and compassionate, Jumpstart the World is a stunning story to make you laugh, cry, and honor the power of love.


OPINION: 4 STARS

The Short Version:
Poignant and honest, Jumpstart the World is a blend of a coming of age while thrusting LGBT issues to the forefront. Elle is relatable and holds some strong character development, going through some very understandable reactions and thoughts in response to not only Frank but the things happening in her life. Frank gives not only Elle but the reader a beautiful into not only the life but the fears and experiences of someone transgendered, keeping in line with the overall openness about this book. Pulling the title into the book itself and giving it strong meaning, Hyde has delivered a fine, smooth work.

The Extended Version:
Elle has her bratty moments, most of which are understandable, considering the book starts out with her mother dumping her in an apartment by herself because the new boyfriend doesn't want a teenager around. Rebellious and frustrated, Elle not only chooses a scruffy black cat with only one eye from the pound, but she makes friends with the man next door that the mom has a clear aversion to. Now also in a new school, Elle is forced to make friends but finds it difficult. She goes through some struggles that every one can relate to, with a few new ones mixed in as well.

Her reaction to finding out the truth about Frank is handled very poignantly, and while Elle doesn't have a personal or immediate detest because Frank is transgender, she had a hard time swallowing and accepting it. Intermixed with her feelings for Frank, and the blindsided way she feels, Hyde has done a fantastic job portraying what is likely a very common response to such news. It is almost hard to word why Elle had a problem with it, as she had difficulty with it as well.

Frank is gentle in nature, and strong in plenty of ways that come through well. He takes Ellie under his wing and feels for her, and an easy kinship forms between the two. After an accident, the real struggles that Frank goes through and has gone through come out, uncomfortable to face but important to understand. Hyde speaks some important messages with this book, but comes at every one of them from an indirect angle. The points aren't beaten into the reader's head nor are they blatantly said, but they are there and clear all the same. Toto, Elle's cat, adds some spice to the story and is certainly a character by himself, with some more of the strong messages coming through simply because of events related to him.

Elle's voice was distinct and clear, coming off more like the reader really is in her mind, rambles and all. The writing keeps with this, staying completely in character throughout, while building the world and the characters around Elle as well. The plot has a steady, lulling pace, with some bursts of big points but overall, it is character-centric and character driven and well done because of it.

Details:
Source: Received for review from author/publisher for promotional blog tour with The {Teen} Book Scene
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (October 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375866655
ISBN-13: 978-0375866654

Author Interview + Contest: Daisy Whitney (Blog Tour Stop)

Here today, just in time for her fantastic YA debut The Mockingbirds, is Daisy Whitney to answer a few questions about herself and the book. If you haven't picked up your copy of this book, do so! It is powerful and well done, with a strong message. And after the interview, you can enter for your chance to win an ARC of the book!


If you have been in the date rape situation in high school rather than college, do you think things would have changed for you?

I think it would have been even harder to stand up and press charges. I have such admiration for any person who speaks up in whatever form.

What has been the hardest part about turning something so personal into something public?

You can definitely feel like you’re putting yourself out there and that makes you vulnerable. But it’s also been rewarding in terms of the connectedness early readers say they feel.

If you could pair Alex with any character from any book, who would you pick for her?

I think I’d keep her with Martin! He’s perfect for her!

If Alex could experience any event in history, what would she want to see?

She’d want to see the opening night of 42nd Street on Broadway in 1980 because that musical rocks!

What kind of cookie would you describe yourself as?

Chocolate chip cookie!


Thank you, Daisy, for those answers, and congrats on the release of The Mockingbirds!

Now for your chance to win my ARC of this book, fill out this form. US/Canada only. Ends 11/21.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick is Possession by Elana Johnson, coming June 2011 from Simon & Schuster.

Summary: Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My Thoughts: First, I love dystopians. Second, I love the brainwashing idea, and the arranged marriage concept set in this backdrop. Third, with the hope of a love triangle, this one definitely seems like it is taking several great plot devices and concepts and weaving them together in a new way. The cover is also really great- simple, but I think it says a lot and holds a huge meaning.