One Word Answer Author Interview: Jennifer Echols

Instead of the usual question/answer kind of interview, to help celebrate her latest romantic drama release Love Story, I challenged Jennifer Echols to answer my questions with only one word. Easy at first, right? Well, see how you'd answer the questions and check out her answers!


What's your favorite name in the world, besides Jennifer?

Quentin

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

Athena


You're a shape shifter! What kind?

There’s more than one kind?

Which of the five senses would be hardest for you to lose?

Sight


What kind of cake/confection would you describe yourself as?

Icing


Thank you, Jennifer, and congrats on the latest release!

Make sure you guys all check out Love Story, out today!

Character Interview + Contest: Ash, Colt and Raja from Wildefire

There's this book coming out next week that I really, really love. And in it, there are quite a few characters who I think are fantastically well done, so when I had the chance to steal a few for an interview, I jumped on it. With that intro, I bring you guys not only a chance to win a copy of Karsten Knight's (stellar) debut Wildefire, but to also meet Ash, Colt and Raja...definitely some of my favorite characters from the book. I will even say, Raja is my #1 favorite. Who is #2? Someone not in this interview, so you need to read the book to find out.


Kari: Welcome Ash, Colt and Raja. To get things started, why don't you each tell me and my readers about yourselves in four words.

Ash: I burn things...accidentally?

Colt: Hopeless romantic park ranger.

Raja: I am NOT high-maintenance!

Ash: Colt, are you saying you're a hopeless romantic, or that you're hopeless and romantic?

Colt: Interpret at will.

Kari: *laughs* I think I might go with hopeless and romantic, for the record. But now for the good stuff of your story. Raja and Ash, what's the best part of being goddesses?

Ash: [Looks at hands] Maybe that I'll never have to invest in a BBQ? I'm still figuring that one out.

Raja: And I'm still waiting for my new goddess status to come with a credit card and a monthly allowance. Seriously, didn't people used to build shrines for us, or make offerings to us?

Ash: If you couldn't tell already, Raja really has her priorities straight.

Raja: Oh shut up, see if I let you borrow a pair of gladiator sandals again.

Kari: I can't say I really blame Raja on those priorities. Now, getting a little more into things, and without spoilers, what scene was the most intense for each of you?

Raja: I don't know how to answer this without spoilers, so I'll just say "the Masquerade Ball."

Ash: My forest meeting with the Cloak. And the entire second half of the book.

Colt: Page 392. 

Kari: *makes a face at Colt* Yeah. I bet you like that page. Well. I think we should about rap this up, so is there anything else any of you want to say to my readers before you go?

Ash: Happy reading, and you might want to invest in a good pair of oven mitts before you open the book. Maybe a fire extinguisher too. 


Thank you, Ash, Raja and Colt for stopping by, and congrats Karsten on the release!

Wildefire is out next Tuesday, the 26th, and you definitely do NOT want to miss this one! And to spice things up for Karsten's release even more, there's a twitter party going on July 25 starting at 9 pm EST. Make sure you're there, because it is going to be awesome. And you can interrogate Karsten. And maybe win things? You'll have to come to find out!

But if you just can't wait that long, then now is your chance to win a copy! Just fill out THIS form, and you're automatically entered.


Contest is US Only, and ends July 25.


No entries will be accepted through the comments, but they are more than welcome!

Character Top Ten List with Tens from Wildcat Fireflies

I'm mixing things up a bit here today, and instead of doing a character interview, I've asked Tens, from Amber Kizer's Meridian and Wildcat Fireflies, what his ten favorite things are. And I have to say, this list gives you a really good idea of how Tens is, and I can totally see these things after meeting him.


Tens’s Top Ten Favorite Things:
10) The Ugly Burger at Bub’s in Carmel, but really food in general
9) SafetySuit “Someone Like You”
8) Kid Rock “Born Free”
7) Joi’s Kitchen Sink cookies—anything with butter and sugar in them.
6) The iPad—all technology toys
5) Fast cars and open roads
4) Custos—she’s my best friend—hell, that sounds mushy.
3) Clean socks—too many weeks of wearing the same pair until they could walk by themselves make me enjoy new ones everyday now
2) Running
1) Meridian, especially when she’s relaxed and sleeping with her head on my chest and her fingers wrapped around mine


Thank you, Tens, for sharing some of your favorites, and congrats, Amber, on another release!

Make sure you guys all check out Meridian and its follow up Wildcat Fireflies, both out now!

Vanish Teaser Tour: Team Will! + Annotated ARC Giveaway!

Okay, so I know all week long, an ongoing excerpt from Sophie Jordan's Vanish has been making you guys all drool. And on Thursday, Alex over at Electrifying Reviews told you why Cassian is a better pairing for Jacinda. But today? I'm telling you why Will is the hottie du jour and the one you should be salivating over. Or, you know, you could stick with Cassian and leave Will for me and only me. I wouldn't necessarily complain.

So I have a lot for you guys today, from my Team Will argument to a chance to enter to win a TOTALLY marked up, annotated ARC of Vanish. I have no idea what Sophie's writing in it, but she's telling you her comments and maybe even a secret or two. Yeah. I'm jealous of who wins this.

Now let's get this kicked off! I bring you guys: Team Will All the Way


While I can appreciate Cassian, and admit that he has his moments of hotness, it’s Will that my heart lies with… and who I think makes a better pairing for Jacinda. In an environment where Jacinda’s draki side was being wasted away, a dry place that made even her skin uncomfortable, Will reignited the part of herself that she seems to value the most. And face it, when a guy can literally make you steam, he gets major points in his favor.

But Will’s hot looks… angsty tormented side… and gentle ways aside, he and Jacinda connect in a way that she doesn’t connect with Cassian. With Cassian, she has to worry about being some huge celebrity practically when it comes to the pride. While I don't doubt that Cassian views her with far more emotion and sensitivity than the rest of the pride, Will just views her as… well, pretty much as someone to love and take care of.

And if that’s not enough, then there’s the kissing. Holy hormones batman, these two have some steamy kisses, and not just because Jacinda’s wings have a tendency to want to expand and her breath becomes a steamfest when Will’s around. Nope. There is an undeniable chemistry between them that frankly, Cassian just doesn’t have, locked at the lips or otherwise. (Gasp! Did I just tell you she kisses Cassian? Uh. No. I didn't. But there IS kissing in Vanish. And it's hot. And you should read it to find out because seriously, some of the hottest kisses around.) Plus! She's known Cassian for years, with not much more than a wrinkled nose in response. But with Will? Instant attraction, and by the time Cassian could even come close to that kind of hot attraction, Jacinda and Will are, well, let's just say it's a few notches above Cassian.

Yeah, Cassian is kind and endearing, but Will is the guy who wants to break out of the life he knows not only for Jacinda but himself as well. He’s the guy that will put her first. And he’s the guy that risks everything so they can be together. Besides, you will get a lot more of Cassian in Vanish, and maybe not as much Will (or is he splashed across the pages? Read to find out!), and yet I still am totally Team Will. That's saying something.

So yes please, Will Rutledge is the winning guy. He’s the best of both worlds, and you know what I mean if you’ve read Firelight (and if you haven’t, why not? You should get on that like now!). Also. He drives a Hummer. And it's loaded with weapons. Yeah. It’s hot.


And that, lovelies, is why Will is obviously the way to go. Rawr. Times like ten.

So what do you guys think? Team Will or Team Cassian?

Because with that, and the answer to a trivia question related to the excerpts posted throughout the week, now is your chance to win Sophie's very last Vanish ARC that is up for grabs, marked up with her commentary. Absolutely one of a kind item, so get ready!

To enter, just fill out THIS form and answer this question: Who is driving the car when Jacinda's group runs into the hunters?

This contest is US only (focused on getting buzz for the US release of Vanish, coming September 6!) and ends July 27.

But international readers (and everyone else), don't fret! You have the chance to win signed Firelight and Vanish swag simply by leaving me a comment! Easy, right? Fill out the form to enter for the ARC, comment to enter for the swag, and just because surely you have something to say about Will or Cassian or the books or Sophie.

And did you miss any of the stops this week, or aren't sure the answer to the trivia question? Then just check out the links of the awesome bloggers who helped put this together, and comment on each of their posts for an additional chance to win a swag pack!

Sunday, July 10: Mundie Moms

Monday, July 11: The Book Scout

Tuesday, July 12: IB Book Blogging

Wednesday, July 13: Reading Teen

Thursday, July 14: Electrifying Reviews

Friday, July 15: Once Upon A Twilight

Into the Past with Lisa Papademetriou

I always think it's interesting to find out what books authors loved as kids, and how that changed as they got into their teen years. So now, quick and concise, I bring you the past loves of Siren's Storm author Lisa Papademetriou!


Age 5: 
The Tale of Peter Rabbit: I found Farmer MacGregor terrifying, but oddly compelling. Also, the idea that he would want to turn Peter into a pie seemed particularly perverse. Rabbit pie? Um, gimme strawberry rhubarb.

Book of Fairy Tales: This is an ancient book of fairy tales that my great-grandfather bought for my grandmother when he was stationed in France during World War I. My grandfather was German, but the book is in English, and has the most beautiful illustrations I’ve ever seen. I was obsessed with this book for years--long after most children stop reading fairy tales.


Age 11: 
Chronicles of Narnia: I read all of these books multiple times. The one I liked the least (the Magician’s Nephew), I still read thirteen times. I guess I was a weird kid.

Earthsea Cycle: I recently re-read A Wizard of Earthsea, and found the syntax surprisingly challenging. This was a relief, because I had trouble reading this when I was a kid. I still loved it, though. It’s a true novel of ideas--it has the utmost respect for young readers’ intelligence.

Lord of the Flies: I *loved* this book, even though I found it horrifying.


Age 16:

Brave New World: I had to read this for an English class, and it was the book I loved most that year. It’s one of those futuristic novels written long ago that gets some of our present hilariously wrong, and some of it terrifyingly right. If The House of the Scorpion had existed then, I think I would have loved that, too. it has a similar theme.

Slaughterhouse Five: Kurt Vonnegut is the kind of writer I liked to read for fun. He’s easy to read, but there are really interesting concepts and characters in his work. I remember liking this much more than the word “Slaughterhouse” suggested I would.

Dune: When I went on my Yale college interview, the interviewer asked, “What is the last book you read?” Instead of saying something intellectual, like, “I really enjoyed Middlemarch,” I told the truth, and said, “Dune.” I think that--and the fact that I laughed, snorting water out of my nose and into my lap--is why I didn’t get into Yale. But I don’t even care, because Dune really was awesome. And I liked going to Vassar, anyway.


Age 20:
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: I wrote my thesis on William Blake. This book has a lot of really witty, insightful things to say.

The Screwtape Letters: More C.S. Lewis. I just love this book. It’s written from the point of view of a demon trying to help his nitwit nephew worm his way into someone’s soul. It’s really short, very funny, and a really great guide to life.

Northanger Abbey: Best Jane Austen novel ever. It’s really funny, and about writing.


So there you guys have it, a look into the past book loves of Lisa! How many of those were favorites for you guys?

Make sure you guys also check out Siren's Storm, coming July 12!

Book Review: Dead Rules by Randy Russell

SUMMARY: Till death

Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were in love. They were destined to be together forever.

Do

But Jana's destiny was fatally flawed. And now she's in Dead School, where Mars Dreamcote lurks in the back of the classroom, with his beguiling blue eyes, mysterious smile, and irresistibly warm touch.

Us

Michael and Jana were incomplete without each other. There was no room for Mars in Jana's life—or death—story. Jana was sure Michael would rush to her side soon.

Part

But things aren't going according to Jana's plan. So Jana decides to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true—no matter what rules she has to break.


OPINION: 3 STARS

The Short Version:
Fresh in concept and witty overall, Dead Rules definitely puts a unique spin on life after death. Though the characters came off as flat many times, and there was an overall lack of voice for this reader, it's a well put together mix of mystery and a new existence. With some very interesting elements mixed in, and classifications that are easy to understand and get behind, Russell's debut shows promise.

The Extended Version:
Jana is admittedly annoying a little too much, too focused on and obsessed with the idea of her perfect relationship with her boyfriend, but she also has a strong internal drive that overrides this often. Though blind in some ways to things, but very willing to experience and take in others, Jana has many aspects about her that will resonate with readers. Her frustration and determination come through in a strong way, and the development she goes through will leave a lasting impression on readers.

Mars is well done overall, and though a little more depth to him would have made him a highly memorable character, he still stands to be remembered in a positive manner. Tormented in all the right ways, with a solid motivation behind his actions, Mars definitely puts the sexy and enticing into ghosts. Able to strengthen Jana as well, Mars is easily one of the best aspects of this book.

The remainder of the characters fall into various categories, be it the looks into the lives of those Jana has left behind, and other ghosts that she now encounters. The various stories of how people died are intriguing and original, though beyond this look, many of the characters were admittedly flat and not as well fleshed out as they could have been.

The concept of this one is very interesting, although the first chunk of the book comes off as a little too question then answer, telling more than showing in terms of the world Jana now finds herself in along with its confines and restraints. Though there are certain aspects of this world to be explored, the actual reveal of many of them wasn't as gripping as it could have been. Though the murder mystery aspect was not strong enough to carry the book, and was washed out by everything else, it was well put together, unique in presentation, and well motivated overall.

While there was a lack of voice given the genre, Russell's writing is solid and interesting. Despite being written in third person, Russell does a remarkable job of avoiding mind jumping while letting the reader get fully into Jana's head, and giving looks at other characters in sections all their own as needed. The alternations and transitions are smooth and easy to follow, building on the overall plot at a steady rate. This, mixed with the very fresh concept, lends Dead Rules to be a promising debut that is quick but enjoyable to read.

Details:

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

Reading level: Young Adult 

Hardcover: 384 pages 

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: June 21, 2011