Cover Reveal: The Reese Malcolm List

I am so incredibly excited to share the cover of Amy Spalding's debut, The Reese Malcolm List, with you guys today!

The Reese Malcolm List is coming February 2013 from Entangled Teen, and I absolutely cannot wait for it!  So without further ado...

Is this cover not completely adorable? Not to mention, I love the blurb from one of my favorite authors on it...

So in case you missed my post last week talking with the cover model and the author, here is at the very least the summary of the book:


Things I know about Reece Malcolm: 
1. She graduated from New York University.
2. She lives in or near Los Angeles. 
3. Since her first novel was released, she’s been on the New York Times bestseller list every week. 
4. She likes strong coffee and bourbon. 
5. She’s my mother. 

Devan knows very little about Reece Malcolm, until the day her father dies and she’s shipped off to live with the mother she’s never met. All she has is a list of notebook entries that doesn’t add up to much. 

L.A. offers a whole new world to Devan—a performing arts school allows her to pursue her passion for show choir and musicals, a new circle of friends helps to draw her out of her shell, and an intriguing boy opens up possibilities for her first love. 

But then the Reece Malcolm list gets a surprising new entry. Now that Devan is so close to having it all, can she handle the possibility of losing everything? 


Add it to your Goodreads shelf, and join me in the ridiculous wait for this one!

You can also check out all the bloggers who helped with both the tour leading up to the reveal, and the cover on their sites:
Young Adult Anonymous
GReads!
Novel Novice
Clear Eyes, Full Shelves
The Book Cellar

Character Interview: Calder from Lies Beneath

Today I've got Calder, the merman star from Anne Greenwood Brown's debut Lies Beneath, to answer a few questions in celebration of the book's release!


What’s the best memory you have away from your sisters?

I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll go way, way back and say that my best memories away from my sisters was the time I had alone with my mother. She’d take me to foreign film festivals and use the subtitles to teach me how to read. We went to all kinds of movies though--not just foreign ones. The movies were where we learned just about every human trick we know: how to drive a car, what to wear, how to flirt . . . . Movies with my mother . . . yeah . . . those are about the best memories I have.

Describe Lily in three words.

Brave. Beautiful. Non-conformist.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers.

What’s it like to kiss Lily?

Geez, you don’t mess around. Well, let me put it this way, in my past, I did things I don’t like to think about now. I stole the best parts of people. I absorbed their joy into my soul. It made me feel like I was flying, like I could defy gravity. Kissing Lily makes me feel better than that. And the best part is, when we’re done, she’s still alive to kiss me again.

What was the first thing you thought when you got up this morning?

Hard to remember. Either, where did I stash my pants? Or, is it too early for the coffee shop to be open?

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

Um... the kind that’s trying really hard not to be a dinosaur? Is that a cop out? Okay, okay remember that movie Jurassic Park? There’s a dinosaur in it that looks really appealing--kinda sweet--but then you get close and it spits poison in your eye. I guess that used to me, in a way. But not so much anymore.


Thank you, Calder, for dropping in and congrats, Anne, on the release!

Lies Beneath is out today so be sure you check it out!

Book Review: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

SUMMARY: Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.

Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about.


OPINION: 4 STARS

A Midsummer’s Nightmare is, to date, my favorite of Keplinger’s books, showcasing her growing talent immensely. With a very compelling and beautifully scripted protagonist, and diving deeper into the emotions this time around, A Midsummer’s Nightmare is both stunning and aching. Moving at a smooth clip and holding a great blend of sweetness and rougher stuff, this one is striking both in the vivid voice and gripping characters.

Whitley is, in all honesty, a mess and at times, selfish in a potentially turn off way. And yet, Keplinger has written her so deeply that not once did I dislike her, but rather felt so much for her. Still stuck in the fallout of her parent’s divorce six years before, and living with a mother who has yet to get over it and constantly gripes about the dad, she acts out in some big ways in an unconscious effort for attention. A party girl through and through, Whitley keeps a barrier between herself and everyone else, classifying ‘friends’ only as though she plays drinking games with before going their separate ways. While getting past the partying ways plays a role in the story, it’s small compared to everything else she faces, most notably not only letting people close to her but seeing the truth in her parents. Idolizing her dad at the start of the book, but facing some big issues with him as things progress, there is a huge family element to this that Keplinger weaves poignantly. Whitley’s entire characterization is stunningly done, pushing her to some dark places and never making things too easy for her.

Nathan is an equally well done character, somewhat of a mess as well but in different ways. He challenges Whitley like no else does, and easily sees through the front she puts up. With scenes both awkward and tender between the two, but also having some hefty and painful ones as well, the growing relationship between Nathan and Whitley adds a huge element to the book. Though the fact that they’ll soon be stepsiblings certainly comes into play, the fact that they also have feelings for each other and aren’t actually related also wars against that. Keplinger straddles that line smoothly, and goes far to develop her characters more because of it. Nathan is definitely a guy that will make readers melt, with a soft intensity to him and a big heart.

Then there’s Bailey, the soon to be stepsister, who is full of life and able to draw even cynical Whitley out of her shell. Forgiving even of the bigger things, and instantly accepting, she’s a great addition not only to the story but to Whitley’s story arc as well. While Whitley’s dad holds a certain distance from as the book progresses, her stepmom tries her best to be there, even when Whitley blatantly pushes her away. Torn between her fiancé, her children, and the stepdaughter she refuses to hate, Sylvia stars in some big and well done scenes.

The plot of this one focuses on Whitley trying to figure everything out and get over the several years worth of anger she’s built up, but Keplinger keeps things moving steadily and has enough subplots weaving through to keep readers engaged. Though there are some explosive and painful scenes, a few of them felt like they were over a little too quickly and easily for me, and one of the more potent plot lines felt like it wrapped up too easily and fizzled. Apart from this small facet, this book is intricate and intriguing, and will not only punch readers in the gut a few times but bring unstoppable grins to their faces as well.

 Details:

Source: Hardcover received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reading Level: 14 and up

Hardcover: 304 pages 

Publisher: Poppy

Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Author Interview: Amy Reed

Here today is one of my favorite authors, Amy Reed, for an interview in celebration of tomorrow's release of her third novel, Crazy! I am a total fangirl of Amy's books, of the rawness in them and the power behind them, and this is totally an autobuy author for me, so you can imagine my excitement at the chance to interview her... so really, let's just get to it.


Crazy is your third novel, all of which deal with rough content. What’s the hardest part about writing in this thread for you? The best?

I guess the hardest part is putting my characters through such painful experiences. Sometimes I really torture them. But it’s always for a reason—there’s a lesson to be learned, there’s something they need to discover about themselves in order to make better, more empowered decisions in the future. The best part is knowing that some reader out there will relate, that maybe reading my characters going through certain things will show them that they don’t have to.

Of all your characters, which was the most fascinating for you to write, that’s stuck with the most?

The boys are always the most fascinating to write because it takes a lot more searching to get them right. Jason from CLEAN especially. It would have been so easy to make him a stereotype. It would have been so much easier to make him a two-dimensional villain to hate. But I really challenged myself to love him, to discover the source of his cruelties. I think he sticks with me because he was my biggest surprise as a writer.

Who do you think needed the other the most, Izzy or Connor?

What a great question. It’s hard to say; they both needed each other so much. Izzy, in the end, may have needed Connor to literally save her. But she also just needed him to see her, and to care enough to do the hard thing and confront her. But Connor needed Izzy to push his buttons the way she did. Ultimately, he learned how to be brave, how to do the difficult thing instead of being passive. He risked losing everything in order to do the right thing. There’s nothing braver than that.

Describe Izzy and Connor in three words each.

Izzy: intense, brilliant, fragile

Connor: gentle, loyal, genuine

What god/goddess would be your nemesis?

Aphrodite. She’s like the mean girl at school. Everyone’s under her spell and thinks she’s all about love and romance, but really she’s manipulative and jealous and emotionally unstable.

What kind of shoe would you describe yourself as?

A clog


Thank you, Amy, for stopping in and congrats on the release!

Crazy hits shelves tomorrow, so make sure you pick it up, and if you haven't already, do yourself a favor and go ahead and pick up Beautiful and Clean as well. You'll want everything Amy writes.

Book Review: What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

SUMMARY: Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat. His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again. When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.

OPINION: 3 STARS

Softly charming though not quite holding the emotional depth and intensity I had hoped for, What I Didn’t Say is a cute romance with a twist thrown in. With an overall sweet and nice main character, despite the major mistake he makes, this one is easy to fall into and get behind. Navigating things after a major life altering event, and holding a strong family component to it, there is something compelling about this one despite the ways it left me wanting more.

Jake is a caring guy, and one with a strong drive in him to keep going. Devastated after the accident, and angry almost more at himself than anything, he finds the will to keep going pretty quickly. Though I did feel like he settled into his new life almost too quickly, he has such an intense support system that it does make sense to some extent. Still, he had his moments of self pity and depression, but also reminded himself of all the things he still has. Guilty about what he’s put his family through, and leaning on them in the ways that really count, Jake pushes past the whole no longer able to talk thing pretty quickly and focuses back on what’s important to him, namely figuring things out with the girl he’s loved for so long. He goes through some great change in his mindset towards things, not only because of what’s happened to him but due to other things thrown at him as well, and there is something endearing about him that will warm readers.

Admittedly, I didn’t feel like there was anything too specific driving this book. The pacing fell off more than once for me, and things seemed to just amble along. Ultimately, it’s a romance, despite the way the blurb makes you think there’s a lot more to it. This book is about Jake trying to figure out things with Sam, taking into account the situations they are both in individually, and then together, but keeping the primary focus on their budding relationship. Truthfully, I felt like actually losing his ability to talk wasn't too big of a factor in the book, beyond giving Jake more of a reason to want to talk to Sam in any way he can. There are some very wrenching moments to this book, but they are few and far outweighed by the sweet ones. Though some of those sweet moments were a little too, well, sweet, for my liking, and kind of corny at times, there is still a lot of heart in this book.

This one is well written, although I felt like the voice lacked a little for a male character. The setting for this one is very well described, bringing it to life in a great way. The impact living on a close knit island has had on Jake is shown throughout the book, and Taylor does a good job of doing this without it being forced or obvious. While there wasn’t quite enough drive in this plot for me, and I went in wanting much more emotional turmoil and depth, this was still a feel good and cute read that fans of romance will enjoy.

Details:

Source: Netgalley 

Paperback: 326 pages 

Publisher: CreateSpace/Keary Taylor

Publication Date: April 30, 2012

Cover Reveal Blog Tour: The Reece Malcolm List

I'm all kinds of excited to have Amy Spalding here today to celebrate the upcoming cover reveal for her YA book that hits shelves February 2013 from Entangled Teen: The Reece Malcolm List!

So let's get right into finding out about Amy and her book!


Check out Tuesday’s post at Young Adult Anonymous to find out how my unique cover story started, Wednesday’s post at GReads! to see how I convinced my publisher to let me have a custom photograph shot, and yesterday’s post at Novel Novice to learn about the styling for the book cover. Thanks so much to A Good Addiction for having me today!

So once I had my photographer and location—I needed a model. Luckily, living in L.A., it’s not exactly tough finding one. But for me it was even easier, because a friend of mine happens to look young enough to more than pass as a teenager, plus she has a great background in young adult lit!

AMY SPALDING: Hi Cassandra, thanks for taking time to talk to me!!

CASSANDRA MORRIS: Of course! I love talking to cool people. Or any people, really.

AS: You have a pretty interesting career - can you give me an idea of your background and all the projects you're involved in?

CM: Thanks! These days, I’m a Jane of All Trades. I’m an actress who specializes in voiceovers. I play cartoon and video game characters, those random girls you hear on radio spots, and I narrate audiobooks (sometimes called books on tape). I’m also a Prom Expert! I write about prom, homecoming and formal fashion for About Prom and for David’s Bridal. And this fall, I’m going to photography school. Phew!

AS: Being a prom expert sounds like the most amazing gig ever. Can you tell me more about it?

CM: I write a lot about how to pick out the perfect dress and which accessories should go with it, formal hairstyles to try, makeup looks for prom, how to get a date to the dance, how to plan proms, and stuff like that. It’s a lot of fun. I still can’t believe I get to look at pretty dresses all day and then write about them. I’ve always loved getting dressed up, and now I get to help girls look amazing for one of the most memorable nights of high school!

AS: How did you get into reading YA audiobooks?

CM: I went to a voiceover audition that needed a young-sounding girl to read a book called Dear Zoe by Philip Beard. I had never done an audiobook before, but as soon as I read the audition chapter, I knew that I wanted it. I just loved the story and connected with it and really wanted to bring it to life. I ended up booking it, and it become my very first audiobook job! Afterwards, that studio started using me for more and more audiobook jobs, and eventually my name got around to other studios, too. It just kind of built up from there.

AS: What are some YA audiobook titles you've read? Which were your favorites? Have you had any interesting experiences with any?

CM: I’ve read almost 100 of them… a lot of them were part of a series like Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl and The Clique. Right now I’m working on The Lying Game series.

The best was doing Pretty Little Liars. I recorded them consecutively over a month and a half, and my studio engineer and I were dying to find out who A was. At the end of every few chapters we’d exchange theories and be like, “It’s got to be Spencer!” or “No way, it’s the police officer!” My engineer was a 20-something guy, by the way. He was really into it.

AS: Obviously when Jessie and I were casting the model for the cover of The Reece Malcolm List, you were the first person we thought of. How do you feel about being an adult who gets to play a sixteen-year-old?

CM: I’ve always looked way younger and been way shorter than my age, so I’ve always had to deal with the “you’re HOW old?” question and people not believing me when I tell them how old I am. That, and freaked-out stares. I guess I don’t really mind it.

The only time I don’t like it is when I’m in a “professional” environment and people assume I’m a high school intern who doesn’t know anything about anything that’s going on… when really, I’m the person who should be answering all their questions.

AS: Are you excited to be on a book cover?

CM: Yes! I did some kids modeling when I was little, and I always wanted to be on a book cover because I was such an avid reader. But, I was never picked for one. So, this is seriously a childhood dream come true! And it’s doubly special because it’s a friend’s book, so it means so much more. I can’t wait until it comes out. I’m going to buy five copies!

Tune in Monday to Clear Eyes, Full Shelves to find out more, and come back here on Wednesday, June 13, for an exclusive reveal of The Reece Malcolm List’s cover!

You can add The Reece Malcolm List to your Goodreads shelf here, find Amy on twitter, and check out Amy's website.

About Amy: Amy Spalding grew up in St. Louis, but now lives in the better weather of Los Angeles. She received a B.A. in Advertising & Marketing Communications from Webster University, and currently works as the Digital Media Planner for an independent film advertising agency. Amy studied longform improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, and can be seen performing around L.A. Her debut novel, The Reece Malcolm List, will be published by Entangled Teen in 2013, and combines many of her favorite things in life, including Stephen Sondheim and boys with great hair.