Character Interview: Tyler from Out of Reach

Carrie Arcos' debut Out of Reach is out today, and this is easily one of my favorites of the year, so to celebrate, I've got Tyler here to answer some questions! He's not exactly your typical sort of love interest, but he most definitely won me over.


Describe yourself in three words. 

Athletic. Musical. Artistic.

What's the hardest part, for you, about Micah's disappearance?

That I kind of knew he would leave. I should have said something, but I guess I hoped he’d get his shit together. Or maybe I didn’t want to be the one responsible. I did talk to Mr. Stevens that one time, and well, it was kind of strained with me and Micah after that. So…I don’t know. It’s hard watching that happen to someone, to someone you care about.

You get to know Rachel pretty well as you guys search for Micah. What about her surprised you the most?

How she handles it. That thing with the dealer, most girls, most people would have freaked. But she didn’t. She just stayed there, talking to him, holding his had. She was incredible. And how loyal she is. She doesn’t talk bad about people. You can trust her.

What's the best kiss you ever had?

Hopefully I’ll let you know later.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers.

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

Probably a Velociraptor because they were supposedly smart and you never saw them coming.


Thank you, Tyler, for dropping in and congrats, Carrie, on the release!

Trust me, guys, when I say, you want to get this book. It's a one sitting, gripping the edges of the pages and totally emotional kind of read.

This or That: Nick from Velveteen

Today I've got Nick, the swoonworthy and hilarious love interest from Daniel Marks' debut Velveteen here for a round of this or that!


Coffee or Soda?

Mountain Dew. Sometimes I need a kick.

Beach or Mountains?

I love the mountains. Hiking. Cabins by lakes. Mosquitos. Come on! All these questions are making me homesick for life.

Be alive again or Purgatory?

Life is for the living and that’s gone. I’m not supposed to think about going back, because it’s happened. It happens all the time. People get possessed and we’re supposed to fight that desire. We have to fight it. But, there are days. There are days.

Pizza or Nachos?

From the Cryptid Bestiary

Oh man. Can I get an order of Nachos? With a pizza on the side. Pepperoni or Italian sausage with ricotta. Cheese. Melting cheese. I miss food. Argh.

Hippogriffs or Centaurs?

Hippogriffs, definitely! Centaurs talk too much!

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers mostly. Depends on whether I’m running. I’ll leave it at that.

Red or Green?

Red cars and green eyes. So both.

From And So We Ramble

Caramel or Chocolate?

Caramel. Before I died, my mom used to buy these caramels with salt on top that were amazing. The salt did something to ‘em, made them more sweet somehow. Like what it does to watermelon. Maybe I could just get some salt.

Car or Truck?

Car. For sure. Trucks imply you’ve got some work to do and I do enough work.


Thank you, Nick, and congrats, Danny on the release! Velveteen is out now so make sure you pick it up! 

Book Review: The Space Between Us by Jessica Martinez

SUMMARY: From the author of Virtuosity, a novel about two sisters and the secrets they tell, the secrets they keep—and the secret that could tear them apart.

Amelia is used to being upstaged by her charismatic younger sister, Charly. She doesn’t mind, mostly, that it always falls to her to cover for Charly’s crazy, impulsive antics. But one night, Charly’s thoughtlessness goes way too far, and she lands both sisters in serious trouble.

Amelia’s not sure she can forgive Charly this time, and not sure she wants to... but forgiveness is beside the point. Because Charly is also hiding a terrible secret, and the truth just might tear them apart forever.


OPINION:

There is a quiet pain to this one, mixed in with a breathtaking poignancy that will have readers gripped and engaged from the start. Playing heavily on the relationship between the two sisters, yet also keeping a strong focus on Amelia and how she handles everything, Martinez’s talents shine in this book. While the big secret can be predicted, it isn't really something that readers are supposed to have no idea about, and suspecting it in no way detracts from the rampant feelings through this book. If anything, it amps them up, leaving readers to study the characters even more intensely, yet also having a gutting feeling as things are revealed.

Amelia is a fantastic big sister, having no particular ill will towards her sprightly and intriguing younger sister despite seeming to clean up her messes more often than not. Clearly someone who loves her sister and wants to protect her, yet also not going so far as to keep her under lock and key, there is a certain selflessness to Amelia at the start. As things start to happen, though, her ability to remain so considerate is challenged, and there are some times where she is decidedly selfish. Despite the ways her flaws really start to show, and the times she says some truly awful things, readers will understand why she reacts as she does, and will feel her pain tenfold.

As I read this one, I never really felt myself be particularly angry with Amelia, even when she was at her worst, primarily because Martinez does such a stunning job of infusing Amelia’s feelings and motivations into every page. My frustration stayed with Charly more often than not, suspecting but not always completely understanding why she was doing the things she did, reacting as she did. Still, I love both these sisters, and wanted both of them to find a way through all of this and come out on top, without completely kicking the other down. Martinez absolutely nailed the push and pull between these girls, without blatantly forgiving their flaws and mistakes yet also not eviscerating them for it.

The setting in this one is vivid and well portrayed, and there is actually quite a bit of gentle humor mixed into what is, overall, an arresting read. Add in the soft romance that takes place with a boy who is awkward and charming, yet holds plenty of secrets of his own, and there is plenty to keep readers hooked. Well written, with a smooth flow and intelligent writing, infused into a voice that is very clearly Amelia, rivaled against the vividness that we get when Charly flutters across the pages even from the start, The Space Between Us is one for the favorites shelf.

Details: 

Source: ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review
Reading Level: 14 and up
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: October 16, 2012

Character Interview: Gyver from Send Me a Sign

Dropping in today is a charming boy who totally stole my heart in Tiffany Schmidt's (awesome) debut Send Me a Sign. His name is Gyver, and trust me when I say you want to know him too.


Describe yourself in four words.

Male. Musician.

That about sums it up. Do I get extra points for only using two words?


What's your best memory with Mia?

Do you know how many thousands of days I’ve spent with her? Can I have a minute to sort through them and pick?

Okay -- I've got two.

The first is when I gave her Jinx—that’s her cat. Someone had left a box of strays at the police station and I convinced my mom to bring a black one home—and this is after I convinced Mr. Moore to let Mia have one.

This was all on a Tuesday. That Friday was a 13th, and I somehow managed to keep Jinx a secret until then—then surprised Mi. She couldn’t have been scared or superstitious that morning, even if she tried, she was too busy falling in love with the kitten. I was eleven, I felt like a super-hero for making her that happy.

The other story is from eighth grade—and she's going to kill me for telling you. It was right after Mi quit gymnastics and joined the cheerleading squad. She was suddenly really busy with all these new friends, and I was starting to get serious about music, so a lot my time was lessons and rehearsing. We just weren't seeing each other that much.

But anyway, the story takes place on this stupid field trip thing the school organized. It was a ropes course and was supposed to be team-building and help us "come together as a class before high school." Mostly it was cold and rainy and lots of guys trying to look up or down girls' shirts as they did the different climbing things.

When it was Mi's turn to cross this log suspended between two trees, she got halfway across and froze. It doesn't make any sense—the girl is pretty fearless, she had on a harness, and that part was pretty much the same as a balance beam, which she's always rocked. Granted it was way up in the air, but she hadn’t had any problem climbing the rope ladder to get there. Anyway, she refused to move. And the rain was starting to pick up, it was the end of the day—everyone was getting pissy about it. The teachers wanted us back on the bus, the rope course instructors were yelling at her about how the log was only going to get MORE slippery if she kept waiting and it kept raining.

All her new friends, they weren't teasing, but they weren't helping either. They were all "You can do it!" and "Just don't look down!"

Then she called for me. She just said, "Gyver, can you come get me?"

And I did. I climbed up there, held her hand, and just talked to her. We took it one step at a time.

I guess it sounds cheesy, but it was that moment that I knew it didn't really matter who she ate lunch with or if we went to the same parties on Friday nights—I was still important to her, and she was always going to need me.

Ah, that sounds lame—maybe just use the cat story.


Admittedly, Mia's friends aren't fans of yours. Do you ever wish you could pull her away from them?

All the time. I’m pretty sure she gets that from them too, so I try not to make it a game of tug-of-war with her the middle. And I guess it’s good that it’s mutual dislike between the Calendar Girls and me, because I really don’t want to be around her when she’s with them.

But if she likes them and they make her happy, she shouldn’t have to choose between us.

So, Mia sort of has a thing going on with Ryan, who you're not such a big fan of. Do you think Mia's wrong when she thinks there might be more to Ryan?

I have no clue what she sees in Ryan Winters. She’s not shallow, so if she says there’s more to him, there’s got to be something there. I guess.


What's the best kiss you've ever had?

I’m not touching this question. Or if you need something, put down that I hope my best kiss is one I haven’t had yet.


Boxers or briefs?

Now I’m seriously starting to wonder why you’re asking these. You’re not creating some online dating profile for me, are you? Please don’t. For what it’s worth, boxers, and I’m not a fan of pina coladas or getting caught in the rain.


What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

I actually have an answer to this one! Triceratops.

Mi and I went through a big dinosaur phase when we were little – her lucky number was three back then, so our favorite was always the triceratops. We thought we were going to be archeologists, or maybe it was paleontologists? We used to dig for fossils in my sandbox and her dad would hide these little rubber dinosaurs all over their house for us to find.

Then we watched Jurassic Park and Mi got scared and that was the end of dinosaurs, I think we moved on to space, or maybe our forest ranger phase came next?

Anyway, triceratops.


Thank you, Gyver, for stopping in, and congrats, Tiffany, on the debut!

Send Me a Sign is out now, and there is even more Gyver-goodness in it, so you should definitely pick it up. Plus, it's an amazing book, with awesome characters, some great kisses, and another hot boy (but Gyver is my pick).

Book Review: Through to You by Emily Hainsworth

SUMMARY: Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he'd give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv's deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn't Viv.

The apparition's name is Nina, and she's not a ghost. She's a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can't believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn't the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he's forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.


OPINION:

Addicting in an inexplicable way, and focusing very much on the romance aspect and everything Cam is going through in terms of grief, Through to You is a strongly contemporary book with just a touch of something more. While I admit, some areas of the book left me wanting more, and most of the big twists were predictable, there was still something gripping about this one that had me unable to put it down. Taking love to some different levels, and giving meaning to love beyond life, Through to You is will make readers think, while still leaving them contented.

Camden is a great character, a guy who loved his girlfriend so intensely that it's almost a detriment. Completely broken up over her death, and almost useless in his every day life now, Camden has such a strongly sympathetic angle to him while still being intriguing. I felt for him, but I also rooted for him. I adored the devotion Camden held towards Viv, even 2 months after her death. His entire life is so shattered, and there is just something endearing about him. Despite the faults he may have, and I admit, he did get on my nerves a few times when he was so obviously mind to some things around him, Camden is easily one of my favorite characters.

Though there are some twists in this one, most of them felt predictable to me. I didn't get many surprises in this one, but I still enjoyed the ride very much. While I admit, this one didn't feel very sci-fi to me, apart from the random green doorway between the two realities, as such a strong fan of contemporaries, this one made me happy. Though some of the changes Camden goes through by the end, at least in regards to how he views some people, didn't make too much sense to me and actually left me disappointed, this book still had a strength and depth to it that captured me. This book definitely raises some questions, and is thought provoking to an extent.

The writing of this one completely lured me in, with a strong voice that is so very obviously Camden, without trying too hard at all. With the right amount of light sarcasm and humor, and an honesty to it that shines, Hainsworth is a talented writer who I can't wait for more from. There were some breathtaking moments in this one, and an overall well crafted world, even playing two similar yet different realities against each other. Fans of both contemporary and the supernatural will enjoy this one, and anyone who loves a good male POV should be sure to pick it up.

Details:

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

Reading level: Ages 13 and up 

Hardcover: 272 pages 

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: October 2, 2012

Character Interview: Reece from Live Through This

Hitting shelves today is Mindi Scott's stunning sophomore novel Live Through This, and to celebrate, I've stolen Reece, the adorkable love interest from the book, for an interview!


Describe yourself, in 5 words or less.

Tall sax player from Alaska.


Tell us about the first time you ever met or saw Coley.

A few months ago, Coley and I went to the zoo with friends. Even though we’d gone to school together last year, the zoo was when she and I first “met.” It ended up being just the two of us hanging out together for a couple of hours, and it changed everything. In that one day, Coley Sterling went from being just some girl to The Girl. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since.

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers. Skinny jeans aren’t my thing, so I don’t need briefs.

So… the gossip mill says you and your ex-girlfriend banged over 400 times. Let’s talk about that little fact of your life.

*laughs* Four hundred times? I don’t know. I’m thinking that’s probably not a fact? I’m interested in hearing who was counting for us, though.

Even though the hot tub scene ended up with you and Coley freezing in the snow, was it worth it? 

It was the best thing ever. Well, until her parents drove up.

What’s it like to kiss Coley?

Well, it’s like, um. I don’t know how to answer this. I mean, kissing her is awesome, of course. I guess, when she kisses me it’s kind of like . . . she’s asking a question and I’m the only person who has the answer. Does that even make sense?

Coley ends up having to face up to some really heavy stuff. Are you glad you’re able to be there for it, or do you kind of just want to turn tail and run?

I still don’t know what she’s facing. I want to know. I want to help her in any way that I can. But no matter what it is, I’m not going to run.


So there you guys have a little look at Reece! Live Through This is one of my favorite books of the year, and absolutely is on my Kari Recommends list, so make sure you pick it up right away! Not to mention, Reece isn't the usual kind of hot, cocky, love interest, he's a sweeter, gentler variety, but he is so worth it.