Fade by Lisa McMann

Life as a dreamcatcher is crazy, and Janie Hannagan is just trying to adjust to it. Luckily, Janie has Cabel, her rock to cling to amidst all the dreams and nightmares she gets sucked into. But since Janie has started working for Cabel’s boss, things have gotten even more complicated. The couple can’t be together publically lest their covers be blown, and tensions arise when Janie agrees to work with Cabel on a new case at their high school. In an attempt to uncover the true nature of the disturbing events that have been occurring, Janie knowingly becomes pretty to a teacher cum sexual predator, which angers Cabel who just wants to keep Janie safe. Add in the new knowledge of all the gifts, responsibilities, and side effects of being a dreamcatcher, and Janie’s life is set for one heck of an emotional upheaval once again.

As she did in the amazing Wake, McMann proves herself to be a phenomenal storyteller in its sequel Fade. She creates such realistic and unusual characters that the reader genuinely cares about. Janie, for instance, is a broken, damaged girl who struggles to make it to the next day, but her determination to prove herself and rise above her situation shows a commendable strength amidst those weaknesses. The storyline is impeccable as well; this paranormal romance and mystery is impossible to put down. There is not an inch of this novel that is uninteresting from Janie’s and Cable’s undercover jobs to the heart stopping and slightly skeevy investigation to Janie and Cabel’s tumultuous relationship, particularly that last point. Janie and Cabel’s connection is seriously one of the truest, sexiest, and most romantic love stories in all of young adult literature as well as one of my favorites. McMann does such an incredible job of putting it all together into one perfect tale that succeeds in providing attention sucking entertainment as well as a drop of hope in even the most hopeless situations.

Just as original and awesome as its prequel, Fade is a must read for those who read Wake and other dream related novels. Fans of this series will also enjoy Sleepless by Terri Clark. I very eagerly look forward to the conclusion to this incredible trilogy in Gone.

Rating: 5.0

Review copies from Amazon Vine and publisher Simon & Schuster

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

To reawaken her mother, Clary must seek out a certain warlock in Idris, the land of the Shadowhunters, because only he can concoct the potion to counter the draught Jocelyn has taken and save her. But Jace is completely set against Clary’s entrance into Alicante, the City of Glass, and will do anything to thwart her plans to get there, keeping faith that the illegality of entrance without permissions will curtail Clary’s willful desire to travel there. But Clary, harnessing her newly found powers, defies the Law for the sake of love only to find herself in a worsening situation in the most beautiful and unforgettable city, Alicante: tensions between traditionally thinking and more modern Shadowhunters arise, her best from Simon has been imprisoned for his unusual vampiric qualities, and Valentine’s ever present threat keeps everyone on edge. Limits of endurance will be met and surpassed, truth will be horribly twisted with lie, and unexpected foes and allies will alter this epic struggle. But who will triumph, pure love or pure evil?

In City of Glass, Clare ends her unforgettable Mortal Instruments trilogy with an epic resounding boom. It is so difficult for authors to create such original continuations of an already amazing story without becoming boring and repetitive, and so I must commend Clare for her exquisite work in City of Glass. As in the first two installments of this trilogy, City of Bones and City of Ashes, the story in City of Glass is completely attention consuming and extremely difficult to put down. The plot is just so suspenseful and interesting with totally unpredictable twists and turns, and the reader will want to remember every exciting detail. The characters as well are realistic; I’ve come to know and love Clary, Jace, and Simon, among others, and was glad that they stayed true to themselves. I was also delighted with the several new characters because Clare still manages to familiarize the reader with these new people through just glimpses of their lives. Lastly, I would just like to remark that even though the Mortal Instruments trilogy’s primary greatness comes from the dangerous and alluring world within it, these novels also show what it’s like to be human and the never ending struggle between good and evil: no one is born innately one or the other, but it is our choices in life that define us as more of one over the other.

City of Glass is a satisfying end on a perfect note to an incredible trilogy. Fans of the first two, City of Bones and City of Ashes, will quickly devour this one, and those who have finished reading the trilogy won’t be able to wait for the upcoming prequel trilogy, The Infernal Devices. Readers who love the Mortal Instruments trilogy may also like The Abhorsen Chronicles by Garth Nix, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Tithe by Holly Black, Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Rating: 5.0

Review copy from publisher Simon & Schuster

King of the Screwups by K.L. Going

Liam Geller is and has always been Mr. Popularity. But knowing how to navigate the social scene has only been good for his public image, and unfortunately, this image is what gets him into the most trouble at home. His extremely successful businessman of a father can’t understand why someone who shares half his DNA could seem like such a screwup. When Liam’s father finally has enough, Liam is kicked out and only reluctantly taken in by his “Aunt” Pete, a gay glam-rocker deejay. A complete and utter change of scenery may be exactly what Liam wants—in order to mold his image into that of a studious and well mannered man his father can be proud of. He figures that as soon as his father catches on, he’ll be home in no time. But is that what Liam really needs, to please his father at the expense of his true identity?

From the first chapter until the very end, King of the Screwups is a rocky, heart wrenching, and very personal journey. This novel opens with and continues to be interspaced with Liam’s flashbacks to hwen he was younger to show the depth of dysfunction in the Geller family, and how that created the person Liam is. It’s disturbing how poorly Mr. Geller treats his son Liam and his wife, and even sadder how those two accept Mr. Geller’s mean word as truth. This makes Liam such an easy character to care for even though some of his actions are not well thought out or are pathetically defeatist. Going skillfully portrays this difficult environment in which a child cannot earn a parent’s approval no matter how hard he tries, and this kept tears rolling down my face. King of the Screwups is the kind of book I’d love to hate but simply cannot; for example, I hate Mr. Geller’s selfishness and Mrs. Geller’s lack of a backbone, but I love Aunt Pete’s well defined attitude and contentedness with life. Liam’s story of being able to finally be himself is such a great one in that he has to overcome such mental and emotional challenges. Beautifully and provocatively written and completely realistic, King of the Screwups is a hopeful story that will seize one’s heart and never let go.

This emotional story will be enjoyed by readers who also liked Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee, Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill, and Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers.

Rating: 5.0

Review copy from Amazon Vine

Win a signed copy of Mackenzie, Lost and Found

CONTEST CLOSED

That's right, it's contest time again!! This time, hopefully, I'll get things done on time though.

(1) random entrant will win (1) signed copy of Mackenzie, Lost and Found by Deborah Kerbel.

To enter, please leave a name/alias and a valid email address, so I can contact the winner. Entries without an email will be deleted.

Since the lovely and generous Deborah is sponsering this contest, entries are limited to US/Canada residents. Contest runs from now until 5/10/09, 9 p.m. PST.

Interview with Deborah Kerbel

What were you trying to accomplish when you started writing Mackenzie, Lost and Found? What do you feel you’ve accomplished with the finished product?
When I first sat down to write this book, my goal was to explore the notion of what would happen to a typical Canadian teenager who was taken out of her comfort zone and dropped into a completely foreign environment. But as I got further along in the writing process, other themes emerged that begged to be addressed. Themes like interfaith relationships, the Arab-Israeli conflict, coping with loss, and cultural division in society. In the end, I feel like Mackenzie, Lost and Found offers a glimpse into a part of world that not many North American teenagers are familiar with. And I think it’s a romantic, exciting book that will leave readers thinking, asking questions, and remembering the importance of considering both sides to every story.

Why did you choose to write about Israel, particularly the religious-social tensions that exist there?
The idea of setting a book in Jerusalem came from a good friend of mine whose family had moved from Canada to Israel when she was a teenager. One day over lunch, she was explaining to me how that experience changed her life. It was one of those great ‘light-bulb moments’. I’d never before heard of a YA novel that was set in the Middle East and I knew right away that the concept was going to be the foundation of my next book. Authors, as you probably know, are always looking for new and original subjects to write about. And once I placed my characters in this conflicted setting, I couldn’t help but address the religious and social tensions of the region. Yes, the issues were challenging ones to tackle – but I’ve always loved a good challenge.

What sort of research did you have to do?
My friend Simone (the one who moved to Israel as a teenager) was my main source of information. She was really helpful! We went through her old photo albums and I grilled her for details –everything from enrolling in Ulpan, to sneaking into the hotel pools, to the smell of the markets in the souk. She was a fabulous resource.

But nothing can replace real-life experience. When I was in the final stages of writing the book, I was offered an opportunity to accompany my husband on a business trip to Israel. Of course, I jumped at that chance! Being there gave me the ability to really infuse my story with personal accounts of the country and its people.

What was the most difficult scene for you to write?
The scene that was the hardest to get right was the climactic end scene in Nasir’s apartment. I don’t want to spoil the ending for anyone, so all I will say is that I had to re-write this part many times trying to strike the perfect balance between the characters and lead the reader towards certain assumptions, without being too obvious about it.

Describe the development of your characters, especially Mackenzie and Nasir. Did you have a specific vision of them before the story came, or did they gradually evolve with the story?
Mackenzie was pretty much all there from the beginning. I had a very clear picture of who she was going into the writing process. Nasir, however, was definitely a character that evolved over time. I always knew he had to be conflicted between his father’s plans for him and his own personal hopes and aspirations – but the nuances of his character weren’t there originally. He was tricky for me to write, because I had no idea what the motivations and desires of an Arab teenage boy might be. After doing a lot of research into Arab-Israeli culture, a better picture of Nasir began to form in my head and he emerged in the story as a sensitive, caring, dreamer-type of kid.

Which of your characters can you relate to most and why?
I’d have to say, Mackenzie. There are always some subtle traces of me in every female main character I write about. So, Mackenzie and I do have a few things in common. Like her, I was pretty naive as a teenager. Also like her, I usually go out of my way to avoid confrontations. Also, neither of us can ever get a suntan.

What’s the most interesting or surprising thing you learned while writing this novel?
I love the great little facts that I learned while researching this part of the world. Like how all the buildings in Jerusalem must, by law, be built out of one particular kind of stone. And how the entire country of Israel is about the same size as the state of New Jersey.

What can I say? I’m a trivia nerd, so small details like this appeal to me.

On the writing side, I learned a great ‘character’ insight from an author friend of mine who read the first draft of Mackenzie, Lost and Found. She taught me that there should be no such thing as a purely ‘evil’ character in a book – that even the worst of characters must have a good side.

What is the most rewarding part about being a YA author?
Connecting with kids! Writing about teens and speaking with them about my books really helps keep me in touch with that exciting stage of life when everything moves at high speed...when emotions are felt so intensely and experiences are fresh and new. And because I work from home, I get to stay connected to the two most important kids in my life – my 6 year old son and my 3 year daughter. Nothing beats it!

If there was one thing you could change about Mackenzie, Lost and Found, what would it be?
Ha! Definitely the typo that everyone keeps pointing out to me. In the editing stage, I switched Nasir’s voice around from 3^rd person to 1^st person...and finally back to 3^rd person. And one little word got lost in the shuffle.

What are you working on next?
For my next YA, Girl on the Other Side, I used alternating narratives to tell the story of two opposite teenage girls whose lives come crashing together through a series of strange events. I’m really excited about this book – so far, the feedback has been awesome. Watch for it to be coming out in November, 2009.

Also, I just finished up another YA manuscript that I’m calling Bye-Bye, Evil Eye which is kind of a paranomalish mystery, comedy, romance about the Evil Eye...very different from anything else I’ve ever written.

So currently I’m in between manuscripts...taking a much-needed creative break. Phew!

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Don't forget to visit Deborah online at: http://www.deborahkerbel.com/

Mackenzie, Lost and Found by Deborah Kerbel

Still dealing with the tragic loss of her mother, the last thing Mackenzie Hill expects or wants is to be forcibly removed from her native Canada to attend an archeological dig in Israel with her eccentric father. Living in foreign Jerusalem couldn’t be more different than her safe home in the Western Hemisphere, with the soldiers everywhere, different languages Mackenzie can’t understand, and currency she doesn’t know how to use—an entire new mix of cultures. Mackenzie slowly gets used to this new life, eased by becoming friends with an American girl who can empathize with her. But her romantic involvement with a Palestinian boy shows her another side of Israel—still culturally rich and unique but also dangerous. Now Mackenzie has to find a way to navigate her mounting problems of grief from her mother’s death, her forbidden relationship with Nasir, and her unintended involvement with a shady black market scheme of stolen artifacts.

Mackenzie, Lost and Found is an ambitious mystery, romance, and coming of age story that also tackles the issues of cultural clashes, poverty, and overcoming grief. In this attempt Kerbel is mostly successful, particularly in her superb depiction of Israel. I enjoyed Kerbel’s accurate portrayal of the different cultures and religious that mix in this small country and the disputes that arise from their contact; however, the depth of these rifts between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity and references to certain regions near Israel such as the West Bank may not be comprehended by readers who haven’t previously studied the history of the Middle East. The mystery with the black market and its connection to Nasir’s, Mackenzie’s boyfriend, family is cleverly intertwined and realistic, showing the negative effects poverty has on the desperately poor. Mackenzie’s personal struggles that accompany growing up are also interesting to read about, and I liked how her trip to Israel ended up being a sort of spiritual cure for her. I really enjoyed these most important aspects of the novel, but the rest needed to be better refined. The romance is slightly clichéd, most of Mackenzie’s background remains unknown, Nasir is poorly characterized, Mackenzie’s first person narration is awkwardly combined with snippets from Nasir’s life, and the ending is disappointingly cut off. These little details are a little bothersome, but I nevertheless appreciate this creative novel.

Mackenzie, Lost and Found appeals to a wide audience, including anyone who enjoys romances, mysteries, history, culture, or coming of age novels. Fans of Cruel Summer by Alyson Noël, Amor and Summer Secrets by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, and Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab will also like this culturally relevant novel.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from author Deborah Kerbel

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Jessica Darling is devastates when her best friend Hope Weaver moves away from Pineville, New Jersey. Now, instead of having a kind and considerate person to help her endure the agonies of high school, Jessica is left on her own to face the Clueless Crew, her supposed “friends,” her mom’s obsession with Jessica’s older sister Bethany’s upcoming wedding, and her dad’s concern for nothing else but Jessica’s track meets. Without Hope, Jessica’s life is a mess. She can’t sleep at night, her normally perfect grades are slipping, and the invasion of two new people in her life, jaded Hy from the city and mysterious bad boy Marcus Flutie, is only more confusing. In this funny and realistic novel, McCafferty explores the trials of being a teen in a witty and unforgettable story.

This is not my first time reading Sloppy Firsts; I enjoyed this story so much the first go-around that I had to reread it, which only goes to show how much I love Jessica Darling’s tale. Jessica seems to be no more than your average teen, precariously balancing school, friendship, and home life, but her observant and slightly critical nature sets her apart from the masses at Pinevillle High. Her overdramatizations and sarcastic wit make her story so appealing and entertaining. McCafferty captures so well a teenage girl’s mind when she’s just beginning to question her life, from family to friends to herself, and boy-craziness is just starting to set it. Jessica is such a great protagonist to read about because of the combination of her intelligence and humor which I can relate to. The problems that Jessica encounters everyday are rather ordinary, but it is this that makes Jessica so easy to connect to and her story so meaningful and realistic.

I recommend the Jessica Darling series to every teen girl out there as well as any woman who can remember the horrors of high school. Fans of Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky and How Not to Be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler will also enjoy the wonderfully written Sloppy Firsts.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from personal collection

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

One horrible accident on one fateful night changed it all for two teens, Maggie Armstrong and Caleb Becker. Maggie spent the last year in and out of hospitals and physical therapy, trying to assimilate into the fragments left of her life after her leg was run over in a hit and run accident. She’s self-conscious about her limp and wants to escape her small town home in Paradise. Caleb spent the past year in a juvenile detention center, charged with maiming Maggie, but he’s getting out early for good behavior. After a year apart, they now have to face each other again. But they’re not as different as they think they are; they’ve both been scarred by the accident physically or mentally and they each hold the key of forgiveness that could heal the other.

Leaving Paradise is a delicate and beautiful, if tragic, love story. Elkeles weaves this story so well, picking realistic characters with commendable hidden strengths and yet debilitating weaknesses and creating from that a bond from which Maggie and Caleb’s story flows. I can’t help but meditate on the tragedy of it all, that being at the wrong place at the wrong time could ruin so many lives. Maggie and Caleb have to constantly struggle in the present with dirty little secrets or poor self image while simultaneously trying to accept eh scarring events of the past. It’s just so sad to me that they’re losing their uphill battle ultimately even through private gains such as finding self esteem and discovering true love. So even if the ending is horribly upsetting to me, I recognize that some of the best stories have to be tragedies because that’s just the way of the world; accidents happen and love, no matter how sweet and pure, may be lost, but life goes on.

Elkeles’ storytelling skills will make readers think with the authenticity of her tales. Leaving Paradise will be enjoyed by fans of Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell, Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt, Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott, and Elkeles’ latest and slightly more satisfying novel, Perfect Chemistry.

Rating: 4.75

Review copy from personal collection

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

In Ixia, punishments are meted out on an eye-for-an-eye basis, and so Yelena, convicted of murder, faces the noose. She’s spent nearly one year confined in prison, and she has little hope for life, so it’s a great surprise when she’s offered the opportunity to live and work as a food taster for the Commander of Ixia. Yelena is given back life, as well as a room in the palace and the best food in all of Ixia. But with this blessing also comes hardship: the head of security, cold and cruel Valek, deliberately gives Yelena a poison called Butterfly’s Dust to prevent her escape, a poison only he has the antidote for; General Brazell wants her dead in retribution for the murder of his son; and Yelena is developing magical abilities, which is outlawed in Ixia. Yelena finds herself an unwilling participant amidst a secret plot to seize control of Ixia, but she may be able to influence the outcome for the better if she can only preserve her own life and conquer her demons first.

Spellbinding, fantastic, and impossible to put down, Poison Study is the incredible beginning of what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy. The plot draws readers in from the very first page and holds their attention beyond the end four hundred odd pages later. Snyder effectively blends fantasy, action, and romance into a suspenseful and interesting tale that sparks my imagination. On top of such a well-written story, Snyder’s characters are also well developed and realistic. Yelena in particular has my sympathy from the very beginning. She isn’t defined as a good girl heroine who does everything right, but as a beaten woman who knows she’s done wrong. This makes her so much easier to relate to despite the horrible crime she committed, and her haunting past and subtle but tentative inner strength gain her respect and hope that she will end up safe and victorious. Another delight is the unexpected complexity of Valek’s character. That in combination with Yelena’s story is what makes Poison Study into such a unique read that’s impossible to forget.

I look forward to more of Snyder’s powerful storytelling in Magic Study and Fire Study, the continuations of Poison Study. I recommend Poison Study to all readers, eager or not, especially fans of Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, The Abhorsen Chronicles by Garth Nix, and the A Great and Terrible Beauty trilogy by Libba Bray.

Rating: 5.0

Review copy from personal collection

Quondam by Jayel Gibson

Amidst death and destruction, Cwen of Aradan and her aunt Yávië, the Dragon Queen, fall from their home in Ædracmoræ through a mirror and into a new world called Quondam. It is a dangerous land, one full of death and shifting loyalties ruled by the harsh iron fist of Queen Karid, a corrupted wood nymph forced to wear the skin of humans as punishment for wrongly accepting a human’s soul. Karid will stop at nothing to get what she wants, in this case, destruction of the House of Aradan because of a prophecy foretelling Karid’s downfall at the hands of a half human dragon spawn, who can only be freed from his prison by an Aradan. There is both hope and despair in the promise of Cwen’s placement in this prophecy, but while there are those who want to help Cwen and shelter her from Karid’s wrath, Karid has quite a few allies of her own, and they, like their vicious queen, will do anything to ensure the failure of the prophecy.

This final installment in Gibson’s fantastical Ancient Mirrors series is by far my favorite. Cwen is my favorite character because of her physical determination and emotional fragility. She is the key ingredient that breathes life into this novel. Gibson is a fantastic storyteller, able to weave a fast-paced story with elements of fantasy in a way that makes Quondam hard to put down as well as create realistic characters that readers can connect to instead of making them mere machines to carry out the tale. One of the reasons I enjoyed Quondam so much more than the other titles in the Ancient Mirrors series is because the outcome is so dependent on Cwen and her fear of loving. This helped make the story in Quondam so beautifully romantic and unforgettable. The multitude of names and new species are surprisingly easy to keep track of, though the shifting points of view are sometimes difficult to get used to. Quondam ends the Ancient Mirrors series with an epic bang that makes me wish the series would continue.

Fantasy fans, especially those who enjoyed The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Abhorsen Chronicles by Garth Nix, and Foundling by D.M. Cornish, will want to go back to the first installments in the Ancient Mirrors series, Dragon Queen, The Wreckening, and Damselflies, before delving into this fourth one.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from Phenix & Phenix Literary publicists

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Until three months ago, Camelia’s life had been normal, with good grades, good friends, and a good job. But three months ago, Camelia almost got run over by a car, only to be pushed out of the way at the last minute by a mysterious guy with an intoxicating touch. Her friends told her to put it out of her head, but Camelia couldn’t, and three months later, she finally gets to thank mystery boy Ben for saving her life when he moves to town. Although rumors of Ben’s involvement in her girlfriend’s death make others way of and rude to Ben, Camelia still thinks he’s the good guy. But when she starts receiving strange and creepy notes and gifts, she no longer knows who she can trust. Her friends think it’s some practical joke that will blow over, and her parents have their own issues to worry about, but Ben insists that she’s in danger. Everyone’s hiding something, but hopefully, Camelia can unravel these little secrets before she meets her end.

Deadly Little Secret is a fantastic paranormal thriller with a romantic twist. The story starts off with action, builds up a lot of suspense, and culminates with a band that I didn’t see coming. Stolarz definitely has the unpredictability factor down pat; my guesses as to the Stalker’s identity were completely off target. I enjoyed reading the dual perspectives, both Camelia’s and her stalker’s; the stalker’s scribbling increased the sense of danger, and Camelia’s point of view revealed her to be an intriguing character. There isn’t anything about Camelia that is too exciting except perhaps her total disregard of the opinions of others; I wouldn’t say she’s boring, but her rather uniform life doesn’t define the plot, the action due to the stalker does. Ben is an elusive character with some odd inconsistencies, but he is still my favorite character because of his uniqueness, and I hope to learn more about him in subsequent novels.

Fans of Stolarz’s Blue is for Nightmares series will not be disappointed in this fast-paced paranormal mystery, which will also be enjoyed by fans of Sleepless by Terri Clark, The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong, and The Missing Girl by Norma Fox Mazer. I eagerly await the sequel, Deadly Little Lies.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from personal collection

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

Four teens, Penelope Jane, better known as PJ, Olivia, Alex, and Zach, find themselves in Paris, the city of love, for a prestigious study abroad program. Alex is a spoiled snob used to living the high life and getting exactly what she wants. For Olivia, dance is everything. PJ’s trip to France is the result of fleeing from her embarrassing past. Zach, the adorable emo kid, is catching all the wrong eyes. But not all is well in this beautiful city: Alex’s out-of-control desires are setting her up for a huge fall, Olivia’s torn between her love for this city and guilt for leaving home, there’s something dysfunctional about the family PJ’s staying with, and Zach can’t help but be shy about his sexual orientation. Together, these four quasi-friends will have to figure out how to survive the semester before one of them finally cracks.

Strangely titled but surprisingly well written, Beautiful Americans is a meaningful guilty pleasure with international flair. I was a little wary to read this book because I thought the whole group-of-kids-stuck-together situation had already been overdone, but the Parisian setting and engaging characters set this novel apart from others told in the same style. With alternating narratives from each of the four friends’ points of view, the reader is allowed insight into their dirty little secrets as well as how they’re perceived by others. This, I fell, really allows the reader to get a better understanding of who each character is. PJ, Olivia, Alex, and Zach are so likable and easy to sympathize with even when they annoy the reader. They face real problems anyone could have to deal with, but these issues seem magnified as the teens are so far from home. As with most novels told from multiple perspectives, all the little details of each character’s life are difficult to keep track of, but the reader eventually gets used to it. Beautiful Americans provides an interesting take on freedom and what it means especially to youth.

Fans of The Au Pairs by Melissa de la Cruz, The Upper Class series by Hobson Brown, Taylor Materne, and Caroline Says, The Alphabetical Hookup List by Phoebe McPhee, and Zeta or Omega? by Kate Harmon will also enjoy this romantically set novel.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from personal collection

Who's RAD? J. E. MacLeod!

Please welcome Ms. J. E. MacLeod, author of recently released romance Waiting to Score. Well, actually, her real name is Janet Gurtler, but that's out little secret!

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Random Q&A:

What's the most embarrassing outfit you've ever been caught in? Or, if you are so fashion forward, what outfit would you not want to be caught dead in?
OMG. I am the worst person for getting caught in bad outfits. I am bad for running round to do chores wearing exercise clothes after exercising. Which is not a hip fashion statement. In any way. I also wear super comfy clothes to write and often go straight from writing to pick my son up at school and take him to activities. So. Um. I'm not the cool Mom in fashionable boots and great jeans and perfect hair picking up my son from school.

If you could live the life of any fictional character (from a novel, movie, TV show, etc.), who would it be?
I'd love to be Hermione from Harry Potter. She's cute, she can do magic, she's got great friends and a crush on a cute red head. What more could I want?

If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility. Without a doubt. Just think of all the things you could do if you were invisible. Of course, I would have to keep in mind that I was supposed to use my super powers for good....

What celebrity or famous person would you give anything to meet?
Hmmm. Anything?? I don’t think I'd give "anything" to meet anyone really. I'm sure I'd get completely tongue tied around a celebrity or famous person I like, but let me go with Shirley MacLaine. How fun would she be to talk to about everything from celebrity gossip to world issues (and of course, reincarnation)?

A genie decides to grant you three wishes. What are they?
1. I wish I could be a best selling author. Of a kick %^% YA Book.
2. I wish my son would grow up to be happy, fulfilled and successful and live a long productive life.
3. I wish for good health and good fortune for my friends and especially for my family.

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the guest blog:

Yummy YA Boys

Is it wrong that I have crushes on fictional characters? Or is it wrong that if they were living people they’d be young enough to be my children? Okay. Ew. The second part is very wrong and gross, but since I am talking about fictional boys here, I’ve decided it’s perfectly acceptable for me to crush. Oui? Okay then.

So. Exactly who are the hottest boys in YA Fiction? Yes. Yes. I do hear the overwhelming shouts and fingers on the keyboard, typing in, “Edward, Edward.” Brooding, mysterious and gorgeous perhaps, but just a little too possessive for this author. Plus there’s that thing with his teeth. Besides, damsel in distress has never really been my thing. Of course, I might change my mind if Rob Patterson gazed at me in his most mesmerizing way. I could be a cougar. Why not? I do give Ms. Meyers props. Now there is a powerful love story. The yearning and wanting made me momentarily reconsider vampire love. And Edward.

Another YA boy who really bakes my cake is Marcus from Sloppy Firsts. Oh. I dig him all right. Bad boy turned good. Redemption. Love could change him. Blah blah blah. Sigh. Swoon. I read the book long ago but my crush on him remains intact!

And how about Nick – from Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist? Loved him. Less geeky than the movie Nick I thought, though I do love me some Michael Cera.

Or, how about Luke from Maggie Stiefvater’s, Lament. Hot and cocky and crushable all at once. Despite the lacking a soul thing.

Another hot YA boy to watch for is Jackson from Cheryl Renee Herbsman’s book, Breathing. Oh. Yummy. Yum. Yum. A delightful Southern boy who I wanted to come to life as I read the beautiful prose.

And of course, I have to mention Zack Chase, from Waiting To Score. He was the boy I was supposed to date in High School. Only he didn’t exist yet.

Who are the hottest YA boys? What do YOU think?

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Well, thanks so much Ms. Janet/J.E. for that very relevant post (no, that is not sarcasm, I am totally being serious). My fav YA hotties? Definitely Marcus from the Jessica Darling series, Cabel from Wake by Lisa McMann, and Jace from the Mortal Instruments series. No arguments there!

Visit J.E. MacLeod online at her website: http://www.jemacleod.com/

The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer

Best friends Annie, Genna, and Zoe have done everything together since forever, or at least, they used to. But now that they’re almost graduating middle school, the Teashop Girls seem to be growing apart since Zoe is always at tennis and Genna is busy with theatrical productions. Feeling a little left out, Annie decides to start working at her grandmother’s teashop, The Steeping Leaf, the old hangout of the Teashop Girls. But happiness over her newfound independence and proximity to her super cute coworker-slash-crush is short lived when it becomes apparent that The Steeping Leaf is in financial trouble—if business doesn’t pick up, the teashop will have to permanently close its doors. Annie refuses to give up on the teashop and enlists all the help she can find to embark on a crusade to save the quaint teashop and her beloved childhood hangout.

The Teashop Girls is a cute and sweet story about friendship and perseverance. Interspaced with interesting fun facts about the history of tea, cute stories involving tea, and yummy sounding recipes, this novel reminds me a bit of a scrapbook in the best possible way; the story is solid and enjoyable but the extras are the icing on the cake. Readers won’t be able to resist Annie’s determination to save The Steeping Leaf and her no-nonsense if sometimes immature attitude. Schaefer includes some of the difficulties that accompany the transition between childhood and the teen years, such as boy drama and personality changes that can potentially tear friendships apart, but it isn’t overdone by piling too many of these problems on Annie. I really liked the innocence and sweetness of the Teashop Girls, and their niceness and positivity kept a smile on my face. The Teashop Girls made for a fun and satisfying read with plenty of youthful joy and an adorable happy ending.

The Teashop Girls is likely aimed at the middle grade audience but older teens can still enjoy this cute read. Readers who liked 3 Willows by Ann Brashares and The Curse of Addy McMahon by Katie Davis will also like The Teashop Girls.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from Amazon Vine

Romance Lovers contest winner and other stuff

I know what you're saying, and I hear you. Finally! She finally posts the winner after two whole freaking months. I don't blame you. I blame my laziness. So, here it is:

Megan

And now for my three favorite poems (I couldn't narrow them down to one). Unfortunately, I don't have prizes for these awesome poets, so they'll just have to live with the satisfaction they get for having their poetry liked.

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Just those simple four ordinary letters.
L, O, V, and E.
Why do our hearts yearn so much
To find someone that holds the key?
In the midst of despair,
A "knight" is supposed to come.
But you continue waiting, waiting
Till both your body, mind, heart grow numb.
Because love isn't like those fairytales
You read in books.
It involves more than that,
More than just the looks.
It includes heartbreak, struggles,
And even fights.
But later on it gets better,
As love surrounds the February night.

-Michelle Kuo

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Why is the month of love the month of rain?
Of snow, of sleet, of twisted ankle pain?
With snowed in cars and dreary skies,
I don't understand all the gooey eyes.
There are no blossoms, no birds will sing.
Not yet summer, the school bells still ring.
It's not the season of giving,
Heck, most plants aren't even living.

Well... perhaps the snow is sweet -
A boy's arms are warmer when there's sleet.
Slipping on ice gives an excuse to that boy,
To coddle and kiss, turn the pain to joy.
Birds are overrated anyway...
Who wants to hear chirping all day?

-Joanna (she didn't think she was much of a poet, but I like it)

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Cupid's arrows flies
Dodge it quick before it lands
Else you get struck dumb

-the epic rat (short, sweet, and amusing!)

How I Found the Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood

Things have been disappointing anticlimactic for Morgan Rawlinson after a pretty unbelievable summer—in more than one way. Last summer, she discovered that she was a half-goddess, not that she’s got any cool magical powers or anything like that. Last summer, she fell for Irish hunk Colin, but all that’s come of that is the occasional bland email—that is, until Colin announces he’s coming to none other than Morgan’s home, Connecticut. But things aren’t so bright and cherry with Colin; he’s mentally exhausted from being forced to dance all night long with faeries in his dreams. And when Morgan finds out that this fatigue may be her fault, this semi-goddess is willing to do whatever it takes to break this evil faerie spell. But with prom season approaching and faerie mischief abounding, this is not going to be an easy task, not at all.

How I Found the Perfect Dress is a cute and thankfully just as original sequel to the fabulous Why I Let My Hair Grow Out. Instead of revisiting an old Irish legend, Wood essentially creates her own, and the effect is unique and fun with an interesting combination of faerie and human worlds. Morgan seems much more mature and in control of her life, at least eh parts not involving Colin, than in her previous adventure, which I liked because it shows her character growth. I enjoy reading from Morgan’s perspective because she’s just a funny and entertaining narrator, just as she was in Why I Let My Hair Grow Out. I was disappointed that Morgan and Colin’s relationship wasn’t completely cemented, but hopefully Morgan will star in another unique story and their romance can continue.

I thoroughly enjoyed How I Found the Perfect Dress, though if I had to pick a favorite of Morgan’s tales, it would be her first, Why I Let My Hair Grow Out. Readers who enjoyed that novel as well as Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst and Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs will also want to read this fun one.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher Berkley JAM

Why I Let My Hair Grow Out by Maryrose Wood

What’s the perfect response to teenage rebellion in the form of a self-performed haircut and orange dye job? Just ask Morgan Rawlinson’s parents, because when this spunky gal does just this after her boyfriend dumps her, and on the last day of school to boot, their solution is the very logical one to send her on a bike tour of Ireland. Depressed at the limited fashion opportunities for bikers, but with not better alternative than sulking away at home, Morgan reluctantly goes. Everyone else on the bike tour seems to be afflicted with a different kind of crazy although the guy who drives the luggage van, Colin, isn’t too bad looking, but what’s really strange are the people she meets after her bike accident—the faeries and wee folk. Caught up in two worlds, modern day Ireland and this same land but in an old Irish myth she never thought was real, Morgan is going to have to figure out how to balance her two missions—to snag hunky Colin and to solve a faerie riddle to rid the Ireland of legend form its faerie curses.

Witty, hilarious, and creative, Why I Let My Hair Grow Out is a highly engaging and entertaining read that I could not put down. The inclusion of old Irish legends makes the story all the more original and unique, even if it is spun, through Morgan’s frank is sometimes immature perspective, in an amusingly modern way. The only part of this novel I enjoy even more than the faerie angle is Morgan’s character. Despite all the ridiculous and unbelievable situations she finds herself in, Morgan remains realistic and lovable. Her intelligence and determination, not to mention her won’t-take-no-for-an-answer attitude, make her a joy to read about. I liked how Morgan is both a little juvenile and yet also mature; Wood captures the teenage girl’s mind so well. My one small problem was that I kept mixing up some of the names from the Irish legend and Morgan’s modern day journey, especially because some were the same. However, I did like the parallels between the people from the Irish legend and Morgan’s tour mates.

Why I Let My Hair Grow Out is certainly a singular and lovable novel, and one with possibly the best cover art of any book I’ve ever seen. Fans of The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King, Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs, and Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst will also enjoy this fantastic read. I look forward to the continuation of Morgan’s story in How I Found the Perfect Dress.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from personal collection

I'm quoted in the UK version of Gone!!

Whee!! popgoestheweasel (at least that's what my friend told me).

It is true, and I am like so very excited about it. For the first time (as I know it at least), I have been quoted in a published book!! I find that very thrilling, especially because I so loved Gone by Michael Grant. Now I need to go out an buy me one of them UK versions...

I'd like to thank Jenny Davies from Wondrous Reads for letting me know this very exciting news. She and Teen Book Review are also quoted.

And now for some pics (also thanks to Jenny), hope they're ledgible

this is a closeup of mine an Teen Book Review's

and the whole dang page (click it to zoom in)

Purge by Sarah Darer Littman

Janie Hyman’s life is a mess, riddled with confusion and contradictions. She may have confidence when acting on stage, but everywhere else, she’s insecure. That’s why she binges and purges several times a day even though she absolutely hates throwing up. That’s why she’s at Golden Slopes with a handful of other eating disorder kids, the Barfers and Starvers, to end, hopefully, Janie’s love-hate relationship with good—otherwise known as bulimia. But Janie doesn’t think she’s ill; she views purging as a dieting option. The combination of that with all the nit-picky rules at Golden Slopes that drive Janie crazy only convince her that she’s doomed to be imprisoned there forever. But despite that defeatist attitude, there are still some people who won’t give up on Janie, who want to help her accept the ugly truth of what started all this drama, who don’t want Janie to give up on herself.

Purge is an emotional and ultimately optimistic novel about a girl’s struggle with self esteem which helps lead to an eating disorder. The story starts off in a way that’s neither too interesting or not, though readers will immediately sympathize with Janie, but the emotional intensity greatly increases from the middle to the end of the book. As heartbreaking as it is, Littman really gets to the reasons behind eating disorders, which mostly stem from lack of self confidence and negative influence from close family members or friends. Janie’s story is particularly striking in that the trigger for her downward spiral is a painful memory she won’t let herself think about, and it’s like an imaginary tumor that grew so large it took over her life. The revelation of this event is just so extremely sad that I cried. Thankfully, the ending is a happy one, or at least as happy as it could be under the circumstances, and reminds the reader that even if certain struggles, namely bulimia, never completely go away and need to be worked at, there will always be the people who love you to make sure you make it through.

I found it very inspiring that Littman drew strength from her own personal struggles with eating disorders to write Purge. Readers who enjoyed Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers, Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee, Perfect by Natasha Friend, Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern, and Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford will also want to read Purge.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher Scholastic

Who's RAD? Allison van Diepen!

Please welcome the lovely Ms. Allison van Diepen, who has been so patient with me through my laziness and procrastination. This RAD was supposed to be posted back in February (eek!), but unfortunately, by the time I remembered and had time to format all this, who knew, but it was two whole months later.

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Random Q&A:

If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you take with you? (Assume you have the bare necessities).
A notebook to keep a record of my experiences. A flare gun so I can call for rescue. My husband for company.

Complete the sentence: “This is a disaster!” I exclaimed, “I can’t believe___”
…I have to wake up early on a Saturday!”

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Loving. Compassionate. Determined.

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the guest blog:

One of the best parts of my job is hearing from my readers. Many of them are aspiring writers themselves, and they often ask me for advice on how to kickstart their own writing careers.

I don’t claim to be an expert on writing/publishing, but there are a few things I know for sure. So I’ve decided to use this blogging opportunity (thanks Book Muncher!) to make a statement on the matter.

The Top Eight Things I Know About Writing

8. DON’T BE IN A HURRY TO GET PUBLISHED.
Okay, so maybe you don’t want to hear that. When I was a teen, I’d hoped to see my novels on the shelves by the time I was twenty. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t been in such a rush. You see, once you’re published and you’re writing under deadlines, it can be stressful, which can hinder your creativity. So what’s the hurry? Statistics show that the main reason for writer’s block is the stress of the publishing industry. Enjoy this time in your life when you can be creative without pressure!

7. MAKE USE OF WRITING ADVICE/CRITICISM.
All writers work with editors. All writers need editors. An effective editor can help shape a good book into a great book. At some point, you’re going to have to work with someone who’s knowledgeable about writing in order to bring your work to the next level. Remember that every writer has weaknesses, and you should attack those weaknesses head on! Don’t be offended when someone points them out to you.

6. BEWARE WRITING ADVICE/CRITICISM.
Yes, I know I just contradicted myself. I meant to do that. J It’s important to be able to take criticism from people who know what they’re talking about, but you have to be true to yourself and your story. Be open-minded, accept a lot of criticism, but recognize that what you’re doing may be different, and may break some conventions of writing. This quotation sums it up: “There’s many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.” - Flannery O’Connor

5. READ A LOT – BUT DON’T LET IT SCARE YOU OFF!
This is the most common writing advice out there, and it makes sense. Reading helps you recognize what good writing is, and what good storytelling is. But don’t let the fact that your writing isn’t on a par with that of your favorite author intimidate you. You may have your own appeal for readers.

4. SHAKE THINGS UP – WRITE THE UNEXPECTED!
The old adage “write what you know” is absolutely true. You can undoubtedly write realistically about someone growing up where and how you grew up, so go for it. And once you’ve done that, why not exercise those writing muscles and write about someone totally different from yourself? Why not write what no one expects?

3. FIND YOUR OWN VOICE.
If you read a lot, you may find yourself writing in a similar style to your favorite authors, and that’s fine. But don’t feel you have to fit any particular mold; go your own way. Remember that your unique writing voice is what will make your writing stand out.

2. TO WRITE, YOU MUST LIVE.
Enjoy your life! Accept challenges and adventures. The best research for writing is living and loving. It’s being a part of the world, not just observing it. All of this will feed into your writing.

1. PLANT YOUR BUTT IN THAT CHAIR AND WRITE!
You can have all the talent in the world, but to be a writer, you need to write on a regular basis. If you love writing enough, this won’t be hard because it’s what you’ll want to do in your spare time. Maybe that’s the true test of a writer. With all kinds of distractions around you, with all kinds of options to do something else, you’ll choose to write!

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I know for one that I’m taking this fabulous advice to heart, and so should all you. Seriously, even thought I’m not exactly a bestselling published YA author (yet, hopefully), I can recognize that these rules are certainly the real deal. I think I’ll print them out and post them on my wall as my ten writing commandments.

Once again, I must thank Ms. Allison van Diepen for being so generous regarding my laziness and urge you to visit her online: http://www.allisonvandiepen.com/. I have yet to read her novels, but I hope to soon!

Circle of Friends contest winner

And she is...

bridget3240

And, I know, I still haven't posted the winner for the Romance Lovers Contest, but I've been busy (or lazy) and the winner I picked has not responded to me. I'll pick another one, and hopefully this new one will.