GCC January Releases, Part Two

Dude, you thought I was kidding about the forgetting, didn't you? Yeah, well, I wasn't. I have one more January Girlfriend to spotlight. Lucienne Diver, author of FANGTASTIC.

About THE BOOK:
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
Fangtastic: True vamps infiltrate lifestylers to solve some mysterious murders, but find even darker doings behind the scenes.

Praise for the VAMPED series:
“As ever, Gina's feisty, funny narration carries the day. Gina never fails to please, as she strides down the runway of afterlife with just the right mix of humor, make-up advice, youthful lust that never crosses the line and a kung-fu style all her own. This one doesn’t miss a beat.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Perfect for teens and adults, this is a book to share, savor and revisit. ReVamped is full of smart, spot-on dialogue, engaging, authentic characters and a plot that’s so much fun it’s impossible not get swept up.” —Examiner.com

"VAMPED is a total delight! Diver delivers a delightful cast of undead characters and a fresh, fast take on the vampire mythos. Next installment, please!" — Rachel Caine, New York Times bestselling author of the Morganville Vampires series

“Diver uses wit and adventure to hook readers with this teen vampire story.” —VOYA

About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
The first thing I remember wanting to do with my life was become a cryptozoologist, looking for signs of the Loch Ness Monster, the Jersey Devil, chupacabra and all that jazz. It wasn’t long before I realized that while I might not be able to find these things in real life, they could live in my imagination. I could script them! I wrote my first “novel” at eleven. It was a class assignment to do a short story, but it came out at over 100 pages. Yeah, I’ve never been able to write short. My stories want to be novels; my novels want to be series….

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
I’m very goal oriented. I always knew that I was working toward something, even while I enjoyed the journey. I started seeking publication as a teen with the Avon Flare competition. I don’t know if that exists any more, but at the time it was like American idol for young novelists. Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready yet. I think I exhausted every cliché I could come up with in my early work. Plus, it was too self-conscious. I don’t do as many critiques now as I did when I had more time, but I still contribute them quite often for charity, because I really do believe that talent can be honed and refined. I’m living proof.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
I’d say my Kindle so that I could load a zillion books on there, but without electricity…. The biggest, meatiest book I can find to hold me over. An omnibus edition, maybe, of a favorite series. I can’t live without books.

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
Just one? That’s torture! Still, if I had to pick…bacon. (Yessss!) I’ve become much more about the salt than the sweet.

Click here to learn more about Lucienne.

So yay! I still like vampires. Anyone with me?

GCC: Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Okay, so up today, I'm hosting Jennifer Echols, a Girlfriend on the Cyber Circuit, with her new book! Make sure you come back to my blog on Monday, where I'm hosting one leg of the most fabulous YA Scavenger Hunt you'll ever see! There will be an author here. Something secret and exclusive. And the chance to win about a billion amazing prizes!

And now onto the interview with Jennifer.

About THE AUTHOR:
JENNIFER ECHOLS is the author of teen romantic dramas for MTV Books and teen romantic comedies for Simon Pulse. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her family. Please visit her online at www.jennifer-echols.com.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Always. I did have other early interests--I loved to paint, and my first major in college was music--but even before I was an English major, I thought I would write a novel someday.

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
During the Civil Rights Movement, my grandmother wrote beautiful short stories about the changes the Deep South was going through. She sent one of these to the New Yorker, and when she got rejected, she never submitted any of her work again. She was a terrific role model. It never occurred to me that I couldn’t be a writer like her. But I also knew that her writing *could* have been published if she hadn’t given up so soon. I vowed not to take no for an answer. (Brilliant!)

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
My Kindle! I can access Wi-Fi to download more books, right? (Uh, yeah, I think so...)

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
Chocolate, but I would not turn down the bacon either. (Yesss!)

About THE BOOK:
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
Erin is writing about Hunter for creative writing class. Hunter is writing about Erin. And everybody is reading between the lines.

From Jennifer Echols, the award-winning author of Going Too Far and Forget You, comes LOVE STORY (Gallery Books; July 19, 2011; $11.00), a provocative and powerful story of teen romance, set against the bustling world of a New York City university.

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions – it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter… so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter… except this story could come true.



I love the sound of this book, especially the "Everybody is reading between the lines." Isn't that so how life is?

I've added this one to the list, and hopefully you will too.

A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL by Suzanne Young

Okay, today I'm talking about a book I really loved. I mean, I talk about a book I love every Thursday, but A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL by Suzanne Young is wonderful. I enjoyed the writing. I loved the longing in the main character. I swooned over the softness in the male MC, Harley. I adored the not-run-of-the-mill ending.

And the premise! A brilliant premise that doesn't feel cookie-cutter or overdone. A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL genuinely read unique.

Okay, so you probably want to know what it's about now, right? Here's a brief synopsis, from the lovely Suzanne herself!

About THE BOOK:
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL is about a girl compelled to help people, even though doing so is slowly erasing her existence. (Nice. 25 characters left.)

And the official blurb: We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be forgotten.

Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become—her mark on this earth, her very existence—is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny—no matter how dark the consequences?

About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes. I was writing murder mysteries starring my friends back in junior high. I think a few of them are still floating around somewhere.

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
A push from a family member. Otherwise I’m not sure I would have considered it possible.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
Dental floss. I’m an obsessive flosser. (Oooh, good one. I enjoy flossing more than the average person too.)

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
BACON. (Hallelujah! I swear I can feel the heavens opening up.)

So see? You must pick up this book at your favorite bookstore today! It's amazing.


I've also read about 12 books over the past week or so--I'm on a total reading kick. I've added most of them to my upcoming Thursday features. They're THAT GOOD. Are you in a reading high? A slump? What are you reading now that you've enjoyed?

FAIRY BAD DAY by Amanda Ashby

Today, I'm thrilled to have Amanda Ashby here on the blog! She's here to give us a little more information about her new book, FAIRY BAD DAY.

About THE BOOK:
It’s going to be a fairy bad day.

First, my rightful designation of dragon slayer is STOLEN right out from under me by Curtis Green. Sure, he’s really cute, but that doesn’t give him an excuse.

On top of that, I am assigned to slay fairies. I know what you’re thinking—how hard could it be, right? Wrong! These menacing beasts with their tiny hipster clothes and mocking sarcasm love taunting me. And they won’t STOP!

But the thing that tops my list of stuff to ruin my day? That would be the GIANT KILLER FAIRY that I have to hunt down and slay because I am the only one who can see it. There is someone who can help me. Unfortunately…it’s Curtis.

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:
When Emma's dragon slaying spot is stolen from her, she's pretty sure that thing can't possibly get worse. Emma’s wrong!

What people are saying:
"Teens with a taste for the paranormal school story and a tolerance for raucous humor will be involved with and amused by this romantic fantasy. The exciting plot, humor throughout—often provided by the little fairies—and relatively innocent romance between characters will grab readers and keep them involved. " Kirkus Reviews

"In a fun mashup of the modern and the magical, Ashby (Zombie Queen of Newbury High) creates nicely developed characters and supports them with strong plotting and zippy writing. Laced with humor, danger, and romance, this book will have readers smiling all the way to the last page." Publisher's Weekly

“Great fairy fun from page one! If Buffy and Harry Potter got together and threw a magical slayer party, it would be the world Amanda Ashby created in Fairy Bad Day. With plenty of laugh-out-loud humor, emotional depth, and cute boy romance, reading this book will guarantee your day is fairy awesome.” Tera Lynn Childs, award-winning author of Oh. My. Gods. and Forgive My Fins

"Fairy Bad Day is fairy awesome supernatural slaying fun." Stacey Jay author of You are So Undead to Me and Undead Much

"I really liked that no matter how mad Emma wanted to be at Curtis, she just couldn't stay mad—not with those beautiful brown eyes and that lopsided grin. I loved the cover design, it really drew me in. This was a very good book and I would highly recommend it." School Library Journal Vanessa, age 12

About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No. I have always loved reading and I’ve always been good at creative writing but I honestly didn’t know that regular people could become authors so I actually studied journalism but I knew fairly early on that it wasn’t a good fit (the essence of journalism is to be concise and factual. So. Not. Going. To. Happen). Every now and then it would bother me about what would happen if my favorite authors hadn’t written my favorite books and I finally had an epiphany and realized that I wanted to write a book. It all felt quite sudden and the moment I said it, I sat down and wrote my first novel in a month. It was completely awful but, as most writers know, once the seeds are planted, we don’t tend to leave them alone!

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
From the moment I had my epiphany I’ve always chased publication. In fact it amazes me the number of hopeful authors who write books and then don’t try and submit them anywhere. I guess some of it is fear, but I never felt like that. I just wanted to get it out there!

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
MP3 player (I don’t watch Survivor so I’m hoping that this is allowed because I will play dirty if my MP3 player is taken off me!)

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
Chocolate!

Thanks for stopping by Amanda--and I can't wait to read FAIRY BAD DAY.

Reading Widely

Okay, so I've been stewing a lot about YA contemporary novels lately. I don't naturally gravitate toward them, but then when I read one, I'm amazed. And I've heard that you're supposed to read widely as an author, and well, I don't really do that.

I do remember reading LOVE YOU, HATE YOU, MISS YOU by Elizabeth Scott. Windy Aphayrath recommended her to me, and boy was she right on. I immediately followed that novel with LIVING DEAD GIRL. Wow.

I haven't read every one of Elizabeth Scott's novels, but I have PERFECT YOU waiting in the wings. And she has a new book coming out TODAY, and since I'm lucky enough to be on the Girlfriend Circuit with Elizabeth, she's here to answer some questions about her newest novel, BETWEEN HERE AND FOREVER.

Here's a bit about BETWEEN HERE AND FOREVER:
The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less: Small towns, secrets, family, learning to be who you are, falling in love (Wow, she's good. There are 67 characters left!)

About THE AUTHOR:
Have you always wanted to be a writer? No--I started writing fiction on a sheer fluke when I was 27. (!)

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication? My friends, who kept telling me to go for it.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take? My husband and dog. :-) (Finally, someone who knows what Survivor is! Win.)

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate? I'm actually
allergic to both, so neither! (*gasp!*)

-------
Thanks, Elizabeth! If you haven't read one of her novels, yet, please do yourself a favor. Get one. Read it. You can also follow Elizabeth's blog here.

So I've resolved to keep track of the contemporary novels I read this year. Do you read widely? Or do you find yourself stuck in the same genre?

The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook

About the Book:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less: When Hailey Kendrick loses it all she has to decide how much to risk to get it back- and if she wants it back at all. (Ooh, intriguing. She doesn't want it all back? I must read this, stat.)

Reviews: "Hailey may be an A student headed to the Ivy League, but when it comes to taking a chance on life, she’s clueless. She’s also enormously appealing and great company throughout this breezy read. Yes, it’s chick lit, but of the highest quality—like a gourmet truffle. Cook has whipped up a real treat.” --Kirkus starred review

"Cook effectively builds both Hailey's (justified) feelings of rebellion and the social dynamics of her ostracism, especially in her growing friendship with a challenging townie, Drew, who supervises her punishment working with the janitorial staff....Cook coaxes considerable empathy for the otherwise privileged Hailey as she abandons the achievement treadmill to explore her independence." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author: Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in six different languages. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family that loved books and reading. As soon as I understood the concept that someone was responsible for making up the stories in books I knew that was what I wanted to do. Then in college I decided that wanting to be a writer was like wanting to be a princess, a nice idea, but not realistic. Years later I would decide that was stupid and I should go for it.

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?
I took a writing course and my instructor encouraged me to send my writing out. When I told her I was worried that I might be rejected she told me “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you are already not published. The worst thing that is going to happen to you is that you still won’t be published.” (OH MY HECK. I LOVE THIS.) That’s when I decided to stop letting my fears be more important than what I really wanted.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?
I would never make it on Survivor. I would be that person that no one remembers in the reunion show because I got kicked off or stung by killer bees in the first five minutes. I would bring my iPad so I would have access to a lot of books and could book a flight home on the internet.

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?
This is like Sophie’s Choice! I’m going to go with chocolate, but only if it is dark. (Foiled again.)

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.

I am so excited to read this one! I loved Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood, and I may or may not be biased toward Simon Pulse novels.

Other Bookanista reviews going on today:
Michelle Hodkin gushes about The Near Witch
LiLa Roecker celebrates XVI's book birthday
Christine Fonseca raves about Wither
Shannon Messenger travels Across the Universe with a special giveaway
Shelli Johannes-Wells gets Lost in the River of Green
Scott Tracey falls in love with Across the Universe
Beth Revis is captivated by Prisoners in the Palace
Carolina Valdez Miller is mesmerized by The Healing Spell
Megan Miranda takes a peek through The Marbury Lens
Shana Silver digs Delirium
Jamie Harrington tells the truth about The Liar Society
Jen Hayley dies for A Touch Mortal
Bethany Wiggins dotes on Paranormalcy

Man, the Bookanistas are rockin' 2011! So, what did we miss? What have you read lately you want to gush about?

THE MOCKINGBIRDS by Daisy Whitney

Okay, I have the best thing planned for today! The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney is a book you must all add to your TBR piles and read like, yesterday.

About the book:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less: THE MOCKINGBIRDS is the story of an underground student-run justice system at a prestigious boarding school and the date rape case they try. (Ooh, right on. Nicely played, Whitney, nicely played.)

The official blurb: Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it. (Ahh! I must read this now! Good thing I have a copy in my hands! Woot! Get yours here.)

Follow all The Mockingbird action on the Facebook page.

About Daisy:

Have you always wanted to be a writer? When I was younger I wanted to be a Broadway star, a ski jumper and an environmental scientist.

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication? Ah, that’s where the whole pursuit of dreams comes in. I have to say, NOT seeking an agent and NOT seeking publication was never an option. If I was writing a book (or several as I have three unpubbed novels) I was writing until I got it right and landed a book deal.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take? I don’t even watch the show! But I would for sure want some good shampoo and body lotion. I don’t want dry skin!

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate? Chocolate all the way. (I can tell I need to revamp this question. Humph.)

Click here to check out Daisy's website.

Other features in the Bookanista blogosphere:
Lisa and Laura Roecker dish about The Love Goddess' Cooking School
Christine Fonseca is nostalgic over books she loved growing up
Shannon Messenger is excited about the Ninth Ward
Megan Miranda adores The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Myra McEntire raves about NetGalley
Kirsten Hubbard considers the good, the bad and the ugly impact of reviews
Bethany Wiggins can't get enough of Black Hole Sun
Jamie Harrington is thrilled about The Secret Society of the Pink Crystal Ball

Her and Me and You

Okay, so dude, Lauren Strasnick has a new book out. I read and simply loved NOTHING LIKE YOU, so I can't wait to get my hands on HER AND ME AND YOU. Isn't that cover gorgeous?? (YES.)

I managed to wrangle some questions out of her. About Lauren:

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Since 4th or 5th grade. I wanted to dance, too. But I surrendered that dream at sixteen. *grin*

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?

This was pretty much always the plan, but ten years ago, I was only writing short fiction and there wasn’t really a place for short stories in the teen market. So it wasn’t until I completed my first novel, in 2006, that I actively started pursuing publication.

Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?

Oh, gosh! I’ve never seen survivor. (What?? The horror!) What can and can’t people bring? Does my kitten count as a luxury item?? (Yeah, sure. More mouths to feed, but whatever.)

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?

Chocolate. I was big into bacon as a youngin, but my body quit the-other-white (& red) meat, at eighteen. I remember it fondly, though… (Okay, fine. Chocolate: 2, Bacon: 0. So sad.)

About HER AND ME AND YOU:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:

Broken friendship! Thwarted love! Twincest! (Okay, that's not even fair.)

Her and Me and You
Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, October 2010

First love, broken friendships, and heartache all play a part in this evocative, voice-driven novel about Alex, a girl whose world is ripped apart when her father’s affair splits her family in two.

Alex moves with her mess of a mother to a new town, where she is befriended by hot, enigmatic Fred–and alternately flirted with and cold-shouldered by Fred’s twin sister, Adina. Others warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, whose sibling relationship is considered abnormal at best, but there’s just something about Fred–and something about Adina–that draws Alex to them and makes her want to be part of their crazy world, no matter the consequences.

What Kirkus Has to Say:
“Strasnick’s slim second offering packs a lot into its short chapters: divorce, broken friendships, crushes, the lines between love and sex and more. Characterization, scenes, dialogue and setting are seamlessly distilled into so few sharp, image-rich phrases that the novel reads almost as if it were written in verse. Less is definitely more here, and readers are plunged into Alex’s physical and emotional world within three to four words. Although the plot moves swiftly, the author’s ability to capture Alex’s inner world in so few words give the novel depth and balance. Complex and thought-provoking.”

Visit Lauren on her website and blog
Order Her and Me and You

And, as if you're not already stoked about this book, get a little excited! Because I'm giving a copy away! That's right--your very own HER AND ME AND YOU! All you have to do is leave a comment.

Oh, and I'm in Denver through the weekend, so I won't be blogging tomorrow. Chill, people. Take a pill or something. I know you'll survive. *wink* Whether I will is debatable, so keep your fingers crossed.