Blog Tour: Interview With Jessica Warman!

Jessica Warman is the author of Breathless and her newest, Where The Truth Lies, which is available now from Walker BFYR.

KBB: Why did you decide to write novels for young adults?

JW: The teenage years are just fascinating to me, because there's so much growth and life experience that takes place in such a short period of time. Over a few years, as teens, we encounter so many things that challenge everything we've believed about life and ourselves up to that point. Another thing that's interesting to me about adolescence is the fact that it's one of the only times in life when we have a great deal of privelege without all that much serious responsiblity, in general. Overall, it's just an incredible age group to write for. Not only is the subject matter endlessly rich, but I think the audience makes the work that much more rewarding. I love it.

KBB: Where The Truth Lies is a companion novel to your first book, Breathless. Did you find it easier to write than the first book? Did it change the way you wrote because you had already developed some of the characters?

JW: "Where the Truth Lies" was actually more difficult to write, because it was more grounded in fiction than "Breathless," which is based heavily on my high school experiences. Even though the book is a companion to "Breathless," it was definitely a different animal to work with. Even though the process was different, though, it was equally rewarding.

KBB: The cover for Where The Truth Lies is very eye-catching. Did you have any input in it? Did you picture it differently or is it just what you wanted?

JW: My publisher comes up with all of my covers, and then they kind of run them by me to see what I think. I'm not sure what would happen if I didn't like one, because I have absolutely LOVED everything they've shown me so far. I definitely couldn't have imagined a better fit for the cover of "Where the Truth Lies." I love everything about it, especially the asymmetry.

KBB: Are any of your characters based on people you know?

JW: Yes, definitely! In fact, I'd go so far as to say that most of my characters are based on people I know, or have known. My friends and family love guessing who my characters might be based on. It's funny because I have some friends who are really good at figuring it out, and others who aren't so great at it... my mom, in particular, is always convinced she knows exactly who everyone's real-life inspiration is, and I'd say she's wrong about 95% of the time. I'm not sure if that says more about my writing or my relationship with my mother... hmmm.

KBB: Can you tell us anything about what you have in the works? Are there more YA novels in your future?

JW: Yes! I have another book coming out next year. It's a supernatural thriller called "Between," and I'm VERY excited about it!

KBB: Just for fun: Name a favorite YA book that is not your own. It can be a new release, upcoming release, or an older release.

JW: I absolutely loved "Skinny" by Ibi Kaslik.

KBB: I am really interested in Skinny and I actually just bought a copy so I will have to read it soon. Thanks so much for the interview, Jessica.

Readers if you would like to know more about Jessica and her books you can find info on her website: http://jessicawarman.com/

Blog Tour: Interview with Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Lauren Baratz-Logsted is the author of many  young adult books including her newest, The Twin's Daughter which is available now from Bloomsbury.

KBB:  What inspired you to write The Twin's Daughter?

LBL:  I love anything to do with twins and I wanted to write a story about a side of the story I'd never seen: that of someone who's a child of an identical twin.

KBB:  In what ways do you relate to your main character, Lucy?

LBL:  Lucy is passionate about reading, I'm passionate about reading. Lucy, being an only child, lives a very solitary existence; I, being a writer, live a very solitary existence. Lucy has black hair; I had black hair, until I dyed it red.

KBB:  The Twin’s Daughter seems to be more suspenseful than your previous books? In what ways did it change the way you wrote it?

LBL:  I did do one other suspense novel, Vertigo for adults, which was also set in Victorian England. Both books are different than my other books because of the very thing you mention: the suspense. The pacing is so crucial to such books. It's also different than most of what I've done before in that there's not much humor in it. Even when I'm writing about serious subjects, there are almost always humorous scenes. The only thing in The Twin's Daughter that I can think of that might be laugh-out-loud humorous would be the camels.

KBB:  The cover is very striking. Did you have any input in it? Do you like the changes they made to the final cover?

LBL:  Bloomsbury went through many covers between first and final version. I was asked for my input at every stage and I absolutely love the final cover. It's gorgeous and I am very grateful to Bloomsbury for taking so much time and care over it.

KBB:  Can you tell us anything about what you have in the works? Any more YA novels in the future?

LBL:  My next YA novel, due out sometime next year, is called The Middle March. It's about a contemporary teen who develops a very special relationship with the classic novel Little Women: she literally gets sucked into the story.

KBB:  Just for fun: What is your most embarrassing moment? It can relate to your writing career but it doesn’t have to.

LBL:  Oh, there are so many to choose from! There was one time in college when I was at the campus watering hole and I needed to go to the bathroom. There was a line and once I was inside I discovered the lock didn't work. I assumed it would be OK but apparently the girl in line behind me had a brain cloud and forgot she needed to wait for someone to exit before she could enter. So she opened the door and there I was sitting on the toilet with all these people staring in. It must have been some brain cloud she was having because after one of the longest moments of my life, I had to finally ask her to please shut the door again.

KBB:  That is a horrible moment. I don't know what I would have done if that had happened to me. =]

Thanks for the interview, Lauren!

Readers if you want to know more about Lauren find her on the web at the links below.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LaurenBaratzL

Website: http://www.laurenbaratzlogsted.com/

Blog Tour: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

Book:  I Now Pronounce You Someone Else
Author:  Erin McCahan
Published:  June 1, 2010 from Arthur A. Levine
My edition/number of pages:  HC/272

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  Nope.

Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely.

When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks.

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time.

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else is one of the best YA chick-lit books that I have ever read.  I absolutely adored everything about it and I can't stop thinking about it.  It wasn't just your typical chick-lit story and I truly enjoyed that.

Bronwen Oliver is sure that she was switched at birth.  Her family cannot possibly be related to her.  She is way too normal for them.  Her mother only cares about her image and Bronwen's image, her stepfather has no real connection to her, and her brother is never there.  When her dad was alive things were great.  Since then, not so much.  Bronwen can't wait for the day when her real parents, the Lilywhites, finally come to claim her.  At least, not until she reconnects with and starts dating Jared Sondervan.  He's perfect and what's even better is that his family is too.  When he proposes of course she says yes.  She will finally have the family she has always wanted.  But how can she become someone else when she doesn't even really know who she is now?

I didn't think I would like Bronwen at first because she truly did nothing but complain about her family.  Then I got a better look at her family and I sympathized with her.  They were not your typical family and Bronwen didn't feel like she fit in with them.  When she started dating Jared she kind of put that behind her and focused on them.  I liked that about her.  And I loved Jared.  He was a realistic guy and he was so sweet.  He is the guy that teen girls should be dreaming about, not a vampire.  =]

For a chick-lit book, I Now Pronounce You Someone Else was surprisingly fast-paced.  I never once got bored with the story and I actually read straight through the book.  I didn't want to stop reading it and I didn't until I finally got to the end.  It was just so adorable and seemed perfect to me in every way.  I loved it!

Overall, I Now Pronounce You Someone Else is a fantastic debut that I know teen girls everywhere will love.  And you don't have to be a teenager to love this one.  I think it will appeal to everyone.  This is one that I definitely recommend reading as soon as you can get your hands on a copy!

First line:  I was switched at birth.

Writing:  5

Characters:  5

Plot:  5

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  25=A++

Cover:  5=A++

In My Mailbox 81 (week of September 25)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:

-Blood & Flowers by Penny Blubaugh
-Emily The Strange:  Dark Times by Rob Reger
-Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
-Steel by Carrie Vaughn
-Vampire Crush by A.M. Robinson
-Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell
-A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
-Plague (Gone #4) by Michael Grant
-Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5) by Melissa Marr
-Delirium by Lauren Oliver
-Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley
-Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
-Firelight by Sophie Jordan
-Father Of Lies by Ann Turner
-Teeth: Vampire Tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
-Tempestuous (Wondrous Strange #3) by Lesley Livingston
-Entwined by Heather Dixon
-Pull by B.A. Binns
-Heart With Joy by Steve Cushman
-The Six Crowns (Trundle's Quest #2) by Allan Jones and Gary Chalk (not pictured)

Bought/traded:

-Prom Nights From Hell by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michelle Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle
-Fang (Maximum Ride #6) by James Patterson
-Tropical Kiss by Jan Coffey
-Spirit by J.P. Hightman
-The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham
-Portal by Imogen Rose (signed)
-Equilibrium by Imogen Rose (signed)

Where do I even start?  HarperTeen sent me some AMAZING books this week.  If I wasn't drowning in schoolwork I would read them all right now.  I'm super excited for Entwined, Angelfire, and A Touch Mortal.  =]

Also, if you haven't checked out my review of Salvaged by Stefne Miller, you should.  I am going to be having a HUGE contest involving that book very soon and you won't want to miss it.   

What was in your mailbox this week?

Waiting, Wanting, Wishing: Cover Love (7)

Waiting, Wanting, Wishing is a meme based off of The Story Siren's Books To Pine For and other posts such as that one. There are so many books out there that I want to read and this is a good way to spotlight some of them.  This weeks theme is covers that I love and they really are gorgeous!

Click on the books title to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Title:  Picture Perfect

Author:  D. Anne Love

Release date:  October 19, 2010 

So far, life for fourteen-year-old Phoebe Trask has been picture perfect. Her parents are successful; her older sister, Shyla, is on track to becoming the youngest lawyer in Texas; and her sixteen-year-old brother, Zane, the all-American best brother ever, is a star on the high school swim team.

Then Phoebe's mother, Beth, becomes the traveling spokeswoman for Bee Beautiful Cosmetics, a job that keeps her away from home indefinitely, and Phoebe's father, a respected judge, finds himself embroiled in a trial that has the whole town choosing sides. What's more, the new next-door neighbor is a gorgeous widow who seems to want to take Beth's place in the family. All of a sudden Phoebe's once-solid family is on very shaky ground.

In the year that follows, Phoebe is pushed to her limit as she struggles to cope with the changes in her life that just keep coming, ready or not -- and as she learns what it really means to love...and to forgive.

Title:  Pegasus
Author:  Robin McKinley
Release date:  November 2, 2010

Because of a thousand-year-old alliance between humans and pegasi, Princess Sylviianel is ceremonially bound to Ebon, her own pegasus, on her twelfth birthday. The two species coexist peacefully, despite the language barriers separating them. Humans and pegasi both rely on specially-trained Speaker magicians as the only means of real communication.

But it’s different for Sylvi and Ebon. They can understand each other. They quickly grow close—so close that their bond becomes a threat to the status quo—and possibly to the future safety of their two nations.

Title:  Her And Me And You
Author:  Lauren Strasnick
Release date:  October 5, 2010

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.

Title:  Falling Under
Author:  Gwen Hayes
Release date:  March 2011

In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Title:  Dash And Lily's Book Of Dares
Author:  Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Release date:  October 26, 2010

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Title:  When Rose Wakes
Author:  Christopher Golden
Release date:  September 28, 2010

An enchanting tale by Christoper Golden about a teenager who wakes from a coma and slowly comes to realize that she is Sleeping Beauty of fairy tales.

What are you waiting, wanting, wishing for this week? 

Blog Tour: The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Book:  The Twin's Daughter
Author:  Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Published:  September 1, 2010 from Bloomsbury
My edition/number of pages:  ARC/304

Age group:  Young adult
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  No.

Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day... a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda?

The Twin's Daughter was a fantastic historical suspense that I had the hardest time putting down.  From the very beginning I knew that this was going to be a book that kept me guessing.  This is my favorite Lauren Baratz-Logsted novel so far!

Lucy Sexton's whole life changes the day she answers the door to find her mother's long-lost twin standing on the other side.  From that day forward Lucy's family is different.  Aunt Helen comes to stay with them and Lucy loves it, at first.  As Lucy grows though so does Aunt Helen.  Helen grows to be more like Lucy's mother and she seems to enjoy it, maybe a little too much.  When a murder is committed in Lucy's home she begins to question everything, including who to really trust.

The Twin's Daughter was full of twists that I did not expect at all.  Helen and Aliese, Lucy's mother, were the most confusing women.  Helen seemed to want to be Aliese but I couldn't understand Aliese.  Helen had reason to be jealous but Aliese had everything.  Lucy, on the other hand, lost so much.  Throughout the book she lost a lot of people close to her but she was always strong enough to go on.  I liked that about her.  Kit was my favorite though.  From the moment Lucy met him I could tell that he would be good for her.  He also went through a lot but he didn't let it change him.  He was a great guy.

Overall, The Twin's Daughter is a wonderful book full of mystery, romance, and lies.  Fans of Lauren Baratz-Logsted will love this new one from her!

First line:  I was thirteen the year everything changed with a single knock at the door.

Writing:  4

Characters:  4

Plot:  5

Ending:  5

Originality:  5

Overall:  23=A-

Cover:  5=A++ (I love the hot pink!)

Hush, Hush Giveaway!

Hush, Hush was one of my favorite books of 2009 and I am dying to read Crescendo.  Everything about Hush, Hush left me wanting more and I am so glad to be able to give a couple of my readers the chance to win copies.

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

If you want to know more about either book check out the sites below.

Website for Hush, Hush: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Hush-Hush/Becca-Fitzpatrick/9781416989424

Website for Crescendo: http://books.simonandschuster.com/Crescendo/Becca-Fitzpatrick/9781416989431

Details:
-Two winners will receive copies of Hush, Hush.

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form.
-You must have a US mailing address.

Fill out the form here!

This contest will end on October 5.

The Aristobrats by Jennifer Solow

Book:  The Aristobrats
Author:  Jennifer Solow
Published:  September 1, 2010 from Sourcebools
My edition/number of pages:  PB/224

Age group:  Middle grade
Source:  Publisher
Series?:  Possibly.

It’s all about the Attitude

Parker Bell knows the secret to beauty is pretty simple–wearing the right clothes isn’t as important as how you feel in them. Popularity is like that too. It’s all about attitude. You have to picture who you want to be and then just imagine that’s who you already are.

This year Parker and her three best friends have made their way to the top of the populadder at Wallingford Academy. And they’re ready to use their Aristobrat status to help spread positive vibes throughout the school. But when the girls are assigned to produce the seriously lame school webcast, their popularity plummets! Will this tragedy destroy the girls' status? Or their friendship? Or both?

The Aristobrats has an interesting premise but couldn't seem to hold my attention.  It was hard to get into from the beginning and I didn't feel like it was something I could relate to.  This is definitely a book aimed for younger readers.

Parker Bell's eighth grade year is supposed to be the best ever.  She will get with the guy of her dreams, climb to the top of the populadder, and basically rule Wallingford Academy.  From the very start of the year there are two problems:  she and her friends have to produce the lame school webcast and Parker may not be able to afford tuition much longer.  This year is not turning out the way she thought it would.  Can the Lylas make it past this roadblock or will it be too much for their friendship?

Parker and her friends were immature.  That was my main complaint with the book.  They were in eighth grade but I'm pretty sure I don't know any eighth graders that act like them.  They were obsessed with their popularity and how they looked.  I felt like it took them a long time to grow up.  Parker seemed to have changed the most at the end.  I would have liked to see more change from the others though.

The plot was pretty good.  It made up a bit for the characters that I didn't enjoy.  Wallingford Academy was a way high tech school and their technology and ideas were fun.  The idea for a school webcast didn't seem lame to me and it definitely didn't seem that way when the girls took control.

Overall, The Aristobrats just wasn't for me.  I think I am a little too old to get into books like this one.  It's definitely aimed for younger teens and if you are interested, definitely check it out.

First line:  "Exsqueeze-ay moi?  Some people are getting dressed in here..."

Writing:  5

Characters:  3

Plot:  4

Ending:  4

Originality:  4

Overall:  20=B-

Cover:  4=B-

In My Mailbox 80 (week of September 18)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. =]

For review:

-Desires Of The Dead (The Body Finder #2) by Kimberly Derting (!!!)
-Knight Angels:  Book Of Revenge by Abra Ebner
-Jane by April Lindner
-Nevermore by Kelly Creagh (signed with awesome swag!)
-Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins (2 more copies=giveaway)
-Butterfly by Sonya Hartnett
-Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers (bought but won another copy=giveaway)
-Blast From The Past (Allie Finkle #6) by Meg Cabot
-Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (my WOW pick this week!)
-The Search For Wondla by Tony Diterlizzi

Won:

-Texas Trivia Challenge from Carolee Dean (includes $15 itunes GC, Texas playing cards, baby armadillo, necklace, hot sauce (not pictured), barbecue rub (not pictured), Take Me There tote bag)

I got some amazing stuff this week.  I can't wait to read Desires of the Dead and Anna and the French Kiss.  They are both so high on my to-read list.  After I finish some blog tour books, I am reading them.  I also got a couple books that will be used in birthday giveaways next month so watch for those.

What was in your mailbox this week?