Confessions of an Undercover Girlfriend (Confessions #2) - Kay Marie BLOG TOUR

Confessions of an Undercover Girlfriend (Confessions #2) by Kay Marie

Out on October 11th

Find it here:

Buy it here:

Summary:

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis, writing as Kay Marie, comes the second book in the Confessions series, a romantic comedy being hailed as "the new Bridget Jones!" (Broc's Bookcase). 

So, I'm no longer a virgin sex columnist—thank you, Ollie—but if I thought that was going to make my life easier, boy was I wrong! John is back in town determined to win my forgiveness. Blythe is more ready than ever to take me down. Bridget is totally onto the new twinkle in my eye. And, well, Ollie is just as distractingly delicious as usual.

So, naturally, I have a few more confessions to make.

Confession #1: I came up with what I thought would be the perfect plan to keep my relationship with Ollie a secret—pretend to get back together with John!

Confession #2: It backfired. A lot.

This is a sweet romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, and Emily Giffin!

About Kay Marie (Kaitlyn Davis):

Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie.

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found indulging in some puppy videos, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

To stay up-to-date with all of Kaitlyn's new releases, sign up for her new release newsletter here: TinyLetter.com/KaitlynDavisBooks

Author Links:

Website: http://www.kaitlyndavisbooks.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaitlynDavisBooks 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavisKaitlyn

Tumblr: http://kaitlyndavisbooks.tumblr.com/

Wattpad: http://wattpad.com/KaitlynDavisBooks

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kdavisbooks/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KaitlynDavisBooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Kay_Marie

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kay-Marie/e/B00UGILMD0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Confessions of a Virgin Sex Columnist:

Two hot guys. One big lie. What's a virgin sex columnist to do?

My name is Skylar Quinn. I just moved to New York with my best friend Bridget, and I have a confession. Well, more than one. Okay, quite a few really. Fine, here goes!

Confession #1: I'm a sex columnist. Hold on, that's not really the confession. You see, I'm sort of a virgin...sex columnist.

Confession #2: I'm kind of in love with Bridget's older brother, Oliver. No, I was. No, I am. Wait, was? Am? Crap.

Confession #3: I've been avoiding Oliver for four years. Or I was until today, because he just moved in. Yes, you read that correctly. He's my new roommate. So that night we've both been pretending never happened, well, we might not be able to keep it a secret any longer.

And trust me, this is only the beginning.

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis, writing as Kay Marie, comes a new adult romantic comedy about a girl who'll soon discover that some secrets can't be kept forever, especially those of the heart. This is a sweet romance, perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, and Emily Giffin!

Excerpt from book 1 (no spoilers!):

I haven't seen him in four years. In fact, I've actively been avoiding him for four years. And now he's here. In my kitchen. Drinking my milk—from the gallon no less! Did I mention he looks completely and utterly gorgeous? Maybe even hotter than I remembered…if that's even possible…
Okay, I'm veering off track.
"Ollie?" I gasp. "What are? Why are? When?" Great reporting, Skye… I swallow, stilling my racing words and form an actual sentence. "What are you doing here?"
"Here in New York or here in your kitchen?"
Here pretending to be your sister while I confess my deepest secrets? Here looking at me with that infuriating half-smirk smile thing you do? Here pretending like the last time we saw each other wasn't the most horrifying moment in my entire life?
I don't say any of that, of course. Instead, I shrug. "Um, both? Either?"
He puts the milk back in the fridge and closes the door. I can't help but notice a toned bicep below the sleeve of his white T-shirt—the same bicep I used to fantasize about during chemistry class, the bicep of the most popular guy in the school, the bicep of the quarterback. Six years since he stopped playing football, and crap, he still looks good.
"I'm guessing Bridget forgot to mention that I got offered a job at a new steakhouse opening on Fifth Ave? As a sous-chef?"
I shake my head. "Nope, she didn’t mention anything."
He licks his lips, biting back a wider grin. "So she probably also didn't tell you I accepted the offer and just moved to New York?"
"I don't recall ever hearing about that…" I trail off as my palms begin to sweat. I have a very, very bad idea where this is going.
Astronomically bad.
Iceberg straight ahead bad.
Ollie's eyes brighten a shade, crystal aqua, clearer than any Caribbean water I've ever seen. He leans against the wall, crossing his arms, looking at me through a side-glance, the hint of a dimple on his cheek. My rapid heartbeat has nothing to do with my panic attack anymore.
Oh yeah, this is bad.
"So," he says, lifting his brows and looking at me apologetically, "she probably also didn't tell you that I'm moving in for a few weeks until I can find my own place?"
"You’re the new roommate?" I shout and then clamp my hands over my lips. I've said enough to him tonight—too much. In fact, all of that information is crashing back down around me.
Ollie is my new roommate.
Ollie knows I'm a virgin.

Ollie knows I'm a sex columnist. 

Buy it here:

First Comes Love - Emily Giffin

Goodreads summary:

In this dazzling new novel, Emily Giffin, the #1 New York Timesbestselling author of Something Borrowed, Where We Belong, and The One & Only introduces a pair of sisters who find themselves at a crossroads.

Growing up, Josie and Meredith Garland shared a loving, if sometimes contentious relationship. Josie was impulsive, spirited, and outgoing; Meredith hardworking, thoughtful, and reserved. When tragedy strikes their family, their different responses to the event splinter their delicate bond.

Fifteen years later, Josie and Meredith are in their late thirties, following very different paths. Josie, a first grade teacher, is single—and this close to swearing off dating for good. What she wants more than the right guy, however, is to become a mother—a feeling that is heightened when her ex-boyfriend’s daughter ends up in her class. Determined to have the future she’s always wanted, Josie decides to take matters into her own hands.

On the outside, Meredith is the model daughter with the perfect life. A successful attorney, she’s married to a wonderful man, and together they’re raising a beautiful four-year-old daughter. Yet lately, Meredith feels dissatisfied and restless, secretly wondering if she chose the life that was expected of her rather than the one she truly desired.

As the anniversary of their tragedy looms and painful secrets from the past begin to surface, Josie and Meredith must not only confront the issues that divide them, but also come to terms with their own choices. In their journey toward understanding and forgiveness, both sisters discover they need each other more than they knew . . . and that in the recipe for true happiness, love always comes first.

Emotionally honest and utterly enthralling, First Comes Love is a story about family, friendship, and the courage to follow your own heart—wherever that may lead.


My review:

4/5

I've been a fan of Emily Giffin's ever since I read Something Borrowed - which I know is a controversial novel - so I was very excited to read her most recent novel, since I must say that I haven't read that many books from her. I might not be part of the targeted audience for this particular novel (and I wasn't either for Something Borrowed, especially since I read it when I was about 14), but it still interested me, so when I finally got my hands on it, I couldn't resist picking it up. I wasn't disappointed, even though it's much different from what I was expecting.

I liked how the book starts with the tragedy that strikes the family, the older brother's death. Even though the rest of the story takes place fifteen years later, this particular event is truly what started this story, so I feel like it's important for the readers to know about it from the very beginning. Since I'm about the girls' age at the moment of the tragedy right now, I could imagine what it would be like to lose a sibling so suddenly and it made it easier for me to relate to them. I loved how different Josie and Meredith's reactions to grief are, because it reminds me a little bit of how different my sister and I are and that made the story even more realistic to me. Also, as someone who hasn't lost that many people yet (touch wood), it's always a bit difficult for me to imagine losing a close one, so even though it's a bit painful to read about, grief is something that has always interested me.

The main characters are incredibly well developped and they keep becoming more and more interesting. I'm not sure which one of the sisters is my favourite, because I really like the both of them, even though they can be exasperating sometimes. Seeing their relationship evolve is really interesting because at first they keep arguing and it's kind of a love/hate relationship, but as the story progresses, it becomes more about love than anything else. It was really touching to see and it felt even better than a regular rom-com.

As for the actual relationships, I think they're quite realistic, but since I have absolutely no experience in this field, I could be completely wrong. I liked seeing the start of a relationship as well as the struggles of another one, since the contrast between the both of them is impressive. Meredith's honesty and her desire to find what's best for her is inspiring, because most people don't have that much courage.

Overall, I found this story to be a very pleasant read. It's not necessarily an easy book, but I had a nice time reading it. I'd recommend it!

Zenith (The Androma Saga #1) - Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Goodreads summary:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

There is darkness sweeping across the stars.

Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness: a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her fearsome glass starship the Maurader, she’s just Andi, their captain and protector.

When a routine mission goes awry, the all-girl crew’s resilience is tested as they find themselves in a most unfamiliar place: at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter connected to Andi’s past and a harrowing betrayal.

Meanwhile, on the far side of the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The final pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two.

Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their ship—or just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles towards the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only thing certain is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.

From internet sensation Sasha Alsberg and author Lindsay Cummings comes a new serialized space opera, full of action, fantastical intrigue, and steamy star-crossed romance. ​

For fans of popular sci-fi books and fantasy books for teens such as Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, Wool by Hugh Howey, Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.


My review:

3.5/5

I love Sasha Alsberg's channel, ABookUtopia, so I had to read her first novel, written in collaboration with Lindsay Cummings. I was a bit surprised by the length of it, even though I was aware that it was only part of a novel, but I wasn't disappointed at all.

I'm afraid that I can't say much about the novel right now, because I would have to read the entire novel, instead of parts of it, to have a real opinion about it. However, I can say that I liked what I read so far. I liked the writing, and the plot seemed quite interesting, even if it's just blooming at this point. Even though it's done in short parts, I feel like this one could have been a bit longer, because it would have been easier to understand the story and the characters if there had been a bit more explanations.

I'm excited to read the other parts of Zenith, because I really want to find out more about this interesting world and its characters. Also, this part ends on a sort of cliffhanger, so I can't wait to continue reading!

Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green & David Levithan

Goodreads summary:

Will Grayson meets Will Grayson. One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two strangers are about to cross paths. From that moment on, their world will collide and lives intertwine.

It's not that far from Evanston to Naperville, but Chicago suburbanites Will Grayson and Will Grayson might as well live on different planets. When fate delivers them both to the same surprising crossroads, the Will Graysons find their lives overlapping and hurtling in new and unexpected directions. With a push from friends new and old - including the massive, and massively fabulous, Tiny Cooper, offensive lineman and musical theater auteur extraordinaire - Will and Will begin building toward respective romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history's most awesome high school musical.


My review:

5/5

One of my favorite John Green/David Levithan books. It's amazing.

For some reason, I waited a long time before I started reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson. However, once I started, I couldn't stop. It's so good! Honestly, if you haven't read it yet, please pick it up.

Having read novels from both authors, I was expecting a sweet love story between interesting people. I only knew a bit about the story, which I mainly learned from the title, but I was happy with only knowing that. In the end, it is simply a novel about two guys with the same name, but there's so much happening that it's an absolutely lovely story. 

Obviously, the writing styles are beautiful. I knew it'd be that way, since I've read many novels from both authors. I liked how different Will and Will are and how it's shown in the writing styles. I was a bit confused by the lack of capitalization in one of their parts, but only because I didn't always realize when a word was actually a name. Despite having the same name, I wasn't confused by the main characters, because they're both incredibly different and amazing.

My favorite part about this novel is probably the characters, because they all have something interesting about them. I absolutely loved Tiny Cooper, because he's loving, lovable and so incredibly funny and happy. He's probably my favorite character. Both Wills are interesting in their own ways, one because he keeps trying to protect and degrade. himself and the other because he craves love so much. I really enjoyed seeing them interact together, because they get along really well, even though having the same name is one of the only things they have in common. My only complaint is that while I liked Jane, I thought she was a bit too perfect. She's smart, beautiful and her only fault seemed to be having a boyfriend, which isn't exactly one. It didn't have much of an impact on me, but I still wished I could've seen a bit more of a realistic personality. 

I liked how friendship became important in the story. I think the book starts with one of the Wills (reading about them wasn't confusing, but writing about them is) talking about how he didn't choose his friend Tiny, which I thought was quite rude, but I was happy to see him realize how important this friendship is to him. Also, the other Will finally made some friends, which was a relief to me, because I don't wish to see anyone go through life without friends. 

Although there is romance in this novel, it didn't feel like the most important thing at all. Dealing with relationships would probably be a more accurate topic, because there's a lot about that. I think it was done realistically and it adds a nice touch to the story, without being overwhelming. 

Reading about all the characters made me really happy and I loved the ending. I almost wish this book had been longer, because there's so much more I would like to know about the characters. 

I very highly recommend this novel.

A Thousand Nights - E. K. Johnston

Goodreads summary:

Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.


My review:

3/5

It was interesting... And I can't find much more to say about it. 

I liked the culture and how different it is from everything I've known. The way everyone talks, eats, prays and lives is well described and made me want to know more about such populations. It's kind of idyllic, sometimes, to think about living in the desert with nothing but your family. It's a simplistic way to live, but I was envious quite often. 

The story itself isn't all that interesting. It starts off as intriguing, but the fact that it's so slow-paced and all about descriptions instead of actions - don't get me wrong, I love descriptions, it's just that it's annoying to know more about the rooms than the story - makes it quite boring. I had to push myself to finish this, which isn't exactly good. Also, did I understand the ending? I couldn't say. 

I think that it has potential, but it wasn't fully used. 


(Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) - Sarah J. Maas

Goodreads summary:

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.


My review:

5/5

Holy. Crap. 

You know when I read Throne of Glass and really liked it, but didn't understand how obsessed people got over this series? Well, that time is over. I am officially obsessed and crazy about this story. 

The very second I started this book, I knew there was no going back. I started discovering more and more details that intrigued me and made me want to know more about the story, which is why I ended up reading both the second and the third book in such a short time, especially considering I had to study and work during that time. This book has so much more secrets, plot twists and romance that I couldn't resist it. I felt every possible emotion and even more. I think that's what creates the addiction: the fact that you're feeling so much more than you should. Anyways, I'm not complaining (at least not until I get my grades for this term). 

This book starts off as romantic, light and adorable, but it gets darker and darker, until all you want to do is curl up and sob for hours. The whole process was too quick for me to understand it and when it was over, all I could think was "WHAT?!" for hours and hours. It's a lot more heartbreaking and dramatic than the first book, which is why I started loving the characters so much. At this point, I'd kill anyone who touches them. 

I cannot wait to see what this series has to offer (although I'll have to, because the entire series isn't out yet... Sigh.) and I would recommend to anyone, even to those who couldn't see its spark from the first book.

Dream a Little Dream (Silber #1) - Kerstin Gier

Goodreads summary:

Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yes, Liv's dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially the one where she's in a graveyard at night, watching four boys conduct dark magic rituals.

The strangest part is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They're classmates from her new school in London, the school where she's starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But what's really scaring Liv is that the dream boys seem to know things about her in real life, things they couldn't possibly know--unless they actually are in her dreams? Luckily, Liv never could resist a good mystery, and all four of those boys are pretty cute....

My review:

4/5

Oh, I can't wait to read more of this series! 

While I didn't know that it was about such a young character, especially since I wanted to read this book because of Ruby Red, I really enjoyed my time reading. I wouldn't say it's as good as the Precious Stones trilogy (because this one is incredible and one of my all-time favourites), but it had potential, so I'm really excited to know what happens next. 

I was surprised by the theme of this book, because I only expected something magical or fantastic, not demoniac. It was really interesting and different from what I usually read, so that was a nice surprise. I liked the doors in people's dreams and all the story created within them, because it's such an awesome idea. 

I do wish the characters were older, because it's a bit hard for me to relate. Also, sometimes, they feel mature to me, but then they do something that reminds me of their age, so that's really confusing. It was a bit hard for me to see them as they really are and it had an impact on my reading experience, as much as I wanted to ignore their age. I don't know if it's simply because of that, but I also couldn't understand the main characters really well and like them as I normally would, because I wasn't always sure of their motives. I spent most of my time trying to get past everyone's barriers and it annoyed me quite a bit. 

Overall, the plot interests me enough to make me want to continue reading this series, especially since I love this author, but this book didn't quite reach my expectations.

Butterfly Dreams - A. Meredith Walters

Goodreads summary:

In a powerful romance for fans of The Fault in Our Stars and If I Stay, New York Times bestselling author A. Meredith Walters tells the story of a troubled young woman and the unforgettable guy who teaches her to live—and love—to the fullest.

She’s waiting to die. . . . Corin Thompson is paralyzed by her obsession with mortality. Having lost both of her parents, she is terrified by the idea that she too will die young, and she loses control at any sign of illness. But when Corin connects with someone who has survived a very real brush with death, she begins to see the world in a whole new way.

He’s learning to live. . . . As Corin struggles under the weight of her neuroses, Beckett Kingsley is attempting to rebuild a life that feels all too temporary. With the ever-present threat of heart failure never far from his mind, he just wants to make the most of whatever time he has left. And that means pursuing the girl he never expected to find.

Together, Corin and Beckett finally learn to let go of their fears and take solace in everyday pleasures. Who knows what the future holds? After all, nothing lasts forever—the only promise they have is right now.


My review:

4/5

There are some books that you just know are going to be good. When I picked this one up, that's exactly the feeling I had, and I was not disappointed. 

While I was expecting some sort of love story, I was surprised to find that this story is more about Corin's mental illness. It wasn't a bad surprise at all, because her character development is absolutely insane. She goes from an unstable character in denial to an amazing woman who's been through many things and is now much stronger. It was great seeing her change so much while staying true to herself. Also, I loved discovering more about hyponcondriac people, because I don't know much about this illness. My mother's cousin has it, but I haven't seen her for a couple of years now and her mental state was just confusing to me then. Now, I feel like I understand a lot more about how she must have felt, because part of the story is told in Corin's perspective and she has to go through this every day. 

That being said, I still really enjoyed reading about her and Beck's love story. They're the cutest together and I loved reading what Beck thought of her, because he's the only one who can see her for who she really is, which I found amazing. They never give up on each other and I wish there were more stories like that, where the characters are always there for each other and they become strong as a whole. Beck's past (and present, to be honest) is very sad, especially since he was such an active person and he had to give up on anything close to exercice. I may not be like him, but with the way his feelings were explained, I really felt like I understood precisely how hard it was for him. I'm glad he gets better with Corin, because it shows how being together fights back their issues. 

Overall, this story is really great. I loved every page of it and I'm glad I got to read such an awesome book. 

(Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Interview: Marci Lyn Curtis

Hi everyone! Recently, I read The One Thing and I absolutely loved it, so I thought it would be awesome to do an interview with its author, Marci Lyn Curtis, and guess what? Here it is!  If you haven't read my review yet, you can find it here. Keep on reading to find out more about this amazing writer!

Hello Marci! First of all, let me thank you for answering my questions today. To begin this interview, can you introduce yourself and your novel?

Hi Laurence! Thanks so much for having me! Let’s see…I’ll give you the short version: my name is Marci Lyn Curtis, author of The One Thing, a young-adult contemporary story about a blind juvenile delinquent who hits her head and is suddenly able to see a boy. It’s a tough book to sum up, so let’s just say it’s a coming-of-age with a little bit of everything—laughter, tears, friendship, romance, family, music, sarcasm, tragedy, cupcakes.

Etc.

Translation: it’s a twisty little story. And if you held the book on end and gave it a shake, you’d probably rattle out an Everest’s worth of emotion. So people who like stories with lots of feels would probably enjoy it.

What inspired you to write this story?

I wish I could say there was this huge ah-ha moment that inspired the story. But the fact was, one day it was just…there—characters and all—and it picked at me and picked at me until I finally started to take notes, just to get it out of my head. Those notes grew to about a foot-high stack of papers that eventually became The One Thing.

Can you relate a lot to your main character, Maggie?

Well, I’m not blind, nor do I know anyone who’s blind, so writing this story required a lot of research. By “a lot,” I mean months.

And months.

On end.

Also, Maggie was a soccer legend, and the last time I was half-decent in competitive sports was never. I mean, unless you count obscure sports, like, say, Orange is the New Black marathons. With those I’m sort of a badass.

Anyway, as far as similarities, Maggie and I both lean toward the sarcastic side. I grew up in a smart-alecky family (you do one idiotic thing and you’ll likely hear about it for the rest of your life), so sarcasm and jokes are sort of second nature for me.

Who is your favourite character in your novel and why?

Ben—because he’s just so…Ben. Life has basically handed him his butt, and yet he’s made the best of it, without using anything as a crutch. Also, he’s hysterical, loyal, kind, and he makes a mean English muffin pizza.

So far, what's the hardest thing you've been faced with while publishing your novel?

Can I say everything? No? Well, if I had to pick just one thing, I’d have to say the most difficult thing about writing this particular story was the responsibility I felt to be a good representative for the visually impaired. I was constantly terrified that, even though I was spending so much time researching blindness, I was getting all the details wrong—that I was missing something critical in the technology, the daily life, the thoughts and emotions, the training, the parenting. It was just so much. And it required an amazing amount of balance. I didn’t want to marginalize visual impairment, but I didn’t want it to be the focus of the novel, either. Sure, Maggie’s blindness had tremendously impacted her life. But did I want to portray Maggie as a blind character? No. I wanted to portray her as a character. I wanted her personhood to always be the focus. I wanted people to experience her. So I had to really pick through each scene, each line, and each bit of dialogue to make sure that this always came first.

If you could have lived in any fictional world, which one would it have been?

The Harry Potter world. Without a doubt.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Oh man. Jandy Nelson. She’s a genius. I mean, I’d probably dig through her trash just to read her grocery list.

Kidding.

Sort of.

What do you like the most about being an author?

Sharing my characters with everyone. It’s like standing on a stage and introducing my friends to the world. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

This: just write. Write about the things that are important to you. Write to share a version of yourself with yourself. Write without thinking about trends, or about how readers might perceive you. Just write.

What are your future plans? Anything we could be interested in?

Currently, I’m writing a story about an orphan pickpocket forced to live with the uncle who betrayed her family. Like The One Thing, it’s a twisty little story, and it covers a topic near to my heart, so it’s been difficult to write. After that, I’ll be writing a companion novel to The One Thing, featuring a certain unmentionable character.

Once more, thank you for answering! I hope to hear more from you soon.

Thank you so much, Laurence, for this amazing interview!

Interview: Katie Pierson

Hi everyone! Today, I've got an interview with Katie Pierson, author of '89 Walls. Her novel is amazing, you can read my review here if you haven't yet. I hope you'll enjoy reading this interview!

 

Hello Katie! Thank you for being here today to answer some questions about yourself and your latest novel, '89 Walls. 

Thank you so much for having me, Laurence! 


Can you explain what the book is about?

College is not in the cards for Seth. He spends his minimum wage on groceries and fakes happiness to distract his mom from the MS they both know will kill her. It’s agony to carry around a frayed love note for a girl who’s both out of his league and beneath his dignity. I, personally, have a crush on Seth. He’s the smart guy with the dry sense of humor that makes a girl trust herself.

Quinn’s finishing high school on top. But that cynical, liberal guy in her social studies class makes her doubt her old assumptions. Challenging the rules now, though, would a) squander her last summer at home, b) antagonize her conservative dad, and c) make her a hypocrite. 


What inspired you to write this story?

A conversation with a friend in 2006 about the pros and cons of potentially attending my 20th high school reunion brought to mind the random people you run into at those things: old crushes, old “frenemies.” I suddenly had the idea for Seth and Quinn’s reluctant romance. I thought it would be fun to introduce young readers to the concept of Star Wars as more than just a movie, and the good old days of writing notes in cursive and getting by on 12 cable channels.

Halfway through the first draft, I realized I was also writing a partisan allegory. Seth is the Democratic Party in the late 80’s: reactive, angry, without a compass. The successes of the 1970s’ social movements had been dampened by Vietnam. Quinn’s father, Tom is the Republican Party: optimistic, smug, and still grounded in a true small government philosophy but underestimating the rising Religious Right. Mr. Levine, the teacher, is the moderator who allows two strong points of view to talk it out respectfully. Quinn is all of us, trying to find her way when tidy theories crash into reality.


Was it hard to write a story set years ago? How did you deal with it?

It helped that I was a young adult in the late 80s but I still had to do a lot of research on political events and pop culture. I found that a lot went down in 1989: divestiture in apartheid South Africa, the Tiananmen Square protests, the Webster decision, the Iran-Contra scandal, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the savings and loan crisis, the growing AIDS epidemic, the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the premiere of Seinfeld. 

In a way, setting the book in 1989 was an itch I needed to scratch. That was the summer that changed everything for me. The Supreme Court’s Webster decision gave states the power to limit abortion access and opening the door for waiting periods, procedural bans, and state-scripted woman shaming. It marked the first time in 26 years that the court failed to affirm Roe v. Wade. It set up a system of Jim Crow for women. 

At the time I was volunteering as an abortion counselor at the Planned Parenthood affiliate in downtown Philadelphia. (This was before the Freedom of Access to Clinics Act.) I was already spending every Saturday pushing through hostile, screaming crowds to help my patients get in the building. Webster felt like a huge betrayal and the Republican Party with which I’m grown up didn’t put up much of a fuss. That was the point in which I changed parties and thought that maybe those of us who are not privileged white males need big government to guarantee our basic rights. 

My dad also died during the summer of 1989. Writing this book let me imagine the adult conversations with him that would have helped me make sense of the huge shifts in the political landscape in the late Eighties. 


Who created your book cover and what exactly inspired it?

I worked with a freelancer from Random House, Jessie Sayward Bright, who really listened to my ideas about my target audience and similar titles. It’s a total coincidence that the cover features all of my favorite colors. The skyline is Lincoln, Nebraska.


How did you come up with your characters' names?

This sounds strange, I know, but my characters came to me already named.


Who do you relate to the most in your characters and why?

While nothing in this book’s plot actually happened much of Quinn’s perspective is emotionally and politically true, I relate to her (and, therefore, also judge her). But I’m proud of her for making her way.


Your characters grow up a lot in your novel from being with each other and from experiencing many things in their lives. What would your advice be for teenagers who are Seth and Quinn's age, and faced with many important decisions?

Adolescence can feel so overwhelming. You never have another period in your life when you change so fast and learn so much. I think it’s important to connect now with a trusted adult. Then when you find yourself in doubt or in a hard situation later, you have someone to whom you can say, “Here’s what I need. Can you help me?” Unless they’re in crisis themselves, there’s a 99% chance they will help you—and will be incredibly flattered you asked.


Your novel is about many important subjects, such as politics, diseases and abortion. Why did you want to talk about these subjects? Do you think you could have dealt with them the same way if your story had been set in the present?

I have a couple of degrees in American history and my work background is in public policy, specifically women’s reproductive rights. I did write about what interests me. But ’89 Walls is also a response to the fact that so few YA books out there deal with politics or teen sexuality. I’m annoyed that the publishing industry underestimates the intelligence of teen readers so much. By default, they censor your books.

Young adult fiction is the fastest growing genre in publishing now. Yet very little of it discusses sex in a realistic way or abortion at all. Given that 2/3 of high school seniors report being sexually active, and that over a third of all women have at least one abortion, the lack of YA literature on the subject seems odd in a creepy, censored sort of way. And when abortion is depicted in YA, it’s almost always a trauma, a painful, heart-wrenching decision. 

I tried to write the kind of book that I’d want my own daughters to read; one that shows fun, safe sex in the context of a trusting, respectful relationship. There are plenty of YA books out there with sex scenes but very few showing female pleasure or a female orgasm. Is it me or is it totally sexist that writing these scenes is “controversial?”

I also wanted to show what the research proves is the much more common abortion experience: a young woman chooses her own future, has the abortion, and thinks, “Whew. Thank god that’s over.” She’s made stronger and happier by the self-affirming decision she’s made.

I was surprised to hear from agents and editors that “teens don’t care about politics.” That’s not what I observe of the Obama generation. While I have my gripes about social media (the way it makes you feel like you’re not living your life unless you’ve posted it online, for example) it’s an amazing political tool, too. Young people have enormous power and potential now to organize, contribute to the dialogue, and change the system. That’s pretty cool. 


What is your writing process? Do you have any funny habits?

I have a quote by Ernest Hemingway taped to my desk that says, “The first draft is always shit.” It’s so true. But Anne LaMott says go ahead and write that “shitty first draft.” So that’s what I do. My first drafts are painfully earnest and rambling. Revising is way more fun.

As a writer, I’m basically the most boring person you know: I write for two hours in the early morning. I do all of my writing in my office. My dog sits on the red sofa behind me all day and stares at my back. I put my daughters on the school bus. I work out at the YMCA at 9:00. I write for another two hours. I read a section of the Sunday New York Times while eating lunch. (It takes me a week to read the whole paper). Then I write for another two hours before ramping up for after-school craziness and the dinner hour. (Is it me or does literally everyone call my house at 4:00?) I work in my yoga pants and t-shirts, usually with my hair sticking up. 


What would be your best piece of advice for young writers?

Everyone feels like a fraud. Seriously. It’s not just you. When you call yourself a writer and act like one, you are one. There’s no coronation, but no one can take that piece of you away either.


What do you think is the definition of an author and when did you first consider yourself one?

I’ve heard others say that writing a novel is like opening a vein and letting it bleed. I agree. And then you have to get it published. If my long and detoured road to publication taught me anything, it’s that you only get to call yourself an author when you put on your big girl pants and act like one.


Digital copies of your novel were offered through NetGalley for review. Do you think this process helped with your novel's publication? What are your favorite and least favorite things about it?

NetGalley is a great service for authors, especially first-timers and indie authors like me. For a fee, they advertise your digital title to people who review books in your genre. It really helped with my marketing to get endorsements from librarians and book bloggers like you. Those early reviews helped me get on the radar of publications like Cosmo.com, Foreword and School Library Journal. My favorite thing about NetGalley is that the feedback belongs to me—it’s not for public consumption. I can’t think of a downside.


What is your all-time favorite quote?

“The secret to being boring is to say everything.” --Voltaire


If you could've only read one book in your life, which one do you wish it had been and why?

Persuasion by Jane Austen is my favorite. She builds a world that you can practically taste, and makes you privy to all those simmering feelings that no one admits to.


What's your favorite thing about writing?

The flexible schedule and being able to work from home. The downside is the isolation. I depend on my hip-hop class for my daily social life and “colleagues.”


Can you tell us about some of your current/future projects?

I'm toying with a memoir of my family's sabbatical year in London during the final year of the Bush administration. The working title is, Acting Canadian. I loved writing '89 Walls and read as much YA as I do adult fiction. I would love for another idea for a YA novel to drop in my lap. 

Thanks again for having me, Laurence. This was a fun interview!

Interview: Tessa Elwood

Hello everyone! Recently, I interviewed Tessa Elwood, who wrote the amazing novel Inherit the Stars. If you haven't read my review yet, you can find it here. I highly recommend it! This interview is really fun and interesting - in fact, there's even a great coffee recipe - so keep on reading!

 

Hi Tessa! First of all, let me thank you for doing this interview. Your novel, Inherit the Stars, has charmed many readers so far and I'm convinced it'll keep doing so. Can you explain what it is about?

Amid a desperate energy crisis, a girl steals her sister’s place in an arranged marriage to save the life of her oldest sibling—upending a much needed political alliance. But then, she'd do about anything to save a sibling's life.


How did the idea come to you?

Via song. On a Netflix night, I saw O Brother, Where Art Thou? and heard Alison Krauss’ rendition of “Down to the River to Pray.” Everyone walking through the woods clothed in white, and in my head I saw a wedding. Soaring vocal chorus, marble and red petals. Wholly beautiful and everyone expectant…except the bride, who cried behind her veil.

Which got me thinking, what would an unwanted arranged marriage be like if the main parties didn’t hate each other? Or even particularly resent each other? They chose this with their eyes open, though it wasn't a cultural norm or what they or their parents had planned for them until the necessity hit. What would that look like? Might as well write and see.


Is this your first novel, or have you been writing for longer than that?

Nah, my first novel was full of pegasus‚ parallel worlds, close-knit spies, and nation states held together by duct tape and string.



When was the first time you actually called yourself a writer?

Only when philosophizing. “As a writer, I..." or “As writers we…” But even now, that’s the only time I tack the “r” on. Otherwise, it's “I write.”

I can't decide if the general hesitance behind artistic identifiers are a question of self-identity or simply what we hold intrinsic. Taken for granted. Like introducing one’s self as a daughter or son. Which is odd, thinking about it, as parents identifying as parents is very prevalent. Though that is something requiring definition—someone may or may not have a child, but they certainly someone else’s. Anyway, tangent.



Was your novel intended as a stand-alone or as part of a series?

Stand-alone. I like stand-alones. But I like serious, too—lord knows I ate up all the Discworld books and always snag the latest Mercy Thompson.


Who is your favorite character in your novel and why?

Asa! This was actually a recent midnight discussion with a friend. She said she often prefers the love interest over the lead in stories, so why shouldn’t that carry over to her cast/protagonist? And I’m like if the protagonist isn't your favorite, then swap them out for the person who *is*. Or at least, the person who fascinates you most, even if you hate their guts. I think that’d be interesting, writing about a character I couldn’t stand. But then, knowing me, I’d redeem them. Or get fed up and kill them off. You never know.

I love Asa's heart, and the way she pushes through fear. Every small step requires so much effort, so much courage she doesn’t feel. And yet she makes that effort. Every day. Sometimes every minute. That’s something.



If Asa were a part of our world, who would be her celebrity crush?

Actually…I don’t know? Good question though. I’m guessing, in films/media, Jennifer Lawrence or Shailene Woodley, for the strong parts they play. Asa would love to be that kick-ass.



In your novel, Asa's family takes a big part of her life and she would do anything for her sisters. Is that something that you value, too?

Yep. Loyalty is fundamental, the constant when the chaos hits. And family embodies that, or at least has the potential. But then, so can friendship—family doesn’t have to be defined by blood.


So far, what's the hardest thing you've been faced with while publishing your novel?

And this is where I smile and shrug.



Who are the authors that have inspired you with their work?

Just about everyone I’ve read. Even stories I dislike will get me thinking about something else. For ItS specifically, probably Georgette Heyer. I listened to a lot of Heyer when drafting. You can never hear too much Heyer.



If you could have lived in any fictional world, which one would it have been?

Oh that’s a hard one. I love the world of Garth Nix's Abhorsen, Scalzi’s Old Man’s War, and NK Jemisin’s Inheritance series, but I don’t know that I’d want to *live* there. Well, maybe in Old Man’s War. Or Discworld! Then, hmmm, maybe not.

If it could be any fictional world, maybe FF IX (the one no one remembers) or X. Or Enslaved (just ignore the ending and mind enslavement). Or Fable. (If I was running things, of course.) I really enjoyed cruising Infamous, but living there? Not so much.



Who would be your fictional best friend?

Oh, I have a list. Such a list.
Maya from The Goblin Emperor, or Sybella from Dark Triumph, or Sabriel, or Amelia Peabody from Crocodile on the Sandbank, or Sam Vimes from Discworld, or Moist, Susan, Death, Rat, Angua, or pretty much everybody from Discworld except the exceptionally insane. Currently, I may have a small crush on Bigby from The Wolf Among Us. Potentially. Just a bit.



Aside from writing novels, what are you passions and hobbies?

Games with good story and character development, or interesting mechanics. Running with audiobooks. Collecting podcasts (I have a list). Night sky photography (oh the milky way). Art fairs. The art institute students produce some amazing stuff.



I've heard that you're obsessed with coffee. Now tell us the truth: what's the best way to drink it? Do you have a special recipe or a favorite coffee shop?

Oh yes. Both. Very big on local as opposed to chains. If you’re not doing espresso, a pour over is definitely my favorite if ordering out (though usually I just get drip, as it’s less hassle). At home though, it’s french press all the way.

And if you want to get technical : the french press is a process that looks like a headache but is actually pretty easy/forgiving. The press itself is pricey, especially the stainless steel kind (what I recommend). Coffee grinders aren’t too bad, and any cheap one will do (though I wouldn’t go much cheaper than $20, as the super cheap ones are usable but irritating). And yes, you do need one. I ignored that big of advice for awhile because it seemed way too connoisseur, and was it really worth it to jack with the whole grinder thing? I mean, how much of a difference would it make?
A lot. Trust me.

— First, boil water. (I’m lazy and use an electric kettle.)
— Grind the beans while this is going on (I use 1/2 cup of beans, and I believe my press is a 36oz?), and dump into the press. Get local if you can, ones that don’t have that weird, shiny coat to them.
— Once the water boils, wait 30 seconds and then fill the press halfway.
— Set a timer for 4 minutes.
— After a minute has passed, stir down the beans (they’ll have bloomed) and finish filling the press with water.
— Once the timer is up, press down the filter and boom—coffee.



What's your favorite social media platform and where can we find you?

Tumblr by far, full of fascinating and/or fandom-y things (i.e. Dragon Age and art). http://feonua.tumblr.com/
I’m never *on* twitter, but my favorite artsy/non-fandom retumbles crosspost to @tessaelwood.



Can you tell us about your current projects and how your novel's publication is going?

Projects! Book 2 of Asa, of course. Mostly book 2. After that, I have a list. All scifi and a potential science fantasy. For book 1 pub stuff, it’s all done on my end and I'm in b2 world. Barring the zombie apocalypse, the first ItS will be out on Dec 8th.


Thank you for answering the questions! I'll wish you luck for your future projects.

The Summer of Good Intentions - Wendy Francis

Goodreads summary:

Cape Cod summers are supposed to remain reassuringly the same, but everything falls apart when three sisters and their families come together for their annual summer vacation—and they are carrying more secrets than suitcases.

Maggie is the oldest. She feels responsible for managing the summer house and making sure everything is as it always has been. But she’s hurt that her parents’ recent divorce has destroyed the family’s comfortable summer routines, and her own kids seem to be growing up at high speed. Is it too late to have another baby?

Jess is the middle sister. She loves her job but isn’t as passionate about her marriage. She’s not sure she can find the courage to tell Maggie what she’s done—much less talk to her husband about it.

Virgie is the youngest, her dad’s favorite. She’s always been the career girl, but now there’s a man in her life. Her television job on the west coast is beyond stressful, and it’s taking its toll on her—emotionally and physically. She’s counting on this vacation to erase the symptoms she’s not talking about.

The Herington girls are together again, with their husbands and kids, for another summer in the family’s old Cape Cod house. When their mother, Gloria, announces she’s coming for an unscheduled visit—with her new boyfriend—no one is more surprised than their father, Arthur, who has not quite gotten over his divorce. Still, everyone manages to navigate the challenges of living grown-up lives in close quarters, until an accident reveals a new secret that brings everyone together in heartbreak… and then healing.


My review:

4/5

Awww, this book leaves me with such a contented feeling. I love it.

Although I'm convinced these types of books are written for people way older than me, I absolutely love reading them. When there's a nice ending, they give me hope for my future, concerning my career and love life when I'm older. This one, although it was quite depressing and sad at some point, really did the trick! 

I loved how each chapter focuses on alternated characters. It helped me vizualize them in a more complete way than I would've it the story had been focused on one of them, because I could see what image the characters have of themselves as well as how the others see them. It doesn't happen often, but I love it.

The family in this book is such a nice one. Everyone has their flaw, but in the end, they love each other and so did I. My favorite character was probably Maggie, because she's incredible. Basically, everyone worships her, which is why it's weird that she's my favorite character, but the fact is that they have a good reason to do so. She's so kind, organized and nice to everyone that she inspired me a lot. Sure, she goes through hell while doing so, which sucks for her, but in the end she's loved and appreciated by her friends and family. I loved her relationship with Mac. 

This book approaches many touchy subjects, which I'm not going to mention to keep this spoiler-free. However, I'm going to say how well described and explained they are, which I really liked. I cried more than once towards the end, because the family goes through hard times, but I loved the ending. There's no question left, there's no sadness, there's only happiness and contentment. 

I highlt recommend this book. It's amazing and definitely one of my favorite summery novels. 


(Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)