Blog Tour and Guest Post: Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Kate’s experiences with how the book came to be and the process she went through in order to get it published, etc.           

Thanks for having me here today, Katelyn! Whether an author goes the “traditional” route and gets an agent first, queries publishers directly, or self-publishes their story the second it’s done, writing a book and seeing it through to publication is an incredible journey. Writing FLAWED and finding the right home for the book was no exception, and I learned a ton during the process.

It all began when the image of James watching his sister from the shadows came to me about six years ago. I was in a screenwriting class at the time, so I wrote the bones of the story into a screenplay for an assignment and moved onto other things. It didn’t even dawn on me that it might make a good book or that I should be the one to do it. I knew I was halfway decent at the whole writing thing, but it was something I did for fun. Nothing I took seriously.

A year later, after one of my professors informed me I was writing “genre fiction” (insert literary fiction snobbery here), I signed up for a romance writing class. She was right. My background in screenwriting had beaten the need to write high concept, commercial stories into my head and I couldn’t shake it, even though what I wrote came out in a literary voice. I was okay with that, but I seriously doubted anyone else would be.

I joined RWA, put together a critique group of awesome ladies, and spent the next year writing a bunch of stories about college kids falling in love, one of which I queried. My dream agent offered me a revise and resubmit on the manuscript with the goal of making it YA (no one was taking New Adult at the time), and as excited as I was to work with her, I had a really hard time giving up the college-aspect of the story. Three versions of the story later, I put the book aside and signed up for a boot camp with my critique group. The goal? Turn FLAWED into a novel by the end of the month.

Mid-boot camp, two things happened:

First, I moderated a chat room pitch contest and had to stand in for an author who no-showed. With nothing else to pitch, I talked about FLAWED. The agent was over the moon for the premise and requested to see the book immediately. Except…it wasn’t finished. And she was really disappointed. I’d just committed one of the worse newbie sins and didn’t even know it. Note to aspiring authors: Never, under any circumstances, query a book that isn’t done. I felt awful. Her initial enthusiasm was contagious, though, so I dove back into the book with more motivation than I’d had before.

Second, I participated in a query letter challenge with the agent who had expressed interest in my other book. It was a pretty good query letter, but I wasn’t sure she’d use it, much less be interested in the story itself. Her “OMG YOU’VE BEEN HOLDING OUT ON ME!” email is still one of the funniest things I’ve ever received.

But the book still wasn’t finished. Horrified this was happening again, I sent her the opening chapters and a massive apology. She loved them and didn’t yell at me for getting her hopes up. I finished the book by the end of the month and signed with that agent within a couple days of turning it in.

I had my dream agent and a book that, by all accounts, rocked. End of story, right? Wrong. As much as I loved my new agent, we couldn’t agree on a vision for the book. I learned another very important lesson about the publishing industry, though. There are a million different ways to write the same story, and if you have a shot in hell of writing a compelling book, you have to believe in what you’re writing.

Though I adored her, she and I parted ways. It was about then that I realized I’d never actually queried the book. Maybe there was someone else out there who would get me? So I picked six agents, sent them the manuscript, and received several offers. It’s hard not to get excited when crazy stuff like that happens, but I vowed I’d be more pragmatic this time. I narrowed it down to two agents who really seemed to get FLAWED, then went with the one who suggested amping up a couple of subplots that ended up being vital to the story. I never would’ve gotten them right without her help, which taught me another valuable lesson. Your “dream agent” is the person who gets your book and knows exactly how to make it better. You can’t know who that person is until they’ve read your book and chatted with you about their ideas, so don’t get hung up on someone before you get to that point.

After several rounds of edits and a MAJOR change to the end (which is why there’s an alternate ending that I’ll eventually release), we went onto submission. We had a ton of requests within the first week, but ultimately, none of the editors wanted to take a chance on such a dark, dramatic book. When I received a revise and resubmit that echoed the concerns several editors had already expressed, I knew I had a problem. I wasn’t willing to change the book into what they wanted it to be, but there was no way one of the Big 6 would take it unless I did. FLAWED isn’t a traditional book—I knew this when I wrote it—nor will I ever be a traditional author with my literary voice and commercial sensibilities, so I decided to look for a home outside the box. Entangled believed in me and my voice and the story as I wanted to tell it. I signed FLAWED over to them and haven’t looked back.

Seeing FLAWED through to publication has been a whirlwind, and I’ll never forget how nerve-wracking it was when the first reviews rolled in the day after Thanksgiving, or the surreal feeling of opening the case of print books that arrived on my doorstep on Christmas Eve. I’m still waiting to see the book on a bookstore shelf (my B&N doesn’t have most of the YA books everyone else has, damn it), but I know they’re out there. If you guys see one, take a picture for me! In the meantime, I’m going to write another book and start the journey all over again.

About the Author:

Kate Avelynn lives in Central Oregon with her husband, whom she fell in love with at eighteen after realizing he shared her obsession with music, sports, and psychoanalysis. When not devouring books, holding down her editing gig, or attempting to coax life out of the weed patch she calls a “garden,” Kate writes dark, young adult romance that blends first love, betrayal, and danger. FLAWED is her debut novel.

About FLAWED:

Sarah O’Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago—James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she’s watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she’ll give it freely.

Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give.

Sam Donavon has been James’s best friend—and the boy Sarah’s had a crush on—for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she’s in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he’s going to save her. Neither of them realize James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he’s not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact…

Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository | Goodreads | Website

And now for the prizes! Kate is giving a $15 gift card to either Amazon or B&N—your choice. All you have to do is leave a comment about the interview, along with your email address and which gift card you’d prefer. Today’s giveaway is open to International readers.

Kate is also running an Ultimate FLAWED Fan Pack contest via the Rafflecopter listing below. Enter daily for a chance to win some really cool stuff!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
** Thank you so much for stopping by today Kate and if there are any of you out there who have yet to get the chance to check out her latest release FLAWED, I suggest you hit the stores A.S.A.P. and change all that.  It's a wonderful, deep story that I think everyone will consider long after they've finished the last page.

Countdown: May 2013

So for me and most others, May marks the beginning of Summer, Memorial Day weekend has always been a favorite of mine.  Friends and I have always headed down to the beach and spent the weekend basking in the sun (hopefully), enjoying the beach and getting excited that Summer is here and it means the end of cold weather, the start of vacations for most, and a lot of other good things.  Last year it marked the beginning of wedding season for my friends and me as a member of their wedding parties.  While that was a lot of fun it was also complete craziness and didn't leave a lot of time for reading and checking out new books to review.  This year I'm hoping and crossing my fingers that I'll get a real vacation in and a whole lot of quality time with my books and hopefully a lot of these future new releases scheduled to hit the shelves!

Countdown Pick #1:  Icons (Icons, #1) by Margaret Stohl (05/07/2013)

Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.

I love the sound of this one!  Hello, new dystopian series, yay!  I've always been a fan of Stohl's writing and now with this new series I think my fandom might just have gone up another notch and I haven't even cracked the cover.  I will definitely be adding this title to my shelves as soon as it becomes available.

Countdown Pick #2:  The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr (05/07/2013)

Lucy Beck-Moreau once had a promising future as a concert pianist. The right people knew her name, her performances were booked months in advance, and her future seemed certain.

That was all before she turned fourteen.

Now, at sixteen, it's over. A death, and a betrayal, led her to walk away. That leaves her talented ten-year-old brother, Gus, to shoulder the full weight of the Beck-Moreau family expectations. Then Gus gets a new piano teacher who is young, kind, and interested in helping Lucy rekindle her love of piano -- on her own terms. But when you're used to performing for sold-out audiences and world-famous critics, can you ever learn to play just for yourself?

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr takes readers inside the exclusive world of privileged San Francisco families, top junior music competitions, and intense mentorships. The Lucy Variations is a story of one girl's struggle to reclaim her love of music and herself. It's about finding joy again, even when things don't go according to plan. Because life isn't a performance, and everyone deserves the chance to make a few mistakes along the way.

Doesn't this one sound like a journey you guys all want to witness for yourselves?  That's how I felt when I first read this book's description.  I'll admit that I've always had a large respect and a healthy dose of interest in all thing music related.  Not much in the musically talented department myself, I've always envied concert level musicians and enjoy going to as many performances as I can get to.  So the chance to see inside this world and all that goes into it is a chance that I won't be able to pass up.

Countdown Pick #3:  Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield (05/07/2013)

Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.

“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.

When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.

Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion…

Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.

Sign me up please!  I love this kind of read that's chalk full of mystery and intrigue, not to mention maybe the possibility of some romance too?  Regardless if there is romance blooming or not, this short teaser has me hooked and I'm wishing May wasn't so far away so I could dive right in.

Countdown Pick #4:  The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble (05/14/2013)

“I found out two things today. One, I think I’m dying. And two, my brother is a perv.”

So begins the diary of 14-year-old Jenna Samuels, who is having a very bad eighth-grade year. Her single mother spends all day in bed. Dad vanished when she was eight. Her 16-year-old brother, Casey, tries to hold together what’s left of the family by working two after-school jobs— difficult, as he’s stoned all the time. To make matters worse, Jenna is sick. When she collapses one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius and crashes instead.

Jenna wakes up in the ER to find Casey beside her. Beatified. Literally. The flab and zits? Gone. Before long, Jenna figures out that Casey didn’t survive the accident at all. He’s an “A-word.” (She can’t bring herself to utter the truth.) Soon they discover that Jenna isn’t just dying: she’s being poisoned. And Casey has been sent back to help solve the mystery that not only holds the key to her survival, but also to their mother’s mysterious depression and father’s disappearance.

Normally I don't delve into reads where the main characters aren't at least of high school age, they're just normally not my thing.  But I couldn't resist adding this one to my countdown for May for several reasons.  The characters sound witty, there seems like there could be some dry humor thrown around which I love, and then there's the mystery and apparently dangerous person on the loose that readers will get to tag along while these characters do their best to solve the crime before it's too late.

Countdown Pick #5:  The End Games by T. Michael Martin (05/07/2013)

It happened on Halloween.

The world ended.

And a dangerous Game brought it back to life.

Seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother, Patrick, have been battling monsters in The Game for weeks.

In the rural mountains of West Virginia, armed with only their rifle and their love for each other, the brothers follow Instructions from the mysterious Game Master. They spend their days searching for survivors, their nights fighting endless hordes of “Bellows”—creatures that roam the dark, roaring for flesh. And at this Game, Michael and Patrick are very good.

But The Game is changing.

The Bellows are evolving.

The Game Master is leading Michael and Patrick to other survivors—survivors who don’t play by the rules.

And the brothers will never be the same.

T. Michael Martin’s debut novel is a transcendent thriller filled with electrifying action, searing emotional insight, and unexpected romance.

Goodreads has a giveaway of five advanced copies of this future release going on right now!  The last teaser for this book hits the nail on the head.  I was sold when we're told that we can look forward to action, emotional insight and unexpected romance.  I'm worried this book may in fact give me nightmares, but I'll take that chance this time around!

2013 Reading Suggestions

I recently received an email from a bookseller with some great recommendations for 2013 reads.  You guys know I love my countdowns so getting an email like this one was super exciting.  I had to see if there were any on their list that I hadn't already marked my calendar with, and was crossing my fingers for some great new and future releases!  They broke the titles down into categories and I've put some of their suggestions below.  What do you guys think?  Have you read any of these titles or marked them down on your TBR?  Let me know if you've got any feedback for me or suggestions of what to check out first and maybe what to steer clear of if you read some that turned out to be different from what you thought they'd be.

Top Picks:

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

**I have a guest blogger in the middle of this read now and as soon as she's finished I'll be posting her review on the blog which will hopefully be the start to regular guest reviews from her end.  So far I'm hearing good things and I can't wait to see how her review shapes up!

The Death Cure (Maze Runner, #3) by James Dashner

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

Realistic Fiction:

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

**One of my all time favorite reads and while it might have been released a while ago, I agree that if anyone hasn't read this one yet, they should definitely mark it down to read in 2013 for their own benefit.

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LeBan

Tim Macbeth is a 17-year-old albino and a recent transfer to the prestigious Irving School, where the motto is, “Enter here to be and find a friend.” Tim does not expect to find a friend; all he really wants to do is escape his senior year unnoticed. Despite his efforts to blend into the background, he finds himself falling for the quintessential “it” girl, Vanessa Sheller, girlfriend of Irving’s most popular boy. To Tim’s surprise, Vanessa is into him, too, and she can kiss her social status goodbye if anyone finds out. Tim and Vanessa enter into a clandestine relationship, but looming over them is the Tragedy Paper, Irving’s version of a senior year thesis, assigned by the school’s least forgiving teacher.

The story unfolds from two alternating viewpoints: Tim, the tragic, love-struck figure, and Duncan, a current senior, who uncovers the truth behind Tim and Vanessa’s story and will consequently produce the greatest Tragedy Paper in Irving’s history.

**As a 2013 debut I've had this one on my radar for a while now and can't wait to see if it's going to live up to the hype that's a buzz on the blogosphere.

Dark Romance:

Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2) by Laini Taylor

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

**A series that had me with the first installment and I can't wait to see what happens next...this one is definitely on my list to read in 2013, how about you?

Tiger's Destiny (The Tiger Saga, #4) by Colleen Houck

With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.  It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers' true destinies once and for all. A smart  phone tag code on the back cover links readers to the series website.

**Not familiar with this series but after seeing it on the list and checking out the first three installments' teasers I'll admit that it's definitely a possible series to add to 2013's list.  What do you guys think of this series?  Any fans out there?

Action and Adventure:

Nevermore (Maximum Ride, #8) by James Patterson

Maximum Ride and her faithful friends stand ready to face the two greatest threats that humankind has ever known--now combining forces in an unbeatable plot to destroy life as we know it once and for all. And this time, the enemy truly can't be stopped.

The danger mounts just as Dylan has finally worked his way into Max's heart--and just as her beloved Fang unexpectedly returns to the flock. An explosive confrontation between the two boys with a claim to Max's heart ensues, and the entire world hangs in the balance.

In this powerful and moving finale to James Patterson's epic fantasy series, fans will finally get the answers they've been waiting for--and an ending full of shock, surprises, and the greatest conclusion you never saw coming.

**With a beautiful cover like this one and an author who's adult series always kept me on the edge of my seat with each turn of the pages, this is a series that I'm going to have to backtrack and check out for sure.

Starters (Starters and Enders, #1) by Lissa Price

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

**This title has been on my TBR list for a while and I'm not sure if it was the description or the haunting cover, but either way I'm on board with this recommendation and can't wait to check it out for myself.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Best Bookish Memories

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish.  This feature was created because they're particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish (and who isn't?). They're all about creating new lists including a little bit of everything and I've been meaning to participate for so long but always seemed to get behind.  So here we are and hopefully you'll head over to their page and check out what everyone else put up for this week's Top Ten.

I had fun creating this week's list because it reminded me of a whole lot of good times and great memories that I'll cherish always!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #1:  My First Author Signing

My friend Lyric and I traveled all the way up to PA to visit a Borders store there where Maria V. Snyder was signing her books.  I had a copy of each that she'd written knowing she probably wouldn't be able to sign more than one.  But we were able to get there early and so was she and my wish came true.  I'm such a huge fan and getting to meet her was thrilling enough, but walking away with those souvenirs and being able to chat with her a while was the icing on the cake!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #2:  Meeting Elizabeth Eulberg

I traveled to a book festival near Washington, D.C. and was lucky enough to meet a few fantastic authors and pick up some wonderful new reads while I was at it.  But hearing Elizabeth speak and then meeting her afterwards definitely tops my list of all time great moments!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #3:  Lunching with Jennifer and Cyn

Jennifer Murgia is one of the sweetest and most down to Earth authors I've met.  She's downright awesome!  We had corresponded a bit after meeting at a book festival and she was going to be signing at an event I was going to and we decided to get some other bloggers and her friend and fellow author Cyn Balog (!) together for lunch before it started.  Getting to meet Cyn and all of those fabulous bloggers and hanging out was just so cool.  I know it's corny but everyone was just wonderful and it made for such a great day.

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #4:  A Surprise

Earlier this year I got an email from a publicist letting me know to keep my eye out for something in the mail.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but what I got had me jumping up and down with joy.  Author Kristen Miller sent me an ARC of How To Lead A Life of Crime along with some other goodies and I was touched.  Surprises are always nice and her thoughtfulness made my week!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #5:  Challenge Me

A few months ago I was asked to be a part of The Silk & Paper Campaign leading up to Ally Condie's release of Reached (Matched, #3).  It was a ton of fun and super exciting to be a part of.  With read alongs, twitter talks, blogger meet and greets online, write ups, reviews, the whole deal!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #6:  Suzanne Collins' Stamp

I am of course one of many who are huge fans of The Hunger Games series.  Collins from what I've heard does not do many signings, but there was going to be one for Mockingjay's release and it was within driving distance for me.  Unfortunately for me I was going to be out of town for work but thanks to my wonderful friend Shelbi I was able to have her take my copy to be stamped (she wasn't physically signing books that day) and it's sitting on display on my shelf as we speak.

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #7:  Converts

It may sound silly but not many of my good friends are big readers like myself.  I'm OK with it, mainly because I've met so many wonderful bloggers since becoming one myself.  But last year for whatever reason my friend Lyric and my sister Brooke both asked me for book recommendations and I must have picked well because they're still coming back for more and I get excited each and every time!

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #8:  Decorating with Books

Last March I moved into a new apartment and was back to square one in the decorating department.  I was excited to start over and knew I could go a bunch of different ways, but that books would play a huge part of my new digs.  I wanted them everywhere, and I have plenty to help make that work.  I set up my bookcases in my living room for all to see, put up invisible book shelves (thanks to my sister) in my bedroom, and you will basically find every available space plastered with coffee table books everywhere else in the apartment.  I love it!  Coming home each and every day puts a smile on my face because I'm surrounded by titles I love, old friends I'm reminded of in the books that quickly became my favorites, and just looking at the shelves lined with good reads puts me in a good mood. (Now this picture might not be of my apartment but you get an good idea)

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #9:  Last Christmas

Despite always being a big reader for just about as long as I can remember I never really got books for Christmas.  Hard to believe I know.  But it was always hard because my parents and family never knew which books to get, what I would like, what I'd already read, etc...  But last year they stepped out of the box and gave it a shot and they did a fantastic job!   Definitely some real winners to add to my library.

Top Ten Best Bookish Memory #10:  The Bookshelf Sophisticate Is Born

By far one of the best decisions I ever made!  My best friend and roommate at the time Megan, told me one day out of the blue that I should give it a shot.  I joke that she probably made the suggestion because she wanted me to have an outlet to share my thoughts and discuss the books I'd been reading so that she wouldn't have to hear about them so much anymore.  She was actually the one who picked out the blog name for me and encouraged me one hundred percent and I love her dearly for that!  I've met so many amazing people in the process, found fabulous blogs I now follow religiously, gone to wonderful book related events and had a blast throughout the whole process.  It's a lot of work and take a lot of dedication but is so rewarding and worthwhile that I don't think I'll ever want to stop.  Best decision and bookish memory ever!

ARC Review: The Wrap-Up List by Steven Arnston

In this modern-day suburban town, one percent of all fatalities come about in the most peculiar way. Deaths—eight-foot-tall, silver-gray creatures—send a letter (“Dear So-and-So, your days are numbered”) to whomever is chosen for a departure, telling them to wrap up their lives and do the things they always wanted to do before they have to “depart.” When sixteen-year-old Gabriela receives her notice, she is, of course devastated. Will she kiss her crush Sylvester before it’s too late?

Friendship, first love, and fantasy artfully mesh in this magically realistic world that ultimately celebrates life.

The start of a review is usually the hardest for me, and I can say that the beginning of this book was also what I found slightly difficult to find my way through.  Like my reviews though, this book picked up quickly and at the end I couldn't even pinpoint why it was a struggle to start.  I think overall it was the concept of this book that I found hard to grasp.  We're dealing with a Roosevelt ear background setting and characters who don't fall into any specific category.  They're just like you and me...with a one difference.  Apparently 1% of all fatalities in this "reality" are due to what Arnston refers to as Departures.

People who find themselves receiving a letter in the mail from what are called Deaths scheduling their departure from this world.  These deaths are eight feet tall and have silver, almost translucent like skin and walk as though they're walking under water....slowly and with some difficulty.  Do you see where I might have been a little hung up in the beginning?  But all that aside, this book turned out to be a really fun read and one I ended up highly enjoying.

Everyone who is scheduled for departure is allowed to create a wrap-up list (hence the title) and here they can do a sort of bucket list of things they'd like to see happen or accomplish before they depart this world.  There are no guarantees but you get the idea.  Our main character's wrap-up list was original and while it might have seemed silly to be revolving around first kisses, it turned out to be about so much more.

I found myself really enjoying these characters and not wanting to see anyone have to depart their world.  Arnston also packed quite a few witty scenes that had me laughing out loud and reeling from it all.  And while scenes like the oatmeal being flung at the death Hercule for startling an unsuspecting mother were hilarious, there were also some highly insightful moments throughout as well.  One in particular has stuck with me when our main character meets a soldier and realizes that, "...when he puts on the uniform he takes off the feelings. When he puts on the soldier he takes off the man."  While this quote might not make complete sense to someone who hasn't read Arnston's book, it hit home with me and still has me thinking long after I finished.

So if you're looking for a fun, light read that contains both humor and thoughtful insights, look no further and check this title out!

I gave The Wrap-Up List 3 shamrocks!!!

In My Mailbox (79)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

Purgatory Reign by L.M. Preston (Thanks to Phenomenal One Press)

Peter Saint’s life stinks. But things are about to get much worst. First, his parents are murdered in front of him. Then another victim dies in his arms. Visions plague Peter with warnings that something wants him for a sinister cause. It desires the one thing that Peter refuses to give—his blood. Peter carries within him the one gift or curse that could unlock a secret to destroy the human race. On the run with Angel, a scruffy kid, Peter starts to unravel the mystery. It’s the one treasure the heavens sought to hide from the world. Unfortunately, when Peter finds the answer that he hopes will save the girl he loves, he opens the door to a great evil that happens to be salivating to meet him.

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher (Thanks to Gallery Books)

First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker.

But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie's looping scrawl.

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she's caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie's own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.

Debut author Chelsea Pitcher daringly depicts the harsh reality of modern high schools, where one bad decision can ruin a reputation, and one cruel word can ruin a life. Angie’s quest for the truth behind Lizzie’s suicide is addictive and thrilling, and her razor-sharp wit and fierce sleuthing skills makes her impossible not to root for—even when it becomes clear that both avenging Lizzie and avoiding self-destruction might not be possible.

Wake (Watersong, #1) by Amanda Hocking

Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.

Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

Lullaby (Watersong, #2) by Amanda Hocking

Harper only wanted a safe, normal life. But when her younger sister Gemma runs off with a dangerous clique of beautiful girls, Penn, Thea, and Lexi, everything changes. Vowing to get her sister back no matter what the cost, Harper must face dangers unlike any she's ever experienced. Fortunately, she has Daniel by her side, a gorgeous guy who's devoted to helping her find her sister—and who's immune to the girls' dark powers. 

While Harper searches for her sister, Gemma struggles to adjust to her new life.  Gemma's powers are growing by the day, and the longer she lives with her new "sisters," the harder it is to resist entering their magical world.  It's a realm both dark and beautiful, and where she's plagued by strange hungers and unspeakable needs.  Just as she's drifting far away from her old life,  Harper and Daniel find her...but no one can deny how much she's changed.  All she wants is to return to her family and the mortal world, but how can she do that when she's become something else entirely—and will they still love her once they learn the truth?

Prepare to fall under the spell of Lullaby, the second book in the Watersong series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 

An iconic novel dressed in a fierce design by acclaimed fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo. See the other titles in the couture-inspired collection: Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula, The Scarlet Letter and Wuthering Heights.

Ruben Toledo’s breathtaking drawings have appeared in such high-fashion magazines as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Visionaire. Now he’s turning his talented hand to illustrating the gorgeous deluxe editions of three of the most beloved novels in literature. Here Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of Mr. Darcy, Hester Prynne’s fateful letter “A”, and Catherine Earnshaw’s wanderings on the Yorkshire moors are transformed into witty and surreal landscapes to appeal to the novels’ aficionados and the most discerning designer’s eyes. 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

An iconic novel dressed in a fierce design by acclaimed fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo. See the other titles in the couture-inspired collection: The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dracula, The Scarlet Letter, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice.

One of the best novels ever written, in a chic new deluxe edition Orphaned Jane Eyre endures an unhappy childhood, hated by her aunt and cousins and then sent to comfortless Lowood School. But life there improves and Jane stays on as a teacher, though she still longs for love and friendship. At Mr Rochester's house, where she goes to work as a governess, she hopes she might have found them - until she learns the terrible secret of the attic.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

An iconic novel dressed in a fierce design by acclaimed fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo

Ruben Toledo’s breathtaking drawings have appeared in such high-fashion magazines as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Visionaire. Now he’s turning his talented hand to illustrating the gorgeous deluxe editions of three of the most beloved novels in literature. Here Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of Mr. Darcy, Hester Prynne’s fateful letter “A”, and Catherine Earnshaw’s wanderings on the Yorkshire moors are transformed into witty and surreal landscapes to appeal to the novels’ aficionados and the most discerning designer’s eyes.

Guest Post: Author Kelly Hashway

Books: 

Touch of Death (Touch of Death, #1)
Stalked by Death (Touch of Death, #2)

Jodi knows that any slip-ups made by the Ophi--a special group of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac--will fall on her shoulders... and that Hades is just waiting for them to screw up so he can wipe out the Ophi line.

Unfortunately, Jodi has only convinced one Ophi to join her school: A hot guy named Chase who jeopardizes her relationship with Alex. Jodi loves Alex, but Chase can enhance her powers with just a touch—making her stronger than any Ophi has ever been.

Her mixed emotions send her powers surging out of control, and the dead start rising without her conscious summoning—exactly what Hades doesn't want! If she chooses Alex over Chase, she may lose the battle to Hades, leading the Ophi race to extinction. If she chooses Chase, she might be able to stop Hades for good… but lose everything else.

Jodi needs to figure things out fast--because death is stalking her at every turn.

Highs and Lows

When I first stepped into the world of publishing, I had dreams of writing an amazing book and becoming a best seller.  I mean I grew up devouring book after book.  I knew what a great book looked like.  Kind of cute how naive I was, right?

I learned right off the bat that this industry is tough.  I received a ton of rejections when I tried to get my foot in the door by selling short stories to magazines.  But.... I kept writing.  And I kept reading.  Eventually, I did start selling my short stories and that momentum fueled me to rewrite my first novel for the third time.  Yes, third.  And while I queried agents and piled up the rejections, I wrote another book and another.  I cried many times, wondering if my dream was just that... a dream.  But I kept writing.  And I kept reading.

A year and a half after I began seeking publication, I found my agent.  Finally, I thought, this is it!  My agent took my book out on submission and I waited and kept writing.  During that time, I wrote a book called Touch of Death.  Drafting it in 14 days and working through revisions and my agent's edits.  All while the book we had out on subs remained unsold.  I had high hopes for Touch of Death, but as the months passed, my heart felt heavy and I wondered again if my dream was too far out of reach.  But I kept writing.  And I kept reading.

When my agent called me late one evening, I had just gone to bed after crying over how tough this industry is.  She said those magical words to me: "Your book sold."  I was speechless.  I laughed.  I cried.  And then I kept writing.

I think any writer you talk to will tell you publishing is tough.  It's full of highs and lows.  But in the end, the struggles make the successes that much better.  And through it all, you have to keep writing and reading because that's the heart of what we do.


**Thank you so much Kelly for stopping by!  I can only imagine what the process must have been like, but it was worth it if you ask me.  Touch of Death has become one of my favorites and for those of you readers out there who haven't had the chance to read it yet, go out and get yourself a copy...you won't regret it!