Return of Cat Tuesday (62)

Today I heard a giant crash, and when I went to investigate, I found Lu in a fort of his own making.  He'd pulled down the laundry hanger.

This'll be the last Cat Tuesday until March 6th due to Dystopian February.

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today I am spotlighting THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST, a YA realistic fiction novel about a girl growing up in Montana. When her parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief she’ll never have to tell them that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl.  As she pushes down her guilt, she becomes good at blending in - until she falls in love with the most beautiful girl in school.

Normally, when I pick up a book of 466 pages I think "there must be something the author could have cut - why does it have to be so long?" But after reading Cameron Post, I can't think of a single passage I'd want to scrap. I wasn't even able to skim over anything, the story and writing were so compelling.

The subject matter isn't easy - there is a lot of drug and alcohol use, sexual situations, bad language - but all of it was integral to the story.

I loved so many of the supporting characters: Irene and her dinosaur farm, Jaime (so understanding), Jane Fonda, Adam. They all felt so real, like entire books could be written about them too (ones that I would read, without question).

Luckily, I had the chance to interview the author.  Not surprisingly, her answers are quite long and illuminating.

Welcome Emily!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
There's a scene fairly early in the novel with Cam and Irene at the Custer County Fair and it was one that I wrote early on in the drafting process, when I was still figuring out these characters, this novel, and I remember thinking, this one does what it needs to do. You know? That the mood and sentiment, the voice, all of it was working. A few lines from it are featured in the book trailer, actually--so you know it's a fave of mine. But, I don't know, it's so hard to pick, right? I would assume it would be hard for any novelist. There's also a scene between Cam and Coley, out at Coley's family's ranch, during Bucking Horse Sale, that I think does just what it's supposed to in terms of establishing attraction and longing and adolescent awkwardness, all of those things at once. So, I'll say those two.



What is your favorite line in the book?
Well geeze: that's like asking someone to choose just one of their favorite children. It's a horrible, horrible wretched thing. Lucky for me, I guess, my sentences are sometimes very long, so what I've tried to do here is pick one that gets at several of the themes explored throughout the novel. However, I would never call it my favorite, it's just one that I like. From the bottom of page 178:

We lay flat on our backs, our feet planted and our knees in the air, the just-setting sun coloring the remaining clouds in plum and navy with Pepto Bismol-pink underbellies and the sky behind them every candy-colored shade of orange, from circus peanut to sugared jelly slice.


I agree - there were so many you could have chosen. What setting was most fun to write?

I think that sense of place is so crucial to Cameron's experience--and thus to the novel--that it's hard for me to really think of setting without thinking of Montana as a whole, and specifically of eastern Montana, which has large stretches of badlands--strange sandstone rock outcroppings and tumbleweed and juniper bushes--it's a very memorable landscape. And certainly the small(ish) ranching town of Miles City (a fictionalized version of the very town I grew up in) was fun, too--the street dance scene and the scenes at Scanlan Lake and the movie theater, the county fair. But the one specific locale that comes to mind is the abandoned hospital--Holy Rosary. This is a location, a setting, I pulled right out of my own adolescence and built from. The old hospital in Miles City really did sit abandoned for a number of years before they renovated part of it and tore down the rest and it was, just as in the novel, an incredibly appealing place to break into and cause mischief if you were a teenager. This is a photo of what the courtyard and old section looked like before they did major renovations and landscaping in recent years. 

Spooky! Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why? I personally would love to read more about Irene, Jaime, Jane Fonda and Adam.
 Well, my "favorite" supporting character and the one I could see getting a spin-off novel aren't necessarily one in the same. I think my favorite supporting character is probably Grandma Post, but I don't think I'd have either the interest in or ability to write an entire book about her life, at least not at her present age; maybe the the younger version of her character, but not as is.

Um, spin-off, spin-off, let's see. I think it's a tie between Irene Klauson and Margot Keenan--the longtime friend of Cam's mother who comes to visit Cam in Miles City and then is in contact with her a few other times throughout the novel. I wouldn't have necessarily said Irene, initially, but I was discussing this question with my wife and she was saying how she'd like to read about Irene's adventures in boarding school, her future without Cam and without Miles City, and all of that did sound like excellent material to explore. And as for Margot: I love Margot. She's really a relatively minor character in this version of the novel, but I could easily see myself devoting a whole book to her. In fact, in one of the early drafts of The Miseducation of Cameron Post--one of the much, much longer drafts, we're talking 800+ pages--Margot does return to Cam's world and there are several scenes with the two of them and also some other characters that never even made it into this version. Margot has a past, no question, and that cool job with the sportswear company. Yeah, I'd like to follow her around for awhile, no question.


What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
Oh gosh: so many things. It's been such fun working with the team at Balzer + Bray, especially my fantastic editor, Alessandra Balzer. And seeing the cover for the first time was incredible, because it was just so perfect--and it's certainly something you worry, or at least wonder, about. I did, anyway. Will I like it? What if I don't? Will it "work" for my book? I remember that it was sent to me and I had to download it onto my phone and wait for it to open, section by section, because I was standing in a hotel room in D.C. at a conference. And it was such a great moment to have it load fully and to just love it. I also had a great time working with a local RI filmmaker--Trevor Holden, nicest guy ever--on the book trailer, which I'm very proud of. But, you know, the reactions of so many readers thus far has just been incredibly meaningful, too. It's so touching when someone who has read and liked your book takes the time to shoot you an email or post a blog or even tweet you, whatever, it's really wonderful every single time that happens. So that's been pretty darned fantastic.

Thanks Emily!

_______________________________

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST comes out on Feb 7, 2012. Watch the trailer, visit Emily's website, and add it to Goodreads.


FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher.

Dystopian February is NEXT WEEK! Check out these badges ...

Who's excited for Dystopian February?!  I know I am.

Here's what's on tap:

15+ book reviews
More author preview interviews of upcoming books
Tons of giveaways
A book discussion with Michelle of Galleysmith every Thursday

and .... Zombie Chicken Merit Badges!!

Instead of doing ratings this time, I will be handing out merit badges in the following categories:

- romance (chemistry, swoonworthy love interest, etc)

- worldbuilding (logical, attention to detail, plausibility, etc)

- action (fast paced, heart pumping, can't put it down, etc)

- twists (surprising, original, etc)

- writing (atmosphere, flow, beautiful words, etc)

What do you think? Aren't they AWESOME?! Thanks Daniel :)

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today I am spotlighting HARBINGER, a book about a girl who is sent to a very special boarding school and must walk the "path". 

So the first thing I really liked about HARBINGER is that it's set in a near future where oil is rationed, where trees are pretty much extinct after being harvested for firewood to survive freezing winters and people are really worried about the state of the world - is the apocalypse coming? 

Those who can afford it live in closed and guarded communities, and Faye has always stood out because of her visions and nightmares.  Her parents decide to drop her off at boarding school where she can hopefully get help.  The boarding school turns out to be an even bigger nightmare for Faye though - it's run a bunch of sadistic staff members who try to break Faye and her classmates.  Faye forms a bond with her "family" group of students - all who wake up every morning from their drugged sleep with blood on their hands.  And it gets weirder from there.

HARBINGER is a trip, an exciting mystery with a killer ending.

Now let's talk to Sara!

What is your favorite scene in the book?

In one of the early scenes, Faye is up on the roof of the Holbrook dorms. It’s the first time she feels connected to this place and the scene’s been with me since I started writing the book. For a long time, readers found the scene confusing and I tried again and again to do justice to what I imagined in my mind. I finally succeeded and now I feel like my vision is there on the page. That makes the scene very important to me. Plus I love that moment.


What is your favorite line in the book?

The last line. But I’m NOT telling! There is nothing like writing that last line of a story and knowing that it’s just right.


What setting was most fun to write?

There are a lot of tall cliffs and mysterious buildings in Harbinger, but my favorite place to write was actually solitary confinement. Shutting your character in the dark really forces you to focus on all the senses we often think of as secondary. This extra sensory layer gives an intimacy to the scene that was really fun to work with.


Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

That’s hard! I love all of Faye’s Holbrook “Family.” Nami was probably my favorite to write, with her mohawk and eff-you attitude. But the person I became most interested in was Zach, with his Bizarro Superman shirt and his hidden courage. His backstory took on a life of it’s own, even though I barely got to touch on it, and he surprised me by who he became.


I enjoyed spending time with all the characters, so I can see how hard your choice was. What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

How amazing it is to work with an editor who sees where you want to go and knows how to ask the questions that get you there. It is a revelation!

Thanks Sara!

___________________________

HARBINGER comes out on Feb 2, 2012.  Watch the trailer, visit Sara's website, and add it to Goodreads.

FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher.

Apocalypsies Starter Pack #4 Giveaway

2012 is upon us and that means lots of great Apocalypsies debuts including a little book of mine called LEVEL 2!

To begin the year right, I am giving away four different starter packs in January so you can get reading some of these fabulous novels. Starter pack #3 was won by Brynn at Chronicles of a Mountain Librarian and today I have Starter pack #4 on offer.

Starter pack #4 includes:

BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood (ARC)

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily Danforth (ARC)

REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham (ARC)

+ a chapter sampler of STARTERS by Lissa Price

+ the following swag:

(1) very fancy keychain + 4 stickers + 1 bookmark from Elisa Ludwig's PRETTY CROOKED

(1) very cool necklace + 1 signed bookmark from Sarah Tregray's LOVE AND LEFTOVERS

(2) rubber bracelets + 1 signed bookmark from Kami Kinard's THE BOY PROJECT
(3) postcards from AC Gaughen's SCARLET
(5) signed bookmarks + 1 sticker from Jessica Spotwood's BORN WICKED
(5) signed bookmarks from Lissa Price's STARTERS

(3) stickers + 1 trading card from Miranda Kenneally's CATCHING JORDAN

+ 1 signed bookmark from:
KISS THE MORNING STAR by Elissa Janine Hoole
THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges
REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham

HEMLOCK by Kathleen Peacock

+ 1 bookmark from:
MAY B by Caroline Starr Rose
CINDER by Marissa Meyer
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

In order to win, you must have a book review blog or an active GoodReads account. An extra entry will be given to those who are signed up for The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge 2012.

Open INTERNATIONALLY until Jan 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Enter here! And good luck!

I'll being doing Apocalypsies Starter Packs again, probably in May or June, so be on the lookout for those.

Apocalypsies Love! Review: The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today I am spotlighting THE GATHERING STORM, a book set in Tsarist Russia, but re-imagined with vampires and a main character who is a necromancer. 

More than anything else, Katerina wants to be a doctor.  But because Russia doesn't accept women into its medical academies, she is instead expected to get married.  A proposal soon comes from the crown prince of Montenegro, but Katerina is warned that he doesn't want her, but rather her power to raise the dead. And if he gets it, it could mean very bad things for the imperial family and all of Russia.

I was drawn to this novel because I love the Tsarist Russian time period, and the historical details did not disappoint (not that I'm an expert or anything). It definitely made me reaffirm St Petersburg on my travel wishlist. 

I also usually avoid "vampire" books, but I'm pleased to say that the vampires here exuded real evil and set themselves up as actual threats.

Excited to see where this trilogy goes next!

Now let's chat with Robin! 

What is your favorite scene in the book?

Ooh, when Katerina meets Count Chermenensky for the first time, and tries to hide him from the Imperial family. :)

Such a fun scene! What is your favorite line in the book?  

"Merde!"  (Katerina is fond of this word.  So is the author.)

 

What setting was most fun to write?  

The scenes that take place in the Winter Palace.  I tried hard to convince hubby that I HAD to visit the palace in person to be sure my details were accurate.  He did not believe me.

 

I hope you get there someday! Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

I love poor Count Chermenensky best, I think.  But Princess Alix has already demanded her own short story.

Ooh Alix short story - I'm intrigued. What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far? 

Every new step becomes my newest favorite- receiving my edit letter, seeing the cover for the first time, receiving my first ARC, seeing my book in the bookstore.

Gorgeous cover btw. Thanks Robin!

_______________________

THE GATHERING STORM is now available in hardcover.  Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads.

FTC disclosure:  I received this ARC as part of the Amazon Vine program.

Return of Cat Tuesday (61) - Special Fashion Cats Edition

A couple of years ago, a friend of ours dropped by and gave us some tear sheets from a German magazine featuring Takako Iwasa's FASHION CATS. We loved them so much, we pinned them up on Daniel's inspiration board. And then, a few months ago, we discovered Takako had done a whole book featuring her cats dressed up in seriously cute outfits. Obviously, we had to have it. (And if you have to have it too, check out the official FASHION CATS book website - it has a video).

The book not only has adorable pictures of her patient felines Prin and Kotaro posing in everything from wedding attire to holiday favorites to animal hats, but it also has some behind the scenes photos and one lonely DIY pattern for a cat choker. I demand a companion book so I can create the “Anne of Green Gables is Cleaning” hat and red yarn curls … 

As fate would have it, I did manage to find a reindeer hat on deep discount after Christmas at PetSmart. Emmy, as you see below, was none too pleased by her gift.

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today EVERNEATH is up. It's a modern spin on the Persephone myth that introduces us to immortal beings called Everlivings who prey on people to renew their energy.  Oh, and it just might be my favorite Persephone retelling of all.

So, Nikki wakes up after 100 years of being cuddled against her Everliving, Cole - and he's sucked her dry.  Except that Nikki still has the vague memory of a boy with floppy brown hair, and she decides to return above to Earth for 6 months so she can say goodbye before being eternally damned to the tunnels.

I loved how the structure here really adds to the tension: It flips back and forth between a countdown to Nikki's return date and a history of before her time below (what happened to make her forfeit her life?). I couldn't stop reading until I knew.

The Daughters of Persephone stuff was super fascinating, but I won't go into that here since it's kind of spoilery.

Also? Cole totally reminded of Cole St. Clair (from Maggie Stiefvater's LINGER and FOREVER), and that's never a bad thing.

Perfect ending - and now I can't wait to read book 2!

Shall we chat with Brodi?  

What is your favorite scene in the book?

Oh man, that's like choosing a favorite kid! Just kidding, I totally have a favorite kid. My favorite scene would have to be when Nikki chooses to tell Jack the truth, and she sneaks into his bedroom, and when she's too scared to speak, they play poker.

What is your favorite line in the book?

He leaned forward and said, "Tell me, friend. Is there more for us?"
I looked down at my feet. "There's everything for us."

Chills! What setting was most fun to write?

I enjoyed writing the everyday normal-ness of the high school. That's how I get most of my story ideas: Plop a character down in high school and mess with them. Then see what happens.

Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

I love Jack's brother Will, but I would love to see Nikki's bff Jules get her own book. She sort of got the short end of the deal, considering she has been a constant for all of the characters, and yet she doesn't get to find out the truth. She needs to find love for herself, and mend her broken heart.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

Meeting new people, like you! And getting fan letters from young readers. Those absolutely make my day. So if you read Everneath, and you like it, let me know!

Thanks so much for having me!!

Thanks for stopping by!

______________________________

EVERNEATH comes out tomorrow in hardcover.  Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. 

FTC: I received a review copy from the publisher.

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today CINDER is up.  It's a cyborg Cinderella retelling - what more do you really need to know? 

So I absolutely adore fairy tale retellings (my favorite is probably BEAUTY by Sheri Tepper - yes, even though it has fairies) and Meyer spins CINDER with a balanced combo of the traditional and the unique.  I love that she sets the story in New Beijing (reminded me of the show FIREFLY) and sets Cinder up as a rough and tumble mechanic that catches the eye of the prince.

Despite the fact that we figure out Cinder's true origin long before she does, Meyer infuses her scenes with enough immediate tension that I couldn't stop reading. Also, I'm a total sucker for plague tales, evil queens and princes who slum it romantically.  It's really no wonder CINDER made the NYT Bestseller List (Congrats Marissa!)

Now for a chat with Marissa --

What is your favorite scene in the book?
The ball. It's so iconically Cinderella, but with many new twists to it.

Can't have Cinderella without the ball! What is your favorite line in the book?
"We all have our weaknesses."
"I know," said Iko. "Mine is shoes."

Ha! Yes, I loved Iko, and especially that she was so girly, despite being very much a robot. What setting was most fun to write?
The marketplace, particularly during the festival. It has a very old-world feel to it, like the same festival and traditions could be happening today, but with androids and flashing advertisements everywhere. I love that mix of old and new.

Me too! You see that a lot in Europe and it thrills me every time. Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
My favorite supporting character is Iko, Cinder's android friend, but I think a spin-off story of her would be rather two-dimensional, largely because she's not one for secrets and mysteries. I think that Dr. Erland might have the best case for a spin-off book - his history is pretty fascinating and filled with tough decisions and regrets.

I would go gaga for a Dr. Erland story! What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
Befriending so many awesome authors - both established and debuts, online and in person. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging of each other, and it's a really great community to be a part of.

Thanks for joining us, Marissa.

__________________________________

CINDER is available in hardcover now.  Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. 

FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher.

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today, I'm featuring FRACTURE, a story of a girl revived after 11 minutes under the icy water in a Maine lake.  She should have significant brain damage, yet the only effect seems to be that she is now drawn to people who are about to die.

Don't go into this expecting an epic paranormal tale - it's not. Instead, it's a deeply touching look at relationships and what's important in life. Delaney and Decker have been friends & neighbors forever, and they've been skating around their romantic feelings for each other. After Delaney falls into the lake, Decker has intense feelings of guilt for taking so long to pull her out. I love that their relationship feels true.

I also love that it tackles the big questions. That Delany survives is a miracle - but will she survive long enough to get her priorities in order? What would any of us do if we had only one day to live? Why aren't we doing it?

Also - LOVE how Les Miserables (The Musical) was worked in. I was obsessed with it in high school and it fits perfectly thematically here.  "To love another person is to see the face of God," indeed.

Now let's chat with Megan!

What is your favorite scene in the book?

The very last scene of the book, for so many reasons. I can’t really say anything about it, though, without giving away spoilers!

That last scene gave me chills and made me hug my eReader against my chest. What is your favorite line in the book?

Oh, I have a few! But I’m going to pick the first line of the book because it’s the very first line of the very first draft I wrote, and one of the only lines that actually survived the rewrites. I wrote this line and the story came after, so I’m a bit attached to it:

The first time I died, I didn’t see God.

What setting was most fun to write?

There’s so much you can do with snow and ice—a simple setting can turn terrifying so quickly. I loved writing the outside scenes at the lake, even though they didn’t always end well….

Truly, I felt like I was there. Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

It’s a close call between Janna and Decker. Janna was my personal favorite, but as far as a character who could get a spin-off book, that would have to be Decker. He was definitely my favorite character to develop and write.

Decker has his own story, but it doesn’t always make it onto the page in Fracture since everything is filtered through Delaney. He has to go through his own journey, but we only see it when their journeys coincide. His story is there, even though it’s mostly behind the scenes, but he could definitely fill his own book.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

This! Getting ready to release the book. It’s been completely surreal (and exciting) seeing everything come together in a finished product.

Thanks Megan :)

_________________________

FRACTURE is now available in hardcover.  Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. Read the first two chapters of FRACTURE here.

FTC disclosure: I read a review copy downloaded from NetGalley.

Return of Cat Tuesday (60) - Special Wrinkle In Time Edition

I'm a part of the 50 Years, 50 Days, 50 Blogs tour for A Wrinkle In Time (see whole tour) and today I got a great bag in the mail that the kitties just had to check out...

And be carried around in ...

Level 2 sells rights to Taiwan and Poland!

Some great news on the LEVEL 2 front:  Translation rights have been sold to publishers in

Taiwan (Fantasy Foundation Publication)

and Poland (Dolnoslaskie).

That means we're up to 6 foreign territories so far (UK, Australia/NZ, Brazil and Turkey are the others) which is incredibly cool!

Apocalysies Love! Starter Pack Giveaway #3

2012 is upon us and that means lots of great Apocalypsies debuts including a little book of mine called LEVEL 2!

To begin the year right, I am giving away four different starter packs in January so you can get reading some of these fabulous novels. Starter pack #2 was won by Joli at Actin' Up With Books and today I have Starter pack #3 on offer.

Starter pack #3 includes:

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton (ARC)

THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges (ARC)

HARBINGER by Sara Wilson Etienne (ARC)

1 Apocalypsie book of your choice! Just tell me which one you want, and I'll order it for you. (comes separately)

+ the following swag:

(1) very fancy keychain + 4 stickers + 1 bookmark from Elisa Ludwig's PRETTY CROOKED

(1) very cool necklace + 1 signed bookmark from Sarah Tregray's LOVE AND LEFTOVERS
(3) postcards from AC Gaughen's SCARLET
(5) signed bookmarks + 1 sticker from Jessica Spotwood's BORN WICKED
(5) bookmarks from Lissa Price's STARTERS (1 signed)

+ 1 signed bookmark from:
KISS THE MORNING STAR by Elissa Janine Hoole
THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges
REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham

HEMLOCK by Kathleen Peacock

+ 1 bookmark from:
MAY B by Caroline Starr Rose
CINDER by Marissa Meyer
FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

In order to win, you must have a book review blog or an active GoodReads account. An extra entry will be given to those who are signed up for The Story Siren's Debut Author Challenge 2012.

Open US and Canada until Jan 17, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Enter here! And good luck!

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Ditched by Robin Mellom

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today, I'm featuring DITCHED: A LOVE STORY, a YA contemporary about a girl's prom night from hell that's a bit like a teen HANGOVER. 

First of all, I love the unique narrative frame of DITCHED. At a convenience store, after being dumped on the side of the road, Justina tells a sympathetic clerk the story of her nightmare prom by explaining how she got each and every stain on her ruined prom dress. This was such a fun, fresh way to tell the classic "prom sucked" story! 

Justina's voice was entertaining.  She has the tendency to go off on tangents and is slightly crazy cakes when her blood sugar gets low, but you want the best for her.  And it is to her credit that you still believe in her even when her story gets ridiculously implausible.

And now let's talk about her prom date and good friend Ian. She'd come to the point where she'd planned to declare her love for him with the perfect kiss pre-prom. But - obviously something went very wrong. Is Ian a scumbag? Or is it Justina's own fault? This comedy of errors highlights Justina's  undeniable chemistry with Ian and ends with bang.

Now let's chat with Robin!

What is your favorite scene in the book?
There is a scene where four teens are pulled over by a cop and must get out of the situation. I decided to make the police officer young (very young), and writing this situation where a rookie cop must deal with some witty teenagers was just too much fun.

What is your favorite line in the book?
“Allyson Moore…I mean, what was it exactly that he couldn’t resist? Surely it wasn’t her remarkable intelligence—the girl thinks monogamy is a type of dark wood.”

Ha! Yes - that line made me laugh out loud. What setting was most fun to write?
I loved writing the 7-Eleven scenes. Every other chapter the story switches back to present time where the main character explains what happened the night before to some very opinionated ladies at the convenience store. They also indulge in numerous 7-Eleven snacks (slurpees, corndogs, nachos, corn nuts!) so food plays a big part, thus my enjoyment in writing it.

It's no secret I love corndogs! Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?
One character actually will be getting a spin-off book—Serenity, the firecracker friend Justina makes during the night. Serenity was my favorite supporting character and I wanted to know more about her backstory and what finding love would look like for a kick-ass girl like her. Serenity does just that in my next book when she finds herself in jail in BUSTED.

Can't wait! Keeping my fingers crossed that Ian makes another appearance. What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
Working with my editor to make my books better has been an amazing experience. It takes a special person to motivate you while simultaneously pushing you further than you thought you were capable. The collaboration process has been very fulfilling and I’m fortunate to have an editor who truly “gets” what I’m trying to do and knows how to yank the best out of me. 

Thanks Robin!

____________________

Intrigued by DITCHED? It came out Tuesday in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. You can read the first chapter of Ditched here: http://www.robinmellom.com/books/teen-books/ditched

FTC disclosure: Review copy from NetGalley

Return of Cat Tuesday (59)

Lu has this thing about jumping on everything and everyone.  Lately we find him in the craziest places, like on top of our clothes drying rack ...

Apocalypsies Love! Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Apocalypsies Love is all about me telling you what I loved about a 2012 debut book written by one of the amazing Apocalypsies. I also chat with the author to gain insight into their very favorite parts of their creation.

Today, I'm featuring UNDER THE NEVER SKY, a YA dystopia featuring sheltered teen Aria who is dropped off in the barren outside to die, but meets a toughened up boy, Perry, who helps her survive.

UNDER THE NEVER SKY is such an immersive experience.  From the moment I met Aria, breaking the rules of her enclosed city of Reverie in order to glean intel about her missing mother, I knew she was the kind of character to follow to the ends of the Earth.

And then I met Perry, the other POV in this dual narrative.  Perry's had a hard life on the outside (known as the Death Shop because there are a million ways to die in its inhospitable lands), and perhaps because of this, he's much more manly than most YA guys.  In fact, his mix of stubbornness and gallantry reminded me a lot of a Harlequin Historical alpha male (in a good way).

I loved the intricate world building, the fast-paced mystery driven plot, and the realness of the situations despite the fantastical setting (Aria even gets her period - how often do you see that in YA sci-fi?).

Yes, readers, this is one for my keeper shelf.

And now, let's hear from Veronica!

What is your favorite scene in the book?

This is so hard to pick! I do love the scene where Perry and Aria are up on the roof at Marron's together. It's a quiet scene, but there's so much going on beneath the surface. I think that scene is really the emotional heart of the book.

Oh man - roof scenes get me every time, and this one was killer. So, what is your favorite line in the book?

There are a lot that I really love but this one comes to mind:

"You nearer."

It's so Perry--completely to the point.

SWOON! Seriously! What setting was most fun to write?

I loved writing Delphi--Marron's place. It felt like a hybrid between a house and a museum--something I'd love to live in myself!

I loved Delphi too. It's definitely up there on my list of literary places I'd love to explore. Who is your favorite supporting character - one you could see getting a spin-off book - and why?

This one is easy! Roar, because he's unpredictable and funny, and he wears his heart on his sleeve. There's a lot more to Roar than meets the eye. It would be a blast to be able to focus on his character.

What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?

There have been so many! I have loved becoming part of the writing community. I've met some incredible writers, bloggers, readers. It's truly a fantastic community. And I've so enjoyed hearing from readers who connected with the story! It's simply amazing when that happens.

Thank you, Veronica!

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Intrigued by UNDER THE NEVER SKY? It came out Tuesday in hardcover. Find out more about it at the author's website and add it to Goodreads. Also, read my Dystopian August preview interview with Veronica for more teasers.

In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that I met Veronica last month for dinner and drinks and hope we can do it again soon!

Also, bonus photo of me with UNDER THE NEVER SKY at the Kansas State Fair - eating a giant corn dog!

FTC disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher