This is W.A.R. - Who Would You Cast: Willa

This is the cover for Lisa and Laura Roecker's new novel This is W.A.R. It's a tie-in to the world of The Liar Society, and The Lies that Bind.

Lisa and Laura were some of my very first friends in the blogosphere. They practically wrote the second (and way better) version of my query for Warrior-Monks. The one that got me requests and won a contest at WriteOnCon. I could go on for a while about everything I love about LiLa, but suffice to say although I have not read The Lies that Bind, I have read Liar Society, and the beginning of This is W.A.R. and these sisters have a penchant for writing compelling YA Contemporary Mysteries like no other author(s) I know.

So, I'm proud to be a part of their blog tour, and to do my little part to introduce you all to their new book.

Take it away, Sistahs.

When we access our handy-dandy character spreadsheet, we have Dianna Agron cast as Willa. She has that all American beauty we each think of when considering Willa. But Willa is more than just a beautiful face. She can see beyond the surface of each of her friends and knows exactly what they need and when they need it. Her obituary is devastating--the loss of one of the most beautiful and popular students in the community. But only her friends know just how much more everyone has lost.

Matt again: I'm sure you all know Diana from Glee, or maybe I Am Number Four. If not, what's wrong with you! She's a gorgeous, talented actress, and perfect for the role of Willa if you ask me: a pivotal character in is is W.A.R.

Lisa and Laura Roecker are sisters-turned-writing partners with a passion for good books, pop culture, and Bravo programming. Not necessarily in that order. A prepubescent obsession with Lois Duncan and their mother's insistence that they read Men Are Just Desserts inspired This is WAR. The sisters live in Cleveland, Ohio, in separate residences. Their husbands wouldn't agree to a duplex. Cyberstalking is always encouraged at lisa-laura.blogspot.com and @landlroecker on Twitter.

Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome!

Visit the website for more info!

Today is the release date for Lisa and Laura Roecker's debut novel: The Liar Society, from Sourcebooks.

Please join me in congratulating these amazing ladies on the success of their writing. They are some of the kindest, funniest, and truly most entertaining people I know.

Their blog, Lisa and Laura Write, is a must read for me. Every. Single. Day.

They're also the reason my hair is pinkified. Well, digitally at least. I love them like Apple Computers loves the lower case letter i preceding an upper case letter P.

So. Anyway. I'm having Lisa and Laura over here as guests today, in order to celebrate the release of The Liar Society, and I've asked them to talk about something I think about a lot as writer:

SEX, DRUGS and ALCOHOL in YA Literature.

Of course they put their own Roecker spin on it, in true Hilton sister fashion, except much smarter, and slightly less trashy:

Laura: So what's our stance on sex, drugs and rock and roll in young adult books?
Lisa: Um, we're supposed to have one?
Laura: Well, yeah. We're writers.
Lisa: Crap, you're right.
Laura: So...any thoughts?
Lisa: Yes.
Laura: Yes, what?
Lisa: Just...yes.
Laura: Meaning, "Yes, sex, drugs and rock and roll?"
Lisa: Well, sort of.
Laura: Explain, oh guru of vice.
Lisa: I mean, it totally depends on the book, right?
Laura: Yeah, that stuff doesn't really work in LIAR SOCIETY.
Lisa: Right. But think about books like THE DUFF, the sex is so important, so real. Teens need those kinds of books.
Laura: Could not agree more.
Lisa: So we're pro, sex, drugs and rock and roll?
Laura: Yeah, the reality is that teenagers are doing all kinds of crap their parents don't want to think about.
Lisa: Exactly. Isn't it better if teens read these books and their parents read them and everyone maybe, kinda, talks about it?
Laura: Oh God, are you advocating for the sex talk right now?
Lisa: Maybe. I mean, it might be a little less awkward if you could work through it using fictional characters.
Laura: So. True. But will you still feel the same way when your kids are reading this stuff?
Lisa: I sure hope so. I love that Mom and Dad let us read whatever we wanted.
Laura: Totally. That's why we're readers and writers, you know?
Lisa: SO....sex, drugs and ROCK ON.
Laura: Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

P.S.
If you want to enter The Liar Society Blog Tour of Awesome contest, and really, who wouldn't want to enter!?! There's a $100 Amazon gift card up for grabs! Just click here and enter the super secret password, SISTERHOOD, for an entry. Remember you can enter one time for each stop on our blog tour, so be sure to click here and see where else we're visiting this month to maximize your chances of winning.

Audi, Vide, Tace,
L&L

Thanks ladies! That's how I feel about it, er - basically. I'm so glad to get to be a part of your blog tour, since you're two of my very favorite people. Congratulations on all your success.

Pink is the new black, and The Liar Society is the New Dope.