Showing posts with label 2012 Debut Authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012 Debut Authors. Show all posts

Friday, February 8, 2013

Interview & Giveaway: BREAKING POINT by Kristen Simmons

Win a copy of FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater (Ends 2/14)
Book Review: MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins
Win a copy of THE RUINS OF NOE by Danika Dinsmore (Ends 2/11)
Win a copy of LIONEL'S GRAND ADVENTURE (Ends 2/25) 




 
BREAKING POINT 
by Kristen Simmons
Tom Doherty Associates
400 pp.
Ages 13 - 17 
Release Date: February 12th

After faking their deaths to escape from prison in Article 5, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.


Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper's true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….


Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.


With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

I am just thrilled that BREAKING POINT, the sequel to Kristen Simmons' explosive debut YA dystopian romance ARTICLE 5 comes out NEXT WEEK!!! This book is most definitely moving to the top of my TBR list! To read my review on ARTICLE 5, click HERE. Kristen is here with us today for an interview and has a copy of her book to GIVE AWAY! After the interview, be sure to check out how to win!

INTERVIEW:




1. Describe BREAKING POINT in one sentence.
Let's see here...how about: Chase and Ember risk their freedom, their love, and their lives, when they join the resistance to fight against the Moral Militia.

2. When did you first know you wanted to write books for teens?

When I realized all the books I was reading were books for teens. Sometime in college I began to find myself drawn to these stories, and blown away by how much the genre had grown since I was young. Now I can't get enough of it!


3. This is book 2 in the series. What inspired you to write these stories?

I was actually inspired to write Article 5 after witnessing a protest in the parking lot of a local bookstore. People were very upset about the release of a children's book featuring witchcraft. Of course, people have the right to protest whatever they please, but it got me thinking - what if they were able to ban that book based on this character who clashed with their belief system? What else could be banned? Video games? Music? What about lifestyle choices - different family systems, divorce, gambling, or having a child out of wedlock? And what if the government got on board and made these things illegal? The Bill of Rights would be pointless. I wondered if a new regime might take over - a moral regime. A Moral Militia...

That's how it all started.


4.  What were your favorite books growing up?




When I was little I loved Madeline L'Engle and the Wrinkle in Time Books. I loved Susan Cooper, too. Then when I got a little older, high school, I was really into romance novels. I used to tape other covers over the covers so that my parents wouldn't see me reading them. So devious. So naughty.



5.  What are you reading now?


I am beta reading the next book in a YA fantasy series - the author of which is a fellow Apocalypsie! I don't think I can say much more about it now...but it's good. Realllllly good.


6.  If you could visit a setting from any book, where would you go?


Hogwarts. I would totally go to Hogwarts.


7.  Will there be a book 3 or any other books in the near future?
Yes! The Article 5 saga concludes with book 3, out this time next year. It's currently with my editor, and I can't wait to share it with everyone. Big resistance things happen in book 3, and things get a little steamy for Chase and Ember.
Thanks for having me Laurisa!
 
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Kristen Simmons has one copy of her book BREAKING POINT to giveaway. To be eligible to win, just fill out the rafflecopter below. U.S. addresses only, please.
This giveaway will end on March 1st. 
 

Sunday, July 15, 2012

MMGM: GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ LORIN BARBER

- Win THE FOX INHERITANCE swag signed by Mary E. Peterson (Ends 7/31) 
- Win a ROCK OF IVANORE T-SHIRT!
- Win a copy of TRACING STARS by Erin Moulton (Ends 7/17)
- Win a copy THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY (Ends 7/23)


 Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE.

THE SECRET LIFE OF COPERNICUS H. STRINGFELLOW
Lorin Barber
Cedar Fort
304 pp.
Middle Grade


The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow is the story of a brain so powerful it can stop a speeding vehicle or heal internal bleeding.

Orphaned at the age of two when his father shot his mother, Copernicus H. (Nick) Stringfellow is a genius of unprecedented capacities. Educated in Medicine, Engineering and almost every other scholarly discipline at America’s leading Universities, Nick goes quietly about the country performing miraculous feats. He devotes his life to saving others and combating evil while striving to remain conspicuously anonymous.” 

Barber’s novel brings Copernicus to Seattle where opportunities for changing lives, including his own are abundant. He makes family of friends and friends of acquaintances as all learn that when it comes to his activities you “just don’t ask."

Lorin Barber's delightful middle grade debut released in March of this year. He has taken time out of his writing schedule to visit with us today. He is also providing a copy of his book to GIVE AWAY. Details of how to enter can be found at the end of this post. Take it away, Lorin!



1.  Tell us about your book in one sentence.
Copernicus is an adventure in intellect intrigue and imagination told with a tongue protruding through a cheek.

2. What age range is it for?
The hope was that people from 10 to 100 could enjoy the book. It is family friendly. For an adult to like it they must have some kid left in them. If you are a bit of nerd, have ever loved a nerd or enjoyed watching a nerd that would also be helpful.

3. What inspired you to write this story?
Like many debut authors, I’ve actually written a number of other things. Having met with previous disappointments Copernicus was the result of a conscious effort to come up with a saleable story. The inspiration came from a really smart, socially inept guy I once knew. To that character I added lots of traits I wished I had myself. Twinkies were chosen as a catalyst because the disparaging remarks I’ve often heard about their nutritional value made them an ideal juxtaposition. In the end, the story built itself around the name. Copernicus H. Stringfellow was my inspiration.

4. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I hated writing since my first grade teacher gave me a C- in penmanship. It got a little better when I got an electric typewriter for H.S. graduation. I love creating a story. Writing is beginning to grow on me.

5. What books did you enjoy reading when you were younger?
I enjoyed typical ‘boy books’ of the 50’s and 60’s; sports, action, outdoors. A favorite in grade school was “Fire Hunter”. I read Jack London books etc.

6. Tell us a little about your road to publication.
In 2004 I had a year-long contract to work in Wisconsin while my family lived in Washington State. I only came home every other weekend. It get’s really cold in Wisconsin and you can only watch reruns of Die Hard so many times. It dawned on me that I could write a book. I wrote my first novel and submitted it to about 50 publishers. It really wasn’t good at all. I didn’t get anything better than a form letter in reply.
I wrote another novel, and another each a bit better. On the 3rd novel I did get one Publisher to comment. I changed it according to their advice and they turned me down. 
Eventually a friend told me about a small publisher that liked specialty books. I quickly wrote a small work on my ideas of being a grandfather.  They bought it.
With one win under my belt I quickly finished and submitted my 4th novel, “Copernicus”, and they bought that too.

7. What can we expect from you in the future?
I have four more novels in the Copernicus series in mind, one well under way. I have numerous other stories I would like to write, and maybe eventually even some serious literature. I also have a project in my heart that I’ve desired for decades but it will take me achieving some notoriety to make it happen.


GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Lorin Barber has graciously provide a copy of his book for one lucky winner! 
To be eligible to win, just fill out the rafflecopter form below.  
This giveaway will end on July 30th.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

MMGM: GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ NIKKI LOFTIN

- Win a copy of THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Steifvater (end 7/11)
- Win a copy of TRACING STARS by Erin Moulton (Ends 7/17)
- Win a copy of SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE by Joanne Levy (Ends 7/9)  

Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE.

THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY
Nikki Loftin
Razorbill/Penguin
Release Date: August 21, 2012
304 pp.
Ages 8 & up


When Lorelei's old school mysteriously burns down, a new one appears practically overnight: Splendid Academy. Rock-climbing walls on the playground and golden bowls of candy on every desk? Gourmet meals in the cafeteria, served by waiters? Optional homework and two recess periods a day? It's every kid's dream.

But Lorelei and her new friend Andrew are pretty sure it's too good to be true. Together they uncover a sinister mystery, one with their teacher, the beautiful Ms. Morrigan, at the very center.


Then Andrew disappears. Lorelei has to save him, even if that means facing a past she'd like to forget – and taking on a teacher who's a real witch.


What Lorelei and Andrew discover chills their bones – and might even pick them clean!

Nikki Lofton's debut middle grade novel will be released next month. She is here with us today to share a little about her book and how she got published. She is also providing an ARC & SWAG PACK (including candies, bookmarks & stickers) to ONE LUCKY WINNER. Read on for details on how to enter the giveaway!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

MMGM: GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ JOANNE LEVY

- Win a copy of HANGING OFF JEFFERSON'S NOSE ( Ends 7/2)
- Win a copy of NIKOLAS & CO. by Kevin McGill (End 7/6)

- Win a copy of LIES BENEATH by Anne Brown (Ends 6/25)


 Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE.

SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE
by Joanne Levy
Bloomsbury
Ages 8 to 12
Release Date:  July 3rd

After she’s hit by lightning at a wedding, twelve-year-old Lilah Bloom develops a new talent: she can hear dead people. Among them, there’s her overopinionated Bubby Dora; a prissy fashion designer; and an approval-seeking clown who livens up a séance. With Bubby Dora leading the way, these and other sweetly imperfect ghosts haunt Lilah through seventh grade, and help her face her one big fear: talking to—and possibly going to the seventh-grade dance with—her crush, Andrew Finkel.

This week marks the release of Joanne Levy's debut middle grade novel Small Medium At Large.  Joanne shares a few thoughts on her book and writing with us today. Don't miss the chance to win a copy of the book. Details are at the end of this post.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

INTERVIEW w/ LEIGH BARDUGO, AUTHOR OF SHADOW & BONE



SHADOW AND BONE
Henry Holt & Co.
368 pp.
Ages 12 & up

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

I had the pleasure of meeting Leigh recently at a book signing in Los Angeles and I have to say she is a fun and friendly person. Shadow and Bone debuted at #8 on the NYT Bestseller list. Leigh found a little spare time in her very busy schedule to visit with us today in an interview. Also, be sure to check out her awesome book trailer!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

MMGM: GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ AUTHOR TINA NICHOLS COURY

- Win a copy of NIKOLAS & CO. by Kevin McGill (End 7/6)
- Win a copy of LIES BENEATH by Anne Brown (Ends 6/25)
- A New Blog:  THE CELESTINE CHRONICLES
- Summer Reading Program: THE GREAT SCAVENGER HUNT



Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE.

HANGING OFF JEFFERSON'S NOSE:  
GROWING UP ON MT. RUSHMORE
Tina Nichols Coury
Dial Books for Young Readers
40pp. (Picture Book)


Tina Nichols Coury is known as "The Rushmore Kid," www.therushmorekid.com She promotes an understanding and appreciation of the essential qualities that make America great in her popular school presentations, "Why I Love America.” 

In her debut picture book, true-blue American author Tina Nichols Coury brings to life the story of Lincoln Borglum, the boy who helped build Mt. Rushmore. It

Tina's popular kidlit blog, Tales from theRushmore Kid has interviews from some of the giants in children’s literature including Neil Gaiman, Sherman Alexie, Joan Bauer, John Green, Kathleen Duey just to name a few.

Tina stops by today to tell us a little about her book and her road to publication. Afterwards, find out how you can WIN a copy of her book. So sit back and get ready for quick trip into history.

Monday, June 11, 2012

GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW: ANNE BROWN, AUTHOR of LIES BENEATH & GIVEAWAY

 
LIES BENEATH
by Anne Brown
Random House/Delacorte
Young Adult

Anne Brown's debut YA paranormal novel hits the shelves tomorrow June 12th. This is a book you won't want to miss. Also, don't miss the AWESOME GIVEAWAY at the end of this post!

1.  Tell us about LIES BENEATH in one sentence. LIES BENEATH is a paranormal revenge and redemption story about Calder White, a Lake Superior merman, who falls in love with the daughter of his prey.
2.  What inspired you to write this story? Partly I was inspired by Lake Superior, which is where my dysfunctional family of merpeople live. It's the largest freshwater lake in the world (by surface area), and it is ancient, and clear, and freezing cold. I grew up sailing Lake Superior and imagining all the mysteries beneath its surface. But my main character was the evolution of another character in another Lake Superior novel I was trying to write. That character just refused to act . . . normally. When I finally let him show me what he could do, Calder White was born!
3.  What books did you enjoy reading when you were young? Nancy Drew mysteries (all of them); Anne of Green Gables; A book called The Thyme Garden, which was about time travel via an herb garden. Brilliant stuff! I get very OCD about books. When I find a book I love, I read it over and over (and over). Only when I can practically recite it do I move on.

4.  What books do you enjoy reading now? I love paranormal novels (Shiver, Nightshade, Daughter of Smoke and Bone), but I also enjoy contemporary, and I absolutely inhaled John Green's The Fault in our Stars and Elissa Hoole's Kiss the Morning Star. I love anything with a romantic edge to it, even if that's not the main theme of the story.
5.  Tell us a little about your journey to publication. It was looooonnnngggg. My problem was I was trying to be someone I wasn't and write in a voice that wasn't authentically me. For six years I wrote in every genre, except the one that came most naturally. When I finally found my place with MG/YA, I got an agent on my first query and LIES BENEATH sold in less than 5 days.

6.  What can we expect from you in the future? The sequel to LIES BENEATH will be out in the spring of 2013 (March?). My original title for the sequel got dumped, and I'm not authorized to announce the final title yet, but it is a continuation of the LIES BENEATH story told from Lily's point of view. There is a tentative plan for a trilogy, and Book 3 will alternate povs from Calder to Lily and back again. After that, I've got two or three other stories up my sleeves, but none of them are about mermaids.


Sunday, June 3, 2012

SUPER SWAG SUNDAY KICKOFF!!!


Welcome to SUPER SWAG SUNDAY, a celebration of the best in new middle grade and young adult fiction. For the next 7 days, this blog will be highlighting 34 amazing new books! Each day you can enter our MEGA SWAG PACK GIVEAWAY by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. You can enter once or every single day! 


Then next Sunday, June 10th seven - yep, 7 - lucky winners will be selected to each receive a MEGA SWAG PACK including promotional items from all the highlighted books. Each prize pack contains signed bookmarks, postcards, magnets, stickers, tattoos, a guitar pick, a mini frisbee, pen, and lots lots more!

Come back each day for new books and more chances to win! Best of luck to everyone!

THE MARBLE QUEEN
by Stephanie J. Blake

Freedom Jane McKenzie isn’t good at following the rules. She doesn’t like any of the things that girls are supposed to like. She’s good at fishing, getting into trouble—and playing marbles. All she wants is to enter the marble competition at the Autumn Jubilee and show the boys in the neighborhood that she’s the best player. If she can’t be the Marble King, then she’ll be the Marble Queen. First, Freedom has to convince her mother to let her enter. But there’s a new baby on the way, Freedom’s daddy is drinking too much, her little brother is a handful, and her mother is even more difficult than usual. Freedom learns that when it comes to love, friendship, and family, sometimes there are no rules. Set in 1959, The Marble Queen is a timeless story about growing up.


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: SLIDE by Jill Hathaway

- Win EGGS OVER EVIE by Alison Jackson (Ends 6/11)
- Win THE RIFTS OF RIME by Steven Peck (Ends 6/4) 
- Win DEVINE INTERVENTION by Martha Brockenbrough (Ends 6/6) 
- Win $100 Gift Card! (Ends 5/31)


SLIDE
Jill Hathaway
Balzer+Bray
256 pp.
Young Adult (14+)


Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

SLIDE is a new young adult paranormal suspense novel by debut author Jill Hathaway. She has sent some awesome signed bookmarks to giveaway to some lucky readers. Details on how to enter the drawing are below. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer, author interview & my review of SLIDE!


Friday, May 25, 2012

SUPER SWAG SUNDAY - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!




MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!


SUPER SWAG SUNDAY 
is a celebration of the best new fiction for kids & teens!

Beginning on  
SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD 
this blog will be spotlighting exciting titles. You can enter the contest once or every single day! Each time you enter is another chance to win!  But here's the best part!!! 

On SUNDAY, JUNE 10TH 
 7 winners 
will be selected to receive  a 
MEGA SWAG PACK!!!
including signed bookmarks, magnets, stickers, wristbands and all sorts of fun paraphernalia!

So be sure to come back on Sunday, June 3rd
and spread the word!!!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ MARTHA BROCKENBROUGH

- Book Review: WITH LOVE & LAUGHTER, JOHN RITTER
- Win THE RIFTS OF RIME by Steven Peck (Ends 6/4)
DEVINE INTERVENTION
       by Martha Brockenbrough
       Arthur A. Levine Books
       Ages 12 & up
       304 pp.

      There is a great legend of the guardian angel who traveled across time and space for the human girl he loved, slaying those who would threaten her with a gleaming sword made of heavenly light.
     
This is not that story.
     
Jerome Hancock is Heidi Devine's guardian angel. Sort of. He's more of an angel trainee, in heaven's soul-rehabilitation program for wayward teens. And he's just about to get kicked out for having too many absences and for violating too many of the Ten Commandments for the Dead.
     
Heidi, meanwhile, is a high school junior who dreams of being an artist, but has been drafted onto her basketball team because she's taller than many a grown man. For as long as she can remember, she's heard a voice in her head - one that sings Lynyrd Skynyrd, offers up bad advice, and yet is company during those hours she feels most alone.
     
When the unthinkable happens, these two lost souls must figure out where they went wrong and whether they can make things right before Heidi's time is up and her soul is lost forever.
     
Author  Martha Brockenbrough's  young adult novel, DEVINE INTERVENTION, debuts June 1, 2012. Martha stops today to share a few thoughts on her book. She has also graciously provided a signed copy of her book and some other surprise goodies for one luck reader. Details on how to win are at the end of this post.

      1.  Tell us about DEVINE INTERVENTION in one sentence.

It’s about the world’s most inept guardian angel and the girl whose life he accidentally ruins.

2.  What inspired you to write this story?

I used to be a high school teacher and my students, as I did when I was their age, often talked about “when my real life begins.” Guess what! It has begun! So on one level, it’s a story about realizing your life and your choices are you own, even if they don’t feel as though they are. It’s also about finding your place and your voice in the world. It’s not as serious as it sounds, though. I’d like to think that it includes some of the definitive squirrel mayhem scenes in modern literature.  

3.  Tell us a little about your journey to publication.
It’s good that you asked for only a little. Otherwise, I would have to dump this epic journey on you, which would include scenes of ugly crying, mortification, and intermittent bleeding. I have published two books for adults, including a pretty funny grammar guide called Things That Make Us [Sic]. Writing for children has been much, much more difficult. I never thought I’d sell a book to the editor of Harry Potter, let alone two. But Arthur Levine and I met in person and hit it off, and the rest has been the happy adventure of my professional life.

4.  What books did you enjoy reading when you were young?
I read whatever I could get my hands on, which included lots of Nancy Drew, everything Lloyd Alexander and Judy Blume wrote, and the Betsy-Tacy books until those jerks said, “She named her dolls ugly names. Like Martha and Jemima.” Whatever.

Seriously, though, it was whatever I could find. I used to get in trouble for having my nose in a book when my hands were supposed to be pulling weeds. When I ran out of kids’ books/got tired of rereading The Westing Game and Harriet the Spy, I swiped reading material from my mother’s bedside table and still don’t understand why she snatched this one book right back just when I got to the part where a guy with full body tattoos was about to unzip a woman’s ... See? I never got to find out what was going to happen. Unzip her parka? Her knee-high boot? What! Sheesh!

5.  What do you enjoy reading now?
I am a more discriminating reader than I was when I was little. Now, I enjoy reading really well written books with characters I love and plots that keep me guessing. With few writers, I’ll read anything they put out: Megan Whalen Turner, Jaclyn Moriarty, Lian Hearn, Marcus Zusak, M.T. Anderson, A.S. King. These are all writers I don’t know but would love to meet. (I also have a long list of writers I know and adore: Justina Chen, Kevin Emerson, Lorie Ann Grover, Dia Calhoun, Karen Cushman, Melissa Walker, Holly Cupala, Kirby Larson … I could go on for days.)

6.  What can we expect from you in the future?
My next book in the publication queue is a picture book called The Dinosaur Tooth Fairy. You probably thought Spinosaurus parents had to slip meat under their hatchlings’ pillows. Wrong! They had their own tooth fairy, and this is a story about what happens when she finds a tooth she really needs for her collection. Also, I am working on my next novel and am VERY excited about it.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Martha Brockenbrough has provided a signed copy of  her book and some surprise goodies for one lucky reader. All you need to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below. There are plenty of chances to win.
This giveaway will end on June 6th.