Blog Tour - Glitter by Aprilynne Pike

I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Aprilynne Pike's Glitter. I have a fun Q & A with Aprilynne Pike to share today but first, in case you missed them, here are the rest of the stops on the tour. There are reviews, interviews, and even some excerpts of the book. Be sure to check them out!

Week One:

10/17/2016- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Interview

10/18/2016- Lisa Loves Literature- Review

10/19/2016- Pandora's Books- Excerpt

10/20/2016-  BookHounds YA- Review

10/21/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

Week Two:

10/24/2016- Brooke- Reports- Review

10/25/2016- Brittany's Book Rambles- Guest Post

10/26/2016- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review

10/27/2016- A Glass Of Wine Blog- Interview

10/28/2016- Mundie Moms- Review

Just in case you did not have this title on your radar ... here is a little about the book

Title: GLITTER
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Pub. Date: October 25, 2016
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Find it: Amazon, Barnes And Noble, iBooks, Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Aprilynne Pike comes a truly original new novel—Breaking Bad meets Marie Antoinette in a near-future world where the residents of Versailles live like it’s the eighteenth century and an almost-queen turns to drug dealing to save her own life.

Outside the palace of Versailles, it’s modern day. Inside, the people dress, eat, and act like it’s the eighteenth century—with the added bonus of technology to make court life lavish, privileged, and frivolous. The palace has every indulgence, but for one pretty young thing, it’s about to become a very beautiful prison.

When Danica witnesses an act of murder by the young king, her mother makes a cruel power play . . . blackmailing the king into making Dani his queen. When she turns eighteen, Dani will marry the most ruthless and dangerous man of the court. She has six months to escape her terrifying destiny. Six months to raise enough money to disappear into the real world beyond the palace gates.

Her ticket out? Glitter. A drug so powerful that a tiny pinch mixed into a pot of rouge or lip gloss can make the wearer hopelessly addicted. Addicted to a drug Dani can sell for more money than she ever dreamed.
But in Versailles, secrets are impossible to keep. And the most dangerous secret—falling for a drug dealer outside the palace walls—is one risk she has to take.

I am so excited to share this Q and A that I did with Aprilynne. It's fun and teases the novel perfectly (in my opinion). She offers up with a Glitter inspired drink might look like, as well as some insight into writing the novel.

Twitter pitch Glitter (140 characters or less)

Oooh! This is fun! Hmmmm….

In a futuristic society that mimics the past, a 17yo turns to dealing a designer drug to save herself. Breaking Bad meets Marie Antoinette.

If Glitter were to have a signature drink what would be included?

Absinthe. Really, really expensive absinthe, (also known as La Fée Verte, the Green Faerie) in a crystal goblet with a custom platinum absinthe spoon. One of history’s most magical drinks in the most expensive possible container. 

What was your favourite discovery you made while researching this novel?

I loved finding out about the Hameau de la Reine, which is in the complex of the Palace of Versailles. Marie Antoinette thought the plight of the peasants was rather quaint and simple and wanted to have a place where her life could be as easy and worry-free. *koff* So she built a fake farm! It had a water wheel and a cottage, and she had chickens and lambs. Oh! And she would dress up in her idea ofpeasant clothes and have, essentially, stay-cations there with her children. Ah, royalty.

If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel

This feels like a total cop-out, but it would have been true if you had asked me before Glitter too! I would really love to visit 17-18 th Century France! It was an amazing time for the wealthy—extravagance, high fashion, incredible food—though admittedly a really awful time for the many, many poor. Thus the French Revolution. But I would just love to visit the Palace of Versailles in the … oh, mid-1700s.

Is there a song you listened to while writing Glitter or a song you used for inspiration?

I typically find a new musical to listen to over and over again with each new book I write, but for Glitter I ended up keeping the same one as for my last book, Earthrise, and that is Matilda, the Musical. I think I’ve kept this one longer than some of my others because Tim Minchin is such a talented but also intricate lyricist. I am constantly finding new nuance and meaning and internal rhyme when I listen to the words. Also, the song Quiet might be the most impactful song of my adult life. I seriously feel like he wrote it just for me. I have been known to put just that one song on repeat—especially during revisions—and listen to it for hours.

A huge thank you to Aprilynne for taking the time to answer these questions for me.

As part of the blog tour there is a giveaway where you could win one of three copies of Glitter! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is US ONLY.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Aprilynne Pike is a critically acclaimed, #1 New York Times best-selling author of young adult fiction. At the age of twenty she received her BA in Creative Writing from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. When not writing, Aprilynne can usually be found running; she also enjoys singing, acting, reading, and working with pregnant moms as a childbirth educator and doula. Aprilynne lives in Arizona with her husband and their four children.

Website| Wattpad | Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

#ThreeScoopsOfSummer Blog Tour - The Unexpected Everything

Today I am very excited to help celebrate an amazing book. I am even more excited to celebrate it on it's release day! It is the release date for the newest Morgan Matson novel which always gets me in the mood for summer. Since Simon and Schuster Canada thinks (and I agree) that summer is meant for reading, they decided to host an epic blog tour featuring three books that are made for your beach tote. The #ThreeScoopsOfSummer tour (because nothing goes with summer better than ice cream) has already featured Siobhan Vivan's The Last Boy and Girl in The World so be sure to stop by and visit each of the stops.

 

As mentioned, I am thrilled to celebrate The Unexpected Everything today! I'd like to start off by wishing Morgan Matson and The Unexpected Everything a happy book birthday!

As part of the tour I was given the chance to interview Morgan (queue fangirl freakout). She dished on emojis, summer, and road trip playlists. 

1. I’ve heard that emojis are used in The Unexpected Everything. What is your favourite emoji to use?

Yes! The emojis are a big part of the book. I use this one a lot -and this one too

Lately, I’ve started using the cat faces a lot. I’m partial to this one at the moment 

And during the holidays, I use the Santa instead of a smiley.

2. Your books remind me of summer. What is your favourite summer memory?

That’s so great to hear! I love summer (which is maybe why I write about it so much!) Summer to me, is long days by the lake or ocean, flip flop tan lines, fireflies, and iced latte or an ice cream cone. That’s summer to me!

3. This novel, based on the synopsis, seems to be about going outside your plan and finding the unexpected. What was the last unexpected thing you did?

I took an impromptu trip to Hawaii recently. It was spur of the moment, and the opportunity came along, so I jumped on it. It was a fantastic trip so it makes me want to do unexpected things more often!

4. Your novels always make me think of road trips as well. What song is a must have on any road trip playlist?

It changes, depending on the road trip, and what kind of destination it is. But a classic road trip song that shows up on a lot of my mixes is “Nightswimming” by REM. Such a good sing-along song too.

5. If a genie were to great you three wishes, what would you wish for?

-the ability to time travel

-for there always to be a Starbucks where I am

-three more wishes

6. Favourite beach read that should be in everyone's tote bags this summer?

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian!

A huge thank you to Morgan for taking the time to answer these questions and for Simon and Schuster Canada for setting this up.

I've had to chance to read The Unexpected Everything, and below is my review. Hopefully it entices you to add it to your own summer reading list. 

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Release Date - May 3, 2016

Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 528 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks)

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing - if everything's planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where’s the fun in that?

Friendships. Summer. Ice cream. Lazy summer days. Sweet romances. Road trips with perfect playlists. These are just some of the things that I associate with a Morgan Matson novel. The Unexpected Everything, as expected, holds some of these charms within it's pages. It also holds adorable dogs, the cutest book boyfriend I've had the pleasure to read about this year, and a story that shows going outside your comfort zone can lead to new experiences.

There is a saying that life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. Andie would consider this a foreign concept. Carefully laid plans, and boundaries are her defense mechanism and her way of life. Morgan Matson explores what happens when someone like this is forced to go outside that plan. Those carefully controlled experiences, and that defined future are all she knows. This novel really shines by allowing the reader to take Andie's journey with her. Every single page of this book is needed to chart Andie's journey, stumbles and all, through a life changing summer. The characterization in this novel is pitch perfect and not just with Andie. Each of the side characters stand out, and gain a place in the reader's heart. I, personally, would devour a set of companion novels that focused on each of Andie's best friends. Each girl has a story that I would love to read, especially Toby's. I can picture a rom-com laced story filled with road trips, big romantic gestures, and finding love in surprising places.

Andie's story is one of self exploration. Andie has to look at what it means to not be in control, and the reasons behind her drive to have everything so structured. The romance is only part of Andie's journey as everything from her family, friends, and her own perceptions play a part in the changes that happen to her. There is a lot that Andie discovers, and admits, to and about herself that I found refreshing. This, at it's heart, is a story of a girl letting go of things that could be holding her back. Things that due to fear, due to not listening to her inner voice, and due to expectation may leave her missing out on some pretty great detours along her journey. The book balances having drive, and focus versus using it as a crutch or defense mechanism to protect yourself. It shows the wonder in the unexpected, but also allows that taking risks can be risky. Morgan Matson adeptly points out that sometimes the things that seem scary are not as big as we make them out to be, and that we shouldn't let these hold us back. Andie's story will be instantly relatable because you can understand what she is going through. You've either been her, or know someone who has. It also helps that she makes mistakes. She is not perfect and she backslides along the progress she is making.

The romance is, as expected, perfectly swoon worthy. Clark is now my favourite of Morgan Matson's book boys and I predict many will love him too. There is something really refreshing in how natural, and realistic their relationship (and the ups and downs it experiences) is. Morgan, as mentioned, is an expert at balancing the various relationships in our lives within her story. The romance doesn't take the focus, but it's present enough for you to be invested. I, also, loved that Andie was more than just her romance. This story is really Andie's story and that means all parts of her.

If Since You've Been Gone left you wanting to dare all your friends, The Unexpected Everything will have you planning scavenger hunts. It's a novel that pairs perfectly with summer and demands to be read with ice cream. It's the kind of novel that will make you want to live in the moment and (sometimes) go off script - you never know who or what you might be missing.

Simon and Schuster is also offer up a prize pack for this blog tour. To enter be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter below. It is open to Canadian residents, and be sure to read all rules and restrictions. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unhooked Blog Tour - Interview

Those who have visited my blog previously are already aware of my Peter Pan obsession. Obviously, any book that pulls inspiration from Peter Pan is going to be high on my must read list. Lisa Maxwell's UNHOOKED obviously caught my attention when I read the blurb and I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour to help celebrate it's upcoming release.

Here is a little about the book (in case it's not already on your radar)...

Title: UNHOOKED
Author: Lisa Maxwell
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Pages: 352
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Formats: Hardcover & eBook
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks

From “talented wordsmith” (Publishers Weekly) Lisa Maxwell comes a lush, atmospheric fantasy novel filled with twists and turns about a girl who is kidnapped and brought to an island inhabited by fairies, a roguish ship captain, and bloodthirsty beasts.

For as long as she can remember, Gwendolyn Allister has never had a place to call home. Her mother believes they are being hunted by brutal monsters, and those delusions have brought them to London, far from the life Gwen had finally started to build for herself. Gwen’s only saving grace is that her best friend, Olivia, is with her for the summer.
But shortly after their arrival, the girls are kidnapped by shadowy creatures and dragged to a world of flesh-eating sea hags and dangerous Fey. And Gwen begins to realize that maybe her mother isn’t so crazy after all…

Gwen discovers that this new world she inhabits is called Neverland, but it’s nothing like the Neverland you’ve heard about in stories. Here, good and evil lose their meaning and memories slip like water through your fingers. As Gwen struggles to remember where she came from and tries to find a way home, she must choose between trusting the charming fairy-tale hero who says all the right things and the captivating pirate who promises to keep her safe.

Caught in the ultimate battle between good and evil, with time running out and her enemies closing in, Gwen is forced to finally face the truths she’s been hiding from all along. But can she save Neverland without losing herself?

Amazing right? I can confirm that the book is as good as that synopsis sounds.

I got to interview Pan and he shared a little about his Neverland, and so much more!

1 Tell us something unique about your Neverland.

In your world, the stories make it seem like anyone can come to Neverland. Well, I suppose they can come, but staying is another thing altogether. Children do well enough here, because this world is a place for the wild, unruly desires of innocence. But once human children begin to get older… Let’s just say things get a bit fragile.

2 What is your favourite spot in all of Neverland?

My favourite place in all of Neverland is the falls. Its beauty is unparalleled, and there I feel most at home, most at peace.

3 What is one thing you would actually want people to know about you?

I’m not particularly interested in people knowing much of anything about me, but perhaps you can tell them this: I’ve fought long and hard to scrape out a place in this world, and there’s very little I wouldn’t do to protect it—especially when it comes to the likes of the Captain.

4 You're kind of a legend in my world. How do you feel about this?

Am I? Do tell… I quite like the idea, actually. Very much.

5 If you could have one person live in Neverland with you, who would it be?

What do you mean, one person? I can have whomever I like live with me here…for however long they last.

Thanks for stopping by Pan!

Be sure to not miss any of the other stops on this tour! You can find guests posts, interviews and reviews at various stops. Lots of Unhooked goodness to be had, so be sure to follow along.

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/25/2016- Supernatural Snark - Interview

1/26/2016- Seeing Double In Neverland - Review

1/27/2016- Please Feed the Bookworm - Guest Post

1/28/2016- Stories & Sweeties - Review

1/29/2016- A Glass Of Wine - Interview

Week Two:

2/1/2016- A Reader Under The Sea - Review

2/2/2016- Two Chicks on Books - Guest Post

2/3/2016- Owl Always Be Reading - Review

2/4/2016- Lili's Reflections - Interview

2/5/2016- Mundie Moms - Review

Lisa is offering up a fantastic giveaway for this blog tour. The prize is seriously amazing, especially for a Peter Pan fanatic like myself.

(1) winner will receive a signed finished copy of UNHOOKED, a large Neverland map, and a Funko Pop Captain Hook, US Only.

(5) winners will receive a swag pack containing a NVR sticker, bookmark, postcard, other stickers, US only.

To enter simply fill out the Rafflecopter below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Be sure to stop by the blog on Monday for my review of Unhooked (spoiler alert I loved it). 

Lisa Maxwell is the author of Sweet Unrest, Gathering Deep (Flux, Fall 2015) and Unhooked  (Simon Pulse, Spring 2016). When she's not writing books, she's an English professor at a local college. She lives near DC with her very patient husband and two not-so patient boys.


Find Lisa: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr | Instagram

Recap Of My Interview With Susan Dennard

I was recently granted an AMAZING opportunity to interview the lovely Susan Dennard over Skype thanks to Raincoast Books here in Canada.

You probably already know but Susan's newest book Truthwitch will be out this January and there is already A LOT of excitement about this title.

Interviewing an author is a little surreal. It's exciting, and nerve-racking, and you want to pinch yourself because you cannot believe you get to do it. Susan was incredibly lovely and put me at ease immediately.

This is going to mostly be a recap of our conversation rather than a full transcript because everything happened REALLY fast and was a delightful blur.

1 Describe Truthwitch in 3 words

The words Susan picked are - epic, sweeping, friendship. Perfect, right? It made me want to sneak this book into my reading schedule even sooner!

2 Do you listen to music while writing/ if so is there a song you had on repeat while writing Truthwitch?

Yes, she definitely listens to music while writing. She says that she is unable to not listen to music while writing. It is the starting point for all her ideas, and such a part of creating each scene. She says that scenes play out like a movie she needs music to capture that feeling. She likes big, epic music and soundtracks (both movie and video) to help set the scene she wants to write.

She listened to the band Two Steps From Hell a lot while writing Truthwitch (all the albums on repeat). They were a driving force behind these books.

Before moving on to the next question we talked about  the sequel a little bit. She is currently writing the sequel. It has taken her longer than anticipated. She wants to challenge herself while writing and she feels like she has done that with this series.

3 Favourite snack while revising/writing

Coffee (way too much coffee) and she just started a bag of gummy bears that her husband brought back from Germany. She tries to eat healthier when her husband is not bringing gummy bears into the house (they also happen to be her favourite candy).

4 Is there a book that you wish everyone would read?

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke or The Last Unicorn by Peter S Beagle. She feels not everyone has heard of The Last Unicorn, or that they know it from the cartoon. I've read The Last Unicorn and it is certainly magical.

5 What 2016 release are you most anticipating?

She is really excited about Veronica Rossi’s Riders (four Horseman of the Apocalypse). She feels like it's like nothing else out there.

6 You and Sarah have a friendship that is basically the definition of friendship goals. What do you think a great friendship needs?

She and Sarah are so vocal about their friendship, she feels that perhaps her other friends just aren't given the same attention. Understanding each other is key, and don’t expect them to change. Love them the way they are. Everyone is flawed, and wishing to change them is never going to work. Embrace them for who they are and respect it. Sarah and her have the same sense of humour so they make it each other laugh all the time. Seriously, her and Sarah are 100% the stuff of friendship goals.

7 What Myers Briggs personality type are you?

She has taken the test and the answer is INFP

8 If someone were to make an ice cream flavour for Truthwitch what might be included?

She says it would be a mash up of all different flavours like ginger cookie dough, with caramel weirdness mixed in with vanilla. Just a whole lot of different flavours that go well together.

9 If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

Hardest question for her because of the sheer number of choices it brings forth. The old monasteries of 500 years ago appeal to her. She'd honestly just like to see something so different from what she knows that she can’t even imagine it.  She’d like to see everything. She is curious about Imperial Russia, and visiting a 1920's speakeasy as well.

10 What was your favourite scene to write in Truthwitch 

You can read one of them right now! It is a dance scene that she didn't expect to write. It exploded out of her and is part of the exclusive excerpt on the Truthwitch series website. Be sure to check it out.

The other is around the 40% mark of the book, and is between two of the characters. It is scene set in a lighthouse where lots of stuff goes down. It is where the Netgalley preview ends (if you've read it) and it another scene that just poured out of her when she wrote it.

With that our time had FLOWN by. We did chat about her time in Canada and that she had been to Ottawa before. We discussed poutine (a national treasure, honestly) and lots of other fun Canadian things like Tim Horton's.

It was a honour to get to interview her and was so much fun!

There is plenty of exciting things coming up regarding the release of Truthwitch, most importantly an amazing book tour and pre-order campaign.

First up, Susan Dennard will be touring with Alexandra Bracken! This is going to be an amazing tour and I wish I could attend so everyone who can should take the opportunity and go!

There will also be some news about more tour dates for Susan to come, so there will be plenty of chances for you to see Susan on this tour.

There is also a pre-order campaign for Truthwitch going on right now. There is a signed book plate and a poster up for grabs! Be sure to visit the official Truthwitch website for all the details (and submit your receipt to claim your pre-order goodies).

Also, be sure to follow Susan on Twitter, check out her website, and add Truthwitch to your Goodreads!

A huge thank you to both Susan and Raincoast Books for this amazing opportunity! Be sure to check out Truthwitch in 2016!

Famous In Love Week Kick Off. Q and A with Rebecca Serle

You may have heard me talk about a book called Famous In Love on this blog already. I ended up reading it and totally loving it right after I got it at Book Expo America. So much in fact I wanted to do a whole week in order to celebrate it.

First up I am interviewing Rebecca about Famous In Love, and all things love triangles and Hollywood....

1 Describe Famous In Love in Twitter format (140 characters or less)

FiL is about a girl who gets plucked from obscurity to star in the next major feature-film franchise based on a book #Lovetriangle #insidery

2 If someone created a drink in honour of your book, what type of drink, and what would they include?

Personally, I'm a purist when it comes to cocktails--vodka and lemon, please! But I think the Famous in Love cocktail would probably be a little sweeter than my tastes-- and have some pineapple in it, naturally! And because some of my readers are in the under 21 age bracket let's keep it teen-friendly. Pineapple, crushed ice, cranberry juice, lime, and seltzer! Yum!

3. Is there a song that reminds you of Famous In Love?

There are a lot of them. There's an official Famous in Love playlist on www.rebeccaserle.com if you're interested!

4 Classic Hollywood vs New Hollywood? Who trumps in terms of celebrity gossip?

New Hollywood, definitely. The press is so different than it was years ago. I'm not saying that's a good thing but gossip is definitely at anall-time high.

5 Famous In Love feels very authentic. What sort of research did you do for this novel to capture that behind the scenes of Hollywood feeling?

That is the highest compliment I could receive, thank you. First and foremost I am a fangirl. I have been all my life, so all of my life has been research to write this book. Magazine stories, youtube videos, you name it, I've consumed it. I've also lived in LA, and continue to spend a lot of time there, so that helps. Just sort of seeing the place, the industry, and the way it functions. And then I sold my first novel, When You Were Mine, to be adapted by Hollywood and I REALLY got a look into how all of this works. Also I've been on
the set of a major feature-film franchise based on a book-- but I can't tell you which one. I've been sworn to take that secret to my grave. :)

6 What is your favourite 'on screen' Hollywood love triangle?

Probably the original--- Joey/Pacey/Dawson. But currently I'd have to go with The Vampire Diaries. The similarities between both of those shows (besides that they were created by the genius known as Kevin Williamson) is that the relationship between the boys is a strong, important part of the triangle. The complicated relationship Rainer and Jordan share is one of my favorite parts of Famous in Love.

7 If your main character were real, and you could give her one piece of advice, what would you tell her?

That she is talented. Paige is very concerned with getting August "right" and being "good enough." She was chosen! She's supposed to be playing her.

8 How do you plan to celebrate the release of Famous In Love?

I'm having a launch party at Books of Wonder on October 23rd from 6-8! If you live in or plan to visit NYC-- please come! There is also going to be some festivities post with family and friends. I worked hard on this book and it has been a long time coming-- I'm excited to celebrate!

Thank you for stopping by, Rebecca. Be sure to visit each day this week for another Famous In Love post. Up tomorrow is a special giveaway including a custom made tote bag!

Rebecca Serle is the author of When You Were Mine and The Edge of Falling and is an obssesive lover of all things teen entertainment - a trait  she tracks straight back to the WB and Pacey Witter. She grew up in Maui, and Los Angeles, and now lives in Manhattan. She writes about The Vampire Diaries for New York Magazine's Vulture, and she can be found on Twitter @RebeccaASerle

Even In Paradise Blog Tour Kick Off

Today is the start of the Canadian blog tour for Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot. To kick it off, I have an interview with Chelsey.

Here is a little about the book in case haven't heard of it already

When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.

But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now

I got Chelsey to answer questions about her book, her writing process, and share which book she most associates with summer. 

1. Twitter pitch Even In Paradise (140 characters or fewer)

Et in Arcadia ego. In light, dark. In greatness, tragedy. Fall in love w/ a girl, a boy, a family. #eveninparadise Oct. 2014

2. How would Charlotte describe Julia and Sebastian at the beginning of the novel?

Charlie sees the world with the perspective of an artist. She notices surface details—thumb-size holes in Julia’s sweater, a small scar through Sebastian’s eyebrow—but also understands the complex interiors beneath them. She would describe Julia and Sebastian as beautiful and fragile, golden and mysterious, vibrant and haunted. 

3. Did you do anything specific for research purposes while writing Even In Paradise?

I undertake a lot of strange and wonderful things in the name of research for my articles and novels. For EIP, I read, traveled, and did all the other things you would expect an author to do while working on a book. But the most useful research I conducted was on myself.

While writing EIP, I went through boxes of dust-coated memories at my parents’ farm in New Hampshire. I worked my way through old yearbooks and stacks of high school papers, tests, and notes to make sure I was depicting boarding school life accurately. I read my old journals (a painful/embarrassing/illuminating experience) to help me remember the joys and depths of experiencing things for the first time. 

EIP is not autobiography—I am not Charlie, Julia, Sebastian, or any other character—but it is informed by my memories.   

4. What three things do you need while revising?

Coffee! 
This hideous, too big, holey, old cashmere sweater I like to wear when I write. My college friends still threaten to burn it. 
Early mornings and a window. 

I know that’s four things, but sunrises and windows cannot be separated. 

5. Your cover reminds me of summer. What book evokes the feeling of summer for you?

Stephen King’s The Stand. I’m not kidding. 

The Stand was the first “huge,” “scary,” “adult” book I tackled on my own in junior high. I reread it at the beginning of every summer well into college. My copy is so water-stained and scarred from thunderstorms, backpacking trips, iced coffee spills, and unusual bookmarks that some pages are barely legible. 

I don’t care. I’ll never get rid of it. For me, the shadow-filled, ominous, red cover of The Stand will always evoke memories of campfires, hammocks, hot days that lasted forever, and all the other joys of summer. 

A big thanks to Chelsey for taking the time to answer these questions.

Here are the rest of the tour stops, so you can follow along. Plenty more interviews, guest posts, and reviews during the next two weeks. Be sure to check out my review tomorrow as well. I think it's the perfect cure for those end of summer blues.

October 13th: Kathy - A Glass Of Wine - Interview
October 14th: Siobhan - Conversations Of A Reading Addict - Review
October 15th: Emilie - Emilie’s Book World - Guest Post
October 16th: Ambur - Burning Impossibly Bright - Review
October 17th: Lily -  Lily’s Book Blog - Interview/Character Interview
October 20th: Shilpa - SukasaReads - Review
October 21st: Sabrina - Hiver et Café - Top 5 or 10
October 22nd: Ciara - Lost At Midnight Reviews -  Review
October 23rd: Meaghan -  Feeling A Little Bookish - Interview/Character Interview
October 24th: Jess - Read My Breath Away - Review

If you want to order signed copies of Even In Paradise, Chelsey is working with a local bookstore to make that happen. Order from River Run Bookstore.

Order links - Harper Collins Canada // Chapters //  Amazon // Kaleidoscope Books

Chelsey Philpot grew up on a farm in New Hampshire and now works as an editor and journalist. She's written for the New York Times, Boston Globe, Slate, and numerous other publications.

Like her main character, Charlotte, Chelsey attended boarding school in New England. You can visit her online at www.chelseyphilpot.com or on Twitter @ChelseyPhilpot. 

Q and A With Alice Kuipers

Today I have Alice Kuipers stopping by for a Q and A all about her new novel, The Death Of Us. If you have already, do check out what I thought of this book by reading my review.

Here is a little about The Death Of Us

A recovered friendship, a dark secret, and a love triangle with a deadly angle…

Callie is shocked when her friend Ivy reappears after an unexplained three-year absence, but the girls pick up where they left off, and suddenly Callie’s summer is full of parties, boys and fun. Beneath the surface, things aren't what they seem, however, and when a handsome boy with a dark past gets tangled up with Ivy, the girls’ history threatens to destroy their future.

1. Twitter pitch The Death Of Us (describe it in 140 characters or less).

Someone at my publishing house came up with: A love triangle with a deadly angle. It's on the back of the book and I think it absolutely sums up the novel. And it's way fewer than 140 characters. Or, how about: Three tangled lives, one terrible accident, who survives?

2. If someone were to make an ice cream flavour for your book, what might be included?

A dash of spice - cayenne, a hint of something exotic - cardammon, a swirl of sweet raspberry, plain vanilla, and a lot of chocolate. Underneath would be a darker taste, something bitter, perhaps strong coffee.

3. Friendship is such a huge part of this novel. How would Callie and Ivy each describe their friendship?

Callie would say: I missed Ivy and having her back in my life is the best thing possible. Really. Yeah, I know it was messed up first time round, but she's so amazing. And the past is in the past. Right?
Ivy would say: Callie is the sort of friend I need. Loyal and true. I respect that. I have to trust her. If I can't trust her, I can't trust anyone.

4. If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel? 

A lot of the travelling in the past was exciting and extraordinary but it came at huge cost. Like, I imagine being on HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin, but I know there was a young girl on that ship who had been kidnapped from her people as some sort of curio. Her name was Fuegia Basket. She barely gets a mention in history but her life was destroyed. That sort of destruction and disrespect takes away the appeal of travelling in history. So I think I'd rather travel forward, into the future - go to a new planet, like the one in Michel Faber's new novel, The Book of Strange New Things.

5. What three things do you need while revising? 

My editors.
A strong stomach.
Coffee.

Thank you to Alice for stopping by and answering these questions. Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for setting up this interview.

You can find Alice online by visiting her Twitter or her website

Harper Collins Canada can be found online at the following - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy

Here are a few places you can purchase The Death Of Us - Chapters //  Harper Collins // Amazon //

ALICE KUIPERS is the bestselling, award-winning author of three previous novels, Life on the Refrigerator Door, The Worst Thing She Ever Did and 40 Things I Want To Tell You, and the picture book Violet and Victor Write The Best-Ever Bookworm Book. Her work has been published to critical acclaim in twenty-nine countries. She lives in Saskatoon. Find her here: www.alicekuipers.com

Q and A with Katherine Longshore

Tomorrow is the release day for Katherine Longshore's BRAZEN! I could not be more excited that this amazing novel will soon be available for everyone to read. To kick off the celebration I have Katherine stopping by for a Q and A today, and tomorrow I will be posting my review.

If you don't already know, here is a little bit about BRAZEN

Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?

I got Katherine to spill on Tudor gossip, her next project, and writing those heartbreaking scenes that are plentiful in this series.

1 This book closes out the 'trilogy'. Did you do anything special to celebrate finishing a full series? 

While I was working on BRAZEN, my youngest somehow got the idea into his head that we needed to celebrate with pink champagne cake. So when I finished my final draft, that’s exactly what we did. More personally, I’m celebrating the publication by savoring every moment. The debut publication is rife with uncertainties and angst and the desire to do ALL THE THINGS, which makes it a little more nerve-wracking. This time around, I’m having a lot more fun, and making the moments count.

2 The previous two books featured women who were Henry's wives. What about Mary Howard made you want to break from that mold?

I wrote GILT as a stand-alone novel, never expecting to get a three-book deal, so all of my decisions on which characters to write about came from a very gut level. Catherine Howard was Henry’s only teenaged wife and I felt that scenario came with built-in conflict. I never intended to write about Anne Boleyn, but she hit me upside the head out of left field. I loved the idea of exploring the girl who became the queen. And through my research, I discovered the Devonshire Manuscript—a little book in which several different people wrote poetry and notes and possibly even coded messages. That book belonged to Mary Howard, and I loved that she belonged to this kind of literary brat pack who shared words in such a unique way. Her marriage at the age of fourteen seemed the perfect starting point. And, the Howard family is absolutely drowning in tales of intrigue, ambition and deception.

3 Part of writing historically based novels is the inflexibility the path these characters take. There are two heartbreaking moments in BRAZEN that are aching and tragic. Did you ever wish you could re-write these character's endings?

All the time! The scenes you mention were the most difficult to write. In fact, they weren’t in the first draft at all, because I couldn’t face writing them. And there was one point in every revision that I had to stop, close the document, and walk away. Every single time. Because I couldn’t believe I was going through with it.

4 The Anne Boleyn we meet in this novel is quite a bit different from the hopeful, driven woman we meet in Tarnish. This Anne is desperate, and at times frantic. The contrast is striking but the character we meet in Tarnish is still very evident. Did you have to get back into that character in order to show her natural progression?

One of the hardest things about writing the first draft of BRAZEN was that I couldn’t get the voice of Anne Boleyn out of my head. She kept trying to take over. Eventually, I had to cut all of her scenes, and put them in a separate reserve document. Only then could I focus on Mary’s voice. When I finally got Mary’s story straight, I brought Anne back in. She had changed a little—just like people do over time. I’m glad to know it worked!

5 With Reign burning up the television charts, historically based entertainment looks to be set to make a splash right now. What do you think draws people to these stories all these years later? 

I think it has something to do with the fact that it reads and looks like fantasy or dystopian, but was written down as truths long before we got here. Sometimes, I read historical accounts and think, “you can’t make this stuff up.” Something like Reign—that adds fictional elements to enhance the story—or even Game of Thrones—which was inspired by the Wars of the Roses—only proves the point. The reality was so Machiavellian, so brutal, so emotionally spellbinding that no matter which way it’s framed—reality-based or fantasy-based or even science fiction-based—it can’t help but be compelling.

6 A big theme of this novel is regrets. Mary has to choose to act before she regrets not doing so. Anne shows signs of wistful regrets at choices she could have made. Was this theme something that shaped the novel (considering it's set during Anne's downfall) or was it something that happened as the novel came together?

I think it was a little bit of both. Because I began the novel directly after finishing TARNISH, the Anne in my mind had regrets. She was never the type of person to let them consume her–she was always looking forward rather than looking back. But in our bleakest moments our regrets catch up with us. So Anne expressed regrets early on. Mary’s interpretation of it grew from that as I went through revisions. It’s a balancing act we all have to practice—is the action worth the regret?

7 During your research for this novel did you find out anything surprising? 

I did a lot of research on Anne’s execution. It was never the thing about her story that interested me most, and it was painful to imagine the demise of a beloved character. But as I read, I discovered that I could distance myself, and look at the various accounts with a more dispassionate eye. I had never known there were so many different transcripts of her final speech. Nor had I known that her women–the ones who accompanied her–were the ones to clean the body and carry her to the chapel. I found that fact so compelling and so tragic, and yet so appropriate that I had to include it in my book.

8 Can you tease anything about anything that might be next for you?

I’ll have a short story in the PISTOLS & PETTICOATS anthology edited by Jessica Spotswood (publication date tentatively set for Spring 2016). I’m relishing the chance to explore some American history for that one!

And I’m currently working on a contemporary novel. It’s fun to work with the same kinds of themes—love, friendship, self-reliance—in a setting that at first glance isn’t so restrictive. In modern-day America, women are not considered chattel. Children are not required to marry a much older man for the betterment of their family fortunes. But my characters still face great limitations imposed upon them by a society that doesn’t always see past the nose on its face. So where there’s freedom and dynamism, there is also seemingly insurmountable odds to growth and the life they crave. But there’s still intrigue and secrets. And kissing.

A huge thank you to Katherine for taking the time to answer my questions! 

You can add Brazen to your Goodreads shelf, and the previous novels Gilt and Tarnish are also available to add while you're there!

You find Katherine on Twitter, her website, and more information is available on Penguin's website as well.

You can purchase BRAZEN from Barnes and Noble // Chapters 

Q and A with Amanda Maciel

Today I have Amanda Maciel stopping by for a Q and A about her book Tease. Here is a little about her debut novel, Tease.

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault.

At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media.

During the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

In this powerful debut novel inspired by real-life events, Amanda Maciel weaves a narrative of high school life as complex and heartbreaking as it is familiar: a story of everyday jealousies and resentments, misunderstandings and desires. Tease is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt readers long after the last page.

Amanda was kind to answer a few questions about her novel, it's subject matter, and why it's important. 

1. Describe Tease in three words.

Honest, heartbreaking, humbling

2. What type of research did you do while writing your novel?

Precisely because the story was somewhat based on true events, I wanted to fictionalize my version as much as possible—which meant a careful balance of knowing what happened in South Hadley in 2010, but not reading about it too much. I also used my husband’s legal advice with the details of Sara’s prosecution.

3. Tease is a novel with an important message that I think high school students should totally read. What book do you think should be in high school classrooms?

Thank you! And I actually think there could be more room in school curriculum for student-chosen reading. I know some schools do this, but it’s so important to connect with a book that you have picked yourself—even if it’s something that wouldn’t necessarily be considered a classic or academically sanctioned. Reading should help us learn, of course, about literature and the world around us, but in order to develop lifelong reading skills, you have to love it, too—it has to have some entertainment value. I totally sound like I work in publishing, don’t I? Clearly this idea led me to my current day job. But all that said, I remember The Bluest Eye having a huge impact on me in school. More books by women authors, about diverse experiences, would also be great.

4. What was the hardest part about writing Tease?

Finding the time to do it—I have my day job, and a family, and a life I generally try to keep well-balanced. And writing a story that potentially affects so many people on a really personal level—trying to balance the idea that friends might have a strong reaction to the subject matter. It never left my mind that people would read Tease and might not know I had the very best intentions writing it. But a writer’s intentions aren’t really the point, once a book is published, so I tried to not get bogged down by that.

5. If you could travel to anywhere, during any time period, when and where would you like to visit?

Can I be wealthy and privileged? If so, you could really go anywhere. But I think early 1900s New York City would be my choice. The Teddy Roosevelt era seemed particularly charmed, and seeing a world that was growing so fast but also so isolated would be fascinating!

A huge thank you to Amanda for taking the time to answer my questions. Do check out my review of Tease which also posted today.

If you're wanting to pre-order/purchase Tease, are are some links where it is currently available.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON / INDIEBOUND / GOODREADS / KOBO

Amanda Maciel has worked in book publishing since graduating from Mount Holyoke College and is currently a senior editor at Scholastic. She spends her free time writing, running, or riding the subway with her young son. She lives with him, her husband, and their cat, Ruby, in Brooklyn, New York. Tease is her first novel.

Danielle Paige Q and A

Today I have Danielle Paige, author of Dorothy Must Die, stopping by with an interview! I adored Dorothy Must Die and was thrilled to be able to ask Danielle a few questions.

1. Describe Dorothy Must Die in three words. 

I think the title pretty much does it.

2. What aspects of the original Wizard of Oz story inspired your novel?  

The Oz books are just so rich in story and character. Baum did an incredible job of both world and character building.  It’s an American fairy tale and it’s just so ingrained in our culture. But what I was drawn to was the idea of these characters who had traveled through so much and fought to get the things they thought they were missing. The Lion’s courage, the Tin Woodman’s heart, and the Scarecrow’s brains. And now those very things are what’s corrupted about them. The Scarecrow is crazy smart, but he’s a mad scientist. The Lion is fearless, but he’s literally ‘roided up on it. And the Tin Man’s heart, well, he may have a bit of an obsessive crush on someone we know!

3. Are you able to share a secret about one of the characters, the world, something that inspired something about the world/characters?  

Other than the Tin Man’s crush… I’d say watch out for Pete, the first person that Amy meets in Oz. He’s gorgeous, but there’s much, much more to him.

4. What three things do you need while revising? 

Coffee, Papermate red flair pens, more coffee

5. What 2014 release are you most looking forward to? 

I am a YA junkie. I would say Leigh Bardugo’s Siege and Ruin. I am such a fan of thee Shadow and Bone series. And Kiera Cass’s The One! And I’m reading Marissa Meyer’s Cress right now!

If you've read Dorothy Must Die, do let me know what you think! I am excited to chat about it with everyone.

Thanks Danielle for stopping by, and be sure to check out my Dorothy Must Die review. You can follow Danielle on Twitter, and check out the Harper Collins website for more information about the book.

Interview with M.D. Waters and Giveaway!

So you may have read my gushing review of Archetype by M.D. Waters yesterday. Hopefully it made you want to get a copy of your own. I am giving one away and also have M.D. Waters stopping by for an interview.

First up, let me remind you of the awesomeness that is Archetype

Introducing a breathtakingly inventive futuristic suspense novel about one woman who rebels against everything she is told to believe.

Emma wakes in a hospital, with no memory of what came before. Her husband, Declan, a powerful, seductive man, provides her with new memories, but her dreams contradict his stories, showing her a past life she can’t believe possible: memories of war, of a camp where girls are trained to be wives, of love for another man. Something inside her tells her not to speak of this, but she does not know why. She only knows she is at war with herself.

Suppressing those dreams during daylight hours, Emma lets Declan mold her into a happily married woman and begins to fall in love with him. But the day Noah stands before her, the line between her reality and dreams shatters.

In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which. . . .

The first novel in a two-part series, Archetype heralds the arrival of a truly memorable character—and the talented author who created her.

Sounds awesome right?! It totally is. So compelling, and addictive. You won't be able to put it down. Here is the interview I did with the author. I want to thank M.D. for taking the time to answer these questions.

1 Describe Archetype in 3 words: 

Emotional. Shocking. Oppressive.

2 How would Emma describe Declan and Noah? 

I think she would describe Declan as a loving, powerful man who would do anything in the world to protect her. And with as little as she knows about Noah, he’s frightening and intriguing all at the same time. But both are sexy attractive. Very very sexy attractive.

3 What sort of research did you do for this novel? 

I did very little, actually. I had to hunt for a symbol to brand fertile women showing they’re spoken for, or married, which turned out to be the luckenbooth. I also had to read up on the migration pattern of seagulls for a very small part of the novel, which turned out to be an ongoing issue throughout the editing process. I needed a very specific breed, with a very specific look, and I found one pretty quickly, but making the details clear was a lot more difficult than it should have been. I pretty much wanted to go to war with every seagull on the planet by the time it was over.

4 What three things do you need while revising? 

Coffee. Music. Coffee refill.

5 Are you able to tease anything about your next project after this series? 

During the course of writing the sequel, Prototype, I was able to really blow up the world and show how truly different things are. A few things surprised even me, including the addition of some great characters, which led to ideas for a spin-off. I immediately tried working in details (very small ones) that would lead to a new story featuring a woman named Nicoleigh (Leigh) Bennett, and so far, she’s making my life pretty easy. It helps that she remembers her past…and that the hero is smoking hot.

Alright, so by now you totally want to win a copy for yourself. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below. A huge thank you to Penguin USA for donating the prize. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Katherine Longshore

Today I have the lovely Katherine Longshore stopping by for an interview. We discuss her new book, Anne Boleyn, and wanting to change history.

Huge thank you to Katherine for taking the time to answer these questions. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my review of Tarnish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Anne has been written about, and studied in depth. While doing your own research was there anything you discovered that surprised you about her or her life?

Two things, really.  One was that she inspires such strong—and often diametrically opposed—opinions.  Of course, I knew this already, but in trying to form my own ideas and in trying to build my own version of her character, it was sometimes difficult to get past the emotional language often used to describe her and her life.

The other thing that struck me was how much time she spent away from England as a young person.  Anne’s birthdate was unmarked, so it’s debatable how old she was when her father sent her to live with Margaret of Austria in the Low Countries (now the Netherlands).  Because I chose a later possible birthdate to work with, she would have been seven when she left home.  And she was gone for almost eight years.  How can that not affect a little girl?

2 The voice you've given the character is so distinct. It defines the character and allows her to leap off the page. How did you come up with the tone and voice for Anne's character?

It may sound a bit mad, but the voice just came to me.  I was only playing with the idea of writing a young Anne Boleyn—in the very early stages of creation.  I wasn’t even sure I wanted to write about her—as you mentioned, so much has already been said, and so well.  But I was brainstorming, doing a little research, wondering how and where to set the stage.  I had a long car journey over one Thanksgiving and as I was driving, my mind started writing.  Broken paragraphs, ideas, images.  Judgments on the differences between the French and English courts.  This voice was brash and opinionated, but also vulnerable and genuine.  And it was so strong, and so wonderful to work with, I couldn’t deny it.  So really, I didn’t come up with the voice, it came up with me.

3 Your Anne is different than most people might expect. What do you think will surprise people the most about your version of this iconic character?

It’s very difficult for me to say.  Some may be surprised by her compassion, others by her occasional lack of it.  Certain readers might wonder why I gave her strong feelings for the men in her life and others might question who she has them for.  And perhaps some will be surprised by her youth.  At fifteen, Anne would have been considered an “adult” by Tudor standards, but I think that doesn’t make a difference.  She was still a teenager, and emotionally, psychologically and physically would have been going through very similar experiences to those of teenagers today.

4 Henry made monumental changes in order to be with Anne. What do you think it was that drew him to her, and made him so intent on making her his wife?

Henry had a passion for things that were new and different.  He collected maps and studied the stars, took interest in reading and science and ethics and alchemy.  Anne was different.  She had her own opinions and wasn’t afraid to voice them.  She was vivacious and graceful and unusual and probably quite brilliant.  She wouldn’t give him exactly what he wanted when he wanted it—and he wasn’t used to that.  He had to work for it, which made her even more enticing.

5 Anne is a well known historical figure. Did you have any concerns or fears when giving her a voice as a result?

Constantly! Not only are there many people out there who know much more about Anne Boleyn than I do, there are almost as many opinions about her as there are readers.  I think most people would agree that she had a strong personality and strong opinions and wasn’t shy about vocalizing them.  So I tried to create a character who has all these traits, but also sensitivity and warmth.  And I discovered that the longer I wrote, and the harder I tried to find a voice that was real, the more I wanted to do her justice.  My concerns became less about what others would think of my interpretation and more about getting it right.


6.Historically Anne married Henry before Catherine Howard did. However, you wrote about Catherine first. If Catherine could have provided any advice to Anne what do you think she might have said to her?

I hate to say it, but I think my version of Cat Howard would have sat by and smirked without saying a word.  But Kitty Tylney—by the end of GILT—knew enough not to stand by while someone ruined her life, and would have warned Anne of the man Henry was to become.  I’m just not sure if Anne would have listened.

7 We sadly know Anne's fate, and yet this story focuses on an earlier time in her life. What drew you to this moment of her life to write about? 

Hope and possibility.  We are so lucky that we can’t see where exactly our lives are leading.  We don’t know what tragedy or lucky strike will be around the next corner.  Neither could Anne.  I didn’t want to write the story of a doomed queen.  I wanted to write the story of a confident, hopeful girl who couldn’t help but become the woman Henry would marry and then cease to love.

8 Are you able to tease anything that you are working on that is upcoming? Any new projects in the works?

I’m working on a third book about Henry’s court.  It’s set during the years in between TARNISH and GILT and is quite possibly the hardest book I’ve ever had to write.  It’s difficult to keep the world-building fresh and bring new characters to life while mourning the loss of others.  But I also love the characters I’m working with—a group of girls and boys who believe in love and dreams and independence.

I’m also writing a story set in a completely different time period with completely fictional characters—so I’m branching out and having fun with it!