2015 Most Anticipated ....... Never, Never

The next selection for my 2015 Most Anticipated Event is going to surprise nobody. Featuring a boy who wouldn't grow up, and a certain Captain, this novel was an easy addition to my list.

Read this brief synopsis and you'll be just as intrigued as I am, particularly if you're a huge Peter Pan fanatic.

Brianna Shrum's NEVER NEVER, a retelling that starts when James Hook, the boy who only wanted to grow up, meets Peter Pan, the only boy who didn't, and follows their journey from innocent friends to the fiercest rivals in all of Neverland.

Brianna took the time to answer some questions for me. She's made some amazing sounding ice cream (and that name!!) and tantalizingly teased a darker, more sinister Peter for her story.

1 Describe Never, Never in three words or less.

Three words. Oh man….I’m tempted to just panic and pull a Dumbledore and shout out “Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!” But I won’t. Three words: Dark. Romantic. HOOK.

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

That’s an awesome question. Let’s see. Rum, it would definitely include rum. And probably some sort of multi-flavored stripe of berries running through it (it’s about the only thing kids can eat in Neverland when they’re with Peter). Add in a ribbon of extra, extra dark chocolate, and a smattering of pixie dust. ;) Pixie Rumberry.

3 Can you share a secret about your book (either its world, its characters, or something that helped inspire the story)?

Hmmmm, a secret about a character: So I’ve written 5 manuscripts, 1 before Never, Never, and 3 since. Lots of baddies. But Peter Pan in Never, Never is the character I hate the most, unequivocally. More than ANY other character I’ve ever written or probably will ever write.

And a nice one about the book itself: A portion of my earnings on this book are going to the Greater Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, which is the exact hospital that J.M. Barrie left all his earnings from the original to after he died. So, kind of a fist-bump to Barrie :)

4 Your book draws inspiration from Peter Pan. Can you tell me something that particularly inspired you from the classic tale?

The thing that inspired me the most was definitely this line from J.M. Barrie’s original: “When they [the Lost Boys] seem to be growing up, which is against the rules, Peter thins them out…” I’ve always been fascinated with good and evil and the myriad of shades in between, and when I read that line, I thought, “Holy what? Did Barrie just say…Peter legit MURDERS Lost Boys?” Pan is supposed to be this guy everyone loves, everyone roots for, but in that line, I think Barrie is letting us know that this kid is not all he seems to be. What if someone *cough* James Hook *cough* was drawn into this world of Neverland, and then realized it was not at ALL what he'd expected it to be, but there was nothing he could do about it? And my mind just kind of twisted everything out from there, to create this evil vs. evil world where, yes, Hook is wicked, but Pan brings a new meaning to the word.

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

This question would be more difficult if I wasn’t SUPER into Outlander right now. So I’m gonna go 1700’s Scotland. But I require a Jamie to be there. Can I have a Jamie? (Or at LEAST someone similarly kilted and Scottish accented and swoon-worthy.)

6 What three things do you need while revising?

Arizona Diet Green Tea. (I’m as addicted to it as Hook is to rum.) Some awesome movie soundtrack, preferably without any words (Revised this one to the 2003 Peter Pan soundtrack, Braveheart, and Gladiator.) And Pop Secret homestyle popcorn, baby.

7 If possible, please share the first line of Never, Never. (only answer if not too spoilery).

All children, except one, wish to stay young. James Hook, however, wanted to grow up.

I want to thank Brianna for taking time to answer these. Bonus points for using a Harry Potter reference, and teasing my (not so) inner Peter Pan fangirl to insanity. I cannot wait to get my hands on this. A dark Peter is super intriguing and that first line brings to mind the classic story all too perfectly.

A special mention of the fact that a portion of the sales will go to a children's hospital in honour of J.M. Barrie! That is amazing!

Oh, and I would very much like for PixieRumberry to be a thing, please.

Never, Never is set to be released Fall 2015 and no pre-order links are available yet but do keep an eye out for it!

Be sure to check back later on during the event for a chance to win a copy of Never, Never (or any one of my featured titles!).

You can follow Brianna Shrum on Twitter, visit her official website, and learn more about the book from the publisher website.

Are you a huge Peter Pan fan? If not do you love retellings? Let me know in the comments.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

A lovely package from my Broke and Bookish Santa arrived. The awesome Sarah from Exploring All Genres was my secret Santa and she gifted me with some amazing goodies.

Pivot Point by Kasie West (goodreads)
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (goodreads)

She also included some chocolate, tea, and a mini Peter Pan! I am very excited to finish off Maggie Stiefvater's series (and be able to finally read Sinner) and I've heard amazing things about Pivot Point.

A huge thank you to Sarah!

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOKS

Harry Potter short stories

As per Entertainment Weekly J.K. Rowling is gifting the Harry Potter fandom with TWELVE short stories for Christmas. As per the article, at least one of them will feature Draco Malfoy. I am SO there. Now if she'd only write a Marauders prequel...

You'll be able to read these stories starting December 12th on Pottermore.

OTHER

Lyric Print Art

I found these on some Buzzfeed list and checked out the Etsy store, Letters By Linds, that these are from. I LOVE them. They are amazing and I would totally hang one in my house.

I would use "Darling, I am a nightmare dressed like a daydream" I think. You can visit this amazing Etsy shop and she does custom orders.

What are you obsessed with this week?

2015 Most Anticipated ...... Delicate Monsters

The next selection is from an author who I've heard nothing but amazing things about. This particular novel caught my attention because of it's synopsis, and the potential for gut wrenching, full on ugly crying mixed with some incredibly twists.

Read this Goodreads synopsis you'll see that there is more than a hint of a crushingly sad ending, and some intense sounding elements that basically result in you NEEDING to read it.

From the Morris-Award winning author of Charm & Strange, comes a twisted and haunting tale about three teens uncovering dark secrets and even darker truths about themselves.

When nearly killing a classmate gets seventeen-year-old Sadie Su kicked out of her third boarding school in four years, she returns to her family’s California vineyard estate. Here, she’s meant to stay out of trouble. Here, she’s meant to do a lot of things. But it’s hard. She’s bored. And when Sadie’s bored, the only thing she likes is trouble.

Emerson Tate’s a poor boy living in a rich town, with his widowed mother and strange, haunted little brother. All he wants his senior year is to play basketball and make something happen with the girl of his dreams. That’s why Emerson’s not happy Sadie’s back. An old childhood friend, she knows his worst secrets. The things he longs to forget. The things she won’t ever let him.

Haunted is a good word for fifteen-year-old Miles Tate. Miles can see the future, after all. And he knows his vision of tragic violence at his school will come true, because his visions always do. That’s what he tells the new girl in town. The one who listens to him. The one who recognizes the darkness in his past.

But can Miles stop the violence? Or has the future already been written? Maybe tragedy is his destiny. Maybe it’s all of theirs. 

I got Stephanie to share a few details of her novel, and she adds something to her "novel inspired" ice cream that definitely makes me want some!

1 Describe Delicate Monsters in three words.

Love and cruelty.

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

Sonoma Valley wine.

3 Can you share a secret about your book (either its world, its characters, or something that helped inspire the story)?

There are three narrators: a teenage girl (Sadie Su) and two brothers (Emerson and Miles Tate).

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

I don’t think I’m built for time travel, but I’d love to visit present-day Italy.

5 What three things do you need while revising?

Noise-canceling headphones. Endorphins. Self-doubt.

6 If possible, please share the first line of Delicate Monsters.  

A ropes course was a shitty place for self-discovery.

I want to thank Stephanie for taking the time to answer these questions. I find it interesting that she'd like to stay in present day, and this novel sounds soul crushing in the best way. I am also hoping for a few surprises along the way.

Delicate Monsters is set to release on June 9, 2015 but you can pre-order it at the following links

Chapters //  Amazon // Barnes and Noble

Be sure to check back later on during the event for a chance to win Delicate Monsters (or any one of my featured titles!).

You can follow Stephanie Kuehn on Twitter, visit her official website, and learn more about the book from the publisher website.

Have you read a book by this author before? If so, let me know in the comments what books you read. Will you be checking out this new novel?

2015 Most Anticipated ..... Drowning Is Inevitable

The next pick doesn't come out until Fall 2015, but it's limited synopsis/teaser has me beyond excited to read it. A group of teens on the run after they accidentally kill someone?! So danger and a road trip?! Yes, please.

Read this Goodreads synopsis and tell me it's not already on your 2015 wishlist

Drowning Is Inevitable, about four teens who flee to New Orleans in the wake of an accidental homicide where they hope to find a solution to an unfixable problem. 

I am looking forward to learning more about this book (what they decide to share, this one seems twisty and filled with secrets) as the release date comes closer.

Shalanda took the time to answer a few questions, whip up some ice cream, and dishes on hanging out in graveyards!

1. Describe DROWNING IS INEVITABLE in three words. 

Haunting, a bit dark, hopeful.

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

If someone were to make an ice cream flavor for my book they would need unsweetened blackberries, heavy whipping cream, and sugar syrup.

3. Can you share a secret about your book (either it's world, it's characters, or something that helped inspire the story)? 

I was walking in a graveyard in St. Francisville, Louisiana, when I found a tombstone that inspired the story. The tombstone was one of a girl who died on her eighteenth birthday. I thought the odds of that being coincidental were pretty rare and that is how the story took shape.

4. What type of research did you have to do for this novel? 

Other than spending time in graveyards, I studied maps of back roads in Louisiana and researched different routes from Central Louisiana to New Orleans. My characters are on the run in this story and it was important to know which way they would go and why.

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

I want to see Greece in any time period. 

6. What three things do you need while revising? 

When revising I need isolation, snacks, and music.

7. If possible, please share the first line of DROWNING IS INEVITABLE. 

St. Francisville, Louisiana, where I was on suicide watch, hid between green bluffs and the Mississippi River.

A big thank you to Shalanda for taking the time to answer these questions. I totally got shivers reading about the grave that inspired the story (the girl who died on her 18th birthday). I cannot wait to see how this story unravels.

Drowning is Inevitable is schedule to release in Fall 2015 and no pre-order links are available yet but you can add it to your Goodreads account in the meantime.

Be sure to check back later on during the event for a chance to win Drowning Is Inevitable (or any one of my featured titles!).

You can follow Shalanda Stanley on Twitter, and learn more about the book from the publisher website.

Do books of the genre appeal to you?  Let me know in the comments.

2015 Most Anticipated ...... Blood and Salt

The next selection for my 2015 Most Anticipated Event is one that's been on my radar for quite a long while. Blood and Salt has been called Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn and I basically want to read this immediately.

Read this Goodreads synopsis and you'll be rushing to add this to your own 'to be read' list. It sounds dark, sexy, romantic, and (did I already mention) DARK.

“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”

These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.

Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.

As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt.

Kim was kind enough to answer some questions about the book, design some ice cream, and explain why she thinks Romeo and Juliet and Children of the Corn pair well together.

1 Describe Blood and Salt in Twitter format (140 characters or less)

Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn.

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

I'll let the title speak for itself. But for decency sake, let's say-- red velvet cake and sea salt.

3 Can you share a secret about your book (either it's world, it's characters, or something that helped inspire the story)? 

The setting is loosely based on the place I grew up in rural Kansas (Quivira). I couldn't wait to get out of there, but it's in my blood--my soul. It's possible to hate something and love it all at once. That's the main theme of Blood and Salt-- the destructive force of love--on every level.

4 "Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn" is an unusual pairing. What prompted you to mix those two together?

I love horror and romance, especially together. I find in all great horror there's an element of seduction and in all great romance there's a whiff of death.
  
5 If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

I'd like to wander the plains of the midwest in the summer of 1541--just like Coronado when he traveled to Quivira,Kansas. The prairie grass was so high and vast, people got lost in it-- lost their minds. I probably would've died in the first twenty minutes-- my eyesight is godawful-- I would've walked right up to a herd of buffalo thinking they were cute little doggies. But it would've been thrilling-- the sound of the wind moving through the crops--the scent of wild honeysuckle and fertile earth--not knowing what was around every corner. 

6 What three things do you need while revising?

1) Vats of iced green tea. 2) A restroom-- see answer #1 (lady bladder) 3) Advil.
I can easily lose an entire day revising. That never happens to me when I'm drafting.

7 If possible, please share the first line of Blood and Salt. (only answer if not too spoilery).

The dead girl hung upside down over our kitchen table.

I want to thank Kim for taking the time to answer these questions. It's made me even more excited to read this book! The opening line already sets a particular tone and I cannot wait!

Blood and Salt is released Fall 2015 and no pre-order links are available yet but you can add it to your Goodreads account in the meantime.

Be sure to check back later on during the event for a chance to win Blood and Salt (or any one of my featured titles!).

You can follow Kim Liggett on Twitter, visit her official website, and learn more about the book from the publisher website.

Do you scary stories? What about ones that mix in a little romance? Let me know in the comments.

2015 Most Anticipated ...... Anne and Henry

Next up is a modernized version of a real life tragic romance. Everyone knows the story of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn...and it's ending. This next pick sets the iconic story in highschool and I am officially dying to read it.

Read this Goodreads synopsis and you'll be itching to read this one as well. If you're fascinated by The Tudors you'll definitely want to add this one to your watch list.

Anne
Wild, brazen, mischievous, bewitching

Henry
Driven, haunted, charming, magnetic

Apart, they are bound to destroy themselves. Together, they are bound to destroy each other.

Henry Tudor's life has been mapped out since the day he was born: student president, valedictorian, Harvard Law School, and a stunning political career just like his father's. But ever since the death of Henry's brother—perfect, high-achieving Arthur—his family has been twice as demanding. And now Henry's trapped: forbidden from pursuing a life as an artist or dating any girl who's not Tudor approved.

Then Anne Boleyn crashes into his life.

Anne is wild, brash and outspoken. She is everything Henry is not allowed to be—or to want. But soon Anne is all he can think about. His mother, his friends, and even his girlfriend warn him away, yet his desire for Anne consumes him. Henry is willing to do anything to be with her. But once he has her, their romance could destroy them both.

Inspired by the true story of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, Anne & Henry reimagines the intensity, love, and betrayal between one of the most infamous couples of all time. 

I got Dawn to spill some secrets, design some amazing sounding tea, and dish on bringing the historical into modern times.

1. Describe Anne and Henry in Twitter format (140 characters or less)

Inspired by Tudor history, Anne & Henry reimagines the intensity, love & betrayal between one of the most infamous couples of all time. (YA)

2. If someone were to make a tea flavour in honour of your book, what might be included?

I love this question! The base ingredient would have to be cacao, not only because chocolate is delicious, but also because it’s soothing—and this story is a rollercoaster of emotion. The “tea chemist” (is that a thing?) would then add a heaping teaspoon of nutmeg (known for it’s ability to attract love and increase desire), cinnamon (for its aphrodisiac properties), a hint of cumin (for its ability to strengthen relationship bonds), and of course, a dash of deadly nightshade.  Though, in retrospect, the “tea chemist” should probably have added a lot more cumin ;-)  

3. Can you share a secret about your book (either it's world, it's characters, or something that helped inspire the story)?

This book began as a development project initiated by D4EO Literary super agents Mandy Hubbard and Bree Ogden. Both were on my “most desired agent” list, and so when Mandy put out the “audition call” I leapt at the chance, not knowing at the time that the super secret project would be a reimagining of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII as a high school romance. How lucky!

After I was selected as the “winning” writer (I may have cried…a lot), Mandy and Bree gave me a loose outline—and all of the creative freedom I could imagine. I was inspired by several factors: a) Anne Boleyn holds a very special place in Bree Ogden’s heart, and I was driven to do justice to this character for her, b) Mandy Hubbard is a brilliant agent and writer, and I wanted to show her that she had made the right choice by taking me on as both the writer for this story, and also as my agent, and c) My stepfather is obsessed with Anne Boleyn. I grew up listening to his love for her, and so, I wanted to capture not only his love—but the world’s love—for this person. I am amazed by how passionate people are about Anne Boleyn.

I loved researching for this book, and then fell deeply in love with the characters I’d created. I knew I would need to dig deep to bring to life the intensity of their relationship, and honestly, every chapter of this book was an emotionally draining experience. But I couldn’t be more proud of the end result.

4. This is a modernization of historical events. What challenges did you face while bringing it into current times?

The question I am most asked is: So—this is a thriller, right? Because everyone knows Henry chopped off her head. True—he did. But Anne & Henry is definitely not a thriller. (Though, I admit, I toyed with that a bit…because thriller is near and dear to my heart…)

Obviously, some of those historical facts were tricky to replicate, but I had so much fun drawing parallels to the modern world. If anything, my fabulous editor, Sara Sargent, had to reign me in. I may have gotten a little carried away with “royal” references in the first draft.

For me the most challenging part was actually re-envisioning Henry. I knew exactly what I wanted from Anne—flawed, but also strong and redeemable. Whatever version of history you believe, this is something that always resonates about Anne. But in real life, Henry wasn’t the most likeable guy, and in my opinion, not the most handsome. I always thought I would love Anne more—but now, I’m not even sure myself. I really love this Henry, and I hope managed to keep his essence.

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

Before writing this book, my answer may have been slightly different—but now, I’d loved to witness first hand the dynamics of the Tudor Dynasty. It’s not enough to have read the (many) books about this whole period in time or to have watched the (many) movies and TV adaptations. I feel a connection to the era, and would love to see what it was really like. 

6. What three things do you need while revising?

Diet Coke

Chocolate

Thesaurus

While these may seem incredibly cliché, the revision process is both exhilarating and overwhelming for me. I have always associated Diet Coke with my personal creativity (as in, I’m useless without it), and chocolate with calming my nerves. But the thesaurus is new. As my editor notes, I tend to have a lot of breathing, smirking, laughing, blushing, heart racing, and giggling moments in my first drafts. Going through Anne & Henry with my thesaurus at the ready was life-changing.

7. If possible, please share the first line of Anne and Henry. (only answer if not too spoilery).

The Tudor ballroom glitters like we’re backstage at a Vegas burlesque.

I want to thank Dawn for taking the time to answer these questions. I am so glad that so many people who adore Anne Boleyn shaped this novel. I adore her, and it makes me happy to think she'll be treated fairly in this novel.

I have to admit that I am SUPER curious about Anne's fate in this novel. Historically we know what happens, but obviously that cannot happen in this modern adaptation. I wonder what the modern equivalent will be?! If anything, finding out makes this novel worth picking up. It also sounds like one of those novels that surprise attacks you with the sheer amount of feelings you end up having.

Anne and Henry is released Fall 2015 and no pre-order links are available yet but you can add it to your Goodreads account in the meantime.

Be sure to check back later on during the event for a chance to win Anne and Henry (or any one of my featured titles!).

You can follow Dawn Ius on Twitter, visit her official website, and learn more about the book from the publisher website.

Do you like novels that take inspiration from real events? Do you like stories that modernize those events?Let me know in the comments.