Wednesday, December 28, 2011

My favorite books of 2011

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Boy, do I have a lot of catching up to do here on the blog. But that will have to wait. For now, I'll start by saying that I hope you all are having an awesome holiday season full of friends and family, relaxation, fun and reading. I have a lot of fun stuff to share later (vacations, holidays, writing, working less) but since I'm still in holiday mode and trying to get extra writing time in I'll just share a quick list before 2012 arrives.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2011!


SHATTERED SOULS by Mary Lindsey
CATHING JORDAN by Miranda Kenneally
LEGEND by Marie Lu
THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Steifvater
LIESEL & PO by Lauren Oliver
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth
SILENCE by Becca Fitzpatrick
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis
WITHER by Lauren DeStefano
DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver
LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins
THE THRONE OF FIRE by Rick Riordan
INSIDE OUT by Maria V Snyder
THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter

I can't wait for some of the followups to these books and all the other amazing stories to come in 2012!


Thursday, December 1, 2011

A very special day!

HAPPY RELEASE DAY
to Miranda Kenneally and her incredible debut,
CATCHING JORDAN!




You know how time drags when you're waiting for something really big and really exciting to happen? Well, it seems like forever ago that Miranda shared with me the awesome news that her first book had sold. And here it is December 1st and Jordan is officially out in the world. Party time!

I've already shared this story and gushed about Miranda's critiquing superpowers and kick ass writing talent here before, but I needed to say again just how extremely gifted she is as a writer and what a great friend she has been. There are few people in this world who make a difference in our lives in a measurable way, but thanks to Miranda I can truly say that I am a better writer today because of her. Whether it's brainstorming a new idea or having her suggest I hack off the first 2 or 3 chapters (this has happened several times and has always made the story a billion times better) or urging me to read what have become some of my favorite authors (Sarah Dessen, John Green), Miranda's support and friendship have meant so much to me.

But this isn't about me, it's about Miranda's and Jordan's big day. I'll stop being all emo and get to the fangirling.

CATCHING JORDAN is one of my all time favorite books and one I can now recommend to EVERYONE. It's romantic and fun and full of characters you can't help but love and root for, and sometimes want to shake until they come to their senses. In other words, it's perfect. And you all need to read it! I'm repeating myself again from an earlier post, but how can I not? I hate football (almost as much as birds) but Miranda made me not hate it so much. Some of my favorite scenes take place on the football field. On the football field! *gasp* But since I suck at reviews make sure you check out what other authors and readers had to say about CATCHING JORDAN here.

Way back when (ok, so it was only like a year ago even though it feels way longer) I met Miranda and got to know her and knew this kick ass book was on submission and would sell, I spotted the perfect gift to honor the day it released. Umm, then the time came to buy said shirt and it was nowhere to be found. No sweat. I searched online. And I searched...and I searched some more. Then I finally gave up and looked for something that would be just as perfect to honor Miranda's big day. Yeah, that didn't happen either. Nothing felt right.

Then it hit me.

What does every author wish for when their very first book goes on sale (AKA the biggest day of their life)? TO SELL THOSE BOOKS!

So, in honor of this very special and life-changing, long-awaited, well deserved and magical day, I am purchasing 4 copies of CATCHING JORDAN. 2 will be donated to my local libraries in honor of Miranda and 2 will be given as gifts to 2 very special friends for Christmas. The t-shirt would have been awesome, but I'm pretty thrilled to have the opportunity to help get Jordan and her incredible story out in the world. *for the record, I'm still searching for that shirt*

Enjoy this day Miranda! You are ridiculously talented, beyond dedicated and hard working and your characters should thank their lucky stars that their stories are in your hands. This is your first published book and even though you already have 2 more books coming up next, I'm willing to bet everything I own that there will be piles of books after that.


Congratulations to Miranda, her agent Sara, and her editor Leah!
Cheers to this special day and to all that follows!

I almost forgot!

Please stop by and check out this month's Featured Fiction on FallenArchangel this month for contests, bonus content and an interview. I'll give you a hint...it's a book about a girl who plays football. ;  )