Tour - Bitter End (Zack Interview)

Character Interview for Zack (Answer as Zack)

1. How would you describe your personality

Goofy. I don’t understand why everyone’s so serious all the time. You only get one go-round. You might as well have fun.

2. Of all the moments you spent with Alex, which one stands out to you the most?

There was this time in elementary school when we had a 5th grade tea party. Totally lame. Like, what guy who’s just starting to get his dude-ness going on wants to be drinking tea out of these fancy little china cups with a lace doily on his lap? Anyway, whatever genius came up with the idea also came up with the idea to make it a “Mother’s Day Tea,” which was fine for every kid in the class…except for one. Alex. I’ll never forget the way she looked, sitting over at her end of the table, just staring down into her cup. She wasn’t crying or anything, but she looked so small and delicate and…just quiet. So my mom got up and pulled on my shirt and we both went down to Alex’s end of the table and sat down next to her. At first she was really shy and quiet about it, but after my mom and I adopted these really over-the-top British accents, we got her giggling. We had such a good time.

3. How did you deal with all the stuff Alex has had to go through?

I tried to stay out of it as much as I could. I’m her friend, not her keeper. But I was worried about her. Beth and I talked about it a lot, and, yeah, there were plenty of times that I wanted to just step in and beat the guy senseless…show him what it’s like to fight someone his own size. But I love Alex, and I respect her. And I didn’t want to lose her by overstepping my bounds. Plus, she didn’t want my help.

4. Would you have dealt with the situation any differently?

You mean would I have ever laid a hand on that girl if I were in Cole’s position? No. Never.

Or do you mean would I have told the guy to kiss off the minute he touched me wrong? Well, I want to say I would have, but the thing is I know Alex. She’s smart. I would never take her to be anyone’s victim. And if she didn’t give him the kiss-off right away, then I know it must have been pretty complicated. So, no, I can’t say I would have done things any differently. I have no way of knowing what I would have done.

5. Through everything you have gone through yourself, and your friends what have you learned?

To stick by your friends. Especially when they really need you the most.

Tour - Mumbo Jumbo Circus (This or That)

Computer or Paper

Computer for writing and paper for illustrating. I use a bit of paper (yellow legal pads) for notes and outlines for novels, but the bulk of writing is done on the computer. With my artwork I’m the opposite. I like the organic quality of pencil marks and brush strokes on paper, and then I finish up by scanning illustrations into my computer and tweaking them a bit in Photoshop.

Book or Ebook

Book. I love book design. But I recently bought a Nookcolor. There’s just not much on it yet. I can see myself being halfsies eventually. I have a habit of reading historical romance paperbacks in the tub, not so good for a Nook! Until they come out with the underwater version, anyways.

Spring or Fall

I love both spring and fall, but autumn wins. There’s something about the crisp air, the Maxfield Parrish twilight, and the vibrant warm hues that stirs my creativity. I’m also a big fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas. My Nightmare Before Christmas toy collection is out of control, but I still enjoy seeing what new items come out in the fall.

Left or Right

I’m right-handed but appreciate a left-hand path, so to speak. Moon over sun, silver over gold, romance over reason, intuition over logic (unless it ends up being costly, har).

Sweet or Salty

Sweet! I’m about ready to turn myself in to sugar rehab.

Cat or Dog

We have four awesome kitties, which probably officially qualifies us as Crazy Cat People. I would love to have a big dog too, like a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, but I married a Cat Man. Think Robert DeNiro & Jinxie in Meet the Parents and you’re close.

Austen or Dickens

Austen. What a brilliant, scathing wit. Yet she reasserts our common humanity at the same time she pokes fun.

Beach or Pool

Beach. Long beach walks are the best!

Night or Day

Both. I tend to get creative spurts at night. But I also appreciate the beauty of early morning and twilight.

Harry Potter or Twilight

Potter Potter Potter Potter Weasley Weasley!

Tour - Mumbo Jumbo Circus (review)

When the enigmatic Ringmaster asks 15-year-old Evanja (Evan) Leane to run away and join the circus, she says yes. Anywhere’s got to be better than foster home Number Eight. Evan learns that this ragtag circus, a haven for throwaway teens, relies on more than spectacle and illusion. This circus is built on magic. Each of the teens possesses a donvrai, a true gift, that manifests only in the presence of the Ringmaster’s mysterious Ju-Ju. Unlike many of the other teens who must wait for their donvrai to emerge, Evan’s gift surfaces on her first night: she can read horses’ minds. This would be totally awesome except she has been deathly afraid of horses since foster home Number Three. But circus is a dying art. If Evan wants to save her beloved new-found home, she must concoct a brilliant horse act that will bring in the crowds. And she’d better get over herself and get on with it fast; there’s a traitor close to the Ringmaster who will stop at nothing to make sure she doesn’t succeed. 

My Review: 

Okay let me start by saying, this book brings back some amazing memories of being a kid. I loved going to the circus, and this book definitely was enjoyable for those reasons. 


The main character Evan makes you sympathetic, grabbing your attention very quickly. The world thats created here is both realistic and magical in every sense of the world. I couldn't stop reading this book as it really captured my. I highly recommend it.

Tour - The Queen Bee of Bridgeton

The Queen Bee Of Bridgeton

When fifteen-year-old Sonya Garrison is accepted into the prestigious Bridgeton Academy, she soon discovers that rich girls are just as dangerous as the thugs in her home of Venton Heights. Maybe more so. After catching the eye of the star, white basketball player and unwittingly becoming the most popular girl in school, she earns the hatred of the three most ruthless and vindictive girls at Bridgeton. Can she defeat the reigning high school royalty? Or will they succeed in ruining her lifelong dream of becoming a world class dancer?


My Review: 

A private school story of the teen that doesn't only fit in, socially but racially. This storyline follows Sonya on her journey as she goes from being the one who is invisible to the social bee of the school, thanks to a cute romantic interest, and the hatred of the well mean girls. Enjoyable story and one that shares the topics in a sensitive and fun way. 


I would recommend this book.

Tour - The Sext Crime (Review)

SNAP--a girl sexts racy pics of herself.
She thought the fun shots would stay between her and her boyfriend.

SNAP--an anonymous hacker hijacks her photos.
If she doesn't obey, she'll be exposed.

SNAP--the Covert Youth Agency takes the girl's case.
The agents jump headfirst into Operation: Sext Crime. Their new client has less than a week to surrender to the hacker's ultimatum. Or else the naughty photos go "wide."

SEND--a squad of goons are closing in on C.Y.A. members.
Agent identities may be unmasked.

REPLY ALL--end communication.
It's not safe.

WARNING--this book contains NO explicit sexual content.
Material suitable for ages 12 and above. May contain some humor.


My Review: 
What do you get when you take a bunch of what you assume to be normal teens, put them in a group that helps deal with bullies, blackmailers and sext crimes... you get the CYA - Covert Youth Agency. 


This is the second book in the series, and follows along on a well text picture crime or sext crime, this book has no crude sexual material just the discussion of this picture. It would be a great book for both middle grade and anyone over 12 that would love to have a hilarious read. 


I fully enjoyed this storyline as it made me laugh and brought to light issues that well I am sure happen more often than not.. with the sharing of personal photos through texts and emails. 

Tour - Kings & Queens (review)

Seventeen-year-old Majesty Alistair wants police to look further into her father’s fatal car wreck, hopes the baseball team she manages can reclaim the state crown, aches for Derek…or, no…maybe Alec…maybe. And she mostly wishes to retract the hateful words she said to her dad right before slamming the door in his face, only to never see him again.

All her desires get sidelined, though, when she overhears two fellow students planning a church massacre. She doubts cops will follow up on her tip since they’re sick of her coming around with notions of possible crimes-in-the-works. And it’s not like she cries wolf. Not really. They’d be freaked too, but they’re not the ones suffering from bloody dreams that hint at disaster like some crazy, street guy forecasting the Apocalypse.

So, she does what any habitual winner with zero cred would do…try to I.D. the nutjobs before they act. But, when their agenda turns out to be far bigger than she ever assumed, and even friends start looking suspect, the truth and her actions threaten to haunt her forever, especially since she’s left with blood on her hands, the blood of someone she loves

My Review: This book intrigued me when I first read about it... was very different I will say than most of the stuff I have the opportunity to read. I was not disappointed one bit, I love Courtneys' writing style as its unique and deep and enjoyable. The characters are very complex and three dimensional, compared to a lot of flat characters you read these days.

The Storyline was bizarre and funny, and frustrating. Absolutely what a story needs, all the angles that can be enjoyed in a story. I am a huge fan of Courtneys writing now and will look forward to anything else shes comes out with.

A definite recommendation from me.

Tour - Curse Busters (cover interview)

1. Who designed the cover?

It was a team effort, the best kind. First I had a little conference with my editor, Greg Herren, and then he conveyed what we came up with to the publisher, who goes by the single name Radlyffe. (Like Cher; we publishing folk are colorful.) Radclyffe then Passed the idea on to an amazing artist named Gun Brooke, who lives in Sweden and works from there. (Did I mention, we pub folk have fun names?) She came up with the central computer image, then a designer named Shari Halal turned it into an actual cover and added the awesome pink fonts. What a production! But worth it!

2. Did you have any say in the look of the cover?

Tons of say! Radclyffe asked for my thoughts right out front, then Greg and I conferred and had exactly the same idea—that the inspiration should be the covers of the Rick Riordan Percy Jackson books. In other words, not a photo, but an illustration showing kids in the alternate universe of the book, a place really different from where we actually live. In CURSEBUSTERS!, that’s an ancient Mayan city. And we both also had the same thought about what our image should be: Reeno, the heroine, riding a jaguar up a Mayan pyramid. (An actual scene in the book.)

Gun’s first sketch—sent to me by Rad--didn’t really look like Reeno. It was a girl who might have been Latina (good guess--after all, she was time-traveling in a Mayan country) , and wore a dress. I just couldn’t imagine Reeno in a dress! So I asked for jeans or khakis. Sure, said Radclyffe. She has pink hair, I said, you okay with that? Sure she was. Oh, and the roots were grown out from months in Bad Girl School, but surely that was too small detailed a detail to bother with. Not a bit, said Rad, she can have roots. How about her snake tattoos? Green and red ones? On her upper arms? Done, said Rad.

What we all liked about that first sketch was the jaguar and the sense of action Reeno’s pose conveyed. So Gun kept those and came up with an image that blew me away. But it was more pyramid than girl. Bring Reeno up a bit, said Rad. Et voila! The amazing image you see now. After that, it was tweaking.

Oh, and I got to meet Gun by email! We had a bunch of conferences too. Great, great experience—the best I’ve ever had on a cover.

3. Would you change anything about the cover if you could?

 

Not a thing. It’s my favorite of the dozens (counting foreign editions) I’ve had!

4. Do you feel that the cover properly depicts the storyline?

 

I sure do. For one thing, it shows a real scene in the book. But it also has a

haunting quality, a feeling of strangeness and intrigue, like the feeling I imagine

you’d get if you were in a Mayan city in the Ninth Century.

5. Will there be additional stories in the series and if so, will the covers be close to this current one?

Maybe. And if so, definitely! Everyone loves that cover!

Tour - The Sext Crime (Interview)

1. What inspired you to write your first book?

In high school, I always wanted to be someone else. Someone who was more interesting. Someone who was cooler. I wanted to be admired. And liked. And part of something bigger.

I was always fascinated with the C.I.A. and F.B.I., and enjoyed reading true stories about those organizations. I thought it would be cool if there was a similar organization in high school. It seemed like a fun idea for a story. So the Covert Youth Agency was borne.

2. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

The experiences in The Sext Crime are all fictional. However, the feelings behind the characters are drawn from my life.

3. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I wanted to bring attention to the fact that Sexting is a serious thing. Every state handles it differently, but there have been cases where teens with illicit photos have been charged with distributing child pornography. A teen in Florida who sent pictures of his naked girlfriend to his friends was forced to register as a sex offender after getting convicted for sending child pornography. What may seem like a fun, impulsive thing, may really ruin your life. Some things are best kept private.

4. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Editing it. Every time I went through the manuscript, I made changes. And most likely new mistakes. Since it's indie pubbed, I don't have a team of editors to catch them all. The editor I used did a good job, but I made changes after his edits. So I'll own any mistakes in the book.

5. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

It takes time to grow into your own skin. Try to become comfortable with who you are. Embrace your uniqueness. Try not to worry about what other people think. Like yourself. Be able to laugh at yourself. And feel free to laugh at Pi, Lightman, Tollhouse, and me.

Tour - From Bad To Cursed (Interview)

 

1. What inspired you with the ideas for this book?

I was inspired on two major levels: one was having a chance to revisit the world and characters from the first book (which was actually written as a standalone). At first, I was worried that creating a sequel to a book with such a neatly tied-up ending would be impossible. But then I thought about what Alexis had learned—and much more importantly, what she hadn’t learned yet but needed to.

I was also inspired by the cultural obsession with celebrity, fame, money, and material success. “From Bad to Cursed” deals with a group of girls who pledge their allegiance to a spirit in exchange for his gifts of beauty, charm, popularity, etc. It’s definitely something I would have been tempted by when I was a teen! But now that I’m older, I have a different perspective on those things, and a lot of my current viewpoint ended up being woven into the book.

2. Do you use inspirations tools when you write? (ie. music, quotes, special spots)

Whenever I write a book (or am thinking about it), I put together a music playlist and listen to it constantly, although not usually when I’m writing. The songs give me a feel for the tone, and specific songs reflect specific scenes or the relationships between certain characters.

I also love to spread my fluffy Chococat blanket on the floor and lie on it (usually with my dog Winston snuggled up at my side!). I have my notebook and I write all sorts of notes, questions, and musings.

3. How much research did you have to complete for this book?

Not too much. I made most of it up! But what I had to start doing was keeping track of my own rules, because even though I wrote them, I would catch myself trying to break them!

4. Do you have a favorite character and why?

I think writers have to pretty much love all of their characters. I still love Alexis, obviously, and I really like Kasey in this book. There’s also a secondary character named Farrin that I’m very fond of.

5. Do you base any of your characters personalities off of people you actually know?

Not intentionally. I think most of them are a blend of people I have met over my life! In terms of physical type, I sometimes picture real people as the characters, but personality-wise, they’re not the same.

6. Did you find yourself having an easier or harder time with book 2?

Well, I had years to rewrite my first book! And I had to start at the very beginning with “From Bad to Cursed” and have a totally complete novel in a year. So that was tough. At the same time, it was a ton of fun, and I feel like with every book I write, I become a better storyteller. So it’s a little bit of both, actually!

7. Will there be another book in this series?

Yes! The third book will be out next summer. It picks up a couple of months after the end of the second book.

8. Do you have any music or a soundtrack you put together while writing?

Yes! I post the full playlist on my website, but for this book, two of the most inspirational songs for me were “They” by Jem and “Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl” by Broken Social Scene.

Return from The Dark Side

So, yes I have been gone quite awhile and I am soooooo Sorry, I honestly didn't think I would be gone for so long. But I am returning with some reviews, guest posts etc :-)

As most of you know by know I am pregnant, and well to be honest the baby has been kicking my behind, with morning sickness, dehydration and kidney stones... It has been quite a ride including lots and lots of these.....


Photo Source: Medical Assistant

Doctor Appointments, ER Visits and Specialist Visits, however, I am finally slowly starting to feel human again so I am returning and hope to get back to my few time a week posts if not more.

There will be Reviews coming up on The Queen Bee of Bridgeton and Cursebusters as well as lots of other goodies. So stay tuned, and thanks so much for your patience, I appreciate you all sticking around.

Tour - Curse Busters (review)

 Curse Busters by Julie Smith

Budding-psychic Reeno is the most accomplished teenage burglar in California, but one tiny screw-up and poof!—she's sentenced to Bad Girl School. And that isn’t even her worst problem. Her sister Haley’s dying of an illness no one can diagnose, and now she can’t even help.
But wait, maybe she can! The school psychics have found each other and formed their own club. With the help of her gay friend Carlos and the other Ozone Rangers, Reeno finds out Haley’s disease is the result of an ancient Mayan curse. And A.B., the group's sinister non-faculty adviser, claims he knows how to break it.
All Reeno has to do is time-travel to an ancient Mayan city and steal a little item A.B. needs to save the world. Since she’s an ace thief, he has complete confidence she can execute the task before the outraged Mayans can execute her.
But can she trust A.B.? Despite his cuddly appearance, she knows he’s a merciless predator and ruthless assassin.
And he's not even human.

My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed that cute and quirky quick read by Julie Smith, the characters were relate able and enjoyable. Reeno has a lot of bad issues and things happen throughout this book which I feel makes it more relate able than most of the books where everything is just perfect through the entire story.

This story does have a lot of deeper issues in it, and some that can catch you off guard, but all in all the storyline of these teens and everything they go through and grow through is excellent. A great read for Middle Grade and Younger YA enthusiasts or all YA enthusiasts as long as they remember its written for a younger audience.