PIVOT POINT: KASIE WEST

I don't think I would have ever read these if I hadn't loved Kasie West's contemporary book The Distance Between Us and loved it. That would have been a shame because these are really smart and totally great. 

When I finished the last page of the second book I closed my copy and said out loud: "Wow that was clever." Which I didn't think once while I was reading because I was too entertained to notice how clever and well thought out this whole story was. So on top of a great premise, the writing is fun, clever and guess what? It is completely clean for you moms that have little (or not so little) readers in your home. 

Normally I HATE alternate reality stories. In fact I just read one (or attempted to read it) and I couldn't keep the different stories straight and I hated reading a story that kept getting interrupted by the other reality. In Pivot Point, the interruption of the stories in this is a minor offense because both story lines were equally good and different enough to keep me from going crazy trying to keep them straight. 

BOOK BLURB: (For book one only because the blurb for book two contains spoilers for book one!)

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Be sure to check out Kasie's other books too. I haven't read On The Fence just yet, but I adored The Distance Between Us.  

Find out more about Kasie and her books HERE.

THE SHADOW PRINCE: BREE DESPAIN

Full disclosure, Bree is one of my best friends in the world. She is one of the nicest and coolest girls around in case you are wondering. She has done her homework and this is one well written book. I never wanted to leave the world or the characters she created in this book. I always get so excited when secondary characters shine as much as the main characters. There are so many well rounded great secondary characters in this book that add so much to the whole feel of the story.

The book is in dual perspective and it is done WELL. I can't say that happens all the time when this style is used. But it has purpose here and adds depth to the story. Bree's style is this: she loves big epic stories with a bit of humor. I adored Haden and loved getting a laugh while he tried to figure out what in the world we humans mean by the things we say.

The Shadow Prince lays down the ground work for a very exciting trilogy unlike anything else I have read before. Bree wanted to write this as a stand alone, but "her people" convinced her that the story could not be contained in just one book. So if you are thinking: "Ugh, another trilogy? I can't take it!" Then just know that there is a method to the madness, and sometimes it takes a few books to get good and involved with characters that are easy to love.

BOOK BLURB:

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

This book is totally clean. I read so much crap these days and this book really felt like a little beacon of light in this little world. There are just so many things Bree does well in this book, and I am so relieved she is such a talented writer. How awkward would that be if I didn't like her books? :)

Here are some pics I took from Bree's book release party at The King's English bookstore in Salt Lake City, Utah. That last one is of my cute daughter who can't wait to learn to read enough to read Bree's books.

MISFIT: JON SKOVRON

This book is never in a million years the kind of book I would pick up on my own. However, I had read another Jon Skovron book and really enjoyed his writing style so I put this on my to-read list. It is hard to say how I really felt about this book because a book this size would have normally taken me not too long to read. But because of a lot of family time (weddings, births, guests, oh my) this took me weeks.

Every time I sat down to read it I was transported into the world the author created and I liked that world very much. It did feel like most of the book was exposition and then the big finish just came too quickly. But AGAIN, I don't have the best feel for the flow of this book because my usual reading pace was way off. Also, I loved some of the secondary characters but I thought the best friend and love interest were a bit flat. But the story and writing were quite above average.

So is this a book you should try? If you like strong girls, interesting back stories, believable fantastical creatures based in old myths you should read this. Even if you don't you might still like it...like me.

BOOK BLURB:
Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help.

But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.

Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.

You can read more about it HERE. 

PARALLEL: LAUREN MILLER

The cover of this book is pretty, but I admit I judged the cover. I had the book checked out from the library twice before I finally read it. Why? Because it looked all si-fi to me and I just kept putting off the read and back to the library it had to go.

When I finally sat down and read this I was surprised. Miller takes a really complicated plot line and somehow makes it pretty easy to follow. It was interesting and I just really enjoyed the read. This book crosses over genres. The girls who like the si-fi and fantasy would enjoy this book as much as girls like me who generally don't like the si-fi or fantasy. A clever standout 2013 debut for sure.

BOOK BLURB:

Abby Barnes had a plan. The Plan. She'd go to Northwestern, major in journalism, and land a job at a national newspaper, all before she turned twenty-two. But one tiny choice—taking a drama class her senior year of high school—changed all that. Now, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Abby is stuck on a Hollywood movie set, miles from where she wants to be, wishing she could rewind her life. The next morning, she's in a dorm room at Yale, with no memory of how she got there. Overnight, it's as if her past has been rewritten.

With the help of Caitlin, her science-savvy BFF, Abby discovers that this new reality is the result of a cosmic collision of parallel universes that has Abby living an alternate version of her life. And not only that: Abby's life changes every time her parallel self makes a new choice. Meanwhile, her parallel is living out Abby's senior year of high school and falling for someone Abby's never even met.

As she struggles to navigate her ever-shifting existence, forced to live out the consequences of a path she didn't choose, Abby must let go of the Plan and learn to focus on the present, without losing sight of who she is, the boy who might just be her soul mate, and the destiny that's finally within reach.

It has been awhile since I read this, but I remember it being a pretty clean read with a few swear words and talk of the existence of sex, but nothing more than kissing for our main character. Read more about it HERE.

UNEARTHLY SERIES: CYNTHIA HAND

I'm quite late on this series, but honestly I don't start most series books until they are all out. How else could I keep track of the details? I was surprised how much I like this. I found the whole thing interesting and endearing. I had some issues with the ending, but overall nothing worth ignoring the series for. Mostly I enjoyed how the plot developed and kept pulling me in with new and interesting tidbits along the way.

BOOK BLURB (BOOK ONE):

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

It is a pretty clean read with some swearing here and there. Also the swoony moments don't go too far. Read more about the first book HERE.

THE SAVAGE GRACE: BREE DESPAIN

I have to admit that part of my love for this series has been watching Bree go through the process of writing it. It is hard not to admire her books more when I know how much of her heart you will find in these pages. Seriously, to be an author is a brave thing.

The Savage Grace is a freaking awesome conclusion to the story of Grace Divine. I don't want to write too much because I would hate to spoil anything, but the ending is satisfying and real (as real as a story about fantastical creatures can be). Daniel becomes stronger and more capable while Grace continues to be the awesome female lead. There are twists and turns and surprises and heartbreaks and also a wolf named Brent who is based off of my husband.

BOOK BLURB:
A troubled soul. An impossible choice. A final battle.

Wrestling with the werewolf curse pulsing deep inside of her, Grace Divine was finally able to find her brother, but it nearly cost her everything.

With her boyfriend, Daniel, stuck in wolf form and Sirhan's death approaching, time is running out for Grace to stop Caleb Kalbi and his gang of demons. If she fails, her family and hometown will perish. Everything rests on Grace's shoulders.

The final installment in The Dark Divine trilogy brings Daniel and Grace's love story to a breathtaking conclusion.

My husband (Brent) wrote a hilarious alternate ending to this book that I would love to post, but it is full of spoilers so if you finish the books and you want to read it you can request it by leaving a comment on this post with your email and I will send it to you.

I also took pictures last night and posted a few favorite on my PHOTO BLOG.

WHAT A BFF WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE DARK DIVINE & GIVEAWAY OF THE SAVAGE GRACE BY BREE DESPAIN

Okay so, picture this, it is 1997 and your love of the stage and drama geeks has kept you involved in your HS drama department despite your strong dislike for your teacher. There is one girl you like especially, in fact you have a crush on the very same boy and she lets you ask him to the big dance even though you both totally swoon when dream boy wears a certain sweater. This makes you realize that she is a pretty nice girl on top of being cool. You even still stay friends after the shock of finding out that she started dating one of your mutual friends while you took some summer college classes after gradation. But she ends up marring the guy so it all ends up okay.

Fifteen whole years later you are still BFFs and when your friend fulfills a lifelong dream of getting her book published you couldn’t be more thrilled. Unless, oh no, what if you DON’T like her book?! What would happen to this friendship, especially when you have never been the kind of girl who can’t be anything but honest to a fault?

No, these are not the new lyrics to a Taylor Swift song, this is my life! And man, was I nervous when my dearest of friends gave me a copy of her first book The Dark Divine. Well, I loved it (whew), and have fortunately loved the whole series. So no worries—my friendship is still intact.

I have adored the Dark Divine series, and think each book has gotten better than the last. In a book world where I rarely find a series that I even care about reading more than the first one, Bree’s books are a great achievement. They even got my husband Brent to read again, partly because he is a character in book three.

My full review is coming up next week, but for now, here are the questions that I really wanted to ask Bree about the series. Finally,

THE INTERVIEW:

First off, you know I was totally shocked when I found out you and our friend Brick were suddenly an item when I came home from college. I have forgiven you both though since you have ended up being one of the coolest couples I know. Does meeting your husband in HS have any affect on the fact that you are drawn to write YA books?

Interesting question. While hubby and I never actually went on a date during high school, I did start to develop feelings for him then--and we started dating shortly after graduation. I wouldn't write YA if I didn't believe that teenagers are capable of real love. I know they are from first-hand experience.

My characters are almost always close to the age of 17 because I feel like that was the time in my life when I really started to figure out who I wanted to be as a person--when I first started to come into myself. What I love about writing YA is re-exploring all those firsts in life. First love, first kisses, first time behind the wheel, maybe the first time getting to travel without your parents, the first time you really start to think about who you want to be and what kind of impact you want to have on the world. The "firsts" are always so intense and often life-changing--why would I want to write about anything else?

Grace goes through some serious struggles and growing pains throughout all the books. As your friend I have watched you go through some growing pains as well as you felt the pressure to write two more TDD books. Have your struggles manifested in what we see Grace face?

I definitely draw on my own struggles when writing. Because of that, I feel like all of my books have a little piece of my soul in them. In THE LOST SAINT, Grace struggles quite a bit with living up to expectations, and she's extremely frustrated that her powers aren't developing fast enough in order for her to accomplish what she needs to do. That directly parallels my struggles to write a sequel that would live up to the expectations of my readers--and me fretting over feeling like "the words" weren't coming fast enough for me to make my tight deadlines. In THE SAVAGE GRACE, my main character struggles with balancing the safety and well being of her family with her obligations to her paranormal "destiny." (See here: Bree struggles with balancing family life with writing deadlines and expectations.) I don't know that I've truly conquered any of my personal struggles, but it does feel cathartic to be able to help Grace take on metaphors of those problems on paper.

Grace is always talking about how hot Daniel is, but what about Grace? Is she “hot,” or just an average girl? (BTW, I seriously wonder this, I always pictured her as kind of simple but then everyone ends up wanting her. Is it her looks or her strength that is so attractive to all the hot werewolf boys?)

Grace, like most teenage girls I know, doesn't really have a concept of how beautiful she is, so she's not going to go on and on about how hot she thinks she is. I do give her a few moments where she looks in the mirror and acknowledges that she looks good, but mostly, as the author, I tried to show her attractiveness by the way other people react to her. Daniel, Pete, and Talbot act like Grace is "hot" because to them she is. But I don't see her as being the epitome of what most people call beauty. You know that overdone, teased out, plasticy, fake, super-model version of beauty? That's not Grace. I think she's naturally beautiful in a simple, real, sort of way--she's the fresh-faced, girl-next-door that the brooding boy wishes he could have. Grace has a pretty face, but I also think the way she carries herself, and the way she treats others, helps bring out her inner beauty.

Well, I love Grace, and I know she will never have a normal life, but if she did, what would be her favorite TV show? Has she read The Hunger Games? Does she keep up a werewolf blog? Or is she too busy for those kinds of things?

Grace likes the old school Linda Carter WONDER WOMAN. I think there was even a line in TDD about that show that got cut out. Her parents are pretty conservative and they don't allow much "newer" TV in their home, so Grace grew up watching mostly old classic TV shows with her dad. She is a pretty big fan of Star Wars because she used to watch it all the time with Jude and Daniel. Grace loves to read so I think she'd totally pick up Hunger Games because she loves stories about tough girls. Don't see her blogging much because she tries to keep all this werewolf stuff secret--plus her mom (when she's feeling well) patrols her internet usage.

In a world where you have unlimited time and energy and no bouts of writer’s block, who is getting the spinoff series, and why?

Just for fun, I worked up a short synopsis of a book from Baby James's point of view. Except he wasn't a baby any more. It was about James as a16 year old who is sick and tired of all the paranormal craziness his family has to deal with all the time, and he just longs to be normal. All he wants in life is to earn enough money to buy his own car so he can drive as far away from Rose Crest and the Divines as he can get. So when a job comes along that will get him enough money to facilitate his great escape, he jumps at it--only to find himself thrown into the middle of turf-war between rival werewolf packs. In order to stop the packs from destroying his town and family in the wake of their battle, James must save the life of a kidnapped werewolf-mafia-princess whom he can't stand--at least not at first . . .

I sent the synopsis to a critique partner and my agent, meaning it to just be a funny joke--but they both wrote back saying that they liked the idea and thought it would make a fun book. Not sure if I'll ever actually write it. But the idea is still floating around in my brain.

I also think it might be fun to explore Talbot's character some more. He's definitely got a complex back-story and a whole lot of baggage to be opened up.

Of these three, what motivates you most? Gluten-free cupcakes, gluten-free brownies, or gluten-free dinners prepared by your imaginary in-house chef?

Man, if I could have my own in-house chef, that would motivate me to do just about anything! Can we throw in a house keeper, a personal trainer, and a nanny while we're imagining? I'd be so motivated (or bored) I'd write 3 books a year from now on!

I've had a few good gluten free cupcakes--but I am still on the search for a decent gluten free brownie. Especially one that is dairy and egg free, also. Have I ever told you how much I miss brownies?

Thank you so much Bree for taking the time to answer all of my awesome questions, and yes, I do think you have mentioned how much you miss brownies. Did I mention that I am super freaking proud of you?

Me and Bree in HS, where we got the lamest parts in a children's theater play simple because our teacher hated us the most.

Bree trying not to be too embarrassed that I am...like her BIGGEST fan at the TLS launch last December. Notice that my hair style has not changed in 15 years, at least my love for over sized plaid shirts has diminished.

I guess you can tell I loved The Savage Grace and will be sharing a full review on release day, March 17th!

Okay, now here is your chance to get a signed copy of The Savage Grace for yourself. And since I am doing this giveaway before I see Bree at the launch, I can get it personalized for you too if you so desire.

To enter:

1.Become a follower of my blog, and leave a comment on this post that you are now a follower. (If you are already a follower, all you need to do is leave a comment.)

2. To get more entries you need to talk about this giveaway on a blog, Facebook, or Twitter with a link to this contest, and then leave a comment on this post that you did it. You get an individual entry by promoting my blog and contest using all three social media devices.

I am closing this contest Friday, March 9th. Winner will be announced on Saturday the 10th here on the blog.

If I make it to 100 followers I will give away an additional copy of The Savage Grace next week as well!

EVERNEATH: BRODI ASHTON

I don't usually read trilogy books until all of the books are out, mostly because I read so much that I can't remember what happened and I have to re-read the previous books. (I just don't have time for that!) I make very few exceptions and one of them is when I know the author. I don't know Brodi all that well, but she is BFFs with one of my BFFs Bree Despain, (awesome friend and author of The Dark Divine series, last book out in March). Brodi is hilarious and has a very giggle worthy blog I check now and then. So I knew I wasn't going to wait until all these books were out to enjoy the world of Everneath.

Ok now on to why I loved the book. Brodi focuses more on emotions and the pull of love and relationships than actual full on action. Her mythology is unique and actually makes sense. (Does she know something about the underworld that I don't?) Our heroine is strong and awesome, but real and vulnerable. It has been a freaking LONG time since I read a trilogy book where I actually was interested in reading the next books. I loved it and I predict this series to be the next big thing. Oh and the cover is beautiful don't you think?

BOOK BLURB:
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..

I was at the book launch this week and Brodi is such a great public speaker. If you have a chance to ever see her speak I highly recommend. Her road to publication is an inspiration to anyone who has the guts to truly pursue their dream.

My dream was to become a wedding photographer, and I am one. To see more pictures from the book launch, you can head to my photo blog HERE.