The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Body Finder
Author: Kimberly Derting
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: March 16, 2010
Source: Borrow

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

The Body Finder is a twisted story filled with solid characters, a new, mysterious concept of the 'echo', and the mystical writing of Kimberly Derting.

The bonus addition of the killer's point of view is simply chilling and I really found the transitions between perspectives really smooth and skillfully placed. Just when things started to go down a notch, Derting adds the killer's POV and makes the book more exciting.

Violet is a complex character that I found easy to relate to, even with her power, because Derting truly has a talent for a teen's narration. Kimberly Derting created a very real high-school atmosphere, similar to my own school's. It felt as though I was walking those hallways with Violet and experiencing many of the emotions that she felt.

In effect, The Body Finder has exceeded all of my expectations and I am aching to read Desires of the Dead, the sequel, coming out 2011. I have no doubt that Kimberly Derting will be an author to watch out for.

Cover:

Ending::

Characters:

Writing:

Overall:

Cover-Catch (3)

Cover-Catch features book covers that will be of interest to the YA blogging world and to myself. Not only will some of them be amazing covers, but they are covers that have just been recently shown to the whole blogosphere. Most of the cover featured are newly released, or soon to be released.

Freefall by Mindi Scott
October 5, 2010 - Simon Pulse

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Dec. 9, 2010 - Dutton Juvenile

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller
Aug. 31, 2010 - Razorbill

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler
Oct. 18, 2010 - Graphia

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Sept. 21, 2010 - HarperTeen

Return to Pradise by Simone Elkeles
Sept. 1, 2010 - Flux

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz (Blue Bloods #5)
Oct. 5, 2010 - Hyperion Book CH

Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink (Prophecy of the Sisters #2)
Aug. 1, 2010 - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

What do you think about the cover(s)?

If you guys have seen any amazing or new covers, and want it to be featured in my next 'Cover-Catch' post, please shoot me an email.

In My Mailbox (30)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of the books that I've have received over the previous week, either in the mail, from the bookstore, or from trades.

For review:
13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison (ARC)
Take the Reins by Jessica Burkhart
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly (ARC)
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (ARC)

Won:
Explorer X-Alpha by LM Preston
(1) bottle of The Dark Divine Nail Polish

Bought:
Heist Society by Ally Carter

I can't wait to read all! Please remember I just recently bought my own domain. The transition isn't done yet. I'll update all of you once it is. Also, did you notice I changed the colors of my sidebar and borders to blue instead of black? I also thickened the borders. I'm starting to learn more and more about HTML! Yay! :)

Author Interview: Kristin Walker (& Contest!)

Today, I have the lovely, Kristin Walker. She is the author of the hilarious, awesome, chick-lit, and debut novel, A Match Made In High School. If you guys haven't read MATCH, I definitely recommend you do. I reviewed it a couple of days ago, you can check it out here.

Describe yourself in 3-5 words.
Idealist with limits. Comedy lover.

How does it feel to be a debut author?
It's actually pretty surreal. After wanting and working for so long to be published, it almost seems like it can't possibly be true. Other than that, it's been fantastic.

What do you think about the cover of MATCH? Did you contribute to this final cover?
I had nothing to do with the cover except to say that I loved it. It was all the art department at Penguin. They rock! They also put pictures of two of my family members on there, which was insanely cool.

How are you and Fiona alike? How are you different?
I'm a reformed cynic, critic, and sarcasm addict. For years I thought those things were making me funny, but for the most part, they were making me a jerk. Much like the issues Fiona has to deal with. I also was never terribly fashionable or good with makeup application. I was, however, a geek cheerleader. In high school, didn't have nearly the big mouth Fiona has. I speak my mind much more freely now. But I think about it first.

What was the hardest aspect of writing MATCH?
Getting through the first draft. It's a daily battle to sit my butt down and tell my inner critic to shut up. Once I get that first draft written, I feel like I have something concrete to work with, no matter how crappy it is. And my first drafts are generally pretty crappy.

Is there anything you want readers to take from MATCH?
I really wanted to convey the idea of looking more closely at people you thought you had pegged as one thing or another. Nobody is one-dimensional.

Do you have a specific schedule of when you write?
No schedule other than working when my kids are in school, or on the weekends when my fabulous husband watches them so I can write.

Any must-have's while writing?
Caffeine. That's number one. Quiet, for sure. Sugar, more often than not. (Starbursts pretty much fueled MATCH.) I have to be on a computer, too. I can't write anything long-hand. At this point, I can type faster than I can write, anyway. Plus, my handwriting is AWFUL.

Do you have any upcoming novels?
I'm trying to develop another young adult novel for Razorbill. I'm also putting the finishing touches on a middle grade paranormal manuscript. Exciting!

Thanks so much Kristin, for stopping by!

-Contest-

Kristin has kindly donated a MATCH SWAG prize pack to (1) lucky winner. This prize pack includes:

• bookmarks
• pencils
• a fake engagement ring
• post-it matchbooks

Official Info:

• open to everyone
• must be 13 years of age to enter
• April 3 is the deadline
• fill out the form below
• check my contest policy

Winner: Jessica @ Chick Lit Teens

~Contest Closed~

Cover-Catch (2)

Cover-Catch features book covers that will be of interest to the YA blogging world and to myself. Most of the cover featured are newly released, or soon to be released.

Beautiful Darkness (The Caster Chronicles#2) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
October 26, 2010 - Little, Brown Books For Young Readers

Nightshade (Nightshade #1) by Andrea Cremer
October 14, 2010 - Penguin/Philomel

Star Crossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce
October 1, 2010 - Arthur A. Levine Books

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
August 31, 2010 - Margaret K. McElderry

Crusade by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
September 21, 2010 - Simon Pulse

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
July 6, 2010 - Hyperion

What do you think about the cover(s)?

*If you've seen any awesome covers that you'd like to be featured on my next Cover-Catch post, please email or comment.

In My Mailbox (29)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of the books that I've have received over the previous week, either in the mail, from the bookstore, or from trades.

No slide show/pictures this week.

For review:
Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (!!!)
For Keeps by Natasha Friend
Everlasting by Angie Frazer

Book Fairy:
Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Pegasus by Robin McKinley
Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti

I've read 3 books out of this pile, and all were amazing. I'm going to be having a super HUGE giveaway. I'll include all the books my book fairy sent me. I love my book fairy, I love you, I love you, thank you, thank you, thank you! I will be sharing this awesomeness, with, as I just said, a super freaking mega huge contest.

A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker

Title: A Match Made In High School
Author: Kristin Walker
Pages: 288
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 4, 2010
Source: Publisher and Bought

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can't get any worse. That's until she marries her "husband": jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona's long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very dorky, very big Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

A Match Made In High School is a chick-lit, cute, and hilarious debut novel. The whole idea of 'Trying the Knot' was witty and fun. We have the nerds, the 'wanna-be's, the jocks, the 'gossip girls', and the cheerleaders; all the right factors for a good chick-lit novel.

Based on the cover and the synopsis, you'd assume that this would be a one of those cliché novels. It's not. There were actually many clichés in the book, but Walker crafted it so well, she twisted the whole plot, making everything unique. I was thinking that this novel was one of those stories where the jock falls in love with the popular, mean girl, but thankfully, it wasn't.

The whole fake marriage course ('trying the knot') was an interesting concept. At the start, it seemed unsure if that 'trying the knot' idea would go well. Thanks to Walker's amazing writing, it did. We had the mock wedding, fake job promotions, surprise pregnancies, all those factors just coming in. It was so fun to read each and every factor the couples would get. I loved how everything just clicked.

I was thinking that Fiona (Princess Pisspants) was going to be a stereotypical character, she was. But there were parts of her personality and attitude that made her different. She loved, loved pranks, she's funny, fun, goofy, and sarcastic. The only part that I didn't like too much about her was that she a bit too self-centered. There was a point of the book, where she was so full of herself! Well, it might not be true, but maybe, I was too full of her. She thought that she gets the guy, everyone has to agree with her, etc.. Todd (Senor Shitslacks), her fake marriage partner, always disagreed and didn't agree to her decisions in the program, they fought so many times just because of that, that part was just annoying to read. Todd, that jock. Everything for him was all about girls and sports. I liked him more in the end, rather than the start.

What had most made me laugh while reading this novel was the insults, the series of pranks, and those witty comments. It was gold; the one factor that stands out of everything in the novel.

Not only was is this novel laugh-out-loud, but it was unpredictable. I guessed a few times with what was going to happen, but no, I was wrong. Whether the girl gets the guy she likes, the girl breaks up with the guy, the guy dumps the girl, it's unpredictable.

A Match Made In High School is an impressing and surprising novel. You seem a bit unsure at the start, but as soon as you keep reading, you'll be blown away with how good the book was. With Walker's addicting writing, fun characters, witty idea, hilarious pranks, this is an awesome debut coming from Kristin Walker. I definitely look forward to reading more from her.

Cover:

Ending::

Characters: .5

Writing:

Overall:

Blog Tour: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (& Giveaway!)

Today is my stop for the blog tour of Bree Despain's fabulous, and amazing novel, The Dark Divine. The Dark Divine was released Dec. 22, 09 and has gotten a load full of 5 star reviews on the blogs. I'm going to be interviewing Bree for the second time! I might have asked a couple of similar questions. I think I've bugged Bree too much already! My first interview with her was quite a while ago, but you can check it out here.

Describe yourself in 3-5 words.
3rd most crazy since 2009

How did the cover come to be for The Dark Divine?
Hah! That’s a very long story but I’ll try to make it short. My editor asked me if I had any “thoughts” about what I’d like on the cover of my book. What he got back from me was a 2 page letter about all the things I did/did not want for the cover. I didn’t have a specific image in mind, but I did have a specific feel that I wanted: striking, beautiful, and yet still eerie.

In the meantime, my publisher went through several possible covers for my book, but they still hadn’t found the “right” one. We were only a week or two from having to go to print for the galleys of the book, and I was concerned that the book was going to end up with a cover I didn’t like. When my editor heard that I was unhappy, he actually stayed at the office all night long going through thousands of images until he found the one that fit what I had envisioned for the cover. When he sent me the new cover design (only a couple of days before we went to press), I was so completely blown away by it. And I can’t tell you how grateful I am that my editor cared enough about me and my book to go through that kind of effort to get just the right cover for TDD.

What are some of your strengths and weaknesses in writing?
I love writing dialogue, and I’ve been told that I have a knack for capturing the teenage voice. But that’s probably just because that’s the way I talk.

I hate writing transitions between scenes. Once I’m into a scene, I can write and write with pleasure until it’s done. However, if I have to start the day with writing a transition, it can take me all morning to psyche myself up enough to actually start writing.

How are you and Grace and/or Daniel alike? How are you different?
Grace and I have a similar family dynamic and upbringing, but I like to think of Grace as the stronger version of myself as a teenager. She says and does the things that I only thought about doing. Whenever I need to decide what Grace should do a in a certain situation, I think “what would I have done?” and then make Grace do the opposite. It’s kind of cathartic!

If you were to pick a theme song for The Dark Divine, what would it be and why?
Oh, this is so hard to answer because I have so many great songs on my TDD playlist, but I guess I’d have to say “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service because that was actually the song that was stuck in my head when I got the idea for TDD. There’s actually a chapter in the book that is a bit of an homage to the song. It’s kind of easy to spot since the chapter title is “Such Great Heights.”

I liked the idea of there being two people who, against all odds, are in love. And from far away when they look down at their lives, everything seems perfect—but everyone else around them is shouting at them to “Come down now” because their fantasy isn’t really true.

What's next for you?
I’m finishing up the sequel to TDD called THE LOST SAINT. It addresses some of the questions left unanswered in TDD, and also explores some of the new possibilities that popped up at the end of Book One. I’m also mulling over ideas for a possible 3rd book in THE DARK DIVINE series, and I also have the beginnings of a new paranormal romance novel that is begging to be written.

I can't, can't, can't wait for TLS! Thanks so much Bree! =)

--- Giveaway---

Thanks to Nisa @ Egmont USA/ Goodman Media, she has provided me with (4) bottles of The Dark Divine Nail Polish. I'm keeping one for myself so technically, I'll be giving away (3) beautiful, violet/purple, divine nail polish to (3) luck readers!

Official Info:

• fill out the form below
• you must answer one of the following questions in the form to be eligible
  
• open to everyone
• must be 13 years or age to enter
• March 29 is the deadline
• check my contest policy

Please go to In Bed With Books tomorrow to see the next stop on The Dark Divine Blog Tour.

Winners:
Lisa
Katie
Sherry

~Contest Closed~

In My Mailbox (28)

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It is a list of the books that I've have received over the previous week, either in the mail, from the bookstore, or from trades.

For review:
Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (International Book Tours)
My Invisible Boyfriend by Susie Day (2nd copy)
Something Like Fate by Susan Colasanti - not pictured
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lyn Barnes - not pictured

Won:
Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

Bought:
A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker

SWAG:

• Signed! Nice and Mean bookmarks.
  
• (4) The Dark Divine Nail Polish-- for giveaway.

I had an okay week. My book fairy emailed me that she has gotten some great books to send me so hopefully next week, I'll get them. I'll have a giveaway for the nail polish sometimes soon, so be on the look out. I'm also not sure what to do with my second copy of My Invisible Boyfriend.

*Special thanks to the following: Simon Pulse, Big Honcho Media, Scholastic, Jessica Leader, Goodman Media, and Lisette (T.V. Book Addict).

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

Title: Shade
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Pages: 320
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 4, 2010
Source: Publisher & Author

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Shade is an exciting paranormal read that'll sweep readers off their feet with a heated love triangle with a chilling--although sometimes confusing--plot. The characters are relatable without being generic. Smith-Ready provides readers with a winding road of twists and turns that satisfies the readers' hunger for a thrilling mystery.

The world that Shade happens in, is completely different to what we are used to. There, many things that are impossible for us are made believable in Shade's setting. Readers are introduced to the concept of 'defying gravity' and inevitably believes this convincing setting.

The romance of the love triangle is enough to make readers have a hard time deciding which side they're on. But as the book progresses, readers will make that decision and go through what Aura has to deal with; liking a living person, and loving a dead one. The characters in Shade are mature to start with, and only get even more knowlegable without being sticklers. They learn to death with grief, love, and difficult choices...things that we also have to deal with today.

Shade is a suspense-filled, heart-stopping novel that has everything you'd want; sexy characters, drama (both living and dead), and major conflict. The only thing I'd say I was annoyed about was the cliff-hanger at the end. *hint hint*

Cover:

Ending::

Characters:

Writing:

Overall:

*Review also for International Book Tours

Cover-Catch (1)

Cover-Catch features book covers that will be of interest to the YA blogging world and to myself. Most of the cover featured are newly released, or about to be released.

Torment (Fallen, Book 2)

Kiss Me Deadly edited by Tricia Telep

Jealousy (Strange Angels, Book 3)

And.. lastly, a BIG congratulations to our very own, Chelsea Rae Swiggett from The Page Flipper! Her book, Rae (hence the Rae in her name) looks awesome. Here is the cover:

Uprinting Giveaway: Rolled Canvas Prints

Thanks to the wonderful people at UPrinting.com, I have a 16 x 20 Rolled Canvas to giveaway to one lucky winner. Uprinting.com is an online printing site which offers business cards, canvas prints, and the ability to print online. Be sure to check them out!

Prize Details:

• Size: 16 x 20 Rolled Canvas
  
• Specifications: 1 Business Day Turnaround
• Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping

Rules:

• open to U.S. only
• March 25 is the deadline
• fill out the form below
• check my my contest policy

Edit: Contest closed. Winner is Michelle @ The True Book Addict.

Author Interview: Jessica Leader (&Mini-Contest!)

Today, I have the author of Nice and Mean, Jessica Leader! Nice and Mean is her debut novel, which will be released on June 8, 2010. This means that it's exactly 3 more months until it's release day!


How does it feel to be a 2010 debut author?
Grateful! Excited! In good company!

What makes you write Middle-Grade and Young Adult?
I have really clear memories of middle and high school, and I’m still drawn to thinking about what I dealt with then. Friendship, popularity, your identity in school—these issues are just as interesting to me now as they were when I was younger, and that’s what I want to write about.

Plus, I’d just rather spend time in a kid’s head. With adults, it’s blah blah my job; blah blah my spouse/house/baby. Freaking out because your friend DID NOT JUST BECOME FRIENDS WITH THAT GUY ON FACEBOOK is way more fun for me to think about.

How are you and Marina and/or Sachi alike? How are you different?
Marina, one of the two narrators in Nice and Mean, has a snarky and judgmental side, but I am not like that at all. Snarky judgmental people are totally lame and need to buy themselves lives, preferably not at a discount.

Ooh. Did I say that out loud?

Yeah. So that’s how I’m like Marina. I’m similar to Sachi, the other narrator, in that we’re kind of both worrywarts. But we’re fun, we’re nice, and really, the worrywart thing is not that big of a deal—truly!

What was the hardest aspect of writing Nice and Mean?
Perfecting the first chapter for each character. First chapters are just the death of me; it’s so hard to balance back-story and action. Not that I want to predict my obituary, but if it read, “Author Found Strangled by Chapter One,” I would not be surprised.

What do you want readers to take from Nice and Mean?
A really good time!

I’d like readers to think about the ways people get what they want, and how too much meanness or too much niceness can get in the way. And if readers thought a bit about what makes something popular, I wouldn’t mind that, either.

Do you have a specific schedule of when you write?
Every weekday, first thing in the morning after a basic email check, unless I’m teaching, in which case I write first thing after I get home. (I work for a theatre and visit schools to teach playwriting.) I find that if I do too many non-writing things before attacking the novel, it’s hard to focus.

Lastly, is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks, Mavie, for hosting me! Mavie has great taste in books (not just mine) and asks questions that are fun to answer.

I hope you are excited to enter the contest and learn more about Nice and Mean. I’d like to think that if Marina could read it, she’d say it’s hot, hot, hot…that is, if she’s not off finding ways to humiliate Rachel in her video. (Marina, step away from the video camera. Oh, jeez…)

-----
CONTEST
*Bangles are pictured here.

Prizes:
Grand winner: (5) signed bookmarks; (1) 3-pack Dr. Pepper Lip Gloss; Bangle Bracelets
(2) Runners-up: (2) signed Nice and Mean bookmarks each.

Official Info:

• fill out THIS form
• open to U.S. only
• March 12 is the deadline
• check my contest policy
• good luck!
  

*Thanks to Jessica for donating and the interview!

Winners: Lisa R, Liz, Vidisha.

~CONTEST CLOSED~