The new voice you hear is Amanda, she joined our fold several months ago and is making her podcast debut, YAY!!!!

*SPOILERS and as always you can find us on itunes*

from goodreads - Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she’s far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can’t control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

my take - Wow, this book really took me by surprise and had me flipping pages so fast that even though I was hesitant for how it might end I couldn’t help myself – I had to keep reading!! I mean it was awesome and weird and just a little on the creepy side.

Delaney survives an eleven minute drowning. She’s a miracle. Her brain scan shows damage but she has no signs of memory loss, cognitive abilities or physical limitations. She is an anomaly. Her battle to adjust to her new life as a “miracle” is heart breaking, and her inner dialogue rings true.

Decker, he is defiantly up there with favorite male characters. He’s determination and angst all coupled with the ending will make him a memorable character for years to come.

The dynamic between Delany and Decker was superb and I instantly connected with them. Their angst was thick (just how I like it), Miranda did a superb job keeping the reader guessing and interested in their plight.

The twist in this book is unexpected, and it was like a gift that kept on giving. It was a constant surprise and I had no idea where it was headed. Like I said I was hesitant to continue reading at times, I was dreading what might happen, and there were times I had to put the book down so that I could breathe and chant, “It’s just a book, it’s just a book.”

Megan Miranda is defiantly one to watch, Fracture is an excellent YA thriller that had my heart racing and my head spinning.

side-note: make sure and check out Eleven Minutes, it’s a short story told from Decker’s perspective.

XOXO
Stacy

From Goodreads: The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

My take – This book was a great follow up to the cliffhanger that was City of Fallen Angels (see review here).  Major geek out on several levels here!  Let’s see if I can break it down for ya’ll without spoilers:

Plot- for me, the action took a back seat in this book as it really focuses on relationships.  A little slow to get rolling, but definitely got up to steam at the end and kept me hooked.  Major progress on all the relationships, and some interesting developments that surprised me … yes, definitely the climax was a shocker.

Characters – Jace is once again not himself, and Clary is a little freaked out because she still loves him, and it’s his body and hotness and all, but the guy she loves is not in there … at least, the good part.  Clary gets to be reckless and play double agent to save her true love; Jace has a moment where he breaks free (and that right there was worth all the other angst).

Sebastian was also a little surprising because he was showed Clary his softer side.  We thought he was pure evil, but is he really? Mwaa haa haa…

Simon got a lot to do in this story (yay!) and his still-forming relationship with Izzy was so cute.  Of course, Izzy needs to stop acting so tough and tell him how she feels, just sayin’.

The Magnus and Alec story line was the hardest one for me – seriously, I wanted to thump Alec in the head for major stupidity.

Infernal Devices tie-in – Oh my gosh, hints that one of the Silent Brothers (Brother Zachariah) may be Will or Jem – I guess we will find out when Clockwork Princess comes out!!

See you in the STACKS!
Nancy

Note:  You may have noticed that Nancy’s book on here changed, sorry about that!  That’s what I get for not asking questions about the title!!

The Immortal Rules

from goodreads - Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad….

my take – Let me just say that, I love me some Kagawa!!! This book is stellar, from the writing to the plot to the characters to the world building – everything! Here’s what I really liked:

*World building. Oh. My. The world created is fantastic, so very dire and survival of the fittest that the addition of vampires and ZOMBIES seems reasonable and acceptable. Did I mention also, believable? There’s no poetic snoring on landscape descriptions or soliloquys on the injustice of the Fringers – just the facts with the right amount of emotion and verve.

*Plot. AHHH!!! It’s so simple, yet filled with enough intrigue and mystery to keep you on your toes. I liked the twits thrown at us, and how nothing came easy for Allie and I liked the ending.

*Allie/Kanin. Allie is one tough girl.  She’s not perfect, but in a world of eating roaches and spiders to stave off starvation, this girls has the street smarts needed to survive. She also has a heart, though she may hide that at times.

Kanin. I love that he is a vampire and I love the mystery that surrounds him. He’s a dangerous monster with a soft side lurking under his scary demeanor.

What I didn’t like – Yep, there was one thing I did not like:

*ZEKE. This guy (Allie’s main squeeze) was just a little too perfect. A little too good. A little too giving and nice. One could argue that there is a certain scene that makes him less than admirable, but I see his action as selflessness. Zeke needs some character flaws!! People, only Peeta can be THAT good.

This is a must read for vampire/apocalyptic lovers!!

Stacy

From Goodreads.com:  Love is dangerous and trust is priceless in Holly Black’s “powerful, edgy dark” fantasy series (Publishers Weekly).

 
This Girl in the Stacks is a BIG superhero fan and after seeing The Avengers this past Friday, I HAD to get the Joss Whedon Companion.  Trust me, if you are a fan of his work, you will want to read this; it’s one of the best critical pieces on Whedon’s vision and you get some sneak peeks into The Avengers.  (Please tell me I’m not the only superhero fan here!)

Masque of the Red Death

description - While struggling with the demons from her past, Araby finds a reason to survive after a devastating plague has decimated the population and no one is whom they seem to be.

Stacy’s take - One of the first things that draw you into this flambeaux story about disease and death are the depths of the characters. The first chapter alone introduces us to Araby, and we soon discover she has demons – a past that she is trying to numb herself from. Oblivion is her peace.

The other characters as well have shrouded pasts. However, a book with a bunch of characters with desperate beginnings is not in itself interesting. In this book it’s the way each character deals with their past in the present. How they fuel their passion going forward. It’s astonishing the many different ways Bethany Griffin can spin a tortured past to a productive future, or counter productive, as the case maybe.

My favorite characters are Elliot, Araby, Araby’s father, April and the nasty Reverend Malcontent. In that order.

favorite scene - In one particular passage Araby and Elliot are in Prince Prospero’s boat, surrounded by crocodiles. We learn so much about Elliot; his fears, his desires. We can see his internal tug-a-war. This scene is touching and creepy, but gives us a glimpse inside to who Elliot is.

one complaint - Araby takes a vow of chaste because of the death of Finn, however her resolve doesn’t seem to stand on firm ground.

XOXO

So…what are you reading?

So, we’ll be reading Fracture by Megan Miranda for our first book!  As I mentioned in the video, Kate from Ex Libris, Sarah from Sarah’s Random Musings, and Jen from A Book and a Latte will be joining in on the discussion for this book.  All of these lovely ladies have read Fracture already and reviewed it on their blogs – plus we majorly owe them for helping us out with this idea!

I did forget to mention that we will be podcasting about the book and our thoughts as well as answering some questions in a post.  And please, any questions or comments you want us to discuss in a post or during the podcast, let me know!  It’s kind of like taking requests during a concert, but since I am neither musically inclined or famous, I may be stretching that metaphor a bit thin!  You get what I’m saying, right?

So let’s get reading!  And also – don’t forget that you can send me suggestions on names for this occasional YA book club.  Something quirky and clever for things like this never seems to strike me when I need it to, so your help is really appreciated.  And yes, I will totally thank you via video – this naming stuff is serious business!

What a Boy Wants

goodreads description - Courtesy of watching his mom’s relationships, Sebastian Hawkins knows what girls need to do to get a guy. He has what he considers a PHD in hooking up. When he needs extra cash for a car, Sebastian starts up an online venture as The Hook-up Doctor, to anonymously help girls land the guy of their dreams. Of course, his services don’t offer a happily-ever-after guarantee. He’s seen firsthand getting together never means staying together.

And then he falls in love…

Writing

Nyrae not only has the mechanics of writing down, she also the ability to bring the words alive in a realistic way, full of emotion with lots of teen angst. WABW is a fun read, and there were definite moments when a chuckle would escape my lips and I would say, “That Sebastian” and shake my head.

Sebastian

Oh, that Sebastian. He’s arrogant and cocky, and he’s bought into his whole persona of being the Hook Up Doctor.  It definitely takes him by surprise when he becomes one of those sappy boys, the ones who he constantly made fun of for being in love. I enjoyed reading his inner monologue, it was funny and sweet. His growth as a character may not be off the charts, but he does grow and learns something about himself along the way.

The BFFS – Sebastian, Pris, Aspen and Jaden

The friendship between Sebastian, Pris, Aspen and Jaden is real and endearing.  They are a tight knit group who will always have each other’s back. They even have a Pre-Party Plan, which is hilarious  and genius.

Thanks Nayrae for giving us a fun, easy book to read!!

 Stacy, just keeping it real…

——

Today marks day 2 of my YAY 4 YA tour. Missed day one? Check out Novel Novice  for a full explanation about this week long event and a chance to meet the characters of the Chosen Ones. Don’t forget that you have a chance to win Chosen Ones book swag by leaving comments in the comments section on my blog concerning today’s topic.

Today, I am stoked to be visiting Girls in the Stacks. What a witty name for such an awesome blog. I am excited to share what book bloggers have to say about the Chosen Ones. As a blogger myself with the highly successful Novel Novice, I can’t express how much respect and admiration I have for bloggers who help spread their love of reading to the masses. What a powerful tool in our informational age.

Below are some excerpts from what others have had to say about the Chosen Ones. You can see for yourself when the Chosen Ones hits the shelves on June 12th:

Chosen Ones, is deep, beautiful and intoxicating. Tiffany Truitt has a gift to communicate an emotional written story. This book was nothing short of AMAZING! WinterHaven Books

Full of suspense, danger, drama, and even forbidden love thrown in, Chosen Ones was everything I had expected from the book blurb. Chosen Ones is deliciously tormenting that will make you feel hopeful and heartbroken at same time. Pages From My Thoughts

Chosen Ones packs a powerhouse of emotions and eerie intrigue. It stole my heart. The Bookaholic

I really, really liked this. It has to be my favourite dystopian. It is so well written and easy to read even though there is a lot of information involved. Tiffany did a great job at the world building. Paranormal Book Fan

Another great book with an awesome kick ass character! The world that Truitt has created is dark and intense. Good Choice Reading

I was not disappointed, this book is incredible and without a doubt one of the best debut’s I have ever read. K-Books

Tess is a fantastic and strong heroine. I loved how her mind worked, how she reasoned situations, and figured things out for herself. She’s very relatable. Her relationship with James was powerful and passionate, and at times, tender. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough as I anxiously devoured every scene with them, wondering if this would be the moment they got caught. A tense, thought provoking, highly evocative read that stirs every emotion, Chosen Ones is un-put-downable, and a must for Dystopian lovers. Trisha Wolfe, YA author

Don’t forget to head over to my blog and discuss your favorite YA books. Go review crazy for a chance to win some neato prizes including a signed Mortal Instruments poster by Cassandra Clare!!

The Selection

from goodreads -  For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

my take - Fans of Matched and The Hunger Games (and the TV show, The Bachelor) will see lots of familiar  elements in The Selection by Kiera Cass. Things like, a love triangle, a caste system, doting attendants (think subdued versions of Octavia, Venia and Flavius) and a country in turmoil – however, that doesn’t mean that The Selection is a copy cat book. It’s not, it definitely has its own originality.

How it’s different:

1.) The world building. The world Cass has created is not as dire as in The Hunger Games, or so controlled like that of Matched where citizens have no freedoms of choice and are limited in knowledge. Citizens of Illea are informed, and their only repression comes from their caste fate, not strict government control. Albeit it can be argued that they are controlled, but it’s not so much big brother is watching with spies or secret cameras.

2.) The story. It’s basically The Bachelor in a readable YA format and instead of a rich guy, it’s a rich Prince looking for his future Queen. However, the difference comes in that each girl is pampered, respected and protected – and the rebel attacks. We don’t know much about the rebels, except that there are two types – the Northerners and the Southerners. I believe by book two we will have a better understanding of the rebels and what it is they want/looking for and maybe even see a turncoat or two.

3.) America and the ending. America (the MC) is a strong, stubborn heroine which is not unlike that of Cassie and Katniss. Yet, the difference is that America comes from a loving home with strong (though at times strained) family ties. She’s devoted to her family and takes pride in her “talent,” her musical abilities. America is also honest with herself, and that honesty is apparent by the end of the book. The ending (which is NOT a cliffhanger) shows her courage, sense of adventure and ability to keep a level-head.

side-note: I’m not a fan of the love triangle, and in this case it’s really killing me – I like them both! Okay, maybe I like Maxon slightly more (he was the star of this book), but my allegiance could easily be swayed with the next book!!

This is a must read for lovers utopia/dystopia genres and maybe even those of reality TV.

From Goodreads:  Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

My Take:  This book came along just when I needed it.  A grand adventure, a heroine who becomes empowered, and a romance that sizzles.  I only had a couple of nits to pick, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this book.

Ismae is a beaten down but still independent girl when she arrives at the convent, and she resolves never again to be at the mercy of others.  She trains hard and learns she has a natural immunity to poisons, which makes her assistant to the convent’s poison maker.  She is smart but naive in the ways of the world, having only known hardship and distrust from her father.  Her talent for, er, executing people gets her assigned to a mission.  She sees a mystical “marque”  that the god of Death puts on the people who must be punished for their misdeeds (punish=death).

Duval is (of course) handsome, honest, and equally talented at political intrique and fighting.  His relationship with Ismae starts off as an uneasy alliance, but blossoms into love.  More worldly than Ismae, he brings her to court as his pretend mistress.  His desire to protect his half-sister the Duchess, and keep her on the throne of Brittany, is his driving force.  Duval is a clear cut good guy in a book full of characters with ulterior motives and intense ambitions.

The adventure is full of political intriques, backstabbing, treachery, fighting and, of course, poison.  Ismae’s blind faith in the convent is soon tested, and she realizes that the world is not as black and white as the Reverend Mother says it is.  Learning to think for herself is scary, but Ismae follows her heart (and her God) to do what she thinks is right.

There will be a sequel, and on Ms. LaFevers’ website it says it is about a character who plays a small role in this book.  I believe there is also a third book coming, and I have a hunch who it will feature but we will have to see.   

See you in the STACKS,
Nancy 

So what are you reading (or re-reading!) this week?

Gilt

from goodreads - When Kitty Tylney’s best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII’s heart and brings Kitty to court, she’s thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat’s shadow, Kitty’s now caught between two men–the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat’s meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head.

my take - The best way for me to describe this book is like a modernized telling of life in the court of King Henry VIII. That’s not to say it’s set in modern times, it’s set in the 1540s – the time of King Henry’s reign. It just has a modern feel, think sentence structure, vernacular.

The stars of the show are Kitty and Cat. Kitty is passive and lonely and dependent on Cat, but don’t think weak. She has a mind of her own. She is also a faithful and loyal friend, to the very end.  BFF Cat (Catherine Howard) is Kitty’s complete opposite. She is selfish, mean, narcissistic and totally self-serving.  The two together provide good fodder for unhealthy relationships. Don’t get me wrong, they have poignant moments together, but overall Cat is using Kitty for a confident and Kitty using Cat for a secure place to live.

Once Cat marries Henry VIII, she is still vile, but now everyone is required to succumb to her orders. Those orders grow harder and harder for Kitty to follow. At this point court life is in full force and one must watch what they say, whom they’re seen with for court gossip is vicious and anything can be turned into treason.

As for the two men after Kitty’s affection, William and Edmund, each offer something completely different. By the end of the story I have respect for both (I forgive easily). However, don’t think love triangle.

The ending is filled with hope, a chance for new beginnings (no cliff hanger).

Overall, it’s a good entertaining story and perfect for those who love historical reads.

side note – As I understand, Longshore is planning a three-novel series, though not direct sequels. She plans on writing more about court life and mentions we might see some of our favorites again. I’m hoping we get to see how Kitty’s life turned out.

XOXO
Stacy 

Are you reading the LHJ book along with us? Keep watch for our reactions to that book and the awesome ones we’re working on right now!

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry
Publisher:  Amulet Books
Release Date:  May 1, 2012
Find the author:  website / Facebook / Twitter

From Goodreads.com:  This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance. On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

Amanda’s take:  I have to be totally honest – when I saw this book on NetGalley, two things made me want to read it:  the fact that one of the characters was a librarian (yay librarian love!) and the cover.  Let’s be honest, the cover is gorgeous, it went right to my little steampunk heart.  So onto my Nook went the book!

I loved the premise of this book:  Lena, who has long spindly fingers and huge feet, decides to try and find her father, who abandoned her when she was five.  Lena’s family tells her she has goblin blood because her strange hands and feet show classic goblin traits.  Lena hides her “deformities” under long skirts and in dark gloves, but she secretly wonders if her father’s disappearance into Scree, where society keeps its undesirable – looking citizens (called Peculiars), has something to do with the way she looks.  The first part of the book that lays out Lena’s character,  how she decides to board a train to the outerlands to Scree, then her interactions with Jimson Quiggley, an untrained librarian going to a job, was good.  It kept me reading and wanting to know more about the Peculiars and Lena and if Jimson would become a love interest for her.

There’s some action when the train is boarded by outlaws who are being chased by Thomas Saltre, a marshal in one of the border towns.  Thomas is an easily despicable character, because after he finds out who Lena’s father is, he uses her and her need to get into Scree to spy on the local oddball, Mr. Beasley.  I hated Thomas instantly; he blackmails Lena, asks her to stick her neck out for him and makes her risk her newfound friendships with Jimson and Beasley.  What baffled me was Lena’s attraction to Thomas, even when he was using her.

Mr. Beasley, whose huge home library attracted Jimson and, subsequently Lena (whose mother is a librarian) was another odd character that I couldn’t quite wrap my head around.  The dude is bald and pencils his eyebrows on!  I kept thinking of some of my aunts who I saw when I was younger that had those scary, dark pencil drawn eyebrows and telling my brother I was scared of so and so because their eyebrows were like caterpillars.  But beyond the whole eyebrow issue, Beasley is a quirky kind of character who is very secretive and appears to be hiding something.  When Jimson spots a winged woman on one of the balconies at Beasley’s house, Lena grows suspicious and she and Jimson try to find the mystery woman.

What occurs after this point is a mix of action and self – discovery; one reviewer on Goodreads described the book as part quest.  I would definitely have to agree with that, since Lena and Jimson wind up joining Mr. Beasley’s cause:  saving Peculiars from vigilantes like Thomas who would see them and their sympathizers suffering, imprisoned, or even killed.  Lena’s quest to find her father takes on a new aim as the group flees Beasley’s house when it is invaded by Thomas and his men.  They are now on a rescue mission, trying to save themselves and the two people whom Beasley was trying to smuggle into Scree.

McQuerry’s characters are really well – written and my reactions to them were almost instantaneous.  The only character I was slightly disappointed in was Lena.  I lay that blame more at the feet of strong heroines like Katsa, Katniss, and Karou.  (Graceling, The Hunger Games, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone respectively.)  I, and I think many YA readers, have become so used to strong female protagonists that characters like Lena, who take some extra time to come into their own strengths, can be frustrating.  But this is not a negative reflection on McQuerry’s writing, but instead a reflection upon the way YA novels, for the most part, are focusing on female power and prowess.

But that’s a discussion for another day!  (Unless you want to start one in the comments, and by all means do!)  I did enjoy The Peculiars and I want to see what else this author has up her sleeve.

Leanna was kind enough to answer some of my questions about brooding heroes, romance in the rain, and Strangely Beautiful, The Musical (her book is being turned into a stage production! Woot!)  I get excited about books all the time, but you have NO idea how crazy happy I am that The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart is out at the end of the year!

You can find Leanna on:  Twitter / Facebook / website

Reading your books put me in the mindset of rainy, windswept days, secret love in shadowed hallways (Okay, that sounded wrong!  You know what I mean!), and mystic and mythical powers and beings.  What gets you in the mindset to write these themes and beautifully Gothic characters?

Thank you for such a lovely atmospheric introduction, and your response is exactly what I hope for! It’s a longing for exactly what you described that has me writing what I write; I want to be transported to those windswept, delicious, spine-tingling atmospheres. I have been called to write Gothic fiction as if it were a demand from a past life or a prompt from ghosts around me. Since I was about 9 years old, making up ghost stories and falling in love with Edgar Allen Poe, I knew I was Gothic by sentiment and temperament. I loved dramatic music, historic architecture, dark and stormy nights from my earliest sense of “favorite things”. I loved fantasy, science-fiction and the paranormal alongside healthy doses of history, so it was a natural fit for me to combine the fantastical and the paranormal with a Victorian time-period. The Victorians were as obsessed with ghosts and the supernatural as I am, and I loved their clothes. Yes, the visual aesthetic of the late 19th century is a profound motivator for me, I crave to be closer to an era I find so visually beautiful. Writing books in that passionate, intense, dramatic atmosphere is where all my interests meet my great drive to create, it’s where I feel I best fulfill my purpose on this planet as a storyteller.

Okay, you have to tell me – do you base your brooding, dark heroes on any particular vision or inspiration?  Are they harder to write than a “typical” romantic hero?

With the Strangely Beautiful saga, I can say specifically that I was interested in what sort of man would result by combining Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre with Severus Snape from Harry Potter, my two great literary loves. From that thought, the compelling Professor Rychman was born. He became his own person as the story grew and blossomed, and I’m more proud of him, and more than a bit in love with him, than I can say.

I don’t really know how to write anything else than what calls to me, and the dark and brooding types call to me like long lost love. But with Jonathon, Lord Denbury, the hero of Darker Still, I fell for him differently. I grew to admire him more slowly and sweetly. I wanted to do something different when I created him. He began as an homage to The Picture of Dorian Gray but in working on the sequel he has become SO much more. He’s got his brooding aspects but he’s also a young gentleman. Despite his youth and inexperience, he respects Natalie’s boundaries and tries always to do right by her. He is half Professor Rychman’s age and far less damaged by the weight of supernatural years fighting maddening foes. I still wanted Denbury to be as compelling as Rychman, he’s just fresher, more innocent, and those qualities were deliciously compelling to write against a worsening, horrific backdrop of dark magic.

I have always been a weirdo. Perky but with a fierce dark side. A Goth girl. An empath. An actress. An artistic soul in every sense and sensibility. Manic and intense at some times, terribly goofy at others. So I’m not exactly sure what “typical” is. My standards are, and my world-view is, shall we say, “strangely beautiful”.

I read on your website that The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker was optioned for adaptation  into a musical production!  That had to be so exciting when you found out!  Where does production stand on the musical?

Yes! It is unbelievably thrilling and I still have to pinch myself that it’s actually happening! We have held staged readings here in New York City, a professional recording session, and we have a few regional theatres in mind for workshopping. We have producer and investor interest so it’s now just a matter of time. By next year, Strangely Beautiful will be workshopping in a regional theatre while we prepare for the hopeful move to Broadway. You can hear several tracks from the musical  here  and we’re also on Facebook and Twitter for periodic updates.

Can you give us any details or hints about your upcoming book, The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart?  I know there has to be more Lord Denbury (yay!); can you give a hopeless romantic any juicy bits about Natalie and Denbury?   

Yes! I am thrilled to report my editor calls Twisted Tragedy the best book I’ve written. It’s immersive with action and adventure right from the start. The book picks up exactly where DARKER STILL leaves off with our hero and heroine Natalie and Denbury on the train. I build and grow their relationship right from page one and what I love most about this book is what a great team they become. They are funny, sweet, passionate, tender and clever together, an incredible partnership, but they’re also young and newly in love, so its a huge learning curve against a growing battle for sanity and their souls as the dark magic that ensnared them seeks to trap them again. They’ve new problems to solve and friends to save. Lord Denbury grows from a hero limited and trapped by a painting to a young man fully showcasing his brains (and some brawn) as he has to play double-agent for the insidious Master’s Society. Natalie must navigate her role as a young adult now “healed” of her Selective Mutism but still sometimes trapped by its psychological impact, and beholden to the permissions of her father. She remains, as always, at the center of the unfolding mystery. Lavish 1880s New York settings are paired with intimate, seductive moments and dreadful nightmares. (All with a notable shout-out to FRANKENSTEIN.) I truly cannot wait to share this book with you all.

I hope you’ll follow me on Twitter and Facebook  and bookmark my site here for updates! In September I’m headlining an anthology of YA historical romance titled WILLFUL IMPROPRIETY: 13 Tales of Society, Scandal and Romance (Running Press) with a foreword by Scott Westerfeld, I am so excited about it! (More details on my blog). November feels like a long ways away for The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart’s release, so it’s nice to have September to look forward to.

And if you haven’t read Leanna’s work, I highly recommend it!  Especially if you’re a fan of slightly darker nature yourself.

I’m really digging these covers, especially the one for A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink.  And so far, the book is living up to its gorgeous cover!

David is one of the coolest YA authors around. He’s not only funny, but sports an impressive resume and has worn the much loved traveling pajants. Yes, those pajants. His incredibly hilarious action packed books include, Soul Enchilada, and sci-fi series Black Hole Sun and Invisible Sun.

Today, we’re discussing the Black Hole Sun series –if you haven’t read this series then you’re missing out. It’s the best of YA science fiction. Yes. THE BEST.

You can find David on:  twitter / facebook / website

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Please explain the unique relationship between Durango, Mimi and Vienne. In five words.
“Durango–torn between two sluggers.” (you have to know the Mary McGregor song to get that; if you don’t know the song, trust me, it’s very apropos. Also, there’s YouTube if you want to sing along.)

There is quite a bit of action in both Back Hole Sun and Invisible Sun, which begs the question – do you ever act out your scenes? If so, whom do you rumble with?
Oh yeah, there are lots of kicks and punches flying when I’m choreographing scenes, after which I visit the chiropractor and ice down my strained hammies, My teenage children helped me with some of the fight scenes in Invisible Sun. For Black Hole Sun, I practiced with our two dogs. They’re closest things to cannibals we have, as they constantly tried to tenderize me with their tongues. The border collie has a mean front kick and whiptastic tail.

How much of you do you place in your books? We’re already assuming you’re a fan of 90’s grunge.
How can you not be a fan of 90′s grunge? It’s like REM on anti-depressants–or not on them, actually. Metal, folk, and flannel shirts, three of the best things ever! On to your real question: So far, there’s very little of me in the three books I’ve published. I try to create characters out of whole cloth so that they aren’t limited by my initial perceptions. Maybe I have Durango’s sense of justice and his belief that you do what’s right when its most inconvenient. Now the jacket art, the model they used for Durango? He looks just like I do…in my dreams. And when I’m fighting the dogs.

Cover envy. Do authors come up to you and ask how you get the cool covers with the tough looking heartthrobs on them? Seriously, you’re covers in this series are unique and stand out against the black and flowy prom dresses of most other YA books.
Those jackets were like manna from heaven. One day, my editor announced that they were getting new covers and here’s the model they’re going to use. I showed his photos to a few girls and a couple of ladies, and it was like vapors day at the cotillion. Seriously, this guy was so hot, even the guys were like, dude, he’s too hot for your books. So he was in. Next, the artist put together concept art, and they shot the photos. The artists added the background visuals, a couple of scenes of destruction, and extra hair for Durango to get that blow-dried look. I wish I could add hair that easily. We’re ecstatic with the jackets. Wait til you see the jacket for the third book Shadow on the Sun (more grunge!).

Please, reassure us that there is a book 3 and that there will be lots of happy things in it.
I think I just did that! Yes, book 3, Shadow on the Sun, slated for a Spring 2013 release. I’ve finished the first draft. Looks of happy things happen. Sad things, too. There will be motorcycles, too. I act out the motorcycle scenes, too, along with sound effects. Every time I practice engine noises, the dogs run away.

Since you wear many literary hats (writer, professor and past president of ALAN), we assume you are a hardcore reader. With that, we have to know, what’s in your STACKS? What gets your heart pumping?
Heart ripping is more like it. I just finished Jo Knowles’ See You at Harry’s. It’s aslobber knocker. I figured I’d get the openly weeping part of my reading out of the way before returning to the mysteries and thrillers I love. There’s a new take on Masque of the Red Death I’m dying to read, along with Alethea Kontis’ Enchanted. The new Stephen King novel is lurking in my pile, too, but it’s so danged long, which is a huge time commitment. I have to save time for fighting with the dogs.

Lighting Round, Holly Black style (pretend you’re standing on a table and we’re all staring at you):
Barbershop, Pro-cuts or Flowbee - Barbershop, if it’s open. Nair if it’s not.
cartoon character you most identify with - Bob Parr from The Incredibles
A book that made you cry - the aforementioned See You at Harry’s. It made me slobber myself. Embarrassing, yes, but oddly liberating.
a la Barbara Walters, if you were a tree what kind would you be - A dogwood, because I would bloom in the Spring, and no one would dare cut me down, even when I got old and full of root rot.
weekend warrior or weekend lounger - Warounger.
the best thing about The Hunger Games - The moment when Katniss takes Prim’s place and she transforms from an unlikeable character into a freaking hero who is so bad-ass, even the dogs won’t practice front kicks with her.
all-time favorite movie - Star Wars. Is anyone surprised?

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No, David we aren’t surprised with your Star Wars love. However, we raise an eyebrow at the emotional mess of ‘aslobber knocking’ over See you at Harry’s and the reaping scene in The Hunger Games. Ah, who are we kidding, we love you and your slobbery hilarity.

Black Heart by Holly Black
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: April 3

Third in the Curse Workers series!  First off – cover change: do you love or hate?  I’ve heard lots of both, but honestly I prefered the old covers.  The new ones are striking and memorable, but doesn’t encompass the feeling of the book for me.  But the book is not the cover, and the insides are made of awesome.  Cassel and Lila, the mob and the feds … all comes together with a twist.  A brilliant finale to one of my favorite series!

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Release Date: April 3, 2012

Who likes historical action and romance?  Yes, yes, we all do.  That’s why we love this book – besides being set in medieval Brittony, we get a brave and determined heroine, a handsome and virtuous hero, and poison, arrows and daggers.  Add in a dash of political intrique and stir well.  Yay!

Losers in Space by John Barnes
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date:  April 12, 2012

So, the title of this book made me laugh out loud.  It sounds like it will be all sorts of funny, or at least snarky, yes?  Publishers Weekly called it “a sort of amped-up Breakfast Club set in a celebrity-obsessed future.”  Lord knows, the way things are now, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a prediction that comes true.  I just want to ride the rocket ship to Mars … without the danger (or cameras), of course.

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: April 17, 2012

Third book in the Body Finder series, and more creep factor with a serial killer who considers his victims “girlfriends”.  Violet is working on these jobs while juggling school, boyfriend and the serious drain on her body & emotions from her ability.  Let’s hope that we get to see more Rafe and find out what his mysterious ability is … and more Jay because he’s cute and likeable and all.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 24, 2012

I know, I know, another vampire book.  BUT … this first book in the Blood of Eden series sounds really interesting!  Vampires have taken over and humans are raised like cattle.  But when Allison is given the choice to die or become one of them, she chooses to live.  Uh, that causes all sorts of problems, especially when she is trying to pass for human and find a cure for the disease that killed most of humankind…

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: April 24, 2012

A little more sci-fi than fantasy, but it sounds really cool.  Our heroine is brought back from the dead by a cute boy (I know, but it’s not an angel book!).  Actually, it’s a save-the-world-from-armageddon book.  And I’m a sucker for X-Files type stuff, so this is going on my list.

What are YOU excited to read this month?