Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

Seventeen-year-old Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven, and thrilled to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But when a violent and disturbing vision begins to haunt her, Violet suddenly feels unsure of everything: who to trust, if she is in danger, and—worst of all—whether she and Aidan are really meant to be together.

 

 

Expected Publication: 5 June 2012 by Simon Pulse

Cover art and description courtesy of Goodreads.

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

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

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

Publication Information: 7 July 2011 by Little Prince Publishing.

Cover art and description courtesy of Goodreads.

I received an electronic copy of KINGS & QUEENS as part of a blog tour arranged by SupaGurl Books.

THE TWEET

Mystery, suspense & H.S. drama combine as teen girl probes the death of her father & the planning of an unspeakable event in KINGS & QUEENS.

WHAT WORKED

I’m going to start off by saying this review is going to be shorter than most of my past reviews have been. I always try to keep my reviews spoiler-free because I don’t want to ruin the book for those who have not read it yet. So while I really liked KINGS & QUEENS, I want it to remain spoiler-free, therefore this will be a brief review to honor that.

I loved the characters in KINGS & QUEENS. Author Vail uses back stories to give readers insight into each of the characters. I thought this was a great way to take readers into the minds of the different characters and to see why they did and said the things they did. It also helped to make the characters well developed and easier to relate to.

I also liked the mystery aspect of KINGS & QUEENS. I enjoy well written mysteries that keep me guessing till the very end (and that I can’t obviously predict events in). This book delivers that in spades! I honestly had no idea the story was going to end the way it did.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK

The beginning of KINGS & QUEENS was very confusing. I can’t say that as a reader, I was just thrown into the story, but I had trouble figuring out the significance of starting the story off as it did. I admit, I probably would have put this book down if I had not been reading it for a tour. But the story itself, once I really got into it was interesting and hooked my attention.

OVERALL

Author Courtney Vail brings a unique writing style to YA fiction with the publication of KINGS & QUEENS. She has written a complex story with an intriguing mystery, set against the background of a high school setting. Look past the confusing beginning and you will find a host of interesting characters, as well as an exciting plot, with twists that will pull you into the world of KINGS & QUEENS, and not let you go until the end.

MY RATING

Another cover reveal! Today I will be revealing REDHEADS ARE SOULLESS by Heather M. White.

First, the blurb:

High school senior, Sofia Black, has had a very hard life. Since her father’s death 7 years ago, she has had to look after her drug addicted, alcoholic mother. School isn’t any better for her either. The other kids constantly tease, and ridicule her. All she wants is to get out of her small hometown in Alabama.

Jason’s twin brother, Robbie, moves into town, and things go haywire. Sofia is now running for her life – and Jason is forced to share hidden secrets with her. She learns the truth about her father’s death, and finds out that she may not be as “human” as she once thought. She struggles to accept her fate, while fighting for her life.

And now, the cover:

I love, love, love the color of her hair! REDHEADS ARE SOULLESS sounds like a very interesting book and I am looking forward to its release.

Click

to add to your Goodreads wishlist.

Cover art created by SUPAGURL BOOKS.

For more information on the author, Heather M. White, visit her BLOG.

Also, check out my promo piece for her DESTINY series HERE.

Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

Parties, bad boys, speakeasies—life in Manhattan has become a woozy blur for Clara Knowles. If Marcus Eastman truly loved her, how could he have fallen for another girl so quickly? Their romance mustn’t have been as magical as Clara thought. And if she has to be unhappy, she’s going to drag everyone else down to the depths of despair right along with her.

Being a Barnard girl is the stuff of Lorraine Dyer’s dreams. Finding out that Marcus is marrying a gold digger who may or may not be named Anastasia? A nightmare. The old Lorraine would have sat by and let the chips fall where they may, but she’s grown up a lot these past few months. She can’t bear to see Marcus lose a chance for true love. But will anyone listen to her?

Now that the charges against her have been dropped, Gloria Carmody is spending the last dizzying days of summer on Long Island, yachting on the sound and palling around with socialites at Forrest Hamilton’s swanky villa. Beneath her smile, though, Gloria’s keeping a secret. One that could have deadly consequences . . .

Expected Publication: 10 July 2012 by Delacourte Books for Young Readers

Cover art and description courtesy of Goodreads.

Hello Everybody! Today’s promo post is part of a tour I am participating in through SupaGurl Blog Tours. So read on for more information on the DESTINY series by Heather M. White! I will also be posting my review of the first book WHEN DESTINY KNOCKS on 6 May 2012, so mark your calendars to check back then

Author Bio:

I am a returning resident to Arkansas. I just migrated south from Saint Louis, MO with my husband. We have a married a year.

I love to write. I have been writing since I was a kid – literally. I decided in the 2nd grade I would write a book. I wrote lots of short stories and poems… And did I mention I wrote over 200 songs? (Yeah, I’m a musician too – guitar, bass, drums and vocals). So I wrote my very first novel at the ripe age of 14… My Mom still has it :-/. OK, so maybe it wasn’t my best work, but I had a LOT of fun writing it!

When I’m not writing, I am normally reading. I am also a caffeine addict… Dr. Pepper and NOS (the energy drink) are my drugs of choice

Author photo courtesy of Goodreads

About the DESTINY books:

16 year old Karlie has had a pretty normal life… But when her Mom dies she is forced to move over 1,000 miles away to live with her Dad. That’s when things start getting weird.

She can’t explain the earthquakes that nobody else feels, or why she no longer sleeps. But most of all she doesn’t know why she trusts Shane so much, even though his Dad wants her dead.

Suddenly, Karlie’s normal life is turned upside down and she enters a world she never dreamed could really exist.

Publication Information: 24 December 2011 as a ebook.

For more information on WHEN DESTINY KNOCKS, visit:

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE

Now that Karlie has received her full powers, things are going to be great… right?

Karlie’s number one priority is to kill Serenity – after all she deserves it for trying to kill Alex. Though it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Serenity teams up with demons to create an army to destroy Karlie.

On top of that, there are a ton of zombies, everywhere… And a new angel in town, who seems more like a demon… And of course, a shape shifter dragon! It’s all weird, even for Karlie.

With friends turning against friends, it seems as though her life got a whole lot more complicated.

Expected Publication: April 2012

All promo material provided by SupaGurl Blog Tours.

I’m excited to be participating in the cover reveal for CHANGED by Jennifer Snyder. CHANGED is the second book in the Marked Duology series. Before I reveal the cover, here is the blurb:

Would you fight to the death to prove you are worthy to stand beside the one you loved?

As the Wolf Moon draws near, Tessa uncovers some things about Jace and Shelby’s relationship and exactly what Pack Law entails in the untraditional situation Jace has created for them all.

AND THERE’S MORE! Read below for an excerpt from CHANGED:

An itch began to spread slowly from my bite mark and across my entire body. It never seemed to be satisfied, and I worried that if I continued to scratch it the way that I was, I might draw blood. My eyes flickered toward my bedroom window while I anxiously awaited Jace’s tapping. When was he going to be here? I didn’t want to change in my bedroom!
And then he was there—his smiling face filled with excitement, staring at me through the glass. I pushed the window open, but didn’t smile in return.
“Ready?” he asked, his amber eyes twinkling in my bedroom light as he removed the screen from my window.
I shook my head. “No, I’m not feeling so well.”
“You’ll be all right; it’ll go away shortly. Trust me, Tessa, come outside,” he whispered into the night, his gaze shifting toward the full moon.
Even though my legs were trembling beneath me, I still managed to climb out my window without falling on my face thanks to Jace. The cool night air gently swept across my skin, cooling my itch upon contact. Jace took my hand in his and slowly we began walking away from my house and out into my darkened backyard.
I took in a few deep, measured breaths while we walked and didn’t glance over my shoulder once to see if my mother was watching for me. I didn’t care if she saw me; it was the least of my problems at the moment.
The beautiful full moon caught my attention as we neared the edge of my yard, and I stared at it, mesmerized. My pulse quickened. I could feel it pulsating in my fingertips and wondered if it was as loud to Jace’s ears as it was to mine.
“Let’s go back a little farther tonight,” Jace insisted.
I nodded, grateful for the first time in my life that my parents and I lived on three acres of land. Stepping over twigs and weaving through branches, we made our way farther into the wooded lot. I found it extremely easy to see where I was going. My eyesight had grown amazingly clear.
When Jace finally came to a stop, I shifted my gaze to his face and marveled in the look of childlike excitement etched into his features. I wished I could feel even a tiny portion of that right now. Instead, all I felt was a crippling fear eating away at me.
“You’re shaking. You okay?” Jace asked, gripping both of my clammy hands in his and looking directly in my eyes.
A tiny hysterical giggle escaped me. “No, I’m not okay. I’m scared to death right now. I’m so freaking scared that this is going to hurt just as badly as being bitten did.”
His face softened, his excitement washing away at my words to become replaced by an intense look of guilt. “It won’t, not if you don’t fight it. You’ll be all right. I promise. I’ll be here with you the whole time.”
My lips formed into a hesitant smile as I looked deeply into his eyes. The smile was more for show than anything. Don’t fight it? How did you not fight something like this?

CHANGED cover art and description courtesy of Jennifer Snyder.

Interested in finding out more about this series and author Jennifer Snyder? Visit the links below.

A mysterious stranger she can’t stay away from. A birthmark with a hidden meaning and one bite that changes seventeen-year-old Tessa Morganton’s destiny forever…

Life for Tessa had been steady and calm—with the exception of her overly jealous boyfriend—until the moment Jace Fowler walked into her life.

Jace—incredibly charming with boy band good looks—is someone whom Tessa can’t seem to stay away from… no matter how much she knows she should.

After surviving a strange animal attack, Tessa learns just how mysterious and secretive Jace really is and that his secrets not only involve himself…but her as well, making Tessa question everything she’s ever believed regarding her life and those around her.

MARKED cover art and description courtesy of Goodreads.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title, and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Then he blinked, and the spell was broken. I squirmed away, instantly hot and unsettled. How had I fallen into such easy closeness with a boy I barely knew?

p. 87*

 

 

*Quote taken from egalley and is subject to change at time of publication.

Expected Publication: 24 July 2012 by Harper Teen

Cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland – known as The Death Shop – are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild – a savage – and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile – everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Publication Date: 3 January 2012 by HarperCollins

THE TWEET

UNDER THE NEVER SKY blends scifi & romance in a dystopian world to tell the story of two very different teens learning to survive together.

WHAT WORKED

I really liked the world building and character development in UtNS. Author Veronica Rossi shows readers a world where some humans are reliant on technology to interact with each other and live in sheltered pods. Meanwhile, those who live outside of the pods band together in self sufficient communities to survive the harsh conditions created by the Aether in the sky. Rossi writes UtNS from two different point of views – Perry, an “Outsider” and Aria, a “Mole.” This really allows readers a glimpse into the differences of the two separate living experiences. It also emphasizes the character development, especially of Aria, who changes as she learns to live in a very different world from that she was used to.

I also liked the contrast of Perry’s relationship with his nephew, Talon, as opposed to that of Talon and his father, Vale. Perry’s dedication and love for Talon were very obvious and I enjoyed reading about the familial bond Perry and Talon had with each other. And while Perry and Vale had their differences, it was also evident that Perry cared for his brother at the onset of the novel.

OVERALL

I fell in love with Perry and Aria in UNDER THE NEVER SKY. I loved reading about them as individual characters and seeing their romance develop amid trying to survive in a harsh world, as well as overcoming the differences in their upbringing. I cannot wait to see what Rossi has in store for the couple in the next book. I would also love to see more interaction between Aria and other characters from Perry’s world, such as Roar.

MY RATING

Cover art and description for UNDER THE NEVER SKY courtesy of GOODREADS.

Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

When we first meet Molly, she is plain, shy, and practically invisible to most of her fellow high school students. Hudson, the boy she cannot help but like, is handsome and popular. One day at a town carnival, Molly stumbles across an eccentric artist who offers to sketch her portrait. Thinking aloud, she wishes she was the most beautiful girl in the world. The following day, Molly gets her wish. All the guys at school are vying for her affection. Best of all, Hudson’s finally noticing her. As Molly’s relationship with Hudson heats up, violence threatens to erupt among the guys of their high school, and the newfound attention threatens to destroy the relationships she values.

Expected Publication: 10 May 2012 by Razerbill

Cover art and description courtesy of GOODREADS.

Pre-order BEAUTY from your local independent bookstore.

 

]]> http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/04/waiting-on-wednesday-35-beauty.html/feed 5 http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/04/teaser-tuesdays-40-unraveling.html http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/04/teaser-tuesdays-40-unraveling.html#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000 Jenna (JL @ An Avid Reader's Musings) http://www.avidreadermusings.com/?p=2309

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title, and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

THIS WEEK’S TEASER IS:

UNRAVELING by Elizabeth Norris

 

“It’s just…” He sighs. “I don’t always make the right decisions, and I get that.” He shrugs. “But at the end of the day, I want to be able to look myself in the eyes and say I believe in them. I want to know I’d make each one again.”

p.76*

 

*Quote taken from electronic galley and is subject to change at publication.

 

 

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Expected Publication: 24 April 2012 by Balzer + Bray

Cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

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Pre-order UNRAVELING from your local independent bookstore.

 

]]> http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/04/teaser-tuesdays-40-unraveling.html/feed 12 http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/blog-tour-guest-post-author-taryn-browning-whispering-hills.html http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/blog-tour-guest-post-author-taryn-browning-whispering-hills.html#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 05:05:34 +0000 Jenna (JL @ An Avid Reader's Musings) http://www.avidreadermusings.com/?p=2295

 

 

I want to welcome author Taryn Browning to An Avid Reader’s Musings. Taryn is the author of WHISPERING HILLS as well as the SEEKER series. She is joining me today as part of a blog tour arranged by Heather at SupaGurl Books.

 

 

AUTHOR BIO

With my Bachelor’s in Education, Master’s in Reading, and overly active imagination, I developed a strong passion for reading and writing. Although, I’m pretty sure my fascination with anything paranormal (ghosts, vampires, witches, etc.) started early in life. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all-time favorite shows.

I am fortunate to have two beautiful young boys and a very supportive husband. I’m a firm believer in doing what you love. With love and enthusiasm you can achieve anything. I’m so grateful for the wonderful people in my life who support me in following my dreams.

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Bio and author photo courtesy of Taryn Browning’s WEBSITE.

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I know authors often get asked about their musical preferences and/or soundtracks for their books. To mix it up, I’d like to know about music from your characters point of view. Choose a character from Whispering Hills and discuss their musical preferences. What are their top five songs and how do the songs relate to their personalities and also to events in the book?

 

I thought I’d talk about Chance’s preferences in music since he is a few decades behind. He listens to late 80′s and early 90′s rock – for reasons I can’t tell you. I don’t want to spoil the book.
Here are five songs/bands and how they relate to Chance:

1. Metallica – On his first day at Whispering Hills High School he wears a Metallica Tour T-shirt. His favorite song by Metallica is One.

2. Def Leopard – Chance has the Def Leopard song, Hysteria, set as his ringtone.

3. Fleetwood Mac – Alexis and Chance share a mutual love of this band. They refer to the song Caroline on the way to First Manassas – where the first land battle between the Union and Confederate armies took place in Virginia during the Civil War.

4. Journey – On the same trip to First Manassas they discuss how the band found Arnel Pineda from the Philippines on YouTube as a “replacement” for the former lead singer, Steve Perry.

5. Your Call by Secondhand Serenade – This is a great song to describe how Chance feels about Alexis.

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Thank you for joining me today, Taryn!

For more information on WHISPERING HILLS and Taryn Browning, visit:

BLOG / GOODREADS / TWITTER / WEBSITE

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For as long as she can remember, 17-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead.

She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago.

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Cover art courtesy of author TARYN BROWNING.

Book description courtesy of GOODREADS.

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]]> http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/blog-tour-guest-post-author-taryn-browning-whispering-hills.html/feed 0 http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/waiting-on-wednesday-34-reunited.html http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/waiting-on-wednesday-34-reunited.html#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:05:52 +0000 Jenna (JL @ An Avid Reader's Musings) http://www.avidreadermusings.com/?p=2285

 

 

Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are eagerly anticipated.

 

This week, my “Waiting On” pick is:
REUNITED by Hilary Weisman Graham

 

1 Concert
2000 Miles
3 Ex-Best Friends

Alice, Summer, and Tiernan are ex-best friends.

Back in middle school, the three girls were inseparable. They were also the number one fans of the rock band Level3.

But when the band broke up, so did their friendship. Summer ran with the popular crowd, Tiernan was a rebellious wild-child, and Alice spent high school with her nose buried in books.

Now, just as the girls are about to graduate, Level3 announces a one-time-only reunion show.

Even though the concert’s 2000 miles away, Alice buys three tickets on impulse. And as it turns out, Summer and Tiernan have their own reasons for wanting to get out of town. Good thing Alice’s graduation gift (a pea-green 1976 VW camper van known as the Pea Pod) is just the vehicle to get them there.

But on the long drive cross-country, the girls hit more than a few bumps in the road. Will their friendship get an encore or is the show really over?

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Expected Publication: 12 June 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Cover art and description courtesy of GOODREADS.

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Pre-order REUNITED from your local independent bookstore.

 

]]> http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/waiting-on-wednesday-34-reunited.html/feed 5 http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/teaser-tuesdays-39-darkness-before-dawn.html http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/teaser-tuesdays-39-darkness-before-dawn.html#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:00:11 +0000 Jenna (JL @ An Avid Reader's Musings) http://www.avidreadermusings.com/?p=2276

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title, and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

THIS WEEK’S TEASER IS:
DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN by J.A. London

 

 

If vampires had feelings, I would have thought that I’d hurt his. He gently takes the stake out of my hand, as if he were taking a present, then releases his hold on me completely. I quickly slide away from him and cross my arms over my chest.

p.73*
 

 

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*Quote taken from ARC and is subject to change at publication.

Expected Publication: 29 May 2012 by Harper Teen

Cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

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Pre-order DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN from your local independent bookstore.

 

]]> http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/teaser-tuesdays-39-darkness-before-dawn.html/feed 11 http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/blog-tour-author-interview-and-giveaway-gina-damico-croak.html http://www.avidreadermusings.com/2012/03/blog-tour-author-interview-and-giveaway-gina-damico-croak.html#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:13:51 +0000 Jenna (JL @ An Avid Reader's Musings) http://www.avidreadermusings.com/?p=2267

 

 

Hello readers! Today I am happy to be part of THE TEEN BOOK SCENE’s blog tour for CROAK by Gina Damico. Gina has graciously answered a few burning questions for you. So read on!

 

Gina Damico grew up under four feet of snow in Syracuse, New York. She received a degree in theater and sociology from Boston College, where she was active with the Committee for Creative Enactments, a murder mystery improv comedy troupe, which may or may not have sparked an interest in wildly improbable bloodshed. Since then, Gina has worked as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker and breadmonger. Croak is her first novel. Gina lives in Boston with her husband, two cats, and a closet full of black hoodies.

 

 

Describe CROAK in 140 characters or less.

Oh, there aren’t even close to 140 characters in Croak. The town’s population alone only has
about a hundred. Oh wait, I see what you’re ask-

 

Which character was the easiest for you to write?

Cordy, Lex’s twin sister, flowed really easily. She and Lex have a relationship that is fairly
similar to mine with my own sister, so any scenes where they interact just came really naturally.
Especially the fighty ones.

 

Do you have a specific place where you write?

If by specific you mean all over the house, then yes. I sprawl across the living room, I set up
shop on my dining room table, I hole myself up in my office, and if it’s nice out I’ll go on my
porch, often cycling between all of those several times in one day. I’m on my couch right now,
but that could easily change within minutes.

 

What are your top five favorite books of all time?

Of all time is tricky – I’ve read a pantload of books in my years, and I’ve loved a great deal of
them. So here are just a few off the top of my head, in different categories:

Children’s: Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by Dr. Seuss
Middle Grade: The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
YA: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor
Adult: Room, by Emma Donoghue
Nonfiction: A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson

 

Are you working on a new writing project right now? If so, can you share some details?

I am, but since it’s in such an early stage I can’t really share details. Let’s just say there might be
some fantastical elements, there might be some treachery, and there might be some flying. But
then again, there might not. It might just be about soggy cardboard or cat toys.

Thanks for having me, and happy reaping reading!

 

Thank you for visiting Gina! For more information on CROAK and author Gina Damico, visit:

WEBSITE / GOODREADS / TWITTER

 

Also, one lucky reader will win a prize pack of swag which includes a scythe pendant, signed bookplate, and signed bookmark! Just fill out the rafflecopter below to be entered.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby has sucker-punched her last classmate. Fed up with her punkish, wild behavior, her parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than that of shoveling manure.

He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach her the family business.

Lex quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated entirely by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. Along with her infuriating yet intriguing partner Driggs and a rockstar crew of fellow Grim apprentices, Lex is soon zapping her Targets like a natural born Killer.

Yet her innate ability morphs into an unchecked desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she’s forced to Kill a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. So when people start to die—that is, people who aren’t supposed to be dying, people who have committed grievous crimes against the innocent—Lex’s curiosity is piqued. Her obsession grows as the bodies pile up, and a troubling question begins to swirl through her mind: if she succeeds in tracking down the murderer, will she stop the carnage—or will she ditch Croak and join in?

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Publication Date: 20 March 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Cover art, author photo and book description courtesy of GOODREADS.

Author bio courtesy of Gina Damico’s WEBSITE.

 

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