Friday Three

1. Been reading THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray

I was so excited to finally meet Libba at ALA last month!  Let me tell you this YA historical set in the Roaring 20s is amazing.  Plus, add a paranormal element with a killer.  Total must read!















2. THE DIVINERS book trailer link:

http://shelf-life.ew.com/2012/07/27/libba-bray-diviners-trailer-exclusive/




3.  Ok, and the big thing for this week is:

It's close to where I live so I figured I may as well go!

My schedule for today is something like this:

Sign in and probably stand around in amazement and awe at all the romance writers mingling around in the Marriott.

Avon book signing
11:00 am Beyond the Hero's Journey--**Robin LaFever, author of  GRAVE MERCY, my all time favorite YA book this year, is one of the presenters.
Then I'm open for a couple hours.
2-3 From Homeroom to Last Bell
3-4 Good Things Come in Threes: Writing the YA trilogy

I'm only staying till then.  I basically want to check out everything because tomorrow I'll be there ALL DAY and hope to take in more workshops, panels, book signings, and schmoozing with authors.

RWA 12 excitement!

Yes, I'm excited about this week!  Can't you tell?


And yes, those are my birds getting mad at the neighbor's gardeners or the wild bunnies.  Here's one of my birds:

Guest YA Author Tiffany Truitt

Today I'm excited to host YA author Tiffany Truitt.   

CHOSEN ONES is a compelling story of survival & forbidden love set in a dark future where genetically engineered beings are the salvation or fall of society.

YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/12896-chosen-ones-lost-ones

  

First, I’d like to start off by saying how thrilled I am to be here at YA Central. This is such a rad site!

Today, I want to get real serious with all of my writers out there about a problem that will plague you at some point in the process. You can’t escape it. You can’t run. It will hunt you down. And when it finds you, it will leave you crying for someone, anyone to make it go away.

Yes, I am talking about WRITER’S BLOCK

Last week, I turned in the first draft of the sequel to Chosen Ones entitled The Naturals. Much to my dismay, I turned in the draft a bit behind schedule. Now, I could waste your time telling you a story about a vindictive spider, infection, and a crazy allergy to antibiotics (which would be a true story), but my real ailment was the dreaded Writer’s Block.

I just couldn’t write. Maybe it was due to major changes in my personal life or fears of failure, but every time I sat down to write, I spent most of the time staring at the cursor. I hated that cursor. I tried to combat the block by doing exactly what I wasn’t supposed to do: increasing the time I sat aside for writing.

What I should have been doing was the following:

1.       Listen to some kick butt tunes – put away the laptops and immerse yourself in some music. Let it take you where it will, and perhaps it will spur some new ideas. And if not, no biggie. The ideas will come. Rock on!

2.       Talk to someone you haven’t talked to in a long time – let’s be honest, the people in our lives, both good and bad, affect us in ways we aren’t even aware of. Pick up the phone and talk to one of those people. Perhaps by exploring your past, you can help shape your writing future.

3.       Go on a trip- It doesn’t have to be a big deal. It could even be a trip to the mall. Just get away from the computer. Seriously. Do it.

4.       Read a book— something utterly outside of your genre. Read for fun. Remind yourself how much you love the written word.

Just give yourself a break. Know you aren’t immune to the sickness. Don’t give up. You’re stronger than the block.

About Chosen Ones

The Lost Souls, book 1 available now from Entangled Publishing!

I pushed down a key. The hair on the back of my neck shot up, and my skin tingled.

I imagined this was what it felt like to fall in love.

In that moment, I was ready to fall.

Life is bleak but uncomplicated for Tess, living in a not-too-distant future where the government, faced with humanity’s extinction, created the Chosen Ones, artificial beings who are extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

When Tess begins work at Templeton, a Chosen Ones training facility, she meets James, and the attraction is immediate in its intensity, overwhelming in its danger. But there is more to Templeton than Tess ever knew. Can she stand against her oppressors, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

Order your copy of Chosen Ones at


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chosen-ones-tiffany-truitt/1108785656

http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Ones-Souls-Tiffany-Truitt/dp/1620610000
http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781620610008-0
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Chosen-Ones/Tiffany-Truitt/9781620610008
http://www.bookdepository.com/Chosen-Ones-Tiffany-Truitt/9781620610008

About Tiffany Truitt

Tiffany Truitt is an 8th grade English teacher in Suffolk, Virginia. When she’s not traveling the world, she enjoys reading, writing, and obsessing over coffee. Lost Souls: Chosen Ones is her first novel. Find out more about Tiffany Truitt at her Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Today's Tragedy

Early this morning I woke up to the terrible news about a 24 year old gunman going inside a movie theater during the midnight showing of BATMAN and firing on those who were inside.  At this time, 13 are confirmed dead.  One of the victims was a 3 month old baby.

I was shocked and saddened.  Memories flash back to the day I received a phone call from one of my sisters telling me that our younger sister Colette had been murdered.  I went into shock then too.

Later, I've heard some reactions to the tragedy in Colorado.  One that really hit me hard was how the producers and writers of Batman should be ashamed of themselves as the gunman reenacted the first 6 minutes of the movie.

I told this person that we can't blame them.  They didn't put the gun in the gunman's hands or chose to do this horrific act.  I know that people want answers to what happened which also include saying the gunman was crazy or mentally ill.  I have to cringe with those statements too as I can't help but feel this will mean that those who actually do deal with mental health issues will suffer with another black mark.  I know about this too as I grew up with a bipolar father.  Yes, growing up was hell but my father, even though he did threaten us, never carried through with his threat.  My younger sister Colette wasn't as lucky.

Right now I agree with Twitter posts of Libba Bray that we need to find empathy and not dwell on hatred.  I know how easy it is to be in that place.  I was there some 20 years ago.  My mother taught me a valuable lesson.  At Colette's funeral, her ex-boyfriend's father and companion showed up.  I was furious and so angry.  I told my mother, "They have some nerve showing their faces here.  Do you want me to tell them to leave?"  My mother told me, "Don't you think he's hurting too?  He didn't shot Colette.  He lost a son too."  **David, after leading Sacramento police on a high speed chase, ended up shooting himself.  She then went over to David's father and thanked him for coming.  He sobbed.

I love YA author Barry Lyga's blog on what happened.  I feel exactly how he feels.  Here's the link: http://barrylyga.com/2012/07/aurora/

And YA author Libba Bray's response nails it: We have a choice.  We have a choice whether to be kind or not.  Here's her link: http://libba-bray.livejournal.com/64903.html

I think what I'm trying to say is we need to not get caught up in hatred.  If we do, then the gunman wins.  We need to have more compassion, empathy.

My heart and prayers go to the families of the victims.

Friday Five

1. Finished reading: 


This is a novel based on the MTV summer series TEEN WOLF.
What I really love about this novel has to be Scott's best friend Stiles.  Unlike some of the ADHD stereotypes and 'labels' out there, Stiles is smart, loyal, and helps Scott in all the problems that comes from being a werewolf.  


Kuddo to Nancy Holder!


My YA Books Central review:


http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/12874-on-fire

2. Right now reading this:


First off, love the voice.  Garsee gives a very real portrayal of a bipolar teen.  I know as I grew up with a bipolar father.  Add an urban legend and a ghost.  You know I'm hooked.


YA Books Central Review coming soon!
























3. Also reading this:

I picked up this galley  at ALA from Lee and Low.  Let's just say I'm really enjoying these multicultural short stories.  It's so nice to read tales based in worlds with different cultures.  So far one of my favorite ones is THE LAST DAY by Ellen Oh.  The story reminded me so much of the stories my uncles would share about their experiences during WW2.  My uncle Alden served in the Philippines and witnessed the mushroom after we bombed Japan.  Though the THE LAST DAY is based in a futuristic world, I couldn't help but think of what the Japanese must have gone through after we nuked them. The images and writing in THE LAST DAY are haunting.

YA BOOK CENTRAL review coming soon!



4. Will be part of a blog tour for this book next week:

5. Latest Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book:

And finally, another YA anthology:

If you're a blogger, TWO AND TWENTY DARK TALES is available on Netgalley right now.  This is a collection of short stories based on Mother Goose rhymes with a dark twist.

**Guilty pleasure:

Plan to have hair cut/color tomorrow.  Going to another hair salon since MIL now goes to my former one every Saturday.  I want to go somewhere that is a little hipper.  Plus I think it's time for a change.

Not ready yet for short hair.  I want something to soften my round features.

More layers like this.









Or this:

Plus thinking I want to try a more brown/red color this time:

I know!  Choices, choices!

Friday Five

1. Well this has been a $$$ week.  Our water heater died.  You'd think, no problem.  Just go to Home Depot and buy another one, right?

Wrong.  We found out our city requires a permit for any home improvement like water heaters.  We have to file a permit and have a safety inspector come out and make sure our water heater meets the safety code.

Yes, seriously.  And yes, our $500 heater ended up costing over double that as the safety code is changed every 3 years and our heater lasted 14 years.  On the upside?  I now can have a warm shower.

2. I did read this:

What can I say?  Denise nails down the conflict/struggles sisters have. Only in this one the so-called 'perfect' sister has a deadly secret.  What I love about this book is that secret is woven in at the beginning and also the emotions are right on the mark!

YA Books Central review:http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/12473-never-enough 















3. Starting the latest Heather Wells story by Meg Cabot

4. Loving these Starbucks Refresher drinks that now are in individual packages.

 I add fresh boysenberries and diet Sprite to my drinks.  Nommy!

Starbucks is giving away free 12oz samples today!









5. Want to start reading some of these short stories in the DIVERSE ENERGIES anthology by Tu Books

Love this publisher because it recognizes the need for more multicultural YAs.  I'm a huge supporter of publishers that publish books that reflect not only my own multiracial background but others as well.











**Guilty pleasure:

My city is going to have it's first Farmer's Market:

Can't wait to see what nommy fruits/veggies are available.

NEVER ENOUGH

Today is the book birthday of Denise Jaden's book NEVER ENOUGH.

Here's the blurb:

From the author of Losing Faith, a novel about two sisters and the eating disorder that threatens to destroy their family.

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special…even if that means betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. And Loann is frightened she could lose the sister she’s always idolized.

As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship—and her sister—before it’s too late?

And as an added treat Denise put together this video with YA authors, including me, on how as teens we struggled with things that made us feel like we weren't enough.

You Can Do It

Love this trailer that Myra McEntire of the HOURGLASS series put together for her talk at UtopYA Conference this last weekend.  Yes, I'm one of the authors in it!  That's so cool to be included with these talented YA authors.

So yes, YOU CAN DO IT!

Obsidian trailer

I totally loved this book and can't wait for the second book in the Lux series which comes out next month!  Here's the trailer of the first book.  

Vania produced this, she's the same one who put together the bookmarkers of CROSSED OUT.  She does an amazing job, don't you think?

Here's the link to book two in this amazing series:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/onyx-jennifer-l-armentrout/1108375242?ean=9781620610114

Friday Five

1. For the Fourth of July I decided to go to a movie and so I watched this:

Really enjoyed this dark retelling of a classic storytale.  And the Huntsman wasn't hard on the eyes either!

2. Finished reading this:

One word: LOVED.  I'm a huge fan of this series.  I love it so much that I went back to ALA on Sunday just so I could get a galley during Sourcebook's giveaway.

So worth it

YA Books Central review coming soon!








3. Finished reading this:

Omg, this book is creepy, good!  Think YA meets SUPERNATURAL.  Only in this case the protagonist, Cas, kills the dead.

Loved it!

This was one of those books where I had to stand in a line to get the signed author galley during ALA.  So worth it!

YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/12564-girl-of-nightmares





4. Very happy that I got this galley:

5. And over halfway through with this non-fiction book:

I can relate with so much of this memoir.  I grew up with my mother wanting us to be raised in the Mormon faith.  My father was agnostic.  Also what's kind of ironic is my parents weren't married.  So I grew up being told a good Mormon girl doesn't do certain things while in my home other non-Mormon things like drinking, having coffee, and other things were practiced.  Very confusing.

Still I could relate with so much of this book.  I was a lot like the author too in that I questioned what I saw and what I found out.  I guess I still am.

Very courageous account of a woman's struggle with her faith and her decision to come back.

Ooh, and here's a photo of the galleys I did get at ALA.  I want to thank all the publicists and publishers who were so sweet and shared with me!  And I do share afterwards with my local libraries for their Teen Summer  Reading Program and also have giveaways.

**Guilty Pleasure:

We hope to see this this weekend:

Winner of last week's #Wipmadness

This has been fun!  I loved being in charge of this month's #wipmadness.  Now I'm passing my cheerleading pompoms to Carol Garvin:

Here's the link to check in:



http://careann.wordpress.com/


And just like I promised, here is the winner of last week's #wipmadness:

Ghost Girl

Mary Ann

Email me at ixtumea@gmail.com

And finally: