My good friend, Holly Schindler, has written some amazing books.
A Blue So Dark
“Schindler writes with overwhelming clarity and truth; a brilliance you can’t hide from at times.” —Gabrielle at The Mod Podge Bookshelf
and
Playing Hurt
"Schindler always convinces me, always transports me, always opens up all of my senses so I can take in the lives of her characters as if they were my own."—Gabrielle at The Mod Podge Bookshelf
for instance.
Now she has some big, obviously bookish, news to share, and if you would like to be a part of the reveal you should get to signing up!
It's here and it looks nothing like I expected. I don't know if that's a good, or bad thing, but boy is it different. Certainly a dark paranormal, Entice by Jessica Shirvington appears alluring, but does this fresh take entice you to pick up this second installment in the Violet Eden chapter's?
In the words of Sourcebooks Fire editor, Leah Hultenschmidt,“For Entice, we really wanted to have the cover reflect the darker edge of the story and Violet’s toughness.”
Comment below to tell me your thoughts!
Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden’s is back! With a destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels it becomes clear that it won’t be easy as even her partner, Lincoln, is hiding something. And now she has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori. It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and Phoenix ignites and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever. Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme with a race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles. And the ultimate betrayal will be exposed.
Check out Jessica’s brand new video blog post where she sits down with a cup of coffee and invites us into her home. From her favorite chair to her love of befriending characters in a series, Jessica chats with us about her perfect setting for a good read!
Today Shannon Dittemore contributes to the Character of Names series by giving me her thoughts on choosing my name as her heroine's moniker!
Please note the two events are only related in my own mind.
One of the most rewarding parts of being a writer is creating characters. Plot is important, but it’s the characters who stay with us long after the book is closed. Finding the perfect name for a character, though, can be tricky.
You know that scene in Disney’s Aladdin where Genie is trying to decide just which animal he should turn Abu into? Aladdin was easy: he gets to be a prince, but finding the perfect vehicle to present that manufactured prince to Agrabah was a bit more difficult. Remember that? With every snap of Genie’s blue fingers the poor monkey is transformed—first a camel and then a white stallion, even a shiny red car—until, at last, Genie finds the perfect beast for Aladdin to ride: an elephant.
Finding my main character’s name, Brielle, was a little like that. In many of the earlier drafts, she had a different name, an androgynous name, but for the sake of clarity I moved away from that and, after snapping my fingers a few times, chose something decidedly more feminine.
She’s a ballerina, and on a visual level, I love that the two words—ballerina and Brielle—share those long, leggy ‘L’s. I was also looking for a name that provides endless nickname opportunities. The intimacy of a friend or family member shortening your name is something I wanted for my lead. She feels alone for much of the novel, but I wanted to show, in a subtle way, that there are people who do care about her, who understand her history.
Her full name is Gabrielle, but most of the world knows her as Brielle. Her friends and family shorten it even further at times and call her Elle. It’s a crazy conglomeration of names stacked upon names, but it feels real to me. Like my friend Tyler who is also Ty but who, for some reason, we all call Gale. There’s a story there. Depth. And I like that.
Gabrielle worked in another way as well. I wanted to tie her name to the Celestial world I was building and it’s hard to get more angelic than the feminine version of Gabriel.
All in all, it just worked. It’s a choice I’m still happy with. It’s the finger snap that stuck, and like poor Abu, Brielle was the right vehicle to carry my main character’s voice from my head to the reader.
I'm so thrilled to be a part on Shannon's Blog Tour!
Today debut author Shannon Dittemore joins us to give us an angelic view of the Character of Names!
One of the most rewarding parts of being a writer is creating characters. Plot is important, but it’s the characters who stay with us long after the book is closed. Finding the perfect name for a character, though, can be tricky.
You know that scene in Disney’s Aladdin where Genie is trying to decide just which animal he should turn Abu into? Aladdin was easy: he gets to be a prince, but finding the perfect vehicle to present that manufactured prince to Agrabah was a bit more difficult. Remember that? With every snap of Genie’s blue fingers the poor monkey is transformed—first a camel and then a white stallion, even a shiny red car—until, at last, Genie finds the perfect beast for Aladdin to ride: an elephant.
Finding my main character’s name, Brielle, was a little like that. In many of the earlier drafts, she had a different name, an androgynous name, but for the sake of clarity I moved away from that and, after snapping my fingers a few times, chose something decidedly more feminine.
She’s a ballerina, and on a visual level, I love that the two words—ballerina and Brielle—share those long, leggy ‘L’s. I was also looking for a name that provides endless nickname opportunities. The intimacy of a friend or family member shortening your name is something I wanted for my lead. She feels alone for much of the novel, but I wanted to show, in a subtle way, that there are people who do care about her, who understand her history.
Her full name is Gabrielle, but most of the world knows her as Brielle. Her friends and family shorten it even further at times and call her Elle. It’s a crazy conglomeration of names stacked upon names, but it feels real to me. Like my friend Tyler who is also Ty but who, for some reason, we all call Gale. There’s a story there. Depth. And I like that.
Gabrielle worked in another way as well. I wanted to tie her name to the Celestial world I was building and it’s hard to get more angelic than the feminine version of Gabriel.
All in all, it just worked. It’s a choice I’m still happy with. It’s the finger snap that stuck, and like poor Abu, Brielle was the right vehicle to carry my main character’s voice from my head to the reader.
This one was cheesy. Really cheesy and it didn't seem very 'Ash & Meghan.' Maybe Julie wanted to reward us for going through hell waiting for them to be together, but I wasn't thrilled with this snippet into their married life.
Cool Irish Names For Babies
by Pamela Satran & Linda Rosenkrantz
Thots:
A good, but small, very small, compilation of Irish names. Satran & Rosenkrantz still rule the baby-name-book world and I adore the way they organize names.
The Disenchantments
by Nina Lacour
Thots:
This is a great book. Unique voices, ambiguous situations and a fabulous road trip with the world's worst all-girl band.
What You Wish For: A Book For Darfur
Thots:
Eh. I skimmed most of this. What stood out most was Jane Yolen's poem. That was lovely.
Masque of the Red Death
by Bethany Griffin
Thots:
I loved this book! A cool new world full of vivid imagery and intriguing plot elements that weave together to create one kick-butt story! I'm already positively dying for book two!
I'm going to try to expand on that statement time around...
...I don't know, this book had it all and touched with such a graceful edge on all manner of intriguing subjects.
I still hear Colby proclaiming, "I'm in love with all of you!"
Holy. Novel. Batman.
9:
Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Why?
Well, because it's fantastic, that's why!
8:
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Why?
I'm not a huge Fanpyre, but leave it to Julie to make me fall in love with a book all about the bloodsuckers.
7:
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Why?
Bitterblue splits the difference of this list and I feel it splits the difference between Graceling and Fire. It wasn't quite Graceling-esque, but it didn't feel Fire-y, either. Regardless if you understand my babblings, or not, you're right to anticipate this one.
6:
I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
Why?
Because I still think about Bronwen and Jared. They would be the couple my love and I did stuff with all the time. Bronwen and I would be pregnant together and call the babies "twins." We would throw elaborate dinner parties and only invite each other. No, seriously, Erin McCahan wrote my best friend.
5:
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Why?
Cath is my spirit animal. She knows this.
Her novel still inhabits my dreams.
4:
Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
Why?
Oh man, why not? This cover is no fool's gold; this here is the real deal, a beautiful cover for a wondrous novel.
3:
Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo
At first I was astonished, then I merely called it compulsively readable, but by the end of this story Bardugo had made such a believer out of me that I was uttering her character's strong words aloud.
2:
Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth
Why?
This is the mermaid book I have been waiting for. With intelligence, a mastery of language and a sense of history, Fama spins a most bewitching tail.
1:
Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield
Why?
I learned at ALA that Julie Strauss-Gabel (she's John Green and Nina Lacour's editor, if you didn't know)edited this novel and said it was the best debut she's ever read. I think I may agree.
Precision point wording, a compelling story and imagery so vivid and raw you feel like you're suffocating alongside the two main character's.
So that's the second edition. Notice many significant changes?
2012 has been a brilliant year in books for me, I've venture to say it already surpasses the past two years!
Surprisingly well organized and even well written, this style guide is classic, and won't let you down when the fads and fashions of the moment change what's hot, and what's not.
Tiger Lily
by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Thots:
Breathtaking, spellbinding and utterly unreal, this modern take on the tale of Peter Pan goes into the themes of Barrie's classic play, making you think about what makes these well-known character tick, be it more than a clock in a Croc.
Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone
by Kat Rosenfield
Thots:
J'adore. A new favorite here on the Mod Podge Bookshelf.
A Want So Wicked
by Suzanne Young
Thots:
Different from A Need So Beautiful, and it still didn't top Charlotte's story, but I am hoping for more books to be added to the series. I want more, no, I need more!
Guide to Literary Agents
by Chuck Sambuchino
Thots:
A wonderful resource I would recommend to any new author preparing to query!
We will all be tweeting using the #DarkDays hashtag, so please keep up-to-date with these Dark Horses as they careen through the blog'o'sphere.
Check out the official Pitch Dark Days Page to learn if these authors will be at a bookstore near you and gather up goodies, such as chapter excerpts of these hot new titles!
Stay connected to all things Dark Days on the Pitch Dark Facebook page, including exclusive content features every Wednesday!
On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze. Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore. Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?
Never-Before-Seen Excerpt from MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY:
“I thought I’d teach you a dance from where I come from,” I tell him. “One that’s much easier than that multi-step mess inside.”
I place my left hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder and slip my right one into his. I pause to listen to the music floating over the tinkling voices and bubbling fountain, and begin counting the three-beat tempo. “One, two, three. One, two, three.”
I stand still, only my head moving, slowly nodding with my words so he can hear the rhythm.
When his head begins subtly bobbing with mine, I show him how to add his feet. He takes a tentative step forward with his left while I step back with my right, then we side step, close, and repeat the steps with our other feet, all while I lightly whisper the beat count.
The breeze picks up, blowing my skirt and skimming my veil across the back of my neck. Chills run down my spine, but the warmth coursing through my veins from being in his arms provides a delicious contradiction.
Lorenzo continues nervously darting his eyes to our feet, but he is dancing. As he relaxes into the movement, his shoulders rising and falling with the steps, the confidence he always seems to exude creeps back on his face, and he tightens the hold around me. Our faces are kissably close, our lips a hairs breadth away from touching. I stare into the chocolate depths of his eyes and the rest of the ball fades away. The only music guiding our steps is my light whisper and the erratic rhythm of our breathing. Time slows. Lorenzo grins.
“I think you got it,” I say breathlessly, running my hand along the soft fabric of his shoulder, feeling the rock-hard muscles underneath.
My body curls inward, pressing against his. The proper form for the waltz is a straight spine and shoulders back, but if there was ever a time to break the rules, this is it.
About the Author:
As a teen, I threw raging parties that shook my parents’ walls and created embarrassing fodder for future YA novels.
As an adult, I read and write obsessively, rehash said embarrassing fodder, and dream up characters who become my imaginary friends.
When I'm not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find me homeschooling my two beautiful princesses, hanging out with my amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate.
MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY is my first novel. I did have my own fantabulous Sweet Sixteen in high school. Sadly, it wasn’t televised.
Win a backpack full of super-sweet swag from Rachel Harris!
Today Geoff Herbert joins me to answer some burning questions about writing and being stranded on a desert island!
GC: Why is it important to write for teens?
GH: Teens need books that are aimed at their concerns or we might lose them as readers (that's a definite fear I have for boys). There are all kinds of studies that show that good reading habits translate into good performance in college. I worry boys will be ill-prepared for life without good books for them!
GC: When did you begin writing?
GH: I wrote my first story in 5th grade. It was about hang-gliding ants who ate bratwurst off food carts. I wrote it on an IBM type-writer (we didn't have a computer, yet). It took me months and months to write 20 pages. The story has yet to be published.
GC: You are on a desert island and you will not be rescued. You have food and water for the rest of your life and have fashioned a tree house from banana leaves and pine sap (did I mention the forest has an unusual abundance of trees?) You can only bring one book, one movie, one album and one comic, choose!
GH: Book: Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger -- the book just puts me at peace, I'll need that when the monkeys attack.
Movie: Raiders of the Lost Arc, because of the action. I may be bored in my banana tree.
Album: Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane over the Sea, because I think it's perfect.
Comic: Just give me some Lynda Barry
GC: What is your favorite knock-knock joke?
GH: You know that interrupting cow knock knock joke? That's funny!
GC: What's next for you as a writer?
GH: I'm writing the third in the Stupid Fast series (called Sucks to be Me, I believe). Then I might write a screenplay or two!
