Debs' Blog Tour: Kristin Walker

Some Debs were bumped to 2010 during our Debs Blog Tour, but they still participated in helping the rest of us "tour" the Net. So we have two lovely debut authors yet to blog as part of the Debs' tour!

Please join me in celebrating Kristin Walker's MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Here's a bit about A Match Made in High School:
When a mandatory marriage education course forces Fiona to “try the knot” with super-jock Todd Harding, she’s convinced life could not possibly get any worse.  Until moments later, when her long-time crush is paired with her arch-enemy (otherwise known as Todd’s obscenely hot, slightly sadistic girlfriend).  But that’s nothing compared to her best friend’s fate – a year with the very shy, very goofy, very big Johnny Mercer.

A series of hilarious pranks and misunderstandings leave Fiona wondering: is there something her supposed “best friend” hasn’t told her? Could there be more to Johnny Mercer than a deep voice and an awesome music collection? And perhaps most intriguing of all, is it possible that Todd Harding could actually have a heart – and a brain – beneath his pretty-boy exterior?

And here's a little about Kristin, in her own words:
Kristin Walker grew up roaming the Pennsylvania countryside. She finally landed at Penn State, where she earned a BA in Theatre Arts. In addition to being actor, Kristin was many things on her way to becoming an author, such as a lifeguard, a nanny, a beginning ballroom dance instructor, a library circulation clerk, and very nearly a nurse. A Match Made in High School (Razorbill/Penguin Group) is her first novel. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Ladybug, Wee Ones, and two Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Kristin lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband and three sons.

Check out her website here, and order copies of A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL here.

Spotlighting L.K. Madigan's FLASH BURNOUT

Today, I get to spotlight L.K. Madigan's FLASH BURNOUT! I haven't read this one, but L.K. is a super-cool Deb and I can't wait to get my hands on her debut novel.

About L.K. Madigan:
L.K. Madigan is a writer living in Portland, Oregon, who finds it odd to speak in the third person. Therefore:

Hi. I am married with one son, two big black dogs, hundreds of books, and a couple of beaters, I mean vintage cars.

(See? Told you she was super-cool.)

About FLASH BURNOUT:
Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who's a girl. One of them loves him, the other one needs him.

When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa's long-lost meth addicted mom.

In a tangle of life, death, and love, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of loyalty.

Here are L.K.'s answers to the Thorough Three . . .

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

LKM: Blake is 15, and turns 16 during the course of the book.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

LKM: Please, I beg you … don’t wear that one-armed purple dress with the uneven handkerchief hemline to your high school graduation.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

LKM: Everyone should definitely, for sure travel outside the United States at least once.

You should NEVER, EVER respond to negative reviews. But if you absolutely must, make sure to be witty and dry.

*Very* good advice, that last one. For more info on L.K. and her work, visit her site. And to buy a copy of her book, go here!

Spotlighting Kristina Springer's THE ESPRESSOLOGIST

Today, I'm spotlighting Kristina Springer's THE ESPRESSOLOGIST. Here's a little about Kristina:
Kristina Springer has a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Illinois State University and a Master of Arts in Writing from DePaul University. Her first novel, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, was published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux on October 27, 2009. Her second novel, MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS, also from FSG, will be published in the fall of 2010. She lives in a suburb of Chicago, IL with her husband Athens and their four small children Teegan, Maya, London, and Gavin.

About THE ESPRESSOLOGIST: What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?

I don't know about you, but I am seriously impressed that Kristina gets anything done with four kids, let alone writing and publishing novels!

Here are Kristina's answers to the Thorough Three . . .

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

KS: 17

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

KS: Hang on, things get SO much better from here!

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure ____________.
and
You should NEVER, EVER ______________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

KS: Everyone should definitely, for sure do what makes them happy.

You should NEVER, EVER get the sugar-free syrups at Starbucks. But if you absolutely must, make sure to get the sugar-free vanilla--it's the only almost passable one.

Thanks, Kristina! For more info about Kristina and her work, go here. To buy a copy of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, go here.

Spotlighting Lauren Bjorkman's MY INVENTED LIFE

So fun to be spotlighting fellow Deb, Lauren Bjorkman today! Lauren is the author of MY INVENTED LIFE, about sisters Roz and Eva.

Here's a bit about MY INVENTED LIFE: Roz and Eva are sisters, close friends, and fierce rivals. Roz fantasizes about snagging the lead in the school play and sexy skate god Bryan as her boyfriend. Sadly a few obstacles stand between her and her dreams. For one, Eva is the more talented actress. And Bryan happens to be Eva’s boyfriend. But is Eva having a secret love affair with a girl? Enquiring minds need to know.

Roz prides herself on random acts of insanity. In one such act, she invents a girlfriend of her own to encourage Eva to open up. The plan backfires, and Roz finds herself neck deep in her invented life. When Roz meets a mercurial boy with a big problem, she begins to understand the complex feelings beneath the labels. And she gets a second chance to earn Eva’s trust.

My Invented Life is set in a small California high school during rehearsals for a Shakespeare comedy.

And here's a bit about Lauren: Lauren Bjorkman grew up on a sailboat, sharing the forecastle with her sister and the sail bags. Against all odds, they are still friends. She enjoys making things up, chocolate in large quantities, and anything that makes her laugh. She lives in Taos, New Mexico with her husband, two sons, and a cat that plays fetch.

Now, the Thorough Three with Lauren Bjorkman . . .

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

LB: 16/17

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

LB: Don't worry about hair-lumps. You are the only one who can see them.

NM: Complete the following sentences:
Everyone should definitely, for sure ___________.
and
You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But, if you absolutely must, make sure to __________.

LB: Everyone should definitely, for sure do something that scares them, at least once.

You should NEVER, EVER cut your own hair. But if you absolutely must, make sure to dye it green to cover up the mistakes.

Ack! I cut my own hair. But yes, the first few times were very scary. Hey--I covered both your shoulds and nevers! LOL.

For more info about Lauren and her work, go here. To get your copy of MY INVENTED LIFE, go here. Thanks, Lauren!

Spotlighting Pam Bachorz's CANDOR

I got to meet Pam this past spring when she came up to NY for a conference, and she was sweet enough to hang out with me while I waited for my bus. Pam's debut is CANDOR.

About CANDOR: Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he’s found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He’s got them all fooled: Oscar’s the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he’s made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar falls in love. He must choose whether to let Nia be lost to brainwashing—or to sacrifice himself.

About Pam Bachorz: Pam Bachorz grew up in a small town in the Adirondack foothills, where she participated in every possible performance group and assiduously avoided any threat of athletic activity. Pam attended college in Boston and finally decided she was finished after earning four degrees. Her mother is not happy that Pam’s degrees are stored under her bed.

Pam lives just outside Washington, DC with her husband and their son. She likes to read books not aimed at her age group, go to museums and theater performances, and watch far too much television. She even goes jogging. Reluctantly.

As far as she knows, Pam has never been brainwashed. Or maybe that’s just what she’s supposed to say.

*Hee* Here are Pam's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

PB: 17

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

PB: Stop taking life so seriously, and do what you love.

NM: Complete the following sentences:
Everyone should definitely, for sure _________________.
and
You should NEVER, EVER ____________. But if you absolutelyl must, make sure to ___________.

PB: Everyone should definitely, for sure question authority.

You should NEVER, EVER take something at face value. But if you absolutely must, make sure to have an escape plan...

Thanks, Pam! To learn more about Pam and her work, go here. To order a copy of CANDOR, go here.

Spotlighting Megan Crewe's GIVE UP THE GHOST

Fellow Canadian (indeed, fellow Torontonian!) Megan Crewe is here for Debs' Spotlight today!! Megan's novel, GIVE UP THE GHOST has been generating quite a bit of buzz on the 'nets lately, and I am thrilled to have her stop in to answer the Thorough Three. But first, a little about Megan:

Like many fiction authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up.  A few definite facts: she lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and two cats (and does on occasion say "eh"), she tutors children and teens with special needs, and she has yet to make friends with a ghost, though she welcomes the opportunity.

Here is summary of GIVE UP THE GHOST:
Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

Now, here are Megan's answers to the Thorough Three!

NM: How old is the protagonist in GUTG?

MC: Cass is 16.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

MC: Don't be afraid to stand out--people will judge you less than you think.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________.  But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

MC: Everyone should definitely, for sure spend at least a little of each day on the thing they love most.

You should NEVER, EVER sacrifice your dreams permanently. But if you absolutely must, make sure to have the option of changing your mind, somewhere down the line.

Thanks, Megan! GREAT advice.

GIVE UP THE GHOST is available on Amazon and Indiebound. For more information about Megan Crewe, visit her website.

Spotlighting Sydney Salter's JUNGLE CROSSING

Sydney Salter's second debut this year is the MG novel, JUNGLE CROSSING. I am delighted to help her celebrate its launch--congratulations, Sydney!!

About JUNGLE CROSSING: Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona's minicamp. If she's not there, she'll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she's the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat's parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat's world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

And if you missed the earlier post about Sydney's YA debut, MY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS, here's a bit about the author: Sydney Salter's fascination with Mayan culture started when she was six years old and climbed down a steep, dimly lit stone staircase to the elaborately carved tomb of King Pacal who had once ruled Palenque. Visiting Mayan ruins, walking through fragrant Mexican market places, watching women wash clothes in a river, and chasing lizards in the jungle ignited the spark in Sydney's imagination that led to writing Jungle Crossing. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. She loves reading, writing, cooking, and traveling—especially to Mexico where she can explore ancient Mayan ruins and swim in underground rivers.

Here are Sydney's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

SS: Thirteen

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

SS: Choose your friends carefully (real friends like you just the way you are).

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________.  But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

SS: Everyone should definitely, for sure learn about foreign cultures.

You should NEVER, EVER eat at an American chain restaurant in a foreign country. But if you absolutely must, make sure to try something you've never eaten before at your next meal. Be adventurous.

Ha! I have to say that I heartily co-sign that last statement. Thanks, Sydney!

JUNGLE CROSSING is available at Amazon and Indiebound. For more information about Sydney and her work, visit her website.

Spotlighting Jennifer Brown's HATE LIST

Okay, this book was intense. I have great respect for authors who take on issues this large and do such an awesome job conveying the complexities and nuanced perspectives of all characters involved. I love that author Jennifer Brown didn't make Nick into a total monster. The crime he committed was heinous, to be sure, but we live in a world where certain levels of violence are accepted; certain kinds of social and economic conditions make it easy for Nicks to be shaped and have their fears fed; and where there is a lack of interest from the media and mainstream in representing those who happen to fall outside of the margins.

For me, HATE LIST conjured up memories of Columbine, the Montreal Massacre, and the Victoria, BC "girl gang" murder of Reena Virk. It was a tough read in some ways, but it was also powerful. And, because it is written from the perspective of Nick's girlfriend, Valerie, there was enough distance from the events that they weren't overwhelming.

I read it in one sitting. Do go out and get this book. Brown doesn't moralize or preach; she simply crafts a compelling story with very believable, layered characters, and leaves you with much to ponder at the end.

Here's a bit about the author, Jennifer Brown:
As a two-time winner of The Erma Bombeck Global Humor award and weekly columnist for The Kansas City Star, as well as Saturday Featured Blogger for Mom2MomKC.com, Jennifer spends a lot of time dressing up her dog for laughs and thinking of new ways to works words such as "Puh-lease" and "Ch-yeah!" into sentences. Jennifer grew up in the Kansas City, Missouri area, where she still lives with her husband, three kids, and whole herd of uncooperative pets.

And here's a summary of HATE LIST in the author's own words:
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria.  Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create.  A list of people and things they hated.  The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year.  Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

Here are Jennifer's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

JB: They're seniors, so they're all around 17.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

JB: Trust me on this: In 20 years you won't even be able to remember the names of half these kids!

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________.  But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

JB: Everyone should definitely, for sure go to Walt Disney World, skip down Main Street U.S.A., and eat ice cream while watching a "Wishes" fireworks show and contemplating that dreams really do come true.

You should NEVER, EVER send hate mail to someone. But if you absolutely must, make sure to at least use your spell check.

Duly noted. Thanks, Jennifer!

Readers: go out and get a copy of HATE LIST. You can order it here from Amazon and here from Indiebound. For more info on Jennifer and her work, visit her site.

Spotlighting Kate Messner's THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z

Today, I get to spotlight Kate Messner's THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z as part of the Debs' Blog Tour.

Kate Messner grew up in Medina, New York and graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communication with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.  She worked as a television news producer and reporter in Syracuse, NY and then Burlington, VT, before going back to school to get a teaching degree.  These days, Kate is a National Board Certified middle school English teacher. She has helped hundreds of kids work on leaf collection projects and likes sugar maples and catalpa leaves the best.  Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her husband and kids and loves spending time in the woods.

Here's a bit about her debut: Gianna Zales has a lot on her plate this fall – a father who drives her to school in the family hearse, a mother who’s turned into the junk food police, a little brother who thinks he’s a member of the paparazzi, and a grandmother who leaves false teeth in the refrigerator.  Worst of all, she’s left her 7th grade leaf collection to do at the last minute. It’s a monster project, and Gianna will miss cross-country sectionals if she doesn’t meet the deadline.  She’ll need the help of her geeky friend, Zig, and some brilliant ideas of her own to pull it off.

Here are Kate's answers to the Thorough Three...

NM: What is the age of your protagonist?

KM: 12

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

KM: Relax, have fun, play outside, read your books, and stop worrying so much about boys.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure ______________.

You should NEVER EVER ______________, but if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

KM: Everyone should definitely, for sure climb a mountain some day.

You should NEVER, EVER try to pet a dolphin from your boat. But if you absolutely must, make sure to take your rings off first. (It is a long and embarrassing story...)

Thanks, Kate!

For more information about Kate and her work, visit her site. To get your own copy of THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z from Amazon, go here, and from Indiebound, go here.

Spotlighting Jackson Pearce's AS YOU WISH

Jackson is the fearless leader of the Feast of Awesome and has more energy in her little pinky than I have all year. She is twenty-four years old and lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy and currently works for a software company even though she auditioned for the circus (she juggled and twirled fire batons, but they still didn't want her). Other jobs she's had include obituaries writer, biker bar waitress, and receptionist.

Jackson began writing when she got angry that the school librarian couldn't tell her of a book that contained a smart girl, horses, baby animals, and magic. Her solution was to write the book herself when she was twelve. Her parents thought it was cute at first, but have grown steadily more concerned for her ever since.

Her debut novel is AS YOU WISH: Seven months ago, Viola's boyfriend told her he was gay—moments before she was going to lose her virginity to him. Heartbroken, Viola has resigned herself to near invisibility, until she inadvertently summons a young jinn out of his world, Caliban, and into her own. Here he will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to get back to Caliban, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid her wishes will be manipulated into curses. Jinn knows that should she wait too long, the Ifrit, guardians of earthbound jinn, will press her to wish by hurting those around her.As they spend time together, Jinn can't deny that he's slowly falling in love with Viola, blurring the lines between master and servant. It's only after Viola makes her first wish—for a popular boy to love her—that she realizes the feelings are mutual.

With every wish Jinn's time with her diminishes, but the longer she waits to wish the greater danger she's in from the Ifrit. Together, Viola, Jinn, and Viola's ex-boyfriend try to outwit the Ifrit while dealing with their own romantic complexities and the alcohol-laced high school social scene.

Here are Jackson's answers to the Thorough Three...

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

JP: 16ish

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

JP: This too shall pass-- the good and the bad.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ____________, but if you absolutely must, make sure to __________.


JP: Everyone should definitely, for sure do what they love for a living.

You should NEVER, EVER skinny dip. But if you absolutely must, make sure to hide your clothes well.

Thanks, Jackson!

Seriously, go and get your copy of AS YOU WISH here. For more info on Jackson and her work, click here.

Spotlighting Jennifer Jabaley's LIPSTICK APOLOGY

As part of the Debs Blog Tour, I'm spotlighting Jennifer Jabaley's LIPSTICK APOLOGY today. Jennifer is a fellow debut 2009 author and her book sounds terrific. Here's a little summary:

Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother's last words.

Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

A little bit about Jennifer: Jennifer Jabaley was born in New York and raised in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She graduated from James Madison University with a degree in chemistry and received a doctorate from Southern College of Optometry. A part-time optometrist and mother of two, Jennifer began writing her first novel after a phone call from her sister sparked an idea for a story that lingered in her mind and stirred her creative juices. LIPSTICK APOLOGY will be released in August of 2009 by Razorbill. Jen lives in Blue Ridge, Georgia and is currently at work on her second book.

Here are Jennifer's answers to the Thorough Three . . .

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

JJ: Emily is sixteen

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

JJ: Don't sweat the small stuff

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

JJ: Everyone should definitely, for sure pursue their passion.

You should NEVER, EVER wait to apologize until you're on your death bed. But if you absolutely must, make sure to not write it in lipstick.

Thanks, Jennifer! For more information about Jennifer and her work, go here. To order a copy of LIPSTICK APOLOGY from Amazon, go here; and from Indiebound, go here.

Spotlighting Megan Frazer's SECRETS OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY

I love spotlighting debuting Debs books in the midst of posts of writers I've always admired. Today, I get to spotlight Megan Frazer's debut, SECRETS OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY. I was lucky to get my hands on the arc of this one and I'm so excited to share her interview today.

First, a little about SECRETS: When Dara Cohen was little, she was crowned Little Miss Maine. That was then. Now Dara's seventeen and she's not so little anymore. That's just one of her many problems. Another is that her control-freak mom won't get off her case about anything. Yet the one that hurts the most is the family secret: Dara has an older sister her parents tried to erase from their lives.

As for Megan, she studied English literature and creative writing at Columbia University. She lives with her husband and baby in Maine, where she is a high school librarian. She loves cheese and cooking, and both of these make their way into Secrets of Truth & Beauty. She was not, however, ever in a beauty pageant.

And here are Megan's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

MF: 17

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

MF: Ease up.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

MF: Everyone should definitely, for sure leave home, at least for a little while.

You should NEVER, EVER do anything just to make other people happy. But if you absolutely must, make sure to try to find your own little joy in it.

Thanks, Megan!

To order a copy of SECRETS OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY, go here; and to find out more about Megan Frazer, visit her site.

Spotlighting Mandy Hubbard's PRADA AND PREJUDICE

Mandy Hubbard is here today for the Debs Blog Tour!

Mandy grew up on a dairy farm outside Seattle, where she refused to wear high heels until homecoming—and hated them so much she didn’t wear another pair for five years. A cowgirl at heart, she enjoys riding horses and quads and singing horribly to the latest country tune. She’s currently living happily ever after with her husband (who, sadly, is not a Duke) and her daughter (who is most definitely a princess).

In PRADA AND PREJUDICE, Callie just wants to impress the popular girls when she buys a pair of Prada heels on her class trip to London. She didn’t plan on tripping, conking her head, and waking up in 1815! Now she’s wearing corsets with her designer pumps, eating bizarre soups, and breaking up engagements. If only the nineteen year old Duke of Harksbury wasn’t so bloody annoying, she might have a little fun in Austen-Era England…

Here are Mandy's answers to the Thorough Three...

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

MH: 15

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

MH: Boys are not as scary as you think they are. Also, being 5'10 is a good thing. It might not seem like it now becuase all the boys are still really short, but don't worry about being so tall-- rock a pair of heels now and then. It won't kill you.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

MH: Everyone should definitely, for sure, read FAIRY LUST by Cyn Balog. Because it rocks.

You should NEVER, EVER try to ban a book, but if you absolutely must, make sure you only ban it in your own house and not in the whole freaking school district.

Thanks, Mandy!

To find out more about Mandy and her work, visit her site. To order P & P, click here!

Spotlighting Sarah Ockler's TWENTY BOY SUMMER

Today, we have Sarah Ockler, author of TWENTY BOY SUMMER in our spotlight!

Sarah wrote and illustrated her first book at age six—an adaptation of Steven Spielberg's E.T. Still recovering from her own adolescence, Sarah now writes for young adults. After several years of wandering between New York City and Denver, she and her husband Alex now live in Upstate New York with lots of books and an ever-expanding collection of sea glass.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER is about best girlfriends Anna and Frankie who conspire to find a boy for Anna’s first summer romance while on vacation in California. But Anna harbors a painful secret that threatens their lighthearted plan and their friendship.

Here are Sarah's answers to the Thorough Three...

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

SO: 16

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

SO: The only person you need to impress is yourself. Of course, 16-year-old me wouldn't buy that advice. And 30-something me still struggles to remember it, too! But it's true. I wasted a lot of time back then trying to fit in to a place where I didn't belong by acting like someone I wasn't.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

SO: Everyone should definitely, for sure try new stuff, like listening to a new genre of music, chowing on some funky regional cuisine, or trying out a totally crazy hairstyle.

You should NEVER, EVER cut your own hair. But if you absolutely must, make sure to use super sharp scissors and not the plastic safety kind. That just makes a mess!

Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!

To find out more about Sarah and her work, go here. To buy a copy of TBS, click here!

Spotlighting Sarah Cross's DULL BOY

Today, I get to spotlight the very lovely Sarah Cross's DULL BOY! Did you know that Sarah has saved the world, like, five times since fifth grade -- and you didn't even notice?

One of the awesome feats she has accomplished is the fabulous DULL BOY, about superhero Avery. Superpowers are awesome -- unless you actually have them, like Avery does. There's only so much he can pass off as "adrenaline" before people start to get suspicious. Probably it's best to lie low, so guys in white lab coats don't come to carry him away, to find out what makes his freakish body tick. Who wants to be vivisected? But flying under the radar becomes a whole lot harder when you can actually fly. It's dangerous to be different, so for now he'll pretend to be normal, unremarkable Avery -- a dull boy -- anything to keep his secret safe.

What he doesn't expect is the horrifying truth about where his powers came from, who else might have them, and the madness of one villain's plan to turn this superpowered dull boy into something even more powerful and amazing.

Here are Sarah's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

SC: 15.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

SC: Don't burn your diary and then throw the charred remains into the pond. You might grow up to write YA novels one day, in which case those mortifying records will be useful.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

SC: Everyone should definitely, for sure watch a bad action movie once in a while. The Transporter 2 firehose fight scene? Worth every second of bad dialogue that precedes it. :D

You should NEVER, EVER challenge an angry polar bear to a wrestling match. But if you absolutely must, make sure to have a steel chair on hand, and most importantly ... fight dirty.

Sage wisdom, folks. Learn more about Sarah's secrets at www.sarahcross.com, and to here to buy your very own copy of DULL BOY!

Spotlighting Leigh Brescia's ONE WISH

Today, I am spotlighting Leigh Brescia's ONE WISH. Leigh Brescia grew up in North Carolina, spending most of her days playing in the woods behind her home and imagining she was a princess. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Communication from Mount Olive College and her Master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. She currently teaches online English composition courses for three universities, and an online “Writing Novels for Young Adults” course for UC Irvine.

When she’s not grading papers or writing, she enjoys reading and watching movies. She sings when she’s in a good mood and has killed every plant she’s ever owned. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and her three-year-old.

ONE WISH is about Wrenn Scott, who desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Her amazing voice (for once) overshadows her weight when she lands a lead role in the high school musical. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn's waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.

Thanks, Leigh, for stopping by and answering the Thorough Three!

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

LB: When the book begins she’s fifteen, but she has a birthday not long after.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

LB: Three words: Ceramic Straightening Iron.

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

LB: Everyone should definitely, for sure “spend a week at camp and travel as much as possible.”

You should NEVER, EVER “tell a lie.” But if you absolutely must, make sure “that no one called your mom to tell her that they saw you where you said you wouldn’t be.”

Oh my gosh . . . did I just say that?

LOL! Been there. Thanks, Leigh!

To find out more about Leigh and her work, visit her website. To order your very own copy of ONE WISH, go here.

Spotlighting Danielle Joseph's SHRINKING VIOLET

I had a chance to read Danielle's novel in ARC form and it was so fun! I totally related to the main character's struggles with self acceptance and even more intense, her struggle to express herself.

In SHRINKING VIOLET, high school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she lives in dread of having to speak to anyone in the hallways or answer questions in class. But after school, in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks—doing mock broadcasts for Miami’s hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up, Tere surprises herself by working up the nerve to ask her stepfather to give her a chance—and finds herself The SLAM’s newest intern on one of the station’s most popular shows. Behind the mike she’s Sweet T, her sexy, confident on-air persona. To everyone’s shock—especially her mother’s—Sweet T is a hit. Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ’s awesome taste in music, making Tere wonder if it’s possible to be jealous of yourself. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest—and a prom date with “Sweet T” is the grand prize--Sweet T’s dream could turn into Tere’s worst nightmare. . . .

Danielle Joseph was a college DJ for five years on the Gyroscope, a world music show. She also interned at several top Boston radio stations while earning her BFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Marketing Communications and Advertising from Emerson College. She has taught Creative Writing and English to Middle school students.

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Danielle now lives in Miami, Florida with her husband and two young sons. These days you can find her cruising around with the tunes blaring and her internal DJ hard at work.

And not only that, she is incredibly warm and fun -- I know because I had the pleasure of having dinner with her while she was in NY :).

Here are Danielle's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

DJ: Tere is eighteen.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

DJ: Never give up!

NM: Definitely! Now, complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

DJ: Everyone should definitely, for sure be themselves.

You should NEVER, EVER mess with a bully. But if you absolutely must, make sure to make it worth it.

Good words. Thanks so much for stopping by, Danielle!

To find out more about Danielle and her work, visit her site; and to buy a copy of SHRINKING VIOLET, click here.

Spotlighting Cindy Pon's SILVER PHOENIX

Today, I get to spotlight a wonderful new addition to multicultural fiction, and with a kickass main character, to boot!

SILVER PHOENIX is the story of ai ling's journey. On the day of her first betrothal meeting--and rejection--ai ling discovers a power welling deep within her. She can reach into other people's spirits, hear their thoughts, see their dreams...and that's just the beginning.

ai ling has been marked by the immortals; her destiny lies in the emperor's palace, where a terrible evil has lived, stealing souls, for centuries. She must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. And then she meets chen yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers. Here is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance--of anything with the making of legend.

Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and her family immigrated to California in 1980, settling in the suburbs of Los Angeles. She began writing stories before she was officially declared English proficient. She received her bachelor's from the University of California, San Diego, and also earned a master's from New York University. The author is a student of Chinese brush painting, and her love for the art is reflected in her storytelling. Cindy Pon lives with her husband and two small children in San Diego, California.

Here are Cindy's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

CP: ai ling is seventeen.

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

CP: stay true to yourself and believe in yourself.

NM: Words to live by at any age, indeed! Now, please complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

CP: Everyone should definitely, for sure never skip a meal.

You should NEVER, EVER give up on a dream. But if you absolutely must, make sure to find another.

Agreed! Thank you so much, Cindy, for stopping by on Spotlighting!

To find out more about Cindy and her work, visit her site. To buy a copy of SILVER PHOENIX, click here.

Spotlighting C. Lee McKenzie's SLIDING ON THE EDGE

C. Lee McKenzie was one of my first EVER crit partners and helped me go through one of my first EVER novels! So, it's a special thrill to spotlight her debut novel, SLIDING ON THE EDGE. I remember this novel when it was still in the manuscript stage, so it's soooo exciting to see it in print.

A native Californian, C. Lee McKenzie has always been a writer, but to eat and make contributions to children's college funds, she’s also been a university lecturer and administrator. Writing for teen readers keeps Lee in touch with the young members of her family, and allows her to re-visit those wonderful years in life when everything is possible. When she isn’t writing, Lee’s hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Los Gatos, California.

I bet those mountains are beautiful!

In SLIDING ON THE EDGE, Shawna Stone is a heartbeat away from making the worst mistake anyone can. She’s close to taking her own life. Kay Stone is a grandmother Shawna has never known, and at sixty-four Kay feels there is little left in her life to look forward to. When they are thrown together they circle each other in a crucible of secrets and distrust until saving a doomed horse unites them and gives each a reason to live.

When I read this book in draft form, I was completely taken in by the relationship between Shawna and her grandmother. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Shawna and I worried about her more than any sane person should worry about a fictional character. She was sooo real to me!

Now here is Lee to answer the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

CLM: Shawna is 16 going on twenty-five. Kay is 65, but says she's 63.

NM: Ha! I guess that just goes to show that age really is nothing but a number! So, what is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

CLM: I guess I'd say to forget about the past. There's nothing you can do about it. Let the future come to you in its own time. Accept and appreciate the moment, and don't give up when everything seems to be working against you.

Wow! That's a lot of advice. Maybe I should take one of my minor character's position and not give advice.

NM: That's great advice. I always struggle with both of those (forget the past and let the future come to you) at different times in life.

Okay, so now complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

CLM: Everyone should definitely, for sure be kind.

You should NEVER, EVER lose your sense of humor. But if you absolutely must, make sure to get it back.

*nods* Definitely agree with those.

To find out more about C. Lee McKenzie and her work, visit her site. To buy a copy of SLIDING ON THE EDGE, click here.

Thanks, Lee!

Spotlighting Cheryl Renee Herbsman's BREATHING

Today, I have Cheryl Renee Herbsman in the Spotlight! Here's a little about her debut novel, BREATHING:
What if the guy who took your breath away was the only one who could help you breathe?

Savannah would be happy to spend the summer in her coastal Carolina town lying in a hammock reading her beloved romance novels and working at the library. But then she meets Jackson. Once they lock eyes, she’s convinced he’s the one—her true love, her soul mate, a boy different from all the rest. And at first it looks like Savannah is right. Jackson abides by her mama’s strict rules, and stays by her side during a hospitalization for severe asthma, which Savannah becomes convinced is only improving because Jackson is there. But when he’s called away to help his family—and seems uncertain about returning—Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

This debut novel has it all—an endearing, funny, hopelessly romantic main character, lots of down-home Southern charm, and a sunny, salty beach setting that will transport you to the Carolina coast.

Doesn't that sound amazing? And here's a bit about Cheryl:
Cheryl Renée Herbsman lives in Northern California with her husband and two children, but she grew up in North Carolina and often spent summer vacations at the Carolina coast. Like Savannah, she fell in love as a teenager, and like Savannah and Jackson, she and her boyfriend carried on a long-distance relationship. They are now celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary.

SA-WOOON!!

Here are Cheryl's answers to the Thorough Three:

NM: What is the age of your protagonist/s?

CRH: 15

NM: What is the single, most important bit of advice you'd give to the You that was the same age as your protagonist/s?

CRH: Believe! (And quit worrying so much!)

NM: Complete the following sentences:

Everyone should definitely, for sure _____________.

You should NEVER, EVER ___________. But if you absolutely must, make sure to ____________.

CRH: Everyone should definitely, for sure go for their dreams.
You should NEVER, EVER give up. But if you absolutely must, make sure to do it for something better.

I completely agree. To find out more about Cheryl Renee Herbsman and her work, go here. To order your copy of BREATHING, click here.