Celebrating Debutantes 2016

You're probably wondering how or why you've come across a tweet, update, or promotion leading to this post. The Escapist comeback? Unfortunately, no dears. But there's one thing I refuse to bury with my blogging memories. A legend, where old people or celebrities or businessmen wanted to leave behind, something that will be long remembered. Mine, in book blogging world, is Celebrating Debutantes.

I know most of you enjoyed Celebrating Debutantes--even I, the host, did too. Despite much effort and time (including working on different schedules and time of different debut authors!) you have to give to make this event possible, I loved every part of it. And so I'm ecstatic to let you know that this event will continue to live through the managing of my good friend Precious at Fragments of Life and Maricar at Blackplume. 

Precious gave me some (new) details about the event:

- they divided the event into two parts: First wave is one the first half of the year (January - June) and the second wave is on the second half (July - December)

- they will be having 46 days of features, interviews, playlists, movie casts, reviews and giveaways

- CD kicks off on February 15 to March 31, 2016

- join the hashtag! #CelebratingDebutantes2016

- grab the button below! (The banner's above)

- here's the schedule! (Or you can check out their blogs if you can't read the one below.)

Guys, this is GREAT news!!! Their version of CD is even better and more exciting. There are lots of features, more authors, and giveaways! I might even join. (Thank God I can finally do.) Hehe

For some CD throwback, you can check out the page here. Don't forget to visit Fragments of Life and Blackplume everyday for Celebrating Debutantes 2016  treat! ;)

P.S Happy Valentines! And I missed you too! And writing on Blogger! Too much memories.

All the best and love,

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Thank You + 2015 Debuts

Our debutantes celebration might have ended (for now, at least) but I sure had a lot of fun and learned a lot of cool things from our dear featured authors. When I look back to everything that happened not only this year but also from the past two years, I feel an overwhelming pang. I met a lot of sweet and amazing people. I cannot wait for the following years to come to meet more of you!

Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone of you. My awesome readers who's been excited to Celebrating Debutantes, new readers tweeting and commenting sweet things, and of course, the lovely authors who's agreed to celebrate (once again) their debut with me and this blog! I'm so excited for the future. I know you'll all have more great books to come. If you need a blogger, you know where to reach me. ;)

We've officially said our good byes and thank yous to 2014, let us now welcome 2015 with warmth, enthusiasm, and more exciting books! Here are some of 2015 debuts we'll be looking forward. I wasn't able to include all, of course. Just share your anticipated ones that weren't here on the comments below!

A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas
An Amber in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Anne and Henry by Dawn Ius
Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein
City of Savages by Lee Kelly
Conviction by Kelly Loy Gilbert
Duplicity by N.K Traver
Even When You Lie To Me by Jessica Alcott
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay

Hello, I Love You by Katie M. Stout
In A World Just Right by Jen Brooks
Ink And Ashes by Valynne E. Maetani 
Last Year's Mistakes by Gina Ciocca
Like It Never Happened by Emily Adrian
Love Fortunes and other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius
Made You Up by Francesca Zappia
Mindwalker by A.J Steiger
Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Mosquitoland by David Arnold
My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga
None of the Above by  I.W. Gregorio
One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin
Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff
Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Save Me by Jenny Elliot 
Seven Days by Eve Ainsworth
Shutter by Courtney Alameda

The Boy Next Door by Katie Van Ark
The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
The Creeping by Alexandra Sirowy
The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes
The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
The Islands at the End of the World by Austin Aslan
The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi
The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes
The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne
Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra
Twisted Fate by Norah Olson
Under A Painted Sky by Stacey Lee
Vendetta by Catherine Doyle
We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach
When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez
Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed
Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee


Goodreads listopia links: YA Debuts 2015 * Fearless Fifteeners * 2015 Debut Author Challenge * Diverse YA and MG Debuts in 2015 * Freshman Fifteens * The Class of 2K15 


For 2015 debut authors:
I am going to personally email and invite debut authors of 2015 two or three months before the event (event will be probably on December or November, we never know). If you want to be part of CD2015 and be sure that you'll have a slot in case I missed emailing you, you can sign up in this FORM.

I am also accepting review requests if you're interested in sending me an ARC or finished copy of your book. I would prefer a print copy if possible. If you can't provide a print copy, shoot me an email and we'll see what I can do. Note: I'm from the Philippines. Please be reminded of my review policy as well, including the genres I read. I am not sure if Dianne of Oops! I Read A Book Again will join me this year for CD but if she does and also interested in accepting review requests as well, we'll probably share the book you're gonna send. Except if you're sending us both print or ecopy.

Celebrating Debutantes requirements:
- You must be a debut author of 2015. Your first book to publish, indie or traditional.
- Your book must be YA/NA/MG fiction to be featured in CD. For review purposes: I don't accept MG, except if your book is on my to-read list.
- Giveaways aren't required, but highly appreciated.
- You must be awesome. I know you all are. ;)

***

Celebrating Debutantes 2014 intro post

Celebrating Debutantes page

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Sally Green (Interview + Giveaway)

The last author to celebrate her debut experience with us for the year 2014 is the Half Bad author, Sally Green!

Sally Green

1. What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?

There have been so many great things from simply holding HALF BAD in my hands to hearing from fans of HALF BAD. But mostly I love writing and now not only am I being paid to do what I love but I’m working with a great editorial team at Penguin in the UK and Viking in the US – that’s the biggest buzz of all.

2. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

There has been a lot of champagne involved. One of the nicest events was the book launch in my home town which was attended by about 80 people including my family and also some old school friends whom I hadn’t seen for years. It was a wonderful evening for me.

3. When is your best time to write?

For HALF BAD I used to write long into the night and preferred that time as it was quiet and I knew I wouldn’t be disturbed. But I couldn’t keep that up and now I work 9-5 (well 9am- 10pm) and I’m learning that I can write at any time as long as it’s quiet.

4. Do you read reviews of your book?

Some, but not all. It’s great to read a good review (obviously) and reading the occasional harsh one is good remind myself that I’ve still got a lot to learn. I have to rely on two main critics though – myself and my editor.

5. What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?

Gosh meeting HALF BAD fans is always great and everyone is so enthusiastic and polite – I can’t pick one thing. The first time I had a long signing queue at an event (YALC in London, July 2014) I was so impressed with how patient and friendly everyone was and that will always be a great memory for me. 

6. Was there any book/s from other debut author of 2014 that you loved?

My favourite YA book of 2014 is ‘Shadow of the Wolf’ by Tim Hall, who happens to be a debut author. This is the story of Robin Hood, but told in such a unique and new way that I fell in love with it.

7. Are you interested in writing in a different genre or for a different audience?

I would like to try different genres at some stage, and I’m definitely drawn to more adult books (not younger children’s books), possibly crime or even comedy. But at the moment I’m busy with the HALF BAD trilogy and I’m sure the book I write after that will also be YA (as I’m beginning to have ideas for it already).

8. Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.

I really can’t think of one (she lies, too embarrassed to share).

9. Favorite color? 

The colour that suits me most is dark brown, which I avoided wearing for years as my school uniform was dark brown and orange, and so of course I hated those colours. Now I love dark brown jumpers and shirts.

Favorite movie? 

I have two favourite movies – Pulp Fiction and Annie Hall. I think both are close to perfect in their own way (actually The Godfather probably should be on that list too). 

Favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla – it sounds boring but it isn’t.

Favorite song? I’m currently going back to songs from my younger days – still love Nightswimming by REM and the video is great https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahJ6Kh8klM4

Ultimate celebrity crush (dead or alive)? There’s something about Johnny Depp isn’t there?

10. What's next for you?

I’ve just finished HALF WILD which is being published in the UK and US in March 2015 and so now I’m writing the third book of the HALF BAD trilogy. I’ve written about 40k words of it so far but it still hasn’t got a name yet and I really do need to work out what it will be.

***

About the Author

Hi - I'm Sally Green, author of Half Bad. It's my first book - and the first in a series of three, to be published by Penguin in March 2014.

I've had a whirlwind 2013, submitting Half Bad to an agent in January (and getting an agent - the wonderful Claire) and then agreeing a deal with Puffin (UK) and Viking (USA) in March. In April I agreed a film deal with Fox 2000 with Karen Rosenfelt as producer (google her!). Since then Half Bad has been sold to more countries, and I've been busy editing Half Bad and have started work on the second book of the trilogy. 

I live in north-west England. I love to read, walk in the country and would like to drink less coffee (but I know it's impossible - I'm an addict)!


My online world will be based at www.halfbadworld.com from November 2013 onwards, but until then, you can find me and Half Bad on Wattpad.

Find her: Website * Twitter * Goodreads

This book is on my must-read-soon-coz-I'd-die-if-I-don't list! Because:

Half Bad

(The Half Bad trilogy #1)

by Sally Green

Published March 4th 2014 by Viking Juvenile

Blurb (Goodreads):

Wanted by no one.

Hunted by everyone.

Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?


Half Bad is an international sensation and the start of a brilliant trilogy: a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive. 

Yesterday: Lex Martin, author of Dearest Clementine. Check out the schedule here and read the coolness of each of the featured 2014 debut authors!

GIVEAWAY!

- UK copy of Half Bad
- open internationally
- contest ends January 14th
- each entry will be checked. Daily entries requires different info/links every day. This will be checked as well so be honest!
- winner must respond on email notification within 48 hours or else we will pick another winner
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Lex Martin (Interview + Giveaway)

Indie NA author of Dearest Clementine Lex Martin celebrates with us today!

Lex Martin

1. What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?
An agent with the Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency read my debut (Dearest Clementine), loved it, and offered to represent me. As it turns out, Kimberly is not only an amazing agent but a fantastic friend. I also have to say I never expected to make so many new friends as a result of publishing my book. 

2. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?
This sounds so girlie, and I'm rolling my eyes at myself, but I go on a mini-shopping spree at Sephora. 

3. When is your best time to write?
First thing in the morning.

4. Do you read reviews of your book?
Yes, every one.

5. What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?
A fan (now friend) named Silvana started making me teasers for Dearest Clementine. I was floored someone would take the time to do something so lovely for me.

6. Were there any books from other debut author of 2014 that you loved?
Upside Down by Lia Riley. I love the depth and imagery in her writing.

7. Are you interested in writing in a different genre or for a different audience?
Although Dearest Clementine is the first book I published, I wrote a YA paranormal romance before that. It sits like Gollum in the darkness of my laptop. I might brush off the dust one day and revise it for a more adult audience. But paranormal romance is my first love. I'm also a sucker for post-apocalyptic books and would be open to writing one. 

8. Share one embarrassing moment you've had.
I guess having my family figure out I had a new Facebook profile and reading all of my posts, which tend to run into the NSFW territory. Because do I really want to explain what Out-Skank is to my dad or uncles? Not particularly. But they're good sports.

9. Favorite color? 
Black or purple

Favorite movie? 
Good Will Hunting or Pulp Fiction

Favorite ice cream flavor? 
Anything with chocolate

Favorite song?
I've really been into Amy Winehouse for the last several years, and now I'm on a Black Keys kick. But my music tastes run parallel to whatever is helping me write, and then I gorge on those songs for months.

Ultimate celebrity crush (dead or alive)?
If we're talking pretty boys, then Nick Bateman or Colin Wayne. If we're talking whose brain makes me want to hump his leg, then I'd have to say Ben Affleck.

10. What's next for you?

I'm wrapping up the Dearest series and then working on another top secret New Adult project. And because so many people have asked me about writing books for some of the supporting characters in the Dearest series, I'm considering doing a few spinoffs to tell their stories. At the top of the list would be Jenna & Ryan and possibly Travis. Honestly, I'd even consider writing one for Veronica. The former best friend who lures away Clementine's boyfriend in high school has some fucked-up issues I'd be interested in exploring. Because I love redeeming the unredeemable. 

***

About the Author

Author of DEAREST CLEMENTINE, FINDING DANDELION and KISSING MADELINE. I write new adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. 

Look for book 2 in the Dearest series, FINDING DANDELION, July 11! (Each book is a stand-alone.)

Find her: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Check out Lex's debut novel!

Dearest Clementine

(Dearest #1)

by Lex Martin

Published July 14th 2014 by Lex Martin

Blurb (Goodreads):

Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.

Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.

As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life.

DEAREST CLEMENTINE is a stand-alone novel with two companion novels. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.

Yesterday: Joy N. Hensley, author of Rites of Passage. Tomorrow: Sally Green, author of Half Bad (last author to feature). Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!

- paperback copy of Dearest Clementine

- open internationally

- contest ends January 13th
- each entry will be checked. Daily entries requires different info/links every day. This will be checked as well so be honest!
- winner must respond on email notification within 48 hours or else we will pick another winner

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Joy N. Hensley (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

Green Skittles, show hangover, favorite holiday, and other facts about Rites of Passage author, Joy N. Hensley!

Joy N. Hensley

1. I usually write with one of my two dogs or one of my two children on my lap, despite my pleas for solitude.

2. Christmas is my favorite holiday and my husband's least favorite holiday--I once left a Christmas tree up from Thanksgiving until the 4th of July!

3. My hubby is Australian and wears a kilt sometimes.

4. Rites of Passage is my 4th book, but the first that got published. I wrote it in 6 weeks--all previous books took a year or more to complete.

5. I once hiked 600 miles of the Appalachian Trail in two months--I met my kilt-wearing Aussie husband on this hike and we decided to get married after knowing each other for just two months.

6. Green Skittles--the new flavor, not the old one--is my favorite flavor of anything ever.

7. I drink Jell-o water when I'm sick (a packet of Jell-O and twice the amount of water--heat it up and sip.Mmmmm!)

8. The first year I taught 6th grade, my kids thought I'd been in jail because I had a tattoo. I did not tell them they were wrong.

9. I once lived with a male body builder (not romantically-ew!) who left whole chicken carcasses in the sink in our apartment.

10. I'm passive aggressive enough about household responsibilities that I let one of those chicken carcasses sit in our sink for four days until I finally snapped and threw it at him.

11. I'm currently suffering a show hangover for Sons of Anarchy.

12. Right now I have seven fingernails painted--it's been this way for a few days. There are two different colors going on...and I don't remember painting them. 

13. Sometimes I don't schedule book events because that means I'd have to get dressed in real people clothes.

14. Sometimes I force myself to schedule book events because staying home alone every day in my pajamas can get kind of old sometimes.

About the Author

Joy N. Hensley is a former middle school teacher. She used to spend her twenty-minute lunch breaks hosting author Skype chats for her students. Once upon a time she went to a military school on a dare. She lives in Virginia with her husband and two children, finding as many ways as she can to never do another push-up again.

Find her: Website  * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Check out Joy's debut novel!

Rites of Passage

by Joy N. Hensley

Published September 9th 2014 by Harper Teen

Blurb (Goodreads):

Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.

So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty...no matter how much she wants him.

As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.
At any cost.

Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust...and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

Yesterday: Amy Finnegan, author of Not in the Script. Tomorrow: Lex Martin, author of Dearest Clementine. Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!
- swag (see photo)
- contest ends January 12th

- each entry will be checked. Daily entries requires different info/links every day. This will be checked as well so be honest!

- winner must respond on email notification within 48 hours or else we will pick another winner


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Amy Finnegan (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

Merry Christmas! Even though its holidays, debutantes event is still ongoing (well, except for the major dates). Here's my featured debut author day after Christmas, Amy Finnegan!

Amy Finnegan

1. I’ve worn the wedding ring of a member of the British Royal Family (hint: she was married to the Queen’s son). I went to dinner with her once and commented on how beautiful it was, so she said: “Here! Try it on!”

2. If I could go back in time, I would read more books as a teenager (I was way too distracted by boys! But now I just consider all of the crushes, drama, and heartaches they gave me as research.)

3. I think baby goats are the cutest animals ever. I would buy one, but I like my clothes, shoes, furniture, and laptop too much.

4. I love sauerkraut and Boston Baked Beans. But I doubt I would like them together.

5. I have two actual teenagers of my own, neither of which is as easily controlled as my fictional teenagers. But I love them anyway (and again: RESEARCH!) ;)

6. I am allergic to chocolate. It gives me severe migraines and my throat closes off. Saddest allergy ever :(

7. While we’re on the topic of throats and food, Dr. Henry Heimlich stated in a letter to me from Xavier University that, as of 1986, I am the youngest person on record to have saved someone’s life with the Heimlich Maneuver. I was four. #legit

8. I sometimes have nightmares in which my husband does something really rude or stupid, and then I wake up mad at him. He does not understand this.

9. If I could choose just one literary character to be a real person, it would be Harry Potter. I hope I can one day create a character whom I love even half as much (though in truth, I would rather kiss one of my own fictional characters. Harry is a little awkward with that stuff).

10. My husband just read #8 and is wondering why those thoughts led me to #9. Like I said, he does not understand.

11. I hate driving in snowstorms! I was once lost for fifteen minutes in a whiteout before I realized I was right in front of my own house.

12. When I was a little girl, I did not aspire to be a published author. I wanted to be a secretary when I grew up. At least I’m living the typing part of that elusive dream, but I’d still like one of those little desk intercoms.

13. I think there should be a worldwide ban on salting sidewalks. Snails are adorable. Stop the slaughter.

14. In real life, my husband makes it easy for me to create hot guys for my novels. Guys who are also smart, nice, work hard, and treat girls with respect. Guys who make you insanely happy and never cease to make you laugh. All I have to do is model love interests after the boy sitting right next to me, and I have a perfect heartthrob. For example: I had already revised my debut novel a few times before I realized that the love interests meet in almost the exact way that I met my husband. I had been working at a new job for just a couple of days when we first spoke (though I had definitely noticed him before then), and we talked a lot. When the workday was over, I was waiting for my ride when my husband offered to give me a ride home instead. I’m not encouraging you to jump into a near-stranger’s car (!!!), but I do find it funny that I wrote this same scenario into NOT IN THE SCRIPT without even noticing that I’d done so. True love shows up in the most unexpected places.

About the Author

Amy Finnegan writes her own stories because she enjoys falling in love over and over again, and thinks everyone deserves a happy ending. She likes to travel the world—usually to locations where her favorite books take place—and owes her unquenchable thirst for reading to Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling. Her debut novel, NOT IN THE SCRIPT (Bloomsbury, Oct 2014), came about after hearing several years of behind-the-scenes stories from her industry veteran brother. She’s also been lucky enough to visit dozens of film sets and sit in on major productions such as Parks and Recreation, and Parenthood.

Find her: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

"..gorgeously cute and romantic." - check out my full review here!

Not in the Script

(If Only... #3)

by Amy Finnegan

Published October 7th 2014 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens 

Blurb (Goodreads):

Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss—a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending nearly all of her teen years performing on cue, Emma wonders if any part of her life is real anymore . . . particularly her relationships.

Jake Elliott’s face is on magazine ads around the world, but his lucrative modeling deals were a poor substitute for what he had to leave behind. Now acting is offering Jake everything he wants: close proximity to home; an opportunity to finally start school; and plenty of time with the smart and irresistible Emma Taylor . . . if she would just give him a chance.

When Jake takes Emma behind the scenes of his real life, she begins to see how genuine he is, but on-set relationships always end badly. Don’t they? Toss in Hollywood’s most notorious heartthrob and a resident diva who may or may not be as evil as she seems, and the production of Coyote Hills heats up in unexpected—and romantic—ways.

This novel in the deliciously fun If Only romance line proves that the best kinds of love stories don’t follow a script.

Last Tuesday: Rebecca Yarros, author of Full Measures. Tomorrow: Joy N. Hensley, author if Rites of Passage. Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!

- signed hardcover of Not in the Script + swag

- open internationally

- contest ends January 10th
- each entry will be checked. Daily entries requires different info/links every day. This will be checked as well so be honest!
- winner must respond on email notification within 48 hours or else we will pick another winner




a Rafflecopter giveaway