Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Dahlia Adler (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

Get ready to meet the author of YA contemporary romance, Behind the Scenes, Dahlia Adler!

Dahlia Adler

1. I have hitchhiker's thumbs, which is a genetic thing that basically means the top joint of my thumb bends back at pretty much a right angle.

2. I was in the New York City spelling bee when I was in 8th grade, and got interviewed for the Columbia University TV station because I was contestant #1 - the result of my last name being Adler and me representing the Bronx. I got out on "dichotomy" and came in 17th place out of 81.

3. I have always loved world geography, and especially memorizing capitals, but alas, it was my cousin who got to be on the game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? I was bitterly jealous.

4. I love to travel and I love souvenirs, especially international currency, shot glasses, magnets, and cookbooks. My favorite cities outside the US are Jerusalem, Netanya (where my family has an apartment), Istanbul, and Paris.

5. My cousin David A. Adler is also a kidlit author, though he's considerably more famous (especially to me, since I grew up on the Cam Jansen series) and prolific. That both our last names are Adler is actually a coincidence, though - his wife and my mother are first cousins who happened to marry unrelated men with the same common Jewish last name.

6. Adler is actually the German word for "eagle," but no one knows how we got a German last name - I'm half Polish and half Czech, and the only other German I know is "Schadenfreude."

7. I met my husband when I was 19, so I like to think we're an Upper YA Romance.

8. I've had an absurd amount of dental work done, including four root canals (two on baby teeth), two sets of braces, a space maintainer, and an expander. Be jealous. I have it down to the point where I even have an album of choice I listen to during dental work. (Nirvana's "Nevermind," in case you were wondering.)

9. I've interned at both HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, and would have interned with Hyperion as well but I turned it down to be a fashion intern at Maxim, back when I thought I wanted to work in magazines. I also used to be an Editorial Assistant at S&S.

10. I'm big into languages, and have taken Hebrew, Latin, Russian, and French. At least one of those makes an appearance in almost every one of my books.

11. In addition to writing YA, I also write NA. Last Will and Testament is both my NA debut and my self-pub debut!

12. My degree is in Journalism, specifically magazines. (See #9.) When I applied to college, I wanted to be a rock journalist. By the time I started (after a year at seminary), I wanted to work in women's magazines. Then my #1 dream became to work at Esquire. Then my S&S internship changed that dream entirely.

13. I love food, but I'm a shockingly picky eater. On top of keeping kosher, I don't like walnuts, pecans, rosemary, cheese (with a few exceptions, but goat cheese and feta are my nemeses on this earth), cilantro, beans, black olives, citrus in any food other than dessert, poppy seeds, fennel (or anything else licorice-y), dark chocolate, tahini, or wine. But I've recently come around to lentils (sorta) and chick peas, so, let's hear it for personal growth!

14. I'm obsessed with my CPs, two of whom have amazing YA debuts coming out in 2015, and my accountabilibuddy, whose second book comes out then as well. Keep an eye out for The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall, Last Year's Mistake by Gina Ciocca, and Skandal by Lindsay Smith!

***

About the Author

Dahlia Adler is an Associate Editor of Mathematics by day, a Copy Editor by night, and a YA and NA writer and blogger at The Daily Dahlia, YA Misfits, and Barnes & Noble at every spare moment in between. Her debut novel, BEHIND THE SCENES, is available now, and its sequel, UNDER THE LIGHTS, releases from Spencer Hill Contemporary on June 30, 2015.

Find her: Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Now take a look on Dahlia's debut novel!

Behind the Scenes

(Daylight Falls #1)

by Dahlia Adler

Published June 24th 2014 by Spencer Hill Contemporary

Blurb (Goodreads):

High school senior Ally Duncan's best friend may be the Vanessa Park - star of TV's hottest new teen drama - but Ally's not interested in following in her BFF's Hollywood footsteps. In fact, the only thing Ally’s ever really wanted is to go to Columbia and study abroad in Paris. But when her father's mounting medical bills threaten to stop her dream in its tracks, Ally nabs a position as Van's on-set assistant to get the cash she needs.

Spending the extra time with Van turns out to be fun, and getting to know her sexy co-star Liam is an added bonus. But when the actors’ publicist arranges for Van and Liam to “date” for the tabloids just after he and Ally share their first kiss, Ally will have to decide exactly what role she's capable of playing in their world of make believe. If she can't play by Hollywood's rules, she may lose her best friend, her dream future, and her first shot at love. 

Yesterday: Melissa Landers, author of Alienated. Tomorrow: Skylar Dorset, author of The Girl Who Never Was. Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!

- signed copy of Behind the Scenes

- open to US only
- Dahlia and I are NOT responsible for any lost or damaged package

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

- contest ends December 20th

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Melissa Landers (Interview)

Celebrating Debutantes 2014 day 3: Say hello to the author of Alienated, Melissa Landers!

Melissa Landers

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

Definitely connecting with fans. I've met so many fabulous readers, and they never cease to amaze me with the depth of their enthusiasm for Aelyx and Cara's story. It warms my heart to see people who love my characters as much as I do. 

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

I held a book launch at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, complete with cake and champagne. Unfortunately, an ice storm decided to crash the party, so we had to cut it short, but a good time was still had by all! I hope to schedule a similar event for the release of INVADED in February.

3. When is your best time to write?

I write all day, but I've found that I *have* to get started in the morning if I want to make any significant progress, otherwise I can't generate enough momentum to keep going.

4. Do you read reviews of your book?

NOOOOOOOOO, not anymore. I'm happiest when I ignore reviews and focus on my current project. 

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

A fan traveled all the way from Colorado to Ohio for one of my summer signings...AND she baked alien cookies for me! I'll never forget that. It made me feel so special.

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

Oh, yes. Far too many to mention. 

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

I actually have written in a different genre, but now I'm slowing down to focus on YA. (I've published several adult contemporary romances under a pen name, but they're VERY adult. Not for teens!)

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

Just a few months ago, I fell down the stairs in front of a bunch of librarians at the ALA conference in Vegas. That was horrifically embarrassing.

9. Favorite color? 

Blue

Favorite movie? 

Depends on my mood. I have different favorites in comedy, drama, romance, sci-fi, action/adventure, etc. I'm a sucker for old school romantic comedies, especially starring Meg Ryan. (Like "French Kiss" and "You've Got Mail.")

Favorite ice cream flavor? 

Again, it depends on my mood. If you're holding a gun to my head, I guess I'd choose Cookies and Cream.

Favorite song?

My favorite songs don't last long, because I'll binge-listen until I can't stand to hear them anymore.

Ultimate celebrity crush (dead or alive)?

This is easy. Harrison Ford.

10. What's next for you?

I just finished a standalone sci-fi romance for Disney, tentatively titled STARFLIGHT, which is set to release in 2016. It's about an orphan who indentures herself to a rich jerk in exchange for passage to a new world aboard a luxury spaceliner. But when he temporarily loses his memory, she convinces him that their roles are reversed--that she's the master and he's the servant--and leads him onto a ship full of fugitives. Romantic hijinks and intergalactic misadventures ensue. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can add it on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21793182-starflight

***

About the Author

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives just outside Cincinnati and writes adult contemporary romance as Macy Beckett.

Find her: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

I'm sure you've heard of her debut novel!

Alienated

(Alienated #1)

by Melissa Landers

Published February 4th 2014 by Disney Hyperion

Blurb (Goodreads):

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. 

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. 

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet. 

Yesterday: Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird. Tomorrow: Dahlia Adler, author of Behind the Scenes. Check out the schedule here.

WWW Wednesdays (79) / Waiting on Wednesday (79): The Heir

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Hey everyone! Obviously, I'm so back from my blogging and reading hiatus. I'm so glad to be back with Wednesday post as well!

Currently Reading:

Yesterday I started reading Talon by Julie Kagawa. I'm so excited for this one!

Finished Reading:

Before the hiatus, I have read three books: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini, Unteachable by Leah Raeder, and Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan. (Click on their titles for my review.)


I read My Second Life by Faye Bird while I was on the break (rebel bookworm) and just yesterday, I finished the adorable A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall.

Read Next:

I'm reading Counterfeit Love by Julie Fison next. It's a contemporary romance set in Hong Kong!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on.

The Heir
(The Selection #4)
by Kiera Cass

Expected publication: May 5th 2015 by Harper Teen

Blurb (Goodreads):
Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

GUYS. THIS BOOK. *drools*
I love The Selection series! That's why I went crazy when I found out that there'll be follow up books. I also love collecting these gorgeous covers. 

***

You might want to check out the giveaways on the blog. :) (Just click away!)

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Michelle Krys (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Danielle L. Jensen (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

How was your week? The past two months I'm away? I hope you had a good one!
Don't forget to list your books/link your Wednesday post! 

Book Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

A Little Something Different

by Sandy Hall

Genre: YA/NA, contemporary, romance
Published August 26th 2014 by Swoon Reads
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon* Barnes and Noble * Book Depository
Local purchase/order: Fullybooked * National Bookstore

Blurb (Goodreads):

The distinctive new crowdsourced publishing imprint Swoon Reads proudly presents its first published novel—an irresistibly sweet romance between two college students told from 14 different viewpoints.

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.

But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship. 

Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together....

My Thoughts:

Everything about A Little Something Different will catch anyone's eye. From the cute romantic cover to the fact that it was told in 14(!) viewpoints. Who wouldn't want to read that? It looks like it's as sweet as cotton candy and I don't know why, but whenever I see or think about this book, I remember the Disney movie Enchanted.

This book is about a girl and a boy who met, liked each other...but too shy and afraid to talk to one another. As their attraction grew, people around them noticed the chemistry and their cuteness and these people (and other things)--from friends of both sides, match-making creative writing teacher, a barista, a waitress, a bench, a squirrel, and others--basically told their story.

From these perspectives I get to know the main characters, Gabe and Lea. Gabe is an uber shy guy which made him adorable and cute in Lea's eyes (and on some of the narrators). But his shyness made the story a little slow-paced. I don't know if I think he's cute or became annoying at that time. Lea, on the other hand, is not far different from Gabe. However, Lea is the braver one, finding a way and having the guts to talk to Gabe even if she would end up looking stupid. These two, their story, and their connection with the narrators are simple yet fun to read. I like the closeness and the connection of all the characters. The way Lea and her friends act on a guy she's crushing is relatable. I can imagine me and my friends, especially on the stalking part. XD

My unforgettable narrator was Victor, a creative writing classmate, who doesn't seem like fond of the two. He hated them and even call Gabe Big Foot and Lea Giraffe. I swear, everything about him is annoying but I also can't hide the fact that he was the narrator I kept laughing with. The way he is bothered with Gabe and Lea was so funny. I can also relate when he rolls his eyes when the two are being "annoyingly cute" and why they don't just "get on with it". Like you wouldn't know if he's bitter, just annoyed or what. I couldn't also forget the bench, for its love with butts (particularly Gabe's) and the squirrel and his missing acorns. Such cute little thing! I also adore their creative writing teacher, Inga, for being an enthusiastic match-maker.

There was this assignment given by Inga--a one-hundred word description of someone without using any adjectives.  For example (as given by Inga in the book), "My mom has a chair in her living room and when she sits in that chair the way she holds herself is relaxed. When she reads a book in the chair, it's like her habitat. When she settles down for an evening in that chair is all right in her world." Yet the listener is still able to picture that person. That's how this book looked like to me. It wasn't told in any of the main characters' perspective but it managed to describe them and live with them without leaving anything alone. It also gave me an opportunity to witness this couple and have my own share of thoughts and opinions. And for the most part, I wanted to cuff them both and leave them alone so they can finally talk.

A Little Something Different is indeed like a cotton candy. It relaxes the readers and would make them think again of fairytales and happy endings. Original, fun and entertaining, a sigh-worthy book. I recommend this to romance readers in any age and to anyone who want to get cozy in the midst of their stressful days.

*Thank you so much Ruth and Macmillan International for the review copy in exchange of an honest review!

Rating:

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Danielle L. Jensen (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

The second day of Celebrating Debutantes 2014 features the author of one of the magical books I've read this year, Stolen Songbird!

Danielle L. Jensen

1. I have a labradoodle named Elmo, but my mom stole him because I’m out of town so much. I don’t think he has any desire to come back!

2. Boots are my favourite footwear. I just bought a pair of Steve Madden military boots, and I live in them.

3. The first person I told I was trying to write a novel was my mom. It was at Christmas, and I’d had about four glasses of wine.

4. I hate cooking, but I love eating.

5. I have a crush on Benedict Cumberbatch.

6. I got a tattoo when I was seventeen with a forged permission note. I got in serious trouble with my parents when they busted me.

7. I adore Britney Spears, and I don’t care what anyone has to say about it.

8. I hate Brussel sprouts and shrimp.

9. I enjoy reading celebrity gossip, and my favourite site is laineygossip.com

10. I’m supposed to wear glasses, but only do when I’m driving.

11. The first concert I went to was Green Day.

12. The last concert I went to was Bon Jovi.

13. My favourite sport to watch is hockey.

14. I’ve owned three horses, and I competed in dressage when I was a teen.

***

About the Author
Danielle was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. At the insistence of the left side of her brain, she graduated in 2003 from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s degree in finance. But the right side of her brain has ever been mutinous; and in 2010, it sent her back to school to complete an entirely impractical English literature degree at Mount Royal University and to pursue publication. Much to her satisfaction, the right side shows no sign of relinquishing its domination.

Find her: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

"Exciting, magical, and romantic.." - my full review here.

Stolen Songbird

(The Malediction Trilogy #1)

by Danielle L. Jensen

Published April 1st 2014 by Strange Chemistry

Blurb (Goodreads):
For those who have loved Seraphina and Graceling comes another truly fabulous fantasy...

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.


As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever. 

Yesterday: Michelle Krys, author of Hexed. Tomorrow: Melissa Landers, author of Alienated. Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!

- 2 signed swag packs

- Danielle and I are NOT responsible for any lost or damaged packages

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

- contest ends December 18th

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

Celebrating Debutantes 2014: Michelle Krys (14 Random Facts + Giveaway)

Hey everyone, welcome to the first day of Celebrating Debutantes 2014! Today I'm excited to feature the author of urban fantasy/paranormal novel, Hexed.

Michelle Krys

1. I have an identical twin sister. She’s a writer too!

2. I got married in Africa.

3. I’m a NICU nurse. Which means I write books and snuggle tiny babies for a living—I’m okay with my life choices. 

4. But my first job was at a call center though. You know those annoying people who call you to sell stuff? Me! 

5. My favorite food is spaghetti. A close second is nachos with queso and salsa. Mmmm. And Lays Salt ‘N Vinegar chips. (Okay I’ll stop now.)

6. I hate the taste of toothepaste. (But no worries, I still brush my teeth!)

7. Birds. *shudders*

8. I’m allergic to exercise. 

9. I speak French badly. 

10. People used to call me Elaine because I get really animated when I’m excited and hit people. (Also apparently I’m not the greatest dancer . . .)

11. I never tried bacon until I was 25. I couldn’t stand the smell of it and thought it looked gross. (Turns out it’s not bad. Who knew?)

12. I’ve had the same haircut since I was, like, eight. It’s kind of sad. 

13. I’m a huuuuuge celebrity gossip junkie. 

14. My favorite book is Gone with The Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

***

About the Author

Michelle Krys is the author of HEXED and the upcoming sequel CHARMED. She works part-time as a NICU nurse and spends her free time writing books for teens. Michelle is probably not a witch, though she did belong to a witchcraft club in the fifth grade and "levitated" people in her bedroom, so that may be up for debate. Hexed is her first novel. Visit her at michellekrys.com or follow @MichelleKrys on Twitter.

Follow her: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Tumblr * Goodreads

Check out her baby!

Hexed

(The Witch Hunter #1)

by Michelle Krys

Published June 10th 2014 by Delacorte Press

Blurb (Goodreads):

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.

Tomorrow: Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird. Check out the schedule here.

GIVEAWAY!

- signed hardcover of Hexed

- open internationally

- Michelle and I are NOT responsible for any lost or damaged packages

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

- contest ends December 17th

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway