Radiance by Alyson Noël

RADIANCE
(an Immortals Novel)

by Alyson Noël

Paranormal Middle Grade

Feiwel and Friends
www.AlysonNoel.com

4 autographed copies will be given away on Friday, September 3, 2010!






About the Book:

Enter the realm of the Immortals-the #1 New York Times bestselling series that has been acclaimed as breathtaking, mesmerizing, flawless and extraordinary.

Riley Bloom left her sister, Ever, in the world of the living and crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. Riley and her dog, Buttercup, have been reunited with her parents and are just settling into a nice, relaxing death when she’s summoned before the Council. They let her in on a secret—the afterlife isn’t just an eternity of leisure; Riley has to work. She’s been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a curious boy she can’t quite figure out.

Riley, Bodhi, and Buttercup return to earth for her first assignment, a Radiant Boy who’s been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But all of that was before he met Riley . . .

Check out our exclusive interview with the Author!

1) How did you get the idea for the novel?

After reading the first two books in THE IMMORTALS series, EVERMORE and BLUE MOON, Jean Feiwel, publisher of Feiwel & Friends and Square fished, approached me to write a series based on Ever’s ghostly little sister Riley and I jumped at the chance. I’d had so much fun creating her character in EVERMORE that she ended up getting a much bigger part than I’d originally planned. She just kept showing up (usually in some kooky costume and wig!), and by the end of the book I was so sad to see her go that I couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring her back and give her her own story to tell!

2) No matter how many books you write, I’m sure each one has it’s own challenges. How was this book more challenging to write than your others? How was it easier?

While there’s no doubt that each book comes with its own set of challenges, the unique challenge in RADIANCE was that I’d never written from the point of view of a twelve-year old before. So when I first sat down to write, I hit this brick wall of panic where I just wasn’t sure I could do it. But then I realized I didn’t have to write a twelve-year old per se (since no two are alike!), I only had to write Riley—a character I already knew and loved—and once I got that straight in my head, the story took off from there and it was truly some of the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book!

3) What scene or bit of dialogue in the book are you most proud of and why?

I’m really fond of the scene where Riley and Bodhi encounter the Wailing Woman and Riley has to dig down deep to find a way to release all of them from her clutches. It’s a real moment of growth for Riley, and I felt so proud of the way she chose to get through it!

4) What was your favorite book growing up and why?

I was a really avid reader as a kid, so while I had no shortage of favorites, one that really stands out is HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON. I was completely enchanted with the way he created his own world with that one oversized purple crayon, and I read it so many times the book fell apart and my mom had to tape it back together. And while my original copy is long gone, I’ve recently ordered another and I can’t wait for it to arrive so I can relive that childhood magick all over again!

5) What’s up next for you?

Things are busy at Casa Noël! Let’s see, I have a story in the KISSES FROM HELL anthology in stores on August 24, RADIANCE is on stores on August 31, the SHADOWLAND paperback will be in stores in September, THE IMMORTALS boxed set will be in stores in October, NIGHT STAR, book 5 in THE IMMORTALS series will be in stores on 11.16.10, I’m finishing up the 6th and final book in the series now so that’ll be out sometime in 2011, then SHIMMER the second book in Riley’s series is set to hit the stores in Spring 2011, and as soon as I write the third and fourth books in her series I’ll begin work on a whole new YA series I have in the works for 2012!

About the Author:

Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times best selling, award winning author of 12 novels, including The Immortals series and it’s new spin-off series beginning with RADIANCE. With over 3 million copies in print, her books have been published in 35 countries and have made the USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, NCIBA, and Walmart bestsellers lists. She lives in Orange County, CA where she is working on her next book.Visit her online at: www.AlysonNoel.com or visit the series website at: www.ImmortalsSeries.com

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar. Comments left on the post, while appreciated, are not used as entry. Thanks!

Delcroix Academy: The Candidates - Winners!

5 lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of Delcroix Academy: The Candidates!

And here they are...

1) Elizabeth Rodden
2) Tracy Maddox
3) Diane Castiglione
4) Kristin Whitmire
5) Melissa Gardner


If you didn't win, but still want to read The Candidates, you can order your own copies on Amazon by clicking here!


Or find it in our Free Book Friday Amazon Store!

Delcroix Academy: The Candidates by Inara Scott

THE CANDIDATES
(Delcroix Academy)

by Inara Scott

Young Adult

Disney/Hyperion
www.InaraScott.com


5 autographed copies will be given away on Friday, August 27, 2010!

Inara talks about what makes the Delcroix Academy unique and is the first author to survive the new "Hot Seat" segment of our podcast! Listen to our exclusive interview with Inara Scott here!

About the Book:

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that's not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia's mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just...happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to anyone, believing this way she can suppress her powers and keep them hidden.

But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy show up in her living room to offer her a full scholarship, Dancia's days of living under the radar may be over. Only, Delcroix is a school for diplomats' kids and child geniuses--not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. So why are they treating Dancia like she's special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make Dancia feel welcome.

And then there's her mysterious new friend Jack, who can't stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the Academy and wants Dancia to help him figure out what. But Dancia isn't convinced. She hopes that maybe the recruiters know more about her "gift" than they're letting on. Maybe they can help her understand how to use it...But not even Dancia could have imagined what awaits her behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

About the Author:

Inara Scott is the author of Delcroix Academy: The Candidates, to be released August 2010. She lives in Portland with her husband and children. Visit the author online at: www.InaraScott.com.

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar. Comments left on the post, while appreciated, are not used as entry. Thanks!

Mackenzie Blue Series - Winners!

2 lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of the Mackenzie Blue Series!

And here they are...

1) Shannon Eidsness
2) Lissette Aviles

If you didn't win, but still want to read Mackenzie Blue, you can order your own copies on Amazon by clicking here!


Or find it in our Free Book Friday Amazon Store!

Mackenzie Blue Series by Tina Wells

MACKENZIE BLUE

by Tina Wells

Tween
Harper Collins
www.MackenzieBlue.com

2 Signed Copies of the entire Mackenzie Blue series will be given away on Friday, August 20, 2010!




About the Books:

Mackenzie Blue

Meet Mackenzie Blue, aka Zee
She has it all – smarts, talent, humor, and style… Is it enough to survive middle school?

Countdown to a 7th Grade Meltdown
• Your BFF moves away.
• Someone steals your diary and reveals your deepest secrets – to the ENTIRE class.
• You have one chance to become a rock star and one chance to totally blow it.
Guess what!? All three happened to me! School’s a disaster already. Don’t get me wrong – I love Brookdale Academy and I have a fabulous crew of friends. (At least, I think I do.) But, if I’m going to survive, I need all the help I can get!

Now that her secrets are out, Mackenzie’s world is turned upside down. Who can she trust?

Mackenzie Blue: Secret Crush

Mackenzie Blue has a crush!
But how can she get Landon – the cutest boy in school – to notice her? The class’s new rock-and-roll musical is her chance.

Reasons why our musical is going to be amazing:

• I could be the star!
• Landon could be my co-star…which means we’ll hang out together.
• Working on the sets, props, music, script and costumes will be tons of fun.
There’s so much to do, I’d better get started!

Between her crush, the musical, and her friends – not to mention school work – Zee is torn in a thousand different directions. With all the real-life drama going on, will she lose sight of what’s really important?

Mackenzie Blue: Friends Forever?

Mackenzie Blue is hitting the trails!
It’s time for Brookdale Academy’s camping field trip, but Zee has much more to deal with than a lesson about nature…

I’m not sure how I feel about spending an entire week in the woods away from home.
Pros/Cons:

My BFF, Ally is visiting all the way from Paris! Ooh la la!
We have to stay in teeny-tiny log cabins. How will we all fit?

My friends and I are so going to win the environmental scavenger hunt!
The legendary (and terrifying) Mountain Man…

Zee is determined to have a great time at Brookdale Mountain, but when her friends stop getting along she can’t help but wonder: Will the trip be a bust?





Read our Exclusive Interview with the Author!

1) What was your favorite book growing up and why?

I loved the book From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler. What an amazing adventure! Wouldn't we all like to live in the Met?

2) If Zee could give one piece of advice to teenage girls/boys, what would it be?

Zee would tell my readers to be themselves. We spend so much of our adolescence trying to fit in, instead of using that time to find out who we are and be that person.

3) Is it hard to keep writing books with the same character? Or easy because you’ve come to know her so well by now?

By the fourth book, it was easy! It will be hard again when I start writing Book 5, because I've been away from the writing process for a while now.

4) When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer? Have you had other jobs along the way?

When I was about 15. I started writing for a paper for girls called The New Girl Times. That turned into writing product reviews, which turned into market research, which launched a 15 year career in marketing. I didn't find my way back to writing stories until I was 27!

5) What's up next for you?

I'll be working on new adventures for Mackenzie Blue and her crew, as well as penning a business book on marketing to Millennials, which comes out next year.

About the Author:

Tina Wells, CEO of Buzz Marketing Group earned her B.A. in Communication Arts graduating with honors from Hood College in 2002. Currently a Wharton School of Business student for marketing management, Tina continues to create innovative marketing strategies for numerous clients within the beauty, entertainment, fashion, financial, and lifestyle sectors. Tina has worked with clients including: Swarovski, SonyBMG, PBS, P+G, Sesame Workshop, and Time Inc. Tina’s long list of honors include Essence’s 40 Under 40 Award, Billboard’s 30 Under 30 Award, and Inc’s 30 Under 30, just to name a few. Tina serves on the board of directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, The Franklin Institute, and The South Jersey Food Bank. She resides in Southern New Jersey with her vast collection of shoes. Visit the series' website at: www.MackenzieBlue.com.

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar. Comments left on the post, while appreciated, are not used as entry. Thanks!

Leviathan - Winners!

5 lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of Leviathan!

And here they are...

1) Christine Cook
2) Dawn Miears
3) Jessica Clendenin
4) Maria Manning
5) Tamara Stiep


If you didn't win, but still want to read Leviathan, you can order your own copies on Amazon by clicking here!


Or find it in our Free Book Friday Amazon Store!

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

LEVIATHAN

by Scott Westerfeld

Young Adult

Simon Pulse
www.ScottWesterfeld.com

5 autographed copies will be given away on Friday, August 13, 2010!!!

New York Times Bestselling Author!




About the Book:

From the New York Times Bestselling author Scott Westerfeld comes book one in an astonishing alternate history series titled LEVIATHAN. Westerfeld has more than 2 MILLION books in print, including Extras, which was #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List.

Already deemed a “steampunk masterpiece” by the blogosphere, this book will transport you back to the unruly period we know as World War I, specifically the year 1914. In this epic tale, the battle is instead brewing between the Clankers (a group of people that install faith in machinery to advance mankind) and the Darwinists (people of the belief that the evolution of living creatures into helpful tools will benefit society).

Found in the middle of this war of philosophies is Prince Aleksandar, a young boy deemed for greatness and the heir to the Austo-Hungarian throne, recently betrayed by those closest to him. And Deryn Sharp, a female commoner who wants nothing more than to fly in the British Air Service, but has to disguise herself as a boy to do so. Constantly hiding her secret proves to be a very difficult task.

The meeting of Alek and Deryn is most unexpected… and will change their lives forever.

Check out our exclusive interview with the Author!

1) What scene in the book are you most proud of and why?

The most interesting scenes to write were those in which the two main characters meet for the first time. Leviathan is sort of a Romeo and Juliet story, in that Alek and Deryn come from completely different worlds, which are literally at war. Until they meet, we've only seen these worlds from their own comfortable perspectives. But when Alek finds himself in Deryn's world, he sees everything that she's familiar with as being horrible and profane. It was really fun to show the same places and things from a new viewpoint, and having this clash of perspectives on the page made the conflict between the two characters (and the two sides of the war) much more real.

2) Who’s your favorite character in the book and why? Who was the most fun to write?

Deryn is a great character to write, because she's funny and brave, and has a similar Scottish accent to an old girlfriend of mine. I've also always wanted to write a girl pretending to be a boy, because it's exciting to have a secret, and to always worry about being caught. Also it's fun to see boy culture from an girl's perspective, especially in a book like this, which has lots of explosions and battles and technology. That is, things that only boys are supposed to like.

3) What kind of research did you have to do to bring this story to life on the page?

Leviathan is set in 1914, which turned out to be a lot trickier than writing a book set in the present day, or in the future, like Uglies. It's easy to find out the basics of what people wore and ate and how they got around in 1914, but the little details keep popping up. Take a simple question like: Were there zippers on clothing in 1914?

Well, zippers were invented in 1891, more or less. But where were they used back then? On pants, dresses, jackets? Were they considered hi-tech? Were they only for men at first? Or maybe only for rich people? Did they work badly?

If you're not careful, something simple like getting dressed can turn into an all-day session of research. My main strategy was to read a lot of contemporary diaries and novels. And even better were catalogs, which showed the objects of the everyday life.

4) When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

My family is pretty big, and when we all get together it's very loud and chaotic. But somehow we all manage to come together at some point and listen to the older family members tell stories from their lives. Some of my grand uncles and aunts are amazing storytellers, and it's great to see four generations all spellbound by the human voice. Even the football gets turned off, and this is Texas.

I think the notion that a story could be so important sunk into my head from a young age, so it always made sense to me that writing was an important thing to do.

5) Series like these always fascinate me because I want to know where the author is going and if he/she even knows where they’re going. So do you? Do you have it all plotted out in your head until the end or are you winging it as you go?

I know the end point of the individual books and the series, and how all the big plots are going to wrap up. And of course I know the beginning. But I prefer to keep the middle of the books a secret, even from myself. The characters will always change in ways I don't expect, and if I have too much of a plan for them, that tends to keep them from making their own choices. Most of the unexpected twists in my books weren't my ideas at all, but the characters'. So I try never to chain them down.

About the Author:

Scott Westerfeld is the author of the New York Times Bestselling Uglies series. His other novels include The Last Days (an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and the sequel to Peeps), So Yesterday (another ALA Best Book for Young Adults) and the Midnighters trilogy. Scott alternates summers between New York City and Sydney, Australia. Visit the author online at: www.ScottWesterfeld.com or on Twitter at twitter.com/ScottWesterfeld.

**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar. Comments left on the post, while appreciated, are not used as entry. Thanks!

Infinite Days - Winners!

5 lucky winners will be receiving free autographed copies of Infinite Days!
And here they are...

1) Eleanor Jacobs
2) Jennifer Clodfelter
3) Ashley Ortiz
4) Trista Siegel
5) Elizabeth Goldberg


If you didn't win, but still want to read Infinite Days, you can order your own copies on Amazon by clicking here!

Or find it in our Free Book Friday Amazon Store!