Negative vs Positive Reviews: Which is Easier?

Recently I noticed that writing a positive review is significantly harder than writing a negative review. This, in turn, got me thinking about why it is that I can crank out a negative review quickly and be perfectly happy with it, but slave over a positive review for hours (or months, cough-Sea-cough).

After thinking about it, I realized that it’s easier to explain why I hate a book than why I love a book. The truth of the matter is that when I read a book I adore, words just don’t seem adequate enough. I know that what I say will influence people’s decision to read the book, and I want them get a sense of just how much I love a novel because I want them to feel the same way. And even though negative reviews are still influential, it’s not the same. When I write a negative review I’m not trying to stop someone from reading a book, I’m just weighing in on it. With a positive review, however, I’m trying to convince them to read a book.

Furthermore, when I fall for a book it’s not because of one small thing, it’s because of the novel overall – the characters, the story, the voice, the feel of it. My thoughts when I finish a great book are usually “I love this novel” or “Everyone needs to read this” or “Darn you, (insert author’s name here), for leaving me hanging like that.” I don’t think “This was amazing because of this, this and this.” So when I go to write a positive review I first have to break apart my feelings and find the why, and then I have to put it into reviews. I have to take a feeling and turn it into a coherent review, which is a lot harder than you’d think. This whole process can sometimes take hours. With a book I dislike, however, the ranter in me immediately ticks off all the things I had an issue with as soon as I finish. Thus, when I go to write the review I’ve already written it in my head. All I have to do is fine tune it.

It’s ironic, really. I can read a fabulous book that brings me to tears, but writing a review for it is all sorts of difficult. Yet, I can absolutely abhor a book, and write a thoughtfully-written review in fifteen minutes.

So, what about you? Do you find yourself breaking a sweat writing positive reviews and flying through the negatives, like me? Or is it the other way around?

Cover Judge

Cover Judge is a semi-weekly feature that reviews the covers of upcoming novels on my reading wishlist.

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Release: September 7, 2010

Synopsis:Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school, and the two girls become as close as sisters . . . until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe, but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon she'll discover the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that these two are visitors from the faerie realm who have come to collect on an age-old debt. Generations ago, the faerie queen promised Pheobe's ancestor five extraordinary sons in exchange for the sacrifice of one ordinary female heir. But in hundreds of years there hasn't been a single ordinary girl in the family, and now the faeries are dying. Could Phoebe be the first ordinary one? Could she save the faeries, or is she special enough to save herself?

Cover: This cover is absolutely gorgeous! The juxtaposition of the lush green landscape with the well-dressed model is eye-catching. Similarly, the coloring of the trees is intriguing. At first glance, they look green, but when you look again you see that they have hues of the rainbow threaded in. This plays into the idea of the faeries hiding in the human world, blending in with the ordinary. The two lines of trees also help to draw your eyes to the center of the cover, and the girl who is running there. The fact that the girl is running is another thing I like about this cover. It brings up the questions of why she's running. Is she running away? Or running to something? And why is she running? What lies behind or in front of her? The cover doesn't just catch your eye, it catches your attention, something that is invaluable for a cover. 

Sea Change Giveaway

To celebrate the paperback release of Sea Change by Aimee Friedman, I have a special summer giveaway!

Sixteen-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her (now ex) boyfriend, she's happy to be spending the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.


On the lush, beautiful island, Miranda finds new friends and a community with a mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, romance...and reality.


Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

You can find out more about the book on the author's website and the publisher's website.

I reviewed Sea Change last year shortly after it's initial release, and let me tell you, it's the perfect summer read.

Lucky for you, one (1) lucky reader will win a paperback copy of Sea Change and a handmade bamboo beach mat. All you have to do to enter is fill out THIS form by midnight PDT on Friday, July 9th. The terms of entry are as follows:

• You must be a blog follower
• You must be 13 years of age or older
• US only
• No PO boxes

Good luck!

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Last year, all of Belly's dreams came true and the thought of missing a summer in Cousins Beach was inconceivable. But like the rise and fall of the ocean tide, things can change--just like that. Suddenly the time she's always looked forward to most is something she dreads. And when Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared, Belly must decide how she will spend this summer: chasing after the boy she loves, or finally letting him go.

Jenny Han once again creates a bittersweet tale about summer, love, and finding yourself in It’s Not Summer Without You.

After reading The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You immediately became one of my most anticipated releases of the year. And, after reading it, I can’t quite decide which book is my favorite. It’s Not Summer Without You was wonderful in it’s own, unique way. It was quite different than its predecessor, but Belly and her summer boys made it unforgettable.

Unlike the first novel, this one did not encompass an entire summer. Instead it took place in the small window of a few summer days. Even with the time period so greatly shortened, I felt that far more happened in this novel than in The Summer I Turned Pretty. It had all of Belly’s memories and inner monologues that I loved from before, only with the added bonus of rapid development. This time crunch made It’s Not Summer Without You impossible to put down – the characters’ emotions were heightened, their relationships intensified and the story was fast paced.

The flashbacks that were so instrumental in building Belly’s character in The Summer I Turned Pretty make a return. Only this time they give the reader a glimpse back at the previous year and everything that brought her to this point. I absolutely adore how Han sprinkles in the flashbacks throughout the course of the novel, always enriching the plot and twisting your heartstrings.

One of my favorite things about this novel was the deeper exploration of Jeremiah’s character. This time, Belly’s is not the only point of view included. Han gets into the mind of shy and sensitive Jeremiah, allowing the reader to see some of the biggest developments of the novel (both past and present) through his eyes. I was intrigued by Jeremiah in the previous novel, and relished the chance to get to know him better. Unlike Conrad, Jeremiah’s complexity is not shown outright. He’s the steady, controlled brother. It was wonderful to be able to get insight into his character and see how all the events of the past year affected him. This was a refreshing addition, and one I greatly enjoyed.

It’s Not Summer Without You is another excellent novel from Jenny Han. This book is the perfect summer read. It will have you smiling, laughing and tearing up all the way through.

5 Stars!

Source: Purchased

CSN Stores Bookshelf Winner!

It's time to announce the winner of the bookshelf giveaway hosted by CSN Stores! There were just under 40 entries in this contest. I'm happy to announce that the random number generator has spoken, and the winner is...

# 16 - Jenny Ng!


Congratulations, Jenny! I will pass along your mailing information to the wonderful people at CSN Stores so that they can get your prize to you. Enjoy your bookshelf!

Caleb + Kate Giveaway

I'm very excited to be able to host a giveaway for Caleb + Kate! Being a modern day Romeo and Juliet story, I've had it on my TBR list every since finding it on GoodReads.

As the popular darling of the junior class and heiress to the five-star Monrovi Inn empire, Kate has both everything and nothing. She's bored with school and life...until she locks eyes with Caleb at a school dance.


Caleb is new to Kate’s exclusive prep school, and it’s clear he doesn’t fit in. In fact, he and his dad work in maintenance for Kate’s father. And while Caleb knows better than to spend time with the boss’s daughter, it seems that every time he tries to back away, something pulls him right back in.


When their parents demand that they are to stay away from each other, they learn of a fight between their families that occurred more than fifty years ago. Will they change their minds about each other in the name of family loyalty? Or can they change their families’ hearts in the name of love?

One (1) lucky reader will win a copy of Caleb + Kate by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma. Entries will be accepted until 12:00 midnight PDT on Friday, June 25th via THIS form. This giveaway is only open to readers with U.S. mailing addresses. 


Good luck!

Official Contest Policy

As of 6/19/10 this is Chick Lit Teens' new, official contest policy. Please read and understand these terms prior to entering any contest or giveaway on the website. Once you enter, you agree to the terms bellow.

1. All winners will be announced on the website. 
2. It is up to the entrants to check the website for the winner announcement. 
3. A valid mailing address is required for all giveaways so prizes can be shipped as soon as possible.
4. Chick Lit Teens will only use entrants information for the specific contest it is provided for. 
5. All information is confidential, and will only be used should the entrant be chosen as a winner.
6. Chick Lit Teens will not sell or give out the information provided by the entrants to any outside personnel, other than those handling the shipping of prizing.
7. All winners are chosen based on their entry number with the help of the random number generator at Random.org.
8. Delivery time of prizes varies. Should the winners have any questions or concerns, they may email Chick Lit Teens at chicklitteens@gmail.com.
9. Chick Lit Teens is not responsible for any loss of prizes during transit.
10. Always read the rules of entry, any incorrect entries will be automatically disqualified.
11. Entries will not be accepted after the stated deadline.
12. Entrants must be 13 years of age or older in order to enter.
13. As of 6/28/11, only one entry will be accepted per person. Those who submit multiple entries will be disqualified from the contest.

Book Trailers

 This week I have book trailers full of magic, memories, and learning to connect in today's digital age. Enjoy!

Majix by Douglas Reese

Karma Bites by Stacie Kramer and Valerie Thomas

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares


Girl Parts by John M. Cusick

So, which trailer do you like best?

Guest Blog: Laurie Gray

For this week's Chick Chat, I have a guest blog from author Laurie Gray about why she loves to read.

Laurie Gray is the founder of Socratic Parenting, LLC. An experienced trial attorney and teacher, Laurie served on the faculty of the National Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville, Alabama in 2009 and 2010. She is the author of the young adult novel Summer Sanctuary (Luminis Books/May 2010). Learn more about Laurie at www.SocraticParenting.com.

Here's a bit about her novel, Summer Sanctuary:

Matthew knows that this summer is going to be the worst ever. His best friend Kyle is gone, his younger brother Mark has surpassed him in size and athletic ability, and his mother is pregnant for the fifth time. The eldest home-schooled son of a preacher, Matthew plans to bury himself in books about the speed of light and Einstein's Theory of Relativity to see if he can prove his own theory about the dilation of time. Instead, he befriends Dinah, a homeless teenager seeking refuge at the library. Although from very different backgrounds, Matthew and Dinah come to realize that they have a great deal in common--their love for music, and for cans of olives and potato chips found in a supermarket dumpster that are just past the sell-by date . . . and maybe even for each other. Matthew struggles with his feelings for his own family as he helps Dinah avoid Child Welfare. And in the process, Dinah helps him discover that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a very big difference.

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I love books that make me think. Not books that tell me WHAT to think, but books that really engage my mind and plant little ideas that take root in my own thoughts, intertwining with my experience and growing into wondrous imaginings. There’s really nothing more useless than a mind full of someone else’s thoughts! A good book leaves me with questions that I have to think about and answer for myself.

I like movies, too, but watching movies feels more passive. When I watch a movie, the sounds surround me and the images are projected before me. When I read a book, the voices and pictures come from within me. That’s why I always like to read the book before I see the movie, preferably before I even see a preview of the movie or hear about who the actors will be because once those images are engraved in my mind, that’s what I see when I read the book.

I recently read Anthem by Ayn Rand, a short novel about a young man who lives in the future after the world as we know it is destroyed. It’s a very primitive society with no technology and such extensive thought control that people no longer understand the concept of individuality. They go so far as to remove the word “I” from the English language completely! The young man meets a young woman. They’re not even allowed to speak to each other. They don’t understand the idea of love, but they end up running off together and discovering what it means for two individuals have a genuine relationship. It really made me think. Can you imagine living in a world where you had no personal choices or freedom? Working together is important, but I don’t think I can really love or value anybody else until I accept and love myself.

What do you think? Would you rather read a book or watch a movie? What book have you read recently that really made you think?

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Thank you for the wonderful guest blog, Laurie!

Chick Lit Teens Summer Survey

With summer now well under way, I feel that it is time once again for another reader survey. I am dedicating my summer to improving Chick Lit Teens, and for that I need you to weigh in. Your opinions are the ones that matter most after all.

I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd take the time to fill out the survey HERE. As it is a bit lengthy, I understand if you'd rather not fill it out. If you do decide to, however, please answer all of the questions with complete honesty. I want to hear all criticism, even if it is negative.

Thank you in advance!

Jessica

Just Say No

The fact that I run a book blog says something very important about me: I am a bookaholic. I love books. I love their smell and the sound that the flipping of pages makes. I love seeing my shelves full of gorgeous covers. Because of this, having a book blog may as well be my dream job. However, it's also akin to giving an alcoholic the key to a bar.

Being a part of the book blogging community has introduced me to countless books and authors whom I'd never have known about had I not been a blogger. My to be read (TBR) list has grown massive since starting my blog, and I've read titles and genres that I never would have had the guts to read had it not been for the opinions of my fellow book bloggers. Similarly, review requests have widened the span of my reading and significantly grown my TBR pile. 

Needless to say, my love of books has grown from a small affliction to full out addiction because of my blog.

There are tons of people like me in the world who are addicted to books. Because you're reading my blog, you probably are one of them. Many of these people, like me, start book blogs as a way to share their passion with others. Whenever I hear from new bloggers, one of the first questions they ask is how they can get more traffic or how to get ARCs or how to get in touch with a publisher to ask for ARCs. Which brings me back to my previous point: a book blog is a bookaholic's version of a bar. 

For many new bloggers, getting books is one of their main concerns. It shouldn't be, but it's undeniable that for many it is the truth. And while it's important to know how to draw traffic, build a reader base, and work with publishers, the most important skill, in my opinion, is knowing how and when to say no.

It can be tempting to accept every book that comes your way because, hey, they're free books. But in the end it will come back to bite you. Saying yes will get you a hefty pile of books, but if you don't know how to manage your requests and what type of books suit you, it will ultimately leave you drowning in a sea of books that you're unsure of. 

Saying no and being selective about the books you accept may not get you as many books as saying yes. The books you do get, though, will be ones you're genuinely excited and interested about. And if you know your limits, it will stop you from getting overrun with books, and help you to build a stronger client base. In my opinion, a publisher would rather you say no than accept their book, only to have it get thrown into a pile for who knows how long and then get a lukewarm review.

I myself have fallen prey to the glamor of saying yes, especially when my blog was young. I've been working hard to get out from under the pile that resulted ever since then. Saying no is hard. I feel bad every time I turn a person down, but I know it's the right thing for me and, in the long run, for them.

So when you're the requests start coming in, remember to stop, consider, and, if it's not right for you, just say no.  

So Over My Head Giveaway

Jenny B. Jones' Charmed Life series continues with the third book, So Over my Head.

Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes--Bella is one skinny mocha frapp away from total meltdown.

When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella's keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple.

She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there's no time for a relationship crisis when Bella's doing her best to derail her father's wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer.

Is God sending her a message in all of this madness? With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend's ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle--or more to risk.

Sounds juicy, right? Well now you have the chance to snag your very own copy of So Over My Head! Fill out this form before 12:00 midnight PDT on Wednesday, June 30th, and you could be the lucky winner. The rules of entry are as follows:

• Entrants must be followers of the blog
• US residents only
• Entrants must be 13 years of age or older to enter

Best of luck!

Runaway by Meg Cabot

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope... what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved—since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed—this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.

In this third and final installment in the Airhead trilogy, Cabot builds upon the already unique story and deepens the relationships between the characters.

Though I quite enjoyed the first two novels, this novel is by far my favorite of the three. The entire story transformed, becoming more complex and shocking than ever before.  All of the events that made the first two books so intriguing were revisited, and built upon with larger, more surprising developments. The story and characters both matured in Runaway, with Em and her friends coming to life like never before.

I felt that Em really matured emotionally in this novel. For the past two novels she had been grappling with the life-altering surgery that turned her world upside down. She had to learn how to fit into the life she was thrust into, and how to balance it with the life she’d left behind but was still looking to reclaim. In Runaway she finds her inner strength and confidence. She’s no longer trying to be Nikki. She is Nikki. This newfound confidence allows her to tackle some of the underlying emotional issues that had undermined her before she became Nikki. If Em was strong before, she’s kick butt in Runaway

Likewise, the other characters grew and developed emotionally. This growth helped to fuel Em’s quest to uncover the seedy underbelly of Stark Enterprises, as well as her personal growth.

Cabot took the trilogy to another level with Runaway, and threw in even more shocking secrets about Stark Enterprises dealings and their future plans. The final climax was satisfying, if a little bit of a bow wrap. Overall, this was a strong ending to a gripping series.

4.5 stars! 

Other titles in this series: Airhead and Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

Source: Big Honcho Media

Heidi R Kling's Sea Launch Party

Yesterday evening I was fortunate enough to be able to drive out to Palo Alto for the launch party for Heidi R Kling's debut novel Sea. The party was hosted be Not Your Mother's Book Club at the Palo Alto Books Inc. It was an absolute blast, and I am so happy that I was able to be there for it.

I met Heidi a little over a year ago on Twitter. I'd heard a bit about her book in the blogosphere, and after I began talking with her online it immediately became one of my most anticipated releases of the year. Luckily, I was able to get an ARC for a Traveling to Teens tour. If you couldn't tell by my review last week, I absolutely adored the novel. It's one of my favorite books ever, and Heidi is one of my favorite authors.I'm so proud of both Heidi and Sea, and am happy I was able to be there to celebrate its release.

The party began informally with some Indonesian cuisine and mingling. There were also other Sea-themed foods, such as orange cream soda and blue cupcakes decorated with sea creatures and, of course, orange converse. While we ate, Rachael from Book Love Teen and I congratulated Heidi on the release of her novel and chit chatted with some of the other book lovers there. Most of Heidi's family had come into town for the event, so we were able to meet a lot of them. Her family was incredibly sweet, and super funny.

After everyone had eaten and Heidi had done a mini-signing for those who had to leave early, everyone took their seats for the formal portion of the evening. Heidi read two great selections from Sea, and spoke a little bit about her journey to becoming a published author.

During the Q&A session, I learned many things about the making of Sea that I had not known beforehand. For one thing, in earlier drafts Sienna's mom had been alive. The death of her mom was such a huge part of both Sienna's character and the story, that I never could've imagined the book with her alive. Similarly, I was surprised to hear that Heidi had cut about 100 pages in revisions, much of which contained the development of Deni and Sienna's relationship, as well as that of Sienna's father and Vera.

Once the Q&A wrapped up, everyone got in line to get their gorgeous finished copies of Sea signed. While everyone waited in line Sea tank tops were sold (which of course I bought), and everyone was given the chance to sign a keepsake poster for Heidi.

I'm so excited that Sea is finally out in the world for everyone to read and love. Congratulations, Heidi!

Do you see my "Sea" hair? According to Heidi my crimped hair looks exactly like how she'd pictured Sienna's.

Cover Judge Redux

It was recently announced that the cover of the second book in the Beautiful Creatures series, Beautiful Darkness, had been redone. When the first cover was released, I featured it on Cover Judge. It's only fitting that I feature this new and improved cover. Thus, I bring you the battle of the covers!

The old:

And the new:

Release: October 26, 2010

Synopsis: Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. 

Sometimes life-ending. 

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Cover: First off, let me just say that I was a HUGE fan of the first cover. I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of Beautiful Darkness at BEA, and I thought that the cover did a nice job of representing one of the key plot points. Representative, haunting, and alluring with its gorgeous color scheme -- the cover was perfectly fine. 

However, the moment I saw the new cover I jumped ship, and joined its fan club. When you put the two covers side by side, you see that the original cover looks flat and lackluster. While it's still pretty, the new cover is simply better. They lightened the blue lettering, really making the words pop, and added more depth to the cover with the new background image. Rather than just having the gate on the bottom, the steps encompass the whole cover. This reduces the amount of empty black space and makes it more eye-catching. The airbrushed look of the steps also better resembles that of the trees on the Beautiful Creatures cover, which is always a good thing in a series. Finally, the steps are far more representative of the plot than the gate on the previous cover. Having read the book, I think that this new cover really captures the essence and feel of the novel. The steps are a very important piece of the major story, so it's only right that they have a place on the cover. 

This new cover is an overall win, and a great improvement upon an already lovely cover. Kudos to the design team!

CSN Stores Giveaway!

I have a very special giveaway today from CSN Stores! CSN Stores has over 200 online stores with everything from platform beds to kitchen tools. However, if you're anything like me, you're favorite store will be the one devoted solely to bookshelves (AllBookShelves.com). And lucky for you, that's just where this giveaway item is from!


One (1) lucky Chick Lit Teens reader will win their very own bookshelf from AllBookShelves.com!

This bookshelf's unique design is perfect for hanging in a corner, and has a beautiful espresso finish. It's both gorgeous and practical. The perfect new home for your books!


To enter simply fill out this form before 12:00 midnight PDT on Friday, June 18th. This contest is only open to blog followers residing in the US or Canada. No PO boxes, please.


Good luck!

Chick Chat: Shari Maurer

Shari Maurer is the author of Change of Heart. You can find out more about Shari and her novel by visiting her website. In the meantime, here's a bit about Change of Heart in Shari's own words:


"Emmi, a 16-year old champion soccer player struggles to maintain a normal life, while she waits for a heart transplant, and learns the truth about love, loss and the meaning of true friendship in the process."

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What kind of research did you do prior to writing?

I had the opportunity to speak with many heart transplant recipients as well as to read other patients' stories on-line. Sometimes, the things they told me gave me great ideas for plot. Once, one of them told me how she had written letters to her family in case she died. I couldn't believe it--I had already had Emmi do that.

Medically, I had the backup of my husband, who is a cardiologist and cares for patients waiting for transplants, so I didn't have to do any hands-on medical research--I could just turn to the guy next to me at the dinner table and ask questions.

What inspired you to write Change of Heart?

My husband is a cardiologist and my daughter was born with a heart defect, inspiring me to co-write The Parents' Guide to Children's Congenital Heart Defects with my friend Gerri Freid Kramer, so things relating to the heart were often discussed in my house. One night my husband and his patient were featured on a Discovery Health program that Dr. Oz had put together on heart transplants. One of the other patients in the program was a young girl. I watched as they wheeled her into the operating room and that look on her face--a mixture of excitement and pure fear--just haunted me. I started to think about the what ifs: what if she was a teen and what if she was an athlete and things like that and before I knew it, Emmi was born.

What was your road to publishing like?

Long and curvy. My agent had submitted Change of Heart to WestSide Books in September of 2008. We really liked everything we had read about them and thought Change of Heart would be a good fit there. We waited a very long time and had pretty much assumed that it was being rejected. One day in May 2009 my agent got a letter from the editor at WestSide Books--they wanted Change of Heart. I was at my son's baseball game when I got the call from my agent and it was pretty difficult to focus on 8 year old baseball after that!

If you could bring any one character from your book to life who would it be and why?

Everyone tells me they really like Abe. We both share a love of old rock bands, so we'd probably have a lot to talk about. Of all of the characters, he may be the strongest and the least concerned about what anyone thinks. Though if you told him he was the strongest, he'd probably make a self-deprecating joke and change the subject.

What is your favorite adjective? Why?

Healthy. I just read a review of Change of Heart that mentioned she took from the book that you shouldn't take anything, particularly your health for granted. I'm not even sure that I consciously meant for that to be the theme, but it is so much of how I live. My husband comes home every day and has awful, sad stories about lovely people who are extremely sick. All I want in this life is for my family and friends to stay healthy. Well, and maybe also world peace. A girl can dream, right?

What’s next for you?

As we submitted Change of Heart and waited, my wise agent kept telling me to keep my head down and keep writing. I did and completed a book I really love. We're working on finding it a home, so hopefully I'll have some news on that soon. I'm happily at work on a new book and am looking forward to having some stretches of uninterrupted writing time this summer to polish my very rough, but promising, first draft.

While promoting Change of Heart, we've been working with the New York Organ Donor Network to get the word out on Organ Donor Registration. At my book launch party we registered a bunch of new donors and I really want people to give some good consideration to registering (you need to be 18 or over, but if you're not, please encourage people you know who are over 18 to register--and then do so yourself when you're old enough). You can get more info at http://donatelife.net/

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Thank you, Shari!

Sea by Heidi R. Kling

Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins.

One of my most anticipated releases of the year, Sea did not disappoint. In fact, it was far greater than my expectations.

Sea is swathed in a rich, powerful atmosphere full of tumulus emotions. Like a wave, it sweeps you away into a beautiful story, each page blooming with colorful Indonesian culture. Heidi R. Kling did an excellent job of painting the setting of Indonesia, clearly bringing it to life in the reader’s mind. The culture and vibe of the country run throughout the book, helping to enrich the already captivating story.

Everything about this novel is seeped in strong emotions. Both Sienna’s character and her struggle were wonderfully written and incredibly powerful. The novel was paced wonderfully, holding my rapt attention while allowing Sienna’s voice to come through. Between her own story of loss and those of the orphans at the pesantren, this novel was heart wrenchingly beautiful.

The romance, like the emotion, was also very well-written. Denny was a strong character and his whirlwind relationship with Sienna proved to be a captivating read. Their romance made Sea impossible to put down. Despite all the odds stacked against them, I couldn’t help but root for the two.

The subject of the tsunami alone would have been enough to make this book breathtaking, but Kling goes one step further with her brilliant depiction of the setting and its customs, as well as those affected by the tsunami. The combination of these makes Sea a powerful read that will tug at your heartstrings. Empowering and beautifully written, this is an absolute must read.

5 Stars!

If you liked this, you may like…Lucky T by Kate Brian.

Source: Traveling to Teens

Insatiable Giveaway

Two (2) lucky Chick Lit Teens readers will win a finished copy of Meg Cabot's newest novel, Insatiable. Here's a bit about this new vampire mystery:

Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.

Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).

But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . .

If she even has one.

Interested? To enter all you have to do is fill out this form by Tuesday, June 22nd at 12:00 midnight PDT. This contest is open to US residents only.

Good luck!

We're back!

Thank you for bearing with us everyone! We've got the chat fixed, and removed the unknown password. You can now enter the chat!

UPDATE: 10 in '10 Chat with Tera

Hello 10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge participants!

As many of you may have noticed, the chat room is asking for a password tonight. A fact I did not mention in my earlier post. And why is that? Because there was not a password up until this evening. I do not know why the room is suddenly asking for a password, nor do I know what said password is.

Kay and I are working to correct the issue as I type. Please bear with us for the time being. I promise to update you ASAP once the problem is corrected.

Thank you for your patience!

Jessica

10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge Chat with Tera Lynn Childs!

Calling all 10 in '10 Teen Chick Lit Challenge participants!

Tonight (Monday, June 7th) at 8:00 EST we will be hosting our monthly chat with featured author Tera Lynn Childs, author of Oh. My. Gods., Goddess Boot Camp, and the newly released Forgive My Fins. Here's a bit about her most recent title:

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush. 

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life. 

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

As always, tonight's chat will be held in the official 10 in '10 Chick Lit Challenge chat room HERE.

See you there!

BEA Day 1

Wednesday, May 26th, was technically the second day of BEA. However, it was my first day in attendance, as that is when the actual exhibit floor opened.

Arriving at BEA for the first time was completely overwhelming. There were people and books everywhere, everyone ready to flood the exhibit floor. As soon as they opened the floor, everyone rushed amongst the booths in search of books and swag. And let me just tell you, these booths were amazing. I had not been expecting such impressive booths from the publisher. The HarperCollins booth, for example, was more like being in their office than in a convention. They had light boxes of their upcoming books' covers, desks, and little cafe tables for meetings. Likewise, Random House and Penguin had equally impressive and colorful booths. I was blown away by how nice they all were!

The first half of the day was a mad rush for ARCs. By mid-afternoon I'd already filled up two BEA bags, and had to ship them home. Relieved of the heavy book-filled bags, I headed off to the Harlequin Young Adult hour at noon, which was completely insane. I don't think the people at the booth had been prepared for the tidal wave of YA lovers who flocked to the signing. While waiting in the mob of a line, I met three lovely moderators from TwilightSeriesTheories.com. The Twilight Girls, as my mother nicknamed them, were incredibly sweet, and we ended up chatting for a good half hour while in line. (Everyone should go check out their new book blog Bookshelf Banter!)

After the crazy Harlequin signing, I went around to more booths and signings, amassing more pretty, pretty books. At three o'clock I hightailed it over to the Little Brown booth, where they were going to be passing out Beautiful Darkness ARCs at four. There was already a line forming by the time I arrived, and I ended up running into the lovely Twilight Girls once again.

One thing I learned at BEA: lines can be fun. They're especially fun when it's a line of book lovers. Even though we were all an hour early, we had so much fun "networking" and discussing books that the time flew by. When four o'clock rolled around I'd met tons of great people, and collected loads of business cards for wonderful blogs.

In addition to the Twilight Girls, I also met Mitali from Alley of Books, Erica from The Book Cellar, Bree Despain, Kristi from The Story Siren, Chelsea from The Page Flipper (whose book, Rae, had a big light box display!), and many more.

NYC Photo Diary!

My trip to New York last week was not only my first time at BEA, but also my first time in NY. It was an absolute blast! Among all of the excitement I was able to snap a few pictures of the lovely places and people I saw. Enjoy!

The Brooklyn Bridge. We have arrived!

Walking down Broadway.

Note: My hair in these next few pics is a little...wild. My normally sweet bobby pins attacked Heidi R Kling's (Sea) hair early on in the night, and it just wouldn't behave after that. 

Kieran Scott, author of She's So Dead to Us.

Sarah Mlynowski, author of Gimme a Call and the Magic in Manhattan series.

Michelle Zink, author of Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate.

Sarah Ockler, author of Twenty Boy Summer and Fixing Delilah Hannaford.

Acquired at the Teen Author Carnival.

Battery Park area of NYC. One of the cleanest, nicest cities I've ever visited.

Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine.

Diana Peterfreund (left), author of Rampant and Ascendant, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes (center), author of Raised by Wolves and many others.

Beautiful Darkness!

Princeton!

Shade and The Cinderella Society Glass Slipper Bookmark Winners

The five lucky winners of the Shade giveaway, who will receive a finished copy of Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready, are:

Lena,

Emily @ The Ninja Librarian,

Jill Foltz,

Throuthehaze,

& Sylvia!

The winner of The Cinderella Society Official Blog Tour Giveaway, who will win a glass slipper bookmark, is:

Orchid!

Congratulations to all the winners! And for those of you who did not win, I have many more contests in store, so remember to check back often!