Saturday 30 April 2011

Guest Post: Barbara Mitchelhill - author of Run, Rabbit, Run

Today on the blog, I have Barbara Mitchelhill, author of Run, Rabbit Run, talking about how about a typical writing day. 



I think I must have a lucky gene. My desk is in front of the window looking out at a farm with a huge field of sheep and – at this time of year – achingly beautiful lambs that don’t stay still for a minute. That’s lucky!

A typical writing day for me depends on where I am in a book. For instance, with Run Rabbit Run, I had the idea of a father who was a pacifist in WW2. It was a fascinating subject and I asked myself questions. How would this affect his children? What social and moral difficulties would they encounter? What dangers might they experience? I did a lot of research and met some wonderfully interesting people and, believe me, that can run away with a huge amount of time.

Once I’d got the idea, done the research, knew how the story would begin and end, then the real day-to-day writing started. When I settled at my desk every morning, I first read the chapter I had worked on the day before. I don’t know if this is the right thing to do but for me it works and gets me into writing mode and pushing onto the next chapter. I don’t like to plan in great detail. I tried it once and I found that it killed the excitement. It stopped me racing onto the next chapter because I knew what was going to happen. I was bored - and if I’m bored, heaven help my readers.

The important thing with the first draft is getting to the end. My first draft is always rubbish so I just grin and bear it. Having something to read and criticise and edit is so much better for me that chewing my fingernails trying to get a perfect sentence before moving onto the next one. I’ve been there. Done that. Only to find that the precious sentence, page or paragraph I sweated hours over, was sacrificed in the second draft because that part of the plot had to be axed.

I find the hardest thing is looking at my work objectively. It’s almost impossible but I try. I print the whole thing out and sit and read – anywhere but in my office (the dining room for me so I can use the table for stacks of paper). I read to give me some idea of the flow of the story. Its strengths and weaknesses. The boring bits. The parts I’ve written too quickly, without any depth. The parts that don’t move the story on. When I’ve finished reading, I write notes. Then I read it again, making more notes as I go along.
After all that I start the next draft.

It sounds like a terrible slog, doesn’t it. But it’s not. It’s wonderful! Writing is living another life in your head and you can have a coffee break whenever you want to. Honest! I’m heading for the kettle right now.


Thank you Barbara for sharing with us your thoughts on being a writer. I am pleased to hear that you struggle with your first drafts too!


Run, Rabbit, Run is available to buy right now and is published by Anderson Press.


If you would like to find out more about Barbara Mitchelhill and see what other books she has written, then please visit her on her blog here


If you would like to read my review of Run, Rabbit, Run and enter a giveaway to win a signed copy of the book, then please click here.

Friday 29 April 2011

Run, Rabbit, Run by Barbara Mitchelhill and a UK Book Giveaway

Pages - 221

Published in 2011 by Anderson Press

Book kindly sent to me by the author.

Rochdale 1942
You know how it is when you've got a secret and you can't tell anybody? And you have to got to school and pretend everything's normal, even when you know it's not?  Well, it was like that on the first day back after Christmas. 
The war had been going on for ages - horrible things like rationing, blackouts and air-raids sirens happened all the time. On and on and on. But that day I had a secret, and I had something to look forward to.


Lizzie's dad is a conscientious objector to killing people and refuses to fight in the Second World War. Often seen as cowards, Lizzie suffers the abuse from the children at school due to her father's refusal to fight. The police come looking to arrest Lizzie's father, so they all go on the run in the middle of the night, in a desperate attempt to stay together as a family. For a while, they manage to live happily in the idyllic  Whiteway, until their past catches up with them and pushes them on the run again.  Will they ever be able to find peace and live together as a family again?

This book is aimed at the 9 -12 age range and is one of those books that I would find myself recommending to school teachers. If I was still in the classroom, I would definitely use this book as a starting point for the World War II topic often carried out in Year 2.  I think it is a wonderfully descriptive story of life as a child during the world, from the viewpoint of a family vehemently against the war.

The characters are beautifully written and the plot shows the sharp realities of war and how it affects families.  Before reading it, I had never considered how families coped with the separation, and this book really brings home the difficulties and the heartbreaking emotions caused by children being evacuated. The way families are torn apart by war is such a strong theme throughout the book, that I felt it would be a fine example for the children of today to read, who never seem to realise how lucky they are. I think that today's school children would get so much from reading this book, allowing them to visualise what life was like for someone of their age, during hostile times.

I loved Lizzie as a character, I found her very grown up for age, dealing with a lot of difficult situations. I honestly could not see my own children, managing as well as Lizzie.  I could understand her father's decision, but felt he struggled to consider what was best for his children.

This book is quite a short book, so it could easily be read to the class within a few days. If you know any teachers, studying World War II with their class, then I would highly recommend this book.

Barbara Mitchellhill has brought World War II to the children of today.

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Barbara Mitchelhill is offering a signed copy of her book 'Run, Rabbit, Run' on my blog today. If you would like to win a copy of this book, then please leave a comment with your name and your email address so that I can contact you if you are a winner. You don't have to be a follower to enter, but it would lovely if you could promote this competition either via Twitter, or on your blog. The competition closes  on Friday 6th May at midnight.  I must stress again, that is a UK only competition.

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Come back tomorrow to read Barbara Mitchelhill's guest post.




Thursday 28 April 2011

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini


Pages 310

Published by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins on 31st May 2011

Review copy via Net Galley.

Helen Hamilton groaned softly to herself and looked out over the railing of the ferry that was bringing her back to Nantucket. She contemplated another year of riding her bike to school in November and, when the snow got too deep, scrounging for rides or, worst of all, taking the bus. She shivered in anticipated agony and tried not to think about it. Some of the Labour Day tourists were staring at her, not unusual, so Helen tried to turn her face away as subtly as she could. When Helen looked in the mirror all she saw were the basic - two eyes, a nose, and a mouth - but strangers from off island tended to stare,which was really annoying.


Alongside Die For Me by Amy Plum, this has got to be one of the most anticipated YA books of the year and quite frankly I can see why. This is most definitely a page turning, sleepless night kind of book that I personally struggled to put down. The best way to describe this book is as a mythical modern day Romeo and Juliet, where everything that can be done to keep the starcrossed lovers apart is tried and tested yet fails abysmally.

Helen comes across as a rather clumsy character to begin with, but you soon realise that it is because she isn't really like any other normal human being and has yet to discover her full potential. When the Delos family arrive in her hometown, something takes over Helen and on her first encounter with Lucas Delos, she tries to kill him. I kid you not! Every time their paths cross they are both desperate with murderous intentions. It is only when their hatred turns to desire that Helen discovers she is rather different from any other normal teenager. She is a Scion, just like Lucas and the rest of his family; she is a descendant from the Greek Gods and her family has been at war with the Delos family for centuries. Lucas helps Helen to learn how to use her extraordinary powers, whilst trying to ignore his strong feelings for her which would rip his family apart.

Josephine Angelini has created a real diamond of a book. Her story is mindblowingly original and I loved every word of it. I loved the use of Greek mythology within this book and  I definitely feel that it could become one of my favourite genres.

As soon as the Delos family arrive in the book, I found myself being sucked into the story. The build up to their arrival had me intrigued and curious to meet them.  I didn't like Helen to begin with, I don't know why I just found her annoying. However as soon as the sparks flew between her and Lucas, she seriously went up in my estimations. The heat of the romance between Lucas and Helen had me reaching for an electric fan to cool the room temperature down. Lucas, I loved from Helen's first attempt to kill him. He is everything you want in a lead male character; gorgeous, lustful yet gentlemanly as well as having a few cool super powers nicely thrown in. I loved the furious hostility between Helen and Lucas to begin with. Their utter hate for each other really brought the story alive and then the author goes and turns this hatred on its head, to create instant lusting.  Helen and Lucas are surrounded by a cast of beautifully written characters, who I wanted to get to know individually. There are other romances blossoming amongst the Delos family and their new found Nantucket friends,which I can't wait to see blossom in the next book.

The plot line was fast and furious; the whole idea behind the book was breathtaking and when I came to the end I felt like I had just experienced my first bungee jump. Josephine Angelini writes like a professional  boxer fights, and doesn't stop punching you with her plot twists and turns until the very end, where she pushes you off the cliff alongside her cliff hanger ending!

All I can say to Josephine Angelini is 'Welcome to the YA paranormal genre, may your journey through it be a long and prosperous one'.

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Die For Me by Amy Plum

Pages - 341

Published by Atom Books on May 5th 2011

Book kindly sent to me by the publisher after some severe book hustling.

Most sixteen-year-olds I know would dream of living in a foreign city. But moving from Brooklyn to Paris after my parents' death was anything but a dream come true. It was more like a nightmare.


If you hadn't realised already, this is the book I would have donated my kidneys for! I am serious! As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb I knew I had to have this book!  Did the book meet my expectations, I hear you ask? Oh yes! Most definitely!

Kate and her sister Georgia had the perfect life, until an accident leaves them as orphans.  The girls pack up their lives and move from America to Paris to live with their grandparents and try to come to terms with their loss as well as trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Kate struggles to adapt to her new life until she meets Vincent, the dark, mysterious stranger, who sweeps her off her feet.

Kate is besotted by Vincent, until she discovers his secret. He isn't like any other normal human being. He is here for a purpose; a destiny he must fulfil which will put his life at risk every single day. Is Kate ready to invest all her love in someone, whom she could lose just as quickly as her parents.

From page one, I was lost and enthralled in this book, right up until the last scene. I could not put this book down!

Amy Plum is one of those authors who envelops all your senses,allowing you to easily slip into the book. Her use of descriptive language  instantly brings the book alive.  I became oblivious the world around me as I read, immersing myself in Parisian culture, I felt I could almost smell the aromas mentioned right off the pages.  The setting of the book is just astounding and had me flicking through weekend break brochures desperate for a long romantic weekend in Paris.

From the moment, Kate and Vincent entered the story, I loved their characters completely.  I loved watching their romance blossom as the book progressed. Kate takes on the role of a rather feisty lead female character and doesn't let too much scare her. Vincent is a gentleman at heart, but his desire for Kate is obvious from the beginning. I will admit to not liking Georgia at first, Kate's older sister in the book. I found her actions and behaviour to be childish to begin with, considering she was the older of the two; I wanted to give her a good shake and tell her to grow up and pay more attention to her sister. I also have to mention Jules, because I really took a shine to him.  He might even be my secret crush.

Even though this is YA, I felt it dealt with death in an adult way. The grieving stages that Kate goes through and the loneliness she deals with after the death of her parents, is extremely well written, allowing us to feel Kate's pain of loss as intensely as she did.

This really is a unique and original storyline, breathing new life into the paranormal YA genre.  Amy Plum's gorgeous group of revenants had me desperate for more. I now want a Tshirt with I Heart Revenants on it, as I think they have just become the coolest paranormal characters ever.  I can't wait for the second book. I know this book is aimed at the teen market, but I do feel that a lot of older females are going to crave this series in the same way they did Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series.

This is an utterly beautiful book that will definitely become a book that I will want to reread in the future.

Tuesday 26 April 2011

The Big Break with Amy Plum


 The Big Break is very excited to have Amy Plum on the blog today. Amy is  the  lovely author responsible for my recent book lusting over her debut YA novel Die For Me which I will be reviewing tomorrow.


Hi Amy, thanks for joining me on the blog today to answer questions about your Big Break.

Hi Vivienne! It’s nice to finally chat in more than 140 characters!

What career did you have before you began writing for a living?

I have had so many jobs in my lifetime...I tried to count them the other day and there were more than 30. But if we’re not talking babysitting and fast-food shovelling as a teenager, my “serious” jobs were in the art world in New York (I worked at Sotheby’s, managed an art and antiques company, and then bought and sold 19th/20th century paintings); as a French-to-English translator; and as an English professor at a French university.

How long did it take you to write your debut novel 'Die For Me'?

I wrote it during my university’s summer break. So the first draft took about three months, and then I took another month or two to tweak it.

What was your first reaction when you found out that  ‘Die For Me’ was to be published?


Here’s the story: A week after my agent sent the manuscript to publishers, I got a two-book offer from a top publishing house, who proposed a very nice advance. The next day at the university, I could barely breathe. I felt like I was floating from class to class, and even the most obnoxious students couldn’t phase me.

That night I got home to find an email from my agent asking me to call her. She asked if I was sitting down. And then she told me that HarperCollins (THE HarperCollins!) was offering several times the other publisher’s offer for a three-book deal. They promised to make me one of their top promotions, and gave me a marketing proposal that seemed to include everything short of going on Oprah. They were PSYCHED. And, since it was a pre-empt, I had 24 hours to accept their offer.

I took a moment after hanging up to look at my bookcase. Charlotte’s Web. Where the Wild Things Are. To Kill A Mockingbird. All Harper books. And my book was going to be on their list. I thought my head was going to explode.

Then I walked into the kitchen, where my husband was trying to keep the kids from disturbing my phone meeting. He looked up from his coloring book and said, “Well?”

He, like me, had been over the moon about the first offer. So when I told him what the new offer was, his eyes just got really big. “Why?” he asked. (As in why would anyone offer that kind of deal for the book we had no clue would work.) “I have no idea,” I said. And then I lost it and started screaming and jumping around the room.

Who did you tell first?

After Laurent, I told my best friend Kim. She had been following the proceedings with the other publisher from the day before, and was in the kitchen at her café/catering business outside Chicago. She screamed, “NOOOOO!” and then started laughing her head off in glee. From the sounds of it, her kitchen staff started having a party right there on the spot.

How long did it take for your book to reach publication after the initial agreement?

I accepted the offer the day before Thanksgiving, 2009. I remember that because my editor was flying off for the holidays, and my agent got our response to her while she was in the airport.
And the book will be published by HarperTeen on May 10, 2011. (In the UK, where you are, Atom’s release date is May 5, 2011.) So that’s almost exactly a year and a half.

What was happening to your manuscript during this time?

Nothing could happen to the manuscript until the contract was signed. And that didn’t happen until mid-January. My editor warned me from the start that she prefers two rounds of changes rather than the usual one round. So I got my first editorial letter in February and spent a month rewriting. I got the second editorial letter about six weeks later in April and spent three weeks rewriting for final draft. That brought me to mid-May.

In August I received the copy edited version of the manuscript marked up with several people’s notes. I had a week to go through that note-by-note and accept or reject changes and answer questions. And after that, the book went to print for the galley copies.

So all-in-all it was a case of rush-rush-rush and waaaaaait. Then rush-rush again before another wait. Now that I’m getting a feel for how much time things take, though, I’m learning to work on other projects in the interim periods. Like doing this interview while I wait for my editorial letter on Book 2!

How have you kept yourself occupied as you wait for publication day?

Besides the writing of Book 2, I have been working hard setting up all of the social networking activities that we YA authors are expected to do nowadays. My amyplumbooks.com website took quite a while, and I’ve been writing for my blog, and keeping people updated on happenings on Facebook and Twitter. I set up pages on Goodreads, Library Thing and my Amazon page.
And for the past month or so I have done over forty interviews and guest blogs.
In my spare time I have also been working on working on another project that I hope will someday see the light of day!


The cover of your book is amazing. How did you feel when you saw it first?

Bowled over. Kate’s pose overlooking Paris from the rooftops is the perfect mix of whimsy and solitude, whereas the color of the sky seems to swing between a historical-looking sepia and the vivid hues of a sunrise. I read in it isolation, hope and longing.

How will you celebrate on publication day?

Before publication day, I am hoping to shoot a homemade video in Paris that I can release ON publication day so that all of my online readers can celebrate with me. I haven’t actually planned for the actual day of publication. I will probably either be hiding in my closet or down the road at the local café drinking some celebratory champagne with my husband.

How does it feel to have people talk to you as an author? How do you deal with the deranged book obsessed fans that I know you already have? (TEE HEE!)

I love it. I had a blog before writing DIE FOR ME, and was used to chatting daily with people I had never met. I already had a very strong support-base with the stories I was writing for that blog (which were not YA). But even so, the attention I’ve been getting from this new fan base is really blowing me away. (In a good way!)

Tell us what a typical writing day would be like?

When I’m not on a killer deadline, I try to write 4 hours per day, usually in the morning, with a goal of 2000-2500 words. If my deadline is really tight, I try for more than that, plus rereading and revising what I wrote from the day before. And when I’m under a head-exploding deadline I go away for 3-5 days and write day and night.
I always take an hour to speed-walk or jog in the middle of the writing. It’s good to take a break and the exercise gets the brain cells hopping about. I usually wait until I’m stuck on something before slipping my headphones on and dashing out the door, and the quandary almost always works itself out while I’m walking.

What advice would you give to aspiring and unpublished authors?

My first book is unpublished. It was a fictionalized memoir of my first year living in the French countryside. When that didn’t sell, I decided to try my hand in another genre. Which is when I started DIE FOR ME. If that hadn’t worked, I was going to do a psychological thriller, verging on horror (which I still want to do some day).
Once I decided I wanted to give writing a good, honest try, I really threw myself at it head-first. I think you have to be determined and unrelenting. Don’t let rejection stop you. Learn from the critiques you are given and if one thing doesn’t succeed, don’t give up or get stuck on perfecting an idea that isn’t working: try something else.

Thank you ever so much Amy for joining me today. Die For Me goes on sale next week and I can honestly say the book is as good as its cover. Go pre-order it now!
If you would like to know more about Amy Plum and her debut book then please click here.

Thursday 21 April 2011

Happy Easter !

If you didn't see my message in the above box, then this is just to say that I am taking a mini blogging break over the four day Easter weekend.  I won't be blogging again until Tuesday 26th April. I am not going anywhere, just seem to have lots going on over the four days and want to spend some quality time with my family.

I have lots of good things coming up this week, so do  pop back on Tuesday to see what I have been busy reading.

Here are some Easter photos to get you in the mood for the long weekend.




'
 Aren't they just gorgeous? Anyway Happy Easter everyone. Don't eat too much chocolate or hot cross buns, however tempting they may be. See you on Tuesday!

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton.

Pages -  256

To be published in July 2011 by Orchard Books

 The book kindly sent to me by the  author for a honest review.

As the flight attendant walked down the aisle, checking everyone had their seat belts fastened, Jessie felt butterflies rise in her stomach. She'd been taking the piss out of Emma all day, but she couldn't believe they were getting to spend the summer in New York either. She'd been dreaming about it for so long and now it was going to happen. And it was going to be better than she'd imagined because Emma was going with her. She smiled at Emma who was hopping up and down in her seat with excitement. They were going to have an amazing time. And whatever happened, at least there was no risk of bumping into Taylor.


Jessie is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. She is spending the whole of the summer in New York with her best friend Emma, at her mum's cool apartment. She is hoping the trip will help her to get over her previous disastrous relationship. Finn, a New York hottie, is having a difficult time dealing with the fact that he is in love with his best friend's girlfriend. This book tells the story of what happens when two people from two different lifestyles let fate bring them together.

From the first couple of pages, I was tingling with excitement. Jessie is living my ultimate dream.  I can remember being  the same age and desperate to go to New York. Alas it was not to be and I have still to find my way there, however through Keris Stainton's book I found that I could vicariously through Jessie's life. Jessie is the first character in a book that I have actually wanted to be; everything about Jessie just reminded me of myself at that age.

The book is peppered with references of American films and TV shows which fed my American addiction as a teenager and I found myself reading the whole book in one sitting, completely lost in a world where my biggest worry used to be whether I would pass my O levels or not.

One of the main themes within the book is fate. How chance meetings can change the future. I am a strong believer in fate and coincidences, so each time Finn and Jessie's pathways crossed, I felt instantly happy. Their new found friendship is completely serendipitous!

The book also looks closely at relationships, especially between Jessie and her mum.  To begin with Jessie's relationship with her mother Natalie, is very distant and I found myself disliking Natalie's manner. However, when they began to open up their feelings to each other, I realised that Natalie was never intentionally trying to upset Jessie; they just seemed to have a lot of crossed wires that needed to be undone.

I loved the way the chapters alternated between the viewpoints of Jessie and Finn. The author's writing gave both characters a distinct and unique voice.  Finn is rather tasty and you become desperate for Jessie to finally   kiss the gorgeous boy.  A timeless dream of most English girls regardless of age: to actually get the good looking American guy!

This book will appeal to all ages, and I would highly recommend it to 40 something women like myself who grew up on American sitcoms and movies and have still to fulfill their American dream.

I would love to see Richard Curtis make this book into a film, as I feel it has the flavour of some of his wonderfully British movies such as Notting Hill and Love Actually. Anyone have his email address????
On speaking to the author, Keris has stated that she would prefer Nora Ephron to produce the film as a book and I had to ask her who she was. Shocking I know! As I grew up on her films such as Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail too. Sigh!

I know there was a discussion on Twitter about certain mild swear words being used within the book, but to be honest, I didn't notice them at all. In fact, I must have been wearing blinkers to them as I read, because I couldn't tell you where they were within the story.

This book is utterly fabulous and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. I think this is a lovely, refreshing romantic summer read that needs to be read on a sun lounger by pool, with a cocktail in one hand.

Wednesday 20 April 2011

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare


Published in April 2011 by Walker Books
Pages - 426
This book was kindly sent to me by the publisher for an honest review.

'Just coffee, please.' 
The waitress raised her penciled eyebrows. 'You don't want to eat?' she asked. Her accent was thick, her attitude disappointed.
Simon Lewis couldn't blame her; she'd probably been hoping for a better tip than the one she was going to get on a single cup of coffee. But it wasn't his fault vampires didn't eat. Sometimes, in restaurants, he ordered food anyway, just to preserve the appearance of normalcy, but late Tuesday night when Veselka was almost empty of other customers, it didn't seem worth the bother. 'Just the coffee.'

This is the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments series, where we find Clary back in New York and life seems to have returned to some kind of normality. Jace is now officially her boyfriend and she is training hard to be a Shadowhunter. Unfortunately, true love never seems to run smoothly and Clary finds Jace beginning to pull away from her. Clary begins to realise that her past actions may have led to the change in Jace and her original choices could lead to the destruction of the one person she loves more than anything else. Jace.

Meanwhile Simon is still coming to terms with his new life as a vampire. Although he tries so hard to hold on to the life he led before his transformation, he realises that everything will begin to change and he must decide how he wants to proceed with his future. Within this book, Simon takes a bigger role, he is struggling with how to live as a vampire and isn't really sure if his previous friends accept his new lifestyle.  He is under threat from the beginning, and you cannot help but feel his pain and loneliness.

I adore the banter that occurs between Jace and Simon.  Their dislike for each other is comical, as they play one off against each other. I must share the following passage with you as an example.

'You can't have two fathers.'
'Sure you can,' Simon said. 'Who says you can't? We can buy you one of those books that they have for little kids. Timmy Has Two Dads. Except I don't think they have one called  Timmy Has Two Dads and One Of Them Is Evil. That part you're just going to have to work through on your own.'
Jace rolled his eyes. 'It's fascinating,' he said .'You know all these words, and they're all English, but when you string them together into sentences, they just don't make any sense.'

They just constantly bicker like children.

I love the way Isabelle  has become so much more human in this book. Before she has always seemed so heartless and cold, yet she begins to show her emotions as her maturity deepens.  I am definitely an Isabelle fan, and I hope that she sorts out her relationship phobias in order to build on the blossoming romance developing within the story. 

The intensity of the relationship between Jace and Clary hit a new level and you are left wanting to know more. I was quite lost in their relationship, as it heated up rather quickly, leaving you blushing slightly. 

Cassandra Clare is just an amazing author. When you pick up one of her books, you find yourself agreeing to ride the ultimate rollercoaster. The ride sets off on such a swift pace and each person's journey will be designed purely for them, allowing no preparation for the journey ahead. When you finish the last page, you step off the ride, looking windswept and bedraggled but smiling gleefully after experiencing the ride of your life.  If you hadn't realised yet, I LOVED THIS BOOK!

This is a must read series. Cassandra Clare's books are unpredictable. You really don't have a clue which way the story will go. The book is fast paced and does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, which secretly leaves you pleased to discover that another book will be written in the series. Yay!

I actually found this book playing out like a film in my head. The way Cassandra Clare writes, actually stops you seeing the words, and leaves you watching the film version. You completely forget you are reading a book.

If you haven't read any of this series, then I suggest you start reading them soon. 

Tuesday 19 April 2011

The Big Break with Jenna Burtenshaw


 On The Big Break today, I would like to welcome Jenna Burtenshaw author of the Wintercraft trilogy.  Headline has just published the second book in the Wintercraft series called Blackwatch. If you would like to know more about Blackwatch, then please click here for my review.

 

Firstly, can I thank you for joining me today on my blog. 

Hi Vivienne. Thank you for inviting me. It’s a pleasure to be here.

What was your first reaction when you found out that your first book was to be published? How did it make you feel?

There were two defining moments, really. The first was when my agent told me that there were publishers who liked the idea of the story and wanted to read the entire book. That was when I started to think, ‘Wait a second. This is really happening!’ I was excited that publishers were going to read it, but nervous at the same time.

After that, I was invited to meetings with publishers in London, and a few days later, my agent told me that there was enough serious interest from to take Wintercraft to auction. I’d read about book auctions and often thought how thrilling it would be for my book to be part of one. When it happened, all I had to do was wait by the phone for my agent to call and tell me the outcome, but I have never known a day pass as slowly in my life.

When the call finally came and I heard that Headline had bought the UK rights to Wintercraft in a two book deal, the first thing I thought was ‘What happens next?’ When you are trying to get a book published, you look into all the ins and outs of finding an agent and making your book the best it can be, and it’s all very helpful until you reach that point when you realise you haven’t prepared at all for what comes next. From that moment on, I was swimming in uncharted waters, but very happy to be there.

What were you doing when you found out?

The day of the auction I was at home with my family, trying not to think about what was happening in London. I remember it being a beautiful sunny day and I spent a lot of it out in the garden. I got the final call on my mobile and there may well have been some silent phone-dancing involved.

Who did you tell first?

My mum. She’s been right by side through all the ups and downs of becoming a writer, from experimenting with stories in the early days to finally sending Wintercraft away to agents. She was as excited as I was when everything started to take off. It was wonderful to share that moment with her.

How long did it take for your book to be published after you had been told?

The auction took place on 12th June 2009 and Wintercraft was published on 13th May 2010: so just under a year. It all moved very quickly.

What was happening to your manuscript during this time?

The story was edited by my wonderful editor, Hannah, at Headline. Then I tweaked it a little, polished it up and made it shine brighter. After that there were copy edits to work on and proofs to check, and I got to see early ideas for the cover art. (That was the part I’d been looking forward to the most.) I think I re-read the entire book at least six times between selling the rights and seeing it in print.

How did it feel to see your name in print?

It was a fantastic feeling, and the realisation of an ambition I’d had for a long time. I still haven’t got used to it. The first book I received is very special to me. When I see copies of it in bookshops it still feels slightly surreal.

Where was the first place that your saw your book on sale and did you do anything crazy when you saw it? For instance, did you tell the staff in the book shop that you wrote the book? 

The very first place I saw it was my local Waterstone’s in Darlington. I wasn’t even looking for it at the time. I was walking through the young adult section and suddenly, there it was! I didn’t buy it. I left it behind for whoever came along next. The story had already spent a few years with me and it was time for it to move on to someone else. I haven’t actually gone into a bookshop and staked claim to Wintercraft yet. Now you’re giving me ideas!

What are you working on now?

I am currently finishing off book 3 in the series and working on plans for a fourth book that is set in a very different world. This one involves lots of research, so my bookshelves are filling up very quickly.

How do you plan to celebrate the release of your second book ‘Wintercraft: Blackwatch’ in the trilogy?

I haven’t really thought about that yet! I think I’ll just see what happens on the day. I’m not really one for parties, though. I’ll just be happy knowing that Blackwatch is out there, making its way in the world.

What advice would you give unpublished authors?

The only real advice is to write something you would love to read. Don’t worry about what you think is popular or unpopular right now. Go with your instincts and don’t give up. It might take a long time before you have a story that’s ready for publication, but getting to that point is half of the fun. Writing a story is like putting together a huge puzzle piece by piece. If you love writing, stick at it! It will all be worth it in the end.

I would like to thank Jenna Burtenshaw for joining me on the blog today and allowing me to take part in her blog tour.  Jenna will be appearing at Clover Hill Books tomorrow talking about her main character in the series Kate.


If you would like to know more about Jenna Burtenshaw and the Wintercraft series, then please click here to visit her blog.

Monday 18 April 2011

A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler

Book published in April 2011 by Orion Children's Books
Pages - 246
Aimed at 9-12 year olds
Book kindly sent to be reviewed by the publisher

'Stop the car!'
'What?' Dad swivels round in his seat. The car jerks into a swerve.
'Good grief, Tom! Mum squeals, gripping her arm rest as she pulls a was of tissues out of her bag.
'Stop the car!' I repeat. It's going to be too late in a  minutes. I grab the tissues from Mum and shove them over Craig's mouth.
Dad pulls over just in time and Craig lurches out of his seat, runs to the gravelly path by the side of the road and doubles over. 
The car stinks of sick for the rest of the journey.




Jenni Green is off on holiday with her parents to the same destination that they go to every year.  Not that Jenni minds because she gets to spent the week with her best friend Autumn.  Yet something goes slightly wrong with this annual trip and Jenni finds herself transported a year into the future, where Autumn's life has hit rock bottom. Something tragic occurred the year before which shattered the lives of Autumn and her family as well as ruining the long term friendship of Jenni and Autumn.  Can Jenni figure out what happened to change Autumn's life so drastically and can she turn back time to stop whatever happened occurring.

If you are looking for an awesome time travel novel, then this is the book for you.  Liz Kessler introduced time travel so smoothly into the story that I never doubted its credibility once. The author has managed to breathe reality into science fiction.

I know book reviews are not meant to be personal, but I cannot help but love a book that instantly catapults me back to my past and that first paragraph had me travelling in the back of the car with my parents on numerous long journeys to Devon. Not the best traveller and long before travel sickness pills came into fashion, I was Craig!

The book is written is present tense which I normally whinge about as it is one of my pet hates, but I cannot say it affected my enjoyment of the story at all. In fact, I didn't notice it after the first page, which is amazing for me. The story is extremely well written and highly polished allowing the story to just flow off the page.

This book may only be 246 pages, but it has a lot packed into it. I was completely captivated from the first page and ended up reading it in one sitting. I was desperate to discover how Jenni would deal with her unusual situation.  There is no sign of predictability within this book and I found myself constantly surprised by the route the story took.

I loved all the characters within the book and instantly felt their anguish when their personal situations changed. Jenni was my favourite character and I loved how her desperation changed her character for the better and made her so much stronger. She dealt with the time travel situation thrust upon her with maturity and grace.

One of the main themes dealt with in this book is friendship; the author explores how a cross word can turn friendship to hate. The story provides a strong reminder of how we should treat the people close to us. Liz Kessler also focuses on the possibility of small random acts changing your future forever. The theme reminded me of a short story I read during secondary school which was called The Butterfly Effect, where one minor choice can have major effects on the future. The whole theory is quite mind boggling. This book will definitely make you look closer at the choices and actions you make in life and how little things can escalate into bigger issues.

This is the first book I have read by Liz Kessler and I can say with absolute certainty that it won't be the last. I love her descriptive style of writing.  The way she conjured up nostalgic memories of my own childhood caught me by surprise. This book may be aimed at 9 to 12 year olds, but I found it to be ageless. I know without a doubt that readers in my age bracket will love it.

When you read this book, expect the unexpected and freeze reality for a while in order to believe in the unbelievable!

I have two copies of 'A Year Without Autumn' to give away over at Goodreads. So please do go over and enter if you would like the chance to win a copy.

Saturday 16 April 2011

Anyone want to nose around my bookcases???

Just to let you know that my bookcases are on show today over at Kirsty's blog, The Overflowing Bookshelves. If you would like to have a nose around my shelves then please click here.

Kirsty is one of the lovely YA bloggers who I have got to know recently through Twitter. She loves YA and is very friendly and caused me to buy more books than I will ever read!

Kirsty is always looking for more people to take part in her bookcase showcase, so do let her know if you would like to take part.

Enjoy the visit to my home!

Friday 15 April 2011

Blackwatch Giveaway and Blog Tour Details

If you loved the review yesterday of Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw, the second book in the trilogy, then you will wan  to take part in this giveaway.  I have three copies of Blackwatch to giveaway.  This is a UK only competition this time ( sorry international followers). 

In order to enter the competition, all you have to do is tell me your favourite character from a fantasy YA book.  Leave your answers in the comments below with an email address so that I can contact you.  If you would like to double your chances of winning a copy of Blackwatch, then please tweet or blog about this competition.  If you use do tweet about the book then please use the hash tag #BlackwatchJB. The competition closes on Tuesday 26th April at 12 midnight. 

There will also be a chance to win one of a further two copies on Goodreads tomorrow, so do pop over there and look up Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw.

Also I just thought I would announce the Blackwatch tour that begins on Monday 11th April.


 As you can see Jenna Burtenshaw will be on my blog on Tuesday. Don't forget to catch Jenna on her first tour stop at  The Book Zone For Boys today.

Good luck with the competition and enjoy the blog tour.

Thursday 14 April 2011

Wintercraft: Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw

Pages - 276

Published by Headline on 14th April 2011

Kindly sent to me by the publisher for an honest review.

This book begins where the last book ended. For the review of the first book in the series, please click here.

A month had passed since the Night of Souls; the night Silas Dane had left the city of Fume as a traitor and begun his new life as  a fugitive. He had murdered a council-woman, slain many of her wardens and threatened the lives of the council's twelve remaining members. In that one night he had gone from being one of the High Council's most trusted men to being an outlaw, no better than any of the smugglers and thieves he had brought to justice in his time. Word of his treachery  had spread through every town in Albion. The High Council wanted him caught, but despite everything the memory of that night still  made Silas smile.

Jenna Burtenshaw has a very dark mind! And I for one, LOVE IT!

This is the second book in the Wintercraft trilogy and I found that it was a much darker fantasy than the first one. Jenna Burtenshaw is excellent at creating a Gothic style world that slowly envelops you until you cannot escape. From the first pages, you are handcuffed and instantly engulfed with a fear of foreboding.

The Skilled have captured Kate and imprisoned her. They fear the power she now has at her fingertips. She is stronger than any other Walker who has held the Wintercraft book before her, she is also volatile as she is unable to cope with the power sweeping through her.   Whilst the Skilled decide upon Kate's future, others are keen to find her. Blackwatch, a sinister and elite force who fear nothing, will not stop until they have brought Kate to Dalliah Grey, a rather well known character from the past who has constantly defied death for two centuries.
 
The author has successfully brought back the feisty Kate, the dark, brooding, dangerous Silas and the sarcastic, slightly annoying Edgar from the first book. Along with these familiar faces, there are two new characters. Dalliah Grey, a quietly determined woman who gives off an air of benevolence and Banderman, the leader of the Blackwatch, who seems to be constantly defying death; a malignant growth that needs to be surgically removed. Kate worried me as a character, as I felt she on the verge of following a macabre pathway; she is now so unpredictable with the power she holds inside her. Silas is still one of my most favourite characters. As unpleasant and cold as he tries to appear, there is a heart hidden deeply within and occasionally he has to give in to it. He suffers physically and emotionally in this book, which shows a more humane side to his character. Thankfully neither Dalliah or Banderman appear as openly posionous as Daru did in the first book, yet looks can be deceiving and I think Dalliah is yet to reach her full potential of evilness.
 
Yet again, Jenna Burtenshaw breathes originality in to the fantasy genre. The veil and  the spirit wheels are unique to her writing style. Within this book, we are given a deeper understanding about how they came to be, their origins were a lot darker than I would have ever expected.

What I love about the Wintercraft books is the author's use of descriptive language. I find myself getting lost in the world she has built as her descriptions come to life. I find her use of imagery quite outstanding. Within this book, we discover the underground caverns that appear endless, a whole world beneath your feet, ready to be explored. Although the darkness of the underground setting does gives off a claustrophobic feel to the reader. I felt Kate's immense relief on reaching the surface and seeing the stars light up the evening sky.

Within the actual writing, there is never a trace of a clunky phrase or unsuitable word, the prose just continues to flow beautifully. This storyline wasn't as intense as the first book, allowing me to breathe easier this time. Some of the spoken passages by the characters were brilliantly written and eloquently said.

I found myself reading this book in two sittings,as once I had reacquainted myself with Kate and Silas, I didn't want to leave their company. I think if I had to choose between the two books so far in the series,  I would have to say that Blackwatch is my favourite, but it is a difficult choice to make as I have enjoyed them both.
This book ends on a cliffhanger, yet the story within the book is wrapped up leaving only the last chapter with loose ends. I can't wait for the final part of the trilogy in order to discover how it all will end.From reading the last pages of this book I can only imagine an apocalyptic finale to the series,

This is a fantasy series I would highly recommend, especially if you are new to this genre. Each book is just under three hundred books and quick to lose yourself in.

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Pages -  487

To be published: 28th April 2011 by Harper Collins Children's Books
My copy: Kindly passed to me by Keris Stainton.
Opening paragraph

There is one mirror in my house. Our faction allows me to stand in front of it on the second day of every third month, the day my mother cuts my hair. It is behind a  sliding panel in the hallway upstairs. I sit on the stool and my mother stand behind me with the scissors, trimming. The strands fall on the floor in a dull, blonde ring.

For a long time, The Hunger Games reigned supreme as my favourite dystopian book ever. It was severely jostled by The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, but it never lost its grip.  Until now! Divergent, a rather new fledgling in the dystopian genre and entered the race and knocked The Hunger Games flying! DIVERGENT IS THAT GOOD!

Divergent has  probably become one of the most highly anticipated dystopian novels of this year and I can honestly say believe the hype. I was a little scared that it wouldn't live up to everything I had heard about it, but it just surpassed it.
Beatrice, the main character lives in a dystopian version of Chicago, where society has been divided into five factions, each dedicated to a different virtue.  Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). When Beatrice reaches her sixteenth birthday, she has to select which faction she wants to spend the rest of life with. She can choose any one of them, but if she doesn't choose the one she grew up in, she is basically waving goodbye to her parents for the rest of her life.

Beatrice goes through a complete transformation and soon becomes known as Tris, but she has so much to hide during her trials to be accepted in her chosen faction. She then discovers that things are not as they are supposed to be within the factions. Can she stop the inevitable.

I loved the transformation of Beatrice to Tris. She becomes such a strong and courageous character as she constantly gets put in such difficult situations.  She is one gutsy young girl and I can't wait to see how she progresses in the rest of the series. Four is a strong male lead and I adored him from the beginning. The relationship between them is a bit of a surprise. I really wasn't expecting it to occur, as Four is quite standoffish to begin with.

The faction trainees who are chosen alongside Tris, give off the same uneasy feeling as the contestants chosen to enter The Hunger Games did. There are instantly two groups divided by friendship and hate. You are constantly on edge, trying to work out who Tris should trust and who will cause her harm.

The drama of this book is fast paced right from the start. Tris never gets the opportunity to slow down and you feel like you are holding your breath for most of the book. I feared for  her life on numerous occasions as she was put in such dangerous situations on a continual basis. The best way I can describe this book is similar to your first experience of Haribo fizzy sweets, when they put too much sugar on them. You just sit there for a while with your mouth exploding and your head shaking with shock and swirling out of control. That is how this book made me feel!

The final chapters blew my mind. I am amazed by Veronica Roth's ability to create the unexpected at every turn.  This book just keeps on throwing firecrackers at your feet to keep you constantly on the move.

You have to read this book. If you loved The Hunger Games and The Knife Of Never Letting Go, then this book is definitely one you need to add to your collection. I honestly didn't think I could love another dystopian novel, yet here I am pledging allegiance to Divergent.

Monday 11 April 2011

The Day I Met Liz Kessler!

Last Tuesday, I was really lucky to be invited to the launch of Liz Kessler's new children's book 'A Year Without Autumn'. The event was held in London  in The Marquis, which was just across the road from Trafalgar Square.
When I arrived,  I was introduced to Nina and Kate from Orion, who were both very lovely ladies and two people I had got to know quite well recently via email and Twitter. I also finally got to meet Liz from My Favourite Books - one of my favourite blogs.
There were so many people there to congratulate Liz Kessler on the publication of her new book. Fiona Kennedy from Orion made a lovely address about working with Liz over the last few years, followed by a delightful and entertaining speech by Liz Kessler herself. 
 Throughout the evening, I got to speak to Liz quite a few times and I have to say she is absolutely delightful and really funny.  She is just so entertaining to talk too.  We discussed our proposed Twitter interview and talked about the her blog tour which was underway.  I hadn't realised that Liz had actually written the first draft of 'A Year Without Autumn' before she had published her very successful Emily Windsnap  and Phillipa Fisher books. 
Liz kindly signed my copy for me and I did come away with a couple of other signed books which I will be giving away via Goodreads very soon. 
We were also given these gorgeous Thornton chocolates with the cover of Liz's book on top. 

I actually finished reading 'A Year Without Autumn' on the weekend and I can't wait to tell you next week all about it. If you like time travel books, you will absolutely love this book.

Sunday 10 April 2011

IMM (4)



   In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly feature organised by The Story Siren. IMM is a post where you can show which books entered your house and it also gives you a chance to say thank you to the people that kindly sent them. To find out more about how you can join in click here.


1) Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden - I am so desperate to see this film and can't wait to dive into this book which was kindly sent to me by the adorable Keris Stainton who has a new book coming out in July called Jesse Hearts NYC.

2) City Of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare. - firstly OMG! Secondly Squeeee! Thank you to Walker Books for sending this to me. You made my week.

3) Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda - this was kindly sent to me by Greenleaf Book Group Press in America.

4) Rosebush by Michele Jaffe. I won this over at Dot Scribbles blog. Thank you so much Dot.

I bought these three books and forgot to show them last week.

1) Ember Fury by Cathy Brett
2) Scarlett Dedd by Cathy Brett
3) Mortlock by Jon Mayhew

I know have seriously have more books than I will ever be able to read, but I just can't stop them coming!

Saturday 9 April 2011

The Transcript From The Live Twitterview With Liz Kessler


As many of you know I did a live Twitterview with Liz Kessler, the author of the Emily Windsnap and Phillipa Fisher children's books on Thursday. Liz is currently featuring on a blog tour for her new book 'A Year Without Autumn' and stopped by my blog a week ago to feature in The Big Break which you will find here.

The Twitterview went live at 12 noon on Thursday and with the help of lots of Tweeters we enjoyed an hour of Liz's company and got her to answer all our questions. So here as promised, is the interview in full.

@serendipidy101 : Hi Liz, thank you for letting me interview you via Twitter today. Shall I begin with the first question?

@serendipidy101: @PewterWolf13 asks what song best sums up 'A Year Without Autumn?

@lizkesslerbooks :  I love this question! How about 'If I Could Turn Back Time.'

@serendipidy101: An email question up next.

@serendipidy101: Emily B wants to know what inspired you to write The Tale of Emily Windsnap?

@lizkesslerbooks: Nice question Emily B. Well I love the sea, I love boats and mermaids are cool! So that's 3 good inspirations!

@serendipidy101: Blogger question from Petty Witter. Which book do you wish you had written and why?

@lizkesslerbooks: Ooh, good one. The Time Traveller's Wife. Cos it is AMAZING!

@serendipidy101: Another blog question - Kulsama - how did you get the initial idea for A Year Without Autumn?

@lizkesslerbooks: I love time travel - that's why I thought of it first. Then the idea sort of emerged bit by bit.

@serendipidy101: From Kulsama again. How much did the story change from first draft to final draft?

@lizkesslerbooks: HUGELY! My mum read 1st draft and just read the book this week and said it was like a different book!

@serendipidy101: @lovelytreez asks who designed the cover for A Year Without Autumn?

@lizkesslerbooks: Orion chose the designer. I don't know her name! You like? I do!

@serendipidy101: From me *sneaking in there* when will the book be published in the US?

@lizkesslerbooks: A Year Without Autumn is out in the States in November this year :))))

@serendipidy101: Sorry *pushing to the front again* What are you working on next?

@lizkesslerbooks: I'm currently finishing the second time travel book, then it's a 5th Emily Windsnap - YAY!! :)

@serendipidy101: @DarrenDac asks if your life was made into a film, who would play you and why?

@lizkesslerbooks: Crikey. No idea! Someone with mad curly hair! Any suggestions? (Although why would they make a film of my life?!?!)

@serendipidy101: Anyone know who should play Liz in a film?

@serendipidy101: Just had a suggestion of Barbara Streisand!

@lizkesslerbooks: Barbara Streisand!!! Hilarious! She's about 50 years older than me isn't she??

@craftywhoopingdoo: That actress in DR Who at the moment. The one who keeps turning up and used to be in Eastenders.

@lizkesslerbooks: Who's that? Gotta be a closer match than Barbara Streisand!

@serendipidy101: Den's ex wife who killed him in Eastenders!

@lizkesslerbooks: Not having mad Angie from Eastenders playing me! The movie deal is off!!

@serendipidy101: No, the one who killed him, later on.

@craftywhoopidoo: The actress is Alex Kingston :-) plays Riversong in Dr Who.

@serendipidy101:@craftywhoopidoo @Lady_K_Black both just told us its Alex Kingston. You will have to check her out.

@lizkesslerbooks: Thanks! I'll check her out and see if I agree that she's suitable for Liz Kessler: The Movie LOL!

@serendipidy101: @curtweaver asks: Who is your favourite author?

@lizkesslerbooks: I have LOTS of fave writers! At the moment - @jodipicoult for adults and the brand new @APitcherAuthor for kids! :)

@serendipidy101: @Curtweaver wants to know how did you come up with the idea for A Year Without Autumn?

@lizkesslerbooks: I love time travel, and like to think what might happen if you had the chance to go back and do things differently.

@serendipidy101: Another one from @Curtweaver - Do you follow any English football teams? Big fan of yours I think.

@lizkesslerbooks: Not passionately. But if I had to choose, Man Utd. (And very weirdly Man City too, as they were my grandad's team)

@serendipidy101: Just received an anon. one. Do you believe in fate?

@lizkesslerbooks: Hmm, fate...I don't know! I believe in something out there, but as yet I haven't worked out what I call it!

@serendipidy101:  Was there a book/film/childhood experience that prompted your love of mermaids and inspired Emily Windsnap?

@lizkesslerbooks: The fact that I grew up near the seaside may have something to do with it. and my dad was mad about boats (as I am!)

@serendipidy101: @craftywhoopidoo wants to know if you get any say in your cover design or the illustrations?

@lizkesslerbooks: I do get my say on covers thank goodness.Orion are very lovely at taking on board each nitpicky thing I ask for!

@serendipidy101: An FB fan ChloeC. Why didn't your 5th grade teacher believe you wrote the Jinx's Shop poem?

@lizkesslerbooks: Hi Chloe! My teacher didn't think I'd written Jinx's Shop because he said it was too good for me!

@serendipidy101: Shame on your teacher!

@lizkesslerbooks: Yeah, but you can't blame him too much. I was quite naughty as a child!

@lathersoapco: Good Morning from US, waiting for coffee! Any plans to attend the US Nat Book festival again?

@lizkesslerbooks: I'd LOVE to come to the US Nat book festival again! Hint hint @Candlewick!!

@lizkesslerbooks: The US Nat book festival was one of the absolute highlights of my career to date, no question!

@serendipidy101: FB LoriS; What led you to write A Year Without Autumn?

@lizkesslerbooks: Loris, I wrote Autumn cos I love the idea of time slip and thinking what we would do differently if we cou

@serendipidy101: FB JudyR. wants to know how long it took to write 'A Year Without Autumn?

@lizkesslerbooks: It took a long time! Altogether, maybe about a year and a half - but I started it six years ago!!

@serendipidy101: Also wants to know how you organise your writing process? How many drafts?

@lizkesslerbooks: JudyR, I plan and plan and plan. And once I know exactly what's going to happen in my book, I start writing it!!

@serendipidy101: My favourite question coming up.

@serendipidy101: From FB Amina if your having a bad writing day, do you change into your lucky underpants? LOL

@lizkesslerbooks: Err...Amina, I can't say I particularly have any lucky underwear! (I often write in PJs though if that helps?)

@serendipidy101: And your crown. Don't forget you write in your crown too. LOL

@serendipidy101: Are your stories the end results of ideas you had as a child? From FBHeatherBS.

@lizkesslerbooks: Heather BS My stories aren't consciously to do with my life but I know bits of real life does come into them!

@serendipidy101: *sneaking one in again* What is your favourite dystopian novel?

@lizkesslerbooks: Ooh, I do love a good dystopian novel. At the moment it'd have to be the first Hunger Games book.

@lathersoapco: Daughter leaving for 6th grade bus. Who was your favourite character to write or most like you?

@lizkesslerbooks: Most like me is Emily Windsnap. Most fun to write - Mystic Millie or Mr Beeston. Or Neptune cos he SHOUTS A LOT!

@serendipidy101: FBSaraT asks what is the most adventurous and/or gross thing you have ever eaten?

@lizkesslerbooks: SaraT I tried a tiny bite of lobster. That's about as adventurous as my eating gets! (I'm a very boring eater.)

@cloverness: Who's your favourite fictional character?

@lizkesslerbooks: Ooh. Of mine or someone else's? (She asks, buying time as it's a tricky question!!)

@serendipidy101:Yours I think

@cloverness: Oh, definitely both!

@lizkesslerbooks: @cloverness OK mine - I love them all - they're my babies!! Someone else's - the whole cast of the Phantom Tollbooth!

@serendipidy101: FBJodyDS asks how did you research all the different fish in the Emily Windsnap books?

@lizkesslerbooks: Doing lots of snorkelling and watching lots of underwater documentaries!

@serendipidy101: FBAmyNS asks what is your favourite book that you have written?

@lizkesslerbooks: Amy NS - my favourite of my own books at the moment is definitely A Year Without Autumn! :)

@serendipidy101: *sneaky me* If you could be any other author dead or alive, who would you be?

@lizkesslerbooks: If I could be any author, I'd be.......ME! :)))

@CazApr1: Would you consider writing a YA time travel book?

@lizkesslerbooks:  @CazApr1: I might well do a YA time travel book at some point. Who knows! I'd quite like to!

@cloverness: Did you have a role model growing up?

@lizkesslerbooks: I had a wonderful English teacher who changed my life and made me want to work hard! (But not till I was 16!)

@coletteO3: How do you deal with writer's block?

@lizkesslerbooks: @colette03: I don't really use the term writer's block. I just think that sometimes it's hard - but so is any other job!

@serendipidy101: One final question to wrap up the interview.

@serendipidy101: FBElizabethGF - What inspires you to be a writer?

@lizkesslerbooks: ElizabethGF I think being a writer is just part of who I am. Writing makes me feel alive and wonderful! :)

@lizkesslerbooks: Nice question to end on by the way!

@serendipidy101: Thank you Liz for such excellent answers.

@serendipidy101: Thankyou to everyone who sent in questions and who joined in the interview.

@lizkesslerbooks: Thank you to everyone who sent all those fabulous questions and especially to @serendipidy101 for being such a brill twitterviewer!!

I hope you all enjoyed that! Liz and I both agreed that the hour went very quickly. 

Liz Kessler will be picking out the three winners with the best questions soon. I will announce the winners as soon as she does and the lovely staff at Orion will send out three signed copies of Liz Kessler's new book 'A Year Without Autumn'.

Thanks for joining in the fun.

Friday 8 April 2011

The Guardian Angel's Journal by Carolyn Jess-Cooke


Published on the 14th April by Piatkus
Pages - 356
Book: Kindly given to me by the publisher for an honest review.

When I died I became a guardian angel.
Nandita broke the news to me in the afterlife without any ice-breaking small talk or comfort-inducing  chit-chat. You know the way dentists ask what your Christmas plans are right before they yank out a tooth? Well I can tell you there was none of that. There was simply this:
Margotis dead, child. Margot is dead.
No way, I said, I'm not dead.

I am a complete sucker for an angel story and this one sent me straight to heaven.  The idea behind this story is so original it blew my mind. I felt like I had stepped into a quantam physics experiment, where I could bend time backwards and forwards like an eraser.

Margot dies at the age of forty and is sent back to Earth to be her OWN GUARDIAN ANGEL! I kid you not. Doesn't that just defy mentality? Margot is renamed Beth and forced to accompany herself as she relives every minor detail of her past. Beth is allowed to encourage Margot into making the right decisions, but Margot is a force to be reckoned with and isn't about to listen carefully to her former self. 

I refuse to give away any spoilers for this book. You just have to read it. I am actually rather desperate for someone else to read this book, so that I can talk about it openly without giving away any of the storyline.

This book felt like a 'before' and 'after' scenerio. Just imagine being able to try and alter all of those incidents that you now know had disasterous effects on your life. Beth knows exactly how Margot's life will turn out and does her utmost to try and change her actions, often without any change occurring. Margot's younger years are probably some of the worst you can imagine.  So it is not surprising at all, the way Margot's life unfolds. The events of her son's life  were definitely a direct consequence of Margot's emotional rollercoaster of a life. You could just envisage this vicious barbed wire circle of circumstances continually playing over and over again.

I found the writing to be utterly beautiful and often very poignant.  Carolyn Jess-Cooke is extremely good at pulling your heart strings and twisted them into knots. This book is a real gut wrencher and a couple of times I felt my eyes welling up at some rather emotional and violent scenes. I felt every last tear and pain that the young Margot experienced right alongside her guardian angel Beth.

As Margot moves into adulthood, I wanted to dislike her, but everytime I reminded myself of the childhood she had led, I stepped away from those feelings.

Carolyn Jess-Cooke has been compared with Audrey Niffenegger and I can understand why. Her book is a fresh approach to angels with an original idea developed thoroughly, leaving  you desperate to read more of her work. 

The only thing I don't like about this book is that I didn't write it first! Only joking. I just can't wait to see what Carolyn writes next.

If you love angels like I do and believe that everything is not as it seems, then trust me when I tell you that you are going to want to read this book.