17 First Kisses Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

17 First Kisses by Rachael Allen
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 17th 2014
Genre: YA Contemporary

No matter how many boys Claire kisses, she can’t seem to find a decent boyfriend. Someone who wouldn’t rather date her gorgeous best friend, Megan. Someone who won’t freak out when he learns about the tragedy her family still hasn’t recovered from. Someone whose kisses can carry her away from her backwoods town for one fleeting moment.

Until Claire meets Luke.

But Megan is falling for Luke, too, and if there’s one thing Claire knows for sure, it’s that Megan’s pretty much irresistible.

With true love and best friendship on the line, Claire suddenly has everything to lose. And what she learns—about her crush, her friends, and most of all herself—makes the choices even harder.

In her moving debut, Rachael Allen brilliantly captures the complexities of friendship, the struggles of self-discovery, and the difficulties of trying to find love in high school. Fans of Sarah Ockler, Susane Colasanti, and Stephanie Perkins will fall head over heels for this addictive, heartfelt, and often hilarious modern love story.

1. Can you persuasively sell your book, 17 First Kisses, to my blog readers in 5 words?

Finding yourself via kissing?

Hmm, that’s only four. How about…

Lots and lots of kissing!

What? That doesn’t do it for everybody? Okay, here’s what the book is about:

Friendship, family, loss, rebuilding, kissing.

2. What do you admire most about Claire? 

Her strength. She’s able to be strong for her family and friends, she relentlessly pursues her dreams, and she’s able to jump ship from a toxic relationship with a boy before it gets any worse.

3. How did you get your inspiration for 17 First Kisses?

The short story is that I was doing some house rearranging, and found a box of notes and magazine clippings (*cough* Justin Timberlake *cough*) from middle and high school, the contents of which was both hilarious and mortifying. I was struck by how different my friends and I were depending on what year the notes were from, and I wanted to write a book that captured the same characters at different snapshots of their lives.

The long story is, well, longer, and also kind of sad, and you can find it here: http://rachaelallenwrites.blogspot.com/2014/06/why-i-had-to-write-this-book.html

4. Megan, Claire’s best friend, is such an interesting character! Can you describe her in 140 characters or less? (Like in a tweet!)

Oh! This is a fun one! Here’s my answer:

Fiercely protective friend. Fun. Dramatic. Craves her parents' approval. Loves cooking more than breathing. Not your average queen bee cheerleader.

5. I loved the chapters devoted to Claire’s 17 kisses. Why did you include these scenes in the book?

Thanks! I’m so glad you liked those because they were really fun to write! Like I was saying before, I found this note box, and wanted to capture snapshots of these characters as they grew up. I thought of the title 17 FIRST KISSES, and I got so excited because having these kiss scenes in the past would allow you to get a glimpse of these characters in lots of situations at different ages. Plus, it meant I would get to write ALL THE KISSING 

It was a lot of kissing though, so I joke that none of my future characters are getting any action because I’m tired of writing kiss scenes (but I know I won’t really be able to stay away because OMG kissing).

6. Now, a fun question! What is your dream travel destination?

I love this question because I love to travel! I’d have to say either Australia or Samoa. I’ve never been to either. I love seeing natural wonders, get giddily excited over weird animals, and I love having adventures, and eating new foods, and doing things like hiking and snorkeling.

7. What are some of your non-bookish hobbies?

I love science, and I work in a lab. I go fangirl over Pretty Little Liars and Game of Thrones. I love football, whether it’s watching the Atlanta Falcons or Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets or playing flag football. Other than that, I’m hanging out with my husband, kiddos, and two dogs.

8. Quick! What’s your favorite color? 

Yellow! (People who love yellow feel very strongly about it. Hence, the exclamation point.)

Follow the FFBC 17 First Kisses Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Rachael Allen lives in Atlanta, GA where she's working furiously on her PhD in neuroscience. When she's not doing science or writing YA, you can find her chasing after her toddler and her two sled dogs. Her debut YA novel 17 FIRST KISSES, is forthcoming from Harper Teen. Rachael may or may not have had 17 first kisses...luckily she doesn't kiss and tell.

Win (1) Signed Copy of 17 First Kisses + Swag, + an ARC of I Will Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (US Only)

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As a side note, I bought this book, read it, and I really loved it! 17 Kisses is an amazing contemporary that focuses on so many interesting aspects. 

Thanks for reading the post everyone!

Unravel: Promo Post + Giveaway

Unravel (Linked #2) by Imogen Howson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: July 8th 2014

Untold dangers await telepathic twins in this sequel to the futuristic, romantic thriller called classic sci-fi, space-travel adventure at its best. After Elissa and Lin exposed the government's secret experiments in Linked, which Booklist called a roller-coaster ride into space that just about everyone should enjoy, their home planet Sekoia is thrown into chaos. Determined to do their part to help the planet they've hurt, they return to Sekoia only to discover that things are far worse that they imagined. Resources are suddenly scarce, people are scared, and there's a rising current of anger against the Spares. When Lissa and Lin find themselves among another group of Spares and twins, they feel like they've found their kindred spirits at last. But a threat none of them could have expected is lying in wait for Sekoia's Spares. 

Follow the FFBC Unravel Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

As a child, I loved reading so much that I not only read in bed, at the table and in the bath, but in the shower and – not so successfully – on my bicycle.

I enjoyed books in a slightly unorthodox way, too – many of my childhood books have ragged edges where I tore paper from the margins in order to eat it.

I wrote my first book at eight. It was entitled The Dragon in the Teapot and would probably have been a huge hit if I hadn’t lost the only copy on a family day out.

Some years later, armed with several different types of backups, I’m busy writing romantic science fiction and fantasy for young adults and adults.

I live with my partner, our two teenage daughters, and three cats, near Sherwood Forest in England. I’m a Christian, a feminist, and a lover of cheese, chocolate, stationery shops and eighties pop music. I still read in most places, but I no longer eat paper.

Win (1) of (2) hardbacks of Unravel by Imogen Howson (INT)

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Waiting On Wednesday #37

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Publication Date: March 26th, 2015
Genre: YA Fantasy

Mare Barrow’s world is divided by blood—those with red and those with silver. Mare and her family are lowly Reds, destined to serve the Silver elite whose supernatural abilities make them nearly gods. Mare steals what she can to help her family survive, but when her best friend is conscripted into the army, she gambles everything to win his freedom. A twist of fate leads her to the royal palace itself where, in front of the king and all his nobles, she discovers a superhuman ability she didn’t know she had.

Except . . . her blood is Red.

To hide this impossibility, the king forces her into the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks her new position to aid the Scarlet Guard—the leaders of a budding Red rebellion. Her actions put into motion a deadly and violent dance, pitting prince against prince and Mare against her own heart. 

Not only is this cover gorgeous, the synopsis is right up my alley. Supernatural abilities, royal palaces, and rebellions. Sounds intriguing! However, I simply can't believe I have to wait so long to read Red Queen! March 2015 is forever away!

Review: The Art of Lainey

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes
Publication Date: May 20th, 2014
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Won from a giveaway

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be? 

The Art of Lainey was a cute, fun read that I devoured. I am officially a fan of Paula Stokes! And, if you are looking for the perfect summer contemporary, I'd say The Art of Lainey is exactly what you need. Now, shoo, go to your nearest bookstore and pick it up!

You're still here???

Ahh, I see. You're not easily convinced. Well, let me show you that I'm right!

Well, first we have the main character, Lainey. She is not your usual cookie-cutter YA protaganist. Nope, she's a real human, flaws and all. However, despite Lainey's human-like qualities, I still loved her! (Shocking, I know.) She is funny, real, and has character growth! By the way, character growth is pure magic in my book. I love it!

Also, we have a healthy friendship! Lainey and her BFF, Bianca, are just perfect together. They support each other and have lots of fun! I'm always glad to see awesome friendships. I have two best friends. We hang out all the time without drama, backstabbing, or any of the bad friendship stuff that is constantly portrayed in the media. Let's issue a round of applause for positive portrayals of best friends! Also, I'll note that there's one friendship that isn't so healthy. However, it a very realistic type of friendship that I see often in real life.

Finally, we have the AMAZING romance. Micah and Lainey are just the most awesome couple. They had me giggling, swooning, and shipping like crazy. Now, let's broach the topic of Micah. I was pleasantly surprised by his characterization! He has tattoos, a mohawk, isn't exactly one of the popular jocks, and loves to cook! (And, psst, he's secretly a really nice, sweet guy! Just don't tell anyone!) Also, he has an awesome little sister.

Overall, this book is a total winner! Now, I repeat my message: "Shoo! Go to your nearest bookstore and pick The Art of Lainey up!" And, if you have already read this little cupcake, I award you a gold medal. You're welcome. (Also, I am aware this is a strange review. In my defense, I wrote this at midnight.) Thanks for reading!

4/5 Stars