In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

FROM NETGALLEY:

Old MacDonald Had Her Farm by JonArno Lawson

Review: The Fruitful Wife by Hayley DiMarco

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Marriage is God’s tool of sanctification and that ought to bring women hope when things get hard. Yet very few women have the idea of spiritual growth at the front of their minds when conflict arises. In The Fruitful Wife Hayley DiMarco applies the fruit of the Spirit to wives, taking a look at how each fruit impacts a woman’s day-to-day life and manifests itself (or hides itself) as she attempts to love others the way God loves her. DiMarco is readily transparent about her own failures, sharing with readers her fights for control, authority, and respect. Ultimately, DiMarco teaches how even the rockiest of marriages can become fruitful and generate the fruit God intends to produce.

MY TAKE:

The premise of this book intrigued me. I do read and review Christian books, but I'm very choosy about which ones I read. I'm glad I picked this one up.

In The Fruitful Wife, Hayley DiMarco discusses each fruit of the Holy Spirit and how it can be applied to a woman's life and marriage.

I remember being taught about the fruits of the Holy Spirit when I was in elementary, as I went to a Catholic school. However, I don't think I really truly got what they were about. After reading this book, I totally get what the fruits are about. The book, I can say, does a good job of explaining how the fruits can be applied in real life.

The things that the books suggest aren't all that easy. I did give it a try, though, and it did my relationship a lot of good. Although I'm not sure if it's more of because of the book's influence or because it was coupled with lots of prayers. :P You might want to give it a try too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crossway for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Fruitful Wife is on September 30, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. It will help you get a better grasp of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
2. The book makes a lot of sense.
3. The book's lessons are doable.

THE BAD:

1. Some women may find some of the advice tough to follow.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

It is important, then, to realize that the opposite of love isn't hate, but selfishness.

READ IT IF:

1. You are having relationship problems.
2. You want to become a better person.
3. You want to understand the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

RATING: 
 


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her. And when Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn't really know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together. To break the curse, Ananna and the assassin must complete three impossible tasks-all while grappling with evil wizards, floating islands, haughty manticores, runaway nobility, strange magic, and the growing romantic tension between them.
"An inventive debut with a strong narrative voice, a glimpse of an intriguing new world." - Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Shadows of the Apt series
"Ananna of Tanarau is a delightfully irascible heroine, inhabiting a fascinating and fresh new world that I would love to spend more time in. Pirate ships? Camels? Shadow dwelling assassins? Yes please! Can I have some more?" - Celine Kiernan, author of the Moorhawke trilogy

MY TAKE:

My first thought when I realized that there were only a few pages left as I was reading this book was "Freakin' heck! No! This book can't be done yet! There's still so much left unanswered! When's the next book coming out?!" Oh, and I seriously considered searching for some fanfiction, or at least writing one, to get my Ananna and Naji fix.

The Assassin's Curse is the story of Ananna, a stubborn pirate who runs away when she is forced to marry someone from another pirate clan. The spurned clan sends an assassin after her. However, things become complicated when her actions result in her being bound to the assassin.

I liked Ananna. She's brash and tough and she knows a lot of useful things. As for Naji, I liked his back story and how he was described. The only thing that I didn't like was how in the process of making Ananna strong and independent, sometimes it felt as though Naji was not as capable as he seemed.

The whole magic-meets-pirates angle reminded me a little bit of Tamora Pierce's novels. The Assassin's Curse has plenty of original concepts and plot lines, though. I'm definitely eager to find out what comes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Strange Chemistry for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Assassin's Curse is on October 2, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Ananna is likable.
2. The story has plenty of potential.
3. The world-building is great.

THE BAD:

1. There were a few unanswered questions and potential plot holes, but they might be answered in the second book.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

I was very much aware of that charm pressing against my skin, soft as a lover's touch.

READ IT IF:

1. You like Tamora Pierce's novels.
2. You like strong heroines.
3. You like novels with action, romance and magic.

RATING: 



SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Little White Duck by Na Liu and Andres Vera Martinez

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

The world is changing for two girls in China in the 1970s. Da Qin—Big Piano—and her younger sister, Xiao Qin—Little Piano—live in the city of Wuhan with their parents. For decades, China's government had kept the country separated from the rest of the world. When their country's leader, Chairman Mao, dies, new opportunities begin to emerge. Da Qin and Xiao Qin soon learn that their childhood will be much different than the upbringing their parents experienced.
Eight short stories—based on the author's own life—give readers a unique look at what it was like to grow up in China during this important time in history. 

MY TAKE:

I've always been fascinated about China, and since I like graphic novels, this book is perfect for me.

Little White Duck is composed of eight short stories from the author's life in China. The images in this book are not of the industrialized China we see most often today. Life then was harsher and you get a feel for that time because of the coloring of the book.

The illustration style is perfect for the story. It feels distinctly Chinese, even though upon closer observation, it's more of the combination of coloring, illustration and font that makes this work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Graphic Universe for the e-ARC. Publication date of Little White Duck is on October 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. The coloring and illustrations are perfect for the topic.
2. The stories give you a glimpse of 1970s China.
3. You learn about Chinese culture.

THE BAD:

1. Some may not find the illustration style unappealing.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

We would also make different kinds of meatballs- of fish, tofu, and pork- fry them, and then dry them out for the feast. 

READ IT IF:

1. You are fascinated by Chinese culture.
2. You like graphic novels.
3. You are a history buff.

RATING:



SOUNDS INTERESTING?
https://www.lernerbooks.com/products/t/11639/9780761365877/little-white-duck

Review: The Little Prince #1 THE PLANET OF WIND by Delphine Dubos

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

The New Adventures
Based on the Masterpiece by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Little Prince has had a peaceful life on Asteroid B612 with his friends Rose and Fox, dreaming under the starry sky. But now star systems are vanishing one by one. An old enemy, the Snake, is bent on destroying the universe . . . and it will take all of the Little Prince's imagination and Fox's determination to stand against the Snake and his shadowy monster servants.
The Planet of Wind
The wind itself provides all the energy the Eolians need for warming their planet, which is ever in danger of being covered by ice. But each day the winds they rely on grow weaker—stolen by pirates, and no one knows how. Can the Little Prince and Fox discover the real root of the problem and save a whole planet from disappearing into darkness?
The timeless characters created by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in his classic novel meet a new generation of readers in this original series, overseen by the author's estate. The Little Prince's all-new journeys carry forward the spirit of friendship and imagination in a universe full of daring adventure!
©2012 LPPM. An animated series based on the novel Le Petit Prince of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Developed for television by Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de la Patellière and Bertrand Gatignol. Directed by Pierre-Alain Chartier.

MY TAKE:

I haven't read The Little Prince in years, but I remember being fond of the story.

The Little Prince is a continuation of sorts of the story. The Little Prince and the Fox are now hunting the Snake as it goes from planet to planet manipulating its inhabitants to destroy their planet. In this first issue, The Little Prince and Fox travel to the Planet of the Wind. Something is stealing the winds and causing ice to cover more of the planet. They must learn who it is before the planet is destroyed.

The book is quite short, so the resolution comes rather quickly and the plot isn't too complicated. As this book is meant for kids, it's perfect. Adults, however, might not find this as satisfying. It's still entertaining, though.

The coloring is gorgeous, and the drawings are very pretty. The illustrations are done anime-style so if you like that style, you will love this.

Thanks to NetGalley and Graphic Universe for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Little Prince #1 THE PLANET OF WIND is on October 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Beautiful coloring.
2. The art brings to mind some amazing anime series.
3. It has a good lesson for kids and adults.

THE BAD:

1. The novel might be too short and simple for some readers.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

You're abandoning your friends, now?
No, I'm learning to trust them.

READ IT IF:

1. You liked The Little Prince.
2. You like graphic novels.
3. You like animes.

RATING:



SOUNDS INTERESTING?
https://www.lernerbooks.com/products/t/12470/9780761387510/1-the-planet-of-wind

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

We'll eat a good breakfast of fruit and whole grains-
we need super foods for our bodies and brains.

Release Day Post: Uncontrollable by S.R. Johannes

Uncontrollable is the second book in "The Nature of Grace" series by S.R. Johannes. Untraceable, the first book in the series, has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award (YA), 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (YA Nominee), and a finalist in The Kindle Book Review's "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)".

Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."

If you like a page turner, you will love this series!

Head over to Mundie Moms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.

To continue on with the blog tour, check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways.

ABOUT S.R. JOHANNES:

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes. Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.

S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for as Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult).

After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

As Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program".

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is growing silk plants.

After a couple wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. When a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues.

Little does she know, she is being hunted too.

And possibly by more than one person.

SOUNDS INTERESTING?

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

FROM NETGALLEY:

Upside Down: A Vampire Tale by Jess Smart Smiley
The Universe of Fair by Leslie Bulion
Juliette Low, Girl Scout Founder by Helen Boud Higgins
Pirate Santa by Clay Clement / Mark Summers
Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week by Caroline Adderson

Review: The Quick Fix by Jack D. Ferraiolo

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

In this much-anticipated sequel to The Big Splash, junior high detective Matt Stevens is back on the case, bringing us another hilarious middle school noir.
When the star of the basketball team is blackmailed, it's up to Matt, the lone voice for justice in a morass of middle school corruption, to figure out who's behind the scheme. Is it eighth-grade crime lord Vinny "Mr. Biggs" Biggio, who has made his name peddling forged hall passes and leading a crew of social assassins who send enemies to the Outs with a humiliating squirt-gun blast below the belt? Or is it his lieutenant and Matt's former best friend, Kevin? Or a pair of scheming twins who sell Pixy Stix to sugar-addicted classmates? One thing's for sure: There won't be a quick fix for the trouble at this middle school.

MY TAKE:


This book sounded like exactly just like my cup of tea, so I decided to give it a try even though I didn't read the first book.


The Quick Fix is told from the point-of-view of Matt Stevens, a teen detective. 


While the setting is a high school, there are a lot of things in this book that make it read like a film noir. From the gangsters to the slang, everything about this book is like a homage to the old movies.


Matt is very sarcastic and talks much like a detective from the old school detective movies. I kept getting flashes of Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon. Matt is the most interesting character for me in the book. None of the other characters felt particularly well-fleshed-out to me.


Some of the plot points were quite predictable, but there were a few interesting surprises along the way. I would have preferred everything to come out of left field, but this works too, I guess, especially since it's meant for a younger audience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Quick Fix is on October 1, 2012.


THE GOOD:

1. There aren't a lot of YA books with this style.
2. Matt has his funny moments.
3. There are some nice plot twists.

THE BAD:

1. Some parts can seem a little bit weird.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"Because nothing surprises you any more. You've forgotten how to believe in magic!"

READ IT IF:

1. You like mysteries.
2. You like sarcastic heroes.
3. You like books wherein you can just jump in to the series without having to read the previous books.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: The Icarus Project by Laura Quimby

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

More than anything, Maya wants to discover something incredible. Her parents are scientists: Her mother spends most of her time in tropical rainforests, uncovering ancient artifacts, and her dad is obsessed with digging up mammoths. When her father gets invited by an eccentric billionaire to lead a team investigating a mammoth's remains in the Arctic, Maya begs to come along. Upon her arrival at the isolated camp, the mammoth is quickly revealed to be a fake, but there is something hidden in the ice-something unbelievable. Along with a team of international experts, each with his or her own agenda and theory about the mystery in the ice, Maya learns more about this discovery, which will change her life forever.
Laura Quimby expertly mixes adventure, science, and wonder into a page-turning story perfect for middle-grade explorers.
Laura Quimby is the author of The Carnival of Lost Souls, which Booklist called "a nicely paced, clever mix of ghost story and sideshow spectacle." She holds a degree in English literature from Towson University in Maryland, where she lives with her family. Visit her online at www.lauraquimby.com.

MY TAKE:


I almost considered not finishing this book as the images at the bottom of the pages made my Bluefire Reader app ridiculously slow, and it took me twice as long to read it. However, the book was interesting enough to keep me going despite being frustrated immensely by the slow app.


In The Icarus Project, Maya and her father travel to the Arctic to unearth a mammoth only to find out that it was a hoax and they were actually recruited to recover something much more unusual.

From the cover art and the title, you can sort of guess what it is they actually find. The story and the premise is quite fascinating. However, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I was actually hoping for something along the lines of Percy Jackson, that is, something that has gods, goddesses and/or Greek heroes. Instead, I found a book that was more sci-fi than I expected.

On the other hand, the book is a great way for young kids to learn more about archaeology and what it's like  to be at a dig site. For that alone, this book is worth a read.

In terms of characters, I never really warmed up to Maya, but I did like the other characters, especially her best friend who seems like a cool girl, and definitely the kind of girl I would like to hang out with on a regular basis.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Icarus Project is on October 1, 2012.


THE GOOD:

1. The supporting characters are very interesting.
2. It's a good way for kids to learn about archaeology and dig sites.
3. It can appeal to boys and girls.

THE BAD:

1. If your kid isn't a fan of sci-fi, this might not be for them.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

A long buffet table was loaded down with grilled fish, piles of roasted potatoes and vegetables, bowls with wild rice, and an entire tray of chocolate cupcakes.

READ IT IF:

1. Your child is interested in archaeology or you would like him/her to be.
2. You like adventure books.
3. You like sci-fi books.

RATING: 



SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Squirrel Rescue by Jennifer Keats Curtis

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

A baby squirrel that has fallen out of his nest suddenly interrupts a spring game of catch. Knowing what to do, the two boys demonstrate how to handle the furry mammal properly and what to do when they find the squirrel's sibling. Placing them safely in a box, the two boys retreat to the house so as not to scare the mother away while she recovers her babies. Once again, Jennifer Keats Curtis combines an exciting animal encounter with an ordinary childhood event to create a fascinating, realistic story about wildlife rescue. Laura Jacques' extraordinary illustrations perfectly capture the thrill and excitement of the boys and the animals. Grades K to 4.
Jennifer Keats Curtis is the author of several well-known children's books, including Saving Squeak: The Otter Tale; Osprey Adventure; Turtles in My Sandbox; and Baby Owl's Rescue. Award-winning illustrator Laura Jacques' wildlife books for children include: For the Birds; The Life of Roger Tory Peterson; Baby Owl's Rescue; and Whistling Wings.

MY TAKE:

There aren't a lot of squirrels where I come from, but I still thought this book was pretty interesting.

In Squirrel Rescue, Matt and Andy interrupt their game of catch in order to rescue a small squirrel.

As this is meant for a young audience, it's a pretty straightforward book. There's not much in terms of plot twists. However, it's a very informative book, and children who are animal lovers will really like this, especially if they don't know much about rescuing squirrels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Schiffer Publishing, Ltd for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. It's very informative.
2. The illustrations and coloring are very pretty and look like watercolor paintings.
3. It's a somewhat new concept.

THE BAD:

1. There's not much other things going on in the book besides the rescue.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

The squirrel's face is so close to Andy's that he ca see short white, yellow, and brown hairs scattered across the animal's tiny, quivering face.

READ IT IF:

1. You are an animal lover.
2. Your child likes animals.
3. You want to teach your child how to properly rescue squirrels.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Uncontrollable by S.R. Johannes Winner!

The winner has already been contacted. Thanks to everyone who joined!

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Sure enough, a little squirrel is climbing up his leg.

Review: We're All Different but We're All Kitty Cats: First Day of School by Peter J. Goodman

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

“My name is Carlos and I have no fur,” the kitty cat announces on the first day of school. Using schoolroom situations that every child will recognize, author Peter Goodman creates a gaggle of feline classmates who show the way to respect and friendship for Carlos the hairless cat, who faces the challenge of being different. With the support of his mother and teacher, Carlos discovers something on the inside that makes him just as unique as he is on the outside.
Popping illustrations and expressive characters bring the tale of Carlos and his friends to life. The first in a series that brings adults and children together to discuss important social issues—this one is exceptionally relevant, given the current focus on anti-bullying efforts in schools—the book includes discussion prompts and fun facts to help parents facilitate engagement and learning at story time.
Children will be entertained as they come to realize, with Carlos and his schoolmates, what matters most: the thing we all have in common is that we are all different.

MY TAKE:
Bullying is a very important topic and it's good that recently, awareness has been raised about on TV, the radio, online and in books.

In We're All Different but We're All Kitty Cats, Carlos is a hairless cat who gets teased by his peers for being different.

Like humans, the cats in the book look very different from each other and have different personalities. They have very human hobbies too. It's easy to imagine the start of the book as a typical first day at a kindergarten. This is important as kids will be able to relate to this more, and see what bullying is and that they shouldn't do it.

I really liked the discussion questions and the cat trivia at the back. It will help adults when they discuss the book with kids.

I also like how words are emphasized by changing the font size. It gives the book more flair and makes it more fun.

The coloring reminds me of what you get when you use watercolor pencils. There are parts that look like colored pencils but the other parts look like it used watercolors.

Thanks to Cher Murphy PR for the copy.

THE GOOD:

1. The back part of the book contains discussion questions that parents and teachers can use when reading to kids.
2. It teaches kids about bullying.
3. The coloring is pretty.

THE BAD:

1. Some might not find Carlos and the other cats to be cute.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Sammy asked the class, "What kind of cake do mice eat?" No one answered. "Cheese-cake!"  

READ IT IF:

1. You want to teach your kid about bullying.
2. You like cats.
3. You are anti-bullying.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

FROM NETGALLEY:

Chicken Games & Puzzles by Patrick Merrell, Helene Hovanec
Change the World Before Bedtime by Mark Kimball Moulton, Josh Chalmers, and Karen Good
GUARDIAN ANGEL by William N. Sine, Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)

Review: Lucretia and the Kroons (Novella) by Victor LaValle

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

From one of the most acclaimed young writers of fiction in America today comes a fast-paced and fantastical novella about a young girl's journey into a dark netherworld to find her missing best friend. This eBook edition contains an exclusive excerpt from Victor LaValle's new novel The Devil in Silver, about which Gary Shteyngart raves, "Literary horror just found a new master."
Lucretia's best friend and upstairs neighbor Sunny-a sweet pitbull of a kid, even as she struggles with a mysterious illness-has gone missing. The only way to get her back is for Lucretia to climb the rickety fire escape of their Queens tenement and crawl through the window of apartment 6D, portal to a vast shadowland of missing kids ruled by a nightmarish family of mutants whose designs on the children are unknown. Her search for Sunny takes Lucretia through a dark fantasyland where she finds lush forests growing from concrete, pigeon-winged rodents, and haunted playgrounds. Her quest ultimately forces her to confront the most frightening specter of all: losing, forever, the thing you love the most.
Lucretia and the Kroons is a dazzlingly imaginative adventure story and a moving exploration of the power of friendship and the terror of loss. This all-new novella serves as the perfect companion piece to The Devil in Silver, a thrillingly suspenseful work of literary horror that continues the story of Lucretia.

Victor LaValle is the author of the short-story collection Slapboxing with Jesus and the novel The Ecstatic, a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award.

MY TAKE:

I'm not really sure what to make of this novella.

Lucretia and the Kroons is the story of Lucretia, a young girl whose best friend Sunny disappears and was most likely taken by the Kroons.

This book was a little bit more bizarre and creepy than the books I usually read. I wasn't really sure where the novella was heading. I would have preferred a different ending because the ending felt a little bit odd to me. I think it would have worked if the middle had a different ending or it would have led more seamlessly to the ending.

I wasn't really a fan of Lucretia, either, as she was too stubborn for my liking. I did like Sunny, however. She had this sweet, likable vibe that fits her sidekick role perfectly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It's creepy but not your typical horror novella.
2. The characters are mostly well-fleshed out.
3. It's a scary story for kids.

THE BAD:

1. The ending might not work for everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

It was the blue of a bright sky.

READ IT IF:

1. You like creepy books.
2. You like psych thrillers.
3. Your child likes scary books.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Blog Tour: Uncontrollable Interview and Giveaway

For this blog tour, we have an interview with S.R. Johannes, the author of Uncontrollable.

What was the hardest thing about writing this book?

The hardest thing was making sure it was just as pacy with surprises and twists while still have an underlying ecological conservation message. After Untraceable, I was worried I could not keep the pace. That pressure got scary sometimes.

Which of your characters can you relate to the most?

Gosh there is a piece of me in every character. I love Grace. How she is snarky and tough on the outside but a total softie on the inside. I’m a lot like that so I feel for her sometimes. Yet I am not impulsive at all. I plan everything to a T so that part is annoying. With Wyn, I know how it feels to be the person who loves someone who loves someone else and that sucks so I feel bad for him. I relate to the mom because I can’t imagine how she feels with everything that has happened to her family. So I could not pick one :) (I cheated!)

Which part of the book was the easiest to write?

I’m fairly good at action scenes. As a writer I struggle more with the quieter scenes of Grace in the woods or with her family.

Which actors would play the main characters in the movie version of the book?

Yikes I have no idea! I’ll say Robert Pattison just because he’s hot and Jennifer Lawrence because she rocked in Hunger Games (I know bad answer again!)

Which songs would be on the soundtrack of the movie version of the book?

Any future books in the works?

Does a duck’s quack echo :) (That’s a Grace quote) I have the other 2 novelettes in Suffocate series coming out by Christmas. And the 3rd Untraceable book comes out in March/April

ABOUT S.R. JOHANNES:

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes. Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.
S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for as Georgia Author of the Year (Young Adult).
After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

As Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program".

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is growing silk plants.

After a couple wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. When a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues.

Little does she know, she is being hunted too.

And possibly by more than one person.

GIVEAWAY: