I've read a lot of writer blog posts these past few days recapping things they learned in 2013 and sharing their hopes for 2014. Their stories have inspired me to write my own post. I guess mine is more of a writer evolution that encompasses more than 2013 but the majority of it does lie in this past year. So, here I go.
I have always loved to read. Always. If you've read my 'about me' link it will give you an idea of just how much. As a kid my dad built me a system of shelves in my room to hold all my books and every time the shelves looked about to break, my mom took me to the library or bookstore to donate all my books and get more. I read and re-read anything that would take me on an adventure.
Then high school came and with it AP English. I had to stop reading for pleasure and start reading for a grade. That was not fun. Not all the books were bad though and I discovered several of my favorite classics this way. Life became much more busy during this time and after school activities and friends filled my life. Before I knew it I was in college and reading so much stuff just to pass my classes that leisure reading didn't even sound interesting. College ended, I met my husband and we got married and pregnant and our daughter was born and suddenly I was too tired to do anything but breathe.
At some point during that first year of my daughter's life my dad told me about the Left Behind books he'd read and how he owned them all and he'd let me borrow them if I was interest. I thought, why not? I tore through 12 (I think that's how many there were) books in a couple of months. (My daughter was a baby and not doing much but sleeping and I was a bored stay-at-home mom and my husband worked all the time so I had plenty of time to read). Those books re-inspired my love of reading and when I was done I wanted more books to read. But I didn't know what kind of books I liked anymore so I didn't know where to start.
It was around this time that TWILIGHT came out. I remember visiting my sister and she WOULD NOT put the book down while I was there. She said I had to read it. Well, eventually I did. And that was where I found the genre I love. YA books! I tore through the Twilight saga and moved on to every YA book my sister recommended (she's a 7th grade English teacher so she has the 'in' on what's hot). I think I read about 400 YA books in jut under 4 years. I loved talking with my sister and dissecting everything I read right after I read it. At one point she said "you should write a book." And yes the fact that Stephenie Meyer was a stay-at-home mom did come into that conversation. The whole "if she can do it you can do it" was probably tossed around.
I thought about it and figured I'd give it a try. One day I sat down at my computer (a lovely Dell Inspiron with a flip screen that I still use!) and started brainstorming ideas. Most were sci-fi or fantasy and I started one or two WIPs before I lost steam and moved on or stopped altogether. Eventually I got the idea for my first completed MS--I AM CARAWAY. It took me about 4, maybe 6 months to write and edit it. Then I started researching my craft and realized I knew very little about writing and editing. I spent the next two years off and on learning and revising and polishing.
That brings me to January 2013. I was ready to enter the community of writing so I got on Twitter and Facebook and started this blog. In February I went to the Breathless Reads tour stop at Book People in Austin. There I saw Jessica Khoury, Marie Lu, Andrea Cremer and Brenna Yovanoff. I fangirled so hard that night! It was a blast and it cemented my belief that I had found my place in the world--with fellow writers and readers.
In April I sent out my first round of queries for CARAWAY...and promptly got my first round of rejections. In May I entered my MS in The Writer's Voice contest hosted by the lovely Brenda Drake, Cupid's Literary Connection, Monica Bustamante-Wagner, and Krista Van Dolzer. I got past the rafflecopter but no one picked me for their team ): But I did get a lot of support and encouragement from other participants and writers and it was a lot of fun. And each of the aforementioned ladies' websites and tweets and blogs have been invaluable to my growth as a writer. I really can't stress this enough--I owe these ladies a lot!
I kept querying through the summer and even started a new MS. Like many of my earlier stories, I lost steam on that MS too. This loss of momentum along with my mounting rejections on CARAWAY made me start to wonder if maybe this whole 'getting a book published' thing wasn't in the cards for me. I knew writing would stay a part of my life forever because I love telling stories and blogging and reviewing books but I wasn't so sure I would ever see a book of my own out there for others to read.
At late summer I got a lovely rejection from a sweet agent who was kind enough to tell me that while my writing was good, there just wasn't a market for my type of book. It was something I kind of already thought might be the case but I had held hope that faeries would be the next big thing, like vampires and werewolves. But I was wrong. Paranormal was on its way out unless it was GOOD. Same with fantasy. Well CARAWAY is a historical (a hard sell in YA) fantasy. Some might even say it's Paranormal because of the faeries. After 56 queries, 2 FR, 2 Partials and 14 CNR, I made the decision to shelve my much slaved over first MS and move on.
Summer started to draw to a close and since my youngest daughter was about to start Kindergarten, I decided it was time I go back to work. I started looking for a job and also started working on something that would have a better chance of getting me an agent: a realistic/contemporary. I began DEFENSIVE GUN in July and wrote like a crazy person. Two months later I was ready to query. Fast, I know. I pitched it on #Pitmad and got 6 favorites! I think I'd only had like 2 or 3 favorites when I pitched CARAWAY for #Pitchmas in July (a last ditch effort since I'd pretty much already said goodbye to that MS). I was thrilled at the interest in DEFENSIVE GUN and immediately sent out my queries to those agents who'd favorited my pitch as well as a few other agents.
In the meantime my husband and I decided we wanted a bigger house. We put in an offer on one in our neighborhood because we love it here but the owner wouldn't budge on his ridiculously high asking price. We decided to move on from that house and have a house built (we signed the papers to start the process on my birthday--not a fun way to celebrate, BTW). Life immediately got crazy after that with Thanksgiving and Christmas. And the waiting game on hearing back from agents continued. But I did finally get two interviews for jobs so that was exciting...and scary. Pretty soon it's going to be no more full time mommy for me!
I've had a lot of interest in DEFENSIVE GUN and even several R&Rs. I won't go much further into detail since I am still in the process with this one. The agent feedback I've been lucky to receive as well as feedback from CPs (side note: How About We CP is a wonderful resource if you're looking for a critique partner) helped me realize that DEFENSIVE GUN wasn't as good as it could be. I underwent A LOT of revisions and I think I am finally at a place where the story is at its best. I hope, anyway. But alas that's the life of a writer for ya--lot's of self doubt!
That brings me to the new year!! I don't ever make resolutions but I do have some hopes for this year. I hope this move into our new home happens smoothly and is easy on our kids. I don't handle change in my life well so I'm a bit anxious. I hope I find a job that I enjoy and I hope I can manage working and writing and being a mom and a wife at the same time. I don't want my writing to fall last because most days I think it's the only thing that keeps me sane. And the big one: I hope I get an agent! If not with DEFENSIVE GUN than with another MS...which I need to get started on writing (:
The past year has been amazing. I have wonderful friends and family who support me and make me laugh. My kids are awesome and surprise me and make me smile every day. I hope my love of reading spreads to them and I hope they read the things I write one day and are proud of mommy. The writing community is wonderful and I feel so blessed to be a small part of it. I know fear and envy and self doubt will always be with me. And from reading other writer's blogs, I've learned that it never really goes away. Just getting an agent or getting your book published and sold doesn't guarantee you happiness or another book sold, or a carefree, fulfilled, and rich life.
But I still think it would be pretty cool!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my very lengthy post! I hope your 2013 was wonderful and your 2014 is even better. Feel free to comment below, check out my other posts, see my Goodreads page, and follow me on Twitter (@christiemurillo).
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Personal Update
Hey readers! The holiday season is in full swing and I don't know about you but I have been busy! I think life got crazy for us back in early October and hasn't let up since. It was around that time that my husband and I decided we were ready for a bigger house. We tried to buy a house in our neighborhood (which I love) but the seller was asking too much and not accepting any lower offers. I was bummed because I really wanted the house but then my husband said "Why don't we build?" and I said, "Okay. Why not?" On my birthday, October 16th, we started the paperwork to build our new home. And ever since then life has been insane!
As for my writing well let's see. DEFENSIVE GUN did pretty well with agents. I got 1 PR and 7 FR, three of which led to R&Rs and two I am still waiting to hear about. I really liked the agent notes on those R&Rs and have been incorporating the changes into my MS for the past month or so. I think DEFENSIVE GUN is much better and I can't wait until it's perfect and I can resubmit and start querying again! I've come into four amazing critique partners over the past few months as well and their input has been invaluable. All in all, my writing is getting stronger and I am optimistic that this MS will be the one. And if not? Well, that's ok because I have some ideas brewing that I am really excited about too!
As for reading books....well, things have been a lot slower on that front than I am used to. I re-read the Hunger Games series because, why not? I LOVE those books and Collins' writing inspires me. I've been doing a lot of reading for my critique partners and have started a bunch of popular YA books from my TBR pile but I haven't finished any of them. I've also picked up several books I thought looked good only to realize I'd already read them!! I guess when you read about 3 books a month for over 4 years that's bound to happen, right?
So that about catches you up! Hope all is going well for you, my reader. Keep reading, keep writing and have a happy holiday season!
As for my writing well let's see. DEFENSIVE GUN did pretty well with agents. I got 1 PR and 7 FR, three of which led to R&Rs and two I am still waiting to hear about. I really liked the agent notes on those R&Rs and have been incorporating the changes into my MS for the past month or so. I think DEFENSIVE GUN is much better and I can't wait until it's perfect and I can resubmit and start querying again! I've come into four amazing critique partners over the past few months as well and their input has been invaluable. All in all, my writing is getting stronger and I am optimistic that this MS will be the one. And if not? Well, that's ok because I have some ideas brewing that I am really excited about too!
As for reading books....well, things have been a lot slower on that front than I am used to. I re-read the Hunger Games series because, why not? I LOVE those books and Collins' writing inspires me. I've been doing a lot of reading for my critique partners and have started a bunch of popular YA books from my TBR pile but I haven't finished any of them. I've also picked up several books I thought looked good only to realize I'd already read them!! I guess when you read about 3 books a month for over 4 years that's bound to happen, right?
So that about catches you up! Hope all is going well for you, my reader. Keep reading, keep writing and have a happy holiday season!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Book Review: The Divergent Series: Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant
*dusts of blog*
Hey there readers! Today's book review is on a series I love (and it's also a NYT best selling series that's getting made into a movie!)
I first started this series back in 2011 when book 1, DIVERGENT, was released. I can't remember if my sister suggested I read it or if I saw an early review of it on EW's Shelf Life but for whatever reason I decided to give it a go. I was hooked from the first sentence. Veronica Roth immediately takes readers into this dystopian world with her opening scene of our MC Beatrice looking into a mirror and getting her hair cut (something she's only allowed to do once a year). Right away I was interested. Why does Beatrice never get to look in a mirror? Why does she only get to do it once a year when she gets a hair cut? Those questions led me to keep reading and now, two years later, here I am having just finished ALLEGIANT and having SO MANY EMOTIONS! There's an indescribable feeling you get when you stick with a series and read each book as it's released. Two years is a long time to invest and when the payoff is as great as it is with the DIVERGENT series, it's well worth it.
Beatrice is a remarkably relatable character whose arc over the three books is tremendous. She starts out as a regular girl who wants to please her parents but recognizes something in herself that wants more. In a very brave move for such a restricting world, she goes against what's expected of her and makes a decision that shapes the rest of her life. The world of DIVERGENT is expertly written and described with vivid imagery and realistic dialogue and relationships. Secondary character leave a lasting impact as well as drive the plot forward. The romantic relationship between Beatrice (Tris) and Tobias (Four) is one that feels real and sweet. It never tries to be more than it should and it always stays true to the type of romance that fits the world the characters live in as well as the situations they are put in.
Let me tell you a little bit about that world and those situations...
Where Tris lives is in a city that is divided into five factions: dauntless, candor, abnegation, amity, and erudite. Each faction represents a specific virtue--bravery, honesty, selflessness, peacefulness, and intelligence. Each child is raised in their parent's faction (you marry within a faction) but on their sixteenth birthday, the child takes a test that determines which faction best suites them. The child can either choose that faction or stick with the one they were raised in. Tris and her brother both leave their parent's faction with Tris choosing dauntless and Caleb choosing erudite. But Tris quickly learns a secret about herself--she's divergent, meaning she actually falls into more than one faction. The system considers divergents dangerous and has been killing them for years. Tris's discovery of this sets the stage for everything that follows in each book. Since divergents are somewhat easy to spot, Tris has to try extra hard to not only survive being a dauntless but also to hide her secret. Meanwhile, the leaders of the society are doing all they can to keep the faction system running smoothly while flushing out the divergents, something that causes tension and fear in a world where so many people won't stand up to authority. Tris and Four get caught up rebellion after rebellion where they loose people they love, are betrayed by people they thought they could trust, and are tested by those they are supposed to follow. In the end, Tris and Four learn why their society is the way it is and how it came to exist. And just when they think they are finally free of all the things and people that have tried to destroy them, one final decision made by Tris will change everything.
**I can't recommend this series enough! Add these books to you to-read list immediately and get prepared for the first movie to arrive in theaters next year. I, for one, can't wait!1
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey there readers! Today's book review is on a series I love (and it's also a NYT best selling series that's getting made into a movie!)
I first started this series back in 2011 when book 1, DIVERGENT, was released. I can't remember if my sister suggested I read it or if I saw an early review of it on EW's Shelf Life but for whatever reason I decided to give it a go. I was hooked from the first sentence. Veronica Roth immediately takes readers into this dystopian world with her opening scene of our MC Beatrice looking into a mirror and getting her hair cut (something she's only allowed to do once a year). Right away I was interested. Why does Beatrice never get to look in a mirror? Why does she only get to do it once a year when she gets a hair cut? Those questions led me to keep reading and now, two years later, here I am having just finished ALLEGIANT and having SO MANY EMOTIONS! There's an indescribable feeling you get when you stick with a series and read each book as it's released. Two years is a long time to invest and when the payoff is as great as it is with the DIVERGENT series, it's well worth it.
Beatrice is a remarkably relatable character whose arc over the three books is tremendous. She starts out as a regular girl who wants to please her parents but recognizes something in herself that wants more. In a very brave move for such a restricting world, she goes against what's expected of her and makes a decision that shapes the rest of her life. The world of DIVERGENT is expertly written and described with vivid imagery and realistic dialogue and relationships. Secondary character leave a lasting impact as well as drive the plot forward. The romantic relationship between Beatrice (Tris) and Tobias (Four) is one that feels real and sweet. It never tries to be more than it should and it always stays true to the type of romance that fits the world the characters live in as well as the situations they are put in.
Let me tell you a little bit about that world and those situations...
Where Tris lives is in a city that is divided into five factions: dauntless, candor, abnegation, amity, and erudite. Each faction represents a specific virtue--bravery, honesty, selflessness, peacefulness, and intelligence. Each child is raised in their parent's faction (you marry within a faction) but on their sixteenth birthday, the child takes a test that determines which faction best suites them. The child can either choose that faction or stick with the one they were raised in. Tris and her brother both leave their parent's faction with Tris choosing dauntless and Caleb choosing erudite. But Tris quickly learns a secret about herself--she's divergent, meaning she actually falls into more than one faction. The system considers divergents dangerous and has been killing them for years. Tris's discovery of this sets the stage for everything that follows in each book. Since divergents are somewhat easy to spot, Tris has to try extra hard to not only survive being a dauntless but also to hide her secret. Meanwhile, the leaders of the society are doing all they can to keep the faction system running smoothly while flushing out the divergents, something that causes tension and fear in a world where so many people won't stand up to authority. Tris and Four get caught up rebellion after rebellion where they loose people they love, are betrayed by people they thought they could trust, and are tested by those they are supposed to follow. In the end, Tris and Four learn why their society is the way it is and how it came to exist. And just when they think they are finally free of all the things and people that have tried to destroy them, one final decision made by Tris will change everything.
**I can't recommend this series enough! Add these books to you to-read list immediately and get prepared for the first movie to arrive in theaters next year. I, for one, can't wait!1
Thanks for stopping by!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Writing Tips: Critique Partners
Hey there readers! Life, as usual, is crazy in Casa Murillo and my blog has once again suffered for it. But I had a pretty interesting topic in mind for today that I wanted to write about so let's dive in!
Recently I posted an "ad," if you will, on the website howaboutwecp. This website is dedicated to making matches for writers in need of critique partners. I didn't hear anything back for a while and then this past weekend I received two emails asking if I was still interested in doing this. I was and I was thrilled!
Let me just start by saying that when I posted that ad, I was soooooo nervous. I'd never critiqued anyone else's work before and never had anyone other than my sister read my own stories. Yes you read that right. Not even my husband has read my MSs! (he's not a reader AT ALL so I can't really trust his judgement anyway. But he WILL read them if/when I get published (; ).
As someone who researches EVERY aspect of writing and publishing, I know having critique partners is not only necessary but also invaluable to the creative and editing process. I was never against having critique partners but I was scared of putting myself out there. What if my writing sucked? For some reason it was just easier for me to edit to the best of my ability and send out queries. I standard 'no' from an agent was safer than detailed feedback from a critique partner. But then those 'nos' kept coming and eventually I wanted to know WHY?! What was I doing wrong?! Well, that's where those critique partners will come in handy. So after shelving my first MS (I'd had some interest but ultimately the market is too saturated with books with paranormal creatures and mine has faeries) I wrote another book, put my info up on howaboutwecp, and sent out my first batch of queries on my new MS. I've had some interest which is great but I really want this book to be 'the one' so I couldn't be happier that I now have two critique partners who can help me make this story the best it can be.
My first critique partner sent her first chapter over this past weekend and I critiqued it and sent it back yesterday. I was nervous about this aspect of the story swapping process since I don't consider myself an expert on writing. But I do read A LOT so I ended up having more insight than I thought. Plus, I've always been pretty good at editing and with the added research and practice in editing I've gotten in my own writing endeavors, I was able to offer up a lot of tips in that area that were hopefully helpful. I really like her WIP and hope she lets me read some more (: And I'm excited to hear back from her and see what she thinks about my chapters too. My other new critique partner and I are going to be swapping MSs pretty soon as well and I can't tell you how excited I am for that!
Thanks for stopping by. Once this process really gets underway for me I will update you on how my critique partners and I are faring. See you soon!!
For me, writing is very personal. I often compare the feeling of talking about my stories and sharing them with others to what I imagine it would feel like to talk to strangers naked. I know, that's extreme, but letting someone inside your head is deeply intimate for me. It's something I know I need to overcome if I ever want to be a published author.
Recently I posted an "ad," if you will, on the website howaboutwecp. This website is dedicated to making matches for writers in need of critique partners. I didn't hear anything back for a while and then this past weekend I received two emails asking if I was still interested in doing this. I was and I was thrilled!
Let me just start by saying that when I posted that ad, I was soooooo nervous. I'd never critiqued anyone else's work before and never had anyone other than my sister read my own stories. Yes you read that right. Not even my husband has read my MSs! (he's not a reader AT ALL so I can't really trust his judgement anyway. But he WILL read them if/when I get published (; ).
As someone who researches EVERY aspect of writing and publishing, I know having critique partners is not only necessary but also invaluable to the creative and editing process. I was never against having critique partners but I was scared of putting myself out there. What if my writing sucked? For some reason it was just easier for me to edit to the best of my ability and send out queries. I standard 'no' from an agent was safer than detailed feedback from a critique partner. But then those 'nos' kept coming and eventually I wanted to know WHY?! What was I doing wrong?! Well, that's where those critique partners will come in handy. So after shelving my first MS (I'd had some interest but ultimately the market is too saturated with books with paranormal creatures and mine has faeries) I wrote another book, put my info up on howaboutwecp, and sent out my first batch of queries on my new MS. I've had some interest which is great but I really want this book to be 'the one' so I couldn't be happier that I now have two critique partners who can help me make this story the best it can be.
My first critique partner sent her first chapter over this past weekend and I critiqued it and sent it back yesterday. I was nervous about this aspect of the story swapping process since I don't consider myself an expert on writing. But I do read A LOT so I ended up having more insight than I thought. Plus, I've always been pretty good at editing and with the added research and practice in editing I've gotten in my own writing endeavors, I was able to offer up a lot of tips in that area that were hopefully helpful. I really like her WIP and hope she lets me read some more (: And I'm excited to hear back from her and see what she thinks about my chapters too. My other new critique partner and I are going to be swapping MSs pretty soon as well and I can't tell you how excited I am for that!
Thanks for stopping by. Once this process really gets underway for me I will update you on how my critique partners and I are faring. See you soon!!
For me, writing is very personal. I often compare the feeling of talking about my stories and sharing them with others to what I imagine it would feel like to talk to strangers naked. I know, that's extreme, but letting someone inside your head is deeply intimate for me. It's something I know I need to overcome if I ever want to be a published author.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
New Book Releases
Hi all! It's been a while, I know. Things at Casa Murillo have been crazy with the kiddos well into school, me polishing and querying my second novel AND looking for a part-time job, and my hubs and I trying to decide if we want to move. As a result, my blog has suffered and for that I am sorry ): Anywho, here is a list of some YA books just released that you might enjoy.
Unbreakable (The Legion) by Kami Garcia
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12371862-unbreakable?from_search=true
Paranormal YA
Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles) by Lauren DeStefano
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17339241-perfect-ruin?from_search=true
YA Fantasy
Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17297488-man-made-boy?from_search=true
YA retelling
*I saw Jon at the Austin Teen Book Festival and he was super cool! Definitely a boy book I would read!
Fault Line by Christa Desir
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13482832-fault-line?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
*I read an interview about this book and how it's about a girl who is sexually assaulted at a party. It's told from her boyfriend's perspective as he watches her spiral downward. Seems like a powerful story! And half the proceeds of book sales go to Voices and Faces Survivor Testimonial Workshop (how awesome is that?!)
The Enchanter Heir (The Heir Chronicles #4) by Cinda Williams Chima
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9409614-the-enchanter-heir?from_search=true
YA Fantasy
*I saw Cinda at Austin Teen Book Festival and she was sooo funny! My sister has read these books and highly recommends them!
Premeditated by Josin L. Mcquein
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13446537-premeditated?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
Just One Year (Just One Day #2) by Gayle Forman
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12842134-just-one-year?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
Bang (Visions #2) by Lisa McMann
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17039870-bang?from_search=true
Paranormal YA
*I saw Lisa at Austin Teen Book Festival and she was highly entertaining and very personable. I've read almost all of her books.
Whew! That's all for now. As always, this is not a comprehensive list of newly released books, just the ones I will probably read and thought you might enjoy. Feel free to comment below and let me know if you've read any of these and what you think (:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12371862-unbreakable?from_search=true
Paranormal YA
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17339241-perfect-ruin?from_search=true
YA Fantasy
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17297488-man-made-boy?from_search=true
YA retelling
*I saw Jon at the Austin Teen Book Festival and he was super cool! Definitely a boy book I would read!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13482832-fault-line?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
*I read an interview about this book and how it's about a girl who is sexually assaulted at a party. It's told from her boyfriend's perspective as he watches her spiral downward. Seems like a powerful story! And half the proceeds of book sales go to Voices and Faces Survivor Testimonial Workshop (how awesome is that?!)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9409614-the-enchanter-heir?from_search=true
YA Fantasy
*I saw Cinda at Austin Teen Book Festival and she was sooo funny! My sister has read these books and highly recommends them!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13446537-premeditated?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12842134-just-one-year?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17039870-bang?from_search=true
Paranormal YA
*I saw Lisa at Austin Teen Book Festival and she was highly entertaining and very personable. I've read almost all of her books.
Whew! That's all for now. As always, this is not a comprehensive list of newly released books, just the ones I will probably read and thought you might enjoy. Feel free to comment below and let me know if you've read any of these and what you think (:
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Book Review: Girl, Stolen by April Henry
Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of her stepmom's SUV when something terrible happens--the car gets stolen. Legally blind and sick with pneumonia, Cheyenne begs the thief to just let her go. But Griffin can't do that. He needs to get a way quick and he can't risk letting this girl tell the cops anything that might identify him. Griffin takes Cheyenne to his house where his dad runs a chop shop with two other thugs. All Griffin wanted to do was impress his dad but now he's done the opposite. That is until they turn on the TV and see just who Cheyenne is. Her dad is the president of Nike. Now Griffin's dad wants to ransom her for a million dollars. As Griffin keeps Cheyenne safe and slowly gets to know her, he decides he wants to help her get away. But Cheyenne doesn't need his help--she manages to escape on her own. But can she get to safety before Griffin's dad and the other two thugs find her? And what will happen to Griffin? Will these two unlikely allies ever be able to have a normal life again?
**I love a good, short read that's high on emotion and pace. From the start of this story, that's exactly what I got. Cheyenne's voice was authentic and her fear was real. The drama kept me turning the pages and I really felt bad for the position both Griffin and Cheyenne were in. I liked how Cheyenne stayed strong and always looked out for herself first. Her blindness and sickness were well described and added an intensity to the story without taking anything away. The ending was hopeful which matched well with the overall tone. GIRL, STOLEN is a quick, intense read I fully recommend.
Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to comment below.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
New Book Releases
Some exciting stuff this week! As always, Goodreads links and genre/category follow. Remember, this is not a complete list--just some of the ones I thought sounded interesting. Check them out:
3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15836516-3?from_search=true
YA Paranormal
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17347389-the-dream-thieves?from_search=true
YA Paranormal
Once We Were (The Hybrid Chronicles #2) by Kat Zhang
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16109664-once-we-were?from_search=true
YA Sci-Fi
Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286807-dead-girls-don-t-lie?from_search=true
YA Mystery
Frozen (Heart of Dread #1) by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15850937-frozen?from_search=true
YA Sci-Fi
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15777621-this-song-will-save-your-life?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17332270-tumble-fall?from_search=true
YA Contemporary Romance
Some great choices, huh? I personally am excited for The Dream Thieves because I absolutely adore Maggie Stiefvater's writing and I loved the first book in this series, The Raven Boys.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think below (:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15836516-3?from_search=true
YA Paranormal
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17347389-the-dream-thieves?from_search=true
YA Paranormal
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16109664-once-we-were?from_search=true
YA Sci-Fi
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286807-dead-girls-don-t-lie?from_search=true
YA Mystery
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15850937-frozen?from_search=true
YA Sci-Fi
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15777621-this-song-will-save-your-life?from_search=true
Contemporary YA
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17332270-tumble-fall?from_search=true
YA Contemporary Romance
Some great choices, huh? I personally am excited for The Dream Thieves because I absolutely adore Maggie Stiefvater's writing and I loved the first book in this series, The Raven Boys.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think below (:
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