Let's have a chat with...Kristin Walker!

Today, we have a wonderful debut author whose book releases today called A Match Made in High School. I really recommend reading it! You can find a review for it on my blog below this post.

1. You have a plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Ever since watching Under the Tuscan Sun, I've wanted to visit Positano (or anywhere on the Amalfi coast, for that matter). I even found a webcam streaming live from a hotel in Positano, looking over the town and out to sea. I like to watch it sometimes. What a dork I am.

2. What is your favorite citrus fruit?
For years, I have waited for someone to ask me this question, because my choice is not merely my favorite citrus fruit, but my favorite fruit of all. It is the humble lime -- the most underrated fruit on Earth. It works in sweet dishes. It works in savory dishes. Mexican to Thai, drinks to desserts, the lime does it all. It brightens a cosmopolitan and prevents scurvy. What's not to like? Lime lovers unite!

3. Tell us a random fact about a character in your book.
Fiona has a major fangirl crush on Jack White.

4. What was the last book you read? And review it in three words.
MY ÁNTONIA, by Willa Cather. Absorbing sensory adventure.

5. Are you a lefty or a righty?
Righty. But I can write backwards with my left hand. It's not pretty, though.

6. Why do you write? Do you write more at night or in the morning?
I write because I love it and I can do it while staying home with my kids. As for writing time, I take any I can get. Sometimes early morning, sometimes late night, sometimes marathon weekend sessions, sometimes on long car trips (not when I'm driving!). Whenever.


7. Where can we find you on the net?

http://www.kristin-walker.com/
http://twitter.com/kristin_walker
http://www.facebook.com/kristin.walker3
http://www.myspace.com/kristin_walker_writes
http://walkwrite.livejournal.com/
http://krisitn-walker.blogspot.com/
also at the Tenners:
http://community.livejournal.com/10_ers/


8. What next for you?
Apparently, I'm supposed to write more books, so I guess I'll do that. Wish me luck!

9. Any last words?
Just to say that this was fun! Thanks for having me here!

Thanks for the interview, Kristin!

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

Review: This was ridiculously HIGH-LARIOUS. There are just so many things going on in this book that make me want to laugh. Not bad, of course--but in the best possible way ever imagined. It was mostly unpredictable-- except for something that I am glad I figured out! (Hehe...) Fiona is such an entertaining character, along with all the others. Anyway--enough about the comical aspects of it, let's get to what really matters!

This book has a message.

Unlike many YA books out there, you can really see what it was meant for. There are little hints that weave the theme together. For me, the best thing about this book was it contained dynamic characters. They change for the better, and you just have to remember that first impressions aren't necessarily correct. Everything came together perfectly by the end of the book, and I can't stop saying this, but the debut authors this year are really UNBELIEVABLY INCREDIBLE IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

Get your butt out there, and read this for a whole segment of laughs, happiness, and deliciousness!

What I thought of...

The Beginning: From this point, I didn't really like some of the characters, Todd in particular but it changed later...

The Middle: I couldn't stop cracking up. All those jokes and pranks were hilarious.

The End: I liked how I could see change in a lot of the characters. I definitely liked the ending.

FTC: Received from publisher for OST

Bookified : Leah Cypess

Since Kim’s blog is all about books and reading, I thought I’d talk about some of my favorite books. There are several dozen of those, so I’m going to narrow it down to “books I have read at least five times.” That means there won’t be any recent publications on this list, since these days I barely have time to read all thegreat-sounding books out there even once! On the plus side, if anyone’s moved to read any of these books based on my recommendation,they’ll all probably be at your library without long hold lists attached to them.

1] The Belgariad and the Malloreon by David Eddings. Ten books encompassing a long, sprawling high fantasy epic about a humble farmboy with a hidden destiny, knights and sorcerers, feuding gods,and an epic battle between good and evil. And also lines like these:

"I like nice, simple situations and nice, easy solutions," said Belgarath.

"Good and Evil?" Durnik suggested.

"That's a difficult one, Durnik. I prefer 'them and us.' That clears away all
the excess baggage and allows you to get right down tocases."

I can recite entire scenes by heart and still laugh every time I read them. I love the sprawling high fantasy drama, of course, but what really makes these books stand out is the humor.

2] Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk. This book is a little controversial, because some critics think its central message is about women's abilities (or lack thereof); but to me, this is a book about growing up, about not being blinded by glamor, and about being careful to pick dreams that match your talents. Also, the most realistic bad-boy romance ever.

3] Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery. Anne of Green Gables gets all the attention – and admittedly, she was fabulous – but in my mind, she had nothing on Emily. First of all, Emily was a writer… I guess Idon’t have to explain why that appealed to me. Second of all, Emily had the Sight, making these books borderline fantasy (and really,really spooky at times). Third of all, as best friends go, Anne’s Diana has nothing on Emily’s Ilse. (The description of their first fight is one of the most slyly humorous things I have ever read.) To me, the appeal kind of filtered out by the third book of the “Emily”trilogy, especially with the introduction of a romantic interest thatI found a little sleazy. But the first one will always be one of my most-loved books ever.

About five more books have now popped into my mind, but I’ll leave them in my mind (where they have plenty of company) before I end up writing a dissertation and making Kim regret inviting me to do a guestpost. Thanks, Kim!

Thanks for stopping by, Leah! :D I really loved your book.

To check out my review of Mistwood by Leah Cypess, please click here. To learn more about Leah Cypess, please go to her official website.

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwod. But when she is needed she always comes. Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have. Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty--because without it, she may be his greatest threat. Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them. Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

Review: This was UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING AND BRILLIANT. I am at a loss of words at how it left me. I never knew what was coming, and all the characters were so well rounded that they left me yelling at the pages when every chapter ended although I would have liked the secondary characters explored a bit more.

I just HAD to find out what would happen next. Not reading it would be like an a drug addict quitting on drugs--bad comparison, but really, I couldn't stop reading. In all the pages, it packs suspense and mystery. It was rivetting going through everything Isabel went through throughout the book as she discovered herself.

I never expected to like it this much, not to mention love it. Even though toward the end it became a teensy bit predictable, I didn't really care. The plot is indeed amazing with subtle romance and a great big hunk of mystery.

Definitely appealing. I really recommend this to everyone! On the back of the book, it says "For fans of Kristin Cashore..." I could see how it was similar with a girl protecting a prince and all, but it is surely really, really special in its own way. I have been told not to compare books by completely different authors so I'll just shut up for now. Shift-shapers are now my favorite supernatural creatures!

What I thought of...

The Beginning: I was a bit confused--like Isabel--but I think that was how it was supposed to be.

The Middle: Lots of jaw-dropping and nonstop screaming (seriously!). There were so many things I did not expect. For one, WHY THE HECK WAS I YELLING AT FICTIONAL CHARACTERS? I had to take a few seconds to calm down. I was tweeting along while I read...and had a few people ask what on earth was I doing...hehe...

The End: I think this was what I should expected. It was a bit open, and I'm willing to beg for a continuation, but it fit the book.

This is another YA debut! :) Definitely going to buy it when it releases.

FTC: received from publisher to review.

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: "A serial killer on the loose. A girl with a morbid ability. And the boy who would never let anything happen to her. Violet Ambrose can find the dead. Or at least, those who have been murdered. She can sense the echoes they leave behind... and the imprints they leave on their killers. As if that weren't enough to deal with during junior year, she also has a sudden, inexplicable, and consuming crush on her best friend since childhood, Jay Heaton. Now a serial killer has begun terrorizing Violet's small town... and she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.


Review: If I could describe my experience reading this I would say:

I. Died. O_O

This book was intense, with its oozing suspense towards the end and the romance that was present throughout the book. I would have liked to see more about the serial killer though. Most of the book was about Jay and Violet's struggle about their feelings for each other, which is great, but it kind of put down the suspense a bit. But the characters were definitely created so perfectly--which is the bright side of it all! I love, love, love Jay and Violet.

Moving onto the suspense...The scary excerpts following the serial killer was creepy in the best way, sometimes even making my skin crawl. As more dead bodies are found, you can't NOT turn the page as fast as I did. I am amazed at the idea of a girl sensing dead bodies. I think that was what pulled me in. There was a whole lot of mystery, increasing my urge to just finish it already. Once you start it, you won't be able to drop the book. It's THAT good. This is another amazing YA debut.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: This was one of those rare books where a lot of background information in the beginning didn't make the book boring. I felt it NEEDED to be there.

The Middle: If you ask people I was talking to while reading this part, they'd tell you I wanted to slap a couple of people. Someone even told me I was weird for yelling at the characters. HOW CAN YOU NOT? GET ON WITH LOVING EACH OTHER ALREADY!! WOULD THEY END UP TOGETHER? Those were my thoughts...I know, I'm odd...

More dead bodies, and the parts with the killer just creeped me out so much because he didn't feel any remorse at all. O_O

The End: Never have I been so worried in my life that this could end badly. But it didn't. LOVED IT.

FTC: received from publisher for review.

Beautiful by Amy Reed

Beautiful by Amy Reed
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: When thirteen-year-old Cassie moves to a suburb of Seattle, she is determined to leave her boring, good-girl existence behind. She chooses some dangerous new friends and is quickly caught up in their fast-paced world of drugs, sex, secrets, and cruelty.

Cassie's new existence both thrills and terrifies her. She embraces the numbness she feels from the drugs, starts sleeping with an older boy, and gets pulled into a twisted friendship triangle that is tinged with violence and abuse. Cassie is trapped in a swift downward spiral, and there's no turning back.

Review: Beautiful was beautiful in its raw and intensifying way. Cassie is only 13 which throws me off a bit because of how out of control she is described in the synopsis. Seventh grade isn't too far if I travel down the road because I'm really just about 2 years older, and I do know it is the time when girls try to rediscover themselves. The way Cassie did anything she could in order to be liked shocked me. This book sucked me in from page 1. It was dark and had a disturbing edge. The writing was clear which made the story easier to comprehend. Just beautiful.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: We get a nice introduction, but Alex...oh Alex...how I want to kill her right then. Just when I started a couple of pages.

The Middle: The change Cassie goes through from page 1 to now was very disturbing--and yet captivating. (Really bizarre O_O)

The End: Wow. Just wow. O_O

FTC: Received for Other Shelf Tours

Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR
When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK
The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

Review: Angela Morrison has a way with words. I am amazed at the beauty of this wonderful story. As I reached the middle, I kind of guessed what the secret was, but I didn't want it to be true. Even though it came to be true, I still loved this story nonetheless. Normally, I don't like depressing books, but with this one, a light shines through the end with hope. Heartwrenching--that's what it was. There is a bright and tragic side to this beautiful story, and to find out what that tragedy is, you just have to read the book.

I love the author note at the end because it tells you why this story was told.

I didn't cry (but then again, I've only cried once for a book), but I know many others that have. If you are looking for a heartwrenching and divine story, look no further. This is it.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: It was sad seeing how everyone treated Beth. I adored the whole concept of the choir. However, I found the makeover of Beth to be a bit unrealistic.

The Middle: Finally know how the title of the book came to be. Possibly half of this segment is filled with happiness while the other delivers some truly depressing news. Look for the little hints.

The End: I should have seen it coming, but I didn't. It was realistically portrayed.

FTC: received ARC for Around the World Tours