Thursday, May 30, 2013

Day 3 Armchair BEA: Literary Fiction

Hi, today is the third day of Armchair BEA!

Design credit belongs to Nina from Nina Reads!

Today's book discussion is on literary fiction. This type of book is simply any book that has substantial meaning beyond what the book's plot reveals on the surface.

I find profound meaning in every book that I read. For instance, the genre fiction book Cross My Heart, Hope To Die by Sara Shepard teaches the impossibility to control what occurs in life. Instead, people should control how how they handle problems. 

Two works of literature that enlightened me are Towards Zero by Agatha Christie and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Toward Zero provides the understanding that people in events are more than plot devices. They are real people with feelings, flaws, reasoning and stories. It also shares the importance of not judging people base on their exterior actions and appearance. The Kite Runner amplifies the impossibility to change the past and the difficult path towards rightful redemption.  


Thanks for reading! 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Armchair BEA: Day 2- Blogger Development and Fiction

Hi! First, thanks to everyone who visited my blog yesterday!


Today's event for Armchair BEA is to discuss our development as a blogger and the genre fiction.

Blogger Development: 

My blogging experiences has changed me. I started this blog simply to pass time and it has grown into something I love; as something that makes me smile everyday. Although I am busy with other responsibilities, I enjoy blogging during my free time. My reasons to blog are varied: loving the community, the bloggers the met and the authors I interacted with. I also enjoy expressing my feelings about books, so others can discover new stories.  I hope to spend this summer blogging and enjoying my last summer before college. I hope to finally create a header for my blog - particularly with graphic designing. If anyone knows how to do this, feel free to email me. 

I hope to have posts that are not just reviews. I want to make a post like What Makes A Series Too Long and a post on Remember the Animals where I discuss my favorite animal characters in literature. 

My dream is to pursue a career as a publisher, editor or literary agent. Manuscripts intrigue me and I want to help authors through the process of drafting books. I hope my enjoyment of writing reviews on this blog will help me accomplish that goal. 

Mostly I want to make sure that I keep in touch with the bloggers I met in the last year and continue being their friends, and keep reading and commenting on their blogs. I also hope to make other blogging friends. 

This weekend, with some of my high school friends, I created my own bucket list for the future. This is mine:

1. Go to Australia.
2. Write the music and lyrics of a song.
3. Go to Israel. 
4. Help someone overcome a fear.
5. Go snorkeling.
6. Write a book that I am proud of. 
7. Be a beta reader for a writer I love.
8. Cook a delicious meal.
9. Light a candle all by myself, to no longer fear being burned. 

Fiction:

I like any paranormal creature but zombies. My favorite paranormal books are about people with special powers such as reading minds, moving objects with their minds, and flying. I also like ghosts and vampires. Recently, my family and I have been packing up our books because we are moving and my sister joked about how all my books feature a vampire related name. That's not true, but many, not all, of my books have vampires.    

The book that will always stand out to me for this genre is Hidden Talents by David Lubar. You can read my review for this amazing story here.   

Thanks for reading!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Armchair BEA Introduction Post and Classics!

Hello Everyone!

Design credit belongs to Nina from Nina Reads!

I am thrilled to participate in Armchair BEA for the second time this year! 
Today's post include an introduction and a discussion on Classics! 

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 

I am an eighteen year old book blogger who recently finished high school. I enjoy acting, reading, watching movies and traveling. Since January 16th, 2012, I have been happily blogging. I started blogging because I wanted to do something to distract me between the waiting period before books' release dates. 
  
2. Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you. 

My favorite cereal is Captain Crunch! Many already know, but one of my passions, besides books, is theater. Everything about theater, acting, singing, watching shows, preparing for shows, performance nights and drama picnics. 

3. What are you currently reading, and what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013? 

Currently I am reading Toward Zero by Agatha Christie (paperback!) and Forever Me by Thomas Amo (electronically). My favorite book? Hmm, my favorite story so far this year is a novella, Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer. For a full-length book? A Corner of White by Jacklyn Moriarty. 

4. If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why? 

Cammie Morgan from Gallagher Girls series so I can learn about her spying life, not taking, "Its confidential" for an answer.

5. Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. 

I am blogging from Maryland!!!!!!!! Maryland is an awesome state. Its a melting plot of many cultures. Though it can get very humid, the scenery is beautiful full of trees and flowers, and dogs walking.
A restaurant you have to check out if you ever visit is Il Pizzico. It is my favorite restaurant that has the best olive spread with scrumptious bread and the most delicious cannoli ever! 
An author who lives in Maryland is Brigid Kemmerer, and she is the sweetest and her books rock! 


Classics!

I am more of a recent classic person. I view classics as influential books that left a intellectual mark.
  1. Anything by Agatha Christie. Especially The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
  2. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut 
  3. 1984 by George Orwell
  4. Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens 
  5. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier 

Thanks for reading!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Blog Tour: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer Review!


Hello Everyone!

Today I am enthusiastic to participate in the blog tour for Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer!
 I shall be sharing my review, the action-packed first chapter and an important poll.
This tour was organized by Wendy at The Midnight Garden
The introduction post can be found here! There is the list of all the review stops, the interviews and excerpt stops!

The wonderful Elemental Virgin Button!

Become excited with Spirit's first chapter!

Just Click Here!


Become ecstatic with reading the first novella of the series, Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer, featuring Michael and Emily.


Here is the link.

The promo code is VCARD and you can use this code till May 31st. 



Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Publication Date: May 28th, 2013
Publisher: Kennsington Publishing 
Source: Netgalley from publisher. (Thanks!)
Rating: 4/5 STARS FOR AMAZEMENT 
Add To Goodreads!

My review

Spirit and I did not start out the right way. By “the right way” I mean I started it longing for Nick/Quinn’s book (Secret!) and that one is after Spirit, coming out in January. I still felt the want the latest time I re-read Spirit, two days ago, when I wondered what Nick and Quinn (and Adam) were up to when Hunter could spot Layne, Gabriel, Simon, Becca and Chris in a scene, and Nick and Quinn were elsewhere. Hmm, were they meeting up with Adam?

Anyways, eventually, I grew to appreciate Spirit. It is a work of quality. The writing is amazing. There are so many characters that I love for many different reasons. The quick nod to Nick and Quinn’s friendship was superb. The plot is full of shocking surprises. There is a profound depth of understanding and portraying true teenagers.

Spirit is the third book in a currently five book series about the four Merrick brothers and a fifth boy who is related to them through friendship, bad first-intentions and the power of full element control. All five boys can control the elements. The oldest brother, Michael, controls earth and has a humongous burden on his shoulders to lead his brothers because their parent’s died years prior due to a fire. There is Gabriel, the headstrong one, who can control fire. Layne is Gabriel’s studious girlfriend and Simon is her brother. Gabriel’s twin Nick, who has a hidden fire I love and is my favorite brother, who can control air. The youngest, Chris, can control water. Becca is his girlfriend and she can control all five elements (Air, Earth, Fire, Water and Spirit). 

Hunter is the protagonist of Spirit. His father and uncle are Guides. Guides are people who can control all five elements. Guides have a mission to kill any full element, meaning any person who has a complete and powerful control of an element. Before the series began, Hunter’s father and uncle were died by natural event and Hunter blames himself for their death because he begged to come on his father’s job trip to confront the Merricks, leading to the delayed traveling time, causing his father’s and uncle’s death. 

Why did I rate this book Four Stars of Amazement?

Amazement for a poignant scene! There is a splendid scene in Spirit between Hunter, his mother and his grandfather. I adore the gun imagery throughout the scene, including “His grandfather’s eyes were like steel, solid and unwavering.” Pg. 46 of my ARC. This scene left me amazed. It was sad. It was real. It was just indescribably one of the best scenes I ever read.

Amazement for Michael! He is so influential to everyone in this series! Michael’s a character who can do anything he sets his mind to. He knows how the world works and provides advice freely and attentively. I was completely amazed at the connection Michael and Hunter formed in this book. Michael is someone who is completely trustworthy. I just wished Hunter realized that through the book. 

Amazement for the book’s surprises! The revelations told on Kate’s history. What happened to a certain character. This book is the first book the Elemental series that left me shocked by the secrets that were revealed. I love them all, but I never was surprised before and I am thankful for the glee I felt becoming surprised while reading Spirit.

Amazement for all the characters! I love the brotherly aggression between Hunter and Gabriel. Every Nick scene made me smile. I am ecstatic that he had so many good scenes. I love the dramatic irony of Hunter being jealous of the Nick and Kate talking. Kate is so funny; I love her starey faces o_o

Hunter’s flaw of never trusting anyone was aggravating at times, but all his seclusion, all his anger made sense after everything he gone through. His lost of his father and uncle, and a gained a sadden mother and uncaring grandparents. Hunter is a tense boy, full of emotion. It is easy to care about him and wish he just realize that life does not need to be a solo journey. 

“The next day…”

Spirit was an amazing story. I admired how wonderfully it was written, the amazing characters, the lovely surprises, the action sequences, the remarks of dog actions (Go Casper!) and the sense of family.

I hope you take a chance on the Elemental series. It is a series you do not, I repeat, do not want to miss out on.

“You are brothers.”

My Past Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer Mentions:

Storm Review- Casper at his finest!
Element Discussion Post- Air, why can’t I control you?
Spark Review- How could I have once strongly disliked Gabriel?
Breathless Review and Author Interview- As scrumptious as a hot fudge ice cream sundae!

Sidenote-
Thanks again Wendy for allowing me to be a review stop on this tour.
Remember that all quotes are subject to change in the final published version of Spirit.
“The next day, you are brothers.” is my favorite line from Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer. It is on page 299 of my ARC

Now check out all the stops of the Spirit blog tour and buy Spirit tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!

Also, here's a poll where you can vote for the boy you want Brigid to write a short story about! 



Friday, May 24, 2013

ARC Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Hello Everyone!



Dare To You by Katie McGarry
Publication Date: May 28th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen 
Source: Netgalley from Publisher (Thanks!)
Rating: 3.75 INTENSE STARS
Add To Goodreads!

My Review

After reading a wonderful encouraging review by Rachel at the Reader’s Den, I decided that I will try this book. I’m glad I did. It was an entertaining story full of many layers.

The Good:

This book is intense. 

The Bad:

This book is a predictable in its hate to love story and its finale for the writing competition subplot.

The Weary:

It took awhile for me to become excited by the story. After page, 95, I started enjoying the story. That’s when my feelings towards the story started turned from indifference during an insipid meal to enjoyment during eating delicious pasta. The hungered for amusement ended! I have no idea why I did not enjoy the book till that point, just resulted from personal feelings. Also, I felt it could be shorter because, occasionally, there was times I just felt like skipping segments because of their redundancy.  

The Wonderful:

McGarry sure knows how to create wonderful characters.

The two narrators Ryan and Beth are on the opposite ends of the lifestyle spectrum. Throughout the story they embark on a journey that makes them both stronger characters as they learn from each other. They both learn the imperfections that fill everyone’s lives. I love how the writing weaves the great heights the characters changed throughout the book. 

Ryan “Arrogant Taco Bell Boy” (McGarry 81) Stone is a rich kid, a jock and has amazing friends. In the beginning I find a boy just wanting to win a dare and to become a successful baseball player. He is rightfully sullen while dealing with his family’s private issues and sadness over his beloved brother’s abandonment. Ryan becomes admirable. He becomes a man who is in love, who wants to be more then just a pitcher, who learns the joy of writing and does not care so much about winning dares. I love the writing subplot dealing as the zombie story Ryan writes reflects his own inner feelings.

Beth lives life on the edge. A horrid man abuses her mother. Her father left her in third grade. Her uncle, the famous baseball player Scott Risk, orders her to live with him, was not there for her the first time she needed him when she was younger. Beth grows from being solely bitter to seeing loyalty exists among her new relationships. She makes creative threats that are always a joy to read.

I enjoyed both of their distinctive voices and their humor that ranged throughout the book. I liked Ryan’s performance style prose, allotting fun dramatics. Beth’s mind is drastic from her exterior. She cares for a few people and her mind always reveals the passion she feels for them. I am glad that once they started to be direct and honest towards one another resulted in their relationship transformation.  

The Quote Time!

Ryan

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, bow your heads and give an amen.” Pg. 96 of my ARC.

“Game on, Skater Girl, Game on.” Pg. 101 of my ARC

Beth

“With one touch, Isaiah could ground me. Keep me floating away with his arms as my anchor. His steady beating heart the reminder he would never let go.” Pg. 103 of my ARC.

“A silver of hope sneaks past my walls and I slam every opening shut. Emotion is evil. People who make me feel are worse. I take comfort in the stone inside me. If I don’t feel, I don’t hurt. “ Pg. 119 of my ARC

Versus…

Ryan

“Half of that mud Beth gained on our trip in. I should have told her what she looked like before we went to the party, but Beth was laughing. Smiling. I selfishly held onto the moment.” Pg. 233 of my ARC

Beth

“Before Groveton, I never understood love and now …  still don’t understand it. But I know that it’s not emptiness, I know it’s not letting a guy use me, I know there are different types.” Pg. 310 of my ARC.

The Friends:

Ryan’s and Beth’s friends, respectively, are all awesome. Lacy is my favorite! She is so sweet, fierce, a true friend, tenacious, empathetic and funny. My favorite scene is one where she explains her struggles to Ryan and her appreciation to her friendship with Beth when they were younger. God, I feel so sorry for Isaiah. Can’t wait to read his book! Loved the scene where Ryan spends time with Beth's friends from her old life.

The Conclusion:

So, after a rocky start, and despite excess moments, I was able to enjoy Dare You To. Although, you start knowing the overarching story arch towards romance, it is an enjoyable story. And there are some surprises that come about Beth’s past.

It’s a story that riots your emotions, root for the characters and wish they all could have the simple life. Actually, no in regards to the simple life; I am glad their difficult lives allowed Beth and Ryan to realize there is more to life than dares or complaining. Trustworthy people who have your back do exist. 
(All hail Lacy!)

Sidenote-
All quotes are subject to change in the final, published version of Dare You To and I received an electronic-ARC on Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. 

Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

ARC Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Happy Wednesday Everyone!


The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 30th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen 
Source: Netgalley from Publisher. (Thanks!)
Rating: 4.5/5 DELIGHTFUL STARS

My Review:

You know what is my favorite line from The Immortal Rules?

“Today for dessert, we have apple pie, blueberry pie and Ezekiel pie.” 

Pg 297 from The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.



LOL! This line basically shows what a funny guy Zeke is. I used to be all for the bad boys. But now, I am rooting for the empathetic boys. It is so rare to find someone who does not care, really wants to help others. Zeke is tougher in The Eternity Cure, while staying true to his core values, causing me to like him even more. 

Now that the fun part is over is on to dropping into a dangerous world.

“I was a monster who killed and preyed on human life; I could never escape that, but at least I could choose what kind of lives I took.” (Kagawa 13)

The Eternity Cure begins awhile after The Immortal Rules concluded with Allison on a journey to find and rescue her sire, Kanin, from a frightening villain, Sarren. Sarren hates Kanin with justification. Kanin did a grave mistake many years prior that left him an outcast and hated by most vampires. Sarren is creepy. Sarren is crazy. Sarren is brilliant. Sarren scared me.

The Eternity Cure contains a marvelous plot and language to keep me engrossed in the story. The plot may be slow at times, but every page includes a wondrous description to portray this attentive story. The book includes questioning the existence of a monster, beautiful scenes of courage, a surprising partnership, challenges brought by trust, and caused me to become furious towards a dreadful human.

Stick. Ugh. Zeke’s foil character. Zeke’s brave. Stick’s pathetic. The first book caused me to be sorry for him. He was the coward who could not protect himself, relying on Allison. Here, in The Eternity Cure, he does an action that changed my sorry feeling to anger. You have to read the book to understand the context. Even though I strongly dislike him, I still appreciate his character since he illustrates another reaction a person can have by living in this book’s horrific world.

My reading experience of The Eternity Cure is never dim. Laughter echoed through Jackal’s humorous lines. I loved how much Jackal changed while he still stayed true to his character’s personality. I smiled when Zeke taught Allison to dance and grinned through every one of their scenes. Now I’m anxious for the next book, The Forever Song.

Sidenote: I love how each title is a synonym to forever.

This book was given on Netgalley for an honest review and the above review is an honest one. I truly became captivated by this story. 

Thanks for reading!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Banned Books

Hello Everyone!

(Adorable Photo Created by Heidi)

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the awesome Heidi at Rainy Day Ramblings.This week's discussion is on banned books!

The Question:

Let’s talk banned books. How to you feel about book banning?
What are some of the banned books you have read?

My View:

Gosh, this question is tougher then it looks. 
 
Really, books should not be banned. People should have a chance to choose to try a book or not.
Recently,  I was surprised when my mom picked up the erotic Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James at the bookstore. Her reasoning was that it was geared to middle-aged women like herself and she was curious to try it. Even if I will never read this book in my life, I understand her reasoning for choosing to choose this book. I am not going to say like, "You cannot read this book because I never would." 

But, I understand why books would be banned for one reason: profane language. And this is only for elementary and middle school students. I feel high school students, like myself, have an adept understanding of the world and the depth of how much foul language can hurt another person, to understand why certain words should not be spoken. I worked with third graders that last two years, as a teacher's aide for by Hebrew School, and I was impressed about that each child was intelligent, smart, and funny. But I never felt kids around this age yet have a full understanding of the impact a bad word can leave. Kids are still in the carefree state where they want to mimic anything they see, hear and read that is "cool".

I disagree with book banning when a book is banned based on personal reasons like a book not meeting one or a group of reader's morals. 

I disagree with book banning based on a book including unrealistic magical elements and critiques based on a controversial issue and society. 

My final project of high school actually was on book censorship. I created a defense on why the brilliant book Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut deserves to be read and not censored. I will continue my earlier statement by saying this book deserves to be read by anyone in high school, but I understand why a school board would not want this book to be read by younger students. 

First, this book should not be banned just because it disagrees with a reader's morals like critiquing American culture. I felt that since this book shares societies flaws, like on page 164 when it comment's on American's glorifying the rich while subordinating the poor. I feel that messages like this actually benefits students because it illustrates to them about the need to improve society and distinguish its injustices. 

This book has so much intellectual benefits from all its philosophical messages. I am still pondering over this line from Slaughterhouse-Five page 26, "When a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past ... All moments, past, present, and future, always have existed, always will exist."

Wow. I am so amazed by this book. Just this one line has so much to offer. It shares the importance of memories, knowing that death is not the end. The past happened, the future will happen, but we should always remember each moment. Instead of only considering the present.   

My other favorite banned books?

Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
Holes by Louis Sachar
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (Can you believe it?)

  
Thanks for reading! 
What are your thoughts on book banning and favorite banned books?




Friday, May 17, 2013

Blog Tour: Rules For Disappearing by Ashley Elston Review and Excerpt

Hi Everyone!

Today I am thrilled to participate in the blog tour for a book I enjoyed reading!
This blog tour is ran by the blogger Shane from Itching For Books

Rules For Disappearing by Ashley Elston
Publication Date: May 14th, 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion 
Source: Netgalley from Publisher
Rating: 3.75 INTRIQUED STARS
Synopsis:


She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.



Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.


But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.


Review:


My attention caught on to this book from its description sharing that this book’s plot centers on the Witness Protection Program. The mention that the main character had to leave her home without a permanent one in sight, where everything in her life is changing sparked my interest. That description intrigued me because I always wondered what it would be like to go to a new town. Ha, soon I will in college and I will know what leaving home feels like.

Rules For Disappearing brings mystery and wonders through realistic reactions of leaving home and the inability to find a new one. The dread one feels about danger coming at any moment. The loneliness felt from not being able to see your original friends and other components of home ever again.

“Meg” is a fun main character. She understandable wants to distance herself from others because of her current danger. She is thoughtful, and unlike the reserved persona she wants to portray to keep the friends she makes in the novel safe. I came to the ending of the book wishing I could continue in “Meg’s” mind one moment longer. I believe that is because she is easy to empathize with. Her narration brings emotion as I feel her longing for her old life and her attraction for sweet Ethan.

Ethan Landry. I like all his characteristics; sweet, dependable, curious, nosy and tenacious. Yes, Ethan nosiness is nice because it allows he to make discoveries and make a difference in “Meg’s” life. I also enjoyed his interactions with Meg’s adorable little sister who is commonly referred to by her nickname, Teeny.

The most fascinating character was Agent Thomas. He is mind-blowing because I feel his intentions are locked in a box that is impossible to open and guess what is inside. Who are you really Agent Thomas?

I overall liked the writing of the book though sometimes the movement between memories was jaggy. However, “Meg’s” memories were all important and exciting, leaving an impact for later on in the story. I like how the descriptions portrayed a small town in Louisiana well. I love ever scene in the pizzaria! (So jealous about how easily Meg gained a job.)  

Rules For Disappearing was an eventful debut and I am excited for the second book!

Rules For Disappearing Excerpt:
Pages 87 to 88


I’ve never had one of the suits be so nice to me before. They’re usually very distant and say the least amount as possible. Maybe I can get him to talk.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t remember your name.”

“Agent Thomas.”

“Oh, it’s you. We talked on the phone.”
He nods and sips his coffee.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, but I might not be able to answer it.”

I take a minute, hoping to phrase it just right. “Why wont anyone talk to me about what happened? It’s not fair that Teeny and I have to suffer through this without knowing why.”

I sound like a whiny baby but I can’t help it. Maybe this is why most of the suits treat me like I’m seven, not seventeen.”

“Well, from what I understand, your parents are trying to protect you. I haven’t been with the agency long but I do know you don’t get offered protection unless the situation is dire. Your parents are coping the best way they know how and I’m sure when the time is right, they’ll answer all your questions.”

“I guess it gets old having to move people around all the time. Making them start over, again and again.”

He laughs and says, “Only when I have to chase down kids who skip school.” 


Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author Ashley Elston:

Ashley Elston lives is North Louisiana with her husband, three sons and two cats. She worked as a wedding and portrait photographer for ten years until she decided to pursue writing full time. Ashley is also a licensed Landscape Horticulturist and helps her husband run a commercial lawn and landscaping business. They also custom harvest pecans and have cows. Yes, cows.
Ashley's Website and Twitter.

Thanks for reading!


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Forever Me by Thomas Amo Blog Tour: Excerpt and Author Interview!!!!!!!!!!!


Hello Everyone!
Today I am happy to share with you an excerpt from Forever Me by Thomas Amo and a chance where you can learn about Forever Me and other information from the author, Thomas Amo, himself.

Add Forever Me to Goodreads!

Forever Me Synopsis

 High school is hard enough just being yourself, let alone trying to be someone you're not.

Hannah Richards isn't your typical 16 year-old at Wichita Falls High. Fashion, trends, cosmetics and style are unimportant to her. An avid reader, guitar player, and classic movie and television buff, Hannah marches to the beat of her own drum. Visible only to her father, the town sheriff, and her two best friends, Lauren and Haylee, Hannah lives a simple, un-pampered life, as an "Eastie."

After coming to the aide of Taylor Monroe, a popular member of the "Stilettos" at school, and a series of misunderstandings with her friends, Hannah is forced to re-invent herself. She quickly gets caught up in a life much different than the one she knows, where status, glamour, makeup, appearance and acceptance become her masters. And what of the dark secret that haunts the streets of Wichita Falls?

Can Hannah survive the lies, deceit, jealousy, and rage that are now waiting for her around every corner? Will she succumb to the pressures of popularity? Or will she be crushed under the heels of the "Stilettos"?

Forever Me Excerpt

The alarm buzzed and Hannah rolled over on her back in bed and stretched. She tried to get her eyes to focus on her cell phone to see what time it was. The digital numbers told her it was 4:15 a.m. She stopped the noise and reached an arm behind her to shake Taylor awake, but the bed was empty. Surprised, she rolled over and found she had the bed all to herself.  She hoped she hadn’t forced Taylor out. She had been known to be a bed hog, especially with the covers. She propped herself up on her elbows when the bedroom light flipped on. Like a vampire recoiling from the sunlight, Hannah’s hand quickly went to shield her eyes.
“Morning sunshine,” called Taylor in a chipper voice.
Hannah slowly lowered her hand and saw Taylor standing in the doorway, still wearing her father’s t-shirt but with a gator clip in her hair to hold it up.
“I thought I set my alarm for six.”
“You did, but I changed it. Hot Girl Rule Number 1: Rise early and get your face on. Only homely girls sleep in.”
Hannah let her head fall back on the pillow. “Ohhhh, let me be homely, just for an another hour.”
“Oh no you don’t,” called Taylor as she reached under the blanket, grabbed Hannah by the wrist and tugged her up into a sitting position. “Let’s get those feet on the floor, I already picked out your outfit, got the flatiron hot and made coffee.”
“I swear, if I didn’t love men, I’d probably marry you, just for the fact you made me coffee,” Hannah said rubbing her face trying to wake up.
“Yeah, don’t get ahead of yourself there, doll. You’re pretty cute, but not my type. By the way I made the coffee for me. I’m just sharing it with you. Now let’s get going, the sun will be showing up in an hour,” Taylor teased.
 “Okay, Sarge,” Hannah said with a half salute. Her feet touched the floor and she recoiled. She started to climb back under the covers but then saw the look on Taylor’s face. “Okay, okay.” Hannah stood up and winced once more from the cold floor on her feet. She stumbled from her bedroom to the bathroom across the hall. Taylor had everything laid out like a display in a showroom. She was truly organized when it came to preparing for the day. Hannah examined her face in the mirror. She was prepared for the worst. She was afraid she was going to wear the after effects of Lauren’s punches for the next week, but surprisingly, there was only a small amount of bruising on the corner of her chin and up next to her right eye. Even the swelling in her lip had pretty much disappeared.
Taylor returned to the bathroom with a cup of coffee for Hannah. Hannah turned and took the cup with a grateful expression. She took a sip and instantly felt the perfectly made drink intoxicate all of her senses. She sat the cup on the vanity and wrapped her arms around Taylor and hugged her. “I love you,” she whispered.
Taylor stood being a prisoner of Hannah’s clinch. Her eyes darted from side to side. Her expression of feeling awkward reflected in the mirror. “Um—love you too, but it’s just coffee, Hannah.”
Hannah shook her head. “No, that is a cup filled with love,” she said with sleep-crusted eyes.
“Okay—are you like this every morning?”
“I just need a moment,” Hannah teased as she hugged her once more. Taylor gave the patented pity hand pat on Hannah’s back that meant, Okay, I love you too but I’m beyond comfortable now.
“How did you sleep?” Hannah asked as she took a healthy drink of coffee.
Taylor took Hannah’s hair into her hands and ran the flatiron across it. “Pretty good, but you are a cover hog.”
“I know, but in my defense you’re the first person I’ve ever slept with.”
“Yeah—let’s not share that information,” Taylor said teasing.

Thomas Amo's Bio

Thomas Amo is the author over 20 comedies and farces for the live theatre. This former full time theatrical producer has spent the last thirty years writing in many different genres, from pilot scripts for television to screenplays on independent films. Outside acting, directing and producing, his first love has always been writing. Forever ME, marks his debut into YA fiction

Interview

1. I may have mentioned a few times about my love for theater. I'm a proud drama geek. During my childhood I adored going to Wolf Trap and other theaters.

Thomas Amo is a theater producer so I asked Amo, "What was it like to be a theater producer?"

Amo- The smartest thing I've ever done in my life! I started in theatre at 14 and was lucky to join a Vaudeville/Melodrama company at 17. I stayed with them for 8 years.

Back then we did 2 shows a year..for 6 month runs. You had plenty of time to learn your role and hone your craft. I learned from many true artists. The following years

I got addicted to doing British farce/comedy. I love those knock about farces where there's tons of falling, smacking into doors, misidentify and misunderstandings. They are always audience pleasers. So when I opened my own theatre in 1997, I had already been on stage for 20 years. (didn't seem like it). I always loved acting, it's fun to play and get laughs. Directing was tougher, because I would be in the show and directing. Producing just meant it was all my money and my responsibility. But it was a gamble I took on myself that paid off for the next ten years of my life. Hard times fell on our city and and the economy hurt us bad and theatre is the first thing people cut out of their lives. Much cheaper to stay home and watch Netflix. I loved my thertre life and often miss the stage.

2. I understand Forever ME is inspired by true events. Tell us how that came about?

Amo- I was just about to leave the house one morning when I caught a segment on morning television about a group of teen girls at a Texas high school who had organized a group called, “Redefining Beautiful.” They were trying to encourage fellow female students to go one day a week without makeup. They were stressing that you don’t need makeup to be beautiful. I was so amazed by their bravery and confidence to go against type, especially in high school and at an age where girls feel the most awkward with themselves. A close friend of mine who is a film producer had been asking me if I had anything I was working on I could share with him. By time the segment was over, I had the basic plot in my head and before I left the house, I already knew the ending of the story. I phoned my producer friend and told him I had something, we met that afternoon and I pitched the idea to him as a film. He loved the concept and told me he was interested. Could I write the screenplay? I went to work right away. But about 50 pages in, I found these characters were so lifelike, I felt it needed to be a book, it could always be a film later. I called my friend back, said, I have to write this as a novel. With his blessing and two years later. Forever ME was published.

3. How are teen girls responding to a book written by male?

Amo- I was concerned about that. Would they relate to it? Would it seem real to them? Or would it come across as a guy giving his version of what he think teen girls are like today? Well, to my pleasant surprise, teen girls are sending me emails, tweets, and telling me, they completely relate to the situations, they’ve said, “OMG, that is so me!” “I’m just like Hannah!” Or they know girls like Shelby and the Stilettos. Or jerk guys who treat them like property. I got plenty of praise from some parents even grandparents on Forever ME, but the real vindication comes from the teens who love it. I couldn’t ask for better than that! (Plus I have a 19 year old daughter, so I wasn’t totally in the dark.) But I did do my research.

4. I saw that several past reviews compare Forever ME gets to the film, “Mean Girls.” Did that have any influence on your writing?
Amo- Not at all, I have not seen the film. So I’m always surprised when someone compares it to that film. I imagine since the subject matters are similar I can see how someone could draw that conclusion. It was important to me in the beginning that my main character, Hannah was not the new girl at a school. That’s always tough on a teen to be the new kid. I wanted her to have her own friends, a well-adjusted home life and content with her life as it was. It was only when she crossed the invisible line of mixing with the social elite did it present a problem in her life. Wichita Falls is a place where a girl from her side of town is often reminded it’s best if she stays there. 


Discover more about Thomas Amo at his website here!

Thanks for reading!!!