Category: New Releases

Links (Because I’ve Got Nothin’)

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Guys. I’m smack in the middle of incorporating a change into Where Poppies Bloom that has me absolutely giddy with its awesomeness. Unfortunately, all this revising has completely zapped my creativity and wit, so I’ve got nothing new or unique or valuable to contribute to the blogosphere today. BUT… lucky for you, my writing friends have managed to come up with some amazing posts and news, which I’ve compiled in the tidy little round-up below. Visit. Peruse. Comment. Enjoy. 🙂

This post on Suspense in Writing by the lovely Katharine Owens, complete with stills from some classic Alfred Hitchcock movies. Kat’s post is compilation of tips from Simon Wood’s original article for Writer’s Digest, which you can find HERE.

This bit of fabulous from Alison Miller on Reading for Pleasure.  “Look, I’m as busy as the next person, but reading is a priority to me.” Yep, I couldn’t have said it better myself, Alison. Not only is reading fun, inspirational, and relaxing, but for a writer, it’s crucial to professional development.

My CP Jus Accardo‘s debut Touch is available in eBook today!

You’ll have to wait until November 1st for the paperback version, but if you’ve got an eReader, you can find Touch at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Books on Board. And do check back here for more about Touch and an interview from Jus in the very near future!

And, finally, we’ve got an October novel for Tracey Neithercott’s Fall Book Club!


Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.  Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages–not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out. When one of the strangers–beautiful, haunted Akiva–fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

I couldn’t be more excited about this selection!

We’ll be discussing the book on Friday, October 28. If you have a blog, post your thoughts on the book there, then leave a link to your blog over at Tracey’s on October 28th. If you don’t have a blog, leave your thoughts in the comments on other members’ blogs, which you can easily get to by clicking the links on Tracey’s post. I hope you’ll participate!

So, that’s what I’ve got for you today. Do you have anything writerly, readerly, or otherwise interesting to share?

Have a lovely Monday, and I’ll see you in two days for Road Trip Wednesday!

A few random-ish things…

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Ahh, the start of a new week… I’ve got a few random things to share on this lovely Monday morning:

Last night I watched Disney’s Prom. I’ve wanted to see it since I caught the trailer ages ago, but I don’t make it to a lot of movies and when I have “free” time at home, I’m usually writing or cleaning or reading. So…


I finally got to spend a full ninety minutes lost in high school melodrama. It was glorious. Honestly, I’m partial to any movie set in a high school (The Breakfast Club, Clueless, The Girl Next Door, Grease, and Ten Things I Hate About You are a few of my favorites), and Prom was fairly average high school fare. A little slow, a little fluffy, but still cute enough to hold my attention and leave me with a tiny crush on Jesse, the movie’s bad-boy-heartthrob and, in my opinion, a baby Johnny Depp.


Tracey Neithercott’s Fall Book Club has officially begun! Click HERE for the official stuff (don’t worry, it’s all easy). Wondering what we’re reading?


Ransom Rigg’s Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. I started this weekend and yeah… absolutely loving it so far. I highly recommend you jump into the fun and join the Fall Book Club.

I’m revising again, this time with a heavy focus on pacing. I recently read James Scott Bell’s Plot and Structure (thanks for the recommendation, Jessi Kirby and Vickie Motter!) and it has been immensely helpful. Here’s what my copy looks like:


Sheesh. You’d think I’d never read a craft book! But there’s just something about James Scott Bell’s approach, his simple way of explaining what’s already trapped in the mind of any avid reader, that spoke to me. So, I highlighted the heck out of Plot and Structure, then drafted a revision plan that’s working miracles. Yippee!

Over the  last month I’ve become obsessed with this:


Best workout DVD ever. Seriously. I happily hop out of bed a half-hour early each morning to do it. I love Jillian Michaels’ no-nonsense approach. I love how I feel when I’m done. I love that my daughter now knows what “Down Dog” is. And the results! I’m seeing them! It’s so motivating!

And, finally, these photographs beg to be shared:


That’s my husband there on the left–you know, the deliciously handsome one :)–and that’s the Washington State University flag he and his buddy are raising in Afghanistan. Yep, our beloved Cougs are representing half-way around the world. Crazy to think about, right?

And one final, incredibly important thing: Happy birthday, Dad! Love you!

So, how was your weekend?

Friday Fun: Touch, Titles, and Technology

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First and foremost, huge CONGRATULATIONS to my fantastically talented CP Jus Accardo, who now has a cover for her amazing debut YA novel, Touch (available November, 2011). Observe the awesomeness:

A fine example of perfectly capturing the mood of a book...

And of course, the official blurb: When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home. Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized. Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe. A secret Kale will kill to protect.

Guys. I have read this book. It is INCREDIBLE. Add it on Goodreads HERE. And, if you’re so inclined, pre-order it from Amazon HERE.

And a Friday Five, hosted by Paper Hangover, a fantastic group blog offering writing tips and advice, book reviews, weekly blog topics, and teen interviews. Here’s today’s prompt:

I love titles that are catchy, intriguing, and image-inducing. I love titles that make me ask a question or wonder about a character. The below titles stole my attention and I’ve added them to my Goodreads To-Read queue based (originally) on title and title alone. I’ve yet to read them, but I’m hoping the stories behind these fantastic titles will live up:

1) Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

2) The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand

3) The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer Smith

4) Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

5) Raw Blue by Kirsty Eager

And, I chose to read the following books based solely on their fabulous titles. I can honestly and happily confirm that each one is equal to (or better than!) the splendor printed on its cover:

1) The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

2) The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

3) The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

4) Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

5) The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

What book titles do you love? Are there any you’re not a fan of?

And a fun Would You Rather…?

Would you rather live a month without the ability to talk on the phone or the freedom to check your email? 

(This one’s easy for me! I’d MUCH rather check my email than talk on the phone… you?)

Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂

August’s Reading Wrap-Up and Book of the Month…

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Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where the ladies at YA Highway post a weekly writing- or reading-related question for participants to respond to on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

Today’s Topic: What’s the best book you read in August?

My August book choices were fairly diverse. Here’a a quick wrap-up of everything I read:

Notes from the Blender by Brendan Halpin and Trisha Cook – I don’t usually go for funny books, but I won this one in a giveaway and I’m so glad I did!  It’s not exactly the most unique concept (family drama, coming of age), and I wouldn’t call it a literary masterpiece, but it was seriously hilarious. Teen boy Dec’s voice was perfect (and “pervy” :)), and had me cracking up on more than one occasion. Recommend!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin- There were several aspects of this book I loved: the creepiness, the banter, the setting, the unknowing, the shocking ending. And, there are a few aspects I still have questions about: the suddenly intense romance,  the “abilities” of the characters, and lots of loose threads at the conclusion. I’m looking forward to reading Mara‘s follow-up in hopes that some of those questions will be answered. If you’re a lover of paranormal romance, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

Drenched by AE Rought – This is only a tease because Drenched is still in manuscript form. It’s the work of one of my fabulous CPs, and is currently unavailable to you. I have to mention it here though, because 1) it’s awesome 2) it’s the coolest take on werewolves I’ve seen 3) there’s an X-Men-ish spin that’s incredibly cool. Be on the look-out for it in the future!

Beat Sugar Addiction Now by Jacob Teitelbaum – This probably seems a random choice, but I’ve been trying to cut back on the sugar and white flour I consume and this nonfiction was a great motivator. It identifies the four types of sugar addiction and gives advice on how to break cravings. I recommend it if you’re contemplating healthier eating habits and want more information about sugar addiction in particular.

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard – Finally a “mermaid book” that lives up! Actually, main character Lexi is a siren, and she’s surprisingly likeable. Her occasional woe-is-me attitude is warranted, and the choices she has to make are legitimately challenging. Another plus: there are two hot guys in this book AND a love triangle that puts Lexi in an impossible spot. For me, the twist at the end was a little abrupt (I would have liked a few more clues leading up to it), but all in all, Ripple was a great read.

And my Book of the Month, the cream of August’s crop: Plain Kate by Erin Bow…

From Goodreads – Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. As the wood-carver’s daughter, Kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden talismans are so fine that some even call her “witch-blade”: a dangerous nickname in a country where witches are hunted and burned in the square. For Kate and her village have fallen on hard times. Kate’s father has died, leaving her alone in the world. And a mysterious fog now covers the countryside, ruining crops and spreading fear of hunger and sickness. The townspeople are looking for someone to blame, and their eyes have fallen on Kate. Enter Linay, a stranger with a proposition: In exchange for her shadow, he’ll give Kate the means to escape the angry town, and what’s more, he’ll grant her heart’s wish. It’s a chance for her to start over, to find a home, a family, a place to belong. But Kate soon realizes she can’t live shadowless forever — and that Linay’s designs are darker than she ever dreamed.

True confession: I would have never picked up Plain Kate had it not come highly recommended by Caroline Richmond and Erin Bowman, who both have amazing taste. First, Plain Kate is quite fantastical and I tend to favor more contemporary titles. Also, there is NO romance. None. I love romance–it’s almost always the romantic thread that carries me through a novel. I couldn’t imagine how Plain Kate would possibly hold my attention without a cute boy and some steamy kisses. Let me tell you, between the imagery, the action, the unknowing, the beautiful writing, and the occasional humor, it totally did.

If you’re looking for an example of the oft talked about but hard to pinpoint “strong female character,” look no further. Don’t misunderstand–Kate’s not the ass-kicking, sword-wielding kind of heroine. She’s subtler and smarter. More nuanced. While life hurls challenge after challenge at her, she stands strong in her convictions. Though many try, she refuses to let people (men, mostly) walk over her, and she bounces back from the most impossible of situations with more vitality than before.

Plain Kate is full of gorgeous language and unique, memorable characters. Drina, a spunky, sisterly-type and Kate’s first real friend. Taggle the cat, who I won’t say too much about other than that he’s fabulous. And Linay, dark and mysterious and unpredictable, creepy yet somehow sympathetic. You’ll be thinking about them–and Plain Kate–long after you finish this novel.

So, what’s the best book you read in August? (And how is August already over? *sob*)

A MARA DYER Winner and Friday Five…

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Thank you so much to everyone who entered my The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer ARC giveaway. I’m thrilled that so many people are excited about reading this book! I used random.org to select a winner from the many entrants and the lucky winner is…

Tracey Neithercott!

Yay, Tracey! Please email me your mailing address at katy(dot)upperman@live(dot)com and I will have Mara to you in a few days.

An unexpected perk of hosting this giveaway were the awesome book recommendations you all left in the comments of the original post. So, for today’s Friday Five, I’d like to share a countdown of the top five most anticipated book releases selected by you, my lovely blog readers. Here they are:

5. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (October 18, 2011)


4. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (September 20, 2011)


3. (TIE) Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (August 23, 2011)


and Shut Out by Kody Keplinger (September 5, 2011)


2. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (September 27, 2011, and no surprise, since the giveaway was for this very book!)


1. And, with by far the most mentions, Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (September 29, 2011… this is my most anticipated release too!)


Happy Friday… Have a wonderful weekend!

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER: A Giveaway

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So, yesterday I finished this book…


…and I’m still sort of reeling from, um, everything about it.

In the interest of not giving any details away, I’m going to keep my opinion of MARA DYER to myself (at least for now). There’s just no good way to discuss this book without spoiling major plot points. I will share the GoodReads blurb though:

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
She’s wrong.

And I will say this: I enjoyed the strange creepiness of this book. I liked that I never really knew what was going on as far as Mara’s brand of crazy was concerned. I loved the sometimes hilarious banter between Mara and hot-boy Noah (I also love the name Noah). I thought Miami was a very cool, very unique setting. And I was blown away by the ending, but I won’t tell you why, because what fun would that be? 🙂

Want to read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer before its September 27th release? You can win an ARC right here!

Here are the details:

1. For one entry, leave a comment telling me about a recent new release you’ve read and loved OR name a book that’s coming out soon that you’re dying to read.

2. This giveaway is open internationally.

3. The giveaway closes one week from today, August 18th, at midnight, PST. (I will post the winner’s name on Friday, August19th!)

4. Want to earn additional entries?
+1 if you subscribe to this blog today (right column, top —->)
+2 if you are already a subscriber
+1 for following me on Twitter (new or current)
+2 for tweeting about this contest (@katyupperman, please!)

*Please tally up your entries and include the total in your original comment!

GOOD LUCK!

Friday Fun: WIP Inspiration, What I’m Reading, and a (Twilight) Would you rather?

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Paper Hangover is a fantastic group blog offering writing tips and advice, book reviews, weekly blog topics, and teen interviews. I recommend you spend some time exploring the site–they have so much to offer!

Here’s today’s Friday Five prompt:


I’ve been talking about my story Where Poppies Bloom a lot lately (that might have something to do with the fact that I’ve been working on revising and editing it all summer), so I’m going to share five inspiring pictures from Cross My Heart, the manuscript I’ll hopefully be rewriting come fall. Cross My Heart is a contemporary YA romance with lots of friends-and-family drama, a main character I adore, and a love interest who’s obsessed with Classic Country music (also, he’s  hot-hot-hot!)…






How do images inspire your WIPs?

And my Friday Read: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer… I’m only about 50 pages in, but I’m already super engrossed and totally intrigued. This one’s not like anything I’ve read before and the back cover blurb (on my ARC, at least) doesn’t give much away.


Speaking of giving something away (!!!) I plan to give away my ARC of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer here on my blog in the coming days. Please do check back and enter to win!

What are you reading this weekend?

And, finally, an Edward-and-Alice-Cullen-inspired Would you rather? question to ponder as your weekend begins…


Would you rather be able to read everyone’s mind all the time or always know their future?

Tomorrow is my daughter’s Tangled birthday party, so think of me as I’m wrangling four-year-olds and flinging birthday cake. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙂

July’s Book of the Month

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Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where the ladies at YA Highway post a weekly writing- or reading-related question for participants to respond to on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

This Week’s Topic: What’s the best book you read in July?

July turned out to be one of those rare months where I genuinely enjoyed every book I read, though they were all quite different. Here’s my reading wrap-up:

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young – This book grabbed me from the beginning, thanks mostly to boyfriend Harlin. He was so sweet and loving and attentive and HOT, I flew through the pages wanting to read more scenes with him. The story as a whole was incredible and–dare I say–rather inspiring. And the ending… yowza… I’m still sort of reeling from it, but in the best of ways.

Chime by Franny Billingsley – I raved about Chime in this POST, so I won’t bore you with further accolades. I will simply say: I LOVED it.

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder – I’m not sure why I continuously shy away from books written in verse. I always end up enjoying them. This one, especially, was lovely. I’m awed by how much story was packed into one day in Amber and Cade’s lives (only about 20K words), and  I’m seriously envious of Lisa Schroeder’s gift for language.

Forever by Maggie Steivfater – If an author can truly sell me the love story in her book, I can overlook many a flaw relating to pacing, plot, and character development. I ADORE Sam and Grace of the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. They’re sweet and romantic and so respectful of each other, plus,they have subtle but undeniably hot chemistry. It’s because of them (and Cole!) that I didn’t mind Forever‘s fairly predictable plot, or the continued weirdness of Grace’s parents, or the complete implausibility of the last quarter of the story. Forever struck me as a fitting end to this trilogy, yet I still wanted more from it.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott – It’s been awhile since I read a craft book, and lately I’ve been in need of some writing inspiration. I’d heard great things about Bird and it did not disappoint. It’s succinct, funny, and honest. My favorite take-away lessons? Be authentic, view the world reverently, and do not be afraid to make mistakes. I highly recommend Bird by Bird if you’ve yet to read it.

And July’s Book of the Month is… Room by Emma Donoghue.


From GoodReads: To five-year-old-Jack, Room is the world. . . . It’s where he was born, it’s where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits. Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it’s the prison where she has been held for seven years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in this eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But with Jack’s curiosity building alongside her own desperation, she knows that Room cannot contain either much longer. Room is a tale at once shocking, riveting, exhilarating–a story of unconquerable love in harrowing circumstances, and of the diamond-hard bond between a mother and her child.

Admittedly, I was hesitant to read this book. While I like stories that are bizarre and/or disturbing, books that include sensationalized violence against women do not appeal to me. Also, Room is narrated by a five-year-old boy. As the mother of a precocious almost-four-year-old, I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend 300 pages locked in that mindset. Well, I’m glad to report that Room is neither the lurid account of a tortured woman or the juvenile narration of a preschooler. Room, instead, is about the strength of the human spirit and an incredibly unique mother-son bond.

A comment on Jack’s narration: In my opinion, this story couldn’t have been told by anyone else. Jack is an intelligent, thoughtful boy, and his observations about what’s around him (from Room to his Ma’s sometimes erratic behavior) are eye-opening. His simplicity veils the brief scenes of violence, and he is key to all the action that takes place–we’d miss out if we weren’t in Jack’s head. It’s fascinating to view the world through his innocence. Donoghue did an amazing job capturing the mindset of a child.

I don’t want to tell you too much about Room‘s plot; I think its  impact will be stronger if you travel through the pages uninitiated. While I wouldn’t call this book a “thriller,” I certainly found it to be a page-turner. I was desperate to know what would happen to Jack and Ma as their story unfolded. Yes, I know Room isn’t a young adult novel (I think it’s actually my first adult Book of the Month!), but I highly recommend you check it out.

Tell me… what’s the best book you read in July?

Friday Five… CHIME

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I don’t usually do book “reviews” until my end of the month wrap-up, but I’m afraid Franny Billingsley’s Chime is just to amazing to hold off on. I’d heard bits and pieces about Chime on Twitter and a few book blogs, but I didn’t know a lot about it. Then I wandered into my local New & Used and the owner (who has excellent taste) recommended it. I wasn’t sure it was for me, but I took a leap of faith, bought it, read it, and LOVED it. So for today’s Friday Five, I present you with five reasons Chime is an exceptional novel.


1) Briony Larkin, main character extraordinaire. Briony is as imperfect as they come. She avoids creating emotional bonds with anyone and everyone who inhabits her strange little town of Swampsea. She freely admits to being angry, jealous, and prideful, and she makes no apologies for her behavior. It’s because of this that I totally and completely fell for her. She’s smart (or as she would say, clever), very quick-witted, and her inner monologue is introspective and at times utterly hilarious.

2) Eldric, romantic interest you’ll definitely fall for. Briony refers to him as a boy-man (he’s twenty-two!) and often compares him to a lion (tawny hair, “curling” smile). Eldric is a self-proclaimed bad-boy, but really he’s just a free spirit, creative and at times a little childish. But he’s so adorable with Briony, loyal and sweet and eager to please. Despite his somewhat questionable affections for another supporting character, you’ll be rooting for him and Briony until that first steamy kiss–and well after.

3) Rose, peculiar twin sister. I loved Rose. She has all sorts of odd little habits and her social interactions are certainly abnormal (I’m no doctor, but she seems to exhibit Asperger’s-like behavior), yet she’s steady, predictable, and totally likeable. There’s more to Rose than meets the eye. The further I read, the more fascinating I found her.

4) The language… Oooh, the language. Warning: Do Not Read Chime While Drafting. Or Revising. Or Even Editing. Read only on a writing mini-break or you will feel dreadfully inadequate.  Seriously… Franny Billingsley is a genius. She spins some of the most beautiful phrases, strings the simplest words into gorgeous sentences, paints vivid images that get in your head and stay there. Her descriptions are full and unique and perfect. The swamp, the characters, the magic, it all comes to life on the page.

5) The experience, one to be savored. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Chime isn’t for everyone. It’s a genre-blender (a little bit romantic, a little bit historical, a little bit fantastical, and a lot of just plain strange) and as a commercial kind of girl, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. Still I recommend you give it a go. Chime isn’t  a book you will breeze through, flipping pages quickly just to see what happens next. No, you will want to read Chime slowly, sinking into its swamps, soaking up its narrative. You will want to delight in its language, relish in its metaphors, and absorb its brilliance. For me, Chime wasn’t just a story; it was an experience, and I sort of want to read it again. Already.

Happy Friday! What are you reading this weekend?

Must read NOW…

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There are several new releases in the coming weeks that have me VERY excited. Hopefully this dreary Washington weather turns summery soon because I want to be outside under the sun with my beach towel and an icy drink, devouring these books*…


June 21, 2011 Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger. But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend’s arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become–her mark on this earth, her very existence–is in jeopardy of disappearing completely. Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny–no matter how dark the consequences. A gorgeous cover, an interesting spin on angels, and apparently ethereal and intensely romantic… yes, please!

July 19, 2011 For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions–it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment? Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true. Jennifer Echol’s Forget You is one of my favorite YA contemporaries. Fingers crossed that Love Story is just as fabulous!

July 12, 2011 In Maggie Stiefvater’s SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in. While I loved Shiver, I was slightly underwhelmed by Linger. Still, I’m super curious to see how this trilogy concludes.


July 12, 2011 Someone’s been a very bad zombie. Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steroids are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe–not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate! She’s got to find an antidote–before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town. . . and stay hormonally human. I am seriously in LOVE with this cover, and the story sounds like a fun, cheeky take on the zombie phenom… very cool.

July 21, 2011 Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren – a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi’s curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she’s always longed for – or the love she can’t live without? I’ve yet to read a really great mermaid book, but I’m hoping Ripple will change that. Love the dark, brooding cover and the sort of tragic feel of the blurb. 


August 1, 2011 Abby and Luke chat online. They’ve never met. But they are going to. Soon. Abby is starting high school—it should be exciting, so why doesn’t she care? Everyone tells her to “make an effort,” but why can’t she just be herself? Abby quickly feels like she’s losing a grip on her once-happy life. The only thing she cares about anymore is talking to Luke, a guy she met online, who understands. It feels dangerous and yet good to chat with Luke—he is her secret, and she’s his. Then Luke asks her to meet him, and she does. But Luke isn’t who he says he is. When Abby goes missing, everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don’t, they’ll never see Abby again. Eek. Talk about a parent’s worst nightmare. Still, there’s nothing quite like a creepy disappearance story.

*All blurbs and publication dates courtesy of GoodReads.

I’m dying to know… what are the summer releases you can’t wait to read?