I'm slowly but surely starting to get back on track, which means I am now ACCEPTING REVIEW REQUESTS. To read about what kind of requests I take, make sure to check out my Review Policy.
Keri Mikulski is the author of Head Games (Razorbill/Penguin, January 6th, 2011) and Stealing Bases (Razorbill, 2011). Keri teaches middle school, high school, and college level creative writing courses and resides at the Jersey Shore with her family, where she plays a ton of pick-up basketball and worships Derek Jeter from afar. A three-sport athlete, Keri took enormous pride in her lucky game day scrunchies and half-top Nike Air Jordans. Learn more at http://www.kerimikulski.com.
Keri is an exception to the "debut" rule in the way that this isn't her first book. However, it IS her first book with a large publisher... which is why she still qualifies.
12/19/10: "How is the pre-publication different now compared to the last time you were published?" Since my first book, Screwball, was published with a smaller press, I had the opportunity to get my writing feet wet. But now, after soaking my feet for a few years, I'm diving into the deep end with the release of Head Games, my first book with Razorbill, a division of Penguin. While Screwball was available for the ost part online, Head Games is widely distributed throughout the country via bookstores, online and even eBay (I spotted it while shopping this week). It's an amazing glittery feeling to know that my sporty books are going to reach a much larger audience this time around and I look forward to the reactions from my readers. I am beyond excited and feel truly blessed to live my dream.
1/20/11:Wow! What a whirlwind.. I survived my first ‘official’ release. :) And here’s what I learned...
1. All the hard work, sleepless nights, and worrying were worth it the moment I spotted my book on the shelf. 2. When you set out to write for a specific audience and they love your work.. It’s the best feeling in the world. :) 3. Positive thinking is crucial. 4. I learned to focus on what I can control – the writing. 5. Author buds are priceless and pull you through the best and worst of times. 6. But, most of all, I learned to be thankful for the opportunity to do what I love.
Keri was nice enough to donate some swag for a giveaway on the feature! I don't have them around me now, but I know there will be at least 5 winners that will get a Head Games bookmark, sticker and a charm! All you have to do is fill out the form below!
- You must be a follower. - Giveaway is international. - Contest will end next Friday (2/4) at midnight EST. - Please make sure to fill out all of the information on the form!
What if love refused to die? Haven Moore can’t control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother’s house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was. In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again.
Haven Moore comes from a small town in Tennessee where being different isn't complimented - in fact, the town pretty much thinks you've got a demon in you. I'm sure you can take a guess at what they think of Haven - who faints when she has visions from a past life - and her best friend Beau - who is gay. That's right, it's small town closed-mindedness at its best! One fateful day, Haven just so happens to see Iain Morrow on the TV and is instantly drawn, knowing in her heart that he is her beloved Ethan. With the help of her friend Beau, Haven takes off to New York in hopes of finding her one true love. What follows is a story of a girl not only trying to figure out who she was, but also finding out if her love is truly the man she thought he was - or if he's the murderer he is accused of being, in both this life and the past.
I have to say, I have a love-hate relationship with this book. There was definitely moments when I wanted to toss the book against the wall.. but the story was intriguing enough to keep me reading until the very end. I'd have to say that I could have done without about a third of the first part of the book. Yes, we get that Haven's grandmother is not a nice person. Yes, her mother is a spineless lump that doesn't really act as her mother - though she does start to step up, though not much. Yes, Haven is treated as an outcast because she has visions and faints where ever she may be when the vision comes. Oh, and did I mention that all the Christians are closed-minded. I live in a small town and I can say that I'm honestly sick of the whole portrayal of small towns being so judgmental and unforgiving. Gossip? Yes. But, in real life, I've never experienced something like this.
I digress. I'll get off my soapbox now.
Past that: Once Haven gets the box of notes written by her father from her mother, things start to pick up. You get even more insight into Haven's visions - and proof is from Haven's father, who started chronicling all of her visions as a child. Part Two starts out with Haven arriving in New York, and she quickly finds Iain. It's obvious that they're drawn to one another and Iain seems to be just as in love with Haven as he was when he was Ethan and she was Constance.. and it may help that he's able to recall ALL of his past lives. Haven, however, has this whole hot-cold relationship with Iain. Between not recalling all of her memories from her life as Constance and believing every single word out of every single person's mouth, she's very bi-polar when it comes to Iain. One moment she'll be all over him and completely trust him, the next she'll take the word of someone and believe Iain is a killer, and within the next few moments she'll be back in his arms all lovey-dovey. I'm sure Iain's ability to withhold truths and tell white lies doesn't help any, but I don't think that would merit Haven's inability to decide something and stick with it. Yes, she's only seventeen so you have to account for some immaturity ... but, Haven's behavior was a little too much for me.
I know it sounds like I hated the book, but it was actually a good read. Like I said, it kept my attention and kept me reading until the very end. I like the history of the Ouroboros Society. The other characters were also well fleshed out. The villian was good, but the villian's big reveal was a little bit of an "oh, come on!" moment for me - it could go both ways though because I didn't see that one coming. The history, the flashbacks to the previous life, the Society, and all of the twists definitely hooks you into the story and keeps you until the very end. The writing was well-constructed. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA paranormal reads.
The Verdict? I'm leaning more toward 3.5, but the story is too good for 3 stars.
It's July 13. In exactly one month, Emma Michael's debut novel, The Thirteenth Chime, will be released - that's right, folks ... Friday [August] the 13th. I e-mailed Emma to talk about her upcoming release (and more) and she was kind enough to answer some questions for me!
Can you give us a small description of your upcoming book, The Thirteenth Chime?
I can share a little bit about the book. The story is about two people - David and Destiny - who must come to terms with their past relationship in the face of dealing with a trap that has been waiting for many years. It is a story of trials and hardships, and throughout it all, it is the bond between the two main characters that will help them to survive the nightmare of "The Thirteenth Chime".
Here is the trailer teaser:
No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.
In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.
The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.
With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.
Hatred never dies.
What was the hardest part of writing/publishing this book for you?
The submission process and querying agents. I received over a hundred standard form rejections from agents who didn't even request a partial. When a dear friend pointed out to me that the agents could not possibly be basing their decisions off of my actual writing, I took the plunge and began submitting directly to publishers who would accept unsolicited manuscripts. The responses were overwhelming and very positive! I'm sure that other potential authors out there are encountering the same situations, so please don't give up. I didn't and I made it.
Is there a favorite character for you in the book that isn't necessarily a main character?
Actually, yes I do have one. Her name is Stephanie and she plays a very important role within Destiny's life. Readers of the book will come to know Stephanie's role for if David is the mind and Destiny the heart, is is Stephanie who is the unstoppable spirit.
Are there any specific scenes or parts of the book that you're most excited about people reading?
Many! But I don't think I should give too much away just yet... *wink*
How long have you been blogging about books?
I've been blogging since December 2009. I have always loved reading books and sharing my feelings with others, but it was only then that I decided to share my findings with others on the internet in the hopes it would encourage them to read the books that I was fortunate enough to read and enjoy.
Did blogging about books inspire you to write books, or motivate you more to write books?
Both! It has been such a heartening experience to read the comments that the readers of my blog and of other blogs have left. To hear their feelings and thoughts on what they read encourages me to continue reviewing and to share the stories I am fortunate enough to write, with them. I hope I will bring inspiration and encouragement to others the way they have for me.
Who/What are some of your favorite authors and books?
I love Tamore Pierce novels and any book by Sharon Shinn. They are both wonderful authors that I would recommend for anyone who loves YA books.
Are there any books out there you wish you'd have written?
Just the one(s) I already have written. I'm sure that there is a moment that all potential authors wish they had written, for instance, "Harry Potter" or "The Lord of the Rings", but I prefer to celebrate their triumphs. I hope one day that other authors will celebrate my triumphs with me, especially when I reach my goal of getting first place on the "New York Times Bestseller's List"! (Please help me make it there! We can do it!)
Any advice for others who would like to become an author?
Never give up! I know that it is a long process that can be filled with disappointment, but remember - it is a road that has a beginning and an end. It is up to each of us to decide when we leave the road and if we reach the destination we dream of reaching.
Last words for your fellow bloggers and potential book fans?
Yes, I promise that for all potential readers and fans, I will continue to write for as long as you want me to write! To me, writing is not just a dream I want to fulfill, but it is about reaching out to others with my words just as books that I have read have reached out to me. I want to be a storyteller, to share stories to delight you, bring you to tears, bring you joy, and to encourage you the way you have all encouraged me. Thank you so much!
A huge thanks to Emma for taking the time out to answer the questions. Be sure to check out her blog here and mark your calendars for August 13th, when The Thirteenth Chime will be released!
The Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels Bokheim Publishing [Released on] August 13, 2010
No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.
In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.
The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.
With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.
Hatred never dies.
I was going to wait to post this next week, since I already had a Waiting on Wednesday choice picked out for this week. However, for some reason, I'm extremely anxious about this book ... so I had to post it. The author, Emma Michaels, actually contacted me via my blog about a week ago to tell me about her novel (this one) being published. Talk about exciting ... I was excited for her! Unfortunately I was out of town and couldn't do much ... but now, I'm at home. This is just one post that I am doing, and you'll see more in the future because I do plan on promoting this book a lot!
Back to the book ... I'm truly excited about it. Not only is the cover AMAZING (look closely at the eye!), but it's a storyline that I haven't heard of much at all. Originality = major points! I could go on, but I'd like to save a little for other posts.
Head Games Swag Giveaway!
