Philly... And It Ain't About The Cream Cheese..

As most of you know, I spent the last few days in Philadelphia. I had my first book signing for Love Sucks. My trip turned out pretty good. I met some other amazing authors, went to a writer's symposium, and even had my first authentic philly cheesesteak.

The city was beautiful. The old, ornate architecture and murals on the outside walls, made it feel all the more urban than what I'm used to.

The people, for the most part were pleasant. It's amazing how many gifted, creative human beings you meet when venuture outside of your own element.

That said, If you ever get a chance to visit Philadelphia Pennsylvania, (for business or pleasure) do it.

Cheers!

You May Be Number Four.. But I Am Numero Uno..

Okay. Today's post is going to be on... dun dun dun.... I Am Number Four...

While browsing through my local borders the other day, I came across this book.(yes I am usually the last one to discover good books) I am one of those people that has to read the book before I see the film. I know it's daunting because the films seldomly surpase the novels....

But I don't know about you.... From what I've seen on the trailers.. I Am Number Four looks pretty, fan -freaking- tastic!

Anyone read the book or seen the movie? Let me know you're thoughts!

You've Got To Have Some Tenderness...

Okay.. This book is not for the faint hearted. It's not the the type of book that's written to make you swoon, it's the type of book that makes you think.

For those of you that are fans of the television show, Dexter, then this is a book I'm certain you will enjoy.

I read it in one sitting and it kept me thinking about it for some time after. What makes a serial killer tick? Are they really capable of emotion? Read this book and find out.

This week's Book of the Week is Tenderness by: Robert Cormier.

Eighteen-year-old Eric has just been released from juvenile detention for murdering his parents. Now he's looking for tenderness--tenderness he finds in killing girls. Fifteen-year-old Lori has run away from home again. Emotionally naive and sexually precocious, she is also looking for tenderness--tenderness that she finds in Eric. Will Lori and Eric be each other's salvation or destruction?(summary from goodreads)

I know this sounds crazy but I was rooting for Lori and Eric all the way. Maybe it's just because of the fixer in me. I wanted Lori to convert Eric from his wicked ways. Regardless, pick up this book. It was tortured madness, in a good way.

Cheers!

A Little Teaser...

As most of you know, in October, I'll be celebrating the release of my second novel,
The Truth About Delilah.

Honestly, I usually write YA novels and The Truth About Delilah will be my first adult novel.

So... for today's blog post I'm leaving you a lil teaser. I hope you enjoy it!

I carefully snuck into work early that morning. I was trying avoid Abby,
and the awkward conversation that would bring. I had one goal and one goal only, find out anything and everything I could on the lovely, mysterious, Delilah Black.

The database, like my laptop at home, had a ton of Delilah Black’s on
the screen. I should have known that. I used this data base on a daily basis. I was glad we had it in the office. You see, Abby could be quite persuasive. That cunning woman managed to talk the Chief of Police in allowing us to install the same data base they use to look people up. I wasn’t quite sure how Abby did it but then again I was glad she did.

After staring at the blank screen for a while I looked up at the clock. Eight fifteen. No one would be here for another thirty minutes. That gave me plenty of time to sort through some of these Delilah’s and try and find her. I clicked on the first Delilah Black, not her. The second one, not here either. The third, the fourth, the fifth, I was running out of luck. I wasn’t the type of guy to give so easy so I continued on.

Just when my time was about to run out, her pictured flashed across the screen. There she was, right in front of me, mesmerizing me all over again. I touched the screen softly. She was beautiful, she was perfect, she was.... A CRIMINAL! A criminal. There was no way that this stunning angel was a criminal. But it was right there, right in front of my face. She was arrested on charges of arson, breaking and entering, and worst of all robbery. This had to be a mistake. The woman I met wasn’t capable of these kind of crimes. But then again, what did I really know about her?


Cheers!

Bleed Your Heart Out..

So I have to give L.M Preston a big thank you for recommending this week's book of the week.

Honestly, I'm a fan of any novel that's sordid and makes your insides squirm. So when L.M recommened Dia Reeves book Bleeding Violet, I just knew I had to add it to my TBR list...

Love can be a dangerous thing....

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

I'm certain I'm going to enjoy this book. Hope everyone else does too!

Cheers!

Do You Go Outside Of The Box?

I always say that the work doesn't stop after you're published. Not that's necessarily work. Not for me anyway. My books are my children and I enjoy talking about them. (not excessively though.)

So my point for today's blog post is: What kind of promotion do you do, as authors that really gets your book out there?

For me personally, I did a virtual book tour back in August/September and I really have to take a moment and thank the lovely bloggers who hosted me.

But what are some other routes? Besides virtually. Locally is another way to go. Check local newspapers. News stations. Radio Stations. The Artist First radio network is an excellent author interview Station and not to mention a CBS affiliate.

Another thing I have to say is that I'm never afraid to go above and beyond for something I took the time to craft. Never sit back and wait for the book sales to just pour in. You have to put yourself out there. And last but not least, believe in yourself.

If you write the book, the readers will come.

Cheers!

Bring On The Day!!!

So I'm super excited because today is my first official day in agent land!!! Wahoo!

I've already recieved a number of queries and cannot wait to read through them..

If you're curious to what I'm looking for I'll give you some info.. While I'm not completely opposed to a brilliant adult novel, I'll be specializing in YA and MG fiction.

So I welcome you to query me at Lauren@adamanagementgroup.com ....

I look forward to hearing from you..


Cheers!

Positivity Is The Key...

Hello Friday!!!!

As we go into the weekend, I wanted all of you readers to take a moment and think about positivity.

As writer, we face a thousand rejections, and let's face even if we're published not everything in the publishing world runs smoothly 24/7. Every part of the literary world has it's ups and downs. It's not all gravy baby!

But being positive is your best reinforcement. You will get where you want to be someday. Hard work, passion and determination will prevail in the end. Never give up! Never surrender!

This brings me back to some man I met last year who told me that I should give up because I'd never make it as a writer. I remember sitting there, arguing with him for a minute or two, telling him that he didn't know me or what I was capable of.

You see, the world brings on a lot of negativity and it's up to rise above it. If I would have let that comment get to me, who knows where I would be...

Here's a POSITIVE quote to think about over the weekend..

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.~ Winston Churchill~

Book Review For Delirium

Okay, for those of you that read this post last week about Delirium being the book of the week, well, it's back for a book review. And if you read last week's post you'll know how excited I was to read this book.

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.(summary from goodreads)

What would a world be like without love? In my opinion, it wouldn't be a world at all. Oliver does a fantastic job of creating this futuristic world where the people walk around literally numb to emotion. People who walk around like human robots.

It's not just the setting that got me. I think a piece of Lena and Alex will be forever embedded in my heart. Their story is so beautiful yet so tragic it's heart wrenching.Not only that but you get completely sucked into the story. I read this whole 441 pg book in 1 day. Putting down the book after reading it, it's been on my mind for the last 24 hours. And that's when you know the author truly has talent. I'm so depressed that I have to wait until 2012 for the sequel. This book definitely deserves 5 stars!

I was completely wowed by this novel. When I finished, I couldn't breathe because I was crying so hard. I was moved beyond belief. Therefore I have to say: If love really was declared a disease. I would want to be infected.

Please read this book! I promise you, there isn't one page that will leave you disappointed.

Cheers!

How Could You Be So Heartsick...

This week's book of the week was actually brought to my attention by one of my best friends. She asked me if I've ever heard of the book and surprised when I told her I hadn't. The title immeadiately peaked my curiosity so I went to look it up.

From the moment I read the synopsis I knew this book was going to be apart of my TBR pile.I love novels that have a dark side to them. The kind of books that make your mind wander. The kind of books that make you wonder what you would do if you were in the protagonist's shoes.

So, I give you, this week's book of the week... Chelsea Cain's Heartsick...


When beautiful serial killer Gretchen Lowell captured her last victim - the very detective who was trying to hunt her down - she quickly established who was really in control of the investigation. So why, after 10 days of horrifying physical and mental torture, did she release Detective Archie Sheridan on the brink of death and hand herself in?

No one else will ever know what happened between Gretchen and Archie, and even with his tormentor serving life Archie remains both obsessed and driven by a mysterious, terrifying dynamic that was born during his time alone with her. One thing is clear - Archie does not believe he was ever truly freed.

Two years on Archie, shadowed by vulnerable, naive young reporter Susan Ward, must lead a new hunt for the 'after school killer', and he knows that one person can help him climb into the mind of this psychopath.

But are there links between these brutal deaths and Gretchen's own unthinkable past? And will this only give Gretchen an invitation to play puppeteer once more? In turns shocking and touching, this startling, compulsive debut introduces a complex psychopathic killer who will haunt your every waking hour long after you finish the last page...(summary from goodreads)

This book was orginally published in 2007. It just goes to show you that even when a book is older, it's new to somebody else. I can't wait to read this!

Cheers!