Tag: YA

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Meet the Author with Angelina Singer

Angelina Singer

Hello Lovelies, 

​​Today our guest is Angelina Singer, a YA author with a romantic comedy, “Just Like a Pill”, as well as book one of a dystopian science fiction series “The Sorting Room” available for purchase on Amazon. In addition to her writing career, Singer is a college undergrad studying English, Music, and of course, Creative Writing.  
In her spare time she enjoys crocheting (with a portfolio of work available for purchase on Instagram @asinger320), as well as mentoring younger music students at a local music store, where she has been studying guitar for nearly a decade. She views her writing as a way to simultaneously escape from and embrace reality. Follow her on Facebook @AngelinaSingerAuthor for exciting updates, exclusive content, and giveaways.

Thanks for joining us, Angelina. Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

​​That would have to be Maxx Howard, the incredibly attractive guitarist in Just Like a Pill. He’s a complex character, and has a lot of heart and talent (besides just being extremely hot). He treats Scarlett so well, and I never get tired of seeing him tell off his clingy girlfriend – it’s epic… and he may or may not be inspired by a real-life dude (scandalous, I KNOW). 

Lol, so scandalous! What inspired this book?

Well that’s a loaded question… but basically, just a good old fashioned crush. Makes for a great YA novel though 😉

Good old crushes and our imaginations make for many a great book, for sure. If your book were made into a movie, who would you cast?

Easy – Maxx Howard would be played by Leo Howard (that cute guy who played Jack on that Disney XD show, “Kickin It”), and Scarlett Larson would be played by Hayley Williams of Paramore. It’s one of my favorite bands, and for a while Hayley rocked bright neon red hair, so she would fit the part of Scarlett perfectly!

What is your next project?

Currently, I am working on The Upperworld Series, a sci-fi fantasy trilogy questioning how people are assigned to their lives, and what would happen if there was a fluke in the system! Book 1, The Sorting Room, is available now, and book 2 is slated to be released sometime in early to mid 2018.

Ooh, can’t wait to learn more! Who is your favorite author?

Do I have to pick just one!?! I have a few, but the ones that have influenced my writing the most would be Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games), John Green (Paper Towns, The Fault in Our Stars), and Tony DiTerlizzi (The Search for WandLa). Each of these authors influenced me quite a bit through their unique and powerful writing styles, like the love stories in John Green’s books, the bravery and valor that Suzanne Collins writes about, and the magical worlds that Tony DiTerlizzi so effortlessly crafts. I actually got to meet Tony at a book signing event this past April, which was very cool (see attached image).

I can totally relate, Angelina. I have a hard time picking favorites too. Well, thank you so much for joining us on An Angell’s Life of bookish goodness. 

​Are you excited to learn more about Angelina?  Visit her blog and to learn more about her books and get notice when new books release, be sure to follow her Amazon Author Profile.
Until next time, 
Keep Reading!

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Book Review- The West Woods by Suzy Vadori

The West Woods by Suzy Vadori

Hello Lovelies,

I am excited to share The West Woods by Suzy Vadori. I received a an e-book copy of this book for the purpose of review and promoting as I saw fit.

Here is a shot I got on Instagram

Rebekah Jonesy and I actually did this as a group read on Beautiful Book Geeks. Check out our first episode and our thoughts on The West Woods or read below to see my personal thoughts.

Genre:

Urban Fantasy

Synopsis: 

The West WoodsCourtney Wallis wants nothing more than to escape St. Augustus boarding school. After uncovering a well-kept secret about the school’s founder, Isaac Young, Courtney turns to the school’s magic to convince her dad to let her leave. Things take a turn when she meets Cole, who lives in the nearby town of Evergreen. He gives her hope that things might not be so bad. However, the school’s fountain has other ideas, and binds Courtney to her ambition, no matter the cost.As Courtney struggles to keep the magic from taking over, she and her friends get drawn into the mystery woven into the school’s fabric. Everything seems to lead back to the forbidden West Woods. Together, she and her friends seek out the spirits of the past to ask for help, and find themselves in much deeper than they’d bargained for. If they succeed, Courtney could be free of the magic. If they fail, she may never be the same.

My Take:

This was an interesting and entertaining story about Courtney, a sophomore who wants nothing more than to attend the local high school and run on the track team, but who’s senator father wants her to attend his Alma Mater, a boarding school where there is no track team and her best substitute is swim team. When she begs him not to make her, he tells her that there is something magical he wants her to find out about the school, in particular the West Woods that surround the school. She never knew he meant literally. But as Courtney digs into the mystery her father has set her on and discovers a magic wishing well, she finds herself trapped in a genie-type wishes don’t always turn out the way you hope scenario. 
I had a hard time connecting to Courtney, even before her wish took over her and changed her personality, she was kind of the type of girl I don’t really like. And all the running! It’s kind of a key piece to the story. I would much rather swim than run, lol. 
But it is a well-told story that touches on a lot of issues relevant to most teenagers such as how far you’re willing to go for what you want, how priorities can shift and change, how to deal with difficult people. There are some good nuggets of wisdom buried in this entertaining story. I was surprised when I got to the end and found out that this is actually the second book in this series. I liked it enough to add The Fountain (take a peek) to my TBR, though I suspect this is one of those books that my boys will enjoy more than I did. I imagine you’ll see their review for it soon enough. 


If you enjoy mystery books like Nancy Drew and Babysitter’s club, combined with magical elements like The Magic Treehouse of Fablehaven, then grab take a peek


Until next time, 

Keep Reading! 

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Book Review- The Triplet’s Curse- Hope’s Story by Marsha Black

Trioplet's Curse Hope's Story

Genre:

YA Urban Fantasy


Synopsis: 

When the moon is full

High above the Earth

Three daughters shall be born

On their 16th birthday, their destiny will begin

One daughter, born with the knowledge of the future, yet blind of those closest to her


As Hope’s 16th birthday nears, weird things happen. Then on the night of her 16th birthday, she awakens with a scream. An unbelievable nightmare becomes her reality, and she questions her sanity.Bryce, a new guy in town, arrives to help.In order to survive, three must work as one, or all is lost.Will Hope learn to use her ability in time?


My Take:

I received an advanced reader copy for the purpose of review. And man, am I glad I did. This story is the first in a three-part series about three sisters who are cursed. Hope is definitely a character I can relate to. Grade oriented, not really part of the popular crowd, and with no desire to be, she is just a normal teenager struggling with getting along with her sisters, looking forward to getting her license… and having the joy of always being thrust into the spotlight she hates, because she is one of the only sets of triplets ever born in their small Wisconsin town. 

​​Then she meets Bryce. Oh, Bryce. I can’t decide if I like him or not. I mean, he’s ok. At least he’s not the sullen brooding boy that seems to be the hot “it” thing in YA UF of late. But (and I think this is true to his character, as opposed to the bad writing I’ve seen from other authors) Without Hope, he is kind of nothing. I mean, literally, this kid has been raised in a cult society, his sole purpose of existence, to find the triplets from the curse and aid them in training and preparing to battle evil. We get a brief glimpse of this young man who doesn’t really believe in his mission, and kind of isn’t happy with his life, but then the spark happens (No, y’all it is a LITERAL spark, sounds SO cool. I want to see a movie version of this JUST to see the spark, lol) and suddenly he is a born again convert to his cult’s beliefs. Which, is probably a good thing or poor Hope would’ve been screwed. 
But it would’ve been fun to see him maybe buck the system a little bit? I have hopes, thanks to some teasers for the next books, that one of the heroes/ heroines might, though. After all, Fate can only do so much, am I right? 
So, yeah, each book is about one of the sisters, and their coming into their power, as far as I can tell. I loved the baddie in this one, and the way it was revealed. I can’t say I didn’t see it coming, but at the same time, it was a surprise. The author did a great job balancing the reader’s knowledge and expectations. And holy crap, the teaser at the end for the next book!? As soon as it’s available for preorder, I am ordering it! 
If you enjoy stories where the hero is fated to save the world, with a dash of romance, and a splash of snark, then The Triplet’s curse is definitely for you.

Take a Peek Inside A Triplet’s Curse- Hope’s Story


Until next time, 

Keep Reading!