21 Questions with... Rhonda Hayter

Rhonda Hayter
The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams

April 1, 2010
Dial Books

I like to start out my days with a laugh. Soo… What makes you literally LOL?
We have a little dog named Kitty who comes pounding through her doggy door every morning and leaping onto our bed in a frenzy of excitement every time she pees outside. I guess you’re probably supposed to stop giving them treats after they’re finally house-trained, but it’s too funny to give up.

Has anything AMAZING happened to you as a writer? (Other than getting published?)
How about getting my manuscript sold again, after my first publisher closed their doors... and Harcourt made me an offer ...and then again because my editor left Harcourt and went to Penguin...which finally published me. Ouch, wait a minute... the book isn’t actually in stores till April 1st, so I guess anything still can happen.

How about something EMBARASSING?
Nothing too embarrassing so far, it’s only my first book. But rest assured, I’ll embarrass myself yet.

How did you celebrate getting published?
My husband took us out to dinner and then he had the waiter bring over a bottle of champagne and say that it was from J.K. Rowling because she was such a big fan of mine. And unlike many jokes, which lose their impact the second time you hear them, the bottle that came from J.K. after the next publisher bought me was just as happily received. Maybe even more.

What/Who inspired you to become a writer?
Gee, I had a jillion inspirations but I think the way my parents used to reread my letters out loud and die laughing all over again (Slightly biased? Certainly not.) was an early affirmation that I could write if I wanted to.

If not an author, what would you have been?
Well actually I was an actress but if you can believe it, and I hope you’re sitting down when you read this...it’s actually even harder to get paid for being an actress than it is to make a living as a writer.

Can you in any way relate your life to your book title, The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams?
I suppose I might have been a bit of a worrier as a kid, and so I gave poor Abbie the same flaw.

so unfair for abby. =)

How did you decide on the name, Abbie Adams for the protagonist of The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams?
It’s funny, it was almost a subconscious thing. Witches made me think of Salem...which made me think of colonial America...and then the name Abigail Adams just floated up in my head.

Nice Crucible reference. We just read that this year.

The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams brings Sabrina the Teenage Witch to mind, especially the cat. Was Sabrina part of the inspiration behind Abbie?
I’ve never actually seen Sabrina the Teenage Witch and don’t know anything about it—but way at the back of my mind, I must confess there may be a trace of residual Bewitched from when I was a kid.

What's your guilty pleasure?
An obsession with Internet Scrabble. Sometimes it’s hard for me to get anything done..uh..wait a sec...let me just exchange this v and this c here...and I’ll..

=) it has to be one of my favorite board games.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your closet right now?
It’s not in my closet...I’m happy to say it’s on me, and it’s a big thick cozy hoodie with a zipper.

What could you eat all day long and never grow tired of?
I’m a milk chocolate gal and I don’t eat it all day, but sadly I do eat it every day. I’ve gotten snobbier about it as I’ve gotten older though and only eat good quality stuff. That’s gotta count for something.

What’s your favorite fairytale? Have you ever thought of re-doing it?
I think I’ve always loved the Ugly Duckling story the best and I don’t think of rewriting it but I do have an idea for a little novel that expresses a similar message. I’m too busy with Abbie right now to write it though.

When you get stuck writing, how do you unglue yourself?
Tragically I’m in the throes of that with some revisions I’m doing but as soon as I get unstuck I’ll let you know how I did it.

What’s something you can’t live without?
There are three somethings, my husband and my two sons. And…oh okay..alright…I admit it. Internet Scrabble. I’ve tried, I swear I’ve tried to give it up.

Write a mnemonic, using your last name, which describes you.
Hmm. Happy… Agnostic…Younger once…Trying to get toned…Education-minded…Reasonably disciplined.

Is there any moment in your life you’d like to relive?
Yes, my wedding and I’m planning to do it too, on our twenty-fifth anniversary.

awww. i want a wedding too. lol

What’s a random fact about you?
From first to sixth grade, I lived in Labrador in Northern Canada, where it was routinely twenty or thirty degrees below zero.

and i bet you miss it too... not really.

Do you have any words of wisdom?
Not everybody subscribes to this because people have writing critique groups that they show works in progress to, but for me when I’m in the middle of writing something, there’s one rule…which is that nobody can look at it unless they’re prepared to tell me it’s absolutely brilliant. I highly advise it for writers. Otherwise you’re criticizing yourself while you’re still in the invention stage …and that’s when your feelings are all tender and vulnerable and need to be protected. I tried a writing group once and it stopped me in my tracks. I still haven’t revisited the material I was working on, because my inner critic now savages it.

Now it’s time we put things in reverse. Do you have a question for me?
Was it scary starting a blog? Were you afraid no one would visit it?
I was really nervous, but excited cause it was something I had thought about doing for a while. I barely had any visitors at first, but that's just a right of passage so it was okay. I'm pretty much happy with how it turned out inthe end, but there's always roomfor improvement.

I guess i never sent question number 21. oops!


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Thanks for being here with us today Rhonda!

Be sure to keep an eye on Rhonda and Abbie Adams. She sounds like lots of fun, both of them.
Website <>
Facebook < http://www.facebook.com/rhondahayter >
Good Reads <>

Introducing... BOOK JUNKIE

Book Junkie
Brande

What drew you into the book blogging world?
It was about a year ago that I started my blog, at first I just felt like I wanted to put my own thoughts and reviews down online. I didn’t know if anyone would follow and honestly not sure I cared because I was and still have this feeling deep down and no one wants to hear what I have to say, that no one will read it anyway so what the heck. Then I started skimming around and saw all the contests, well I was over the moon excited, free books! Get outta here! I was all over it, and the people I meet were so helpful and amazing I couldn’t be happier that I took that first step.

What's your favorite part about book blogging?
I would have to say the interaction, authors, other bloggers. You put a call out for help with someone and 10 people write you back instantly. Everyone is so kind and I love how everyone is just so excited about books! It’s my happy place.

Who's your favorite author?
Right now I am all over Keta Diablo, she found me! I was asked to do a review for her and I haven’t looked back, there isn’t a story I haven’t fallen in love with and I can’t work my way through her backlist fast enough. She writes everything from erotic historical to erotic paranormal. My others are Shiela Stewart and Shelli Stevens, I can pick up ANY of their books and know that I will be taken away even if only for a moment into their world. Again never been disappointed!

What kind of fiction are you into? or are you a nonfiction reader?
I am pretty much a fiction freak, contemporary romance, erotic, historical, western, mystery and paranormal. I am open and finally this last year spread my wings in the historical a year ago I wouldn’t touch them. But to be honest I can’t take the ones that are a little to rich on the historical facts, often times losing the essence of the story.

If you could change your name what would you go by?
Wow, what a great question… I would have to say Ryan. I grew up watching Ryan’s Hope (the old Soap Opera….aging myself I know), at my grandma’s. I always loved that name for a girl.

IF you could have an AWESOME super power what would it be?
Oh, I so know this, I would be invisible. Think of all the things you could get away with!!!

What is your guilty pleasure?
Extra dark chocolate covered strawberries at the Godiva shop in the mall. Just one makes me happy…. Until I finish it and want another and another!

why should I visit your blog?
I would hope you would visit because you like my reviews, or even to get some possible ideas to grow your own TBR list perhaps introduce you to an author you might not have known even existed. I try to spread my wings a bit and not go so mainstream all the time, a lot of ebook authors need some love too!

And.. anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks you for this opportunity! I am truly thrilled and everyday I am meeting someone knew out there in the blog world and making new friends. I hope readers enjoy my blog and the contests I run. I have had a wonderful first year and I hope to continue!!!

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Don't forget to visit Brande at her blog!

If you're interested in being feature on Introducing...YOU email me or leave a comment with you're email and I'll get you set up

21 Questions with Daisy Jordan and GIVEAWAY

Daisy Jordan

Author of Everything Happens for a Reason, the Spin the Bottle Series, and All that Sparkles isn't Real Sapphire

I like to start out my days with a laugh. Soo… What makes you literally LOL?
The TV show Friends. Every time! I love it! Lots of other things too…I love to laugh…but Friends never fails.

It’s the New Year, what were some of your resolutions?
One of my biggest resolutions was just to keep my life going in the direction I want it to go. A big part of that is I’m going to try doing a lot more publicity for my books this year.

and that's when i come in. =)

Has anything AMAZING happened to you as a writer? (Other than getting published?)
My most amazing experiences have been talking to readers and when readers have left me messages and comments letting me know how the books touched them in some way. That’s why I write! Another amazing experience was going to Book Expo America in 2007 in New York City and doing a book signing there. I hope to go back!

How about something EMBARASSING?
I don’t get embarrassed too easily. So nothing I can think of right off the bat. My friends were all afraid they’d be embarrassed by my books because they thought I’d write about them and it would be obvious, but I haven’t done that, so they don’t have to worry!

What/Who inspired you to become a writer?
I have loved writing ever since I was little. My mom’s an English teacher, so I think that was definitely part of it. A book I read in college, The Snow Garden, was what inspired me at the time to start writing a new book, something really crazy and dramatic with a big twist people wouldn’t see coming, and that turned into the first book I published, Everything Happens for a Reason….

If not an author, what would you have been?
I have another job; I’m also a high school counselor and student council advisor. It’s awesome! I love it.

How do you associate with your fans? Are there any who’ve made a strong impression on you that you can’t forget?

I associate with them as much as I can through MySpace, and I recently started a Daisy Jordan Facebook page. I love to get messages from my fans. There are a couple I’ve stayed in touch with through MySpace who have asked me for writing advice or who always let me know when they’re reading my latest book and what they think about it, and those are my favorites! I also have two friends who I met because they read my books, and now we are really close! So that’s been a really cool experience.

Is there a specific reason as to why after writing your first novel, Everything Happens for a Reason, you wrote its prequel, the Spin the Bottle series, before going on to write its sequel, All that Sparkles isn’t Real Sapphire?
When I wrote Everything Happens for a Reason…, I had made a few mentions of the characters when they were in high school, and some of my readers said they loved the characters and wanted me to do more with those characters. So I decided it would be fun to go back to their high school days and write about that. I’m glad I did, because now I feel I know them so much better as characters, and it will be easier to develop their lives from here because I’ve explored their teenage years and have a base for why they are at the places in life they are now. All That Sparkles Isn’t Real Sapphire actually takes another character who was barely in Everything Happens for a Reason… and follows her to college at a different school than the school in Everything Happens for a Reason….

wow. That's pretty cool.

Can you in any way relate your life to your series title, Spin the Bottle?
I love this question! I love symbolism of any kind. In the game spin the bottle, you sit in a circle and spin the bottle, and you never know who it will land on. It’s the same thing repeated over and over, but a different person every time. I think my life tends to go in a circle sometimes, coming back to the same spot even though there are different people involved along the way and I never know for sure who will come into my life or play a role in it. That is how I’d say my life relates to the title.

Nice. I love your spin/take on the question. =)

If the Spin the Bottle series was to become a motion picture, who would play the main characters?
Check out my website to see! (daisyjordan.com) I have “Meet the Character” pages for each book, and you can click on each character. It will take you to that character’s individual webpage, where there is a link to a picture of a celeb I’d choose to play that character. Keep in mind celebs have a lot of different looks, so the pictures I’ve chosen represent them as I would want them to look in my movie. A little preview: Jill – Hilary Duff, Hilton – Sienna Miller, Lorylyn – Ashley Olsen with dark hair and eyes, Hillary – Ashley Tisdale

What about Mary-Kate Olsen? j/k =)

What's your guilty pleasure?
Us Weekly! I read every issue cover to cover! I love it!

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your closet right now?
My gray zip-up hoodie from Wal-Mart, of course. Like the one Hilton and all the girls wear in high school. I’ve had it since I was fourteen, but it’s not in my closet, it always hangs on the back of my computer chair so I can throw it on easily! I am wearing it right now!

since you were fourteen and it still fits? you must have a great figure! and a great taking care of clothes capability.

What could you eat all day long and never grow tired of?
Pizza!!!

what kind? i heart supreme.

What’s your favorite fairytale? Have you ever thought of re-doing it?
My favorite fairytale is The Little Mermaid. I redid it for my children’s lit class in high school.

you're just on top of things aren't you? =)

When you get stuck writing, how do you unglue yourself?
I usually take a break, sometimes even for a day or two, and don’t think about it at all. Then I come back to it and it usually flows. Or sometimes I sit down with a little pad of paper and plan out what’s going to happen next. Those are the only notes I ever take for my books, and there are not a lot of them.

What’s something you can’t live without?
My pets!

Is there any moment in your life you’d like to relive?
I am going to choose one I’d relive because of how fun it was – a spring break cruise I went on in college w/ 5 of my friends!

oooo. I can't wait for my college days.

What’s a random fact about yourself?
I am studying French right now. I took 4 years in school and I know a lot, but I want to become fluent.

Do you have any words of wisdom on life?
There are a lot of things I believe, such as “everything happens for a reason,” of course and “seize every moment, live it, and never look back,” things like that. I also strongly believe in travel because I think it opens your eyes to the world and makes you a different person. I like the quote from the Bon Jovi song “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” that says, “If it’s a million miles away or just a mile up the road / Take it in, take it with you when you go.” I think it’s really important to do this, because every place we go becomes a part of us. But overall, my best words of wisdom on life come from the song “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts – “If you’re faced with a choice and you have to choose / I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.” I believe in following your heart and doing what you know will make you happiest and what is most important to you!

I like those. especially traveling. I love to travel.

Why should I read any of your novels?
I hope you will find them relatable and somewhat funny, and that they will touch you as well. I hope they will somehow help you find meaning in some area of your life.

and as for those of you who are wondering where questiong 21 went, I guess it got lost. =)

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Thanks Daisy for joining us today.

Visit Daisy on her webpage or myspace. I'm sure she'd be glad to hear from you.

Time for a Giveaway
Today, ONe lucky winner will be going home with a copy of Really Good Friends, the first in the Spin The Bottle Series!! Yay!


Deadline: April 8, 2010
Who: EVERYONE! It's International!!!!


Just leave a comment answering one of the interview questions and spread the word.


About Really Good Friends LINK
"For Jill Sherer, high school's shaping up to be better than she could've imagined. From the first week of cheerleading practice, she and her best friends Hillary and Lorylyn are included in a circle of popular girls who open the door to a world of exciting social possibilities. And on the first day of school JIll meets Todd - hot, smart, athletic, funny, and a flirt - the boy of her dreams.
But things with Todd don't go as Jill had hoped, she and Hillary drift apart, and her circle of friends is shaken because of Lorylyn's new boyfriend. Desperate to get things back to the way they were, Jill, along with her new best friend Hilton - a gorgeous, intriguing girl who is the link between Jill's old friends and her new ones - anxiously awaits the one thing that never changes...Landon Kessler's parties.
There, on a lake outside town, everyone comes together time after time for dancing, drinking, skinny-dipping, and spin the bottle. Spin the bottle...the game that leads to new loves, bitter jealousies, betrayals, and breakups. The game that teasingly draws the circle of friends together, only to rip them apart in unforeseeable ways. But they keep coming back, some with hope, some with malevolence, some with amused interest, to be part of the saga that unfolds party after party, month after month..."

Introducing.... JUST YOUR TYPICAL BOOK BLOG

Just Your Typical Book Blog
Amber and Cheryl

Here at JYTBB we read, read, and then read some more. We love discussing our favorite books and even our not so favorite. While we do focus on a lot of Young Adult novels, we also do love Adult fiction as well.

What drew you into the book blogging world?
There were a few blogs that I stumbled across via myspace (back when it was popular). I loved how there were all these current reads, author interviews, and of course some giveaways. A while later, I had showed Cheryl some blogs then one day she just IMed me saying she was making a book blog and I was going to help her. That's how JYTBB was born!

What's your favorite part about book blogging?
Being able to tell people about an awesome read. Imagination is really a powerful and wonderful thing, and it blows me away what some people can come up with. I love being able to forget the world around me and get lost in a book.

Who's your favorite author?
I think it'll always be Sarah Dessen. When I was in high school, there was barely any YA books around besides stuff like Sweet Valley High (which I did read). Then I stumbled across Sarah Dessen and thought, 'Holy crap, this author gets it!'

What kind of fiction are you into? or are you a nonfiction reader?
I'm really into all sorts of fiction. The only ones that I'm not that into are historical and sci-fi. With non-fiction, I don't really like reading facts. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I read a non-fiction book unless it was an autobiography.

If you could change your name what would you go by?
Back in middle school and some of high school, I was obsessed with the name, Starr. I think I had about three different short stories using that name. But I like my first name now - it's Amber, btw. And plus, my entire name is in the dictionary and not many people can say that cool fact!

If you could have an AWESOME super power what would it be?
Oooo probably being able to read people's minds, but I would also like the power to be able to shut it off whenever I pleased.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Watching (and enjoying) cheesy B movies from the late 80's and early 90's. My Corey Haim crush will never fade.

Why should I visit your blog?
Because I'll pay you!
No, not really. You should come visit my blog because I LOVE to read all sorts of different books. And I always try to deliver honest reviews showing what I like and what I didn't. Plus I have a fun little feature called Rock This! Thursday. Its where I talk about books based on or centered around music. I also share concert stories, talk about bands you should listen to, and have fun music interviews with authors and bloggers.

And.. anything else you'd like to add?
Let's see...I'm in the middle of reading Beautiful Creatures and I completely love it. Also the band Cavo have stolen my music loving heart. Oh! And you should so watch the TV show Supernatural because it's about the best thing on TV. Annnd that's all!

Thanks!! This was fun to do :)

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Don't forget to visit Just Your Typical Book Blog!

If you're interested in being feature on Introducing...YOU email me or leave a comment with you're email and I'll get you set up

Blog Tour: Judith Graves [Under My Skin]

Today 2010 Debutante Judith Graves is here with us on her blog tour. I'm so glad she could stop by and I'm sure you are to. Here she is with a little Q&A.

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I like to start out my days with a laugh. Soo… What makes you literally LOL?
I get the giggles at highly inappropriate times, usually when someone around me is having an emotional crisis and I can’t do anything to fix the situation. Like at funerals. Death is beyond fixing. In real life, that is. ;)

How did you celebrate getting published?
I remember eating a lot of chocolate, and I bitterly regret it – the chocolate high, I mean. (See my answer to question 7).

What/Who inspired you to become a writer?
A lot of authors inspired me to pick up the pen. But two men in my life inspire me to keep at it when sitting in front of my laptop is the last thing I want to do. My Grandpa Scott, who started writing fiction in his seventies. He was never published, but I cherish the one manuscript of his that I have. And my father. Through developing Alzheimer’s, he’s lost the ability to write his own name. I keep writing for those who can’t.

awww. that's really sweet.

Can you in any way relate your life to your book title, Under My Skin?
Sure, because life is so full of crazy. Sometimes our skin is all that keeps us in one piece.

Can we have a little teaser from Under My Skin? Promise to keep our lips sealed.
Wade jumped to his feet, blocking my attempt to pass him. “I don’t think chemistry will be a problem,” he said, a teasing light in his grey eyes.
“Nice line,” I murmured. “Use it often?”
“Never. You’re the one and only. Maybe my one and only.”
“Wow.” I snorted. “The soulmate card. You really think you have girls figured out, don’t you?”
“Girls, yes,” he deadpanned. “You? Now that could take a lifetime. I’m game if you are.”
At eye level, I stared directly at his sculpted lips as they formed the flirtatious words and then slanted into a sexy grin. We stood pressed together for a few glorious seconds. My insides quivered. And tingled. And yeah, he certainly did have big, I-give-good-love-bites teeth.
At least Wade stood a few inches taller than me. A minimum requirement for potential love interests in my book. His presence crowded, demanded a response. We were as close as we could get in public, yet he was too far away. I wanted us to sink into each other. Wade inhaled and his chest rose, pushing against mine. I shivered at the curl of sensations winding around me, binding me, making me lean against him.

That is hot. I love love love the teaser!

What's your guilty pleasure?
Karaoke

I've never tried it, but would love to sometime.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your closet right now?
Any pair of jeans that make my ass look smaller. Seriously.

LOL. I tend to like the ones that show off my hips. =)

What’s your favorite fairytale? Have you ever thought of re-doing it?
Beauty and the Beast. UMS plays upon the same themes, love, loyalty, witchcraft/curses/the paranormal, family, self-acceptance, acceptance of others—except Eryn, the main character in UMS, is both Beauty and Beast.

What’s a random fact about you?
I was born in Ottawa, Ontario.

Do you have any words of wisdom?
I’m borrowing the words off a paperweight on my desk. “If you can dream it, do it.” Words to live by, my friends.

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And there you have it. Judith Graves Everyone. Thanks again for stopping by.

Find Out More About Judith Graves and Under My Skin at:
Her Website http://www.judithgraves.com/
Wolfy Chicks Blog http://wolfychicks.blogspot.com/
Book Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s3kQ4nnSEk
Publisher’s Website http://www.leapbks.com
Class of 2k10 website http://www.class2k10.com
Class of 2k10 trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0H79WFPYpc&feature
Free Read: Old Flames Die Hard http://www.leapbks.com/exclusives/ofdh.html

Introducing... HOPE'S BOOKSHELF

Hope's Bookshelf
Hope


Hope's Bookshelf is a blog where I review young adult books, have weekly memes, and a few random posts here and there. You can check it out at .




What drew you into the book blogging world?
It was actually a really impulsive decision. It was a snow day, I was bored, and I stumbled across two book blogs - The Page Flipper and The Story Siren - and a few minutes later, Hope's Bookshelf was born.

What's your favorite part about book blogging?
Hands down, the people you get to meet. I've met and talked to some awesome people - my favorite authors, and also many other bloggers who have turned out to be great friends.

Who's your favorite author?
This is a dreaded question for me... I don't have just one! A few of my favorite authors would have to be Sarah Dessen, Elizabeth Scott, and Ellen Hopkins though.

What kind of fiction are you into? or are you a nonfiction reader?
I'm definitely not a nonfiction reader. I honestly can't really stand reading non fiction books. But I read almost all kinds of young adult fiction. I'm not too much into the sci-fi (though I've been known to read a few, if they appeal) but other than that, I read pretty much everything else.

If you could change your name what would you go by?
Most of you know the name I use on my blog isn't my real name. So, if I had to change my name, I'd go by Hope, which is the name I use on my blog.

IF you could have an AWESOME super power what would it be?
Ooh, definitely to read minds. I think that would be awesome.

What is your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure books would have to be the Gossip Girl and It Girl series.

why should I visit your blog?
You should come check out Hope's Bookshelf because I have some pretty nifty stuff there. I'm honest in my reviews, I'm holding weekly contests this week, and there's lots of random fun. :)

And.. anything else you'd like to add?
Thanks for hosting me Nadine!

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Don't forget to visit Hope at her blog!

If you're interested in being feature on Introducing...YOU email me or leave a comment with you're email and I'll get you set up.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Overview [from the back cover]
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends, and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her tole in it, in order to amke amends and move on with her life.

Review
This is one of those books that you keep turning the pages because you can't help but want to know more. Jennifer Brown did such a great job with Hate List, I loved it. She brought so much emotion into the book that it was quite great.
The set up for Hate List was awesome, it reminded me of The First Part Last-there's the before and there's the now/after. First there's an article clip about a victim of the shooting. This then leads into present time, before going back to a scene from the day of the shooting and it's followers. It really let the reader understand Valerie more, compared to if the book would have just been written in present time. It also set the mood for what was coming.
Valerie was such a strong protagonist. I do not know what I would have done in her position. Her thoughts and feelings about the situation were very realistic. I'm so amazed that she was able to go back to her regular high school. Guilty to not, I don't know if I would have been able to forgive myself, yet alone muster the courage to go back and face the very people whose life's I had indirectly made more difficult. And then going back and visiting the families of the victims, Valerie is definitely a hero. She matured so much through out the book. I was glad to see her finally put things behind, accept how things were, and just live with it to the best of her ability.
Jennifer also had courage, to be able to stand with Valerie when everyone else was pointing their fingers. I don't know how she did it, especially since it was the right thing to do, but I guess the shooting was really an eye opener. It just sucked that it had to take a shooting for her to open her eyes.
Valarie's family was good too. Her mom was very concerned, just like a mom would be and it took her a while to give Valarie her trust back but at lease she was willing to try. Her little brother was really nice too. She still accepted Valarie and didn't judge her or anything. Her dad was just cruel. He practically disowned Valarie, he didn't even give her a chance to apologize or anything. I didn't like the dad.
Over all, Hate List is written so well. The characters were great and so was the story line. It was a really good coming of age story that you just need to read. I really loved it.

Introducing... BITES

Bites
Donna

When I set out to first do book blogging, I wanted the blog to reflect my style. When I reviewed on my writing blog, I had a tendency of shredding books like a Doberman if I found enough issues with them. So I tossed around a few names and Bites stuck. And I pretty much chomp on books and spit out reviews as my tagline says. More to my style, it's snarky and unique. I'm not a huge fan of following in line of all those daily memes out there so I created a lot of my own; Book Wars, 80s Awesomeness!, Freaky Friday (which was based on a meme Sharon over at Sharon Loves Books and Cats used to do), Things I've Learned from Books. In a world where people tend to blend together, I like to stand out. I speak my mind thoroughly and honestly and I bite my way through blogging the best I can. You can come along for the ride if you're adventurous enough but I'm not for the faint of heart.

What drew you into the book blogging world?
Ulterior motives. :) I've been a writer for a while and I read a few agent blogs. Many of them recommended to start networking publicity sources in advance of selling a book so I started peeking around some book review blogs. What actually got me blogging, though, was when I was turned down for a review program with my writing blog because the publisher wanted strictly review blogs. So I moved all of my reviews from my writing blog to what is now Bites and I've been hooked ever since!

What's your favorite part about book blogging?
Interacting with all of the other book bloggers and sharing my thoughts with the greater reading world. As a self-proclaimed hermit, the pseudo-social interaction is a plus for me. :)

Who's your favorite author?
I have many but Tim O'Brien stands out in my head, as does Stephen King. For YA probably Suzanne Collins, Susan Cooper and Ellen Hopkins. Darren Shan's good too.

What kind of fiction are you into? or are you a nonfiction reader?
Definitely a fiction-phile. :) I like my horror but I've been reading more and more fantasy (as that's what I write). Lately the YA world has been neutered of good horror books of yore so I've been scrounging up old Christopher Pike and RL Stine books to sate my true YA horror appetite. Glitterpires and socially friendly zombies just aren't my thing. I like urban fantasy and, depending on the book, high fantasy (although it's not my favorite cup of tea). Historical fiction piques my interest if the topic's right and, every once in a while, a non-fiction, like the book I just read, Your Neighborhood Gives Me the Creeps by Adam Selzer. It's a sort of mini-autobiography of him getting into the ghost hunting business. Obviously not your typical non-fiction.

If you could change your name what would you go by?
Well that's a rather random question! I do have a pen name but I'm not giving that one up. I like the name Madeline but my name-fondness changes every few years. I'm content with mine although my last name alludes a lot of people. Not sure why. It's entirely phonetic. Nevertheless I'd have telemarketers attempt to pronounce my name and slur into a mumble after the first 4 letters. Ugh.

IF you could have an AWESOME super power what would it be?
Another beacon of randomness. Um, astral projection. It would save on travel expenses.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Cheesy 80s movies (and early 90s movies). They're oh so terrible but my collection's full of them. They're like a drug.

why should I visit your blog?
Because if you don't I'll send Vinny and Johnny to bust your knee caps with their pet sledgehammers? I guess if you're looking for something honest, and perhaps a little snarky, then come on over. I don't sugarcoat anything (which can sometimes equate to some light brutality depending on the opinion) and I'm just going to tell it like it is. Life's too short for anything else. Plus I have 80s Awesomeness! It has 'awesome' in the title therefore it defaults to a win.

And.. anything else you'd like to add?
I don't like Twilight. Twitards (and I'm talking the bat shitty level that maul people at shopping malls for having dissenting opinions and attempt to hump Rpattz's leg should they see him, not your normal fan) beware. I also don't like trolls. Nor anonymous commenters who's a pussy bigger than a 900 pound porn star's and can't tell me I suck while revealing their "face." Trolls and anonynerds will be dealt with using varying levels of snark and intelligence that are, pretty sure, far beyond their comprehension which will make them either A) run away and never come back or B) attempt to bite back using even poorer grammar than the initial offending comment and idiotic come-backs, usually littered with some kind of text talk. I also have Miak if all else fails. You've been warned.

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Don't forget to visit Donna at her blog!

If you're interested in being feature on Introducing...YOU email me or leave a comment with you're email and I'll get you set up.

And the winner is.....

Leaving Gee's Bend
Irene Latham

Sorry this is like a week late. But we've got a winner! Yay.

So there were 12entries and each entrant got 1 entry. I had my little brother pick a number from 1-12 and he picked number SEVEN! It just so happens for ________________ to be the 7th entrant. So Congratulations to.......

Dramatistwriter!

yay! you are the winner!! YOu should be getting an email in the next day or two, but if you don't go ahead and email me your name and address so you can get your prize.

thanks to everyone who entered and spread the word. it was much appreciated!!