Featured on Friday: Maggi Gibson

Maggi Gibson has always been a big reader and her and her seven year old friends inspired Sassy, Cordelia and Taslima. She now lives in Scotland with her husband and two daughters.

1. Is there a specific time or place that you do your best writing in?
When starting a new book I like to try to write first thing in the morning at my desk- before real life starts to crowd my mind. But once I've got a story up and running I can become a bit obsessive, you know the way it is when you're reading a book you can't put down? Well, I become like that about writing and will write anytime, anywhere.

2. Who were your favourite authors as a teenager? Are they different to your current favourites?
When I was a teen there weren't books specifically aimed at teens. Also, we had to read a lot of the English classics at school, Great Expectations, Pride and Prejudice, Silas Marner, plus Shakespeare, and it didn't leave much time for reading purely for pleasure. I hated when I HAD to read something one chapter a week. So when I was a teen, although I loved some of the books we were forced to read, I was almost turned off reading.

3. If you were only allowed to take three books to a desert island, what would they be?
Seriously Sassy, Pinch Me, I'm Dreaming and Crazy Days. Only joking! I have all of those in my head, so I wouldn't need to take them. Oh, this is a hard one! I would take To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, I Captured the Castle by Dodi Smith and something by my favourite author, Margaret Atwood. Probably The Blind Assassin, which I thought was an amazing book. I think I could read that over and over.

4. Is there a novel that you wish you’d written? Why?
I would love to have written Cupcake by Rachel Cohn. I think it's a brilliant YA novel. Quirky, but with a real heart. I also love Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I found it quite magical, yet it's set in the real world. I love the central idea, that it's okay to be different, and that we should try to embrace difference and not squash it on other people.

5. Is music as important to you as it is to Sassy?
The reason I wrote about a girl who had a great singing voice, is because I really can't sing! I so wish I could, and I sing inside my head all the time, but when I sing out loud it coms out all wrong! But where Sassy sings to deal with her strong emotions, I write poetry. Not that different really. Someone else might get the same release from drawing or painting, or running or swimming. Where I am like Sassy is that I can be very passionate about things, have very strong emotions. For people like me it's important to have some kind of coping mechanism. I hope that my readers will follow Sassy's example and find their own way to deal with strong emotions, to turn what can feel like negative energy into something positive.

6. Why did you decide to make green issues and campaigning such a big issue in Seriously Sassy?
I think it's the big issue of our times, especially for children and teens. There really is a problem, and so much of our world is geared towards getting things for yourself and never seeing the bigger picture, the fact that if you're using lots of resources then someone else somewhere in the world or in the future might have to pay the price. Also, I think as individuals we're in danger of feeling powerless, of thinking we can't make a difference. I want all young people to know they CAN make a difference and that what they think and believe in and do is important.

7. I thought that Sassy’s voice was spot on. Was it difficult to think and write in the mindset of a thirteen-year-old?
Quite a lot of people have mentioned that. Actually, I don't find it hard at all to write in Sassy's voice. It just feels natural. I think a bit of me inside is thirteen still, and I just tap into that. Also, when I exchange emails with my younger daughter (well, she's 23 now!) we tend to write in that kind of teen-speak, so I suppose I had practice in that voice.

8. Are you working on anything at the moment? Can you tell us anything about it?
I've got the fourth Seriously Sassy book all worked out and started, but I'm not sure when or if that will be coming out. Fingers crossed. I'm about to start today on a new series. I never quite know when I start an idea if it will suddenly veer off in a totally different direction from I intended, so I'm wary of saying too much! It will be about a group of girls, probably 11 years old. They will each be quirky in their own way. There will be boy-stuff in it cos I love the whole romantic thing, and I like creating cool boy characters. Beyond that, it's at such an early stage, I really can't say!

Thanks so much, Maggi! You can visit Maggie at her website here and read my review of Seriously Sassy here.

Sophie

Blog Tour: Low Red Moon - Ivy Devlin

Low Red Moon - Ivy Devlin

Pages: 196 (ARC)
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Release Date: 14th September 2010

Her parents are dead. She can’t remember what happened. And now she’s in love with the most dangerous creature in the forest.

The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver - deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can’t, and there’s nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together.

Then Avery meets the new boy in school - Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she’s ever experienced. Ben is a werewolf, but Avery trusts him - at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash an inhuman silver. And she learns that she’s not the only one who can’t remember the night her parents died.

Part murder mystery, part grief narrative, and part heart-stopping, headlong, romance, Low Red Moon is a must-read for teen paranormal fans. A powerful YA voice makes her paranormal debut with this breathless, spooky novel - a book to be devoured.

Low Red Moon is a riveting paranormal debut that ticks all the boxes: mythical creatures, mystery and a fiery romance.

This is one of the best paranormal romances I’ve read this year. I adored the creepy, secluded atmosphere that Ivy Devlin created in the setting of Woodlake. It’s a small, non-descript American town surrounded by ancient forest that been the subject of myths and stories since Woodlake’s settlers. I don’t think I could live in a town where no secret stays secret for long and everybody knows everything about you and your family. And all of this only made it harder for Avery.

Thankfully, I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to loose both of your parents, let alone have watched them be murdered and not be able to remember who did it. But that’s the reality that Avery faces. Shattering grief consumes her everyday and is only worsened by the empty space where the memory of that night should be. Ivy Devlin conveyed Avery’s fragile state of mind beautifully.

But it was the romance that really captured my attention with enough clandestine meetings to set pulses racing. The chemistry between Ben and Avery sizzled right from the moment they met and their connection only got stronger as Low Red Moon continued and the threat of evil got nearer and nearer to Avery.

The mysteries surrounding the evil presence and the murder of Avery’s parents kept me furiously turning the pages. Hints were dribbled throughout the chapters and led me to quite a few wrong conclusions. So when the murderer’s identity was revealed I actually gasped aloud in shock. Very unexpected!

I loved Low Red Moon and I can’t wait to read more from Ivy Devlin.

For my 2010 Debut Author Challenge, 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Sophie

Spirit Hunter - Katy Moran

Spirit Hunter - Katy Moran

Pages: 272
Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: 7th June 2010

Other Titles by this Author: Bloodline, Bloodline Rising

Two empires are at war.

This time, the Empress of China is sure she will destroy the Horse Tribes for ever.

She sends a deadly weapon across the desert with her army: Swiftarrow, her Shaolin spy. But Swiftarrow has more than one mission to complete. He must also find a new recruit for the empress, a young barbarian to train as Shaolin: swift as a shadow, more silent than death.

Out on the Steppe, a young Horse Tribe shaman dreams of a great battle and the slaughter of her people. She knows that war is coming. She must stop the bloodshed. But how?

Spirit Hunter is the story of a girl being crushed by grief and a boy overwhelmed with regret at causing it.

Both of the main characters of Spirit Hunter, Asena and Swiftarrow, are in very difficult situations and states of mind. And through split narration, Katy Moran captures the pitch of their emotions perfectly and the nature of their intertwined lives. It is also told in the very rare present tense, making it feel as if you were right in the heart of the action with Asena and Swiftarrow.

The beliefs and customs of an ancient Chinese civilisation that are depicted in Spirit Hunter are fascinating. I really love the idea of everybody having spirit horses and a few - the shaman - that can see them and be able to tell what kind of person you are. I think it’s extremely cool. There’s also the wall-dwellers (people who live in the city of T’ang) with the Shaolin, their all-powerful queen and scores of courtesans. It really is another world.

I have to admit that Spirit Hunter did let me down in one respect: the love story. I was expecting a fiery, passionate, forbidden love, but in actuality, they were rarely together. When Asena and Swiftarrow were together the negative emotions were so strong that their declarations of undying love at the end seemed a little out of the blue and I didn’t quite believe it.

Spirit Hunter is a thoroughly enjoyable novel that will strongly appeal to fans of stories set far back in history.

For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Sophie

In My Mailbox 70

This meme was started by the fabulous Kristi who was inspired by Alea. Check out their blogs for more information. All summaries are from the book jackets.

For review:

Low Red Moon - Ivy Devlin (ARC)

Her parents are dead. She can’t remember what happened. And now she’s in love with the most dangerous creature in the forest.

The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver - deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can’t, and there’s nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together.

Then Avery meets the new boy in school - Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she’s ever experienced. Ben is a werewolf, but Avery trusts him - at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash an inhuman silver. And she learns that she’s not the only one who can’t remember the night her parents died.

Part murder mystery, part grief narrative, and part heart-stopping , headlong, romance, Low Red Moon is a must-read for teen paranormal fans. A powerful YA voice makes her paranormal debut ith this breathless, spooky novel - a book to be devoured.

I got this as part of Sarah’s blog tour.

Halo - Alexandra Adornetto (ARC)

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone - especially herself - from the Dark Forces.

Is love a great enough power against evil?

Yay! So excited! A huge thanks to Fiewel and Friends/Macmillan US.

Before I Fall - Lauren Oliver

They say to live every day as if it’s your last - but you never actually think it’s going to be. You always think you’ll have more time.

That’s what I thought. But I was wrong.

The thing is, you don’t get to know when it happens. You don’t remember to tell your family that you love them or - in my case - remember to say goodbye to them at all.

What if, like me, you could live out your last day over again? Could you make it perfect? If your whole life flashed before your eyes, would you have any regrets? Are there things you’d want to change?

A surprise paperback copy from Hodder & Stoughton. You can see my review here.

Cathy’s Ring - Sean Stewart; Jordan Weisman; Cathy Brigg

You only live twice.

My rich boyfriend, Victor, is broke. My potential other boyfriend, Denny, is broken. There are creepy guys stalking my best friend. And there are three dead bodies underneath my window. All I have left is my sketchbook, a variety pack of lip gloss in Assorted Candy Flavours and a healthy dose of fear.

Thanks to Bloomsbury. I haven’t read the first two books, but I love the idea of this series.

Gift:

Matched - Ally Condie (ARC)

Society matched them, but love set them free.
In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one…until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Khy, between the only life she’s ever known and a path no one else has ever dared foloow - between perfection and passion.

Matched is a story for right now and story with the resonance of a classic.

A huge thank you to Nancy who also sent me some bookmarks and the sweetest note. Thank you!

Bought:

Withering Tights - Louise Rennison

I was in the barn showing Ruby my comedy version of Irish dancing. Suddenly, mid-leap, the best-looking boy I have ever seen came in.
    He smiled at me and said, “Er…hello, I’m Alex, Ruby’s brother.”
    Ruby tutted and said, “She’s called Tallulah and she goes to that Dother Hall. Tha’ knows, the bonkers hall.”
    I said, “Hahhaha. Hiddly diddly diddly diddle…” And started dancing again.

Alex had everything a dream boy should have. Back, front, sides. A head.
    He said, “That’s a cool name.”
    He said nothing against my knees.

Granted, he couldn’t see my knees, but he probably got the picture. Today I have had more boy action than I have had in 14 ½ years of life. I LOVE Yorkshire. I do.

You know what it’s like when you have your first snog, and it feels like a tiny bat in barging around in your mouth? Of course you do. So you will love Tallulah Casey as she careers about in her tights. She’s your kind of mate.

I love Louise Rennison’s books with all of my heart so all there is to say is: YAY!

Picture of Lily - Paige Toon

‘Will you marry me?’

I think of you, then. I think of you everyday. But usually in the quietest part of the morning, or the darkest part of the night. Not when my boyfriend of two years has just proposed. I look up at Richard with his hopeful eyes.

‘Lily?’ he prompts.

It’s been ten years, but it feels like only yesterday that you left. How can I say yes to Richard with all my heart when most of it has always belonged to you? I take a deep breath and will myself to speak…

Ten years ago when Lily was just sixteen, she fell in love with someone she really shouldn’t have fallen in love with. Now, living in Sydney and engaged to another man, she can’t forget the one that got away. Then her past comes back to haunt her, and she has to make a decision that will break her heart - and the heart of at least one of the men who love her.

Paige Toon is one of the few adult authors that I read religiously. She’s awesome and I get to meet her tomorrow!

Sophie

Guest Blog: Sean McCartney

Today I’m handing over So Many Books, So Little Time to debut author Sean McCartney. Enjoy!


First off I would like to thank Sophie for allowing me to talk with all of you. This is my first blog so it is quite exciting for me.

My name is Sean McCartney and I’m currently on a blog tour to promote my new young adult action adventure novel entitled THE TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB: SECRETS OF THE MAGICAL MEDALLIONS. It’s being released on July 6th, 2010 from Mountainland Publishing.

The story is about Tommy Reed and his treasure hunting friends Shannon McDougal, Jackson Miller and Chris Henderson. One day Tommy receives a rather ordinary looking medallion from his very famous treasure-hunting uncle “Diamond” Jack Reed and finds himself the object of an evil treasure collector named Manuel de la Ernesto. Now Tommy and his friends must find the secret behind the medallion before Manuel can get to them and the medallion.

When I set out to write The Treasure Hunters Club: Secrets of the Magical Medallions I wanted to pull together all the things from books and movies that I liked. The mystery of the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown, the adventure of Percy Jackson, a little magic from Harry Potter and the action and history of the movies Indiana Jones and National Treasure.

Though this is the first book in the Treasure Hunters Club series, with your help to make it a success, the next books will follow. I have planned six treasure hunting books as they follow the club through the 8th grade and into high school. Of course, as they get older their treasure hunts get more dangerous and more exciting.

I have been asked why I created a series around treasure hunting. The truth is I believe treasure hunting is something everyone can do. You don’t need super powers just a desire to do research and find where to look. Also treasure hunting touches on the sidebars of history, the stuff not in the textbooks. That is usually the most interesting and provides a solid building block for the series.

My goal has always been to be published and have a series that kids can enjoy and have a lot of fun reading. I was lucky to find a publisher who believes in the series as much as I do. What I was surprised to find out was how much the publishing world has changed since I started this journey toward “being published.” The emergence of e-books has shaken the publishing world like never before and I believe we have only scratched the surface of what this new technology can do to help promote reading.

In the meantime, I hope you take a moment to check out my website http://www.treasurehuntersclubbook.com/ and learn more about the series and read some short stories about the characters.

Sophie