Bookanistas: Sally Slick Cover Love

For this week's Bookanista post, I'm so thrilled to finally be able to show off the cover of my upcoming book, SALLY SLICK AND THE STEEL SYNDICATE! Sally's an exciting book for me. It has the same fast paced silliness you can find in the Kate Grable books, so it should appeal to people who liked them. But it's also the kind of book you can give to younger siblings too, without fear that they'll be grossed out by kissy bits or puking zombies. And I watched a lot of Indiana Jones while I wrote it, and any excuse to do that is awesome.

Anyway. I should shut up and let you see the gorgeous cover that was designed by Dani Kaulakis. She's a suuuuper geeenius.

Let me tell you, I got the HUGEST kick out of seeing all of these characters that I'd written come to life on this cover. It's my first illustrated cover, and I lurve it with a lurvely lurve. SO THRILLED.

And here's a little about the book!

Every hero has a story. This one starts with a girl and a racing tractor.

Sally Slick knows she’s meant to be more than a Midwestern farm girl. What she wants more than anything is to be an inventor when she grows up—and she has the custom-built racing tractor to prove it. But good girls in 1914 don’t go off to the city in search of adventure. Everything changes when Sally’s big brother comes back from Chicago with a robot in hand and mobsters on his heels. With the help of her friend, wannabe hero Jet Black, Sally will risk everything to protect the people she loves.

Those bad guys are about to get a giant wrench thrown right into their plans.

I want to send a special shout out to some awesome people who are helping me show off the pretty today: Courtney, Matthew, Jessica, Amanda, Denis, Lisa, Jen, Larissa, Fauzan, Cari, Courtney Ann, Matt, Elana, Julia, Ashley, Katie, Jen, Stasia, and Jenn. If I had to choose between having all of you in my posse, or having Sally's brothers, I'd totally choose you. And that's saying a lot. :)

You can now preorder the book (hopefully Amazon will eventually realize that I wrote the darned thing), and add it to your Goodreads list too!

And if that's not awesome enough, check out all this Bookanista coolness!!!!

Shari Arnold marvels at THE MOON AND MORE by Saran Dessen

Tracy Banghart is thrilled by 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

Christine Fonseca shivers over SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi

Elana Johnson reveals the cover of SALLY SLICK & THE STEEL SYNDICATE by Carrie Harris

Corrine Jackson is nuts for AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK by Joe Schreiber

Jessica Love joins the BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart book blitz – with giveaway

Shannon Messenger  raves about JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta

Tracey Neithercott adores THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab

Kimberly Sabatini is touched by OUT OF REACH by Carrie Arcos

Katy Upperman gushes over THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca

Bookanistas: INSOMNIA

Welcome to Bookanista Thursday! Lots of excitement going on here today, so let's get right down to it! Today, I'm featuring a book that I loved enough to BLURB--Jenn Johansson's INSOMNIA. Here's what I said about it:

"Completely unputdownable. I've decided to nickname Johansson 'Scary McScarypants,' because she spooked me in all the best ways. Who do I have to bribe to get book two now?!"

 You should call her Scary McScarypants too. I think she'd love that.

A little about the book, courtesy of Jenn's website!

It's been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he's had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people's fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets--and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia's eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he's gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it's Parker.

Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all?

Scary, right?!? This book really creeped me out, but not so much that I wouldn't interview Jenn herself. Here she is, kindly responding to some very random questions!

C: When I met you, I knew we were kindred spirits because we both write emails that are all: RANDOM CAPITALS!!!!!! :) :) :) Can you tell us about a !!!!! :) :) :) moment you've had recently?

J: Sure! It feels like I'm having those almost every day right now with all the crazy release happiness. A particularly fun one though was when I received my final author copies and saw the cool things my publisher did to the cover. The matte with glossy cracks looks INCREDIBLE in person. I just sat and stared...then jumped up and down...then stared more. 

C: I have to admit that I'm a little flummoxed. On one hand, you're all !!!!! :) :) :), but on the other hand, there's a reason I've nicknamed you Scary McScarypants. You bring teh scary in INSOMNIA. How on earth did that happen? Have you always been a horror fan?

J: Haha, it flummoxed me at first as well. I have not always been a horror fan. In fact, for a long time I was terrified of all scary movies. But I have always enjoyed reading scarier books. I think there is something special about the way the brain filters a scary book. It pictures mostly monsters and images that the person can handle, like a built in filter. Brains are tricksy like that. I guess you could say I love playing with people's brains...but not eating them...I'm not a zombie (that I know of).
C: Imagine this: you have insomnia, and your only hope of true sleep is to try and match eyes with either David Hasselhoff or Richard Simmons each night. Who do you choose and why?

J: Oh wow...tough choice. I'd have to consider David Hasselhoff as the lesser of two evils here. I can't handle the incredible amount of bounciness and hyper energy that Richard Simmons give off and I'm certain I'd end up killing him. The Hoff and I, I have a feeling we'd hit it off. We both love Germany and the color red, for example. It's like we've always been destined to be friends.

C: Totally random questions! I specialize in them! What one TV show or movie franchise do you wish they'd revive? I want more Space Ghost Coast to Coast with the fire of a thousand suns.

J: This is hard actually because there are so many that I think they'd mess up if they brought them back (like Friends...I LOVE it...but please don't ruin our happy memories with a depressing revival). My top choice would have to be Eureka. It lends itself well to starting off in a new place. Plus, I adore how much it makes my brain work. (Wow, I talk about brains a lot. I'm suddenly ultra-aware of it.) If you all haven't seen Eureka, every season is currently on Netflix instant. You must remedy this immediately. I have three names for you: Nathan Stark, Zane Donovan and Holly Martin (Felicia Day). 

You can all thank me for this later. C: Imagine this: You're in high school, and I'm your best friend. A sparkly vampire and a glow-in-the-dark werewolf want to take us to prom. Should we ditch them, or should we go?

Oh...we definitely ditch them. And go party it up hardcore on our own. We could invent new dances and do a spotlight-Thriller-duet performance. There would be much envy had by all...so much...so, so much.

Plus, we could make vampires and werewolves cry, which has been on my to-do list for quite some time now. ;-) 

C: If you had a theme song, what would it be?

J: My theme song would be Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson. My kids call it "Alien Baby Music"...I really don't think I need to say anything more than that...

C: And for my last question: !!!!!!! :) :) :) ! :D????

J: !! ;-)!! :) :) :) !! =oD =oD ^^ !!!!!

Thank you so much for having me! This was such a fun interview. You = the best! :)

*****

Thanks so much for visiting us, Jenn! And the best part of this is that Jenn is giving things away! Books! Critiques! Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don't forget to stop here to sign up to review SALLY SLICK AND THE STEEL SYNDICATE before you visit the rest of this week's Bookanista awesomeness!
 

Carolina Valdez Miller celebrates 17 & GONE by Nova Ren Suma

Christine Fonseca praises THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting
Corrine Jackson is wild for WHEN IT HAPPENS by  Susane Colasanti

Elana Johson invites you to her ABANDON release par-tay!

Katy Upperman is bewitched by NANTUCKET BLUE by Leila Howland
Lenore Appelhans  swoons for STAR CURSED by Jessica Spotswood…with an annotated snippet
Stasia Ward Kehoe is wild for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky
Tracey Neithercott  highlights WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE by Trish Doller
Tracy Banghart  raves over JUMP WHEN READY by David Pandolfe

Sally Slick cover reveal!

I'm happier than Richard Simmons on...well, than Richard Simmons. I just got the final Sally Slick cover in my inbox, and it releases on December 3rd, which is NOT THAT FAR AWAY! Seriously. I'm Simmonsing, only without the short shorts.

This means that I get to start planning the release things, and that is something that makes me super mega happy! (But still no short shorts. Sorry.) Are you interested in participating in the exclusive SALLY SLICK AND THE STEEL SYNDICATE cover reveal on June 20th? Would you like to review an advance copy? Would you like to participate in a blog tour? Sign up via this form, and I will do my absolute best to make it happen.

Not entirely sure if the book is up your proverbial alley? The full description will be released along with the cover, but I can tell you that this is a pulp-style adventure that falls somewhere in the younger YA/tween range. It has ADVENTURE! CHILLS! THRILLS! And I watched a lot of Indiana Jones while I wrote it. So yeah. If that appeals to you, signeth up, and I will try to hooketh you up!

Um....yeah. I don't get all the eth-ing either. But at least it's not short shorts.

Bookanistas Relaunch with Giveaway!

As May draws to a close, we're celebrating the start of summer and another great beginning: THE RELAUNCH OF THE BOOKANISTAS! New members, new logo, new website design and a whole lot more of the book love we all adore!

You know those moments where you see the cool people from across the room--like in the cafeteria or something--and the only thing you really want is to be a part of the cool people, only you're secretly convinced that they are probably total butts in real life, only maybe they aren't? (This makes total sense to me. Doesn't it to you?) Anyway, I'm so thrilled to be a part of the Bookanistas, because they are cool people. This means that at least a small part of me? COOL.

Now that I've convinced you of my coolness, I'm going to book-geek out on you. I tend to fly through books during the summer more than I do any other time. Some of them are comfort reads--I read GOOD OMENS by Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett every summer and laugh like a complete hyena. (As opposed to a partial hyena? Whatever.) And I usually go through the Harry Dresden books during the summer. DEAD BEAT is one of the best. Books. Evar.

I'll be rereading the DIVERGENT books in preparation for the movie (and I totally squealed when I was in Chicago last weekend and saw a series of gates labeled with the various factions). And HOLD ME CLOSER, NECROMANCER, which never fails to make me laugh (because hello--potato hockey). And DEVILISH, which I think is the unsung hero of Maureen Johnson's backlist and the reason I queried my agent.

The Bookanistas are looking forward to bringing some new titles to your attention, but do you have any comfort reads that you'll never EVER tire of?

And don't forget the prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
THE WINNER OF THE BOOKANISTA RELAUNCH GIVEAWAY OF AWESOME WILL RECEIVE signed copies of these Bookanista-authored books…

• IF I LIE and TOUCHED by Corrine Jackson PLUS ARCs of JUST ONE DAY and SPEECHLESS
• LET THE SKY FALL by Shannon Messenger
• BY BLOOD by Tracy Banghart
• POSSESSION, SURRENDER and ABANDON by Elana Johnson
• TOUCHING THE SURFACE by Kimberly Sabatini (plus a swag surprise)
• BAD TASTE IN BOYS by ME!!!!!!
• AUDITION by Stasia Ward Kehoe
• THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca (plus sweet swag)
• MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
• LEVEL 2 by Lenore Appelhans

AND A SECOND WINNER WILL GET A BOX FILLED WITH: Bookanista-beloved reads including DITCHED by Robin Mellom, JELLICO ROAD by Melina Marchetta, TAKEN by Erin Bowman, CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare, MONSTROUS BEAUTY by Elizabeth Fama and SPARROW ROAD by Sheila O’Connor.

You can find lots more Bookanista Relaunch Book Love sites around the interwebs:
Carolina Valdez Miller
Christine Fonseca 
Corrine Jackson 
Debra Driza
Elana Johnson
Jessica Love
Katy Upperman 
Kimberly Sabatini 
Lenore Appelhans
Nikki Katz
Rebecca Behrens
Shannon Messenger 
Shelli Johannes-Wells
Stasia Ward Kehoe
Tracey Neithercott
Tracy Banghart  

Bookanistas: The Dinocalypse Trilogy by Chuck Wendig...with a giveaway!

Welcome to Bookanistas Thursday, in which a bunch of super cool authors (and me) talk about books you might not have heard of yet. Because we all need excuses to buy more books. That's what I keep telling my husband, anyway.

Actually, come to think of it, I don't need an excuse at all.

But anyway. Today, I'd like to tell you about the Dinocalypse trilogy, because psychic dinosaurs are always cool. This series starts with DINOCALYPSE NOW, which is already out, and continues with BEYOND DINOCALYPSE, which hits shelves June 18th. So there's just enough time to read book 1. BAZINGA!

Here's the official blurby thing for DINOCALYPSE NOW, courtesy of Goodreads:

Spirit of the Century presents Dinocalypse Now! When the Century Club is called in to prevent the assassination of FDR, it's just another day on the job - but what they discover puts not just the President, but the entire world in jeopardy. With psychic dinosaurs taking over Manhattan and beyond, it's up to Sally Slick, Jet Black, Mack Silver, and the other Centurions to save humanity - from extinction!

Now, I have a confession to make--I just finished a book for Evil Hat Productions which is set in the same world as DINOCALYPSE. I work for them. I am biased. However, in some ways, that makes me a little more critical rather than less. Let's face it; if you wrote a book for a series, and the rest of the series SUCKED, that would be bad. So it was a tremendous relief to me when I opened up the book and began laughing within minutes of reading. I dare you to read about when FDR beans a psychosaur with a microphone stand and NOT laugh.

The best way to describe this series is like an Indiana Jones movie, with all the action and wisecracks and impossible odds and weirdness. It starts off fast and never lets go. And one of the best things about it is that it's clean enough and FUN enough to appeal both to me and to my 9-year-old son. In fact, shortly after my copy arrived, he claimed it and won't give it back. Endorsement-wise, it doesn't get much better than that, and he doesn't work for Evil Hat. :)

Now, one thing that my EH connection gets me is TEH COOL STUFF. I have a copy of DINOCALYPSE NOW, plus a Spirit of the Century collector's patch, plus a Spirit of the Century pin. Enter to win via the Rafflecopter below, open to US residents only. Give it to an adventure-loving kid you know or keep it for yourself. I promise not to tell.


a Rafflecopter giveaway And while you're at it, check out these awesome Bookanistas!

Lenore Appelhans  is blown away by REBOOT by Amy Tintera

Tracy Banghart & Debra Driza join THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca book blitz!

Corrine Jackson is stunned by BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Nikki Katz  wonders at THE GRAVE WINNER by Lindsey Loucks

Gretchen McNeil talks TRUTH OR DARE by Jacqueline Green

Elana Johson admires INSOMNIA by Jenn Johannson

Tracey Neithercott celebrates THE YEAR OF SECRET ASSIGNMENTS by Jacqueline Moriarty

Katy Upperman fawns over FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta

Rebecca Behrens is wowed by THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yancey

Bookanistas: The Collector

It's been a tremendously long time since I've passed on a book recommendation, and that's a problem that must be solved. Okay, it's probably not that urgent, but we all know how much I like to exaggerate. Anyway, welcome to Bookanista Thursday! We've got new blood in the Bookanista circle, so make sure to check it out. We're chatting up books you might not have heard of. You can add them to your TBR pile and then blame US. We don't mind.

Today, I'm talking about THE COLLECTOR by Victoria Scott. Have a blurb! You know you want one.

He makes good girls...bad.

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried. (Summary and cover courtesy of Goodreads.)

I think this summary says it all--I expected one of those bad boy narrators that you love to hate or hate to love or some combination of confused emotions, and that's exactly what I got. Dante is just such a rhymes-with-crass, but he does it with the kind of humor and swagger that makes you root for him anyway. I couldn't decide if I wanted the good girl to redeem him or him to bring her over to the dark-and-charming side. This was a fun, entertaining read that would absolutely appeal to people who liked Lisa Desrochers's PERSONAL DEMONS. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one.

Luckily, I have these other recommended reads to tide me over...

FIRST…Jessica Love welcomes our FIVE NEW BOOKANISTAS!
Corrine Jackson adores CONFESSIONS OF AN ANGRY GIRL by Louise Rozett
Shelli Johannes-Wells hails HYSTERIA by Megan Miranda
Stasia Ward Kehoe celebrates YALSA’s TEEN LIT DAY
Nikki Katz raves about ROOTLESS by Chris Howard
Gretchen McNeil adores UNREMEMBERED by Jessica Brody
Rebecca Behrens andTracey Neithercott share why they’re excited to be newbie Bookanistas

The Post Writing Fun

So I finished Sally Slick and sent the manuscript off to critiquers. I'm not sure about other writers, but there's always a funny feeling in the Carrie Brain after I finish a book. I feel like the world has somehow shifted an inch to the right while I wasn't looking--everything's still where it's supposed to be but it all feels a little altered somehow. So in the spirit of distracting myself from the weirdness AND rewarding myself for writing all the words, I try to make the week post-book a lot of fun.

For starters, I went out and got a copy of Axe Cop. This is one of my favorite comics EVAR. It makes me snarf things out my nose, and this time I swear I'm not exaggerating. It's that funny, and the best part is that it's clean enough for me to share with my kids. It's written by a five-year-old, so yeah. I cannot recommend this book more highly--you can check out the web version to see more, but the book is definitely worth it for all the behind the scenes commentary. And right now, the illustrator of Axe Cop is offering a bunch of really cool artwork to help fund his upcoming wedding. Personally, I think this is a great opportunity to support a snarfworthy artist AND twue wuv all at the same time. You should check it out.

Also, I got a copy of a farging hilarious card game called WE DIDN'T PLAYTEST THIS AT ALL. It will live in my purse for the rest of eternity, because it's fast (like a couple of minutes per game), my kids can play it without my having to gloss over any complicated rules or pervy bits, and it contains ninjas, zombies, and kitten ambushes. Let me tell you, there's nothing funner than screaming, "KITTEN AMBUSH!" in the middle of a bar. I tried it. I'm an expert now.

The reason we were in the bar was so my husband could give a talk and then get his head shaved to help support children's cancer research. This is where I give you the obligatory reminder that he's raising funds for MOAR children's cancer research, and we'd both tremendously appreciate any help in donations or word spreadery.

I told them to stop cutting there, but they didn't listen.