Book Review - Screwing Up Time by C. M. Keller

Mark Montgomery is a slacker content with his life. He’s a senior at New Haven Prep, has a great friend, and after graduation he’ll get a brand new sports car from his parents, assuming he stays out of trouble. Then, she comes into his life—Miranda with her I-just-escaped-from-a-Renaissance-Fair clothing. Only, she hasn’t. She has come from Bodiam Castle in the Middle Ages and demands a secret ingredient and a book of recipes for traveling through the treacherous colors of time. Although Mark has never even heard of either before, he must find them, or Miranda will die. To save her, Mark must break into a psych hospital to visit his grandfather who once tried to kill him, pass through the colors of time, take on a medieval alchemist, prevent Miranda’s marriage to a two-timing baron, and keep it all hidden from his parents. The sports car is definitely in trouble.

This book captured me from the first chapter. I warmed to Mark immediately. He was a well rounded character with flaws and a typical laziness that can only be attributed to teenage boys who aren't quite sure where they're headed. I loved it. I found him endearing and incredibly human. I also liked Mark's best friend, Brian. Every person in the world needs a friend like this - someone who refuses to give up on you. In my opinion, Mark's character is made better by Brian's influence and I loved the friendship between them.

Miranda took a while to grow on me, but I loved her tenacity. I look forward to seeing more of her in the coming sequel.

Aside from the magic of time travel, this book was incredibly real. What I mean is... the family situations for Mark and Brian, the tension between different characters, and the unspoken secrets from the past touched on very real human emotion. C. M. Keller captured these emotions with raw beauty.

The story was written with intelligence and style. The mystery carried me through, along with the constant surprises that popped out of the pages. Each chapter ending made you want to keep reading.

This is a well-written story with great pacing, real characters and an enticing mystery. I can highly recommend this book.

You can purchase a copy of this book at Amazon.

Screwing Up Time by C. M. Keller

And you can check out more about this gorgeous author on her blog.

Screwing Up Time Blog

I hope you enjoy the book :)

Holiday Time

You may have already guessed by my major lack of blogging recently, but the school term has finished and I now have a very busy household with my entire family around 24/7. Finding time to write is becoming a challenge.

In saying that, it's also great to have everyone home and tomorrow we are setting off for our summer vacation. It will be so nice to hit the beach, get some sun and have fun in the waves with the boys.

I will not be blogging over this time. Instead I have a huge pile of books I'm taking with me and intend to do some major catch-up reading.

So look out for my reviews when I get home.

I hope everyone out there has a truly blessed and happy Christmas.
See you next year!!

What Do You Think It Is?

I started up this blog to celebrate YA fiction. I thought it'd be a great chance to talk about movies, books and authors who all love YA.

What is about YA that is so super cool?
I'm 33 and I always find myself in the teen section of the library or bookstore. I just can't get enough of teenage angst, obviously!

I can't decide why. Maybe it's because I love young people. There is something so real and pure about the way they feel, love and respond to things. Everything is so dramatic! I love how hyper aware teens are and I love the way they live life with such passion and zest. They haven't been tainted by the reality of the mundane work force or mortgage payments yet.

So, to read stories about these cool beings is so exciting. As a writer putting them into these adventures is so fun. You have so much scope to work with. You can make anything happen for them.

Now - I'm not saying I don't enjoy reading adult stories as well. I'm not saying that you can't have enormous fun writing adult stories - I have a few up my sleeve that I can't wait to write one day. I'm just saying the the YA market is huge and it has to be for a really good reason.

What do you think it is that makes YA so deliciously fun to read?

Friday Favourites - Series

Having just launched the second book in the Time Spirit Trilogy (Black Blood), I thought it would be appropriate to choose favourite series as my Friday Favourite for the week.

What is your favourite YA series?

Again - hard to choose one, right? So just pick the first one that comes to mind.

Mine?

Hmmm - that is tough.
I guess the first one that pops to mind is Twilight. I really did enjoy that series.

How about you?

And the winners are...

Well, the Black Blood contest has come to a close.

I must admit, I didn't get as many entries as I was hoping for, but we live and learn. I might run another one next year when the final instalment of the trilogy comes out. I'll see how I go.

However, I am pleased to announce that we have two winners....

Cassie & Terri.

Well done!!

Because of a slight glitch in the matrix, I have decided to award both of you first prize.
So - congratulations. I will be e-mailing you shortly with details.

Thank you so much for joining the YAlicious site in its baby stages.

I hope you enjoy your Amazon Gift cards and I REALLY hope you enjoy Black Blood :)

A Little Bit of Honesty...

Sorry I've been so out of the loop the last couple of days, I've been having a bit of a hard time nailing down this cover.

One thing about this whole indie publishing thing is that I'm learning as I go. I thought I should share with you some of the things I have learned in the last few days.

ONE...
Allow plenty of time to get your cover art done. I haven't done this and it has put pressure on me and my designer. Next time around, I will be starting the cover months in advance so that I can keep adjusting it until it screams perfection.

You see - I had this really clear vision in my head of what I wanted... it's all been put together and I haven't fallen in love with it. Now I feel forced to use it, because I promised my readers the book would be released December 15th.

Can I just say though - my graphic designer, Amanda Crane, is all types of awesomeness. She has been so patient with me and done everything I've asked her too. She's met deadlines and never once complained about my fickleness. So, Amanda - THANK YOU!!

I am comforted by the fact we are revamping the covers for the paper back copies next year and we have come up with some awesome ideas that are going to rock!

TWO...
When it comes to cover design - do some research. I was so set on my vision, that I didn't take the time to pour over other YA covers. Since getting the feedback that my Golden Blood cover wasn't hitting the mark, I have spent a lot of time looking at great covers and I now have a really good idea of what appeals to the YA market.

THREE...
I might be freaking out over nothing. My cover isn't all bad. It has some really cool elements I like. Some people might see it and love it. Others will scrunch up their noses and some probably won't really mind what the cover looks like, because all they want to do is find out what's going to happen to Gemma & Harrison.

I never really liked the covers for Hunger Games, but the stories are amazing. I looked past the covers, because the books had come highly recommended.


Now - without further ado, the day before the book is due to be released.... here is the cover for Black Blood and the blurb.

I really hope you enjoy the second book in the Time Spirit Trilogy. I loved writing it.

Gemma's parents have put enough rules around her relationship with Harrison that she feels like she's living on parole. But she wins one battle—a summer job working for Harrison's step-father. It is the perfect chance to spend the steamy, hot Florida days with her boyfriend. It's also a great distraction from the cellphone hiding in her underwear drawer—her only contact with Gabe, the mystery man who's stalking her. 

When she confronts Gabe, he tells her that her parents are not who she thinks they are, and Harrison has the gall to believe him. Surrounded by conflict, Gemma doesn't know what to believe, and it takes a trip back in time for her to glimpse the sickening truth. 

Thanks to her parents, she returns to the present to find the love of her life no longer exists. His family line was broken and now, so is she.

This betrayal forces her to seek out Gabe. Setting aside her fear of the truth, she must trust this man and learn what he can teach her... otherwise, she'll never get her boyfriend back.

Friday Favourites - What's Your Favourite Book Cover of 2011?

I am eagerly awaiting the completion of the cover for Black Blood. I was hoping to reveal it today, but I'd rather take the time to get it perfect than show you something that wasn't quite right... so I'm sorry, you'll just have to wait a little longer.

In the meantime, let's talk covers and let's talk favourites.

What is your favourite book cover from 2011? Here - I'll even give you the link to the Goodreads Best YA Covers 2011. You may have other covers in mind, but it will give you a start.

Now it was very hard to choose, because there are so many gorgeous covers out there, but here's my pick...

I don't know what it is about this cover, but it makes me want to read the book. I love the image, the emotion portrayed, the font for the title, the cool design in the corners. It just totally works for me!

How about you? What's your favourite YA book cover from 2011?