News

20
May

One Month ‘Til STAR CURSED!

Eeep! It’s now less than one month ’til STAR CURSED comes out! June 18! I can’t wait for you all to read it!!!!

I was thrilled that it’s on the Summer 2013 Kids’ Indie Next List. I’m in great company – the YA list also features Sara Zarr’s THE LUCY VARIATIONS, Andrea Cremer & David Levithan’s INVISIBILITY, and Sarah Dessen’s THE MOON AND MORE. Check it out here!

To celebrate the one month mark, I’m giving away a historical YA prize pack! But first, another snippet from STAR CURSED:

Two floors down, the grandfather clock chimes midnight. I glance at Rilla, curled on her side beneath her yellow quilt. She lets out a reassuring snore. I tiptoe across the room and ease the door open, holding my breath.

I cringe at every creak in the old wooden steps. Down in the kitchen, I pause to wrap my cloak around my shoulders, tugging the hood up over my long blond braids. The November wind whistles eerily in the chimney.

The cold inside the convent is nothing compared to the cold without. As soon as I step into the backyard, it bites at my nose and cheeks and fingertips. The water in the marble birdbath is frozen solid. I hurry past the fogged windows of Sister Evelyn’s conservatory, longing for the steamy warmth within.

The wind slices through my cloak, blowing my hood back and sending my hair whipping around my face. The half-moon throws shadows onto the slate path. It would only take one girl pressing her nose to the chilled windowpane of a garden-facing room, and I’d be discovered.

The garden stretches the entire width of a city block; a wrought-iron gate at the far end opens onto the lane behind the convent. I grip the freezing metal and drag it open. A tall figure darts around the corner.

For a minute, I grin foolishly. Then I rush toward him, heedless, wanting.

“Why?” His face is shadowed by his black hood, but I’d know that voice anywhere—only I’ve never heard it sound so furious with me.

I slam to a halt as though a glass pane separates us.

It was the last thing Finn said to me that day in church. The first thing he’s asking now.

We’re so close. Inches apart. I could reach out and—

“We had a plan. I went through with my part. I expected you to go through with yours. I expected you to announce our betrothal. What happened, Cate? Did you—” His hood blows off, revealing coppery hair that’s unrulier than ever. His cheeks are red, and the tips of his ears. He takes a deep breath, fighting for control. “Have your feelings for me changed?”

Now for the giveaway:

SC cover2

chantress

 

 

maid of secrets

 

 

 

 

tarnish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* a signed ARC of STAR CURSED

which obviously I am rather biased about but think you might enjoy

* a finished copy of CHANTRESS by Amy Butler Greenfield

which I loved so much I blurbed: With a spirited heroine, fearsome monsters, and luminous worldbuilding, this story had me hooked from the first page. CHANTRESS is truly enchanting. 

* a finished copy of MAID OF SECRETS by Jennifer McGowan

which I also loved so much I blurbed: McGowan offers a tantalizing look at the spies, seductions, and secrets of Queen Elizabeth’s court. There are no damsels in distress here; Meg and her fellow Maids of Honor are a clever, winsome quintet! 

* an ARC of TARNISH by Katherine Longshore

which is an account of the young Anne Boleyn’s rise to power in the court of Henry VIII. I haven’t read this yet, but I loved its predecessor, GILT.

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below. Contest open ’til midnight next Mon, May 27. US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

44 Responses

  1. Wow! So many great books! I'm such a historical fan–I haven't read much YA historical yet, though…can't wait to! My favorite YA historical of late was DODGER.

  2. Krystal M.

    I seriously can't wait for Star Cursed! And I've been wanting to read Chantress too!

    I've also love In the Shadow of Blackbirds!

  3. oh man, i need STAR CURSED in my life like NOW. FINN BELASTRA!!!!

    i just read THRONE OF GLASS. that was AMAZING. i also loved THE VESPERTINE and THE SPRINGSWEET by Saundra Mitchell 🙂

  4. I LOVED The Vespertine. It was gorgeous and heartbreaking. My two favorite things. I also liked The Springsweet but to a slightly lesser degree.
    Obviously, I LOVED Born Wicked and have been DYING waiting for Star Cursed and may actually complete the dying process while waiting for the third book.

  5. Jazz

    Oh, and my favourite historical is still probably Perilous Gard, because of the lovely story and the circumstances in which I read it. I fabulous Tam Lin retelling I read with friends.

  6. Emmah

    I've actually read Chantress through pulseit and it was wonderful. It's the only YA one I can think of right now that is Historical Fiction that I've read haha.

  7. I would have to say Born Wicked and I'm not just saying that but it really did open my eyes to historical fiction and if I loved it so much, then why wasn't I reading more of it?! Thanks for the opportunity to win, I can't wait to read Star Cursed!

  8. Nicole Caggiano

    Absolutely love Born Wicked! Another favorite is Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. So full of infornation , beautiful locations and brilliant characters.

  9. Shelley B

    Historial Fiction, especially mysteries, is my fav genre. Looking forward to Star Cursed. The wait seems like forever. I love discovery new books in this genre.

  10. hannahkarenasworld

    The first historical fiction I ever fell for was by Ann Rinaldi. It was in middle school and I was plowing through books from the local library when I stumbled across her shelves (multiple shelves!) of YA/MG American historical fiction. I had never experienced any historical fiction like it! I was completely hooked and read everything she wrote that the library offered. Her books are the reason why I've always wanted to write YA historical fiction, and why I ended up majoring in history in college.

  11. Ashley D.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!! My favorite YA historicals would have to be Chime by Franney Billingsley and Robin LaFevers’ His Fair Assassin trilogy.

  12. Kayla

    I adore the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray. Sure, it's got some fantasy elements, but I love the Victorian era. A definite must read!

  13. Loie

    Aiiii definitely A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray. Fell completely in love 🙂

    Thanks for the opportunity!
    Loie xx

    CANNOT WAIT TO READ STAR CURSED! Yipes….that excerpt has left me wanting more heh.

  14. Nicole

    I loved Clockwork Angel for historical fiction and of course Born Wicked, I am anxiously waiting Star Cursed and would love to win!

  15. I don't have a favorite because it's impossible for me to pick favorites on pretty much anything. BUT…if I had to choose, it'd probably be Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. That book is FANTASTIC.

    Thanks for the giveaway! And what a clip! My gosh, I can't wait. I'm so glad you let us know they meet up again.

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