Julie Kagawa Giveaway!

It's been a great week celebrating Julie Kagawa! I love The Iron Fey series & Julie! I hope you do as well!

Here's a fun excerpt direct from The Iron Queen...

Ash strode to a nearby rock, swooped down, and tossed me a long, slightly curved stick.  When I caught it, I saw that it was actually a leather sheath with a gilded brass hilt poking from the top.  A sword.  Ash was giving me a sword … why? 
            Oh, yeah.  Because I wanted to learn to fight.  Because I’d asked him to teach me. 
            Ash, watching me with that weary, knowing look on his face, shook his head.  “You forgot, did you?”
            “Nooooo,” I said quickly.  “I just … didn’t think it would be this soon.”
            “This is the perfect place.”  Ash turned slightly to gaze around the clearing.  “Quiet, hidden.  We can catch our breath here.  It’s a good place to learn while you’re waiting for your father to come out of it.  When we’re done here, I have a feeling things will get much more chaotic.”  He gestured to the sword in my hand.  “Your first lesson begins now.  Draw your sword.”
I did.  Unsheathing it sent a raspy shiver across the glen, and I gazed at the weapon in fascination.  The blade was thin and slightly curved, an elegant looking weapon, razor sharp and deadly.  A warning tickled the back of my mind.  There was something about the blade that was … different.    Blinking, I ran my fingers along the cool, gleaming edge, and a chill shot through my stomach.   
            The blade was made of steel.  Not faery steel.  Not a fey sword covered in glamour.  Real, ordinary iron.  The kind that would burn faery flesh and sear away glamour.  The kind that left wounds impossible to heal. 
            I gaped at it, then at Ash, who looked remarkably calm to be facing his greatest weakness.  “This is steel,” I told him, sure that Leanansidhe had made a mistake.
            He nodded.  “An eighteenth-century Spanish saber.  Leanansidhe nearly had a fit when I told her what I wanted, but she was able to track one down in exchange for a favor.”  He paused then, wincing slightly.  “A very large favor.”
Alarmed, I stared at him.  “What did you promise her?” 
        “It doesn’t matter.  Nothing that endangers us in any way.”  He hurried on before I could argue.  “I wanted a light, slashing weapon for you, one with a good amount of reach, to keep opponents farther away.”  He gestured to the saber with his own weapon, a blindingly quick stab of blue. "You’ll be moving around a lot, using speed instead of brute force against your enemies.  That blade won’t block heavier weapons, and you don’t have the strength to swing a longsword effectively, so we’re going to have to teach you how to dodge.  This was the best choice.”
“But this is steel,” I repeated, listening to him in amazement.  He could teach a class with his knowledge of weapons and fighting.  “Why a real sword?  I could seriously hurt someone.”
“Meghan.”  Ash gave me a patient look.  “That’s exactly why I chose it.  You have an advantage with that weapon that none of us can touch.  Even the most violent redcap will think twice about facing a real, mortal blade.  It won’t scare the Iron fey, of course, but that’s where training will come in.”
            “But … but what if I hit you?”
             A snort.  “You’re not going to hit me.”
            “How do you know?”  I bristled at his amused tone.  “I could hit you.  Even master swordsmen make mistakes.  I could get a lucky shot, or you might not see me coming.  I don’t want to hurt you.”
            He favored me with another patient look.  “And how much experience do you have with swords and weapons in general?” 
“Um.”  I glanced down at the saber in my hand.  “Thirty seconds?”
              He smiled, that calm, irritatingly confident smirk.  “You’re not going to hit me.”

Ah! It's so lovely isn't it?! The book is amazing!  On to the winning....The lucky winner will receive your choice of the series from the Book Depository. It's open international if TBD delivers there.  Contest closes January 30 at 9 pm EST.

Click here to enter!

Julie Kagawa Interview!

Today, I have the lovely Julie Kagawa on for an interview! She took time out of her crazy-busy schedule to answer these so I hope you enjoy it! Before all that, here's a little about Julie.

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel. 
Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy. 

If you were an item on a Mexican restaurant menu, what would you be and why?
Um...a Jalapeno Popper. Small, hot and cheesy, lol!

What are the last five songs played on your I-pod?
Don't have an ipod, but the last five songs I listened to were "Bulletproof Heart" by My Chemical Romance, "The Only Hope For Me Is You" by MCR, "What is This Feeling" from Wicked, "I'm Only Happy When It Rains" by Garbage, and "On The Nature of Daylight" by Max Richter. (I have eclectic music tastes.)


If you could have dinner with one person—dead or alive—who would it be and why?
Neil Gaiman, because he is my author hero. Also Ben Barnes, but there wouldn't be much eating, just a lot of swooning and fainting.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
"Wrestling Goats and Making Stuff Up."

Tell us two truths and a lie..** **I have the answer. You'll get a chance to guess in the giveaway tomorrow for an extra entry!
I owned a talking parrot that would wolf-whistle at girls.
My ball python would curl up inside my shirt because it was warm. 
I would take my pet chameleon to the mall perched on my head.

What is the first book you remember reading yourself?
I don't think I can remember back that far. My parents tell me all I did even as a small child was read.

What do you in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy video games, painting, drawing, reading, and movies.

What is one thing you have learned through your time as a published author?
That you can have three novels under your belt, and still be terrified about the release date.

What is your writing process?
I usually try for 1,000-1500 words a day. Except when I'm doing NaNo, and the word count jumps to 1700-2000.

You participated in NaNoWriMo in previous years. Since a lot of people participated a couple months ago (including me) can you tell us about the post-writing process was like for you?
Lol, post-writing process? What's that? When you're writing a series, there's always another book to be written. I take short breaks between stories, but I never really stop. :)

Mmmm...stubborn! *swoon*

Which book or scene from any of the books was the most difficult to write?
I'd say a certain icy prince gave me a heck of a lot of trouble when I was writing his story. We would argue. I would be like: "say something already! Open up! Tell me what you're feeling, dang it!" And he would just stand there and be stubborn.

What can we expect in the next book--The Iron Knight? (Which is going to be glorious and smoldery with Ash-ness!!)
I can't say very much, except this: if you think you know Ash, you haven't seen anything yet! :D

Thanks Julie! That was fun. And thanks for writing lovely books that I get to read. 

Come back tomorrow for a chance to win your choice of an Iron Fey book!

Julie Kagawa Week: The Iron Queen

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: January 25, 2011
Series or Standalone: Third in series 
ISBN: 978-0373210183
Format: Paperback, 386 pages

Description:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.
My name is Meghan Chase.


I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.


This time, there will be no turning back.

First line: Eleven years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. It’s my favorite of the series (until the next of course because nothing will be as great as a whole book in Ash’s perspective. I’m drooling already).

Why do I love this book? I’ve made a list.

Great opening. From page one, we see the repercussions from the decision at the end of Iron Daughter. You start immediately rooting for Meghan. The things that unfold on the first ten pages are the reasons for everything in the rest. You know, immediately, that there’s a threat. Not only for the Nevernever, not only for Ash. But for Meghan. For her family. That is one thing you don’t mess with.

The rest of my list is all centered around the characters. They are the thing I can talk about the most without ruining the book sooo...characters! Again, Julie Kagawa develops these amazing characters.

Meghan. I love Meghan in this book. I think this book completely blows her character out of the water and makes me look back on her in the other two books with fondness. Really. She’s that good here. The entire book is Meghan’s journey to save them, to save Nevernever, to fight the Iron Fey and mostly, to survive.

Ash. He is an incredible character. If you didn’t catch that before, you catch it here. He sacrifices a lot for Meghan and he works so incredibly hard to keep her safe. Plus, they have lovey-dovey moments of goodness.

Grim. “I am a cat.” That says it all, right? I mean, he knows everything. He’s a smart cat.

Puck. I’m team Ash but I like Puck—even when he makes unwise decisions—because he’s a good friend to Meghan. He’s a good friend to Ash even, deep down. He’s a good guy all around. And funny. But he proves that no every good guy is perfect.

The truth comes out! Meghan discovers many things that affect her life forever. Things I can’t tell you because they will spoil but know that they are big. Really big.


The end. I said in my review of Iron Daughter that the end of this book killed me. It did. The wait for Iron Knight is going to be looooong. The whole world is on verge of disappearing. The other books in the series have been leading us to this moment. This is the ultimate battle to save the Nevernever or to lose it. In the end, it all comes down Meghan and a choice. It all comes down to the Iron Fey.

The result is brilliant.

I can't say anything else really--because I don't want to spoil anything. But know that this book is brilliant.

Julie Kagawa Week: The Iron Daughter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: August 1, 2010 
Series or Standalone: Second in series 
ISBN: 978-0373210138
Format: Paperback, 304 pages

Description:  

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

First line: The Iron King stood before me, magnificent in his beauty, silver hair whipping about me like an unruly waterfall.


I really enjoyed The Iron Daughter. The story opens with Meghan in the Winter Court—and Ash nowhere to be found. When he does show up, which is always in the nick of time, he isn’t interested in her anymore. Feeling alone and trapped in the cold world of Winter, things can’t be any worse for Meghan. Of course, shortly after the Summer Court hands over the changing of the seasons to The Winter Court, something horrible happens. Things for Meghan and Ash and the whole of the courts are at stake and only Meghan can save them.

Meghan grew a lot in this book. You can tell the things she faced in IK changed her. I know I liked her more. I believed her selflessness and quest to save the realm with her friends at her side. This story takes them farther and deeper into danger than the last.

Like in the first book, the character interactions in Iron Daughter are incredible. They feed off each other and bounce off the page. I can’t even tell you how much I love each of Kagawa’s characters. Even if they seem minor and unimportant, they are so well developed and alive (and rarely unimportant.) Each one adds a unique piece to the story. As always, Grim is my favorite (next to Ash.) Why? “I am a cat.”

Aside from her amazing characterizations, the details in every scene are intense and vivid. Every place Meghan and crew travel is painted in my head because of her descriptions. The Nevernever and our world are both dripping in great scenery.

Ash and Puck. Ash and Puck. Well, Ash is smoldery. Puck is Puck. Separately, both characters add so much: humor, heart, love, smolder, swoon, joy. Together they bring all of that and witty, sarcastic banter. I can’t get enough of that! Plus, this is the book Meghan chooses between them, or they choose for her, or fate steps in. You can call it what you like.

Everything builds and builds in Iron Daughter to lead up to the most amazing ending. I seriously think I was stopped breathing and died. Well, until I read Iron Queen, that is.

Julie Kagawa Week: The Iron King

 
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Date: February 2010
Series or Standalone: First in series
ISBN: 978-0373210084
Format: Paperback, 368 pages

Description:

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY— ONE SHE COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED…


Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.


When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.


But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

First line: Ten years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared.

I’m don’t read many books about the Fae. It’s not personal—and I’ve tried on numerous occasions—but I can’t do it. There are a couple that I’ve picked up a few times and still not succeeded. There was even one I read the entire first book and attempted the second but couldn’t. I don’t know why that is. I like faeries, I just haven’t had much luck reading the books about them. When I was bullied into reading The Iron King, I went into it open-minded, though I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Is anyone surprised that I was wrong?

I was hooked from the first line of this story. Meghan lost her dad and then spent the last ten years feeling invisible to her family. The only people who’ve ever noticed her are best friend Robbie, the prankster extraordinaire and best friend, and her four-year-old brother, Ethan. (And the dog, of course.) That’s why when things get weird at home and at school, her only option is to learn the truth about her heritage. That truth: she’s Oberon’s daughter. Yup, the Oberon. And now, with the help of Robbie—who’s also known as Puck—she enters the faery world to save someone she loves.

Her journey through the Nevernever (part of the faery world) is full of great imagery and description. I feel as if I’m there with her, seeing what she’s seeing and experiencing this magical world. It’s a unique story when the added mystery of the Iron Fey come into play. I like the ideas behind it and the way it all develops. Plus, the story is full of great characters. I’m not a huge fan of Meghan but since she’s the main character, I am forced to like her just a little—I just like her sidekicks a little more. Grimalkin is hilarious and I really liked that darn cat. I also liked Puck, as he provided great commentary. I laughed a lot during this book.

The best part of the book? Ash. I mean, he’s a prince so he automatically wins. He’s dark and has a snarky sense of humor. He’s smoldering and swoon-worthy. I’m in. I’m totally in. Even if this book sucked (which it did not) I would still read it just for him. That’s how much I grew to love him. Luckily, it was so fabulous that I got to enjoy the whole story and the characters and the plot twists.

Ash was the ice cream on the proverbial cake.

And my, my, my what good cake it was.

Author Focus Week: Julie Kagawa

 

Julie Kagawa is one hilarious and talented author. Her series, The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, Winter's Passage (a short story) is about to have a sister book. The Iron Queen hits shelves on Tuesday and in honor of that, it's Julie Kagawa Week!

And I'm excited.

This is another series that my book bully told me to read and I have thanked her relentlessly. (If not, thanks again!) I love this series. It's fun, intriguing, full of swoon-worthy boys and a beautiful world. I never liked books about faeries until I read this one. So, it has a special place in my heart. Check out this video below for more information about the series.



On another note, there's also an epic blog tour happening. You can check out those details here. 

Every day this week I will post my reviews of all three of the books and at the end of the week, you can win! It's easy. Read the reviews (and possible other surprises!) and then on Friday, you can get a chance to win by filling out the form on Friday. But, as always, there are a few ways you start gaining extra entries NOW into the giveaway. All of these are optional but they are here if you'd like to gain them!

How to get Extra Entries: 
(each item is +1 entry unless indicated. Keep track of what you do--there will be a tally on Friday when you enter the giveaway.)

• Follow this blog
• Follow me on twitter
• Follow Julie on twitter
• Tweet the reviews, the interview, the giveaway. (You can get +1 entry each day from this, starting today. You MUST include @daniellebunner and #JulieWeek in the tweet.) 
• Leave a comment each day
• Write a blog post (add link in comments below) (+3)

The prize on Friday is your choice of The Iron Fey series--which includes the e-book of Winter's Passage. The contest is open anywhere The Book Depository delivers.

Courtney Summers Prize Pack WINNER

Kailia Sage!

Kailia, you've been emailed! Thanks to everyone who participated. Stay tuned because I think we'll do another week like this again! 

Tell me...Who are some authors you'd like to have a focus week with? 

Coutney Summers Week: FALL FOR ANYTHING

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Publication Date: Dec 21, 2010

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN:  0312656734

Format: Paperback, 224 pages

Description: 

When Eddie Reeves's father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why. Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, former student of her father's and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. He seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie's vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on... but some questions should be left unanswered.

First Line: My hands are dying.

I've said a lot this week that Courtney Summers is brilliant/genius/every other adjective for amazing. I say that because it’s true—and never in my wildest dreams did I think she would extend beyond that. She did though, because Fall For Anything does exactly that.

She said in her interview with me earlier this week: “On the surface, Fall for Anything is similar to Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are in that it's a book about a girl with a problem.  But in terms of tone, in terms of style, I think it is a quite different book.  Readers who go in expecting to read about the misadventures of a mean girl are going to be disappointed. Eddie is very vulnerable and broken.”

I can’t explain this book any better than that. Eddie’s one of those characters that makes you feel—because the things she feels and wonders and searches for scream off the page. The grief and the nothingness that she experiences are the things that propels this book from first page to last. The images that Courtney Summers uses to portray all Eddie’s emotions, the small actions, the lyrical prose all makes this story so unbelievably vivid. Eddie is indeed broken, as you see from the first lines. She tries to hide her vulnerability but she carries it on her like a flag. She doesn’t really see it, but everyone else does.

I need to talk about Milo. He’s Eddie’s best friend and it’s the first time I’ve really, really connected with one of her male characters. Don’t get me wrong; they are all wonderful in previous books. I like them. But Milo is different. He’s a constant player in the story, in Eddie’s life, in the mystery of what happened the night Eddie’s life changed. He’s real and powerful and very swoonworthy; he cares so much for Eddie that the things he’s had to endure as well are just as traumatic for the reader. He helped make this book.

I’ll even mention Culler Evans, just to say that I get Eddie's appeal toward him. I felt her struggle and her desire and her confusion. She was confused about almost everything in her life—and it was beautiful.

Even in her grief and pain Eddie is a strong character. She still searches for answers, wants to understand things, desires things that maybe she shouldn’t. It’s a theme that lives in each of Summers’ characters. Eddie is no exception.

I can’t express how much I loved this book. It was remarkable. It’s my favorite of hers to date—which is a huge statement because I adore Some Girls Are. This book only proves the genius and extraordinary talent that Summers’ possesses. If you’ve ever dealt with loss and grief, this story will resonate with you…but probably not in the way you expect.
 

FALL FOR ANYTHING comes out Tuesday!! Don't forget to enter the CS Prize Pack! It ends Monday!

 

Courtney Summers Prize Pack

It's a been a great week celebrating and sharing Courtney Summers. Here's a sneak peek of Fall For Anything. Enter to win below!

My hands are dying.

I keep trying to explain it to Milo, but he just looks at me like I'm crazy.

"They don't feel warm—they haven't." I squeeze the tips of my fingers as hard as I can, which hurts. "They're not numb, though . . ."

"Maybe you have that . . . Raynaud's disease," he says. He takes my right hand and studies my fingers. They seem healthy, pink. He shakes his head. "They're not blue.

"But they're cold."

"They feel warm to me."

"They feel cold," I insist.

"Okay, Eddie," he says. "They're cold."

I jerk my hands from his and then I rub them together. Friction. Heat. Milo can say what he wants; they're freezing. It's the hottest summer Branford has seen in something like ten years, but I haven't been able to get my hands to warm up since it happened.

I hold them up again. They don't even look like my hands anymore. They don't even look like anything that could belong to me, even though they're clearly attached.

"They're different," I tell him.

"Would you please put your hands down?" he asks. "Jesus."

My hands have changed. I catch Milo looking at them sometimes, and I see it on his face that they're different, no matter what he's saying now.

We're at the park, sitting on the picnic tables, watching a summer world go by. Kids play in the fountain with their parents. Pant legs are rolled up and big hands are holding on to tiny hands, keeping them steady against the rush of water. The smell of burgers and fries is in the air; food. It reminds me the fridge at home is empty and I have to go grocery shopping today or my mom and I will starve. I don't even know how long the fridge has been that empty, but I noticed it today.

"What's in your fridge?" I ask Milo.

"Doesn't matter," he says. "My mom isn't home." 

We're stuck between my house and his lately. He hasn't been allowed to have girls at his place unsupervised since he hit puberty and I don't like hanging out at my place now.

It's too depressing.

Click here for more of this excerpt. You can also read AWAKE, a bonus short-story told from Milo's perspective. (He's Eddie's best friend.) It's spoiler free and from a boy's perspective. It takes place before the events of Fall for Anything and you can read it here.


Now...the winning!!!

Courtney Summers Prize Pack

The lucky winner will receive Cracked Up To Be, Some Girls Are and Fall For Anything---all SIGNED and PERSONALIZED by Courtney!

*Contest closes December 20th at 9 am EST.
*US/Canada only!

Click here to enter!

Courtney Summers Interview!

Today is the day! I'm so excited to have the wonderful and talented Courtney Summers live and in person. Kind of anyway. Before we jump into the interview, here's a little about Courtney!

Courtney Summers lives and writes in Canada where she divides her time between a piano, a camera, and word-processing program when she’s not planning for the impending zombie apocalypse. She enjoys Archie comics, Trailer Park Boys, and other fine art. Pierre Trudeau is her hero and if you are a volcano, she would like to know you.

If you were an item on a Mexican restaurant menu, what would you be and why?
Guacamole.  Because it is green.  Make of that what you will!

You are on a desert island and you stumble upon an unlocked chest. You open it. What three things do you want to see inside?
A satellite phone, an inflatable, working helicopter and a handsome pilot to fly me to safety.

Tell us a secret that you’ve never told anyone else.
It wouldn't be much of a secret if I did that.  :)

If you could only pick one of these to talk about forever, which would it be? Zombies. Volcanoes. Survivor. *insert evil laughter*
SO EVIL!  But I think it would have to be zombies.  I've got a lot to say about zombies.

What is the scariest thing you have experienced?
I've thought about this and you know, I'm drawing a blank--which makes me feel very fortunate!

What is the worst advice you’ve ever been given—personally or professionally?
To make my dream of becoming an author a back-up plan and pursue something more practical instead.

What is one thing you have learned through your time as a published author?
That you'll forget everything you've learned each time one of your books comes out!

What is your writing process like?  How did you develop it and how do you keep focused?
I developed my writing process by writing, as boring as that sounds.  And generally my writing process is to plug into some good music and type!

What have you learned from writing each book?
That you can only learn to write the book that you're writing.

Which of the boy characters in your books do you like best?
I really, really like two of the boy characters in the book I'm working on now, but since that book is under wraps I can't say anything about them!  Unfair, I know.  I like Milo in Fall For Anything.  I wrote a short story about his perspective that should be going on the Macmillan site sometime soon and that was fun.

Has there been any memorable feedback from readers about any of your books that has stuck with you?
I got one reader letter from a girl who was having a hard time and decided to get help after reading Cracked Up to Be.  That was an incredible and gratifying moment for me.  I also got a long email from a reader telling me how much they loved Cracked Up to Be and how much Some Girls Are sucked in comparison.  Funnily enough, that was really gratifying too.  It's neat to be able to elicit strong reactions from people.  I try not to take that for granted, even if the reaction is negative.

Where does your inspiration come from? (I realize that's like asking what the sun feels like or some other ridiculous question with too many answers yet I'm asking anyway.)
Asking a lot of questions.  Also, I'm really inspired by people in extreme situations.  The darker and more challenging, the better.  I love thinking up emotionally tough situations and then trying to figure out how the main characters will work through and/or survive them.

Do you have an "issue" in mind when you write the story or does that develop?
I know what my characters' issues are when I'm writing my books, but I don't start with an issue and then find a character for it, if that makes sense.  Character first, issue second.

What has been the most different thing about writing these three books?
Each book has been an experience all its own. Cracked Up to Be I wrote with the hope that it would get me representation and eventually become published. Writing it was a very exciting process.  Some Girls Are was a different experience because I knew it would have certain expectations placed on it following Cracked Up to Be. And Fall for Anything was different because it was my first time writing a non-mean girl character.

Which of your three characters (Parker, Regina, Eddie) do you see the most of yourself in?
Well, I want to be clear that I am not my characters, but I do identify with them in different ways.  I can be really cynical like Parker, for better or for worse.  I see a lot of teenage Courtney in Regina--I really wanted to be accepted by my peers.  Like Eddie, I can have a hard time letting go of things.

Parker’s character snaps her fingers. In my head that was such a powerful image. Where did that come from and how did it develop in the story?
I wanted Parker to have a physical manifestation of her need for control--so when something goes wrong, that she has no control over, that is her response.  I knew I wanted her to have something like that, but the snapping fingers thing just sort of happened as I was writing.

I love the ending of SGA and Regina’s struggle with herself and her ex-friends and even with Michael. What would you say the main theme is that book is, beyond bullying?
I think it's very much about forgiveness.  Wanting it and getting it--or not getting it.

In FFA Eddie’s father is a photographer. Did your own experience play into that part of the story?
I used to dabble in photography when I was a teen. I thought it was what I really wanted to do--but I didn't have the discipline to pursue it. It always turned out ot be something I did when my writing was going poorly. Eddie's father's relationship with photography doesn't get anywhere close to reflecting my own experiences and neither does Culler's really. But I think the way they view photography, what they want from it, and what they want other people to take from it, is not totally far from my own views on the topic.

How did the idea for FFA happen?
I always knew that I wanted to write a story about grief.  After my grandfather died, which was just after I finished the first draft of Some Girls Are, I knew it would only be a matter of time.

How is FFA different/similar to CUTB & SGA?
On the surface, Fall for Anything is similar to Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are in that it's a book about a girl with a problem.  But in terms of tone, in terms of style, I think it is a quite different book.  Readers who go in expecting to read about the misadventures of a mean girl are going to be disappointed. Eddie is very vulnerable and broken.

In CUTB/SGA, Parker and Regina are flawed. I love how raw they are. I saw a trend and if it’s wrong you can tell me. Parker was perfect and isn’t now. Regina never really saw all her imperfections until she was on the other side of them. Was that something you planned or did it happen as you wrote? And does Eddie fit that mold?
I think it happened as I wrote.  Parker and Regina's flaws sort of cause their situations, though, whereas Eddie's situation kind of causes her flaws, if that makes sense.

What is one thing you want people to know about FFA if that’s all they ever get to know?
Oh, wow!  That's a great question.  And one I am not sure it's one I have the answer to!  It was a tough book to write. I'm glad to see it out there now.

This is the final question I have. I hope you’re ready for it. *Clears throat* What would your thought be on Edward Cullen as a zombie? * waits * What about Edward Cullen as a shiny zombie who lived in a volcano, had Jeff Probst locked in a cage next to a massive collection of Popples?
Edward Cullen as a zombie isn't exactly a stretch is it, since he's already dead, right?  But Edward Cullen as a shiny zombie living on a volcano with Jeff Probst next to a massive collection of Popples is such an extraordinary visual it just blew my mind.  So I think that means it would be awesome.

I think it's awesome, too. Though, not as awesome as Courtney and her books. In fact, she's so awesome that she's giving away a pack of her books and tomorrow you can enter for that!! So don't forget to come back.

Courtney Summers Week: Some Girls Are

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Date: January 2010
Series or Standalone: Standalone
ISBN: 978-0312573805
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
Description:

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder.  Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.  Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge.  If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day.  She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

First line: Hallowell High: You’re either someone or you’re not.

I waited a couple months to read Some Girls Are. I did that because Gail told to me to wait until I could read it in one sitting, so that’s what I did. It was probably the best advice she could’ve given me. She also told me “Courtney Summers is brilliant.” I couldn’t agree with that until I read both her books. So, I carved out time and after reading SGA, I texted her and said, “Courtney Summers is brilliant.” Some Girls Are was an intense read. In the aftermath of that book I’m still not sure anything I can say will do it justice, but I will try very hard. My heart is pounding just thinking about it—which is what it did for all 256 pages.

Regina isn’t a good girl or a nice girl. She’s ruined a lot of lives. Everyone in her school fears her and her entourage, the Fearsome Five. She’s the top of the tops; she has everything. And then, one incident sends her straight to the bottom. She loses everything—including the people she called friends—and suddenly finds herself living the hell she created. The people that feared her, really hate her. She is completely alone. It’s not long until she finds herself the new target for her ex-friends. The only person who’s even willing to let her sit next to them at lunch is Michael, a boy who’s life she also ruined. Regina now has to fight for survival—and fight she will.

The story that unfolds through Some Girls Are is the ugly truth that can be high school. Regina is bullied, ignored, whispered about, tortured in every way possible—and everyone watches it happen. The others revel in the ugliness because Regina deserved it. Like in CUTB (which is 100000 times opposite of this story) Summers doesn’t hold back. She tells everything with precision and honesty and vivid details. Each day Regina goes to school and faces something new, you can only wonder if it will ever end. The Fearsome Four are relentless, pulling and poking at a girl who’s already hurting. It’s a frustrating story because you don’t want to like Regina. You want to hate her like everyone else for the things that she did but you fall for her somewhere in the story. You feel for her, connect with her and want her to be safe again, to have something good, to be redeemed.

This story is full of incredible characters, which I mean in good and bad ways. Michael ends up being one of the most remarkable male characters, a perfect example of a friend and the embodiment of forgiveness. And there’s Liz, whom I can’t even put words to.   The rest of the Fearsome Four really shape the book and when I read about them, I can picture my own people. Kara and Anna, who are talk and action, full of hatred and pain and fear, will stick with me forever. They are as real as Regina, which is sad to think about.

The thing about this story that makes me love it: it could happen. It probably has happened. It’s maybe happening as you read this. People are bullied every day. People keep secrets. People suffer. People fight back. Every teenager should read this book—heck, every single person should read it. To say this is a book about bullying wouldn’t be incorrect. But if that’s all you catch from it then you missed the point. Yes, it’s about bullies. But it’s so much more.

It’s a heart-wrenching picture of what our actions can cause. To me, it’s a chain reaction. It starts with Regina and it ends with Regina but people feel the affect of her actions and her responses long after it happens. Things that we say and do (as Regina learns) do have consequences. They affected the person she bullied and they affected her. It’s a story about truth and what it costs to stand up for it. It’s also about forgiveness. Not only forgiving others, but also forgiving yourself.

The other thing I love about this book—as well as CUTB—is the ending. I like stories that aren’t wrapped up in pretty red bows but don’t have loose ends. Life doesn’t come with pretty red bows. It comes with heartache, sadness, lost-ness, pain and mistakes, but rarely with bows. There is hope at the end of Summers stories, hope that the characters haven’t found yet but you can believe that maybe they will.

Courtney Summers is brilliant. If you haven’t read this book, you must. Some Girls Are will haunt you forever.

Courtney Summers Week: Cracked Up To Be

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Date: December 2008
Series or Standalone: Standalone
ISBN: 978-0312383695
Format: Paperback, 224 pages

Description: 

WHAT’S THE WORST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?

When “Perfect” Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter’s High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher’s pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn’t want to talk about it. She’d just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there’s a nice guy falling in love with her and he’s making her feel things again when she’d really rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she’d turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

First line: Imagine four years.

I heard about this book everywhere I went for months. I had seen it on the shelves at work and some of my friends told me I should read but my TBR was just so big and never-ending. I kept saying I would eventually. Even when I bought the book, it sat on my shelf for months unopened. Then, one day I needed a really good read to get me out of a slump. I wanted something different so I picked up Cracked Up To Be. And boy, it was amazing.

This story picks up in the middle. When we meet Parker, she’s already lost in her world and in a downward spiral from perfection. You don’t know at first exactly how far gone she is. In the opening pages Parker seems like a normal teen in class with her friends but in an instant, you know she’s far from normal. Throughout this whole story, Parker is never normal and never wants to be again. As things move you learn she used to be. She used to be a lot of things and now she was nothing. She wanted nothing, tried for nothing and she was fine with it.

CUTB wraps the present with past (all the events leading up to Parker’s transformation) in order to keep the suspense. It's an intriguing story. I wanted to know what happened but even more, I wanted to know what would happen to Parker. Because Parker is an amazing character. I truly don’t think I’ve met anyone like her before. She’s witty and sassy and honest, even when it hurts others. Her actions are confusing and unusual and they don’t make sense; then, they don’t really make sense to her either. It’s what makes her such a real and intense character. She doesn’t let anyone get close to her anymore—not after what happened. She doesn’t want them, doesn’t want to be where she is, doesn’t want anything. Unfortunately for her, no one will leave her alone. They want her to try again, to be the person she was before everything. And well, as I said, she doesn’t want any of it. (Ergo, plot.)

Parker’s voice is so strong and I can’t even tell you how amazing the characterization is. Every detail, every movement, every piece of dialogue has a purpose. CUTB is the epitome of “show don’t tell” and all the details really make it stand out. Parker has this snapping problem, a new tick that she has developed to make things “better”. That was the most incredible detail I’ve ever read.

Something else unique to CUTB are the other characters. Each character—the ex-boyfriend, the girl who took her place and the new kid—bring a new element to the story strengthen the plot. And make Parker want to run away screaming because they don’t get it. They can’t get it and she can’t bring herself to tell them.

Parker keeps you reading because she’s so amazing and infuriating at the same time. You want to know why?! Why would she do this? What on earth happened to make her this way? What is the secret? But Courtney Summers doesn’t tell us. Not until we are so far in that everything has to come out. In the end, you can understand why Parker reacted as she did. The reason for it will blow your mind.

This book will make you laugh and make you cry and it’s something you will never forget.

It's Courtney Summers Week!!

Today is the first day of Courtney Summers week!

Photo taken from her website http://courtneysummers.ca

Courtney Summers is the *brilliant* author of Cracked Up To Be (winner of the 2009 Cybil Award for YA Fiction, Forest of Reading 2010 White Pine Nominee), Some Girls Are ( Forest of Reading 2011 White Pine Nominee) and the upcoming Fall For Anything, which is released next Tuesday, December 21 in stores everywhere.

I've been so excited for Fall for Anything since I read her first two novels. I decided I was going to do a whole focus week on Courtney and her books to help promote it's release. I asked her if she would be willing to do an interview and she said yes. (Which is huge because she's on deadline!) If that wasn't amazing enough, she even offered up a some great treats for later in the week.

To celebrate Courtney Summers week, I'll be sharing my reviews of her books and the illusive-amazing interview. Then on Friday, you can get a chance to win the Courtney Summers Prize Pack. All you'll have to do is fill out the form on Friday. But, as always, there are a few ways you start gaining extra entries NOW into the CS Prize Pack. All of these are optional but they are here if you'd like to gain them!

How to get Extra Entries: 
(each item is +1 entry unless indicated. Keep track of what you do--there will be a tally on Friday when you enter the giveaway.)

• Follow this blog
• Follow me on twitter
• Follow Courtney on twitter
• Tweet the reviews, the interview, the giveaway. (You can get +1 entry each day from this, starting today. You MUST include @daniellebunner and #CSweek in the tweet.) 
• Leave a comment each day
• Write a blog post (add link in comments below) (+3)

There are lots of opportunities to get extra entries. Why? Because the CS prize pack is totally awesome. Yall are going to love it!

The contest will only be open to US/Canada.