Even if I wanted to die for someone, it wouldn't be that easy. They just keep dying for me.
Something is happening to Charlotte Emerson. Like the fires that are ravaging the hills of L.A., it consumes her from the inside out.
Something to do with the tear in her enviably perfect nails. The way she feels when she's with the brooding, magnetic Jared. The blood rushing once again to her cheeks and throughout her veins.
For Charlotte is a vampire, witness to almost a century's worth of death and destruction. But not since she was a human girl has mortality touched her.
Until now.
Summary: 17-year-old Suzie Q, smart kid and closet dance enthusiast, travels with a classmate to a world-class city for an internship program. She finds herself undeniably attracted to the suave hip-hop instructor, Jo.Zee, who recruits her into a dance fitness DVD he is producing. When Suzie sees (or thinks she sees) the real Jo.Zee, she must decide if she will trust him...or her instincts.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / YA with adult crossover appeal / 65,000 words.
* SINS07 is a series featuring lighthearted tales that explore each of the seven sins in order, beginning with lust.
* Score: 4.50 / 5 - A Reviewer Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews!
Praise/Reviews:
"Loved the playful voice, and going through Suzie Q's journey. Laced with humor, it tickled me throughout. A fun, satisfying read--liked the twist at the end! Keep the series coming."
-- Jason Ancona, author of C.Y.A
"The voice is very relatable...I was hooked, and Chester won [my] affections!"
-- Vanessa Di Gregorio, former intern @ The Rights Factory
"[The dance portions were] so vividly described that
it was as good as watching a movie."
-- Review @ My Love Affair With Books, August 2010
"[1: The Intern] turned out to be one of the best books I've ever read. The Intern gets 2 thumbs up from me. And thank you very much for writing it."
-- Kimberly S., via email, September 2010
"I'm glad the author's going the light-hearted route with this. We need more comedy in YA."
-- Jennifer Hoffine, blog tour comment, September 2010
Excerpt:
There's even a freakin' roof garden at the top level. It gives an alluring, brilliant view of the city nightscape. Roxeth is a grand city, awesome by day but even more spectacular at night.
"This is so beautiful." I'd like to turn a little to face Jo.Zee, another "view" for my eyes, that wouldn't be too much of a bad thing. I'm lingering, breathing deeply, just because he smells so good. He isn't stinky in the turnoff kind of way--it's a sweet, natural, hint-of-a-sweat boy smell. I think I'd like this even more than if he were fresh out of the shower.
"I love rooftops," Jo.Zee says, taking in the city skyline. "It's nice dancing high above the crowd. Takes you to new heights."
I ask if he's ever danced on top of a building before.
"Many times...but never with somebody else."
Author Bio:
Jess's literary work has appeared in a diverse range of publications, such as Word Riot, ITCH Magazine, and The Battered Suitcase. She is currently working on the SINS07 series, as well as The Cyberpunk Elven Trilogy.
As a writer, Jess focuses on substance over short-term success with current fads and marketing hype. Visit her website for free samples and more! jessINK.com
=====
* If you enjoyed The Intern, be sure to check out Teen Guide to Sex and Relationships (co-authored by Jess C Scott and NYC teacher, Matt Posner).
THEY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THEIR WORLD.
"This book is a must-read for ANY teen. Josh wisely addresses crucial topics in a way that's entertaining and grabs the attention of even the most skeptical teen immediately."
--Ellen Rakieten, Executive Producer of OPRAH
A "TEEN TESTED" & "PARENT APPROVED" BOOK WITH 500,000 COPIES SOLD.
Teens are becoming more independent and their environment more unpredictable.
Deep down, they want to do well...
But they're struggling - and you're struggling - to figure out how to navigate the teenage years... To feel prepared for a future that might seem like a distant dream...
What tools do you have to prepare them for tomorrow? To enable them to make good decisions... in demanding situations?
Schools and relationships are not as simple as they were when you were a kid. Your teen has to respond to difficult situations almost everyday.
Renowned Teen Mentor Josh Shipp (featured on CNN, Good Morning America & 20/20) is pulling together all of his sound advice for "world domination" into a must-have survival guide. Hilarious, inspirational, and sound, Josh offers teen tested/parent approved wisdom for everything that has teens freaking out. So, summon your inner hero and learn to dominate the seven "villains" that are keeping you from awesomeness.
"GHOSTS" Your painful mistakes, that are holding you back & causing self-doubt. Confront them once and for all.
"NINJAS" Back-stabbing "friends" who earn your trust to fulfill their own agendas. Call them out and they won't stand a chance
"PIRATES" Bullies and bad boyfriends who take advantage of you. Write them off and tune them out
"ROBOTS" Individuals who want to "program" you to be like them. Understand their true intent to improve your communication
"VAMPIRES" Negative influences and addictions, which draw you in and steal your identity. Regain your self-esteem before you get bit
"ZOMBIES" Chronic complainers who drag you down with their pessimism. The best zombie-repellant is gratitude! Learn that it's not what happens to you, it's how you respond
"PUPPIES" They seem all fun and innocent on the surface, but often blindside you with hidden consequences. Learn how to think smart about such things.
Q: Where did you get the idea for The Eternal Ones? Have you always been interested in reincarnation?
A: I’ve been fascinated by reincarnation for decades. I won’t go so far as to call myself a believer, but I do think it would explain quite a few of life’s little mysteries—déjà vu, child prodigies, unusual phobias, and love at first sight to name just a few.
Haven’t you ever found yourself longing for a place you’ve never been—or drawn to people you’ve only just met? I’m pretty sure most of us have. Maybe there’s a “logical” explanation, but if so, no one’s uncovered it yet.
Q: Haven travels to many amazing places, but at heart she’s a girl from Snope City, Tennessee. Why did you decide to set part of The Eternal Ones there? What about Haven’s Southern background makes her unique?
A: I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, just a stone’s throw from fictional Snope City, Tennessee. (I borrowed the geography of my hometown for this book, but little else. Unlike Haven, I had a fabulous childhood.) I’ve been in New York for many years now, but I remain a proud Southerner, and I’ve been hankering to set a book in the South.
I chose to make Haven Southern for one simple reason. Southern girls are tough. Even the ones with perfect nails and pretty hair. Maybe it’s the lasting influence of Scarlett O’Hara—or something they put in all that iced tea—but a Southern girl will keep fighting long after everyone else has given up and gone home. I’d like to think Haven Moore has that kind of moxie.
Q: Do you believe in love at first sight?
A: Not only do I believe in it, I’ve experienced it. Although I’m not sure about the “sight” part. For me, it was a certain accent that did the trick.
Q: You’re also the author of the acclaimed Kiki Strike series. What can fans of Kiki look forward to in The Eternal Ones?
A: The Eternal Ones is a romance, but it’s every bit as strange as the Kiki Strike books. I doubt teen and adult Kiki fans would want standard fare. And I don’t think they’d expect it from me. I’m the kind of lady who likes my romance mixed with snake handlers and sinister secret societies. The Eternal Ones is a pretty twisted tale, and I think older Kiki readers will love it.
Q: You live in Brooklyn. Does The Eternal Ones feature any of your favorite NYC haunts?
A: New York is a character in all of my novels. As far as I’m concerned, my city is the most magical place on earth. I love all the spots here that make you feel like you’re stepping back in time. Washington Square Park and the Washington Mews. The colossal apartment buildings that surround Central Park. They’ve all captured my imagination at one time or another. I’ve been getting to know Brooklyn since I moved here about a year ago. Much of the borough looks exactly as it did in the 19th century. So expect it to pop up in one of my books very soon.
Q: Who are your influences as a writer?
A: The list of authors who’ve inspired me is too long to include. But my two biggest influences have always been my parents. They’re responsible for most of my bizarre interests and crazy ideas. My mother knows the best ghost stories and will talk about reincarnation for hours. My father is an endless source of weird historical facts. So I guess you could say that my strange books are the products of both nature and nurture.
Q: What do you like about writing for teens?
A: I love that teens (and tweens in the case of Kiki Strike) aren’t afraid to show their enthusiasm. If they love a book, they really REALLY love it. And they’ll hunt you down and tell you so. (Which is great to hear when you need a little encouragement.)
Q: What would you ultimately like people to take away from their experience of reading The Eternal Ones?
A: I’m not sure there’s a moral to the story. Hopefully it will inspire a few readers to approach life with open eyes and open minds. But more than anything, I just want everyone to have a darn good time.
Praise
“Miller delivers a smart and sinister tale of romance and destiny that…elevates the supernatural romance well beyond typical fare.”
--Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Miller is adept at humorous description. Her keen eye for detail and Haven’s bold maneuvers keep the tale humming along.”
--Kirkus
“If you are looking for a novel filled with mystery, suspense, intrigue, and romance, look no further.”
--VOYA
“Deeply and irresistibly romantic with twists and turns that will keep you guessing. A hauntingly beautiful novel.”
--Melissa de la Cruz, author of Blue Bloods
--Danielle Trussoni, author of Angelology
Toby’s world is under greater threat than ever before. A giant crater has been dug right into the center of the Tree, moss and lichen have invaded the branches, and one tyrant controls it all. Leo Blue, once Toby’s best friend, is holding Toby’s beloved Elisha prisoner, hunting the Grass People with merciless force, and inflicting a life of poverty and fear on the Tree People. But after several years among the Grass People, Toby has returned to fight back. And this time he’s not alone: a resistance is forming. In the much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning TOBY ALONE, the compelling eco-adventure reaches its gripping conclusion.
Welcome back to Mr. Jupiter's inimitable class in this companion to The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School. His rambunctious, special students are fifth graders now . . . and they rule the school! Bernadette Braggadoccio stirs things up when her probing investigative reporting for the school's TV station reveals some scandalous stuff. But . . . don't believe everything you hear. Is that new art teacher really a crazy lady with zillions of cats, or could there be more to this story?
So whether readers knew Mr. Jupiter's class back in fourth grade or are new to Aesop Elementary, they'll be chomping at the bit to join these fabled fifth graders for the zaniest school year ever.
The perfect series for kids who loved THE LEMONADE WAR series and are ready for more mysteries!
"With wit, cunning, snappy dialogue and superior math skills, The Red Blazer Girls represent the best of girl-detectives while still feeling relatable and real. Nancy Drew would be right at home with this group." -- Huffington Post's 15 Greatest Kid Detectives List
When there are mysteries to be solved, the Red Blazer Girls are on the case! The discovery of the Ring of Rocamadour has secured the girls' reputation as Upper East Side super-sleuths, bringing many sundry job requests (no mystery too small, right?) and some unwanted attention from crooks. This time the girls must follow a trail of cryptic clues, involving everything from logic to literature, to trace a rare violin gone missing. But nothing is as it appears, and just as a solution seems imminent, the girls find themselves scrambling to save the man who was once their prime suspect.
Bowstrings and betrayal, crushes and codes abound in this suspenseful companion to the Red Blazer Girls' 2009 debut. Michael Beil, a New York City high school English teacher and life-long mystery fan, delivers a middle-grade caper that's perfect for middle-grade readers who have finished THE LEMONADE WAR series and are ready for more advanced mysteries!
From the moment that the circus boy, Mathias, takes a small roll of paper from the dying conjuror, his fate is sealed. For on it is the key to a terrifying secret, and there are those who would kill him rather than have it told.
Pursued by the sinister Dr. Leiter with his exquisite doll and malevolent dwarf, preyed on by the circus master and his vicious painted wife, Mathias is drawn into a relentless nightmare. A nightmare that will lead him to the Toymaker, and to a knife as cruel as frost.
A relentlessly dark and sinister tale of a young boy's living nightmare, this debut novel will send shivers down your spine and will haunt you long after the final page. With the atmosphere of Philip Pullman's I Was a Rat!, this is a brilliantly frightening tale from an exciting new literary talent.
Then her neighbor Old Mr. Jolly brings home a new wife, Rosalyn, who shows up in pants—pants!—the color of red peppers. With her arrives Phoebe, a young African American girl who has also lost her mother. Phoebe is smart and fun and the perfect antidote to Charlie Anne's lonely days. The girls soon forge a friendship and learn from each other in amazing ways.
But when hatred turns their town ugly, it's almost more than they can bear. Now it's up to Charlie Anne and Phoebe to prove that our hearts are always able to expand.
A macabre and funny fantasy trilogy
After the perilous adventure of The Hollow Bettle (Book I), the dark reign of the Nightshades is over at last, and a new day has arrived in Caux, a land long ruled by poison and deceit. The ancient Prophecy-the coming of a Noble Child to cure the one, true King-has finally begun.
But fear still grips the people of Caux, for they live in the shadow of the powerful, poisonous Tasters' Guild. Sequestered high within its corrupt walls sits Vidal Verjouce, the Guild's diabolical Director, his dark magic more potent than ever. Eleven-year-old Ivy, famed healer and Noble Child, and her friend and taster Rowan must venture inside the Guild itself if they are to find the door to their sister world, Pimcaux-and fulfill the Prophecy. But a deadly weed-once thought extinct-threatens their journey: scourge bracken, a plant dedicated to domination and destruction, also known, ominously, as Kingmaker. Who else has detected it? And will Ivy's remarkable gift-her dominion over plants and nature-be enough to thwart it?
Susannah Appelbaum's imagination soars with poison inks, flower codes, catacombs, secret crypts, and sinister twists in this middle volume of the macabre and magical Poisons of Caux fantasy trilogy.
This movie tie-in edition will feature full-color movie stills, an interview with the author, and a preview of her next romantic comedy, Confessions of a Serial Kisser.
Flipped is a romance told in two voices. The first time Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski, she flipped. The first time Bryce saw Juli, he ran. That’s pretty much the pattern for these two neighbors until the eighth grade, when, just as Juli is realizing Bryce isn’t as wonderful as she thought, Bryce is starting to see that Juli is pretty amazing. How these two teens manage to see beyond the surface of things and come together makes for a comic and poignant romance.
Jack Fountain knows that what’s happened to his family sounds like the most horrible soap opera anyone could ever write. But it’s all true. It happened—to his parents; to his sisters, Smithy and Madison. And to his baby brother, Tris. What made it worse was that the media wanted to know every detail.
Now it's almost Tris’s third birthday, and everything’s starting again. Aunt Cheryl, who’s living with the Fountain children, has decided that they will heal only if they work through their pain—on camera. It will be a field day for the media, and no one, except Cheryl, wants that. Jack and his sisters gear up to keep Tris’s adorable face off-screen, but they quickly realize that there is more at stake than their privacy. The very identities they’ve created for themselves are called into question. What really happened the day of their father’s accident?
The Fountain siblings have less than twenty-four hours to change their fate. Together, they will ask questions no one asked at the time of the tragedy. And together, they vow that this time, they will not be exploited.
Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever.
Twelve-year-old Ray is haunted by the strangest memories of his father, whom Ray swears could speak to animals. Now an orphan, Ray jumps from a train going through the American South and falls in with a medicine show train and its stable of sideshow performers. The performers turn out to be heroes, defenders of the wild, including the son of John Henry. They are hiding the last of the mythical Swamp Sirens from an ancient evil known as the Gog. Why the Gog wants the Siren, they can’t be sure, but they know it has something to do with rebuilding a monstrous machine that John Henry gave his life destroying years before, a machine that will allow the Gog to control the will of men and spread darkness throughout the world.
From the Hardcover edition.
