Author Interview: S.R. Johannes

Please welcome author S.R. Johannes to the blog today. She has graciously given her time to tell us a little about herself and her debut novel UNTRACEABLE, being released TODAY! I'm so excited to share this interview with all of you, and I'm super excited about UNTRACEABLE!

Britney: To start off, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Shelli: I have an MBA in marketing and worked in corporate America for over 15 years doing marketing, communication, and training. I walked off the job in 2006 and have been doing freelance marketing ever since. I own my own marketing company and have worked with Spanx and Goody Hair. I have a hubby from England, 2 kids and a Goldendoodle. I’m actually very boring, which is probably why I write thrillers. J I love being at home, doing yoga, reading and playing with my kids. That’s my everyday.

B: Can you tell us a little bit about Untraceable and what it’s about for those out there who haven’t heard of it yet?

S: Grace grew up in the woods. When her forest ranger dad disappears on patrol, she fights town authorities, tribal officials, & nature to prove he’s alive. Torn between a hot boy and cute ex, she heads into the wilderness to find her dad. Soon, Grace is caught in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. It will take more than a compass and motorcycle for this tough heroine to save all she loves.

B: What 5 words would you use to describe Grace?

S: Dependable, funny, intense, outdoorsy, caring, stubborn

B: Can you tell us a little bit about these two hot boys? We LOVE hot boys. J

S: Mo is from the UK and loves the woods as much as Grace.  He is very straightforward and doesn’t play games or hard to get. If he feels something he puts it out there. So much that it shocks Grace at times. He loves geology (kinda dorky right?) and astronomy. He’s very family oriented – like Grace. He reminds me of Brodie Jenner.

Wyn is a long time friend. He’ s silly and banters with Grace. That is his way of showing her he still cares about her. He’s not as straightforward as Mo is. He’s leaner but tries to overcompensate by pretending he’s tough. He’s more of a city boy at heart and not that into nature even though he lives in a mountain town. He reminds me of Shia Lebeouf in Transformers.

B: What are your favorite kinds of scenes to write (humorous, action-packed, romantic, etc.) and why?

S: The action scenes are fun. They play out in my head like a movie so I can see each frame. Sometimes I can’t write fast enough and I love that feeling. Course the kissing scenes are fun too J And I don’t try to write humor – if a line is funny – it wasn’t thought out. IT was probably a snarky comment that I would say in a situation.

B: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

S: I love to write. Any free time I have is doing that. But I love playing with my kids and doing yoga. Other than reading and movies – I’m boring.

B: Where and in what type of setting do you like to write?

S: I have to write in my office. I can’t write at bookstores b/c I start shopping. And I can’t write in coffee shops b/c I get too jacked up on coffee and end up eating.

B: What are the first three YA books that come to mind when you think of Untraceable?

S: Hatchet by Gary Paulson; Kiss the Girls by James Patterson; Gone Wild by James Hall

3 of my top books and the influence for Untraceable.

B: What writer, book, or series has been a big inspiration to you and your writing?

S: James Patterson (his adult stuff) has been my biggest influence. It’s all I read when I was in high school – I used to sneak his books from my mom. I’d love to be the contemporary thriller author of the YA genre like he is in his adult work. I’ve studied his work and writing. There is a reason people love his books. He keeps the tension. I also love James Hall b/c he always has issues in his book that aren’t preachy but serve to educate while still being fun to read.

B: What was the last book you read that you really fell in love with or that blew your mind?

S: Carrie Ryan’s Forest of Hands and Teeth series. I love it. The setting and the tension is amazon. But more – she has such a way with words and voice.

I also loved The Sky is Everywhere. The way the author interjects humor with tragedy is beautiful.

B: What are you reading right now and what book(s) have you had your eye on lately but haven’t gotten to read yet?

S: Impossible to answer. I’m looking forward to reading Body Finder 3 by Kimberly Derting (The Last Echo) but I love reading all books and have a stack I look forward to reading.

B: If you could be asked any question, what would that be? What would your answer be?

S: Wow! Intense stuff. I guess I would love it if someday someone asked me: Have you found your purpose? And I answered: yes.

******

Thanks so much for joining us today Shelli! Untraceable is a fabulous book I would recommend to anyone! Check out my review HERE..
Buy the paperback
Buy a Kindle copy

Connect with the author:

Author newsletter: http://blogspot.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=114def4ad4e805b98ea071bff&id=68312804dc

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/srjohannes

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SRJohannes/249888602550

Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/srjohannes

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5235537.S_R_Johannes

REVIEW: UNTRACEABLE by S.R. Johannes

Author Bio:
Shelli Johannes-Wells started out writing for her local school paper, winning a state Nutrition essay contest for “Be a Smart Cookie”, and singing in a local Jazz band. Somewhere along the way, she earned an MBA in Marketing and embarked on an 18-year marketing career in Corporate America working as a marketing and communications consultant.

In 2000, Shelli traded in her expensive suits, way-too high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, and continues creating materials for a variety of large profit and nonprofit clients, including Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick Filet, Delta, CARE, and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Shelli’s dream is to publish children’s books and magically imprint the imaginations of kids. In addition to juggling nap schedules while attending client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent marketing speaker at SCBWI conferences across the U.S and runs a popular marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com) where she provides marketing advice for authors in the hopes of helping them better market their words.

In her spare time (yeah right!) and if the kids allow (yeah right!), Shelli obsesses over movies, reads children’s books (over and over), wishes she could squeeze in Bikram Yoga sessions, and dreams of sleeping in on the weekends.

She currently lives in Atlanta with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess that someday will change the world.




 



Book Title:

Untraceable, The Nature of Grace, #1

Release Date:

Tuesday, Nov 29th

Publisher:

Coleman & Stott

"Grace is a spunky, independent, nature girl who doesn't need a boy to save her. With wilderness survival, a juicy love triangle, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this fast-paced novel had me holding my breath until the very last page—and still begging for more!" -Kimberly Derting, author of the The Body Finder series (Harper Teen) and The Pledge series (S&S)

Book Description:

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. 

When Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. After finding a Cheetos bag and stolen government file, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy who has an intoxicating accent and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged, Wyn. 

After a few run-ins with the town's police chief, her father's partner, and some new evidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. 

Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.

My Review:

WOW!

I had to take a minute to let it all sink in before I could start to actually gather my thoughts. UNTRACEABLE is without a doubt going to be the next big YA phenomenon. With a kick-butt heroine who will become an instant favorite, this fast-paced thriller will keep you guessing at every turn. UNTRACEABLE is packed with adventure, betrayal, mystery, and a conspiracy that will leave you only wanting more. Just like the North Carolina woods Grace navigates fearlessly, Johannes weaves a beautifully mysterious story of a daughter's brave, never-ending devotion to her missing father. And I felt every emotion so fully through the writing, that my husband actually thought he made me cry. But no, it was this fabulous book, with such a rich well of emotion.

Grace is stoic, brave, fearless, inventive, and smart and is one of the best female characters I've read in a long time. In fact, I believe the YA genre needs more female characters like Grace. She doesn't need a boy to save her, she doesn't sit around and feel sorry for herself, and most importantly she's not afraid to be herself. But I have to say, those boys are something else.

UNTRACEABLE is by far my favorite debut of 2011, and I cannot wait for more in The Nature of Grace series. 

Abso-bloody-lutely fantastic!



I would definitely re-read this book. And would recommend it to EVERYONE!

Buy the paperback
Buy a Kindle copy

~Britney

REVIEW: THE JINX by D.F. Lamont

Genre: Young Adult
Format: eBook
Source: Author, Requested ReviewSynopsis (from D.F. Lamont website)
THE JINX is the story of Stephen Grayson, a 13-year old whose run of bad luck gets so bad he worries he is endangering his family. Fearing he is cursed, he flees home to protect his family, only to find that he is in the middle of a tug-of war between a cult obsessed with order and misshapen monsters known as “Chaons” who seem bent on hunting him down.

Review:
If you have tween-aged boys you are desperately trying to get into reading, START HERE! THE JINX has action, cults, chaos, and monsters. Right up a boys alley, but also a great read for anyone who likes these elements. I enjoyed the story very much and was always wondering "What's gonna happen to Stephen!?!"
Just about anyone can relate to poor Stephen's run of bad luck. Only Stephen's bad luck is more than that. He has to escape monsters, and a creepy cult that strives for only order in the universe. This quick read has be guessing at every turn and rooting for Stephen and balance. The author's writing style was easy to follow for a young reader but engaging enough for an adult as well. I would be really interested to see more of this world and Stephen.

Britney

Click Here to read the 1st chapter for free.

You can buy copies at McNally Robinson Grant Park, or click on the links to buy:

• order softcover copies online at Lulu,
• iTunes for iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch,
• Amazon for Kindle, or
• eBooks for Kobo. 
• for Barnes and Noble’s Nook!

Connect with the author:
http://thejinxbook.tumblr.com/
My Facebook Page for The Jinx is: http://www.facebook.com/TheJinxbyDFLamont
My author page on Goodreads is: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5134556.D_F_Lamont

BLOG TOUR REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: KISS ME CRAZY by E. B. Walters

I am so excited and honored to be a part of the KISS ME CRAZY blog tour hosted by Forbidden Reviews. I absolutely adore Ednah Walters. She is a fantastic author and person in general. Ednah writes a Young Adult Fantasy series called The Guardian Legacy as Ednah Walters and the contemporary romance series The Fitzgerald Family as E. B. Walters. Today is all about KISS ME CRAZY, Book 3 of The Fitzgerald Family series, and let me tell you, it is something else!

She's used to putting everyone first—her sister, her friends, her boss. It’s now her turn...

Art conservator, Kara Michaels has decided it’s time to chase her dream—start her own business restoring and framing works of art. She has the skills, the nose for business, and the pent-up frustration from being invisible to the man she wants but can’t have—her boss.

He’s a meticulous planner whose rule book is about to be tossed out the window...

Baron Fitzgerald, a successful art dealer and Kara’s boss, believes in having a strategy and following it without deviation. So when Kara tenders her resignation, he sets out to convince her to stay. Baron soon realizes that falling in love cannot be planned, but the insight comes a little too late for him and Kara.



Review:
KISS ME CRAZY is my favorite Fitzgerald Family book so far! I wanted to step right into Kara's shoes and live her life and get my hands on Baron Fitzgerald of course! I actually toted this book with me EVERYWHERE for 2 days straight and opened it every chance I got. The connection between Kara and Baron is drool-worthy. Who hasn't had a thing for their boss, right?! And of course, there are obstacles at every corner trying to ruin things for Kara and Baron. But when it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Or is it? When Baron's past comes back to haunt him, can he handle the pressure and still get to keep Kara?
KISS ME CRAZY is full of chemistry, smoldering kisses, and good old fashion passion! You won't be disappointed in this Fitzgerald (not that any Fitzgerald would ever disappoint)!

You can find Ednah and her books by following the links below.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ednahwalters?feature=mhsn

WEBSITE: http://www.ednahwalters.com/

BLOG: http://enwalters.blogspot.com/

FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fan-Page-Of-Ednah-Walters/202111176494628

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/#!/ednahwalters

BOOKTRAILERS: http://www.youtube.com/user/ednahwalters?feature=mhsn

PROBOARD: http://fanpage4ednahwalters.proboards.com/index.cgi

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4188120.Ednah_Walters

GOOGLE+: https://plus.google.com/?hl=en&tab=wX#113199492695974871853/posts


Where you can buy Ednah's BOOKS:

AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=ednah+walters&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Aednah+walters&ajr=0

BARNES & NOBLES:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/ednah-walters

SMASHWORDS: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/70400



Be sure to follow the rest of the KISS ME CRAZY Blog Tour:

Nov 7:Mindy Forbidden Reviews
Nov 8:Haydee Between The Sheets
Nov 10:Crystal Red Heads Review It Better
Nov 12: Katrina Page Flipperz
Nov 14: Britney Living Fictitiously <---- You are here!
Nov 16:Cynthia Book Reader Addicts
Nov 17: Lisa Lisa's World of Books
Nov 18:Christina Intoxicated By Books
Nov 19:Tevya Reading Lark 
Nov 21: Anne Forbidden Reviews Guest Blogger!
Nov 22: Jowanna Pimpin' Reads
Nov 23:Lucy Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf
Nov 24: Michele Insane About Books
Nov 25: Megan Amethyst Daydreams
Nov 26: Lindsey United By Books

Nov 26:Amy Lady Reader's Book Stuff
Nov 28: Shelby Words To Follow
Nov 29: Katrina Page Flipperz

Nov 30:Renee & Stacey Sassy Book Lovers
Dec 1: Mindy wrap up Forbidden Reviews

WVMP Radio Series Chat with Jeri Smith-Ready

Wooooo Hoooooo! Monday, 11/14/11 is almost here! Wanna know why Fictitious Delicious, Living-Fictitiously, What’s on the Bookshelf, and And Many to Read Before I Sleep are smiling from ear to ear and flipping cart wheels? Do you? 

*drum roll…………………………..........................………….*  

Jeri Smith-Ready will be video chatting with us live on Google+ hangout at 8pm CST about the FANGtabulous WVMP Radio Series!!! Jen Duffy from What’s on the Bookshelf will be hosting this radical event from 8pm – 9pm.

If you do not have a Google+ account, set one up immediately so you can join in on the fun! Jen from What’s on the Bookshelf will be sending all who participate a hangout invite. We ask you to log on 15 minutes early (7:45pm CST) and to have your microphones muted and camera’s off, but volume turned up. Jeri and Jen will be the only one’s live and the rest of us will be using the chat feature to type in questions and/or comments. 

If you were a WVMP read alonger, we have your email address. For those who didn’t participate in the read along, please leave a comment below with your email address. All participants will receive an email from Marissa (And Many to Read Before I Sleep) with more formal instructions on attending.

Don’t forget to enter the Ultimate Feed the Need Giveaway hosted by the blogs mentioned above. Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 11/13/11.

Remember, WVMP Radio Series is an adult read. Topics discussed could stun young ears. Hell, we may even shock ourselves…… NAH!!!!

Thanks everybody and we look forward to seeing you at the chat on Monday!

Kimberly & Britney- Living-Fictitiously 
Jen S. & Amy- Fictitious Delicious

Jen D.- What’s on the Bookshelf

Marissa- And Many to Read Before I Sleep

REVIEW- Delirium by Lauren Oliver

You can view the synopsis for Delirium by Lauren Oliver (via Goodreads) by clicking the title.

 A few weeks back, I had a nine hour drive home from Atlanta, Georgia. Good thing I downloaded the audio book Delirium, by LaurenOliver, narrated by Sarah Drew- who did a fabulous job narrating. Good thing I listened to it. I was quick to realize the entire buzz that had been buzzing about this book!

Can you imagine living in a world without love? In Delirium, the government has banned love and is considered taboo, a disease called deliria. You are given the cure by your eighteenth birthday. You better hope you don’t catch the disease until you receive the cure are you’re in a world of punishment. Before the cure, you are interviewed then matched to an arranged marriage. Once you get the cure (works in most cases), you don’t know what love is, what pain is; no sentiment what so ever.

Lena was excited about receiving the cure, until she met Alex that is. Alex is such a total knight and shining armor kinda guy with a total yum factor! And that’s when the story got intense and I was clenching my hands against the steering wheel anticipating on what happened next. Can Lena fight the disease or will she surrender?

Wow Ms. Oliver… look what you did to me: The ending nearly made my ass wreck... seriously not joking! I was all like what the frickin' fruck and I nearly missed my exit and had to slam brakes on the interstate. Needless to say I scared the shit out of myself, almost gave my mother a myocardial infarction, and burned rubber off my brand new tires! Thank the Interstate God there wasn’t a vehicle on my rear, or it would have been straight up it. Yep... so Delirium officially burned rubber on me. *sings song*

Soooo… holy freakin’ heart attack, this book was Tony the Tiger grrrrrrrrrrreat and I give it 5 stars. Code blue, code blue… I need Pandemonium, book 2 STAT!!

Kimberly

 

REVIEW- Bring on the Night by Jeri Smith-Ready

You can view the synopsis for Bring on the Night by Jeri Smith-Ready (via Goodreads) by clicking on the title.

Slap our ass and call us pizzazz!! Bring on the Night (book 3 in the WVMP Radio Series) by Jeri Smith-Ready is ONE BIG EVENT!  *GASPS* I mean whoa… WHOA!! Vampires, a male stripper, dead bodies, psychic necromancers, zombies, graveyards, bells ringing, diseases, new beginnings, betrayals, lust, sex, IN THE FREAKIN’ SHOWER, and finger explorin’… slow down now, take a breath! *Breathes*

Shane and Ciara are still in love. David finds much deserved happiness. We find out about a secret division within The Control- The Immanence Corps and what lies within it and who manages it. Jim has become a few fries short of a happy meal and is totally wiggin’. You get to see a devoted side to Regina and a WTF side to Monroe. And holy balls of fury a life changing incident takes place.

BotN was a total page turner filled with gasps and emotions of all sorts…. And we were like, “Noooooooo!!!!” And “WHAAAAA???” Then, “YESSSSSSSSS!” Then, “WHOAAAAAA !”

We can’t wait for the fourth and final novel, Lust for Life to be released in fall of 2012. Don’t forget to check out the novella, Let It Bleed on Jeri’s website (she posts chapters each month) and the tie-in short stories Crossroads, Rave On, When the Music’s Over, and Last Request. Jeri also has an anthology,  "Thief"in Eternal: Love Stories with Bite, about Ciara’s traveler cousins. 

Did you possibly think Britney and I could close out this review without fan girling on Jeri? WE LOVE YOU JERI!! YOU ROCK HARD! I (Kimberly) love Jeri sooo much that I was brave to serenade the fangtasticly hot Shane McAllister by singing and making a video for him. You can see it here.

Thanks to all who participated in the WVMPRead Along hosted by Living-Fictitiously, Fictitious Delicious, And Many toRead Before I Sleep and What’s on the Bookshelf. Check out the wrap-up post and enter the super awesome Feed The Need Giveaway by clicking here. You didn’t have to participate in the read along to enter, although you get extra points if you did!

Guess… guess how many stars Bring on the Night will boast? 5 gasping, panting stars!!!

Kimberly & Britney

REVIEW- Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready

You can review the synopsis for Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready (via Goodreads) by clicking on the title. 

Well we be a son of a banshee… she’s done it again! We’re telling ya’ll, Jeri is a master-mind! I mean really, we can’t help but go all fan girlies on her and those mad writing skills she possesses. We love, love, love being sucked in Jeri’s fictional world. We absolutely adore it!

Bad to The Bone (book 2 of the WVMP Radio Series) by Jeri Smith-Ready is filled with pure epicness and passion. It’s totally a sexy, thrilling, suspenseful read. The WVMP DJs continue to live for the music… their lifeblood of rock n’ roll. A few new characters are introduced, while an unexpected character from book 1 (Wicked Game) returns. Pasts comes back to haunt, trying once again to destroy WVMP, a devastated loss occurs (tears up- WAAAAA!), true natures are revealed, relationships blossom, a mind-blowing, steamy dream occurs, and some H-O-T sex takes place! (I mean really- go get an extinguisher and put that fiyah down there out! O_O)

*Sighs Dreamily* Shane is such a smooth operator and my, my, my- what a mighty fine vamp he is! While reading BttB we visualized what his voice sounds like- sexy, soft, and deep. We get to see the religious and family oriented side of him and we find out that Ciara makes a sacrifice for the man she loves. She also discovers the truth behind her blood and her family.  And then you have this appalling scary-religious organization trying to destroy vampires.

With all that said, can the station be saved… again? The plot and sub-plots are just wow… we don’t even know what else to say, so… WOW!! Oh, and of course Bad to the Bone swanks 5 steamy stars!! You wouldn’t think any different, would you?

Kimberly & Britney

REVIEW- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

You can view the synopsis for The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (via Goodreads) by clicking on the title. Click on this to see the ab-terrific book trailer!

Have you ever read a book to the end, slam the cover shut and been like… “What in the…?” Don’t get us wrong… The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin was filled with what in the… greatness. The whole time we were reading… we were like, “What in the…??” We actually said it out loud many times. But you know what? The what in the’s kept us reading! (Okay, okay… enough of the ‘what in the’s… ‘ in the same paragraph already!)

TUoMD was definitely an edge of your seat read. We found ourselves reading too fast to find out what was going to happen next and we had to slow down so we could take it all in.  Especially when we were reading about Noah Shaw… who is known in the book itself, by readers, and bloggers to have a panty-dropping smile—HELLO!!! He’s a total bad-ass, smart-ass, and yes… fine-ass!

This is the first book I (Kimberly) read with so much mysteriousness. The story, the characters; totally inexplicable! There were times when I was reading, it was a bit difficult to follow, hence the, “What in the…” You have a girl, Mara (is that her real name?) who was involved in an accident, but doesn’t remember. Her family decided it was best for them to move and that’s where she met Hottie-Potottie Noah. Crazy, freaky things are happening to Mara. Noah is there to help her, but there is something about him too, hmmmm?

So Mara discovers her abilities and remembers what happened the night of the accident. And then there is Noah, and you are all like, “Mara, what in the… are you doing?!?” And then, there.is.the.end. “What in the….?!?”

We give The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer 4 “What in the…” stars!

Kimberly & Britney

Some of the Many Reasons Why I Love Twitter

Twitter has been a most excellent source of social media for me. I originally joined twitter to follow authors whose books I’ve read and to get the latest news on their upcoming and/or current work. From there, I’ve had the opportunity to follow and be followed by some pretty awesome tweeps. That is how I met my #cyberBFF and blogging partner @BritneyWyatt who I absolutely freakin’ adore! Love her mucho grande!! Her English degree also comes in handy for her to edit the book I’m writing. We officially met a few weeks back in Atlanta and I miss her face terribly! Here's a pic!

 Anyhoo, I’ve met some awesome tweeters/bloggers who share the same love of reading I share. Of course I need to mention some of them who I tweet most (Britney is mentioned above)…@Tamsbookramble (my cyber child/#minime), @jenduffey, @EpicLynnMarie, @3fixedhearts, @lavenderwriter, @ThamyDuff, @MarissaOdom, @jenniferstrand, @AmyArlene O, @teamsheltie, @BrookeWorm33, @jderucki, @arnoldjaime13, @TheTatz, etc. (forgive me if I failed to mention your name… you know I heart you!) I’ve met these tweeps, thanks to the recent YA Crush Tournament held by @YASisterhood. We are all #TeamKilt members, supporters of Zachary and/or Logan (I’m Team ShadeBoys) from the Shade Series and admire Jeri Smith-Ready, amongst other fabulous authors.

So… three girls I mentioned above (that’s you Jen D. (@jenduffey), Lynn (@EpicLynnMarie), and Missy (@lavenderwriter / @3fixedhearts)) have a love for writing as well. Click on their names to check out their blogs. I’ve had the opportunity to read their incredible work and fall in love with their swoony characters—and their stories. I call them my favorite trio on my twitter list. I also consider them critique partners as we read eachother’s work, and well- critique.  (Tamara (@Tamsbookramble) and Marissa (@MarissaOdom) have some great story writing's as well. )

Missy (@lavenderwriter) has been practicing writing in verse. She knows how much I obsess over one of her character’s, Adam in her novel, Lavender Boys. She surprised me and sent me an email of one of her practiced verse writing’s that included me- yes me *dies* with the character I love… Adam. Oh Adam! I had to show it off and she gave me permission to post… so here it is! (Please note this will not be published, it is for fun only.) 

      Her

I like girls.

But I also like football.

And tacos.

And a lot of other things.

So that’s not saying much.

That’s what weird about what happened last night.

She sat over there. At that other table.

DeShawn, Beckett and I were eating.

She didn’t have anything on her tray.

Yes, I noticed.

She looked at me.

Three times. Our eyes met.

God, she was cute.

Not from Lake. A different school for sure.

Oh well. Leaving.

Last look.

Go back in?

No.

Damn.

Again

Mason’s parties are insane.

Brynna McKay.

The girl of my dreams.

There she is.

Kissing the boy of her dreams. Beckett.

Where’s the keg?

Drown in my sorrow.

Pump, pump, pump for more beer.

Red plastic cup is empty.

“Can you fill mine?”

I look up? Same eyes.

Eyes so dark I could get lost. Dark blue like deep ocean water.

Empty tray girl.

God, even cuter close up.

“Hey, it’s you.”

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

“I am me,” she says.

Funny.

“No, it’s you from Lou’s – the hamburger place. Wednesday night. Right?” I ask.

I hope.

Her cheeks warm.

Thoughts run through my mind as I look her up and down.

“Kim.” Her red plastic cup is now under the spigot.

“Adam.”

Empty cup fills.

Empty heart fills. A little.

Brynna who? 

Falling

Hours pass.

She sits next to me.

Shoulders touch now.

Fingers brush.

Smiles exchanged.

She flirts. I reciprocate.

Her eyes look left.

My eyes look right.

Time to go.

She stands. Curfew.

I stand.

Across the room.

Brynna’s smile. Brynna’s laugh. Our past. My heart. Divided. Crushed. Broken.

In front of me. Kim’s eyes. Kim’s smile.

My hand brushes her arm.

Her hand touches mine.

I feel it. Everywhere.

Her fingers clasp mine.

She bites her lip.

My shoes kick into each other.

My hand pulls hers towards the door.

Outside, she points to her car.

Her friends giggle and follow.

She gives them a look.

It says wait over there.

And they do.

At her car, she opens my hand, puts the paper in and closes it.

Her eyes. Careful. Excited. Nervous. No…Excited. Yes.

I look down. (Brynna.) Across the parking lot. Beckett’s car.

In front of me. Beautiful sparkling blue eyes. New eyes. Fresh eyes.

Eyes with history – her history. Unknown history. To be explored kind of history. 

Kiss

I look away while she talks to me.

I’ve never kissed Brynna.

Brynna has beautiful lips.

I have longed to kiss Brynna’s lips.

I will never kiss Brynna’s lips.

Stop!

Eyes back down on her lips. Kim’s lips. Her tongue slides across them.

Her eyes sparkle up at me.

“Don’t you agree?” She asks.

Huh? I don’t know. I didn’t listen.

Don’t answer.

Hands reach up. Cup her face.

Hear her breath – she draws it in sharply. Ready. Anticipation.

I look at her. She’s beautiful. (She’s not Brynna)

Stop! Please, head, please stop. Heart, please stop.

Eyes begin to sting. No. This is not happening.

Kensington! Stop. Look at her.

Kim looks at me. Eyes soften.

Her hands move around my waist.

She feels good.

On her tiptoes now.

Do it. Now.

Lean down. Closer. Closer. Closer.

Eyes close. Lips brush. Once. Twice. Soft. Feathers.

Pull back. Eyes open. Look at her.

Her innocence – her smile.

“Hi,” she whispers.

Lean again. Eyes close. Lips touch.

Open mouth. Kiss. Good kiss.

Her arms pull me towards her.

Tongues dart back and forth. Her mouth. My mouth.

Puzzle pieces. They fit.

THEY FIT.

I draw her close.

THEY FIT. The puzzle pieces. 

Goodbye

We push away.

She looks at me.

Her smile is telling.

She likes me.

…I like her.

For once.

…I like the girl. The girl who is not Brynna.

One last kiss before goodbye.

She obliges.

Her kiss feels like warm cocoa on a cold Sunday morning.

Kim. Kimberly.

I like her.

“Will you call me?” She asks hopefully.

“Yes,” I say truthfully.

Open her car door. Help her into her car.

Her window rolls down. I lean in.

A notebook sits on the passenger seat.

A notebook covered in lavender hearts.

My heart jumps.

Kim’s hand touches mine.

My heart tethers.

“Okay. Oh, your number?”

“You already have it.” She smiles.

The paper she placed in my hand earlier. Oh.

My hand dives in my pocket – the paper is safe.

I stand up. Left hand in pocket. Right hand waves.

Tail lights.

Across parking lot, Brynna holds Beckett’s hand. He opens car door. She gets in.

     Close eyes. Deep breath. Open eyes. 

     Call

Reach into pocket. Retrieve paper. Open.

I don’t drink coffee but hot chocolate Sunday morning?

Xo Kimberly McKay 555-1212

Smile. Phone. Call.

“Hi. Yes. Sunday morning.”

A date. With a McKay girl who is not Brynna.

Wasn’t it adorable? Missy blew my mind with this, so I thank her from the bottom of my heart! And a quick thanks to Lynn for including my name in one of her works with one of the guys I crush over in her book... Dave- NOM, NOM, NOM!!

Kimberly