Review by Jill Williamson

Now that Lena Mattacascar has turned eighteen, she decides to leave home in search of her father in the wild wilderness of Scree where the Peculiars live—outcasts for their strange inhuman characteristics. Lena has always feared she might be part Peculiar because of her long fingers and feet, and she conceals her deformity as best she can, always wearing gloves.

When traveling on the train, Lena meets Jimson Quiggley, a young librarian, and Thomas Saltre, a marshal. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he asks her to spy on Jimson Quiggley and his boss Mr. Beasley and report whatever she learns back to him. In exchange, Saltre promises to help Lena find her father.

Mr. Beasley’s home is filled with strange inventions and noises in the night. The more she learns about Jimson and Mr. Beasley, the more she likes them. Lena’s confusion over who to trust leads her to a decision that changes everything.

This is a steampunk novel. I adore steampunk and wish there were more of them. Steampunk is merely a fantasy novel that takes place in a time period where steam power was used as modern technology. Such a storyworld enables interesting props and plot devices.

This is a fun book. Totally clean. Lena is shy and naive, self-conscious of how she looks, especially in regards to her hands and feet. Jimson is loyal to Mr. Beasley and enthralled with invention and progress. He doesn’t care much for Lena’s faith, which adds some interesting discussions here and there. And Mr. Beasley is the enigmatic inventor, who reminded me somewhat of Doc Brown in the Back to the Future movies.

I enjoyed the premise of what makes one human. The Peculiars with their strange deformities are said to be unable to go to heaven by missionaries in the story. The missionaries were written as firm legalists to their beliefs, though one changed her mind in the end. I’ll be interested to see where the author takes this subplot.

Lena’s search for her father gets derailed by the marshal’s quest, but it all comes around in the end. Her confusion about who to trust is likely a relatable experience for a young woman inexperienced with advances from a handsome man. The marshal is sneaky—I didn’t trust him. But I could see how Lena might. This is not a fast-paced book, but I was never bored and look forward to the second book in the series. This is a fun, thoughtful, clean read.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: steampunk/fantasy
Part of a Series: yes
Pages: 368
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Released: 2012
    

The Homelanders includes these four books:
The Last Thing I Remember
The Long Way Home
The Truth of the Matter
The Final Hour

(Click on each title to read my book reviews.)

Great idea for a story. I loved the mystery of what was going on and the way Andrew Klavan told this tale, how he weaved it backwards and forwards with action and memories and mystery. It was very cleverly done. This is a GREAT series for boy readers. So if you love action and adventure novels, or if you’re looking for some books for a young man, look no further. This is the series. I highly recommend it.

NIV Boys Bible

I’d been wanting to upgrade my son to an “older” bible, as he’s been getting too old VeggieTales one.  

This one is perfect! I love that he has the full Word, the same text that I have in my bible. He feels good about having this new bible, and the cover looks “guy.” He loves the “grossology” sections, which expand on something from a passage that is truly gross. And the “What’s the Big Deal” sections that appear every four pages give further thought into passages.

He knows that it really doesn’t matter what kind of bible he has, that reading God’s Word is all that truly matters, but I think this particular bible makes him smile and go looking to connect in his own 10-year-old way. 

NIV Faithgirlz Bible

Cute cover. My daughter loves it. At eight, she’s a little young for the “Oh I get it” sidebars and “Dream Girl” devotionals, but she likes the “Is There a Little Wise Kid in You” ones and the sporadic quizzes. I like that there’s a brief intro page at the beginning of each book that explains in kid terms what the book is about and gives some highlights. I love that she has the same NIV version of the Word that I have, so we can each read from our own bibles and have the same text.

This is a bible she can grow up with and love until the cover wears off. And I think that someday she will read those longer sidebars and devotional passages and really enjoy them because they are deep and thoughtful.

Two thumbs up for both of these bibles. They give my kids the Word in a unique package that appeals to them.

CLICK HERE to download To Darkness Fled-Episode 25

In this episode, Achan seeks out Lady Tara to ask for her hand, and Vrell tries to stop him before he makes a fool of himself.

But then the book made me mad. (I may have thrown it once.) And in the end, it left me so puzzled that I needed to read book two, which left me dying to read book three to the point that I actually pre-ordered the thing. And now I’m a Thrasher Head, counting the days until January.

“Hey, Travis… I don’t suppose you need any endorsements for Hurt?”

Yeah… I figured as much.

At least I got to talk with Travis a little in the meantime.

I’d like to say that this isn’t a series you want to start in the middle. If you haven’t read Solitary, go buy it right now. Or enter to win below. Travis has graciously offered to give all three books to one of my blog readers.

Sweet!

So enjoy the interview, enter to win, and if you don’t win, go buy Solitary! You will be entertained. 

The contest is only to win the FIRST THREE BOOKS.

In regards to the picture above, look how fabulous Hurt looks there on the end with the creepy ol’ church on the cover. Oh, Hurt! How I long to pluck you off the shelf and read all of your pages.

Okay… Jill’s losing focus here. 

An interview! Yes. That was the plan. (Why do I feel like Doctor Who today?)

Without further randomness, I give you Mr. Thrasher. *applause*

Travis, when you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I’ve wanted to be a writer since third grade, and that has been the one constant in my life.

When did you decide to try writing books?

I’ve always been reading and writing but I wrote my first novel in ninth grade. I still have it. It was written in pencil on notebook paper and it was called The Adventurer. It was pretty bad.  

Was it hard work?

Writing is the easiest thing in the world to do. The hard part is writing something that is well written! 

What was your biggest obstacle as you learned to become a writer?

Self doubt. I think that’s one of the biggest obstacles for any writer. Writing is such a personal and solitary craft. You’re left alone to your own habits and hangups. It’s easy to have insecurity about every part of the writing process. The key is plowing ahead even if or when you know the writing is awful or simply mediocre. I think I’m the most persistent writer out there. Not the most talented, but the most persistent. 

What do you consider one of your biggest life adventures?

I live on a bloody battlefield. Except the blood is colored pink, and there’s lots of toys littering the field. As the father of three girls (a five year old and two 17-month-old twins), my wife and I are currently on an amazing adventure. Trying to do this while supporting all of us by “living the dream” (see question #1) can be tough. But doors continue to open to writing projects. I never know what adventure will be coming next!  

Temptation is book three in the Solitary Tales. Here is the storyline:

It’s a fabulous book. But, again, if you haven’t read Solitary and Gravestone, read the series in order! Travis, in your Solitary books, Chris has to move to a strange town that’s far away from anything. What advice would you give teens that are forced to live in places they don’t want to live? How can they make the best of things?

Keeping a positive attitude is the best thing you can do. I know that sounds trite–I find it hard at times to keep positive myself. Life doesn’t always go the way we hope or expect. Moving around was hard for me–I went to four different high schools. At the same time, I wouldn’t change anything because it made me who I am now.

The older I get, the more I realize that every single day we have is a gift. When you’re a teenager, you think you’re going to live forever. You think that forty-years-old is over the hill. You sometimes can’t wait to be a grownup. Relish those times of being a teenager regardless of the circumstances. 

Any real-life adventures planned for the near future? If not, what is one dream that you’ve yet to live? 

I’m starting to look ahead to the future in terms of family plans. I’ve always looked ahead when it came to my writing, and I still do that. But now, with these three little ladies in our house, I’m looking through a different set of lenses.

What new fictional adventure are you working on now?

My next book is an eBook only release of a story called Teardrop that is part of seven other stories in the 7 Hours project released by Tyndale House Publishers. It comes out in May. Then in September, a novelization I worked on for the movie Home Run will be released. The movie is a tremendous story about a professional baseball player who is forced to go to rehab and ends up finding hope and redemption. 

Thanks so much for the interview, Travis! I look forward to your new writing projects, and obviously, to Hurt. Here are some places to find Travis online:

Travis’ website: http://www.travisthrasher.com/

Travis’ blog: http://thejourneyiseverything.blogspot.com/

Travis’ Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Travis-Thrasher/13427461109?ref=ts 

And to enter to win Solitary, Gravestone, and Temptation, leave a comment and/or “like” Travis’ Facebook Page. May the randomest entry win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review by Jill Williamson

Chris is done with the craziness. He knows Solitary is a wacked out town. He knows people are messing with him. So he decides to just go with it. Stop fighting. Blend in. First stop? Summer school. Besides, Lily is there. And Lily is a beautiful distraction from all the junk in his life. When Lily starts paying attention to Chris, he can’t believe it. But it’s true. She really likes him.

Really.

But trying to blend in isn’t working so well. The shards of his home life are breaking apart, and now the crazies want to team up. But the closer Chris gets to the darkness, the more he realizes that he can’t ignore them. He’s going to have to choose a side once and for all.

I love these books. I love Chris. I love that he’s this smart yet clueless teen boy. I love his voice.

I want him to win.

I couldn’t put down book three. I took it with me on the airplane, to my own book signing, showed it to people. We get a few more answers in this story and some surprises, Thrasher style. So far, I’m so glad I stuck with this series even after the bewildering first book. But now I can’t stop thinking about the water…

If you like a book that will suck you in, make you laugh, make you think, and scare you. If you like thrillers. If you like a creepy mystery that’s not quite over. If you like Chris Buckley. If you like Travis Thrasher’s writing. If you like books that depict real life but are written with a thread of hope. If you want to read something different, clever, and entertaining, read the Solitary Tales. They pretty much rock.

Age Range: 14 and up
Genre: thriller/horror
Part of a Series: Book three in the Solitary Tales
Pages: 422
Publisher: David C. Cook
Released: 2012
    

CLICK HERE to download To Darkness Fled-Episode 24

In this episode, a familiar face makes Achan nervous and Vrell feel at home for the first time in weeks.

Review by Jill Williamson

Allie Everly’s mom is sick. Brain tumor. And Allie takes care of her. Some days are good. Some aren’t. Allie’s only friend is the annoying neighbor boy, Sam Carroll. And if Sam hadn’t shown up and distracted Allie, she might have been able to get to her mom in time. Instead she has to attend her mom’s funeral, then moves to Maine, the new foster daughter to Miss Beatrice Lovell.

Time flies, but Allie doesn’t grow any closer to Miss Beatrice, despite how hard the poor woman tries. As World War II looms on the horizon, a new boy moves to town. His name is Sam. The same Sam that Allie knew years ago. She might have forgiven him for what happened when her mother died, and he might not be so annoying anymore, but that doesn’t mean that Allie is ready to deal with the confusing emotions that stir up inside her whenever he’s around. But Allie needs to make some decisions about life or it just might pass her by.

What a touching, lovely story! I was enthralled by this tale written by a sixteen-year-old author. I read it in one day, actually, because I couldn’t stand not knowing what would happen in the end. Rachel Coker is indeed one to watch. Her characters were complex and endearing, and the layers of her story just kept getting deeper and deeper. To write about a sick parent, the loss of a loved one, and the loss of war all in one book is quite a challenge, but Rachel Coker succeeded. I hope she doesn’t wait too long before writing another book. Highly recommended!

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: historical fiction, World War II
Part of a Series: no
Pages: 247
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2012
   

Thanks for doing an interview on my blog, Rachel! Your first novel! Share some of the exciting things that you’ve done during this release time.

I can definitely say that the last few months have been some of the most exciting of my life. It’s just been a whirlwind of interviews, radio shows, giveaways, talks, and even a few book signings! The most surreal thing to happen so far was when I got the chance to fly to Philadelphia to sign books at the Public Library Association Conference. Shaking hands with so many people and getting to share my book with them was just an amazing experience—I was smiling the whole time!

I bet! Have you received any emails from readers? Would you tell us about one? How did it make you feel to get that feedback?

Yes, I get emails from readers on an almost daily basis! Each one is so special and unique and they almost always make me want to cry. Happy tears, that is! It’s an amazing feeling to know that other teens from all over the country (and even a few international emails from places like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada!) are hearing about my book and are being inspired by my story. Every time someone tells me something like, “I never thought it was possible to get a book published in my teens, but you have given me faith and confidence to go out there and try to get my book published,” I feel like it’s my birthday, Christmas, and National Pie Day all wrapped up in one!

Tell me more about this National Pie Day… Kidding! Have you ever gone to a writer’s conference? Would you be interested in teaching a class at a conference? If so, what topic might you speak on?

No, I’ve never been to a writer’s conference, although I would love to go to one! I do have several speaking engagements lined up to talk to teenagers interested in writing at different schools and libraries. I have this great workshop prepared called “How to Live Like a Writer” as well as talks on practical fiction writing advice. And of course I love to talk to teens about how to go about getting their work published!

I want to take your workshop! Not that I’m a teen, but… What do you consider one of your biggest life adventures? 

While I have experienced a lot of amazing things, I really hope that my greatest life adventure hasn’t happened yet. I have so many dreams of seeing the world, meeting new people, and embarking on many great adventures. I just pray that I’ll get to see some of those dreams realized one day!           

Well, Interrupted is a wonderful story. Here is the back cover copy:

Can love really heal all things?

If Sam Carroll hadn’t shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie’s heart from hardening completely.

But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved.

Not all life adventures are fun. And your story deals with some tough subjects. Allie has to take care of her sick mother. Do you have any advice for teens that have a parent that needs care?

Oh, this is such a tough topic. One of the most difficult aspects of writing Interrupted was forming this relationship between Allie and her mother. Because Allie’s mom suffers from a brain tumor and begins losing her sanity, their traditional mother-daughter roles are reversed and Allie turns into her mother’s nurturing, maternal figure. It’s always hard when life throws us curveballs and we have to face difficulties that we didn’t think we’d have to deal with until we were well into our adult years. But I think the only way that anyone with difficult circumstances can cope with tragedies and hardships is through praying. We have a God that promises to supply all our needs and give us the strength to carry on and make those hard decisions. It may have taken Allie several years to realize that, but all along it was God’s strength that supported her.

That’s wonderful advice, Rachel. Thanks for sharing that. What new fictional adventure are you working on now? 

I’m putting the final touches on my next novel, which due to release in March 2013. I’m really excited about this one! The story revolves around a teenage girl named growing up in Georgia during the 1960’s. Her younger brother has autistic tendencies, but because so little was known back then about mental disabilities, everyone just regards him as a freak. Scarlett encounters so much turmoil and stress as the world changes around her, and so many things threaten to tear her family apart. But in the end, she has to learn what’s really important in life. It doesn’t matter what other people consider normal or acceptable. What’s important is to be true to yourself and to look after those you care about. I can’t wait to share more details as the release date grows nearer. 

Wow! I can’t wait to hear more! It sounds like a powerful story. Congrats on the new contract and thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today. 

Find out what the other bloggers are saying about Interrupted!

ADD Librarian • The Book Fae • Book Nook 4 You • Colorimetry • CTF Devourer • Gillian Adams • My Life with a Mission • My Story Shelf • Jill Williamson • Oh, Restless Bird • Rachelle Rea 

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Interrupted by Rachel Coker by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

CLICK HERE to download To Darkness Fled-Episode 23

The story so far: Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights are traveling through Darkness to reach Tsaftown in order to raise an army to support Achan’s claim to the throne of Er’Rets.

In this episode, our party encounters danger than sends them on a detour to Meribah Corner and crazy Old Lord Gershom.