Day Twenty: Julie Murphy (SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY)

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Debutante Profile

Name - Julie Murphy
Debut – Side Effects May Vary
Publisher - HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray
Genre – Contemporary YA
Website– HERE
Blog - HERE
Twitter - HERE


Bio: Julie Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cat who tolerates her. When she's not writing or trying to catch stray cats, she works at an academic library. Her debut contemporary young adult novel, Side Effects May Vary, is out from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins on March 18, 2014. Julie’s follow-up novel, currently titled Dumplin’, is due out in 2015.

Dream Debutante Dress - 

"So I chose my debutante dress because it reminded me of the type of thing someone might have worn to prom in the 60s. Think The Virgin Suicides!"

Notes from a YA Debutante

I’m super excited to be one of Badass Bookie’s 2014 Debutantes! (Also, best blog name ever!) - Thank-you! :D

I make lists for all kinds of things. Like, if I’ve had a super busy day, I’ll sit down at the end of the day and make a list of everything I’ve done. Then I’ll go through and cross everything out just so I can feel that sense of accomplishment. Spoiler: I’m completely neurotic. Anyway, here’s a haphazardly strung together list of ten random facts about me.

1. I’ve never seen a single Star Wars movie and am constantly told how criminal this is. For a while there, I really meant to, but now I’m kind of holding out because it’s sort of the ultimate Never Have I Ever.

2. My husband is Scottish. The first time we went over to visit his family, we spent a few days in London first. I had never been to London and was taking pictures like a mad woman. Two days into our three-day stay, I decided to look through some of our photos AND ACCIDENTALLY DELETED EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. I am now OBSESSED with the preservation of memories. MOAR PICTURES.

3. Speaking of my husband, we met in a creative writing class.

4. I own enough nail polish to paint a house with.

5. I am obsessed--I’m talking OBSESSED--with Halloween. This year I was Effie Trinket, but my all time favorite would have to be my Ursula costume. (I should also add that my BFF is a makeup artist, and she makes my Halloween dreams come true.)

6. I have a huge Where the Wild Things Are tattoo on my arm, which was my reward to myself for selling Side Effects May Vary.

7. For whatever reason, when I was a kid, I thought the letters J and B were interchangeable. There are a whole slew of school papers from my early childhood with the name BULIE scrawled across the top.

8. I am a total nut for horror movies. The weirder, the better. Although, I’ve got a sweet spot for classics like Rosemary’s Baby.

9. I only buy CDs. I sort of hate technology and have never taken the time to figure out how to work iTunes.

10. I saw the first Twilight movie in theatres seventeen times. I refuse to be embarrassed.

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Bookie's Note: Julie, the fact that you saw the first Twilight movie 17 times in theatre, completely just made my night. Honestly that's some hardcore devotion #respect and CLAIM IT! I haven't bought a CD in at least 10 years, man I don't even remember what to do with one... I wish we celebrated Halloween super hardcore in Australia but it's not as big here! :( And you're not alone, I have never seen a complete Star Wars movie, just bits and pieces of them throughout the year! :D Guys, make sure to come check out the INSIDER'S SCOOP on SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY tomorrow + Julie's giveaway!

Badass Bookie xx

Day Nineteen: NEARLY GONE + Giveaway

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Book Profile

Name - Nearly Gone (Goodreads)
Author - Elle Cosimano
Genre - Thriller/Mystery
Release Date - March 25th 2014

Nearly Boswell knows how to keep secrets. Living in a DC trailer park, she knows better than to share anything that would make her a target with her classmates. Like her mother's job as an exotic dancer, her obsession with the personal ads, and especially the emotions she can taste when she brushes against someone's skin. But when a serial killer goes on a killing spree and starts attacking students, leaving cryptic ads in the newspaper that only Nearly can decipher, she confides in the one person she shouldn't trust: the new guy at school—a reformed bad boy working undercover for the police, doing surveillance. . . on her.

Nearly might be the one person who can put all the clues together, and if she doesn't figure it all out soon—she'll be next.

Available - The Book Depository | Fishpond | Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

The Insider's Scoop

As you might have deduced from the font treatment on the cover, numbers play a big role in the mystery. And here's a little secret... if you ask me to sign your book, my signed message will be written in code -- a code you can decipher after you've solved the mystery in NEARLY GONE. 

Here's a sneak peak into the story:

Someone had wanted me to be here tonight. Someone wanted me to find Marcia's body. Maybe even get caught with it.

And he'd marked her. But why? What did it mean? The number looked like it had been written in blue ink, but it wasn't smudged or faded by the water. Permanent marker.

They drew the number ten in permanent marker on her arm...

Like the number ten on Emily's arm.

Like the blue markings on my chem lab table...

DEAD OR ALIVE...

I slumped to the floor.

The person who wrote those ads knew me. He knew I read the Missed Connections on Friday mornings. He knew exactly where I would go, leaving the door to my physics class open. He carved the message in my desk, and left the chair down to make sure I saw it. He knew how to communicate with me.

Somehow, this was all about me.

~Giveaway~

Elle is giving away a Pre-Order of NEARLY GONE!

Rule of Entry -

- INTERNATIONAL

- Ends 19th of January

- Must be 13 or older

- Optional Entries :

   * Leaving comment on either of Elle's posts +2 each

   * Follow Me on Twitter +1

   * Follow Elle on Twitter +1 (@ElleCosimano)

   * Like Elle Cosimano on Facebook +1

   * Tweeting Giveaway +1

   * Follow Badass Bookie via GFC/Linky or RSS +2

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Badass Bookie xx

Day Eighteen: Elle Cosimano (NEARLY GONE)

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Debutante Profile

Name - Elle Cosimano
Debut – Nearly Gone
Publisher - Kathy Dawson Books/ Penguin Books for Young Readers
Genre – Thriller/ Mystery
Website– HERE
Facebook - HERE
Twitter - HERE

Elle Cosimano is the daughter of a prison warden and an elementary school teacher who rides a Harley. As a teen, she spent summers working on a fishing boat, baiting hooks and lugging buckets of chum. She majored in Psychology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and set aside a successful real-estate career to pursue writing. She lives with her husband and two young sons, and divides her time between her home near Washington, DC and a jungle tree house in the Mayan Riviera.

Dream Debutante Dress - 

"I live most of the year in the Yucatan, and have a fascination with the Day of the Dead. I adore the cut and color of this gorgeous frock."

Notes from a YA Debutante

A few random things about me:

- My main character is a whiz at math and science. I, on the other hand, am not. I failed basic college math all three times, and it took me three years to realize I wasn't cut out to be a biologist. I majored in Psychology.

- I love ghost stories. I once spent four nights in one of the most haunted buildings in America.

- I live in a grass hut. There are crocodiles, monkeys, and a panther in my back yard.

- I love fishing. If I lived in Panem, I would live in District 4. I once caught a fish with a peanut butter sandwich and a bucket.

- I annually attend the Writers' Police Academy. I did a ride-along with a Sheriff's Deputy and toured a forensics laboratory while conducting research for the sequel to Nearly Gone.

- I'm a member of OneFour KidLit, The Lucky 13s, and I'm a blog contributor at Ink & Angst and Sleuths, Spies, and Alibis.

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Bookie's Note: Elle, I'm not a math or science whiz however two thirds of the subjects I take are math or science (two different levels of math, physics and chemistry)! I have to say I much prefer english, I might be having an mid-teen crisis! I love ghost stories but I'm kinda a wimp so I can't do anything horror related by myself, funnily enough, in groups, I'm usually the one who's trying to calm everyone else down though...and I LOVE FISHING, although I haven't been in ages! Thank-you so much for sharing all this with us, we'll see you tomorrow with the second part of your feature and a giveaway! :)

Badass Bookie xx

Day Seventeen: ILLUSIVE + Giveaway!

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Book Profile

Name - Illusive (Goodreads)
Author - Emily Lloyd-Jones
Genre - Sci Fi Thriller
Release Date - July 15th 2014

When the MK virus swept across the planet, a vaccine was created to stop the epidemic, but it came with some unexpected side effects. A small percentage of the population developed superhero-like powers. Seventeen-year-old Ciere Giba has the handy ability to change her appearance at will. She's what's known as an illusionist...She's also a thief.

After a robbery goes awry, Ciere must team up with a group of fellow super-powered criminals on another job that most would consider too reckless. The formula for the vaccine that gave them their abilities was supposedly destroyed years ago. But what if it wasn't?

The lines between good and bad, us and them, and freedom and entrapment are blurred as Ciere and the rest of her crew become embroiled in a deadly race against he government that could cost them their lives.

Available - The Book Depository | Fishpond | Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

The Insider's Scoop

Name Meanings in ILLUSIVE

I love names - their origins, their evolution, their trends. After all, names are how we identify and differentiate one another. We even define ourselves through them, which is kind of profound if you think about it. So when it comes to character names, I can spend weeks trying to find the right one.

(And then there are some names I pick just because they amuse me.)

Names have great significance in ILLUSIVE. In that world, keeping one’s birth name is seen as a luxury. Because criminals have to reinvent themselves every few years, taking a new name is part of the process. Names become transitory and sometimes an inside joke amongst themselves. Even so, these names will often reveal more of their personality than they realize…

Ciere Giba
This name is derived from the French word, 'gibeciere,' which is a type of bag used by street magicians. So, yes. The main character's name basically means, "bag of tricks". Since all of the superpowers are based on some type of stage magic, these references do crop up. (And for the record, the first name is pronounced “see-air”. The last name is “gee-buh”.)

Devon Lyre
Since this character is from England, I ended up choosing an English location for his first name. (Subtle, I know.) His last name is Lyre for two reasons: first, it sounds like “liar,” which I had some fun with. Then there’s the fact that this character sometimes gets played. (Ba dum cha. I'll be here all week, guys.)

Kit Copperfield
I chose this character’s first name because a kit is a baby fox. Foxes bring to mind sly intelligence. I settled on “Copperfield” because I was re-reading some classical literature at the time. (Yay, Dickens!) Kit is a fan of the classics, so the name fits.

Magnus Fugaré
This character’s name went through a few variations, but I eventually settled on “Magnus” because it’s a late Latin name meaning “great”. I took Fugaré from another Latin word meaning “to exile” or “to drive away”.

~Giveaway~

Emily is giving away an ARC of ILLUSIVE!

Rule of Entry -

- INTERNATIONAL

- Ends 17th of January

- Must be 13 or older

- Optional Entries :

   * Leaving comment on either of Emily's posts +2 each

   * Follow Me on Twitter +1

   * Follow Emily on Twitter +1 (@em_llojo)

   * Add ILLUSIVE on Goodreads + 1

   * Tweeting Giveaway +1

   * Follow Badass Bookie via GFC/Linky or RSS +2

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Badass Bookie xx

Day Sixteen: Emily Lloyd-Jones (ILLUSIVE)

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Debutante Profile

Name - Emily Lloyd-Jones
Debut – Illusive
Publisher - Little Brown Books
Genre – Sci Fi Thriller
Website– HERE
Blog - HERE
Twitter - HERE

Emily Lloyd-Jones grew up on a vineyard in rural Oregon, where she played in evergreen forests and learned to fear sheep. After graduating from Western Oregon University with an English degree, she enrolled in the publishing program at Rosemont College just outside of Philadelphia. She currently resides in Northern California, working in a bookstore by day and writing by night. Illusive is her debut novel.

Dream Debutante Dress - 

"I have to pick the Alexander McQueen antler dress - complete with the antlers, of course. I adore this piece because it's so classically feminine, yet there's an ethereal edge to it. I'm not a huge risk-taker when it comes to fashion (my usual style consists of skinny jeans, ballet flats, and a literary-themed t-shirt) but I would make an exception for this dress."

Notes from a YA Debutante

So, first off, thanks for having me as a debutante! There are many talented people debuting in 2014 and I’m honored to be counted among them. (Thank-you for taking part!)

9 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT THIS DEBUTANTE 

1. I've been told that I speak like a grammatically correct surfer. I once used "hereby" and "dude" in the same sentence.

2. Unlike most hyphenated surnames, mine is not a mishmash of my parents’ names. “Lloyd-Jones” is the way it’s always been, as far back as I can trace my family history. (Which, admittedly, isn’t very far.) It’s also a very Welsh name. I’ve had random people see my name, give me a knowing nod and draw out the word, “Welsh,” like I’m part of a secret club I never knew existed.

3. I'm a recovering anime addict. Some of my favorites still include Sailor Moon, YuYu Hakusho, Orphen, and Gundam SEED. I'm pretty sure my love of anime has leaked into my writing style - I prefer large casts, action, and always include humor.

4. I don't get carsick. I also don't get sick on roller coasters or airplanes. However, I do get horribly seasick.

5. I can't swim.

6. It's possible I have issues with water. The reigning theory is that I died on the Titanic in a past life.

7. That might also explain why I was never a fan of the movie. Actually, my favorite movie is the Last Unicorn. And How To Train Your Dragon. And Millennium Actress. (I can’t decide!)

8. I prefer television to movies. There’s something really satisfying about watching a story’s threads come together over the course of months or even years. My all-time favorite tv show is DS9.

9. I’m a trekkie. Live long and prosper, dude.

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Bookie's Note: Emily, I'm a recovering anime addict as well. They're so addicting, my life used to be consumed by One Piece, Naruto and Ouran High School Host Club. How To Train Your Dragon is one of my favourite none-Disney animated movies and I totally understand the whole television over movie thing however every time a TV show ends, a part of me completely DIES. It's so horrible, I drift around for a week not knowing what to do with myself! Lovely people, come back tomorrow for the second half of Emily's feature in which she shares with us the NAME MEANINGS in ILLUSIVE (and a giveaway)!

Badass Bookie xx

Day Fifteen: FAKING NORMAL + Giveaway!

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Book Profile

Name - Faking Normal (Goodreads)
Author - Courtney C. Stevens
Genre - Contemporary Realistic
Release Date - February 25th 2014

Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.

At school, nobody sees the scratches or her pain. The only person she connects with is the mysterious Captain Lyric, who writes song lyrics on her fourth-period desk for her to complete. With pencil marks and music, Alexi carves out a comfortable space for herself as she and the Captain finish each other's songs—words on a desk feel safer than words spoken aloud.

But when Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend who understands her better than anyone. He has secrets of his own and knows all about suffering in silence. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally speak up.

Available - The Book Depository | Fishpond | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | HarperCollins

The Insider's Scoop

You need a big ice cream bowl for these four inside scoops!

1. The original title of Faking Normal was 23. It was 23 when I queried my agent, but we decided that 23 only meant something if someone had read the story. It’s been exciting to hear people respond to the title. The typical response: people elbow their friend and say, “Well, I never do that,” or “Oh my gosh, that’s my life.” I’m thrilled the title resonates with people.

2. Faking Normal came to life in an unusual way. I had the idea on a Sunday. By Monday night, I had four pages and a rough outline. On Tuesday, I said to a friend, “What do you think about me asking said agent, if she comes back with a ‘I like your writing, but not this story,’ if she’d like to see this new idea.” My friend suggested I go for it, and we joked about how long it usually takes agents to respond.

Self-fulfilling prophecy! On Wednesday, that agent responded with exactly what I predicted. I took my friend’s advice, offered the invitation to read a manuscript that did not exist, and expected to hear back in several weeks. Instead, she responded two minutes later, and asked to see fifty pages immediately. What did I say? “I’ll have them to you by Monday.” Out of desperation, I wrote the first fifty pages of Faking Normal while on a trip to Gatlinburg, TN with my seniors between Wednesday and Monday. (Don’t try this at home … but say YES to every opportunity.)

3. Music plays a huge role in Faking Normal. Throughout the story, lyrics are exchanged between two characters on their four period desk. The original draft was full of licensed music. After a conversation about the cost of using those lyrics, we decided to use my original songs. While I have zero musical ability, I have been writing songs for a decade and was excited to have the opportunity to craft these imaginary hits. (And that fourth period desk in Faking Normal was inspired by my own high school experience. Although we weren’t nearly as romantic or thoughtful.)

4. The book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is mentioned in Faking Normal. I made this choice because it fits with Bodee’s character development, but also because the concept of Faking Normal came to me while I was attending a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference where Gary Paulsen was a keynote speaker. I was a childhood fan of Hatchet, but after hearing Paulsen’s story, I wanted to pay homage to him in a special way. (Folks, a librarian saved his life, and he wrote Hatchet longhand by firelight. See! See! So cool.)

(I wanted to say a special thanks to Lisa for including me in this awesome debutante class and for taking the time to put together this awesome blog.) ~ Courtney, you're too sweet! Lots of love! 

Publisher's Weekly Review

~Giveaway~

Courtney is giving away an ARC of FAKING NORMAL and Channel Your Brave t-shirt + Bracelet! 

Rule of Entry -

- INTERNATIONAL

- Ends 15th of January

- Must be 13 or older

- Optional Entries :

   * Leaving comment on either of Courtney's posts +2 each

   * Follow Me on Twitter +1

   * Follow Courtney on Twitter +1 (@Quartland)

   * Follow Courtney on Tumblr + 1
   * LIKE Courtney's Facebook Page + 1

   * Tweeting Giveaway +1

   * Follow Badass Bookie via GFC/Linky or RSS +2

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Badass Bookie xx

Day Fourteen: Courtney C. Stevens (FAKING NORMAL)

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Debutante Profile

Name - Courtney C. Stevens
Debut – Faking Normal
Publisher - HarperTeen
Genre – Contemporary Realistic
Website– HERE
Tumblr - HERE
Twitter - HERE

Courtney C. Stevens grew up in Kentucky and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She is an adjunct professor and a former youth minister. Her other skills include playing hide-and-seek, climbing trees, and being an Olympic torch bearer.





Dream Debutante Dress - 

"I love the way the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, is both army commander and goddess. If I have to wear a dress, I’d like to straddle that line"

Notes from a YA Debutante

I am very humbled to be included in Badass Bookie’s Debutantes 2013 class. Thank you so much, Lisa, for organizing this awesome blog. (No the pleasure is all mine! Without your lovely support and contribution we wouldn't have this event!)

10 Factoids—(They’re curiously strong … like their Altoids cousin.)

1. I grew up around the corner from my Grandmother’s house. Every Sunday morning she fixed me a plate of pancakes. To this day, every pancake I eat tastes like Sunday morning. (But none are as good as hers.)

2. I have a love-hate relationship with running. I constantly sign up for a race I don’t think I can finish. Then, I use the fear of embarrassment to force myself to train. (I only like running when I’m not doing it.)

3. The first novel I ever attempted was an epic fantasy. Here is the first line: “I'm not sure I buried the last one deep enough.” This is as published as that novel will ever be.

4. I sold Faking Normal on my birthday.

5. My favorite toys growing up were G.I. Joes and Legos.

6. My friend and I once attempted to reenact that scene in The Matrix where Neo jumps out of the helicopter and grabs Morpheus. There was no helicopter, but I can advise against two friends running full speed from opposite sides of the pool and trying to grab each other mid-air. It hurts. Like … it still hurts.

7. When I put (most) jewelry on, I wear it until it falls off. I have had on the same toe ring since 1999. It has never been off. I have had on a silicone bracelet from The Holocaust Museum that says What You Do Matters since 2011.

8. When I make a list, I often leave a number blank on purpose to symbolize there’s something I left unsaid.

9. The original version of Faking Normal had a different first chapter. I wrote it the night I decided to write the book. Those first four pages are the bravest thing I’ve ever done. Before we went out on submission, my agent and I decided those four pages belonged to only me, and we cut them.

10. I don’t drink hot drinks. This seems to startle everyone I know.

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Bookie's Note: Courtney, I totally understand your love/hate relationship with running. I signed up my Chemistry class for the half marathon next year (and my classmates sorta hate me) but this means I have to train and for someone who only runs cross country - I'm going to DIE if I don't train! I don't normally drink hot drinks either. Much preferred iced drinks (smoothies, milkshakes, ice coffee, ice chocolate etc...). My lovely readers, make sure to come back tomorrow for the second half of Couryney's feature and her (completely awesome giveaway - I'm so jealous)!

Badass Bookie xx