10 New YALit Releases 12/29-1/4 Plus Giveaways of THE FIRE HORSE GIRL and SHADOWS IN THE SILENCE

Did everyone have a wonderful holiday? I hope it was relaxing and full of fun and family. And I hope you got lots of lovely, lovely writerly gifts, including a recharge of mojo to get you through the current book, or the next book, or both. Are you writing or revising? Whatever you're up to, I wish you the best. Don't forget we have a new 1st Five Pages Workshop starting on 1/5/13. Our guest mentor will be Kim Sabatini, so get your first 1200 words ready and jump in for a great opportunity to kick off the year with great critiques.

In other FABULOUS news, did you see the great post on Monday? We have a new member of the blog! Jan Lewis is jumping in to help with craft stuff, coordinate guest posts, author interviews, and giveaways and generally make things run MUCH more smoothly than I can manage them. Please give her a big, warm welcome!

Hugs to you all,

Martina

THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY

Please complete the form at the bottom for a chance to win.

The Fire Horse Girl
by Kay Honeyman
Signed Hardcover

A fiery and romantic adventure, perfect for fans of Grace Lin, Kristen Cashore, or Lisa See!

Jade Moon is a Fire Horse -- the worst sign in the Chinese zodiac for girls, said to make them stubborn, willful, and far too imaginative. But while her family despairs of marrying her off, she has a passionate heart and powerful dreams, and wants only to find a way to make them come true.

Then a young man named Sterling Promise comes to their village to offer Jade Moon and her father a chance to go to America. While Sterling Promise's smooth manners couldn't be more different from her own impulsive nature, Jade Moon falls in love with him on the long voyage. But America in 1923 doesn't want to admit many Chinese, and when they are detained at Angel Island, the "Ellis Island of the West," she discovers a betrayal that destroys all her dreams. To get into America, much less survive there, Jade Moon will have to use all her stubbornness and will to break a new path . . . one as brave and dangerous as only a Fire Horse girl can imagine.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about The Fire Horse Girl?

The character Jade Moon is my favorite thing about the book. While she is rooted in her historical time and culture, there is also something wonderfully familiar about her. I think a lot of us have a little bit of Fire Horse girl inside us.

Order The Fire Horse Girl on Amazon

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Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire)
by Courtney Allison Moulton
ARC

Your strength in heart and hand will fall. . . .
Ellie knows that the darkest moments are still to come, and she has everything to fight for:
She must fight for Will.
The demonic have resorted to their cruelest weapons to put Will in mortal danger, and Ellie makes an unlikely alliance to save him and to stop Lilith and Sammael, who seek to drown the world in blood and tear a hole into Heaven.
She must fight for humanity.
As the armies of Hell rise and gather for the looming End of Days, Ellie and her band of allies travel to the world's darkest and most ancient regions in her quest to come into her full glory as the archangel Gabriel.
And Ellie must save herself.
Her humanity withers beneath the weight of her cold archangel power, but Ellie must hold tight to who she is and who she loves as she prepares for the ultimate battle for Heaven and Earth.
In this final installment in the Angelfire trilogy, Courtney Allison Moulton brings her dark world of epic battles and blistering romance to a blazing bright conclusion.

Order Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire) on Amazon

View Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire) on Goodreads

LAST WEEK'S GIVEAWAY WINNERS

The FitzOsbornes at War (The Montmaray Journals)
by Michelle Cooper
ARC

Winner: Regina Linton

Michelle Cooper completes her heart-stealing epic drama of history and romance with The FitzOsbornes at War.

Sophie FitzOsborne and the royal family of Montmaray escaped their remote island home when the Nazis attacked. But as war breaks out in England and around the world, nowhere is safe. Sophie fills her journal with tales of a life during wartime. Blackouts and the Blitz. Dancing in nightclubs with soliders on leave. And endlessly waiting for news of her brother Toby, whose plane was shot down over enemy territory.

But even as bombs rain down on London, hope springs up, and love blooms for this most endearing princess. And when the Allies begin to drive their way across Europe, the FitzOsbornes take heart—maybe, just maybe, there will be a way to liberate Montmaray as well.

Order The FitzOsbornes at War (The Montmaray Journals) on Amazon

View The FitzOsbornes at War (The Montmaray Journals) on Goodreads

IN STORES NEXT WEEK WITH AUTHOR INTERVIEWS

Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles)
by Ellen Oh
Hardcover

The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms . . . is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira's the only female in the king's army, and she's also the prince's bodyguard. She's a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she's their only hope. . . .

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King's prophecy, but the legendary lost ruby treasure just might be the true key to victory. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, an evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles)?

I would have to say Kira. Because she is to me the embodiment of girl power. She is strong, smart, brave, and caring and she doesn't need a man to save her. She is the hero of her own story. I wrote a book for my daughters to read because I was so sick and tired of the whole Disney "Someday my prince will come" set up. I am all about Girl Power and I'm so glad that we've seen this great movement of girl heroes in kid lit. It makes me proud to be a writer. But most importantly, I want to reach all the 12 and 13 year old girls out there and tell them "You are stronger than you know! You can be the hero of your own story!" And that's what having strong girl heroes in books and movies does for young girls. It empowers them. And I hope, in some small way, that Kira and Prophecy can empower young girls everywhere.

Order Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles) on Amazon

View Prophecy (The Dragon King Chronicles) on Goodreads

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The Dead and Buried
by Kim Harrington
Hardcover

A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . .

But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things.

Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house . . . is haunted.

Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school -- until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets.

But is one of them a murderer?

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about The Dead and Buried?

THE DEAD AND BURIED is a standalone YA mystery, but my favorite thing about the book is the haunted house setting. I've loved the ghost sub-genre as long as I've been a reader, and I had a lot of fun putting a fresh contemporary spin on it.

Order The Dead and Buried on Amazon

View The Dead and Buried on Goodreads

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The Essence (Pledge)
by Kimberly Derting
Hardcover

“Danger, dread, mystery, and romance” (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlie’s reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.


Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.


As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about The Essence (Pledge)?

My favorite thing about THE ESSENCE is that even though it’s a book based on the idea that change—even change for the better—isn’t always met with open arms, to me, it’s really all about relationships. I love the bonds between Charlie and her family, and the friendships and blossoming love stories. These smaller, more intimate details are what mean the most to me. And did I mention there’s kissing???

Order The Essence (Pledge) on Amazon

View The Essence (Pledge) on Goodreads

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Falling for You
by Lisa Schroeder
Hardcover

Affection turns to obsession—and love means both devastation and redemption—in this gripping novel from the author of I Heart You, You Haunt Me.
Rae’s always dreamed of dating a guy like Nathan. He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her…and the less she wants to give.


As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous. He’s not about to let her go. And with danger following her every move, Rae must fight for the life and love she deserves if she’s going to survive.

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Falling for You?

Such a hard question, but I think I'll go with the flower shop where Rae, the main character, works. It's called Full Bloom and it's a cute little shop with walls the color of sunshine and wonderful people who work there. It's a special place where Rae feels safe and loved. Falling For You is very much a novel with darkness and light, so readers will be thankful, I think, that Full Bloom is a part of Rae's life.

Order Falling for You on Amazon

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Empty
by K.M. Walton
Hardcover

A girl tumbles into a downward spiral when a romantic encounter turns violent in this heartwrenching novel from the author of Cracked.

Dell is used to disappointment. Ever since her dad left, it’s been one let down after another. But no one—not even her best friend—understands all the pain she’s going through. So Dell hides behind self-deprecating jokes and forced smiles.


Then the one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. Without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing spin out of control. But just how far will she go to make all of heartbreak and the name-calling stop?

Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Empty?

My favorite thing about EMPTY is my main character. Dell was such a inwardly complicated character to write, so privately vulnerable. Being her creator, I felt all of Dell’s feelings as I wrote her. Countless times I wanted to jump into my computer, “Mary Poppins style” and embrace Dell with the love I had for her. I hope readers will want to do the same.

Order Empty on Amazon

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Splintered
by A. G. Howard
Hardcover

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Praise for Splintered:
"Attention to costume and setting render this a visually rich read..."
--Kirkus Reviews


Author Question: What is your favorite thing about Splintered?

My favorite thing about SPLINTERED is the setting: the vivid and sometimes nightmarish landscapes. I LOVE painting pictures with my words, so writing this book was a dream come true for me. Because Wonderland is, by definition, a land of Wonder and illusion, my only boundary was my imagination. It makes for a very big playing field when the sky’s the limit. :)

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MORE RELEASES IN STORES NEXT WEEK

Ali's Pretty Little Lies: 2 (Pretty Little Secrets)
by Sara Shepard
Hardcover

Before there was A, there was Alison DiLaurentis. Boys wanted to date her, girls wanted to be her, and somebody wanted her dead. . . .

It's the end of seventh grade, and Alison DiLaurentis and her friends are the girls of Rosewood Day. Ali runs her clique with an iron fist, and she's got enough dirt on Hanna, Emily, Aria, and Spencer to keep them in line. But Ali's hiding a dark secret of her own, something so huge it would destroy everything if it ever got out. She's desperate to keep the perfect life she's worked so hard to build, but in Rosewood deadly secrets have deadly consequences. . . .

Set in the weeks leading up to Ali's murder, this special Pretty Little Liars tale is told by the prettiest little liar of all: Ali herself. For the first time ever, we see how the mystery began . . . and how Alison DiLaurentis's life ended.

Order Ali's Pretty Little Lies: 2 (Pretty Little Secrets) on Amazon

View Ali's Pretty Little Lies: 2 (Pretty Little Secrets) on Goodreads

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Teeth
by Hannah Moskowitz
Hardcover

A gritty, romantic modern fairy tale from the author of Break and Gone, Gone, Gone.

Be careful what you believe in.


Rudy’s life is flipped upside-down when his family moves to a remote island in a last attempt to save his sick younger brother. With nothing to do but worry, Rudy sinks deeper and deeper into loneliness and lies awake at night listening to the screams of the ocean beneath his family’s rickety house.


Then he meets Diana, who makes him wonder what he even knows about love, and Teeth, who makes him question what he knows about anything. Rudy can’t remember the last time he felt so connected to someone, but being friends with Teeth is more than a little bit complicated. He soon learns that Teeth has terrible secrets. Violent secrets. Secrets that will force Rudy to choose between his own happiness and his brother’s life.

Order Teeth on Amazon

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Dr. Frankenstein's Daughters
by Suzanne Weyn
Hardcover

A new generation is creating a monster....

When Doctor Victor Frankenstein died, he left behind a legacy of horror...as well as two unacknowledged, beautiful twin daughters. Now these girls are seventeen, and they've come to Frankenstein's castle to claim it as their inheritance.

Giselle and Ingrid are twins, but they couldn't be more different. Giselle is a glamorous social climber who plans on turning Frankenstein's castle into a center of high society. Ingrid, meanwhile, is quiet and studious, drawn to the mysterious notebooks her father left behind...and the experiments he went mad trying to perfect.

As Giselle prepares for lavish parties and Ingrid finds herself falling for the sullen, wounded naval officer next door, a sinister force begins to take hold in the castle. Nobody's safe as Frankenstein's legacy leads to a twisted, macabre journey of romance and horror.

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Victoria Rebels
by Carolyn Meyer
Hardcover

Queen Victoria’s personal journals inform this captivating first-person novel about of one of history’s most prominent female leaders.

Queen Victoria most certainly left a legacy—under her rule as the longest reigning female monarch in history, the British Empire was greatly expanded and significant industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military changes occurred within the United Kingdom. To be a young woman in a time when few other females held positions of power was to lead in a remarkable age—and because Queen Victoria kept personal journals, this historical novel from award-winning author Carolyn Meyer shares authentic emotional insight along with accurate information, weaving a true story of intrigue and romance.

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Altered
by Jennifer Rush
Hardcover

They were made to forget. But they'll never forgive.

Everything about Anna's life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch, at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There's Nick, solemn and brooding; Cas, light-hearted and playful; Trev, smart and caring; and Sam . . . who's stolen Anna's heart.

When the Branch decides it's time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape. Anna's father pushes her to go with them, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs.

On the run, with her father's warning in her head, Anna begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about herself. She soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they're both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

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