What's Fresh With Cynthia Leitich Smith's Tantalize: an interview at YA Fresh (from Kelly Para, author of Graffiti Girl (MTV, 2007)). Visit Kelly at MySpace! Note: watch for another upcoming interview with me at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.
Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) is a Junior Advisory Board (JAB) pick at Chapters. Emma-Lee Kramer, 12 from Edmonton, Alberta writes: "I found this book extremely entertaining. Author Cynthia Leitich Smith threw such curve balls and twists of plot that it was always a weird and wonderful read. Tantalize kept me transfixed and it was nearly impossible to put down. A book that keeps me that engaged can earn no less than five stars." City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, Book 1) by Cassandra Clare (McElderry, 2007) also is a JAB pick. Note: "The JAB contest encourages and supports a love of reading for youths aged 10 to 16 years. The annual reading contest searches the country to find the nation's [Canada's] top young readers and give them a chance to voice their opinions about what kids should be reading." Photo by Cecil Castellucci.Kristen Pihlman of Tracy Press (CA) writes: "Tantalize is as delicious and satiable as a generous slice of rich and creamy, chocolate cake." In addition, Lyn Seippel at BookLoons Reviews calls the novel a "darkly romantic, alluring urban fantasy."
The July grand-prize giveaway for the Tantalize Fans Unite! group at MySpace will be a signed copy of Don't Die Dragonfly from The Seer series by Linda Joy Singleton (Llewellyn, 2005)(excerpt). From the promotional copy: "After getting kicked out of school and sent to live with her grandmother, Sabine Rose is determined to become a 'normal' teenage girl. She hides her psychic powers from everyone, even from her grandmother Nona, who also has 'the gift.' Having a job at the school newspaper and friends like Penny-Love, a popular cheerleader, have helped Sabine fit in at her new school. She has even managed to catch the eye of the adorable Josh DeMarco. Yet, Sabine can't seem to get the bossy voice of Opal, her spirit guide, out of her head...or the disturbing images of a girl with a dragonfly tattoo. Suspected of a crime she didn't commit, Sabine must find the strength to defend herself and, later, save a friend from certain danger." Read a Cynsations interview with Linda about the series. Note: runner-up prizes will be posted to the group board.Eligibility for the June giveaways is ongoing. These include signed copies of Over and Over You by Amy McCauley (Roaring Brook, 2005)(author interview), Gothic! Ten Original Dark Tales edited by Deborah Noyes (Candlewick, 2004)(author interview), and Exile: Star Wars Legacy of the Force by Aaron Allston (Del Rey, 2007).
Escape Reality Summer Reading List by "Book Diva" Melissa at MySpace. Note: I'm honored that Tantalize is included on the list.
