Audiobook Review (YA): THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass

Serena enjoys an audiobook
on her Kindle

I don't "read" audiobooks very often. Considering that I can "read-read" the same book in a fraction of the time it takes to listen to it narrated, it's a good bet that, unless I'm going on a roadtrip, I will rarely justify the time investment an audiobook requires. Every once in a while, however, Juju at Tales of Whimsy reviews an audiobook that seems so up my alley that I simply must download it just in case a road trip presents itself. And, in a roundabout way, that's how I ended up with this particular audio novel on my Kindle. When following Juju's recommendation to download another book a few months ago, I happened upon The Selection by Kiera Cass--and downloaded it to await an all-too-infrequent journey away from home. 

Available at audible.com

Unfortunately, I have a small fortune in audiobooks awaiting my exodus from Iowa, but this past weekend, I opened one up anyway. 

"But why?" you ask. "You have piles and piles of ARCs you need to read for review!"

Indeed. But by Friday of last week, my eyes were so very fatigued that I just didn't think I could read anything--yet I still hungered for a story to whisk me away. (There may have been hormonal fluctuations involved. Let's just say, my family may have wanted me whisked away, too...) So, I opened the audiobook file on my Kindle (yes, you can listen to audiobooks on this magical device!) and perused the eleven or so titles I had downloaded over the past few months. The Selection caught my eye. I mean, look at that cover. And the tag line? "35 GIRLS. 1 CROWN. THE COMPETITION OF A LIFETIME." Oh, yeah, bay-bee. I'm there.

Here's what it's about, from the description at audible.com (and HarperCollins Publishers):

For 35 girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth... to be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels... to live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her, leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want, and living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself - and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

By now you should be fairly tuned in to my love of anything that resembles a fairy tale (this does), my willingness to give YA dystopian novels a shot (this is dystopian, too. What? Yep.), and my weakness for awesome, princess-y book covers (self-explanatory.) This book delivers all that and more. 

I gave a good portion of my weekend to listening to this story, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I took it with me in the car on errands and found myself, earbuds inserted, in the recliner well beyond 1:30 a.m.both nights. Come Monday morning, my eyes were rested and I was trawling www.amazon.com for  book 2: The Elite --cuz that baby is going to be on my Kindle as soon as payday rolls around! (the e-book version. Even though Amy Rubinate is an excellent narrator, I just can't wait to inhale this book, so I'm going to read it for myself. And just so you know, I couldn't quite resist downloading Kiera Cass's novella, THE PRINCE, which is a Maxon-starring prequel! *squee* I started it over my lunch break.)

Both Ashton and Maxon deserve Book Boyfriend posts, but as of the end of Book 1, with the triangle now fully formed, I will freely admit that I am full-on Team Maxon, even if America can't seem to make up her mind. 

Have you read The Selection? (Or, like me, listened to it?) Which heartthrob boy are you rooting for to get the girl?

STORY: 4.5 stars (you might notice 4 stars on my goodreads.com rating because I "read" the audio, not the "book")
CONTENT: rated EDGY for a few heated kissing scenes and rare mild language
Want to know more about our content rating system? Click HERE 

Sex and the Christian Romance (guest post by author Carla Laureano) +GIVEAWAY!

(submitted by Carla Laureano)

Christian novels need more sex.

I got your attention, didn’t I? Let me reassure you. I’m not advocating for explicit content in inspirational novels. I don’t believe that has a place in a market that’s meant to offer a Christian view on dating and relationships.

What I’m talking about is a healthy, God-honoring view of sexuality within adult relationships.

I’ve been thinking about this topic ever since I read an article called Sex in the Sermon from the Gospel Coalition. The author, Melissa Kruger, rightly states:

“God's Word is not prudish about sexuality. It is careful to illustrate the pitfalls and the trappings, as well as the beauty and the blessing.”

But sexuality has become so warped in modern society that Christians are afraid to whisper the word. Afraid to read about anything that has a hint of a sexual nature. Afraid to admit that their children were not, in fact, delivered by storks or created through immaculate conception.

Part of the problem is that sex has been repeatedly boiled down to a physical act, when God intended the sexual drive to create intimacy between two (married) people. Instead, we teach our children, explicitly or implicitly, that it’s something bad and there’s something wrong with them if they have sexual feelings. Not that it is a natural craving for intimacy that should be framed in the context of marriage.

I understand that knee-jerk impulse. We are bombarded by sexual messages every waking moment: on billboards, magazines, television shows or even simply commercials. We combat that by swinging too far the other way. We don’t talk about it in our households. We tell our daughters that boys are “only after one thing.” And we don’t let our teenagers read anything with a heat level above lukewarm.

At the same time, it’s a challenge to write realistic fiction and still maintain that safe zone for readers. In almost every meeting of Christian romance writers (formal or informal), the topic comes up: do we sacrifice realism in order not to offend readers who only want a quick chaste kiss at the end of the story? Or do we add a little sizzle to capture those heady moments of falling in love that are as much about physical chemistry as emotional connection? How much is too much? How far is too far?

Every inspirational romance writer has to find that balance at some point in her career. I may edge slightly closer to that line than others (and certainly not as far as some). But in trying to write something that would still be suitable for a younger audience and a wide range of beliefs in the Christian readership, I also worry about sending the wrong message and perpetuating dangerous fallacies like the ones below.

1.      Christians aren’t tempted

So, one way to deal with the question of sex is to pretend it doesn’t exist. Everything is sweet and chaste like a junior high dance. Okay, a junior high dance at my Baptist school, which is in itself an oxymoron, because there were no dances at my Baptist school. I know some of the stuff that goes on in middle schools these days, and it is not CBA appropriate.

I don’t like this solution, personally. I’m afraid I’m sending the message to younger readers especially that real Christians are never tempted and there’s something wrong with them if they are. And if they’re already going to be in trouble for being tempted, there’s really no incentive to resist.

2.      If Christians are tempted, they never give in to that temptation

Here’s the scenario: two characters, obviously attracted to each other, end up in bed together for some innocent reason (snowed in at a cabin alone trying to stay warm, for example). But they’re very careful to keep it on a platonic level. They hold hands. They talk about their lives and their relationships with Christ. Maybe they even kiss, and one of them (usually the woman) says, “I can’t.” And the guy says, “Alright.” Never does it occur to them that they’re alone and no one would be able to prove what actually happened.

While I love to write characters who know their own boundaries, I don’t want to imply that self-control is impervious. Just because someone is determined not to breach a certain level of physicality doesn’t mean she can put herself into potentially compromising situations without consequence.

3.      Christians have pasts, but not presents

I like writing “reformed” characters. We all have things in our past of which we aren’t proud, and dark secrets make for good conflict. These types of characters are careful not to put themselves in compromising situations (see above) and when they are at last tested, they find that their faith is enough to carry them through.

But I also love when the character is not as reformed as he or she thought and fails the test. He or she must then struggle with the question: is the grace that saved me once sufficient to forgive me again and again?

All in all, I like to see real characters struggling with real issues. I like a little steam with the sweetness. I like couples who can barely keep their hands off one another, but manage their impulses anyway. And if they don’t, I want to see the real consequences of those actions. How it affects their relationship. Their guilt. Their questioning of their salvation.

More authentic sexuality in Christian romance won’t encourage readers to go out and do things they wouldn’t have done anyway. Perhaps by putting sex back into a proper context, Christian novelists can help reclaim it from its sordid portrayal in the media and reflect it as the natural and beautiful intimate connection God intended it to be.

About Carla

Carla Laureano has held many job titles—professional marketer, small business consultant, and martial arts instructor—but writer is by far her favorite. She currently lives in Denver with her patient husband and two rambunctious sons, who know only that Mom’s work involves lots of coffee and talking to imaginary people.

Connect with her via: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Buy Five Days in Skye at your favorite e-book retailer:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshout | Christianbook.com | eChristian | iTunes | Vyrso

GIVEAWAY!!!

What do you look for in inspirational romance? Where's your comfort zone? Mild, medium, or spicy? Click the link for  a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARE YOU GONNA KISS ME OR NOT? The debut novel from country music stars THOMPSON SQUARE

Click HERE to purchase from Amazon
Also available from other retailers.

What it's about (from publisher Howard Books):

Daniel and Casey were an unlikely couple back in high school when they came together to write music for a school event. Struggling against their differences, they dated during college, but their relationship never seemed quite right. Yet despite their personal conflict, as songwriters they had undeniable chemistry—and several hit songs. Eventually they went their own ways, both trying to make it in the music world and find true love.

Years later, both Daniel and Casey are at rock bottom, still trying to find success. But when they connect again as old friends, they realize that what they needed was right in front of them all along: each other.

From Thompson Square, a married twosome who knows a little something about what it's like to overcome years of struggle in the music business and find love, Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not? is a charming and humorous love story about coming of age, knowing where you belong, and finding the perfect person to share life with.

Thompson Square: Keifer & Shawna Thompson

Why you'll fall in love with this story: Before reading this book I was only vaguely familiar with the song Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not, but after reading the novel, I think it's fair to say that this book will drive as many readers toward Thompson Square's music as it does their music fans toward this book. If you aren't familiar with the hit song from which the novel's title came, I'll give you a second to go check out the official music video. Now, if you aren't 100% curious about the book after listening to this sweet and charming lyric and the catchy, subtle sexiness of the vocals, go find someone with a defibrillator, because you might not have a pulse.

Go-to author guy Travis Thrasher helped
to bring this book to life

Real-life couple Keifer and Shawna Thompson, better known as Thompson Square, are an award-winning country music duo and Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not is the song that shot their star into the atmosphere. For their first foray into fiction, however, Keifer and Shawna made the smooth move of teaming up with author Travis Thrasher, inspirational fiction's latest go-to guy for adaptations, resulting in a tight story, crisp but believable character arcs, and an emotional pull that keeps the pages turning.

At first glance, the "original lyrics" noted within the first few chapters might seem a little cheesy, but as the story progresses, the characters grow up—and so do the featured lyrics. As Daniel and Casey move from hopeful teens to broken adults, their co-writing partnership develops, as well. Tracking Daniel and Casey's romance through the turbulent angst of youth and into an adulthood filled with gray areas and regret, the authors create a heart-wrenching coming-of-age love story that proves that many of us are well into our thirties before we figure out what's good for us.

The story draws you in as quickly as does the song, but it makes you hurt a bit before, finally, your heart is healed with a well-earned kiss.

(previously posted at USA Today's Happy Ever After blog)

STORY: 4 stars
CONTENT: rated EDGY for mild language 
(This novel is Inspirational Romance intended for an adult audience and our content rating reflects that.)
Want to know more about our content rating system? Click HERE 

Picking Starberries... & other discoveries made while marketing fiction

In Iowa, we grow Starberries (apparently.)

Sometimes you plan to do one thing and end up with something else entirely. Take, for instance, the little trip down to my mom's strawberry patch yesterday. While the girls went out and picked strawberries, I stayed in the air conditioned house, fighting with needle-nose pliers, trying to figure out how to combine charms and fasteners and various do-hickeys to build the promised blog tour giveaway necklaces.

Knowing my challenged patience and equally lacking dexterity with small items, I kept putting off this chore. But the official tour giveaways concluded this week, winners were notified, and my un-crafty self could no longer delay the job: I had to make the necklaces.

I knew what I wanted the necklaces to look like. They needed to represent the original fairy tale, the legends within the story, and the characters of Rynnaia(Rose) and Julien. I had the supplies, but I had no idea how to make it happen. After about twenty minutes of fiddling around, ruining several fasteners, pinching the skin on my fingers with the pliers and coming really close to throwing things and expelling a few colorful metaphors, Mom came in from helping Dad out in the field. (This is Iowa, after all. And planting is behind due to all the spring rains.)

This is the custom-made
"book themed necklace"
that will be received by winners of
the Eyes of E'veria blog tour giveaway.

My mom is pretty much amazing. She can do anything and she's always willing to help me out, so without me even asking (although the grunting and scowling might have been a clue that I needed assistance) she grabbed another set of needle-nose pliers from her handy purple toolbox and tried her hand at making necklaces based upon The Ryn.

After approximately 20 seconds she said, "How about this?" And guess what? She held up one completed necklace, which looked pretty much exactly as what I'd pictured in my head.

Thanks, Mom. You rock.

So, I handed her the "nice" set of pliers, and in the same amount of time it had taken me to accomplish nothing more than elevated blood pressure and a couple of pinched fingers, she had successfully completed all 20 necklaces.

While my mom was at the kitchen table with me, sharing her awesomeness, my kids were out in the bugs, heat, and humidity. But before long, they joined us, their two baskets full of bright red Iowa strawberries... and, as I discovered later, one adorable starberry.

Delaney found this "starberry"
in my mom's strawberry patch.
(It has since been devoured
by the one who discovered it.)

I didn't find that little natural marvel until later last night, when I was slicing and washing up the strawberries we'd brought home with us, but I had to grab my camera: what a delightful surprise!

The same thing happened in another arena yesterday, over at Amazon.com where my debut novel THE RYN and its sequel, THE REMEDY live.

(cue violins) My sales figures have been pretty dismal since the blog tour ended, so I decided, what the hay: I'll offer my books for free for one day only, without promotion, and see what happens. I mean, I download free books all the time. Maybe some folks will see my books and then, next year, when Book 3 comes out, maybe I'll come close to breaking even on this enormous investment. (end violins)

But... after chatting with an author friend of mine, I decided that maybe a wee bit of promotion wouldn't hurt... so I might have mentioned the price reduction on a couple of social media platforms *winks.*
(cue action/adventure/car chase soundtrack) As is turns out, those little mentions started a bit of an explosion. Several of my author friends, some readers, and a few other publishing professionals I know took that little fireball and ran with it, posting and promoting my free books like mad. By the time I went to bed last night, THE RYN was in the #1 spot on Amazon's free Kindle top 100 Christian Fantasy list, and THE REMEDY was #2. I couldn't believe it. When I checked my "sales" figures this morning, 2906 free copies of THE RYN were in new readers' hands and 2454 free copies of THE REMEDY had gone out, as well. (end action/adventure/car chase soundtrack) Considering that between June 1 and yesterday I had sold 13 books this month, TOTAL? Well...

Color me... stunned.

From a marketing perspective, I am thrilled. I'm hoping that at least a few of those people will love the books so much that they will each gush to their friends about this "must read" book (here's hoping!) and that, due to word-of-mouth, that I might actually put a dent in refilling the financial investment hole known as "preparing a book for publication." Because, honestly, (cue violins) I'm still quite deeply down in the negative "red" of business building--and due to the costs of editing, book design, and marketing, my sales figures haven't yet achieved even a remotely dinging sound, you know, like that of a penny being dropped into the "breaking even" bucket. (end violins. Last of the violins, I promise.)

And I just gave away 5360 books for free? And I'm happy about it? Yes. Yes I am.

For a self-publishing author committed to putting excellent books out in the world, publishing and marketing is an expensive process. As a Christian author writing fantasy with allegorically Christian elements, however, there is something more important than turning a profit or even breaking even: which leads me to the spiritual perspective on this "free book" boom (and that, my friends, has nothing to do with the business of selling books, and everything to do with the business of Story.)

Today, I sit here, both astounded and humbled by what a difference a single day and a small act can make in the world. Yesterday, 5360 books about being pursued and wooed by Love went out into fresh hands. I would assume these aren't 5360 individuals--most of them probably downloaded both free books in the series--but even so, that is roughly 3000 souls that I am called to pray for today as they begin reading this story, and I am called to continue to pray for them in the days to come as the Truths therein sink into their hearts by way of the imagination.

I don't know these people. I don't know where they stand with Christ, or if they yet stand with him at all. I don't know if they are passionate followers of Jesus, jaded Christians, or unbelievers. I don't know if they were drawn to my books by the price only, or something deeper and less easily defined. I don't know if they are searching for truth, or simply the escape of an entertaining read. I don't know if their hearts are open, fertile places where the seeds in this story can be dropped, or if they will simply be entertained by the romance of the fairy tale.

I don't know anything about them, other than they like downloading free books and that, for one reason or another, they happened upon mine--but that's enough.

Regardless of the faith history of these new readers, their state of belief or unbelief, their jadedness or openness, I will pray that they begin seeing, through Rynnaia's eyes, the beauty of being known and being loved by the One who made them--that they would take a moment to reflect upon the wonder that even though He is the one who made the stars--and even the "starberries"--he is intimately pursuing their attention so that he can woo them into his embrace. I will pray that, perhaps in Rynnaia's story, they will see themselves as the object of this pursuit.

Neither The Ryn nor The Remedy are overtly "Christian" books, but I believe Truth injected himself into the story here and there in order to be found. If you are a believer in Christ, I hope you will take a moment to join me in praying for the 3000ish new readers who took advantage of the FREE offer and clicked the "buy for $0.00" button at Amazon yesterday to download The Ryn and/or The Remedy. Please pray that not only will these new readers enjoy the tale, but that they would see something deeper, something truer, within this fantasy than simply another fairy tale, retold--and that they would see again, or perhaps for the first time, that they are known and they are loved.

Thank you.

YA Review: Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett

Click HERE to purchase from Amazon

What it's about (from publisher Cedar Fort):

Told that she must be indoors at all times, Rapunzel feels trapped in the huge mansion where she lives. But when school demands to allow her access to the Internet, she discovers Facebook and becomes friends with Fane, a local teenager who changes her whole world. This story will have you entangled from beginning to end.

Why you should read it: Placed in a world where the tale of Rapunzel has not yet existed (otherwise, wouldn't her name sort of give it away?), this modern re-telling is a fun but somewhat dark take on the classic, borrowing from page and screen versions as well as the mystical realms of modern technological romance.

Some serious "creepy" is going on in Rapunzel's house, an ever-expanding mansion which may bring to mind the famous Winchester Mystery House in California. When Fane fans the flame of Rapunzel's burgeoning curiosity, however, things go from creepy to romantic to life-or-death dangerous pretty fast.

Rapunzel has a pretty believable teen voice, given her upbringing. And Fane is certainly an easily loved hero. Fans of fairytale remixes won't be disappointed while untangling, as it were, this imaginative story.

(this review originally appeared at USA Today's Happy Ever After blog)

STORY: 4 stars
CONTENT: Rated EDGIER for dark imagery, violence, and dark plot elements including evil characters who dabble in the occult
Want more info on our content ratings? CLICK HERE