Review - - Love, Lies and Spies

Love, Lies and Spies

By Cindy Anstey
Young Adult

Publisher: SwoonReads

Release Date: April 19, 2016

If you long for the Regency romance that was long on banter and a comedy-of-manners and short on the bedroom frolics, if you wish for a modern day Jane Austen with a splash of James Bond, then do I have the book for you.

LOVE, LIES, and SPIES is a young adult novel by Cindy Anstey, which I found by happy accident on a shelf at work (I work near a group of literacy professors; they always have young adult novels around), and was immediately sucked into the opening scene in which our intrepid heroine, Julianna Telford, scientific researcher of lady insects and soon to be published author (if she gets her way), is hanging most disastrously off the side of a cliff.

To which she says, “Oh my, this is embarrassing.” I think we can agree that’s a gross understatement.

And when she hears voices overhead, does she scream for help or thank the heavens for such speedy rescue? No. She asks—when they approach—if they are gentlemen. When they answer in the affirmative, she declines their offer of help and asks instead for their assistance in securing appropriate help, like a farmer, because if she’s found in the company of a strange gentleman, she’ll be sent home in shame. No publishing. The horrors.

Spencer Northam (don’t you love the name?) is looking for a spy. What he’s not looking for is a woman who seems to be in the thick of every sort of trouble, keeps secrets, and associates with questionable people; however, he can’t seem to help himself and he can’t seem to help hoping Julianna is not the spy he’s looking for.

Capers and hilarity ensue; and there’s a kidnapping…but in the end, Spencer gets his spy and Julianna gets her man. The writing is classic, packed with banter, complete with many lines that felt like the author was someone who loved and studied Austen’s way with phrasing—and maybe even a few of her more deplorable (and most love-to-hate) characters.  I definitely want to find what else this author is writing. 

~Hellie

Today's Special - - Allie Burton

We're delighted to welcome Young Adult author, Allie Burton back to the Romance Dish. Allie didn’t realize having so many jobs would become great research material for the stories she writes. She has been everything from a fitting room attendant to a bike police officer to a professional mascot escort. She has lived on three continents and in four states and has studied art, fashion design, marine biology, and advertising.

When her kids asked, “when are you going to write a story we can read?” she switched from adult novels to Young Adult and Middle Grade and hasn’t looked back.

Allie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Romance Writers of America including the Young Adult, Dallas Area Romance Writers and Heart of the Rockies chapters. She is also a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Currently, she lives in Colorado with her husband and two children.

www.allieburton.com

www.twitter.com/Allie_Burton

www.Facebook.com/AllieBurtonAuthor

Why Take A Risk On A New Author?

            Picture yourself on your last birthday. Balloons, a big cake, and lots of shiny wrapped presents. You were curious and excited about what was inside the gifts.

Think of a new author or a new book the same way.

            The book cover is shiny and new, like a present waiting to be opened. And inside thousands of words are strung together like ribbons tied around your gift. The words promise to entertain and delight. Or to scare and terrify. Or to romance you off of your feet. It is a surprise present to yourself.

            Not that you would pick any book off the shelf and start reading. There are things to consider like

the genre. In the case of SOUL SLAM, it’s a mix of romance, adventure, and mystery. Three genres in one.

You also should look at the subject of the book. Do you find it interesting? SOUL SLAM combines Egyptian history and mythology, secret societies, mysterious powers, and love.

Let’s not forget about the promise of the book. Whether it’s a who-done-it or an edge-of-the-seat suspense, do you want what the author is promising? The ride of your life? A mystery you must puzzle out? A happy ending?

If you like all of those about the book and are curious, go ahead and read a few pages. You may be surprised. So, take a risk and give a new author a shot.

Thanks so much for hosting me!

Have you picked up any books by new-to-you authors and been happily surprised?

Allie is giving away one e-copy of Soul Slam to a randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's blog.  

Allie is also running a contest on her website for people who sign up for her newsletter.  If she reaches 100 subscribers, one person will be chosen to win a Kindle.  

Soul Slam

Soul Force Book 1

A sixteen-year-old on her first heist to steal an ancient Egyptian amulet inadvertently receives the soul of King Tut…and the deadly curse that comes with it.

            And Olivia is not alone at the museum.

            A member of a secret society, Xander believes it is his place to inherit King Tut’s soul and justly rule. He knows nothing about the society’s evil plan to control the world or the curse. Now, he must deal with the female imposter who stole the amulet.

            Xander convinces Olivia they must form a temporary partnership. The two teens develop a connection, and together they must figure out how to end the curse before it turns deadly. On the run, unable to touch because of the curse, and managing the male soul inside her female body, Olivia must learn to trust Xander.

As the mystery surrounding the amulet unfolds, Olivia and Xander start to fall for each other. But is love enough to save them and the world from destruction? 

Today's Special - - Allie Burton

We're delighted to welcome Young Adult author, Allie Burton to the Romance Dish. Allie didn’t realize having so many jobs would become great research material for the stories she writes. She has been everything from a fitting room attendant to a bike police officer to a professional mascot escort. She has lived on three continents and in four states and has studied art, fashion design, marine biology, and advertising.

When her kids asked, “when are you going to write a story we can read?” she switched from adult novels to Young Adult and Middle Grade and hasn’t looked back.

Allie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Romance Writers of America including the Young Adult, Dallas Area Romance Writers and Heart of the Rockies chapters. She is also a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Currently, she lives in Colorado with her husband and two children.

www.allieburton.com

www.twitter.com/Allie_Burton

www.Facebook.com/AllieBurtonAuthor

Welcome, Allie!

Thank you, PJ for inviting me to be interviewed on the Romance Dish.

1   My pleasure, Allie.  Congratulations on the release of ATLANTIS RIPTIDE. Please tell our readers what they can expect from this book.

ATLANTIS RIPTIDE is the first in a Young Adult series called the LOST DAUGHTERS OF ATLANTIS. In each of the books, the heroines discover the secrets behind their underwater abilities and must decide whether to accept the additional responsibilities that come with the powers. All three books have strong heroines, adventure, and romance.      

A fascinating premise!  Growing up on a lake, I had many youthful fantasies about being able to breathe underwater like Pearl.  What do you want readers to understand about this character?  

Pearl is the main character in ATLANTIS RIPTIDE. She’s hard on the outside but soft on the inside. She’s been taken advantage of since she was little so she has a hard time trusting people. Her goal is to find a place where she belongs and she believes she’s found that in the mythical town of Mermaid Beach until her old life and her new life collide.

This is a Young Adult novel. For what ages is it appropriate?

ATLANTIS RIPTIDE is definitely on the younger side of the Young Adult scale. I’d say ages 12-18. The tone is light, but adventurous. The romance is intense like first love should be, but only goes as far as a few kisses.

Sounds perfect for the young teens in my life.  

We love call stories here at the Romance Dish.  Will you share yours?

My agent call story wasn’t a call at all. ATLANTIS RIPTIDE was a finalist in a local contest and the agent who judged was present. Right before I went up to accept the award, the agent whispered to me that I should announce I was just offered representation. I’m not great at public speaking, add in the shock value of her words and I was speechless!

Oh, my!  I can imagine!  I'm not sure I'd have been able to utter a word.  lol

Who (or what) do you enjoy reading when you’re not busy creating your own stories?

I love to read anything young adult and middle grade. I also enjoy romances and paranormal stories. Some of my favorite authors include Rachel Hawthorn, Sarah Mlynowski, JA London, Tera Lynn Childs, Addison Fox, Suzanne Ferrell, Jo Davis…I could go on and on.

A few of my favorites are in that list too.

      What can we look forward to from you next?

The second book in the series was just released called ATLANTIS RED TIDE. Coral, the heroine in this story, has been brought up to believe she’s an Atlantean Princess but she has her doubts because she’s never shown a special power. She decides to search for her two missing sisters, but before she can act she is kidnapped by a spy.

The third book in the series is ATLANTIS RISING TIDE featuring Maris, a girl who has been kept away from water and only just discovers she’s different from her friends and family. This book releases at the end of June.

That's great that we don't have to wait long for all three stories!  

     Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Allie.  Do you have a question for our readers?

Pearl’s special power is breathing into humans so they can breathe underwater. Coral can create or protect from earthquakes. Maris can heal. If you had a super power what would it be?

Allie has generously offered an e-copy of ATLANTIS RIPTIDE to one person who leaves a comment on today's blog.

ATLANTIS RIPTIDE

Sixteen-year-old Pearl Poseidon ran away from the circus tired of her adoptive parents’ abuse of her special skills. As a runaway, she craves anonymity but when she saves a small boy from drowning she draws attention to herself and her special abilities. Boardwalk employee and aspiring investigative reporter, Chase Thomas, helps her with the rescue and witnesses her amazing dive.

                Now, he has questions. And so do the police.

Unbeknownst to Pearl, a battle rages under the Pacific between Loyal and Non-Loyal Atlantean forces and each side wants to use her powers for their cause. Will the commotion in the ocean expose her secrets to the world? Will Chase’s reporter-determination ruin their chance for a real relationship? Will staying near the ocean she loves catapult into a battle royale?

ATLANTIS RED TIDE

Sixteen-year-old Atlantean, Princess Coral, secretly plans to find her lost sisters of legend. Before she can escape the palace to begin her quest, she is kidnapped by Finn Plankson, a Non-Loyal Atlantean.

A spy for the separatist movement, Finn knew Coral as a child. When he sees her being mistreated by Royal Guards he takes action.

As their adventure changes from antagonistic to a temporary truce, Coral must convince Finn to help her find her sisters before the battle between the Loyal and Non-Loyal forces erupts into a full scale war.

Coral fondly remembers Finn, her first crush, but can she trust him now that he’s aligned with her enemy? In the end, will Finn betray her and her sisters? And what are these strange sparks that go off whenever they’re together?

ATLANTIS RISING TIDE 

Junior lifeguard Maris Sanders thinks she’s a normal high school girl. In reality, she’s one of the lost princesses of Atlantis. At sixteen, she’s finally discovering her special powers.

Exiled from his community of Atlanteans, Cuda Fisher has taken a special interest in Maris. As he secretly tests her abilities, the two teens grow closer until Cuda realizes being with Maris is risking more than his heart.

An evil scientist is analyzing Maris’s skills and putting her in danger. Cuda realizes his father, a leader of the Separatist movement, is behind the scheme and Cuda will do anything to stop him even if it means breaking Maris’s heart.

Will Maris accept her real identity, or still hurt by Cuda’s betrayal, will she fall prey to the scheme? Will Maris be able to choose between the life she’s always known or a new dangerous adventure? And will the choice be hers?

The Teen Menu

Welcome to the May edition of The Teen Menu.

YA News

Though this isn't really YA news, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has launched a new website in anticipation of the release of her first novel for adults, The Casual Vacancy, this September.

The long wait is over. The Pottermore site for all things Harry Potter has launched. Check it out for all sorts of magical fun and info. It's been reported that more than $4.8 million worth of Harry Potter e-books have been sold in the first month via Pottermore, and more than 5 million new members have been added to the site since it opened April 14. And yes, I'm one of them.

The makers of the movie version of Ender's Game have started a Tumblr feed with shots from the production of the movie.

Director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, Water for Elephants) has been announced as the director for Catching Fire, the sequel to the wildly successful The Hunger Games.

Three new photos of the main characters of Breaking Dawn Part II brooding were recently released.

Author Stephenie Meyer will be optioning the rights to Lois Duncan's 1974 YA novel, Down a Dark Hall, along with Fickle Fish Films. But first she has to wrap up her producer duties on the movie version of Shannon Hale's Austenland.

YA Reviews

Back in March, Romance Writers of America announced the finalists for its annual RITA Awards. I always try to read as many of the finalists in the Young Adult category as I can. So over the next few months, I'll be bringing you reviews of these finalists as I finish reading them. Here are the finalists:

Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Flawless by Lara Chapman
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler
Warped by Maurissa Guibord
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

The winner will be announced at the RWA conference in July.

First up is Janet Gurtler's I'm Not Her. While I love paranormal/dystopian YA, it was nice and refreshing to read a contemporary story about an everyday girl who is thrust into not a fight to save the world but an everyday fight to get through tough times. Tess, the younger of two teenage sisters, is the heroine of this book. She's the smart sister while her older sister, Kristina, is the popular, sporty one. And this isn't a typical tale where there is boatloads of sibling rivalry with the bookish sister desperately wanting to be like her older, popular sister. Tess is fine with who she is, until she is thrust into midst of the high school popular crowd when Kristina is diagnosed with cancer and all her popular friends are constantly asking Tess how she is.

I'm Not Her explores how Tess deals with not only concern about whether Kristina will get better, but also her new visible status at school, interest from boys, and Kristina's sudden desire not to see any of her friends. Tess suddenly not only has to make excuses for Kristina, but also has to step into the role of being the responsible one in the family when her parents don't do the best job of dealing with Kristina's illness. The story feels very real and doesn't fall into some of the cliches we often see in "cancer stories." It's well worth the read.

Watch for my review of another RITA nominee in next month's Teen Menu.

The Teen Menu

Sorry to have missed sharing a Teen Menu post last month, but I had an unexpected death in the family and was unable to pull together a post. But I'm back this month with a review and some interesting YA news.

YA News

This is a bit of older news, but I've been out of the loop and just saw it a few days ago. Jamie Campbell-Bower, who plays Volturi member Caius in the Twilight movies and had the lead role of Arthur in the one-season series Camelot, has been cast as Jace in the upcoming The Mortal Instruments movie. The funny thing about this is I found out literally minutes after I saw a picture of Jamie and his fiance, Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter movies), together and thought they'd make a great Clary and Jace. The role of Clary has already gone to Lily Collins, however. See author Cassandra Clare's blog post on the casting choice for more information and her take on Jamie.

Lise Haines' Girl in the Arena, about a modern-day teenage gladiator, has been optioned for TV by actress Charlize Theron and Denver and Delilah Productions.

A vast array of media rights to Sherrilyn Kenyon's works were recently acquired by Amber Entertainment. First to go into film production is her Chronicles of Nick YA series.

Sad that the Harry Potter books and movies are now over? Never fear! Author J.K. Rowling is launching a new site called Pottermore in October which will be full of Harry Potter-related content and will be the exclusive place to buy digital copies of the Harry Potter books. Beware if you see any offers to sell you access to the site. Scammers are taking advantage of Harry Potter fans by trying to sell bogus access when the site will be free to all when it fully launches. To stay up on Pottermore news and see a video message from Rowling, visit the Pottermore site.

Entertainment Weekly recently did a feature story on the guys in The Hunger Games movie -- Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. Check out the pictures here.

And check out the wickedly cool motion poster for the movie here. Yes, I'm counting down to this movie.

Even more Hunger Games news! Lionsgate has already announced the release date for the movie adaptation of the second movie in the trilogy, Catching Fire. It will hit theaters Nov. 22, 2013. As a reminder The Hunger Games releases March 23, 2012 -- months and counting.

YA Review

The City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare is the fourth in her popular The Mortal Instruments series. The first three books in the series had the arc of a trilogy, leading up to the confrontation with the big baddie in the third, City of Glass. But just because that particular battle is over, don't think things are going to go swimmingly for Clary and Jace, the main focus of the series, and their friends, Alec, Isabelle, Simon, Maia and Magnus. There are still battles to be fought, foes to face, and complicated feelings to work through.

In this fourth installment, we get to see more about Simon, Clary's best friend who has gone from geeky boy in a crappy garage band to geeky vampire in a crappy garage band. Simon is dealing with what it means to be a vampire and how he can't ignore it anymore, hoping it'll magically go away. Oh, and there are some mysterious people who evidently want to kill him for some reason. Maybe it's because he's the only Daylighter, a vampire who can go out in the daytime.

And someone is killing Shadowhunters, the angel-human hybrids who protect the world from demons and keep peace among Downworlders (vampires, werewolves, warlocks and fairies). Just when you think you know who and why, another twist in the story proves you wrong. As layer upon layer of the story is revealed, I found myself turning the pages faster and faster to find out what was going to happen next and where Clare was going to end this particular installment. As I expected, it was at a point that left me wanting the next one immediately.

Review -- Touch of Frost

Touch of Frost
Mythos Academy, Book 1
By Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: July 26, 2011







My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I’m determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why – especially since I should have been the one who died …

Jennifer Estep writes my favorite urban fantasy series--Elemental Assassin--featuring kick-ass heroine Gin Blanco. The first four books have kept me riveted and I know the next will be no exception. Now Ms. Estep is delving into the YA scene with her new Mythos Academy series. While I don't always read YA, I have found that there are some great books to be enjoyed even if you're not part of the teen scene, and Touch of Frost is one.

Gwen Frost is sent to Mythos Academy soon after the death of her mother. She feels completely out of place among the other students. They are all descendants of great warriors: Valkyries, Spartans, Amazons and the like. To them, Gwen is just the "Gypsy girl"---definitely not like them. Gwen does have the gift of psychometry---when she touches an object she can see/feel the object's history. Most of the time, it's harmless; finding someone's lost cell phone, etc. But other times, she sees painful and disturbing scenes that are hard to forget. Being the outsider at school goes from bad to worse when Gwen discovers one of her fellow students---Jasmine Ashton, mean girl and Valkyrie---murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Not only that, but the Bowl of Tears---an ancient artifact that is being sought by an evil faction to start the second Chaos War. Now Gwen finds herself in deep....and the next one targeted for death.

Touch of Frost takes the angst of high school life and blends it with the supernatural---think Percy Jackson. You thought the ups and downs of your teen years were bad; Gwen Frost has all that drama times one hundred. But she's a spunky young woman who won't give up. Plus, she has a bit of a crush on Logan Quinn, the rough, tough and very sexy Spartan. Ah, those teenage hormones. I read this book pretty quickly and would have given it an even higher rating, except for the fact that there were some repetitive phrases that were a little annoying at times. Besides that, Touch of Frost was a fun read. While it is classified as a young adult book, I wouldn't recommend it for younger teens due to the language and sexual content. But if you or any older teen you know enjoy a little magic, this book's for you. The next book in the series, Kiss of Frost, will be released November 29th.

~ Gannon


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This Ferret has Merit! (Merret?)

by Anna Campbell

OK, the hero of ONDINE: THE SUMMER OF SHAMBLES is a Scottish laird (including thick brogue, och aye) who has been transformed into a ferret because he dissed a witch at a debutante ball.

Do I really need to say more? Surely that sells you!

This is Aussie Ebony McKenna's debut young adult novel and it's a hoot from beginning to end! FERRET-astic, in fact!

If you think a ferret called Shambles who is really Hamish McPhee, the seriously hot Laird of Glen Logan, sounds a little crazy but strangely compelling, then read on. There's more to come!

One of the many fun elements of this book is that basically, for all its archaic touches and fairytale magic, it's a contemporary story. The book opens with Ondine in summer camp (where she meets the shambolic Shambles!) and one of the major events takes place at the official opening of a railway overpass. Ondine de Groot, our heroine, is fifteen and she lives with her parents and two older sisters Marguerite and Cybelle at the Station Hotel in Venzelemma, the capital of a small eastern European nation Brugel. Through one madcap summer, Ondine will be romanced by two gorgeous men, discover that her sisters are indulging in secret romances of their own, foil a wicked plot, discover her nascent psychic powers and fall in love.

During the course of this story which involves magic, intrigue, romance, Ondine, Shambles, the de Groot family, the Duke of Brugel, his seriously slimy son Lord Vincent, and assorted other eccentric characters including the witch who turned Hamish into a ferret because he was acting like a weasel, we learn a lot about Brugel. A hugely fun part of this book is the copious footnotes. Here are a couple to give you an idea of the dry humor:

Plütz is Brugel's number one alcoholic export. It is made from fermented peaches, is 32 per cent proof and is the main ingredient in divorce proceedings.

Definition of Oose: Mighty big clumbs of dust that gang up into fluff monsters. The original of this phrase is impossible to verify, much like a Freemason's secret handshake. For more information on Freemasonry, follow the adventures of Pierre in Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE. Or check out FREEMASONRY FOR DUMMIES.

There are running jokes on dietary habits, table manners, Scottish dialect and the Eurovision Song Contest (where Brugel always votes for Slovakia even when Slovakia hasn't entered). And sausages - Hamish likes to eat!

I loved this book. It has the sort of inspired silliness that you get in MONTY PYTHON while still telling a touching story about a girl in love with her ferret. Well, her ferret once he's in human guise. Shambles is a marvelous hero. Protective and brave and sweet and smart and very funny - and in the short intervals when he transforms into a human, he's definitely easy on the eye. Ondine is a lovely heroine, loyal and full of heart and optimism.

ONDINE: THE SUMMER OF SHAMBLES is utterly charming. I'm really looking forward to the sequel ONDINE: THE AUTUMN PALACE which is out in March next year. Until then I shall FRET for the FERRET!!!!

You can buy ONDINE at Amazon and the Book Depository (post free anywhere in the world). I dare you not to be smiling when you put it down after the last page!