Rainbow Rowell & David Levithan @ Avid

Hello friends! This is Avid Bookshop. It's my local, independent bookseller. I HEART Avid so much! And I was super excited to hear they were having some super awesome authors come visit on November 10, 2013!

As the sign says, "WELCOME, Rainbow Rowell and David Levithan!!"

How exciting! These authors are like a big deal, a very BIG deal! :)

Rainbow and David: 

They talked about their books, read from their newest releases and A'd the audiences' Q's.

Also, it was a PACKED house! Standing room ONLY! How awesome is that?! So many people coming out for BOOKS and AUTHORS!

David, Me, and the Hubs

We have quite the David Levithan collection in our little library now!

Me and Rainbow!!

Ohhh, and Hubs gets in on the photo too! 

I can't wait to read my new books!

It was a super great night! I'm so happy Avid was able to bring these authors to our little Athens town! If you are ever in the area, you should totally stop by there! And be sure to check out their website to order books and see what kind of events they have lined up for the future! http://www.avidbookshop.com/.

Author Interview: Michael Northrop

Alli's World had the pleasure of interviewing author Michael Northrop as part of the blog tour for his new book ROTTEN. If you are a dog person you will surely enjoy this interview. And if you like what you read be sure to pickup a copy of ROTTEN!

Alli's World: So we here in Alli's World are dog lovers and have a rescue pup of our own. We'd love to know if you are a dog lover too and have you ever had a rescue dog of your own?

Michael Northrop: Hello! Yes, I am a dog-lover too, and have been since the very beginning. I grew up in a small town with a big back yard and a mom who loved animals. We generally had between eight and nine animals at a time, about half dogs and half cats. About half of those would be rescues, and the other half would be adopted from someone’s litter. (When you have that many animals, word gets around. Every time a neighbor's pet had puppies/kittens, they’d knock on our door.)

One dog, in particular, was a major inspiration for this book. His name was Max, and he was either an unusually large Brittany, a Brittany mix, or just a big dog that looked a lot like a Brittany. He was rescued from a very bad situation, much like Johnny’s in the book, and I was just a little older than JD when we got him. He was scared and skittish at first, but once he was in a safe, loving environment, he let his guard down and became one of the greatest dogs I’ve ever

known.

Alli's World: Do you have any funny or interesting pet stories?

Michael Northrop: My funniest pet stories involve a dog named Little Bit. He was a black lab mix and one of the great escape artists in history. Over the years, he escaped from the backyard by flipping the latch on the gate, the screen door by figuring out the handle, and one of those metal anchors you screw into the ground by, you guessed it, running around in the opposite direction and unscrewing it. He had a Rise of the Planet of the Apes level of animal intelligence.

So what did this canine Einstein do once he escaped? The stupidest things imaginable! He was sprayed by skunks three times and had his snout filled with porcupine quills twice! How can a dog be so smart and so dumb at the same time? I still don’t understand that.

But he was an awesome dog. We lived in Hartford for one fairly bad year when I was a kid. One day, my mom, brother, and I took Little Bit out for a walk. When we got back, he froze just inside the front door. He sniffed around a bit and then bolted straight up the stairs and into my bedroom. By the time we got up there to see what he was doing, he had already found and killed the biggest frickin’ rat any of us had ever seen. If he hadn’t, I would’ve been sleeping with that thing
scurrying around me—and we’d just moved and my mattress was still on the floor!

ROTTEN is dedicated to both dogs, Little Bit and Max.

Alli's World: What books or authors have influenced your writing?

Michael Northrop: There are so many. If I had to name a Top 3, I’d probably say: 

1) Ted Hughes. He was the Poet Laureate of England when I was in high school. He wrote very rough, visceral poems, generally focused on nature. His poem “Hawk Roosting” is written from the perspective of a bird of prey, and it really changed my idea of what good writing was and could be. 

2) William Faulkner, another writer who did interesting things with narration and point of view. I am a very slow reader (I’m dyslexic) and am often hesitant to read more than one or two books by the same author, just because there are so many other authors and books out there I want to check out. But I’ve read pretty much everything Faulkner has ever written. 

3) S.E. Hinton. She’s really the author most responsible for me writing YA (blame her!). Actually, she’s one of the authors most responsible for YA even existing. The Outsiders is basically a perfect YA novel.

Alli's World: Do you have any interesting (or weird) writing habits?

Michael Northrop: I don’t think so. I mean, I’m weird in a lot of ways, but I think my writing habits are pretty common: I write in the morning (I generally get started around 11 am, after a little too much time online), drink lots of coffee, and shoot for a thousand words a day. (I know a lot of authors who aim for 1,000 words/day, and most of us got it from Stephen King’s amazing book On Writing.)

Alli's World:  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Michael Northrop: I wanted to be a mounted police officer (the kind that rides a horse). I thought it would be like being a modern-day knight.

Alli's World: We would really like to thank Michael for stopping by today and talking books and puppies with us! 

Author's Bio:

My name is Michael Northrop, and I am a writer living in New York City. I am the author of three YA novels: Gentlemen (2009), one of the American Library Association/YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults; Trapped (2011), an ALA/YALSA Readers’ Choice List selection, an Indie Next List pick, and a Barnes & Noble Must-Read for Teens; and Rotten, which comes out on April 1, 2013. My first middle grade novel, Plunked, was named to the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing.

Website: http://michaelnorthrop.net/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mdnorthrop

Good Reads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15812319-rotten

Buy Links: 

Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545495875

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rotten-Michael-Northrop/dp/0545495873/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rotten-michael-northrop/1111813818

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Guest Post: Darby Karchut, author of Finn Finnegan

Y'all! I'm so excited about today's guest in Alli's World! Darby Karchut, the author of Finn Finnegan, is here today to school us in the history and legend in which Finn's story is based. When I enjoy a story, I know I like to find out as much as possible about that world. If you are anything like me you will enjoy today's post! 

(See my review of Finn Finnegan by clicking here.)

~Darby's Post~

The Celts of Colorado

Hi everyone! *waves from Colorado* Thanks so much for letting me visit today and talk about the mythology behind my story. Since my undergraduate degree is in anthropology, this kind of stuff sends my geek meter through the ceiling.

Finn (not Finnegan) MacCullen, and his master, Gideon Lir, are based on the legend of the Tuatha De Danaan (tua day dhanna), a semi-immortal race of beings who were one of the earliest inhabitants of Ireland. In some accounts, they were gifted with warrior-like abilities and considered themselves descendents of the war goddess, Danu. According to the legend, they had invaded Ireland in the late Neolithic era and wrestled it from the Fir Bolg, an even earlier race. Sadly, they were, in turn, displaced by the Bronze Age humans. I took that long ago diaspora and moved my version of the Tuatha De Danaan to modern day Colorado, and gave them a new enemy to battle: the goblins known as the Amandán (AH-mon-dan).

The Amandán were Irish and Scottish figures which were said to reside in fairy mounds. They were feared because it was believed their touch, called the fairy stroke or poc sidhe (poke she) caused paralysis or death.

Besides wielding some wicked cool bronze weapons, Finn and Gideon also have an additional weapon: the Song of the Tuatha De Danaan. This chant gives them heightened abilities, such as being able to run faster, jump higher, and take a blow that would level most humans. The Song is actually based on the famous ‘Song of Amergin’, an early Celtic poem. 

The wildly popular band, Emerald Rose, had written a variation of the ‘Song of Amergin’ for their 2002 album, Celtic Crescent. One of my editors, Trish Wooldridge, introduced me to this band and their version of the Song entitled ‘Fire in the Head.’ Trish worked her magic and before I knew it, Emerald Rose gave Spencer Hill Press permission to use ‘Fire in the Head’ as the pseudo-theme song for Finn Finnegan. If you want to listen to the song, go here. 

Thanks again, everyone, for letting me indulge in this bit of Celtic scholarship. There’s more in my author notes in the back of Finn Finnegan if you are interested. And, please, ask me questions and I’ll try to answer them. I do not pretend to be an expert in Celtic mythology, just a humble neophyte.

Darby Karchut is the award-winning author of GRIFFIN RISING and GRIFFIN'S FIRE (Twilight Times Books), and FINN FINNEGAN (Spencer Hill Press, March 2013) and GIDEON'S SPEAR (Spencer Hill Press, February 2014)

Find out more about Darby!

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Author of Glow: Jessica Maria Tuccelli

On Thursday, March 7, we were honored to attend a book event for author of Glow, Jessica Maria Tuccelli at Avid Bookshop.  Avid is a great little indie bookstore, I highly recommend if you are ever in the Athens, Georgia area.

Photos of Glow around Avid.

During the discussion Jessica dropped several little gems on us that I jotted down to think about and share with you all. (Maybe not her exact words but only because I can't write that fast.)

• She adores independent bookstores. "Each is unique and a sanctuary." (Ahhh, so true!)
• "You don't need permission to write, you need imagination."
• "Write what you are passionate about or what you are curious about."
• She couldn't share about the project she is currently working on because (and this is beautiful)... "Creating is like magic!" And if she talks about it she feels like she'll loose her magic.
• "I read to connect to imaginary people. I write to connect to real people."

Jessica Maria Tuccelli reading from her novel, Glow.

Hubs and I really enjoyed this event. We both agreed that Glow is different from what either one of us usually reads. But we are both from Georgia and close to where the Glow is set (Rabun County). So we are familiar with the area. It sounds like it will be a good read. (It's been compared to The Help!) And it seems like one of those books you feel smarter for having read. 

(Please tell me I'm not the only person who thinks this way about certain books. Books that are so exceptional that you feel more intelligent because you read them? For example, I often feel that way when I conquer a classic.)

Anyhow, I'm really proud to add Glow to growing collection of books. Let me know if you have read it and what you thought in the comments!

Find more information about Glow on Goodreads.

Maureen Johnson and Stephanie Perkins

On Sunday, March 3, the mister and I attend attended a book signing at the Little Shop of Stories  featuring authors Maureen Johnson and Stephanie Perkins. First, I must say these ladies are hilarious and play very well off one another. I laughed my tail slap off. You would have thought we were at the comedy club not a bookstore! If these ladies are ever in a city near you, GO to that event! I really don't think you could be disappointed!

Also. Hubs and I bought (3) more books. Two of Maureen's and one of Stephanie's. (I am a book addict. Send help!) We left the bookstore to venture to Ikea in which we bought a new bookcase to house all these new books I've amassed. It was not fun to ride 1 hour and 44 minutes in a compact car and the LARGEST bookshelf Ikea sells. But we made it home and mostly intact. I'm sure there will be more to come in the bookshelf mini drama as we have yet to attempt to assemble said bookshelf.

Anyhow back to the main event...here are some photographs and some of my translated short hand notes.

Waiting....

First glance at the greats, Stephanie & Maureen!

Maureen on getting published:

"It's great, not like you think it would be. At some point someone will reject you, it's part of the process. You get an agent who pitches to an editor. Both are hard. A lot of people will say no. There is no failure in writing. If you think you are an awful writer, then you are doing it right. When you first start you are really bad and that's okay. Just keep trying!"

Stephanie added:

"Revise it, like a billion times. Show it to people. Revise it like a billion more times...

The first page is the most important...they have to like the first page to read the second page."

Maureen, Alli, & Clayton

Clayton, Alli, & Stephanie

Breathless Recap + Giveaway

Last Tuesday the Mister and me attended the Breathless Reads stop in Greenville, South Carolina. We had a great time! We both took off work and just spent the day hanging out together. 

~~~~

"Maybe this should be called the Death and Kissing Tour!" 

~Fiona Paul~

~~~~

We got to the event location, Fiction Addiction, early; we got our VIP tickets and books. Hubs and I were very impressed with this great indie bookstore. Then we enjoyed Greenville a little bit before heading back to the store for the BIG event!

Our view from our front row VIP seats!

Left to right:

Fiona Paul--Venom, 

Elizabeth Richards--Black City,

Fran Bullington (moderator), 

Jessica Spotswood--Born Wicked,

Beth Revis--Across the Universe, A Million Suns, Shades of Earth; 

Morgan Rhodes--Falling Kingdoms

Morgan Rhodes, author of Falling Kingdoms

Why YA? 

(paraphrasing from my horrible shorthand notes from the event)

Elizabeth Richards--It's an interesting time in life, all the firsts such as love and kisses, etc. And it's great for drama.

Fiona Paul--First, write what you love to read. Second, anything can happen {in YA}.

Jessica Spotswood--Loves YA and how it can be a mix of genres.

Beth Revis--YA is the beating heart of literature. (*Alli's note: L.O.V.E. this!)

Morgan Rhodes--Writing YA for was not conscious, some stories just fit YA better. Also, adult fiction is so jaded.

Beth Revis, author of: 

Across the Universe, A Million Suns, & Shades of Earth

What were the authors reading/writing as a teen?

Jessica Spotswood--Gone With the Wind, citing how awful and selfish Scarlett is but also pointing out she was smart and not valued because she was a woman.

Beth Revis--Hated Gone With the Wind! She did like Little Women, though she had only read the annotated children's version. Revis told us about the time she passionately disagreed with her professor over the ending.

Morgan Rhodes--recalled writing a book report on Lucky by Jackie Collins in ninth grade which got her into some trouble!

Fiona Paul--likes fun reads! She was into books like Sweet Valley High!

Elizabeth Richards--didn't read much when she was younger. She did write some bad romance where the geeky, Gothic girl who magically gets the guy. (*Alli's note: Love that!)

Jessica Spotswood--Born Wicked

Do's and don'ts: advice for aspiring writers.

Fiona Paul--Do read...everything! Find out what works and what doesn't work. Don't get discouraged by criticism. Some people just have bad taste! (Alli's note: Love that too!)

Elizabeth Richards--Get a good critical partner and accept the critique. Don't invite your agent/editor to a bachelor party by mistake. ;)

Jessica Spotswood--Write the book ONLY YOU can write! Don't RUSH to get published.

Beth Revis--Don't give up!

Morgan Rhodes--Write the book of your heart. Don't give up; it can be a hard road.

Elizabeth Richards--Black City

What are the author's odd writing habits?

Jessica Spotswood--Is a night owl; she writes very late. She also drinks tea while writing.

Beth Revis--Is also a night owl. She'll stay up all night and then sleep to noon.

Morgan Rhodes--Needs silence to get in the zone. She used to need ginger ale and chocolate. ;)

Fiona Paul--Had to employ a rewards system for herself. If she writes 500 words she can check Twitter. If she writes 500 more she can check her email. This is her way to self motivate.

Elizabeth Richards--Has to put her phone away. She stays caffeinated with a Pepsi Max and keeps a band on her wrist to "ping" herself when she gets off topic.

Fiona Paul--Venom

How do these Breathless authors deal with writers block?

Morgan Rhodes--Thinks writers block is a wrong step in the book. She is an outliner and that helps her avoid block. But sometimes she gets writers block just creatively drained.

Jessica Spotswood--Gets writers block when the "fear of suck" takes over. She just has to get out of her head at that point. She and Morgan both employ programs like "Write or Die" to help fight the block.

Beth Revis--Either kills, blows up or deletes all to unstuck.

Elizabeth Richards--Get your mind on something else. She often does this by, doing the dishes or taking a shower. (Beth said she has NEVER been stuck enough to do dishes! :)

Fiona Paul--Works on two stories at a time. So if one gives her trouble she switches to the other for a while.

Signing time! 

Jessica getting a star "inked" on her arm by Beth!

Morgan Rhodes, me and Mister

Us with Fiona Paul and Elizabeth Richards

Us with Jessica Spotswood and Beth Revis

BOOK HAUL:

The paperback copy of Born Wicked, I had previously won from Ex Libris Kate. (Whoo hoo, thanks!)

The stack on the left are the ones we bought.

The stack on the right were the VIP prizes from Fiction Addition, including ARCs of Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards and Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood! Thanks Fiction Addition!

Also, one of the fun things about being a book lover is the community. Anytime you go to an event, you have an opportunity to make a bookish connection. I meet a couple bloggers at the Breathless event. So shout outs to my old friend, Kate from Froze8's Blog and new blogger buddy, Deitre from Once Upon a Twilight. Be sure to check out the official event blogger, Bending the Spine's post, complete with video interview! Plus Rebecca and husband, Richard, from Bending the Spine were super sweet in person!

Finally the Giveaways!

Breathless Tour poster signed by the East Coast authors!

And I have 2 of those to give away at this time!

I bought one paperback copy of Beth Revis' first book Across the Universe and had it signed by Beth to giveaway to one lucky Alli's World reader!

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US shipping only this time guys. Sorry.

Guest Post: Ally Malinenko

I have a treat for you guys today! A guest post from Ally Malinenko! She's going to impart some wisdom and advice for those struggling writers out there!

Hope you enjoy the post and feel free to leave us some of your favorite writing advice in the comments! And THANK YOU to Ally for stopping by today!

~alli

Top Five Pieces of Advice for 

Aspiring Writers

(Not from me)

That’s a weird title. I mean what constitutes “aspiring” and not. As soon as you write something are you no longer aspiring? Or is it publication? Does that mean you are officially a writer? Which came first the chicken or the egg? Here’s what I think  - all writers are still aspiring because becoming better at what you love to do makes for a full life….(“full” mind you, not necessarily happy).

So here are my top five bits of writing advice from some really great writers all of whom have written YA or MG books cause that’s what I write. And because I needed some sort of format otherwise this would go on for days. 

5. Garret Freyman-Weir – Author of My Heartbeat, Stay With Me, When I was Older and The Kings are Already Here. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read. Really, I cannot begin to describe all the times I’ve met people who tell me that they would love to write, if only they could find the time (as if writing were a hobby, although given the quality of much of what is published, I sometimes think it is!), but if I talk to them at length it quickly becomes clear they do not read. That’s like wanting to run a marathon, but not wanting to run. Reading is the only way to learn how to write. It can’t be taught, exactly. It has to be absorbed.

4. Rebecca Stead – Author of When You Reach Me and Liar and Spy

What tips or advice can you share with young students who hope to start writing?

First: Read. It’s been said over and over, but reading is the most important thing an aspiring writer can do. Read what you love. Read something you think you won’t like at all. Experiment with your reading, but don’t stop reading.

Second: Don’t be discouraged by your first draft. For many writers, the first draft is a pretty terrible translation of what might be a terrific idea. Don’t stop and think, “this is awful.” It doesn’t help. Revision is just as much a part of the job as the first draft. If you aren’t willing to revise, you can’t be a writer.

3. Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) – Author of The Series of Unfortunate Events, When We Broke Up and All The Wrong Questions Series.

What’s the greatest or most memorable piece of advice on writing that you have ever received?

“Read everything out loud.”

2. Laini Taylor – Author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight

“Be an unstoppable force. Write with an imaginary machete strapped to your thigh. This is not wishy-washy, polite, drinking-tea-with-your-pinkie-sticking-out stuff. It’s who you want to be, your most powerful self. Write your books. Finish them, then make them better. Find the way. No one will make this dream come true for you but you.”

1.Neil Gaiman – Author of (tons of other stuff but also) Coraline, The Sandman Series, The Graveyard Book

Be wise
Make amazing mistakes
Break rules
Leave the world a more interesting place, and
Make good art

And he said it all quite well here in a now pretty famous commencement speech. 

So there you guy. Easy right? Read. Write. Believe. Don’t give up. Read more. Write more. Believe more. Don’t give up more. 

I don’t think there’s much that I could add to this. I mean, let’s be honest – these are all big fish writers and I’m a bottom feeder – happily and joyfully – but still a bottom feeder. But I will say this: 
When you do start writing don’t give up. Just write. Keep writing. When it’s good keep writing. When it’s bad keep writing. When someone tells you it’s terrible and you should stop, keep writing. When someone tells you it’s perfect don’t change it, keep writing. You know in your heart what you are striving for. One day you’ll wake up and you’ll have found your voice. But it takes work. Be ready to do the work.

Ally Malinenko is the author of Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb

Find out more about Ally Malinenko!

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Audiobook Review: The Raven Boys

Title: The Raven Boys

Series: Raven Cycle

Author: Maggie Stiefvater 

Genre: YA Paranormal

Source: Purchased audiobook from Audible.com
More information from Goodreads

I am a HUGE fan of author Maggie Stiefvater's work. She is an amazing story teller and is a wordsmith like no other. I totally get lost in the worlds she creates. Stiefvater's The Raven Boys certainly lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Honestly, when I was listening to the audiobook, I thought to myself, this is the kind of book that makes me feel smarter for having 'read' or listened to in my case. I think that is quite the feat. Raven Boys topic and theme could have easily went hokey/lame or childish. But while the main characters were still young (in high school) they seemed mature and worldly but also wistful in their quest.

I think one of my favorite characters of Raven Boys is Gansey, aka President Cell Phone. And what I like about Gansey is well, besides everything (the car, the spoiled rich boy but doesn't try to flaunt it, the way he always says the wrong thing with the best intentions, so forth), is his zealously for the quest that has become his life's work. I admire how he took a life threatening experience and used it to fuel a passion for MORE out of life.

Of course, I liked the whole cast of rich characters. In fact, I liked the characters so much the story could have been about anything and it would have been good. I like how Adam felt so real. I liked the "other worldliness" Noah and the angry, carelessness of Rowan. I like how Blue wanted to be different but she was usually just predictable. I enjoyed the whole crazy crew that lives at Blue's house.

The only thing that I found to be disappointing was the end. I know it's a series but it left on an odd note and I'm not quite sure I understood what it all meant. I'm REALLY looking forward to Raven Boys 2 because I NEED to know what was meant and what's going to happen.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I was all prepared to go all 5 stars on Raven Boys but that ending really ticked me off. The more I've thought about that though, that possibly shows just how good of a book this was...think about it. I was so invested I wanted to know everything, I wanted to be shown all the cards to use a reference that could be Raven Boys related. I just ticked Raven Boys ended before divulging all it's secrets.

MrCaptKirk's thoughts on Raven Boys: I like it because it kept you guessing and you never really knew what was going to happen. The ending was not what I had expected. 

His rating: I'd say 4 or maybe 4.5.  I just really liked that it kept you guessing.

Clayton, Me & author Maggie Stiefvater at a book signing in 2011.

Review: Untraceable

Title: Untraceable

Series: The Nature of Grace, Book 1

Author: S. R. Johannes

Genre: YA

Source: Purchased copy

Fave quote: "Life is short. Be sure to make your mark."

Book Photo and Goodreads info on Untraceable.

I actually read this book a while back, when I was on a reading but not review streak. So this review might be rather sparse. But you simply must know that I truly enjoyed Untraceable by S. R. Johannes. To start with the cover is beautiful, a little creepy with the girl peeking out through the greenery but beautiful nonetheless.

First, I must say that I am familiar with the setting of Untraceable in Smoky Mountains near Cherokee, North Carolina. That area is about three hours from my home base so I've been there many times for family vacays and church retreats. It is really incredible any time of year; lush and green in the spring and summer, fabulous fall foliage in autumn, and crisp, cold and possibly even icy and snow covered in winter. I always appreciate when I can really visualize a location in a novel. It just brings a level of realness to the story for me. I'm even including a couple of snappies from my past trips to the area to set the Untraceable mood.

 Now, I'm not saying I'm ready to be hiking up the mountains with Grace but I can at least imagine her doing it now.

Back to the book at hand. I really thought the "survival tips" at the beginning of each chapter was an excellent touch. For example, "Survival Skill # 10: If lost, do not be impulsive. Patience can be the difference between life and death." 

There is a mystery element (multiple intertwining mysteries actually) that runs through the book that kept me turning the pages! But balancing out that need to know urgency while reading was all the traumatic sadness and betrayals. Poor Grace never knew who she could trust and every time she tried to trust someone that person would prove to be untrustworthy, or at the very least not what they seemed. 

Also, she never seemed to catch a good break. She'd get some good info and no one would believe her or she'd find what she was looking for only to have it slip away again. Grace is one of those characters that would probably be really mad at her author if they ever got the chance to meet.

Untraceable does not have a "happy ending." But I think sometimes more books need to need on less than perfect notes. We don't always live happily ever after. Stuff happens (well lots of stuff in Grace's life) but that's how we grow as people, through the STUFF. 

I also thought it was cool how Untraceable is an "environmental thriller." It's awesome that a YA book took on another, more comprehensive issue than just why or why not the main female character doesn't have a boyfriend. Untraceable deals with questionable ethics from adults and community "leaders." Untraceable is about standing up for what's right even at the risk to one's self.

Lastly, there is a boy. Le sigh. The boy. I actually kind of love the boy, even though he is totally sketchy! He's conflicted but brave and totes crush worthy. He's an outdoors man of sorts and smart AND he has a swoon worthy English accent! LOVE!

I give Untraceable 4 out of 5 stars. A very good read by an author from my home state of Georgia. Also, currently the time of this post Untraceable is available on Kindle for $0.99. This is a real steal of deal for some good reading material!

Author S.R. Johannes and Me at YallFest 2012!