ARC Spotlight – Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland

 

 

The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge…no matter how far it takes her.

Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.

Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.

I loved this book! It’s edgy with a kick-ass main character…who has some serious issues. The story is well-paced, unfolding with just enough information to keep you reading, because you just have to know what happens. It’s also interesting how conflicted the main character is, unsure if the voices in her head are echoing the horrible things she wants to do, or making her do those things.

Vengeance Bound is out April 2, 2013 and is available for preorder.

 

 

 

Synopses Synapses

My brain is a bit fried, but I finished the second draft of my synopsis! It’s now running ten pages, but my agent is going to give it a look over and let me know if there’s anything that needs changing. After that, it’s off to Harper for approval.

I wonder if established authors still have to write synopses, or if J.K Rowling wants to write a book she says, “I have an idea…” and the publisher shouts, “Yes! Do it. Now!” and throws money at her. One day that will be me…J

So it’s back to book 2 for me, new chapters and editing. Back Friday with another ARC Spotlight.

 

Book 1.5

Right now I’m working on a synopsis for a novella that might come between In the After and Book 2. Its purpose is to fill in back story for a few of the characters and it’s really fun to bring these background scenes front and center.

The trouble I’m having is getting all the information into a 3-5 page synopsis. Right now, it’s running 7 pages, and I’m not sure which info to cut out…of course I think it’s all dreadfully important and pertinent. J My agent has it now and is going to help me refine it a bit, before we send it off to Harper for approval.

How about you guys? Do you have trouble with synopsis, or are you a summarizing ninja?

I'm going to try and sort out my summary this weekend, so I'll be back Monday!

 

 

Nyssa's Book Nook - The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson

(Nyssa's Book Nook is a once a month guest contribution written by Demitria's awesome sister Nyssa Lunetta.)

Hey guys,

So my sister was feeling under the weather today and I volunteered to write a post about books that I really enjoy. She loved the idea so much, she asked if I wanted to do a once a month guest post. So here goes my first ever Nyssa's Book Book recommendation.

I am not a writer like her but I am an avid YA novel reader and would love to tell you about the books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed. The first book I want to share with you is The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson. The series is an 8 part series. These books keep you in full suspense as a gang of genetically altered children fight for freedom, a place to call home, and for their lives. Below is a synopsis of the the first book. Maximum Ride-The Angel Experiment.

The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective. Take right now, for instance.

Run! Come on, run! You know you can do it.
I gulped deep lungfuls of air. My brain was on hyperdrive; I was racing for my life. My one goal was to escape. Nothing else mattered.
My arms being scratched to ribbons by a briar I'd run through? No biggie.
My bare feet hitting every sharp rock, rough root, pointed stick? Not a problem.
My lungs aching for air? I could deal.
As long as I could put as much distance as possible between me and the Erasers.
Yeah, Erasers. Mutants: half-men, half-wolves, usually armed, always bloodthirsty. Right now they were after me.
See? That snaps everything into perspective.
Run. You're faster than they are. You can outrun anyone.
I'd never been this far from the School before. I was totally lost. Still, my arms pumped by my sides, my feet crashed through the underbrush, my eyes scanned ahead anxiously through the half-light. I could outrun them. I could find a clearing with enough space for me to—
Oh, no. Oh, no. The unearthly baying of bloodhounds on the scent wailed through the trees, and I felt sick. I could outrun men—all of us could, even Angel, and she's only six. But none of us could outrun a big dog.
Dogs, dogs, go away, let me live another day.

These books are fast-paced and exciting. The ideal is really original. You feel like you're a part of Max and the gang's world. You also care about the character. Check it out and I hope you find these books as enjoyable as I did. 

- Nyssa

I Love My Book

Okay, I know I’m biased, but in going through my galley pages I’m really pleased with how In the After turned out. I loved it before Harper but now it has more depth, more suspense and more grip.

That being said, I’m a little sad that this is the last time this book will be all mine. Of course I am beyond excited for my cover reveal, ARCs and release next summer, but then In the After will be everyone’s. Everyone brings something new to a novel, reading it with fresh eyes and their own experiences.

I hope everyone will love my book as much as I do, but I know that some people will not. I’m prepared for this, but at the same time, nervous. It’s like I’m sending my child off to kindergarten and wondering how she’ll do. J

I think this is the most introspective post I’ve ever written. Whew! How do others feel about their work, in whatever stage of the process?

Back Monday!

ARC Spotlight – Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley

 

Thirteen year old Angie disappears during a camping trip, only to return three years later with no recollection of where she’s been. She’s a stranger in her own body, which has aged three years, while in her mind only a day has passed.

I love Angie’s strength and determination. She’s been put through so much, and even creates alternate personalities to deal with her trauma, but ultimately she faces her suffering head on. I loved the way the mystery of what happened to Angie unraveled through revelations of her alters and how Dissociative Identity Disorder is explored. 

Although the sexual abuse that Angie experiences is disturbing, this book is ultimately about healing. Angie has to deal with so much, but regains her power in a courageous way. I also liked Coley’s portrayal of Angie’s parents. They’re overjoyed to have her back, but also confused and frightened for her emotional well-being.

Pretty Girl-13 will be available March 19^th 2013 from Katherine Tegan Books.
 

Half Italian + Half Greek = All Crazy

(This was originally posted in Nov. 2010, but since a lot of people have been asking me about my name lately, I thought I'd repost.)

So my name is a little odd, I'll admit.

Demitria is actually a fairly common Greek name, although I've seen it spelled Demetria more often than not. People sometimes drop the a and call me Demitri, which I'm pretty sure is Russian...and also masculine.

Lunetta is Italian and means little moon. I think this is also a first name, and sometime people think my name is Lunetta Demitria, instead of the other way around. Childhood was a little rough when everyone else is named Sara or Lisa or Anne.

So what does being half Greek and half Italian get you? Well, I'm extrememly passionate, but I can't cook. I've been to Italy and hope to make it to Greece soon. And (Sorry to all you Greeks out there) I much prefer Italian food. There's something about roasting a whole goat that puts me off.

Back Wednesday!

Bats on the Brain

If you’re my facebook friend or are a fan of my author page, then you know I occasionally post batman-related photos and news. I’ve always been obsessed with the Dark Knight, and I actually made my entire bridal party go see The Dark Knight Rises as part of my wedding rehearsal. Here are a few photos I’ve recently shared that I think are fun.

 

 

Anyone else out there love Batman? Well, back off he’s mine! Just kidding. Any other superhero love?

 

See you Monday!

I Got My Galley Pages!

 

For those of you who don’t know, galley pages are an unbound version of a book. It’s what authors and editors use for proofreading before printing ARCs.

I get to go through In the After one last time before it goes off for printing. It’s really exciting that it’s so close to being a “real” book. Is it weird that I hugged my galley pages when they arrived? Wonder how I’m going to react to my ARCs. J

Also, for all you goodreads folks, In the After is on a few goodreads lists. If you’re into listopia at all, follow this link and vote for my book.

Please, if you have a book on goodreads let me know so I can check it out.

Back Friday!