Book Birthday & Giveaway: Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

“Laugh-out-loud funny high school drama – perfect for fans of Lauren Myracle and Meg Cabot

Let’s say you’re fourteen and live in New York City. You’d think your life would be like a glamorous TV show, right? And yet . . . You don’t have a checking account, much less a personal Black American Express card. You’ve never been to a club, and the only couture in your closet is a Halloween costume your mom made from an old laundry bag.

In other words? You’re Kelsey Finkelstein – fourteen and frustrated. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled. Kelsey wants to rebrand herself for high school to make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny. But just because Kelsey has a plan for greatness . . . it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary and sardonic narration of her freshman year will have readers laughing out loud – while being thankful that they’re not in her shoes, of course.”

Happy Book Birthday to Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin.

This is not Gossip Girl…this is real life. This is the life of Kelsey Finkelstein as she embarks on that all important freshman year of high school. Whether you’re experiencing that year right now or can clearly remember it as part of your past, you will love living it through the eyes of Kelsey even on her worst days which seem to be every day at times. Realistic, funny and adorable this new work features the perfect protagonist. A girl everyone can relate to who’s as real and authentic as they come. As I have said before realistic fiction for teens can be some of the hardest to come by and to accomplish when done well. Meredith Zeitlin has not only accomplished a great book but she’s done a wonderful job as well. Let freshman year begin…and let’s just hope to survive.

 Book Giveaway

In celebration of the release of Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters Stiletto Storytime is excited to be able to offer a giveaway of one copy to one very lucky reader. Giveaway ends midnight EST March 12, 2012. US/Canada addresses only please for this giveaway. Winner will be contacted by e-mail.

To enter simply share a high school memory below…good or bad. Kelsey has so many in just her freshman year both good and bad that I could completely relate to- it seemed fun to share memories with others. Did or do you have that magical crush, an awesome group of true friends or maybe play a particular sport that means/meant a lot to you?

Want extra entries? You can get an extra entry by doing any of the following:

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Be/Become a Follower of Author Meredith Zeitlin on Twitter

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Book Birthday: Frost by Wendy Delsol

Happy Book Birthday to Frost by Wendy Delsol!

Katla LeBlanc is no stranger to the extraordinary. In fact her everyday life has begun in many ways to mimic that of a somewhat mixed up modern day fairy tale.  While on the outside it may seem that she lives a relatively normal teenage existence in the small remote town of Norse Falls, Minnesota-deep down there’s a part of Kat’s life even she herself can hardly believe exists.

 You see Kat is a stork, a secret member of an ancient society charged with the gift and duty of placing the souls of unborn babies with the appropriate “vessel” or mother.  A legacy passed down from her Icelandic ancestors, this gift of both prophecy and power is still new to Kat as she learns the ways and beliefs of those who have come before her.

 And as unbelievable as that may seem, it’s not the end of the uniqueness that is Katla LeBlanc. The newfound love of Kat’s life is also a mythical being brought into reality. Jack, the gorgeous boy who not only controls Kat’s heart but on occasion the weather itself is none other than a direct descendant of the legendary Jack Frost. Their relationship has quickly become that of legend as well as they find that they seem to be linked by an almost cosmic-like power.  However the powers that bind them seem to also be charged with danger as enemies emerge.

 As readers of the first novel in the series will recall being involved in a romance of magical proportions has its advantages but can Kat and Jack withstand forces beyond their knowledge? As both the Storks and Jack’s somewhat unpredictable ability come upon hard times, a new unexpected enemy may threaten not just their love but also the world, as they know it. When a un-earthly new visitor comes to town Kat must learn to trust her instincts and be ready for the fight of her life as all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

 In her sequel to Stork Wendy Delsol has once again beautifully woven modern day life with ancient legends and fantastic fairy tales creating a story of adventure, romance and undeniable readability.  Frost proves to be not only be a worthy addition to the series but may even surpass its predecessor in its precision of both the everyday world and the magic that lies beyond.

 Once again the characters of Delsol’s creation shine in this newest book and the world, which they inhabit, only becomes more and more real to its readers as the story continues.  A fast placed and expertly written plot will keep readers enthralled until the very last page of Frost and hopefully will open doors to another installment in this unique series.

Book Giveaway

Thanks to the always generous Wendy Delsol one lucky reader of Stiletto Storytime will win their very own signed copy of Frost. Giveaway ends midnight EST October 25, 2011. US and Canada address only please. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by e-mail address. Good Luck to all and Happy Reading!

To enter simply leave a comment below letting my know what “Book Birthday” you are looking forward to in the near future. What new release are you eagerly anticipating? Any pre-order worthy books coming up for you?

Want extra entries? You can get an extra entry by doing any of the following:

Be/Become a Follower of Stiletto Storytime

Be/Become a Follower Stiletto Storytime on Twitter

Be/Become a Follower Author Wendy Delsol on Twitter

Tweet or Blog about this “Book Birthday” Giveaway (Please leave link in comments)

Book Birthday: Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Happy Book Birthday to Past Perfect by Leila Sales!

“All Chelsea wants to do this summer is hang out with her best friend, hone her talents as an ice cream connoisseur, and finally get over Ezra, the boy who broke her heart. But when Chelsea shows up for her summer job at Essex Historical Colonial Village (yes, really), it turns out Ezra’s working there too. Which makes moving on and forgetting Ezra a lot more complicated…even when Chelsea starts falling for someone new.

Maybe Chelsea should have known better than to think that a historical reenactment village could help her escape her past. But with Ezra all too present, and her new crush seeming all too off limits, all Chelsea knows is that she’s got a lot to figure out about love. Because those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it….”

Girl meets boy. Girl falls for boy. Girl and boy begin relationship. Boy ends relationship with no real reasoning. Girl ends up heartbroken. It plays out all the time in a multitude of genres and among books for various ages. However I really can’t express enough how much I enjoy Leila Sales’ realistic fiction for young adults and how she has handled this really common occurrence in teen life. Realistic fiction is tough..it’s a genre that can go amazingly well or horribly wrong with just a turn of the page. The key is being believable and being able to relate and Sales seems to excel in her newest work just as she did before in Mostly Good Girls.

In addition placing Past Perfect in the world of historical re-enactment is solid gold…it’s like a secret language that will leave you giggling long into the night. The “historical” comedy and sometimes sarcastic voice of Chelsea make the plot perfectly matched to it’s setting. However the story goes much deeper. It’s the story of a girl with a broken heart who try as she might still makes mistakes along the way to finding her way in the world. But as she does so she also learns, grows and becomes a better person for it. It’s the kind of book that I personally would want any teen to read. It’s still fun, quirky and laugh out loud hilarious at times but in the end…it’s more than just a pretty cover which is what really matters.

Book Giveaway

Thanks to the always generous Leila Sales one lucky reader of Stiletto Storytime will win their very own copy of Past Perfect. Giveaway ends midnight EST October 18, 2011. US and Canada address only please. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by e-mail address. Good Luck to all and Happy Reading!

To enter simply leave a comment below letting my know what “Book Birthday” you are looking forward to in the near future. What new release are you eagerly anticipating? Any pre-order worthy books coming up for you?

Want extra entries? You can get an extra entry by doing any of the following:

Be/Become a Follower of Stiletto Storytime

Be/Become a Follower Stiletto Storytime on Twitter

Be/Become a Follower Author Leila Sales on Twitter

Tweet or Blog about this “Book Birthday” Giveaway (Please leave link in comments)

Book Birthday: How I Stole Johnny Depp’s Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain

Happy Book Birthday to How I Stole Johnny Depp’s Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain.

“David Gershwin’s summer is about to take a turn for the weird. When his dad’s new patient Zelda tells him she’s from outer space and on a quest to take Johnny Depp back to her planet, he knows he should run away screaming. But with one look from her mean, green eyes, David’s hooked, and soon he’s leaping across rooftops, running from police, and stealing cars just to stay by her side. He might not be a typical hero, but David’s going to get the girl even if it takes him to the ends of the earth—or beyond.”

Ooh-la-la…it’s a zany out of this world french adventure. I’ll be honest…there is no secret to the universe hidden within it’s pages but this quirky book will keep you reading just to see what the author can think of next. It’s exactly what you would expect out of a title like “How to Steal Johnny Depp’s Alien Girlfriend’. Surprising however was the authors gift with character creation, these are characters that you will not soon forget and even the minor cast will have your imagination piqued. Settle in one afternoon for a wild ride and expect laughs the whole way!

A great read for any teen or adult (male or female) but a fantastic choice for the reluctant readers out there. If this won’t pull them in…I don’t know what will.

Book Giveaway

Thanks to the amazingly creative and always generous Chronicle Books one lucky reader of Stiletto Storytime will win their very own copy of How I Stole Johnny Depp’s Alien Girlfriend. Giveaway ends midnight EST June 27, 2011. US and Canada address only please. Winners will be chosen by random.org and notified by e-mail address. Good Luck to all and Happy Reading!

To enter simply

Want extra entries? You can get an extra entry by doing any of the following:

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Be/Become a Follower Chronicle Books on  Twitter

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Book Birthday: Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen

Welcome to my very first “Book Birthday” here at Stiletto Storytime. This is the beginning of what I hope to be a regular event in which I will spotlight a new release on it’s publication date or “Book Birthday”.  Each “Book Birthday” will also include my honest review of the book and a chance to win a copy of the new release. Sound good? Well without further ado…here is our first “Book Birthday” on Stiletto Storytime….

Happy Book Birthday to Sarah Pekkanen’s Skipping a Beat!

Not many individuals get a second chance at life. Julia Dunhill is thankful when her husband survives a very close brush with death but as life after the incident continues she soon finds her marriage may never be the same.

While Julia and Michael have been together for years recently their marriage has begun to change in ways neither could ever have predicted. It seems as their star was rising financially and socially, their relationship was deteriorating before their very eyes. When Julie looks around she sees all the trappings of wealth and luxury that Michael’s multi-million dollar beverage company have afforded them but she also sees very little of her husband. In the last few years they have grown apart as business and everyday demands became the focus of their days. But all this changes dramatically when Michael suffers cardiac arrest in the middle of a board meeting and sees a glimpse of the other side.

The recovered Michael is a new man. A man who wants to give away his fortune, their home and all the things he worked so tirelessly for.  While appreciative her husband survived, Julie cannot imagine what could make him take such drastic measures. How will they live if Michael gives away their home and all their savings? What will they do with themselves at this point in their lives if they must start from scratch? Beyond the financial situation Julia must also finally be honest and admit that perhaps their marriage was over long ago.

In a work that mirrors real life in its complexity and scope, Skipping a Beat is novel of mesmerizing quality and unique depth rarely seen in modern commercial fiction.  Exploring friendship, marriage and the multitude of emotions individuals in relationships experience as they travel the road of life together, Pekkanen creates characters that connect with readers beyond the page. The intensity of the characters in Skipping a Beat and engaging plot speak to Pekkanen’s growth as a writer since her debut novel: The Opposite of Me. Fans of the writer and new readers alike will find themselves entranced by this latest work and waiting eagerly for the next.

Book Giveaway

Thanks to the always generous Sarah Pekkanen one lucky reader of Stiletto Storytime will win their very own copy of Skipping a Beat. Giveaway ends midnight EST March 1, 2011. US and Canada address only please. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by e-mail address. Good Luck to all and Happy Reading!

To enter simply leave a comment below letting my know what “Book Birthday” you are looking forward to in the near future. What new release are you eagerly anticipating? Any pre-order worthy books coming up for you?

Want extra entries? You can get an extra entry by doing any of the following:

Be/Become a Follower of Stiletto Storytime

Be/Become a Follower Stiletto Storytime on Twitter

Be/Become a Follower Author Sarah Pekkanen on Twitter

Tweet or Blog about this “Book Birthday” Giveaway (Please leave link in comments)