New Young Adult Books

Katla Gudrun LeBlanc is stuck in Minnesota. Far from her California home, the white blonde teenage fashionista is dealing not only with her parent’s recent divorce but also trying to survive a dramatic change in setting. Outdated, old fashioned and at times just plain odd, her new home has yet to become anything close to what she considers acceptable, especially the climate. The cold is the one thing Kat hates the most and everyone knows the mid-west is not know for warmth as fall sets in. When odd happenings escalate and whispers about her past in this town reach her ears, things take an even weirder turn than ever imagined. Is Kat destined for something out of this world or is she finally just cracking up from all the oddity and stress of being a new student at Norse Falls High?

A modern day fairy tale woven from old legends thought dead, Stork is a book full of originality, humor and edge of your seat suspense.  Wendy Delsol has pitch perfect characterization in her sassy protagonist and mystical setting creation, bringing to life an original story that is both freshly real and yet magical at the same time.  Filled with present day pop culture references such as the latest fashions and brand name coffee, the book also fuses together ancient Icelandic myths and customs for the perfect blend of old and new. This combination makes for a whole new layer of depth to the saga of Kat and her destiny.  Throw in a love interest that will make any heart pound and a few death-defying scenes and you have one of the best young adult books of the year.

Stork is nearly impossible to stop reading and will take readers on an amazing journey of tradition and modern day fun. Twists and turns abound but it will all end in a revelation readers will never see coming.

It’s a decade of abandon, decadence and freedom and it’s coming to an exquisite end. New York City in 1929 is full of dark speakeasies and brave young girls enjoying the latest styles and an exciting new way of life. Social constraints are out the window, hemlines and hair are shorter than ever and the path to luxury and stardom await in the city that never sleeps.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped to the Big Apple in search of more than their small town Ohio lives could offer. Once in the city of their dreams they wind up with more than either could ever imagine and more often than not more than they can handle.

Meanwhile the beautiful socialite Astrid Donal thought she knew it all but might find out otherwise as the summer goes by and the roaring twenties come to an end. From the lush estates of Long Island to the stages of Broadway, New York shines as bright as the young girls in Bright Young Things. Three young lives delicately interwoven with three unpredictable fates begin the start of an alluring and addictive new series.

In Anna Godbersen’s newest book since the end of the beloved Luxe series, she astounds with another young adult period novel about the history of New York and the girls who called it home. Creating the old New York of the 1920’s with dazzling description and authentic detail, once again Godbersen makes the past come alive. In a tale just as exciting as her former works, readers will fall head over heels for this story of glamour and mystique. Bright Young Things will leave readers enchanted by Godbersen’s beautiful rhythms, astounded by another fantastic cover choice and wanting more. With beautiful historical nuances and delicately scripted characters Bright Young Things doesn’t just glitter; it shines.

As before with the Luxe series, there is a great interactive website for Bright Young Things.

 

The Luxe: A Luxurious End

Well it has happened….Anna Godbersen’s Luxe series has come to an end. And I must say it was a most luxurious one. Splendor completes the series that so many of us have eagerly followed. I have to say that while loves I wanted to be together in the beginning books were not in the end…I was very satisfied with the closing book and how our beloved ladies fared as they made their way into adulthood. Godbersen was so adept at changing situations to make each book so different and unexpected. Sometimes plots may have seemed highly improbable but Luxe captured a loyal following within it’s readers who have always been hungry for more. Splendor in itself, I found to be one of my favorites of the four novels. I enjoyed seeing the maturity some of the characters had gained and the true nature of others revealed.  I would have liked a longer ending, it seemed a but rushed and hurried but I was happy with what was chosen and agree that the series had come to it’s conclusion. So often authors don’t realize that and can make a series weak by continuing when the story has truly already ended. One wonders what will be next for Anna Godbersen? Exciting to think about…. but for right now you can possibly win a collection of your own Luxe series novels.

Another spectacular aspect of this series of course was the cover choice. The dresses of The Luxe were almost as highly anticipated as the books themselves. They jumped off the shelves and had some of the best shelf appeal I have ever seen. From the beautiful light pinkish rose creation on Luxe, to the crimson gown from Rumors, the white dress with red flower trim in Envy and finally the lavender sensation of Splendor. Each dress was magnificent and gave the reader even more imagination into the world of The Luxe. But which dress was your favorite? I would love to know….Comment and let’s see whose dress wins as the most luxurious of them all…..I’ll keep mum on my fav until we get a few comments going!

Rumors Has IT!

I have felt so far behind in both my reading and my reviews. Summer Reading took up most of my professional time and some health issues sapped any remaining blogging time. But alas it appears both have come to an end and I am back and ready to sound off on the latest books!.I have just finished Rumors by Anna Godbersen and I have to say I loved it! I was worried when I first got my copy because I wasn’t really in the mood for it. Whenever I feel unwell I tend to go back and read the classics that I love. It’s like eating Mom’s homemade soup…makes me feel safe and comforted. So after putting down my well worn P&P copy (Pride and Prejudice), I was hesitant to start on a new hot YA title. But all it took was a page or two and I was hooked! Godbersen has done a wonderful job of her second Luxe novel.  Unlike some authors who seem to stall once they have a hot series, Godbersen keeps things moving and keeps the reader addicted. While in the end we still look forward to the happenings in the next novel, we still find plenty to think about from the last. A wonderful addition to the series. Also now we can all look forward to Envy which will be the next in the Luxe series! However unfortunately as of yet no release date or sneak peek of the fabulous cover.  So I guess we will have to wait!

The Luxe Continues

Just a reminder! Don’t forget The Luxe Series continues with Rumors

debuting on June 3rd! That’s 64 days, 7 hours and 16 minutes from now…not that I’m counting or anything.