REMAKE by Ilima Todd (Giveaway Time)

Although REMAKE hit the shelves and Amazon pre-orders early, today is the official release date for this beauty.

 I told my WIFYR class that when they all became famous I'd post the "I knew her when photo." So, here's the shot of the two of us from 2011. *Go, Plums!*

Today Deseret Book's Fall flyer came in the mail and it gave me chills to see her book on the teen page. Read this book. Buy it if you haven't already and melt as you read about Nine and Kia and Theron and Freedom, or not so Freedom.

If you're a lucky commenter, you can win a copy from me. And I might just be able to twist her arm and get her to sign it for you.

ILIMA TODD & REMAKE

Guys, get ready for some gushing, because this book has my heart.

I was its first reader, and I know I won't be the last. I cannot wait to hold this beauty in my hands on October 14th. I met Ilima at my first writer's conference back in 2011 and we've been good friends and critique partners ever since. We've come a long way since Louise Plummer's class! Ilima's the one who introduced me to Firefly, and for that alone, I'll be forever grateful. But more than that, she's taught me how to be a better mother, a better friend, and a better person.

This book success couldn't have happened to a better person and I have been privileged to watch her go through her steps to published author. When I grow up, I want to be just like her:)

Not only does the story rock and did I see smoking hot Kai walking down the street in the marine town where I used to live, but I have thought about Nine, her journey, and how much her story means to all of us since reading it in its early stages. Nine lives in a futuristic society where children are raised in batches and on their 17th birthdays choose everything from whether they'll be male or female, to the color of their skin, their name, and their life profession. It's a big deal, especially when they don't have all the facts. I won't give away everything, so you can soak up all the goodness on your own, but here is Ilima holding this week's Publisher's Weekly magazine with her book cover on the front. How incredible is that for a cover reveal?

And here's a close up of the book cover. Her husband designed it and Shadow Mountain liked it so much, they only modified it a bit. Isn't the font perfect for the subject matter?

From Goodreads:
Nine is the ninth female born in her batch of ten females and ten males. By design, her life in Freedom Province is without complications or consequences. However, such freedom comes with a price. The Prime Maker is determined to keep that price a secret from the new batches of citizens that are born, nurtured, and raised androgynously. But Nine isn't like every other batcher. She harbors indecision
and worries about her upcoming Remake Day her seventeenth birthday, the age when batchers fly to the Remake facility and have the freedom to choose who and what they'll be.When Nine discovers the truth about life outside of Freedom Province, including the secret plan of the Prime Maker, she is
pulled between two worlds and two lives. Her decisions will test her courage, her heart, and her beliefs. Who can she trust? Who does she love? And most importantly, who will she decide to be?

Links to the awesome
Ilima Todd
Goodreads
You can pre-order below
Amazon
B&N
Indiebound

Reaching for the GOLD-IWSG

It's the First Wednesday again. Hello IWSG:)

As Olympians reach for the Gold

Hit their targets,

Nail their routines,

And in general look really hot doing it.

I'm getting ready to enter the world of writer competitions and querying. That's right, soon Lovesense will be out there showing the (agenting) world what I can do.

I'm still afraid of the lions (see this post here), but I'm inspired by all these great people and their wonderful news:
Newly Agented Cassie Mae
Liesl Shurtliff's Cover Reveal Guys, there's something about the first book you read pre-published and seeing it (albeit through the internet) as a real live book that makes me feel like I could do anything.
Super Wonderful Newly Agented Ilima Todd. My CP is so inspiring guys. Great cheerleader, great feedback, and her writing, sucks me in every time. I'm so, so happy for her.
Although that means I won't be joining her in the world of online competitions and querying blahs. She's already gotten her medal. But that's okay. She remembers what it was like to be there in the trenches.

While I'm expecting plenty of form rejections and no responses at all, the next step is here. I can't help but dream and work towards one day having my gold medal dream realized.

All those contests (MSFV and Cupid's Literary Connection) that remind us "you shouldn't be entering this contest, much less reading these guidelines unless you have a finished manuscript ready to query" well guys, I do.

A to Z Blogfest

While I wasn't brave enough to commit to posting 26 times in the month of April, I've been having a great to virtually meeting some new to me bloggers. I've done my share of bloghopping, but these three I check daily-

Cassie Mae-A to Z on her fears. Oh my awesomeness. Don't try to eat or drink while reading these posts. My favorites, My Mouth Needs a Filter, Jell-O (because I too worried about those kids in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), Getting Shot in a Public Restroom.

Kate Scott  -I gobble books whole and am always looking for recommendations. She's doing her top 5 favorite books in a particular catagory. I've been adding to my TBR list and got 3 of her boy recommendations yesterday. For me it's fun just to see what category she can come up with--and to know she has to do it 26 x 5 times. That's a whopping 130 books! (she just might be able to keep me busy through the month of May)

Ilima-Okay, she's not new to me, we're CP's, but I devour her posts like I do Kate's book recommendations. Friday she did Loglines, so wrote 2 of my own. They're awful, but now at least I have one (well 2, but you know what I mean).

In all their first draft stench:

My WIP: When eleven-year-old Ruby realizes her parents have been lying to her all her life she becomes convinced she's adopted and begins a search for her biological parents.

Lovesense: When Rae, who reads love in photos as a side business at school, finds a picture of her soulmate, she has to find him, navigate high school, and stay under the principal's radar; all before her arch enemy can out her.

What A to Z blogs have you been following? Favorites? Advise for my loglines?

CP Retreat

Eating at the Winery. If you look closely you can see our desserts

Picture rolling hills of green, vinyards and small farms in all directions. Speed humps on the road,wind and rain in the background, and 5 women in the same room not talking, but intent on their MS's. Some of us were busy revising-Emily a new 1st chapter, and Katie, cutting down. Taryn did  a number of impressive things all at the same time-Teen Eyes, revisions for Vickie Motter, a paper for school, and a number of fun activities with a BOY. When JT would let me I wrote the start to my new MG, worked on my query for my NaNo, and found it a title. NaNo is now LOVESENSE (thank you Emily for letting him be your kitchen helper and Ilima for holding him so I could get my eyebrows done).


JT in his St. Patrick's Day glory

It wasn't all business, but I was impressed how much time we were able to devote to writing as a group. Yummy food, beautiful walks, and eating at a Winery where Emily's MAKING STARS takes place were highlights. It was so beautiful, I had trouble remembering I was still in California. Napa Valley is so different from Twentynine Palms.

I didn't learn how to make this star, but Emily's daughter let me take one. This one reminds me of the sun and is what most impressed my family when I came home.

My super cute room