Welcome to "Stalk Hop Friday"! It's hosted at: Mrs. Marine and the Tiny Troops, Novel Bloggers, Two Peas in a Pie, and Aspergian Tales! This one is a little different from the usual, instead of just following on Google Friend Connect (GFC), each week the "Follow Theme" will rotate to something different! There will be two linky's each week, one for the Theme and one for GFC!
So everyone has a chance to participate!
**The RULES**
**If you're a new follower be sure to leave a comment and I will follow you back (it may take me a day or two)
**Hop around the Links ("Stalk" each other) Follow others, Follow Back, have fun!
GFC Linky: Follow the Host Blogs
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Link directly to your Blog post about "Stalk Hop Friday" or Friday Follow below!
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Check out this post Sudden Moves.
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The Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!
The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!!
"Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!"
Yesterday I reviewed an amazing Young Adult novel, Sudden Moves, by Kelli Sue Landon. See my review here. My author interview is posted here.
Kelli Sue Landon is an up and coming author with her debut novel, Sudden Moves, now available for purchase. See my review here.
Meet the author:
"I am a mystery/suspense fan of books and movies. I love anything that can keep me on the edge of my seat and look forward to a book or movie that I can't tear myself away from. I hope to achieve that in my writing." - from Kelli's blog.
Kelli Sue Landon was born in Peoria, Illinois. Her published short stories include The Diary, Pizza Night, and Campfire Dreams. She is employed by the United States Postal Service in Peoria. Sudden Moves is her first novel. FIRST BOOK SIGNING - Saturday MARCH 5, 2011 - I KNOW YOU LIKE A BOOK, 4707 Prospect in Peoria. 2:00. Books will be on sale there.
Kelli is giving away four copies of Sudden MovesA Young Adult Mystery on http://www.goodreads.com/. Contest ends February 21, 2011.
Author Q&A:
What is your book about?
Sixteen year old Michelle Martin grows suspicious when classmate, Katie Brashers, doesn't return after a spring break trip to Florida. Michelle is worred because she let Katie borrow a family heirloom that needed to be returned to her. She talks it over with her best friend, Tami, and Katie's boyfriend, Brad, who is crushed over her sudden departure. Together, they snoop around the neighborhood and learn more and more about what happened to Katie and her family.
Why did you decide to write it?
I had the idea in my head since I was in high school. I started it as a story, but it evolved into a full length novel.
How did you choose this topic?
I have always been a fan of mystery ever since my mother gave me a book by Mary Higgins Clark when I was a teen. I wrote short stories ever since I was a teenager, mostly mystery or the horror genre. Mysteries keep me on the edge of my seat and when I write about young adults, there’s more conflict - they have more obstacles (not the use of a car, sneaking around behind parents’ backs, cutting class, etc) which makes it more exciting to me.
Did it begin as a school assignment?
No, this idea came from one of my classmates who left on a trip to Florida, never to return. We were told she had moved there. We never found out why. This is what sparked the mystery and I wrote Sudden Moves 25 years later.
Have you always loved writing?
Yes, when my parents moved out in the country, with no neighbors, there was nothing to do. I would sit in my room, get out a notebook, and make up stories. It was all for fun - the stories are really bad when I read them back today. As an adult, I have taken many writing classes through the mail and online.
Which character is most like you?
Tami - the best friend. I always had her wild side, but had the strict parents like Michelle had.
How did you publish your book? I self-published through Outskirts Press.
What is your target audience? Teens or women who will be taken back to their high school years.
What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category? This book is about regular teenagers, not the supernatural or vampires, which seems to be the norm right now. They react as normal teens would react in their situation. It's a YA mystery, but evolves into a more adult finale. These kids learn a lot on their quest to find Katie.
Who is your favourite author and did they influence your writing style or genre? My favorite authors are Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Sandra Brown, and Janet Evanovich - Evanovich being the most influence with her writing style. I love suspense with some comedy thrown in! One of my best influences as far as mystery (twists and turns) is screenwriter M. Night Shyamalan. I love making someone’s mouth drop at the end of my stories. What are your plans now? I am getting close to starting my third novel, set in the summer after graduation - the graduation gift is a trip to a beach house. I don’t have the story in my mind yet, but there will be news of bizarre murders taking place.
I also just published a short story compilation (50 pages) of eight short stories. I did this on createspace.com. I may try this for my 3rd novel if this goes okay.
How close to publication is your second novel? My second novel, Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood: A Young Adult Whodunit, is due out around April/May. Publication started in the middle of January.
Will Sudden Moves eventually be available in bookstores? I am just now starting on book signings. I have one next month at a small local book store and I have tried for one at Borders. No answer as of yet. I am unknown, so it will be hard to get Sudden Moves in stores - Barnes & Noble and Borders can order it for anyone who requests it. Oh, I also have a radio interview coming up on www.theauthorsshow.com - not sure when it is going to be on the site, but I record it by phone next Sunday
Sudden Moves is available as a hardback, paperback and ebook format (Kindle/Nook, etc.). See Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Outskirts Press for purchases.
Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon A Young Adult Mystery
Copyright 2011
Publisher: Outskirts Press, December 2010
230 Pages
ISBN 978-1-4327-6714-3 (hardback)
978-1-4327-6713-6 (paperback)
Genre: Fiction; Action/Adventure; Young Adult, Mystery
Available at www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore or www.outskirtspress.com/kellisuelandon, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
(from the cover) "Katie Brashers announced to her friends that she was taking a trip to Florida for spring break, but when class resumes, Katie isn't in attendance. Her friend Michelle Martin grows suspicious, especially since she let Katie borrow a treasured family book that she failed to return. Not to mention, Katie never said goodbye to her devoted boyfriend, Brad. Michelle confides in her best friend, Tami. Dodging Michelle's demanding mother, they team up with Brad and form their investigation by talking to neighbors and looking inside Katie's house. Michelle is about ready to give up until she takes her dog on his daily walk and uncovers a clue that leads her closer to the truth, but also throws her into circumstances beyond her control."
As I read this book, which held my interest from beginning to end with no lag whatsoever, I thought I'd have the mystery solved or I'd think "wouldn't it be cool if this is what happened". But I was wrong. The story of Katie's disappearance grew more climatic, a body was found in Katie's back yard, and the mystery grew darker still.
The author did a great job giving an authentic voice to the teens involved in the novel. The story is told from Michelle's perspective and calls back memories of myself at that age. Situations are dramatic at 16 and initially the reader thinks just that, that Michelle is overdramatising the disappearance of her friend who went for vacation during spring break and didn't return. School faculty think nothing of it as they were informed the family moved to Florida. Only Katie's friends find suspicion in this. Afterall, one doesn't just move away on a whim, not saying goodbye to friends and especially boyfriends. Do they?
I enjoyed this debut novel from this up and coming author. Teens, especially girls, and women will find this mystery captivating. It doens't compare to the witches or vampires series that are all the rage right now. This is realistic with characters like those you attend/went to school with. That's what differentiates Sudden Moves from the rest and that's a good thing!
If you enjoy a quick read with depth and mystery and a little romance, you'll like this novel. Watch this author! She has the makings of a best-seller! Kelli Sue Landon has another book soon to be published. See my post tomorrow for an author interview and news of her upcoming novel.
Rated 4.5/5
This book was provided to me by the author for review purposes. I have not received any remuneration to do so. This by no means influences this review nor opinion of this work nor the author.
Joining the Thirsty for Comments Thursday blog hop. It's my first TFCT. What do you think of this review? Does it entice you to read this book, Sudden Moves? Let me know in the comments section and please leave a link to your blog and the post you want comments on. Have a great week, everyone!
Booking Through Thursday posts this topic to book bloggers this week: There’s something wonderful about getting in on the ground floor of an author’s career–about being one of the first people to read and admire them, before they became famous best-sellers. Which authors have you been lucky enough to discover at the very beginning of their careers? I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a virtual book tour for up and coming author, Kelli Sue Landon. Her first novel, Sudden Moves - a Young Adult Mystery, is featured here today and with several other blogs. She has an upcoming book signing which you can read more about in tomorrow's interview with the author. Her second novel is going to print and she is writing her third. Exciting things are happening for Kelli! Watch this author!
And, if you’ve never had that chance, which author do you WISH you’d been able to discover at the very beginning? Had I been able to time travel to discover some famous authors at the beginning of their careers, I would have liked to have been there to discover Agatha Christie, to have seen her first novel come to fruition and to watch her career take off to the success it still enjoys today! Additionally, I'd liked to have witnessed the genesis of careers such as John Grisham, Stephen King, Michael Creighton and J.K. Rowling.
I wish Kelli continued success as she pursues her writing career!!
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions...
• What are you currently reading? • What did you recently finish reading? • What do you think you'll read next?
My answers:
1. What are you currently reading? At my bedside sits The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella. These have been ongoing for some time now. As they are read at bedtime, some nights tiredness pervades and I accomplish little more than a chapter. They are both good entertaining novels that I am eager to complete. When I am finished my other read, Deed So by Katharine Russell, I can dedicate more time to finishing both of these.
2. What did you recently finish reading?
I recently finished reading the debut novel Sudden Moves (a Young Adult Mystery) by Kelli Sue Landon. The review will be posted tomorrow followed by an interview with the author on Friday. I am excited about this one! Kelli Sue Landon shows true promise as an up and coming author.
3. What do you think you'll read next? I have a pile of eight books to be read that were provided by authors for review, so I must continue with that. True Believer is the next Nicholas Sparks novel I will read as I work on the Nicholas Sparks challenge and I have another Agatha Christie novel, The Body in the Library, that I am eager to renew my acquaintance with.
WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. Please leave a comment with a link to your WWW Wednesday so I might pop by to see what you are reading and be sure to visit Should Be Reading's WWW Wednesday to submit your reads. Have a great week of reading everyone!!!
MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesdays. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Here's a tease of what I am currently reading:
"I didn't think about how far I'd go in Dad's car. I just kept driving, staying back enough so they wouldn't suspect I was following them." page 154, Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon.
I am hosting a virtual book tour for Sudden Moves February 10 that will include a review, Q&A, and more! Stop by, won't you?
I'd enjoy reading your teasers here too! You may leave a link in your comments here and be sure to stop by Should Be Reading to link up there. Happy Reading!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Here's what my week looked like: I received and read Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon. I am hosting a blog tour for this book on February 10 and am excited to do so! She is an up and coming author with her novel Sudden Moves being her debut for young adult readers.
I also just finished reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie which was our book club read of the month. Still at my bedside for continued night reading is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I have just started reading Deed So by Katharine A. Russell. Several books sit on my to be read pile and I am looking forward to the prospect of doing so soon!
I love to see what everyone out there is reading. Have you found something exciting and new? What are you reading? Please share in the comment section and go on over to Book Journey to share there too! Have a great week everyone!
"What are you reading now and why are you reading it?
I am currently reading Sudden Moves (A Young Adult Mystery) by Kelli Sue Landon. It's an interesting read with wide appeal for the young adult generation. Actually, I am quite liking it too. I am hosting a blog tour next week for this very title. It'll be my first tour. I am including a Q&A, a review and more. Be sure to come back soon for info on this exciting up and coming author as I present her debut novel!!
Also on my bookshelf, well, actually on my coffee table, are other titles that I am currently reading including Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie and that is for this month's bookclub, The Help by Kathryn Stockett for pleasure and a review. Sadly, I have had to set aside Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella to accomplish my other reading. I have several more just waiting for me to open and devour! Looking forward to it!
What are you reading this week and why?
Crazy For Books hosts this fun book blog hop to introduce book bloggers to eachother, to make new friends and followers, talk about books and rave about authors. Won't you join in the party?
Sudden Moves - A Young Adult Mystery. The debut novel from Kelli Sue Landon. Blog Tour coming next week. Join me here for author Q&A, review and more!
Press Release:
Hanna City, IL , Jan 3, 2011 - Author Kelli Sue Landon announces the release of her YA mystery novel, Sudden Moves.
Katie Brashers announced to her friends that she was taking a trip to Florida for Spring Break, but when class resumes, Katie isn't in attendance. The school staff claims that the family moved there. Katie's friend Michelle Martin grows suspicious, especially since she let Katie borrow a treasured family book that she failed to return. Not to mention, Katie never said goodbye to her devoted boyfriend, Brad.
Michelle confides in her best friend, Tami. Dodging Michelle's demanding mother, they team upwith Brad and form their own investigation by talking to neighbors and looking inside Katie's house. Michelle is about ready to give up until she takes her dog on his daily walk and uncovers a clue that leads her closer to the truth, but also throws her into circumstances beyond her control
About the book:
Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon
ISBN: 9781432767136
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Date of publish: Dec 31, 2010
Pages: 236
S.R.P.: $15.95
