Subject Seven - James A. Moore (Review)

Years ago, scientists began developing the ultimate military weapon: deadly sleeper assassins housed within the bodies of teenagers. Now, Subject Seven, the dangerous alter-ego living inside a 16-year-old boy, has escaped the lab and is on a mission. His objective? To seek out others like him and build an army capable of destroying their creators.

Hunter, Cody, Gene, Tina, and Kylie: five teenagers leading typical lives, until the day they each receive a call from a mysterious stranger-and learn that their destinies are intertwined. Subject Seven holds the key that connects them all. And a vicious, bloody battle for their lives is just beginning. Synopsis taken from Goodreads.

Title: Subject Seven
Author: James A. Moore
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: January 20, 2011
Format: ARC
Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Penguin Canada for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 
Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository, Chapters.
My rating: 3 stars

Hunter, also known as Subject Seven, is a modified military weapon, engineered in a laboratory. He escapes from the covert military experimental laboratory. Now on an escape mission, he finds others similar to him, and bands together with them. We see Subject Seven’s character, the alter ego to his actual teenage identity, Hunter, battle for dominance. Both identities will need to piece together the mystery surrounding the secret military operation. They will also need to learn how to live cohesively together, as they both struggle for control of their body.

Cody, Gene, Tina, and Kyrie are others who are similar to Hunter. They all have gaps in their memories that they are having to deal with. It is refreshing to see things from their perspective, and not just from Subject Seven’s point of view. It can be a little confusing as the story does jump around a bit. However, there is quite a bit of gratuitous violence, and I would recommend this book to older teens due to the amount of violence included in the story.

All in all, a good concept, leaving the reader wanting to find out what happens next. Some may find the violence a little too graphic, and should forge ahead with caution if they decide to read it.

The Ruining - Anna Collomore - Blog Tour Review

Annie Phillips is thrilled to leave her past behind and begin a shiny new life on Belvedere Island, as a nanny for the picture-perfect Cohen family. In no time at all, she falls in love with the Cohens, especially with Libby, the beautiful young matriarch of the family. Life is better than she ever imagined. She even finds romance with the boy next door. 

All too soon cracks appear in Annie's seemingly perfect world. She's blamed for mistakes she doesn't remember making. Her bedroom door comes unhinged, and she feels like she's always being watched. Libby, who once felt like a big sister, is suddenly cold and unforgiving. As she struggles to keep up with the demands of her new life, Annie's fear gives way to frightening hallucinations. Is she tumbling into madness, or is something sinister at play? 

The Ruining is a complex ride through first love, chilling manipulation, and the terrifying depths of insanity. 

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: The Ruining 

Author: Anna Collomore 

Genre: Young Adult, contemporary. 

Publisher: Razorbill 

Publication Date: February 7, 2013 

Format: E-ARC 

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Penguin/Razorbill for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This review is part of the Razorbill blog tour. 

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository, Chapters 

My Rating: 4/5

Annie Phillips jumps at the chance to nanny for a family in sunny California when she realizes it would mean she could leave her current life, and family, behind. She falls in love with the Cohen family, and idolizes Libby. The adage be careful what you wish for comes into play as she realizes that not everything is ideal in her new life. She fights to hold on to her sanity as she tries to figure out if Libby is truly the person she thinks she is; or if she is the cause for all of the weird  and crippling situations that are occurring with a frightening regularity.

The Ruining has oppressive undertones that nag and worry the reader as they are reading. It is easy to see Annie's descent into madness, even though she herself cannot see it. Within the first few pages we get a glimmering of Libby's personality. However, Annie, who is completely enraptured with creating the ideal life for herself with a new family, does not see that there is something off with her 'perfect' family. 

The undertones throughout the novel continue to build this web of confusion, and madness around Annie, leaving the reader unsettled. As we find out more, we realize, long before Annie does, how dangerous Libby can be. Nothing is as it seems, and Annie will need to figure out what is going on before she loses herself, her identity, completely.

I would have liked more closure, for Annie's sake, as I felt that there were some things left unresolved. Collomore weaves a brilliant tale of madness and horror as Annie realizes that things are not alright, that she cannot trust herself, or those around her. I just wish that there had been a more visual, more tangible interaction between Annie and Libby at the end of the book once Annie comes full circle and realizes just what has happened to her. I felt the ending was a bit anti-climactic for my taste. That is not to say others won't enjoy it, I just wanted a little more action.

All in all, The Ruining is a chilling and disturbing read that does not pull any punches. Annie struggles with identity and madness. The sheer insidiousness of the book alone had me reading along wanting to know more, with the hope that Annie would realize what was happening to her before it was too late. Even now, the book has gotten under my skin, and it has left me feeling a little unsettled.      

Bloodlines - Richelle Mead - Blog Tour Review

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Bloodlines

Author: Richelle Mead

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: August 23, 2011

Format: ARC

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Bronwyn from Penguin Canada for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Blog Tour: Penguin

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository, Penguin

My rating: 5/5

Sydney Sage is an alchemist, and has recently returned to duty after having helped Rose Hathaway on her cross-country quest. Now, she is tasked with another near impossible situation; go into hiding with the Dragomir princess and keep her safe from those who would hurt her. Certainly she will be able to redeem herself, and show everyone that she is efficient and professional, worthy of being an Alchemist. 

We first met Sydney in the Vampire Academy series, specifically in Blood Promise, though we glimpsed more of her as the series progressed. This spin-off series though is so far absolutely riveting. Sydney is part of a faction that brings to life curiosity. She's an Alchemist, and she is human, most decidedly not Moroi, dhampir, or Strigoi. She has to fight her revulsion of Moroi and Strigoi alike if she is to oversee the safety of the Dragomir princess. She is strong, snarky, and I have to say, I enjoyed getting inside her head to see how she viewed her reality, and her duties. We only see one side of her in the Vampire Academy series, so it was refreshing to see her play a focal point in the spin-off series. 

Many characters from Vampire Academy have transitioned into this new series, and I was ecstatic to see all of the familiar faces, particularly since things don't end well for some characters in the first series. You probably could read this book first, however to gain an appreciation for the world, and all the events that transpire, I would suggest first reading the original series before starting this one. I absolutely loved Bloodlines and loved seeing my favourite characters return. It is always hard when a series ends, because you have to let your favourite characters go, but with this spin-off we see side-characters gain the attention they so richly deserve. 

Mead drops enough hints for the reader to clue into the big picture, however she holds back enough to still blow the reader out of the water when she reveals the plot twists that come about at the end of the book. I honestly was shocked and intrigued by the big reveal and cannot wait to see what else she has in store for the characters and the vampire world in general. Questions arise, which will hook the reader enticing them to read the next book, as well as the rest of the series. 

All in all, I fall more in love with the Vampire Academy world with each book that I read. I was ridiculously happy to see some of my favourite side-characters get more face time in this spin-off series, and I am really loving the twists that Mead is throwing our way. I cannot wait for the next book to be released, as Mead has raised the bar with Bloodlines. With Sydney at the forefront, delving into life as an Alchemist, we gain a different perspective to the world of the Moroi and Strigoi, and we finally see just what the Alchemists' role is in this society. Fans of the series will be clamoring for the next book to be released, because Mead just keeps on spinning gold. 

Once Every Never - Lesley Livingston - Review & Author Interview

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker… but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.

Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time—literally—maybe even get a date.

This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every… never.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Once Every Never

Author: Lesley Livingston

Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Paranormal, Time Travel

Publisher: Puffin Canada

Publication Date: June 14, 2011

Format: ARC

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Bronwyn from Penguin Canada for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Tour: This review and author interview are part of the Penguin tour for Lesley Livingston's Once Every Never.

Look for it: Amazon.ca, Penguin

My rating: 4/5

Clare is unfortunately realizing that this might turn out to be the most boring summer vacation on record, ever. That is, until one tiny act changes her plans. Thrown into a turbulent time period, she has the chance to change history, and right a centuries-old wrong, but first she needs to find a stolen artifact. Maybe there are perks to being sent overseas to stay with her aunt, an archaeology professor. With her best friend Al in tow, and Al's gorgeous cousin, Milo, this might turn out to be the most exciting summer that Clare has ever experienced. 

With quirky comments, and humour-infused dialogue, Once Every Never is a genuine pleasure to read. Throw in time travel, Celtic warriors, history, and a race against time and you have a phenomenal and highly original read on your hands. Jumping from present day into the past, and back again could make this read a confusing one, but it actually made it all the more intense and intriguing. As an avid history fan, I inhaled the history being doled out in the read. Though I don't know how much is actual fact, I loved Livingston's interpretation and creative license with regards to the history incorporated in Once Every Never. 

Clare is a hilariously fun main character. Quips fly back and forth when she's at the helm; and her relationship with her friends, and aunt add humour to the read. Clare believes she is just your average girl. Sure, she has an IQ that lands her in the gifted range, but she doesn't really use her talents for anything. She's more interested in hot guys, and shopping, so it comes as a surprise to her aunt that she's invested in learning about the history behind the "bog bodies" that are on display at the museum. Their interactions over Clare's lack of interest in history had me grinning as I could see the conversation unfolding in my mind's eye. Actually, Once Ever Never has many scenes that come to life vividly as they are read. I would love to see the movie adaptation, as I think this would be a great movie. 

All in all, memorable characters, history, and humour make this a compelling and all too fun read. I'll definitely be checking out more of Livingston's work. If her other books are anything like Once Every Never, I'm sold. Highly recommended, this is a book that I think you should get your hands on as soon as you can.

---------------

What is your favourite line from Once Every Never?

Ack! That’s a tough one. I really had a lot of fun—especially with some of the dialogue in this book—and there are some lines that are favorites that are kind of spoilery… two brief non-spoilery faves, then, one from Allie and one from Clare would be:

“Wow,” Al said. “Choice ride, Evil-doer.”

and

Time monkeys. Angry, angry time monkeys.

Neither of which, of course, makes a whole heap of sense unless you’ve read the book! =)

If you spent a day in Clare's world, what would you do?

In her regular world? Probably hang out the mall. In the world she finds herself in this book? Maybe something similar to what Clare does: spend most of the time trying really hard not to get impaled on swords or spears or barbequed on flaming arrows. Plus, I think I would find it just as irresistible as Clare does to go poking around in the lives of the legendary individuals she comes into contact with. I am, pretty obviously, a massive history geek—much more so than Clare—and I would do everything I could to learn about the lives and lifestyles of a people largely lost to the mists of time. Also, y’know, if there’s time… maybe a romantic, river-side stroll with a handsome Druid prince might work it’s way in there...

Would you make the same decisions Clare makes, or would you do anything differently?

That’s hard to say. In some respects, I think Clare is possibly a lot braver than I am. And a lot less… mindful, shall we say, of consequences. In that way, the things she does—while, ultimately, they might well have been the right choices to make under those circumstances (or not!)—they aren’t necessarily the same solutions I might have come up with under the same kind of duress.

Which character would you most like to meet from any book ever written?

King Arthur. Specifically from a book called FIRELORD, by Parke Godwin.

If you made the front page headline of a newspaper, what would it say? What would you not want it to say?

It would probably say something like: Actor/Writer Falls Down Stairs Lost In Thought, Fails to Notice

I think I’d like it not to say Actor/Writer Falls Down Stairs, Just Too Clumsy To Live

If Clare ever met Kelley, what would they say to each other? Would they be friends?

I think they would! They’re both pretty cool and plucky and have both experienced some pretty incredible things. I think an initial conversation would go something like… this:

“Uh… wow! So. Wings, huh?”

“Um. Yeah. And—hey—you… with the, uh, time travel? Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Shimmery.”

“Sparkly.”

“Is the really cute blonde guy with you?”

*blush* “I was going to ask you the same thing about the dark-haired guy with the… is that a sword?”

*blush* “Yeah.”

“Nice.”

“You, too.”

“D’you wanna grab some quality shopping time?”

“I’d love too! I’m so sick of having to borrow my roommate’s stuff! I keep wrecking her couture.”

“Yeah… I totalled my best friend’s favorite jacket. Scorch marks and blue war-paint.”

“Really. We should totally hang.”

“Totally.”

*The girls smile and wander off towards a mall, arm in arm, exchanging ‘war stories’*

Can you give us a description of Once Every Never in haiku?

Space-time shimmers—ZOT!

Duck when flaming arrows fly…

Blue stuff on Clare’s lips.

You find out you've been accepted to Hogwarts. Which house would you want to be sorted into?

Well, Gryffindor is pretty high on the list, but I think I might be happy if I wound up in Ravenclaw… they’re the thinkers, which would come in handy with the book-writing thing, and it would also correspond nicely with a lot of the imagery in ONCE EVERY NEVER—Clare certainly has an affinity for ravens and I’ve always found them fascinating creatures so having them as my house symbol would be cool! Of course… it’s really all up to the Hat, isn’t?

Thanks, Corrine for being part of the ONCE EVERY NEVER blog tour! And for the fun questions!

Thank you, Lesley, for being here today and answering these questions for me! I got a kick out of your answers and am definitely in agreement with you about history, and Ravenclaw. ;)

The Witch of Babylon - D.J. McIntosh - Blog Tour Review & Guest Post

The Witch of Babylon features John Madison, a New York art dealer caught up in the aftermath of the looting of the Baghdad Museum. It includes an elaborate puzzle that must be solved in order to locate a missing biblical antiquity and a spectacular lost treasure, as well as alchemy, murder, and the Mesopotamian cult of Istar. Alternating between war-torn Baghdad and New York, with forays into ancient Mesopotamian culture, The Witch of Babylon takes readers deep inside the world of Assyriology and its little-known but profound significance for the modern world.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: The Witch of Babylon

Author: D.J. McIntosh

Genre: Adult Fiction, Historical, Religious Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: Penguin Canada

Publication Date: June 7, 2011

Format: ARC

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Bronwyn from Penguin Canada for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Tour: Penguin Book Tour. 

Look for it: Amazon, Penguin

My rating: 3.5/5

John Madison is still reeling from the death of his brother, Samuel, when suddenly, Hal, one of his longtime friends, is murdered. Madison is pulled into a terrifying game of historical and Biblical proportions when he realizes that Hal stole an artifact from his deceased brother, Samuel. When an arcane group comes after John for the artifact, he will have to track it down to save not only himself, but those around him. With danger lurking ever closer, he will have to solve the riddles left to him by Hal before he is pulled in too deep. What follows will unveil a complex yet famous myth hidden within the annals of history.  
John is a complex character. He lives his life in shades of gray, but he is not all bad. He is quite knowledgeable about certain elements pertaining to art and archaeology, however when tasked with figuring out the riddles given to him by his deceased friend, he struggles. He reaches out to certain people and entrusts the riddles with them, but they still take a while to figure things out. I found that dragged for me. 
However, the history used, and the amount of research that went into this book is phenomenal. I am an avid fan of anything historical and I love reading up on it. Though The Witch of Babylon does not necessarily have as staggering a reveal as The Da Vinci Code, it still has an excellent theological, and mythological premise. I was hooked when it first opened up and we started to get to the meat of the story. I loved reading about the history, as well as the action that follows as John races against time to save his life and the lives of those closest to him.
With complex characters, and an intricately woven plot, this is a fast-paced read. The mythological and theological ramifications just add to the story. Though The Witch of Babylon starts off slow, it ramps up speed as it keeps the reader invested in the outcome.
All in all, a thrilling race against time as John travels half-way across the world to find a hidden and stolen artifact. Those who enjoy religious thrillers, or thrillers in general are sure to enjoy The Witch of Babylon. 

Guest Post

Bad Guys Volume Two

By D.J. McIntosh

The clear split between good and evil in many thrillers makes for heart-pounding suspense but is a world carved into clear lines of black and white, hero and villain, the most satisfying  kind of read? On another blog I argue that a “bad guy” (or lady as the case may be) can be one dimensional, that is without any apparent redeeming features or an explanation of their motives other than being driven by “pure evil”, provided the author makes that character fascinating to us and unique. And we like to be scared out of our shoes by a really bad apple and then see the hero deliver the coup d’etat in the end.

It takes a very talented writer to deliver a villain who may be entirely blackhearted but captures our imagination all the same. Often, though, “bad guys” are cartoonish because we’ve seen them so many times before. You could almost list them: the greedy developer, the serial killer who embodies “pure evil”, the mean dowager fiercely hiding a family secret. The constant portrayal of some of these stock-in-trade bad guys can actually do harm in the real world. In political thrillers for example, villains frequently come from Arabic countries and the heroes from the west. We read almost nothing that reflects the great cultural and intellectual heritage of the Middle East. Another common “bad guy” is the eco-terrorist – the over zealous animal rights activist or despot who stdardly acts in order to save the planet. These characatures cast a pall over all environmental activists.

I think this is why novels where the lines of black and white merge to grey stand out so well. In his superb novel, The Meaning of Night, Michael Cox gave us a masterful portrait of a protagonist who commits fearful acts but whom, we desperately with hope will survive. I believe Cox achieved this because the “bad guy” has himself been grieviously wronged and the author makes us vividly aware of the man’s emotional pain.

Ian Rankin does a brilliant job of turning one of his lead characters, an assassin, into a compelling figure we have compassion for by telling his story in the first person and the “good guy” police detective in third person. Rankin adds the final touch by giving his protagonist a life threatening illness that draws us onside.

So what do you think? Do you like your villains to be thoroughly bad or is a touch of humanity more to your liking?

An Earth Day Message from Gillian Deacon & Giveaway

A special Earth Day message from Gillian Deacon

Earth day shouldn't just be an annual tip of the hat to greener living. This year, make it the day you recalibrate your everyday patterns to be more earth-friendly all year long.

You don't have to be a treehugger to care about avoiding toxins in your everyday bodycare. Synthetic chemicals in personal care products contaminating groundwater and wildlife is alarming enough—but they’re also contaminating us. Those hard-to-read ingredients you squint at on the back of a product label? They’re building up inside your body and in your children’s bodies—on Earth Day and everyday.

Make today the day you start paying attention to that fine print. Turn a product over and read the ingredients label before you are seduced by the “green” imaging on the package. The good news is, there are lots of safer products on the market.

Good luck and I hope you’ll check out There’s Lead in Your Lipstick for more ideas on how to clean up your act!

Researchers in Finland tested eighty-eight colours from twenty-five brands and found forty-nine eyeshadows contained lead, cobalt, nickel, chromium, and arsenic. Eyeshadows also often contain petrochemicals, such as mineral oil, dimethicone to make the powder stick to the eyelid, and a binding agent like methacrylate, which in addition to being a strong skin irritant is also a contributor to 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen. Glitter eyeshadows use pure aluminum to create the shimmery effect; the aluminum can migrate into the eye and cause injury to the cornea.

From There’s Lead in Your Lipstick by Gillian Deacon (Penguin Canada). Copyright © Backbone Inc. FSO Gillian Deacon, 2011

Gillian's page on Penguin can be found here. 

Thank you for this informative post, Gillian!

Giveaway

Bronwyn, from Penguin Canada, is graciously providing a giveaway prize pack to one lucky Canadian reader in honour of Earth Day.

Thank you, Bronwyn!

The prize details?

One prize pack of There’s Lead In Your Lipstick and an Eco Kiss kit from Saffron Rouge (http://www.saffronrouge.com/babybearshop/eco-kiss-kit). The retail value total is approx CDN $48.95. 

Giveaway is available to Canadian residents only.

Giveaway will end April 26, 2011. 

Please fill out THIS FORM to enter. 

Comments, while appreciated, will not be counted as entries. 

Thank you! 

Blog Tour: Knit The Season - Kate Jacobs - Review - Interview - Giveaway

For college-age Dakota Walker, whipping up butter tarts and chocolate-orange scones at pastry school has become her passion, but she'll never give up knitting and gabbing on Friday nights at Walker and Daughter. The coziest yarn shop on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Walker and Daughter has also been a haven for Peri, Darwin, Lucie, KC, Anita, and Catherine--the women who have become Dakota's dearest friends, her big sisters, and sometimes her surrogate mothers.

With the holidays just around the corner, the women have even more reason to celebrate: There's a special wedding planned for New Year's Day. And in the meantime, Dakota is working to finish a sweater her mother started before she was born. As she takes on her mother's pattern, she learns from her family and friends that there was much more history in these stitches than she had anticipated, and that to build on her mother's legacy, Dakota must allow herself to become the woman she truly desires to be. 

Title: Knit the Season (A Friday Night Knitting Club Novel #3)

Author: Kate Jacobs

Genre: Adult Fiction, Chick-Lit, Seasonal, Knitting

Publisher: Berkley Books

Publication Date: November 2, 2010

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Beth from Penguin Canada for sending me this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 3.5/5

Dakota is home from college, and hoping to intern at a restaurant over the holidays. She is surrounded by her family, and friends, and is hoping to finish up one of her mother's UFO's for Christmas. Her shop, founded by her mother, is still hanging in there, and the Friday night knitting club is still meeting there faithfully. The hustle and bustle of the season is just around the corner, and through this novel, we are immersed in the spirit of the season. 

This is the first book in the series that I have read. I hadn't realized there were two books beforehand, but found that all of the characters were integrated skillfully into the story. I did not find it in any way confusing having started with book three. I did find that there were a lot of main characters as the series centers around 7 or 8 women, but I did not find them overwhelming. Dakota's mother, Georgia, passed away a few years prior to this novel, and the loss is still there for Dakota and her friends. 

This is a cute holiday read. I found it quite enjoyable, and I loved the flashbacks to scenes from Georgia's past. I also really enjoyed Dakota's Gran, and the sage advice she gives Dakota as she states that we need to find joy in the everyday experiences. Knit the Season encompasses the holiday season from Thanksgiving through to New Year's bringing with it a whirlwind of activity. Dakota is the primary character in this book, but throughout the holidays we also jump to the other characters as well and follow along with their lives. 

All in all, a cute holiday read to get you in the mood for the season without leaving your seat. You can live vicariously through the characters and feel like you've come away wiser with the advice that Gran, and some of the other ladies dish out. Knit the Season is a great escape from a cold and wintry day. 

Interview

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Kate Jacobs as part of the Penguin blog tour for her book, "Knit the Season". Here are her answers. 

What inspired you to write the Friday Night Knitting Club series?

KJ: I’ve written stories since a very young age, though FNKC was my first novel. Telling stories drives me. In the case of FNKC, I focused on the themes of friendship and forgiveness. I’m lucky: I still have good friends from my days at Coquihalla Elementary in Hope, BC – we’ve known each other more than 30 years now. I believe very strongly in the importance of having a support network and this personal feeling infuses the novel. Even though it’s fiction! Just to be clear: The characters are not based on real people. I try to incorporate characters who are believable and whose struggles resonate with readers. The third installment in the series, Knit the Season, is just out in paperback, and this segment is designed to highlight the feelings of celebration, joy, and remembrance that are the hallmark of the holidays.

What books would Dakota enjoy and love?

KJ: Probably Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, some type of muffin cookbook, and the book of her mother’s original knitting designs. Oh, and of course Dakota wishes FNKC member Catherine would hurry up and finish her murder mystery, Dead Men Don’t ReMarry.

What do you have coming up next? Anything you can share about prospective works?

KJ: Most of my friends are juggling it all, and that’s my lifestyle as well. You know, the past few years have been a whirlwind of excitement: Four books published since 2007 – the three in the knitting series and Comfort Food -- and a book tour with each version. Plus, I telephoned book clubs on a near-daily basis. So I made a point in 2010 to go at a slower pace! It’s proved to be the right thing. My latest writing project is a novel titled Relativity and I’ve just needed to take my time with this story. This new novel is about motherhood and daughterhood, but with a twist. I’m having a lot of fun and I expect to finish Relativity in coming months; it will come to stores some time after that. As well, I continue to schedule book club call-ins, which are tremendous fun. And I'm running a few special giveaways on my website, www.katejacobs.com, to celebrate the paperback release of Knit the Season, including one in which the Grand Prize is a trip to LA. Canadians are eligible! All the fine print and entry instructions are on my website.

Are there any quirks you employ while writing?

KJ: Ummmm, good question. My “technique” involves a lot of napping, the wearing of pajamas, notes about themes and plot thumbtacked to a giant bulletin board, a detailed outline of character bios that I tweak regularly, and, on occasion, candy rewards if I hit my daily page count. I do respond well to treats!

If you could meet a character from any book ever written, which character and book would you choose and why?

KJ: Is this a trick question? Isn't Anne of Green Gables the only possible answer? Why? Because she’s awesome: courageous, intelligent, loyal. Not to mention she has such memorable hair. She's the kind of friend and champion we all want to have in our lives. Truthfully, I can imagine an endless list of characters I would like to meet but my answer would go on forever!

Thank you, Corrine!

Thank you, Kate, for being here today and answering these questions for me. I love your technique and agree with your answer about Anne! Relativity sounds like it is going to be a great read as well! I hope the writing continues to go well for you!

Giveaway

Beth, from Penguin Canada has graciously provided Lost for Words with TWO signed copies of Kate Jacobs' paperback release of Knit the Season. The only stipulation is that you must have a Canadian mailing address. 

The contest will end November 20, 2010. 
Contest has ENDED. Thank you to all who participated!

Please fill out THIS FORM to enter. Comments, while appreciated, will not be classified as entries unless you have also filled out the form. Thank you.