The Plan by Alina B. (Excerpt)

 

The Plan
Author: Alina B.
Publication: June 6th 2013
Genre: Mystery
Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Jane O`Donnel, is a girl from a rich family who tries to prove herself she can make it on her own without her family`s help. An unexpected event turns her world upside down and brings the attractive Dr. Smith in her life. She is being kidnapped. Like it wouldn`t be enough, the terrible event brings with it something she could never be prepared for.
Can Jane find out who is behind all this? Could her father have something to do with it? Will she encounter people who don`t want her to know?
Filled with hard decisions, love and hard times, THE PLAN shows how one's life can suddenly change and never be the same.

Excerpt

I can’t open my eyes. Some vague voices are chaotically saying something in the background—it feels like dreaming. As the voices become clearer, I figure they are male voices shouting at each other angrily.

“Don’t fuck it up, Daniel, could you learn for your shitty sake to control that temper? I don’t need your stress right now, so if you’re not going to help, get out of here, you guilty ass. Beat it!”

Who is that? Why can’t I open my eyes? I can’t even move at all; my body doesn’t respond my commands. And this pain . . . Jesus! It hurts so badly. The world is spinning, nauseating me, as a sharp disturbing noise sounds in my head. Few seconds after, everything seems to slide away slowly.

Everything is dark and silent. I can’t control any muscle of my body. I feel helpless.

The inability of movement causes intense pain all over my body, with each struggle more. Oliver could help me now, I feel safe with him. Where are you, Oliver? Help me, please. I need your strength, your hug, and your heat more than ever.

The voices stop fighting. I hear a door strongly slammed and then some steps coming towards me. Oh no! I struggle for a last time to move before the steps get me.

Originally from Romania, Alina B studied Economics, and since high school she was always interested in psychology. A few months after getting married she moved temporarily with her husband to Australia leaving everything behind and putting other plans on hold. The change seemed to be the right one, since it brought to her enough inspiration and time to write her first manuscript and she took the chance and published her first book. The goal-driven Alina B, plans to be a full time writer as soon as possible and a mother of two when the time is right.


Author Links:
Facebook / Goodreads

Review: Unraveled by S.X. Bradley

Unraveled
Author: S.X. Bradley
Publisher: Evernight Teen, 2013
Genre: YA Mystery
Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Sixteen year old math whiz, Autumn, spends her days reading about serial killers and dreaming of becoming an FBI Profiler. She never dreams her first case will be so personal. Her world is shattered when she comes home from school and discovers her murdered sister’s body on the living room floor. When the initial evidence points to a burglary gone wrong, Autumn challenges the police’s theory because of the personal nature of the crime. Thinking that finding the killer will bring her family back together, she conducts her own investigation using her affinity for math and forensics, but her plan backfires and her obsession with the case further splinters her family.

When her investigation reveals the killer is someone she knows, Autumn offers herself up as bait and sets a dangerous trap to unmask his true nature and to obtain a confession for her sister’s murder.

Interview: S.X. Bradley - Unraveled

Everyone, please welcome S.X. Bradley, debut YA author of Unraveled.

Hi, Susan! Welcome to Amy’s Book Den and congratulations on your debut! How does it feel to have your first book out in the world?

      It’s a very surreal feeling. As a writer, you dream of sharing your writing with others and you hope they are entertained so when it happens it takes a while to get used to.

I bet! Did you always know that you wanted to be a professional writer?

      I always knew I wanted to write, but it wasn’t until about nine years ago that I started to pursue writing seriously. I had no idea what I was doing, but I joined the organizations: SCBWI and the Writers League of Texas. I also completed my first novel, and sent it out into the world. It didn’t get published, but I learned that I could finish a novel and that was vital for me.

Finishing a novel is a huge step. I think it’s the point where we realize we actually can do this, that we are one inch closer to hopefully becoming like those authors we admire. Who would you say has influenced your writing?

      Edgar Allan Poe and Carolyn Keene really cemented my love for mysteries. Even though Carolyn Keene isn’t an actual person, Nancy Drew was my hero and I knew I wanted to write about strong, smart female protagonists. Nowadays, I’m really inspired by Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Jeffrey Deaver, and Tess Gerritsen. They are masters of suspense, and weaving plot with characterization.

I’m embarrassed to say I’ve only read Poe! But I know the Nancy Drew mysteries are very popular. Now, is there anything you must have when you sit down and write? Coffee, Music, Cookies?

      I usually have iced tea and popcorn with me. Depending on the scene, I will play music especially if it’s dramatic or emotional. I have a list of songs I use to invoke a feeling in me so I can translate it to the page.

Music is often key to making me focus on a scene. I can only imagine what kinds of music you used for Unraveled, because that is one thrill after another. Could you tell us, what sparked the idea for Unraveled?

      When I was in high school, there was a rumor that one of my classmate’s sister had been murdered, and that it was still an unsolved case. That story always stayed with me and it bothered me that the killer was never found. It was the inspiration for Unraveled.

That certainly would leave an impression! It’s also a perfect example of how we integrate real life into our stories. So, Unraveled has a lot of cool moments. What is your favorite scene?

     It’s the opening chapter when Autumn finds Celeste. In the first draft, that scene didn’t happen until Chapter 5. The first chapters had Celeste living, so when it came time to write the death scene, I cried while I wrote. I felt like I’d really grown as a writer. I understood how J.K. Rowling felt when she killed off Sirius Black.

That is one powerful scene. I couldn’t read it in one sitting. I had to put the book down, breathe, then come back to it. But I think starting with that scene makes the whole book stronger.

Now the fun part! If you could spend an afternoon with one of your characters, who would it be, and what would you do for fun?

      I’d love to hang out with Eduardo. He’s such a fun, laid back character. He has a strong work ethic and loves his family, but has a great way of adding some much needed humor to some serious situations. I’m sure he’d take me to Taco Bell.

Yes! Tacos with Eduardo. Totally.

Quick. Describe Unraveled in five words or less.

      Suspenseful ride for whodunit lovers.

Couldn't have described it better. Anything else you'd like to say to your fans and future readers? 

      Thanks for taking the time to read about Autumn and her experience. I hope you were entertained! 

Unraveled

Author: S.X. Bradley

Publisher: Evernight Teen, 2013

Genre: YA Mystery

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Sixteen year old math whiz, Autumn, spends her days reading about serial killers and dreaming of becoming an FBI Profiler. She never dreams her first case will be so personal. Her world is shattered when she comes home from school and discovers her murdered sister’s body on the living room floor. When the initial evidence points to a burglary gone wrong, Autumn challenges the police’s theory because of the personal nature of the crime. Thinking that finding the killer will bring her family back together, she conducts her own investigation using her affinity for math and forensics, but her plan backfires and her obsession with the case further splinters her family.

When her investigation reveals the killer is someone she knows, Autumn offers herself up as bait and sets a dangerous trap to unmask his true nature and to obtain a confession for her sister’s murder.

Review: The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

The Nightmare Affair

(The Arkwell Academy 1)

Author: Mindee Arnett

Publisher: Tor Teen, 2013

Genre: YA Paranormal

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.

Literally.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.

Then Eli’s dream comes true.

Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

New Release: Unraveled by S.X. Bradley

It's not every day a friend gets a book published, and when they do you just want to fangirl scream it to the world. Well...this is me screaming. Congrats Susan!

Author: S.X. Bradley
Publisher: Evernight Teen, 2013
Genre: YA Mystery
Buy: Amazon ♥ Evernight Teen

Overview

Sixteen year old math whiz, Autumn, spends her days reading about serial killers and dreaming of becoming an FBI Profiler. She never dreams her first case will be so personal. Her world is shattered when she comes home from school and discovers her murdered sister's body on the living room floor. When the initial evidence points to a burglary gone wrong, Autumn challenges the police's theory because of the personal nature of the crime. Thinking that finding the killer will bring her family back together, she conducts her own investigation using her affinity for math and forensics, but her plan backfires and her obsession with the case further splinters her family.

When her investigation reveals the killer is someone she knows, Autumn offers herself up as bait and sets a dangerous trap to unmask his true nature and to obtain a confession for her sister's murder.

You can also check out an excerpt over at Evernight Teen!