Unbroken Connection!

As most of you know I love Angela Morrison. Sing Me To Sleep, and Taken By Storm are two books that just stayed with me almost obsessively and I think about them all the time. If you haven't read those two you really need to.

Well, to my utter joy I got an e-mail today announcing Taken By Storm's sequel, Unbroken Connection, will be coming out next month!

Bring out the streamers and balloons!! This is super exciting for me and I can't wait to read it when it is released on Amazon for Kindle and later from Smashwords in paperback.

Here is the cover and the synopsis for Unbroken Connection. It's been a long time coming and I'm so excited it's almost here!!

Against all odds, the couple that swept you away in TAKEN BY STORM is back.

Michael is in Thailand diving his dream.

Leesie is at BYU living hers.

And they just can't leave each other alone.

Their romance rekindles, deeper than before.

They grow desperate to see one another again.

To hold one another again.

Michael decides there is only one direction their relationship can go and asks Leesie the ultimate question.

Her answer challenges everything Michael is and wants to be.

Can she change for him?

Can he change for her?

Angela's son designed this cover and I give him mad props. I think it's utterly gorgeous and it matches Taken By Storm's paperback perfectly.

Contest Reminder!

If you wish to be in the drawing to win a signed copy of Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison the days are running out! I'll be drawing a winner at midnight on March 4 so be sure and enter before that time. :)





This is just a quick reminder guys that if you haven't put in your entry you should go here and do so!

Also, if you would like to see my review for Sing Me to Sleep click here. :)

Sing Me To Sleep by: Angela Morrison

Sing Me To Sleep

by: Angela Morrison

THE TRANSFORMATION
Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.
THE LOVE AFFAIR
When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.
THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?
THE HEARTBREAK
The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

Review:

So this is the review where my heart breaks just a little. I've been thinking about this book constantly since I read it, I've been gushing to my friends, gushing to my father, and just going crazy gushing to everyone about how amazing it was, but since reading it I have been unable to get it off my mind.

I read it in about 7 hours, it was in one complete sitting and I stayed up until 5 in the morning finishing it which wasn't good for my school schedule, but was completely worth it. I just loved it.

I think the main thing I've been thinking and telling people is just these three words over and over again, It felt real. That's what really got me while reading it, and which caused me to bawl my eyes out for fifteen minutes when it was over. It just felt real.

The relationship between Derek and Beth starts really before they even meet each other. I felt the intensity along with them and it was amazing. It kept me reading through everything, never did I even consider stopping.

I really liked Scott, and I understood him as 'the best friend' everything he did was in his character and it just worked for him.

I've never had such an emotional tie to a book before, when Derek's secret comes out I felt like it was happening to me. I've never just full out cried because of a book before, and even now I'm constantly telling myself,"It's just a book, this didn't really happen" but it's not working really.

I have a feeling this story and this book will stay with me for a very long while.

I would recommend it to everyone, just read it.

10/10

-Christina

P.S. I forgot to my mention my horrifying most embarrassing moment EVER. Well, I was in a very serious competitive Girls Choir (we rocked... or choraled?) we were quite good.

So we were at this amazing event with over 500 people in the audience and we were dressed up and it came to the final number, now anyone who has ever been in a choir knows, or should know to NEVER lock your knees - I knew this, but the girl next to me apparently did not.

We were singing our big finale, Edelweiss which can be emotional and that's what we were going for, when the girl beside me throws up right at our feet. It was quite similar to the Exorcist really and I was horrified. She collapsed after throwing up and I had to stand there, in my brand new pretty shoes with throw up all over everything, finish the song and wait for the curtain call.

Our director obviously saw what happened (as did half the audience) but there was nothing we could do. We had three more separate numbers after this incident and I had to go clean up as much as I could and then go back out there. Horrible, horrible experience - it even tops the time I fell during a Christmas show (it was at a local mall so it was less horrifyingly embarrassing.)

But, the moral of this story is - NEVER lock your knees during a performance, just think of the poor unsuspecting girl beside you.

:)

Author Interview: Angela Morrison Edition.

Today I was lucky enough to have an interview with Angela Morrison, the author of Taken By Storm, and the newly released Sing Me To Sleep (which is amazing!) Here it is, enjoy!

What inspired you to write Sing Me to Sleep?
My daughter sang with a competitive girls' choir when we lived in London, Ontario--the Junior Amabile Singers. I always wanted to write a novel set in that unique environment, but I never had a strong story to go with it. When Razorbill decided to hold off on publishing TAKEN BY STORM's sequel, I had the opportunity to go back to that idea. And something heartbreaking had happened to one of my daughter's best friends in Amabile's world-famous Young Men's Ensemble--that gave me a story that would be important to me, my daughter, that young man's family, and so, so many other people. SING ME TO SLEEP took hold of me and didn't let go.

What is your writing process like?
When I write a novel, it feels like a giant wave has hit my life. It takes all the bits and pieces of life and books, curiosities and imaginings, movies and music stored up in my brain, and breaks it into tiny shards. As the wave retreats, those pieces are strewn haphazard all over the beach. It's my job to pick up the pieces and fashion a story mosaic. I ask my self, "what if" and "what will happen next" a lot. When I find the voice of my characters, I hide away and scribble as fast as I can.

What are your perfect writing conditions?
I'm drowsy, just waking up. My brain is still in dream mode. The house is silent. I pick up my lap desk, a sheaf of blank pink pages, and a fresh black Zebra gel pen and scribble away for hours. Ahhh. Dream come true. Those days are lovely, but so rare.

What is your favorite book?
WAR AND PEACE--it is the most beautiful love story I've ever read.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I've been a writer since first grade. Haven't you? Seriously, that is when I decided I wanted to tell stories and write books. I've been in love with writing all my life.

If you could invite anyone to dinner, dead or alive, who would it be?
Derek--from Sing me to Sleep. You have to read the book to find out why.

What music would you consider to be your favorite?
I love so many types of music. Right now I'm overflowing with excitement from getting to hear the Amabile Choirs sing again. Their festival was AMAZING. And they even sang, "Beth's Song," for me. Well, me and the 1300 fans packed in the concert hall. "Beth's Song" will be available on iTunes ANY DAY NOW!! I'll let you know when it finally happens.

What about movies?
I'm a Jane Austen freak--so anything based on one of her novels.

What do you find the hardest thing about writing?
first drafts

The easiest?
Revising!

What authors have inspired you and your writing?
Louisa Mae Alcott was my childhood hero. When I worked on my MFA, I studied Katherine Paterson. The wisdom just rolls off her pen. I'm so excited to see she's the National Children's Book Ambassador--or something like that. Ron Koertge, my first advisor at Vermont College, taught me to write poetry and YA novels. Somehow I mixed the two. He's got a new poetry novel out, SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS that's getting great reviews. The man is a genius. Most recently, Markus Zusak had a huge impact on me. Another genius. And the quiet graciousness of Susan Fletcher's prose and advice still inspires me.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
I spent all last week speaking at high schools in and around London, Ontario--where SING ME TO SLEEP is set. Young people, like writers, need to know that it is okay to fail. All first drafts are horrible. Revise, revise, revise. Send it out. Get rejected. Work with trusted critiquers. Send it out again. Get rejected lots more. Go back to school. Qualify yourself. (I HIGHLY recommend Vermont College of the Fine Art's!) You only ever really fail if you give up and put it in a drawer.

I have finished Sing Me To Sleep and OHMYGOODNESSS!
I was in a girls choir VERY similar to the one portrayed in the book, I found myself laughing at the things I could relate to, but... you will find out about exactly what I think in my review - I may even tell you about my most embarrassing moment EVER which happened on stage with 500 people to see. True story, stay tuned, and thank you Angela for the amazing interview. :)

Here's the trailer for Sing Me To Sleep!




Oh and be sure to check out my contest that is running to win a signed copy of Sing Me To Sleep!

Contest! [2] Win a Signed Copy of Sing Me to Sleep by: Angela Morrison!

Now, in honor of Sing Me to Sleep hitting shelves today I'm announcing my contest to win a signed hardback copy of Sing Me to Sleep by: Angela Morrison!

Here's the summary:

THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

Now, here's how you enter...

+1 for commenting on the post.

+2 for Following

+3 if you are already a Follower

+2 if you broadcast this on your blogs sidebar or in a post.

+2 if you broadcast this on a networking site - Twitter, Facebook, etc...

Now, please leave your e-mail and the links for your extra points in the comments. I will add them up, draw randomly and announce the winner in exactly one month on April 4.

Good Luck guys!

Also, if you don't want to put your personal information (like your email) out in a comment just email me the information and I'll count you in. :)