Blue Moon Special

Blue moons are rare, magical, and very special. So anyone who thinks to launch a venture on the night of the blue moon must be visionary. To do it as the year turns from old to new makes it even more of a good omen.

With all that going for them, Leap Books has definitely had an auspicious start to their new venture. Their authors are LUCKY. That's for sure.

But they have other formulas for success:


1) terrific goals: They hope to get teens excited and eager to read more, to encourage reluctant readers to pick up books, and to put out books with artistic appeal.

2) fabulous authors: Check out Bonnie J. Doerr, Kitty Keswick, Judith Graves, Jacqueline Horsfall... and that's just the start.

3) super cool artists: Wait until you see the gothic art of Val Cox.

4) talented editors: I should know. My editor Kat O'Shea is one of them.

5) exciting badges: Collect them all, but I have to admit I'm partial to this one--

I could wax eloquent over all the other things they're doing right, but those words to the left reveal their secrets.

Leap Books intends to do all this and more. Watch for this exciting new publisher. Better yet, support their efforts and encourage literacy by picking up one of their titles and giving it to your favorite teen.

Now through January 31, 2010, they're offering a BLUE MOON special. They have an awesome video with details.

Beasties and Vamps, Oh My...

If you're into paranormal, here's a free read. Check out that cool cover. It's a Leap Books Exclusive. If you like your bites small and slightly sexy, you'll enjoy this short read. And who doesn't love FREE???

These tasty bites from this debut publisher will be followed up by some blood-suckingly good fun in January and March. Not vampires this time, but werewolves--the hottest new genre to hit the scene. You'll want to snag both these books by hot new authors Judith Graves and Kitty Keswick. If you haven't seen their book trailers yet (most people have), I've added the addresses here, 'cos they're well worth a look:

Freaksville book trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrvLFZcwUPE

Under My Skin book trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s3kQ4nnSEk

I think Leap Books is onto something good. I've been seeing these authors' names plastered all over the Internet.

Watch Those Fangs!

Vampire lovers everywhere will get a charge out of these Exclusives offered by Leap Books. Two chilling tales about graveyards starring otherworldly creatures...

Think these books are only for teens? Think again.

Come on, show of hands here. How many of you picked up the Twilight series? Who's read Harry Potter? Ah-ha, I thought so. Me too.

So I couldn't help getting excited about these tales either. These books aren't just for teens. They're for romance lovers everywhere.

And what's better than FREE?

Maybe a boyfriend who wants to bite YOUR neck? So why not get both?

Hurry over to the Leap Books site. Who knows how long this Exclusive offer will last.

Should This Cover Be Banned?

Author Bonnie J. Doerr was excited when her publisher, Leap Books, designed her book cover to match the yellow Key deer sign: Caution: Endangered Animal Area. Because her book's about a poacher, the cover artist added bullet holes, including one dripping with blood. Cool, right?

Well, maybe not.

The cover definitely has a lot of teen appeal, and Bonnie has worked up lesson plans so her book can be used in the classroom. What teachers wouldn't love to have a fast-paced eco-mystery about endangered animals that ties into the science, social studies, and language arts curriculum?

Maybe not all of them. Some, who cite teen violence, object to the cover because of the bullet holes and the blood.

So should the cover be changed to make it more palatable to teachers? Or should it stay the way it is--faithful to the contents of the book. Poaching is a bloody business, after all. Shouldn't the cover reflect reality?

Stop by my blog and leave your opinion. One commenter will win an autographed copy of the book when it comes out.

P.S. If you're wondering if the bullet holes go all the way through the book and exit through the back cover, you'll have to pick up a copy when it comes out on January 6, 2010 to see--unless you're that lucky winner.

Werewolf Fever

Isn't this the coolest cover ever? Makes you want to grab the book off the shelves. Even better is the blurb:

All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life...

Redgrave had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets, missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief's son and Redgrave High's resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn--in fact, she's lethal.

But she can't help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding--human Alec. And then her world falls apart.

Author Judith Graves has a fabulous book trailer for Under My Skin. Watch it and shiver...

Then check out more about this exciting new author at Leap Books and at her blog, the Wolfy Chicks. Counting down the days until this release on March 27, 2010.

Werewolves, Vamps, and Ghosts...Oh My!

Wow, talk about buzz...

If you love werewolves and all things paranormal, which is obviously right up my alley, you're gonna love Freaksville by Kitty Keswick. Lucky me, I got a sneak peek at the title everyone's buzzing about and it's SENSATIONAL. Due out in January 2010 from Leap Books, this is one worth waiting for. Okay, it's classified as a YA, but I guarantee if you're an adult reader, it'll hook you too. What's not to love about werewolves, ghosts, and visions? Not to mention a romance and lots of mystery thrown into the mix. You'll fall head over heels for British hottie, Josh.

If you don't believe me, check out the book trailer. Does it give you shivers? A haunted theater, a full moon, and werewolves??

I'm starting the countdown 'til I can collect my autographed copy. Put it on your list. Lots of other people are:

It's been WOW'ed at Waiting on Wednesday, and featured at Reading Keeps You Sane, and Teen RC. And Kitty has a lot more interviews lined up, so check them out to find out more about her and her much-anticipated book.

Visit her at her website or at Leap Books or at The Wolfy Chicks blog that she shares with fellow paranormal author, Judith Graves. (More about Judith's upcoming release soon.)

Here's an excerpt:

Suddenly the lights failed.

The tunnel was shrouded in darkness.

A deep throaty growl vibrated a few yards away.

“Stay still,” I whispered.

This was the end. I wanted to grip Gillie’s hand for comfort. But didn’t want to see my best friend’s last moments in my head.

My strange list-making compulsion shoved at my thoughts. I didn’t fight it when my brain filtered through my mental catalog. It helped me process.

I knew three things:

1) That was a real growl.

2) It sounded hungry.

3) I was on the menu.

From somewhere on my right, in all the blackness, another wolf howled. Claws scratched the rough cement as the beasts darted toward us. Their heavy panting was as loud as my own. The slight clip-clop of nails scraped on the floor in front of me as this creature stalked forward. The smell of wet dog, raunchy, burned my nose. Hot breath wheezed out a moment before the wolf sprang.