Seeing Stars

Only this time I'm not talking about celebrities. My editor emailed me this morning to let me know that OH. MY. GODS. has received a STARRED (!!!) review from Publishers Weekly. (For anyone unaware, this is a HUGE deal ... especially for a popular/entertaining book like mine that doesn't lean toward literary.)

Here's the review:
Oh. My. Gods.
Tera Lynn Childs. Dutton, $16.99 (224p) ISBN 978-0-525-47942-0

Phoebe Castro's plans for her senior year undergo a radical makeover when her widowed mother returns early from a Greek vacation, engaged to a man she's just met and determined to whisk Phoebe off to the tiny Aegean island of Serfopoula, where her future stepfather runs the academy that Phoebe will attend. The twist: it's Plato's Academy, now filled with the descendants of the Greek gods and goddesses. Debut author Childs's creativity in manipulating mythology gives an otherwise familiar plot a fun, fresh update. The academy's cliques, for example, include the Zeus/Hera set (into “power, privilege, and partying”), the Poseidon crowd (surfers) and nerds, who descend from Hephaestus (“I think he's embarrassed by them,” one student confides). Add the romantic island setting, snappy dialogue, boys as handsome as Adonis, a few conniving (but ultimately harmless) villains and a protagonist who is a hard-core athlete as much as a girl who squeals about the possibility of a date, and together they make an effervescent, fast-paced read. Ages 12–up. (May)

And here's the link--which proves this is really, really real!

Flying high today!

Hugs,
TLC

Strange Encounters of the Starbucks Kind

Disclaimer: This encounter occured at a Starbucks that is not my usual Starbucks. (Almost) everyone who works at my usual Starbucks is lovely. The customers are still pretty odd, but the barristas are ... well, they're odd, too. But in a good way.


This happened a few weeks back. It had been a generally crappy day. I was tired and grumpy and had a headache and went to a foreign Starbucks to bide some time before I was meeting someone somewhere to do something. I took my place in the short line and, after the barrista had taken the order of the woman in front of me, he continued to talk to her while ignoring me and my caffeinated-sugared needs. For like two minutes. Grrr.

Now, I had been to this Starbucks before and had a similar (crappy) experience, but apparently I have bad service amnesia because it wasn't until I was being ignored this time that I remembered my previous annoyance at this particular store. (I will not forget again.)

Anyway, after waiting three times longer than necessary for my frappuccino, I trudged across the store--now even more tired and grumpier and, because I was waiting on the caffeine to take care of my headache, still in pain--and drop down into one of their comfy chairs. I pulled out the book I had just bought and started reading.

I hadn't made it through the first chapter (and this was a middle grades book, so that chapter was pretty short) when I heard the woman at the next comfy over say, "There's a picture of you in the paper."

After living in New York for four years, it is my general policy to ignore crazy people/random strangers who try to talk to you in public places. So I kept reading.

Then she said it again. "You're in the paper."

At this point, I realized she had to be speaking to me because there was no one else (except for the bad barristas) in the store. I looked up. She waved a section of newspaper at me and said, "That's you."

Here's the thing: That wasn't me.

At that time my book hadn't even come out yet, so there was even less of a chance of me making the news than there is now (current probability = slim to none). Sticking to my ignore the crazies policy, I smiled and went back to reading.

Your turn. What's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you in a Starbucks/coffee shop/public beverage consuming establishment?

Hugs,
TLC

Famous Connections

Who hasn't heard of the idea of Six Degrees of Separation? (Or, you know, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.) The concept that you are six steps or less away from every other person on the planet means that Harrison Ford, David Beckham, and the Queen of England are all a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend.

But, thankfully, some people are closer than others. While watching the season finale of NCIS (love!) last night, I discovered a new famous connection in my life. This one came from my college years. I thought I'd share some more eduction-related connections.

Kickapoo High School Springfield, MO

Brad Pitt The most famous Chief we played tennis for the same coach graduated 1982

Lucas Grabeel High School Musical star graduated 2004

Jay Kenneth Johnson Days of Our Lives heartthrob we actually walked the halls of Kickapoo at the same time! graduated 1995

Columbia University New York, NY

Casey Affleck Ben's baby brother studied physics for 2 years didn't graduate (that's okay, I didn't either)

Jesse Bradford aka the hot boy in Bring It On studied film graduated 2002

University of Colorado Boulder, CO

Robert Redford could there be a more famous connection? didn't graduate (hasn't hurt him much)

Brian Dietzen (this is my newest connection!) stars as Dr. Palmer on NCIS we were in the CU theatre department at the same time and actually worked on three shows together (Comedy of Errors, Abingdon Square, and Tartuffe)

So... got any famous connections of your own?

Hugs,
TLC

You've Got Trailer (and Other News)

Part the first, I've got a book trailer. Countless hours of hunting down the perfect images, acceptable music tracks, and tweaking, tweaking, tweaking has finally produced a result. Now what will I do to procrastinate? (Oh, that's right... I'll blog!)



Part the second, it's the Summer Blog Blast Tour! Organized by Colleen of Chasing Ray, the SBBT is a week-long author interview extravaganza on a bunch of different reviewer blogs. And the uber-fabulous Little Willow has chosen to interview ME! Read my (hopefully) fun interview and then check out the rest of the SBBT schedule (which includes such fabulous YA authors as Elizabeth Scott, Barry Lyga, Laurie Halse Anderson, Varian Johnson, and E. Lockhart--omigod squee).

Part the third, doesn't exist. I just like things in threes. (Must be residual Goldilocks syndrome.)

Hugs,
TLC

Movie Madness

After a long hiatus from the movie theaters, I've seen three first-run flicks in the last few weeks. Here are my biased and unrestrained opinions.

PROM NIGHT

I wanted to see this movie for a couple of reasons. One, I love Brittany Snow. Two, prom is always fun, but prom with a crazy psycho-killer is just awesome. Overall this was a decent flick. I appreciate that there wasn't a lot of blood and gore, but sometimes that got a little ridiculous. I mean, Johnathan Schaech grabs a hotel maid, shoves and knife in her belly, and walks away without a drop of blood on his shirt. Come on. Plus, there were just too many dead bodies. Did he really have to kill everybody? Seriously, I think there were like five people left by the time the credits rolled.

Movie Grade: B-

MADE OF HONOR

What's not to love about a movie where Patrick Dempsey realizes he's in love with his best friend, just when she gets engaged to a Scottish guy? I'm a sucker for friends falling in love stories, so I was predisposed to like this one. It's probably only a so-so movie, but I can ignore the silliness of Patrick putting together the bridal shower gift baskets and helping his girl choose wedding night lingerie because I just wanted him to get the girl. As you might have guessed, I wasn't disappointed.

Movie Grade: B+

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS

The previews made this movie look pretty funny, which is why--when my parents and I had three hours to kill before they needed to leave for the airport--I suggested we go see this. They love Vegas, so they agreed. This movie was hilarious! Way better than even the trailers made it seem. I've always loved Cameron and only felt lukewarm to Ashton (case in point: Dude Where's My Car?) but he was really good. His acting ability surprised me--he was more than just the funny guy. I laughed out loud so much I think my mom thought I'd lost it. There were so many great one-liners!

"We got robbed. All they took was the door."

Movie Grade: A


If you don't like my opinions in movies then, well, too bad. (I never claimed to have good taste.) Seen any good movies lately? Please share.

Hugs,
TLC

Sending You Elsewhere #3

This is the last major report on me for a while, I promise. Soon it'll be back to our regularly scheduled reviews and random thoughts. But I've just been so busy spreading my sassy self across the web that I had to share.


The fabulous pending-publication author Charity of Writing Wrongs won a copy of OH. MY. GODS. on the Buzz blog last week and then turned her good fortune around and gave away a copy on her blog as well. Alas, the contest is over, but it's still a fun post.

Tasha of And Another Book Read--who wrote this wonderful review of OH. MY. GODS. on her blog and for Flamingnet--invited me to be her first ever guest author blogger. Here's my post about where ideas come from.

My agency sistah Amanda Ashby not only didn't hate me for tagging her with last week's meme, but even added a little interview to her post.

Sara Hantz forgave me for tagging her, as did Tina Ferraro of YA Fresh and my West Houston girl Kim Lenox. I'm giving Bennett Madison a little leeway since his book is due, like, soon.

Book Chic followed up my interview with an awesome review of OH. MY. GODS. and by posting my guest blog. (I'm Book Chic's Fresh New Voice of YA for the month of May!)

Oh, and Library Girl (aka one of the wonderful ladies at Blue Willow) gushed about her gushing and my gushing over her gushing and her gushing over my gushing over her gushing. (Whew!)


Is that all? I'm sure I'm missing something... Oh well, that's more than enough for now. My next post will be something fun. Promise.

Hugs,
TLC

See That Line Way, Way Up There?

It's so high you might have trouble seeing it--try squinting real hard--but it's there. That's the bar that's been set for all future booksignings. Because I just had the Most. Awesome. Booksigning. EVER!

On Thursday night, the phenomenal Blue Willow Bookshop hosted my debut party. I already knew I loved the Blue Willow ladies (see this post), but I didn't really know what to expect.

I could not have dreamed how wonderful it would be.

As soon as I walked in the store, I knew this was going to be a magical evening. Me being, well, me, my eyes were instantly drawn to the pink and fluffy. On a table next to the front counter, the lovely ladies had set out a tray of baklava (a delicious Greek dessert), surrounded by a sea of pale pink feathers. That wine is, um, non-alcoholic Greek wine. Really.


Behind the counter, they had decorated their shelves with pink sparkly fabric and adorable Greek Ionic columns. You can't tell from the picture (duh) but they also had Greek music playing in the background. It was like walking into a pink Greek wonderland. Yay!


In front of the counter, they had a display of my books...


...and on the table they had set up for my talk and signing, they had HUGE STACKS of my books. Seriously, look at all those books. They're hiding under the table, too. (They're all mine!!!) They also had a bowl of beautiful pink roses. (The bag from Dylan's Candy Bar is mine.)


After milling around for a while, mingling, enjoying the baklava and the--ah-hem--Greek wine, girlboss Valerie called everyone to attention with her little porcelain bell. This is when I started tweaking. I was supposed to talk and I really had no idea what I was going to say.


But I knew my opening line ("I was never supposed to be a writer.") and somehow--magically--it all proceeded logically from there. (Psst, I think it might have even made sense!)


See, look at the crowd's rapt attention. It was a lovely mix of friends, fellow authors, school librarians, children who were dragged brought by their wonderful parents, and families who just happened to be stopping by the store.


Then I read a few pages from OH. MY. GODS.--since, you know, that was the whole reason for the party. (Page 78 to the end of that chapter.)


After I'd done with my spieling, I took questions. This was BY FAR my favorite part! I could answer questions all day, and everyone asked such wonderful questions. (Even the girls who'd read the book managed to ask spoiler-free ones!)

When all questions were asked and answered, it was time to sign. I felt like such a rockstar (maybe because I was wearing my rockstar undies--yes, seriously) with my sparkly French manicure and signing with the gorgeous hot pink pen the lovely ladies of Blue Willow gave me as a debut gift.

(This is the most awesome pen I have ever used, and I am extraordinarily picky about my pens. I'll never be able to sign with anything else!)


Finally, the attendees took their signed books and went home. The Blue Willow ladies took this lovely picture of me and my parents. (Mom and Dad won the award for traveling the furthest--they flew in from Oklahoma City just for my party!!! Yes, they're awesome.)


In my wildest, wickedest, most creative imagination, I could not have pictured a more perfect debut party. From the moment I walked in the door until the moment after the crowd had gone when the Blue Willow ladies begged (okay, asked) for a hint of what the sequel has in store, I felt as special as a #1 New York Times bestseller. And if (when?!?) that ever happens for real, can you guess where I'll have the party?

Thank you, Valerie, Cathy, Becky, and Michelle, for perfection.

Hugs,
TLC

Sending You Elsewhere #2

This time, it's all about me! (Okay, mostly.) I realize I've been remiss in BSP- and SSP-ing around here. (That's Blatant and Shameless Self-Promotion, for the uninitiated.) So today I'm sharing some of my current goings ons out in cyberspace (and the real world, too).

Book Chic posted an interview of moi.
Review and guest blog to follow soon.

Andie Knight posted another interview of yo.
(It just doesn't have the same ring in Spanish.)

Kimberly at Darque Reviews posted my very first interview,
and a lovely review of OH. MY. GODS.

Tomorrow night at 7:00pm,
the amazing Blue Willow Bookshop
is hosting my debut party!
(If you're in Houston, you're invited!)

Also, it's my book launch week on the Buzz blog.
The Buzz girls are dishing on their favorite goddesses.

FRENEMIES author Alexa Young is all over the web this week, too.
She's the May Author of the Month at Harmony Book Reviews
and has a fun (as always) guest blog at The Compulsive Reader.

There will be more soon--I have a few more guest blogs and interviews coming up, so I'll be sure to share. For now, I'm BSP-ed out.

Hugs,
TLC

Thanks A Lot, Alexa Young!

(No, really. Thank you!)

Fabulous authorista Alexa Young (whose book FRENEMIES comes out in 8 DAYS!!!) tagged me with a meme she got from Reviewer X. Memes are awesome because they require (mostly) no thought. Yay for not thinking! As always, there are rules.

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you've posted your three sentences.

My first thought is, What if the nearest book doesn't have 123 pages? I mean, what if I've got a Dr. Seuss lying around? I'd be in big trouble. The success of my meme mission would be seriously in doubt. Well, thankfully that's not the case. Unlike Alexa, my own book--OH. MY. GODS. which is out now, in case you haven't heard because you've been living under a rock--although, if you're a subterranean dweller, you're not likely a reader, are you? Of course, I'm just making an assumption there. Maybe I'm wrong.

Um... what was I saying?

Oh, right. My book is all the way across the room, so I'll have to make do with Bennett Madison's fabulous LULU DARK CAN SEE THROUGH WALLS. (See yesterday's review for description of alleged fabulousness.)


(flips to page 123)

Reluctant girl detective Lulu Dark is on her way home from the DMV, where she'd been getting a replacement driver's license since her stolen purse is still stolen. She's on the subway when she spots the girl she's dubbed Sally Hansen (because she always seems to be working on her nails). In addition to a missing purse, there's also a missing and maybe-presumed-dead girl (Berlin Silver), Lulu flees the subway car and her suspicious stalker. It's as she's running away--in an unfamiliar neighborhood--that she has this realization:

Sally Hansen had talked to Berlin Silver on the night of the Many Handsomes show. It was too strange to be coincidental. Sally Hansen, I instantly felt sure, had to be Berlin Silver's killer and the girl on the phone, too.

Shivers, right? (See, that's why I told you to read the book.)

As much as I hate putting peoples on the spot, Rule #5 states that I must tag 5 peoples. After following Rules #1-4 I can't just skip out now! So, I hereby tag:

YA Fresh (Tina or Kelly or both), Kim Lenox, Sara Hantz, Amanda Ashby, and Bennett Madison (it seems only fitting)

Hugs,
TLC

LULU DARK CAN SEE THROUGH WALLS by Bennett Madison

Lulu Dark is as far from Nancy Drew as a girl can get. She carries a wonderfully hideous Kate Spade knock-off (wouldn't Nancy carry the real thing?). She lives in Halo City (far hipper and more metro-urban than Nancy's River Heights). And she wants nothing to do with solving a mystery (when Nancy can't wait to jump into her next sleuthing adventure).

Then the horror of all horrors happens: her purse is stolen. Soon, Lulu is pulled into a mystery that seems to get more complicated, more involved, and more dangerous by the minute.

Mystery #1: Who stole her purse? Is it lead singer Alfy Romero, weird new girl Berlin Silver, crazy stalker girl Sally Hansen, her best friend's evil older sister, or a mystery girl named Hattie?

Mystery #2: Is Sally Hansen trying to kill her? Is it nail care related?

Mystery #3: Will she ever realize her best-bud Charlie is head-over-heels for her?

(There are far more mysteries, but I'm not cruel enough to give away spoilers!)

As a life-long fan of the ND (Nancy Drew, for those in the know) I thought no way could I love an anti-Nancy. But I was sooo wrong! Lulu is a strong, independent, quick-thinking, problem-solving, fashion-statement-making, loyal heroine who keeps you laughing and enthralled as you wonder, What in the world is really going on here?

In LULU DARK CAN SEE THROUGH WALLS, Bennett Madison weaves an intricately developing plot of mystery threads that gradually twist themselves into a massive knot that you're certain no sleuth (teen or otherwise) can ever unravel. And then, string by string, he pulls the threads loose, revealing the solutions as cleverly as he constructed the problems.

If you're looking for a fun, fresh mystery with a bit of teen snark and a generous helping of I-never-would-have-guessed, then pick up LULU DARK CAN SEE THROUGH WALLS. (If you've already devoured this one, then grab the sequel, LULU DARK AND THE SUMMER OF THE FOX--already in my to-be-read pile!)

Hugs,
TLC

Best Day Ever (So Far)

Today I had only one thing on my schedule:

1:00pm -- Melissa Marr signing at Blue Willow Bookshop

I woke up, showered, dressed, checked email, got sucked into reading some book blog controversy over at Karen Knows Best (thanks to Bookshelves of Doom). Then I headed to Blue Willow and that's when the nerves set in. I know what you're thinking. It's just a signing, Tera. Someone else's signing. Why on earth were you nervous?


Well, yes, it was just a signing. But it's also the bookstore that will be hosting my debut party on Thursday night. I'd never been in the store before and my only contact had been via email. I had images of walking into the signing, hovering on the sidelines, and having to introduce myself to the booksellers. There would be blank looks and "Tera who?" I don't relish that kind of social situation. Awkward much?

Here's what really happened:

After sitting in the parking lot until five minutes before the signing, I finally braved my way to the door. I walked inside, taking in the sight of a bookstore I'd never been in before. Mmmm, books. Books are my friends... Almost immediately I hear, "There's Tera!"

I glance up--with a very deer-in-headlights gaze look, I'm sure--and hurrying over towards me is one of the booksellers.

"I'm Cathy," she said.

"Hi." I smiled, preparing to offer my hand.

She hugged me! Then proceeded to tell me how excited she is about the debut party, introduced me to her colleagues who raved about the book and to the boss lady Valerie, pointed out my book on display behind the counter, and just generally made me feel like a newly-crowned princess. Needless to say, I am now seriously in love with the ladies of Blue Willow Bookshop!

There's my book. Right there in the middle! Squeee!!!

The talk/signing itself was also wonderful. Melissa Marr--brilliantly talented author of Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange--spoke eloquently about her writing process (everything is character- and perspective-driven), censorship (very, very, very against), and the 2012 doomsday prophecy (much to her dismay, she is currently plan-less). She signed my copy of Ink Exchange and--eeek!--asked me to sign a copy of OH. MY. GODS. for her!

For anyone looking for fabulous reads recommendations, Melissa suggests the following:

• I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert (07/2008)
• anything by Neil Gaiman
• The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (2009)

Also in attendance were multi-published children's book author Dotti Enderle and newly-agented paranormal YA author Mary Lindsey. All events are better when surrounded by friends.

Hugs,
TLC

TWISTED SISTERS by Stephanie Hale

TWISTED SISTERS is the sequel to Stephanie Hale's fabulous debut novel, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN.


Aspen Brooks is back, and this time she's gone Greek. After solving the mystery of several disappearances--and the mystery of who stole her homecoming crown!--in REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN Aspen has graduated to a new mystery, this time on a college campus. She and Rand head off to State, but soon her dreams of glory and sisterhood are put to the test. Her dorm is something out of a concrete jungle, her new roommate is the last person she ever expected to be living with, and when a mystery that hits close to home is in the balance she just might have to pass on the sorority that seems a perfect fit for the one that seems a perfect place to start her investigation.

In this sequel, Aspen has grown up from the self-involved, fashion-obsessed amateur sleuth we couldn't help but love, into a girl determined to do what's right by her nearest and dearest. Even if they don't always agree.

TWISTED SISTERS is a fun, fast-paced ride with surprises around every corner and a mystery that leaves you guessing until the very end. If you loved REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, you'll adore TWISTED SISTERS. You can look forward to another installment in the Aspen Brooks mystery series when SPRING BREAKUP releases next year. (And, no, not even my inside track with the author has produced any clues as to just who is breaking up!)

Hugs,
TLC

Finally!!!

I thought this day would never come. After more than two years, the seemingly endless wait is finally over. Today my dreams came true!

Maybe you think I'm talking about the fact that my debut novel OH. MY. GODS. officially released today. It should be on the shelves in bookstores across the country RIGHT NOW!!!


Yeah, that's pretty awesome, but today marks another great day for reality TV addicts like myself: a contestant on Survivor finally used the hidden immunity idol perfectly!

I've loved Amanda Kimmel since she played one of the smartest games ever, winning herself third place on Survivor China last season. When they brought her back for this season's Fans vs. Favorites, I was tres excited. If anyone could outwit, it's Amanda. Tonight, she proved me right.


After two blindside votes in a row (Ozzy and Jason both voted out while holding but not playing the hidden immunity idol) Amanda volunteered to go to exile island. She hunted down the clues, until she discovered that the idol was actually hidden back at camp. Now, here's where she started to get smart. As soon as they got back to camp, she dumped her bag to reassure everyone that she hadn't found the idol. While everyone but her buddy Parvati decided to vote Amanda out, she dug up the hidden idol. She played the poor girl-about-to-be-sent-home role to perfection! No one had a clue until she whipped out the idol before the votes were read. They were completely stunned! Everyone who voted for her just had to stare, jaws dropped, while their votes were tossed out. Amanda and Parv's two votes were enough to send their choice home.

Brilliantly played, Amanda!

Hugs,
TLC