Hosted by Fikshun & Two Chicks on Books |
SQUEEEEE!!!!
When I first read the description of CREWEL, I knew I really wanted to read it. I wasn't wrong, it was one of my favorite reads last year. Crewel was one of those books that captured my attention immediately and left me wanting more. I pretty much stalked Gennifer online, quietly, of course, since I am probably old enough to be her mother and really, it wouldn't look good to get a restraining order at my age. I did find her at the Los Angeles Times Book Fest in May, 2013 and waited in the sun for her panel. She has amazing skin which makes me very jealous. At least, I wasn't the oldest one hanging out there! Gennifer's writing is just captivating to meand takes you to a wonderful place! Below is some video of her panel at there with Cornelia Funke and Mark Frost. Yeah, I know, I think I messed up the upload to YouTube and the clips aren't in order, but you get the idea!
Incapable. Awkward. Artless.
That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: She wants to fail.
Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen to work the looms is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to manipulate the very fabric of reality. But if controlling what people eat, where they live, and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.
Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and used her hidden talent for a moment. Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her dad’s jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.
Because tonight, they’ll come for her
Life. Possibility. Choice.
All taken from Adelice by the Guild—until she took them back.
But amid the splendid ruins of Earth, Adelice discovers how dangerous freedom can be. Hunted by soulless Remnants sent by Cormac Patton and the Guild, Adelice finds a world that’s far from deserted. Although allies are easy to find on Earth, knowing who to trust isn’t. Because everyone has secrets, especially those Adelice loves most. Secrets they would kill to protect. Secrets that will redefine each of them. Torn between two brothers and two worlds, Adelice must choose what to fight for.
In this thrilling sequel to Crewel, Adelice is about to learn how tangled up her past and future really are. Her parents ran to protect her, but nothing can save her from her destiny, and once she uncovers the truth, it will change everything.
From Gennifer's Website
Gennifer Albin holds a Masters degree in English Literature from the University of Missouri. A recovering academic, she turned to writing her own books. Gennifer can be found in coffee shops, dreaming up new worlds. She lives in Washington with her family.
Long (and slightly more interesting) bio:
A former academic with a specialization in 18th century women’s studies, Gennifer Albin gave up teaching—both at the high school and college levels—to raise her children at home. But when the economy tanked, Gennifer and her husband soon found themselves filing for bankruptcy after struggling through his unemployment. Rock bottom turned into the foundation on which she decided to rewrite her life.
Gennifer combined her love of writing with her fascination for a surrealist painting by Remedios Varo, Embroidering the Earth’s Mantle. The painting of girls creating the world caused her to weave a tale in her mind. Lack of a home computer didn’t deter her, and she wrote the first draft on public library computers as the system counted down the seventy minutes she was allowed to work.
With the support of her family, Gennifer spun Crewel, a sweeping literary novel that follows sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys as she navigates a treacherous world where women are cultivated into femme fatales, called Spinsters, to weave the very fabric of life. Pitched as Mad Men meets The Handmaid’s Tale and The Hunger Games, Crewel received seven agent offers of representation by May and sold at auction between five houses within a week of submission to editors.
Gennifer recalls the most poignant part of her whirlwind—having to sell her beloved antique books to keep food on the table. She now writes full-time while happily rebuilding her library in Washington with the help of her ridiculously supportive husband, two young children, and a Tuesday cat. She is the founder of theconnectedmom.com, a blog about positive parenting for modern mothers, and she moderates a private group for write-at-home moms, or WrAHMs, offering advice, support, and insight into the complexities of writing while raising young children. Learn more about her at genniferalbin.com.
PLEASE WELCOME GENNIFER TO BOOKHOUNDS YA
1. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?
The very first book I remember was one of those basic readers they teach you with in Kindergarten and 1st grade. The cover was orange, and clearly, the plot was riveting because I remember nothing else. As soon as I had it down, I skipped picture books and chapter books and jumped straight to Little House in the Big Woods and Sweet Valley High in 2nd grade. That explains a lot actually now that I think about it.
2. What are you reading right now?
A few books for other authors, Opera Anecdotes, and I just picked up Outlander after a half dozen people recommended it to me in the same week. My reading tastes are teasingly diverse.
3. How does your garden grow?
With pretty maids all in a row. They’re opressed and fighting a dystopian regime, but they look fabulous!
(this is the best EVER answer to this question ~Mary)
4. What is the last thing you Googled?
Something that probably put me on an FBI watchlist. (Hey, Agent Bristow, you are rocking that suit today.)
5. What makes you cringe?
Embarrassment humor. You know when someone sticks their foot in their mouth or gets caught naked in the kitchen with a pie? I can’t handle it. Probably because I’m constantly making an ass out of myself.
WANT TO WIN A COPY OF CREWEL?
Open only to those who can legally enter, US or Canada only, no PO Boxes
Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary.
You must be 13 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you.
The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.
The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
Giveaway was organized by BookHounds and sponsored by the author.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
WANT TO WIN A COPY OF ALTERED (arc) & a really cool CREWEL band bracelet?
You must have already adored CREWEL to enter. US only
What a great book! Love it!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to this book! :)
ReplyDeleteCrewel sounds amazing! Definitely something I need to add to be TBR list and read soon!
ReplyDelete~Andrea @ Beauty but a Funny Girl
I look forward to starting this series, it looks like one I would enjoy:)
ReplyDeleteOkay, that interview was too funny! I've been putting off reading it since I'm terrible at scheduling (and in general), but I'm buying it on Audible with my shiny new credit tomorrow! See what good fabulous posts can do? :-D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteLove the interview! Thank you for the giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteThis book has been on my TBR list for months. My library doesn't have it and I feel like I'm missing out on a great read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to try and win it.
~ k
Crewel sounds captivating and special. Thanks.
ReplyDeletei have been wanting to read this book!! thanks for the giveaway!!!
ReplyDeleteHahahah I was there at that panel! Great post Mary and thanks so much for being a tour host!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jaime
Can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteI bought the first book for my kindle. I just need to start reading it so I can start the second.
ReplyDeleteIve been wanting to read this for a while now! :D
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the cover of Crewel! I have been dying to read it.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview.
Thanks for the giveaway chance 8)
Michelle Hofacker
I absolutely love the cover of Crewel! I have been dying to read it.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview.
Thanks for the giveaway chance 8)
Michelle Hofacker
I so can't wait to read this!!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this awesome book.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about this book already, but I never get to read books in the now. Hopefully I get to read these two soon though.
ReplyDeleteI am dying to read this book!!! It sounds sooo amazing!!! Thanks so much for the chance! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so eager to read Altered!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Crewel yet, but it looks great!
ReplyDeletelooks awesome! Thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeleteThough they don't match I do adore the cover change.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've seen and heard quite a lot about Crewel in the blogosphere, and I LOVE the covers in the series! Great interview, and thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read Crewel, so thanks for the giveaway! I love knowing that Gennifer is a fan of Sweet Valley High.
ReplyDeleteI've heard so many good things about this series. Can't wait to try it out!
ReplyDeleteI've been dying to read both of these books! :D
ReplyDeleteI've been dying to read this book! *fingers crossed* :D
ReplyDeleteI have not read Crewel yet, but I've thought it sounds really good for months now (Also, I have yet to be disappointed by any "Fierce Reads" books). I can't wait to read these!
ReplyDeleteBrynna
Crewel has been making waves and I'm dying to read it. I'm a binge reader, so I'll probably read them back to back! Thanks for the opportunity to win it! ;)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteI have to be honest, I haven't read this book yet but I have heard so many things about how great it is and I am uber excited about reading it! My sister was just in love with it and I hope to borrow it soon to read it but it would be a fabulous addition to my YA shelf!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great interview! I loved Crewel and I'm so excited for Altered!
ReplyDeleteLove this interview. Especially the "Something that probably put me on an FBI watchlist." answer. This is something I worry about every time I google something :/
ReplyDeleteI too cringe at embarrassment humor, I can't help but feel sorry for the people even though it is just a movie. I've had my own share of embarrassing moments so that's probably why lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the giveaway!! I thin Crewel sounds amazing and I really enjoyed learning a little more about Gennifer! I love the spelling of her name BTW!!
ReplyDeletemrsjtucker2012[at]gmail[dot]com
The insight int the authors life and experiences are very interesting. Thanks for the interview and review. Appreciate the giveaways.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview! I really want to read her books. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I loved Crewel so much! It's such an original idea! I can't wait to read the follow up, I'm sure it is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThe premise of Crewel sounds so fascinating. Weaving and time magic! Wow! Definitely need to read this.
ReplyDeleteBeen wanting to read *Crewel* for practically forever. It sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe new cover design has me very interested
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to read this book, and I can't even tell you how much I love the cover!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Crewel! I purchased a copy on my ereader, but I'd love to add a physical copy to my bookshelf!
ReplyDeleteCrewel looks like an amazing book to read. Thank you for the chance to win it! I am definitely adding this to my to be read list ASAP!
ReplyDeleteCrewel looks like an amazing book to read. Thank you for the chance to win it! I am definitely adding this to my to be read list ASAP!
ReplyDeleteCrewel is such an amazing book!
ReplyDeleteThis book has been on my reading list for a while. Time to bump it up!
ReplyDeleteLoved the interview! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and the giveaway!
That's so funny that she said her searches would have the FBI looking for her! :) I would love to read Altered! It has been on my TBR list for a long time but I have no money to buy books.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the interesting things writers Google? Writers need to be feared; a lot of us know how to kill a man, thanks to research. Ha!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. =]
Ooh, Gennifer has the BEST answers to those interview questions :) I agree with Mary, #3 was amazing! I got a chuckle out of her answer to #4 as well hehe :)
ReplyDeleteCrewel sounds like it's right up my alley and i've been meaning to read it for such a long time! hopefully soon *fingers crossed*
Brenna from Esther's Ever After
I have a similar academic background to Gennifer, so that gives me hope that I can make the transition from academic writer to fiction writer.
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing can't wait to read it
ReplyDeleteExcited for Altered!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read Crewel for a very long time. It sounds so amazing and really different from anything that I have read :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the AWESOME giveaway! :)
Thanks for the awesome giveawy!! I've been wanting to read this book for a while now!
ReplyDeleteI do not have it yet but I would love to read
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about Crewel. Thanks for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I've borrowed this book before from the library (or at least seen it) but I definitely haven't read it yet. Guess it's going on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteJAMIE won the ARC of Altered!
ReplyDelete