I met Simone Elkeles at SOS Military Mixer during the RT Booklovers' Convention. She truly touched my heart with her genuine concern for military families. So let's get to know Simone! From her bio,
Simone Elkeles is the NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of over seven teen romance novels. She has won various awards and recognition for her books, including the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her book Perfect Chemistry and being named Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Her funny way of looking at life and the world around her has an effect on the people she hangs out with. If you hear people laughing, you’ll probably find Simone not far away.
Today I am giving away a copy of Simone's YA novel, RETURN TO PARADISE: *
Separated by the car accident that left Maggie with a permanent disability and sent driver Caleb to jail for hitting her, the two teens are surprised to encounter each other in Re-START, a monthlong program where teens talk about how their lives were changed by reckless driving. Everyone wants to keep them apart, but they end up in a van with four other teens and a program counselor. Only Caleb and Maggie know that although he did the time, he didn’t commit the crime. Is a month long enough to undo the damage inflicted by the accident, their families, and each other? This sequel to Leaving Paradise (2007) continues the alternating-chapter approach, which invites readers to experience the story from both perspectives. Elkeles also sticks to the midwestern setting and briefly brings back a few characters from the first book. The language is spare, and no time is wasted on peripheral or tangential information, lending a starkness to the story. This novel will appeal both to boys, for Caleb’s toughness and his situation, and girls, for the steamy romance.
RETURN TO PARADISE is the sequel to LEAVING PARADISE.
To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about YA novels - are you reading them, with or without teens in the family?
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, June 25, 10 pm in Dayton. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 26.
Mahalo,
Kim in Mississippi
* I received this book as a giveaway at RT's Booklovers' Convention.
My daughter is out of her teens, but she will still direct YA my way that she thinks I will enjoy. A good book is a good book no matter the age it is directed at.
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
Aloha, Kim! Aloha, Simone! I don't have children of my own (yet), but I LOVE YA novels. The depth of emotion, the angst, the twisted plots which revolve around so much more than sex. And all the categories and sub-genres... wow. Really, what's not to love?
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI didn't knew you read YA...
I am quite a fan of Simone!Ever since Perfect Chemestry...*loved it , btw*
I have to start "How to ruin" series soon , since it's a perfect summer read....
Mahalo,
R.
thedaydreamersbook@gmail.com
Leaving Paradise and Returning to Paradise are on my wishlist. I don't read a lot of YA fiction but I do read a lot of women's fiction dealing with teens and sometimes they includes perspective from teens. These novels caught my eye because of the issues (loss, grief, consequences) it deals with and I'm interested in seeing how the characters deal with them from their views.
ReplyDeleteCambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
I read YA books all the time! And Perfect Chemisty is actually one of my favorite YA books of all time =) (Simone is one of my favorite YA authors, but that shouldn't surpise anyone xDD)
ReplyDeleteMy children are grown now. I have read a few YA novels.
ReplyDeleteI've read and enjoyed some YA books.
ReplyDeleteI alternate between reading romances and YA/children's books. Actually, a spate of post-apocalyptic/dystopian YA reads is what got me to read more romances in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI buy lots o young adult novels. I give them to my daughter to read. She is 18. She tells me if I would like it or not. debby236 at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteHello Kim Hope you are enjoying Mississippi, I am always browsing the YA books & other than the Twilight saga I really enjoyed Inkheart A wonderful Author captured my interest because of her covers and Titles FIRE & Graceling by Kristin Cashore Love them. I think I will have a look for your Books I Know first hand how fate steps in & changes EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteHave a good one everyone Ann/alba
I browse the YA aisles whenever I'm at the bookstore and I am amazed. Amazed at the diversity of writing available for teens today. No such thing during my teen years. (No, not going there....)
ReplyDeleteBut, no, I don't read YA; been there, done that, got the t-shirt. LOL!
Yes, i read YA ! and i've been wanting to read one of Simone's books :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read much YA lately but I do read it. I still. I'm a few years out of my teens. lol. Hope you're having a fabulous time Stateside Kim
ReplyDelete