Top Ten Tuesday: Fictional Crushes!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl in which we create bookish lists about everything from our favorite characters to love triangles and everything in between! 


This Week's Theme: Fictional Crushes

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is an exciting theme, because if anyone knows me, I have so many fictional book crushes! Oh my goodness, so freaking many throughout my life. So without further ado, let's get into it and talk about ten of my fictional book crushes, in no particular order! 

1. James Stark from the House of Night series. Oh my god, Amber and I had the meanest crush on him in middle school! Something about him...I just loved him so much!

2. Peeta from The Hunger Games series. Alright, this one is definitely self-explanatory. 

3. The plague doctor from Ink in the Blood. I am a sucker for the dark, brooding villain types. I have the worst villain complex, and Amber and Emily always make fun of me for it!

4. Warner from the Shatter Me series. Emily, Amber, and I still fight over him all of the time. I think he's the first fictional crush that all three of us had at the same time and all agreed on! But what we can't agree on is who would get to be with him if he was real...

5. Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars. Okay, this one was definitely one of my more subtle crushes, but it was still there. He seemed like the perfect, most loving, sweet, attentive boyfriend, and I was so sad about...well, everything that happened to him. We don't need to rehash it again.

6. Lucas Tsai from Meet Me in Paradise. A sweet, charming, slightly grumpy and keeping-to-himself billionaire whisking me away to a perfect island paradise? Yes, please! 

7. Alex from People We Meet on Vacation. I have a sweet spot for the childhood best friend type! I think that might be because my boyfriend and I were childhood best friends....

8. Edward Cullen from the Twilight series. I don't want to catch any flack for this. Leave me alone!!!! 

9. Ashton from You Had Me at Hola. Because who wouldn't want a handsome telenovela star to fall for them????? 

10. The Phantom of the Opera. Okay, this one was technically a book from long ago, so it counts to me -- but I'm talking more about Gerard Butler in the 2004 movie. What can I say??? He's ridiculously handsome and I told you that I am a sucker for the dark, brooding villain types! 

So those are ten of my favorite fictional book crushes! What are yours? Comment down below and let me know -- and also leave your own Top Ten Tuesday links down below as well so I can check them out!


Waiting on Wednesday: Extasia by Claire Legrand

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where we highlight some of the upcoming books we can't wait to read! 


Title:
Extasia

Author: Claire Legrand 
Genre: Horror, Fantasty 
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: February 22ns, 2022
Summary: 
A standalone horror novel for fans of The Grace Year, The Handmaid’s Tale, Courtney Summers, and Shirley Jackson. My name is unimportant. All you must know is that today I become one of the four saints of Haven. The elders will mark me and place the red hood on my head. They will give me my true name, and with my sisters I will stand against the evil power that lives beneath the black mountain—an evil which has already killed nine of our village’s men. I will tell no one of the white-eyed beasts that follow me. Or the faceless gray women tall as houses. Or the girls I saw kissing in the elm grove. Today I become a saint of Haven. I will rid my family of my mother’s shame at last and save my people from destruction. I am not afraid. Are you? From New York Times bestselling author Claire Legrand comes an emotionally searing and lyrically written novel that beckons readers to follow its powerful heroine into a world filled with secrets and blood—where the truth is buried in lies, and a devastating power waits, seething, for someone brave enough to use it.


What are you waiting on this week? Leave your links so we can stop back! 


Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl in which we create bookish lists about everything from our favorite characters to love triangles and everything in between! 

This Week's Theme: Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time!

    
    




Thats my list for this week! What books make your list!? Leave your link below so we can stop back!

Spotlight & Excerpt: Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer

Hi everyone! Today on the blog, we're shining a spotlight on Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer, with an excerpt for you all to enjoy as well. So without further ado, let's get into it!


ABOUT THE BOOK


Title: Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche (Enola Holmes, #7)
Author: Nancy Springer
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Hardcover, 272 Pages
Publication Date: August 31st, 2021 

 Summary: Enola Holmes is the much younger sister of her more famous brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. But she has all the wits, skills, and sleuthing inclinations of them both. At fifteen, she's an independent young woman--after all, her name spelled backwards reads 'alone'--and living on her own in London. When a young professional woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up on Sherlock's doorstep, desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, it is Enola who steps up. It seems her sister, the former Felicity Glover, married the Earl of Dunhench and per a curt note from the Earl, has died. But Letitia Glover is convinced this isn't the truth, that she'd know--she'd feel--if her twin had died. The Earl's note is suspiciously vague and the death certificate is even more dubious, signed it seems by a John H. Watson, M.D. (who denies any knowledge of such). The only way forward is for Enola to go undercover--or so Enola decides at the vehement objection of her brother. And she soon finds out that this is not the first of the Earl's wives to die suddenly and vaguely--and that the secret to the fate of the missing Felicity is tied to a mysterious black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home in the middle of the night. To uncover the secrets held tightly within the Earl's hall, Enola is going to require help--from Sherlock, from the twin sister of the missing woman, and from an old friend, the young Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Nancy Springer is an American author of fantasy, young adult literature, mystery, and science fiction. A prolific author, she has written more than fifty books over a career that has spanned nearly four decades.
Keep up with Nancy: Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook

EXCERPT


“Is she fainted?” 

Indignant, I wanted to sit up and say I was not so easily killed and I never fainted, but to my surprise my body would not obey me. I merely stirred and murmured. 

“She’s moving.” 

I saw the clodhopper boots of common men surrounding me and smelled alcohol on the breath of those leaning over me. 

“Let’s get ’er inside.” 

“Somebody go fer the doctor.” 

Strong hands, not ungentle, seized me by the feet and shoulders. I could have kicked and yelled—I felt strong enough now—but my mind had started to function, realizing that I was about to be carried into a pub, for only in a public house, or pub, would workmen be drinking in the daytime. And normally no woman of good repute would enter a pub, or if she did, she would be jeered at until she retreated. But, my avid brain realized, fate in the form of Jezebel had given me opportunity to spend some time inside a pub—no, in the pub, most likely the only pub in Threefinches! So I closed my eyes and pretended to be rather more helpless than I was as the men hauled me inside and laid me down on a high-backed bench by the hearth. 

Someone brought something pungent in lieu of smelling salts, but I shook my head, pushed the malodourous hand away, opened my eyes, and sat up, acting as if it were a great effort for me to do so. A burly, bearded man in an apron, undoubtedly the publican who kept the place, came running with a pillow for my back, and I thanked him with a gracious smile. 

“Will ye have a nip of brandy, lydy?” 

“No, thank you. Water, please.” 

“Jack! Water for the lydy!” he bellowed to some underling, and he remained nearby as I managed, with hands that genuinely trembled, to remove my gloves. Their thin kidskin leather was ruined by the mauling it had taken from Jezebel’s reins, and my hands were red and sore; doubtless they would bruise. Grateful for the cool glass, I held it in both hands and sipped, looking around me. Half of the denizens of the place, like the owner, stood in a semicircle staring at me not unpleasantly, while the rest did the same from seats at the rustic tables—all but one. A tall man with beard stubble on his chin and quite a shock of coarse brownish-grey hair hiding his forehead had withdrawn to a table by the wall, where he devoted his attention to his mug of ale, or stout, or whatever noxious brew he might fancy. I said brightly to the tavern-keeper, “I believe I would like to stand up.” 

“Now, why not wait for the doctor, lydy—” 

But taking hold of his arm, as he stood within my reach, I got to my feet with reasonable steadiness. There were muted cheers from the onlookers. Nodding and simpering at the men all around me, I lilted, “Thank you so much. Do you suppose anyone could go out and fetch my bag, and my hat and parasol? I believe they fell along the—” 

Already half a dozen would-be heroes were stampeding towards the door. Yet, if I had walked in here under my own power, any request for help would have been met with deepest suspicion. Such is life: odd.

~~~

We'd like to thank Wednesday Books for inviting us to share this excerpt today! If you're interested in ENOLA HOLMES AND THE BLACK BAROUCHE, don't forget to add it to your TBR!

2021 Debut Author Interview: Laura Rueckert!

In 2019, we made it our goal is to work with as many debut authors as possible and to spread the word about their debut novels. It was such a success last year that we decided to continue the fun for years to come! Follow us this year as we pick the minds of the 2021 debuts and chat with them about their writing process and what it's like to be a new author. Also stay tuned for news of giveaways, Twitter chats, and more!

At the end of 2020, we Tweeted about wanting to discover more debut authors and their books. We ended up finding Laura Rueckert and her novel A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN, and we have been interested in it ever since! We are so excited to have Laura on the blog today to answer some of our questions! 



Laura Rueckert is a card-carrying bookworm who manages projects by day. At night, fueled by European chocolate, she transforms into a writer of young adult science fiction and fantasy novels. Laura grew up in Michigan, USA, but a whirlwind romance after college brought her to Europe. Today, she lives in Germany with her husband, two kids, and one fluffy dog.

Keep up with Laura: Website / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads


The Book Bratz: First of all, congratulations! How does it feel to be a debut author?

Laura: Thank you! It's such a mixture of feelings! I'm thrilled that people are staring to read this book that I've loved for so long. But I'm also kind of terrified about people reading it. For example, is my dad going to read the love scenes? *hides*

The Book Bratz: In your opinion, what's the best part of the writing process? What's the hardest?

Laura: I really enjoy revising, but for me, the very best aspect is when some small detail I thoughtlessly inserted in my story early on unexpectedly fits perfectly with another part I'd believed was unrelated later. That serendipity astounds me every time. The hardest part of writing is getting started: finding and fleshing out the right idea, and writing the first draft.


The Book Bratz: Where did you get the idea for A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN?

Laura: The original inspiration came years ago, when I was touring a castle somewhere in the German countryside (I forget which one!), and the tour guide told us that the original lady of the house had been a highly educated French woman who spoke multiple languages, but not German, and was not happy to be stuck where she was. So it made me wonder what it would be like to marry and move to a rural area where no one speaks the same language as you. The second spark came because I live in Germany, and when my kids were diagnosed with dyslexia, a lot of well-meaning people (not experts) suggested I stop speaking my native language English to them, to avoid confusing them. But the research I did said plenty of dyslexic people are multilingual. So I wanted to depict that.

The Book Bratz: Who was your favorite character to write? Who was the most difficult?

Laura: I liked writing all of them! Whether they're funny or arrogant or devious or kind, I love them all. I think Scilla was the hardest. She's a ghost going through an intensely traumatic experience and she doesn't have much possibility to communicate, but I still wanted her character to come through.


The Book Bratz: Are there any other books or authors who give you inspiration for your own writing?

Laura: Leigh Bardugo is definitely an inspiration in terms of defining different countries with their own cultures that feel real. But there are so many more! Also check out books by Alechia Dow, Rebecca Coffindaffer, Tracy Deonn, Elizabeth Lim, Joan He, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Rosaria Munda and Claudia Gray.


The Book Bratz: What do you hope that readers will take away from A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN?

Laura: First off, I just hope readers are swept away to another world. We all desperately need a little escape! Beyond that, Jiara has undiagnosed dyslexia, and she's heard comments that made her doubt herself her whole life, even from her otherwise loving family. Whatever the reason, I think most of us know what it's like to struggle with self-confidence, so I'd like readers to embrace the message that they are capable of more than they think.


The Book Bratz: Do you plan on returning to the world of A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN in the future, or do you have any other projects in mind? Can you tell us anything about them?

Laura: At the moment, I don't have further books planned in the Dragonbird world (but never say never, right?). I'm currently working on a speculative alternate history set in 1980s West Germany, and I'm brainstorming one or two YA fantasies.


Title: A Dragonbird in the Fern
Author: Laura Rueckert
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: August 3rd, 2021 (Out now!)

Summary: When an assassin kills Princess Jiara’s older sister Scilla, her vengeful ghost is doomed to walk their city of glittering canals, tormenting loved ones until the murderer is brought to justice. While the entire kingdom mourns, Scilla’s betrothed arrives and requests that seventeen-year-old Jiara take her sister’s place as his bride to confirm the alliance between their countries. Marrying the young king intended for her sister and traveling to his distant home is distressing enough, but with dyslexia and years of scholarly struggles, Jiara abandoned any hope of learning other languages long ago. She’s terrified of life in a foreign land where she’ll be unable to communicate. Then Jiara discovers evidence that her sister’s assassin comes from the king’s own country. If she marries the king, Jiara can hunt the murderer and release her family from Scilla’s ghost, whose thirst for blood mounts every day. To save her family, Jiara must find her sister’s killer . . . before he murders her too.


Thank you so much to Laura for stopping by and answering our questions! We are super excited about A DRAGONBIRD IN THE FERN, and it's out in the world now for everyone to enjoy! 

Celebrate So Excited GIF by Hey Violet



Waiting On Wednesday: Swipe Right for Murder by Polly Harris

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where we highlight some of the upcoming books we can't wait to read! 
Title: Swipe Right for Murder
Author: Polly Harris
Publisher: Pauline Harris Editorial 
Publication Date: Sept. 14th, 2021

Summary:
DATING IS TOUGH. ESPECIALLY IF THE GUY YOU LIKE MIGHT BE A SERIAL KILLER. 
After a devastating heartbreak and a string of short-lived, failed relationships, college student Georgie Itoyama has now decided to approach dating in the same way that she approaches everything else: methodically, logically, and efficiently. 
Georgie downloads countless dating apps, determined to find the love of her life as easily as she orders jeans online. And while her love-at-first-sight aspirations don’t exactly come true, she does find someone she likes. Quite a lot.
There’s only one problem. Girls are going missing at Georgie’s university, and all the signs are pointing to . . . him?
But that’s ridiculous. What are the chances that she’s dating an actual serial killer?
Then she matches with Nate. Mysterious, intelligent, and oddly fixated on solving the local disappearances. As Georgie’s relationships deepen with each of her guys, she unwittingly finds herself caught up in the mess that is murder, intrigue, and the nightmare of online dating.
I had the pleasure of meeting Polly on my recent trip to Spain, and was so excited to hear about her new novel! I knew right away that it's gonna be a hit and I can't wait to give it a read. Like, dating apps + murder mystery? Yes please! 

Be sure to let us know what you're looking forward to reading!

-Emily      


Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Places to Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl in which we create bookish lists about everything from our favorite characters to love triangles and everything in between! 


This Week's Theme: Favorite Places to Read


1. The beach: The beach is my all time favorite place to read! The waves crashing, the sand between my toes, and the sun shining just make for such a perfect backdrop!

2. At the pool: Chilling next to the pool with a drink in hand!

3. On the front porch: Such a cute spot especially if you have a cozy bench!

4. Next to a fire: But not too close! The best place to cozy up with a warm blanket and some hot coco!

5. In your backyard: I love sitting in my backyard to read during the early spring and fall!

6. At a coffee shop: There is nothing better than sitting in a cute coffee shop with a nice cup of coffee.

7. The library: Such a simple and quiet place surrounded by books!

8. At a park: A nice picnic at a park with a good book is always a good idea!

9. In bed: Reading in bed is great to help you fall asleep! But if you're anything like me, you'll be up all night reading instead!

10. In a waiting room: Last but not least, our least favorite place to read, a waiting room! But a good book will help pass the time!

-Emily                 

ARC Review: Your Life Has Been Delayed by Michelle I. Mason

Title: Your Life Has Been Delayed
Author: Michelle I. Mason
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Hardcover, 308 Pages
Publication Date: September 7th, 2021
Summary: Jenny Waters boards her flight in 1995, but when she lands, she and the other passengers are told they disappeared . . . 25 years ago. Everyone thought they were dead. Now contending with her family and friends fast-forwarding decades, Jenny must quickly adjust to smartphones and social media while being the biggest story to hit the internet. She feels betrayed by her once-best friend and fights her attraction to a cute boy with an uncomfortable connection to her past. Meanwhile, there’s a growing group of conspiracy theorists determined to prove the whole situation is a hoax. Will Jenny figure out how to move forward, or will she always be stuck in the past?

I received a copy of YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED in exchange for an honest review, and I'm really glad that I did, because this book ended up being spectacular. I tore through this book in giant chunks because I would just sit down and become so sucked into it that I didn't want to let it go! I have so many great things to say about this book, so without further ado, let's get into my review! 

As the summary explains, the story follows Jenny Waters, a 17 year old girl who gets on a plane in 1995 and when she lands, it's 25 entire years later. She hasn't aged at all, but everyone around her has -- her parents are retired, her baby brother is married with kids, her grandparents are gone, and her best friend has moved on and has a family of her own, with someone that Jenny would rather not think about. Everything else about the story is completely set in contemporary times, so Jenny has to adjust to things like social media, cell phones, and digital journalism, all while navigating her new life and trying to keep the conspiracy theorists from burning her at the stake for being some sort of alien or hoax. Basically, the way I've been describing this book to people is a fictional account of what would happen if the Malaysia Flight 370 suddenly reappeared and landed like nothing was wrong, even after it's been missing all of these years. And when the passengers get off the plane, they have no idea what's going on, thinking it's been just a few hours since they got into the air. I couldn't imagine what something like that would do to me mentally.

Like I said, I absolutely loved reading this book! It was both hilarious and shocking to see Jenny adapting to the 21st century and all of its changes. Some of them were expected, such as the new technology, but there were others -- such as finding out what happens to Angie, her best friend -- that took me by surprise. I couldn't put this book down, and I kept wanting to stay up to just read one more chapter, to see what was going to happen to Jenny as she began to adjust to all of the different aspects of her life that have changed so dramatically. And in addition to that, she's also going through all of this while she's basically a celebrity for returning from the plane, and there's a conspiracy group out there, PATROL, that is destined to prove that her flight was a hoax and that she is some sort of alien or cyborg. So it's a lot for one teen girl to handle! And following along with her antics was equal parts entertaining and emotional. I loved every second of it! 

My favorite character in this story was definitely Dylan. He was so hilarious, kind, and witty, and even as Jenny was fighting off her feelings for him, I was rooting for him on every page. I mean, come on -- any teen boy who loves The Hunger Games and plans super-cute dates is the type of guy that I'd root for. I'm a hopeless romantic at heart! But for real, when I found out about the connection he had to Jenny's past (which I won't mention here, but I *will* discuss in the next paragraph!), I was pleasantly shocked. That was an absolutely awesome plot twist that I really didn't see coming, and it was incredibly well-written! 

[Spoilers ahead, so skip to the next paragraph if you want to avoid them!] I actually liked the fact that you don't find out what made the plane jump in time. I don't think having that answer would've changed anything at all -- Jenny is still here, in the 21st century, regardless of whatever phenomenon got her there. So not actually explaining how it happened was a really interesting choice, but I actually really liked it. It made sure that the focus was on Jenny adjusting to her new life and all of its challenges, instead of just harping on what happened to her. Also, having Angie and Steve end up together (and then having Jenny fall in love with their son) is a plot twist that I wasn't expecting, and I really loved it! And like I said, he was definitely my favorite character in the whole book.

Overall, I absolutely loved YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN DELAYED. If you're looking for a refreshing new debut that will have you flipping through the pages until the very end, then look no further! I hadn't ever read a story like this one before, and I loved it so much and am already talking it up to everyone that I know. I'm already a solid fan of Michelle I. Mason, and I'm looking forward to reading more work from her in the future!





The College Diaries: Making My Way Through My MFA Program

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since my last College Diaries update, and I figured that a new one was due. For those of you who may be new around here, The College Diaries is a series that we started here on The Book Bratz to document our change from high school blogging life to college. I graduated my undergraduate program back in 2020, and now I'm in an MFA program until May of 2022 -- which is hard to believe, because that means that I'm already almost done with my College Diaries posts! Still, I figured that I owed you guys an update, since I love keeping you in the loop of what's going on in my life.


There's not much to report -- just that I'm over halfway through my online MFA program at SNHU, and I'm loving it so far. I'm so grateful to my fellow bookish friend Allie for telling me all about the program once she graduated from it, and convincing me to give it a look. I never really considered getting an MFA before the pandemic, but once we found ourselves stuck at home, I realized how much I missed school, and how I really wanted some structure and stability in my life to finish my novel. And the SNHU program was absolutely perfect for me! I'm not going to go on my whole sales pitch spiel now, but if you're considering an MFA, definitely reach out to me and you can hear all about all of the wonderful reasons that I'm so glad to be in the SNHU MFA program.


One thing about the program that I'm super excited for are my three thesis courses, where we really buckle down and spend a lot of time writing our individual novels. I'm really looking forward to being able to buckle down and revise #BeachTownWIP, since the revision process is always what scares me most about the writing process! But I'm really excited and grateful that I took the leap and wound up in a program where I could really work hard on my own writing.


I'm also surprised by how many friends I made, which is something I definitely wasn't expecting from an online MFA program. I already have several people that I talk to regularly, and a few of my classmates and I even started a Facebook group for our program that really took off. It's been a lot of fun so far, and I've been loving it so much! I really love the sense of community in the program, which is a surprise since it's all virtual and asynchronous so we never see each other or even communicate with each other in class outside of discussion posts. There aren't Zoom classes or anything like that. So being able to have a community of other writers that I'm connected with has been awesome. Nobody understands the best and worst parts of the drafting process more than other writers! 


Are you in an MFA program? Considering one? Comment down below and let me know your thoughts!

2021 Debut Author Interview: Lyndall Clipstone!

In 2019, we made it our goal is to work with as many debut authors as possible and to spread the word about their debut novels. It was such a success last year that we decided to continue the fun for years to come! Follow us this year as we pick the minds of the 2021 debuts and chat with them about their writing process and what it's like to be a new author. Also stay tuned for news of giveaways, Twitter chats, and more!

At the end of 2020, we Tweeted about wanting to discover more debut authors and their books. We ended up finding Lyndall Clipstone and her novel LAKESEDGE, and we have been interested in it ever since! We are so excited to have Lyndall on the blog today to answer some of our questions! 




Lyndall Clipstone writes YA Gothic about monsters and the girls who like to kiss them. A former youth librarian, she has a Bachelors in Creative Writing and a Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Management. She is represented by Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

Keep up with Lyndall: Website / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads


The Book Bratz: First of all, congratulations! How does it feel to be a debut author?

Lyndall: Thank you so much! Honestly it feels very surreal. I’ve been working on LAKESEDGE on and off for almost ten years, and it’s still hard to believe that it will be an actual book! I’m so very excited for my story to be out in the world and in the hands of readers.

The Book Bratz: In your opinion, what's the best part of the writing process? What's the hardest?

Lyndall: My favourite part of the writing process is revisions – especially line edits, where I’m really digging into to the tiny details of each scene. I’ve loved working with my editor, and her suggestions have helped strengthen my writing in ways I’d never have been able to do on my own. The hardest part for me is drafting, always. Trying to get the perfectly envisaged story from my brain onto a blank page is always such a struggle! I’m still searching for ways to make the first draft stage fun – lately I’ve been doing writing sprints with friends, which has helped a lot.


The Book Bratz: Where did you get the idea for LAKESEDGE?

Lyndall: The basic premise for LAKESEDGE was The Secret Garden as a gothic romance. I wanted to write the sort of book I’d have loved to read as a teen. I drew inspiration from so many of my favourite things, including David Bowie as the Goblin King, Angela Carter’s vicious and empowering fairy tales, death and the maiden mythology, and Florence + the Machine’s Lungs album.

The Book Bratz: Who was your favorite character to write? Who was the most difficult?

Lyndall: Violeta, the main character, is definitely my favorite. In writing Leta, I tried to capture a time of life when the world feels immense and every emotion you have is vitally important. She’s both brave and foolish, full of good intentions even as she makes so many terrible choices. As for most difficult, probably the Lord Under. He’s the villain, but for all the truly awful things he does, he and Leta do have a very genuine emotional connection. I spent so much time trying not to make him too nice or too human!


The Book Bratz: What surprised you the most about the publishing process?

Lyndall: That I have made such wonderful friends. Publishing can at times be very stressful, lonely, and chaotic – but finding a community of other authors to share this experience with has been so uplifting. My bookshelf and my heart are both very full!


The Book Bratz: What do you hope that readers will take away from LAKESEDGE? 

Lyndall: One of the strangest (and loveliest!) things about being an author is how my book will belong to readers, and it will have a meaning for them that is very different from what it means to me. It’s quite magical! So I’m not sure what I hope people will take away, but I hope they will enjoy LAKESEDGE and that reading it can be a beautiful escape from the real world – much as it was for me while I was writing it.


The Book Bratz: Do you plan on returning to the world of LAKESEDGE in the future, or do you have any other projects in mind? Can you tell us anything about them?

Lyndall: I will indeed return to the world of LAKESEDGE! A direct sequel, FORESTFALL, is set to publish in Fall 2022. I feel so lucky that I get to spend another book with these characters, and I’m so excited to share the conclusion of my series with readers next year. Aside from that… I do have a super secret project that I am currently drafting. It’s another gothic romance, but very different to LAKESEDGE. I’m falling very much in love with this story and characters, and I have my fingers crossed it will be published someday.


Title: Lakesedge
Author: Lyndall Clipstone
Publisher: Henry Holt
Publication Date: September 28th, 2021

Summary: There are monsters in the world. When Violeta Graceling arrives at haunted Lakesedge estate, she expects to find a monster. She knows the terrifying rumors about Rowan Sylvanan, who drowned his entire family when he was a boy. But neither the estate nor the monster are what they seem. There are monsters in the woods. As Leta falls for Rowan, she discovers he is bound to the Lord Under, the sinister death god lurking in the black waters of the lake. A creature to whom Leta is inexplicably drawn…There’s a monster in the shadows, and now it knows my name. Now, to save Rowan—and herself—Leta must confront the darkness in her past, including unraveling the mystery of her connection to the Lord Under. 


Thank you so much to Lyndall for stopping by and answering our questions! We are super excited about LAKESEDGE and can't wait for it to be out in the world on September 28th


Celebrate So Excited GIF by Hey Violet