***THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!!!!***

At BEA I was lucky enough to grab an ARC of  WHAT’S LEFT OF ME by my fellow Apocalypsie, Kat Zhang. And now you’re lucky because I’m giving you a chance to win my ARC. Before I tell you how, let me give you a little preview of WHAT’S LEFT OF ME (#1 in The Hybrid Chronicles.)

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t…

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

In order to win, you need to tell me what you think the biggest problem would be with have two distinct, but closely connected souls, in one body. I’m thinking it would be pretty traumatic if my other self had a different taste in books LOL! Leave your problem in the comments below with your contact information. You can’t win if I can’t contact you. This contest is open internationally and it will be running all weekend.

Tags: Apocalypsies, ARC, Contest, debut, Kat Zhang, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, What's Left of Me

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I went skiing for the first time this weekend.  Once, twenty years ago, I slapped on a set of skis (without any instruction) and slid down a big hill on my butt, but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count as experience.

I know this sounds like the most obvious piece of information EVER–kind of like–if you fall down, the best way to get up is to stand on your feet, but I swear it hadn’t occurred to me.  In my mind, the whole point of skiing is to go DOWN THE HILL and the best way to slow down is to hit the brakes and snow plow.  And of course–if that doesn’t work–fall down.  

But, seriously, shouldn’t it be obvious that reversing direction slows that trajectory?  


My mind kept returning to the simplicity of the concept.  When life is moving too fast.  When things are out of control–slow down and turn around.  Go back to the place and the speed where you feel comfortable.

Wait for it…you know it’s coming…

In my mind, being a debut author is an exhilarating, once in a lifetime, wind-in-your hair kind of journey and sometimes–without warning–you find yourself traveling downhill way too fast.  I’ve seen people throw on their snow plows while leaving a smoke trail behind.  They rapidly burn through all the energy that they have.  I’ve seen people crash when they couldn’t put the breaks on fast enough.  I’ve felt myself have those moments where things begin to happen way too quickly and in a panic, I make a not so advantageous snap decision. And then I’m kicking myself afterwards.

I think that from now on, I’m going to try to remember what I learned on the slopes.  I don’t need to panic, I just need to make a gentle turn and head up hill until I’m moving slow enough that I can make a thoughtful decision about where to point my skis next.  I need to use my environment and my skills to my best advantage.  There is nothing wrong with setting your own pace and being comfortable.  It’s a lot more fun to make it down the hill dry and on your skis than it is to roll down on your face–cold and wet–too afraid to ever try it again.  :o)

So, have you ever been skiing?  Best tip?  Funniest story?  Biggest fear?  

Tags: debut, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, skiing, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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 I mean this with all my heart…It is my pleasure to share this book with you…NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic.

Seventeen-year-old Austin Parker wants to help the people he loves live—even though his own future is uncertain.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. But in the short time he has left there’s one thing he can do: He can try to help the people he loves live—even though he never will.

This was the very last book I read in 2011 and it seems to me that it was supposed to be that way. My dad passed away in 2005 during the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Today it is New Year’s Eve–seven years later. I’m not sure you ever get over losing a parent or a child, but the way that I’ve tried to make sense of my personally horrific loss, has been to make my life matter. In honor of my father, I’ve chosen to live with courage and hope. The truth is that I would not be a debut author if my father died. So bitter sweet.

As I’m writing this review, I’m terrified that I won’t be able to do it justice, that I’ll be unable to express just how much it moved me. This book is beautiful. It speaks softly, but resonates deeply. It has everything that a real life has…love, shame, mistakes, friendship, hate, hope, loss, fear, regret, laughter and belief. It has the belief that it is never too late to want more from your life–even when life is short.

I found a connection with every single character in this book–saw myself in bits and pieces of every human interaction, but I loved Kaylee and Austin. They will haunt me–I’ll think about them often. This is one of those books that doesn’t feel like a story. It feels like it was real. I know them now and they are a part of me and I’m better for having had them in my life.

Megan Bostic is my fellow debut author at the Class of 2k12 and the Apocalypsies, but I urge you to champion this book. My love and admiration for it have nothing to do with my connection to her. This is a book that matters. This is a book that I believe in.

I would be extremely grateful if, when you read this book, you’ll stop by and share your thoughts on it with me.

Tags: debut, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Megan Bostic, Never Eighteen, YA Author, YA Novel, YA Writer

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