Grace

Elizabeth Scott has proved herself with this novel. While she has mastered the art of the cutesy romance YA novels, she has also ventured out and shown to the world that she is not just another romance writer.

Grace was a powerful novel, packed into very few pages. That's because she didn't waste time; Scott jumped right into an emotional story and made readers think of a life outside of our own. The world she created, while vague, still seemed very real and very possible. The characters were believable, and readers could sympathize.

This novel was very short, easily read in one sitting. But the emotion and power brought with it will last for awhile after finishing. I do enjoy Elizabeth Scott's work, and I was skeptical about reading this simply because it was so different. However, it was not disappointing in the slightest.

Waiting on Wednesday: 10/20/10

Between Here and Forever
by Elizabeth Scott
Release Date: May 24, 2011

Summary:

Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.

Until the accident.

Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.

She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.

Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could.

Why?

Um, Elizabeth Scott? Duh, she's amazing and wonderful and one of the best writers in the world. And I love every book I've read by her. Can't wait.

Jane

The Unwritten Rule

Elizabeth Scott has done it again.

Once again she has written a book that had me completely awed. Scott has the ability to write novels that leave me thinking, and always wanting more.

The thing that I really loved about The Unwritten Rule was how realistic it was. Previously in Elizabeth Scott's novels, I've noticed a lot of cheesy, happy endings. Not to say that this book didn't have a happy ending, but it was done in the right way.

I also loved the characters. The main character, Sarah, is easy to sympathize with. She is an average girl with an average problem: she likes her best friend's boyfriend. I think it's easy to say that the majority of us have been there. And her best friend, Brianna, is easy to dislike. However, she also gets a huge sympathy vote because of her uncaring parents. The male lead, Ryan, is likable enough, but easily forgotten.

This wasn't my favorite of Elizabeth Scott's books, but it was still worth the read. I couldn't put it down.

Waiting on Wednesday: 7/14/10

Waiting on Wednesday originated here. =]

My pick:

Grace
by Elizabeth Scott
Release Date: September 16, 2010

Summary:

Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

Told in spare, powerful prose by acclaimed author Elizabeth Scott, this tale of a dystopian near future will haunt readers long after theyÕve reached the final page.

Why?
Elizabeth Scott is an amazing author, and I will be eagerly awaiting every novel she ever writes until the day I die. End of story. Thank you.

Jane

Interview with Elizabeth Scott

Elizabeth Scott is a fantastic author, one of my absolute favorites, and that is why I chose her to be the first person I interviewed on my new blog. It took just a bit of courage to email her (what if she said no?!) but I'm glad I did.

A little background for anyone who may be interested, she has written eight books, dealing with some fluffy fun stuff like teen love, and going as dark and depressing as child abduction and captivity.

Her newest book, Grace, will be released on September 16th.

Now, onto the interview!


On Other Authors:

1. If you could compare your writing to any other author’s, who would you compare it to and why?

I think everyone's writing is unique and that's what makes reading books so much fun!

2. Who are some authors that you look up to or admire?

Too many to list!

3. If you could talk to any author, living or dead, who would it be and what would be one question that you ask him or her?

I have no idea! I have so many books I've read and loved that I could never pick one author to ask a question. I'd want to talk to all of them :-)

On your books/characters:

4. If you could have lunch with any of your characters, which would it be and why?

Not a single one. I can't read my own writing, so I definitely don't want to go to lunch with any of my characters!

5. Are any of your characters’ more funny/embarrassing experiences related to things that have happened in your own life?

Nope. I like making stuff up--for me, it's the best part about writing--you get paid to tell stories! Also, I'm very boring. (You've seen my answers!!)

6. If you could choose any one of your books to be required reading for a high school class, which would it be and why?

I have no idea. What do you--yep, you, reading this--think it should be?

On writing:

7. Is there a type of book that you’ve always wanted to write, but never had the guts to do?

Nope. I write what I want to write. If you don't believe in your own writing, then how in the world are your readers going to? Being afraid of the stories in your own head strikes me as strange. They're there for a reason--let them out!

8. What is your favorite part about being an established writer?

I don't know how established I am, but my favorite part of writing, other than the writing, is hearing from readers. I LOVE that!

9. Has writing always been your dream profession? (If yes, how was that dream realized? If no, what was your previous dream and why hasn’t it been fulfilled?)

No, it hasn't--I didn't start writing until I was 27 and bored out of my mind during a meeting at work. Before then, I went out of my way to avoid anything that had "creative writing" in it because I just didn't think I was creative. Writing, for me, was something I fell into--and I'm so glad I did!

My real dream job is to be paid to read books. If anyone out there has a lot of money for such a thing, get in touch with me! ;-)

---
Many thanks to Elizabeth Scott for agreeing to this interview! For more information on her or or her books, please visit the following links!

Elizabeth Scott's Website
Bloom (2007) / Perfect You (2008) / Stealing Heaven (2008) / Living Dead Girl (2008) / Something, Maybe (2009) / Love You Hate You Miss You (2009) / The Unwritten Rule (2010) / Grace (September 2010)

Love You Hate You Miss You

Elizabeth Scott has created quite a splash, at least in my world of YA literature.

Her previous novels (if you don't live under a rock, you will at least know of them, even if you haven't read them) really struck a chord with me. I am sad to say that I've had this book on my shelf for quite some time, and I only recently got around to reading it.

Needless to say, Elizabeth Scott has amazed me once again. After a three month long reading slump, I have been revived. The story goes something like this: After the death of her best friend, Amy has been going through struggles, not only with herself but with her classmates and her family. In 288 enthralling pages, you follow her through her struggles.

I was expecting simplicity when I started this book. I've read enough books about life throwing cruel obstacles, and a character finding closure in some cheesy, predictable way. That may be why it took me so long to start reading this. However, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Amy dealt with her problems. Amy is a character that I thought was realistic. While the love interest was predictable, I also enjoyed that aspect of the story.

Overall: Read this book, and Elizabeth Scott's others. You will not be sorry.