Happy New Year's Eve!

And I guess it's that time to make some resolutions that maybe I'll fulfill and maybe I won't...haha! Believe me, I try to fulfill my resolutions with good intentions, but they don't always work out. *sigh* So this year, I will try my best to fulfill my 2009 resolutions... :) :)

My New Year's Resolutions for 2009

I will try to write and complete two books this year.

I will try to write and simultaneously keep my house nice and neat. *chuckle*

I will try not to agree to too much responsibility to where I'm crazy busy and too busy to write.

I will try not to follow so much celebrity gossip! haha. Sometimes I am completely too nosey for my own good.

I will try and eat healthier, not so much fried food, with a little more working out on the side.

I will try and share more about the fabulous books I will read this year.

I will try and be more patient, because I am not the most patient person in the world. ;)

And I will try and make YA Fresh a little bit more fun!

Okay, not too over the top. :) 

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions for 2009??

Have You Seen This Lipstick?


I've had a couple readers write and ask me about the lipstick on
the cover of The ABC's of Kissing Boys. I'm not real savvy in the
ways of lipstick--tend to wear the same brand, same shade, when I
wear it at all--plus, I had been thinking it was just a clear gloss.

Bonne Bell put out a clear stick gloss when I was a girl that my
friends and I all used. Nowadays Bonne Bell calls that product
"Lip Smackers" and they come in a lovely array of shades and flavors and bright packages...but same idea.

Anyway, now I am wondering if this IS a lipstick, and not just a
stick gloss. Can anyone identify the silver lipstick tube or guess
at the shade? Any ideas where I can point readers who are
interested in buying a similar product?

All thoughts appreciated!

A Captivating New Series...

I had the pleasure of reading the ARC earlier this year, and now that it has hit book stores on December 23rd, I'm thrilled to shout praises about Laurie Faria Stolarz's DEADLY LITTLE SECRET, the first book in the new "Touch" series.

The characters in this novel are real and unique. The writing smooth and the storytelling mysterious and intense. I can only hope I'll get to read the next book in the series before it hits stores again!

Camelia lives a normal high school life, but she doesn't know she's being watched until the weird phone calls and packages begin and now everywhere she turns she senses fear. The new boy with the dangerous past and dark secrets says he can help. Her friends are urging her away from him. Yes, Camelia needs help. She just doesn't know if he can be trusted. Or if anyone can be for that matter.

A boy to admire from afar, a girl you want to befriend, a novel to keep you turning the pages because you won't know who to trust. Laurie Faria Stolarz's DEADLY LITTLE SECRET is a blend of mystery, chills, and forbidden touches--one captivating story you have to experience!

Laurie Faria Stolarz is the author of Project 17 and Bleed, as well as the highly popular young adult novels Blue Is for Nightmares, White Is for Magic, Silver Is for Secrets, and Red Is for Remembrance. Born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts, Stolarz attended Merrimack College and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston. For more information, please visit her website at www.lauriestolarz.com.

Happy Holidays to all of our Friends!!


~kelly and tina :)

Let It Snow (Three Holiday Romances)

Some months ago, I read about an upcoming trilogy of holiday romances by three esteemed authors, John Green. Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle. Here is the blurb:

Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks.

While the blurb interested me, it wasn’t until I got to the final line--telling me that the tales were interconnected--that I added it to my book list. I loved the idea that same characters and storylines would pop in and out of each author’s story (in each author’s voice).

So I bought the book, and moved it ahead of my massive reading pile for my December reading. And am I glad I did.

Let It Snow is more than just a holiday book or collection of stories. The writing is sharp, the characters leap off the page, you laugh, you choke up, you shiver in the cold, you warm by the fire...and you fall in the love with the characters. Some of whom do travel all the way through the book, along with clever little themes and phrases.

In fact, one of the characters creates his own swear word, and it appears enough times throughout the book that it stuck in my head. So when a driver cut in front of me this week, guess what came out of my mouth? (No, I'm not going to write it here...you'll have to find it out for yourself!)

I am presently passing my copy of Let It Snow around to my friends...and encourage our YA FRESH readers to check it out, too. And then come back and let is know what you think.

Tina Gets an Early Holiday Gift...

This week, my publisher, Random House, released my 2007 book, Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress as a Kindle! Yay!


And the timing couldn’t be better since Santa’s bringing me a Kindle for Christmas. (At least, he’s supposed to...) So the way I see it, on Thursday, while the family is cleaning up and starting breakfast, I’ll be in front of the computer, downloading my book from Amazon...

The gift that keeps on giving, huh?

Here’s wishing you unexpected gifts, too!

Who's the Birthday Girl?


Why, it's our very own Kelly!

Everyone, please join me in wishing her a happy, happy birthday!


And allow me to say thanks again to everyone who attended Kelly's author chat last night on PAGEFLIPPER'S site. So much fun!

Pets and Holidays...

I’m busy shopping and wrapping this week, and putting presents under our tree...and at equal rate, our cat, Rascal (named after the prom dumper in Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress), is busy sniffing around the presents and poinsettias, tearing into wrapped gifts, and plowing into gift bags. I swear, he thinks this whole holiday thing is about providing him with entertainment, and it doesn’t matter how many crinkled wrapping paper balls you toss his way, he still thinks that the scotch tape on your finger or the nicely wrapped present beside you is the most fun!

In fact, here’s a couple of pictures from two years ago, when we couldn’t “find” him on Christmas morning!



He also wants to know what all these funny decorations are that we have up on counters and tables, and apparently likes the way they sound as he knocks them to the carpet.

Kelly has a new puppy this year, Cinnamon:


One of the cutest I think I’ve EVER seen--and I’m looking forward to hearing about her first holiday season. Kelly, what can you tell us so far?

And how about the rest of you, how goes it with pets and holidays at your house?

New Chances to Win...

Hi YA Freshers! I'm inviting readers to a couple of on-line events this week for a chance to chat with me and win a copy of Invisible Touch!

On Wednesday, December 17 the cool authors at Wolfy Chicks have invited me for an interview and have graciously donated a copy of Invisible Touch to giveaway to a lucky commenter. So if you're interested in reading Invisible Touch, I'd love for you to stop by this great YA paranormal blog and leave a comment tomorrow!

Then on Thursday, December 18th, 8 PM Eastern (7 Central, 6 Mountain, 5 Pacific) the awesome Pageflipper is hosting monthly chats with authors--how cool is that? And during the chat on Thursday, I'll be giving away three copies of Invisible Touch to random chatters! It's very easy to register and to enter the chat. And if you've already read Touch, you can still check in and ask me any questions on Graffiti Girl or Touch! So please stop by here and be ready to ask any questions on books, reading, or writing!

Thanks and hope to chat with you soon!

~kelly

WINNER!

A Signed Hard Cover Copy of GOOD ENOUGH by Paula Yoo (pictured here from last August at the SCBWI Conference)



goes to...

Shari Green!!!

Shari, please contact me at admin @tinaferraro.com with your mailing information. And congratulations!