Notice anything new in the top right corner of my blog? That's right, it's a link to an actual website my husband designed for me at ilimatodd.com. Go check it out right now. You can read about my books and learn how to stalk me via other routes besides my blog. I know you want to. :) After you do, come back and tell me what you think.
I follow Rachel’s blog and have been eagerly anticipating the release of her debut novel, Fractured Light. I am thrilled to have been able to read it before its release date of February 7, 2012 and to participate in her blog tour. Here’s the scoop on the book:
I’m dying, I thought. This was unexpected and not at all how I envisioned my death. I was supposed to die gardening in a flowerbed as a hundred-year-old woman, not as a seventeen-year-old trapped in a lake beneath inches of ice.
Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. She can’t take any chances. But when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake.
As an Aura, Llona can manipulate light and harness its energy. But if she wants to survive, Llona will have to defy the Auran Council and learn to use her power as a weapon against the Vyken whose sole desire is to take her light. Now she’s caught in something even bigger than she can understand, with a power she can’t wield, and no one she can trust, except, just maybe, a mysterious stranger.
In this breathtaking and romantic adventure, Rachel McClellan delivers a truly mesmerizing story that will keep you guessing to the very end.
*Adding that to my list of things I thought I’d never admit to the writing world.*
BUT, through it all, I became obsessed with light. From the study of optics and bending light to how it factored into space travel, I was intrigued by its extraordinary and often mysterious properties.
So—I was a sucker for this paranormal YA novel from the start. It portrays a world of light vs. dark, good vs. evil, which I believe is the most fundamental conflict of our existence and NEVER gets old. (Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, um…the Bible, to name a few).
In this book, however, we are talking literal light and dark. The story line was familiar and at times predictable, but with the fresh concept of light manipulation, I didn’t mind. Again, if it ain’t broke…
I was hooked from the start and would’ve read it in one sitting if life didn’t get in the way. Many of my friends know I have to LOVE a book to want to continue in a series (Chamber of Secrets what???) and let’s just say I have already penciled in the release of a sequel in 2013.
This story felt reminiscent of Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and Need by Carrie Jones. No, there are no fallen angels or fairies, but there are male Guardians for the female Auras. And if you are a sucker for the cute, protective boy trying to shove away his feelings for the girl he is called to defend type of story like I am, then this book is for you. (And don’t worry, Llona holds her own and kicks major bootie in this book; we can save the Twilight bashing for another site, thank you very much.)
Here are some useful links if you feel so inclined...
Okay, so my birthday isn't until tomorrow, but I couldn't wait to share an early birthday present from my amazing husband. SO EXCITED about this cover he designed for me. Isn't it awesome?
Even though my posts of late reveal a roller-coaster ride of giddiness and angst, I must admit that in the end NaNoWriMo was worth it. Will I do it again? Probably, just don't tell my husband. He needs some time to adjust after a month's worth of no laundry getting done and eating cereal for dinner. I couldn't have done it without his support, and to add to my well of thankfulness for him, look what he made me for my nano book:
Jealous much? You should be because it's gorgeous! It's funny how I can get so excited about a fake book cover.
Considering the language in day 3 and the attitude in day 6, I may not want to attempt any more middle grade novels for awhile...back to young adult books for me. 
