DUALED. This is it. This is the day.

DUALED.
Elsie Chapman.
Today.

Check out what Publishers Weekly said about Elsie's dead awesome dystopian-with-a-twist YA: 

“Stylish, frenetic, and violent, Chapman’s debut is the textual equivalent of a Quentin Tarantino movie.” 

And in homage to that gorgeous quote, I give you the below:

There is no frying pan scene in DUALED, but if there had been it would have gone like this.

Pg. 142?

West plus swords.

How West and Chord relax after a long day of Alt hunting.




I flew through this book. Intense. Gritty. Perfect. And to top it off there's a tree house. I have a thing for tree houses.

Happy debut day, Elsie. I wish you and your book all the gosh darn luck in the world. Not that you'll need it.

-April

Where to find DUALED:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

The Book Depository

Where to find Elsie:

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Today is PIVOT POINT Day!

When I first started writing this post, on such an illustrious occasion as Pivot Point Day, I found myself reduced to manic, semi-incoherant exclamations like: THIS BOOK! BUY IT! READ! WILL LOVE!
 

Fortunately, I was able to get a hold of myself. I find it so very appropriate that PIVOT POINT arrives just days before Valentines Day. Why? Because in addition to having a fantastic, pulse-pounding mystery, PIVOT POINT positively crackles with romantic chemistry. Crackles, people. It crackles. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Amazing Characters
YA needs more main characters like Addie. She's smart and kind and FUNNY. I love her. If I were a dude, I'd totally ask her out. But I happen to be a female, and therefore, I was busy swooning over the boys in this book. THE BOYS, OH THE BOYS! Duke and Trevor feel completely real and completely lovable in their different ways. I want to wrap Trevor up and take him home with me. (How about it, Kasie? I can have him, right?)

2. Spectacular Dialogue
 Long ago, I proclaimed Kasie West the Unquestioned Queen of Witty Dialogue. There's really not much more I can say about it than that. She's. The. Best. Reading PIVOT POINT, I laughed out loud many times and smiled pretty much the entire time.

3. The Most Inventive Love Triangle Set-up You'll Read
Like I said before, both of the boys register almost dangerous levels of swoon-worthiness. And Kasie presents us with a love triangle that's so fresh and fun, it's the perfect cure for any reader that might be feeling a case of love-triangle fatigue.

4. Lots of These Moments

People, PIVOT POINT is everything I've promised and more. It's truly a fantastic book. And the PERFECT gift for Valentines Day. In fact, I've already planned out a Valentine's Day date with your special someone. Buy PIVOT POINT and one box of chocolate. Cuddle up and read PIVOT POINT while eating said chocolate. Sparks. Will. Fly. That's a promise.

Natalie Whipple Does The Dance Of Shame

So when I realized it was my turn to be Truth Or Dared this week, I went to my Thirteeners "friends" and was all, "Oh crap! I almost forgot! What should I do?"

And then Renee said I should dance because sometimes I brag about my Just Dance skills. Everyone found this to be THE BEST idea and I somehow agreed to it. But the thing is?

I'm terrified to dance in public. Just Dance is awesome because I can do it at home when no one is looking and get a good workout while having fun. I would never actually dance where I could risk someone seeing me. No joke—this is one of my top fears.

This is why you don't ask your friends to dare you—they know your weaknesses.

I had to take specific measures just to be able to stand in front of the camera. First I got glasses, which works out because everyone voted for Gangnam Style and PSY wears glasses. Thank you, PSY, for your excellent fashion choices.

Then I enlisted back up dancers, because I could do this alone. They were much more excited to perform than me, and even dressed up for the occasion. After that there was nothing to do but wait in terror as the song loaded:

Here's the video. I haven't watched it since I edited it. Feel free to stop the viewing any time. I totally understand. Or you can just NOT watch it. I'd be cool with that, too. Really, really cool with it. (But for the record, the back up dancers ARE pretty awesome. And thanks to my poor husband for having to document this horrific scene.)