ya debut

Class of 2k17 Book Love: Allegedly

~ Patricia ~ 1 Comment

Class of 2k17 Books | PatriciaBaileyAuthor.comIt’s hard to believe that Class of 2k17 member Tiffany Jackson is a debut author and that ALLEGEDLY is a debut novel.

It’s just so good.

Which is why I was thrilled when Tiffany’s e-ARC ended up in my inbox. Just one of the many perks of being part of the super terrific debut group, Class of 2k17. Have I mentioned how lucky I am?

I read ALLEGEDLY over the course of a week – trying to make it last. It’s simply amazing. Dark and twisty and totally mind-bending. Thriller fans are going to eat this novel up – and people who don’t usually read thrillers are going to love the complex and heartbreaking character of Mary and the girls in her group home.


AllegedlyAllegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A stunning debut. Dark. Heartbreaking. Powerful. Mary is a wonderfully complex character. Her story will catch you by the throat and not let you go until you’ve read the entire novel – and she’ll stay with you long after you’ve finished. The author, Tiffany Jackson, paints a unflinching portrait of our juvenile justice system while telling a compelling story – drawing you into Mary’s world, and making you question right, wrong, and everything in between.

A true thriller from the start.

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For readers:

  • Page turning suspense.
  • A complex and compelling character.
  • A thrilling read that will keep you second guessing what you know.

For teachers

  • A great example of building suspense and maintaining it.
  • An examination of complex narrators.
  • A rich jumping off place for discussion about juvenile justice, good, evil, and all the places in between.

Lucky for all of us, we won’t have to wait long to get this book in our hands. ALLEGEDLY’S launch date is January 24, 2017, and it’s available for pre-order now.

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2017 Debut Book Love – Wait For Me

~ Patricia

Book Review | www.patriciabaileyauthor.comI love historical novels. Always have. Historical fiction is what sparked my interest in history. It’s what led me to the library to learn more about the people and events that have shaped our world when I was a kid, and it’s what help me decide on my minor in college when I was an adult. Best of all, it was my love for history that inspired my own 2017 debut, THE TRAGICALLY TRUE ADVENTURES OF KIT DONOVAN.

Which is why I was so excited to see another 2017 debut historical on the ARC list. I’ve wanted to read Caroline Leech’s YA novel WAIT FOR ME since I first read the summary. There’s just something about being transported to another time and another place that gives you a fresh perspective. WAIT FOR ME’s beautiful Scottish setting and characters did just that.

Wait for MeWait for Me by Caroline Leech
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A touching war story – well told. Caroline Leech’s WWII romance, WAIT FOR ME, is filled with angst and empathy as enemies become friends – and fall in love – even as they are forced to face their own fears, prejudices, losses, and desires. Romance lovers will appreciate the slow burn of forbidden first love, while history lovers will be drawn to the detailed depictions of time and place and the unique setting. And everyone will love the characters – from Lorna’s pluck to Nikki’s cheerful desperation, from Jock’s quiet strength to Paul’s tragic kindness.

WAIT FOR ME is a strong debut. The author, Caroline Leech, has an eye for romance, and and an elegant hand with detail – and suspense. A great YA read.

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For readers:

  • A swoon-worthy love story.
  • Great historical detail.
  • Spunky and brave characters.

For teachers

  • A fresh historical perspective and setting for WWII.
  • Discussion about empathy, fear, and loss.
  • A WWII story with a strong female protagonist.

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Class of 2k17 Book Love: Poison’s Kiss

~ Patricia

Class of 2k17 Books | PatriciaBaileyAuthor.comI was lucky enough to get another ARC in my mail this week. I never knew getting a sneak peek at soon-to-be-published books would be this fun. It’s like a whole year of Coming Attractions! I have to admit, after reading fellow Class of 2k17 member Whitney Gardner’s awesome YOU’RE WELCOME UNIVERSE last week and Breeana Shields’ amazing POISON’S KISS this week, I am truly humbled that my little book is getting to hang out with these guys. I feel like the weird kid who ended up sitting at the cool kids’ table my mistake. Part of me is scared to death while another part kinda wants to jump up and down and scream like the fangirl I am. Neither reaction is very professional, I know, but right now, that’s all I got – and I’m okay with it.

And I totally fangirled Breeana as I read this book. I tweeted her regular updates, letting her know just how amazing this story is. Amazing and unique and freaking spell-binding.

She may have made me a fantasy junkie with this debut and I’m not even sorry. It’s that good!

Poison's Kiss (Untitled, #1)Poison’s Kiss by Breeana Shields
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beautiful writing, riveting plot, engaging characters – Breeana Shields manages to combine all three in her engaging debut. Shields captures your attention from page one – with gorgeous description and an empathetic character. She carries it through the twists and turns of this page-turner, as Marinda struggles with her duty, her self, and her fate. A story of deceit, betrayal, friendship, and ultimately love, Poison’s Kiss will stay with you long after you finish the book and leave you longing for the sequel.

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For readers:

  • Fast paced adventure.
  • A touching sibling relationship.
  • Complicated friendships and loyalties, and a sweet romance.

For teachers

  • Beautiful, descriptive language.
  • A great example of world building – using mythology and lore to enhance a story.
  • A compelling character who is easy to empathize with.

If this is Breeana’s debut, I can’t even imagine what she’s got up her sleeve for the next book. Lucky for you, it’s available for pre-order right now. And you can always add it to your Goodreads list to remind you of the amazing book that’s coming for you in 2017.

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My First ARC: Pre-reading MG and YA Books – You’re Welcome Universe

~ Patricia

Class of 2k17 Books | PatriciaBaileyAuthor.comOne of the coolest things about being a debut author is that you get to meet other debut authors.

And one of the best things about meeting other debut authors – other than their incredible kindness, generosity, and downright Swankiness – is that you get to read advanced copies of their upcoming MG and YA books.

That’s right. You get a sneak peek at next year’s best MG and YA books. How cool is that? For this bookworm, it’s a little like my visions of heaven. Books just arriving at your doorstep like magic, waiting for you to read them.

My very first Advanced Reader Copy showed up in the mailbox right before the Fourth of July weekend. And if that’s not cool enough, it was fellow Oregonian and Class of 2k17 member Whitney Gardner’s amazing debut, YOU’RE WELCOME UNIVERSE.

And it was awesome!

So awesome, I read it in two days. So awesome, I rushed over to Goodreads to write a review. So awesome, I tweeted about it, then tweeted again. (And Intagrammed, and Facebooked…and, well, you get the picture).

MG and YA books - You're Welcome, UniverseYou’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is so much to love about Whitney Gardner’s debut. It’s heartfelt – full of anger and hurt, hope and beauty. Set against the backdrop of a graffiti war, YOU’RE WELCOME UNIVERSE challenges our assumptions about art, belonging, and friendship in new and interesting ways. The characters are compelling, the art work is captivating, and the twists and turns make this an impossible book to put down.

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For readers:.

  • A friendship story that’s not all sunshine and happiness.
  • A real character  – complex and diverse – that’s not easy to pigeon-hole. .
  • The art work!

For teachers

  • A complex and diverse character – who doesn’t always make the best choices.
  • Discussion about art and vandalism – expression and destruction.
  • Excellent world building from the character’s point of view in a contemporary setting.

The world is going to saying THANK YOU, WHITNEY when it gets its hands on this book next year. In the meantime, the lucky few who get a pre-read will just have to urge you to add it to your To Read lists.

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