18 Truths

Paperback, 278 pages
Published: January 28th 2014 by Curiosity Quills Press
ISBN: 1620074478 (ISBN13: 9781620074473)
Edition language: English
Series: 18 Things #2

Back Cover Blurb: Lying is unbearable, betrayal is inevitable, and choosing which path to take is impossible.

Olga Gay Worontzoff ended her senior year as an eighteen-year-old girl totally in love with Nate, enjoying their new romance and about to attend the university of her dreams. Now she’s spending her summer in the weird subculture of the Underworld, with charmingly witty and powerful angels, and problematic demons, trying to rescue Connor, the best friend and secret crush she was unable to save during a freak accident.

But Nate has other things on his mind, mainly Grace. She’s their first assignment as joint spirit guides, and Olga’s feeling hurt and jealous. His mysterious behavior has Olga questioning everything she believed about him and now she must decide whether to stick to their plan, or follow her heart. Unfortunately, a series of mistakes threatens everyone around her and plants Olga in the center of cosmic events much larger than she ever imagined.

Only one thing is certain: the chilling truths uncovered during her journey will leave no one untouched.

My Review

I8 Truths by Jamie Ayres is a literary triumph. Beautifully told. Meticulously executed.

I received 18 Truths as a beta reader and saw this manuscript blossom into what it is now. The story picks up after 18 Things (you should probably read this one first so you know what’s going on). Long story short, Olga’s Worontzoff, along with her friend Nate, are on a mission to save best friend (and her secret crush) Connor from the Underworld. Connor died in a freak accident and Olga is determined to save him and his soul. Enter conniving demons and whimsical, powerful angels, and you’ve got one rip-roaring adventure.

But the story isn’t just this really cool paranormal adventure for teens and adults. It’s a quest for faith, for answers. It’s a book of love, compassion, deceit…truths. The prose will wrap around you like a warm blanket, making you feel cozy and safe, then Ayres strips the reader of the security, leaving their emotions naked and exposed. You will laugh and cry, race through the anger, and swim in sadness. There is not one emotion Ayres leaves unturned. 18 Truths is mesmerizing. Haunting. It’s one of those books that stays with you after you’re finished. You have no choice but to return to it a day later to find the line that spoke to you. You can’t help but return to it a month later in search of the song that sang to your heart. I have read a few contemporary novels (none quite with a paranormal theme), and I have to tell you, 18 Truths is pure magic for the soul.

There is a religious tone to the novel, but I really don’t think it will interfere with anyone’s enjoyment. The religiousness is not in your face. You know it’s part of the ‘paranormal’ theme in the book and it’s what drives Olga and Nate, two of the three main characters of the novel. For those who do believe and our grounded in faith, this book will take you on an exciting journey through all the possibilities faith offers. You’ll get to meet angels, and oh, can they be devilish, playful and witty creatures. But in the quirkiness, there is also power and unbelievable love. The creatures of the Underworld are as one would expect…beautiful, manipulative, interfering, intriguing and conspiring. Your time spent here is intense, and Olga’s faith and heart are tested.

As the story unfolds, Olga is faced with 18 Truths, and all of them will leave her soul, as well as yours, touched in unbelievable ways.

18 Truths is an achingly beautiful story of life, loss and hope. In its every aspect, this novel is a triumph.

Get a copy:

18 Truths

Today I have middle-grade teacher and Y.A. author, Jamie Ayres, here to talk about her latest novel, 18 TRUTHS, and how she taps into the elusive young adult side of her. I have to say, I loved her first novel, 18 THINGS, but 18 TRUTHS, knocked my socks off. Make sure you check out both of her books after her guest blog and then add them to your collection today. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave your comments and/or questions for Jamie as she’ll be popping in and out throughout the day.

***

How Do I Tap Into My YA Side When I Write?

Probably the biggest rule in writing is knowing your audience. When you write primarily for 12-18 year olds, this can be a challenge when you’re well, old(er). Luckily, I’m very immature. And I teach middle school! Very good place to eavesdrop, all in the name of research, of course. Hey, I warn my students ahead of time that everything they say is subject to be fodder for my novels.

It’s important to keep your voice age appropriate (in external and internal dialogue) and preaching is a rule breaker. Talking down to young people doesn’t work in the classroom, and it definitely doesn’t work in books! This doesn’t mean you can’t have a moral message. I certainly strived to have one in 18 Things and 18 Truths. And why not? Part of the beauty of writing for young adults is they’re open to new ideas!

So besides hanging out where teens are (besides school, and I should mention Starbucks!) and eavesdropping, I also talk about TV shows, movies, and music with them. One great thing I did this year was an ongoing Poetry Jam project. Each student picked a Friday to present a song and analyzed it for literary devices, the author’s message, and gave a personal reflection. Hearing what music they’re in to and the struggles they relate it to has kept me in touch with my YA side for sure. Oh, how I wish you could be a fly on the wall for some of these presentations. I’ve cried over at least three of them so far.

Now something that hasn’t changed since I was a teen (a long time ago in a galaxy far away) is every young person has that one thing they can’t live without. Looking back at my journals, it was a boy (I know, so typical). Actually, most adults have one thing they can’t live without as well (at this age, mine is coffee). But when you’re an adult writing for teens, you have to remember that their focus is usually much narrower and short-lived (oooh, squirrel). It is all about “THE” girl or guy, getting on a sports team, getting revenge, being popular, being Homecoming/Prom King/Queen, being elected to student government, passing final exams, or sadly, just surviving another day of bullying.

Most YA authors I talk to think the best way to tap into their YA is to read YA books. I disagree. It’s actually hanging out with them. Not everyone can be a teacher or has a teen living in their house (yes, I have one of those, too). So volunteer at your church’s youth group, teen section at the public library, a local middle or high school, the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, etc . . . The real way to staying young is hanging out with young people! What about you? Any other ideas?

***

Back cover blurb:

Lying is unbearable, betrayal is inevitable, and choosing which path to take is impossible.

Unfortunately, a series of mistakes threatens everyone around her and plants Olga in the center of cosmic events much larger than she ever imagined.

Only one thing is certain: the chilling truths uncovered during her journey will leave no one untouched.

Website: www.jamieayres.com

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First Book in the series:

Can eighteen things save a life?

Olga Gay Worontzoff thinks her biggest problems are an awful name (after her grandmothers of course) and not attending prom with Conner, her best friend and secret crush since kindergarten.

Then Conner is killed in a freak boating accident and Olga feels responsible. When she downs an entire bottle of pills to deal with the emotional pain, her parents force her into counseling. There, her therapist writes a prescription in the form of a life list titled 18 Things. Eighteen quests to complete the year of her eighteenth birthday.

All she has to do is fire-walk, try out for the cheerleading squad, break a world record, and err . . . go on her first date. Good thing Nate, a new hottie in town, enters her life with perfect timing. He brings the fun factor to her list and helps her discover the beauty and strength inside herself, then complicates things by falling in love with her.

But there’s more to Olga’s quests than meets the eye and when her therapist reveals a terrifying secret, her world is shaken.

There’s only one thing she knows for certain: her choices won’t just affect her future, but all eternity

Today, the lie is revealed!

Today, Jamie Ayres‘ new book, 18 Truths, was released. If you haven’t already grabbed a copy, do so today, right now. Just click HERE. It’s also available in paperback. If you buy the book today, you will help drive the book to the #1 spot on Amazon!! The book is awesome and deserves to be on the best-seller list. Make sure you grab a copy of the first novel in the series, 18 Things.

In honor of her new novel coming out, Jamie conducted her own Can You Handle the Truth book release blog fest. For the last week, participants posted 2 truths and one lie and others played along to guess the lie.

My two truths and one lie I posted were the following:

1. A horse ate my dress once while standing in line to go on a tour of a castle.

2. When I was ten, I tumbled over the handlebars of my bike while going downhill, and broke my arm.

3. I played a pirate in a college stage production of The Pirates of Penzance.

I am so happy to announce today that #2 is the lie. I did race down a hill and tumbled over my handlebars, but all I got was major road rash. No broken arms. In fact, I’ve never broken a limb in my life, though I did have a small hairline fracture in my little toe after cramming it into a door frame.

As for #1, I was 7 years old and we had just dismounted from the horse-drawn cart that carried us up the mountain to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. My mom wanted a picture of me in front of the horses. I guess one of them liked the color green as he proceeded to munch down on my dress. Thank goodness, my mom brought a change of clothes as the horse pretty much ate the seat out of my dress.

As for #3, it was a dare to try-out. I never thought I’d make it. I’d been in plays before when I was younger, but this was a musical and everyone who knows me knows I can’t carry a note for diddle squat. Came to find out, I just needed to hang from the rafters of the ship and pretend to sing. I did, and all turned out well, especially since I lip-synched most of the songs. 🙂

And there you have it. Make sure you check out the other participants to find out what their lies were. Just click here!

5 – no – 6 new Young Adult novels that have me salivating

2014 is chocked full of new YA books that have me salivating and wiggling on the edge of my seat to read. Here are five that are coming out this month alone. The last two have me jumping out of my skin (well, not literally, but you know what I mean.)

Release Date: Jan. 21, 2014:

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself… which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

Release Date: Jan. 23, 2014

Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl.

After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?

Release Date: Jan. 28, 2014

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she’s struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn’t easy — not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she’s really safe.

Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She’s sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she’ll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?

With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.

(Who’s with me on this one huh???)

Release Date: Jan. 28, 2014

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi’s “masterpiece” Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Timesbestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it’s time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won’t even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn’t just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he’s also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

(Yeah, baby!)

Release Date: Jan. 28, 2014

DESTRUCTION
The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHT
Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICE
The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions.

(Most definitely looking forward to this one!)

Release date: Jan. 28, 2014

Lying is unbearable, betrayal is inevitable, and choosing which path to take is impossible.

Only one thing is certain: the chilling truths uncovered during her journey will leave no one untouched.

My 1st “Short Story” trailer

I’ve wanted to make a trailer for my short stories for a long time and didn’t know where to even begin. The whole process seemed daunting and way too difficult. But when my friend and fellow author, Jamie Ayres, made her first book trailer video a few days ago, I knew I had to try it.

I used a free program at Animoto.com, and played with the trailer when I wasn’t taking down Christmas decorations or raking the yard or making dinner. It’s been a crazy day, let me tell ya.

Anyway, the final result is below. What do you guys think?

What are your 18 Things?

In celebration of the January 24 release of 18 THINGS by my dear blogger buddy, Jamie Ayres, I’m participating in her What are your 18 Things blog tour where we have to write down 1 – 18 things on our bucket list. There are all kinds of goodies and giveaways involved, so I hope you pop over to participate.

What are some fun, heart-pumping, poignant, or inspirational things I want to do?

Get a publishing contract for my Chronicles of Fallhollow trilogy
See New England in the Fall
Visit the Grand Canyon
Travel to Italy, Scotland and Ireland. Then travel the rest of the world.
Buy a beautiful beach house and a beautiful mountain cabin.
Surround myself with friends and family in my beach house and mountain cabin.
Meet all my blog buddies
Find the utmost peace and contentment within myself.
Be genuinely happy.
Make tons of money so I can donate substantial amounts of it to charities and organizations that mean a lot to me.
Visit Seattle to see my daughter and grand-daughter.
<See all the plays/movies my other daughter designed costumes for.
<To be the best mom, grandma, and friend I can be.
Do whatever I can to help my kids succeed and be happy in life.
Hire a maid.
Go on a cruise.

There are tons more, but I’m going to stop here. What are your 18 THINGS? Hop on over to Jamie’s blog and check out what other blog hoppers have on their bucket lists.

Want to know more about 18 Things? Keep reading.

Can eighteen things save a life?

Olga Gay Worontzoff thinks her biggest problems are an awful name (after her grandmothers of course) and not attending prom with Conner, her best friend and secret crush since kindergarten.

Then Conner is killed in a freak boating accident and Olga feels responsible. When she downs an entire bottle of pills to deal with the emotional pain, her parents force her into counseling. There, her therapist writes a prescription in the form of a life list titled 18 Things. Eighteen quests to complete the year of her eighteenth birthday.

Just as she’s finally embracing the joys of living life for the moment, her therapist reveals a terrifying secret and Olga’s world is shaken. In the past year it took eighteen remarkable things to change a life, but nothing she believed about her mission is true.

Now she doesn’t just risk losing her true soul-mate forever, she risks losing her very soul.

About Jamie: Jamie Ayres writes young adult paranormal love stories by night and teaches very young adults as a public school teacher by day. When not at home on her laptop or at school, she can often be found at a local book store grabbing random children and reading to them. So far, she has not been arrested for this. She lives in southwest Florida with her prince charming, two children (sometimes three based on how Mr. Ayres is acting), and a basset hound. She spent her youthful summers in Grand Haven, Michigan and this setting provided the inspiration for her debut novel, 18 Things. She really does have grandmothers named Olga and Gay but unlike her heroine, she’s thankfully not named after either one of them. She loves lazy pajama days, the first page of a good book, stupid funny movies, and sharing stories with fantastic people like you.