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Tue 13 Dec 2011

Posted by annastan [12] Comments

Win a copy of Mindi Scott’s Freefall ! Details at the end of this post.

Just when I’m starting to think she might be dead or something, the phone rings. I lunge for it, banging my shin on the coffee table and sending Mom’s ashtray tumbling to the floor. Ashes scatter on the burnt-orange carpet. “Mom?” No answer. “Mom?” I say again. “Hello, there.” It’s a man’s voice, low and fakey-smooth. At first I’m scared it’s Drake. Then he says, “I’m calling from Rainier Collection Services. Is this Ms. J. Calhoun?” I put on my politest voice. “Sorry, you must have the wrong number.” Then I set the receiver down with a click and remind myself for the zillionth time not to answer without checking the caller I.D. Sinking onto the couch, I study the new bruise on my shin, just above my ankle bracelet Mom made me for my birthday last year. I don’t know what I’m getting myself so worked up for. Mom has had to work late plenty of times. I close my eyes and listen. It’s almost eleven, and the only sounds are the thunk our kitchen clock makes and the swoosh of cars hydroplaning through the lake-size puddle in the street outside. I keep waiting for one of those cars to stop and Mom to come swooping into the apartment with her jasmine-and-cigarette smell and her “Hey, honey pie, you still awake?” and her big, husky laugh. But the cars just roll on by. I’m kind of wishing the Professor would call, take my mind off Mom. Excerpt copyright © 2011 Helen Landalf

Just when I’m starting to think she might be dead or something, the phone rings. I lunge for it, banging my shin on the coffee table and sending Mom’s ashtray tumbling to the floor. Ashes scatter on the burnt-orange carpet.

“Mom?”

No answer.

“Mom?” I say again.

“Hello, there.” It’s a man’s voice, low and fakey-smooth. At first I’m scared it’s Drake. Then he says, “I’m calling from Rainier Collection Services. Is this Ms. J. Calhoun?”

I put on my politest voice. “Sorry, you must have the wrong number.” Then I set the receiver down with a click and remind myself for the zillionth time not to answer without checking the caller I.D. Sinking onto the couch, I study the new bruise on my shin, just above my ankle bracelet Mom made me for my birthday last year. I don’t know what I’m getting myself so worked up for. Mom has had to work late plenty of times.

I close my eyes and listen. It’s almost eleven, and the only sounds are the thunk our kitchen clock makes and the swoosh of cars hydroplaning through the lake-size puddle in the street outside. I keep waiting for one of those cars to stop and Mom to come swooping into the apartment with her jasmine-and-cigarette smell and her “Hey, honey pie, you still awake?” and her big, husky laugh. But the cars just roll on by.

I’m kind of wishing the Professor would call, take my mind off Mom.

Excerpt copyright © 2011 Helen Landalf

About the book:

Stevie is used to taking care of herself. But one night her mom never comes home from the club. That’s the night Stevie’s life turns upside down. It’s the night that kicks off an extraordinary summer: the summer she has to stay with annoyingly perfect Aunt Mindy; the summer she learns to care for injured and abandoned birds; the summer she gets to know Alan, the meanest boy in high school.

But most of all, it’s the summer she finds out the truth about Mom.

What people are saying:

“ Flyaway is so good I read it in one sitting. I had intended to set it aside for later, but I read the first sentence, and then the next, and by then it was too late; I was hooked!”– Han Nolan, National Book Award winner

“Fans of Ellen Hopkins and Jay Asher: Prepare to fall in love with debut novelist Helen Landalf. Filled with bighearted love and gritty realism, Flyaway rings with bittersweet truth.”–Justina Chen, author of North of Beautiful

Released: December 20, 2011

About the author:

Helen Landalf is a debut novelist. She lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, where she’s also a Pilates instructor and children’s dance teacher. She has two stepsons. You can visit her at www.helenlandalf.com

Giveaway:

Helen has been kind enough to contribute a paperback copy of another powerful contemporary realistic novel for a giveaway: Mindi Scott’s Freefall !

Just comment on this post to enter.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower of this site (just click “Join this site”) or a follower on Twitter [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

The contest is open in the US and Canada, and ends on December 28th at midnight EST.

Good luck and happy reading!

Tags: Addiction , Contest , Family , Realistic , Young Adult

Mirka Breen says: December 13, 2011 at 4:23 pm Oh, how I could use a book that is so riveting it’s read in one sitting… For one, that’ll force me to sit down.

Oh, how I could use a book that is so riveting it’s read in one sitting… For one, that’ll force me to sit down.

Beth MacKinney says: December 13, 2011 at 4:47 pm Love that first page for ‘Flyaway.’ Definitely looking it up! : )

Love that first page for ‘Flyaway.’ Definitely looking it up! : )

April X says: December 13, 2011 at 10:48 pm Flyaway looks awesome! So does Freefall 🙂 I’m a GFC follower and twitter follower 🙂

Flyaway looks awesome! So does Freefall 🙂 I’m a GFC follower and twitter follower 🙂

Vivien says: December 13, 2011 at 11:24 pm Looks very promising. Thanks! +1 GFC: Vivien +1 http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/227810-first-page-and-giveaway-flyaway Vivien deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Looks very promising. Thanks! +1 GFC: Vivien +1 http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/227810-first-page-and-giveaway-flyaway

Vivien deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Sharon Morse says: December 14, 2011 at 1:38 am Can’t wait to read Flyaway! +1 twitter: @sharonmorse

Can’t wait to read Flyaway!

+1 twitter: @sharonmorse

Anne M Leone says: December 14, 2011 at 1:46 pm Did the title get changed from Freefall to Flyaway? Anyway, yes, would love a copy. What an intriguing beginning! +1 for being a Twitter follower. annastan says: December 14, 2011 at 1:51 pm Anne, just to clarify, the giveaway book (Freefall) is different from Helen’s new book (Flyaway). Helen wanted to give away a copy of Mindi Scott’s Freefall since it’s also a powerful contemporary realistic novel. 🙂 Anne M Leone says: December 14, 2011 at 7:15 pm Ahhhh, must read more closely! Thanks, Anna!

Did the title get changed from Freefall to Flyaway?

Anyway, yes, would love a copy. What an intriguing beginning! +1 for being a Twitter follower.

annastan says: December 14, 2011 at 1:51 pm Anne, just to clarify, the giveaway book (Freefall) is different from Helen’s new book (Flyaway). Helen wanted to give away a copy of Mindi Scott’s Freefall since it’s also a powerful contemporary realistic novel. 🙂 Anne M Leone says: December 14, 2011 at 7:15 pm Ahhhh, must read more closely! Thanks, Anna!

Anne, just to clarify, the giveaway book (Freefall) is different from Helen’s new book (Flyaway). Helen wanted to give away a copy of Mindi Scott’s Freefall since it’s also a powerful contemporary realistic novel. 🙂

Anne M Leone says: December 14, 2011 at 7:15 pm Ahhhh, must read more closely! Thanks, Anna!

Ahhhh, must read more closely! Thanks, Anna!

thegirlonfire27 says: December 15, 2011 at 5:13 am This looks very interesting,I would love to be entered. +1 follower – thegirlonfire27 +1 spread – http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/227935-first-page-and-giveaway-flyaway thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

This looks very interesting,I would love to be entered.

+1 follower – thegirlonfire27 +1 spread – http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/227935-first-page-and-giveaway-flyaway

thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

Taffy says: December 19, 2011 at 5:09 pm Great first page and hook! I’d like to continue reading. I’m a follower here I’m a follower on twitter

Great first page and hook! I’d like to continue reading.

I’m a follower here I’m a follower on twitter

Jessica @ Book Sake says: December 27, 2011 at 5:43 pm Flyaway sounds like a great debut read. (Freefall sounds great as well!) +1 follower: Book Sake +1 Twitter follower: @BookSake +1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/booksake/status/151719723841753088

Flyaway sounds like a great debut read. (Freefall sounds great as well!) +1 follower: Book Sake +1 Twitter follower: @BookSake +1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/booksake/status/151719723841753088

Kara DiDomizio says: December 27, 2011 at 5:50 pm Would love to win ^^ +1 Follower: Kara DIDomizio +1 Twitter follower: @karasmannequin Thanks so much ! supersonic182@firstpagepanda.com

Would love to win ^^

+1 Follower: Kara DIDomizio +1 Twitter follower: @karasmannequin

Thanks so much !

supersonic182@firstpagepanda.com

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Featured Authors J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

J. Anderson Coats

Andrea Alban

Crystal Allen

Sarah Aronson

Monica S. Baker

Hannah Barnaby

Rebecca Barnhouse

Hilari Bell

Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman

Julie Berry

Lauren Bjorkman

Jan Blazanin

Ellen Booraem

Hélène Boudreau

Julie Bowe

Robin Bridges

Leslie Bulion

Marissa Burt

Erin Cashman

Lara Chapman

Sheela Chari

Julie Chibbaro

Lena Coakley

Kristi Cook

Kate Coombs

Leah Cypess

Carole Estby Dagg

Karen DelleCava

Amy Fellner Dominy

Marissa Doyle

Deva Fagan

Beth Fehlbaum

Greg R. Fishbone

Janet Fox

Sonia Gensler

Cole Gibsen

Hilary Weisman Graham

Tessa Gratton

Alissa Grosso

Lia Habel

Teri Hall

Kiki Hamilton

Janice Hardy

Kim Harrington

Merrie Haskell

Danette Haworth

Cat Hellisen

Karyn Henley

Leanna Renee Hieber

Tess Hilmo

Amy Holder

Elissa J. Hoole

Jennifer Hubbard

Kirsten Hubbard

Denise Jaden

Terry Lynn Johnson

Mike Jung

Julie Kagawa

Julia Karr

Stasia Ward Kehoe

Lynne Kelly

Miranda Kenneally

Derek Taylor Kent

Kami Kinard

Jessi Kirby

Jo Knowles

Ron Koertge

R.L. LaFevers

Helen Landalf

April Lindner

Nikki Loftin

Natasha Lowe

Susan Lubner

Elisa Ludwig

Jenny Lundquist

Michaela MacColl

Christina Mandelski

Jessica Martinez

Shari Maurer

C. Lee McKenzie

Gretchen McNeil

Kate Messner

Dawn Metcalf

Erin Moulton

Erin E. Moulton

Kate Kae Myers

Anne Nesbet

Jennifer Nielsen

Kristin Wolden Nitz

A.J. Paquette

Rosanne Parry

Mitali Perkins

Gae Polisner

Cindy Pon

J.L. Powers

Joy Preble

Cheryl Rainfield

Michelle Ray

Jenn Reese

Diana Renn

Bettina Restrepo

Laurisa White Reyes

Nelsa Roberto

Joanne Rocklin

Lisa and Laura Roecker

Caroline Starr Rose

Randy Russell

Jeanne Ryan

Chris Rylander

Kimberly Sabatini

Peter Adam Salomon

Jeff Sampson

Tiffany Schmidt

Lisa Schroeder

Victoria Schwab

Mindi Scott

Ruta Sepetys

Medeia Sharif

Kristen Simmons

Angie Smibert

Clete Barrett Smith

J.A. Souders

Jessica Spotswood

Anna Staniszewski

Kiera Stewart

Lauren Strasnick

Sarvenaz Tash

Sarah Tregay

Audrey Vernick

Danette Vigilante

Sara Bennett Wealer

Dianna Winget

Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Allan Woodrow

Brian Yansky

Lara Zeises

Jennifer Ziegler

part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

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