Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hi there, fellow readers!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!

This is the place to get your bookish fix of the day and guess what?  Today's featured title is definitely a reason to be SUPER excited.  Why?  Oh, well, it's only all about book two in a particular YA series that happens to release tomorrow....you probably don't even know which one I'm talking about, so no worries.  -walks off- *hears whisper*  What's that?  You've been waiting for it too?  Small world!  Okay, so not really...the world is rather big and round and green but that's beside the point.  It's a small reading world after all since you know what book I mean...and why not?  The first book was a great introduction to that magic that is Patc....oh, wait.  Let me introduce the title first.  (hehe)  Today's book of choice and wishes for a HAPPY (almost) BOOK BIRTHDAY go to.....

Crescendo

by

Becca Fitzpatrick

*WARNING*  Potential spoilers if you have not read book one (Hush, Hush) in the series....so either STOP RIGHT THERE before you ruin it for yourself....or continue ...but you were warned....*

When we last left this fantastical story, Patch was Nora's assigned Guardian Angel, having restored his wings through his last grand gesture at the close of book one.  Ideal, right?  I mean, now they can spend all their time together....alone...with no one around to watch or interrupt.....uh, yeah....not quite.  See, Patch lost his angel status once by falling for a mortal human girl...the same thing can happen again if the ones on high catch wind of this forbidden relationship...not to mention his angelic duties extend beyond Nora as well.  To whom you ask?  Nope, sorry...can't reveal that to you just as Patch can't reveal his secret to Nora.  *sniff*sniff* Anyone else smell trouble brewing?  *raises hand*  Add in Marcie Millar's sudden desire to out Patch's secret (as if she REALLY knew what that was) and the return of Nora's childhood friend (not really friend, more like bully) by the name of Scott Parnell who is surrounded by so many strange happenings its not even funny....and yeah, you have quite the storyline bubbling just beneath the surface.  Will Patch and Nora make it through?  Hard to say, but their relationship is not the only thing at stake here....so are their lives.

Oh Hush Hush, how I loved thee, let me count the ways....starting with Patch and Nora, continuing with fab friends like Vee and ending with a great storyline that left readers (myself included) on the edge of their seats waiting for more.  Crescendo, you long awaited sequel you, did not disappoint....despite my having to read you in record time thanks to the threat of spoilers if I didn't finish before the weekend being promised by one blogger friend that shall remain nameless (you know who you are...*glares*).  Do I regret the speed read?  Not at all....except in two ways.  (Yes, that is a contradiction there, but let me explain...)  First, I wished to savor you and draw out your essence until publication day arrived (read this one in early September)....and second, so I could hang on to all your little details more vividly (yeah, we learn A LOT in this book).  Alas, neither came to pass, but still I am one happy reader who feels very privileged to have had the chance to read this book early.  Moving forward....

So very much is revealed in this book from the truth about Nora's dad (yeah, can't say more), Patch's friends and the crazy connection with Marcie (yeah, can't say more here either), just who or what is out to get Nora this time (yeah...ditto)....the information uncovered verges on overload but never reaches that marked danger zone. It's shocking, surprising....and definitely still holds that fire that burned so brightly in book one.  The author kept our favorite "couple" (if that's what they can be called...I mean really the number of times they....okay, can't reveal that either...) in the spotlight while adding in the new story around them in such a way you were never bored nor could you guess exactly what would happen next. For those fans craving more depth to the story and character backgrounds, author Becca Fitzpatrick granted your wish in spades....in fact, I might recommend keeping a notepad on hand to jot down a thing or two in order to make the appropriate connections by books end.  It's not that it's confusing, it's simply a tinge complicated and may be easier to see in living color.

My final thoughts....one sequel that certainly lives up to the frantic fever that the very mention of its name creates, and one you won't want to miss.  Bookmarks up to author Becca Fitzpatrick on this second installment in the series....fantastic job.  The book has had a few release dates already but the latest official date I've seen is 10/19/10 (tomorrow) so if you don't have your copy pre-ordered, you might want to make plans to visit your local store.  One more thing to put your minds at ease....if you haven't heard already, the THIRD book in this series is scheduled for release during the later part of 2011 called Tempest.  So it looks like we aren't going to have to say goodbye to this great series at least for one more installment (or who knows...maybe more!).  Anyone else excited? *raises hand and jumps up and down*

ARC for review received courtesy of Lucille Rettino at Simon & Schuster. (THANK YOU!)  For more information on this incredible series in the making as well as their other fabulous titles, visit their online site or follow along on Twitter!  To find out more about the fabulous Becca Fitzpatrick, be sure to check out her site, blog, Facebook, MySpace or...you guessed it...Twitter.  ALSO....for more HUSH HUSH fun, have you checked out FallenArchangel?  It's the office HUSH HUSH fansite so not only a great place to find out all about the new happenings with the series but also a place to share your love of the series with other fans.  Check out their site and of course, find them on Twitter.

Until next time...happy reading!

Author Interview: Becca Fitzpatrick

Hello to one and all!  Welcome to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  Is it just me or does coming back after a holiday weekend still make Tuesday feel like a Monday?  On the flip side, at least we get a shorter week!  (Whoo-HOO!) 

Today's post is an exciting one to say the least.  This is the day that I get the joy of posting my first author interview!  (Eeee!) BUT, that's not all!  (I know, as if that wasn't enough!)  This author is someone who has recently gained the public's interest in the Young Adult genre.  She is especially recognized and known by her growing fan base of those that were able to read her new book prior to its October 2009 release, and those eagerly anticipating its arrival in stores.  (Have you guessed her name yet?  Hmmm?)  A book review of this title was also recently posted on this very site!  (Give up? Oh, I'll tell you anyway...)  The very first author interview for Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers goes to.....

Becca Fitzpatrick,
author of Hush, Hush
(releasing October 2009)

That's right!  Author Becca Fitzpatrick was kind enough to accept the challenge of answering a few questions for her readers, the results of which you shall see below.  They are grouped into 3 categories to enable a look inside the world of an author, her newest upcoming title, and her own world!



GENERAL
The inspiration for me to become an author came from....when I was
eight and watched Romancing the Stone for the first time. Kathleen Turner's character plays a romance novelist who flies to Colombia to rescue her sister from Bad Guys, and ends up finding romance and danger that surpasses anything she's ever written. As soon as I saw the movie, there was no turning back. I knew I wanted to be an author. Of course, I thought all writers hunted for treasure in Colombia with a sexy, mysterious guy who wears crocodile boots!

I draw inspiration for my novels from....my own life experience (dramatized), the power of imagination and little tidbits of information I pick up just about everywhere I go.

The reason I chose the YA genre is....I love the audience and I love reading YA myself. In short, there's no better place to be.

The most valuable lesson I learned on the road to becoming an author....persistence and hard work can overcome anything.

The best advice I can offer to aspiring authors...keep at it – the more you write, the better you get!

A fellow YA author I look up to is....Laurie Halse Anderson.

******************************************************************

BOOK SPECIFIC
The idea for the storyline in "Hush, Hush" came from....an experience in my own tenth-grade biology class. We must have been studying human reproduction, because my teacher asked me, in front of the whole class, to name characteristics I would be attracted to in a mate (ugh!!) The experience always stuck with me, and when I sat down to write Hush, Hush, that little piece of my history evolved into an early scene in the book.

My favorite character to write was....Patch. No, Vee. No, Patch.  Really – it was Vee! No, it was Patch. Vee! (Apparently it's a toss-up.)

One little known fact about the book is....in the early drafts, the protagonist was a conceited and sharp-tongued girl named Ellie Fairchild. That character eventually evolved into today's Nora Grey.

The sequel promises....that readers will find out what really happened the night Nora's dad was murdered.

***************************************************************************
PERSONAL
My favorite book is.....Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

On my nightstand....Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

When I'm not writing, I am usually....doing the mom thing, keeping the kids happy and healthy, folding laundry, singing in the shower, that kind of thing.

If I wasn't an author, I would have been....a spy!

Growing up, I could always be found....playing hide-and-go-seek or building forts.

Additional thoughts I'd like to share....just to say thank you for having me here on your blog, Gina!


THANK YOU, Becca Fitzpatrick!  Hopefully you enjoyed learning a bit more about this emerging author...I know I did!  (A spy?  Really?  I know Pride and Prejudice will certainly please a few of my followers.  So, real-life was the basis of at least one pivotal scene....interesting...)  For more on Hush, Hush as well as the author behind the masterpiece, check out Becca's website!  (Can't wait for the sequel!)

As always, feel free to leave your comments and feedback!
Until next time....happy reading!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hello, and welcome!  Whether you frequent my blog or are a first time visitor, it's nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy the site!  I haven't posted an actual book review for a few days (bad Me, bad Me) so I thought I better get back on the ball and start rolling along the book review highway (no, I don't know where I was going with that....maybe you do?). 

I am so excited about the book that I will be reviewing today!  Two reasons top my list of why.  Number one....I was able to get an ARC of it before it's offical release in October 2009 (at least at the time of this post) thanks to the B&N First Look book club (Thanks, B&N!).  Oh, the joy of getting to read a book before the majority of the rest of the world....I am speechless in the bliss it provides.  Well, not exactly speechless, more like giddy as I internally jump up and down with excitement.  (oh wait, I said internally, didn't I...) Ahem....moving on.  My second reason is that this book was REALLY GREAT!  So the early read copy + the great read = one happy Insatiable Reader.  Without further ado, today's book choice is....

Hush, Hush
by
Becca Fitzpatrick

Told in the voice of Nora Grey, it likens to the popular series Twilight by Stephenie Meyer in both voice chosen to narrate and acknowledging existing character flaws....add in Patch her new Bio partner with the bad boy persona that's just so wrong it's right (check Julian from L.J. Smith's Forbidden Game series), and you have a melting pot of mystery, fire, and desire.  (Oooh!  Chills, I tell you, chills!)  The tension between them is palpable even though Nora stubbornly refuses to admit it to her conscious mind.  As mixed up as she feels, when strange things begin to happen surrounding Patch's introduction into her life, she begins to wonder if he isn't the one behind it all.  The twisted game being played with her has far dire consquences thatn just trying to scare or merely kill her....there are those that seek so much more....far beyond what she comprehends. 

Let's not forget the unforgetable cast of supporting characters from Nora's best gal pal Vee to the mysterious Elliot and Jules.  The later two come around as potential love interests, with bright and shiny exteriors (we're not talking tin men here...I just mean they have that "wholesome" nature about them.).  Needless to say what's bad may appear bad, but things that are too good to be true can end up worse.  (Cliffhanger, huh? Wow, I can see straight DOOOOOWWWNNN this one....but I can't rescue you! You have to read the book!)

The cover art alone draws your eye and the book teaser tells you that the story deals with a fallen angel, a sacred oath, and a forbidden love...no spoilers revealed there. I don't know where to begin without revealing too much!  (I have that problem when I really like a book...how about you?)  The characters are described in detail, allowing the reader the ability to envision them in their minds eye.  If you are like me (maybe, a smidge?), when you read your mind makes its own "movie" version for you to follow.  Detailed (but not overly) descriptions make those visuals even better.  You could place yourself in her character's shoes, and more often than not, you'll probably want to.

If I wanted to leave a one word review, this book would sum up with....AWESOME! (I know, it's not the most professional word, but hey, if the shoe fits...)  A great read for anyone that enjoys the YA genre, author Becca Fitzpatrick creates a fantastic story brought together with the air of a seasoned pro.

Let's just say it's a must read. Watch for it's release in October 2009 (at least at the time of this review).  If you just can't wait, check out the excerpt over at Simon & Schuster!  (Click here and it will take you right to it.)

Feel free to leave your comments and feedback!
Until next time....happy reading!