Blog Tour: Interview, Giveaway & Book Review: Suddenly You (The Jane Austen Academy Series #4) by Cecilia Gray

Today, I'm happy to join the Suddenly You Blog Tour hosted by IMR Blog Tours.

Find the other tour stops here.

Suddenly You (The Jane Austen Academy Series #1) by Cecilia Gray

The  blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Gray Life, LLC
128 Pages

Fanny doesn't want to be at The Jane Austen Academy. She intends to lay low until graduation when she can try out for the Olympic track team. She doesn't need friends or love. She only needs her running.

But The Academy is in danger. In an effort to save it, Fanny joins forces with the friends she never knew she wanted. Suddenly, Fanny finds herself center stage in the middle of the Academy's biggest love triangle as the lead in the school play...only this track star can't afford to break a leg.

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1. What is the reason behind this series being all retellings Jane Austen titles?

I outlined and drafted  the series without the Jane Austen gimmick, but I happen to really love Austen (I mean…I LURVE Austen) and started to see similarities between the heroines I'd developed and Jane Austen's heroines.  Except hers stand the test of time and mine are just…mine. REGARDLESS…that made me wonder: Iif Jane Austen's heroines all knew each other, would they be friends? Enemies? Once the brain started cranking in that direction there was no shutting it down. That's the problem with brains. They like to think, what if.

2. What is your favorite "classic" novel?

I'm bad at picking favorites because I'm moody and inconstant but the classic book I reread more than any other is Jane Eyre. I'm also a sucker for classic children's books like Heidi and Secret Garden.

3. What your favorite current book trend?

Strong and positive female relationships. I'm not into mean-girl-for-the-sake-of-mean-girl stories. I love books like Code Name Verity where the female relationships are interesting and dynamic.

4. What do you want readers to be left feeling when they finish your books?

It depends on the book - but for The Jane Austen series, I want the reader to feel like they've just hung out with their best friends for an afternoon and are ready for a meal and a nap. Which is pretty much my ideal day.

6. How do you spend your free time?

I'm kind of obsessed with doing things, so it's different every time. Last Saturday, for example, I did archery for a couple hours, hosted a girlfriend's birthday brunch barbecue (so…think barbecue…but we're grilling French Toast instead of burgers), saw Much Ado About Nothing with a different set of girlfriends, went on a dinner date, taught myself Final Cut Pro so I could make a youtube video, and started reading The Fifth Wave.

My free time is usually a mix of reading, trying out something new, some kind of exercise, and my girlfriends. And napping. Lots of napping.

7. Are you currently working on a project? If so, what's it about?

I'm putting the finishes touches on a brand new project. DRAWN is a contemporary young-adult novel about a young spy set to infiltrate a ring of graffiti terrorists in Europe but she ends up seduced by the people she's set to spy on. The chapters are intermixed with comics. I'm nervous about the format but excited for the story.

8. Which of your books has been your favorite to write, and why?

I actually love writing the Jane Austen Academy character of EMMA in every book. Emma is completely self confident, self-important and she' the kind of person who says what you're wishing you could say. Her story is a blast.

9. Which of your heroines do you relate to the best, and why?

Oooh, none of them so far. My heroines tend to be nice and sweet in ways that I'm not and flawed and imperfect in ways that I'm not.

10. What is your writing method, and from where do you draw your inspiration?

I just sit and type whenever I have snippets of time. I have a 9-5 day job and think it's important to make time for a social life, so I tend to sneak in writing in 20-30 minute bouts throughout the day. I'm sure it is 100% NOT the way you are supposed to write, so definitely find another role model for that. 

My inspiration is from whatever is catching my attention. For my current project, DRAWN, I drew inspiration from a variety of things including modern day graffiti, the riots in Egypt and Alias. Hmm…when I put it like that, it sounds insane.

Big thanks to Cecilia for allowing me to pick her brain!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Suddenly You is the perfect addition to this short, sweet and absolutely swoon-worthy series. It has everything a YA romance fan could need: a bit o' drama, a lot of kissing and a mission to save what's dear to them. Cecilia Gray's fourth installment of the Jane Austen Academy series ties in wonderfully with the first four and will leave readers more than ready for book five!

Fanny is stressed. She's constantly busy with keeping up her grades, earning her scholarship and trying to become the next Olympic track star. When she overhears some distressing news about the future of Jane Austen Academy, she, at the urging of her new friends, adds actress to that list. Fanny's junior year at Jasta may not be going as she had planned, but will her newfound friends, and swoony boys make it worth it?

I can definitely relate to Fanny's constant pressure and that is probably one reason it was so easy to fall into this book. She's a flawed, but kind girl who has her heart set on her future and isn't going to let anything get it the way of it. That's extremely admirable in my opinion. Gray has always written female protagonists that instantly likable and Fanny's no different. Tran, too, is a fantastic male lead. He is so good for Fanny, and their relationship made me laugh. I adore Tran. (His tongue ring and tattoos may help that along a bit.) The other character I enjoyed seeing was Josh. If you've read the previous books in this series (which you don't have to, each of these books can be read as a stand-alone), you'd know that Josh isn't the nicest guy. Seeing him in Suddenly You was great because even though he was the antagonist in previous books, Gray gives him a good side, a backstory that makes him relatable. He'll tug at your heartstrings and have you wishing for him to get a happily-ever-after as well!

This is a very short story, but an engaging one nonetheless. It's fun read that will have readers feeling happy and satisfied. The plot moves quickly, but the pace is very steady and never feels rushed. It's simple and oh-so-cute. Though I must say, Suddenly You is by far the sexiest installment yet--what with tongue rings, tattoos, bras and Tran in a towel. 

The wait for book five, Only With You, is too long! I cannot wait to get my hands on it, especially since Emma is my favorite Jane Austen novel! Pick up these books and you'll understand why I adore this author and have read everything she has written. Her stories never fail to hook me, and I am so looking forward to seeing what Gray's writing ability takes her! (Girl's got major talent.)

I received an e-copy of this novel from the author for my honest opinion and review.

Thank you Tabby from IMR Blog Tours and Cecilia Gray for allowing me to partake in this tour!

Cover Reveals

Other Great Covers Released Lately:

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Release Date: September 10, 2012

While I wasn't impressed with the last Kiersten White novel I read, the blurb and cover for this book have me too curious to stay away. 

Suddenly You (Jane Austen Academy #4) by Cecilia Gray

Release Date: May 2013

Written by my kidney sista! I absolutely adore this cover and it fits in so well with the others! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Quarantine: The Saints (Quarantine #2) by Lex Thomas

Release: July 9, 2013

I am really curious about this novel. The first book in the series was a terrifying thrill-ride that really took me out of my comfort zone. I am a bit nervous about continuing, but I need to know where these authors are going to take the series next!

Zenn Scarlet by Christian Schoon

via Strange Chemistry

Release Date: May 7, 2013

This sounds fantastic! I'm super impressed with the Strange Chemistry novels I've read. I hope this will be just as fantastic as the others!

What do you think of these? Any look interesting to you?

Book Review: So Into You (The Jane Austen Academy Series #2) by Cecilia Gray

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: July 21, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published through The Alpha Division, LLP

Modern retelling/based on Sense & Sensibility.

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they're about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Meet sweet and sensible Ellie who hasn’t met a problem her mom’s yoga mantras can’t fix. But when her parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school heats up, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

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Review:

I've read a few Jane Austen retellings, but I have to say, Cecilia Gray's The Jane Austen Academy series is my favorite, by far. Cecilia expertly weaves a story of love, heart-break, strength and determination in every piece she writes. As you read, it is obvious that she gives her whole self to the story. It's so lovely to read! 

So Into You is the second book in Cecilia's The Jane Austen Academy series. While book one, Fall For You was a modernized version of Pride & Prejudice, this book was a retelling of Sense & Sensibility. The way that Cecilia incorporates Jane Austen's characters into one series is so intriguing and the fact that the characters are all friends is such a unique and crazy awesome idea! Cecilia is basically a genius.

This book stars Ellie Dvorak, a sweet, fun girl, who loves her friends, her school and although they drive her insane, her parents. In the story, Ellie struggles with the heartache of love and loss. She learns to accept that life doesn't always take you on the path you want to be on, so if she wants something, she can't sit by and let it pass. Her love interest, Edward, is adorkable, sweet and though he doesn't do well in showing it, he really cares for Ellie. Sa-woon. So Into You gives us a fun young-adult story that has you smiling, laughing, sighing, swooning and wanting to hug Ellie so hard.

I have no complaints about this book. None. The plot is realistic. The characters feel like real people. The situations that occur within the novel actually happen. This book was a great modern day young-adult Jane Austen retelling. So Into You is a self-published novel, but you wouldn't be able to tell just by reading it. The writing style and plot are better than some books that I've read that have been published by top companies. It's fun to read, it's modern and keeps your attention until the very end. Plus, So Into You, much like Cecilia's other books, is pretty short, so it's also a fast read! This is definitely a good summer read for when you are laying on the beach or sitting by the pool. No matter what you are doing, really, So Into You is the book for you. (You like that rhyme?)

I was lucky enough to be the second person in the universe to get a copy of So Into You, the first person being Cecilia herself. Cecilia and I have become friends since I started stalking her. (Only on the interwebz, I swear.) She knows that I love to read, is surprised that I have loved EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of her books and she also knows about my big, fat obsession with One Direction. So she sent me a finished copy of So Into You Thursday night. Obviously, I immediately downloaded it and dug right in. I'm so glad she finds me amusing enough to share with because this book was so awesome. I don't know what else to say. I just love her writing and her characters and the plots and everything. My only wish is that she'd write faster because I can't wait to read the next story!

P.S. Here is a picture of the covers and titles for the entire Jane Austen Academy Series!

Cover Reveals

Happy Wednesday everyone!

We have had a few new cover releases this week. I thought I'd share and we could discuss how lovely they are.

I'm going to start with a dear friend of mine.

Cover Reveal #1

Cecilia Gray released the cover and blurb to her latest book: So Into You. So Into You is book two in Cecilia's The Jane Austen Academy series.

Release Date: July 15, 2012

Publisher: Self-Published through The Alpha Division, LLP

Modern retelling/based on Sense & Sensibility.

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And it’s about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Meet sweet and sensible Ellie who hasn’t met a problem her mom’s yoga mantras can’t fix. But when her parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school runs hot, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?

I love Cecilia's work. Seriously. Love. Love. Love. And she's also become a good cyber friend of mine. I'm very excited for her on this release! You can see my review of the first book in this series Fall For You, here and the book trailer for the series, here.

Let's see what One Direction has to say about this release, ey?

Louis is especially excited.

Cover Reveal #2

Rise (Eve #3) by Anna Carey

Release Date: April 2013

I haven't read book two yet, but it is on my to-be-read-very-freaking-soon list! I really like this cover and the fact that it matches the first two covers, as well. Let's see what Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, from the band One Direction, have to say.

I believe that is approval.

Cover Reveal #3

All The Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen

Release Date: December 11, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC

304 Pages

What if your life wasn’t your own?

Liv comes out of a coma with no memory of her past and two distinct, warring voices inside her head. Nothing, not even her reflection, seems familiar. As she stumbles through her junior year, the voices get louder, insisting she please the popular group while simultaneously despising them. But when Liv starts hanging around with Spencer, whose own mysterious past also has him on the fringe, life feels complete for the first time in, well, as long as she can remember.

Liv knows the details of the car accident that put her in the coma, but as the voices invade her dreams, and her dreams start feeling like memories, she and Spencer seek out answers. Yet the deeper they dig, the less things make sense. Can Liv rebuild the pieces of her broken past, when it means questioning not just who she is, but what she is?

I like the pictures, but am not a fan of the font. The blurb is so interesting though! I will definitely be reading this when it is released.

Since we asked One Direction for their opinion on the first two, we might as well ask once more!

Liam Payne has spoken.

Thank you to the boys for expressing their opinions. xo

What do you think of these covers?

Book Trailer Reveal

My dear friend, Cecilia Gray released the trailer for her series The Jane Austen Academy and it was featured on USA Today books! You can find the article HERE. 

If you don't know how much I love Cecilia's work, you probably haven't been a follower for long! Find my reviews for all of her released works HERE.

And here is the trailer for your enjoyment! It's really good and has me extremely excited for the rest of the series!

Fall For You, book one in the Jane Austen Academy series, is available now.

Book two will be released on July 15, 2012!

Book Review: Fall For You (The Jane Austen Academy #1) by Cecilia Gray

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: February 10, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published through The Alpha Division, LLP
128 Pages

Jane Austen meets Pretty Little Liars in this fresh, new young-adult series! 

* * * 

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is hot guys to flirt with. Please. They need to stay focused on something that lasts much longer: an acceptance letter from an Ivy. 

But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And it's about to turn the Academy--and the lives of its students--totally upside down... 
* * * 

To say Lizzie and Dante are polar opposites is the understatement of the century. He's a snooty Exeter transfer with more money than Google. She's a driven study-a-holic barely keeping up with tuition. It's obvious that Dante thinks he's way too good for Lizzie. And Lizzie knows Dante is a snob with a gift for pushing her buttons. 

But things are changing fast this year at the Academy. And when Lizzie's quest to stop those changes blows up in her face, taking her oldest friendship with it, she has nowhere else to turn but to Dante, with his killer blue eyes, his crazy-sexy smile, and his secrets... Secrets Lizzie can't seem to leave alone, no matter how hard she tries...

VISIT THE AUTHOR:

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FIND THE BOOK:

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Review:

This book? AMAZING. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down! Yes, it was THAT good. I couldn't believe it at first, how much I loved this book.

I'm a huge fan of retellings, especially ones of Jane Austen novels. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite story that gets retold and my favorite Jane Austen novel period. It's a great story and there are many ways it can be twisted to be made a modern story. Most of the Pride and Prejudice retellings that I've read have been amazing. This novel is no exception!

The author writes so realistically. I could feel myself in Lizzie's shoes. She's a great teenage character. She makes mistakes, questions them and regrets them later. She's stubborn and goes after what she wants. Lizzie was really relatable. She reminded me of myself in a lot of ways. The characters are all as realistic as Lizzie is. You could understand their emotions and their relationships were typical teenage romances.

Words can not do this book justice! It's addictive and mysterious and intriguing. Fall For You is also very different from other books like it. It was refreshing! It has drama, romance and the right amount of mystery. (Though the big reveal is pretty obvious, even if you haven't read the original novel. But it definitely doesn't take away from the plot!)

I loved this book. Loved, with a capital "L." I would give this ten stars if I could. I need the sequel now! I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Fall For You is a short, light read that young adult romance lovers of all ages will enjoy! You should go out and buy it as soon as possible!

I recieved an e-copy of this novel from the author for review.