Thursday, May 22, 2014

On Tour with Played by Liz Fichera + book giveaway!



Played (Hooked #2)

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: May 27th 2014

This Game Is Getting All Too Real

He said: I like to keep under the radar and mostly hang out with my friends from the rez. But when I saved Riley Berenger from falling off a mountain, that rich suburban princess decided to try to save me. 

She said: If I can help Sam Tracy win the heart of the girl he can't get over, I'll pay him back for helping me. I promised him I would, no matter what it takes.

I always have such mixed emotions when I read books like this. If I could just do some personal editing, I would love this book. Why? Because the characters are so life- like. The conversations and interactions are so real you might as well be standing right there with them, listening. This book is full on high school drama with all the crazy stuff you might expect to happen. Stress over relationships, grades, scholarships, friends and home life are all covered. I think teenagers everywhere will be able to relate to this book.

However, there were a few things in this book that bothered me. The swearing and profanity being the first things. I realize that many teenagers may talk this way, but there are many who do not. I just don’t think it is necessary to put in books. Personal opinion. Nothing more.

The other thing that always makes me cringe is the party scene. I hate reading detailed descriptions of teenage parties gone wild. Even though bad things happen at the party, it is still glamorized to some degree and it just makes me sad. Under-aged drinking is illegal. Drinking and driving is illegal. Getting so drunk you don’t remember you had sex is not okay. Or glamorous. Or cool. And I just don’t like reading about vomit.

This book was well written and engaging though. It had me interested and hoping that both Riley and Sam would figure things out. They were both great characters. I love how Riley starts to realize the mistakes she has made and goes out of her way to try to fix them. The realization that her family is behind her and wants the best for her is a good one and probably my favorite moment in the book. Aside from the awesome, chemistry charged, motorcycle ride, that is.
  J







"The book stands out in its nicely realistic portraits of the teens." (Kirkus)


"The plot is the perfect mix of real-life scenarios and swoon-worthy romance, while the issues of race and class that Fichera interweaves into the story add substance. In an alternating first-person narration style similar to Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park, readers are given insight into the characters' thoughts and feelings. The tale sticks to the formula but the captivating ways in which the sequence of events plays out keep this take fresh and exciting." (School Library Journal)


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I'm an American author living in the American Southwest by way of Chicago.  

Born and raised in Park Ridge, Illinois, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, after college, never expecting to live more than one year among cactus and people who’d never seen snow. I was wrong. It certainly didn't hurt that I met my future husband in Phoenix too. 

Most of my stories are set in the American Southwest because I think the desert is a cool place. Living in Phoenix, I'm surrounded by Native American culture and influences, not to mention intriguing Hohokam petroglyphs and centuries-old canals. There are over 20 tribes in Arizona and I'm lucky to be neighbors to the Gila River and the Salt River Indian Communities. 

When I'm not busy writing my next novel, I like to travel, visit museums, support local theater productions, hike, and pretend that I'm training for a triathlon. I post a lot of photos from my desert and mountain hikes on my Facebook and Twitter pages. In no particular order, I've been chased by javalinas, rattlesnakes, coyotes, and even one curious black bear.


#QoD Author Liz has been chased by all kinds of animals!  Have you ever been chased by an animal and if so, what?

Win (1) signed copy of PLAYED by Liz Fichera (INT)



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