My good friends from Minnesota got the privilege to meet Simone at a book signing last night in Stillwater, Minnesota. I am so, so jealous of them!! but so happy they got the chance to meet her. I heard nothing but GREAT things about their meeting (like I would expect anything less?) and wanted to feature her here. If you have not read any of her books, then I HIGHLY suggest that you do!
Also check out: The Shiny Vampire Club (another blog I administer) -- pics from the book signing are posted! & feel free to check out the site, it's full of VAMPTASTIC blogs :-)
Perfect Chemistry
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.Rules of Attraction
When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.Leaving Paradise
Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares — has been canceled. After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.
Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.
Return to Paradise
Maggie and Caleb just went through the worst year of their lives. Hit by a car and starting life over with a limp, Maggie never thought she would forgive Caleb. But she did—and fell in love. What they shared was real. But Caleb wanted to be free from the past—and a terrible secret: he wasn't the one who hit Maggie. So he left Paradise—and Maggie—forever. When Maggie and Caleb run into each other in a different town, they can't deny their true feelings. Will Maggie let Caleb get away again? Or will Caleb face the truth and return to Paradise?{all taken from goodreads.com}
*** And soon to come: Chain Reaction (Spring 2011) -- the 3rd book in the Perfect Chemistry series
♥ginger
I just ordered all 4 books earlier today! Thank you for the great recommendations! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I've added these books to my list and have almost picked them up several times at the store. I look forward to eventually reading them! ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't got a chance to read Return to Paradise, but I loved the other 3. She is a great author.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Do you think that these books would be appropriate for a public high school library? I've wondered so I've held off purchasing them until I had a chance to find out more info. Please answer on my blog or e-mail or it is unlikely that I'll see the response. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower. I like some of your organizational tips. I hope you don't mind if I steal them. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Right?
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great blog--I'm glad I found you on the book blog hop. I bought Leaving Paradise and Perfect Chemistry for my classroom library (I teach in a public high school). I loved Leaving Paradise, and enjoyed discussing it with the students who have borrowed it and read it. I plan to get Return to Paradise soon...
ReplyDeleteI feel so loved!! Thank you to everyone who is following :-) And I appreciate the positive feedback!
ReplyDelete