Cover Reveal: Consent by Nancy Ohlin

We are super excited to share the cover reveal for Consent by Nancy Ohlin with you!

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Consent
Author: Nancy Ohlin
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Bea has a secret.

Actually, she has more than one. There’s her dreams for the future that she can’t tell anyone—not her father and not even her best friend, Plum.

And now there’s Dane Rossi. Dane is hot, he shares Bea’s love of piano, and he believes in her.

He’s also Bea’s teacher.

When their passion for music crosses into passion for each other, Bea finds herself falling completely for Dane. She’s never felt so wanted, so understood, so known to her core. But the risk of discovery carries unexpected surprises that could shake Bea entirely. Bea must piece together what is and isn’t true about Dane, herself, and the most intense relationship she’s ever experienced, in this absorbing novel from Nancy Ohlin.

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I am the author of BEAUTY, a YA retelling of the Snow White tale, and ALWAYS, FOREVER, a YA retelling of Daphne du Maurier's REBECCA. ALWAYS, FOREVER was originally published in hardcover as THORN ABBEY.

I've also contributed to several celebrity novels, including a New York Times-bestselling YA trilogy.

I'm currently hard at work on my next YA novel, which will be as mind-bending as ALWAYS, FOREVER (I hope!).

My favorite cures for writers' block are long walks, long showers, popcorn, chocolate, and really expensive coffee. I talk to myself a lot while I write (you know, to make sure the dialogue zings).

Book Review: Thorn Abbey by Nancy Ohlin

Thorn Abbey
Author: Nancy Ohlin
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal/Retellings
Released: May 7th 2013
Review Source: Simon Pulse
Available: Amazon
Read an Excerpt

Summary: (from goodreads) Nothing is as it seems in this darkly romantic tale of infatuation and possession, inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Becca was the perfect girlfriend: smart, gorgeous, and loved by everyone at New England’s premier boarding school, Thorn Abbey. But Becca’s dead. And her boyfriend, Max, can’t get over his loss.

Then Tess transfers to Thorn Abbey. She’s shy, insecure, and ordinary—everything that Becca wasn’t. And despite her roommate’s warnings, she falls for brooding Max.

Now Max finally has a reason to move on. Except it won’t be easy. Because Becca may be gone, but she’s not quite ready to let him go…

Tess has just transferred to Thorn Abbey, a private school filled with rich and snobby kids. But one catches her attention, Max. His best friend and her roommate warn her to steer clear of him. Because just last year his girlfriend, Becca, died. Tess doesn't listen though, there's a connection between her and Max and she isn't willing to ignore it. There's also one more person who doesn't want them together, and it's quite surprising who that person is.

I haven't read a book that had me glued from page one, until Thorn Abbey. Maybe it was the simplistic writing style or maybe it was the characters. Whichever it was I am grateful. I will admit that I didn't like Tess at first, and then I realized it was because she reminding me of myself. Whenever I crush on a boy I immediately want him, duh! LOL. But seriously, poor Tess. She's adorable in the way that she is weird, and doesn't follow all the latest fashion trends that her roommate and friends talk about. And that's what Max likes about her too. But Tess isn't totally convinced that she can live up to his dead girlfriend, Becca. And Becca might still be around to torment her...

I can't believe I finished this book as fast as I did. There were twists and turns at almost every page. And although I kind of guessed the outcome beforehand, it was still pleasantly surprising. The ending was fantastic too! Yes, Ohlin shocks you up until the last page. I loved it!

Book Review: Beauty by Nancy Ohlin

Beauty
Author: Nancy Ohlin
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Retelling/Fantasy
Released: May 7th 2013
Review Source: Simon Pulse
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Looks to kill for...
Ana is nothing like her glamorous mother, Queen Veda, whose hair is black as ravens and whose lips are red as roses. Alas, Queen Veda loathes anyone whose beauty dares to rival her own—including her daughter.

And despite Ana’s attempts to be plain to earn her mother’s affection,
she’s sent away to the kingdom’s exclusive boarding school.

At the Academy, Ana is devastated when her only friend abandons her for the popular girls. Isolated and alone, Ana resolves to look like a true princess to earn the acceptance she desires.

But when she uncovers the dangerous secret that makes all of the girls at the Academy so gorgeous, just how far will Ana go to fit in?

In this re-telling tale of Snow White being beautiful is quite dangerous. Nancy Ohlin takes a classic fairy tale and completely makes it her own. We see Queen Veda and Ana's mother/daughter relationship throughout the book. All her majesty wants is to be the fairest of them all and all Ana wants is her mother's love. And in order to have her mother's love and approval she has to be ugly. So she doesn't bathe, eats unhealthy and doesn't take time to groom herself properly. But the beauty consultant still says that Ana will surpass the queen. So Queen Veda fabricates an elite school to where she invites the most beautiful girls. And it seems as though their beauty is only enhancing. The question is, will Ana cave in?

It has been quite a long time since I've read a book written in third person. I had to get into the groove for the first few pages. I did like Ana's character very much. Especially in the second half where she stands her ground and doesn't budge on certain issues. All the characters were neatly developed. There was only one character I disliked and that was the beauty consultant. He was very strange and I wish I had more background on him. But other than that I enjoyed this story and it's underlying message. Having beauty isn't everything, it could destroy you.

I love Ohlin's take on this classic tale. It is very different from what I've grown to know, yet similar in certain aspects. Completely re-telling a story that has been told time and time again and making it your own, I believe, is a difficult task. Nancy Ohlin has excelled! It was a fast paced read. And by fast-paced I mean it will keep you very intrigued and anxious for what is to come.

Blog Tour: Beauty by Nancy Ohlin Excerpt + Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on the Beauty blog tour for Nancy Ohlin. The tour is hosted by Mundie Moms.

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The excerpt:

Four year ago, when Ana turned twelves, the Queen organized a party for her, as was her annual custom. Everything about the party was lovely: the ballroom adorned with rosebushes and plumeria trees, the wild butterflies flitting through the air, the actors from Catonia performing elaborate dream-plays and shadow dances. Hundreds of dignitaries and royals were in attendance, along with the most important citizens of Ran. They drank copious amount of wine out of silver goblets and ate tiny, perfect confections shaped like jewels.

The queen had had a red velvet dress made for the occasion, for Ana. "You are not a little girl anymore, darling Tatiana," she had said to Ana before the party as she helped her won with the dress. "You are almost a young women."

"Yes, Momi."

"YOu must made me proud tonight."

"Yes, Momi."

Out in the ballroom Ana watched her mother mingling with her guests. The queen was dressed in a green silk gown that rustled stiffly as she moved. Ana thought that she must be the most beautiful mother in the world. And the most gracious, too-she seemed to know everyone's names as well as the names of their wives, husbands, and children. "How are you dearest Eleni? HOw i your darling son Maximilian? Is he still riding and playing Kings? And how is your husband enjoying his work at the Ministry?" Ana couldn't imagine such clever words coming out her own mouth.

The trills of a bamboo flute rose and hovered in the air as the shadow dancers wove through the crowd, leaping and turning. Ana's red velvet collar itched. She picked and scratched at it. She noticed a lot of people smiling at her, though, so she stopped what she was doing and dropped her hands to her sides.

The bamboo flute grew louder and more insistent. Just then Ana spotted her mother walking up to her, the green silk of her skirt swishing and crinkling around her ankles. There was a man at her side. He was dressed in gold and back, and royals colors of Kieska.

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By: Nancy Ohlin

Published by: Simon Teen

Released on: May 7th, 2013

Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Looks to kill for...

Ana is nothing like her glamorous mother, Queen Veda, whose hair is black as ravens and whose lips are red as roses. Alas, Queen Veda loathes anyone whose beauty dares to rival her own—including her daughter.

And despite Ana’s attempts to be plain to earn her mother’s affection,
she’s sent away to the kingdom’s exclusive boarding school.

At the Academy, Ana is devastated when her only friend abandons her for the popular girls. Isolated and alone, Ana resolves to look like a true princess to earn the acceptance she desires.

But when she uncovers the dangerous secret that makes all of the girls at the Academy so gorgeous, just how far will Ana go to fit in?

About the Author:

I am the author of Thorn Abbey, a YA retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, and Beauty. a YA retelling of the Snow White tale. 

I've also contributed to several celebrity novels, including a New York Times-bestselling YA trilogy.

I'm currently hard at work on my next YA novel, which will be as romantic and mind-bending as Thorn Abbey (I hope!). 

My favorite cures for writers' block are long walks, long showers, popcorn, chocolate, and really expensive coffee. I talk to myself a lot while I write (you know, to make sure the dialogue zings).

Visit Nancy via her: Website | Twitter | Facebook 

The Giveaway:

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, you can enter to win a copy of Nancy Ohlin's BEAUTY. Follow the tour for your chance to enter. 

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