Release Week

Hi again!  I know I said I would post up an article with a new YA Crime guest, but this week things have gotten a little hectic.  I wanted to update here with news on what’s been happening since Every Breath’s release.  I thought it wouldn’t really do justice to the lovely Kim Kane (Cry Blue Murder) to post her article up until my blathering and excitement has had a chance to die down.

So Every Breath was released into the wild on Wednesday 21 August.  It was a day like every other day – I still did the school run, took my son to footy training, took my other son to soccer training, took my other sons to swimming lessons, made salami and cheese sandwiches for Thursday lunches, made the dinner.  A very normal day, except that I had a book published!  (Dan Brown – a friend pointed out on her own book birth-day – probably doesn’t sweep the kitchen floor on publication day.  Or hey, maybe he does.  What do I know?)

What’s been wonderful is that so many people have started reading and responding to Every Breath.  This is the amazing moment you dream about – the moment when other people begin reading your novel.  When it goes out into the world, and people see it on a shelf somewhere, and pick it up, and become intrigued…

People have started putting up reviews on Goodreads.  And on their blogs.  And  on their websites.  That is so unbelievably cool.  I want to hug ALL of you, especially the reviewers who’ve liked Every Breath enough to give it such high ratings, and especially that one reviewer who posted a pic of Benedict Cumberbatch whipping his scarf off (I could sit and watch that all day).

Madison and Sydney, the two girls from Castlemaine Secondary College who so kindly agreed to read and review Every Breath, have sent me their review - I’m going to include it at the end of this post.  But if you DO read the book, and you like it, feel free to go say so on Goodreads, or Facebook, or wherever you fancy.  It would make me ridiculously happy.  And if you feel inclined, send me a link so I can Tweet it around @elliemarney.

So I promised more info about the blog tour and here it is:

Book Probe Review (already up! – author Q&A)

YA Midnight Reads (review and giveaway posted!)

A Sunny Spot (review posted!)

Vegan YA Nerds (review and giveaway on 26 August)

Novels On the Run (author Q&A on 26 August)

Bad Ass Bookie (author Q&A on 9 September)

Kids Book Review (author Q&A 14 September)

Speculating on Spec Fic (author Q& A on 16 September)

The Rest is Still Unwritten (author Q&A on 23 September)

Claire Reads (review coming)

There’ve also been some AMAZING reviews that have emerged - ALPHAreader has posted a great one, and I’m still gasping from the one at Hypable…wow.

To celebrate all this incredibleness, and just to celebrate the whole ‘I got a book released, woot!’ thing, I went to see The Mortal Instruments:City of Bones movie with my son (yes, it’s awesome, go see it) up in Bendigo.  Then, in the continuing spirit of celebration, we got Nutella and banana pizza on the way home.  Now that is an excellent way to mark the occasion.

So I promised Madison and Sydney I’d post their review - here it is (and a very lovely one too, even when I asked for warts-and-all!)  

“Every Breath – Ellie Marney

Summary:

What if Sherlock Holmes was the boy next door?

Rachel Watts is an unwilling new arrival to Melbourne from the country.

James Mycroft is her neighbour, an intriguingly troubled seventeen year-old genius with a passion for forensics.

Despite her misgivings, Rachel finds herself unable to resist Mycroft when he wants her to help investigating a murder.

And when Watts and Mycroft follow a trail to the cold blooded killer, they find themselves in the lion’s den – literally. A night at the zoo will never have quite the same meaning again...

Review:

This impressive book is burdened with suspense-filled moments. It is a fast-paced novel with wonderfully flawed characters, all with unique personalities and possibilities. The novel is refreshingly original with diverse ideas from different stories. I think it’s clever how the author has woven in the idea of Sherlock and Watson being these two rebellious teenagers.

 “I’m an academic genius and a social moron...Being a moron in one or two areas serves to highlight my extraordinary brilliance in everything else.”

 I love how Mycroft is equally clever and quick-witted, as he is damaged and cocky.  Equally brilliant as he is broken. Mycroft was only young, fourteen, when his parents were killed in a tragic accident while on their way back from a holiday. After that, he changed and he changed people. Mycroft prides himself on keeping his guard up and never letting anyone see what is really behind his blue eyes because he knows that they won’t like what they find.

However, there is one girl in particular who can see (who he lets see) through the layers and layers of pretending.  Rachel Watts, a country girl at heart but living in the busy streets of Melbourne. Although Watts has only recently moved to the city, a strong connection between Mycroft and Rachel has already formed. Together, these two solve the mystery of a murder, lying, sneaking, and charming their way through the many obstacles that obstruct their path.

I feel that this book is perfect for the young minds of today, filled with teenage hormones and bright minds, ludicrous characters and mind-blowing twists, the realization of deception. People are not always who they declare they are. 

I, personally, don’t typically read crime novels but I thought that this one was great!

Review written by Madison and Sydney Oliff”

Thank you, girls, for reading, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it :)

xx Ellie