Category: PNP

Book Review – On the Fence by Kasie West

Amanda Gernentz Hanson1 Comment

Back before Something Beautiful was published, I was trying to find some better comp titles to be used in my marketing. (Here’s something that isn’t advertised about going with a small, indie publisher – I had to do most of my own marketing, which is not my strong suit. But hey! I have a book in the world, and that’s something.) Something Beautiful is about neighbors who fall in love in high school (sort of…), and On the Fence was mentioned to me as a possible comp. So I read it (which actually means I flew through it), and I can say, it could be a comp for about one chapter… lol. Anyway! I read it, I enjoyed it, and here we go!Read More »

(Belated) ARC Review – Chasing Eveline by Leslie Hauser

Amanda Gernentz Hanson1 Comment

It’s popular, in the current climate, for YA to have a big overall message – The Hate U Give was super issue-based, for example, and many of the other books I’ve reviewed recently have included protagonists and characters who are always fighting uphill battles, whether it’s with their sexuality or gender or what have you. Those books are SO GOOD, but they’re heavy sometimes. But this book? Chasing Eveline is light and fluffy and wonderful.

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(Belated) ARC Review – Tobacco Sun by Lorna Hollifield

Amanda Gernentz HansonLeave a comment

It is rare for me to read a book so outside my realm of normal, but this one was a must-read for me – Lorna is a fellow Pen Name Publishing author and someone I consider a friend of mine on this publishing journey.

Tobacco Sun is Southern fiction, set in the 1940s, and the story goes back and forth between two half-sisters: Jimmi-Lyn and Sydra. Sydra is currently in jail for the murder of her father; Jimmi-Lyn is trying to come to terms with her own emotions, specifically those emotions surrounding her imprisoned sister and her deceased step-father. This is especially complicated because their mother recently died – that was the reason Sydra returned to rural North Carolina in the first place. Sydra is a Hollywood star – she hadn’t been back home since she was a teenager. And then there’s Vanse, Jimmi-Lyn’s childhood best friend, who returned from the war with lasting injuries and PTSD. Both Sydra and Jimmi-Lyn’s feelings for Vanse have always been complicated, which is part of this fascinating tangled web of characters and plot that I wasn’t expecting and that sucked me in from the start.Read More »

Discussion Questions – and Answers! – from Something Beautiful

Amanda Gernentz HansonLeave a comment

I’m doing something a little different today! Every so often, I’m going to snag a Monday post to talk about Something Beautiful, my upcoming YA contemporary release! I’ve got a little over two months to go, and my ARCs are out in the world, so I thought I better get started!

In the back of the book, there are five discussion questions—these should be present in every version of the book. I’m truly hoping to hear from readers—my email address is listed and everything. But as a starting point, I’m going to answer the five questions myself. I’d really love to hear your answers too!

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.Read More »