Something Tasty This Way Comes

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Freedom by 12 Girls Band.

This is a surprise I've been keeping inside for far too long. I was hoping for a couple of other things to come together, but after reading Diana Peterfreund's latest blog post, I can't push it back any more. It's just too good not to share.


Diana's latest book, For Darkness Shows the Stars, has gone into a SECOND printing. This is HUGE guys. This generally means that a book has sold enough to earn out the money the publishers paid up front for it and that the author can start making royalties on it.


This is especially good news for books that do not get a lot of marketing push and have to rely on word of mouth alone to survive.


This book is one I waited an excruciating year and a half to read. A post-apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion? It was SO GOOD. I loved Elliot's character. Goodness, I loved that girl. She is  someone I would love to have as a close friend, a best friend. She is incredibly strong, but not in any of the normal, sword-wielding, "kick-butt" ways, which was refreshing and original and incredibly real. Instead, she is strong by standing still (seems like a contradiction. It's not); like a rock against the storm. You'll understand when you read it. 


Here is a taste of what this story is about. Elliott was in love with Kai, the mechanic's son on her father's estate for years. But when he asked her to leave the island with him she couldn't, because the people on her estate needed her more. Four years later her estate is on a knife's edge of ruin because of her family's opulence. They are forced to rent their land to some explorers, among them a now almost unrecognizable Kai. He acts both cold and cruel, determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go. But they both have secrets. Elliott is not the obedient, demure luddite Kai believes her to be and Kai's secret could bring their entire world to its knees. 


It is so rare to read a love story of second chances. It is what drew me to it to begin with, but then having them be complex characters with multiple desires and dreams sealed it for me. I loved it. I devoured it. Like Austen, this will put you through the emotional wringer, but like Austen, there is a grin-worthy ending. I recommend it highly. 


And BECAUSE of that, I have a surprise for you all. I've invented another recipe. I can guarantee it is something you've never heard of before. :) It's coming tomorrow.