Vlog Post with Kristen Simmons

Photo Content from Kristen Simmons

Kristen Simmons is the author of the ARTICLE 5 series, THE GLASS ARROW, and METALTOWN. She has worked with survivors of abuse and trauma as a mental health therapist, taught Jazzercise in five states, and is forever in search of the next best cupcake. Currently she lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, where she spends her days supporting the caffeine industry and chasing her delightfully rambunctious son.

        

Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (February 10, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765336618
ISBN-13: 978-0765336613

Praise for THE GLASS ARROW

“The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons plunges readers into a heart-wrenching and wholly startling new world. Aya's story is terrifying in the best possible way, and left me shuddering over the painful awareness of humanity's darkest capability, and yet not losing sight of its greatest potential. Simmons portrays a stunning heroine of strength and resilience that captivated me until the very last page.” ―Christina Farley, author of the YA bestseller Gilded

“Fully imagined and richly written, The Glass Arrow seamlessly blends the best of adventure and romance with characters you will root for. I was transported.... A dark tale shot through with hope and the idea that sacrifice and love can conquer all. I couldn't put it down.” ―Amy Christine Parker, author of Gated and Astray

“The Glass Arrow is an intense and disturbing read that is impossible to put down. From the rush of the first chase scene to the emotional conclusion, Aya is a fearless heroine that you can't help falling in love with. I stayed up way too late completely enthralled, chilled and ultimately satisfied by the frightening world Simmons created. Now where is book 2? I Need it right now!” ―Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy

“There's much of Katniss Everdeen in Aya--a familiar strength and determination. Aya is an independent thinker, strong and self-reliant…. Fans of dystopian and postapocalyptic YA fiction will thoroughly enjoy this read.” ―School Library Journal

“Romance readers will find plenty to swoon over, while fans of dystopian futures will find this a compelling… read. Aya's fierce determination and ability to think quickly and creatively in crises make her a great role model, and her nature-based faith lends an interesting balance to the action-driven tale of social justice. Simmons creates sympathetic yet intriguingly flawed characters, and tweaks familiar dystopian elements to excellent effect.” ―Booklist

“This grim cautionary tale opens taut and suspenseful, with its heroine being hunted down like an animal, her adopted family slaughtered and scattered…. A world where girls and women are commodities to be sold and resold is frightening enough; more chilling are the girls who embrace their fate or the women who participate in the system for profit and status.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Article 5 is a gripping, atmospheric story of survival. Alongside a fierce depiction of oppressive government, Simmons has created a bleak portrait of an America lost. I could hardly put it down.” ―Kendare Blake, author of Anna Dressed in Blood

“The realistic underbelly of Article 5 is what makes this dystopian tale a haunting read and incredibly engaging. A true dystopian force.” ―The CW

“This action-packed novel is a dystopian unlike any other I have read.” ―The Huffington Post on Article 5

“An adrenaline-pumping ride into a terrifying future. I have no nails left.” ―Anne Greenwood Brown, author of Lies Beneath, on Breaking Point

“The action never stops.” ―Booklist

“Paints a picture of a world that could easily be our future. [Simmons's] fluid writing creates an easy-to-read story that opens the eyes of readers to what the loss of civil liberties could entail. This book is a must have for all young adult collections.” ―VOYA

TEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT YOUR COLLEGE YEARS

Oh, college. Sweet, sweet college.

1. I bounced around a lot. As in, I started out in Oregon, and ended up in Nevada, by way of West Virginia.
2. My first college was “clothing optional.” People literally did not have to wear clothes. And some of them didn’t.
3. That same school also had co-ed dorms with co-ed dorm rooms and co-ed bathrooms. It was a teensy bit of a shock coming out of high school.
4. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
5. I went on to get a master’s degree in social work.
6. I tried out for the dance team at one school with no dance experience, and HAHA, I MADE IT! It was super fun.
7. My junior year roommate did not spend one night in our room. She stayed with her boyfriend, and let me use her fridge, microwave, and TV. She was awesome. (We are still friends.)
8. I wrote a book for my comprehensive master’s project (about a boy who took an elevator through various levels of a building, each representing a different layer of society), and then I wrote a thesis on that book, dissecting social justice principles in my writing. I’m still writing about social issues.
9. I dissected a human brain.
10. I used cinder blocks to build bookshelves. :)

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREAT FRIEND

Hi there! There are so many things that make a person a good friend. I recently read something that said that good friends help you up when you fall down, but best friends push you back down and laugh until they fall down beside you. I loved that.

Ten qualities that I think are important in a friend: loyalty, sense of humor, trustworthiness, empathy, someone who, you know, cares about you, someone who respects you, and likes you how you are, someone who’s there when you need them (and when you don’t), who supports you enough to say when you’ve been an idiot but also can compliment you when you kick butt, and who forgives you for that time you puked all over their favorite shirt.

The Handmaid’s Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning.

THE GLASS ARROW BY KRISTEN SIMMONS EXCERPT

The night before market is the first time I dream of Kiran. 

Maybe this is because since I’ve met him, we’ve never been so far apart. Only two hundred more paces really, not that far, but it might as well be half the country on account of the fences and sliding doors and walls and security systems. It’s the first night I can’t sense his presence. Even in my sleep I feel alone. 

In my dream I’m on the auction stage. The wood is rough with splinters that jab into my bare feet. The sun is beating down from a clear, haze- free sky. Instead of buildings and factories, the stage is surrounded by trees. The ground below is dusted with pine needles. The air smells fresh. 

The Governess is standing before me beneath a silk- draped awning. Beside her is a Pip who is manning a fl at, black machine that’s tallying my votes. Only there’s no one around to vote on me. 

And then Kiran appears. He’s wearing his daytime Driver gear, but it’s clean now, and his golden hair is slicked back with oil— just like a Magnate. With his hands in his pockets, he stares at me, judgment in his bright eyes. He walks to the left, then to the right. He looks me up and down. Up and down again. His expression switches between impressed and disappointed. I want to see what parts of me he approves of, but I’m afraid to look down and see what I’m wearing. It feels too light to be a dress. It feels like I might be wearing nothing. 

Kiran walks to the Governess, and they exchange words that I cannot hear. She hands him an electronic board, and he writes something on it. A look of relief lifts her features as she shakes his hand, and I’m fi lled with a staggering sense of betrayal. Suddenly there are chains around my neck and my wrists. Heavy, black chains. They are weighing me down, and though I force myself to stand up as tall as I can, I stumble to my knees. 

And then I wake up.

You can purchase The Glass Arrow at the following Retailers:

        

And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you KRISTEN SIMMONS AND TOR for making this giveaway possible.

5 Copies of Glass Arrow and Bookmarks by Kristen Simmons.
1 Winner will receive a Signed Copy of The Glass Arrow and Bookmark.

WEEK ONE

FEBRUARY 10th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd VLOGPOST & RANDOM THINGS

FEBRUARY 10th TUESDAY Beauty and the Bookshelf FILL IN THE BLANKS
FEBRUARY 11th WEDNESDAY Fiction Fare REVIEW & GUEST POST
FEBRUARY 12th THURSDAY Bookish INTERVIEW
FEBRUARY 13th FRIDAY Carina’s Books REVIEW & FILL IN THE BLANKS
FEBRUARY 14th SATURDAY Storybook Slayers REVIEW & THIS OR THAT
FEBRUARY 15th SUNDAY Library of a Book Witch REVIEW & MUSIC PLAYLIST
FEBRUARY 16th MONDAY Spiced Latte Reads REVIEW

WEEK TWO
FEBRUARY 17th TUESDAY Swoony Boys Podcast REVIEW & INTERVIEW
FEBRUARY 18th WEDNESDAY Girl Meets Books DREAM CAST
FEBRUARY 19th THURSDAY Her Book Thoughts! REVIEW & GUEST POST
FEBRUARY 20th FRIDAY A Dream Within a Dream REVIEW & TENS LIST
FEBRUARY 21st SATURDAY Teen Readers’ Diary FAVORITE AUTHORS
FEBRUARY 22nd SUNDAY TTC Books and More REVIEW

FEBRUARY 23rd MONDAY Book Lovers Life REVIEW & RANDOM THINGS

FEBRUARY 24th TUESDAY Bookiemoji REVIEW & INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 25th WEDNESDAY Chapter by Chapter REVIEW & TENS LIST

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Vlog Post with Kristen Simmons

Photo Content from Kristen Simmons

Kristen Simmons is the author of the ARTICLE 5 series, THE GLASS ARROW, and METALTOWN. She has worked with survivors of abuse and trauma as a mental health therapist, taught Jazzercise in five states, and is forever in search of the next best cupcake. Currently she lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, where she spends her days supporting the caffeine industry and chasing her delightfully rambunctious son.

        

Print Length: 383 pages
Publisher: Tor Teen (February 11, 2014)
Publication Date: February 11, 2014
Sold by: Macmillan
Language: English
ASIN: B00EGJ6L3Q

Praise for THREE

“The new world imagined here is legitimately terrifying. [T]he chemistry between Chase and Ember is excellent, and the plentiful action, high stakes, and deliciously angst-laden love story will please readers.” ―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Paints a picture of a world that could easily be our future. [Simmons'] fluid writing creates an easy-to-read story that opens the eyes of readers to what the loss of civil liberties could entail. This book is a must have for all young adult collections.” ―VOYA

“Kristen Simmons' Article 5 is a gripping, atmospheric story of survival. Alongside a fierce depiction of oppressive government, Simmons has created a bleak portrait of an America lost. I could hardly put it down. Ember Miller and Chase Jennings can be my post-apocalyptic wingmen anytime.” ―Kendare Blake

TEN FAVORITE GUY CHARACTERS FROM YOUR BOOKS, INCLUDING RANDOM FACTS ABOUT THEM
Oooh! I love talking about my favorite boys! Here goes…

CHASE – He’s so much pain wrapped up in a hard shell. I love that he lets in the one person who scares him the most – Ember. That takes a huge leap of faith. He’s my great love in this series and I am most sad about saying goodbye to him as this story closes. You can find extra scenes written from Chase’s point of view on my website: www.kristensimmonsbooks.com.

SEAN – Silly Sean. He’s always cracking jokes in my head and I love putting him on the page. He’s a little vain and neurotic, but Rebecca keeps him balanced, and Ember and Chase make him brave. He originally did not play a huge role, but through my editor’s encouragement became one of my favorite characters in the series.

BILLY – Probably my third favorite. For me, Billy is the saddest character in the books. He loses the most – more than Ember. He was the hardest character to write in book 3.

TUCKER – Poor Tucker. He may never get credit for this, but he’s had it hard, too. He’s done terrible things, but only because he thought he was doing the “right thing.” Tucker is the other side of the story, the one that is there to remind Ember that no one really wins in this war they’re fighting. Random fact – in my first draft of Article 5, Tucker actually dated Ember.

WALLACE – The leader of the Knoxville resistance faction in BREAKING POINT, and Billy’s adopted father. Whenever I picture Wallace, I picture Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, just in more dystopian-ish clothes.

JESSE – (in THREE only) Fact: though he didn’t appear on page until the third book, he was in my head from the time I wrote the first story. He always had the snake tattoo on his neck. I couldn’t wait to introduce him.

MARCO AND POLO – I consider them one since they’re basically two halves of the same person. Their scenes were some of my favorites to write – all but one, a very difficult scene, which appears in THREE. Surprise: I didn’t actually plan on naming them Marco and Polo. I still hadn’t named them when I got to their entrance in BREAKING POINT and used these names as fillers. They stuck, and I never went back.

TUBMAN – I always felt bad for the carrier from Knoxville. All the secrecy, even the inability to share his real name, must have made him very lonely. His good cheer is just a front.

DR. DEWITT – (Appears in THREE) Such a complex guy with incredible burdens. He had to address one of the main themes of THREE in one of the most literal ways – the cause or my cause? One Whole Family, like the resistance motto, or just my family? It’s the same question that Ember must ultimately face at the end of the series.

TRUCK – The carrier from Chicago played a bigger role in an early draft of BREAKING POINT. He actually had face time with Ember’s best friend, Beth, when he learned of the safe house at Ember’s old residence. I liked this guy a lot – all brawn, less brain, but a huge heart.

Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are ready to stop running. After weeks spent in hiding as two of the Bureau of Reformation’s most wanted criminals, they have finally arrived at the safe house, where they hope to live a safe and quiet existence.

And all that’s left is smoking ruins.

Devastated by the demolition of their last hope, Ember and Chase follow the only thing left to them—tracks leading away from the wreckage. The only sign that there may have been survivors.

With their high profile, they know they can’t stay out in the open for long. They take shelter in the wilderness and amidst the ruins of abandoned cities as they follow the tracks down the coast, eventually finding refugees from the destroyed safe house. Among them is someone from Chase’s past—someone he never thought he’d see again.

Banding together, they search for a place to hide, aiming for a settlement a few of them have heard about…a settlement that is rumored to house the nebulous organization known as Three. The very group that has provided Ember with a tiny ray of hope ever since she was first forced on the run.

Three is responsible for the huge network of underground safe houses and resistance groups across the country. And they may offer Ember her only chance at telling the world her story.

At fighting back.

The finale to the Article 5 series by Kristen Simmons should be the blueprint to all finales. There are plenty of action and highly anticipated revelations. The plot in this dystopian novel is very gripping. Once you let it get a hold of you, it becomes very difficult to resist, especially the sweet and intense romance aspect of the story. Each novel builds from the one before making the series finale to go out with a bang. With such a complex story and a very convoluted journey that Chase and Ember endure, it’s amazing how Simmons impeccably piloted these wonderful characters to deliver a finale that will resonate in readers’ mind.

Although it was not the focal point of the book, it was pleasing that Chase and Ember’s romance was allowed so readers can learn more about their characters and the growth of their blossoming relationship. There are many times that a romance between two characters become more of a nuisance as it sidetracks from the main plot, but theirs was certainly critical. The secondary characters also deserve some credit such as Sean and Rebecca. Although they were secondary, Simmons still managed to developed each one and made them have importance in the story.

Article 5 and Breaking Point produced many questions that literally drove me insane but there were valid reasons why they were left unanswered until Three. From beginning to end, I could not take myself out of this enthralling world. The highly guarded clandestine about the government and the rebellion and how they are related to Three are revealed in a way that will have readers in a state of shock and complete amazement. Simmons’ approach to shine the truth on things that were shadowed in the first two books is pure genius. The pacing and plot building followed a path of perfection. The writing style knows exactly how to build tense and get hearts racing to a point that it had me on the edge of my seat. All loose ends are explained and leaves no stone unturned. This is a series finale that will end in satisfaction even for the ones who crave for more.

You can purchase THREE at the following Retailers:

    

And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you KRISTEN SIMMONS for making this giveaway possible.

3 Winners will receive a Copy of THREE by Kristen Simmons.
1 Winner will receive a Copy of Artikel 5 and Gesetz Der Rache 
(A5 and Breaking Point from Germany) by Kristen Simmons. 
3 Winners will receive a copy of Article 5 by Kristen Simmons. 
3 Winners will receive a copy of Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons. 
1 Winner will receive a Copy of Article 5 from Taiwan, 
and the audio book of Breaking Point on CD by Kristen Simmons. 
5 Winners will receive a Chase Jennings ART Bookmark by James Vallesteros.

WEEK ONE

FEBRUARY 11th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd VLOG & TENS LIST
FEBRUARY 11th TUESDAY Frodo’s Blog of Randomness REVIEW
FEBRUARY 12th WEDNESDAY Racing to Read TENS LIST
FEBRUARY 12th WEDNESDAY Mary Had a Little Book Blog REVIEW
FEBRUARY 12th WEDNESDAY Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace RANDOM THINGS
FEBRUARY 13th THURSDAY Tressa’s Wishful Endings THIS OR THAT
FEBRUARY 13th THURSDAY A Dream Within a Dream REVIEW
FEBRUARY 14th FRIDAY Chapter by Chapter REVIEW
FEBRUARY 14th FRIDAY Readiculous Reads INTERVIEW

WEEK TWO

FEBRUARY 15th SATURDAY Such a Novel Idea MUSIC PLAYLIST

FEBRUARY 15th SATURDAY Swoony Boys Podcast CHARACTER INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 15th SATURDAY Step Into Fiction REVIEW

FEBRUARY 16th SUNDAY Mother/Gamer/Writer REVIEW

FEBRUARY 16th SUNDAY Out of Time GUEST POST

FEBRUARY 17th MONDAY Insane About Books REVIEW

FEBRUARY 18th TUESDAY I am a Reader TENS LIST

FEBRUARY 19th WEDNESDAY TTC Books and More REVIEW

FEBRUARY 19th WEDNESDAY The Cover Contessa INTERVIEW

FEBRUARY 20th THURSDAY TSK TSK What to Read REVIEW

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