In Which J. Scott Savage Points Out I’m Growing Wings

Last weekend, while at LTUE (the science fiction / fantasy symposium in Utah) there was a moment when I stopped in the hall to chat with some friends and eat a snack. While I was there, Jeff Savage (aka J. Scott Savage) stopped to socialize with us.

Me: Dude, you’ve had so much success recently. Word on the street is that you’ll be publishing six books in 2013.

Him: Yes, it’s a lot in one year. That’s why I’m taking 2012 to sleep and see my family.

Me: And yet, you’re here, teaching the rest of us how it’s done.

Him: I figure I need to grow an extra set of wings to help me get to heaven. *looks at me* By now, you’re probably growing wings, too.

Me: So that’s what those knots are in my back! *moment of realization*

What Jeff didn’t know: for the past two months, I’ve been seeing a chiropractor and a massage therapist because of two annoyingly painful knots between my shoulder blades. (True story.)

In a moment of absolute clarity, I realized that Jeff was right. I AM growing wings. (Wonder why my chiropractor didn’t notice?) They’re coming in fast. And by dang, it won’t be too much longer before I learn how to fly.

Watch out writing world. I’m not just planning to break through the wall. I’m going to knock it down.

Thanks, LTUE peeps, for a fantabulous, inspiring weekend. That is all.

Book Review: "Wings" by Aprilynne Pike

By Nichole Giles

Jacket cover copy:

“Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head.

They looked almost like wings.”

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

Fifteen-year-old Laurel discovers she’s a faery when she goes through the faery equivalent of puberty and sprouts a flower out of her back. On top of that, she’s just moved into a new neighborhood, is attending public school for the first time, and evil trolls are out to get her family.

During the course of the story, Laurel is torn between a human love, and a faery one—adding a strong element of romance sure to make a girl’s heart go pitter-patter.

The first time I picked up “Wings,” I was intrigued. First by the title, then the beautiful cover, and then I read the back and discovered the story is about faeries. Well, that did it. I had to buy it because I adore both flowers and faeries, and the story sounded intriguing to me. This was—of course—before I met the author, Aprilynne Pike (who, by the way is super nice and every bit as pretty as the picture on the jacket cover of her book). Before I had the chance to begin reading, Aprilynne gave me a more in-depth overview of the storyline, and as soon as I got home, I had to start reading (even though it was way, way past my bedtime).

I have to be honest. I LOVED it. It’s one of those stories you read straight through from beginning to end in one sitting. And then you want to pick it up and read it again. Then, if you’re a book-loaner (which I am not) you loan your copy to all your friends so they can love it too.

Or if you’re like me, you tell them all to go buy their own copy because you’re too picky about how books are treated.

I digress. Anyway, it’s no wonder “Wings” hit #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List within two weeks of being released.

So, if you aren’t one of the people who bought this book the month it was released, run—don’t walk—to pick up your copy now. This is the hot new thing. Hurry, before you fall behind the times!