Sugar and Spice by Lauren Conrad

An L.A Candy novel by Lauren Conrad.

The only reason I picked up a copy of L.A Candy was because Lauren Conrad, LC as I know her, wrote the books. I wasn’t too fond of the first novel (read that review for more information). But it ended on such a cliffhanger, I couldn’t resist reading the next, Sweet Little Lies (see review).

That led me to Sugar and Spice. It was pretty great. A typical YA read. If you are looking for something insightful with similes and reflection and deep intellectual thoughts, then this book isn’t right for you. What drew me to these books, and why I think its popular–beyond LC herself–is what it would be like to be on a ‘reality’ show.

Lauren really takes you on an adventure, exposing what’s true and what’s false. It makes you really reevaluate what you see on television. Did that really happen, or did someone set it up. I related with Jane when she (spoiler alert) found Trevor’s book. I thought  that was great especially how well he knew the girls and predicted everything before it happened.  Lauren knows what she’s talking about, she knows what she is writing, and furthermore she has developed very interesting characters.

You get to see a side of both Scarlett and Madison that you hadn’t seen before, even Gabby, though she kind of takes a backseat. It was nice to see Jane grow up more and open her eyes to the world around her. I was pleased with her boys decisions at the end. Nice goin’ ,Conrad. lol.

This book definitely isn’t for everyone, but I do believe it is great for young adults. In this day and age, so many people are out to take advantage of you, and though I really don’t believe ‘Trevor was purposely taking advantage of them, you find a joy in watching Jane stick up for herself choosing between fame and some kind of normalcy.

I’d be interested to hear what others who read the L.A CANDY series thought.

Ciao
Angela Francis

YOUR Query Style

For the past two months, I’ve sent out queries for my newest book THE PROS AND CONS OF BREATHING (see ‘Books’ for more information). With a smile on my face, I can say the feedback as been pretty good with a nice amount of requests…most of which are still out with the agents, and a few stragglers that sent me a lovely R. But my question to you, the author or writer, is…what do you do?

I’m contemplating whether or not to keep researching and sending out queries. Maybe I’m a little lazy and really busy with the craziness in my life to spend 20-40 minutes researching and perfecting a query letter for one agent, then move on to another. It is a time-consuming process because one letter is all you get. One chance. Maybe it’s wrong of me. But it’s not like I sent out 20 QL and am sitting naively. But I feel like it’s a bridge to cross, like I need to overcome and see the results of these letters before I can continue.

 

 

I know others will say, just keep sending, just keep sending. So I want to know what you do. What is you process? Any words of wisdom?

It Ends Tonight

Afternoon!

Wow, I haven’t written on here in a while. In an effort to get back into the swing of things, I’ll let you know why I have been so distant.

For the past two months I have been unemployed, like most of the world. But I did get a job. Actually after being unemployed for only a month or so. I chose to leave my job. The stress was unbearable and I didn’t love it. In fact, it made me depressed. So, I left. Risky, I know, but I had faith.

In those two months, I practically completed a new book. One which I have decided to revise and rewrite. Too many ideas. It was too complex. So, I’m in the middle of revamping it. But for the last two months, I have been burrowed in a word document exploring a different world.

Oh, and I sent out queries for my current book I’m submitting.

But beside that, I’ve been up to my knees in words. So many that by the end of the day I wanted to collapse from exhaustion. Well, that or hang out with real people, ones I didn’t make up, though those are pretty awesome.

Now, I’m working FT, by time I get home it’s almost 7. Then I feed the clan, get dress work out, tan, do some laundry and before I know it it’s after midnight and I haven’t had a chance to write. Can’t wait for the day where writing is all I have to do, maybe work a part-time job. It’s the dream, right? Lol.

But, I’m back now. I’ll find the time for it all, if I have to stay up all night! Lol.

Ciao,
Angela

Oh yeah! Go watch the trailers for COLLIDE.