For The Love Of Film And Novels: Forbidden Mind By: Kimberly Kinrade *Guest Post, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway*

Hi Everyone, thanks for stopping by! Today you will see a Great Guest Post by the Author, an Excerpt, my Review & a Giveaway, so continue reading on! :)

Guest Post

The Top 100 YA Books… but are these really YA?

By Kimberly Kinrade

Last night I dreamed of blog posts. This isn’t unusual. I dream of book marketing strategies, plotlines, entire paragraphs of prose… in high school once I even dream-finished my Algebra homework—for real! I finished a pesky equation in my head and woke up to write it down.

The Forbidden Trilogy started as a dream.

Apparently I get a lot done in my dreams. I should start billing for sleep-time! Lol Anyways, my point is that I dream-wrote a post about my favorite books. I know, too exciting for words. But this morning I see that NPR has posted a list of the Best 100 Young Adult Novels, EVER.

This is a bizarre list, in my opinion. I never would have classified some of these books as YA. I recently wrote a guest post for the Krazy Book Lady blog called “The Mass Appeal of YA Fiction—It’s Not Just For Teens.” You should check it out. In this post, I argue that YA isn’t a genre, it’s a category for age classification. (I also argue that the love of YA isn’t about simplistic prose or that people are too lazy to read ‘adult’ books… as some have stated.) So, I’m wondering what criteria they used to determine the YA nature of the books on this list.

Maybe it’s just me, but I would classify a lot of these as literary fiction, and while that can also be YA, I just never though them to be. Was Fahrenheit 451 YA? What about The Lord of the Rings? To Kill A Mockingbird? Really? And then we have three books by John Green. I have no idea who this guy is, but I’ll have to check out his books.

I guess required reading in high school counts as YA? Though I had to read The Scarlet Letter and Gone With the Wind, and neither of those made it.

I’m starting to think YA is becoming a meaningless tag. Is it a book that has a teen in it? That deals with coming of age themes? That takes place in high school or college? Fifty Shades of Grey is coming of age with a young adult protagonist who is in college. Many teens are reading this book, but it is most definitely NOT YA.

Perhaps we should start putting books into their genres, instead of age categories? I guess children’s literature is important to note, but some of these books… including The Last Unicorn, is more children’s lit than for teens. It was made into a cartoon!

Flowers for Algernon is also on this list. It’s funny, because I made reference to this book in my last post about the new Bourne Legacy movie. (Not worth the price of the ticket, btw, check out my review for the why.) I read it in high school and somehow remembered it as a short story, but it’s not short! I’ve always been a fast reader. Lol Thing is, I don’t see this as YA.

Ah well. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Check out the list. What do you think? Which books are missing you think should be there? Which books don’t strike you as Young Adult?

And just so I can satisfy my dream self. Here’s a list of some of my favorite books in no particular order (they are not all YA.)

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis

This book made me fall in love with reading, writing and fantasy. It will always be one of my favorites.

Family Magic by Patti Larsen

Love this author (who’s also one of my closest friends) and all of her books. This series is one of my all time favorites. Witches, demons, vampires and more!

Forgive Me, Alex by Lane Diamond

One of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read. Get into the mind of a serial killer.

Angelfall by Susan Ee

An indie sensation that was so overhyped I thought I’d hate it and I loved it. Beautifully written post-apocalyptic book.

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

I highly recommend anything by this author. I discovered her through a friend’s recommendation years and years ago, and I adore her strong female protagonist and exciting fantasy worlds. In Wild Magic, one of my favorite characters, Daine, discovers her magic to heal and communicate with animals. I was very pleased to see a few of her books on the best list. They got something right. J

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

What can I say? I think he’s an amazing author. All the things people have critiqued in his books, I love. It’s fantasy the way I like it, very character driven.

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

Again, some of the best fantasy I’ve read.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Also on the top 100 list. I loved this series and the movie.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I know there’s a lot of hate going on for Bella, but I’m a fan and I’ll be writing a blog post about it very soon. Probably this week! Also on the list, FYI.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Who doesn’t love this series? Sure, she grew as a writer during the novel and there were prose problems, but what an imagination and what a world she created. I will love these books forever!

His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman

I still cry when I think of the last book. Such a wonderful trilogy!

Farsighted by Emlyn Chand

A multi-cultural paranormal YA series that has a lot of depth and emotion.

Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer

Love this Valkyrie series, with beautiful writing and wonderful myths that come to live.

Bad Doctor by John Locke

I’m a total fan girl. Locke’s books are fun and engaging and this new series is just so awesome. I love how he takes seriously messed up, flawed characters and makes them protagonists. It’s brilliant. If you’ve never read any of his books, check them out. I also interviewed this author awhile back. You can read it here.

The Darkening Dream by Andy Gavin

Dark fantasy with badass vampires. Loved it. This is an author to watch out for.

I’m sure there are so many more I’m forgetting, but this is a short list of books I really love, from thriller to epic fantasy, to paranormal.

So tell me, what are some of your favorite books. Feel free to leave links so we can all enjoy!

Book Description

She reads minds.
He controls minds.
Together, they might get out alive.

49% of Americans believe their government officials are honest.

I don't know these officials, or their supporters, but I know their secrets, and 49% of Americans are wrong.

My employers pay me well to be right, to know things others can't. But I don't know why they brought that boy in, strapped to a stretcher, barely conscious. He asked me for help when I could give none.

I'm a wealthy spy, a talented artist, a martial arts black belt, and a prisoner.

They tell me that on my eighteenth birthday, I will be released, free to go to the college of my dreams.

It's my eighteenth birthday, and a man in black is at my door. I know he's not here to free me.

I know, because I can read minds.

My name is Sam, and this is my story.
So begins the tale of Sam and Drake—from the time they link minds, forging a bond that leads to an unconventional romance—to their fight for survival against the corrupt, twisted organization known as 'Rent-A-Kid.' Evolved Publishing brings you "Forbidden Mind" (Book 1 of the Forbidden Trilogy), by award-winning author Kimberly Kinrade.

"...a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." ~ Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews

"The plot is very ALIAS and DARK ANGEL-like with X-MEN as its backdrop (awesome combo!). Forbidden Mind BLEW my mind!" ~Sour Skittles Book Blog
Winner of 2011 Forward National Literature Award

As of June 23rd, 2012, Forbidden Mind is now a new and improved extended edition. Twice the content with new twists and turns, the new Forbidden Mind has more of what readers loved in the original, all for the same price!

(Book #2 of the Forbidden Trilogy, "Forbidden Fire," is available NOW on Amazon. The final book of the trilogy, Forbidden Life, will be available on Oct. 2, 2012, so mark your calendars!)

Excerpt

The door to the studio hung open just a crack, and angry screams assaulted us as we approached. Luke and

Lucy looked to me as if I knew what was going on. I shrugged my shoulders in the universal I've-got-no-freaking-idea way and crept to the door. I could have just

slipped into their minds, but listening to people talk both out load and mentally was hard to track and gave me a pretty big headache. At that moment, what they were saying, or rather screaming, to each other was more interesting.

We didn't want to budge the door and draw attention to ourselves, so Luke pushed his head through. He bobbed in and out so quickly I almost missed it. Being able to walk through anything was mighty handy at times.

I nudged him. "Well?" "Higgins and Mr. K. They both look pretty pissed." They sounded it too. I'd never heard Headmaster Higgins yell at any of the teachers, or students for that matter.

He wasn't a pushover by any stretch, but he'd always been levelheaded—until today. Higgins shouted at Mr. K. "How could you enter her without permission from me? Do you realize what you've

done? This could ruin the school and everything we're doing here."

Was Higgins talking about me?

Mr. K replied with the same volume and anger. I could imagine the vein over his left eye bulging. "You have no idea how talented that girl is! She should be at the best art school in the world, not hidden here like a freak of nature. It's my job to make sure she has a future when she leaves this god-awful place, and I'm not letting you, or the people you work for, stand in my way. Or hers."

They must have been talking about me, but it made no sense. Why didn't Higgins want me entering the contest, and why did Mr. K hate this place so much?

"Don't you mean, the people we work for? They employ us both, and you'd do well to remember that, Mr. Krevner. Their reach extends beyond the gates of this school."

I couldn't believe it. Was the headmaster actually threatening my art teacher? What was going on?

"You will pull her from that competition and clean up the mess you've made, or your days here are numbered. Am I making myself clear?"

Something crashed into a wall, and my friends and I jumped back in surprise.

"Everything is very clear. You use her and her gifts, rent her and all these kids out to the highest bidder as spies. You make billions on these Rent-A-Kids, as they call themselves. And now you want to snuff her chance to shine doing what she truly loves? No. If you want to destroy her dreams, you can do it yourself. I'll have no part in it."

Footsteps approached the door. I tripped back, grabbed Luke and Lucy, and the three of us ducked around the corner of the building. I peeked out just as Mr. K stormed from the studio, his face bright red and contorted in anger. Not his best look.

Headmaster Higgins followed him out moments later. He adjusted his navy blue suit and plastered a calm mask over his face. His midnight black skin did not reveal his recent spike in blood pressure the same way that Mr. K's pasty complexion had, but the tight way he held his shoulders and the fists he made of his hands spoke to his anger.

Tears stung my eyes, and I swiped at them with the back of a hand still stained with splashes of paint. If they pulled me from the contest, hundreds of hours of hard work would be wasted, and my future would get flushed down the toilet. That couldn't happen!

When both men were gone, the three of us snuck into the studio and closed the door behind us. My enthusiasm had drained out of me like dirty bathtub water. I sniffled and wiped my traitorous eyes again.

Lucy put her arm around me. "Cheer up, Chica. We'll figure this out, I promise. They can't keep you from this, not after all the hard work you've done. And you'll be leaving for New York soon. Luke and I will join you there, and we'll make all of our dreams come true, just watch!"

I tried to smile, for her sake, but the smile didn't reach my eyes. Luke rubbed my head as if I were his pet dog. "Where's this painting I've been hearing so little about?" I swatted his hand and couldn't suppress a small, but genuine, smile. Luke could always cheer me: funny,

gorgeous, and so much like a brother it sucked. "Over here." The canvas draped over my painting appeared undisturbed. A sigh of relief escaped me. At least

nothing had happened to it. "Close your eyes." They both groaned but did as told. Fear and nervousness buzzed through me as I pulled the canvas off. What if they hated it? What if everyone

hated it and my dreams of being a real artist died before they could even be born? My lungs clenched with stale breath and I exhaled before I got too dizzy. "Okay, you can look."

They stood there, jaws dropped, stunned into silence. They either hated it or totally loved it. "Um, is this a bad or good silence?" Lucy pulled her mouth closed and swallowed before she spoke. "O.M.G. Sam, this is the most incredible,

unbelievable thing I've ever seen in my life. You painted this?" "You like it?"

Her mental voice slammed into me. 'Would I lie to you? It's amazing!'

Relief flooded me even as I laughed at her joke. I could read minds, sure, but she was the human lie detector. No one dared lie to her.

Luke hugged me and whispered into my ear, "I'm so proud of you, Sam. This is truly epic!"

We stood there staring for several minutes. This painting represented so much about me, my life, my future... everything. I hated to leave it even for a minute, but my stomach protested its neglect with a loud rumble.

Luke grabbed my hand. "Come on, let's feed you. My treat."

With the buzz of success filling me, and Luke's hand in mind, I entertained a what-if. What if I could get past the whole brother thing with Luke? I took in his tall, well-defined frame, his dark hair and bright blue eyes. Gorgeous inside and out, but... nothing. No spark at all. Such a pity. Of all the guys at school, he was the only one I could even imagine being with, but I couldn't force the chemistry and neither could he.

We walked to dinner hand in hand, and I consoled myself with the fact that I had the best friends a girl could want. Not a bad consolation prize after all, and worth a hundred boyfriends.

Review

This was a nicely written creative story! The story had strong elements that really grasped my attention and they all fell in these categories: Dsytopia/Science Fiction Fantasy/Romance/Young Adult. All of this combined, just came together as one interesting story. The characters were well written, especially the main character, Sam. We mostly read from her POV and we also read about Drake, her love interest, and oh man there is definitely that feeling that you want these two to get together, and you're just wondering when that will be, so I was definitely waiting for that scene where they meet; you'll see what I mean. I also had the feeling of wanting to read some more, so I look forward to the next book in this trilogy!

My Rating: 3.8/5

I say a PG-13 Rating.

About The Author

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for children, YA and adults and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal novels Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire and her illustrated children's fantasy chapter books Lexie World, and Bella World, all on Amazon.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

For a list of her books, check out:

http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade

For a fun fan experience, join the team at I.P.I. at http://IPIAcademy.com

For kids and parents of young kids, join the Lost Kids at http://ThreeLostKids.com

Good Reads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12659042-forbidden-mind

Buy Now Links:

Amazon

ONLINE LINKS:

· Website http://KimberlyKinrade.com

· Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade

· IPI Twitter: @IPIAcademy

· Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade