Blog Tour: State of Jane by Meredith Schorr

Follow the tour HERE

Author Bio:
A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to, and was famous among her friends for writing witty birthday cards. After dabbling in children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing “real chick lit for real chicks." When Meredith is not hard at work on her current work in progress, she spends her days as a trademark paralegal at a law firm in New York City. Meredith is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner. She also loves to read and is always on the lookout for her new favorite author. A State of Jane is her second novel.

Connect with Meredith!
facebook

goodreads

  

Buy the Book!

Amazon :

barnes and noble

itunes 

  

  

Jane Frank is ready to fall in love.

It's been a year since her long term relationship ended and far too long since the last time she was kissed. With the LSAT coming up she needs to find a long term boyfriend (or husband) before acing law school and becoming a partner at her father's law firm.

There's just one problem: All the guys in New York are flakes. They seemingly drop off the face of the earth with no warning and no explanation.

Should she join her best friend Marissa in singlehood, making cupcakes and watching True Blood? Or should she follow her co-worker Andrew's advice and turn the game back on those who've scorned her? As Jane attempts to juggle her own responsibilities and put up with the problems of everyone around her, she starts to realize that the dating life isn't as easy as she originally thought.

As I embraced him, I looked at Trish to gauge her reaction to seeing her new live-in boyfriend with his arms around his ex-girlfriend of nine years.  She was smiling and although I looked really hard, I saw no jealousy or insecurity behind her beady eyes. 

                When Bob and I separated, Trish jumped up and down.  Clapping her hands excitedly, she came barging at me, squeezing me with full force. Although her mouth was eye-level to my neck, I was able to make out her muddled version of, "I'm so happy to finally meet you!"

                Taken aback, and somewhat frightened, if truth be told, I pulled away and straightened the top of my scoop neck sweater.  Offering my hand, I forced a smile and said, "Hi. I'm Jane."

                Jumping up and down again, Trish squealed, "I know!  Bob's told me so much about you. And I've seen all of Arlene's photo albums.  Love the ones from the high school prom." Winking at Bob, she said, "He looked so cute in his tux."

                I glanced at Bob, hoping he'd roll his eyes and we'd share a silent laugh, but he had his hand on Trish's shoulder and was beaming as brightly as she.

                While I counted the number of tiny freckles on her nose, Trish continued, "Looking at the pictures, part of me wished I knew Bob back then.  But you were such a great girlfriend to him.  Thanks to you, I got him un-jaded. Unlike some of these other NYC guys."

                When I heard a cough in the background, I remembered Todd was next to me. "Oh, I'm so sorry," I said.  Gesturing towards Todd, I said, "This is Todd.  My, uh, my -"

                Interrupting my eloquent introduction, Todd nodded at Bob.  "Todd.  Jane's lucky date.  Nice to meet you.  Jane baked this potato soufflé for you guys." 

                Taking the platter from him, Trish said, “Thanks so much!  Bob said you were a really good cook.  Me, not so much!” Her eyes dilating in interest, she looked from me to Todd and asked, "How'd you guys meet?"

                I started to explain.  "Todd's a lawyer and my friend Marissa's sister thought we'd ..."

                "At a party," Todd cut in. 

                "Cute!  When was the party?" Trish asked.

                Wanting to keep the duration of my relationship with Todd vague, I started to answer, "I don't really remember…"

                "Last Saturday," Todd said.  "Jane liked my Red Sox hat."

                "That's funny since Jane has zero interest in sports," Bob said, laughing.

                "Yeah, Bob told me about the time his boss got tickets to a Ranger's game and you fell asleep in the second half." After she said this, Trish covered her mouth with her hand.  I wasn't sure if she was regretful for embarrassing me or just trying to contain her laughter.  The former would mean she was nice so I hoped for the latter.  But I guessed the former.

                I shrugged. "Yeah, well.  It was a week-night game. Long day of work."

                Patting my back like a child would a pony, Todd said, "Aw, she's a good sport.  Watched basketball with me this week and even accompanied me to my firm's bowling tournament.  And we've only been dating a week." 

                Feeling busted, I reluctantly met Bob's glance.  His eyebrows raised, he nodded, "Yup.  A great sport indeed."

                "I'm gonna get another beer.  Anyone want anything?” Todd asked.

                In unison, all three of us replied, "No, thanks."

                After Todd was out of ear shot, Trish said happily, "He seems nice!  There are too many people here tonight for us to really talk, but you guys should come over for dinner sometime.  Bob speaks so highly of you. I would truly like us to be friends."

                I examined Trish's face again for some sign that she secretly hated my attendance at her party.  Some indication that late at night when Bob was asleep, she stuck needles in a Jane-inspired voodoo doll wishing that my existence would be removed from Bob's memory and that all pictures of me would magically disappear from Mrs. Krauss's photo albums.  But what stood before me was a truly nice person who was neither fat nor ugly and seemingly not fatally flawed in any way.  Trish was sincere.  She was not threatened by me.  She was not jealous.  She was not insecure.  She was in love, she was happy, and she wanted me to be happy too.  And she actually wanted to be friends. 

                My whole charade was failing miserably. It was obvious Todd and I were not on our way to cohabitated bliss like Bob and Trish, and worse, pretending to be right behind her in the line to romantic happiness was pointless and would only serve to make me look even more pathetic than I already did.  I had to change directions and fast.

                I leaned in toward Bob and Trish and motioned with my finger for them to close the space between us.  When they moved in, I confided, "If you must know, I don't think Todd is the one."

                Bob laughed. "Oh really?"           

                Trish frowned.  "That's too bad."

                "Nah!  As you know, I had the same boyfriend for nine years.  My first and only boyfriend, if you know what I mean." I gave Trish a knowing look but she stared back at me blankly.  "Bob was a good lover and all, but I've got serious oats to sow before I settle down." I did a 360 of the room as if making sure no one could overhear my next words.  "All the guys I'm dating now?  Using them," I whispered.  "For sex." 

State of Jane is a funny story that has you rooting for the main character, Jane.  Jane is flawed, real and sometimes frustrating.   You will take a literary trip through singlehood with amazing and vivid characters, through real life situations all the while feeling like your are there along side them living every moment.  A must read book with a 4.5 star rating! 

Q.  What inspires your writing?

Life.  Almost everything in both of my books is inspired by my world - my relationships, my friendships, my work environment. 

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Writing, writing and more writing. 

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

Having little or no control over how many people will read your book.  You can market and promote up the wazoo, but you can't force people to buy the book.

Q.  If you could not be an author, what would you do/be?

I would like to be a book editor or a professional book reviewer.  It would have to be something associated with reading/writing.

Q. What would the story of your life be entitled?

Meredith in Bloom

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

That is a really, REALLY tough question because I have so many favorite books.  One that comes to mind is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.  I loved that story.  The movie didn't do it justice which makes me wish it was never made.

Q.  Which part of your book(s) was the easiest to write?

Writing dialogue comes pretty easy to me as well as my character's inner thoughts. 

Q.  Which part of your book(s) was the hardest to write?

Description - mostly describing physical gestures and finding new and interesting ways to say things like, "he smiled." Sex scenes are tough too.

Q. Can you tell me a little about the inspiration behind your book cover(s)?

I must give the credit to my fabulous cover design, Loretta Matson.  After reading the book, she threw out several concepts and one of them played on a lack of control which was a big theme in the book.  The falling bookshelves represent the lack of control that my main character faces when her life plan veers way off track.  

Q.  Which character from any book are you most like?

Stephanie Cohen in Just Friends with Benefits

Q.  What is your favorite season?

I'm happy to live in an area that has all four seasons because I think they all have their good points, but I would say my favorite is early Fall.  There is little precipitation, the colors are pretty and you can get away with just a light jacket. 

Q.  Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book(s).

My friends recently threw me a release party for A State of Jane and one of them had bookmarks made for me.  After several drinks, my friends started handing out the bookmarks to every single person at the bar and telling people I was a famous author.  Some of the people asked to have a picture taken with me which I thought was hilarious since I am far from famous.  I'm hoping at least a few of them downloaded the book though :)

Q.  Are you working on something new?

Yes - I am finalizing my 3rd novel (still untitled) - it is a chick lit/romcom about a very popular book reviewer/blogger who is asked to review the debut novel of her high school nemesis/ "mean girl."  The romantic portion of the book involves an attorney at the office where my main character works as a legal secretary who,  much to my main character's dismay, calls her out on her secret wish to be a writer. 

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by? 

Thank you for taking the time to read my answers and learn a little more about me.  I hope that if you decide to give A State of Jane a read, you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  

Blog Tour: The Green Ticket by Samantha March

Follow the tour HERE

College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty – manager to a successful salon and spa. Thrilled to finally have a real adult job, Alex enthusiastically jumps into the world of schedules, conference calls, and getting a massage when interviewing prospective employees. What she doesn’t expect are the very grown-up issues that comes with a demanding boss. Kevin Dohlman quickly becomes Alex’s worse nightmare – covering up his affairs, dealing with his enormous ego, and trying to protect her female staff from him becomes a full-time job in its own right. Alex has also befriended Kevin’s wife and co-owner, Dani, and is trying to keep Kevin’s secrets hidden from her. The situation only worsens when Kevin starts paying Alex off to make sure she keeps her insider knowledge to herself.

While struggling to keep her wits and stay happy with her new grown-up job, Alex is juggling college courses, a new love interest, and keeping up with her close group of girlfriends. When her roommate and best friend Lila gets offered an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and sign with an agent, Alex realizes her life truly is changing, and everyone around her – including herself – is is growing up. Knowing she is faced with some hard decisions ahead, Alex struggles with keeping her job at Blissful. But does she really want to throw away what she dreamed of as a career – or will the secret-keeping for Kevin become too much to handle? The Green Ticket is a story about morals versus money, and how one young woman navigates the shaky line between the two.

 Chapter 1

Bustling salon and spa seeking a full time manager to oversee daily operations. Job duties will include but will not be limited to: hiring and scheduling staff, assisting with appointment management, scheduling training opportunities, dealing with cash flow, marketing and advertising of the business, and ensuring salon and spa is run with class and enthusiasm. No experience in salon and spa business is required, but a business degree is preferred. Serious, enthusiastic, and hard-working individuals please email resume and cover letter to lanidohlman@blissfulsalonandspa.com. Hours will vary, pay is negotiable and based on experience.

                I cracked my knuckles against my palm, tiny pops of the bad habit music to my ears. A manager at a salon and spa? This job listing was practically screaming my name. I didn’t have any experience with managing a salon - or anywhere for that matter - but I loved getting my hair done. And mani/pedis. And my bushy eyebrows needed a good hot wax job at least once every thirty days.

                I bookmarked the job listing, making a note to myself on my daily to-do list sitting next to my laptop. Polish resume, I scrawled, right after 60 minutes Pilates/yoga workout and finish cleaning bathroom.

                Lila burst through the door at that moment, her long blonde hair flying behind her. “We must work out tonight. Please come and motivate me. I’m getting my pictures taken in two weeks and I really need to drop some weight. And tone up. Look firm. Look good. The TV adds ten pounds you know. Did you get your assignment done yet for Bater’s class? I need to work on that ,too.” Even though Lila Medlin had been my best friend for years, the speed at which she does everything could still amaze me. I watched her beautiful virgin hair (she’s a natural blonde the bitch) barely make it past the doorframe before getting slammed.

                “You’re in luck. I was going to do some Pilates and yoga tonight anyways. Just do it with me. That will help firm and tighten you. Even though you know I don’t think you need it.”

                “When I fit into your size two jeans, I’ll finally start listening.” Lila walked into the kitchen, opening cabinets then the refrigerator. “We have no food! Want to order a pizza or something? Ooh, maybe some wings? I’m craving hot sauce.”

                I walked into the kitchen behind her, peering into the depths of our pathetic excuse for a dorm fridge. “We have food. Here’s a bag of lettuce, some carrot sticks back here, and croutons in the cabinet. I snagged some packets of ranch from the lounge yesterday. Voila–– let’s make a salad!”

                Lila pulled a face, reacting like I asked her to go on Survivor and eats cockroaches. “Uh, yeah, salad sounds great if I was trying to starve myself, Alex. I’m craving real food, not rabbit food.”            

                I held my hands up in surrender. “You’re the one talking about toning and firming up. I’m just saying a salad will give you better odds then buffalo wings.”

                Lila had a dream to be an entertainment reporter, and was itching for the chance to get out of Dodge- or rather, Iowa. Lila and I had been best friends since we came to Kaufman College in Des Moines three years ago, and had been living together for two. We wanted to move out on our own and get a house, but neither of us had the financials to support that yet. Lila was saving every penny to put towards photography sessions, voice lessons, and even acting classes. Her big goal was to head out to Los Angeles and somehow land an audition for Buzzworthy, the hottest celebrity news show. I supported her goal of being a reporter, even though I had no idea how to help her achieve it.

                My goals weren’t as specific as Lila’s. Mainly, I wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet and stop relying on my sister for everything. Alicia was my big sister, married to Craig Bowersworth and living with their five kids in Seattle. Craig’s job as a political campaign manager led them to many places, but Alicia fell in love with Seattle the minute she laid eyes on the rainy landscape, so they settled down there. Alicia was a stay at home mom, but with Craig’s income, they don’t need the extra money. Alicia helped me stay financially afloat by sending me money each month. I held down stray jobs here and there, but still hadn’t quite figured out what I want to do when I grow up. I was studying Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship at college, and was still waiting to see where the wind would blow me. 

                “Fine, fine, a salad it is. Can you whip one up for me quick? I need to put my face on before Joel comes over.”

                “What time is he stopping by?”

                “He said around five. He has some study group thing tonight so he wanted to drop by and see me before that.” Joel Lohrbach had been Lila’s boyfriend for just over year, starting when we were sophomores in college. Lila fell hard and fast for Joel, and the attraction still baffled me. Joel was short and geeky, with spiked black hair and big glasses that did not make a fashion statement, and always has his nose in a book. Lila was tall, blonde and gorgeous, with ambitions to live in sunny LA and schmooze with celebrities. Joel was not agreeable to Lila’s future plans. I had no idea what would happen if Lila actually made it in the entertainment biz. I wouldn’t mind seeing them breakup. I thought Joel was a dick to Lila more than a sweetheart. But she loved him.

                “Okay, get your makeup on and we’ll eat some salad and change for the gym. And you can help me look at this job I’m thinking about applying for. Tell me if you get good vibes or not.” Lila always says she gets “vibes” about certain things, such as if the elective I want to sign up for will be a brain buster or if the new Chinese restaurant in town has bugs in their food. And she’s usually pretty spot on.

                “No problem. Are you thinking about leaving Tastie’s again?” Lila’s voice was muffled as she shouted out from the bathroom.

                I put a healthy portion of lettuce in two plastic cereal bowls, quickly diced up the carrots and sprinkled those in, and shook the worn bag of croutons over the top. After smothering  the salads with ranch dressing, officially taking them from a healthy snack to a questionable one with the rich, calorie-laden topping, I was satisfied. Finding two clean forks in our utensil drawer was somewhat of a challenge, since neither of us were big on washing dishes, and I took a seat at our two-person table shoved in the back corner of our minuscule kitchen.

                “Did you hear me? Are you thinking about leaving Tastie’s?” Lila came back into the kitchen, her face glowing and her blue eyes popping, even though she looked like she had no makeup on. I had yet to master the natural look like she could–– wearing two tons of concealer, highlighter, blush, shadow, liner, and mascara, and looking like she had just woken up. Mine always ends up looking like clown makeup when I try.

                I dug into my salad, loading up my fork with lettuce and a crouton. “Yeah, just thinking about it, though. I’m getting tired of all my Friday and Saturday nights getting spent with sleazy guys. But the money is really helping me build up my savings account. I can’t live off Alicia forever.”

                “I know, but look how good you’re doing saving money. You won’t be a waitress forever.”

                “I wish I knew what I did want to be. How hard is it to figure out a career, especially as a junior in college? Shouldn’t I have this down already so I can stop taking all these electives?”

                “Some people need more time. You’ll figure it out. If you don’t by the time I hit the high road out of this state, just come to LA with me. You could probably find a job out there in a heartbeat.”

                “As what?”

                “A model! An actress! I could get all the exclusive scoops on which designer you’re wearing and who you’re making a sex tape with next, and we could rule the world out there.”

                “Lila, I won’t be making sex tapes with anyone in the foreseeable future. And the unforeseeable future, you perv.” I dug out the last crouton from the bottom of the bowl, crunching it between my teeth. “Besides, that lifestyle just isn’t for me. I don’t like being the center of attention. I would rather be behind the scenes.”

My Book is Here!

Self-publishing can be really difficult for authors if you start out with virtually no fan base. Self-publishing can be really difficult for authors even if they start out with a virtual fan base. Self-publishing simply is not for everyone. I started my book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus  in 2009, and I did this because of that age-old cliché I always hear: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I actually thought I would be traditionally published, and I thought this blog would be a way to possibly connect with other writers or perhaps even agents. Well, my little blog opened up my world in a very surreal way. So many opportunities (albeit mostly self-made) and plethora of connections have come my way since. I mean – I interviewed THE Emily Giffin over the phone!

When it became clear the publishing industry had changed dramatically, I was okay and confident in my decision to self-publish. Why? Because I already had support from other authors and readers. People were asking to read my book before it was even finished. And when I did hit “publish” and saw my book for sale on Amazon, my 2000+ Twitter followers were on it – they knew my book was here. Having that support was amazing, and I can’t imagine not having that and still having the publishing success that I have had.

Samantha March Bio:

Samantha March is an author, editor, publisher, blogger, and all around book lover. She runs the popular book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus, which keeps her bookshelf stocked with the latest reads and up to date on all things health, fitness, fashion, and celebrity related. In 2011 she launched her independent publishing company Marching Ink and her debut novel Destined to Fail. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you can find her cheering for the Green Bay Packers.

http://www.samanthamarch.com/

Facebook

Twitter

GoodReads

Showcase/Review: The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon

Happy Pub Day to Jennifer on her release of 

THE ONE I LEFT BEHIND!!!

Bestselling author Jennifer McMahon is back with a gut-wrenching mystery about an architect whose troubled mother has been found 25 years after being kidnapped-by a killer who is still on the loose.

The summer of 1985 changed Reggie's life. Thirteen, awkward, and without a father, she finds herself mixed up with her school's outcasts-Charlie, the local detective's son, and Tara, a goth kid who has a mental hold over Reggie and harbors a dark secret. That same summer a serial killer called Neptune begins kidnapping women. He leaves their severed hands on the police department steps and, five days later, displays their bodies around town. Just when Reggie needs her mother Vera-an ex-model with many "boyfriends" and a thirst for gin-the most, Vera's hand is found on the steps. But after five days, there's no body and Neptune disappears.

Now a successful architect who left her hometown behind after that horrific summer, Reggie doesn't trust anyone and lives with few attachments. But when she gets a call from a homeless shelter saying that her mother has been found alive, Reggie must confront the ghosts of her past and find Neptune before he kills again.

With her signature style, Jennifer McMahon portrays the dark side of adolescent friendship and introduces characters who haunt the imagination, along with a disturbing web of secrets, betrayals, and murder.

Another hit by McMahon.  I fell in love with her writing with Don't Breath a Word and I have loved every book since.  In The One I left Behind the story starts out super spooky and hooks you from page one.  The story is intense, mysterious and a real page turner. You will read characters you relate to and will be taken on an intense ride.  There is evil, red herrings, false leads and brilliant writing.  The story flipping from past to present from Reggie's point of view adds such depth to the story.  It is simply an amazing story that will leave you with your jaw dropping in surprise.  Another 5 star hit!

Q.  What inspires your writing?

A.  I find inspiration everywhere: in snippets of conversation I overhear in the grocery store, watching my daughter play, things people say on late-night talk radio, something odd I happen to see while driving down the highway.  I think I tend to be most inspired by things that puzzle and frighten me; the things that keep me awake late at night, tossing and turning.  Some people say "write what you know."  I say, "Write what scares you."

Q.  You write such original and creative books, where do your ideas come from?

A.I tend to start a book with a single idea or image.  Sometimes, these ideas come to me in dreams.  I always keep a notebook by my bed to write down any ideas that may come.  My books Dismantled and Don't Breathe a Word were both inspired by dreams.  The One I Left Behind began when I was looking at carton of milk one morning and thought, "Wouldn't it be horrifying to find a milk carton somewhere, open it up and find a woman's hand inside?"  Then my mind started going and I thought, "It's not just one hand, but several.  They're the work of a serial killer!  But who are the women?  And who is the killer?  Why does he or she cut off the hands?"  And I had to start writing to find all this out.  

Q.  What is your favorite thing about being an author?

A. The days when the work is going well and I'm totally lost inside this world I've created.  It's also really amazing to hear from readers, particularly those who say they aren't big readers, but they loved my book and it left them wanting to read more!  I'll also admit to getting a certain twisted thrill when I hear someone had to sleep with the lights on after finishing one of my books!

Q.  What is the toughest part of being an author?

A. For me, it's juggling writing with all the other work I need to do to help my books get noticed: book tours, conferences, speaking engagements, interviews, Facebook... sometimes all of that can feel like a full time job and it's tricky to find the time to actually write.  I'm always struggling to find that balance; that magical place where I'm creating new work I'm happy with, and also doing what I need to spread the word about my books.  

Q.  If you could not be author, what would you do/be?

A.I have a fantasies of being a farmer -- vegetables, chickens and sheep.  But I know how hard farming is and I think I'd be too lazy to be truly good at it.  

Q.  What would the story of your life be entitled?

A.  Hm, how about "Write What Scares You"?

Q.  What is your favorite book of all time?

A. To Kill a Mockingbird -- it's the book that made me want to be a writer. 

Q.  Which character from ANY book are you most like?

A. The Little Engine that Could

Q.  What character from all of your book are you most like?

A.That's a tough one.  I think there are bits and pieces of me in all of my characters, even the villains.  There's a lot of me and pieces of my life in Reggie in The One I Left Behind, though I think she's a lot more closed off and uptight than I am.   In some ways, I feel closest to Kate Cypher in Promise Not to Tell -- I think maybe because it was my first book and the only one I wrote in first person.

Q.  What is your favorite season?

A.  Fall, definitely.  You can smell change in the air.  And Halloween is my favorite holiday -- the day when the veil between the world of the dead and the world of the living is the thinnest. 

Q.  What inspired your book cover(s)?  And/or what is your favorite book cover and why?

A. I've been lucky -- my publisher has always put together great covers for me.  I hear from a lot of people who say they pick up my books because they felt the girls on the covers staring at them from across the room!   I love it!

Q.  Are you working on something new?

A.  I've always got one or two books going.  The book I'm working on now is a bit different.  Parts of it take place in the early 1900's.  And I think it's the scariest thing I've written.  Also, it's the first book I've done that's set in winter, which has been great fun.  That's about all I can say for now.  

Q.  Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?

A.  If folks are interested in checking out my writing, they can read the first two chapters of THE ONE I LEFT BEHIND on my Facebook Author page:  https://www.facebook.com/JenniferMcMahonBooks/app_211427168875708   But most of all, thank you for reading!

OTHER BOOKS BY JENNIFER:

Forty-one-year-old school nurse Kate Cypher has returned home to rural Vermont to care for her mother who's afflicted with Alzheimer's. On the night she arrives, a young girl is murdered--a horrific crime that eerily mirrors another from Kate's childhood. Three decades earlier, her dirt-poor friend Del--shunned and derided by classmates as "Potato Girl"--was brutally slain. Del's killer was never found, while the victim has since achieved immortality in local legends and ghost stories. Now, as this new murder investigation draws Kate irresistibly in, her past and present collide in terrifying, unexpected ways. Because nothing is quite what it seems . . . and the grim specters of her youth are far from forgotten.

More than just a murder mystery, Jennifer McMahon's extraordinary debut novel, Promise Not to Tell, is a story of friendship and family, devotion and betrayal--tautly written, deeply insightful, beautifully evocative, and utterly unforgettable.

On a soft summer night in Vermont, twelve-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen.

Fifteen years later, Phoebe is in love with Sam, a practical, sensible man who doesn't fear the dark and doesn't have bad dreams--who, in fact, helps Phoebe ignore her own. But suddenly the couple is faced with a series of eerie, unexplained occurrences that challenge Sam's hardheaded, realistic view of the world. As they question their reality, a terrible promise Sam made years ago is revealed--a promise that could destroy them all.

While parked at a gas station, Rhonda sees something so incongruously surreal that at first she hardly recognizes it as a crime in progress. She watches, unmoving, as someone dressed in a rabbit costume kidnaps a young girl. Devastated over having done nothing, Rhonda joins the investigation. But the closer she comes to identifying the abductor, the nearer she gets to the troubling truth about another missing child: her best friend, Lizzy, who vanished years before.

From the author of the acclaimed Promise Not to Tell comes a chilling and mesmerizing tale of shattered innocence, guilt, and ultimate redemption.

The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Island of Lost Girls and Promise Not to Tell returns with a chilling novel in which the secrets of the past come back to haunt a group of friends in terrifying ways.

Dismantlement = Freedom

Henry, Tess, Winnie, and Suz banded together in college to form a group they called the Compassionate Dismantlers. Following the first rule of their manifesto--"To understand the nature of a thing, it must be taken apart"--these daring misfits spend the summer after graduation in a remote cabin in the Vermont woods committing acts of meaningful vandalism and plotting elaborate, often dangerous, pranks. But everything changes when one particularly twisted experiment ends in Suz's death and the others decide to cover it up.

Nearly a decade later, Henry and Tess are living just an hour's drive from the old cabin. Each is desperate to move on from the summer of the Dismantlers, but their guilt isn't ready to let them go. When a victim of their past pranks commits suicide--apparently triggered by a mysterious Dismantler-style postcard--it sets off a chain of eerie events that threatens to engulf Henry, Tess, and their inquisitive nine-year-old daughter, Emma.

Is there someone who wants to reveal their secrets? Is it possible that Suz did not really die--or has she somehow found a way back to seek revenge?

Full of white-knuckle tension with deeply human characters caught in circumstances beyond their control, Jennifer McMahon's gripping story and spine-tingling plot prove that she is a master at weaving the fear of the supernatural with the stark realities of life.

Maggie was looking for a friend in Dahlia. She never guessed she?d find love, too. All the tenth-grade girls hate Dahlia Wainwright?a smart, natural beauty and freaky outsider all in one. And that's "exactly" what Maggie Keller is drawn to, for she herself is an outsider, having withdrawn from the high school elite crowd after a car accident that killed her mother?an accident for which she blames herself. But Dahlia's friendship?a manic journey into new identities and outrageous behavior? transforms Maggie in ways she could never have imagined. In her stunning first young adult novel, bestselling adult author Jennifer McMahon paints a lush portrait of the healing power of love.