TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY releases today!

Congratulations to my wife, Cynthia Leitich Smith, on the release today of her first graphic novel (illustrated by Ming Doyle), TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY!  Go check out an interview with Cyn and Ming here, and a brief article called Going Graphic at Hunger Mountain on turning TANTALIZE into a graphic novel!   

TANTALIZE: KIEREN'S STORY

Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day, so I thought I'd toss in some news about the graphic novel version of Tantalize: Cyn just received the sketches by Ming Doyle and they look terrific! Cyn's official announcement is here.

Check out a recent Fee Comic Book Day interview with Ming Doyle here.

And if you're looking for some Free Comic Book Day festivities in Austin, check out Dragon's Lair!

Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith at the YA Authors Cafe

The YA Authors Cafe offers its first interview at a new location. Cynthia Leitich Smith is the featured author, and she's talking about Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007).

As a feature of the new cafe, readers are invited to write in with questions, and Cyn will make an effort to respond over the course of the week. Please surf by!

Tantalizing Reviews

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

My newly released YA gothic fantasy novel, Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007), garners more praise!

Booklist cheers: "If Joan Bauer took a crack at dark fantasy, the result would probably be something like this gothic-horror comedy..." and goes on "...the immersion in food culture--including an overhauled menu, as grisly as it is gourmet--successfully builds on the sensual aspects of vampire mythology."

Kirkus Reviews raves: "Quincie must make a terrifying choice in a heart-pounding climax that will have teen readers weeping with both lust and sorrow."

Thanks to my webmaster, the amazing Lisa Firke of Hit Those Keys, for all of her work updating the site for the new release. Tantalize pages include the Reader's Guide and my research bibliographies--gothic fantasy and shapeshifters.

Thanks also to bloggers Colleen Cook, Mitali Perkins, and Varian Johnson for their congratulations and pointing visitors to my guest blogging efforts.

More News & Links

Go bookmark the YA Authors Cafe. I'm honored to say that I'll be the first guest author, and I'll be talking about Tantalize. More soon!

Don't miss this video interview with author David Lubar as he talks to Expanded Books about his forthcoming True Talents (StarScape, March 2007)(excerpt). Visit here, and read a related recommendation by Greg.

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith is Now Available

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, Feb. 13, 2007) is now available. Here's a peek:

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Quincie Morris has never felt more alone. Her hybrid-werewolf first love threatens to embark on a rite of passage that will separate them forever. And just as she and her uncle are about to debut Austin's red hot vampire-themed restaurant, a brutal murder leaves them scrambling for a chef.

Can Quincie transform the new hire into a culinary dark lord before opening night? Will Henry Johnson be able to wow the crowd in fake fangs, a cheap cape, and red contact lenses? Or is there more to this earnest fresh face than meets the eye?

As human and preternatural forces clash, a deadly love triangle forms and the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Who’s playing whom? And how long can Quincie play along before she loses everything?

Tantalize marks Cynthia Leitich Smith's delicious debut as an author of dark fantasy.

Here are the official blurbs:

"Looking for something to read that will make your TV jealous? Cynthia Leitich Smith's Tantalize has it all—hot vampires and wolf-boys, a super-cool heroine in cowboy boots, nail-biting suspense, romance, chills 'n' thrills, and Austin, Texas. What more could you want?"

--Libba Bray, author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels

"Full of unexpected, delicious delights that kept me guessing and turning the pages, Tantalize creates a froth of danger, suspense, and wit. This original book tantalizes the senses indeed, as it explores the border between attraction and disgust, and makes us question our perceptions. Who are you? Predator or prey?"

--Annette Curtis Klause, author of Blood and Chocolate, The Silver Kiss, and Freaks! Alive on the Inside

In breaking news, we have a new review:

"An intoxicating romantic thriller... Quincie's longing for a physical relationship with her boy-wolf is as palpable as the taste of the food... Smith adds a light touch of humor to the soup, but the main course is a dark romance with all the gory trimmings."

--The Horn Book Magazine

Check out all the buzz!

News, Links, and Thanks

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Picture Books: Plan, Polish, and Publish by Dori Chaconas. Read interviews with Dori on On A Wintry Morning (Viking, 2000) and One Little Mouse (Viking, 2002) from my web site.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast #6: Kelly Herold at Big A little a: an interview with one of my favorite bloggers.

Thanks to the ever more bloggers who've announced today's release of Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) and let the masses know I'm guest blogging here. Cheers to Book Moot, Laura Bowers; Julia Durango; Alex Flinn; Carrie Jones; Cynthia Lord; Liz Garton Scanlon; Laurie Stolarz; Three Silly Chicks, Lara Zeises.

Of Tantalize, Laura raves: "Cynthia's writing is terrific–-just when I thought I had things figured out, she threw in some twists. I'm hoping there's a sequel in Cynthia's future because I'm betting readers will be thirsty for more!"

Carrie chimes in: "Basically, vampire lore and modern day pizazz combine to make this a masterfully done thriller. It's pretty darn neat."

Thanks also to Liz for highlighting yesterday's interview with Marian Hale.