Contemporary Authors

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Langston, Elizabeth

WORK TITLE: The Possibility of Somewhere
WORK NOTES: under pseud Julia Day
PSEUDONYM(S): Day, Julia
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.elizabethlangston.net/
CITY:
STATE: NC
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:

http://www.elizabethlangston.net/about-elizabeth/ * http://www.juliaday.com/ * http://www.juliaday.com/about/

RESEARCHER NOTES:

PERSONAL

Born in Memphis, TN; married; children: two daughters.

EDUCATION:

University of Mississippi, B.S.; North Carolina State University, M.S.

ADDRESS

  • Home - NC.

CAREER

Writer. Also works as a software quality engineer, SAS, 1988—.

MIILITARY:

Served as officer in United States Air Force, 1983-87.

AWARDS:

Grand Prize, Gateway to the Best, Missouri Romance Writers, 2011; Bronze Medal, Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, YA Historical Fiction, 2013, for Whisper Falls.

WRITINGS

  • WHISPER FALLS SERIES
  • Whisper Falls, Spencer Hill Press (Contoocook, NH), 2013
  • A Whisper in Time, Spencer Hill Press (New York, NY), 2014
  • Whispers from the Past, Spencer Hill Press (New York, NY), 2014
  • I WISH SERIES
  • I Wish, FictionEtc Press 2015
  • Wishing for You, FictionEtc Press 2015
  • Wish You Were Here, FictionEtc Press 2016
  • OTHER
  • The Possibility of Somewhere (As Julia Day), St. Martin's Griffin (New York, NY), 2016

SIDELIGHTS

American writer Elizabeth Langston writes fantasy and contemporary romance young adult novels by night and works as a software quality engineer and technical writer by day. Langston is the author of two series for young adults: I Wish, which features a genie who helps three friends deal with their struggles; and Whisper Falls, a time-slip series in which a contemporary teen athlete connects with an indentured servant girl from eighteenth-century North Carolina. Writing as Julia Day, she also penned the 2016 contemporary young adult romance The Possibility of Somewhere.

In a Fandom Monthly Magazine Web site interview, Langston commented on the differences between writing software and writing novels: “Writing software is easier. The rules are simple. I tell the software what to do, and it obeys. If I write anything wrong, the software tells me how to fix it. And when I’m done, everything works. It’s a great system. Writing books is so much harder. I can follow the rules, and the story still won’t work. The characters do as they please, and the harder I try to fix the problems, they worse they get. … I like writing software. I love writing books.”

Whisper Falls Series

Langston’s Whisper Falls series begins with the 2013 novel of the same title. Mark Lewis is a high school senior who lives in North Carolina. While he is training for a mountain bike race, he spots a young girl standing behind a waterfall. She is dressed strangely, and when he stops to speak with her, she questions him about the peculiar machine that he is riding. Mark senses that something odd is going on. When this girl, whose name is Susanna, tells him that she is an indentured servant and the year is 1796, he at first believes she is crazy. At the same time, he feels the need to fully understand his experience and begins to maintain a relationship with her from the other side of the waterfall. Researching, Mark begins to understand the harsh life Susanna endures as an indentured servant and ultimately sees that he is faced with a difficult choice: to help her and risk changing all of history, or do nothing and condemn her to a miserable existence. Writing in School Library Journal, Leigh Collazo called Whisper Falls a “fun, action-packed story that will appeal to fans.” An online Reading Lark contributor also had praise, noting: “I loved the idea of this novel and found it to be an enjoyable read. … In addition to the strong historical influence, I found the evolution of the relationship between Mark and Susanna to be sweet and romantic. … Langston offers up a compelling debut that combines history, time travel, and romance.”

The adventure continues in Whisper in Time, in which Susanna, now freed by Mark from her servitude, is confronted with a world she does not understand and is limited in her movements. Meanwhile, Mark—who loves Susanna—is dealing with school obligations and also trying to prove her identity to the government. Susanna attempts to find some comfort in history and reading about the people she left behind. But when she learns that her sister Phoebe is in danger in the past, she must decide if she will risk her own future to save her sister. An online ARC Review contributor had a mixed assessment of this second installment, noting on the one hand, “There’s something sweet, innocent, and natural about Mark and Susanna. They just fit.” However, the reviewer also commented: “The plot is ridiculously slow. It takes quite a while to get into anything interesting. … The characters are bland. … I was left feeling unsatisfied and unable to come up with many characteristics about [Susanna].” A contributor on the Reading for Fun Web site found more to like, observing: I can’t wait for the last book in the trilogy. I’m excited to see what our characters will have to deal with next.” The final installment, Whispers from the Past, sees Mark making preparations for college. Meanwhile, Susanna must finally face the effect of the decisions she has made even as she now seems to be receiving her own messages from behind the waterfall.

The Possibility of Somewhere

Writing as Julia Day, the author tells a story of two high school seniors vying for the same prize in The Possibility of Somewhere. Ash Gupta is the son of immigrants who have made a success in their adopted country. Wealthy and  demanding, Ash’s parents desperately want their son to succeed. And in his senior year Ash is doing just that, getting top grades and being admired by his fellow classmates. Becoming valedictorian will put an exclamation point to his high school career and should also place him in a great position to win a prized scholarship.

His classmate Eden Moore is Ash’s rival in this regard. Born on the wrong side of the tracks, Eden’s ticket out of her trailer park existence is her perfect grade point average, or GPA, which will secure her a free college education. And she needs a free ride, for her mother abandoned the family when Eden was young, while her father is controlling and abusive and cannot seem to hold a job. Eden helps to make ends meet by working as a part-time caregiver for an autistic boy. Through this job, Eden has found a new goal and purpose for her life. If she wins the coveted scholarship, she can attend the University of North Carolina, one of the top U.S. schools for special education, which she hopes to study. Eden is Ash’s one obstacle to becoming valedictorian.

Then Eden and Ash are thrown together, working on a class project. She slowly discovers that she and Ash share more than either of them ever thought. Both of them are, in fact, chasing a dream, though in Ash’s case, his doctor parents could well afford to send him to any school. But he wants to win the scholarship in case he does not make it into Stanford. Soon mutual antagonism turns to mutual respect and attraction, and Eden even agrees to go to the homecoming dance with Ash.

A Kirkus Reviews Online critic had a varied evaluation of The Possibility of Somewhere, calling it “[m]ediocre and formulaic but not utterly without value.” Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Heather Christensen had higher praise, terming it a “light romance of star-crossed lovers [that] pits two strong characters against racism, class stereotypes, ethnic clashes, and bullying.” Similarly, a Publishers Weekly reviewer felt that “Eden will lure readers with her willful refusal to allow poverty and hardship to define or limit her.” School Library Journal writer Faythe Arredondo also had a positive assessment, terming it an “engaging read.”

BIOCRIT

PERIODICALS

  • Publishers Weekly, July 11, 2016, review of The Possibility of Somewhere, p. 69.

  • School Library Journal, February, 2014, Leigh Collazo, review of Whisper Falls, p. 108; May, 2014, review of A Whisper in Time, p. 145; December, 2014, Tony Hirt, review of I Wish, p. 136; June, 2016, Faythe Arredondo, review of The Possibility of Somewhere, p. 107.

  • Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2016, Heather Christensen, review of The Possibility of Somewhere, p. 58.

ONLINE

  • ARC Review, https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpress.com/ (May 23, 2014), review of A Whisper in Time.

  • Catch These Words, http://catchthesewords.com/ (September 25, 2015), review of Wishing for You.

  • Dear Author, http://dearauthor.com/ (May 22, 2014), review of Whisper Falls.

  • Elizabeth Langston Home Page, http://www.elizabethlangston.net (April 23, 2017).

  • Fandom Monthly Magazine, http://fandommonthlymagazine.blogspot.com/ (April 23, 2017), author (Julia Day) interview.

  • Julia Day Web site, http://www.juliaday.com (February 22, 2017).

  • Kirkus Reviews Online, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/ (June 22, 2016), review of The Possibility of Somewhere.

  • Reading for Fun, http://readingforfun3.blogspot.com/ (September 22, 2014), review of A Whisper in Time.

  • Reading Lark, http://readinglark.blogspot.com/ (November 15, 2013), review of Whisper Falls.

  • Reese’s Reviews, http://reesesreviews.blogspot.com/ (November 28, 2014), review of I Wish; (January 13, 2016), review of Wishing for You.

  • Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood, https://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/ (November 19, 2013), author interview.

  • Whisper Falls Spencer Hill Press (Contoocook, NH), 2013
  • The Possibility of Somewhere ( As Julia Day) St. Martin's Griffin (New York, NY), 2016
1. Whisper Falls LCCN 2013497038 Type of material Book Personal name Langston, Elizabeth. Main title Whisper Falls / Elizabeth Langston. Edition 1st ed. Published/Created Contoocook, NH : Spencer Hill Press, 2013. Description 370 p. ; 21 cm ISBN 9781937053420 (pbk.) 1937053423 (pbk.) CALL NUMBER PZ7.L26975 Wh 2013 LANDOVR Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms - STORED OFFSITE 1. The possibility of somewhere LCCN 2016013357 Type of material Book Personal name Day, Julia, author. Main title The possibility of somewhere / Julia Day. Edition First edition. Published/Produced New York : St. Martin's Griffin, 2016 . Description 308 pages ; 22 cm ISBN 9781250097354 (hardback) CALL NUMBER PZ7.1.D394 Po 2016 Copy 1 Request in Jefferson or Adams Building Reading Rooms
  • A Whisper in Time - 2014 Spencer Hill Press, New York, NY
  • Whispers from the Past - 2014 Spencer Hill Press, New York, NY
  • LOC Authorities -

    LC control no.: no2013128782

    Descriptive conventions:
    rda

    Personal name heading:
    Langston, Elizabeth

    See also: Day, Julia

    Associated place: Tupelo (Miss.)

    Located: North Carolina

    Place of birth: Memphis (Tenn.)

    Field of activity: Young adult fiction Paranormal fiction

    Other attribute: Anonyms and pseudonyms

    Profession or occupation:
    Authors

    Found in: Her Whisper Falls, 2013: t.p. (Elizabeth Langston)
    Author's website, Nov. 15, 2013 (Elizabeth Langston ;
    writes young adult fiction ; Whisper Falls is her first
    book ; born in Memphis, Tennessee ; grew up in Tupelo,
    Mississippi ; currently lives in North Carolina)
    Julia Day website, Aug. 29, 2016 (Julia Day; also writes YA
    paranormal as Elizabeth Langston)
    Blackplume website, Aug. 29, 2016 (Julia Day; a different
    pen name)

    Associated language:
    eng

    ================================================================================

    LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITIES
    Library of Congress
    101 Independence Ave., SE
    Washington, DC 20540

    Questions? Contact: ils@loc.gov

    LC control no.: no2016116057

    Descriptive conventions:
    rda

    Personal name heading:
    Day, Julia

    See also: Langston, Elizabeth

    Associated place: Mississippi

    Located: North Carolina

    Place of birth: Tennessee

    Field of activity: Young adult fiction Romance fiction

    Other attribute: Anonyms and pseudonyms

    Affiliation: St. Martin's Griffin (Firm)

    Profession or occupation:
    Authors

    Found in: Her The possibility of somewhere, 2016: t.p. (Julia Day;
    St. Martin's Griffin) p. 309 (lives in North Carolina;
    YA contemporary romance) jkt. (b. Tenn.; raised in
    Mississippi; DOB January 3, 1961)
    Julia Day website, Aug. 29, 2016 (Julia Day; also writes YA
    paranormal as Elizabeth Langston)
    Blackplume website, Aug. 29, 2016 (Julia Day; a different
    pen name)

    Associated language:
    eng

    ================================================================================

    LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITIES
    Library of Congress
    101 Independence Ave., SE
    Washington, DC 20540

    Questions? Contact: ils@loc.gov

  • Elizabeth Langston Home Page - http://www.elizabethlangston.net/

    About Elizabeth
    Award-winning author of YA Fiction

    Here is a quick Q&A about me (and send me an email if I miss anything important.)

    Where are you from?

    photo of julia day

    There are four possible answers:

    USA: I’ve lived my entire life in the United States of America.
    Tennessee: Memphis is my birthplace.
    Mississippi: Tupelo is the town where I was raised. Generally, this is what I answer if I think you’re asking about my childhood.
    North Carolina: I’ve lived here over half of my life. NC is home.

    How would you describe yourself?
    I’ll use nouns: wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, software engineer, writer.

    What do you like to do in your free time?
    I don’t have a lot of free time—but when I do, I’m either watching TV, traveling to distant places, or exercising with little enthusiasm.

    What other jobs have you held besides writer?
    Oh, wow, lots. Here is just a sampling:

    Best job: Mom.
    Easiest job: Concessionaire (selling popcorn) at a movie theatre.
    Hardest job: Officer in the United States Air Force.
    Longest job: Software engineer.

    What would people be surprised to know about you?

    I can talk like a duck.
    I’ve never read the Harry Potter books.
    I keep Christmas decorations up in my house year-round.
    I’m allergic to chocolate.
    I’ve been to Antarctica.

    What do you love?
    Family, friends, waterfalls, mountains, penguins, travel (train, plane, boat!), Bath&BodyWorks

    What do you hate?
    Cilantro. Everything else that I loathe pales when compared to cilantro (and its evil twin coriander).

    Why do you write?
    [stares blankly] How could I not write?
    Awards

    Whisper Falls

    Bronze Medal, Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, YA Historical Fiction (2013)

    I Wish

    Golden Heart® finalist, Romance Writers of America® (2009)

    Leaving Eden

    Grand Prize, Gateway to the Best -Missouri Romance Writers (2011)

  • Amazon -

    Elizabeth Langston lives in North Carolina, halfway between the beaches and the mountains. She has two twenty-something daughters, one old husband, and too many computers to count. When she's not writing software or stories, Elizabeth loves to travel with her family and dream about which restaurant ought to get her business that night.

    Elizabeth has two YA magical realism series. The I WISH series tells the story of a "genie" who helps 3 friends struggle through the hardest year of their lives. The WHISPER FALLS series is YA time travel romance and follows a modern-day athlete as he develops a "long-distance" relationship with an indentured servant girl from 18th century North Carolina. Elizabeth also writes YA contemporary romance as Julia Day. Learn more about Elizabeth at http://www.elizabethLangston.net .

  • Julia Day Web site - http://www.juliaday.com/

    Julia Day was born in Tennessee, raised in Mississippi, and now calls North Carolina her home. She has two twenty-something daughters, one old husband, and too many computers to count. When she’s not writing stories or software, she’s traveling to distant places or watching dance reality shows on TV.

    The Possibility of Somewhere is Julia’s first YA contemporary romance. She also writes YA magical realism as Elizabeth Langston.

  • Fandom Monthly Magazine - http://fandommonthlymagazine.blogspot.com/2016/09/author-interview-julia-day-possibility.html

    QUOTE:
    Writing software is easier. The rules are simple. I tell the software what to do, and it obeys. If I write anything wrong, the software tells me how to fix it. And when I’m done, everything works. It’s a great system.
    Writing books is so much harder. I can follow the rules, and the story still won’t work. The characters do as they please, and the harder I try to fix the problems, they worse they get
    I like writing software. I love writing books
    Author Interview: Julia Day (The Possibility of Somewhere)
    Labels: author spotlight
    Julia Day

    "An engaging read...full of drama."
    —School Library Journal
    “Eden will lure readers with her willful refusal to allow poverty and hardship to define or limit her.”

    —Publishers Weekly

    In her contemporary YA debut, THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEWHERE (St. Martin’s Griffin; September 6, 2016), Julia Day uses Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to frame a sweet story about two overachieving high school students who want more than their small hometown has to offer. Ash and Eden are fighting their parents’ expectations, their school social status, and each other for the valedictorian spot, but when they are forced to work on a class project together – something seems to change.
    Ash Gupta has a life full of possibility. His senior year is going exactly as he’s always wanted– he's admired by his peers, enjoying his classes and getting the kind of grades that his wealthy, immigrant parents expect. There's only one obstacle in Ash's path: Eden Moore—the senior most likely to become class valedictorian. How could this unpopular, sharp-tongued girl from the wrong side of the tracks stand in his way?
    All Eden's ever wanted was a way out. Her perfect GPA should be enough to guarantee her a free ride to college– and an exit from her trailer-park existence for good. The last thing she needs is a bitter rivalry with Ash, who wants a prized scholarship for his own selfish reasons. Or so she thinks… When Eden ends up working with Ash on a class project, she discovers that the two have more in common than either of them could have imagined. They’re both in pursuit of a dream – one that feels within reach thanks to their new connection. But what does the future hold for two passionate souls from totally different worlds?
    With a cast of characters that feel very real, from an autistic four-year-old boy Eden babysits to the new girl in school who shakes things up, THE POSSIBLITY OF SOMEWHERE is a look back into the awkward period in high school when the future is in transit. A touching back to school read about first relationships, Day’s contemporary YA debut will have you falling in love.

    buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

    JULIA DAY lives in North Carolina, halfway between the beaches and the mountains. She has two twenty-something daughters and one geeky old husband. When she's not writing software or stories, Julia enjoys traveling with her family, watching dance reality shows on TV, and dreaming about which restaurant ought to get her business that night.

    Do you give your books their titles before or after they're written?
    I often have a title picked out by the time the first two chapters of a manuscript are done. However, that wasn’t true with The Possibility of Somewhere. I wrote it under a working title. When St Martin’s acquired this book, my editor and I collaborated on what the title should be. She suggested The Possibility of *Something*, and I counter-suggested with Somewhere. We’re both really happy with the result.
    I’m writing a second book for St Martin’s, set in a summer teen theater camp. I’m nearly done with the rough draft, and I still call it Untitled #2.

    Which one do you prefer, writing books or software?
    Writing software is easier. The rules are simple. I tell the software what to do, and it obeys. If I write anything wrong, the software tells me how to fix it. And when I’m done, everything works. It’s a great system.
    Writing books is so much harder. I can follow the rules, and the story still won’t work. The characters do as they please, and the harder I try to fix the problems, they worse they get. But one of the best parts of writing is that I don’t have to do it alone. I have a wonderful editor and fabulous beta-readers. They often see what I’m missing. They’ll give the perfect piece of advice and, suddenly, the story is waiting there for me, wanting to be told.
    I like writing software. I love writing books.

    Out of all the places you've traveled to, which one is your favorite?
    I would have a hard time picking just one—so I’ll give three.
    The hardest to get to but absolutely worth it: Antarctica. It took us half a day to fly to South America, and then a couple of days on a ship to get there. But I didn’t mind, because Antarctica was amazing. I could sit on a deck chair and stare at the ice floes and penguins for hours without getting bored.

    Easy to get to and completely unexpected: Iceland. This country is only a five-hour flight from New York City—and so much fun when you get there (near midnight and the sun hasn’t set yet!). The landscape is nothing like I’ve ever seen before. I can understand why so many movies are filmed there. The flat, barren lava fields are unique and eerie. I’m happy to say that there is also a capital city with exciting things to do and friendly people.

    If you could only go to one of these places, though, it has to be: New Zealand. NZ has it all. Wonderful cities. Beautiful beaches. Breathtaking mountains surrounding gorgeous green valleys. All kinds of sports. Interesting culture. Kiwis are welcoming to visitors, vigilant about the environment, and love showing off their country.
    And there are sheep. Everywhere. They cross the roads whenever they want to, and it doesn’t matter if you were there first.

    Do you have favorite characters from any of your works?
    I’m not sure that I can pick my favorite, so I’ll choose the one who hurt the most to write. His name was Sean. The first thing I knew about him was that he had cancer, and that he wouldn’t survive it. It was really difficult to see this amazing character appear on the page and know he wouldn’t have a happy ending.

    What is your favorite part about being an author?
    Giving a voice to a character whose story deserves to be heard.

  • Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood - https://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/ruby-release-whisper-falls-by-elizabeth-langston/

    Ruby Release: Whisper Falls by Elizabeth Langston

    Posted by Elizabeth Langston Nov 19 2013, 12:01 am

    It’s a party!

    Amanda Brice here. Today we’re celebrating Elizabeth Langston’s debut. Whisper Falls, a young adult time travel with a twist, is officially released today.

    Before we chat with Beth, here is the blurb for your perusal:

    While training for a mountain bike race, high-school senior Mark Lewis spots a mysterious girl dressed in odd clothing, standing behind a waterfall in the woods near his North Carolina home. When she comments on the strange machine that he rides, he suspects something isn’t right. When Susanna claims to be an indentured servant from 1796, he wonders if she’s crazy. Yet he feels compelled to find out more. Mark enters a ‘long-distance’ relationship with Susanna through the shimmering–and temperamental–barrier of Whisper Falls. Curious about her world, Mark combs through history to learn about the brutal life she’s trapped in. But knowledge can be dangerous. Soon he must choose between the risk of changing history or dooming the girl he can’t stop thinking about to a lifetime of misery.

    Beth_Whisper

    Pretty cool, huh? A huge YA time travel fan, I knew I had to read this. And let me just tell you, I have no doubt whatsoever that this book is going to be a big success for her, and will be all over all the Best Books of 2013 lists. It’s really THAT GOOD.

    So I sat down with Beth to chat about the book. (At least I know I was sitting when I typed out my questions. I’m assuming she was as well.) Here’s the transcript of our convo:

    AB: This is such a clever book. Where did the idea come from?

    EL: The concept for Whisper Falls grew out of two separate ideas converging. The first idea came from a Twilight Zone episode, where a modern-day teen guy becomes friends across time with a girl accused in the Salem Witch trials. I liked the premise but hated how the episode ended.

    Jump forward to 2010. While researching 18th century North Carolina, I stumbled across some painful information about indentured servants. A character’s voice emerged in my head—an indentured servant girl who was mistreated but wouldn’t give up. Somehow that character—Susanna—intersected with the Twilight Zone premise. And Whisper Falls was born.

    AB: Can you tell our readers a little bit about Mark?

    EL: Mark is the kind of guy that most people would describe as ordinary, average, quiet, nice. But there’s something amazing deep inside him that no one (not teachers or family or friends) has drawn out of him yet. Then he comes across this extraordinary girl and her extraordinary circumstances—and it unleashes the amazing parts of him.

    AB: And how about Susanna?

    EL: Susanna is smart, generous, and resourceful—a natural born leader. Yet she lives in a time period where men control everything. Her stepfather gives her away to a family headed by a horrible man. Mr. Pratt tries to “discipline” the goodness out of her, but Susanna doesn’t let him win. Instead, she hides her best qualities and bides her time until she’s free.

    AB: Mark does a lot of historical research throughout the book as he learns more about Susanna’s life in the 18th century in order to figure out how to help her. Could you describe a little bit about how you did your own research?

    EL: My research on the Colonial/Federal period took years. I’ve read through dozens of books and websites and paid visits to nearly every historic site and museum within a reasonable drive of Raleigh–like Tryon Palace, Mount Vernon, even Carlyle House in Old Town Alexandria.

    AB: Old Town! That’s my hood. 🙂 I remember you mentioning a while back that you’d taken a trip up to DC and visited Carlyle House and also Claude Moore Colonial Farm up in McLean. (I’m assuming the latter was as a basis for Susanna’s mother’s farm? Maybe?) I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never actually been to Carlyle House, however. I need to rectify that. Anyway, please continue. We’re talking about research.

    EL: The best reference book I own is called Women’s Life And Work in the Southern Colonies by Julia Cherry Spruill. It’s a great book. Very readable. The way our colonial sisters had to live is hard to take in.
    To make sure that Mark’s research process felt authentic, I traced his steps (by car, not by bike). Just like Mark, I’ve visited the North Carolina State Archives multiple times. It’s amazing what a person can get access to there.

    AB: Well, his research process definitely felt authentic. Absolutely. And yes, archives can be a treasure trove!

    Whisper Falls is the first in a trilogy, and I have to say that I was thrilled that you’d bucked the cliffhanger trend. Whisper Falls clearly stands on its own, with a full and satisfying beginning, middle, and end, but the story was so compelling that even though it would be possible to not read the following two books in the series, you seriously have me chomping at the bit to read more. Did you set out to write three parts? Or did you write the first one intending it to stand on its own? Tell us a bit about how your structured the trilogy.

    EL: Whisper Falls was written as a stand-alone. It sold in a one-book deal.

    But I really had a hard time saying goodbye to the two main characters. My teen daughter and I would often brainstorm what happened to Mark and Susanna after THE END. We also wondered about some of the secondary characters. When Spencer Hill approached me (through my agent) about writing more, I told them I had ideas for a sequel. They responded with, “How about two?”We agreed to make it a trilogy, but only if each sequel could have–as you’ve said–a “satisfying beginning, middle, and end.” I’m with you. I don’t like the cliffhanger trend.

    My existing ideas turned into book 3, Whispers From the Past. It is truly the end of the story now. Book 2, A Whisper in Time, was much harder to write–because it became the middle (the keystone) of the trilogy’s arc. A Whisper In Time releases in April 2014. Whispers From the Past releases in October 2014. And I don’t mind admitting that I cried when I wrote “The End” on the third book. I hated saying goodbye to my characters.

Langston, Elizabeth. A Whisper in Time
60.5 (May 2014): p145.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

LANGSTON, Elizabeth. A Whisper in Time. 384p. (Whisper Falls: Bk. 2). Spencer Hill. 2014. pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781937053819; ebk. $6.99. ISBN 9781937053802.

Gr 8 Up--A former 18th-century indentured servant, Susanna Marsh was rescued from her lifelong fate by modern teen, Mark Lewis. As he tries to help her fit into 21st-century life, Susanna learns that her sister Phoebe's existence is at risk in this time-slip novel.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Langston, Elizabeth. A Whisper in Time." School Library Journal, May 2014, p. 145. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA367299004&it=r&asid=81b2b424b34499c3fc20fe2423dbb54a. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017.

QUOTE:
fun, action-packed story that will appeal to fans
Gale Document Number: GALE|A367299004
Langston, Elizabeth. Whisper Falls
Leigh Collazo
60.2 (Feb. 2014): p108.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

LANGSTON, Elizabeth. Whisper Falls. 328p. Spencer Hill. 2013. pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781937053420; ebk. $6.99. ISBN 9781937053444.

Gr 7-10--While training for a mountain bike race, 18-year-old Mark Lewis sees a beautiful girl standing behind a waterfall near his Raleigh, North Carolina home. She is wearing odd clothing, and when she questions the strange machine he rides, Mark is intrigued. The girl claims to be Susannah Marsh, a 17-year-old indentured servant from the year 1796, Mark and Susannah continue to meet in secret, and Mark soon discovers that Susannah and her sister are in danger from their brutal master. As they grow closer, Mark determines to help Susannah before it is too late. Whisper Falls is a time-travel novel steeped in North Carolina history, and in some ways, the plot works well. The history is well researched, and readers will enjoy the realistic portrayal of southern life in the late 1700s. Susannah's story is far more interesting than Mark's, and at times, it makes for compelling reading that is difficult to put down. At other times, the negative falters; Mark is a little too golden, continually sacrificing his future to save a girl he barely knows who, in his time, has been dead for 200 years. The writing is uneven in places, and extraneous story lines, particularly on Mark's side of the waterfall, detract more from the plot than they add. Despite minor flaws in execution, Whisper Falls is a fun, action-packed story that will appeal to fans of Tamara Ireland Stone's Time Between Us (Hyperion, 2012) and Rachel Harris's My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (Entangled Teen, 2012).--Leigh Collazo, Ed Willkie Middle School, Fort Worth, TX

Collazo, Leigh
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Collazo, Leigh. "Langston, Elizabeth. Whisper Falls." School Library Journal, Feb. 2014, p. 108. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA358427294&it=r&asid=454e28163a7576cc1358c2b17948e9f9. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017.

QUOTE:
light romance of star-crossed lovers pits two strong characters against racism, class stereotypes, ethnic clashes, and bullying.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A358427294
Day, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere
Heather Christensen
39.4 (Oct. 2016): p58.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com

3Q * 4P * S

Day, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere. St. Martin's/Macmillan, 2016. 320p. $18.99. 978-1-250-09735-4.

Eden Moore and Ash Gupta have been competitors for the valedictorian slot all through high school, and now as seniors both are finalists for a prestigious scholarship. For Eden, winning the Peyton would mean not only a chance to escape her small town, but more specifically a full ride to the University of North Carolina, which happens to have one of the top programs in special education, her intended major. It would be a dream come true, a chance to rise above the limitations of her parents' bad choices. For Ash, it would be another feather for his cap, and a safety net in case he does not make it into the school of his choice, Stanford. The thought that she could lose this incredible opportunity to someone like Ash--whose rich doctor parents could pay for him to attend any school and who would likely turn it down once he had been accepted by his first choice--made Eden so mad she could almost spit. Things become even more complicated when her new friend Mundy observes that beneath the competitive bantering lies a smoldering chemistry. Though Eden denies it at first--could two individuals be more unsuited?--afterward she cannot help noticing little details she had missed before, like his eyes, "mahogany and fringed with thick lashes." Maybe that is why she agrees to go to the homecoming dance with him.

Day's light romance of star-crossed lovers pits two strong characters against racism, class stereotypes, ethnic clashes, and bullying. At times the plot gets overwhelmed by too many threads, but overall, teen readers will appreciate the characters' efforts to rise above the expectations of those around them in order to create their own possibilities. --Heather Christensen.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Christensen, Heather. "Day, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere." Voice of Youth Advocates, Oct. 2016, p. 58. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA467831081&it=r&asid=f3ce64108d54e1666f38dcd28c65e176. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017.

QUOTE:
Eden will lure readers with her willful refusal to allow poverty and hardship to define or limit her
Gale Document Number: GALE|A467831081
The Possibility of Somewhere
263.28 (July 11, 2016): p69.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/

The Possibility of Somewhere

Julia Day. St. Martin's Griffin, $18.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-250-09735-4

Eden's mother abandoned the family when Eden was a child, her father is abusive and controlling, and the family is extremely poor. Day (a pseudonym for author Elizabeth Langston) gives Eden a killer intellect--she's on track to become class valedictorian--and a brusque attitude she uses to keep the world at bay. But Eden's longtime academic rival, Ash, and a new girl at school, Mundy, gradually chip away at Eden's exterior until she lets them in. Even as Ash and Eden finally share their mutual romantic feelings, they keep their relationship secret. Ash is worried about his strict Indian parents, who don't want him dating "white trash," and Eden's reasoning seems to stem from their longtime academic rivalry, until she eventually reveals it's because of her father's racism. Day's story loses focus as the plot zigzags among the various dramas running through Eden's relationships as she fights for a happy ending. This aside, Eden will lure readers with her willful refusal to allow poverty and hardship to define or limit her. Ages 12--up. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Possibility of Somewhere." Publishers Weekly, 11 July 2016, p. 69. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA458915415&it=r&asid=84f625ac60da5160a5d3945f8bf8deae. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017.

QUOTE:
engaging read.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A458915415
Day, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere
Faythe Arredondo
62.6 (June 2016): p107.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

DAY, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere. 320p. ebook available. St. Martin's Griffin. Sept. 2016. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781250097354.

Gr 9 Up--Eden Moore is the smartest person in her graduating class. She has to be if she wants to escape her poverty-stricken family. Money is tight, since her dad can't seem to hold a job, so Eden works part-time taking care of a boy with autism and his sister. It's this job that helps her find her purpose in life. But none of that means anything to Ash Gupta. He's the second smartest and the opposite of Eden in almost every way. They are barely civil, but their paths cross often. Eden challenges almost everything Ash says or does in class. Things become heated during an English presentation, and instead of hating each other, they find themselves mutually attracted. But will their vast differences tear them apart? This is an engaging read. The narrative takes place during one semester of school, and it's full of drama, struggles with money and grades, family turmoil, and identity issues. While the book is engaging, the ending is a slight letdown. Readers may not react well to being so invested in Eden and Ash's journey, only to see their story resolved in a time jump. VERDICT The topic and characters make this a good purchase for libraries--Faythe Arredondo, Tulare County Library, CA

Arredondo, Faythe
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Arredondo, Faythe. "Day, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere." School Library Journal, June 2016, p. 107. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA453920217&it=r&asid=42e3de87033b9064dfed10cd3972a7a0. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017.

Gale Document Number: GALE|A453920217

Hirt, Tony. School Library Journal. Dec2014, Vol. 60 Issue 12, p136-136. 1p.
LANGSTON, Elizabeth. I Wish. 328p. Spencer Hill. 2014. Tr $9.95.
ISBN 9781939392237; ebk. ISBN 9781939392244.

Gr 9 Up— You wouldn't wish Lacey Linden's life on anyone. She races between school, work, home, and the flea market where she hawks her valuables just to pay the bills. While at the market one day, Lacey buys a music box for herself in a rare moment of indulgence. She soon discovers that the music box holds an unexpected surprise: a "Benevolent Supernatural Being" named Grant. The genie offers her one wish per day for a month, but the wishes must be humanly possible. Langston wisely limits the power of wishes, so there can be no easy fixes to complex problems. Lacey cannot simply wish away her debt or her mother's trauma. This allows the story to remain grounded in the everyday struggles and relationships of Lacey, her friends, and her family. It is all the better for it, putting the focus on the compelling and sympathetic characters. Lacey's narration alternates with brief status reports from Grant, a clever device that gives readers insight into the enigmatic being's motivations. While Lacey and Grant's burgeoning romance is predictable at times, the denouement offers enough twists and unresolved questions to have readers wishing the next book was already available.—Tony Hirt, Hennepin County Library, MN

~~~~~~~~

By Tony Hirt

"Langston, Elizabeth. A Whisper in Time." School Library Journal, May 2014, p. 145. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA367299004&asid=81b2b424b34499c3fc20fe2423dbb54a. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017. Collazo, Leigh. "Langston, Elizabeth. Whisper Falls." School Library Journal, Feb. 2014, p. 108. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA358427294&asid=454e28163a7576cc1358c2b17948e9f9. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017. Christensen, Heather. "Day, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere." Voice of Youth Advocates, Oct. 2016, p. 58. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA467831081&asid=f3ce64108d54e1666f38dcd28c65e176. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017. "The Possibility of Somewhere." Publishers Weekly, 11 July 2016, p. 69. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA458915415&asid=84f625ac60da5160a5d3945f8bf8deae. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017. Arredondo, Faythe. "Day, Julia. The Possibility of Somewhere." School Library Journal, June 2016, p. 107. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA453920217&asid=42e3de87033b9064dfed10cd3972a7a0. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017. Hirt, Tony. School Library Journal. Dec2014, Vol. 60 Issue 12, p136-136. 1p.
  • Reading Lark
    http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2013/11/whisper-falls-blog-tour-review.html

    Word count: 675

    QUOTE:
    I loved the idea of this novel and found it to be an enjoyable read
    In addition to the strong historical influence, I found the evolution of the relationship between Mark and Susanna to be sweet and romantic.
    Langston offers up a compelling debut that combines history, time travel, and romance.
    Friday, November 15, 2013
    Book Review: Whisper Falls

    Whisper Falls
    By: Elizabeth Langston
    Published By: Spencer Hills Press
    Publication Date: November 19, 2013
    Page Count: 370
    Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound
    Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher
    Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy/Time Travel, Historical Fiction

    I haven't read many YA novels that featured the late 1700's as a time period. In addition, the lives of indentured servants doesn't typically make it into novels. I often find myself gravitating towards the stories of those whose stories have not been told previously. I was excited to learn more about this time period, indentured servitude, and women's issues.

    Whisper Falls is the story of two teenagers living in the same area of North Carolina, but separated by centuries. A chance encounter allows the impossible to become possible and the two meet. They both find the falls in their town to be a special place. Mark lives in 2016 and spends his days cutting lawns and training for cycling competitions. Susanna lives in 1796 and spends her days working as an indentured servant for a large family. These two couldn't be more different, but somehow they forge a bond that transcends time.

    I loved the idea of this novel and found it to be an enjoyable read. It did take me a little time to settle into Mark's sections. I found that his way of speaking didn't always feel realistic and true to a modern teenage boy. I preferred the historical sections told from Susanna's perspective; these sections were truly what made this novel shine. Langston infuses Mark and Susanna's story with information about the area surrounding Raleigh, North Carolina in the late 1700's and with detailed information about indentured servitude. I knew that indentured servants existed, but I always wrongly assumed they bartered their freedom for passage to the shores of America. That was the case for many, but some indentured servants were signed over by family members who no longer had the means or desire to care for them. Many times, young women were handed off to learn a trade. The treatment of these young ones was harsh and often difficult to comprehend. Susanna endures countless acts of cruelty and brutality at the hands of her master.

    In addition to the strong historical influence, I found the evolution of the relationship between Mark and Susanna to be sweet and romantic. I wasn't sure that I would end up supporting these two when they had so many historical and cultural differences hindering their path, but in the end everything made sense to me.

    I enjoyed my time with Whisper Falls and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction. Langston offers up a compelling debut that combines history, time travel, and romance. Reading stories like this one remind me of the difficult path women have trod. I am so thankful I was not born in Susanna's time. I don't think I could have handled the view society had of women and their place in the world.

    One Last Gripe: I felt like Mark's family accepted Susanna a little too easily. The explanation is plausible, but the reaction of the family didn't feel entirely realistic.

    My Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved watching Susanna grow as a character. I might have even applauded when she stood up for herself.

    First Sentence: I perched on a stool in the dining room's corner, the mending basket at my feet, a torn pair of breeches draped across my lap.

    Favorite Character: Susanna

    Least Favorite Character: Jethro

  • ARC Review
    https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/arc-review-a-whisper-in-time-elizabeth-langston/

    Word count: 839

    QUOTE:
    There’s something sweet, innocent, and natural about Mark and Susanna. They just fit.
    The plot is ridiculously slow. It takes quite a while to get into anything interesting
    I was left feeling unsatisfied and unable to come up with many characteristics about her.

    ARC Review: A Whisper in Time-Elizabeth Langston
    May 23, 2014Jordan (BookBetch)

    Rate This

    18843710Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble

    2.5/5 Stars

    A Whisper in Time (Whisper Falls, #2)

    Release Date: April 8, 2014

    Spencer Hill Press

    ***I received this e-book as a gift in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley and Spencer Hill Press

    I loved the feel of her mouth under mine. I loved the way she tried to give back. It wasn’t enough, but t wouldn’t be much longer before it was too much. I wrapped her in my arms and swayed to the music that only we could hear.

    cooltext1552738522 copy

    I have never been useless in my life.

    Rescued from a life of servitude by the boy she loves, Susanna Marsh escapes across two centuries, only to be plunged into a world she’s ill-prepared to face. Unable to work or go to school, Susanna finds herself dependent on others to survive.

    Immersed in the fun and demands of his senior year of high school, Mark Lewis longs to share his world with the girl who’s captured his heart. But first he must tackle government bureaucracy to prove Susanna’s identity.

    Overwhelmed by her new home, Susanna seeks refuge in history and in news of the people she left behind. But when she learns that danger stalks her sister, Susanna must weigh whether to risk her own future in order to save Phoebe’s happiness.

    -via Goodreads

    cooltext1552739517 copy

    There’s something sweet, innocent, and natural about Mark and Susanna. They just fit. Some scenes of them just being together are uplifting, warm, and just so freeing. Their love is simple despite the fact that she’s not even from the same century, it’s strong and sturdy, able to withstand the problems of impending college life and Susanna’s impediments trying to gain citizenship without a birth certificate.
    The story concept is wonderful. The sheer magical, temperamental nature of Whisper Falls makes it almost alive.
    Susanna’s most compelling trait is her fierce protectiveness for her sister, Phoebe. Susanna is giving, open-hearted, and will risk everything for her loved ones. Often this means she makes rash, stupid decisions without considering the consequences from multiple angles. This bull-headedness is infuriating at times, you might want to strangle her a little or slap some sense into her.
    Susanna’s issues gaining status without any legal proof of citizenship or birth was a really interesting look at the system and the steps to work around these conditions. At times, it felt hopeless and impossible but Susanna and Mark never stopped fighting for her place as a legitimate person in this century.
    Mark adores Susanna. It’s in his image of her as this perfect, angelic creature. Mark’s internal dialogue on Susanna is honest and worshipful, she’s his everything and this makes Mark a bit more likeable. Mark is more developed than Susanna and his warring desires to enjoy his senior year and be with Susanna, who is many ways is mentally stuck in the 1800s is palpable.
    Phoebe has dreams and desires, she’s young but she’s fierce and determined to make something of herself despite her circumstances. She’s unafraid to speak her mind and though this does earn her a few raps on the knuckles and doesn’t do much for her job as a maid, she’s certainly courageous.

    cooltext1552740461 copy

    The plot is ridiculously slow. It takes quite a while to get into anything interesting and this is very much so because of the plotline in general being about trying to obtain legal rights as a person.
    Mark gets irrationally angry and says some seriously jerky comments that make you second guess his character. Sure, he’s frustrated and a little fed up but chill out, if you’re in love you need to have patience.
    The characters are bland. Susanna is from another time period where there wasn’t really much to do besides domestic work but she’s so headstrong and never thinks things through, and her sections are mindnumbingly boring. All she does is think about Mark or her sister, I was looking for her feelings, what makes her Susanna but it kind of got lost in the plot. I was left feeling unsatisfied and unable to come up with many characteristics about her.
    Most of the secondary characters aren’t even that. There are flashes of them without much development or purpose.

  • Reading for Fun
    http://readingforfun3.blogspot.com/2014/09/review-whisper-in-time-by-elizabeth.html

    Word count: 463

    QUOTE:
    I can't wait for the last book in the trilogy. I'm excited to see what our characters will have to deal with next
    Monday, September 22, 2014
    Review: A Whisper in Time by Elizabeth Langston
    Title: A Whisper in Time
    Author: Elizabeth Langston
    Series: Whisper Falls #2
    Pages: 360
    Rating: 4/5 Stars
    Summary: I have never been useless in my life. Rescued from a life of servitude by the boy she loves, Susanna Marsh escapes across two centuries, only to be plunged into a world she's ill-prepared to face. Unable to work or go to school, Susanna finds herself dependent on others to survive. Immersed in the fun and demands of his senior year of high school, Mark Lewis longs to share his world with the girl who's captured his heart. But first he must tackle government bureaucracy to prove Susanna's identity. Overwhelmed by her new home, Susanna seeks refuge in history and in news of the people she left behind. But when she learns that danger stalks her sister, Susanna must weigh whether to risk her own future in order to save Phoebe's happiness.
    Review: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. I loved book one in this series, Whisper Falls and I was elated when the author contacted me to read and review book two. I'm so glad that I got to continue on this journey of finding out where you belong in any century. I love that our characters were faced with issues relating to the relationships whether it be with family or friends no matter which time period they lived in. Even better than that I liked learning how they would overcome those said obstacles. I also really enjoyed the journal entries, it let us know what was happening or going on in the past and it let Susanna still have that connection despite living in the present. I can't wait for the last book in the trilogy. I'm excited to see what our characters will have to deal with next.... I can imagine lol. I would recommend this series to any time travel fanatics. I'll be waiting for book three.

    About this author

    Hello, I'm Elizabeth Langston, and I write Young Adult (YA) fiction. Whisper Falls is book 1 of my debut trilogy. A Whisper In Time releases in April, and Whispers From the Past follows in October. I live in North Carolina and work in the computer industry for my day job. I have two daughters in college and one husband at home. At night, when I'm not writing, I'm watching TV (So You Think You Can Dance, The Daily Show, Castle) or reading (and that is all over

  • Kirkus Reviews
    https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/julia-day/the-possibility-of-somewhere/

    Word count: 284

    QUOTE:
    Mediocre and formulaic but not utterly without value.
    THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEWHERE
    by Julia Day
    Age Range: 13 - 17
    BUY NOW FROM

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    KIRKUS REVIEW

    White “trailer trash” girl meets wealthy Indian boy, sparks fly, and college plans are complicated in this romance.

    Eden and Ash are front-runners for valedictorian, Ash due to parental pressure and Eden because good grades mean college. They have never liked each other—and anyway, Eden doesn’t like anyone. A new classmate (who primarily exists for reasons of exposition and plot momentum) encourages Eden to wear makeup; this plus a teacher-mandated project partnership soon turns rivalry to love. But Eden’s father is a racist, and Ash’s parents are snobs. Clumsily told, with inconsistent information and characterization (particularly Eden, whose first-person narrative sounds more middle-aged than foulmouthed teen outcast), this nevertheless fills a hole, tackling a transracial, transclass relationship in a community where that’s barely acceptable, with a bonus of autism education for readers through Eden’s babysitting job. Both teens are brilliant and beautiful, and the story veers unevenly between Eden’s struggles (will she get the scholarship? Is her dad going to get in her way? Is her amazing stepmother going to support her again?) and the burgeoning romance, never quite making either go anywhere.

    Mediocre and formulaic but not utterly without value. (Romance. 13-17)
    Pub Date: Sept. 6th, 2016
    ISBN: 978-1-250-09735-4
    Page count: 320pp
    Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
    Review Posted Online: June 22nd, 2016
    Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1st, 2016

  • Catch These Words
    http://catchthesewords.com/review-wishing-for-you-by-elizabeth-langston/

    Word count: 669

    Title: Wishing for You
    Author: Elizabeth Langston
    Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
    Publication date: October 13th 2015

    Synopsis
    She’s a girl who can’t remember. He’s the guy she can’t forget…
    It’s her final semester of high school, and Kimberley Rey is curious to discover what will come next. She needs to pick a college, but her memory disability complicates the choice. Will her struggles to remember make it impossible to leave home?
    Help arrives through an unexpected and supernatural gift. Grant is a “genie” with rules. He can give her thirty wishes (one per day for a month) as long as the tasks are humanly possible. Kimberley knows just what to ask for–lessons in how to live on her own.
    But her wishes change when a friend receives a devastating diagnosis. As she joins forces with Grant to help her friend, Kimberley learns that the ability to live in the moment–to forget–may be more valuable than she ever knew.

    Wishing for you

    Wishing for you was a real mixed bag in my opinion. I loved reading about Kimberley trying to become a more independent adult. I think a lot of disabled people could identify with her. The anxiety she feels is very realistic, combined with her fear of failure. This was by far my favourite of the book. I like how the author included various technologies that she uses. An iPad is certainly something many people in her situation would use as it’s a mainstream product with a huge app store.

    I did find some of her requests strange. For example, she wanted to be able to add reminders by speaking into her phone, and asks Grant to write her an app for this. It’s a feature already included in the iPhone and iPad so there would be no need to write a third party app, considering most aspects of the technology were well researched I found this a little odd.

    Having said this I found the book generally underwhelming. Kimberleys relationships with friends and family weren’t explored deeply enough for me to find them believable. The author did a lot of telling us how amazing her friends with her but I never really felt it. The other characters were so hard to connect to, it was as if they didn’t really have a personality.

    The rest of this review will contain spoilers, so continue at your own risk!

    I found the cancer story quite frustrating. There’s nothing wrong with writing a book where a teenager dies of cancer. It sucks, but this happens to real people, and they deserve to have their stories told. The problem was I honestly didn’t care about Sean. Again, the author had told us time and time again how wonderful he was but I didn’t feel it. So when he did die, it just felt like it was a way for Kimberley to realise how lucky she was all along.

    Some aspects of the writing, particularly the use of dialogue, were frustrating. All the characters spoke in a ridiculously formal way, saying “I will” and “it is” where in reality people would say I’ll and it’s. It felt really forced and it made it difficult to connect with them or actually believe in their stories.

    By far the greatest strength of the book was watching Kimberley struggle with her identity transitioning from a disabled child to adult. I would have loved for this to have been fleshed out, and wouldn’t have been sorry to see the other storyline scrapped entirely. It’s a decent, if a little disappointing read.

    Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

    You can pre-order a copy on Amazonor Barnes & Noble.

  • Reese's Reviews
    http://reesesreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/arc-review-wishing-for-you-by-elizabeth.html

    Word count: 418

    Reese's Review:
    Elizabeth Langston does it again with Wishing for You the amazing sequel to I Wish.

    Wishing for You definitely doesn’t suffer from the curse of the second book. I honestly cried for hours while reading this book. The whole story was just so moving and devastating and beautiful I couldn’t help the emotions coming out of me.

    Okay so if you’ve read the first book then you know Kimmie already. She is Lacey’s best friend who we were introduced to in book one. This book should not be read as a stand-alone. Anyway, Kimmie had cancer and it’s messed with her long-term memory. Lacy gives Kimmie her genie Grant a yummilicious hunk of a Genie who grants thirty wishes (one for every day of the month). Anyway Grant’s job is to help Kimmie in any way humanly possibly. While this seems like an easy job since all Kimmie wants it to be normal she has Grant teach her how to be more independent. Then Kimmie’s friend gets sick and the whole story goes around the two friends and Kimmie trying to make their way through his final days and through Kimmies disability.

    I honestly enjoyed Wishing for You, not as much as I Wish, but still really enjoyed. I liked Kimmie, I thought she gained a lot from her experience with Grant and she learned more about making her own decisions. She definitely had a harder time with things because of her disability, but she got there. I had a little trouble liking her at times, just because she came across as so spoiled, which she was, but also really oblivious to certain things that became pretty obvious to anyone but her.

    Grant learned a lot and while I am super-duper sad he and Lacey aren’t getting back together, which is so totally what I was hoping for…I liked reading about his life once again.

    I also love how Ms. Langston writes in bits of romance, but the whole story is never about that. It’s always more about self-discovery and that’s really refreshing. There is a certain realism to her books that will pull at the heart strings.

    Seriously peeps you need this book in your life. It’s completely fabulous and heartbreaking and will leave you wanting more. I definitely am looking forward to their being a book three.

  • Reese's Reviews
    http://reesesreviews.blogspot.com/2014/11/i-wish-by-elizabeth-langston.html

    Word count: 515

    Reese's Review:
    I was so excited when I was given a copy of I Wish for a couple of reasons. One GENIES, there are so few genie stories I was excited to read one.

    Lacey has problems. She’s a high school student who acts as a parent in her house. Her father and stepfather have died. Her mother is depressed and is barely functioning. Lacey is trying to do everything she can to keep her family afloat, but it’s a lot harder than she thought. She works, pays the bills, and taking care of her mother and brother. Then she buys a music box and everything changes. Lacey has a plan to change everything about her life. She has her genie for a month and one wish a day.

    Grant Lacey’s genie is used to shallow humans who he grants wishes for. Lacey is his last assignment before he gets promoted. When he meets Lacey he thinks he’s getting another shallow teenage. Instead he’s faced with his ultimate challenge, trying to help Lacey’s family stay afloat. Grant didn’t expect a challenge when he first met Lacey, but as they grow closer and he realizes things are more complicated than he ever realized.

    I loved this story. I read it in one sitting. Refused to eat, sleep, and breathe because I Wish was so fabulous. I loved the slow romance that built between Lacey and Grant. I loved the ending even though it tore out my heart. I cried, I screamed, I almost flung my kindle across the room, almost. This is definitely one of the most beautiful and amazingly written books I’ve ever read. Elizabeth Langston has written a fantastic story that drew me in from the first page. The characters were so realistic and every feeling the character had I felt. When they cried I cried. Having been a virgin to the beauty that was Elizabeth Langston’s books before I Wish, I will definitely be changing that very soon.

    Lacey’s character was such a strong female character. She carried her family and no matter how hard it got she always made everything okay. Even when she began to realize she had flaws she began to work on them to make herself a better person. She’s self-sacrificing and just an all around great character to read about.

    Grant was a very sexy sweet genie. He’s cocky and over-confident but caring. I enjoyed his Genie “Daily Reports” entries, which were really enjoyable. Grant definitely had an enjoyable personality and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in his story.

    I have to say I am super sad about the ending since I’m not sure who is going to be in the next story. It definitely left on a cliffhanger and I honestly NEED the second book like yesterday.

    Thank you Spencer Hill Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing story.