Kellie Coates Gilbert; The Wonder of Story

I experienced pure joy recently.

My little grandson (I call him“Peanut”) spent the night and I introduced him to Walt Disney’s BAMBI for the first time. The birth of the “little Prince” held Peanut’s eyes riveted to the screen. Together, we laughed at Thumper’s antics on the frozen lake, or at the mommy rabbit’s scoldings. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” We smiled when springtime brought forth a lot of “twitterpating” and when Bambi mistook the little black and white skunk for a flower.

When the scenes turned grave in nature, my concerned grandson glanced over my way. “What’s going to happen, Dammy?” He leaned forward during the meadow scene and worried when “man entered the forest.” His little dimpled hand gripped my arm at the bleakest moment of the story, when shots rang out and Bambi no longer had his mother, his little face sober with concern until the regal buck with the massive antlers showed up on screen and restored safety.

There was a moment or two my good judgment was in question. Was he too young for this taut emotion?

The doubt quickly settled when at the closing credits my little Peanut nodded in satisfaction. “Play it again, Dammy?”

We ended up watching the movie six more times before he finally tired and moved on to playing trains with Papa. (Even then, he gripped the Bambi book I’d bought him in his hand.)

Whether three years of age, thirty-three or eighty-three, stories captivate our souls. It’s why, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com, movie revenues in 2013 totaled $10,870,181,084 (yes, that’s nearly $11 BILLION) and why it’s reported that Stephanie Myers’ popular Twilight novels sold over 42 million copies and was translated into 22 languages.

People love stories. Especially those of us who hang here on the Author Sound Relations blog.

Tell us . . . what story is captivating you this week?


(Released in 1942, Bambi is the fifth movie in the Disney Animated Canon. It's based on Bambi, a Life in the Woods, a 1923 novel by Austrian author Felix Salten.)

Kellie Coates Gilbert is the acclaimed author of the Texas Gold contemporary novels, which garnered designations as Barnes and Noble Top Picks and landed on Library Journal Best Book list. Influenced by her former career as a legal investigator where she spent nearly twenty-five years working in courtrooms and behind the scenes of some of the largest and most well-known cases in America, her fast-paced emotional stories have thrilled readers across America. Kellie’s highly anticipated Sun Valley Series, featuring three sisters living in a ski resort in Idaho, is scheduled to release in early 2017. 

Connect with Kellie on:


Facebook: Kellie Coates Gilbert, Author

Website: kelliecoatesgilbert.com 

Twitter: @KCoatesGilbert 

Rediscovering a genre - Lee Hyat

Last November I fell in love with the young adult genre all over again. I thought I'd left that love behind a long time ago but I was wrong. I'd never felt tempted to pick up the Harry Potter books like so many of my online friends did. I watched the movies, enjoyed them thoroughly and left it at that. I'd never felt compelled to want to know more.

Then the Twilight mania hit. My daughter and I watched the movie and I "had" to start reading the first book that very night! I'd forgotten how much I really enjoyed young adult novels. I felt again the thrill of discovering a new genre (only this time, it's REdiscovering one). You know, that awesome feeling that you've hit the genre jackpot and there's soooo many new books/authors out there to discover?

It's been fun. Maybe more so because I'm not alone in this. My daughter and I are doing the discovering together and it's just helping to make our bond stronger. Once we were done with the Twlight Saga, we discovered the world Rachel Caine built in the Morganville Vampires series. Last week an author friend recommended Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series so that's next on our list.

At the moment though, we're working our way through Shelley Adina's "US" series. So far, most of my young adult reading has been steeped in the paranormal so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy these books... but I'm happy to say that book 1 has caught and kept my attention quite well so far!


it’s all about us
may 2008
isbn 0-446-17798-9

Some things you just know without being told. . . .
Like you passed the math final (or you didn't). Like your boyfriend isn't into you anymore and wants to break up. Or . . . you're the New Girl and your junior year is going to be utterly miserable.

Lissa Mansfield is used to being in the "in" crowd--but being accepted by the popular girls at posh Spencer Academy boarding school in San Francisco is a lot harder than she thought. And then there's her New-York-loudmouth roommate, Gillian Chang, who's not just happy to be a Christian herself--she's determined to out Lissa, too. If Lissa can just keep her faith under wraps long enough to hook Callum McCloud, the hottest guy in school, she'll be golden.
But when Callum pressures her to go all the way with him, Lissa has to decide how far is too far. How can she see that line when he's so gorgeous and popular and God seems so far away? Between that and shopping for a knockout dress and booking the hottest celeb for the Benefactor's Day Ball . . . who knew finding a place at Spencer Academy would be so complicated?

“In the first novel of her new YA series, Adina does a good job realistically portraying characters who are not only growing up, but doing so with religion as a huge constant in their lives. Rarely, if ever, are the characters preachy, and Lissa and Gillian are fine role models for any religion.” --Romantic Times BookReviews

the fruit of my lipstick
august 2008
isbn 0-446-17797-0

Top Five Clues that He’s the One

1. 1.He’s smart, which is why he’s dating you and not the queen of the snob mob.
2. 2.He knows he’s hot, but he thinks you’re hotter.
3. 3.He’d rather listen to you than himself.
4. 4.You’re in on his jokes—not the butt of them.
5. 5.He always gives you the last cookie in the box.

New Yorker Gillian Chang starts her second term at posh Spencer Academy boarding school in San Francisco prepared to focus on her studies, her faith, and her friends. She plays a dozen musical instruments and can recite the periodic table of the elements backward. She's totally prepared for everything--except love!

She's falling hard for Lucas Hayes, who isn't even a senior yet and is already aiming at a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford. The problem is, she never seems to be able to measure up and be the girlfriend he wants. He's under a lot of pressure from his parents to achieve--maybe that's why he's short-tempered sometimes. But even a thick-skinned girl like Gillian can only take so much.

With her heart on the line, Gillian conceals more and more from her friends. So when she's accused of selling exam answer sheets, even her girlfriends, Lissa Mansfield and Carly Aragon, wonder if it can be true. Can Gillian hang onto her integrity--and her faith--when she loses her heart to Lucas?

“Shelley Adina hit a perfect balance. Her characters are strong Christians, and their faith is a big part of the story ... but she never really hits you over the head with it. It's just a part of their lives, just like shopping and cute boys are a part of their lives. ...I laughed out loud during many of Gillian's descriptions of her family, actually hearing my Asian husband's aunties' voices in my head. Shelley provides a fantastic glimpse into Chinese-American culture and the struggle of trying to fit into two different worlds.” --Fictionistas.com


be strong and curvaceous
january 2009
isbn 0-446-17799-7

Be careful what you wish for. I used to think that was the dumbest saying ever. I mean, when you wish for something, by definition it’s wonderful, right? Like a new dress for a party. Or a roommate as cool as Gillian Chang or Lissa Mansfield. Or having a guy notice you after six months of being invisible. Before last term, of course I wanted those wishes to come true. I don’t anymore.

After spending spring break in Mexico with her grandparents, Carly Aragon can't wait to get back to school at Spencer Academy in San Francisco. With Lissa Mansfield and Gillian Chang by her side, she's ready for anything ... except a new roommate. Lady Lindsay MacPhail, flamboyant daughter of the Earl of Strathcairn, quickly becomes Carly's worst nightmare. "Mac" not only swoops in and steals Carly's privacy, she's also stealing Brett Loyola--Carly's biggest crush!

But when Mac starts receiving strange, threatening e-mails, she and Carly must come together to figure out who's behind them and why. In the end, the fate of one girl will lie in the other's hands. Will the two learn to trust one another and trust God?

“Reading Be Strong & Curvaceous flooded me with memories of my high school days. While the surroundings and scenes were different, there were certain staples that read just like my life: the close friendships, the longing to be accepted, the desire for my first real boyfriend, and most of all, being introduced to Jesus. I only wish Shelley Adina’s All About Us series had been around in my day. I recommend it for any young adult who wants to escape to another world and find that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences.”
—American Idol finalist Mandisa



So tell me about you - have you discovered a new genre / sub-genre lately? How about a new-to-you author? Discoveries like that are such fun! Especially if the author has a looong backlist to glom! Share your thoughts and I'll pick a winner in a couple of days who will recieve a Starbucks giftcard and a couple of books from My Tote Bag too!

***The Winner is Leslie! Thanks to everyone who left a comment. :) Leslie, please email me at staff@authorsoundrelations.com with your full name and mailing address so I can get your prize to you!***

Arrested Development-- Alyson Noel

No, I’m not referring to the defunct TV show (why—oh why were you cancelled?)—I’m referring to me. Apparently I’m deeply mired in a case of arrested development, which probably comes as no surprise to those who know me, though it does kind of surprise me.

I guess writing teen fiction makes it easy for me to insist that my more juvenile tendencies are solely due to all the “research” required in order to capture the teen voice.

Beginning all of my sentences with, “Oh my gawd!”-? “Research.”

Attending the midnight showing of Twilight and squealing when Edward came on screen? No question. Definitely falls under “research.”

Blatantly hinting for a new iPod and Ugg boots last Chrismukkah, then jumping up and down in excitement when I got them? So obviously in the “research” category.

Braces at forty??? Please. Just how far do you think I’d go?

Apparently, that far.

And while I’m told there are plenty of adults who get braces—according to one orthodontist I saw, adults make up a good amount of their patient load—all I could think as I gazed around a room purposely decorated to make it seem as though we were sitting inside a ginormous aquarium is—Really? And is that why you offered me a game of pogs when I checked in?

Seriously. The only adults I’ve seen in there so far are the ones chauffeuring their kids to and from their appointments. And while you’d think it would be research heaven to sit inside an aquatic themed room with a giant orange fish eyeballing me from its place on the wall and a seemingly never ending supply of pogs and Teen People—well, I’m sorry to say it’s really not all it’s cracked up to be.

Because the truth is, I feel kind of silly. Like I’ve taken this whole YA research thing way too far. And now, after hours of examinations, forms, and x-rays, it’s beginning to feel like it’s too late to turn back.

But that’s exactly what I was planning to do the other day when my husband and I stopped by Burger Bar on our way home from Las Vegas. I was cutting into my turkey burger with a knife and fork—(my front teeth don’t meet, making them useless for biting, tearing, eating, and just about everything else but smiling for photographs)—when it struck me. The epiphany. A true, Oprah style, light-bulb moment. Because the moment I brought my fork to my mouth, I gazed down at my plate covered with tiny bite sized pieces of hamburger and thought: Oh my gawd! Talk about juvenile!

And that’s when I decided to go for it. No whining, no complaining (well, maybe a little), and definitely no looking back. I mean, so I’ll spend the next year as a metal mouthed brace face, so what? Next time I eat a hamburger (and I average about one a year) I’ll eat it with dignity. And pride. And hopefully without a fork and a knife.

Besides, think of all the research it’ll provide!

But even though there’s no doubt my next protagonist will sport a mouthful of shiny metal braces, I’ll be kinder to her than life was to me—she’ll wear them as a teen, I won’t make her wait until she’s an adult!

So how about you—just how far are you willing to go in the name of “research”? And do you have any tips on wearing braces??

Happy Holidays!!!

Alyson Noel is the author of seven novels. Her upcoming, THE IMMORTALS series, begins with EVERMORE on 02.03.09, followed by BLUE MOON on 08.04.09, and three more untitled books for 2010. You can visit her at: http://www.alysonnoel.com/

Looking For A Random Winner -- Michelle Monkou

And the winner of the $25 Macy's Gift Card is....Raven99. Thank you everyone for participating. Until next time. -- Michelle

I was having a conversation with a few of my writer friends today about recently viewed movies that drew me in.

One such movie is Twilight. I'm 42 years old and consider myself far away from my teen crushes and fantasies. Yet, despite my brother's thumbs down on the movie, I came away (with my 14 yr old daughter) with a smile on my face and a warm coziness in my heart. I'm now reading the book.

My reaction motivated to think about why I was moved so much. When I think about what other movies caused similar reactions, I can name a few: Dirty Dancing, Bend It Like Beckham, Across The Universe. There has to be more than a simple declaration that they are romance stories for young people that make them addictive.

I think there are several themes/fantasies that capture our imagination -- it's the awkwardness of not fitting in, struggling for independence, dealing with the first blush of romantic feelings, and heroes that will risk everything to be with that person who the world (but not the viewers) thinks is unsuitable.

Think about what are a few fantasies in young adult or adult stories that strike the right chord in your heart. What makes you feel cozy and warm?

By tomorrow evening (PST), I'll pick from the comments one person to receive $25 Macy's Gift Card for you to enjoy this Holiday season.

Michelle Monkou

P.S. BTW, here's my March cover. I love it!

Who's Your Favorite Vampire? - Megan Crane

With Twilight raking it in at the box office, I thought it might be fun to consider the hottest vampires. I mean onscreen, though there are no shortage of vampire lovelies in books. JR Ward's entire Brotherhood comes to mind. As does Michelle Rowen's delectable Thierry from the Immortality Bites series (which I have actually read in its pre-published entirety-- yes, I am bragging.) But I can't show you pictures of those vampires, so let's stick to the screen.

There's Julian Luna from Kindred: the Embraced, a show involving C. Thomas Howell (yes, seriously) that apparently only I ever watched.



Mick St. John from the prematurely cancelled Moonlight:



The yummy Vampire Bill from HBO's True Blood (with which I am obsessed, and no, I have yet to watch the last two episodes--I'm saving them as a treat for when I submit my latest manuscript):



To say nothing of his fellow vamp Eric:



That's a lot of fang. But none of them are my true vampire love, Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and then later his own show. Yeah, I know a lot of people love Captain Peroxide, aka Spike. I don't get that. For me, it's always been about Angel.



Sweet, broody, delicious Angel.



What about you? Who's your favorite bloodsucking fiend? Who am I forgetting?