Alyson Noel: Shimmer

“If you think you know what it’s like to be dead—if you think it’s just an eternity of harp music and cloud lounging—well, think again.

Ever hear the saying, Life goes on?

It does.

Long past the point when everyone else thinks it stopped.”—Riley Bloom, SHIMMER

The above quote is from my latest release, SHIMMER—book two in the Riley Bloom series.

And just to be clear, yes, Riley truly is dead. Dead at twelve—just shy of her thirteenth birthday no less. And the family dog, Buttercup—well, he’s dead too.

Though Riley refuses to play dead. It’s just not in her nature. And it’s her spunk, humor, tenacity, and wit that make her so much fun to write.

When I began writing EVERMORE, book one in my Immortals series, I wanted the protagonist, Ever—the sole survivor of the car accident that claimed the lives of her family—to have a connection to her past—even if that connection came in the form of a ghostly little sister—and so Riley was born.

Though I originally envisioned her role as a minor one, it didn’t stay that way for long. Riley kept showing up—usually in some crazy costume and wig (she’s a bit of a scene stealer)—and I kept allowing it because she was so much fun to have around. So when my publisher asked if I’d be interested in writing a middle grade spin-off series specifically for her, I jumped at the chance. And I’m so glad I did because every book so far has been an absolute blast.

In book one, RADIANCE, Riley, Buttercup, and her cute, fourteen-year old guide, Bodhi, head for a haunted castle in England, where, as her first assignment as a Soul Catcher, Riley has to find a way to convince a very scary, very determined, young ghost to stop haunting the place and “cross over” to where he belongs.

In SHIMMER, Riley and friends are enjoying a little R&R on St. John, Virgin Island, when Riley runs into Rebecca—a young ghost girl who is so angry about her death, she’s keeping all of those who died along with her trapped in their own worst memories. And in Riley’s quest to stop her, she soon finds herself trapped in her own nightmarish past as well . . .

SHIMMER hit the stores this week, and readers are already calling it: “fun,” “intriguing,” “emotional,” and “deep.” If you’re interested in reading an excerpt, watching the trailer, listening to an audio clip, or just generally learning more, feel free to stop by my website, at: http://www.alysonnoel.com/

Peace * Joy * Love

Alyson Noël

Release week!! by Alyson Noel

Enter an enchanting new world where true love never dies . . .

Two days ago, EVERMORE, the first book in my new, five book, young adult, paranormal series was released and I couldn’t be more excited!

It’s the story of Ever Bloom, a sixteen-year old girl who undergoes a near death experience that leaves her with tremendous psychic powers she doesn’t want. And just when she’s beginning to adjust, the sudden arrival of the gorgeous, exotic, and very mysterious Damen Auguste turns her world upside down. . .

Since I’m new to the paranormal genre, I’m often asked what inspired the leap. And the truth is, I’m surprised it took me so long! I’ve been a fan of the genre since I watched  “CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST” as a kid, and I’ve been interested in all things lying just outside the usual experience ever since.

Delving into this genre has allowed me to explore a few things I’ve always been curious about, like: Taking a three day psychic development seminar with world-renowned medium, James Van Praagh, and undergoing hypnosis in a past life regression with NYT best selling author, Dr. Brian Weiss—all under the guise of “research!”

Though it also changed my mind about a few things. While I always thought it would be so cool to have tremendous psychic powers like my protagonist Ever, after writing about her struggles, I’m no longer so sure. It seems like such a tremendous burden. And as far as immortality goes . . . I think I’ll give that a pass as well!

What about you? Would you want the ability to hear thoughts, read auras, see ghosts, get a person’s entire life story by touch, or even to live forever? And what would you do with your powers if you had them?

“Teen angst and the paranormal make a combustible mix as Noel utilizes typical themes and gives them a dangerous and eerie twist. Getting hooked on this new series, THE IMMORTALS, is guaranteed.”4 Stars, Romantic Times magazine

"Evermore is addictive. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about how I could sneak away to read some more. I couldn't put it down. I dreamt about this book. And when I finished, I couldn't get it out of my head. This book was simply breathtaking." -5 STAR GOLD AWARD, TeensReadToo

TOP CHOICE AWARD- Flamingnet

Alyson Noël is the best selling, award-winning, author of seven novels for teens and adults, including the upcoming IMMORTALS series, featuring EVERMORE (Feb 09), BLUE MOON (Aug 09), and three more titles for 2010. Her awards and honors include: the National Reader’s Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, Reviewer’s Choice 2007 Top Ten, YALSA’s Teen’s Top Ten nominee, and featured on the CBS Early Show’s “Give the Gift of Reading” segment. Her titles have been translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Hungarian, and Romanian. She lives with her husband in Laguna Beach, CA. You can visit her at: www.alysonnoel.com.

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/