Pictures of me as a kid--check it out!

I was scanning and uploading some old pics of myself from my younger days, and I figured I'd post a few on here so you guys could mock me mercilessly. haha

Here's a pic of my sister (left) and me (right) fishing. With sticks. High class! And look how dirty and scrawny we are! But at least we're happy--my grin couldn't be any bigger or cheesier. Also, we're not sure WHO caught that beer can in the corner. Probably my sister.

Ah, it's Christmastime in the Stapleton household. No, that bottle of booze was NOT my present.

Here's me, age 9, playing soccer. Okay, I was actually pretty terrible at it and didn't understand the rules and stuff like that, but I really liked wearing shin guards. My son looks just like me in this pic, by the way--I don't know if I should feel bad for him, or for me.

I think I was in 5th grade for this gem of a pic. Look at the feathery wings on the sides of my head. Sharp! And yes, I'm dangerously flirting with a mullet. *sigh*

Here's 6th grade Rhonda, all mature and stuff. As you can see, I've refined my curling iron techniques to make some ridiculously huge swirls on the side of my face. Maybe I burned some important part of my brain, which is why I have that lovely glossy look in my eyes, like I'm a Stepford daughter.

Anyway, thanks for letting me share my pics and embarrass myself. Good times!

Blog Tour: Jackson Pearce!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Jackson Pearce, whose book As You Wish debuted on August 25. This one looks fantastic, and I've heard such great buzz about it!

Here’s a blurb about As You Wish:

Seven months ago, Viola's boyfriend told her he was gay—moments before she was going to lose her virginity to him. Heartbroken, Viola has resigned herself to near invisibility, until she inadvertently summons a young jinn out of his world, Caliban, and into her own. Here he will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to get back to Caliban, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid her wishes will be manipulated into curses. Jinn knows that should she wait too long, the Ifrit, guardians of earthbound jinn, will press her to wish by hurting those around her.As they spend time together, Jinn can't deny that he's slowly falling in love with Viola, blurring the lines between master and servant. It's only after Viola makes her first wish—for a popular boy to love her—that she realizes the feelings are mutual.

With every wish Jinn's time with her diminishes, but the longer she waits to wish the greater danger she's in from the Ifrit. Together, Viola, Jinn, and Viola's ex-boyfriend try to outwit the Ifrit while dealing with their own romantic complexities and the alcohol-laced high school social scene.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Jackson Pearce:

Jackson Pearce is twenty-four years old and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture. She recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy and currently works for a software company even though she auditioned for the circus (she juggled and twirled fire batons, but they still didn't want her). Other jobs she's had include obituaries writer, biker bar waitress, and receptionist.

In addition, Jackson coaches both colorguard and winterguard at a local high school; she's taught over four hundred students since starting six years ago. Coaching provides the greatest "research" for writing YA that she could ever ask for and has introduced her to some of the most unique characters she's ever met.

Jackson began writing when she got angry that the school librarian couldn't tell her of a book that contained a smart girl, horses, baby animals, and magic. Her solution was to write the book herself when she was twelve. Her parents thought it was cute at first, but have grown steadily more concerned for her ever since. Visit her online at http://www.jacksonpearce.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I was driving. Then I had an idea! I wish there was a cooler story, but to be honest, that's it. To quote Empire Records: Who knows where thoughts come from, they just appear.

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

I got these breadsticks all the time which, in retrospect, were terrible. How is it that in all this time, school cafeterias haven't found a way to make lunch delicious?

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

I have no favorite part-- I love EVERY aspect of it. Seriously. This is all I've EVER wanted to do with my life, so I'm appreciative every moment that I'm fortunate enough to be able to do it. It sounds sappy, but it's true!

Thanks for coming to my blog, Jackson--and YAY YOU for the release of your novel!!

Blog Tour: Jennifer Jabaley!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Jennifer Jabaley, whose book Lipstick Apology debuted on August 6. I can't WAIT to read this story!!

Here’s a blurb about Lipstick Apology:

Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother's last words.

Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Jennifer Jabaley:

Jennifer Jabaley was born in New York and raised in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She graduated from James Madison University with a degree in chemistry and received a doctorate from Southern College of Optometry. A part-time optometrist and mother of two, Jennifer began writing her first novel after a phone call from her sister sparked an idea for a story that lingered in her mind and stirred her creative juices. LIPSTICK APOLOGY will be released in August of 2009 by Razorbill. Jen lives in Blue Ridge, Georgia and is currently at work on her second book. Visit her online at http://www.jenniferjabaley.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

My sister inspired LIPSTICK APOLOGY. Several years ago she took her first trip away from her kids and she was freaking out in her melodramatic way. But it got me thinking - what if a plane went down? What if a teen was left without their parents? And what if someone hadn't said all the things that needed to be said? In those final moments, what would you do? How would you say those crucial words?

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

I ate a turkey sandwich just about every day. I know - totally boring!! But I also would bring Pop Tarts as a treat and man, I still love them!

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

Well, I've just started getting some really great reviews from teens and I've even received some fan mail - knowing that my story touched someone, made them laugh or entertained them - that is the absolute best thing ever.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Jennifer--and congrats on the release of your novel!!

the random questions game

I'm bored--let's play "random questions". haha. Feel free to answer with as much or as little detail as you like. I'll give my own answers in the comments.

1--Ever read a book that really freaked you out?

2--What's your favorite type of shoe?

3--What's one of your worst habits?

4--Why did the chicken cross the road?

5--What word do you always have a problem spelling?

Thanks for playing! :D

Great YA books I've read recently!

Hello, hello, hello! I hope you all had a great weekend. I've been fighting a stupid sinus infection (blech), so to keep from going insane, I've kept myself busy reading like the wind. Yes, that is some pretty fast reading, just in case you were curious. LOL

Anyway, here's an update on what I've been reading lately that I've just adored:

--Struts & Frets by Jon Skovron. This one comes out in November, and I got to read an ARC of it. You guys should be super jealous, because this book is absolutely awesome. LOL. Jon Skovron has a way of writing that pulls you in quickly and keeps you flipping the pages. I read it in one sitting and adored it. And I was surprised by the amount of heart and depth in the story--it's not just about the narrator trying to get his band to win Battle of the Bands, but also about his struggle to "justify" being a musician to his mom, his worries about his increasingly demented musician grandfather, and dealing with a best girl friend who he suddenly finds out wants to be more. I loved it, and it totally made me remember why I loved playing music back in high school and college. Okay, okay, I was in marching band, which isn't exactly the same as being a rocker, but I did sing in a jazz ensemble once--and that was pretty darn cool. LOL

--The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams. If you haven't read this one yet, get thee to a bookstore, STAT. Seriously, this is one of the most intense, amazing books I've ever read. I actually started choking up at the end and had tears burning my eyes because I was anxious about how it was going to resolve itself. The poor 13-year-old heroine is in a polygamist cult and finds out she's been chosen to marry her uncle...and even worse, is in his sixties. Her voice is so authentic, so painful to read at times. But I could not put this book down. I give it a hearty two thumbs up.

--Sweethearts by Sara Zarr. OMG Sara Zarr, where have you been all my life? I gobbled this book up--the writing is beautiful, haunting, and I was captivated by the story. I wanted to see what was going to happen to the poor heroine when a boy she was best friends with (who had disappeared in their youth) showed up in her life again. It was bittersweet, captivating, and so well written. I understand she has another book called Story of a Girl that's supposed to be just as awesome. I'm stoked to go get it!

--Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols. Yanno, I liked Jennifer Echols when I read Major Crush. But I admit, reading Going Too Far totally pushed me into Echols fandom. LOL. The story is simple--a wild teen is forced to spend her spring break on patrol with an officer so she can change her ways before it's too late. OMG I can't even tell you how sizzling the chemistry is between her and the cop. I was almost fanning myself reading this story. ROFL. Yowza--so, so good.

--Crowned by Julie Linker. Dude, this one made me snort out loud in so many passages. It's set during a pageant, with the heroine fighting her nasty rude archenemy for the coveted crown. I was dying laughing at the antics--there's a catfight at the end that was simply hilarious involving nail scratches and a poorly mishandled weave. And of course, there's a romance with a dreamy guy. Very, very fun and funny read!

--Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt. I love the structure of this one--it's set both in the past (showing how the guy and girl met and started dating) and in the present (showing the two of them broken up and trying to deal with each other on this road trip to college). And along the way, they both learn about honesty, trust, and love. Lauren Barnholdt's voice rings so true and fun and earnest in the story. I loved reading about their angst, and I was rooting for them to find their way back to each other.

So, that's been my great reading lately. How about you--any good finds you can share? I'd love to hear what you've been diving into. :D

My website redesign is done!!

I hope you guys will take a few minutes and check out my new website redesign: http://www.rhondastapleton.com.

I added new text everywhere, especially on my bio page (I now have 3 different ones--my regular bio, a dramatic haiku, and a love/hate list). And my goodies page has a riveting Q&A with moi. LOL

Thanks for checking it out! Let me know what you think. I'm tickled pink. My designer (Maddee, of http://www.xuni.com) is a genius.

Blog Tour: Megan Frazer!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Megan Frazer, whose book Secrets of Truth & Beauty debuted on July 7. I'm eager to get a copy of my own!

Here’s a blurb about Secrets of Truth & Beauty:

When Dara Cohen was little, she was crowned Little Miss Maine. That was then. Now Dara's seventeen and she's not so little anymore. That's just one of her many problems. Another is that her control-freak mom won't get off her case about anything. Yet the one that hurts the most is the family secret: Dara has an older sister her parents tried to erase from their lives.

Aaaaaand, a little about author Megan Frazer:

Megan Frazer studied English literature and creative writing at Columbia University. She lives with her husband and baby in Maine, where she is a high school librarian. She loves cheese and cooking, and both of these make their way into Secrets of Truth & Beauty. She was not, however, ever in a beauty pageant. Visit her online at http://www.meganfrazer.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I was watching Little Miss Sunshine and during the pageant scene I thought, "What would happen if one of those girls got fat?" Because at such a young age they are taught that being pretty is what matters, and then they grow up and no longer fit into our society's definition of pretty. The story veered away from that focus and is more about one fractured family, and one nontradtional one, but that's where it started.

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

French toast sticks! Whenever we had early Wednesdays (once a month) we got French toast sticks. It was the only time I bought lunch from the cafeteria.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

Meeting other writers and readers -- virtually and in person -- in the YA lit community.

Thanks for coming to my blog, Megan--and huge congrats on your debut novel!!