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    • The Wicked Unseen
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    • And the Trees Stare Back
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February 4, 2013
budgeting + savingtravel how-tos

How Much Does It Cost to Spend a Month in Umbria, Italy?

The breakdown of my month in the Umbrian countryside on a very solidly middle-range travel budget.

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January 29, 2013
luna the traveling pooch

The Small Dog’s Guide to Perugia, Italy

Luna does Italy and reports back: two paws way way up.

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January 21, 2013
get off the beaten trackstories & photos

Photo Essay: A Stroll Through Perugia

Just in case you were wondering why Italy is one of my favorite places in the whole world.

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Another favorite from my photoshoot with Luna. She Another favorite from my photoshoot with Luna. She remains stable on her new seizure medication and has just gone off a secondary medication she doesn't need any longer. Really grateful for a holiday reprieve from health issues and requesting that the universe continue this trend, please.
"I am not your friend, your toy, your pet. I am no "I am not your friend, your toy, your pet. I am not a quiet thing for your taking. I am a feral thing, a bitey, clawing, screaming thing." WE ARE THE BEASTS, by Gigi Griffis
WE ARE THE BEASTS made @crimereads' best YA 2024 l WE ARE THE BEASTS made @crimereads' best YA 2024 list! Alongside the brilliant @authorsamiellis too! I'm thrilled my messy, feral girls and their desperate, beastly situation are making such waves already - only about a week into release!
I just finished listening to WE ARE THE BEASTS on I just finished listening to WE ARE THE BEASTS on audio for the first time and wow, @imanijadepowers really brought it to life with an excellent epilogue by @grahamhalstead. Thank you so much to my audio team. I kept thinking "holy shit, did I write that?" because y'all added so much nuance and personality with the narration. ABOUT WE ARE THE BEASTS Deaths and disappearances pile up as a mysterious beast stalks the French countryside and two girls seize an unlikely opportunity that just might save them all—or serve them up on a platter. Step into this chilling, historical horror inspired by the unsolved mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan. When a series of brutal, mysterious deaths start plaguing the countryside and whispers of a beast in the mountains reach the quiet French hamlet of Mende, most people believe it’s a curse—God’s punishment for their sins. But to sixteen-year-old Joséphine and her best friend, Clara, the beast isn’t a curse. It’s an opportunity. For years, the girls of Mende have been living in a nightmare—fathers who drink, brothers who punch, homes that feel like prisons—and this is a chance to get them out. Using the creature’s attacks as cover, Joséphine and Clara set out to fake their friends’ deaths and hide them away until it’s safe to run. But escape is harder than they thought. If they can’t brave a harsh winter with little food… If the villagers discover what they’re doing… If the beast finds them first... Those fake deaths might just become real ones.
About 15 years ago, this little fuzzbucket saved m About 15 years ago, this little fuzzbucket saved me. I was in the throes of the worst depression of my life, struggling to feel anything about anything, going through the motions. And then I met her. And I loved her instantly. And happiness broke through the numbness with a promise that things could get better. Every day I got up and did the things I needed to do to survive because of her. I walked through the darkness because of her. I found the end of that tunnel because of her. Amidst other growing health issues, about a year and a half ago, she started having seizures and recently they worsened - coming much closer together, much more often. A few weeks ago, the doctor (gently) told me that if we didn't get the seizures under control, I could lose her. So I booked a professional photo shoot. Because there are no guarantees of how long I get to keep this precious creature in my life and my arms. She has since stabilized on her medication, and she's currently doing very well. But I am so grateful for these photos, this tiny moment captured forever. This relationship between person and dog that has changed me and will continue to change me. Luna, I thought about dedicating a book to you, but since you can't read and probably would prefer chicken treats to accolades, I will just promise this: More chicken treats. Moments in your favorite sun spot. And love for as long as you'll stay to take it. Thank you to @furrydogstudio.
Good news: THE LIONESS made top 10 in historical E Good news: THE LIONESS made top 10 in historical European fiction on Amazon! If you are looking for an epic revenge tale, here's your pick.
It's #DisabilityDecember! Join the bookish communi It's #DisabilityDecember! Join the bookish community in reading books by disabled authors and about disabled characters. Here are some recs! Featuring @jessicalewisauthor @hanna.alkaf @annaksortino @lillielainoff @jenstjude
WE ARE THE BEASTS is out now! Grab your copy in eB WE ARE THE BEASTS is out now! Grab your copy in eBook, hardback, or audio at your favorite retailer. When a series of brutal, mysterious deaths start plaguing the countryside and whispers of a beast in the mountains reach the quiet French hamlet of Mende, most people believe it’s a curse—God’s punishment for their sins. But to sixteen-year-old Joséphine and her best friend, Clara, the beast isn’t a curse. It’s an opportunity. For years, the girls of Mende have been living in a nightmare—fathers who drink, brothers who punch, homes that feel like prisons—and this is a chance to get them out. Using the creature’s attacks as cover, Joséphine and Clara set out to fake their friends’ deaths and hide them away until it’s safe to run. But escape is harder than they thought. If they can’t brave a harsh winter with little food… If the villagers discover what they’re doing… If the beast finds them first… Those fake deaths might just become real ones. “Full of courage, heart, and danger, WE ARE THE BEASTS is a thoroughly engrossing read about the lengths young women must go to to survive when confronted by beasts of all kinds. I gasped, I smiled, I was enraged—this book is triumphant.” – Kendare Blake, #1 NYT Bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns “Like sharp teeth in the dark, WE ARE THE BEASTS takes hold of you and never lets go. A compelling, tense, and thoughtful exploration of what it means to be girls in a world of monsters.” – Kiersten White, #1 NYT bestselling author of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein "Visceral and poetic...A dread-filled yet inspiring tale of the power that angry girls can wield." - Kirkus Reviews "[A] heart-pounding and gruesome historical thriller." - Publishers Weekly "Merciless and triumphant." - The Bulletin "Exciting historical horror; full of sharp turns and fast-paced action with a ­fiery, feminist heart." - School Library Journal Amazon Editor's Pick for Best YA! Giant thanks to @delacortepress, @pterlip, @_aliromig, and @jmascarenhas!
Disappointed that #TheEmpress on #Netflix is too s Disappointed that #TheEmpress on #Netflix is too short? These books based on the true stories of historical women ahead of their time are here for you. Featuring @rche_types @emiliahartbooks @jennilwalsh and more
The good news keeps coming this week! THE WICKED The good news keeps coming this week! THE WICKED UNSEEN is a #1 Amazon Young Adult LGBTQ+ Fiction Best Seller. And it made top-10 in #YAthriller #YAsuspense and top-20 in #YAhorror. Set during the Satanic Panic, my YA debut follows the new girl in town (Audre) as her new friend/crush disappears and the deeply religious townspeople blame demons...and then Audre's family. Only Audre can get her dad out of jail and find our missing girl. #YAqueerfiction #LGBTQIAfiction
COVER REVEAL! I'm thrilled to reveal the cover fo COVER REVEAL! I'm thrilled to reveal the cover for AND THE TREES STARE BACK. Thank you to the incredible @evangelinegallagher for such stunning art! Available for pre-order now and out in May! Book description: 1989, Soviet Estonia. In sixteen-year-old Vik’s village—and the cursed forest that looms beyond—danger is everywhere. Soldiers threaten those who so much as dream of dissent. The villagers’ words are sharp with accusations of witchcraft. And deep in the heart of the wood, a lantern-eyed spirit lies in wait to disappear those who wander too far past the trees. Vik knows because five years ago, she led her little sister Anna over that invisible line—and never saw her again. The only thing Vik has wished for since then is her sister’s safe return. So when Anna stumbles back through the tree line on the anniversary of her disappearance, it’s a miracle… Or is it a lie? As unsettling inconsistencies between this girl and the one who vanished reveal themselves, Vik starts to doubt whether this Anna is her Anna—or something else entirely. Whoever she is, one thing is clear: she was never meant to escape the trees. And unless Vik can uncover the secrets of the forest, it’s going to take her back. Rooted in real history with a speculative twist, the horrors of And The Trees Stare Back are the ones we already know: existing as a marginalized person under a hostile state. Raising powerful questions about whose humanity counts and how to survive if the governing body decides yours doesn't, this politically incisive folk-horror irresistibly explores ever-relevant legacies of activism and solidarity. Enormous thanks to editorial genius @dirty.dishez and queen of all agents @pterlip and the whole team at @holidayhousebks.
I’m so pleased to announce that WE ARE THE BEAST I’m so pleased to announce that WE ARE THE BEASTS is an Amazon Editors’ Pick for Best YA! This means out of ALL the young adult books published in December, my monster story about saving girls made their top 6! I’m so honored. Huge thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me. I couldn’t have gotten here without incredible editor @_aliromig , fab agent @pterlip, and the team at @delacortepress. And special thanks to so many writing friends who have made my publishing journey possible. It’s not possible to list everyone, but know that I adore every single one of you. Just a few of the amazing folks in my corner include @emilyvargabooks, @sarahmughal769, @lanifrank, @lc_milburn, @jessicalewisauthor, @azlouise_writes, @authorsamiellis and @thatchandrafisher.
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