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I had a fantastic time at Ad Astra this year! But mostly because of YA author Lesley Livingston’s generosity, and her and Adrienne Kress’ kindness.

My panel on YA fantasy was scheduled at the exact same time as the YA fiction panel that well-known YA fantasy authors Lesley Livingston (Wondrous Strange, Once Every Never), Adrienne Kress (Alex and the Ironic Gentleman, The Friday Society), and also Max Turner (Night Runner, End of Days) were on. And while I’m known in the US, I’m not really well-known in Canada, even though Scars was a GG Finalist, likely because my US publisher (who I love!) did not have good Canadian distribution and the book was hard to find here. And I’m not yet really known for fantasy, since Hunted is a recent release, AND my US publisher has had some changes in their company, so HUNTED didn’t get into US bookstores, and it’s only just come out in Canada from Fitzhenry & Whiteside. And I’ve never been to an Ad Astra conference before, so I knew I probably wouldn’t be known there…at a conference very specific to literary fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal fans.

So I went to my panel–which the fantastic Lena Coakley (Witchlanders)was supposed to be on with me, but unfortunately she was sick and unable to attend–and only a few people in the audience were there. Adi, the organizer, so kindly got a lovely book blogger to sub with me, and I started looking over my notes. And then, in walked Lesley Livingston, a guest of honor at Ad Astra! (Our panels were on the same floor, a room apart.)

Lesley said hi to me, looked around, hugged me, and said that we should combine our panels. I couldn’t believe it! Lesley was so incredibly generous and kind. So off I went with her–into a room so packed some people couldn’t get seats. I had a brief moment of fear, which passed as Lesley and Adrienne were so incredibly welcoming, and the panel became such a lively, fun discussion.

And throughout the panel, both Lesley and Adrienne kept mentioning Scars and how powerful it was, and what a page turner. Adrienne prompted me to tell the audience about the kinds of responses I get from teens (like that Scars have helped readers to know

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Publisher: HarperTeen (December 21, 2010)
Audiobook: 8 hours 39 mins
Narrator: Lesley Livingston
Genre: YA Fantasy
Series: Wondrous Strange #3

From Goodreads.

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.

Review
TEMPESTUOUS, by Lesley Livingston, is the final book in the Wondrous Strange series, and 'WOW' is all I can say. We pick up right after the destruction of the theater. Sonny and Kelley go their separate ways to deal with what just happened.

Livingston pulls out all the stops for this book. It was full of action, suspense, and romantic chemistry will blow your mind. I read Darklight in the early months of last year so the details were a bit hazy, but Livingston solidified the story along the way which was helpful. I loved the continuation of characters from the previous books. Tiff, as Kelley's roommate, is sarcastic and witty and I simply love her to death. Also, Livingston introduced newer characters that gave much insight to the pasts of others.

The Kelley/Sonny dynamic was interesting in this book. I was still torn between Fennrys and Sonny, and it continued that way until the very end. I wanted Kelley and Sonny to be happy together but Livingston didn't make it that easy for her characters.

Like I said, action and adventure created this fantastic book and there is not much to say without ruining the book. Fans of the series will love it, and newbies to the series should definitely read these books in quick succession because they ARE that good!

A note about the audiobook. All of these novels are read by the author, Lesley Livingston. I really enjoyed listening to her throughout the whole book. Being the author, she definitely gives feeling and emphasis certain parts which are important to the book. And I have to say I love her accent for Sonny, so perfect and dreamy for the phenomenal character.