Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: August 15, 2014
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Leigh Baxton just wants to pick up the pieces of her life—if you could call it that—but someone keeps resurrecting the dead. These new zombies have a knack for spilling Leigh’s precious blood, something she was warned about by a certain pair of undead sorceresses.
Desperate to find out why they’re here so Leigh can put the nightmares behind her, she must learn more about the gifts she carries. With Tram’s training sessions and clues from her mom’s past, Leigh begins to piece together what she’s capable of.
Too bad there isn't a Cliff’s Notes version to saving the world.
The zombies have teamed up with followers of the darkest sorceress who ever lived, and they’ll play a wicked game until she’s freed from her prison inside the earth. When the battle to the death begins, Leigh must rely on friends, crushes, and even her enemies to win the war, but not the grave.
What Gifts She Carried is the second book in The Grave Winner series by Lindsey R. Loucks. This is one of those books where you have to read the first book before you read this one. You will be completely lost otherwise. In fact, I really should have re-read the first one again before starting this one. It's been a while, and I found myself getting a little lost because of things I'd forgotten. This is a pretty unique series. Sure you have zombies in it(not that I mind), but you also have Trammelors and Sorceresses and this crazy story line that kept me guessing. The story goes in directions I never saw coming. This author is brave. The characters aren't safe. None of them. What?! It's true. There's hardly a dull moment through the whole thing. The Grave Winner Series adds a good, healthy dose of uniqueness to the Young Adult genre.
The ARC of What Gifts She Carried by Lindsey R. Loucks was kindly provided to me by Dark World Books for review. The opinions are my own.
Lindsey R. Loucks works as a school librarian in rural Kansas. When she's not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she's dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she'll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to reenergize.
She's been with her significant other for almost two decades.
To learn more about Lindsey R. Loucks and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was about eight years old. My parents bought me a desk for a present, and I was so excited, I immediately sat down at it and wrote a story about a girl having a very bad day. Not exactly literary gold, but I’ve been writing ever since!
What inspired you to write The Grave Winner?
When I was nearly finished writing my very first novel, a YA science fiction book, the title The Grave Winner leaped into my head. I thought to myself: Why would anyone want to win a grave? Is it a good thing to win a grave? Soon, my main character Leigh shouted a definitive “No!” and began to tell me her story.
When you first started writing The Grave Winner, did you plan for it to be a series?
Yes, and I’m glad I did. I love spending time with all the characters and watching them change and evolve.
After writing The Grave Winner, was it more challenging to write What Gifts She Carried?
Yes, it was! Leigh stopped talking to me for months after I finished TGW, and I can’t really blame her since she had to relive her nightmare while she told me her story. Gradually, she began speaking to me again, and I transcribed as fast as I could!
Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Leigh’s best friend Jo. She’s definitely her own person and has no interest in hiding her quirky personality from judgement. I embrace all that makes me different, too.
What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
I want to travel into outer space. Like really, really bad.
If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
The main character would be a little quiet and a bit of a loner, and only a small, close-knit group of friends would know what she was really like: a mashed potato-loving girl who’s funny and has a wild and crazy streak ten miles wide.
What book have you read too many times to count?
The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone and Mike Smolin. Classic!
What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Put your butt in the chair and write. Honestly, that’s the only way it’s going to happen.
If you could hop into the life of any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Katniss at the end of Mockingjay. Because Peeta. *sigh*
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The most surprising thing I learned was that I have zero control over my characters! They just do what they want when they want. All.The.Time.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love to read and watch television and movies. I’m also a big fan of watching my cat sleep, which isn’t creepy at all because he’s not human.
Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
I’m constantly taking real life things and putting them into my books, from little stuff like random observations I’ve made about broccoli or whatever, to the big things.
Check our my review of The Grave Winner!
She's been with her significant other for almost two decades.
Thank you so much for the review and for being a tour host!
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