Look what just landed on my doorstep! Lots of lovely Passion Blue ARCs. As much as I embrace the digital revolution that’s transforming the publishing world seemingly by the day, I feel sad for authors of the future whose books may never appear in physical form. There really is nothing like the thrill of holding your book in your hands for the first time. This is my eighth time around, and it never gets old! If you review YA fiction, please contact me to request a copy (publication date is November 6, 2012). Please include your contact information in your email (it won’t be shared, and you won’t be added to any lists) and tell me something about your blog or review publication. I’m also going to be organizing Goodreads giveaways through the summer and fall–check back here, or watch my Facebook page and Twitterstream, for details. Passion Blue: a…

******************************************** The giveaway is closed. Congratulations to the winners: Catherine Stine of New York City, and Brian Bedard of Brockford, MA. ********************************************* I’m proud and thrilled to reveal the gorgeous final cover for Passion Blue! (Click on the image for a larger view. For info about the book, plus reviews and excerpts, click here.) I’m incredibly pleased with the way it came out. Historical novels for teens often have bland, predicable covers that announce  “I’m a historical novel and I’m going to teach you something,” and I hate those interchangeable big-dress  covers you see so often in adult historical fiction, where the models have their backs turned or half their faces missing. But I think the designer, Sonia Chaghatzbanian, did a fabulous job of suggesting the period without pigeonholing the genre. The photo model has a perfect face for Giulia, my heroine–not exactly pretty, but strong, striking, and determined. I love…