Review: One Smart Cookie by Kym Brunner

One Smart Cookie

By Kym Brunner

Here's a story sure to intrigue readers who fell in love with the worlds built Sarah Dessen and E. Lockhart. It's a (sweet!) bite right out of reality!

Author Kym Brunner's new YA book, Once Smart Cookie, is a refreshing, diverse take on the typical contemporary teenage love story filling bookshelves today. Sixteen-year-old Sophie Dumbrowski pulls readers in immediately with her relatable and often very humorous personality and outlook on life. Her situation consisting of no boyfriend and a best friend whose focus is solely on her new man = one sizzle less summer. 

In Sophie's eyes, she can't take the heat anymore -- and decides to get out of the kitchen. Er, bakery, that is. Living above her mother-owned pastry and coffee shop is just the icing on top of the kolacky. In hopes to appease her spirit-conjuring grandmother and hopefully snap a boyfriend, Sophie makes a deal with the love-seeking spirit, Dola. But when she encounters two boys in one day, Sophie is left to wonder if her luck is finally about to change or if Dola's magic is in full effect. With Gio, a suave, Italian gentleman and Nick, a sexy, polish (!) bad boy, how will Sophie choose?! 

Sophie's use of profanity, sexual reflection and emotional mindset seemed spot on for a female teenager of today. In a world when technology dominates every teenager's life, Brunner made sure to weave in just the right amount of text messaging without it seeming contrived at all. She's a bit on the klutzy side, but any girl who has been in the same situation as Sophie will find her perfectly endearing! Adding Busia, a hardworking, yet loving grandmother and Sophie's scantily dressed mother, adds even more flavor to the story, sure to incite much laughter.

As the summer progresses and Sophie learns to like both guys for different reasons, she is left wondering which path is right. Should she stick with Gio, a sweet guy who is more her type, or stay open minded and continue to see adventurous Nick? Will Dola figure it out for her or is it all up to Sophie? 

Make the decision and pick up this book and you'll be, well, one smart cookie!

Find more information on Kym Brunner!

http://www.kymbrunner.com/

www.facebook.com/kymbrunnerauthor

www.twitter.com/kymbrunner

One Smart Cookie Tour Schedule: http://wp.me/p20ttU-3bV

Day Eleven of NaNoWriMo

Guilty as charged! I was not able to write the past few days, however, I was able to get some more brainstorming and research in, including a mapped out timeline of each chapter, the plot points and any inciting incidents.

I'm continuing to read middle grade novels (one in particular that contains pranks in the book too!) in order to submerge myself in the middle grade novel tone of a male protagonist. Since my first novel is from the viewpoint of an 11-year-old girl, switching gears the second time around has proven to be quite a challenge. But I will admit, I am absolutely LOVING my new story and where it is going!

I am thrilled that the motivation NaNoWriMo provides has been so successful for me these past few days, and cannot wait to see what my novel becomes by the end of the month. I'm even more excited for you all to see it -- one day!

After 540 words, the total is now up to 6,028!

Today's excerpt: "They raised their long green bony hands and pointed their sharp fingernails at me.  I tried to stop and turn around but my back felt as if it were up against a wall, pushing me forward, the heels of my gym shoes screeching along the floor tile as the hallway got smaller and smaller. The sickly stench of burning rubber filled my nostrils..."

Best writing wishes to all!

Day Five of NaNoWriMo

After such an exciting win for the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers last night, my adrenaline has been running ever since! Day Five of NaNoWriMo picked up after an intense ending to Chapter 3.  Chapter 4 begins with some awkwardness and self-doubt. Friendship lines are blurred and morality is questioned.

Here's today's excerpt: I leaned over and picked it up. My fingers burned as the temptation to rip it open coursed through my hand. I coughed loudly and shoved my arm in Ty's direction. "Here, I, uh, I think you dropped this."

An addition of 627 words for Day Five brings the grand total thus far to 5,491.

Please share some of your favorite, exciting or thought-provoking excerpts from your NaNoWriMo works in progress!

Looking forward to hearing everyone's personal journeys!

Day Four of NaNoWriMo

I'm thrilled to say that Day Four of NaNoWriMo was just as successful as the last three days. I completed Chapter 3 and threw a few wrenches into the mix for my main character. Can't make it easy for him, can I?!  The tension is building and the plot is thickening. Concluding the chapter led to an additional 697 words for a total so far of 4,855.

Today's excerpt: Rich stared at me. "Oh. Did I forget to mention that each prank has a catch?" He paused. "Flip it over."

A sharp chill crawled down my spine as I read the words on the back of my card.

Until tomorrow!

OH, and Go Bears!! :)

Day Three of NaNoWriMo

Day Three of NaNoWriMo began with the sun shining; its rays streaming into my room. It was a beautiful fall morning in November. After several days of clouds, rain and cold weather, it was incredibly warming to see clear, blue skies and crisp leaves on the ground. After meeting some friends for brunch and running some errands, I felt in the mood for some baking.

Flipping open my laptop, the kitchen soon became filled with the fragment, delicious smells of sugar cookies. It was an excellent day for writing. Working on Chapter 3, I wrote until I reached 1,006 words and came to a perfect stopping point (for the mere sake of eating dinner).

Today's excerpt: I stopped and stared at my friend. "Before or after we braid each other's hair and paint our nails? He's not our friend, Ty. I'm doing this for the sole purpose of not being on his list of prankees in the foreseeable future."

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is progressing along in their NaNoWriMo journey!

Day Two of NaNoWriMo

There's nothing better than curling up in my city apartment with my computer and a cup of hazelnut coffee to start Day Two of NaNoWriMo. With the scent of my pumpkin candle wafting through the room, I embarked on Chapter Two of my novel.

Today's excerpt: "I felt like I was in one of my zombie video games. Everywhere I looked, aliens stepped out of the shadows, one-by-one cornering me from every direction, until I couldn't fight any longer. Red filled the screen, followed by the chilling words "The End."

How are the rest of you progressing? Did Day Two come easier than yesterday? Has the journey sunk in yet?

Excited to hear everyone's thoughts!

NaNoWriMo 2013 Has Begun!

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) kicked off today and I'm excited to announce that I am an active participant this year! As my first completed middle grade novel seeks an agent, my November will be filled with words, words, and more words. Hence: I am working on my second MG novel. I couldn't be more excited!

For those who are not familiar with the organization, NaNoWriMo is a community dedicated to helping writers start and complete a full-length novel (approx. 50,000 words) by the end of November. For myself, since I'm writing a middle grade novel, my word count will be around 30,000 words or so. The aim for any writer, though, is to ensure you write everyday. And no editing! A useful tip for any writer is to not find yourself married to your first draft words, otherwise it will make it that much harder to edit and kill your darlings.

I can't give too many details on what it's about yet but I will divulge that the viewpoint is from a male protagonist. The working title is: Dexter Fremont and the Blackmail Bailout.

Though I may not submit my writing through the NaNoWriMo website, I have added a word count tracker to my homepage so everyone can follow along in my journey to completing the book.

Each day I will attempt to come on here and paste a line or two from my novel, if not to prove I'm writing, but to entice future readers. :)

Here's todays: "Stop playing dumb, Ty. You know what I'm talking about, and it's not food. We basically just signed a deal with the devil. Actually, devils."

Who else is participating in NaNoWriMo! Please keep me updated on your progress as well! For those who want to follow me on the website, my username is: ksparks54.

Good luck, writers!