Have you ever wanted to go back and change one moment in time?

Have you ever wondered how things would be different if just one instant of your life could be edited?

Kyle does.

But life isn't a director's cut of a DVD, and some things will never change.

No matter how many times Kyle re-writes the scene, he can't get it right. He tries it in the style of Hitchcock, Tarantino, Lynch -- all his favorite directors -- but regardless of the style, he can't remember what happened that day in the shed. The day that Jason died. And until he can, there's one question that keeps haunting Kyle: Did he kill his best friend on purpose?

FREEZE FRAME, the YA novel by Heidi Ayarbe, will be released October 7, 2008 by Laura Geringer Books (HarperTeen). Jacket design by the incredibly talented Carla Weise -- art director at HarperCollins Children's Books.

Pre-order FREEZE FRAME from Amazon today!!

It's obvious that I have not posted contest rules and regulations for the super Director's Cut ARC contest. I will still do the contest, but when I figure out something fun, quirky, and worth my readers' time! That said, after grossly neglecting my Website, I do have some news and events:

REVIEWS:

The first reviews are trickling in! Nailbiting, nerve-wracking, and absolutely exciting. (Like back in my nerd days when I wanted to see the results of my math tests. Okay. Once a nerd, always a nerd.) Anyway, check out the reviews on YALSA, the BookMuncher, Reader Reviews by Kids, and Ellen Hopkins' gracious promo of my book in her interview with Teen Libris. There's another review up on the Carson City Library Website.

I got my first starred review by VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) in their December 2008 issue. 4Q (4 Quality means, in VOYA's words, "Better than most, marred by occasional lapses." 5P (5 Popularity: "Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday.") I'm thrilled!

MY FIRST BOOK LAUNCH EVENT:

The Carson City librarians got together and organized a phenomenal launch party at COMMA COFFEE on Thursday, October 9th. It was the second time I had read from FREEZE FRAME in public and, of course, was incredibly nervous! At the signing, we raffled off four "director's cut" ARCs. (I TOLD you I'd get that done!)

And in Pereira, Colombia, on March 4th, The Centro Colombo Americano invited me to speak and celebrate a symbolic launch of FREEZE FRAME.

INTERVIEWS AND COOL STUFF LIKE THAT:

Dave Morgan from 18 News: Carson City came by and interviewed me today in my parents' backyard. He's a local newsman who covers everything from Yucca Mountain to new and upcoming authors (that's me!). Click into his Website, News Carson City, to check out the interview.

The 5 Randoms interviewed me for their blog -- an amazing group of accomplished writers, so I was thrilled to be part of their Blog for a day! Check it out.

And I spent some time with Teri Vance from the Nevada Appeal, which was cool since I used to deliver the appeal back in 1984-1985. It's amazing how life comes around full circle!

I was invited to virtually attend The Melindas as Kyle, Mr. Cordoba and I were all nominated for awards. The award-winning Eva Perry Public Library Mock Printz Club (just recognized with YALSA's MAE Award for Best Teen Literature Program) along with the NC State University Young Adult Literature graduate class held their awards ceremony February 23. Kyle, nominated for best lead main character and Cordoba for best supporting character in a novel lost out to worthy opponents. (Of course I'm supposed to say that. I'm being gracious, right?) But I was absolutely thrilled to win best up-and-coming YA author.

BOOK #2:

I'm deep into my revisions for novel #2, now tentatively titled THE MILLION STAR HOTEL. But, as with FREEZE FRAME, I'm sure we'll go through several more titles. It's due out summer of 2010 with Balzer and Bray Books. And I'm effectively procrastinating on revisions by updating this Website. Bravo.

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