Amber Smith's Blog
January 3, 2022
New Year, New Book! (Code Name: Serendipity + Giveaway details)
Hello Readers!
Wow, 2021 was rough, am I right? But 2022 is finally here...and I am celebrating with a new book! It's called Code Name: Serendipity, my debut middle-grade novel.
If any of you follow me on social, you know I have a weakness/passion/calling to help animals, evidenced by my SEVEN rescues (two dogs, five cats).
So, to all my fellow dog lovers...this book is for you.
It tells the story of eleven-year-old Sadie, a lonely misfit whose life seems to be going all wrong lately. That is until she meets a stray dog and realizes that they have a very special connection: they can communicate telepathically! Sadie sets out on a mission to rescue the dog, but in the process, she might just rescue herself too.
It's pretty different from my young adult books; it's more lighthearted (something I needed while writing this book throughout the course of 2020), yet it still touches on my favorite themes: family, friendship, and the challenges of growing up.
I hope you'll love reading it as much as I loved writing it! It comes out tomorrow (1/4/22).
Sign up for my newsletter to find out how you can win a free, personalized copy: Subscribe Here.
Happy New Year everyone, and, as always, thanks for reading.
with lotsa love,
Amber
Wow, 2021 was rough, am I right? But 2022 is finally here...and I am celebrating with a new book! It's called Code Name: Serendipity, my debut middle-grade novel.
If any of you follow me on social, you know I have a weakness/passion/calling to help animals, evidenced by my SEVEN rescues (two dogs, five cats).
So, to all my fellow dog lovers...this book is for you.
It tells the story of eleven-year-old Sadie, a lonely misfit whose life seems to be going all wrong lately. That is until she meets a stray dog and realizes that they have a very special connection: they can communicate telepathically! Sadie sets out on a mission to rescue the dog, but in the process, she might just rescue herself too.
It's pretty different from my young adult books; it's more lighthearted (something I needed while writing this book throughout the course of 2020), yet it still touches on my favorite themes: family, friendship, and the challenges of growing up.
I hope you'll love reading it as much as I loved writing it! It comes out tomorrow (1/4/22).
Sign up for my newsletter to find out how you can win a free, personalized copy: Subscribe Here.
Happy New Year everyone, and, as always, thanks for reading.
with lotsa love,
Amber
May 3, 2019
🌟Something Like Gravity GIVEAWAY!🌟
Hello Bookies!
I can't believe it but my new book, Something Like Gravity comes out in just over 6 weeks!
📚📚📚
This book has my whole heart in its pages. There’s love and art and science...and a dog (all of my favorite things). It is about falling in love for the first time, and finding yourself in the process.
🌈 🔭 📸
It’s told from the alternating POVs of Chris and Maia. Chris has recently come out as trans, and Maia is grieving the loss of her older sister. Their worlds are so different, but they’re both grappling with the changing landscapes of their lives and are trying to figure out who they are going to become. Their story is about how finding the right person at the right time can be the thing that saves us.
💙💙💙
I can’t wait for you all to meet Chris and Maia!
Oh, and while you're there, don't forget to ADD Something Like Gravity to your TBR!
AND just one more thing...
As always, thank you for reading!
Love, 💙
Amber
(and Chris & Maia)
I can't believe it but my new book, Something Like Gravity comes out in just over 6 weeks!
📚📚📚
This book has my whole heart in its pages. There’s love and art and science...and a dog (all of my favorite things). It is about falling in love for the first time, and finding yourself in the process.
🌈 🔭 📸
It’s told from the alternating POVs of Chris and Maia. Chris has recently come out as trans, and Maia is grieving the loss of her older sister. Their worlds are so different, but they’re both grappling with the changing landscapes of their lives and are trying to figure out who they are going to become. Their story is about how finding the right person at the right time can be the thing that saves us.
💙💙💙
I can’t wait for you all to meet Chris and Maia!
🌟🌟🌟GIVEAWAY🌟🌟🌟
Did you all see that there is currently a SOMETHING LIKE GRAVITY giveaway happening right now?
Simon & Schuster is giving away 50 copies of my new YA novel, Something Like Gravity! (Yes, you heard that right! Fifty. Five. Zero.) Don't worry, there is still one week left to enter -- just click on the link below:
Click HERE to SIGN UP for the SOMETHING LIKE GRAVITY giveaway!
Oh, and while you're there, don't forget to ADD Something Like Gravity to your TBR!
AND just one more thing...
🌟BONUS SWAG GIVEAWAY🌟
If you're NOT one of the lucky winners of this goodreads giveaway, NO WORRIES -- I've gotcha covered!
I am running a special pre-order swag giveaway that will include lots of fun stuff (think: stickers, bookmarks, buttons/pins, signed bookplates and more). If you'd like a special pre-order swag bag, all you have to do is pre-order you copy and then email me your receipt at ambersmithauthor(at)gmail(dot)com and I'll send you your loot! PRE-ORDER HERE
As always, thank you for reading!
Love, 💙
Amber
(and Chris & Maia)
November 20, 2018
HuffPost Reveals Cover of Something Like Gravity
Hello, fellow book lovers!
I have some exciting news to share about my new book,
Something Like Gravity
(out next summer from S&S). The cover was revealed in a fantastic article on HuffPost earlier this month. I'd love to hear what you guys think about the cover and the article - let me know in the comments!
Here's an excerpt:
Click here to check out the SLG Cover Reveal on HuffPost Queer Voices!
And...don't forget to add Something Like Gravity to your TBR!
Until next time...
xo, Amber
I have some exciting news to share about my new book,
Something Like Gravity
(out next summer from S&S). The cover was revealed in a fantastic article on HuffPost earlier this month. I'd love to hear what you guys think about the cover and the article - let me know in the comments! Here's an excerpt:
"Personal trauma and mutual soul searching brings a unique couple together in Something Like Gravity, author Amber Smith’s forthcoming young adult novel.... The story takes place over the course of a single summer, and follows Maia, a cisgender girl grieving the loss of her older sister, and Chris, a boy who has recently come out as transgender. Both characters find a kindred spirit in the other, as both are trying to find their place in the world following a life-changing experience."
Click here to check out the SLG Cover Reveal on HuffPost Queer Voices!
And...don't forget to add Something Like Gravity to your TBR!
Until next time...
xo, Amber
October 29, 2018
🍁OCTOBER GIVEAWAY 🍂
October is my favorite month—it has Halloween, my birthday, and...it’s also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. My latest book, The Last to Let Go tells the story of a girl named Brooke whose life has been turned upside down by domestic violence—the book follows Brooke through one tumultuous, life-changing year, as she struggles to keep her family together.
Since we only have a couple of days left in October I’m giving away 2 copies of THE LAST TO LET GO—your choice of hardcover 📖 or audiobook (CD or download) 🎵; on each of my social media accounts.
To Enter, follow the links below:
Make sure to enter by 10/31, and I’ll randomly select all 6 winners on 11/1! Good luck! 🎃
January 2, 2018
**Giveaway Alert**
As we say goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018, I have some exciting news to share! My new novel,
The Last to Let Go
will be released on February 6th!!! (I know, that's really soon).
The Last to Let Go is a story that I hold so very close to my heart. In some ways, it's similar to my first book, The Way I Used to Be, but in other ways it's very different. And that's why I'm super excited (and equally terrified) for it to be out in the world in just a few weeks! :)
Told over the course of one year in the life of high school junior, Brooke Winters, TLTLG is about the deep and lasting wounds of domestic violence. But it's also about the bonds of siblings, about loss, grief, and love. It's about finding oneself against all odds. And it's about learning when to hold on and when to let go.
Here are a few things that early reviewers have had to say:
* “Smith’s deeply felt sophomore effort (following The Way I Used to Be, 2016) explores the rippling effects of domestic violence and its ability to carry through generations . . . Vivid characterizations of the extended family Brooke gets to know, along with others who people her first year on her own, bring the story to life.”
– Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
* “Smith illustrates the unraveling of a complex web of abuse . . . realistic and heartbreaking . . . The Last to Let Go shows the cycle [of abuse] in every heart-wrenching detail, making the reader much more aware.”
– VOYA (STARRED REVIEW)
“Smith will take readers’ breaths away with every vivid sentence of her sophomore novel . . . Smith boldly explores this very serious, very real topic through beautiful, captivating prose.”
– RT Book Reviews (TOP PICK)
“A well-crafted and honest look at family issues and a good pick for fans of Sara Zarr and Laurie Halse Anderson. Highly recommended.”
– School Library Journal
“Smith takes up domestic violence and its far-reaching consequences in this empathetic novel . . . But Smith never sugarcoats Brooke’s life; she’s forced to make peace with her new reality, one that readers must accept alongside her in this difficult, honest novel.”
– Publishers Weekly
“Complex and nuanced.”
– B&N Teen Blog
Well, I cannot wait for you all to meet Brooke, so I wanted to make sure you know about the GIVEAWAY that's happening now through January 23rd!
Click Here For A Chance to Win! (25 copies available/U.S. only).
That's all for now! I'm wishing everyone a wonderful 2018 that's filled with lots of joy! And as always, thanks so much for reading!
Love, Amber
The Last to Let Go is a story that I hold so very close to my heart. In some ways, it's similar to my first book, The Way I Used to Be, but in other ways it's very different. And that's why I'm super excited (and equally terrified) for it to be out in the world in just a few weeks! :)
Told over the course of one year in the life of high school junior, Brooke Winters, TLTLG is about the deep and lasting wounds of domestic violence. But it's also about the bonds of siblings, about loss, grief, and love. It's about finding oneself against all odds. And it's about learning when to hold on and when to let go.
Here are a few things that early reviewers have had to say:
* “Smith’s deeply felt sophomore effort (following The Way I Used to Be, 2016) explores the rippling effects of domestic violence and its ability to carry through generations . . . Vivid characterizations of the extended family Brooke gets to know, along with others who people her first year on her own, bring the story to life.”
– Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
* “Smith illustrates the unraveling of a complex web of abuse . . . realistic and heartbreaking . . . The Last to Let Go shows the cycle [of abuse] in every heart-wrenching detail, making the reader much more aware.”
– VOYA (STARRED REVIEW)
“Smith will take readers’ breaths away with every vivid sentence of her sophomore novel . . . Smith boldly explores this very serious, very real topic through beautiful, captivating prose.”
– RT Book Reviews (TOP PICK)
“A well-crafted and honest look at family issues and a good pick for fans of Sara Zarr and Laurie Halse Anderson. Highly recommended.”
– School Library Journal
“Smith takes up domestic violence and its far-reaching consequences in this empathetic novel . . . But Smith never sugarcoats Brooke’s life; she’s forced to make peace with her new reality, one that readers must accept alongside her in this difficult, honest novel.”
– Publishers Weekly
“Complex and nuanced.”
– B&N Teen Blog
Well, I cannot wait for you all to meet Brooke, so I wanted to make sure you know about the GIVEAWAY that's happening now through January 23rd!
Click Here For A Chance to Win! (25 copies available/U.S. only).
That's all for now! I'm wishing everyone a wonderful 2018 that's filled with lots of joy! And as always, thanks so much for reading!
Love, Amber
March 4, 2017
Giving Back
Hi there & welcome to my first ever blog post!
I have a PSA to share about my novel, The Way I Used to Be!
If you haven't picked up your copy of TWIUTB yet, now is a great time because the paperback edition comes out in just a few days (March 7th)!
And...if you buy it in the month of March, then you'll be helping to give back to a very worthy cause - RAINN (the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. In April, I'll be donating a portion of my author proceeds from March paperback sales to RAINN, in honor of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (which is April, every year).
TWIUTB deals with sexual assault and one girl's struggle to find her voice and her strength in its aftermath. This is a story that is not only very personal to me, but one that is a reality for far too many young people, and that's why I feel so strongly about giving back to this organization that brings so much help, support, justice, and hope to millions of survivors.
Check out the link below to an article in Bustle on TWIUTB and more books that are giving back: These 7 Books Give Back to Charity, So You Won't Feel Guilty About Buying Them.
As always, thank you for reading! Until next time...
xo, Amber
I have a PSA to share about my novel, The Way I Used to Be!
If you haven't picked up your copy of TWIUTB yet, now is a great time because the paperback edition comes out in just a few days (March 7th)!
And...if you buy it in the month of March, then you'll be helping to give back to a very worthy cause - RAINN (the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. In April, I'll be donating a portion of my author proceeds from March paperback sales to RAINN, in honor of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (which is April, every year).TWIUTB deals with sexual assault and one girl's struggle to find her voice and her strength in its aftermath. This is a story that is not only very personal to me, but one that is a reality for far too many young people, and that's why I feel so strongly about giving back to this organization that brings so much help, support, justice, and hope to millions of survivors.
Check out the link below to an article in Bustle on TWIUTB and more books that are giving back: These 7 Books Give Back to Charity, So You Won't Feel Guilty About Buying Them.
As always, thank you for reading! Until next time...
xo, Amber
