Monday, January 20, 2014

2014 News and Giveaways - My YA Debut Year has begun!!!

It's a New Year! I love the sound of 2014 - even if it freaks me out to think it's already 2014! I remember the big anticipation to be alive for the Big Millenium 2000! And here we are, already 14 years beyond that. Weird! (Plus my birthday this year will be February 14, 2014 and I just like the sound of it - despite my age.)

I also can't believe that 2014 is my Young Adult Debut year! After writing for, um, 2-3 decades, and writing the first draft of FORBIDDEN in 2003 - after years of research, it's finally happening.

FORBIDDEN was originally called "Secret Rites of the Goddess" and has been through many configurations, drafts, and rewrites - what else is new? But the heart of the story remains the same: The ancient art of belly dance, goddess temples, tribal warfare, betrothals, murder, blackmail, family, faith, survival, and true love.

Isn't she stunning!


I'm not going to make this a long post this week since I'll be talking about the story of FORBIDDEN, my research, including a research trip a year ago in February to Jordan and Israel, over this coming year. And I'll post PICTURES!!!

Suffice it to say for now that FORBIDDEN is a story very dear to my heart, a story I continued to believe in despite all the rewriting and more rewriting, and rejections and selling two different times to two different publishers to finally land at Harpercollins in a superb deal with a marvelous editor. The second time it sold was for 10 times the original deal! Mind-boggling.

Here is the official announcement from more than two years ago! Whew, I've had to wait a long time for this book. (It was delayed from publishing in 2013 to 2014 due to personal and publisher circumstances.)

Children's: Young Adult
Kimberley Griffiths Little's GODDESS, pitched as "the YA Red Tent", to Harper Children's, in a significant deal, in a pre-empt, in a three-book deal, for publication in beginning in 2013, by Adams Literary (US).


Don't be fooled by the mention of Harper Children's, this is an upper Young Adult epic historical novel with some difficult, heart-wrenching scenes and will be published under Harpercollins, not HarperTeen, to capture the adult cross-over market as well. *big smile*

Here's the unofficial synopsis:

"FORBIDDEN is a sweepingly epic and sensuous novel, a story of peer pressure and cults set against the ancient art of belly dance, in which 16-year-old Jayden’s faith and character is tested to their limits, even death, as she watches her family and the world around her fall apart.

Betrothed to the tribal leader's son, Jayden is blackmailed over the murder of their beloved leader when he is found poisoned, all while hiding her forbidden love of Kadesh, a stranger from the secret frankincense lands.

The Goddess temples of Ashtoreth may be Jayden’s only escape, even though the allure of the sexual rites tempt the women of the desert to turn their back on everything they hold sacred.

Jayden must undertake a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself."


To celebrate this momentous year every single month of 2014 I'll be giving away Middle Eastern earrings, luscious belly dance scarves, and a YA novel of *your* choice!  Like the items in this picture! 



Yes, every single month during 2014 I'll give away a pair of gorgeous earrings, a beautiful scarf to make you feel like the luscious woman/girl you are, and a hardcover YA novel of your choice. Awesome, huh? I'm excited!

And if you don't want to miss any news as it happens for any of my books with Scholastic, Spellbound Books, or Harpercollins, please go here to sign up for my brand new newsletter launching in February! Sign-Up for Kimberley's Newsletter

Click here to *Add* FORBIDDEN to your Want-To-Read List on GOODREADS!

I promised this would be short . . . eek! Just leave a comment to enter the Giveaway! Easy-peasy. Extra entries for Newsletter Sign-ups and Goodreads Adds. Of course. Deadline to enter two weeks from today: February 3rd. Winner announced February 4th.

Warmly,
Kimberley

P.S. Coming in the next post: News on my next Middle-Grade novel this summer and other publishing Very Cool Things.

49 comments:

Martina Boone said...

So excited for you! And so looking forward to FORBIDDEN being out in the world. It's going to be a wonderful debut year,

Nikki said...

I am so excited! I can't wait to see you turn those amazing skills to YA!

Anonymous said...

Cant wait for your new book.v pre ordered on amazon. Will get it in august and share with grandkids.

Caroline Starr Rose said...

Woohoo, Kim!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Awesome, Kim! So excited for you. Signed up for your newsletter and added this to my TBR list on Goodreads. Can't wait to read it.

Unknown said...

I'm so happy for you!! I added Forbidden to my TBR list on Goodreads and I signed up for your newsletter.

Theresa Milstein said...

I'm thrilled for you, Kimberley! I've enjoyed your MG books, and I can't wait to read your YA.

Rosalyn said...

This looks terrific! And difficult as I'm sure it was for you, I love the fact that this story has been around for a while and is now emerging triumphant. (Stories like this always give me hope).

Unknown said...

Congrats, I am super excited for you! This is the first I am hearing of the book, but it sounds great and now I truly need it in my hands.

Good luck!

-Jessica Noreault
Shinyxoxmuffins at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

This is so very cool! I can't wait to get my hands on your YA book! And those earrings - Wowza!

Vonna said...

FORBIDDEN sounds thrilling! I am really looking forward to it.

Jenilyn Collings said...

This sounds very cool! I can't wait to read it!!

Anonymous said...

How exciting! And so different from your MG books :). I can't wait to read!

Jessica Powell said...

Sounds great! :)
plastigffantastig@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Congratulations ^_^ Added Forbidden to my TBR list on Goodreads and signed up for your newsletter.

Unknown said...

Forbidden sounds like an amazing book. I can't wait to read it! Added to TBR list on Goodreads and I signed up for the newsletter.

Unknown said...

Hmmm......interesting......

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to read you book! It sounds amazing! Thanks for the awesome gievaway too. I signed up for your newsletter & I shelved Forbidden on Goodreads =) - Danielle D.

Liviania said...

Very cool - sounds like an interesting read.

inbedwithbooks AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, this is lovely! My TBR just gets long and longer every day!

Sam Lowe said...

This looks like an awesome giveaway!

Ellie said...

WOW! FORBBIDEN sounds amazing! Can't wait to read it, and those earrings are so pretty!
Added to my TBR list too! :)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7607861?shelf=to-read

Katerina said...

Oh, I can't wait until this comes out; definitely adding to my to-read shelf!

Unknown said...

This is so exciting! I can't wait to read your book.

Unknown said...

How exciting! I signed up for newsletter and added to goodreads

Unknown said...

How exciting! I signed up for newsletter and added to goodreads

The Magic Violinist said...

Oh, your book sounds awesome! :D And I still can't get over how stunning the These Broken Stars cover is. Amazing!

Unknown said...

Hope everything goes well. Fingers crossed. I can't wait to read your book. I definitely will be making a stop at the closest book store to look for more of your books. You sound amazing.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Annika said...

Cool to hear about such a unique YA novel! Belly-dancing deserves more books!
annikah25 (at) gmail

Jaime G. said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to read your book. Thank you so much for this giveaway!

Ash36 said...

Congrats on your book and thank you for the giveaway. Hope I get to read your book!!

Unknown said...

The book sounds wonderful! I am so excited for you!! :D

Unknown said...

I'm so excited about this giveaway! These books would look great in my class library :)

Unknown said...

I want to read all of these books! And your book sounds great as well! Can't wait to read it!

Kimberley Griffiths Little said...

Dear darling bloggers and friend! Thank you SO much for all the wonderful comments and your enthusiasm and excitement for my books! Thanks for entering the contest, too! Keep spreading the word (and if you do, let me know and you'll get extra entries - next month I'll do a Rafflcopter to keep better track of this, I promise!)

November's release date seems like such a looooong time away, but it's only a bit over 9 months now!

I'm even planning a book tour for this November in the Southern states and perhaps another one in the wintertime. Meanwhile I'll have other titles for you to read while you wait. :-)

Thanks again and keep coming back for each month's giveaway.

Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Forbidden sounds like a great book, I look forward very much to read it.

Unknown said...

Can I just say that I'll definitely be requesting an ARC of Forbidden? It's historical fiction + romance. What more can I ask for? I CAN'T WAIT TO READ IT.

Followed you on GFC and by email :D

Ashley said...

Forbidden sounds awesome! Added it to my goodreads! Thanks for the giveaway :)

Ashley @ The Quiet Concert

Ashley said...

Oh, and subscribed to the newsletter!

Unknown said...

Forbidden sounds so cool, can't wait for it to come out! Really glad I found this blog :) just signed up for the newsletter!

Ash36 said...

I hope I get to read your book soon. I signed up for the newsletter and added your book to my to-read list!!!!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/14333298?shelf=to-read

Unknown said...

Congrats on your upcoming book!! I would love to read it and thanks for the giveaway. I subscribed to your newsletter and added on goodreads.

Unknown said...

Congrats on your upcoming book!! I would love to read it and thanks for the giveaway. I subscribed to your newsletter and added on goodreads.

Unknown said...

This is an amazing giveaway!!! Ahhh Can't wait!

TNneedzYOU said...

i'm so excited for Forbidden!! congratulations!

Kim Barra said...

Happy February! Now it's officially "9 months" till the release of Forbidden... I find that poetic! Have been eagerly awaiting that, and also the Fireflies book (still on track for this spring/summer?)
And is your b'day really on Valentine's Day? How lovely!

LoisB said...

So excited for you, Kim!

Megan said...

This is super awesome! Congrats! I can't wait to read this. I've added it to my goodreads TBR pile. Thank you for the giveaway and congrats again! :)

meganblackwell95 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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