I adore this book and all the things that come with it. The cover. The story. The concepts. The characters. And, the author. So, welcome to my stop on the tour! 🙂
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– The Book –

Synopsis: Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.
BUY A COPY! Do it! Do it!
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– The Author –
Elizabeth Norris briefly taught high school English and history before trading the southern California beaches and sunshine for Manhattan’s recent snowpocalyptic winter.
She harbors dangerous addictions to guacamole, red velvet cupcakes, sushi, and Argo Tea, fortunately not all together.
Her first novel, UNRAVELING (Balzer+Bray, April 2012), is the story of one girl’s fight to save her family, her world, and the one boy she never saw coming.
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– Q and A With the lovely Janelle and Ben –
Janelle / Ben:I’m a huge music girl! What kind of music do you both listen to? Any songs on your playlist you’d want to share with us?
J: I’m pretty eclectic. I listen to everything from Faith Hill to Eminem–and I really love bands with a kickass frontwoman like Paramore and Evanescence. But then I also listen to artists that are sort of embarrassing like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. I like how upbeat some of their songs are. “Stay” by Miley Cyrus makes me think of Ben.
Shortie Says: I love Paramore and Evanescence toooo! I’ve totes have Demi on playlist too! Who doesn’t?!
B: This is where we might differ. I’m not exactly a big pop fan. I tend to go for bands that are a little less mainstream that have lyrics that really mean something. My favorite band is Tool.
Shortie Says: But, ah, I have to go with Ben on this one. I love less mainstream bands as well. Emo/Alternative is my favorite.
Ben: What’s your favorite thing about Janelle? Other than her saving you of course.
B: She’s smart and independent. When there’s an obstacle in her way, even if it’s something like saving the world, she tackles it head on. At the same time, she takes care of everyone, her friends, family, and even strangers. I’m not the only person she’s saved.
Janelle: You seem to be all about saving people, in a kick-ass way of course, and we know you can wield a gun. Would you ever kill someone?
J: I hope not. Or at least, I hope I’ll never be in a position where I feel like I have to. I believe in our justice system. But at the same time I wouldn’t stand by if someone was hurting the people I care about. I would want to do whatever it took to keep them safe.
Shortie Says: Yeah…. not sure if I could ever kill anyone.
Janelle: Having an FBI dad and friend… any cool FBI secret/tricks you can tell us?
J: Struz would say it’s not as exciting as it looks. There’s a lot of paperwork involved, and he’s pretty disorganized so that’s his least favorite part of the job.
Ben: Seems like you might be a semi-nerd, I mean that in the BEST way… I mean you’re a hot nerd. But other than hacking into computers, what’s your favorite books (other than Our Mutual Friend)?
B: I am a nerd, it’s true. I like the escapism aspect to books which means I’m up to read anything. Any kind of good story that can suck me in is awesome. I’ve read a lot of classics, but I’m also a big Stephen King fan. The Stand is one of the coolest books I’ve ever read.
Ben: I have to know… boxers or briefs?
B: I, ah, wear the boxer briefs. They’re good.
Shortie Says: Yeah….. I bet they’re good. *gives eyebrow wiggle* 😉
Janelle: So, um, this might be kind of awkward but is Taylor Barclay hot? I mean for myself… I might have a slight thing for him (and your man Ben, but I’m not trying to start anything!).
J: He’s kind of a jerk, but other than that, he’s not bad looking or anything. I mean, actually I guess if we’re going just looks alone, Barclay is kind of hot–his personality just ruins it a little for me.
Shortie Says: I can see that… But I think there’s a heart in there somewhere. I’ll find it. Just you wait!
Janelle: How do you deal with being “the mom” of the house? A lot of us struggle with things like these, any coping mechanisms?
J: The big one is reading–some good escapism always makes me feel a little better. And of course Alex helps too. Having a best friend who just wants to get away from his mom and his house means I can always get him to come over and help me get things done or just listen to me vent about what I have going on.
Ben: I love the smell of gasoline. I like your shaggy hair. And your big heart. Would you bring me a burrito from the west coast?! Pretty please!
B: Yeah, what kind is your favorite?
Shortie Says: EEEK! Steak! Steak burritos! I love them! Aw you the best. I’ll be waiting! 🙂
Ben: Why did you wait so long to take a chance on Janelle? Why not live in the moment if it’s something you wanted to much? And, is there anything you wouldn’t do for Janelle?
B: I don’t know. She’s asked me that too. There were plenty of times I saw her and thought I’d go talk to her, but I’d always either chicken out or . . . I don’t know. And there have been a lot of times that I thought she’d be better off without me. We’re from different worlds and I’ve ended up causing her a lot of trouble.
J: It was worth it.
B: I probably wouldn’t listen to Miley Cyrus for her, at least not without complaining, but everything else.
Janelle: From what Kate did to you, why didn’t you just punch her when you had the chance? I think I so would have! HA!
J: It took me a little while to believe it actually happened. We were so close–when we were kids, we did everything together. Growing apart from your best friend is so tough and I grieved for our friendship. I went through denial and depression, and then I got angry. But punching her probably wouldn’t have helped…much. I just wanted her to tell me she was sorry and explain why she did what she did.
Shortie Says: …I still think she deserved a hit, maybe a little one.
Janelle / Ben: Anything else either of you would like to tell us? Secrets?! Jokes?!
J: Ben doesn’t like animals.
Shortie Says: O_O
B: Wow. That makes me look like a monster. It’s not that I don’t like animals, I just don’t think people should own them. They should roam free.
Shortie Says: Okay I totally agree. Aw Ben yous a sweeeetheart! But, I have so many pets and I love them with all my heart. Can’t imagine my life with out them. ANY WHO, thank you for stopping by you two! I will be stalking you in the future ;).
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– My Review –
Excuse my language for a second… But holy hell, that was effing brilliant. I cannot contain the emotions pouring out of me because of how amazing Unraveling was. Unraveling is intense, gut-wrenching, consuming and all around exceptional. One of the best debuts I’ve read yet, hands down.
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– Giveaway –
Because I love this book SO hard. I’ll be giving away a copy to one lucky winner! eBook or Hard copy which ever you’d like to choose! 🙂
– International
Good luck! 🙂
/*{literal}{/literal}*/ a Rafflecopter giveaway<a href=”http://rafl.es/enable-js”>You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.
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Really good post/interview!! I haven't read Unraveling yet, but it's one I really want to read as I love these kind of paranormal/afterlife/brought-back stories :)Thank you for the nice giveaway!!
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LOVE the interview 😀 I have not read this book yet. But I really, really want to 😀 *Fingers crossed.* ❤ Would love a hardcover of it 🙂 Thank you for this giveaway :)Love, Carina
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Great interview! I didn't know that you liked Emo/Underground. I can't wait to read this book, thanks for the great giveaway! 😀
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I haven't read the interview but I'm really eager to read it! It sounds amazing! And the interview was cuuuttee! 🙂
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I've heard SO many good things about this book! What an interesting interview. Thanks for the giveaway! 😀
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Yesss, of course I loved the interview! Eep, shout out to Paramore and Evanescene and omg, boxer briefs! LMAO, thanks for the giveaway, Jena!
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I'm so looking forward to reading this book! oooh.. Ben. 😀
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I 've not read this book but it looks pretty interesting 🙂
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thank you! and DEF read it soon 🙂
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hahha welcome<3 luffff you
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Thanks for the interview! 🙂 I haven't read Unraveling yet but based on the grrat reviews I read I'm sure I'll love it.
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Great interview! I love that Ben called himself a nerd. 🙂 I haven't read it yet but I am sure from all the lovely reviews that I will love it!
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I have read Unraveling and I loved it so much! Definitely one of my top books of 2012 so far! 🙂 Great interview, too! 😀
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One of my favorites too!!! 🙂
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Thank you! And you will! You will!
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Nope, I haven't read this book but I can not wait to read because of you and your review! 🙂 Hot nerd, I like that 😉 and the boxers or briefs Q hahaha I love less mainstream bands *high fives*
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Haha thank you! And yes… Ben is a super hot nerd that I love.
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I haven't read Unraveliing yet but would love to! And it looks like it's going to be great! Great interview! And of course thanks for thegiveaway! =D
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Umm, of course I like the interview. But no, I haven't read it yet. But I REALLY DO!
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I haven't read this one yet!!! But it's definitely on my wishlist. The reviews have just been stellar. Ben sounds just like a hot nerd.
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It's amazing! I ❤ this book so hard.
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You're so welcome!!! 🙂
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I really enjoyed the post! No, I haven't read this one yet, but it sounds so good, I plan to read it soon.mom1248(at)att(dot)net
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Heh glad to hear it! 🙂
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I have not read UNRAVELING yet, but I must & soon. A great interview thank you.
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I haven't read UNRAVELING, but I am DYING to!!!! The interview's awesome. I love Ben already. 😉 NERDS FTW! Haha, anyway, thanks for the giveaway, Jena!! 😀
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I haven't read Unraveling yet, but it sounds amazing and I don't think I've ever heard a bad review about this (yours included) so it's definitely something I'm excited too read. BTW, I loved the interview; so quirky and funny!
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I haven't read Unraveling but would love to read it soon because I liked the blurb and have read alot of reviews praising the book…Loved the interview it was fun… 🙂
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I really like reading character interviews, they are so fun. And I agree with you, this book was amazing and I loved it!
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I haven't read Unraveling, only because my public library is understocked in this book and there are like a trillion holds on this book. I didn't want to buy it without reading it though. But thanks for the interview! I probably wouldn't listen to Miley Cyrus for anyone either! :DAlyssa Susanna
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Thanks for the interview! Unfortunately I haven't read Unraveling, but I really want to now! 🙂
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Really looking forward to reading this 🙂
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I love that Janelle listens to Demi Lovato! Haha! Anyhow, I'm so excited for Unraveling. I've heard so many great things about it. Thank you for the chance to win. 🙂
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super exited for this!!!! The book sounds awesome! Can't wait to read it! I agreed with Ben, I like lyrics that mean something (when it comes about music)
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Awesome interview! I love Paramore as well. :)I haven't read Unraveling yet, but I've seen lots of great things about it so I'm really looking forward to reading it.Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
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Great interview :)I've heard a lot of good stuff about this book 🙂
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This interview was great!!! Although I have not read the book, I would love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway!!!!
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I loved your post! I haven't read this yet, but I hope to soon! Thanks for the giveaway!
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I haven’t red the book yet but I think it’s quite nice to read since I am a book lover! Nice blog by the way.
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Jena, I am so SO happy to hear that you loved this books so much, and thank you for the fantastic interview. You asked some really great questions! I love stopping by your blog and checking out your posts, and although I didn't have time to comment much these days, I want you to know that I love everything you do on here and am *in a creepy voice* always watching you *end of creepy voice*.You're one awesome chick! 😀 Evie @Bookish
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