Review: Letters to Nowhere by Julie Cross (+ Interview & Giveaway)

Author: Julie Cross
Page Count: 360 pages, eBook
Date Published: August 1st 2013
Find it on Goodreads: Letters to Nowhere
Source: Copy for review for tour from author

From the International Bestselling Author of the Tempest series
A Mature YA contemporary set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics. Grief, love and pursuing dreams are at the forefront of this emotionally powerful coming-of-age story.
Seventeen year old Karen Campbell has just lost both her parents in a tragic car accident. Grief stricken and alone, her gymnastics coach opens his home to Karen, providing her a place to live while she continues to train, working toward a spot on the world championship team. 
Coach Bentley’s only child, seventeen year old Jordan is good-looking and charming enough to scare away a girl like Karen—someone who has spent ten times more hours on balance beams and uneven bars than talking or even thinking about boys. But the two teens share a special connection almost immediately. It turns out Jordan has a tragic past of his own, grief buried for years. 
As Karen’s gymnastics career soars, her nightmares and visions of the horrible accident grow in strength. She can only avoid facing her grief for so long before it begins to surface and ultimately spin out of control in a very dangerous way. Can discovering love and lust (simultaneously) help with the grieving process or will it only provide a temporary distraction while waiting for reality to hit full force.

I've always been fascinated with the sport of gymnastics, although have never participated in it myself. I was more of a ballet kid, but when the Olympics arrived, I always looked forward to seeing the gymnasts do their thing. When I was contacted to be a part of this tour, I was ecstatic. I adore Cross' series Tempest and jumped on the chance of reading Letters to Nowhere... and I'm so glad I did!

Letters to Nowhere is a book more suitable for older teens as it revolves around some subjects that could be a bit touchy for some people. This book definitely had my heart aching but I absolutely loved it. I found it to be an honest book that didn't need to be all flashy flashy to capture my attention. The characters, the plot, everything just touched my heart and I adored it. The main aspect to this book was Karen's grief over the loss of her parents and then the romance came second. I found that to be refreshing as the romance wasn't overwhelming and there was also the aspect of the sport in the book to keep the story even better. I'd highly recommend this book to contemporary lovers and fans of Julie Cross' work, as well as anyone who is in gymnastics/interested in it!

.5

Excerpt:

My cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I glanced at it, seeing a text from Jordan.

Jordan: So what’s the verdict? Did my dad chew you guys out and send you all back to level 10 or what?

I smiled at the phone and Blair raised her eyebrows.

“Are you texting a boy?”

“No,” I said, “a boy is texting me.”

“Oh my God. This is so crazy.”

ME: Haha . . . actually, now that I’ve experienced the joy of sledding, I’m quitting gymnastics to pursue other missed childhood experiences before moving on to teenage rebellion.

JORDAN: You do realize he would actually kill me? And really? From elite gymnast to heroine addict . . . you’d have your own E True Hollywood Story.

ME: Another plus.

 I live in central Illinois with my wonderful husband and three kids currently between the ages of 7 and 12 (the kids not the husband). My writing journey began in May, 2009 with a short story in a notebook.  Within a year, I had written seven (some good some God-awful) young adult novels. Not being a college graduate and having spent the previous fifteen years teaching gymnastics and working as a YMCA Program Director for Recreational Gymnastics, professional writing wasn't in my plans. Not even close. But ever since the day I started that short story, I haven't been able to stop. It was love at first sight.  After about a year of writing, I had a three book deal with St. Martin's Press, and a film option with Summit Entertainment. Crazy, right? I know. It wasn't until August of 2011 that I quit working full time in order to be at home with my kids more and of course, write more. My young adult time travel debut novel, Tempest, released on January 17, 2012. The rest of my personal story remains unwritten.

Can you tell us a bit about how you got started as an author?

I started writing in May of 2009 and it was mostly for fun. I wrote a YA story that has a similar premise to my now-published novel, TEMPEST. The premise is where the similarities ended. It was not a very good book...lol. But I had a ton of fun writing it. I wrote six more novels between May of 2009 and June of 2010 and each got better and better. The premise of the first novel intrigued and editor who encouraged me to write a new story under that same teen time travel category. He ended up buying the series in June of 2010. 

When writing, do you outline first or do you just write and go where the story takes you?

I usually take off and get my self 50-70 pages of freedom, then I use the Save the Cat beat sheet method, which is very similar to outlining. 

Who are some of your author inspirations?

Courtney Summers, Ally Carter, John Green, Beth Revis, Sara Zarr, J.K Rowling, Stephen King

Do you share any traits with your main character?

Well, I did gymnastics, like Karen does, but no where near her level so probably not. I tend to write characters who are quite a bit different than myself. 

What was your favourite book as a kid?

Either Little Women or Number the Stars

Favourite place to read? Write?

I can read or write just about anywhere. I'm very flexible.

 Favourite drink to get at a coffee shop?

Anything local with a great bakery, even if I'm not eating pastries, I love smelling them. 

Favourite colour?

Pink.


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Go check out the rest of the stops and say thanks to Anastasia for putting on this awesome tour!