Review: A is for Abstinence (V is for Virgin #2) by Kelly Oram

Source: Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Already Released!
Number of Pages: 204


Description from Goodreads:

Six-time Grammy Award-winning musician Kyle Hamilton has it all—money, fame, talent, good looks, and a job he loves. His only regret in life: walking away from a certain notorious virgin because he was too prideful, stubborn, and even afraid to give her the only thing she asked of him—his abstinence.

Four years and a broken heart later, Kyle realizes that sex isn’t everything, and he suddenly can’t stop thinking about the girl that got away. Virgin Val Jensen got under his skin like no one else ever has. He wasn’t ready for her then, but things are different now. He’s grown up, he’s learned a few things, and he’s finally figured out exactly what he wants, or, rather, who he wants.

Kyle Hamilton wants a do-over, and this time he’s willing to do—or not do—whatever it takes.

**** I don't mention any spoilers in my review, but if you want to check out my review for V is for Virgin, which A is for Abstinence is the sequel of, you can find it, here: http://burningximpossiblyxbright.blogspot.ca/2013/03/review-v-is-for-virgin-by-kelly-oram.html. ****

MY REVIEW

I've been meaning to read A is for Abstinence for forever, but something always seemed to get in my way...classes, work, but I was looking through my kindle, saw it listed, and couldn't resist Kyle and Val any longer! Once I started reading, I absolutely couldn't put it down, and I definitely wish that I'd picked it up sooner!!! :D

I was a HUGE fan of Kyle and Val after reading V is for Virgin, and after reading excerpts before the release of A is for Abstinence, I was desperate for more! I'm so glad that Kelly continued Kyle and Val's story! A is for Abstinence was absolutely PERFECT, and I loved it! :D

At the start of A is for Abstinence, it's been four years since Val and Kyle have parted, and we get to see them have one heck of a reunion! I loved seeing Kyle and Val grow, and seeing them get to know each other was fantastic. They always had the best banter, and teased each other in such an entertaining way, but I really loved getting to see them connect in a more meaningful way. Their chemistry was intense, and I loved that they weren't just challenging each other in this one. They were communicating and working together to make a relationship work, and that was wonderful! I also loved getting to see Kyle's point of view!!! He definitely has a lot of layers! I'm also a big sucker for the musical aspect of his character; he's just so dreamy! :D

Overall, I absolutely loved A is for Abstinence! I think you could definitely read it as a standalone, but I think you'd enjoy it wayyyyy more if you read V is for Virgin first because Kyle and Val have some EPIC history. I'd recommend V is for Virgin and A is for Abstinence to readers who love contemporary romances that have wonderful characters with great banter and chemistry, and to those who love books that cover some topics that aren't always mentioned in young adult, like abstinence, virginity until marriage, and adoption. :)


Have you read V is for Virgin or A is for Abstinence yet?
Any Kyle Hamilton fans out there?
And if you haven't read it, or any of Kelly Oram's other books, does it sound like something you'd like?

Kelly Oram Interview and Giveaway!

Today I have Kelly Oram, author of V is for Virgin, on my blog for an interview! If you continue reading you'll also spot a giveaway for V is for Virgin! :D

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Hey Kelly! :D It’s great having you here today! 

I absolutely loved V is for Virgin! :D What gave you the idea for the story? It was my little brother, actually. He asked me to write him as a character and he wanted to be a “hot famous rock star who got all the chicks.” I laughed at him, but indulged him. So I started with the character of Kyle and since he already got all the chicks, I decided to make it a story about the one girl he couldn’t have. Then I needed a reason why the girl wouldn’t want to be with him and Virgin Val was born. It didn’t take long for me to realize that V was really Val’s story and not Kyle’s  so I switched perspectives.

Kyle’s music plays a pretty big role in the book and in Val’s life, did any real life help inspire you to write Kyle’s character? I really had to have a specific sound in my mind before I truly understood Kyle’s character. His music is so much a part of who he is that without knowing “Tralse” and the kind of songs Kyle would write, I couldn’t know Kyle. The inspiration and sound behind Tralse was the band Head Automatica.  (Love, love, love them!)  And their song “Beating Heart Baby” is totally Kyle and Val’s theme song.

You left V is for Virgin pretty open-ended. Did you have any specific reason for doing that? I honestly just felt that the story was told. This was my first book where the main focus of the plot wasn’t the romance. I love the idea of Kyle and Val, but this story was meant to be more about Val’s fifteen minutes of fame than it was about her and Kyle’s relationship. I eluded to the fact that Kyle and Val would end up together, but left it up to the reader to see what they want. In my mind they go on to have a hilarious and chaotic courtship and then get married, FINALLY have sex and live happily ever after. My husband thinks they don’t stay together. (He’s no fun—totally hates rock stars—so I suggest you imagine it my way.) 

Any comments that you’d like to share about V is for Virgin? Um… I don’t have plans for a sequel, but I have toyed with the idea of writing a short story. I think Kyle and Val’s wedding night could be a riot! Someday… Oh! And also, it’s currently a finalist for the Whitney Award for best young adult (contemporary)! It’s my first award nomination. I was pretty surprised and flattered. Cross your fingers for me!

Now for some more general questions, what is your writing process like? Do you outline, or just go for it? Most of the time I outline, but I keep it fairly general. I need the main plot points and the main character arcs, but all the tiny in-between stuff I leave blank because that always changes a million times anyway. Every now and then a book just sort of comes to me and I don’t outline. That’s always nice, but it’s pretty rare.

A couple of my favourite aspects of your books are your characters and their banter with one another, how do you create such vivid characters? I don’t know really. I don’t have a process or anything. The banter and sarcasm is completely natural. Anyone who knows me would tell you sarcasm is my only form of speech. As for my characters, I try to get to know them before I start writing. I like to know their likes and dislikes and their personality quirks. The more you know your character before you write, the more their personalities will show on the page.

I’m a sucker for book recommendations, so do you have any books that you absolutely loved and want to share with us? HA! Where do I begin? Seriously, my list could be endless. I’m really caught up in the Starcrossed series by Josephine Angelini. And last year I really loved Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgans and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. A good contemporary that I fell in love with was Unmaking Hunter Kennedy by Anne Eliot. I could go on forever. It’s best to look me up on Goodreads and stalk my bookshelves!

And my final question, do you have any tips for aspiring authors? Two words: Read & Write! The more you read the better your writing will get. I promise. You’d be surprised how much you pick up through osmosis!  And also just write. Write, write, and then write some more. Your first novel will be the hardest to finish, and most likely will be nowhere near publishable, but don’t let that discourage you. You’ll get better with every book you write. Practice really does make perfect.

 

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About V is for Virgin:

When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.

After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.

As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?

About Kelly Oram

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children. 

Connect with Kelly: Twitter | Website | Facebook | Goodreads

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In honour of her 32nd birthday, Kelly has generously offered to provide an awesome giveaway!!!
It's INTERNATIONAL, and there will be 32 lucky winners who each get a signed bookmark and an ebook of V is for Virgin!

Details:
- 32 Winners (V is for Virgin ebook and bookmark each)
- International
- Winners chosen with Rafflecopter and will be contacted via email
- Ends Apr.19th at 11:59 PM (MST)

TO ENTER FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


So, what did you think of the interview?
And have you read V is for Virgin yet?

Good luck if you entered the giveaway!

Review: V is for Virgin (V is for Virgin #1) by Kelly Oram

 Source:Received a reviewers copy from the author for an honest review.

Publisher: Bluefields

Release Date: Already Released.
Format: Ebook Only

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.

After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.

As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?

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V is for Virgin was not only hilarious, but was also a wonderful story about being true to yourself and your own beliefs. I loved that while some aspects of this book were taken rather lightly, Val still managed to voice her beliefs in a way that came off as being mature, yet not preachy...which is always a good thing!

Along with the awesome message that came with V is for Virgin, it was also full of amazing characters!!! Val was fantastic! She was feisty, and always ready to stand up for herself...and Kyle! Oh, Kyle! I loved him. He was definitely a bit of a man-whore at times, but I have to admit that I loved when he started to pursue Val...even if for him it was mostly a game at first. :P I also really enjoyed his sense of humour, and I loved the chemistry between him and Val! :D

The story itself was wonderful. There was an awesome balance between light and fun moments, and the serious side of the story. I also loved the musical aspect, and I especially loved Val's strength. While I would've been totally embarrassed in some of the situations that Val was in, she managed to overcome any embarrassment and became the better for it. It's not often that you meet a character as wonderful as Val, and it's even more rare to meet one worth listening, too. Val is dedicated to staying a virgin until marriage, but her message is more than that. As I've already mentioned, it's about staying true to who you are and what you believe in. For Val that happens to be remaining a virgin until marriage, but it could be also describe anything for anyone person. Her message then becomes so versatile, and it allows each reader to understand why Val is standing up for what she believes in. :)

Overall, I absolutely LOVED V is for Virgin! I thought that the message of being true to yourself was strong, and it was important to share. Too often, people aren't true to themselves and decide to change their views based on peer pressure rather than their actual beliefs, so Val's strength in sticking to her own beliefs was inspiring, and I think it's a message that more people need to see, young girls especially because Val's a great role model to them. :) I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys young adult contemporaries, especially if you love awesome main characters and some sexy banter. ;)

So, does V is for Virgin sound good to you?
Also, tomorrow I'll have an interview with Kelly Oram and an awesome giveaway for you all...so stay tuned. ;)

V is for Virgin Blog Tour: Guest Post and Tour Giveaway!

Today for the V is for Virgin blog tour I have Kelly Oram with a guest post...so take it away, Kelly!

V is for Virgin: Cute or Controversial?

No matter how you look at it, sex is a hot topic. I knew when I started writing this book that the subject of waiting to have sex until marriage is something that most people have an opinion on.

 Obviously my main character Val chose a specific side, and, as a woman who waited until marriage myself, I happen to share her opinion. However, I respect that not everyone share’s my viewpoint.

I didn’t want people to get caught up in the controversy of waiting, so tried my hardest to write a book that people could enjoy no matter what their ideals on the subject are. The real message behind V is for Virgin isn’t about abstinence until marriage. It’s about standing up for what you believe in. It’s about making choices for you, and not giving in to peer pressure.

If I want my readers to take anything away from this book it’s this: Figure out who you are and then be true to yourself.

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About Kelly Oram:

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

Author description from Goodreads.


About V is for Virgin:

When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.

After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.

As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?

Links: Goodreads | Facebook Page | Kelly's Twitter | Kelly's Blog

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TOUR GIVEAWAY!

$30 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Open Internationally

Ends January 6, 2013

To enter fill out the Rafflecopter Below (It's also available on the other blogs participation in the tour):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To follow the rest of the schedule you can find the schedule, here: 

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/11/v-is-for-virgin-blog-tour.html

I was a huge fan of V is for Virgin, and I think that Kelly Oram did an amazing job with showing her readers that it's okay to stand up for what you believe in even if it isn't something others agree with. :) I loved Val's story, and I definitely felt that she wasn't trying to persuade others to her viewpoint. She was trying to let them decide for themselves, and to help them realize that if they did want to wait to have sex, it was okay and that no one should make that decision except for you. So...I definitely think Kelly got her message across. :)

Have your read V is for Virgin yet? If you have, what did you think?
If you haven't read it, do you want to?