BLOG TOUR: BLUE by L.E. DeLano

Welcome to Official Blog Tour for Award-winning Author L.E. DeLano's new YA contemporary and recognized as a Distinguished Favorite in the category of Young Adult Fiction at the 2021 NYC Big Book Awards, BLUE. Today, on our tour stop, we are kicking off this tour with a guest post featuring the topic: 10 Reasons Why to Read BLUE, a book trailer, and a tour-wide giveaway to share! So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now! Follow the tour, HERE.

Genre:

Young Adult

Contemporary

Publish Date:

October 26, 2021

Publisher:

Gaze Publishing

Synopsis:

When Blue Mancini’s mother picked her name, it ended up being a self-fulfilling prophecy.

A year ago, Blue’s brother, Jack, was involved in a car accident that killed the father of her classmate, Maya Rodriguez. Luckily for Jack, he got out of a manslaughter charge and into a plea bargain thanks to the top-notch lawyer hired by Blue’s wealthy parents.

The fallout is now affecting Blue as Maya returns to school determined to carve out a pound of flesh from the only member of the Mancini family she can reach. On top of that, Blue has a demanding mother, a father who’s never around, a drama-addicted best friend, and a secretive new guy who’s determined to make Blue his own personal cheer-up project. It’s a perfect storm of misery.

When Maya’s social media taunts and in-person digs finally push Blue to retaliate, they find themselves in afterschool detention and forced into a project meant to foster cooperation and civility. As the layers of their tangled drama unravel, Blue learns more about Maya’s life—and her own sense of privilege—when secrets are revealed that cast a new perspective on everything in Blue’s world.

              

*10 Reason to Read BLUE*

1. It’s not all about the angst. BLUE’s cover is stunning and instantly gut-punches you, but it’s more than just a book about a girl working her way through a depressing time in her life. Like ogres and onions, BLUE has layers, and you’ll be laughing a lot in between the heartfelt moments, before it all comes together in a way that leaves you believing in the power of “if.”

2. You’ll meet imperfect characters who screw things up and struggle as they try to make things right. Blue begins the story in a very self-centered place, and she and Maya create their own perfect prison of misery. Devon doesn’t handle his own secrets well, and all three of them say things in anger that they wish they’d never said. I wanted them to all feel genuine as we take this journey with them.

3. White Privilege is a thing – a real and hurtful thing. BLUE has some frank conversations about underlying things that many people just shrug off. It’s not a story with racism as a central theme, but that white privilege colors parts of Blue and Maya’s interactions in some very important ways.

4. BEST BOOK BOYFRIEND. Seriously. You’re going to love Devon!

5. Blue’s mom is an Entrepreneur MLM-loving Boss Babe who’ll make you LOL while simultaneously making your eye twitch with irritation. She’s ready to empower you with motivational quotes, serenity candles, “lifestyle” shakes, and funky leggings.

6. Blue has a BFF who has no filter. Zero. Jules is crass and coarse and alternatingly hilarious and maddening. She may seem too rude to be of much help, but she’s there for Blue in every way she knows how to be.

7. A beloved children’s book will become an existential epiphany. I felt such a sense of peace writing that scene. 

8. There’s a major plot twist that you will NOT see coming. Not a single beta reader or reviewer (so far) has figured it out before it bowled them over. Excuse me while I pat myself on the back for that one.

9. You will read a thorough scientific examination of “Frito Theory.”

10. Get ready to experience what could be one of the funniest “first kiss” scenes in the history of YA.

Praise for BLUE

Overall: 10.00 out of 10 “DeLano has an excellent ear for teens' idiomatic speech . . . This is a fast-paced novel focused more on feelings and the social world of teens . . . An easy read for its intended audience.”- BookLife Prize by Publisher's Weekly

“Blue is a complex YA novel that challenges the reader to look at multiple perspectives of a difficult situation. Blue as a main character is really well-written, and the reader can feel her emotions and struggles. Several supporting characters help carry the book, make it easy to stay engaged with the story. . . I think YA readers will really appreciate Blue, and I encourage them to check it out.” – Jennifer C., NetGalley Reviewer

L.E. DeLano lives and writes in Pennsylvania with two hilarious kids and two ridiculous cats. Her debut novel, TRAVELER was selected as a Keystone to Reading Secondary Book Award finalist for school year 2018-19 by the Keystone State Reading Association (KSRA) and voted one of the 20 Most Beautiful Books of 2017 by MTV UK.

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**About the Author**

L.E. DeLano comes equipped with a “useless” Theatre degree that has opened doors for her in numerous ways. Though mostly raised in New Mexico, she now lives in Pennsylvania with two adventurous kids and two ridiculous cats. When she’s not writing (which is almost never), she’s binge-watching Netflix and planning road trips.

Her debut novel, TRAVELER was selected as a Keystone To Reading Secondary Book Award finalist for school year 2018-19 by the Keystone State Reading Association (KSRA) and also voted one of The 20 Most Beautiful Books in the World for 2017 by MTV UK.

Stay connected with L.E. DeLano

     

  

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open to the U.S. Only

- ends November 11, 2021

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organized by

BOOK BLITZ: BLUE by L.E. DeLano

Today, we are kicking-off a 5-day Book Blitz celebrating the book birthday of L.E. DeLano's BLUE,a new YA contemporary and recognized as a Distinguished Favorite in the category of Young Adult Fiction at the 2021 NYC Big Book Awards! To celebrate this new release, we have an exclusive excerpt AND a blitz-wide giveaway to share. So... Be sure to check it out and grab your copy now!

Genre:

Young Adult

Contemporary

Publish Date:

October 26, 2021

Publisher:

Gaze Publishing

Synopsis:

When Blue Mancini’s mother picked her name, it ended up being a self-fulfilling prophecy.

A year ago, Blue’s brother, Jack, was involved in a car accident that killed the father of her classmate, Maya Rodriguez. Luckily for Jack, he got out of a manslaughter charge and into a plea bargain thanks to the top-notch lawyer hired by Blue’s wealthy parents.

The fallout is now affecting Blue as Maya returns to school determined to carve out a pound of flesh from the only member of the Mancini family she can reach. On top of that, Blue has a demanding mother, a father who’s never around, a drama-addicted best friend, and a secretive new guy who’s determined to make Blue his own personal cheer-up project. It’s a perfect storm of misery.

When Maya’s social media taunts and in-person digs finally push Blue to retaliate, they find themselves in afterschool detention and forced into a project meant to foster cooperation and civility. As the layers of their tangled drama unravel, Blue learns more about Maya’s life—and her own sense of privilege—when secrets are revealed that cast a new perspective on everything in Blue’s world.

            

*Excerpt*.

What Do We Do About Maya?

In this scene, Blue and her classmate, Maya, have just had an altercation at school, and now Blue has to face her parents.

"And another thing!" My mother fumes.

This is her fourth and another thing and it’s about three more than I have the patience to hear.

“I don’t think you realize how lucky you are, especially since this is a second offense,” she says, sloshing her energizing smoothie out of her glass as she gestures.

“It wasn’t as bad as everybody’s making it sound,” I grumble.

“You threw her to the ground!”

“She shoved me first!”

Mom sucks in a deep breath, shoves her manicured hand through her hair, shoots my Dad a look and goes on.

“They’re willing to let you both off with a week of full suspension, followed by eight weeks of after-school detention since you and Maya are both honor students.”

“And since you and Dad make significant donations to the school,” I point out.

Mom pulls in another breath and closes her eyes as if she needs a minute to keep from screaming at me. Like she ever would. My mother is not a screamer. She’s a salesperson. Right now she’s trying to figure out how to turn this entire situation into a lesson for me that will yield a net result of me living my best, most radiant life because that’s a win for her.

Dad, who has been sitting quietly all this time, letting her have the spotlight, clears his throat and finally speaks.

“Being a donor is a definite advantage in this situation,” he agrees. “But you’re not going to buy your way out of this. You’re serving detention with the Rodriguez girl—and the school counselor.”

“But I’ve got two AP classes!” I protest. “And a job.”

“You’re going to have to back off work. Realign your priorities,” Mom says.

“We told you before to stay away from that girl,” Dad reminds me. “Why don’t you just avoid her? I should think you wouldn’t want to stir anything up, anyway.”

“She’s been harassing me from the day she came back.” I tell him miserably.

Dad’s eyes narrow. “Make me a detailed list of everything—all the social media, all the comments in the hallway—anything else she’s done to deliberately harass you.”

“Why?”

“I assume the school has a bullying policy. If I get Hazleton and Farr involved, we may be able to get her removed.”

I swallow hard. Hazelton and Farr is the law firm we have on retainer. “Like, get Maya expelled?”

“It doesn’t have to be that ugly,” Mom says, tapping a finger on the table as she muses. “I’m sure the school and her mother will come to some sort of understanding that doesn’t reflect too badly on her record.”

I shake my head and something in my stomach turns over. “Then everyone will just talk about how my rich parents and their lawyer ran Maya out of school. Just like they talk about how my rich parents and their lawyer got my brother out of a manslaughter charge.”

Dad’s mouth tightens into a thin line. “When you hear that sort of talk, you need to bring it to the teacher’s attention.”

“Absolutely.” Mom nods her head. “We’re not paying them good money to let gossip drag our family name through the dirt.” She turns to Dad, puts a hand on his arm. “Maybe you should talk to Jerry.”

“Davis?” Dad rubs his chin. “I supposed he could speak to the principal.”

“Who’s Jerry Davis?” I ask.

Mom waves a hand. “He’s on the school board. He golfs with your father.”

“Ugh. No.” My voice comes out a little too loud. “Just let me deal with this, please.”

“But you’re not dealing with it,” my mother points out.

“Stay out of it.” The words come out through gritted teeth. “You’ll only make things worse. Harder.”

Mom raises her brows and turns her head to share a look with my father. He shrugs in return and she narrows her eyes at him, clearly hoping for a stronger response.

“Look,” I let out a sigh. “You said we have to learn to deal with each other. So let us do that. In our own way.”

“Very well,” she finally agrees. “But any more shenanigans, and we’re getting involved. I guarantee you won’t like it.”

I push to my feet. “I don’t do shenanigans. Nobody under the age of forty does shenanigans.”

Praise for BLUE

“Overall: 10.00 out of 10. DeLano has an excellent ear for teens’ idiomatic speech . . . This is a fast-paced novel focused more on feelings and the social world of teens . . . An easy read for its intended audience.”

– BookLife Prize by Publisher’s Weekly

“Filled with complex characters that leap off the page, Blue pulls at your heartstrings and refuses to let go.” – Claire Kann, author of Let’s Talk About Love and If It Makes You Happy

“A fast, interesting story that will appeal to teens . . . * the characters are well-developed * tough topics are handled in a realistic manner * includes backstories/twists that I didn’t see coming * mental health * communication * perspective * diversity.” – Amanda C., Librarian and NetGalley Reviewer

“Blue is a complex YA novel that challenges the reader to look at multiple perspectives of a difficult situation. Blue as a main character is really well-written, and the reader can feel her emotions and struggles. Several supporting characters help carry the book, make it easy to stay engaged with the story. . . I think YA readers will really appreciate Blue, and I encourage them to check it out.” – Jennifer C., NetGalley Reviewer

source

~~~~~

~~~~~

**About the Author**

L.E. DeLano comes equipped with a “useless” Theatre degree that has opened doors for her in numerous ways. Though mostly raised in New Mexico, she now lives in Pennsylvania with two adventurous kids and two ridiculous cats. When she’s not writing (which is almost never), she’s binge-watching Netflix and planning road trips.

Her debut novel, Traveler was selected as a Keystone To Reading Secondary Book Award finalist for school year 2018-19 by the Keystone State Reading Association (KSRA) and also voted one of The 20 Most Beautiful Books in the World for 2017 by MTV UK.

Stay connected with L.E. DeLano

     

  

~~~~~

***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open to the U.S. Only

- ends November 4, 2021

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by