Posts Categorized: myra mcentire

Hourglass
by Myra McEntire
Hardcover, 397 pages
Published: June 14, 2011
by EgmontUSA
ISBN 1606841440
5 stars
One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

I have been anticipating this book since I very first heard author Myra McEntire announce it on twitter, and can I just say what is there not to love about Hourglass? It is a-ma-zing. From the cover to the first page which contains my favorite quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, to the end which left me reeling with a mind full of impossible possibilities.

Snarky, sarcastic Emerson has just moved from a boarding school in Arizona to the deep south town of Ivy Springs. She’s sent there to her brother/guardian Thomas, who is a well known architect in the area and his wife Dru. Thomas’ historic renovation sites are layered in history and as a result begin to trigger visions that only Emerson can see of people from the past.

Enter in Michael Weaver, a secretive and angtsy consultant hired by her Thomas from a foundation called Hourglass. Michael’s hired under the agreement that things are to stay strictly business and must not get personal, But not getting personal could prove dangerous for these two. And things get even more complicated when Emerson has to pick between the three men who suddenly take an interest in her: Michael who is fully understanding, Kaleb who is sexy-bad but offers more than meets eye, or Jack- the man who Emerson’s not even sure is real.

Oh my Myra. I was messed up (in a good way) after reading Hourglass. She masterfully explores the issues of grief and depression with skill I have never before seen in young adult fiction. McEntire takes a heroine from a broken fragile past and gives her some black belt hard core sass. Then she adds in Southern charm, and supernatural sci-fi elements. This is a book that will surely soar to the tops of the bestseller list as the best in time slip YA romance. Hourglass struck me deeply and had me in tears which very few books have ever had power to do. It’s gutsy, intelligent and inspiring with a voice you will never forget. I can’t wait for you all to read it!

To learn more about the book Hourglass visit Myra McEntire’s website/ Tumblr/ Twitter/ Goodreads/ YouTube/ Facebook

The Interview:
Tell us a little bit about how Hourglass came about and what inspired you. It started as a prompt for a writer’s club, and when I got to the end of the first five pages, I knew I had to go on!

Have you always been interested in time travel? What kind of research did you have to do for Hourglass? I haven’t! Really! I always loved Doctor Who, but I guess I thought of it as more of a crime fighting/alien show. For research, I read a lot of internet articles on scholarly type websites, and then I started watching Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman!

Your main character struggles with thinking she is crazy. Does depression or emotional illness play a part in her personality? And what do you hope teens/ readers take away from her experience? Yes, depression totally does. Her humor is a defense mechanism. If a real life person had bounced back the way she did, they’d be super human. I want people to take HOPE away from her story.

Who do you see as the perfect cast members for your main men and women? I really can’t say. I think I’d like all unknowns cast if Fox ever makes the movie! But Ryan Gosling could be anyone. Heck, he could be EM!

What has been the most rewarding part of this whole process of being published? Any other projects works you can tell us about besides book two- Timepiece? I can’t. I have more Hourglass books in my mind, but Egmont bought two. I’m working on a story with the code name Aggie. That’s all I can say!

Favorite all time reads? Snacks? I love cozy mysteries. I can read those without thinking. And right now I have a thing for Peppermint Hershey Kisses!

Who is your hero? My husband. I wouldn’t be where I am without him!

About The Author: Myra McEntire knows the words to every R and B hit of the last decade, but since she lives in the country music capital of America where her lyrical talents go sadly unappreciated, she chose to channel her mad word skills into creating sultry Southern timeslip novels.

But if you catch her at a signing, she can probably be convinced to rap with you anyway. We are giving away one signed copy of Hourglass. To enter click here and fill out the form. Open to U.S. addresses only. No PO boxes. Good Luck and be sure to head over to our home site for another Best I’ve Read Giveaway of Haven by Kristi Cook.