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Hey guys!
I have some news about the series that is pretty cool. I just signed with an AMAZING entertainment agency and they are determined to expand the reach of the LaRue series beyond e-books into print and possibly film. One of the things they have asked me to do is to ask you the readers why you love the series. I would be super grateful for some comments that highlight what makes this series different from other YA series and why you LOVE the books! As always, THANK YOU for all of your support.
I have some news about the series that is pretty cool. I just signed with an AMAZING entertainment agency and they are determined to expand the reach of the LaRue series beyond e-books into print and possibly film. One of the things they have asked me to do is to ask you the readers why you love the series. I would be super grateful for some comments that highlight what makes this series different from other YA series and why you LOVE the books! As always, THANK YOU for all of your support.
Im a avid reader and have read tons of paranormal romances. This series is unique in so many ways. You mix history and paranormal so beatifully. Your style of writing is unlike anything I read before. I love the mixture between serious and humorous scenes. It provides a perfect balance throughout the series. I can keep going on but it's pretty obvious that I enjoy this series. I wish you the best and truly hope this series gets much more recognition.
ReplyDeleteI love the books, they are so addicting. You so desperately want Arelia and Lucus to be together and all the twists that happen in each book make you want to scream "WHAT?! That is awesome. I gotta find out what happens!" I think they will make a great film series and it will be awesome to get these in hardcover to keep for my girls for when they are older. This kind of story lining and writing is something I strive to do myself. I hope to one day achieve it. Best of luck, Kira, you deserve this. These books are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI love this series because there is no ther series like it!! Kira does an awesome job at incorporating history and facts into this series!! I love Arelia, Lucus, & Louis's story!!! There is no way in predicting what will happen next! I love how the spirits help Arelia in her journey!!! ;) Kira is an amazing author & this series is one if a kind!!
ReplyDeleteDear Ms. Saito,
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon the Arelia LaRue series by accident, but I am so very glad I did. What I love about these books is that I (1) can't predict where they are going, (2) the characters are really cool and interesting, (3) I feel like I am experiencing everything Arelia is, (4) I love the descriptions of food and the information on the issues of slavery, and most of all (5) I love the romance. It's good to pick up a book and go on an adventure... but I have never been on a ride like this before. I am so ready for the next book to come out and I tell everyone I can that they really need to read these books.
I have read many books and Aurelia's story is so different. I love that I am always hanging on the edge of my seat to find out what happens. I usually can predict where a story is leading, but I find that there is always a new, interesting twist when I think I figure it out. I love the history is the books as well. I can't wait for the next one!
ReplyDeleteWhat kept me hooked on reading one book after another until I had nothing left to read on this series were the twists built in to the story where there was enough mystery that made it almost painful to stop reading. The writing style vividly described details where I could visualize my own imaginary scenes, but were not too descriptive where pages were spent describing minute details that felt like there was an attempt to meet a specified number of pages, rather than filling them with actual content. Characters were well developed and including the topics of voodoo/hoodoo made it unique and intriguing and stand out from the common topics in YA books suck as vampires, werewolves and witches.
ReplyDeleteI may be the only nonyoung reader here. I stumbled upon the books by accident and can't stop reading them. Look forward to my daughter getting older and sharing them with her. I love the fact that the books keep you on the edge of your seat, it's hard to find books that surprise me. They also stay clean and respectful for the younger audience.
ReplyDeleteYou're not the only nonyoung reader...lol.. I am too and I am trying to get my daughter reading them as well. I love the books.
DeleteI stumbled across this series by searching for Paranormal series. The design of the cover caught my eye and the summary. I am all for New Orleans and its history! I would love to live there one day if I ever get the chance. Any way, I love this series because of it's mystery and intrigue about the history of New Orleans. It makes you feel like you're there (which is what I want). So thank you for creating this amazing series!
ReplyDeleteYAY I HOPE THEY EXPAND IT! More people should have the gift of reading the awesome series! ^.^ The first thing that caught my eye about the series was that it was centered in New Orleans. Although I've never been there, my mom lived in NOLA when she was younger. She always tells me about it, and I've always wanted to go! So I got the first book, "Bound" and immediately fell in love with it. It has just the right amount of magic, excitement, love and also incorporates the south's past and present into the story, which is a cool element. And, although I'm not sure I believe in voodoo or hoodoo, its interesting to learn about it through the books. :)
ReplyDeleteYour story and pacing and characters are all great. But I love everything about the way you describe the American South. You are honest about its beauties as well as its failings with a sincerity I find to be rare. Oh, and you don't portray Southerners as dimwitted dolts, unlike a certain recent movie I could mention....
ReplyDeleteLOL I know EXACTLY what movie you're thinking of. LOL. BTW, Christine is an amazing author herself so please check out her books! http://www.amazon.com/Open-Door-Legacy-Series-ebook/dp/B008C8B02Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1369850364&sr=8-2&keywords=christine+locke
DeleteI just discovered these books like 2 wks ago & I've already finished all 4 books & can't wait for the 5th i like these no i absolutely love these books. There's only been one other book that has captivated me to the point I couldnt put it down.
DeleteI love the story line I love how u slowly bring it together & just when I think i'm finally figuring out the cause of the curse u throw a curve ball that completely blows my mind. I never knew much about voodoo, but I also don't think its as ugly add ppl think, but u make it so attractive instead of ugly & scary. & I absolutely love history & the way u incorporate it into the story & mixing it with the world today is so unique. our world unfortunately isn't much different than what it was all those years ago except that now everything is covered up.
Thank u for these books they have transported me to some place far away from my petty problems
What was ur inspiration?
Hey Tawni,
DeleteI LOVE NOLA and the mystery, danger of Voodoo as well as history. I think history is so interesting and if I can help readers learn a thing or two while entertaining them then is even better!
I love learning about the "les Mysteries"(sp?). the thing I love most though,is the way you write. I just get sucked in. For example, your last book. I felt like I had been transported into a whole new era! I felt like I was Cecile, I felt angry and sad at the same time! I got frustrated at how unfair the world was. When I stopped reading to go eat dinner, it took me aminute to realize that I was not the character! This series has took me through a rollercoaster of feelings, thank you for writing such an AMAZING series! I can't wait for the next one!!!
ReplyDeleteThe books in this series are so addicting because each book takes you somewhere new while still telling you the original story. I Love the mix of past and present as well as the love story that seem old as time. I have to admit that the voodoo thing had kept me from reading it for a while but i was mesmerized by it once i started the books! I was sutprised by it (the voodoo) and fascinated. I can't wait for the newest book to come out and would PEE my pants if this series became movies!
ReplyDeleteI love this series, it caught my eye by accident and can't put it down. I have a creole background and it makes me feel like I am transformed myself back in time. I love how the spirits interact with the living that makes it so real. I just finished book four and went hunting for book 5. You have a follower in me...a true fan. Can't wait to let my daughter read the series.
ReplyDeleteThis series is very different from many of the YA I have read. You mix history with paranormal, placing it into the most historically paranormal place I could ever think of. The characters are so easy to fall in love with and the plot was not predictable. I love a book that keeps me on my toes. I've always been fascinated by voodoo and you brought out alamot everything I know I love in books into one kick butt series!
ReplyDeleteThis series is captivating. It has the air of mystery that keeps people craving more and more. In my opinion, this series puts the horribly written yet ultra popular twilight series to shame. Kira does an amazing job making her characters relateable. That is what nearly every reader craves. They want to project themselves into the story as the main character, and feel everything they do through the story. I know i slipped into arelia and cecile's roles as i was reading. I felt their pain, their happiness, and their torment as they had to make rough decisions if this series expanded, and was able to touch a bigger audience, i have no doubt that it'll be a big hit, putting other paranormal romances to shame. Kira is a rising star.
ReplyDelete-Toria Drogt
THANK YOU so much! I really appreciate all of your responses and am super grateful to have such amazing readers rooting for the series.
ReplyDeleteDear Ms Saito,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE the Arelia LaRue series! It's one of my personal favorites, and the plot is amazing! I am a young avid reader and aspire to be an author; my first book is still in the writing process. Is there any advice you could give to me about the writing/publishing process? I'd appreciate it very much :) thank you in advance, and good luck on the expansion with the series! It's well deserved :)
Hey, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to writing but I love the advice Anne Rice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XTiq5waEnM
Deleteand Ernest Hemingway give
http://top10buzz.com/top-ten-writing-tips-of-ernest-hemingway/
I have a lot of reasons for why I love the Arelia LaRue series. First, I feel a lot of girls can relate to Arelia, just with her personality and humor. I know I can relate to the chocolate addiction. Lol. I also love it because Kira Saito shows what Voodoo/Hoodoo is really like. There are a lot of sterotypes, and it was nice to learn the actual truth about it. It's more than just voodoo dolls and pins. I also love how she takes voodoo spirits and makes them funny! I think it's a cute twist that I enjoyed a lot. I love the romance in it with Lucas! I think lots of teenage girls love to read about romance. I just love Lucas overall. I wish he was real. :D
ReplyDeleteAlso, I loved learning about slavery and New Orleans during the pre-civil war time. In my history class, they didn't even talk about placage, or the freed African Americans, at least in New Orleans. The average person doesn't know what placage is! I hope making this books into hardcovers and possibly into movies brings the light to placage.
ReplyDeleteI agree there's so much in these books that in don't remember learning about in history class when I was in school I don't think they even said anything about freed slaves owning their own slaves or that free persons of color could own land in new orleans.
DeleteI love the series because of the location and plot! I love New Orleans and I am fascinated by the world of hoodoo/voodoo. Another great part was the visit back in time and Louis's very personal story line about slavery. It's not like I don't know about slavery, I've read about it in school books and seen it in movies, but something about the way you wrote it in the book really gave me a perspective on it I've never seen before. Plus who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned teen romance :). Best of luck Kira!
ReplyDeleteI guess i'm not technically classed as a young reader and that being said neither is my Mother but we both love this series. The cobination of history and fantasy is wonderful. You do not make light of the ugliness in our histories but add an extra element to it with the fantasy. I'm sure somewhere back in time this type of struggle for love, life and understanding did occur. Les mysteries are also an addictive and mysterious (no pun intended) subject. I've just finished the re reading the entire series before i read the fourth booknso i was back on top of things. I once again could hardly put the books down and am on the edge of my seat for the next books.
ReplyDeleteThis would make a wonderful series of movies or even television. Its different from a lot of the current paranormal ya series as its not all vampires and werewolfs (not that thise are bad) but its time for a change - Twighlight was great but its had its time lets try some thung different a little history and some good ol' voodoo/hoodoo!
Good luck with everything Kira and can't wait for the next books!!!
That is an amazing news update! I would love to see your book series expanded to film. I am an avid reader of all genres, and I find that I love this series because it combines most of what I read all into one....mystery, romance, humor, suspense, history....it's extremely captivating.
ReplyDeleteI love love these books I read them in less than 2weeks I just couldnt put them down I still can picture the story in my head everytime somin reminds me of it. I love how u incorporated history in it these books have great twists as soon as I thought I had it all figured out u surprised me & that's hard cuz I've read so many books. These books are like nothing I've read before I love all the characters u capture their feelings i cried when u described each persons feelimgs during slavery how similar it felt to be a slave & a place' even tho the pain level & type of pain they felt were different I can't wait for the 5th book when is it coming is there a release date? I can't say enough great things about these books & if they make them into a movie please make sure they do the books justice
ReplyDeleteThank you for your message, Tawni, I really needed to hear something positive today! Book 5 will be out this summer. I do not want to give an exact release date until I know when for sure!
DeleteI downloaded Bound a week ago and just finished reading Oppressed about two hours ago. I cant wait until Suppressed comes out! Awesome cover by the way. And the news about the series possibly coming to the big screen is really exciting. I would be one of the first in line to buy a ticket. I think the books should come to hardback first though so you can get a big following, because I know that you will. You could have a huge "twilight momish" following if they came to hardback. :-) I know I haven't been a teen for a while but a great story is a great story no matter what age group it was written for.
ReplyDeleteI love the Arelia Larue series because it has everything a teenager looks for in a book. It has action, romance, mystery, and suspense. What more could you want? I love this series because it keeps me on my toes. Just when you think you know the whole story, some new information has you questioning your knowledge on the book. I think all young readers should pick up a copy of these books and experience the magic that I felt while reading them. I also love how deeply the author studies the culture of New Orleans to provide accurate descriptions in her story and through her characters.
ReplyDeleteWhat sets the LaRue series apart from other YA books is that Arelia is not your average female lead character. She is not perfect in anyway and she is very unpedictable, giving this series a sense of freshness that is not common among other paranormal books of its kind. The plot of the book shares that unpedictability and keeps you on your toes page after page, it really is hard to put down! Everytime i think i'm close to guessing what will happen next, Kira Saito is right there to blow it right out of the water. I am so excited to read the next book, and hopefully more will follow.
ReplyDeleteI love the Aurelia LaRue series because I get to learn about New Orleans and Louisiana while having fun! I love all of the characters,the romance ,the suspence. The books will suck you in immediately! The series is different from typical YA series because its historical fiction but there is the perfect amount of paranormal romance tied in with it to be one of the best paranormal romance series.that I have read. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome series. I am constantly checking back to your blog for updates. My mom is probably getting sick of me constantly speaking of your amazing characters. I think a lot of girls can relate to Aurelia for example Aurelia is like me because I am very stubborn and forgive very easily. Although I do forgive on the outside I am still holding a grudge in my heart. I love Lucus because of how soft and sweet he is also I have a very good image of him in my head.
ReplyDeleteI love Sabrina and hate her too. She is one of those girls that is so funny and sticks up for you if your friends but if your on their bad side it can be a living nightmare.
The story has so many twist and turns that I love. Usually when a teacher tells you to guess what is going to happen next you are all going ugh but during this book I was excited to guess. I have so many theories about whats going to happen I have them written all down. And once one becomes true I put a check mark next to it. I would love seeing this go to a movie. I think it would be an awesome film. I have been getting a lot of my friends hooked on the series but some of them don't have a nook or kindle so they are not able to buy the book. So they have to read off mine which is a little frustrating because then I miss out on my reading time.
This series is definatley on my top 10
Keep Writing
Congratulations I love these books I read them in like 4 hours in total such fast reads and the most interesting books I've read thus far. I love that you write about voodoo hoodoo I'm Canadian born and raised but my heritage from my father is New Orleans French quarters I wish you could write 35 more books in a year or one per day because I'd buy all of them no matter the price or how many pages they are that addicting. Thank you for your dedication great mind and wonderful books.
ReplyDeleteIt's refreshing to see something different out there...you write about history facts, but add your own imagination to it...I love that the most...the story is very dark, but then again so was life during some of those events...you draw the readers in with the honesty of it...but there are still lighter parts to the story...it's not all hearts and flowers...lol...I have turned some of my family onto this series, if a movie was ever made we would be there @midnight...but that director/writer better know what there doing I love this story too much...quite simply it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love this series because it's not your usual teen fiction with wolves vampires and hopeless romantic girls. These books encompass much more. For the two days straight I set reading these novels I was surprised to find a book that delves into history and exposes young minds to a time where things weren't as easy. I got a feel for the injustices and also the magic of the past. I love the place where this series takes me. It's like nothing I've ever read before. I love the world of arelia la rue and all that follows it!!! Please do these amazing books the justice they so desperately deserve!
ReplyDeletePs. I legitimately cannot wait for the next installment!
I love how this series is actually well written. As a writer myself, although I've yet to put my stuff out, I read these books and hope I can write something as captivating and interesting as this series. It keeps you coming back for more and waiting with baited breath for the next installment! I have to check this blog AT LEAST once a week wondering when the next book will finally be in my hands, so to speak. Kira puts in so much detail without overwhelming you that it feels like you are in the book and right there with the main characters in a beautiful setting. You experience all their feelings for yourself! It may be a paranormal romance, but it is something much easier to believe could happen than sparkly vampires fighting for a pretty passive heroine compared to the one we see and root for in this captivating series!
ReplyDeleteI love also as others have said, how you have used history facts. However; you use those facts to fuel your own unique story about them. I love both Lucus and Louis, and how they both relate to Arelia and her soul. It's amazing how you came up with this plot, and there is NOTHING like it. It's definitely my favorite series that I have read. Everything else is always so cookie cutter, but everything from the history used, touch of fantasy, and all the twists and turns you take the reader is just marvelous! I really hope that they are able to bring this to film, and do so the RIGHT way! If there was anything to criticize, it would only be the main character Arelia. There are things that I would have expected her to understand better simply because of the lifestyle she had growing up, and having to have the experiences that she was basically forced to overcome. Such as the jobs, and constant need to pay bills. However; this does not trump that this is my favorite series of books I've read. I love how as the reader I'm able to picture myself as Arelia, visualize all the other characters, and feel not just the main characters emotions, but ALL of the characters emotions that are brought into play. Beautiful setting, stunning fantasy and twists, and strong use of history. Even while in school, we did not learn as in depth as to what you've taken it to. Thank you very much Ms. Saito, and I really cannot wait to see what les mysteries, and twists you bring my way!!!
ReplyDeleteThe writting is brilliant! The story is amazing! I love the history, new orleans and it is pretty spot on. Please if a movie is made, be active in its creation so it aligns with the books. Beautiful Creatures was wonderful and they managed to kill the whole thing with the first movie because they only used parts of the books and changed many important points to the story. It was a shame! This series I believe is the next Twilight and bigger!!! Good Fortune to you Kira!
ReplyDeleteyou cause me sleepless nights! in a good way ofc :D I literally finish your books in 24 hours which isn't good for my health :) the story is amazing, you make the reader feel like they are there. I live in Scotland and I feel like i've been to New Orleans. I think also because you are writing about history that everyone is interested in and is pulled into, but turning them into stories it makes it more appealing to everyone, everyone loves history, you make it fun.
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