By a Charm and a Curse by Jaime Questell Published by Entangled: Teen on February 6th 2018
Genres: Carnival & Circus, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 300
Format: eBook, Hardcover
ISBN: 1633759008
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Le Grand’s Carnival Fantastic isn’t like other traveling circuses. It’s bound by a charm, held together by a centuries-old curse, that protects its members from ever growing older or getting hurt. Emmaline King is drawn to the circus like a moth to a flame…and unwittingly recruited into its folds by a mysterious teen boy whose kiss is as cold as ice.
Forced to travel through Texas as the new Girl in the Box, Emmaline is completely trapped. Breaking the curse seems like her only chance at freedom, but with no curse, there’s no charm, either—dooming everyone who calls the Carnival Fantastic home. Including the boy she’s afraid she’s falling for.
Everything—including his life—could end with just one kiss.
Today, we have a special guest post from author, Jaime Questell! Her new release, By a Charm and a Curse comes out in stores tomorrow (February 6, 2018), and we’re excited that she is able to not only share her time with us, but her playlist to her novel, By a Charm and a Curse as well. Check out Jaime’s post below and listen to some of the music that set the mood to her exciting debut YA novel. Enjoy!
Guest Post
Jaime Questell and the Importance of Music
Music is a non-negotiable when I write. I have to have something in my ears, and it has to jive with what I’m writing. Every project has a unique playlist, and I try not to listen to those songs or artists when I’m not writing, because I know I’m going to get sick of them if I over-listen.
CHARM is written from two POVs, and the majority of this playlist is comprised of just two bands. When I wrote Emma, I listened to Kitten. I loved the shimmery guitars, and Chloe Chaidez’s vocals are both delicate and incredibly strong, just like the character I was trying to create. And for Ben, I listened to The Rubens. I felt like their classic guitars and plaintive vocals matched the jumble of emotions inside Ben. And whenever I wanted to capture feeling of the carnival itself, I listened to the song that inspired the whole story, Coin-Operated Boy, or the two covers by Rasputina. In particular, I felt like the Rasputina covers really nailed that charming yet sinister feel I wanted the carnival to have. And there’s one last song at the end, that I listened to when I wrote one particularly emotional part of the novel. Hopefully that’ll make sense once the book has been read!
-Jaime Questell
By a Charm and a Curse Playlist
Coin-Operated Boy, The Dresden Dolls
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, by Kitten
Look Good, Feel Good, by The Rubens
G#, by Kitten
Elvis, by The Rubens
Rock and Roll, by Rasputina
Cut It Out, by Kitten
Lay It Down, by The Rubens
Kill the Light, by Kitten
I’ll Surely Die, by The Rubens
Bad Moon Rising, by Rasputina
The Best We Got, by The Rubens
Fake Your Death, by My Chemical Romance
Thank you again to Ms. Questell for sharing the music that influenced you as you wrote and for spending time with us today. Congratulations on your new release!
Readers, which songs did you like from the Jaime Questell’s playlist for By a Charm and a Curse? Mine was Kill the Light by Kitten. I also liked Rasputina! Feel free to share your favorite song. Cheers!
About Jaime Questell
JAIME QUESTELL grew up in Houston, Texas, where she escaped the heat and humidity by diving into stacks of Baby Sitter’s Club and Sweet Valley High books. She always knew she wanted to make art, but didn't start writing until a few years ago. She has been a book seller (fair warning: book lovers who become book sellers will give half their paychecks right back to their employers), a professional knitter, a semi-professional baker, and now works as a graphic designer in addition to writing. And if you're really nice, she might bake you a cake that's tall enough to require building permits.
Currently, she lives in the suburbs with her family, two derpy dogs, one imperious cat, more unfinished knitting projects than is advisable, and an unwieldy book collection. If she had her way, she’d have an army of corgis, like the Queen of England.
