Life of the Party
by Christine Anderson
Genre: Dark / Drama / Romance / Sociology-Abuse
Paperback, 500 pages
Published November 19th
Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Taylor can't wait to be free; free from high school, the shadow of her perfect older sister, and her disapproving parents. The rebellious party girl has a perfect accomplice in best friend Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who scores them drugs, booze and under-age entry into the only club in town. But then everything changes. A traumatized Riley suddenly decides to give up the party life, and a wide-eyed Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis, a broodingly talented, gorgeous older man she falls instantly in love with. Though Riley warns her to stay away, the aspiring rock star's body and ample drug supply are too tempting for her to resist. Previously inseparable, Riley and Mackenzie go their separate ways.
When summer hits, Mackenzie has new friends, a new apartment and new drugs to mask the pain of Riley's absence. And of course, she has Grey. But despite the fierce, consuming passion they share, the mysterious bad-boy always leaves her guessing. Is Grey really a good guy? Or was Riley right about him all along? Mackenzie's in too deep to care. Unable to curb her mounting addictions, before long the lust-for-life teen totally loses control. She forgets Riley, forgets life, forgets everything but Grey and their next hit.
But luckily for Mackenzie...Riley has never forgotten about her.
by Christine Anderson
Genre: Dark / Drama / Romance / Sociology-Abuse
Paperback, 500 pages
Published November 19th
Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Taylor can't wait to be free; free from high school, the shadow of her perfect older sister, and her disapproving parents. The rebellious party girl has a perfect accomplice in best friend Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who scores them drugs, booze and under-age entry into the only club in town. But then everything changes. A traumatized Riley suddenly decides to give up the party life, and a wide-eyed Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis, a broodingly talented, gorgeous older man she falls instantly in love with. Though Riley warns her to stay away, the aspiring rock star's body and ample drug supply are too tempting for her to resist. Previously inseparable, Riley and Mackenzie go their separate ways.
When summer hits, Mackenzie has new friends, a new apartment and new drugs to mask the pain of Riley's absence. And of course, she has Grey. But despite the fierce, consuming passion they share, the mysterious bad-boy always leaves her guessing. Is Grey really a good guy? Or was Riley right about him all along? Mackenzie's in too deep to care. Unable to curb her mounting addictions, before long the lust-for-life teen totally loses control. She forgets Riley, forgets life, forgets everything but Grey and their next hit.
But luckily for Mackenzie...Riley has never forgotten about her.
This novel contains mature themes and graphic content.
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My Review
5/5 stars
Life of the Party is one of those books. You know the type…it
makes you think, and I mean really think; it sticks with you long after
you have finished because you have become invested in the characters; it
makes you cry. I hate it when books make me cry.
Mac and Riley are best friends. Their favorite pastime is to get drunk and high. Hey, they're young, why not? Everything is great until Riley decided he needs to get clean. Mac, feeling abandoned by her best friend, delves deeper into the world of drugs, trying to forget Riley and everything that is wrong with her life.
I loved, loved, loved the characters in this book (which I guess is why I felt so much for them that I was bawling my eyes out by the end). The author let us get into Mac's head and really enjoy being there. Mac, though young and stupid and obviously making mistake after mistake, was real. She had real problems and real choices and real feelings. And Grey…I so love Grey. It is obvious from the way he treats her that he loves Mac, but he is young and free and has the world ahead of him, so of course he makes mistakes, too. When he realizes, however, that things have gone too far he does the only thing he can think of to fix it, even if it is the wrong thing. We do not see much of Riley for most of the story and mostly get to know him through Mac's feelings and memories of him. Though Mac feels he abandoned her, he had always been there just waiting for the right time.
I think the thing I really loved about this story was about how realistic it is. From Mac's mom and dad (just ignore the problem, it will go away) to her sister and Mac's feelings of inferiority around her (which I can relate to having two perfect older sisters myself) to the drug use. The author did an exceptional job (in my humble opinion) of detailing and describing Mac's drug use and feelings. I did find myself thinking a few times, can someone really use that much cocaine and still be alive/walking/standing/coherent? But, I have absolutely no first-hand knowledge of the subject so it could be true. Even if it's not accurate, the author did a great job faking it and making me believe it was real.
I sincerely hope this author writes more books in the future. I loved everything about this story from the characters to the story to the writing style. She is an amazing storyteller and I thank her for sharing her story with us.
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Mac and Riley are best friends. Their favorite pastime is to get drunk and high. Hey, they're young, why not? Everything is great until Riley decided he needs to get clean. Mac, feeling abandoned by her best friend, delves deeper into the world of drugs, trying to forget Riley and everything that is wrong with her life.
I loved, loved, loved the characters in this book (which I guess is why I felt so much for them that I was bawling my eyes out by the end). The author let us get into Mac's head and really enjoy being there. Mac, though young and stupid and obviously making mistake after mistake, was real. She had real problems and real choices and real feelings. And Grey…I so love Grey. It is obvious from the way he treats her that he loves Mac, but he is young and free and has the world ahead of him, so of course he makes mistakes, too. When he realizes, however, that things have gone too far he does the only thing he can think of to fix it, even if it is the wrong thing. We do not see much of Riley for most of the story and mostly get to know him through Mac's feelings and memories of him. Though Mac feels he abandoned her, he had always been there just waiting for the right time.
I think the thing I really loved about this story was about how realistic it is. From Mac's mom and dad (just ignore the problem, it will go away) to her sister and Mac's feelings of inferiority around her (which I can relate to having two perfect older sisters myself) to the drug use. The author did an exceptional job (in my humble opinion) of detailing and describing Mac's drug use and feelings. I did find myself thinking a few times, can someone really use that much cocaine and still be alive/walking/standing/coherent? But, I have absolutely no first-hand knowledge of the subject so it could be true. Even if it's not accurate, the author did a great job faking it and making me believe it was real.
I sincerely hope this author writes more books in the future. I loved everything about this story from the characters to the story to the writing style. She is an amazing storyteller and I thank her for sharing her story with us.
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Making Connections would like to welcome Christine Anderson today!
Q: Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
Mackenzie Taylor is a rebellious seventeen-year old who lives for a good time. She tries to be a bad ass but she’s really sweet, and naive. Her anger stems from feelings of inferiority and jealousy towards her very perfect older sister, and feelings of abandonment from her parents who live very busy lives.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your main characters.
Mackenzie Taylor is a rebellious seventeen-year old who lives for a good time. She tries to be a bad ass but she’s really sweet, and naive. Her anger stems from feelings of inferiority and jealousy towards her very perfect older sister, and feelings of abandonment from her parents who live very busy lives.
Riley is her best friend, from the “wrong side of the tracks.” Despite dealing drugs, he’s a good guy. Brought up by his single mother in the trailer court, Riley is loyal and sweet. He never stops caring for Mackenzie, even when they’re miles apart.
Grey Lewis is the ultimate bad boy, a mysterious older man who steals Mackenzie’s heart. He had a hard upbringing and threw himself into music to cope. Talented and gorgeous, he could have any girl he wants, but he only has eyes for one.
Q: I haven't read a single review where the reviewer wasn't in tears by the end of this book. Your characters deal with some tough issues and the consequences of choices. Was this a hard book for you to write, and where did your ideas come from?
This book was definitely a challenge to write, but also very satisfying. The main idea for this novel stemmed from wanting to share some of my own experiences. I wanted to show the dangers of drugs and addiction in a real, authentic, personal way…for the reader to relate to the addict and see, firsthand, how hopeless the situation can become. Deep stuff aside, I love angst and romance and teenage drama. The hardest part for me to write, hands down, was the ending… I have an obsession for happy endings! The reality of drug addiction doesn’t always end that way.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge for new authors and what have you been doing to overcome that?
I think the biggest challenge facing a new author today is just trying to be seen! Never mind writing a book, that seems to be easy in comparison, lol. There are so many great books out there now, especially with self-publishing gaining such popularity. Trying to stand out and effectively market your novel are definitely huge challenges for the self-published author. What worked for me was simple, I gave copious amounts of my novel away, for free, in exchange for honest reviews. Once the reviews built up and word spread a little, I was able to start selling some copies. It’s always a work in progress. Sites with an author/reader community like Goodreads have played a huge part in getting my novel out there.
Q: I heard a rumor about a possible sequel to Life of the Party. Is there any certainty to that, and if so when, and what can your readers expect from that story?
I’m writing the sequel right now! I hope to have it finished and published sometime in 2014. This novel focuses on Charlie, picking up where Life of the Party ended, following her journey through the aftermath. I don’t want to give too much away, but Mackenzie will make an appearance.
Q: What do you do to unwind and relax?
I’m a huge introvert, so to really unwind I like to be totally alone. Preferably with a coffee and my laptop and basking in the sunshine.
Q: Hard/paperbacks or ebooks?
I’m a fan of a good paperback, but I’m not picky as long as it’s instantly available.
Q: What book are you reading now?
I am working through the fifth Game of Thrones book, I can’t remember what it’s called. George R.R Martin’s writing is just so brilliant and the story lines are so complex…it’s not an easy read by any means, and I’m constantly forgetting the characters, but I’m a huge fan.
Having a license changed all that. Actually, from age sixteen to nineteen I don’t think I wrote a word (and that includes homework). Those years I lived in a haze my father will never approve of. And from that lengthy blur in my life comes my first novel, Life of the Party.
I should emphasize that Life of the Party is not an autobiography…but it’s not entirely fiction either. While it was inspired from the experiences my friends and I shared when we were younger, it was also inspired by the lessons I learned from them.
In my blog, you’ll find a little bit of everything pertaining to Life of the Party–some book excerpts, book info, random stuff on music and clothes, and anything else I find helpful or inspiring. And of course, my current addiction of choice–writing.
Thanks for checking it out.
Blog: http://christineandersonbooks.wordpress.com/about-me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineAndersonBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/c_anderson2
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4528548.Christine_Anderson
