Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit Presents Denise Jaden and NEVER ENOUGH

The Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit is a web ring of YA authors which I've recently had the great honor to join. Check these posts for the latest releases!

It's been a busy few weeks for the the Girlfriends!  Today, I'm so happy to be featuring Denise Jaden and her new YA contemp, NEVER ENOUGH.  I absolutely loved her debut LOSING FAITH, and can't wait to dive into this:

From the author of Losing Faith, a novel about two sisters and the eating disorder that threatens to destroy their family.

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special…even if that means betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. And Loann is frightened she could lose the sister she’s always idolized.

As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship—and her sister—before it’s too late?

Buzz for NEVER ENOUGH:
"In her sophomore novel, Jaden (Losing Faith) offers an intimate and enlightened rendering of anorexia and bulimia...Loann's fight against forces that might be beyond her control is both harrowing and inspiring. While Jaden does not provide simple answers for the problems presented, she dramatically illustrates the importance of speaking out and reaching out."
—Publishers Weekly

“Denise Jaden's Never Enough is honest, gut wrenching, and oh so beautiful.  It's a book you can't wait to share.”
—Eileen Cook, author of Unraveling Isobel and The Education of Hailey Kendrick

“A poignant, important book...Denise Jaden has created a cliché-free zone filled with hurt, heart, and personal strength.”
—C.K. Kelly Martin, author of I Know It’s Over and Yesterday
 
“Denise Jaden positively nails the love-hate relationship between two polar opposite sisters who share a single quest: the desire to be perfect, regardless of the cost. A compelling, often gut-wrenching coming-of-age novel, Never Enough will haunt you long after the last page.”
—From Jeannie Garsee, author of Before, After and Somebody In Between

"A poignant look at sisterly devotion and heartache, woven into a sweet tale
of first love and a girl coming into her own."
—Holly Cupala, author of Tell Me A Secret and Don't Breathe A Word

About Denise:

Denise Jaden spent her high school lunch hours trying to tame her frizzy/curly hair in the bathroom, or playing freeze tag in the drama room. She attended the theatre program at college, and then enjoyed a variety of occupations, including stage production, mushroom farming, and Polynesian dancing. The first draft of her debut novel, Losing Faith, was written in 21 days during National Novel Writing Month. This is her second novel. She lives just outside Vancouver, Canada with her husband and son. Find out more online at http://www.denisejaden.comor on Twitter: @denisejaden

Make sure you check these out, because Denise is hosting a mega book giveaway on her blog, and anyone who comments on this post is eligible to enter! It's linked up here!

And now, my favorite part, a peek into Denise's writing life...

1. Do you have a pre-game writing warm-up? Something you do before you write to help get you in the right frame of mind?

No, I pretty much just sit down in front of my laptop whenever I can find spare minutes to write. I’ve learned to be able to sit down in five minute shots and have truly productive moments. When I get stuck, I pace around my kitchen and dining room a few times and that seems to get my mind working again.

2. Is there a time of day you like to write best?

I really like to write first thing in the morning. Often when I’m first waking up, I get some great ideas that I want to work into my current manuscript. It’s always best if I can implement these right away, but often I have to wait until the afternoons to get any serious writing done.

3. Where do you write most often? Do you have a picture you wouldn’t mind sharing of your writing space?

I have an office, officially, but really it’s just our spare room with a teeny-tiny desk shoved into the corner. To be perfectly honest, though, I wrote Losing Faith at my kitchen table during my pre-office days, and quite often I migrate back there with my laptop.

4. What things do you always have on hand when writing? Special pens, notepads, snacks…

I used to crunch on baby carrots all the time while working until I learned they’re soaked in bleach. Yelch! Now I try not to snack, but more often than not, you’ll find a dark chocolate bar somewhere in the vicinity of my desk.

5. How do you stay focused when writing?

Believe it or not, Twitter helps. I’m serious! I tweet that I’m going to be working, sometimes I have a wordwar or challenge with somebody, and those are often my most productive times. I’m very goal driven, and once I say something (or type it in 140 characters or less), I stick to it.

6. What is your worst writing distraction/procrastination tool?

Twitter! Wait, does that work to answer this the same way? But it’s true. While it can be my best helper, it can also be my worst hindrance. There’s always someone fun to chat with on there.

7. Describe your perfect writing day:

My perfect writing day would involve my husband getting my son up and out of the house before I wake up. Then I could go straight from bed to my laptop, which would be ideal. After an hour or two’s work in the morning, I’d probably take a break, do some homeschool with my son, and ideally have another two hours to work in the afternoon. When my husband goes out of town, I also write a little in the evenings (a glass of wine is a nice bonus!) but I don’t think I’d want to write in the evenings every day.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Denise!  I can't wait to read Never Enough!