January 1, 2009

In Too Deep (+ Contest)

Read all the way to the end for the contest rules!

Book Cover

By Jennifer Banash

IN TOO DEEP picks up not long after where THE ELITE ends. Casey McCloy and Drew Van Allen are an official item, and Madison Macallister is acting friendly(-ish) to her face but preparing to break them up. Sophie and Phoebe try to be friends to both, but they're busy with their own dramas. Even in the glittery world of the exclusive Bram building, they still have to deal with two things that plague every teenager: boys and family. (Well, some teenagers are plagued by girls and family.)

I love how much more grounded THE ELITE series seems than some of the other series of this type I've read. In so many there may be parents present, but they'll have no control over their children. IN TOO DEEP explores many of the characters' relationships with their families as well as the relationship drama.

Madison, like a true queen bee, chafes under the control of her mother. (I'm not saying her mother's the best, but she's far better than Madison makes out.) She feels she's more grown-up than she actually is and it gets her in over her head. She gets scouted for modelling and encounters people who don't care what her last name is. She flirts with a man too old for her without once considering his age.

Phoebe Reynaud also has problems with her mother, but more because she keeps forgetting to pick up her little sister because she's too busy with whoever her boyfriend is. Phoebe cuts her own support lines by getting involved with a boy she can't tell her friends about. He can make her happy when he's physically present, but most of the time he just makes her feel guilty at a time when she needs something to feel positive about.

Sophie St. John loves her mother and father, but she's angry at them for the secret they kept and eager to meet her birth mom. IN TOO DEEP definitely showcases Sophie more than THE ELITE. Her Sweet Sixteen is approaching - and it's going to be on camera, on an MTV-esque show. She finds she can speak to Casey before the cameras start rolling because she can be more objective than the friends who have known her forever. Of course, those friends will eventually find out Casey knew about the adoption first. Sophie sets herself up for all kinds of drama.

On the other hand, Drew adores his father and still gets along with him quite well. He doesn't like his relationship advice about Casey, but he's always felt a strong camadarie with his father since they're rather similar. However, he's about to find out about some of his father's mistakes, which makes him question himself as a person.

This only adds to his relationship drama with Casey. Liking each other isn't enough to sustain a relationship and the two have serious communication problems. Both want to make it work but their actions often convince the other of the opposite. They don't really understand how the other thinks, which makes it hard to know when they've sent the wrong signal. Of course, their problems aren't helped by Madison helping the misunderstandings along.

In the finale Jennifer Banash really ups the ante for SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE. I can't wait to pick up the third book and see how some of the snarls come undone. Banash is fabulous at creating relatable characters in over-the-top situations. Her characters act like real teenagers and really captures that sense of being almost ready to be an adult but not quite and the out of control emotions.

IN TOO DEEP's release date is next Tuesday, January 6th. THE ELITE is currently available. You can read my review of THE ELITE here as well as Banash's Fashion Week guest blog. You can find out more at The Elite site or at Banash's MySpace.

But wait! Do you want a signed copy of IN TOO DEEP for yourself? Just enter my contest by commenting on this post. Earn extra entries too:

+1 for following the blog (+2 if you're already a follower)
+1 for commenting on my interview with Jennifer
+1 for posting about the contest and linking to your post in the comments

The contest will run for two weeks and I will announce the winner of January 16th.

158 comments:

  1. Oo! Enter me! And I was already a follower thank you very much (: How did you score this book! Lucky! I hope i win (:

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  2. I got a copy from Jennifer's publicist and the contest copy is coming from Jennifer herself. ^^

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  3. Oooooh I'd love to enter! And I'm already a follower, that's how I saw this post!

    aleareads@gmail dot com

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  4. I would love to try this series! =) I've been following for awhile on my blogroll. xD; Also have linked to this post on my giveaway section! o3o

    Thanks for hosting! <3

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  5. I can't believe I wasn't following, but I am now.

    I loved The Elite and really want to read In Too Deep. Awesome contest!

    -Lauren

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  6. No need to enter me. I'm just dropping by to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you!

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  7. Yes, please! I'd love to win! Thanks!
    bunnybx at gmail . com

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  8. Blogged: http://bunnymoney9.blogspot.com/2009/01/cool-wins.html

    bunnybx at gmail . com

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  9. Please count me in.

    stacie_vaughan@hotmail.com

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  10. I'm a new follower.

    stacie_vaughan@hotmail.com

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  11. Please enter me.

    I'm a follower though Google Reader.

    Thanks!!

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  12. I just followed your blog ^^ PLease enter me, I wanna read this book!

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  13. I'd love to win; books are a passion of mine!

    Thanks

    nancyrobster@gmail.com

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  14. I'm a new follower!

    Thanks very much!


    nancyrobster@gmail.com

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  15. Please enter me, sounds like a fantastic read!

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  16. This series sounds really good! Please include me and I've added this to my blog. I'm also a follower now. Great review and I look forward to the interview.

    5wrights1@verizon.net
    www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com

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  17. Sounds really great!
    Please count me in. Thanks.

    avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

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  18. Sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  19. I'd love to be entered! I'll also follow your blog and post this on my sidebar :]

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  20. Sign me up! Already a Follower, btw.
    Ooh, and thanks for the reminder on GoodReads. I wasn't able to sign up the first time I saw your post. I was hurriedly going through Google Reader before heading out.

    Thanks for the Contest.

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  21. I am now a follower and I blogged about your contest:
    http://morbid-romantic.net/2008/12/29/book-giveaways-1229-0104

    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

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  22. Thanks for the contest!

    Blogged about it here.

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  23. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  24. Fun! Would love to read this!

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  25. Enter me, please!

    Katie
    bball11kt@sbcglobal.net

    -I'm following you
    -I posted this contest on the sidebar of my vlog:
    http://katiesbookshelf11.blogspot.com/

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  26. Loved your review and I am looking forward to the book!

    I am a new follower! Thanks so much!

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  27. I'm already a follower! I also posted it on my Twitter which goes to my Facebook! http://twitter.com/sweetmelissa818

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  28. sounds sensational thanks for the contest minsthins(at)optonline(dot)net

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  29. Sounds like my kind of book!!! Lucky you for scouring a copy!
    Please enter me, I'd love to add this to my collection!
    Darby
    darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

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  30. thanks for the contest! i've heard a lot of buzz about this book and would love a copy. i'm already a follower to your fun little blog here!

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  31. Pick me please! :)
    sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

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  32. I've linked you up at http://senalovescandy.blogspot.com/2009/01/sweet-sweet-candy.html
    sena.sagani[at]gmail[dot]com

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  33. I'd love a chance to win!! Thanks for the contest!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

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  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. I entered above, but I just wanted to link to another post and let you know that I commented on the fantastic interview! http://to-little-time.blogspot.com/

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  36. I am a follower! I'd love to win.

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  37. Well I followed your blog when I clicked here and then I just commented on the interview...and now I've found this lovely contest :D

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  38. I would love to win this book, I really liked the first one!

    I have commented on your interview with Banash and am now a follower!

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  39. this looks great! thanks for the chance!!
    christinbanda@yahoo.com

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  40. The first one was great! I would love to read this one too! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  41. I blogged too:

    http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2009/01/winners-other-contests.html

    -Lauren

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  42. this looks like a good read!

    jayme[dot]bouwens@yahoo[dot]com

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  43. Please, enter me. :)

    I just became a follower and I have a link to this on my blog( Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf) under contests.

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  44. I'll follow! Thanks for the invite!
    This book looks yum!

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  45. This sounds most interesting. I will post about your contest, am signing up to be a follower and please enter me in the contest

    florida982002[at]yahoo dot com

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  46. Those books sound very interesting. I am always looking for new authors to read and I believe you just showed me one. I am now going to follow your blog. Please enter me in to the contest. Great reviews keep it up!!!

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  47. Would love to win a copy of this! I am putting it on my 2009 TBR list right now!

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  48. Don't ya just love this cover! Enter me please!

    Deidre
    http://gothicasylum.blogspot.com/
    deidre_durance@hotmail.com

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  49. I love those lashes!! :) Id love to win a copy of this book. I love reading new authors I havent yet had a chance to read.

    texasgirl(at)rocketmail(dot)com

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  50. there is nothing so grand as the smell of a new book as you get read to crack the spine and take the plunge into your imagination...

    madmerkf at aol dot com

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  51. It'd be great to win! Thanks!

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  52. I would love to read this, please enter me!!

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  53. I would really love to read this.

    rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  54. Your recommendation has me craving to read this book :)

    Thanks.
    callmeabookworm at gmail dot com
    A Book Blogger's Diary

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  55. The book sounds very interesting. I have been reading only Ecology books this past year, so this would be a great change of pace. Thanks so much.

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  56. Looks good, I want to win and read it.

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  57. I would like to read this book. Please enter me in the contest.

    abfantom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  58. Sounds like a good book, thanks. I'll have to get the other one and read it too.

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  59. I would love to read this! Please enter me!!

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

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  60. Please enter me, sounds like a great read

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  61. Sounds like a good book, thanks!

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  62. I love books, and I would love to win this. Thank you!

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  63. I love books, and I would love to win this. Thank you!

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  64. I love reading new books...count me in.

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  65. "The Elite" was a good book and it would be fun to continue on reading

    jason@allworldautomotive.com

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  66. I'm in. I need another book to read.

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  67. This looks like a fun read! I would love to win it!

    Tarah
    tarah716[at]ymail.com

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  68. Sounds like a great prize. Thanks for the contest.

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  69. I like the fact it is a bit autobiographical.

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  70. This looks like a great book to read. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Kim
    turtles8861(at)gmail(dot)com

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  71. I'm an avid reader and would love to win this!

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  72. my favorite pastime reading in bed

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  73. this sounds like it would be good

    joni514@roadrunner.com

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  74. This sounds like a great read! Would love this one! cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  75. Thanks for the giveaway.
    fmd518@inbox.com

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  76. Need a good read count me in!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  77. Looks like a good book. This would be an awesome addition to my library!

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  78. I'd like to read this book.
    -Terra H.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  79. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  80. I think Jennifer is a phenonmenal writer and I would love to win one of her books!

    Roseanna Cannaday
    rosie1234_7@hotmail.com

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  81. I'd love to win-thanks

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

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  82. I'm sure I would really enjoy this book!
    digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

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  83. I follow you on Blogger
    digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

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  84. Happy New Year!

    Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

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  85. With each blog that I see about this book, it makes me want it more and more. Please enter me in the contest and now I am a follower too :)

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  86. PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY :)

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  87. Please, enter me, great prize!!! I would love to win this.

    legab67156 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  88. Sounds like a great book. I really love to read. Thank you so much.

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  89. Love to win this book. Looks really good!

    teraustin@mindspring.com

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  90. Would love to try out a new author to me! :-)

    vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

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  91. Great Prize - count me in please :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

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  92. looks like a great read thanks for the giveaway

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  93. Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  94. I would love to win this, thanks.
    erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

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  95. I love to read, so I wouuld love to win! Thanks for contest!

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  96. Love to win this book. Count me in.

    hellokitty534-reading@yahoo.com

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  97. Thanks for giving us a chance to win what looks to be a great book!

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  98. Sign me up for a chance to win.

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  99. Please enter me into the contest.

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  100. I haven't read THE ELITE yet, but this sounds like a good series! Thanks :)

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  101. i read alot during the winter so this is something i could really use. thanks for the chance to win!

    a_true_goddess@hotmail.com

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  102. I'd love to be in bed with this book
    rosans4@comcast.net

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  103. I follow your blog
    rosans4@comcast.net

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  104. I love to read. Thanks for having the wonderful giveaway.

    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

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  105. Love to read, thanks for the great contest!

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  106. Awesome that you got to interview the author, that must have been an amazing experience.

    My favourite author is Stephen King and am facinated with how he thinks.

    Great blog!

    Amy in Kamloops @ gmail.com

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  107. Sounds like a great book. Love to read it. Please enter me.
    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  108. This sounds like a great read. Thanks for the opportunity and for sharing it with us!

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  109. Looks like a good read for these dark, cold winter nights.
    paryjeja at sbcglobal dot net

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  110. I am looking for a new book to cuddle up and read.

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  111. Looking like a good book, win or not! Thanks for the chance to dream!!!


    lknott@partnercom.net

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  112. I would love to read this book!
    zestywonderland@gmail.com

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  113. I would love to win this book. garrettsambo@aol.com

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  114. Oh please count me in! This sounds great!

    jlilleysprint@earthlink.net

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  115. OOH! I love reading & this sounds just like my kinda genre I love to have around!

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  116. Please count me in. Thank you.



    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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