Jenn Bennett
Jenn Bennett | |
---|---|
Born | Frankfurt am Main |
Occupation | Author, Novelist |
Nationality | American |
Genre | Young adult fiction, Urban fantasy, Paranormal romance, Historical romance |
Notable works | Arcadia Bell series, Roaring Twenties series, The Anatomical Shape of a Heart |
Website | |
www |
Jenn Bennett is an American author of novels and short fiction for adults and teens. Her notable works include Kindling the Moon, The Anatomical Shape of a Heart (aka Night Owls), and Bitter Spirits. Her books have received critical acclaim and award recognition.
Personal life
Bennett was born in Germany.[1] After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Troy University,[2][3] she has lived in a number of places and traveled extensively.[4] She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband.[5]
Career
Arcadia Bell series
Bennett's debut novel, Kindling the Moon released from Pocket Books in July 2011. It is the first book in the Arcadia Bell series. Set in Central California, the story follows Arcadia "Cady" Bell, an occult magician and co-owner of a demon-friendly Tiki bar, who must track down a demon to prove her parents' innocence.[6][7] A review from Romantic Times called the first novel "an impressive debut."[8] Locus Magazine said it was "a solid start to a hot new urban fantasy series."[9]
The second Arcadia Bell novel, Summoning the Night, was released in April 2012. Romantic Times awarded it 4-1/2 stars and "Top Pick" status, calling it "riveting."[10] The book was also nominated for a "Reviewers' Choice Book Award" from Romantic Times.[11]
Binding the Shadows, her third novel, was released in May 2013. Romantic Times again awarded it 4-1/2 stars and another "Top Pick" status: "From the opening line to the terrifying cliffhanger ending, this is an adventure readers won’t soon forget!"[12] The final book in the series, Banishing the Dark, received praise from Publishers Weekly ("exciting all the way through")[13] and a 4-1/2 stars "Top Pick" status from Romantic Times and was nominated for a "Reviewers' Choice Book Award.[14]
Roaring Twenties series
In 2013, Bennett revealed that Berkley Books had acquired two books in a new historical paranormal romance series.[15] Her first novel in this series, Bitter Spirits, released January 7, 2013 to highly positive critical reviews, receiving a Top Pick in Romantic Times ("stupendous") [16] (and later shortlisted for its Seal of Excellence [17]) and garnering coveted starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly ("spooky, sexy") and Booklist ("absolutely delightful").[18][19] It was also only one of six romances published in 2014 to be named on Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2014.[20] The book is set in a haunted San Francisco in the 1920s and features a romance between a spirit medium and a bootlegger.[21] The second book in the series, Grim Shadows, released in June 2014 to positive reviews from Booklist ("a rollicking-good tale") and Romantic Times ("astounding").[22][23] The final book in the series, Grave Phantoms, was awarded RT Book Reviews' Seal of Excellence.[24]
Young Adult fiction
In 2014, Bennett announced that Feiwel and Friends, a division of Macmillan Publishers had acquired her debut young adult contemporary novel, The Anatomical Shape of a Heart, a romance between two aspiring artists living in San Francisco. Titled Night Owls internationally, foreign rights for the book were also acquired by Simon & Schuster UK, German publisher Carlsen Verlag's Königskinder imprint. Portuguese and Spanish translations were sold to South American publisher V & R Editoras, and Turkish rights went to Marti.[25][26] Described by Kirkus Reviews as "a thought-provoking exploration of art as an expression of love and pain,[27] the book received a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews and won a 2015 Reviewers' Choice Award for YA Protagonist from the magazine. It also won the 2016 RITA Award for Young Adult Romance.[28][29]
In 2015, it was reported that Bennett had sold two more YA contemporary novels to Simon and Schuster. The first, Alex, Approximately, was pitched as a teen update of You've Got Mail. It is scheduled to publish simultaneously in the U.S. and U.K. in Spring of 2017. Translation rights have sold to several countries.[30][31]
Bibliography
Arcadia Bell series
- Kindling the Moon (July 2011, ISBN 978-1-4516-2052-8)
- Summoning the Night (April 2012, ISBN 978-1-4516-2053-5)
- Leashing the Tempest (December 2012, ISBN 978-1-4516-9507-6)
- Binding the Shadows (May 2013, ISBN 978-1-4516-9508-3)
- Banishing the Dark (May 2014, ISBN 978-1-4516-9509-0)
Roaring Twenties series
- Bitter Spirits (January 2014, ISBN 978-0-4252-6957-2)
- Grim Shadows (June 2014, ISBN 978-0-4252-6958-9)
- Grave Phantoms (May 5, 2015, ISBN 978-0-4252-8076-8)
Young adult contemporary romance
- The Anatomical Shape of a Heart - UK edition titled Night Owls (November 3, 2015, ISBN 978-1-2500-6645-9)
- Alex, Approximately (Forthcoming, Spring 2017)
References
- ↑ Simon and Schuster (July 2011). "Jenn Bennett Biography". authors.simonandschuster.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ Powell's Books (July 22, 2011). "About the Author". powells.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ Jenn Bennett. "JennBennett.net Profile". jennbennett.net. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ↑ Sci-Fi Fan Letter (June 7, 2013). "Debut Author Interview: Jenn Bennett". scififanletter.blogspot.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ RT Book Reviews (July 22, 2011). "Debut Author Spotlight: Jenn Bennett". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ YM&KAC (April 19, 2012). "Interview with Jenn Bennett plus giveaway". yummymenandkickasschicks.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ Falcata Times (April 28, 2011). "Interview: Jenn Bennett". falcatatimes.blogspot.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ Smith, Jill. "RT Book Review". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
- ↑ Locus Magazine (August 2011). "Review: Kindling the Moon". locusmag.com. p. 27. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
- ↑ Smith, Jill (May 2012). "Summoning the Night review". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
- ↑ RT Book Reviews (May 2013). "RT Award Nominees and Winners". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ Smith, Jill (May 2013). "Binding the Shadows review". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ↑ Publishers Weekly (April 2014). "Fiction Book Review: Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett". publishersweekly.com. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ↑ Smith, Jill (April 2014). "Banishing the Dark review". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ↑ Publisher's Marketplace (May 27, 2013). "Dealmakers: Berkley". publishersmarketplace.com. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ↑ RT Book Reviews (December 1, 2013). "Bitter Spirits". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ RT Book Reviews (January 21, 2014). "January Seal of Excellence". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ Publishers Weekly (November 11, 2013). "Fiction Book Review: Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett". publishersweekly.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ Booklist (January 1, 2014). "Bitter Spirits, by Jenn Bennett". booklistonline.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ↑ Publishers Weekly (November 3, 2014). "Best Books of 2014". publishersweekly.com. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ↑ Badass Book Reviews (May 27, 2013). "Author Interview and Giveaway: Jenn Bennett". badassbookreviews.com. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
- ↑ Booklist (May 15, 2014). "Grim Shadows by Jenn Bennett". booklistonline.com. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ↑ RT Book Reviews (April 2014). "Grim Shadows review". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ↑ RT Book Reviews (May 29, 2014). "May Seal of Excellence". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ↑ Publisher's Marketplace (March 2014). "Dealmakers: Feiwel and Friends". publishersmarketplace.com. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
- ↑ "Young Adult Books". Jenn Bennett, Young Adult Books. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ↑ Kirkus Reviews (July 27, 2015). "The Anatomical Shape of a Heart". www.kirkusreviews.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ↑ RT Book Reviews (March 15, 2016). "Announcing the 2015 RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and Career Achievement Awards Winners". rtbookreviews.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ↑ USA Today (July 17, 2016). "2016 Congratulations to the 2016 RITA & Golden Heart Winners". usatoday.com. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ↑ Publishers Weekly (December 1, 2015). "Rights Report: Week of November 30, 2015". publishersweekly.com. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ↑ "More Young Adult Books". Jenn Bennett, Young Adult Books. December 13, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2013.