Laurie Faria Stolarz
Author of Blue Is for Nightmares
About the Author
Series
Works by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Enter the Dark House: Welcome to the Dark House / Return to the Dark House (2018) 54 copies, 1 review
Red is for revenge 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1972
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Merrimack College
Emerson College (MFA | Creative Writing) - Short biography
- Favorite snack: Popcorn with soy butter and salt. Touristy Trip: Paris. Fashion addiction: DKNY anything, French Connection sweatshirts, Ugg boots, and Gap jeans and basic T-shirts. Dessert: Dark chocolate. Fast food: French fries at least once every couple of months. Beauty Binge: Aveda products, which includes indulging in high-and/or-low-lights every eight weeks. Also, handmade soap from Lush and lilac oil perfume. Late-Night TV: Next, Made, America’s Next Top Model, American Idol, Survivor, the Bachelor, Laguna Beach, Intervention; etc., etc. Chick Flick: Never Been Kissed, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Nightlife: Pilates in front of the TV. Cheap Thrill: Window-shopping, tabloid magazines. Ultimate Splurge: Giuliano’s Day Spa for a massage and soft-pack wrap treatment. Other Random Info Favorite Quote: Perseverance is key. Favorite cuisine: Indian food – Salmon Tandori, onion chutney, Kashmir bread, and curried okra. Favorite Pets: Happy Cat. Interests: Vegetarian cooking, holistic nutrition, aromatherapy. Favorite Music: Fergie, Kelly Clarkson, Tori Amos, Sting, Sarah MacLachlin, Gwen Stefani, Black-eyed Peas. Hobbies: Walking, napping, cooking, shopping, interior decorating.
- Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Salem, Massachusetts, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Massachusetts, USA
Members
Discussions
Found: young adult dark romance mystery novel in Name that Book (September 2021)
Reviews
"I don't trust words - not my parents', nor my own."
Day is at a rough crossroads in her life. Both parents fight the injustices of the world - both roughly in the legal field and are fighting to help those that have been wronged. So Day has grown up with a clear sense of trying to understand situations that put people into bad spots - and to question everything and seek the truth.
But her parents, in the midst of fighting the good fight, lost each other. And her parents have separated and Day show more isn't so sure where that leaves her. In the midst of all this, she loves telling stories through photos. And she spots a boy she can't help but seek out to take that perfect shot.
It's a complete shock when the police arrive and ask her about the boy - because he's been accused of a horrible crime and escaped from a detention facility while awaiting trial.
This is a compelling story - that you want to keep reading to know the truth. As the story unfolds, you see all the avenues that Day seeks as she tries to understand and figure out - Did Julian do it? Or is he innocent? Day has to realize that in a world of law and guilt and human emotions and reactions, it's hard to understand where all the guilt and blame must go. Is any one person solely to blame or completely innocent? It's a great read, one that has left me thinking long after I closed the book. show less
Day is at a rough crossroads in her life. Both parents fight the injustices of the world - both roughly in the legal field and are fighting to help those that have been wronged. So Day has grown up with a clear sense of trying to understand situations that put people into bad spots - and to question everything and seek the truth.
But her parents, in the midst of fighting the good fight, lost each other. And her parents have separated and Day show more isn't so sure where that leaves her. In the midst of all this, she loves telling stories through photos. And she spots a boy she can't help but seek out to take that perfect shot.
It's a complete shock when the police arrive and ask her about the boy - because he's been accused of a horrible crime and escaped from a detention facility while awaiting trial.
This is a compelling story - that you want to keep reading to know the truth. As the story unfolds, you see all the avenues that Day seeks as she tries to understand and figure out - Did Julian do it? Or is he innocent? Day has to realize that in a world of law and guilt and human emotions and reactions, it's hard to understand where all the guilt and blame must go. Is any one person solely to blame or completely innocent? It's a great read, one that has left me thinking long after I closed the book. show less
Welcome to the Dark House - an atmospheric, suspenseful YA horror that will have older readers reminiscing about the guilty pleasures of the past. For me, this book was immediately reminiscent of my pre-teen favorites penned by R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. Like those books of yore, this one immediately grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go until I had finished it- all in the dark, all in the course of several very late-night hours in bed. It was scary. It was fun. It was frustrating. show more (Why, oh why, must authors torture me with cliffhanger endings and promises of sequels? I NEED RESOLUTION, DAMNIT, and I really can't be bothered by waiting several years for answers. Okay, I probably can...but... I don't WANT TO! And, my apologies. Apparently, reading an abundance of YA lately has put me in the adolescent frame of mind - what with all the angst and whining. I'll survive, and, yes, I'll read the sequel. I'm just astounded by the number of YA series that they are churning out nowadays. Regardless of the books' individual merits or worth, I occasionally just want a standalone - one with all the answers. But alas, this is not to be had - at least with this book. And maybe that's not a bad thing).
This book centers around 7 teens, contest winners, who have earned the opportunity to preview a new movie put out by one of the most popular horror franchise directors, Justin Blake. Each have submitted their greatest nightmare (in a thousand words or less) - but will their "great" reward outweigh the personal risk in exposing their inner vulnerabilities? Me thinketh not. I mean, this is a horror novel, right?
Invited to spend a weekend in a hotel designed to resemble a locale out of Blake's movies, the horror-loving adolescents are living out their greatest (see also: scariest) fantasies. Characters from Blake's movies populate the hotel, adding to the authenticity of the experience. BUT when one of the winners is discovered to be missing AND a strange message...in blood... is found in her absence, the teens aren't sure what is real and what is smoke-and-mirror movie magic designed by the director to be part of the weekend's thrill.
I can't go into too much detail - as I don't want to spoil any of the fun - and trust me, this book is fun - if not somewhat predictable, as is the plight of most horror. Yes, some of the characters were somewhat crumbly at the edges, falling prey to the cookie-cutter that helped shape them. It's YA. It's horror. I make allowances for these things. Standout characters were dear, hair-plucking twinsie Natalie (because she was the most dynamic, CRAZY original character of the bunch) and badass goth Garth Vader (because... his name, really). My only real complaint (besides the *cough* lack of an ending) was the undefined shift in narrative perspectives. The book frequently shifts between the seven teenagers; however, my galley didn't allow for distinction between their voices, and as such, I spent the first several pages after every "shift" trying to determine just who I was reading. Regular readers, have no fear. I've read that this has been rectified in the book's published form. NetGalley, I forgive you the confusion that you inadvertently caused, and I, once again, thank you for the opportunity to read this...even though you have apparently suckered me into yet another series where I am forced to wait for resolution. *sigh* It's a love-hate thing, NetGalley. Okay. It's more of a love-love thing, but - remember - I'm feeling angsty after all this YA ;) And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go cry in my poster-covered room while writing in my secret diary about how horrible my parents are. (God, they just don't understand). show less
This book centers around 7 teens, contest winners, who have earned the opportunity to preview a new movie put out by one of the most popular horror franchise directors, Justin Blake. Each have submitted their greatest nightmare (in a thousand words or less) - but will their "great" reward outweigh the personal risk in exposing their inner vulnerabilities? Me thinketh not. I mean, this is a horror novel, right?
Invited to spend a weekend in a hotel designed to resemble a locale out of Blake's movies, the horror-loving adolescents are living out their greatest (see also: scariest) fantasies. Characters from Blake's movies populate the hotel, adding to the authenticity of the experience. BUT when one of the winners is discovered to be missing AND a strange message...in blood... is found in her absence, the teens aren't sure what is real and what is smoke-and-mirror movie magic designed by the director to be part of the weekend's thrill.
I can't go into too much detail - as I don't want to spoil any of the fun - and trust me, this book is fun - if not somewhat predictable, as is the plight of most horror. Yes, some of the characters were somewhat crumbly at the edges, falling prey to the cookie-cutter that helped shape them. It's YA. It's horror. I make allowances for these things. Standout characters were dear, hair-plucking twinsie Natalie (because she was the most dynamic, CRAZY original character of the bunch) and badass goth Garth Vader (because... his name, really). My only real complaint (besides the *cough* lack of an ending) was the undefined shift in narrative perspectives. The book frequently shifts between the seven teenagers; however, my galley didn't allow for distinction between their voices, and as such, I spent the first several pages after every "shift" trying to determine just who I was reading. Regular readers, have no fear. I've read that this has been rectified in the book's published form. NetGalley, I forgive you the confusion that you inadvertently caused, and I, once again, thank you for the opportunity to read this...even though you have apparently suckered me into yet another series where I am forced to wait for resolution. *sigh* It's a love-hate thing, NetGalley. Okay. It's more of a love-love thing, but - remember - I'm feeling angsty after all this YA ;) And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go cry in my poster-covered room while writing in my secret diary about how horrible my parents are. (God, they just don't understand). show less
Why does every book I read include a lame teenage love triangle? I get that it... no, scratch that. I don't get it.
This was just a book I randomly picked up from my library. The car battery died, I hung out in the library waiting for the repair guy and picked up this one. Turned out to be a very good read for the most part.
My library is relatively new and thoroughly understocked so it makes sense that they have this book which is third in a series of four and none of the others :S So I came show more into this as a completely new reader to the author and the series.
Sidebar, this is one of the prettiest book covers I have ever seen. Gorgeous!
I liked it from the start because it's creepy. It creates a very haunting atmosphere and, as someone coming in with no knowledge of the series, a desire to know what the fuck is going on.
Camelia hears voices. As does her Aunt Alexia. But her Aunt is wayyy more troubled than teenaged Camelia. Suicidal, hospitalized, batshit crazy Aunt Alexia has moved in for awhile and Camelia begins to find uncomfortable similarities between the two of them. I think the scenes with the two of them were my favourites to read. Aunt Alexia isn't written as a stereotypical crackpot, her dialogue and actions are quite clever. She is definitely a memorable character, might even say my favourite of the book.
The novel is interspersed with letters from Jack to Jill and vice versa, which are initially completely removed from the main story. I thought this was a really clever technique. "Jack" is a stalker and "Jill" his latest victim, and throughout the novel the voices Camelia's been hearing shed more light on Jack's evil nature.
Long story short, Camelia gets to "Jill" in time to save her, though "Jill", real name Rachael, is mute from the attack. Story ends, probably will go into it in book four.
Ok, so Camelia is a pretty interesting protagonist. I love mental characters, so having her hear voices was a great start. She also has two close friends who are fleshed out and have very individual (though in Wes's case also annoying) voices.
The story kept me guessing and second guessing. I was unsatisfied with the ending, I thought the story was better than the ending. It just seemed too rushed and airtight.
Things fall apart pretty much only when it comes to the love interests. Ben and Adam, who as far as I can tell only differ as characters by the fact one rides a motorbike and the other drives a Bronco.
I just hate male characters like this in fiction. All they do is profess how much they care and want to protect our protagonist. Jesus, get a life! Camelia seems very capable of handling herself, but around Ben or Adam she doesn't seem to mind at all how much they say they want to keep her safe and protected. They both each have some sort of psycho-ability as well. At least I think Adam does, he may just know about Camelia's gift. Ben definitely has some superpowers that make it difficult for him to touch others.
Anyway, I got the feeling reading this that the author hadn't intended on writing a triangle. So much of the book is not cliche, but the romance is typical of YA fiction I've been reading lately. Girl likes boy, boy leaves girl to "protect" her even though they're still tots in love, boy gets with most popular/hottest girl in school (which is a loose end that's not tied up at all), boy tells girl he still loves her but they can't be together, girl is sad.
Like I said, I haven't read the series but there is a point where Camelia asks one of her boytoys if he and the other boytoy are "friends again", which leads me to believe they were friends and thus making this triangle even more headdesk-y (new word?).
There's a part I really didn't like where Ben tells Camelia that she should be with Adam, because Ben has already discussed with Adam (without Camelia's knowledge) that Camelia needs constant protection, but Ben has to leave town so Adam's going to take up the job. Why, I don't know. It seemed completely un-Camelia to accept that two boys had decided what should happen with her life without her input or knowledge.
Ben and Adam, because of the stalking, are always in the right place at the right time which is generally right by Camelia when she wakes up after a hallucination (which are quite cool to read, but ruined when she wakes up wanting Ben or Adam).
There was a great chance at the end for the story to redeem itself with regards to this. Camelia goes to "Jack"'s place to save "Jill" and they have a fistfight. Camelia overpowers him, but he trips her knocking her out. Now, she COULD have woken up, grabbed a pen and stabbed his eye or something, but instead she wakes up and everything has been taken care of by Ben. We're told this through "Jill's" eyes as she recounts that Ben burst in and easily beat "Jack" shitless and then saved Jill, but was obviously much more invested in the unconscious Camelia, whom he proceeds to kiss which I found weird. Jill also tells us he wailed on and on about how much he loved her and always will, but she should go with Adam because it's safer.
Camelia wakes up, everything's better, Ben tells her Adam's going to look after her, and Ben leaves. Why Camelia so desperately needs either Adam or Ben still mystifies me. And, though I enjoyed this book, I won't be reading on to find out. show less
This was just a book I randomly picked up from my library. The car battery died, I hung out in the library waiting for the repair guy and picked up this one. Turned out to be a very good read for the most part.
My library is relatively new and thoroughly understocked so it makes sense that they have this book which is third in a series of four and none of the others :S So I came show more into this as a completely new reader to the author and the series.
Sidebar, this is one of the prettiest book covers I have ever seen. Gorgeous!
I liked it from the start because it's creepy. It creates a very haunting atmosphere and, as someone coming in with no knowledge of the series, a desire to know what the fuck is going on.
Camelia hears voices. As does her Aunt Alexia. But her Aunt is wayyy more troubled than teenaged Camelia. Suicidal, hospitalized, batshit crazy Aunt Alexia has moved in for awhile and Camelia begins to find uncomfortable similarities between the two of them. I think the scenes with the two of them were my favourites to read. Aunt Alexia isn't written as a stereotypical crackpot, her dialogue and actions are quite clever. She is definitely a memorable character, might even say my favourite of the book.
The novel is interspersed with letters from Jack to Jill and vice versa, which are initially completely removed from the main story. I thought this was a really clever technique. "Jack" is a stalker and "Jill" his latest victim, and throughout the novel the voices Camelia's been hearing shed more light on Jack's evil nature.
Long story short, Camelia gets to "Jill" in time to save her, though "Jill", real name Rachael, is mute from the attack. Story ends, probably will go into it in book four.
Ok, so Camelia is a pretty interesting protagonist. I love mental characters, so having her hear voices was a great start. She also has two close friends who are fleshed out and have very individual (though in Wes's case also annoying) voices.
The story kept me guessing and second guessing. I was unsatisfied with the ending, I thought the story was better than the ending. It just seemed too rushed and airtight.
Things fall apart pretty much only when it comes to the love interests. Ben and Adam, who as far as I can tell only differ as characters by the fact one rides a motorbike and the other drives a Bronco.
I just hate male characters like this in fiction. All they do is profess how much they care and want to protect our protagonist. Jesus, get a life! Camelia seems very capable of handling herself, but around Ben or Adam she doesn't seem to mind at all how much they say they want to keep her safe and protected. They both each have some sort of psycho-ability as well. At least I think Adam does, he may just know about Camelia's gift. Ben definitely has some superpowers that make it difficult for him to touch others.
Anyway, I got the feeling reading this that the author hadn't intended on writing a triangle. So much of the book is not cliche, but the romance is typical of YA fiction I've been reading lately. Girl likes boy, boy leaves girl to "protect" her even though they're still tots in love, boy gets with most popular/hottest girl in school (which is a loose end that's not tied up at all), boy tells girl he still loves her but they can't be together, girl is sad.
Like I said, I haven't read the series but there is a point where Camelia asks one of her boytoys if he and the other boytoy are "friends again", which leads me to believe they were friends and thus making this triangle even more headdesk-y (new word?).
There's a part I really didn't like where Ben tells Camelia that she should be with Adam, because Ben has already discussed with Adam (without Camelia's knowledge) that Camelia needs constant protection, but Ben has to leave town so Adam's going to take up the job. Why, I don't know. It seemed completely un-Camelia to accept that two boys had decided what should happen with her life without her input or knowledge.
Ben and Adam, because of the stalking, are always in the right place at the right time which is generally right by Camelia when she wakes up after a hallucination (which are quite cool to read, but ruined when she wakes up wanting Ben or Adam).
There was a great chance at the end for the story to redeem itself with regards to this. Camelia goes to "Jack"'s place to save "Jill" and they have a fistfight. Camelia overpowers him, but he trips her knocking her out. Now, she COULD have woken up, grabbed a pen and stabbed his eye or something, but instead she wakes up and everything has been taken care of by Ben. We're told this through "Jill's" eyes as she recounts that Ben burst in and easily beat "Jack" shitless and then saved Jill, but was obviously much more invested in the unconscious Camelia, whom he proceeds to kiss which I found weird. Jill also tells us he wailed on and on about how much he loved her and always will, but she should go with Adam because it's safer.
Camelia wakes up, everything's better, Ben tells her Adam's going to look after her, and Ben leaves. Why Camelia so desperately needs either Adam or Ben still mystifies me. And, though I enjoyed this book, I won't be reading on to find out. show less
So twisty it would make a pretzel jealous. Terra was already eye deep in guilt and trauma after being the sole survivor when her house burned down. Now she's dealing with an additional double whammy, getting kidnapped and stuck in what she thinks is an abandoned well would be horrific by itself. Having all the people left in your life who you count on, start to doubt it happened is an added soul killer. Sprinkle with doubtful reality checks and top with mean girls. Stir well and savor. A show more very satisfying tale. show less
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