Author Interview: Jennifer Murgia

I’m so excited to welcome Jennifer Murgia to the blog today. She is the author of the super fab Angel Star series. Welcome Jennifer!

TFE: Do you know how many books will be in the Angel Star series?

JM: Right now there are the two – Angel Star and Lemniscate. I have another in mind so we shall see . . .

TFE: I absolutely adore Teagan’s mom and loved that she had a positive presence in Angel Star. Was having a positive parental role model important to you?

JM: Yes it was. Many YA novels are filled with dysfunctional families. Some even omit parents altogether giving the reader a sense that the protagonist is left to their own devices. Sometimes this works and sometimes I feel like there’s an important element missing from the story that will help flesh it out.

Most YA’s deal with important issues, even in a paranormal setting so why not make it plausible. A healthy parental influence in a story for teens is a good thing.

TFE: Do you have a favorite when it comes to the two boys competing for Teagan’s attentions?

JM: That’s a hard question to ask me considering how important both Garreth and Hadrian are to me. I love both more than anything – can see the good and understand the flaws each one possesses. Garreth is the epitome of love and devotion and of encouragement, while Hadrian is the dark, sexy bad boy with a secret even he doesn’t see. . . Fine. It’s Hadrian. *cringe*.

TFE: In books do you usually feel drawn to the good guy or the bad boy?

JM: It depends really. If the book is only about the good guy, then it’s him. If it has a bad boy that can lean towards good, then it’s him. I don’t fall for a bad guy just because he’s bad. He needs to have depth; something special about him that will make me fall for him. Being evil with no hope of redemption is a turn-off.

TFE: Is there a song that comes to mind when you think of Teagan’s story?

JM: There are a lot of songs. Borders Express in Exton Pa recently hosted the release party for Lemniscate and they asked me to create a playlist so they could fill the store with the music that inspired me to write both books.

Here’s the playlist:

Anthem of the Angels – Breaking Benjamin

Broken – Seether (feat. Amy Lee)

Call Me When You’re Sober – Evanescence

The Catalyst – Linkin Park

Haunted – Evanescence

Hero – Skillet

How You Remind Me – Nickelback

Iridescent – Linkin Park

Iris – The Goo Goo Dolls

My Sacrifice – Creed

Not Strong Enough – Apocalyptica

Over and Over – Three Days Grace

Savin’ Me – Nickelback

Second Chance – Shinedown

Sleep Well, My Angel – We Are the Fallen

Waiting For The End – Linkin Park

Without You – Breaking Benjamin

Your Star – Evanescence

TFE: What are you currently reading?

JM: Sisters of Misery  by Megan Kelley Hall

TFE: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your books?

JM: Just thanks so much to everyone who has found Angel Star and Lemniscate and read it. Getting my dream into your hands means more to me than you can think and it blows my mind how many fans the books have created!

TFE: Thanks for stopping by Jennifer! I can’t wait to see where you take readers next!

Books in the Angel Star series:

Review: Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia

Title: Lemniscate
Series: Angel Star #2
Author: Jennifer Murgia | Author Website
Available: Now
Reading Level: Young Adult




*Possible spoilers for Angel Star below*






Description via Goodreads:


For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth- especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.

Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.

In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.


My thoughts:


Lemniscate picks up months after Angel Star’s dramatic ending. Teagan is thrilled to have her guardian earth bound and with her. When guardian, Garreth, starts to make some very human mistakes and in turn pulls away from Teagan, she isn’t sure what to do. She is also struggling with her mom’s new relationship. Pulled between the desire to be happy for her, and the fears of what changes this will cause to her life especially the fact that this means spending more time with one of her worst enemies. Nothing is simple for Teagan in this book. While dealing with normal issues faced by teens she also must fight forces of evil. 


I could not wait to read Lemniscate after falling in love with the world and characters in Angel Star. Jennifer Murgia has a knack for creating characters with so much depth and heart. Her take on heaven and hell is absolutely fascinating and not to be missed. Teagan is such a selfless character, and she proves this again and again over the course of Lemniscate. I adore her! 


I found the plot to be a little more angsty than book one, but it worked. Teagan acted like you’d expect any teen girl who is balancing boy and family woes to behave. I love that she had all of this happening, but still managed to maintain a respectful attitude when it came to her mother. The few times Teagan let her emotions get the best of her she felt awful after for not being nicer to her mom. I truly love the normalcy this mother and daughter relationship exudes. 


Lemniscate also seemed to be heavier on the action. Bad guys are after Teagan once again and she’ll have to figure out how her new mark factors into the danger she seems to attract. This worked well for the pacing, and I found I’d flown through this story in the matter of hours. It grabbed my attention on page one and never let go. The ending left me with several questions including one BIG question. I won’t divulge what that question is, but I can say I’m fiending for the next book in this series like you wouldn’t believe.


If you haven’t tried this series you really must. It is truly a breath of fresh air. I can’t wait to see where Teagan takes us next!

My Rating:

Stop by tomorrow to read my interview with Jennifer Murgia!

Books in this series:

Source: Purchased by me!

Chapter 1 Sneak Peek + Giveaway: Lemniscate by Jennifer Murgia

Happy Book Birthday, Lemniscate! The second book in Jennifer Murgia’s Angel Star series releases today! I’m excited to share chapter 1 with all of you.

Chapter 1

It had been raining for three days straight. I rolled onto my side to face the window towards the bit of light glowing behind the thin skin of my eyelids and grew excited for a moment, thinking today the sun might finally make an appearance. I should have known better. Under normal circumstances I would have been more than happy to cinch my covers in closer, keeping the warmth in as long as possible, thawing my flannel-wrapped arm after mercilessly sending it out into the open to slam the snooze button. But not today.

I opened my eyes to Garreth standing at the glass, his skin reflecting back a pale glimmer against the dry side of the window. My warm light on the bleakest of Monday mornings was tracing the crooked lines of water with his finger, seemingly deep in thought.

“Writing love notes to me on my window?” I mused out loud, stretching my cramped legs toward the bottom of my quilted bed. I propped myself up onto my elbow as he turned around, his striking blue eyes reminded me of his perfection.

Each day I’m astounded to find him here with me.

My angel. My guardian. My boyfriend.

Garreth has been earthbound for months now, choosing to live the life of a mortal just so he can spend each and every waking moment with me. It’s not that he’s giving up an extraordinary existence, he’s just trading part of one for another. He’s still my guardian, still here to protect me. True, there isn’t anything human about him besides the charade he plays for others, and his looks, which, now that I think about it, aren’t quite human either. I remember the irregular heartbeats I felt the first time we met at school last spring. The way I would feel all weak and fluttery. Words can’t describe what he means to me. My mother would call it unhealthy and irrational if she ever learned the true depth of my emotions. Anyone would.

Garreth’s aura isn’t like the average guy running around my school or at the mall. He’s pure. Surreal. And his heart beats only for me. I should feel important and flattered, I know. But honestly, it makes me uncomfortable. Why anyone would give up the freedom of roaming the heavens to be stranded here is beyond me.

Especially for me.

“You’re awake,” he said, walking slowly to my bedside. Sitting down and looking deeply into my eyes, Garreth bent to kiss me good morning. His hand rested gently on my cheek, allowing me to feel the exceptional warmth of his skin, his soft touch nearly lulling me back to sleep.

“Oh, no you don’t. It’s time for you to get up.”

“Please tell me it’s Saturday,” I murmured, forcing my face into my pillow.

“Unfortunately, it’s Monday and unfortunately again, we have a calculus test today.” Garreth nudged my ribs and I couldn’t help giggling.

“Ok, ok! I’m up!” I smiled into his chiseled face. He looked as handsome as always. His sandy hair, tousled as usual, hung seductively over his brilliant blue eyes. My eyes traced the strong bridge of his nose, which led to his perfect lips, and I let my eyes rest there for a few minutes. Picking up on my thoughts, he bent lower. I could smell the warmth of his skin, fragrant and spicy, as if he’d just showered with an amazing fragrance not yet discovered and bottled. It was his scent, an incense of sorts that belonged only to him and gently surrounded him like his aura. It made me dizzy, but I loved it. I closed my eyes as his lips rested softly on mine and my arms wove up and around his neck to keep him longer.

“Test? Remember?” He grasped my hands, still clasped behind his neck, and uncurled my fingers with a gentle strength, bringing them to rest at my sides. “Later . . . later you can kiss me and not let go,” he whispered softly into my hair and then stood up.

“Of course you’ll ace this test. You have infinite knowledge.” I was being sarcastically playful, and Garreth rolled his eyes.

“I’ll make sure I get a few wrong.”

“Gee, thanks,” I responded.

I could hear my mother stirring down the hall. Within minutes she’d be padding softly in this direction to her shower and stop at my door along the way, urging me to wake up. She’s not aware that I’m usually up by this point, nor is she aware that Garreth is the one to wake me before she ever gets the chance to.

A dresser drawer scraped shut, usually Garreth’s clue for a silent, celestial exit, knowing twenty minutes from now he’d be knocking on the kitchen door to take me to school. I kissed him goodbye with one last chance to see the blue of his eyes sparkle like diamonds. Like clockwork, my mother’s knuckles rapped at my door.

Only twenty minutes longer.

That’s all I have to wait.

Twenty minutes.

Don’t forget to keep commenting on participating blogs for your chance to win these!

Order from Amazon:

Add on Goodreads:

Angel Star | Lemniscate

Visit for http://jennifermurgia.com/blog/ for a list of all participating blogs.

The Lemniscate Quote Hop!

To celebrate the release of the much anticipated second book in the amazing Angel Star series, Lemniscate, Jennifer Murgia is hosting a quote hop with the help of 20 bloggers. She is also giving away signed copies of Angel Star and Lemniscate. To enter all you have to do is follow the hop and comment on the quote posts. 

Description via Goodreads:

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth- especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected. 

Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies. 

In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.

Today’s Quote:

Unless the bird was huge.

Unless the bird was the size of a man.

Want to read more? Go to http://redhousebooks.blogspot.com tomorrow!


Visit http://jennifermurgia.com/blog/ for a list of all the participating blogs.

Review: Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia

Title: Angel Star
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Available: Now
Number of Pages: 251
Reading Level: Young Adult


4 out of 5 Stars










Description from Goodreads:


Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand-the mark of an angel. 

But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows, and now, she is torn between one angel's sacrifice and another angel's vicious ambition. 


My thoughts:


I adored this book, and was so disappointed when I finished because the sequel isn’t due to be released for months (7 long ones to be exact). Angel stories are still new to me, but this has to be my favorite so far. I was hooked from the first page, and thanks to a well paced plot my attention never faltered. Teagan was a wonderful main character. I loved her immediately, and had to know what was going to happen between her and the dueling forces of good and evil. 


I applaud the author for creating a teen girl who is respectful, responsible, and has a mother who loves her and actually has rules. Yes, her mom is single and works quite a bit, but Teagan is growing up in one of the healthiest families I’ve encountered in young adult literature. It was so nice to get a break from the dysfunction and angst that seems to encompass so many books these days. Angel Star was truly a pleasure to read, and I can’t wait for more from this talented author.

Jennifer Murgia on the web:

Website | Twitter

Books in this series:

Angel Star

Lemniscate Coming in 2011

*Received from Book It Forward ARC Tours