After her daughter
narrowly survived a man she met in an online role-playing game, Kelly wrote a
breathless young adult thriller with the hopes of helping others spot and
unmask internet predators.
“It is your job to tell others—your
real everyday friends that you go to school with—tell them what happened to
you, so nothing like this can happen to them.” … she agreed.
“My
daughter is my hero,” Kelly said, “for being willing to share her personal
choices, conversations, and feelings in order to help others, regardless of the
negative judgment she might receive as a result.” Additionally, Kelly realized if
she wrote a novel about her daughter’s experience, they could help more people
avoid the trappings of internet predators. Who R U Really? is primarily a work
of fiction, but the essence of the plot is what happened when Kelly’s daughter
was nearly abducted. The fictional elements are based on what has happened to
young women across the country on a too frequent basis.
“Inspired
by her own daughter's terrifying story, Kelly has painted a realistic picture
of how a smart girl can get caught up in something dangerous online,” said the School
Library Journal. “Guaranteed to give readers goosebumps—particularly as
events heat up toward the end. … A good choice for families to read together.” (http://www.bookverdict.com)
According
to the Fall Preview issue of Kirkus Reviews, “Thea’s mistakes,
while frustrating to encounter, are frighteningly plausible, and the
relationships among characters are well–fleshed out, especially between mother
and daughter. Kelly’s first novel is a suspenseful page-turner with multiple
suspects, a little bit of romance, and a strong but not overbearing message.” (www.kirkusreviews.com)
Who R U
Really?
will be published in hardcover and e-book versions by Merit Press (F+W Media)
on September 18, 2014.
More about Who R U Really?
When Thea
discovers a new role-playing game online, she breaks her parents’ rules to
play. And in the world of the game, Thea falls for an older boy named Kit whose
smarts and savvy can’t defeat his near-suicidal despair. Soon, he’s texting
her, asking her to meet him, and talking in vague ways about how they can be
together forever. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless
to resist Kit’s allure, and hurtles toward the very fate her parents feared
most. Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea’s life
spins out of control.
Buy
online:
More about Margo Kelly
Margo
Kelly
is a native of the Northwest and currently resides in Idaho. A veteran public speaker, she is now actively pursuing her love of writing.
Who R U Really? is her first
novel. Margo
welcomes the opportunities to speak to youth groups, library groups, and book
clubs.
Follow
her online:
Twitter: @MargoWKelly
Scheduled Appearances:
September
26, 2014 – 5pm – Book Signing at Hastings in Meridian, Idaho
September
27, 2014 – 4pm – Book Signing at Hastings on Overland in Boise, Idaho
October 3,
2014 – 7pm – Book Launch Party at Hyde Park Books in Boise, Idaho
October 11, 2014 –
4pm – Book Signing at Barn
