Wednesday, July 22, 2015

CAN'T WAIT TO READ: Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt

Release date: September 1st 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pre-order: Amazon


Synopsis via Goodreads:
A modern-day Romeo and Juliet story in which a wealthy Southern boy falls in love with an undocumented Mexican girl and together they face perils in their hostile Georgia town.

Evan, a soccer star and the nephew of a conservative Southern Senator, has never wanted for much -- except a functional family. Alma has lived in Georgia since she was two-years-old, excels in school, and has a large, warm Mexican family. Never mind their differences, the two fall in love, and they fall hard. But when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) begins raids on their town, Alma knows that she needs to tell Evan her secret. There's too much at stake. But how to tell her country-club boyfriend that she’s an undocumented immigrant? That her whole family and most of her friends live in the country without permission. What follows is a beautiful, nuanced, well-paced exploration of the complications of immigration, young love, defying one’s family, and facing a tangled bureaucracy that threatens to completely upend two young lives.


About the Author
Marie MarquardtMarie Marquardt is a college professor who lives with her husband, four kids, a dog, and a bearded dragon in a very busy household in Decatur, Georgia. Dream Things True is her first book of Young Adult fiction, and it was inspired by her work with Mexican immigrants in Georgia. 

Since the late 1990s, she has been doing research and advocacy with immigrants from Mexico, and has witnessed – on both sides of the border – the effects of a broken immigration system. Currently, she has the honor of working with an amazing group of volunteers to run El Refugio, a non-profit that offers temporary lodging and support to the loved ones of detained immigrants. As a part of this work, she regularly visits with detained immigrants at one of the largest detention centers in the United States (which happens to be in Southwest Georgia). They assist them as they prepare for deportation. This work is heartbreaking, but it also reminds her every day that love is more powerful than fear. 



*Aside from the GORGEOUS cover, I'm really intrigued after reading the blurb because I've never read a story with a character like Alma's before. And this is a debut novel so I'm curious as to how the author will deliver when the plot surrounds the topic of immigration. 


52 comments:

  1. The blurb sounds really interesting!
    here's our WOW

    Janhvi @ The Readdicts

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  2. I haven't heard a lot about this one. But it sounds interesting. I'll have to put it on my TBR! Great pick this week!

    Here's my WoW
    xo Stephanie

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  3. I'm really looking forward to this one. I featured it yesterday in my Top Ten Tuesday (Ten Books That Celebrate DIversity - 2015 Releases). Great pick!

    Michelle @ Michelle's Minions

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    1. Yeah, I love that it has diversity too. Really looking forward to reading this one :)

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  4. It sounds really interesting! I haven't read any book that takes on the topic of immigration. I bet it'll be powerful... I'll check it out!

    Thanks for stopping by!
    Kar @ Pause Time

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  5. This sounds good, Shane! I hope you'll enjoy!

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  6. I doubt this is my kind of read... I'm not huge on contemporary fiction, but I really hope you love it! :D

    Here's my WoW!

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  7. Even though I kind of feel like the whole Romeo and Juliet plot line has been beaten to death, this one still looks kind of cute. I think maybe it was the Southern boy that grabbed my attention haha. Anyway, great choice!

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    1. I know what you mean (about the romeo & juliet thing). It does seem played out but I'm curious how the author will intertwine that plot with hers and make it fresh.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. I haven't heard of this one before, but it has definitely an interesting topic!
    Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog earlier :)

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  9. This. Sounds. Heartbreaking. In the best way, of course! And what a gorgeous cover, wow.

    Here's my WoW :)

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    1. I know right :) That's why my interest is piqued. I just love heartbreaking stories!

      Thanks for hopping over, Ryley :)

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  10. Wow, this sounds really good! thanks for sharing. And yes, that cover is aaaammmmaazing!

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    1. Lol love that reaction!

      Thanks for visiting me, Carrie :)

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  11. I'm not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet, but I do love retellings, so I'm interested to see how this turns out. I love that cover too! Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I love this cover and can't wait to read this! Great pick!


    My WoW

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  13. Ooo, this one sounds good! I love the cover too! Thanks for sharing :D
    Ariel @ Bookish Confessions

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  14. I love the synopsis! ;) Thanks for stopping by my blog today (:

    Jackie @Jackie's Book World

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  15. This one definitely sounds interesting. I love the cover!
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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  16. I have an ARC of this, but I haven't read it yet. The cover is cute and the synopsis is intriguing. Great pick!

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  17. That is a great cover, and I'm curious for the same reasons you are. Good pick!

    Leeanna.me: WoW

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  18. Ohh great pick this one really intrigues me. Thank you for stopping by my blog! :)

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  19. This sounds so good! I'm not really into contemporary but this sounds so good! :)
    Thanks for dropping by my blog!

    P.S There's a giveaway on my blog, maybe you can participate. :)
    Donita @ My Random Book thoughts

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  20. It really sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
    New bloglovin' follower.
    here is My WoW

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  21. This isn't what I normally read but it has definitely captured my attention. I'll be keeping an eye out for it! Great pick!

    Betsy @ I Sold My Soul For Books

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  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  23. This book is definitely my type of read :) Also, I agree that the cover is gorgeous! Awesome pick and thanks for stopping by earlier.

    Zareena @ TheSlanted Bookshelf

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  24. It's not really a Romeo and Juliet story... On the other hand, it sounds like an interesting book! It tackles the issue of immigration and I haven't read YA like this before.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. I agree. That's why I don't really mind the romeo and juliet twist.

      Thanks for coming over :)

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  25. OMG, what a GREAT idea for a romance novel! And I really like that there's a political background to the story, that there's some depth here. The immigration debate is still ongoing, and who knows when it will be resolved? This sure sounds like a very emotional tale, too, and I love those! TERRIFIC pick!!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting on my WOW!! : )

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  26. This looks so promising... but I think someone would have to spoil me about it's ending because it's one of those that I HAVE to know ends well lol

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  27. Sounds great! I'll have to check it out =D

    Mel @ http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co.uk/

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  28. This does sound pretty good. I hope you get to read it soon. Thanks for sharing, and for stopping by my WoW earlier. :)

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  29. Dream Things True sounds like a very good, and heart-wrenching story, Shane! Thanks for putting it on my radar :)

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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