Ally Carter

A collection of joyful festive stories that will keep you warm during the cold winter months On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... This beautiful collection features twelve gorgeously romantic stories set during the festive period, by some of the most talented and exciting YA authors writing today. The stories are filled with the magic of first love and the magic of the holidays. This hardback edition features a ribbon marker and pink sprayed edges, and is the perfect gift. Includes: Ally Carter Holly Black Laini Taylor Rainbow Rowell Matt de la Pena David Levithan Stephanie Perkins Kiersten White Kelly Link Jenny Han Gayle Forman Myra McEntire

"Full of tongue-in-cheek humor, excellent dialogue, and fantastic characters, this expertly crafted story from Carter (The Blonde Identity) is a heart-melting rivals-to-lovers romance combined with a delightful locked-room mystery." -- Library Journal (starred review)Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter. The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas. Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt: She's the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery. He's Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy. She hates his guts. He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she's told him otherwise.)But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself. That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone. She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust? As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth--and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor. Assuming they don't kill each other first. The laugh out loud holiday "romystery" that you've been waiting for

An action-packed, second-chance rom-com about two rival spies who must join forces in order to stay alive, from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter. Ten years ago, they joined the CIA. Six years ago, he left the game. Five years ago, they fell in love. One year ago, she ran out into the cold with absolutely no intention of ever coming back. And two minutes ago, they woke up, bloody and bruised and handcuffed together in the dark. They don't know where they are. They don't know how they got there. And they have absolutely no idea who is after them or what this nameless, faceless villain wants. The only thing that's clear is that, after ten years of covers and chemistry, secrets and lies, these two rival spies have been sucked into their greatest mission yet, and now they're going to have to team up to stay alive. (If they don't kill each other first.)

"A unique, delightful, hilarious, unputdownable romance... I'm wonderstruck by The Blonde Identity " -- Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love HypothesisThe New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she's the identical twin sister of a rogue spy... and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive. It's the middle of the night in the middle of Paris and a woman just woke up with no memory. She only knows three things for certain: 1. She has a splitting headache.2. The hottest guy she has (probably) ever seen is standing over her, telling her to run. And oh yeah...3. People keep trying to kill her. She doesn't know who. Or why. But when she sees footage of herself fighting off a dozen men there's only one explanation: obviously. . . she's a spy Except, according to Mr. Hot Guy, she's not. She's a spy's identical twin sister. Too bad the only person who knows she's not the woman they're looking for is this very grouchy, very sexy, very secret agent who (reluctantly) agrees to help her disappear. Which is easier said than done when a criminal organization wants you dead and every intelligence service in the world wants you caught. Luckily, no one is looking for a pair of lovesick newlyweds on their honeymoon. And soon they're lying their way across Europe--dodging bullets and faking kisses as they race to unravel a deadly conspiracy and clear her sister's name. But with every secret they uncover, the truth shifts, until she no longer knows who to trust: the twin she can't remember or the mysterious man she can't let herself forget..." Spies Amnesia And banter that'll make you chant "Kiss Kiss Kiss " No one writes an action rom-com quite like Ally Carter." - Rachel Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs

The bridge is shut. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room three days before Christmas . . . Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt: She’s the new Queen of the Cosy Mystery. He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy. They hate each other's guts. When they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself. Then, under the cover of night, the weather turns - and in the morning Eleanor is gone. This Christmas, rivals will have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor. Assuming they don’t kill each other first . . . Knives Out gets a rom-com twist in The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year a rivals-to-lovers Christmas mystery-romance from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter. Praise for Ally Carter:'Delightful, hilarious, unputdownable' – Ali Hazelwood, bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis'Brilliant banter, clever humor, and so many swoon worthy scenes' – Stephanie Garber, author of the Caraval series'Ally is a rom-com genius!' – Sarah Adams, author of Practice Makes Perfect

"Full of tongue-in-cheek humor, excellent dialogue, and fantastic characters, this expertly crafted story from Carter (The Blonde Identity) is a heart-melting rivals-to-lovers romance combined with a delightful locked-room mystery." -- Library Journal (starred review)Knives Out gets a holiday rom-com twist in this rivals-to-lovers romance-mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter. The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room two days before Christmas. Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt: She's the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery. He's Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy. She hates his guts. He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she's told him otherwise.)But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself. That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone. She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust? As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth--and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor. Assuming they don't kill each other first. The laugh out loud holiday "romystery" that you've been waiting for

The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she's the identical twin sister of a rogue spy... and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive." Carter serves up an irresistible cocktail of danger and passion in her un-put-downable adult debut." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) It's the middle of the night in the middle of Paris and a woman just woke up with no memory. She only knows three things for certain: 1. She has a splitting headache.2. The hottest guy she has (probably) ever seen is standing over her, telling her to run. And oh yeah...3. People keep trying to kill her. She doesn't know who. Or why. But when she sees footage of herself fighting off a dozen men there's only one explanation: obviously. . . she's a spy Except, according to Mr. Hot Guy, she's not. She's a spy's identical twin sister. Too bad the only person who knows she's not the woman they're looking for is this very grouchy, very sexy, very secret agent who (reluctantly) agrees to help her disappear. Which is easier said than done when a criminal organization wants you dead and every intelligence service in the world wants you caught. Luckily, no one is looking for a pair of lovesick newlyweds on their honeymoon. And soon they're lying their way across Europe--dodging bullets and faking kisses as they race to unravel a deadly conspiracy and clear her sister's name. But with every secret they uncover, the truth shifts, until she no longer knows who to trust: the twin she can't remember or the mysterious man she can't let herself forget...

'A unique, delightful, hilarious, unputdownable romance' - Ali Hazelwood, bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis'I can't remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book' — Stephanie Garber, bestselling author of A Curse for True LoveThe Blonde Identity is a hilarious, action-packed, road-trip rom-com with witty banter, sexy operatives, and the ultimate high-stakes from New York Times bestselling author, Ally Carter. It’s the middle of the night in the middle of Paris and a woman just woke up with no memory. She only knows three things for certain:1. She has a splitting headache.2. The hottest guy she has (probably) ever seen is standing over her, telling her to run. And, oh yeah . . .3. People keep trying to kill her. She doesn’t know who. Or why. But when she sees footage of herself fighting off a dozen men there’s only one explanation: obviously . . . she’s a spy! Except, according to Mr. Hot Guy, she’s not. She’s a spy’s identical twin sister. Too bad the only person who knows she’s not the woman they’re looking for is this very grouchy, very sexy, very secret agent who (reluctantly) agrees to help her disappear. Which is easier said than done when a criminal organization wants you dead and every intelligence service in the world wants you caught. Luckily, no one is looking for a pair of lovesick newlyweds on their honeymoon. And soon they’re lying their way across Europe – dodging bullets and faking kisses as they race to unravel a deadly conspiracy and clear her sister’s name. But with every secret they uncover, the truth shifts, until she no longer knows who to trust: the twin she can’t remember or the mysterious man she can’t let herself forget . . . Look out for more romcom action in The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold.5* Reader Reviews for Ally Carter'One of my favorite books I've read this year''10/10 would recommend! The mystery, the romance, the plot twists . . . amazing!''A complete breath of fresh air''This was the most fun book I’ve read all year!''Warning! Don't start unless you plan to finish . . . !'

&b>&i>The Blonde Identity &/i>is the fast-paced, hilarious adult debut from &i>New York Times&/i> bestselling author Ally Carter.&/b>

USA TODAY BESTSELLER"A unique, delightful, hilarious, unputdownable romance... I'm wonderstruck by The Blonde Identity " -- Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love HypothesisThe New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she's the identical twin sister of a rogue spy... and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive. It's the middle of the night in the middle of Paris and a woman just woke up with no memory. She only knows three things for certain: 1. She has a splitting headache.2. The hottest guy she has (probably) ever seen is standing over her, telling her to run. And oh yeah...3. People keep trying to kill her. She doesn't know who. Or why. But when she sees footage of herself fighting off a dozen men there's only one explanation: obviously. . . she's a spy Except, according to Mr. Hot Guy, she's not. She's a spy's identical twin sister. Too bad the only person who knows she's not the woman they're looking for is this very grouchy, very sexy, very secret agent who (reluctantly) agrees to help her disappear. Which is easier said than done when a criminal organization wants you dead and every intelligence service in the world wants you caught. Luckily, no one is looking for a pair of lovesick newlyweds on their honeymoon. And soon they're lying their way across Europe--dodging bullets and faking kisses as they race to unravel a deadly conspiracy and clear her sister's name. But with every secret they uncover, the truth shifts, until she no longer knows who to trust: the twin she can't remember or the mysterious man she can't let herself forget..." Spies Amnesia And banter that'll make you chant "Kiss Kiss Kiss " No one writes an action rom-com quite like Ally Carter." - Rachel Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs

Five orphans. Two sword-wielding vigilantes. One mansion. No rules. April thought she had her happy ending. After all, she has her new house and new friends and new guardian. But she also has a very big new secret. The kids of Winterborne House are the only ones who know that Gabriel Winterborne--famous billionaire and terrible cook--is really a sword-wielding vigilante. What they don't know is that he's not the only one. When a masked figure breaks in, looking for something--or someone--it's clear that Gabriel has met his match, and now no one is safe. April and her friends will have to solve a decades-old mystery in order to hang on to the most important thing in the world: each other.

Five orphans. Two sword-wielding vigilantes. One mansion. No rules. April thought she had her happy ending. After all, she has her new house and new friends and new guardian. But she also has a very big new secret. The kids of Winterborne House are the only ones who know that Gabriel Winterborne--famous billionaire and terrible cook--is really a sword-wielding vigilante. What they don't know is that he's not the only one. When a masked figure breaks in, looking for something--or someone--it's clear that Gabriel has met his match, and now no one is safe. April and her friends will have to solve a decades-old mystery in order to hang on to the most important thing in the world: each other.

"This is the kind of read that makes your soul sit up straight. At once a heart-wrenching tale of found family and a thrilling, atmospheric mystery that keeps you guessing at every page, Ally Carter's middle grade debut is a triumph. I loved April's character down to the barb wire wrapped around her heart, and I cheered for her journey and the extraordinary bravery required to open up to other people." --Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of Aru Shah and the End of Time "A fast-paced thrill ride of a book . . . it's Batman meets Annie." --Stuart Gibbs, New York Times best-selling author of the Spy School series"An adventure-filled read with a twisty mystery and spunky friendships. I loved it " -Melissa de la Cruz, New York times best-selling author of The Descendants series April didn't mean to start the fire. She wasn't the one who broke the vase. April didn't ask to go live in a big, creepy mansion with a bunch of orphans who just don't understand that April isn't like them. After all, April's mother is coming back for her someday very soon. All April has to do is find the clues her mother left inside the massive mansion. But Winterborne House is hiding more than one secret, so April and her friends are going to have to work together to unravel the riddle of a missing heir, a creepy legend, and a mysterious key before the only home they've ever known is lost to them forever.

From bestselling author Ally Carter, the definitive guide to writing a novel for the NaNoWriMo generation, including helpful tips from other YA stars. Have you always wanted to write a book, but don't know where to start? Or maybe you're really great at writing the first few chapters . . . but you never quite make it to the end? Or do you finally have a finished manuscript, but you're not sure what to do next? Fear not - - if you have writing-related questions, this book has answers Whether you're writing for fun or to build a career, bestselling author Ally Carter is ready to help you make your work shine. With honesty, encouragement, and humor, Ally's here to answer the questions that writers struggle with the most. Filled with practical tips and helpful advice, Dear Ally is a treasure for aspiring writers at any stage of their careers. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at how books get made, from idea to publication, and gives you insight into the writing processes of some of the biggest and most talented YA authors today. With contributions from Jesse Andrews, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, Z Brewer, Rachel Caine, Soman Chainani, Cassandra Clare, Dhonielle Clayton, Jay Coles, Zoraida C rdova, Melissa de la Cruz, Elizabeth Eulberg, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Alan Gratz, Shannon Hale, Kody Keplinger, Gordon Korman, David Levithan, Alex London, Marie Lu, Marissa Meyer, Julie Murphy, Daniel Jos Older, Stephanie Perkins, Carrie Ryan, Eliot Schrefer, Maggie Stiefvater, and Kiersten White, Dear Ally is a must-read for anyone who has ever asked the question "How do you write a book?"

"This is the kind of read that makes your soul sit up straight. At once a heart-wrenching tale of found family and a thrilling, atmospheric mystery that keeps you guessing at every page, Ally Carter's middle grade debut is a triumph. I loved April's character down to the barb wire wrapped around her heart, and I cheered for her journey and the extraordinary bravery required to open up to other people." --Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of Aru Shah and the End of Time "A fast-paced thrill ride of a book . . . it's Batman meets Annie." --Stuart Gibbs, New York Times best-selling author of the Spy School series"An adventure-filled read with a twisty mystery and spunky friendships. I loved it " -Melissa de la Cruz, New York times best-selling author of The Descendants series April didn't mean to start the fire. She wasn't the one who broke the vase. April didn't ask to go live in a big, creepy mansion with a bunch of orphans who just don't understand that April isn't like them. After all, April's mother is coming back for her someday very soon. All April has to do is find the clues her mother left inside the massive mansion. But Winterborne House is hiding more than one secret, so April and her friends are going to have to work together to unravel the riddle of a missing heir, a creepy legend, and a mysterious key before the only home they've ever known is lost to them forever.

Problem plot lines? Character chaos? Ask Ally! The definitive guide to writing from one of teen fiction's best-loved authors. Writing finally has its own agony aunt in bestselling author, Ally Carter. Always wanted to write? Not sure how to begin, or what to do with tricky characters or pesky plotlines? Ask Ally! Ally Carter is the internationally bestselling author of Gallagher Girls, Embassy Row and Heist Society. Known for her gripping plots and adventures that combine danger and glamour in equal measure, Ally knows how to write brilliant books for teen and YA readers. Now Ally and her author friends want to help YOU write the book you've always dreamed of. Part agony aunt, part writing guru, this writing guide is thoughtful, witty and best of all, useful. With advice from some of children's fiction's brightest stars including Holly Black, Cassandra Clare and Kody Keplinger.

Some Secrets Are Better Left Unfound. For the past three years, Grace Blakely has been desperate to find out the truth about her mother's murder. She thought it would bring her peace. She thought it would lead her to answers. She thought she could put the past to rest. But the truth has only made her a target. And the past? The only way to put the past to rest is for Grace to kill it once and for all. On Embassy Row, power can make you a victor or a victim; love can turn you into a fool or a fugitive; and family can lead you forward or bury you deep. Trust is a luxury. Death is a very real threat. And a girl like Grace must be very careful about which secrets she brings to light.

A new series of global proportions -- from master of intrigue, New York Times bestselling author Ally Carter. Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things:1. She is not crazy.2. Her mother was murdered.3. Someday she is going to find the killer and make him pay. As certain as Grace is about these facts, nobody else believes her -- so there's no one she can completely trust. Not her grandfather, a powerful ambassador. Not her new friends, who all live on Embassy Row. Not Alexei, the Russian boy next door, who is keeping his eye on Grace for reasons she neither likes nor understands. Everybody wants Grace to put on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, blocking out all her unpretty thoughts. But they can't control Grace -- no more than Grace can control what she knows or what she needs to do. Her past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn't stop it, Grace isn't the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.