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![Life On Hold by [Karen McQuestion]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-byRSLsqL._SY346_.jpg)
Life On Hold Kindle Edition
Karen McQuestion (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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Rae Maddox's mom, Gina, thinks nothing of packing up and moving. New apartment, new town, new job--all of it is an adventure to Gina, but for Rae, each move is just one more friend lost, one more chance to feel like an outsider. When they arrive in Wisconsin, Gina promises to stay put until graduation. Cautiously optimistic, Rae wades into the social whirl at Whitman High School, making a few friends and even earning a chance at love.
But when the vice principal pairs her with a new student, Allison Daly, things go bad in a big way. It seems Allison was orphaned after her parents died in a suspicious house fire, leaving their daughter to bounce between relatives' homes. When a sleepover at Rae's house goes terribly wrong, Rae sees a troubling side of Allison--and learns a few secrets about her own mother in the process. Suddenly Rae is at risk of losing everything and everyone she cares about--unless she steps up and takes charge of her life once and for all.
- Reading age8 - 11 years
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level3 - 6
- PublisherSkyscape
- Publication dateApril 1, 2011
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Question: Your path to becoming a published author has been anything but traditional. You became an overnight success after self-publishing your books on Kindle, and a publishing contract with AmazonEncore followed shortly thereafter. What finally made you decide to take matters in your own hands by self-publishing your books? Was that a difficult decision?
Karen McQuestion: No, it was an easy decision! For years I tried to get published the traditional way. When I learned that anyone could self-publish an ebook (for free!), I decided I had nothing to lose. I’m very glad I took the plunge.
Question: What advice do you have for struggling writers out there who find themselves in the same position you did years ago with no publishing contract, but stories to share with the world?
Karen McQuestion: If you’ve gotten feedback from others, and are convinced your writing and stories are solid, take advantage of the new opportunities for writers today. Between blogs, online publications, and ebooks, writers can get their work in front of readers faster and easier than ever. And of course, keep writing, because that’s the only way to improve.
Question: Your first book, A Scattered Life, was a huge success--a Kindle bestseller (reaching #5 in the Kindle Store) with more than 100,000 copies sold and over 150 days in the top 100. What has this success been like?
Karen McQuestion: It’s been unbelievable. I was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, appeared on ABC's World News Now and America This Morning, and the novel was optioned for film by an L.A. production company. But the best part? After years of having the novel languish on my hard drive, people were finally reading it and enjoying it.
Question: A Scattered Life is an adult novel. Your two new books, Favorite and Life on Hold are young adult novels. Have you always wanted to write for teens and young adults?
Karen McQuestion: I think young adult fiction has gotten smarter and better than when I was a teenager. When my daughter started reading YA novels, she’d recommend books to me. I found that I loved them and started to get ideas for YA novels I wanted to write.
Question: Life on Hold is about 15-year-old Rae Maddox who has spent her entire life on the move thanks to her mother. To protect herself, she’s decided to put her life on hold until she turns 18 and can make her own decisions. This is a really sad concept. Do you think a lot of teens out there can relate to Rae? If so, what do you hope they take away from this book?
Karen McQuestion: I think everyone can relate to the feeling that something in life is holding you back. If only you had a different job, or lost weight, or were done with school, or owned a car, things would be better and you could finally live the life you want. But the truth of the matter is that today is all we’ve got. A person could wish their life away if they don’t find things to appreciate in the here and now.
Question: Favorite has a mysterious element to it. Part thriller, part coming-of-age, it is about a young girl in search of her mother who went missing years before. Nothing--and no one--is quite as it seems in this book. Was it fun for you to write a story that has elements of a mystery/thriller in it? Do you think we’ll see more of this from you in the future?
Karen McQuestion: I loved writing the book, but since I don’t outline I had no idea how it was going to go. More than once, I wrote myself into a corner, which was a little scary. I’d love to write another book in this genre, but next time I’ll think it through beforehand.
From the Author
"Karen McQuestion just keeps getting better! Hello Love is an enchanting, impossible-to-put-down novel about big hearts and second chances." --Claire Cook, USA Today bestselling author of Must Love Dogs
"The plot is fast paced and easy to dive into, making this a quick and exciting read." --School Library Journal on From a Distant Star
"I devoured it in one sitting!" --New York Times Bestselling author Lesley Kagen on Edgewood
"I feel like I've been waiting for this book. It's kind of like all my favorite comic books rolled into one awesome package... I'm eagerly awaiting the second book, I'm hooked!" --The Kindle Book Review on Edgewood
"At first glance Favorite is a story of a girl and her family learning to cope with loss. But at some point it morphs into a psychological thriller. It's an unexpected but welcome turn that will leave readers on the edge of their seats." --Jessica Harrison,Cracking the Cover
"This story featuring a strong protagonist who has mastered the art of being the new girl will appeal to girls who are fans of this genre." --School Library Journal on Life on Hold
"An emotional and engaging novel about family..." Delia Ephron on A Scattered Life
McQuestion writes with a sharp eye and a sure voice, and as a reader, I was willing to go wherever she wanted to take me. After I finished the book, I thought about how I might describe it to a friend, and I settled on...: "You should read this. It's good."--Carolyn Parkhurst onA Scattered Life
About the Author
From School Library Journal
Product details
- ASIN : B004519PFG
- Publisher : Skyscape (April 1, 2011)
- Publication date : April 1, 2011
- Language : English
- File size : 714 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 197 pages
- Lending : Not Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #17,309 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Click on the Follow link to be notified of Karen's new releases!
Karen McQuestion is an Amazon Charts bestselling author who's written more than twenty novels and has sold over two million books worldwide. She's also the co-host, (along with USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson), of the popular podcast, BEHIND THE BOOK.
Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR and she has appeared on ABC's World News Now and America This Morning. McQuestion’s books share common themes of connection and kindness. She lives in Hartland, Wisconsin.
From Karen: To be notified of giveaways and book news, please sign up for my email newsletter at www.karenmcquestion.com
Customer reviews
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Life On Hold is a powerful story about regret, friendship and dealing with the past. While it is marketed as a Young Adult novel, it is a great read for all ages as it deals with suicide and the misunderstands that even adults run into. All the characters were relatable and believable. It had sweet moments between friends, dramatic moments and touching moments that serve as a reminder that we can make a difference in someone’s life by simply being a friend. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “You never really know what a difference you can make in someone’s life, if you’re to let them in.” Rae was usually on the outside looking in, not allowing herself to get too attached as Gina could decide to pack and leave at any moment. But there is something about Allison that is familiar and draws them together. While she doesn’t fully understand why but when Allison needs her the most, Rae must answer the call. I highly recommend Life On Hold for all ages.
Life On Hold is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Top reviews from other countries

Life on Hold is a great YA story. Through Rae, you deal with situations such as displacement, searching for identity, social class and mental health. McQuestion has a little gem with the novel. A great story with likeable characters, Life on Hold is a good read.
Life on Hold by Karen McQuestion is available now.



