#Liz Fichera

[sgonzo-blog1]

The Reproductive Health Act

New York’s Reproductive Health Act (RHA) was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on January 22, the 46th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that guaranteed a woman’s right to an abortion.

Advocates long sought to pass the bill but struggled due to a Republican controlled state senate. The bill, passed now that Democrats control both chambers of the legislature, has gained a lot of media attention and is an issue that is highly polarized on both sides of the political spectrum.

There’s a lot of misinformation as to what this law entails and the question that appears to come up over and over again seems to be “Does the law allow full term abortions?”

In an effort to unpack various articles circulating which claim babies are being murdered at full term, I figured I would do what we should all aim to do in a time where it’s increasingly easy to disseminate false information…I read the law.

The RHA states that a Health care practitioner licensed, certified, or authorized under title eight of the education law, acting within his or her lawful scope of practice, may perform an abortion when, according to the practitioner’s reasonable and good faith professional judgment based on the facts of the patient’s case: the patient is within 24 weeks from the commencement of pregnancy, or there is an absence of fetal viability, or the abortion is necessary to protect the patient’s life or health.

So what exactly is fetal viability and what defines a patient’s health?

According to Roe v. Wade, fetal viability was defined as being the point when a fetus was “potentially able to live outside the mother’s womb, albeit with artificial aid.”

When it comes to a patient’s health, Doe v. Bolton determined that “medical judgment may be exercised in the light of all factors – physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age – relevant to the well-being of the patient. All these factors may relate to health. This allows the attending physician the room he needs to make his best medical judgment”

Pro-life proponents and activists seem to think that all medical professionals are  left-wing radicals who will easily decide that it is within their medical opinion to abort fetuses past the 24 weeks of pregnancy if the woman seeking an abortion simply changes her mind. This is not the case.  

The RHA also amended and repealed portions of the public health code and penal code in order to do the following: remove abortions from the penal code in an effort to decriminalize abortions and eliminate certain sections within the public health law that were redundant or unnecessary.

A majority of the articles I’ve encountered online use fear mongering tactics that wrongfully state the law allows for infanticide and that it removes protections for babies who accidentally survive an abortion procedure. There are a multitude of op-eds that claim living, breathing babies can legally be killed by one mean or another after being born and that the law prevents pregnant women whose babies are killed in an attack on the mother from seeking justice.

Again, none of this is true. 

In an article by Angelo Fichera on Fact Check.org, a spokesman for New York State Senator Liz Krueger, who sponsored the new law, stated:

“Modern abortion techniques do not result in live birth; however, in the great unlikelihood that a baby was born alive, the medical provider and team of medical support staff would provide all necessary medical care, as they would in the case of any live birth,” he wrote in an email. “The RHA does not change standard medical practices. To reiterate, any baby born alive in New York State would be treated like any other live birth, and given appropriate medical care. This was the case before the RHA, and it remains the case now.”

Additionally, those who attack pregnant women are still able to be penalized and charges including assault, aggravated assault and attempted murder can still be sought.

Simply put, the RHA is intended to protect women’s reproductive rights should Roe v. Wade be overturned. 

[dons-remarketing-blog]

I just listed: Hooked [paperback] Fichera, Liz [Jan 29, 2013], for $8.78 via @amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0373210728/ref=cx_skuctr_share?smid=A12QNY3LKWAO2V

[yacovergalore]

[owleyesreviews]

Played by Liz Fichera

Played by Liz Fichera

Date Finished: June 27 2014

Date Published: May 27th 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Agre Group/Genre: Young Adult/ Contemporary 

Pages: 341

Series: Hooked #2

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Summary:

This Game Is Getting All Too Real

He said: I like to keep under the radar and mostly hang out with my friends from the rez. But when I saved Riley Berenger from falling off a mountain, that rich suburban princess decided to try to save me.

She said: If I can help Sam Tracy win the heart of the girl he can't get over, I'll pay him back for helping me. I promised him I would, no matter what it takes.

Review:

Story-line: I read Hooked, the first book in this two book installment, a while ago and I absolutely loved it. I wanted to get my hands on the second book as soon as I could. And, thanks to Liz Fichera (lovely woman that she is) I got an arc. However, I was not able to read it before the release date. (High school, that horrible  thing that I never have to go back to ever again. :) I read it as soon as I could afterwards. It would be a lie to say that I went into this book expecting everything that I enjoyed about the first book. Recently, the second book in any series has been a bridge book for me. So, I went into this book with expectations, but I tried not to let them be skyscraper expectations. Well, I love love love love love love loved this book. It was a little slow for me at first, but after I got past a certain place, I couldn't stop reading.

Characters: I had a hard time connecting with Riley at the beginning of the book. I think it may have been because I didn't remember her very much from the first book. After a while though, it got better. The relationship between these two was something else. Liz has a way of writing that makes my insides feel all warm and fuzzy. I was on the edge of my seat for their cutsie parts. I think one of my favorite things about this book was that the romance was not the focal point of the story. Riley and Sam had their own stories going apart from their relationship, and I liked that a lot. I also really enjoyed how Fred and Ryan were still characters. It made me remember just how much I loved their relationship in the first book.

Writing: Like I said, Liz has a way with words that makes me feel good. I do have to say that one thing that I was missing in this book was the strong cultural background on Sam's side. On of my FAVORITE things about the first book was that I learned so much about the Gila culture and the reservation they lived on. I felt like that could have been expanded on a little bit more in this book. There was some of it in there though and I enjoyed every little bit that I got <3

Ending: The whole last chapter had me squealing. 

Extras: I'm so sad that these characters' stories are over. I'm going to miss them SO MUCH ;'(

[denisewolfgard]

Reading Hooked by Liz Fichera, not sure how I feel about it so far. Anyone read it?

[mylibraryinthemaking]

Title: Played (Hooked #2) Author: Liz Fichera Release Date: May 27th 2014 Publisher: HarlequinTEEN Age Group: Young Adult Source: NetGalley Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

This Game Is Getting All Too Real He said: I like to keep under the radar and mostly hang out with my friends from the rez. But when I saved Riley Berenger from falling off a mountain, that rich suburban princess decided to try to save me. She said: If I can help Sam Tracy win the heart of the girl he can't get over, I'll pay him back for helping me. I promised him I would, no matter what it takes.

Read my review here.

[bookgeekconfessions]

On Sunday mornings, I read and read without eating breakfast or getting out of bed until the book is done. This morning it was PLAYED by Liz Fichera.

[readbytheundead-blog]

Review: Played by Liz Fichera

Review: Played by Liz Fichera

Played by Liz Fichera

the second book in the Hooked series published on May 27th 2014 by Harlequin Teen contemporary | romance

find the author on Goodreads | website | Twitter

find the book on Goodreads  | The Book Depository

This Game Is Getting All Too Real He said: I like to keep under the radar and mostly hang out with my friends from the rez. But when I saved Riley Berenger from falling off…

[littlewillowcabins]

April Book Photo Challenge - Day 27~Bookmarker

My bookmark for everything! I feel naked without it 

[theshelfdiaries]

Review: Hooked by Liz Fichera

Review: Hooked by Liz Fichera

Title: Hooked | Author: Liz Fichera | Harlequin Teen  Hooked #1 | 368 Pages | Rating: 4.5 Stars | Source: Netgalley | Release Date: January 1st 2013 Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis:  When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her…

[knowtheyexist]

Hooked (Hooked #1)

Liz Fichera

ISBN 9781460893470

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.  But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred. But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

[compelledbybooks]

Book Review: Hooked by Liz Fichera

Series: Hooked #1 Publisher: Harlequin Teen  Publication Date: January 29, 2013 Format: ARC  Number of Pages: 368 Source: Borrowed (Thank you so much to Kazhy from My Library in the Making for letting me borrow her copy)

Description (from goodreads):

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.  But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred. But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile... GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.

Review:

I found out about Hooked through tumblr. I think Kazhy reblogged a photo of the aussie cover of Hooked that was posted by Liz Fichera on her tumblrpage. The pretty cover instantly drew me in and I think I've heard of the book before seeing the cover. So my curious self naturally opened a new tab and then goodreads search the book. When I first read the synopsis it didn't appeal to me that much but after seeing some of my fellow book bloggers talking about how the book was actually a good read I decided to give it a try :) Also, Liz and I follow each other on twitter so that also made me want to read her book because she's very nice and charming! Like I said before, the synopsis didn't appeal to me that much since I prefer very complicated realistic YA more, so it surprised me that I actually loved and enjoyed reading Hooked.

Hooked tackles a very controversial issue and that is racism. I haven't really read a book before that tackled that issue but I think Liz delivered it fairly and unbiased. It was not one-sided because both sides showed racism towards the other so I also thought that it was an honest and realistic take on the issue because no race is perfect and we all have our flaws. The story of Hooked also tackles the issues between the rich and the poor which, unfortunately, is still existent these days and again, this makes the book realistic.

Hooked is told by both Fred's and Ryan's POV. When it comes to a love story I usually prefer it written this way because you could understand how they see each other, and the honesty of their feelings and insecurities. Liz did a great job at writing both POVs. The romance in this book is sweet but it is totally not the kind that makes you roll your eyes.

The characters of Hooked are very likable even the bad ones. Fred, oh my god I love her! I love her passion for golf, her love for her family, and her awkwardness. I couldn't help giggling every time she felt like she just said/did the stupidest thing in the world. It made it easy to relate to her as a character. Probably my favorite thing about Fred is that she's the kind of person who wonders why people are the way they are. There was this one instance where she wondered why and how the mean girl became mean when she remembered her being nice before. Ryan is what I imagine guys like him to be like so I guess that gives you an idea on what he's like haha but in the end I can honestly say that he is a very admirable character.

Hooked is the first of a series of books. Played, the second book, is a different story but will be told in the POVs of two other characters from Hooked. I'm glad Liz Fichera is also going to explore the lives of the other characters because I think her characters are very interesting. I also hear that she might also explore one of my fave characters from Hooked, Seth. Seth is Ryan's best friend who is also a total jerk but there's obviously something that made him that way and that's something I want to read about. I already told Liz that she TOTALLY should write a book about him and I now have my fingers crossed it happens!

Hooked is a simple and realistic YA romance that I highly recommend to someone who is looking for a light and heartwarming read.

I would also like to thank Liz Fichera for including Golf in her book. I finally understand how it works!!! LOL

Hooked is Liz Fichera's debut novel.

Rating:  ★★★★ out of 5 stars

[pleaseanotherbook]

Hooked by Liz Fichera

“Hooked” di Liz Fichera è il classico libro che è arrivato sul mio e-reader grazie all’immenso buzz creato dai lettori. È uno di quei libri di cui tutto l’entourage legato all’editoria si interessa e su cui l’opinione è unanime “questo libro è bellissimo”. Come mi capita spesso con storie del genere, ci ho girato parecchi intorno, perché beh, non ero molto sicura che mi sarebbe piaciuta. Un sottogenere, una scrittrice emergente, beh cosa volete farci? Ma alla fine ho deciso di dargli una chance anche perché l’ho trovato su Netgalley. Come resistergli? E meno male perché mi è piaciuto molto.

  Fred Oday appartiene a una tribù di Indiani d’America, ma ha un grande talento: sa giocare benissimo a golf. E quando il coach della squadre della sua scuola la nota, decide subito di chiederle di giocare per lui. Questo però significa che uno dei membri della squadra deve essere estromesso. Quando Ryan Berenger scopre che il suo migliore amico Seth non fa più parte della sua squadra a causa di una ragazza non ci vede più dalla rabbia. Ma dopo i primi maltrattamenti si accorge che Fred ha molto da regalare e il rapporto tra di loro diventerà sempre più intenso. Riusciranno a superare i pregiudizi e le incomprensioni? 

  La cosa bella di questa storia è il suo essere un ya a 360 gradi riuscendo a discutere di diversi problemi, che nella nostra società multiculturale sono molto seri. Ma quello che più mi ha colpito è la bravura della Fichera di essere incisiva senza essere polemica, di arrivare al cuore del lettore senza essere retorica, regalando una storia fresca e originale senza salire in cattedra. Un altro elemento innovativo e particolarmente intrigante, per lo meno per me, è il fatto che usa uno sport di nicchia e considerato da anziani, come il golf, e lo fa brillare di luce nuova. Non abbiamo il classico “jock” il robusto quarterback che fa svenire le ragazze ai bordi del campo di football o il veloce giocatore di basket o la gloria del baseball, ma ragazzi che scelgono una mazza da golf per colpire una pallina e mandarla in buca. Uno sport dove ci vuole forza fisica, concentrazione e impegno e dove ci si fregia di un guanto in pelle e scarpette adatte. Ryan è ricco, viene da una famiglia dove l’apparenza è fondamentale ed è abituato ad averla sempre vinta, dove ci si guadagna tutto scoccando le dita. È bellissimo, ha un Suv che neanche il padre ha, ed ha una relazione con Gwyneth, la bitch della situazione, che cerca di tenersi stretto il più fico della scuola. Ma Ryan è insicuro, non vuole perdere la sua routine e ha problemi con il padre. Ha altri sogni ed aspirazioni ma si ritrova costretto a giocare a golf.

Fred è una ragazza che pratica in maniera eccelsa uno sport tipicamente maschile e solo per questo viene discriminata in partenza. Considerando poi che vive in una riserva indiana, ecco che le prese in giro e le ridicolizzazioni verso di lei si moltiplicano in un istante. Coccolata dal padre, che cerca di darle tutto, nonostante gli scarsi mezzi, Fred è forte e fa di tutto per dimostrare tutto quello che vale. L’incontro con Ryan è provvidenziale e la fa uscire dalla sua comfort zone, che in qualche modo la blocca. Nonostante sia radicata nella sua terra e viene sostenuta dalle altre ragazze della riserva, Yolanda e Kelly, Fred deve farcela da sola e deve fare i conti anche con Sam, un suo amico. Ma Fred vuole giocale a golf, il padre la fa giocare nel golf club dove lavora e le ha costruito un piccolo green nel giardino di casa loro. Trascorre la maggior parte del suo tempo ad allenarsi e a cercare di superare le sue paure. Ma ciò che conta è riuscire a superare la paura e la diffidenza verso le origini che si chiudono con l’accettare George Trueblood, uno dei personaggi più belli di tutta la storia. Naturalmente un altro pezzo forte è sicuramente la sorella di Ryan che avrà un ruolo molto importante.

  Il particolare da non dimenticare? Un paio di scarpe bianche con gli inserti rosa…

  “Hooked” è un libro che parla di accettazione, di pregiudizi, di amicizia e amore, ma soprattutto di sport e aiuta a far comprendere l’importanza della comunicazione e della conservazione delle proprie origini. Non si può scappare dal nostro passato, si può soltanto imparare ad accettarlo. Non si può scappare dalle persone che si amano, non si può rinunciare a grandi opportunità. Bisogna accoglierle ed essere forti. Un libro sicuramente da leggere e conservare, in un mondo in cui ce ne sono a bizzeffe.

Io intanto aspetto il romanzo compagno “Played” che ha per protagonisti Sam e la sorella di Ryan e che promette scintille.

Buona lettura guys!

    Ringrazio Netgalley e Harlequin Teen per avermi concesso di leggere questo libro in anteprima in cambio della mia onesta opinione.

[bookaddict24-7]

Bookaddict24-7 Welcomes: Liz Fichera!

Welcome to Interview Fridays!

This week's author is Liz Fichera, the wonderful mind behind the romantic and eye-opening novel, Hooked. Liz's novel explores the difficulties between Native Americans and the Caucasian community, while showing its readers a romance worthy of Romeo and Juliet. 

Remember to check out Liz's links throughout the interview!

Enjoy!

______

Author Info:

"Liz is an author living in the American Southwest by way of Chicago. She likes to write stories about ordinary teens who do extraordinary things.  Come visit her at www.LizFichera.com to learn more."

Check out Liz on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

______

Most Recent Work:

Release Date: January 29, 2013

Genres: Young adult, contemporary, sports

"When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done. 

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred. But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile... GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED."

Check out Hooked on Goodreads here.

Check out my review of Hooked here.

Buy Hooked on the web:

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Chapters | Kobo | Harlequin 

______

1. Hooked is a great young adult book that looks at the prejudices between the caucasian community and the Native American community. What inspired you to write such a socially aware novel?

“I didn’t set out to write an “Issues” novel.  

At first I thought I was just writing a book about a fearless girl who joins an all boys’ golf team. However, some of these issues began to come to light as my beta Native American reader-friends and teens read various drafts of my story.  

You could say it evolved from my original idea in ways I hadn’t anticipated.”

2. What challenges did you encounter while writing Hooked?

“I wanted to make sure that I created an authentic voice in my teenage protagonist, Fred (short for Fredricka).  

Since she comes from a background different from mine, I needed to make sure the drafts were read by women with some of the same life experiences. 

I completely understood a lot of Fred’s teenage angst.  While we are different, there are some experiences and feelings that are very universally teen.”

3. Hooked has a great athletic aspect! Did you play any sports in school?

“I love sports.  

In high school, I ran cross country, track, played tennis, field hockey, badminton, just about everything…except golf.  

My love of golf didn’t come till later.” 

4. In your honest opinion, what was your greatest learning experience from writing Hooked?

“It bothers me that there aren’t more Native American characters in mainstream young adult contemporary fiction, along with stories set in the American Southwest.” 

5. If you had to pick a muse for your writing who or what would you pick? Why?

“Music is my muse. 

I can’t write without music in the background. The songs will change, depending on my mood or scene that I’m writing.”

6. What tips would you give an unpublished young adult contemporary lit writer?

“Don’t chase trends. Write the story that’s in your heart.” 

7. Do you have a writing motto? If you do, can you tell us what it is? If you don't, can you make one up for this question? :P

“Actually, I do.  

It’s this: when you can’t enter through the front door, kick in a window.  ;-)

In other words, don’t give up. When you want something badly enough, figure out a way to make it happen. Everyone doesn’t have to reach the same goal in exactly the same way.”

8. Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming novel, the sequel to Hooked, Played?

“PLAYED is a companion novel to HOOKED. It is not a sequel. 

There are two secondary characters from HOOKED that I love very much: Sam Tracy and Riley Berenger. PLAYED is their story. Sam is the boy who loved Fred in HOOKED (and still does); Riley is Ryan Berenger’s younger sister.   

They are an unlikely pair. J” 

9. What other social issues would you like to explore in future novels?

“I finished another contemporary YA novel this summer about a teen dealing with her mother’s early-onset Alzheimer’s.  

Unfortunately Alzheimer’s is a disease that I know a lot about but wish I didn’t. It’s impacting people more and more, especially as the population ages. I believe strongly that it needs more awareness and sensitivity.”

10. How do you go about planning your novel? (i.e. making notes, drawing, voice notes, etc.) 

“I’m very unorganized.  

When an idea pops into my mind, I become totally laser-focused and sit down at my laptop and begin writing. 

I rarely draw outlines, but I do jot down notes along the way of a first draft, especially since it becomes the only thing I will think, eat, and breathe about.”

______

Thank you Liz!

I hope you enjoyed this week's interview! Check back next week for another awesome interview!

Happy reading!

[mylibraryinthemaking]

Finally, PLAYED-y things are happening! Check out the trailer (and the cover) for this companion novel to HOOKED, which I absolutely loved.

[bookgeekconfessions]

31 Days of 2013’s Most Beautiful Book Covers

Day 16

Hooked by Liz Fichera