3/28/2017

An Interview, Review, & Except Walked Into A Bar... // An Interview with Roshani Chokshi, My Thoughts on A Crown of Wishes, & An Audiobook Excerpt

Hello everyone and welcome to today's super exciting post! I have the wonderful opportunity to be apart of the A Crown of Wishes blog tour. I read The Star Touched Queen last year and loved it, so I was super excited to have the chance to read A Crown of Wishes and be in the blog tour. I got a lot for you guys today. First, we have an interview with Roshani, followed by an excerpt from A Crown of Wishes' audiobook, and then we have my review of the book. It's a lot but I hope you enjoy!

A Crown of Wishes

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: March 28th 2017
Format: eARC
Rating:

| Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository |

Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom’s enemies. Faced with a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. Hope unexpectedly comes in the form of Vikram, the cunning prince of a neighboring land and her sworn enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet king, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes—a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor. Reaching the tournament is just the beginning. Once they arrive, danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans and mischievous story birds, a feast of fears and twisted fairy revels. Every which way they turn new trials will test their wit and strength. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.

Goodreads

Interview with Roshani Chokshi

1. This is your second published book, congrats! Did you come across any difficulties with writing any of the characters in A Crown of Wishes?
Hahahahahahaha (yes). I felt like I was drowning every other day because I loved Vikram and Gauri so much and felt like I wasn’t giving them equal attention when I tried writing it all in 1st or 3rd person, which is how the dual narrative came to be. Honestly, ACOW was the first time I ever cried during writing…because I felt so emotionally affected by what they were doing. They really came alive to me, so once I let them dictate the story, it was easier to write. Neither of them liked outlines because they’re both curmudgeony and contrary. Rude.

2. What is your favorite aspect of getting to tell a story in a world that you made up?
The romaaaaaance….I love that moment when the world begins to tilt all because you suddenly noticed how something ordinary became extraordinary. The act of love really is---and please excuse the cliché---a fall. You’ve relinquished control. It’s scary. And I believe it brings out the rawness in a character and makes them come alive when you feel their grief and trepidation and wonder.

11/13/2016

So Why Did Tara Sim Decide to Write Timekeeper in a Victorian Inspired World? // Sunday Street Team: Timekeeper by Tara Sim (Interview and Giveaway)

Hello everyone and welcome to my post for the Timekeeper's Sunday Street Team, hosted by Nori @ ReadWriteLove28! I am super excited to be back and blogging again, starting with a wonderful interview with author Tara Sim. She had some great answers to my questions and I can't wait for you all to read the interview. Enjoy, make sure to check it out, and if you're interested, enter the giveaway to win a signed copy of the Timekeeper!

Timekeeper

Author: Tara Sim

Pages: 368

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Release Date: November 8th 2016

In an alternate Victorian world controlled by clock towers, a damaged clock can fracture time—and a destroyed one can stop it completely. It’s a truth that seventeen-year-old clock mechanic Danny Hart knows all too well; his father has been trapped in a Stopped town east of London for three years. Though Danny is a prodigy who can repair not only clockwork, but the very fabric of time, his fixation with staging a rescue is quickly becoming a concern to his superiors. And so they assign him to Enfield, a town where the tower seems to be forever plagued with problems. Danny’s new apprentice both annoys and intrigues him, and though the boy is eager to work, he maintains a secretive distance. Danny soon discovers why: he is the tower’s clock spirit, a mythical being that oversees Enfield’s time. Though the boys are drawn together by their loneliness, Danny knows falling in love with a clock spirit is forbidden, and means risking everything he’s fought to achieve. But when a series of bombings at nearby towers threaten to Stop more cities, Danny must race to prevent Enfield from becoming the next target or he’ll not only lose his father, but the boy he loves, forever. The stunning first novel in a new trilogy by debut author Tara Sim, Timekeeper is perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare and Victoria Schwab.

Goodreads

Interview with Tara Sim

1. Hi Tara! Welcome to Next Page Please, thanks for being here today. For my first question, I would love to know while you were writing Timekeeper, were there any places in the book that resembles or were inspired off real places?
Thanks for having me! Yes, there are definitely places in the book inspired by real locations. It mostly takes place in London, so I used recognizable landmarks here and there, especially Parliament Square, where Big Ben is. I altered many of these places, though; for instance, I put the Mechanics Affairs building in Parliament Square, when obviously in our world there is no such thing.

2. In what way do you relate to your main character Danny and in what way is he totally different from you?
Danny is a moody guy, and I’m rather moody/grumpy myself. Some of the things he gets annoyed with in the book are things I’d get annoyed with too. However, he’s also very different from me in that he isn’t quite sure how to switch that part of him off and have fun, and I definitely have my goofy moments.

3. For readers who loved Timekeeper, what are some similar books that you would recommend to them?
I would recommend Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab, and Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. And if you want more Victorian antics, I’d recommend A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess, These Vicious Masks by Kelly Zekas and Tarun Shankar, and Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco.

4. What is your favorite time of the day?
I love dusk, usually the 6 pm to 8 pm timeframe. I also love late, late night, like 11 pm to 1 pm.

5. How do you think Danny would react to our world if he was suddenly whisked to 2016?
Haha, the poor dude would panic. Knowing him, the first thing he’d probably notice are the cars and how different they look. He’d set off a car alarm while poking at one and then frantically stumble into a Starbucks, freak out at the espresso machines, and likely get arrested for public disturbance.

6. I see that you live in the Bay Area! (As do I :D) What do you love most about living in the Bay Area?
I love the Bay Area because there’s so much to do, and the culture here is so palpable. I’ve lived here my whole life, although I went to college in Virginia and studied abroad in London for a bit, and out of all the places I’ve been, this feels the most like home. Also, there’s a fantastic book community here!

7. And that concludes this interview. Thank you Tara for being here! For my final question, I would just like to ask, what inspired you to write in a Victorian like world?
Confession: I used to hate the Victorian era. I thought it was just Super Weird and didn’t understand why people were obsessed with it. But then I realized it was a lot more nuanced than I was originally taught in school, and that the gritty Victorian world was a lot more interesting to me than the prim and proper appearance they put on. I’d never written a historical novel before Timekeeper, but I knew that this world of clock towers and magic and technology had a very steampunk element to it, which naturally led me to the Victorian time period. The rest is history (haha...ha…).

10/06/2016

In Which I Interview the Genius that Brought You The Weight of Feathers... // Blog Tour: When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

Hey everyone! Welcome to my post for the When the Moon Was Our's blog tour! So, I got a chance to interview the author Anna-Marie McLemore and I am really excited for everyone to read her responses to my questions. When the Moon Was Our's talks about two best friends (and something more??) who both have pretty interesting pasts. Also, magical realism, which is something I'm always interested in! Definitely check this book out and I hope you enjoy the interview. :)

When the Moon Was Ours

Author: Anna-Marie McLemore

Pages: 288

Publisher: Thomas Dunne

Release Date: October 4th 2016

When the Moon Was Ours follows two characters through a story that has multicultural elements and magical realism, but also has central LGBT themes—a transgender boy, the best friend he’s falling in love with, and both of them deciding how they want to define themselves. To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel’s wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees, and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town. But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches. Now they want the roses that grow from Miel’s skin, convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. And they’re willing to use every secret Miel has fought to protect to make sure she gives them up.

Goodreads

Interview with Anna-Marie McLemore

1. Hi Anna and welcome to Next Page Please! To kick off this interview, let's start with an easy question. You've written magical realism before. How was writing the magical realism in When the Moon Was Ours different than the magical realism in The Weight of Feathers?

Thank you so much for having me! The magical realism in both stories emerged from both setting and character, but I think a major difference was how many characters shaped and interacted with the sense of the magical. The Weight of Feathers has a cast of two extended families and so many of them have complicated relationships with their own bloodlines. When the Moon Was Ours has a central cast of just eight main characters, and they all come up against each other in some way, which sparks a lot of the magical elements in the story.

2. One of the main characters, is transgender. What was it like writing about a transgender LGBT character and why do you think it's important to have more LGBTQ+ characters?

My husband is a transgender guy, so I felt a tremendous responsibility to honor his identity and his community. There are more and more wonderful books coming out with LGBTQ+ characters, which I’m thrilled to see, but I hope we continue to see more intersectional queer stories so all readers can find themselves on bookshelves.

3. If Sam and Miel were to meet the main characters of The Weight of Feathers, Lace and Cluck, who do you think would be instant best friends?

I think Sam and Cluck would get along right away, and I think Sam and Lace would too. Lace and Miel would take longer to warm up to each other, but would after a while. And Cluck and Miel have a lot in common that would make them friends, but it would take them a long time to trust each other enough to talk about it.

4. What books do you recommend for people who enjoy When the Moon Was Ours?

I think the best way for me to answer that is to name some books that have inspired me. Laura Ruby’s Bone Gap and Nova Ren Suma’s The Walls Around Us for their beautiful blurring of reality and dream-like narrative. Aisha Saeed’s Written in the Stars for the gorgeous way she depicts characters’ complicated relationships with their families and family histories. Laura Resau’s books for how she shows the interaction of different cultural heritages.

5. Thanks so much Anna for being here today to answer some questions. Huge congrats on the publication of When the Moon Was Ours! To finish off this interview tell the world, what are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading a lot of books set in the 1920s as research for my story in the upcoming anthology The Radical Element. And then I have a TBR of recent YA releases that I’m so excited to get to!

5/22/2016

In Which I Talk with Erin Schneider About Her Recent Release // Interview with Summer of Sloane Author Erin L Schneider!

5/12/2016

Find Out Which Character From Her Book Ashley Blake Would Bring to Life! // Interview with Author of Suffer Love, Ashley Herring Blake

4/29/2016

Blog Tour: The Star Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi (Review and Interview!)

The Star Touched Queen

Author: Roshani Chokshi

Pages: 352

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: April 26th 2016

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you're only seventeen? Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire... But Akaran has its own secrets -- thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most. . .including herself. A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget.

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I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are not altered by that.

I knew The Star Touched Queen was going to be an interesting book from when I read the synopsis. There is just so much from the synopsis that leaves you asking questions about this book and wanting to find out more about it. More about Maya's curse, more about Akaran, and Maya's life in general. The Star Touched Queen delivered such a great story. It had a really interesting plot and a world that I would definitely not mind having a spin off take place in. (Update: Turns out Roshani will be having a spin off of The Star Touched Queen. Whoo!) Roshani had really great writing and I really enjoyed the characters she wrote about. If you're looking for a really suspenseful and mysterious novel with based on a really interesting Indian folktale, I would definitely hand you The Star Touched Queen.

So, you can obviously tell I loved this book. One of the reasons was because of how great and interesting the characters were. From the beginning, we already know Maya is cursed with a horrible horoscope, which is taken really seriously by the people in Maya's life. She really grows within this book, which is one of the highlights. She gets to know herself more and also gets to experience what it is like to not live in her palace walls. I really love how she doesn't take crap from anyone. All her life people have been putting her down because of her horoscope and that leads to her development of relying on herself to get through tough situations. She is so independent and I really love that about her. There are so many other characters introduced in this book and they were all so interesting and all I loved how different from each other they were. No character was every similar to the next one. Interesting characters for an interesting book, am I right? I also really loved reading about how they impacted the plot and Maya's life.

Now, here is my favorite part about this book. The plot. Going into this book, I didn't know much on what was going to happen. I only had so many questions that needed to be answered. As the book progresses, it get's more and more mysterious. That really added more suspense and made the book really hard to put down. That's really all I could say. Some books I could write paragraphs on how good it was but with Star Touched, there isn't much to say because it's very easy to describe. Basically, the more pages you read in, the more questions you have and the more the suspense will build up.

I gave this book 5 stars because I fully enjoyed it. It had awesome characters, a great world, and a really suspenseful plot.

4/22/2016

Interview with Burning Glass Author, Kathryn Purdie!

Hey everyone and welcome to a very exciting interview with BURNING GLASS author Kathryn Purdie! Today, she talks a little about herself, her book and it's characters and world. I hope you enjoy and make sure to check out BURNING GLASS if you haven't heard of it yet!

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1. Hi Kathryn and welcome to Next Page Please! Thank you so much for being here today. Let's start this interview with a question to get to know you better! What do you like doing when you're not writing?

Thanks so much for having me here! When I’m not writing (let’s be honest, hardly ever), I love to binge-watch TV shows with my husband, see all the latest movies (we’re actors, so this is ART), drive up the canyon, and play guitar and sing.

2. What is something you're excited for readers to read about in Burning Glass? (A character, event, place, etc.)

Hmm. For me it’s not so much a character, place, or event I’m most excited about sharing…it’s the whole feeling of the story that I want readers to take away with them. I hope it’s fertile ground for deep thought, empowerment, and lovely escapism.

3. What has been your favorite part about publishing your book?

My favorite part has been meeting more authors and publishing professionals in the industry. But my favorite moment was running into the bookstore with my family, just minutes before closing, and seeing my book on the bookshelf for the first time. I jumped up and down and started squealing and clapping.

4. If Sonya came to our world, what do you think she would feel about it and what would be the first thing she would do?

Oh, that’s painful to think about! Our world is so noisy, overcrowded, and full of tension. I think Sonya would run for the mountains and hide away for a while, and then slowly acclimate herself to entering the bigger cities, like dipping her toe into a cold pool of water before jumping in. I think Sonya would also find respite in music. She’d probably buy some noise-blocking headphones and download a ton of calming songs.

5. Thank you so much for being here Kathryn and congrats on Burning Glass's publication! For my final question, I would love to know what the first thing you would do if you were dropped into the Burning Glass world?

Ooh, fun! I have to admit, I’d want to tour the palace in Torchev. Even though it’s full of corruption, I’d want to see every inch of that beautiful and fascinating place that I’ve imagined so vividly in my head.

3/20/2016

Sunday Street Team: Where You'll Find Me by Natasha Friend (Interview and Giveaway!)

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! I hope you guys had a good week and have another good one ahead of you. Today, I have a super exciting post! Natasha Friend is here to talk about her book, Where You'll Find Me, a book about growth and a girl moving on from life's hardships. Enjoy the interview and make sure to enter the giveaway for a copy of Where You'll Find Me if you're interested!

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Where You'll Find Me

Author: Natasha Friend

Pages: 272

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Release Date: March 8th 2016

The first month of school, thirteen-year-old Anna Collette finds herself… Dumped by her best friend, Dani, who suddenly wants to spend eighth grade “hanging out with different people.” Deserted by her mom, who’s in the hospital recovering from a suicide attempt. Trapped in a house with her dad, a new baby sister, and a stepmother young enough to wear her Delta Delta Delta sweatshirt with pride. Stuck at a lunch table with Shawna the Eyebrow Plucker and Sarabeth the Irish Stepper because she has no one else to sit with. But what if all isn’t lost? What if Anna’s mom didn’t exactly mean to leave her? What if Anna’s stepmother is cooler than she thought? What if the misfit lunch table isn’t such a bad fit after all? With help from some unlikely sources, including a crazy girl-band talent show act, Anna just may find herself on the road to okay.

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1. First of all, hello and welcome to Next Page Please!
Hi Kaitlin. I’m happy to be here.

2. Your past books have mostly been in the upper Young Adult age group, what was it like to be writing a slightly younger book and what was different about it compared to your past books?
My first three books—PERFECT, LUSH, and BOUNCE—were all upper middle grade with thirteen-year-old protagonists. I made the departure to upper Y.A. for FOR KEEPS and MY LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE, and, frankly, those books didn’t resonate as well with older teen readers. For WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME, I decided to return to my sweet spot. Perhaps because I’m still a thirteen-year-old girl at heart, I’ve found that my younger voice is both more authentic and easier to access. Writing this book felt like coming home.

3. Anna seems to be caught in a pretty difficult situation in Where You'll Find Me. What is some advice you would give to Anna to help her get through the struggles she goes through in the book?
If I were Anna’s friend I would tell her that whatever emotions she’s feeling about her mother’s illness—shame, guilt, frustration, fear, sadness, anger—they’re all okay. I would tell her that she could talk to me any time, but I would also encourage her to talk to a trusted adult, to get some professional support not just for her mom, but also for herself.

4. What inspired you to write a story about a girl with a suicidal mother and how did that work out for you when you were writing this book?
Like Anna, I grew up with a mother who was battling clinical depression. I never talked about it, and I never asked for help; I was coping the best I could. Luckily, my mom has since found the support she needs, and we are able to speak frankly about her depression. This openness was particularly helpful while I was writing WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME. I could call her up and say, “Describe what a deep depression feels like,” and, “Describe what it feels like to climb your way out.” Anna’s story—although some parts may be painful to read—is ultimately one of resilience and hope.

5. Describe the Where You'll Find Me cover in three words!
Wistful, honest, buoyant.

6. What are some books readers who enjoyed Where You'll Find Me might also enjoy?
WONDER by R.J. Palacio. FISH IN A TREE by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. COUNTING BY SEVENS by Holly Goldberg Sloan.

7. Now that your book is out, what are you doing to celebrate?
Going out on the town with my favorite girls!

8. What message do you hope readers will pick up from this book?
True friends—no matter where they sit in the lunchroom—will always buoy you up.

9. If you were stuck on an island and had to wait 3 weeks before you were rescued, what 3 books would you bring?
GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell. YES PLEASE by Amy Poehler. CARRY ON, WARRIOR by Glennon Doyle Melton.

10. Thanks for being here Natasha! Now for our final question, which author do you look up to the most?
Judy Blume, always and forever.

3/08/2016

Interview with Kathy Parks!

Hello everyone and welcome to a very exciting interview! Today, I have Kathy Parks, author of the Lifeboat Clique, here to answer some questions about her writing, book, and herself. I hope you all enjoy this interview and be sure to check out The Lifeboat Clique!

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1. Hey Kathy and welcome to Next Page Please! Thank you so much for being here today to answer some of my questions. For my first question, I would love to know what gave you the idea of The Lifeboat Clique and how did it change as you were writing the book?
Thanks! Glad to be here! Great question! Actually it started with a true story I’d read about the aftermath of a tsunami — that a house had been swept away by it and I imagined this house, floating on the ocean all alone. Kind of like the movie Up!, but Down! And I pictured this place would be a party house. Later my husband said this wouldn’t actually work, that the house would sink. I took his word for it and made it into a lifeboat.

2. Who are three authors and three fictional characters you would love to be a stuck on a boat with?
Writers: Jesse Andrews, Pat Conroy and Toni Morrison. Fictional characters: Katniss from The Hunger Games, The Warden from Holes and Amy Dunne from Gone Girl (these two could fight to the death and that would kill some time while we wait for rescue)

3. If you knew that tomorrow there would be a tsunami wiping out America, what is one thing would do before life changes forever?
I would be kinder. And see my mother. And have some cupcakes.

4. Do you share any qualities with the characters in The Lifeboat Clique? If so, who and how?
I really feel for Denver. I didn’t have many friends in high school. I wasn’t exactly an outcast, but I don’t think I had very many social skills. I wasn’t one of the popular kids and remember being jealous when I heard them planning parties. I had a great sense of restlessness and a desire to get out of the house. I had a few friends, but don’t remember high school being all that wonderful. College was better! Also, I would like to think I’d try to be resourceful like Denver, and try my best to survive. I don’t watch the Discovery Channel as much as she does. But I did once have a sleek, indifferent cat upon which Sonny Boy is based. Chasing the real Sonny Boy’s love was often an elusive task in his last, somewhat contemptuous years.

5. Shows you are currently obsessed with? TV shows you will forever love?
Let’s see…not obsessed but do like Better Call Saul. Also love House of Cards. Breaking Bad is forever Good.

6. What is one thing that would cause you to sneak into a party where you would be surrounded by your enemies?
The aforementioned cupcakes. Oh, hell, any carbs at all.

7. Was The Lifeboat Clique the original title for this book? How did you come up with it?
I think it was. It just sort of happened, although my agent did encourage me to come up with some alternates (I remember one of them was We Were All Invisible). But somehow Lifeboat Clique won the shootout.

8. A piece of advice you would give Denver if you were in her position? (On the lifeboat or with Abigail)
Wow that is a really really great question. I had a best friend who suddenly turned on me in middle school and I remember it being quite traumatic. That sense of loss and betrayal and loneliness. I guess I’d tell her to be careful casting the story with herself in the role of the victim. To see it in a more open-minded way, less black and white. And to say sorry to Abigail for her part in things, even if she thought she might never get an apology in return. Also not to make fun of Abigail’s freckles. I think she’s sensitive about them.

9. Thanks so much for answering my questions Kathy! For my final question, I would love to know what you did in celebration of your publication of The Lifeboat Clique.
You ask such great questions! I believe when I first got the offer I actually jumped up and down. On publication day I had a tequila shot and let two friends take me to dinner. I hope that you and your readers all have great things to celebrate this year, and I thank you for your support.

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2/28/2016

Blog Tour: Bluescreen by Dan Wells (Interview and Giveaway!)

Hello and welcome to my stop for Bluescreen's blog tour! Super excited to be featuring this book and I hope you guys enjoy the interview I have with Dan today. Make sure to check out the Bluescreen and if you're interested, enter the giveaway at the end of this post! This tour was hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club.

Bluescreen

Los Angeles in 2050 is a city of open doors, as long as you have the right connections. That connection is a djinni—a smart device implanted right in a person’s head. In a world where virtually everyone is online twenty-four hours a day, this connection is like oxygen—and a world like that presents plenty of opportunities for someone who knows how to manipulate it. Marisa Carneseca is one of those people. She might spend her days in Mirador, the small, vibrant LA neighborhood where her family owns a restaurant, but she lives on the net—going to school, playing games, hanging out, or doing things of more questionable legality with her friends Sahara and Anja. And it’s Anja who first gets her hands on Bluescreen—a virtual drug that plugs right into a person’s djinni and delivers a massive, non-chemical, completely safe high. But in this city, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and Mari and her friends soon find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy that is much bigger than they ever suspected. Dan Wells, author of the New York Times bestselling Partials Sequence, returns with a stunning new vision of the near future—a breathless cyber-thriller where privacy is the world’s most rare resource and nothing, not even the thoughts in our heads, is safe.

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1. Hi Dan! Thanks so much for being here today, super excited to have you. For my first question, I would love to know what you did in celebration of the release of Bluescreen?

I'm a man of simple pleasures, so I celebrated this book the way I prefer to celebrate most things: hanging out with my friends and family, eating food and playing board games.

2.What are you most excited for readers to read about?

That's a great question, because the things that excited me changed as I wrote the book. In the beginning it was the world that thrilled me, and the technologies and the intriguing new realities the characters have to deal with, and then as I wrote I got more and more into the plot, and all the exciting things the characters have to go through and the solutions they come up with to save the day. By the end of the book, though, and this might be obvious by this point in the paragraph, it was the characters themselves that I really loved: their personalities, their ingenuity, and more than anything their friendship. Marisa and her friends will do anything for each other, and those friendships get tested a lot in this book, but they always come through, and I like to think they always will.

3. Describe your thoughts on Bluescreen's cover in six words.

The Most Freaking Beautiful Thing Ever

4. What struggles did you come across and how did you overcome them?

One of the big problems I faced was a problem that everyone eventually runs into when they try to depict computer hackers in a book or a movie: hacking is just not visually interesting. I had to do a lot of research to get it technically correct, and then I actually had to back down from some of that realism to keep it entertaining. It's not a perfect balance, and I'm still working on it (the hacking in book 2, for example, I think works much, much better), but I'm pleased with what I've done and I hope readers like it.

5. If you were to be brought to the Bluescreen world, what would be the first thing you would do?

Get a djinni, absolutely. Not only are they amazing pieces of technology that can do everything I've ever wanted a computer to do, but the world of BLUESCREEN is designed around them, and doesn't even function well for people who don't have one. Bao can live without one, and more power to him, but I want a djinni :)

6. Thank you Dan for being here today! For my final questions, I would like to know, what is one common thing you share with your protagonist?

We're both planners--we get eager and we get fired up and sometimes we shoot our mouths off, but we don't like rushing into things without a plan. Sometimes that makes us slow to respond, or hard to convince, or a little too willing to let something slide because we can't think of a good way to deal with it, but when everything's clicking and we have a good plan, we're unstoppable.

2/16/2016

Interview with Claire Needell!

2/11/2016

Interview with Nicole Castroman!

Hey everyone and welcome to a super exciting interview with Nicole Castroman, author of Blackhearts, which came out Tuesday! She has some great answers to my questions and I had a really fun time coming up with questions for her. I hope you enjoy this interview and be sure to check out Blackhearts, out now!

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1. Hey Nicole and welcome to Next Page Please! I am so excited to have you here. Congrats on the publication of Blackhearts! What are you doing in celebration of Blackheart's publication?
Thank you so much for having me! To celebrate the publication of BLACKHEARTS I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends at my signings. It's been a long journey and so many people have been supportive of me.

2. What has been your favorite part of the publication journey? I know it can be very exciting as a debut author!
My favorite part has been meeting so many amazing people, both in real life and online. It's fun to connect with book bloggers and other authors. Basically everyone who has a passion and love for reading.

3. Do you have any tips for bloggers and readers who want to support authors? Anything that we can do that really helps authors gain readers? I would love to know!
I think Twitter chats have been extremely helpful for me. I know it's different for everyone, so it really depends on the author. I would suggest reaching out to an author., and telling them you'd like to help promote their books for them. The worst they can say is no. :)

4. Were there any difficulties in writing Blackhearts? How did you overcome them?
Honestly, I loved writing BLACKHEARTS. That doesn't mean I wrote a perfect first draft. I didn't, not by a long shot. But I loved the entire process, including revisions. I haven't always felt that way with some of my other manuscripts. I just felt that BLACKHEARTS was special. At least to me. :)

5. Thank you so much for being here and answering my questions, Nicole! For my final question, I wanna know what is one thing you're excited for readers to read about in Blackhearts?
I'm excited for readers to discover Anne and Teach. I can't wait for them to learn about their longing for freedom. That's why the cover for the book is so perfect. It's emblematic of the story.

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1/29/2016

Interview with Laurie E Flynn!

10/19/2015

Interview with Andrea Murray!

10/14/2015

Interview with Angela Cook!

5/22/2015

Interview with Jenny Martin!

5/10/2015

Interview with Elaine Dimopoulos!

4/17/2015

Interview with Jody Gehrman!

Welcome to the interview with author Jody Gehrman! I hope you all enjoy and check out her newest release, The Truth About Jack, out now!

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1. What would you write on a piece of paper if you were to put in a bottle and throw it in the ocean?

Okay, here’s the weird thing: I actually did write a message and put it in a bottle once. I don’t really recall the exact wording, something to the effect of “We’re here, we’re eight, we believe everything is possible.” Here’s how it went down: When I was in the third grade, my family moved from California to Vancouver Island, British Columbia for a year. My best friend up there, Kristen and I decided to write a letter and launch it in a bottle. I remember my dad helping us throw it really far, to be sure it would catch the currents.

A few weeks later, we’d pretty much forgotten about it. Out of the blue we got a massive envelope. Inside were like thirty letters, all written from third graders. A teacher from one of the nearby islands had found it, and had her entire class write to us.

It was magic. I think that experience convinced me to become a writer.

2. When you aren't writing, what is something you like to do?

I’m into movies and live theatre. I feel inspired by both really good and really wretched art. I find they both have a lot to teach me. I also like to hike, kick box, swim and do yoga. Writing involves a lot of sitting, so anything I can do counteract that feels good.

3. Food craving?

I’m really into Ben and Jerry’s Americone Dream with chocolate sauce and toasted pecans. Mmm...now you’ve got me thinking about it, and I just ran out! I’m addicted to our local pizzeria’s “Befuddled Pig” fire-roasted pizza too. It’s divine. I order it at least once a week.

4. What are your thoughts on the cover?

Love it! I have a thing for arms, so the prominently displayed, beautiful boy arms really work for me. Covers are tricky--it’s the luck of the draw--but I’m really pleased with this one. It has an innocent, springtime vibe that’s in keeping with the story.

5. If you weren't an author, what job do you think you would have?

A cultural anthropologist. I’d like to be Indiana Jane, exploring the world and having adventures!

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3/17/2015

Interview with Stacey Lee!

So guess what day it is?! March 17, Tuesday! The release day of one of my most anticipated novels, Under a Painted Sky. I had the chance to interview the author, Stacey Lee! I hope you enjoy the interview and look into reading her new book!

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1. Describe your experience writing in a western cowboy-like setting in 5 words.

Crackerbox of a good time.

2. What character did you enjoy writing about the most?

I enjoyed writing the lead cowboy, Cay Pepper, the best because he is my complete opposite in every way – white, male, smooth, suave, and completely sure of himself. Actually, we do have one thing in common which is a sense of humor, though he gets to be a bit more ribald than me.

3. What were your first reactions of the cover because it is stunning!

Thank you! Well, the cover took a few tries to get to its present form. At the end, they actually gave me a choice between two color palettes. It was really hard to choose because both were stunning.

4. Most interesting or fun fact you discovered when doing research for Under a Painted Sky?

I learned that pioneers would hang the cream off the wagon and after a full day of riding down the bumpy trail, the cream would turn to butter.

5. Since Samantha plays an instrument, do you play any musical instruments?

I played classical piano for 18 years; I also tried my hand at violin for three years. At one point, my two sisters and I were each playing two instruments a piece, and my dad put his foot down. We had to choose one instrument only. I was never sure if that was because all those lessons were getting expensive, or because his ears couldn't take it anymore.

6. Any last words?

Since we're talking about instruments, I thought I'd mention that during much of the 19th century, the fiddle was considered a man's instrument, because its shape was suggestive of a female form and required a man to 'master' it. Samantha's dad would've been ahead of his time to allow her to play it. The piano or harp were much more appropriate.

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Stacey Lee

Stacey Lee is a fourth generation Chinese-American whose people came to California during the heydays of the cowboys. She believes she still has a bit of cowboy dust in her soul. A native of southern California, she graduated from UCLA then got her law degree at UC Davis King Hall. After practicing law in the Silicon Valley for several years, she finally took up the pen because she wanted the perks of being able to nap during the day, and it was easier than moving to Spain. She plays classical piano, raises children, and writes YA fiction.

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About the Book

Under a Painted Sky

Author: Stacey Lee

Pages: 384

Publishing by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Publishing on: March 17 2015

A powerful story of friendship and sacrifice, for fans of Code Name Verity Missouri, 1849: Samantha dreams of moving back to New York to be a professional musician—not an easy thing if you’re a girl, and harder still if you’re Chinese. But a tragic accident dashes any hopes of fulfilling her dream, and instead, leaves her fearing for her life. With the help of a runaway slave named Annamae, Samantha flees town for the unknown frontier. But life on the Oregon Trail is unsafe for two girls, so they disguise themselves as Sammy and Andy, two boys headed for the California gold rush. Sammy and Andy forge a powerful bond as they each search for a link to their past, and struggle to avoid any unwanted attention. But when they cross paths with a band of cowboys, the light-hearted troupe turn out to be unexpected allies. With the law closing in on them and new setbacks coming each day, the girls quickly learn that there are not many places to hide on the open trail. This beautifully written debut is an exciting adventure and heart-wrenching survival tale. But above all else, it’s a story about perseverance and trust that will restore your faith in the power of friendship.

Hope you enjoyed the interview! So tell me: Have you heard of this book? If so are you planning to read it?

A Crown of Wishes

Interview with Roshani Chokshi

Timekeeper

Interview with Tara Sim

When the Moon Was Ours

Interview with Anna-Marie McLemore

Summer of Sloane

Interview with Erin Schneider

Suffer Love

The Star Touched Queen

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1. Hi Kathryn and welcome to Next Page Please! Thank you so much for being here today. Let's start this interview with a question to get to know you better! What do you like doing when you're not writing?

2. What is something you're excited for readers to read about in Burning Glass? (A character, event, place, etc.)

3. What has been your favorite part about publishing your book?

4. If Sonya came to our world, what do you think she would feel about it and what would be the first thing she would do?

5. Thank you so much for being here Kathryn and congrats on Burning Glass's publication! For my final question, I would love to know what the first thing you would do if you were dropped into the Burning Glass world?

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Where You'll Find Me

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Bluescreen

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Stacey Lee

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About the Book

Under a Painted Sky