Character Interview + Contest: AllieCat (Chasing Alliecat by Rebecca Fjelland Davis)

Here today I have the charming and mysterious Allie from Rebecca Fjelland Davis' Chasing Alliecat. She's a fantastic mountain biker, and intriguing person, and has earned the nickname AllieCat for a few reasons. And if you hang out after the interview, Allie has a copy of the book up for grabs for one lucky winner.


What was your very first impression of Sadie?

When I first saw her, she was straddling her bike, looking at the "dead" trailer homes. I watched her for a tiny bit. It's crazy to watch anyone's reaction to that dump in the beautiful woods. I knew she couldn't believe her eyes, and that made me like her right away. At the same time, she looked kinda innocent, and like the kind of girl who has a perfect life but thinks she's got it so bad, you know?


I also am glad when anybody bikes, 'cause it's such a great activity. But on the other hand, I'm a little skeptical of people who call themselves "mountain bikers" if they aren't at least a little hardcore. That's why I wanted to ride with Sadie the day I met her--to see if she was serious, and if she was willing to go all out.
She proved herself. She'll try anything, even if she's scared. So by the end of the ride, I knew I liked her.


If you couldn't figure it out, that's why I waited 'til we'd been riding awhile, to see what she was made of, before I even introduced myself to her.

You can travel anywhere in the world. Where do you go?

Two places: Big Sur in California to mountain bike. And France to ride some of the mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees that the guys ride in the Tour de France. The countryside on TV is gorgeous. I'd love to ride my bike there.

If you could spend one day as part of Sadie's family, what do you think the best part would be?

I think it would be having a mom who listened who wasn't wasted all the time. I haven't met her mom, yet, though, so that's only my imagination talking.

What is your greatest aspiration?

To win an national championship. That means getting sponsorship and going pro first of all, then racing on a pro team, and winning a national race. I'd love to race in the Olympics someday.

What is one thing about you that readers don't know even after reading the book?

Okay, this is crazy. And nobody knows this except I told Sadie--so I can't believe I'm telling it in an interview. But did you know that only guys can ride the Tour de France? There's a "Tour de Femme" for women, but nobody's ever heard of it right? See, you've never heard of it. I have this really crazy dream of trying to pass myself off as a guy to try to actually ride in the Tour de France. 

(Did you ever see that ancient film or read the old book National Velvet?) It would be like that on a bike!


Thank you, Allie, for your time! And make sure you guys check out Chasing Alliecat, out now!

Now for your chance to win a copy of Chasing Alliecat, just fill out THIS form.

Contest IS international, and ends March 23.

No entries will be accepted through the comments, but they are very welcome. Let Allie and Rebecca know your thoughts!

Author Interview: Gae Polisner

Taking over my bloggy blog today is debut author Gae Polisner, the lovely lady behind The Pull of Gravity, to talk a little about her book, some characters, and maybe some kissing.


What was your driving factor in writing this from a male perspective, rather than female?

I think I initially set out to write male POV because I have sons, and when they were younger we’d read aloud nightly, and it was always hard to find good, character-driven, contemporary, YA fiction with a male MC. I wanted to write a book for them. Then, when the idea of The Pull of Gravity came to me, I knew I wanted a male narrator. I like boys. And I like writing for boys. They struggle to deal with their emotions in a different way; they view things more concretely, and their thoughts are often more concise (but also maybe stilted). As characters, I think, they are less fussy. I love the challenge of thinking “boy.”

How easily did you slip into Nick's mind, and when was the moment you knew you were talking in his voice and not an extension of your own?

Honestly, it really felt like Nick’s voice from the first few sentences:

“A fever was what started everything. That, and the water tower, and the cherry cola. Well also Dad and his condition, and Mom being in Philadelphia and all.”

How, when Nick attempts to pinpoint what started the chain of events recounted in The Pull of Gravity, he comes up with these very simple, tangible things, rather than all the underlying emotional things that are the true triggers for any journey, including his own. That was Nick’s way of starting. It wouldn’t have been mine. Mine would have been girly and emotional and probably put everyone to sleep. ;)

What is the most rewarding part of writing contemporary fiction for you?

This answer requires a list, Kari. But here are a few:

My son lay in bed the other night re-reading TPoG for his school assignment. Talk about rewarding.


And connecting with teens – going into schools – is phenomenal. I think with contemporary fiction there’s a unique opportunity to talk about the stuff that is real and affecting their lives right now. TPoG deals with the death of a friend, with the imperfections of family, with first love. When I read excerpts aloud to kids, I can see the recognition cross their faces. The connection with readers is a most amazing part.


I also love to write “small moments” and I feel that contemporary fiction really lends itself to that. After all, that’s what real life is. Once in a while, huge things happen to us, but mostly life is an accumulation of these lovely (or painful) acute moments, and if you write contemporary fiction well, those moments should feel interesting and intriguing and come alive off the page.

If Nick could set up the perfect first kiss, whether its inside his story confines or not, what would it be?

Oh, he wouldn’t set it up, it would unwittingly happen to him. And I think he’d be happy to go with exactly the way that it does .=)

Knowing that the Scoot is dying, what is his obituary headline likely to read?

It would definitely open with a Star Wars quote. Something Yoda.

If Nick could tell readers one thing before they started his story, what would it be?

That bravery – inner strength – is a quiet, cumulative thing. And, also, that it’s good to know how to care for a fever. ;)


Thank you, Gae, for those answers, and congrats on the debut!

And make sure you guys check out The Pull of Gravity, coming in May!

In My Mailbox

Books! I got them. And that's all that matters.

 For Review:

Possession by Elana Johnson

Exile by Anne Osterland

...Then I Met My Sister by Christine Hurley Deriso (Already read- fantastic)

(Huge thanks to Elana Johnson + Simon & Schuster, Anne Osterland, and Flux)

Library: 

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Borrowed: 

Love Like A Dog by Anne Calcago

Bought:

How It's Done by Christine Kole MacLean

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

Die for Me by Amy Plum: BIG Update!

I'm turning my blog over today to Amy Plum, author of the upcoming Die for Me for an exciting announcement about the cover of her book!


I'm asking Kari to announce this news because not only is she organizing DIE FOR ME's blog tour on The {Teen} Book Scene, but she knows a lot more of you than I, a newbie author, do. And I wanted to get this news out as quickly as possible. Because it is HUGE and unexpected. Like a rhinoceros bursting unannounced into my living room. Except, in this case, it's a rhinoceros wearing a strappy red dress and surrounded with hand-drawn mysterious black swirls.

But enough already with the bizarre-o metaphors. Here is the news:

HarperCollins has decided to change the cover image of DIE FOR ME.

They are adopting Atom's cover depicting KATE-ON-THE-ROOF instead of their previous cover showing KATE-IN-A-BOAT.

I've never heard of this kind of thing, but I also hadn't heard of an ARC before last September when people started asking me for one and I had to Google it to know what they were talking about. However, my editor told me that a last-minute jacket switch isn't that uncommon. Here is what she said:

“I shared the UK cover of DIE FOR ME with some folks in-house--and our sales team flipped over it. As much as they love OUR cover, they loved the UK cover just a little bit more. We then shared it with more people-in-positions-of-power, and the reaction was unanimous. They ultimately think that the UK cover feels like a 'bigger' book.

And, interestingly enough, this kind of thing happens quite a lot so we're not concerned about consumers and booksellers being confused--booksellers 'get' this type of thing and you'll be able to share the revised cover on your blog so any bloggers who are following DIE FOR ME news will be able to pick up that info and share it as well.”

So Harper tweaked the UK cover. And here it is. And here we are, you and I. So what do we think? I think it's gorgeous. How about you?

 And for your perusal, here are both the original US Covers, and the UK cover:

 

So what do you guys think? I love it! The color scheme is fantastic, and it most definitely makes me wonder what she's looking out at and thinking. Not to mention, I do love the Eiffel Tower being in the background. But mostly, just the color scheme. It's gorgeous! Congrats, Amy!!!

Book Review: Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

SUMMARY:

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?


OPINION: 4 STARS

The Short Version:
Emotional and realistic, Playing Hurt is a stunning blend of coming of age and romance. Alternating perspectives between two equally damaged characters, there is a softness that lurks beneath the two and shines strongly as things progress. With a well paced plot and a very fitting ending, this is definitely a feel good romance with just the right amount of drama and hurt mixed in.

The Extended Version:
Chelsea watches the world go by her, unable to get over losing her ability to play basketball after an accident. Her passion for the sport is clear, despite how much it pains her now, creating an instant source of sympathy for her. With the seemingly perfect boyfriend and now graduating from high school, Chelsea seems to have a lot ahead of her but is still mourning what she’s lost. After meeting Clint, however, there is a renewed fire and vigor in her, bringing out an almost entirely different character, but the shift is handled smoothly and realistically. She holds on to much of her good sense and views, while trying to understand everything new. In some ways, she is highly flawed and even someone to dislike, but in others, there is such a strong empathetic element to her character.

Clint starts out in a similar place as Chelsea, struggling with his own past to overcome, but also undergoing an inexplicable and sudden change once she comes into his life. He is a blend of unsure and eager, and the change he goes through is almost more notable and memorable than Chelsea’s. His appeal is more than physical, a quiet and intriguing yet broken boy who simply needs someone to pull him back to the world.

The passion and intensity between these two flies off the pages, propelling the story in some unimaginable and engaging ways. Though Chelsea has a boyfriend, she is far away from him for three weeks, suddenly experiencing everything that comes with new and budding love. Notably, however, is how lust driven their relationship is, never confusing lust and love and simply experiencing everything they are feeling. From sweet moments to funny and joking, they go through a range of things that get them to the final ending of the book, which fits so perfectly for the situation and everything that unfolds.

Schindler’s writing is gorgeous, having a strong flow and some stunning descriptions. Though the dual perspectives did seem very similar in voice and style, the inner thoughts of both characters still came through in their perspectives. The chapter shifts, overall, had an easy flow to them, never coming off confusing or leaving the reader behind. The scenes shown in each perspective were perfectly picked, and giving plenty of insight from both even within a scene.

This plot is simple in nature but forceful in playout, and Schindler has most definitely laid out a bit of a minefield for her characters. She shows the bad and good of each, painting a very realistic even if frustrating situation, and holding all the heartbreak and hope that comes with it.

Details:

Source: ARC Received from publisher in exchange for honest review

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: Flux

Publication Date: March 8, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick is Epic Fail, by Claire LaZebnik, coming August 2 from HarperTeen.

Summary: At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

• As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.

• As the daughter of the new principal, new-girl-on-campus Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long. Fans of Susane Colasanti (When It Happens), Polly Shulman (Enthusiasm), and, of course, Jane Austen will love finding out if Elise’s love life will be an epic win or an epic fail.


My Thoughts: This one sounds just all kinds of fun and lighthearted, but maybe with some deeper moments  mixed in. It looks like a great take on the enemies turned friends thing, and hits on the social status thing that matters, but then doesn't. I really do love how this one seems to take some simple, known concepts to spin them to something new, and I cannot wait to meet these characters. Just reading this summary makes me eager to get to know Derek and Webster, and find out just how hot and charming they are, and see how Elise really handles everything. As for the cover, it's cute and flirty and I think it will fit nicely with the book.