Posts filed under 'Girlfriends Cyber Circuit'
August 31st, 2010
It’s GCC time! This week, I’m delighted to bring you the fabulous…
Kristina Springer
Welcome, Kristina!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Kristina Springer
Short Bio:
Kristina Springer is the author of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS and the forthcoming PUMPKIN PRINCESS (fall 2011). She has a Masters in Writing from DePaul University and she resides outside of Chicago with her husband and children. Visit her at www.KristinaSpringer.com.
Kristina loves to hear from readers, so please visit her at www.KristinaSpringer.com, on her blog (KristinaSpringer.blogspot.com), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KristinaSpringer) or on Twitter (@TinaSpringer).
The Book
My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours
August 31, 2010
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
**On shelves now**
Seventh grade was supposed to be fun, but Tori is having major drama with her BFF, Sienna. Sienna changed a lot over the summer—on the first day of school she’s tan, confident, and full of stories about her new dreamy boyfriend. Tori knows that she’s totally making this guy up. So Tori invents her own fake boyfriend, who is better than Sienna’s in every way. Things are going great—unless you count the whole lying-to-your-best-friend thing—until everyone insists Tori and Sienna bring their boyfriends to the back-to-school dance.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Yes! It didn’t become a dream for me until I was in my twenties but then I was determined and it feels amazing to be published.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
Make people laugh. 
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
My family, my friends, reality tv (kidding), my health, and happiness!
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
Walking up to my booth at ALA and seeing a long line of people waiting to see me—it was pretty cool!
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
The Little House on the Prairie series.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Hold tight, things seem intense and dramatic now but life post high school is a blast!
Thanks to Kristina for a fun interview. Be sure to pick up your copy of My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours today!
July 3rd, 2010
It’s GCC time! This week, I’m delighted to bring you the lovely…
Jenny O’Connell
Welcome, Jenny!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Jenny O’Connell
Short Bio:
Jenny O’Connell received her BA from Smith College and her MBA from the University of Chicago. The author of PLAN B and THE BOOK OF LUKE, she lives outside of Boston with her family.
The Books
LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS
MTV Books
**On shelves now**
There are two kinds of people on the island — those who leave at summer’s end… and those who are left behind.
Bestselling author Jenny O’Connell presents a sizzling series for summer. Her first two Island Summer novels, LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS highlight the lives of the summering visitors, the year-round locals living in the beach towns of Martha’s Vineyard, and the fireworks that explode when they combine for three steamy months.
In LOCAL GIRLS, friendships are in danger of ending with the summer. Kendra and Mona are best friends, local girls who spend their summers catering to rich tourists and the rest of the year chafing against small-town life. Then Mona’s mom marries one of the island’s rich summer visitors, and Mona joins the world of the Boston elite, leaving Kendra and Martha’s Vineyard behind. When Mona returns the following summer, everything is different.
Unlike his sister, Mona’s twin brother Henry hasn’t changed. He’s spending his summer the way he always has: with long, quiet hours fishing. Early mornings before work become special for Kendra as she starts sharing them with Henry, hoping he can help her figure Mona out. Then Kendra hatches a plan to prove she’s Mona’s one true friend: uncover the identity of the twins’ birth father, a question that has always obsessed Mona. And so she begins to unravel the seventeen-year-old mystery of the summer boy who charmed Mona’s mother. But it may prove to be a puzzle better left unsolved–as what she is about to discover will change their lives forever…
In RICH BOYS, Winnie jumps at the chance to babysit for a wealthy summer family and earn some extra money—but soon learns that life in the Barclay’s beautiful vacation home isn’t as perfect as it appears. And what was supposed to be a carefree summer quickly becomes more complicated than she ever thought possible.
Jenny’s Cool Giveaway News
Learn how you can win an Island Summer t-shirt – just in time for the beach. Go to http://jennyoconnell.blogspot.com and enter to win today! And learn more about LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS at www.jennyoconnell.com.
June 23rd, 2010
It’s GCC time! This week, I’m delighted to bring you the awesome, charming, talented and all-around FABULOUS…
Wendy Toliver
Welcome, Wendy!
The Girlfriend
Name:
WENDY TOLIVER
Short Bio:
Born in Texas, raised in Colorado, and now living in Utah, Wendy Toliver has successfully eliminated “y’all” from her vocabulary. However, she still managed to marry a pickup man. They have three young sons and an assortment of furry, scaly, and slimy pets. She is the author of three novels for teens: The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, Miss Match, and Lifted.
Visit her online at wendytoliver.com where you’ll find more great YA books from Wendy plus links to all the fun places where you can find her blog musings.
The Book
Lifted
June 8, 2010
Simon Pulse
**On shelves now**
Being Bad Never Felt So Good.
Poppy Browne had never stolen anything in her life before moving to Pleasant Acres, Texas and meeting Mary Jane and Whitney. But when Poppy walks out of the mall with her two new friends and her first pair of stolen jeans, she’s hooked.
Before long, Poppy is lifting whenever she gets the urge—it’s never about the merchandise, it’s always about the thrill. But when her secret gets out, the girls in Poppy’s clique turn on one another. As she watches her life collapse around her, Poppy must decide where her loyalties lie … and how far she’ll go to protect herself.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Though I only came up with it later in life, yes, being an author was a dream of mine. I realize how lucky I am to be able to say I’m a published author because there are so many talented writers with extraordinary stories to tell who never get this far. How does it feel? Crazy. Exhilarating. Mind-boggling. Surreal. Fantastic.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I agree that it can be something simple, something that’s true to your heart. I’d have to say that children’s health and well being is my life’s focus, especially right now. One of the things I do is support my local Junior League, and one of its projects is providing free healthcare (dental and medical), haircuts, socks and underwear, haircuts, and books to uninsured children in the community (Children’s Health Connection).
This year is especially wonderful because my publisher, Simon & Schuster, donated thousands of dollars’ worth of books to this great cause. Another charity I recently helped out with (in a small way) is Aveda’s clean water campaign, which was brought to us locally by Free Spirit Holistic Mountain Spa. I love how simple it is: People in the world need to have clean water, right?
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
I am thankful for the health of my family. With three little boys we rarely have a “blood free” day, but when we do we have a little celebration.
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
I have so many! One that comes to mind was when I was in Hastings and this lady was in line buying Miss Match and she overheard the bookstore manager mentioning to an employee that I was in the store (just shopping with my kids) and the lady ran over to me and asked me to sign the book. It was just so unexpected and she was really cute about meeting “a real author” and it also had a big impact on my boys who see me as “famous.” LOL
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
I loved A Wrinkle in Time and I think the reason is being able to read about an imaginary place and feeling like I was there.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I’d tell myself to quit wasting so much time being boy crazy and just concentrate on having as much fun as possible.
Thanks to Wendy for a terrific interview. Be sure to pick up your copy of Lifted today!
May 23rd, 2010
Quick reminder… keep entering for your chance to win the High School Flashback Tour prize pack! Winner to be announced tomorrow.
And now… it’s GCC time! Today, I’m delighted to bring you the fabulous RITA nominee…
Jennifer Echols
Welcome, Jenn!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Jennifer Echols
Short Bio:
Jennifer Echols grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama–a setting that has inspired many of her books. Always interested in creative writing, she finished her first (and still unpublished) novel soon after graduating with a degree in English from Auburn University at age 20. She worked as an editor for newspapers, a writer for business publications, and a writing instructor for three major universities, completed a master’s degree in English, and finished the coursework for a PhD in genre studies before selling a book. Since then, she has written many young adult novels for Simon & Schuster, including Major Crush, which won the National Reader’s Choice Award, and Going Too Far, which is a finalist in the 2010 RITA, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best. Her next novel, Forget You, will be released on July 20. Currently she works as a copyeditor and lives in Birmingham with her husband and son. Please visit her online at jennifer-echols.com.
The Book
Endless Summer
May 25, 2010
Simon Pulse
(Note from Kay: I LOVED The Boys Next Door!)
The Boys Next Door and the sequel, Endless Summer, in one volume!
Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.
Lori can’t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends–including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she’s always been just one of the guys. Now that she’s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that’s not going to happen–not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.
Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori’s romantic summer melt into one hot mess?
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
It was a dream of mine for years, I worked very hard to achieve it, and I am thankful every day. I honestly believe it’s important to remember what life was like before, because it gives me a very different perspective. I never take this career for granted.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
This may seem small, but I am still very proud that I was the first female drum major of my high school marching band. Since then, girls and boys have both been drum majors at my high school. I’m sure it never occurs to them that there was a time when this position was not open to girls, and I think that’s terrific.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
So many things: my career, my friends, my family, our health. The main character of the book I’m writing now is an optimist—and I’m not!—so I’ve been reading a lot of books on optimism. They all agree that the best way to be happier in life is to see the glass as half full and to take time every day to be grateful for what you have.
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
My novel Going Too Far is a finalist in the RITA, with a huge ceremony at a national conference in Florida in July. I can’t wait!
(Yay, Jenn!!!!!!!)
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
The Beginning Place is a wonderful fantasy coming-of-age novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. If fantasy isn’t your thing…it isn’t mine, either, but this exquisitely written book is worth it.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Pluck your eyebrows. I was afraid to do this after reading a YA novel by Paula Danziger called The Pistachio Prescription, in which a girl plucks her eyebrows for the first time and goes way overboard…but trust me, teen self, some moderate tweezing would do a world of good.
Thanks to Jenn for a terrific interview. And be sure to pick up your copy of Endless Summer when it hits shelves on Tuesday!
May 6th, 2010
It’s GCC time! This week, I’m delighted to bring you the talented and delightful…
Jeri Smith-Ready
Welcome, Jeri!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Jeri Smith-Ready
Short Bio:
Award-winning author Jeri Smith-Ready lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and the world’s goofiest greyhound.
Jeri’s plans to save the earth were ruined when she realized she was more of a “problem maker” than a problem solver. To stay out of trouble, she keeps her Drama Drive strictly fictional. Her friends and family appreciate that.
When not writing, Jeri she can usually be found—well, thinking about writing, or on Twitter. Like her characters, she loves music, movies, and staying up very, very late.
Jeri loves to hear from readers, so please visit her at www.jerismithready.com, or even better, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jerismithready) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/jsmithready), where she spends way too much time.
The Book
Shade
May 4, 2010
Simon Pulse
**On shelves now**
(And it’s on my shelf right now too!)
Love ties them together.
Death can’t tear them apart.
Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan’s band playing a critical gig and Aura’s plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend’s life. She never thought it would be his last.
Logan’s sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He’s gone.
Well, sort of.
Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.
It doesn’t help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.
As Aura’s relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura’s heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
It’s indescribable. Sometimes I wonder if I’m going to wake up and it will be just that—a dream. I started out small, with an e-book, and each new series has brought me a slightly wider audience. So I’ve had a chance to wade into this crazy publishing world a little at a time.
For sanity’s sake, I think that’s been healthy.;-)
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I really believe that life isn’t complete unless one is doing something for others. I don’t think it’s enough to only live for ourselves and our inner circle of family and friends. The world is hurting in so many ways, there’s something for everyone to do, regardless of talents or time constraints.
Unfortunately this is one area of my life that’s begun to lack as work has taken over. We used to foster dogs for a local animal rescue organization (we’ve had twenty-three in all—not at the same time, of course), but then my dog hurt her back a couple of years ago. She loves other dogs so much, she can’t resist dancing and bouncing around them, which is really bad for her back. So we tried fostering a cat, but we fell madly in love with Twinkle and adopted her.
Each of my books has a “royalty tithe” charity, where ten percent of my author royalties (if there are any) go to a designated charity relevant to the book. For Eyes of Crow it’s Conservation International, for Voice of Crow it’s the Wounded Warrior Project; for Wicked Game it’s VH-1’s Save the Music Foundation. I’m still deciding which charity I want to receive a piece of my SHADE royalties, but it will probably be a Baltimore-based charity who does worth with drug rehab, since the book is set in that city and substance abuse is an issue in the story. Besides, there’s a crying need for it.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
I’m most grateful for the amazing support of my husband. He puts up with my traveling and crazy deadlines, and he tells me daily how proud he is. Ack, I’m getting choked up just typing this! I’m the luckiest person in the world.
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
It was a tiny thing. When I went to visit my publisher (Simon Pulse) last November, they gathered together a bunch of the people who had worked on the book, from artists to production folks to sales people.
We ate doughnuts in the 17th floor boardroom before having a meeting with publicity and marketing. But the coolest thing was, when my agent and I got off the elevator and went into the waiting room, someone had put out a little sign with the date and the SHADE book cover. The sign said, “Simon & Schuster Children’s welcomes Jeri Smith-Ready.” They let me keep the sign! I know, I’m a dork, but I felt really honored.
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
The Judy Blume books were all really influential. They helped me understand what I was going through and what to expect as I grew up. They were just so REAL. That’s what I strive for with my YA writing.
I want teens to feel like they recognize themselves in the characters. If it helps them feel less alone in this crazy world, then I’ve done my job.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Spend more time with your friends, and less time with your boyfriend. But the teen self wouldn’t listen to me, so why bother? 
Thanks to Jeri for a terrific interview. Be sure to pick up your copy of Shade today!
March 18th, 2010
It’s GCC time! This week, I’m delighted to bring you the awesome and wonderful…
Elizabeth Scott
Welcome, Elizabeth!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Elizabeth Scott
Short Bio:
Elizabeth Scott grew up in a town so small it didn’t even have a post office, though it did boast an impressive cattle population. She’s sold hardware and panty hose and had a memorable three-day stint in the dot-com industry, where she learned that she really didn’t want a career burning CDs. She lives just outside Washington, DC, with her husband; firmly believes you can never own too many books; and would love it if you visited her website, www.elizabethwrites.com.
The Book
The Unwritten Rule
March 15, 2010
Simon Pulse
**On shelves now!**
Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don’t like your best friend’s boyfriend.
Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He’s easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he’s paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna’s boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah’s best friend.
Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she’s thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It’s wonderful…and awful.
Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can’t stop herself from wanting more…
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
Being published was never a dream of mine–I actually didn’t start writing until I was 27 (!) and if wasn’t for my friends who nagged–er, I mean, gently suggested–that I try actually submitting things instead of just writing them and leaving them on my hard drive I’d still be… well, I’d still be doing just that!
Having said that, being published is pretty amazing–not just because you have books out there, but because of the best part of all–connecting with readers! I never even thought about that happening, but it is, hands down, the best part of being published.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I would love if it people took the time to say something–anything!–to someone when they see/hear someone that seems to be in pain or trouble.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
My family, my friends, and all the amazing people who read my books!
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
Hands down, hearing from readers! I still have the first note I ever got from someone about my first novel, Bloom, in fact.
5. ALL-TIME MOST MEMORABLE BOOK: What book had the greatest impact on you growing up?
I don’t know. I read a lot (A LOT) when I was growing up, but I do have a huge place in my heart for Judy Blume.
6. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t take Math Analysis–take Typing instead! Yes, I know your mother swears you’ll need it, but you won’t and you won’t even remember the class when you’re in it. Plus, not learning to type–let’s just say when it comes time for you to write your first college paper and you realize write means type….ugh!
Thanks to Elizabeth for a terrific interview. Be sure to pick up your copy of The Unwritten Rule today!
February 4th, 2010
I am completely delighted to share that I’ve joined the fabulous group of YA authors known as the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit! So it’s with great pleasure that I introduce my first GCC post about my fellow Tenner, the fabulous Suzanne Young. Suz’s debut novel, THE NAUGHTY LIST, is the first in her hilarious Smitten Kittens series… and it’s on shelves TODAY!
Welcome, Suz!
The Girlfriend
Name:
Suzanne Young
Short Bio:
Suzanne Young is a brilliant scientist. Not really. But she is a former middle school teacher turned zookeeper (mother). When Suzanne’s not fending off zombie squirrels or narrating her daughter’s Barbie soap operas, she can be found camping on the Oregon coast or writing obsessively.
Suzanne is the author of The Naughty List series coming February 4th, 2010 from Razorbill/Penguin. The Naughty List is about a group of cheerleaders who investigate cheating boyfriends. Which Suzanne never did. Or at least, not that you can prove.
Learn more at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com
The Book
The Naughty List
February 2010
Razorbill
As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility! Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!
When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?
The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?
Follow the squad at www.thecheaterreport.blogspot.com
Look out for series:
The Naughty List-2/4/10
So Many Boys-6/10/10
A Good Boy is Hard to Find-10/2010
What bloggers are saying about The Naughty List:
www.bookchicclub.blogspot.com: “Suzanne Young’s The Naughty List is a fast, original, and fun romp that fans of Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls series will surely enjoy! Tessa is a wonderful, relatable character full of depth, quirks, and heart. A sure-fire hit!”
www.thestorysiren.com: “Espionage, lively cheerleaders, and very naughty boys… equal one debut that I found unputdownable!”
www.sharonlovesbooksandcats.com: “Holy cannoli! The Naughty List is one of the most adorable books I have ever read. Seriously people this book is just dripping in cuteness.”
Up Close and Personal
1. PURSUING YOUR DREAMS: Everyone has the ability to be extraordinary, they just have to embrace what makes them unique and special and pursue their dreams with passion and confidence! Was being a published author a dream of yours? If so, how does it feel to have achieved your dream?
You know, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. It seems my imagination always had a story to tell. More than the dream of being published, I’m so happy that all of my characters get to escape from my head. It’s scary in there.
2. CHANGING YOUR WORLD: Changing the world doesn’t have to mean finding a cure for cancer or creating lasting world peace (though it definitely can!). It just means finding a way that you can make the world a little better off for having lived here, whether it’s making a difference to one person or a million, to the earth, to animals… whatever is important to you. What is one way you would personally like to make the world a better place?
I hope to raise good, wonderful kids. I hope that my books can make people smile, and forget their problems for a little while. But more than anything, I want my stories to make girls feel good about themselves.
3. GRATITUDE: Gratitude is a huge part of the You 2.0 life. Taking a moment to count our blessings is the best way to remember what’s truly important (especially when life is hectic and crazy!). What are you grateful for?
WOW! Do you have an hour? Honestly, I truly am blessed. I live in a great place with an insanely talented group of friends. And after a really tough year, I’m grateful for my health, and my family’s unconditional love.
Author Fun!
4. SECRET SQUEE MOMENT: What is the coolest thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author?
At another author’s book signing, I brought my ARC to give to a friend. A girl next to me saw it and recognized it! She asked about it and I ended up giving her the copy because I was so excited. It was the first time I met anyone who was excited about The Naughty List coming out.
5. THE REAL DEAL: If you could go back in time and give your teen/tween self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Enjoy the time with your family. One day they won’t be there and all of those memories will become some of the things you cherish most in life.
Thanks to Suz for a terrific interview! And readers, be sure to pick up your copy of The Naughty List today!
