Blog Tour: Interview: Kristin Bartley Lenz (The Art of Holding On and Letting Go)

   Hello and welcome to my stop of the blog tour for The Art of Holding On and Letting Go by Kristin Bartley Lenz.

   When I was presented with the opportunity to read and review this book, I was immediately intrigued and said yes. Said review can be found here. Then I also got the opportunity to be part of this blog tour, to which I obviously said yes, too, because you guys know I love debut authors and interviewing them about their books, so how could I not say yes? 

   So below you can find all about the book and Kristin's As to my Qs:

The Art of Holding On and Letting Go by Kristin Bartley Lenz

Expected publication: September 12th 2016 by Elephant Rock Productions, Inc.

Number of Pages: 307 Pages (Paperback)

Series: No

   A Junior Library Guild Fall 2016 Selection

   “When every piece falls into place, it’s like a dance, a delicate but powerful balancing act. The art of holding on and letting go at the same time.”

   Competitive climber Cara Jenkins feels most at home high off the ground, clinging to a rock wall by her fingertips. She’s enjoyed a roaming life with her mountaineering parents, making the natural world her jungle gym, the writings of Annie Dillard and Henry David Thoreau her textbooks. But when tragedy strikes on an Ecuadoran mountaintop, Cara’s nomadic lifestyle comes to an abrupt halt.

   Starting over at her grandparents’ home in suburban Detroit, Cara embarks on a year of discovery, uncovering unknown strengths, friendships, and first love. Cara’s journey illustrates the transformative power of nature, love and loss, and discovering that home can be far from where you started. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Kristin Bartley Lenz

   1 - Describe The Art of Holding On and Letting Go with a haiku (or twitter pitch).

   Climb, explore the world

   Family, friendship, love, loss

   Nature heals your soul

   2 - What was the first initial thought or thing that sparked the idea of The Art of Holding On and Letting Go?

   My husband and I became immersed in rock climbing when we moved from Michigan to Georgia, and then to California. We followed the careers of well-known mountaineers, and one by one, each of these climbers died attempting epic summits, leaving their spouses and children behind. I began to wonder what it would be like to be the child of a famous mountaineer. How would that child’s upbringing be different? And what if both of her parents were extreme mountaineers, not just one? How would this shape her world?

   3 - What do you like most about your protagonist Cara?
   I like that she has grit and tenacity and a big heart.

   4 - What was the most challenging about writing The Art of Holding On and Letting Go and which scene was the most fun to write?
   It was challenging to describe rock climbing without being too technical. My favorite scene to write was when Cara climbs at the viaduct by her grandparents’ house. It was fun to play with the language, and it was in that scene that I found the book’s title – The Art of Holding On and Letting Go.

   5 - How long did it take you from first thought until publishing deal?

   Ten, very long years! I worked as a social worker and wrote other stories during those years, but TAOHOALG was revised, submitted, shelved, and revised again every few years until I connected with the right editor who shared my vision.

   6 - How do you feel about the fact that in a couple of weeks, hundreds of people will be able to read your book?

   It’s nerve-wracking! This manuscript has received a lot of praise and support from agents, editors, and fellow writers over the years. I’ve grown as a writer through this process and I’m confident that I’ve produced a work of quality literature, but I know it won’t be for everyone. Very rarely has my book club ever unanimously loved a book; we’re all drawn to different aspects of stories. But it’s been so fun to correspond with some of the early readers who have really connected with my book.

   7 - In retrospective, is there anything that you’d change about the story or are you happy with the way it turned out in the end?

   The more time I spent in Cara’s world, the more details I wanted to add. I could revise endlessly, but at some point I needed to stop and trust that I’d shared enough of her story for readers to understand and make it their own. I’m happy with the book, and ready to move on to a new manuscript.

   8 - While writing the story did you ever imagine how a cover might look like and what do you think about the absolutely gorgeous final version?

   It is gorgeous, isn’t it?! Amanda Schwarz designed the cover, and I was so impressed with her vision. I thought the cover should incorporate mountains in some way, and I knew what I didn’t want (an overly romantic cover with a couple kissing), but I didn’t have a clear picture beyond that. I shared some of Amanda’s cover creation process on the SCBWI-MI blog. You can read that post here: http://scbwimithemitten.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-making-of-book-cover-3-stories_22.html

   9 - Did you listen to any particular songs or artists while writing The Art of Holding On and Letting Go? If so, could you give us an example?

   I love when writers share their music influences, but my answer is pretty boring - I have to write in silence. But once I’m done writing, I head to the kitchen to make dinner, and that’s when the music comes on. Cooking requires music, and Eminem is the best for chopping veggies. ;)

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?

   Connect with other writers in your area or online to share resources, give and receive feedback, and encourage each other to persevere along the bumpy path to publishing. SCBWI is a really supportive organization if you’re writing for children and/or teens.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

   Invisibility. There are so many times that I want to be a fly on the wall and just observe. I love watching and listening much more than talking.

About the Author

   Kristin Lenz is a writer and social worker from metro-Detroit who fell in love with the mountains when she moved to Georgia and California. Now she’s back in Detroit where she plots wilderness escapes and manages the Michigan Chapter blog for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her writing has been published by online literary journals, including Hunger Mountain and Great Lakes Review. The Art of Holding On and Letting Go is her first novel.

   Links for purchase:

   Amazon

   IndieBound

   Books-A-Million

   Barnes & Noble

   Goodreads

   Kobo

   Link to publisher’s website:

   Elephant Rock Books

Mon., Aug. 22 – Kristin makes a guest post on Making Connections

Fri., Aug. 26 – Kristin interviewed on Fiction Over Reality

Tues., Aug. 30 – Kristin interviewed on A Leisure Moment

Thurs., Sept. 1 – Kristin interviewed on Crazy Book Obsessions!
Sunday, Sept. 4 – Kristin makes an appearance on black plume
Tues., Sept. 6 – Kristin makes a guest post on Books Are Love
Thurs., Sept. 8 – Kristin interviewed on Alice Reeds
Mon., Sept. 12 – Release day post on Making Connections
Mon., Sept. 12 – Kristin makes a guest post on Books & Tea
Mon., Sept. 12 – Kristin is interviewed by her agent, Carrie Pestritto, on Literary Carrie
Thurs., Sept. 15 – Kristin interviewed on Books Are Love
Tues., Sept. 20 – Kristin makes a guest post on The Reading Date
Friday, Sept. 23 – Kristin makes a guest post on Twenty Three Pages
Mon., Sept. 26 – Kristin interviewed on Literary Rambles
Wed., Sept. 28 – Kristin interviewed on Wandering Educators
Wed., Oct. 5 – Kristin interviewed on Operation Awesome 

Review: The Art of Holding On and Letting Gn by Kristin Bartley Lenz

The Art of Holding On and Letting Go by Kristin Bartley Lenz

Expected Publication: September 12th 2016 by Elephant Rock Productions, Inc.

Pages: 307 Pages (Paperback)

Series: No

   A Junior Library Guild Fall 2016 Selection

   “When every piece falls into place, it’s like a dance, a delicate but powerful balancing act. The art of holding on and letting go at the same time.”

   Competitive climber Cara Jenkins feels most at home high off the ground, clinging to a rock wall by her fingertips. She’s enjoyed a roaming life with her mountaineering parents, making the natural world her jungle gym, the writings of Annie Dillard and Henry David Thoreau her textbooks. But when tragedy strikes on an Ecuadoran mountaintop, Cara’s nomadic lifestyle comes to an abrupt halt.

   Starting over at her grandparents’ home in suburban Detroit, Cara embarks on a year of discovery, uncovering unknown strengths, friendships, and first love. Cara’s journey illustrates the transformative power of nature, love and loss, and discovering that home can be far from where you started. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Elephant Rock Books for providing me with an 

eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   When the publisher contacted me regarding this book and I checked out the synopsis I was definitely intrigued. I've never read a book about a competitive climber before, or even seen climbing being mentioned in any other YA book I've read so far, so I was eager to dive into it. Thanks to a massive reading slump it took me way longer then it usually would, which is a shame, but I made my way through it and I can tell you that I was not disappointed by it.

   In this story we follow Cara's story that starts off in Ecuador during a climbing competition (which is described really, really well and with just the perfect amount of details) during which tragedy strikes Cara's family. Following Cara as she holds on to hope that maybe everything will be okay, and then having to accept that it won't and that her entire life is about to change, was heartbreaking and brilliantly written. Seeing her navigate a her new surroundings, making new friends and falling in love was amazing, especially because it was such a contrast to the way the book started off.

   What stuck out for me about this book was the way Kristin described the climbing aspect and Cara's emotional landscape, how it was changing and evolving along the way. You could really feel what she was feeling and understand why she felt that way and why she made certain choices. Cara is a fascinating character that I very much enjoyed reading about.

   I really enjoyed Kristin's writing style, the way she created likable and relatable characters that seemed realistic and three dimensional. The story definitely lived up to my hopes and to that really pretty cover.

   All in all, The Art of Holding On and Letting Go is a intriguing story that brings something new to the table, something we've not seen before, and it does it incredibly well. I can definitely recommend it if you're in the mood for a contemporary with lots of emotions and a looking into the life of a competitive climber.

I give The Art of Holding On and Letting Go by Kristin Bartley Lenz 5 out of 5 stars.

   Purchase links:
   Amazon
   IndieBound
   Books-A-Million
   Barnes & Noble
   Goodreads
   Kobo

   Also, if you want, you can totally check out the blog tour for The Art of Holding On and Letting Go (which I'm totally part of):

·      Mon., Aug. 22 – Kristin makes a guest post on Making Connections

·      Fri., Aug. 26 – Kristin interviewed on Fiction Over Reality

·      Tues., Aug. 30 – Kristin interviewed on A Leisure Moment

·      Thurs., Sept. 1 – Kristin interviewed on Crazy Book Obsessions!

·      Sunday, Sept. 4 – Kristin makes an appearance on blackplume

·      Tues., Sept. 6 – Kristin makes a guest post on Books Are Love

·      Thurs., Sept. 8 – Kristin interviewed on Alice Reeds

·      Mon., Sept. 12 – Release day post on Making Connections

·      Mon., Sept. 12 – Kristin makes a guest post on Books & Tea

·      Mon., Sept. 12 – Kristin is interviewed by her agent, Carrie Pestritto, on Literary Carrie

·      Thurs., Sept. 15 – Kristin interviewed on Books Are Love

·      Tues., Sept. 20 – Kristin makes a guest post on The Reading Date

·      Friday, Sept. 23 – Kristin makes a guest post on Twenty Three Pages

·      Mon., Sept. 26 – Kristin interviewed on Literary Rambles

·      Wed., Sept. 28 – Kristin interviewed on Wandering Educators

·      Wed., Oct. 5 – Kristin interviewed on Operation Awesome 

3 Year Blogversary Celebration - Triple Review Extravaganza!

The Secret to Letting Go by Katherine Fleet

Published: February 1st 2016 by Entangled Publishing

Number of Pages: 334 Pages (Paperback)

Series: No

   Haunted with guilt after his girlfriend's death, Daniel Hudson has no interest in committing to anyone. At the end of the summer, he'll be leaving Florida for a new start in college. If only he could avoid the mysterious new girl in town, who seems every bit as naive and eccentric as she looks. Trouble is, she's hard to ignore, with her beautiful piercing eyes, pitiful-looking dog, and unsettling tendency of finding trouble. 

   Clover Scott lived her whole life off the grid and arrives on the Gulf coast in search of her grandparents. She never expected to nearly drown, or get caught in a hurricane, or fall in love with the boy who rescues her. Now, she has a chance to rewrite her life's story, to finally fit in somewhere, but Daniel wants answers about her past. When the police start asking questions about the disappearance of her parents, she must make a choice: go to jail or confess her secrets-even if they might destroy her chance at a happily-ever-after. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Entangled Teen for proving me with an 

eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   The Secret to Letting Go was quite an interesting read with lots of secrets and emotions. I enjoyed it a lot, even though it took me forever to finish it, but that's due to my overwhelming reading slump.

   This story follows Daniel and Clover, two very interesting and three dimensional characters. The both of them have secrets and both went through bad things in their past so reading about them meeting and slowly developing into something more was awesome.

   I really enjoyed Katherine Fleet's writing style and the pace of this book. She managed to create two different voices for Daniel and Clover, which is something I love to see, and it totally helped with making me get attached to this characters and wanting to know what they are hiding and what exactly happened.

   All in all The Secret of Letting Go didn't disappoint me and had a lot to offer, even though it did struggle with keeping my interest in a few tiny places. So, if you're looking for a read with lots of secrets and heartbreak then this might be for you.

I give The Secret to Letting Go by Katherine Fleet 4 out of 5 Stars.

* * *

Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana

Published: August 2nd 2016 by Entangled: Teen

Number of Pages: 306 Pages (Paperback)

Series: No

   Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.

   Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.

   This town will suck you in and not let go.

   Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.

   Find the answers.

   Unless, of course, the answers find you first. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Entangled Teen for proving me with an 

eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   When I read the synopsis of Wake the Hollow I immediately knew I wanted to read it but unfortunately I didn't quite get what I was hoping to get from it. The biggest issue I had while reading Wake the Hollow was the definitely the fact that the story struggled to keep my attention so I found myself zoning out of not really caring about what was happening in various places, which really is a shame.

   I liked Mica and the other characters, wanted to see where the story would take them, and felt majorly sorry for Mica because she lost her mother, but that's where my sympathy ends. I wanted to really get invested in everyone and root for them, but I never really did. Some of the relationships between characters felt a bit underdeveloped though and something about Dane really irked me from the start.

   The mystery element of this story surrounding Mica's mother's death and the manuscript she wasn't even sure really existed was interesting enough and well written, but just not intriguing enough more often then not. Gaby Triana's writing style is good and I can see that she's a good writer, but the story unfortunately simply wasn't quite it for me.

 I give Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana 3 out of 5 stars.

* * *

True Born by L.E. Sterling

Published: May 3rd 2016 by Entangled: Teen

Number of Pages: 304 Pages (Hardcover)

Series: Yes, #1 in the True Born Trilogy

   Welcome to Dominion City.

   After the great Plague descended, the world population was decimated…and their genetics damaged beyond repair.

   The Lasters wait hopelessly for their genes to self-destruct. The Splicers pay for expensive treatments that might prolong their life. The plague-resistant True Borns are as mysterious as they are feared…

   And then there’s Lucy Fox and her identical twin sister, Margot. After endless tests, no one wants to reveal what they are.

   When Margot disappears, a desperate Lucy has no choice but to put her faith in the True Borns, led by the charismatic Nolan Storm and the beautiful but deadly Jared Price. As Lucy and the True Borns set out to rescue her sister, they stumble upon a vast conspiracy stretching from Dominion’s street preachers to shady Russian tycoons. But why target the Fox sisters?

   As they say in Dominion, it’s in the blood. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Entangled Teen for proving me with an 

eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   The initial reason why I wanted to read this book was, honestly, the amazing, eye-catching cover. The second was the description. I must admit though that I went into this story worrying that it might disappoint me, turn out to be just another generic dystopian but luckily, it wasn't the case.

   True Born is a dystopian showing us a point of view we usually don't get, that of two girls from a wealthy and powerful family. But it also shows the reader that even that wealth and power doesn't necessarily help Lucy to uncover secrets about herself and her twin sister. I really liked her voice and narration, following her through the story, navigating this plague-ridden world.

  Besides Lucy I also really liked Jared who was a fascinating character and I absolutely loved his relation to Lucy, his personality, even though he caused a lot of aggravating moments and the fact that we didn't know, for a long time, where him and Lucy stand basically drove me crazy.

   The world building was amazing, the whole plague aspect intriguing and unique, and I really cannot wait how the story will continue. L.E. Sterling has a really good writing style that I enjoyed a lot and she managed to create characters with layers and different personalities along with an amazing world. Sterling added so many interesting and complex ideas into what could've become only yet another dystopian setting, but thanks to Splicers, True Borns and Lasters, it had a unique twist that I enjoyed and appreciate so much.

I give True Born by L.E. Sterling 5 out of 5 stars.

3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Robin Constantine (The Season of You & Me)

   Today I'm here with the amazing Robin Constantine. Last year I read, and totally fell in love with, her novel, The Secrets of Attraction, because, let's face it, Robin is a very talented writer and that novel was brilliant. Last year I had the pleasure of having Robin on this blog for Ask the Author, which you can totally check out here, so of course I had to ask her if she'd like to be part of this, too.

   Check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?

   Hmmm…this is a hard question! I think I write, as well as read YA because it’s all about self discovery. That’s something that will never get old for me!

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?
   I ♥︎ Book Bloggers!!! Before my book debuted, I knew next to nothing about the book blogging community and to be honest it was overwhelming. In theory, you KNOW people are going to read your book, you WANT an audience, but when you’ve spent most of your time quietly working in your writing bubble and suddenly there are people out there reading and discussing your work - it’s a bit unsettling at first. So it took me a while to come out of my shell, but I’m so happy I did! Mostly though, I’d like to say THANK YOU! Thank you for being such passionate and voracious readers!!! Thank you for sharing that enthusiasm on your blogs - which is A LOT of work (and much appreciated!) Thank you for helping me become a more sensitive reader and writer, and for challenging me to up my writing game. I’m also continually in awe of how welcoming and generous the blogging community has been to me - and what fierce friends bloggers seem to be!!
   I would love to give a shout out to a few bloggers who have made my foray into social media a lot more fun - Meredith from Pandora’s Books and Stacee from Adventures of a Book Junkie, in particular, really helped me in my debut year. I’ve met fab bloggers like Tabitha from Bows & Bullets Reviews and Deitre and Moriah from A Leisure Moment at book store events - it’s always fun meeting bloggers IRL!! And I love, love, love seeing blogger friendships like Heather (The Turning Pages), Lisa (Dizneeee’s World of Books) and Joli (Actin’ Up with Books) - who even travel to attend bookish events together!!! It’s awesome that a love of books can bring so many people together!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?
   I write from home, and it’s so easy to become a hermit! It’s also easy to work too much - so I try and have a set schedule and make sure I take breaks to get out. Even if it’s just for a walk, or a bike ride. Spending all your time in one place can lead to burn out pretty quickly!
   My latest YA Contemporary, The Season of You & Me came out on May 10th, 2016 and is close to my heart for a lot of reasons. I love the characters, Cassidy and Bryan. I love the New Jersey beach setting. And I loved writing a book that takes place over the course of a summer! While it’s being touted as a ‘beach read’ - I think/hope it’s a book that can be enjoyed any time of the year!

   The Season of You & Me Synopsis:
   CASSIDY Emmerich is reeling from a sudden, humiliating breakup. The last thing she wants to do is stick around and be reminded of her ex everywhere she goes. On impulse, she decides to spend the summer with her father and his family at their Jersey shore bed and breakfast. A different scene and a new job working as a camp counselor seem like the perfect recipe for forgetting Gavin as quickly as possible – not to mention avoiding him until he leaves for college.
   BRYAN Lakewood is sick of nevers. You’ll never walk. You’ll never surf. You’ll never slow dance with your date at prom. One miscalculated step and Bryan’s life changed forever—now he’s paralyzed and needs to use a wheelchair. This is the first summer he’s back at his former position at Camp Manatee and ready to reclaim some of his independence, in spite of those who question if he’s up for the job.
   Cass is expecting two months dealing with heartbreak.
   Bryan is expecting a summer of tough adjustments.
   Neither of them is expecting to fall in love.

   Thank you so, so much to Robin for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read any of her books? If not you totally should give it a chance!
   Thank you so much for reading!

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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Shannon Lee Alexander (Life After Juliet)

   Today I'm here with the awesome Shannon Lee Alexander. I really enjoyed her novel, Life After Juliet, which was a sequel (which I totally didn't know when I requested it for review) but I loved it anyways and am now definitely planning to read the other book, too. You can, if you want, totally check out the interview I did with her or check out the review I wrote for Life After Juliet right here.

   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?

   Young adult literature is made up of stories about young people learning, exploring, and living through some of the toughest and most tumultuous times—teen years! But these years are also full of growth, wonder, and new experiences. The stories that make up YA lit are some of my very favorites because of their honesty, earnestness, and attitude.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?

   Thank you! Bloggers are some of the most generous, lovely, dedicated, passionate, and amazing people. I’ve been so honored to get to meet so many bloggers in the past few years. You are making a difference in many lives, offering safe havens for the lost, opinions and advice for the confused, and so much love and laughter for everyone. Thank you!

I have too many book bloggers that I love to call them all out. I hope they all know how much I love them!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your books?
   I’m a wife and mom to two kiddos and a yellow terrier mutt named Harriet Potter. I love coffee, yoga, and reading. I’m a former English teacher and a forever Hufflepuff! I began writing novels when I was thirty. I credit my writing career to my lovely friend Em, who passed away from ovarian cancer many years ago. She taught me how to be brave and strive for my dreams.
   Love and Other Unknown Variables is my debut novel. It’s the story of a math and science geek who has his entire future meticulously planned—graduate at the top of his class from Brighton School of Mathematics, go to MIT, and win a Nobel Prize in physics—until he meets a new girl in town with a mathematical symbol tattoo and a devastating secret that changes the trajectory of his entire future.
   Life after Juliet is the companion novel to LAOUV. It’s the story or a bookworm who is struggling with loss and newfound loneliness. She agrees to help backstage for the high school production of Romeo and Juliet, but gets “discovered” by the director and cast as Juliet. She must decide whether she wants her life to stay safely folded in the pages of her favorite books or to take her turn in the spotlight.

   Thank you so, so much to Shannon for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her books? If not you totally should give them a chance!

   The next post will be up July 27th and feature the next awesome author.

   Thank you so much for reading!

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3 Year Blogversary Celebration feat. Jamie (Books and Ladders)

   Today I'm here with the Jamie from Books and Ladders. I've discovered her blog quite a few months back and really liked what I saw. I might not be a daily visitor but I still come by every once in a while, or check out specific posts that catch my attention on twitter.

   Of course I had to ask her if she'd be interested in participating and, luckily, she agreed so check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?

   YA to me is a place where people, especially teens, are allowed to explore the people they want to be and use that time to grow. I think a lot of YA is marketed as "coming of age" but it is really a chance for teens to learn what makes them, _them_ in a safe space. YA as an adult allows me to realize that I am free to be who I want to be, even if it isn't exactly what others want or expect me to be.

   2) What would you like to see done more of in YA?

   I would like more diverse YA. I was lucky to be able to grow up as "see myself" on the page and I want that for everyone else. This will also give me the chance to see how the world is viewed through the eyes of others. And with LGBTQ+ books, teens will be able to see their sexuality on page and maybe understand a little bit more about their feelings and urges. I think it's really important to be able to identify with characters in fiction and to say "Character X is just like me"

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?

   Books and Ladders is a book blog specialising in primarily young adult science fiction, fantasy and contemporary. With daily updates, you can keep up to date on the many things Jamie reads, as well as learn what’s coming up in the YA world and discuss bookish things. Books and Ladders reviews are in-depth and considered, balancing the good and the bad. You can trust Jamie to always tell it like it is, and if she likes it, you will, too! (Dani @ Dani Reviews Things wrote this for me)

   Thank you so, so much to Jamie for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you checked out her blog? If not you totally should give it a chance!

The next post will be up July 25th and feature the next awesome author.

Thank you so much for reading!

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3 Year Blogversary Celevration feat. Francesca Zappia (Made You Up)

   Today I'm here with the awesome Francesca Zappia. Last year I had the pleasure of interviewing her about her novel, Made You Up, which, if you want, you can totally check out right here. Also, I completely, from the first to the last page, loved her book since it was amazingly written and just so good in general (find my review here).
   When planning this entire thing I knew I had to ask her if she'd want to participate and, luckily, she said yes so let's check out her As to my Qs below:

   1) What does YA mean to you?

   To me, YA means two things: the ability to have a lot of fun with your plot and characters, and a responsibility to your audience to portray the reality of things, even when writing fantasy. So YA is a very important balancing act.

   2) Since this is a blogversary, is there anything you'd like to say to the blogging community and are there any blogs you like/follow?

   I absolutely love the blogging community. What author doesn’t? (The bad ones, probably.) Book bloggers are so vital to YA publishing, it’s hard to imagine any of the very popular YA books becoming popular without them. So I’d like to say thank you to book bloggers and vloggers—thank you for all the work you do, thank you for your unwavering enthusiasm, and thank you for getting the word of mouth started on so many books that otherwise might fall under the radar—like mine!

   One of my favorite blogs (and vlogs) belongs to my friend Christina at Christina Reads YA (link here: http://christinareadsya.blogspot.com). (She also goes by Tina in her Twitter handle.) Not only does Christina give me consistently excellent book recommendations, she’s an awesomely astute beta reader and is even taking part in the Because You Love to Hate Me anthology coming out next summer!

   3) Could you tell us something about yourself and your book?

   I have a degree in computer science and by day I work as an IT specialist (weird, right?). Probably eighty percent of my free time is spent writing or working on something related to writing. My book, Made You Up, is about a girl with paranoid schizophrenia working through her last year of high school. It features two of my favorite characters I’ve ever written, Alex and Miles. And more than anything, I hope it helps the people who are able to find themselves in the characters or the story.

   Thank you so, so much to Francesca for coming and answering my questions. What do you guys think of them? Also, have you read her book? If not you totally should give it a chance!

   The next post will be up July 23rd and feature the next awesome blogger.

   Thank you so much for reading!

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