(BLOG TOUR) Character Interview: Kale (TOUCH)

AUTHOR BIO
Jus Accardo is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. Her first book, Touch, is due out in November 2011 from Entangled Publishing. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

---

Today I will be talking with Kale, the main character in TOUCH by Jus Accardo. I'm excited to get this chance to interview him. So without further ado:

What five words would you use to describe yourself?
That seems like a strange question, but there's still a lot I don't understand. Dez tells me to just go with the flow, so I'll answer. Lethal, survivor, loyal, honest, and hot (Dez is insisting that needs to be one of my words--which is strange because there's a chill in the air today.)


When did you first discover you were different from other kids?
I've been this way since birth. My first memory is of a man who was accidentally knocked into me. A Denazen agent. There were things before that day, I'm sure, but that was the first thing I remember. It stayed with me. He was there one moment and gone the next. Nothing remained but a pile of dust-like particles.


What was your first impression of Dez?
She was...strange. Standing out in the woods in the middle of the night. She helped me though. No one other than Sue had ever done anything nice for me. Plus, my belly felt odd when I looked at her. Dez says I was probably crushing the moment I laid eyes on her. I'm not sure I understand what that means, but she's probably right.


If you could go anywhere, where would you choose?
Someplace far from here with Dez. I'd like to see the ocean...

---

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there's something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she'll turn to dust if he touches her.

It's not until Dez's father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there's more to this boy, and her father's "law firm," than she realized. Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation -- an organization devoted to collecting "special" kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons -- his entire life.

And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills.

The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they're caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

---

TOUCH description and cover art courtesy of ENTANGLED PUBLISHING

I received an electronic copy of TOUCH from ENTANGLED PUBLISHING.

---

Find TOUCH at your local indie bookstore.

---

(Blog Tour) Character Interview: Ashlei (THE PRISM OF ASHLEI)

AUTHOR BIO:
Christine E. Schulze has been creating books since she was too young to even write them in words. Her collection of YA fantasy books, The Amielian Legacy, is comprised of series and stand-alone books which can all be read separately but which weave together to create an amazing fantasy. She hopes to inspire readers throughout the world with these books by publishing in both traditional and electronic formats to make them available to all readers.

Christine has published several stories with Calliope and Kalkion magazines and is an active member of the WEbook online writing community. She has also published several Christian/fantasy books which are available at various online retailers, as well as publishing several eBooks via Writers-Exchange.

Her latest and most exciting venture includes her publications with Old Line Publishing: Bloodmaiden and Tears of a Vampire Prince: the First Krystine. She also anticipates her upcoming publication with Old Line, Lily in the Snow, as well as releasing The Chronicles of the Mira with Writers-Exchange in both paperback and electronic forms.

Christine currently lives in Belleville, Illinois in her first and most thrilling apartment.

---

Tell us about yourself in a few sentences.
My name is Ashlei, and I am of the race of the Fyres, a red-headed people with a gift in magics of fire and light. My brother, Merritt, and I, orphaned as infants, have lived all our lives with Bromwell, a kindly old swordsmith. In the midst of the Forest-footer elves, I often feel like an outsider, like I don’t belong. I long to break free someday and find where I really do belong.

Describe how you felt at the beginning of your quest. Were you scared, excited?
Well, when the attack came on, it was so sudden. That was when I was first really launched into the quest. Before, talking to the princess in the shard, it was all so surreal, you know? But when the attack fell, I was lurched jarringly into reality. A combination of fear and adrenalin drove me to fight. When I was defending Bromwell, I almost forgot my fear, only caring about him and protecting him.

By the time I fled into the woods and met my first quest member, Aryl, I was snared by both sorrow and anger, both at the enemy and at myself. Sometimes, I think these emotions were greater than the fear and helped me get through the adventure.

What was your first impression of Aryl?
Well, obviously, I seem to find him a little annoying when we first meet. Well, back up a few steps—when he changes from that tree into a Nymph, I’m a little shocked, then thinking he is a little bizarre. But mostly, I find myself attracted. Besides being very handsome, he is so unique; I’ve never met anything like him. He’s clever, if a bit conceited, and so very confident in himself, which I am not. He intimidates a bit, and I try to hide this by returning his smart-alic remarks. Soon enough though, his layers will unravel, and he’ll proved a steadfast, faithful friend, as well as a real person with his own troubles and inner struggles.

What five words (or less) would you use to describe your adventures?
Exhilarating. Beautiful. Dangerous. Mysterious.

If you could go back in time and not find the prism, would you? Why/why not?
Yes, I think I would, especially having been through everything and looking back now. I found new, brilliant friends. I found the man who will one day be my husband. I found a mother and a father. I witnessed the reuniting of an entire kingdom, its being healed and made whole again. And most of all, I learned a very important lesson about myself, about friendship and forgiveness, about love and sacrifice, and about who I truly am.

---

THE PRISM OF ASHLEI cover art and author bio courtesy of GOODREADS.

I received an electronic copy of THE PRISM OF ASHLEI as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE

---

Want to win THE GAILEAN QUARTET and have a character named after you? Enter author Christine Schulze's contest HERE

For more information on THE PRISM OF ASHLEI, THE GAILEAN QUARTET and author Christine Schulze, visit THE GOLDEN HEALER

---

(Blog Tour) Character Interview: Halli (THE CHOSEN)

Today I am interviewing Halli, the main character from THE CHOSEN by Andrea Buginsky. Welcome Halli!

What was your first reaction when Queen Laurali told you that you were a Holy Paladin?
Utter shock. I couldn’t believe everything she was telling me about myself. I felt so ordinary all of my life, it was hard to believe I had the powers, yet the ability, of a holy paladin. I also couldn’t believe that the magical creatures I loved reading about all of my life were real.

Briefly describe how you felt when you first joined The Chosen.
Very nervous! I was coming into a group that was really a family that had known and worked together forever. I felt like a total outsider. But they were wonderful, and accepted me right away…well, most of them.

What five words would you have used to describe yourself before your adventures? What five words would you use now?
Before: shy, quiet, bookworm, caring, emotional
After: shy, caring, fun-loving, happy, friendly

If you weren't a Holy Paladin, and could do or be anything you like, what would you choose to do/be?
I’d love to be a teacher. I love the idea of sharing books with children, and introducing them to other worlds.

What's next for you? Other adventures or settling down into a more sedate life?
A little of both, actually. I plan to spend time with my family, but I’m ready for the next adventure when Queen Laurali needs me.


Thanks so much for joining us today Halli!

THE CHOSEN cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

---

For more information on THE CHOSEN and author Andrea Buginsky, visit her WEBSITE.

---

TITLE: THE CHOSEN
AUTHOR: Andrea Buginsky
IMPRINT: Solstice Publishing
PUBLICATION DATE: 14 December 2010
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone

Halli is a shy, young dwarf who has no idea of her true calling. When the evil Prince Gastle sets out to detroy the world of Phantasma, Queen Laurali of the Elves comes to tell Halli she’s a Holy Paladin with the power to heal, and will join The Chosen, a group of brave warriors being sent to defeat the evil beast and save Phantasma. Will Halli be accepted by her group, and be able to keep them alive through their adventures? Will the evil Prince Gastle be defeated, freeing Phantasma from his destruction? Only time will tell.


THE CHOSEN cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.
I received an electronic copy of THE CHOSEN as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE

(Blog Tour) Character Interview: Chloe (DREAMWALK)

AUTHOR BIO
Sarah MacManus makes things up and then writes them down. She lives in the middle of the United States, but feels at home anywhere with a river. In the mundane world, she works as a freelance technical writer.

In SarahSpace, she spends her time rescuing princes from ravening monsters, restoring ancient races to their rightful place and making secret, shameful wishes come true.

Sarah loves the East Village, indie music, Cornish pasties, the smell of rain, Spitalfields, biochemistry and all shades of blue.

Sarah's work has appeared in the literary journal The Battered Suitcase and she has a poem forthcoming in an anthology from Little Episodes.

Picture and bio courtesy of Sarah MacManus' WEBSITE.

---

What five words would you use to best describe yourself?
Optimistic, introverted, tentative, observant, intelligent

If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?
I’m willing to give New York another try after I’m finished with college. I didn’t like it at first – too busy, too noisy, too strange. But after a couple of years in Adelaide, where the land and the sea seem to stretch forever, I could use some noise and some busy.

If your life were a movie, what five songs would you want to have on the soundtrack?
My Immortal by Evanescence
What Katie Did by The Libertines
Whenever, Wherever by Shakira
Bitterweet Symphony by The Verve
And of course,
Temporal Tantrum by Shane Anderson

Who would you cast to play you?
I’d really love to cast Emma Watson, but her American accent isn’t too convincing, is it? Maybe my friend Katie Simon could play me in the movie, although I admit that I’m a little terrified of her sense of humor.

What is your favorite book of all time? Why?
I guess I would have to say “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer – it’s got everything: romance, adventure, honor, duty; it’s a little hard to read, but once you decode the language, it’s warm and lovely and inspiring. I always find some core of compassion for my fellow human beings inside me when I read it.

What is your favorite book of all time? Why? What is your favorite season?I love Spring. That’s when you feel your blood bubble and want to ride on your toes to go faster. It’s alive.



I received an electronic copy of DREAMWALK as part of a book tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE .

For more information about Sarah MacManus and DREAMWALK, visit her WEBSITE.

Interested in reading my opinion of DREAMWALK? Here's my REVIEW.

(Blog Tour) Character Interview: Allie (BOYFRIENDS WITH GIRLFRIENDS)

Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Allie from BOYFRIENDS WITH GIRLFRIENDS. She has generously answered some interview questions to give you, my readers, more insight into her character.

Thanks Allie!

How would you describe yourself, using only five words.
Too tall (ugh!) but FUN!


What is your favorite childhood memory?
One perfectly average Sunday I spent with my family and Lance—He and I sang in the children’s choir at church that morning, we all went to eat seafood at a restaurant afterwards, and then I played house with him in the afternoon. Nothing special happened, but everything that day was wonderful.


Describe how you first met your boyfriend Chip. What made you want to go out with him?
I first spotted him during freshman year towering over the hallway crowd. His height was a major selling point to a girl who constantly got flak for being tall. I liked his floppy blond hair, hazel eyes streaked with blue, and his gentle shyness. Unlike other boys, he didn’t try to push himself on me, and when we kissed, he let me teach him how. Within a month after meeting, we became a couple: walking arm-in-arm in the hall, going to school dances together, bringing each other candy treats, telling each other “I love you…” During tenth grade, we settled into each other.


How is Kimiko different from Chip (besides gender, obviously)?
Apart from being a better kisser? I think she really gets me, in a way Chip never has—maybe because she’s a girl she understands me more. Or maybe that’s just her personality.


If you could go anywhere or do anything with Kimiko, where would you go/what would you do?
We’d go to Japan. Going there is one of my life-dreams, and who better to go with, since she’s from there? We’d go everywhere, see and do everything—eat sushi, go to mineral baths, watch animes, visit shrines, hike up Mt. Fuji… Oh, just imagining it makes me want to go so bad!

For more information on Alex Sanchez and his books, please visit his WEBSITE.

Read my REVIEW of BOYFRIENDS WITH GIRLFRIENDS.

Click HERE to purchase BOYFRIENDS WITH GIRLFRIENDS from The Book Depository.

The BOYFRIENDS WITH GIRLFRIENDS Blog Tour was arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE.

TITLE: BOYFRIENDS WITH GIRLFRIENDS
AUTHOR: Alex Sanchez
IMPRINT: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing
PUBLICATION DATE: 19 April 2011
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: Standalone

Lance has always known he was gay, but he's never had a real boyfriend. Sergio is bisexual, but his only real relationship was with a girl. When the two of them meet, they have an instant connection--but will it be enough to overcome their differences?
Allie's been in a relationship with a guy for the last two years--but when she meets Kimiko, she can't get her out of her mind. Does this mean she's gay? Does it mean she's bi? Kimiko, falling hard for Allie, and finding it impossible to believe that a gorgeous girl like Allie would be into her, is willing to stick around and help Allie figure it out.

Boyfriends with Girlfriends is Alex Sanchez at his best, writing with a sensitive hand to portray four very real teens striving to find their places in the world--and with each other.


BOYFRIENDS WITH GIRLFRIENDS description and cover art courtesy of Goodreads.

(Blog Tour) Character Interview: Kyle from PRISCILLA THE GREAT and Contest

Welcome Kyle! Glad you could join us today. Let's get right to the questions.

Off the top of your head, what five words would you use to describe yourself?
Cool, competitive, confident, cute and charismatic. I kinda borrowed Priss’ love of alliteration.


What subject are you most interested in in school? 
Girls


What do you like to do when not in school? 
Ride bikes with Priss


Even though you are only in middle school, you must have some idea of what you want to be when you get older. What's your dream career? 
Model/ Actor/ Musician. Basically, I want to be the new Justin Timberlake.




Quick five: Favorites
Song – Love Will Come Through by Travis
Food – Nacho Cheese Doritos and Snickers. Together. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Book – Ugh. Something with pictures. Let’s go with Spiderman comics
Holiday – Easter. I once beat Priss in a race to eat marshmallow Peeps. It’s the only thing I’ve ever beaten her in.
TV Show – Reruns of Zorro. You’ll understand why in book 4 of the Priscilla the Great series.

Thanks again for joining us Kyle! I'm looking forward to reading more about you and Priscilla in the upcoming PRISCILLA THE GREAT books.



I received a finished copy of PRISCILLA THE GREAT as part of a blog tour arranged by TEEN BOOK SCENE.

Interested in reading PRISCILLA THE GREAT? Perhaps you'd like your own SIGNED copy plus some great swag? Then enter Sybil Nelson's PRISCILLA THE GREAT Prize Pack contest! All you have to do is comment on this post (remember to include your email for notification purposes, if you are the winner). Contest open until midnight of April 8th.

Prize Pack includes:
Win a Priscilla the Great Prize Pack!
Prize Pack includes:
1 signed Priscilla the Great book,
1 Priscilla the Great t-shirt,
1 Priscilla the Great totebag,
and a $15 iTunes gift card!


For more information on Sybil Nelson and the PRISCILLA THE GREAT series, visit

PRISCILLA THE GREAT WEBSITE
Sybil Nelson WEBSITE

TITLE: PRISCILLA THE GREAT
AUTHOR: Sybil Nelson
IMPRINT: WorldMaker Media
PUBLICATION DATE: 15 December 2010
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

Meet Priscilla Sumner, an ordinary seventh grader with extraordinary gifts. As if middle school isn’t hard enough, not only does Priscilla have to fight pimples and bullies, but genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family. Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, an organization dead set on turning children into killing machines.

Add an older brother annoyingly obsessed with Christina Aguilera, mischievous baby twin brothers who could scare the sin off of Satan, and parents more puzzling than a Rubik’s cube in the Bermuda triangle and expect a smoking page-turner!

PRISCILLA THE GREAT description and cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.

Bull Rider Character Interview: Ben

I want to thank Ben O'Mara and Suzanne Morgan Williams for allowing me to conduct this interview. Thanks also to The Teen {Book} Scene for organizing this blog tour.

I was first introduced to Ben O'Mara in Bull Rider and am excited to be able to have him answer questions for me today.

First off, Ben, your grandfather was a champion bull rider in his younger days. What was it like growing up with that legacy? Did you feel pushed to follow in his footsteps?

My Grandpa and me, we’ve always had this special thing. I think maybe I was born kind of like him. He rode bulls and I rode bulls. From the time I was little, he coached me how to do it. It wasn’t hard. It was easy – what I was meant to do. I’m proud that I was able to be a champion like him.

How did you feel before and after you rode your first bull?

I can’t really remember back before I rode calves. I was really little when I started. And I just kind of worked up to steers and bulls. I didn’t ever do that mutton bustin’ thing. Grandpa Roy started me right on calves. It was fun. They’re cute and crazy. I do remember graduating to my first big bull. I was 13. It was big alright, but I looked it in the eye and got on. My adrenalin was going - but I was excited for Grandpa to watch me take that ride as much as I was for riding the bull. I knew I was ready.

How did this compare to the first time you rode for the full 8 seconds?

So I wish I could say I did 8 seconds right away but I took my time working up to that. My first 8 seconds was on a steer named Mud Puppy. He was dark brown and fat. When I heard that horn – it was in Winnemucca and they used an air horn – I let go. I think I grinned for an hour.

You were a high school champion bull rider and may have continued on to the pro circuit. What made you give all that up to enlist in the Marines?

The pro circuit could have been good. I think I was up to it. But it seemed like I had time to get back to that, and the Marines, that gives you some options, you know. And it’s important. If I didn’t volunteer, well, who’d I expect was going to do it. I figured if I could ride a bull I could make it as a Marine. Around here, riding a bull is cool, but being a Marine, that’s what men do.

In Iraq, What was your main job? Did you ever feel scared?

Everybody gets scared. You don’t need to talk about it. When every time you go out, someone could off you with a bomb or a shell or a mine – well, you have to feel it. But we’ve got training and faith in the guy next to you. That’s how you get through – thinking about him. Oh, what’d I do over there? I was infantry – machine gunner. I protected my guys, best I could. You know, when you’re in combat, you do what you have to do. I pulled my weight.

After being wounded, you had to go through extensive rehab to learn how to walk again. What was a typical day in rehab like? Did you ever feel like giving up and if so, what kept you going?

The bomb messed up my brain, right? I don’t remember a lot about the early days after I was hit. I remember Mom sitting with me and the nurses working on my legs – moving them around and all. But the hard part wasn’t learning to walk or even learning to use my new arm. I’m used to that now. The hardest part was going out of the hospital and into the community. We had to practice that. The street was noisy. And I’m not the same as I was - before. I felt so stupid, but the cars and the sirens – they paralyzed me. I had to learn how to, you know, relax a little again. And did I ever feel like giving up? I don’t want to talk about that. You can read my brother’s book.

Your younger brother, Cam rode the crazy bull Ugly because of the bet you made with him. What was it like watching the video of him ride?

I couldn’t believe he did that. For me. Well, I’m pretty sure part of it was for him – what a rush – but mainly, he risked himself for me. I could give him some technical pointers. But on stepping up and being a brother – he’s got that covered. He’s a good kid.

After Cam's ride on Ugly, you were planning to learn the AI business while saving up to start your own breeding business. How is that going?

Yeah, Amy Jones is teaching me what I need to know. I’m getting the hang of negotiating. Remembering the bulls and the pedigrees is getting easier too but I get tired and that’s frustrating. I used to be able to do a full day’s work on the ranch and a round at the bull ring at night and never feel it. Now I have to nap after our mornings on the phone. That’s lousy, but it’s the way it is. I’ll make it.

Anything else you would like to add?

This is me – Suzanne - I did a lot of research to write Bull Rider including about traumatic brain injury. You asked me a couple of questions that sent me back to the internet to check out rehab details again. I visited www.brainline.org a resource for people with traumatic brain injuries and their families and caregivers that is highly recommended by my daughter – who in a strange intersection of our experiences, is now a traumatic brain injury educator working with caregivers of injured veterans. I found this video that I hope you’ll watch. It’s so cool. And I’m thinking, maybe I need to write a sequel for Ben – something that’s been on my mind for a while – and give him a service dog like PAX. http://www.brainline.org/content/multimedia.php?id=3922


Suzanne Morgan Williams is the author of:

Bull Rider - Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2009

China's Daughters - Pacific View Press, 2010

The Inuit - Franklin Watts

The Chinook, The Cherokee, The Tlingit, The Ojibwe, The Powhatan - Heinemann Libraries

For more information, please visit her website.