Interview with Megan Crewe, author of GIVE UP THE GHOST

The perfect book to read this Halloween:

Megan Crewe is here to talk about her new book, GIVE UP THE GHOST.

About Give Up the Ghost

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

Our Interview:

KRISTINA: What's your very favorite thing about your book (Certain chap? Scene? Cover?)?

MEGAN: I have favorite scenes, but most of them are spoilery! I'm very fond of the moment when Cass feels haunted by the sounds of the waves on the lake, even though there aren't any actual ghosts around.

KRISTINA: Where do you do most of your writing? And if you have a picture could you share?

MEGAN: The back third of my bedroom is my writing space--I've got my writing chair, my computer desk, and bookshelves with all my research and YA books. You can see it here.

KRISTINA: What's the naughtiest thing you did in high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

MEGAN: I was pretty stick-to-the-rules in my teens, especially at school. There was a while, though, where my parents felt I was getting too serious with my boyfriend, so they limited my phone time with him to one hour a day. I used to call him on the school payphone during lunch hour to get extra time talking with him that they didn't know about.

KRISTINA: What did you do on the release day of Give up the Ghost?

MEGAN: I stopped by stores I knew had copies in stock and signed books, and went out to dinner with my husband to celebrate.

KRISTINA: What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

MEGAN: I love Tim Hortons' iced cappuccinos--so good! I'm also fond of their French Vanilla coffee.

KRISTINA: Oooh, haven't heard of Tim Horton's. Must try! Thanks Megan and good luck with your book!

Interview with Sydney Salter, author of Jungle Crossing

Sydney Salter is pretty busy this year with two new books! She's back to talk about her second book, JUNGLE CROSSING.

About Jungle Crossing

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona's minicamp. If she's not there, she'll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she's the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat's parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat's world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

Our Interview:

Kristina: What's your very favorite thing about your book (Certain chap? Scene? Cover?)

Sydney: I love the setting--the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. I've traveled extensively in that region and loved writing about my favorite places in Jungle Crossing.

Kristina: Where do you do most of your writing?

Sydney: When I wrote Jungle Crossing I took a lot of notes while on a family vacation in Mexico. Pool side writing is pretty hard to beat! I used almost all of my notes in the novel. I guess I need to go on more vacations, right? Please? Pretty please?

Kristina: What's the naughtiest thing you did in junior high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

Sydney: A girl teased me about having hairy legs in 6th grade so I shaved my legs with my mom's razor after school. I felt so guilty when my mom came home that night with my very own razor. I couldn't tell her what I'd done. I had very smooth legs that day!

Kristina: What did you do on the release day of Jungle Crossing?

Sydney: I celebrated at my favorite Mexican restaurant with family and friends. Mmm... salsa!

Kristina: What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

Sydney: I do as the Mayans do--and drink hot chocolate. Sometimes with chili peppers!

Kristina: Thanks for stopping by Sydney! Good luck with your book!

Interview with Kate Messner, author of THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.

Kate Messner's here to talk about her debut book, THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. I was lucky enough to get to read an advanced copy of this and I have to tell you, I ADORED this book. It's the kind of book that I can't wait to give my kids when they're old enough to read it.

About The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z

Gianna Zales has a lot on her plate this fall – a father who drives her to school in the family hearse, a mother who’s turned into the junk food police, a little brother who thinks he’s a member of the paparazzi, and a grandmother who leaves false teeth in the refrigerator. Worst of all, she’s left her 7th grade leaf collection to do at the last minute. It’s a monster project, and Gianna will miss cross-country sectionals if she doesn’t meet the deadline. She’ll need the help of her geeky friend, Zig, and some brilliant ideas of her own to pull it off.

Our Interview:

Kristina: What's your very favorite thing about your book?

Kate: I loved writing all the outdoor scenes - hiking around New England in autumn and calling it research really can't be beat! And I adore Joe Cepeda's cover art; I feel like he captured Gianna's spirit just perfectly.

Kristina: Where do you do most of your writing? And if you have a picture could you share?

Kate: I do most of my writing at my desk in the office I share with my husband. It's...umm...messy. But I'm also a teacher and mom, so sometimes I have work to do when I'm out and about. I did most of the revisions for my next book in the coaches' room at the ice rink where my daughter has her skating lessons. (It's a book about figure skating, so that actually worked out perfectly!)

Kristina: What's the naughtiest thing you did in high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

Kate: I was the school superintendent's daughter and was afraid to do much of anything wrong! I did occasionally steal more than my share of the ice cream out of the freezer when my parents were out, though.

Kristina: What did you do on the release day of The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.?

Kate: Release day was pretty quiet - some swimming and biking with the family. Our launch parties - one on each side of Lake Champlain, where I live - were the following weekends!

Kristina: What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

Kate: I love the frozen mocha latte with skim milk from Koffee Kat, our local coffee shop and favorite writing hangout, too!

Kristina: Yum, you're making me thirsty. Thanks for stopping by Kate and good luck with your book!

Interview with Jackson Pearce, author of AS YOU WISH

The always entertaining Jackson Pearce is visiting my blog today to talk about her debut book, AS YOU WISH:

About As You Wish

Seven months ago, Viola's boyfriend told her he was gay—moments before she was going to lose her virginity to him. Heartbroken, Viola has resigned herself to near invisibility, until she inadvertently summons a young jinn out of his world, Caliban, and into her own. Here he will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to get back to Caliban, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid her wishes will be manipulated into curses. Jinn knows that should she wait too long, the Ifrit, guardians of earthbound jinn, will press her to wish by hurting those around her.As they spend time together, Jinn can't deny that he's slowly falling in love with Viola, blurring the lines between master and servant. It's only after Viola makes her first wish—for a popular boy to love her—that she realizes the feelings are mutual.

With every wish Jinn's time with her diminishes, but the longer she waits to wish the greater danger she's in from the Ifrit. Together, Viola, Jinn, and Viola's ex-boyfriend try to outwit the Ifrit while dealing with their own romantic complexities and the alcohol-laced high school social scene.

Our Interview:

KRISTINA: What's your very favorite thing about your book (Certain chap? Scene? Cover?)

JACKSON: My favorite thing about AS YOU WISH is the part with the words.

KRISTINA: Where do you do most of your writing? And if you have a picture could you share?

JACKSON: I have an office by my bookshelves:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439721@N00/3232375013/

KRISTINA: Oooh, pretty! Ok, what's the naughtiest thing you did in high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

JACKSON: I cheated. All the time. Seriously. I kind of sometimes feel bad about it, to be honest. I mean, is my degree still mine? Is someone going to come snatch it away? The biggie was this online math course I took, where me and this other student had a little ring of cheating...oh I feel bad. Maybe I shouldn't share this. Don't judge me. I love you.

KRISTINA: What did you do on the release day of AS YOU WISH?

JACKSON: I slept in, ate ice cream with gummi bears for lunch, got a massage, and had dinner with my parents. I felt very luxurious getting a massage, but I think the ice cream and gummi bears was the best part of the day.

KRISTINA: Sounds like a fun day! What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

JACKSON: I don't like coffee. But I drink Diet Coke like it's going out of style in a serious way. I can throw down some Diet Coke. I dare you the challenge me to Diet Coke drink off.

KRISTINA: You would totally win! Thanks for stopping by Jack and good luck with your book!

Interview with Jennifer Jabley, author of LIPSTICK APOLOGY

Next stop on the 2009 Debs Blog Tour is with Jennifer Jabaley and her book LIPSTICK APOLOGY. Before we jump into the interview I want to ask you guys a question about her lovely cover---




















Doesn't this girl look like the blond chick from Dawson's Creek? The one who was married to Heath Ledger? Ok, had to get that out of my system. Now onto the book.

About the book:

Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother's last words.



Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?



With help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.


Our interview:

KRISTINA: What's your very favorite thing about your book (Certain chap? Scene? Cover?)

JENNIFER: I love the cover - I think they did a fantastic job. And I'm very partial to the ending.

KRISTINA: Where do you do most of your writing?

JENNIFER: When I wrote LIPSTICK APOLOGY I did most of my writing while my son napped, so I worked at the kitchen table, or sometimes, if it was pretty, outside. Now that my son no longer naps and I have a baby girl as well, I have a babysitter come. I've been going to a German Bakery in town that has big wooden tables, great, strong coffee and awesome pastries.

KRISTINA: What's the naughtiest thing you did in high school that you DIDN'T get caught doing (Fess up now!)

JENNIFER: Hmm, I was mostly a good girl, but one time my best friend and I decided to skip school. We were going to hang out at my house, and it just so happened my mom stayed home that morning! So we didn't know what to do! We wound up going to my neighbor's house and waiting in the garage until my mom left. The entire time we were freaking out that the neighbor would come home and we'd get in trouble. See, I'm just not cut out to break the rules :)

KRISTINA: What did you do on the release day of LIPSTICK APOLOGY?

JENNIFER: I visited all the bookstores within driving distance of my house and just generally freaked out that my book was on their shelves.

KRISTINA: What's your favorite coffee drink? (If you don't like coffee, WHY NOT?! Really, what do you like to drink then while you're writing?)

JENNIFER: I love Caramel Macchiatos. Love regular coffee with french vanilla cream. But actually my favorite Starbucks drink is their hot chocolate. Yum!

Thanks, Kristina!

KRISTINA: Thank you Jennifer! And good luck with your book!

Got bookmarks.

I got my bookmarks! I also posted about how you get them made on Author2Author today.

I swear I'll start updating this blog...

:-)