Blog Tour: Character Interview with Lissa from Shut Out

I'm thrilled to be kicking off the Shut Out Blog Tour with an interview with Lissa, the main character in Shut Out. Take it away, Lissa!

1. What is one piece of advice you would give to other teenage girls?

My best advice would just be to stay true to yourself. Okay, okay. That's cliche, I know. But I think that sometimes in the chaos of friends and boyfriends we get so caught up in doing what makes everyone else happy instead of what we want. So maybe it's cliche advice for a reason, you know?

2. When you came up with the idea of having a sex strike did you ever imagine everything that would come as a result?

Not. At. All. Honestly, I thought the strike would only last two weeks! I thought the boys would just cave in. I had no idea it would become this crazy boys versus girls thing. And I definitely didn't predict what happened with Randy and Cash and I . . . But I think things turned out pretty good in the end. Though, there were plenty of bumps along the way, that's for sure.

3. Do you ever wish there was one thing you could change about yourself?

Yes. All the time. I wish I weren't so neurotic. My constant need for control can really get in the way sometimes, and my family never misses a chance to make fun of me for it. I know they don't mean to upset me, but I really can't help it. I feel panicked when I don't think I'min control, when things don't go the way I plan. It terrifies me. I wish I could just let go sometimes. I know it won't happen over night or anything, but i'm working on it.

4. In ten years where do you see yourself?

Recently, someone told me I'd make a good copyeditor. I think he was kidding, but it stuck with me. I think I'd like fixing other people's grammar and punctation for a living. Maybe it sounds boring, but the perfectionist in me loves the idea. I mean, I already highlight and circle typos in books as it is. I'd just be getting paid for it that way. So I hope I'm copyeditor in ten years. Maybe married? I don't know, though. For once, I'm going to try and just let life surprise me.

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world with any person (living or dead), who would it be?

I'd go to Paris, I think. It just seems so romantic and classic. Plus, so many great books take place there. And I think I'd go with my Mom. She died a few years ago, and I miss her a lot. Heck, I'd just go to the 7/11 if it meant I could go with her.

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Thanks so much Lissa (and Kody!) for stopping by. Be sure to check out Kody's website for more info on Shut Out and also visit The Teen Book Scene website for links to the rest of the tour stops!

Blog Tour: Character Interview with Helen from Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood

1. Do you have any advice for other girls who are betrayed by their best friends?

First off anyone who would betray you isn't really your best friend. It took me a while to figure this out. It might seem like revenge is a good idea (and I'll admit for short periods of time it can feel sort of good), but long term the best revenge is being happy. Move on. Make a new better best friend. Be happy.

2. When you decided to take revenge on Lauren, did you have any idea what the outcome would be?

I like to make plans. I put a lot of thought into getting revenge on Lauren. The one benefit of trying to take down a former BFF, is that you know exactly the things that will drive them the most crazy. I knew how things would turn out, at least in part, but I thought I would feel differently about things. Revenge is complicated. You think it is going to be very black and white, but it ends up being very very very complicated.

3. If you could have done one thing in your life differently, what would it be?

This is one of those complicated questions. Part of me wishes I never started the revenge plan on Lauren, but if I hadn't I don't know if I would have met Brenda or Christopher. I'm not a slow learner, but I do sometimes need to do things for myself, so by doing the revenge I learned I didn't need the revenge anymore. Does that make sense? My parents are really into karma and "what the universe wants for you" and all that stuff. They would say that the universe needed me to have these experiences in order to become the person I am. I'm not sure if I believe that or not, but I'm going to say that I wouldn't change anything. Except maybe the one time I let my mom talk me into getting this outfit made out of hemp fabric. The dye ran when I washed it and turned everything in that load of laundry blue.

4. What is one place in the world you would love to travel to?

I want to go to Paris. I like art and I'd love to see some of the museums there. Plus it's Paris!

5. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Wow. Ten years seems like forever from now. I hope that I am done with college and have had a chance to travel all over the world. My best friend might be an astronaut by that time so maybe I'll go down to Florida and watch her get shot into space.

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Thanks so much to Helen (and Eileen!) for stopping by and answering my questions! I definitely recommend checking out Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood- it's a great read! Also be sure to visit the rest of the tour stops here.

Blog Tour: Character Interview with Jag (Possession) and Giveaway

Stopping by today is the awesome Jag from Elana Johnson's debut novel, Possession! Stick around because you also have the chance to win an awesome necklace at the end of the post. Take it away Jag!

1. What was your immediate thought upon seeing Violet for the first time?

My first thought was “Holy crap, that’s her!” My second: “Dude, that is some wicked-cool hair.”

2. Jag is a very interesting name. If you could call yourself anything else what would it be?

Uh, why would I want to call myself something else? Next question.

3. You have no qualms with crying, what do you have to say to the guys that think its stupid to show that much emotion?

Well, it’s not like I’m thrilled to be bawling my eyes out all the time. I just feel things intensely, and that has to go somewhere. I think other guys should just get over themselves. Chicks dig it when you show a sensitive side, whether you, ahem, mean to or not.

4. I know you love hair, what advice do you have for people who want to have "bad" hair?

I’m not sure who loves hair more, me or Vi. All I know is you gotta live your own life, and if that means having jet black hair, then that’s what you gotta do. I think you should go for a hairstyle that fits you, and not give a damn about what anyone else thinks.

5. If you had the chance to go back in time, would you?

Sure, yeah. Why not? I hear there’s less tech, but that can’t be all bad, right?

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Thanks so much Elana and Jag! I am also excited to have the chance to host a giveaway for this novel-inspired choker!

The contest is US/Canada Only and will end on June 14.

Comment with your email address to enter. Only legitimate comments about the interview/book/author will be counted.

Blog Tour: Character Interview with Jillian from Hereafter

I am pleased to welcome Jillian from Hereafter onto my blog today as part of the blog tour promoting Tara Hudson's debut! Read on to find out more about this sweet (and sarcastic) character!

1. What has it been like growing up with your older brother, Joshua? Do you ever wish you were an only child?

Like, every other minute. Can you imagine growing up with a guy like that, who acts all calm and collected? Like nothing bothers him? He's so full of it. Besides, I hate how my friends drool over him. Gross.

2. Jillian is a very pretty, and unique, name. Why did your parents decide to name you that? If you could change your name, what would you like it to be?

I think it's a family name. Some great-great-great grandmother, or something. Notice a trend in my family? Jeremiah, Joshua, Jillian? Blah, blah, blah. If I had my way, I'd have some awesome pop-star name, like Britney or Katy.

3. If you could meet the ghost of any person, who would it be and why?

Nobody! Seriously, I have one too many dead people in my life, if you get my drift.

4. What are three things most people don't know about you?

I can cook almost as well as my dad - in fact, I think my blueberry muffins are way better than his. I'm also a total neat freak. I hate how Joshua just throws his stuff all over his room, like he's living in a laundry basket or something. Plus, I have even better grades than Joshua. But if you tell anyone, I swear I'll never talk to you again.

5. Joshua always makes fun of your choice in music, but what are some of your favorite songs?

Joshua only does that because he likes all that whiney college-rock. I dare you not to rock out to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance," or Kesha's "Your Love is My Drug."

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Thanks so much Jillian (and Tara) for answering my questions! You can find out more about Tara on her website and also be sure to check out my review of Hereafter.

Blog Tour: Character Interview with Eden from The Lucky Kind (and GIVEAWAY!)

Stopping by today is Eden, one of the main characters in The Lucky Kind! I loved this book and can't wait to post my review on Sunday!

1. What was your initial reaction to Nick the first time you met him?

Well, I’ve known Nick since we were in grade school. So to be honest, I’m pretty sure that the first time I met him, he and Stevie were taking turns tasting paste. (Although they might have been doing that last week, too.)

2. Do you know if your parents ever considered naming you something else? And if you could change your name to anything else what would you choose?

I don’t know if my parents ever thought of another name for me. I know it was my mother who decided to name me Eden; she liked that she had come up with an unusual way to give me a biblical name. I can’t imagine having a different name; I’m used to being Eden.

3. Most teenagers would hate to have to wear a school uniform. Do you like it or wish you could just wear your tank top and jeans?

I don’t mind the uniform. I think of it as a fashion challenge: how can I make this outfit my own while still staying within the parameters of the school dress code? It’s tough – they even have rules about what shoes we can wear. We’re not allowed to wear shoes without backs, because years ago a girl wearing clogs fell down the school stairs. It makes me put a lot more thought into my accessories.

4. I understand you like to read non-fiction books. What has been the most interesting fact or piece of information you've come across in your reading?

My favorite thing about non-fiction is learning the stories behind the ones that we learn at school. I usually end up sympathizing with the women who have traditionally been painted as the “bad” guys. Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette are my favorites, and they’re endlessly interesting if you ask me.

5. Do you wish you had a sibling? Or do you like being an only child?

I don’t mind being an only child; though come to think of it, it might be nice to have someone else around who knows just how crazy my parents are. But on the other hand, I wouldn’t wish their parenting style on anyone else!

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Thanks so much Eden and Alyssa! The book officially releases on May 10th, so be sure to pick up a copy then!

I am also hosting a giveaway for two copies of The Lucky KInd! US Only. Ends May 15.

*Comments are appreciated and loved, but to be officially entered in the giveaway you must fill out the form linked below!

Fill out THIS FORM to enter!

Blog Tour: Character Interview with Daniel from Through Her Eyes! (and Giveaway!)

I'm thrilled to welcome one of my favorite characters from Through Her Eyes- Papa Dan!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your childhood in Cedar Canyon?

Cedar Canyon was a wonderful place to grow up. In small communities, neighbors watch out for one another – and that might’ve been even more the case in the 1930’s when I was a boy than it is today. Young folks now would probably look back at Cedar Canyon during that time and think that there was nothing to do and that we must’ve gone peanutty as Payday candy bar livin’ there. That couldn’t be further from the truth! We didn’t have television or video games or computers, but we made our own fun. In spite of the harsh weather in the Texas Panhandle – blistering hot summers, brutally cold winters, blustering wind – I spent a lot of time outdoors. Isabel, Henry and I had great fun exploring the canyon. During our grammar school and junior high years, we often played hide-n-seek out there. When I was nine, Henry saved my life when I fell into the river after a rain when the water was unusually high. We had marvelous adventures.

2. You and your grandaughter, Tansy, have a great relationship. What has been one of your favorite memories with her?

When we lived in San Francisco, Tansy and I climbed up onto the roof of our house early one morning and watched the sunrise. That’s a special memory for both of us.

3. Losing your wife and son in an accident must have been terrible. What advice do you have for those dealing with grief over losing loved ones?

There’s no easy way to get through the grief of losing a loved one, but I found that surrounding myself with family and friends comforted me after my wife and son passed. Remembering all the good times we’d shared – and talking about them – helped, too. Staying busy with a pastime you enjoy can also help you to move on with your life after a loss. For me, that pastime was woodworking.

4. How did you become known as "Papa Dan"?

When my Tansy-girl was a baby, her mother, Millie, taught her to call me ‘Papa.’ But Millie often continued to refer to me as ‘Dan’ when we spoke, and Tansy would overhear her. Tansy was a smart little thing; she put the two names together and I became ‘Papa Dan!’

5. What made you decide to buy Tansy a camera for her tenth birthday?

Moving so much has been hard on Tansy. No matter where we went, I always had my woodworking to occupy my time when I was adjusting to a new place; I thought Tansy needed a hobby she loved, too, and maybe then she wouldn’t feel so lonely. I had noticed that she enjoyed looking at photographs – when she was just a tiny little thing, I found her flipping through my old photo albums – the ones I kept hidden away. And she was always pointing out sights to her mother and me that we hadn’t noticed – things such as a slant of sunlight across a lake or the curve of a shadow. It seemed to me she had a photographer’s eye, so I bought the camera for her and, sure enough, Tansy displayed a God-given talent for taking pictures. Photography became her passion.

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Thanks so much to both Papa Dan and Jennifer for taking the time to answer my questions! He is a wonderful character and Through Her Eyes was an amazing YA debut! Check out my review here.

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I am also hosting a giveaway for my ARC of Through Her Eyes! It was such a fantastic read, I hope whoever wins loves it as much as I did!

Rules: US Only. Ends April 29.

Fill out THIS FORM to enter!

Blog Tour: Character Interview With Ashley from Moonglass

Stopping by today is the fabulous Ashley from Moonglass! I definitely recommend picking this up when it releases next month- I loved it!

1. What was your first reaction after meeting Anna?

I thought she was totally nice and looked like somebody who needed a friend, you know? And maybe a new running outfit.

2. Cross country just wasn't your thing, but I know you wanted to try out for the dance team. How did that work out?

Well it turned out dance was really hard too, so I'm now designing them some new outfits for their competitions. They're gonna look fab!

3. High school can be some of the toughest years for teenagers; dealing with friends, boys, school work, parents... Do you have any advice for making it through every day with a smile?

There’s nothing a good friend, a skinny latte, and a massage can’t get you through!

4. Are you glad you moved and started attending Coast High?

Definitely. It’s totally helped me to broaden my horizons and meet people I wouldn't have met before.

5. Do you have any idea of where you want to go to college and/or what you want to do as an adult?

I’m not sure about college college. I’m thinking maybe design school or something like that. As an adult I'd want to do something I love and am good at, so that's probably the best place to start.

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Thanks so much to Ashley and Jessi for answering my questions! Be sure to visit Jessi's website for more info on her and her debut, Moonglass! Also keep your eye out for my review- coming soon!

Blog Tour: Character Interview With Britney from The Lipstick Laws!

As part of Amy Holder's The Lipstick Laws Blog Tour, the "it girl" from her debut is stopping by today! Welcome Britney!

1. What first inspired you to come up with the Lipstick Laws?

Everyone needs to have some type of direction to keep themselves in line and the best they can be. I’m a born leader, so I wanted to help my friends be their very best by creating these laws. Really, my friends should thank me for helping them avoid the curse of being nerd-herding chumpnuts.

2. When you saw April for the first time, what was your initial thought?

Major charity case. That was my first thought. And being the caring, philanthropicalist that I am, I tried to help her. Bad move on my part!

3. Is there any advice you can give high school students?

The biggest piece of advice I’d give is that the friends you hang around with help raise or lower your image…so choose your friends wisely! High school would be a much better place if everyone followed my Lipstick Laws...

4. If you could go back in time and change one thing about your life, what would you choose?

I’d never let any freak funnels in my group of friends. Other than that, I’d make sure my parents’ divorce never happened.

5. Why did your parents decide to name you Britney?

My mother said Britney was her favorite name. She said the name has an “it-factor” …and then Britney Spears got famous when I was young, so that reinforced the “it-factor” status of my name even more. I’m much prettier, of course.

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Thanks so much for answering my questions Amy and Britney! I really enjoyed The Lipstick Laws and will be posting my review next month!

As part of the blog tour, a signed copy of The Lipstick Laws is being given away each week. Anyone who comments on this post is automatically entered! For a complete list of stops visit the tour page on The Teen {Book} Scene here.

Blog Tour: Will (from Angelfire) Character Interview

1. What were your thoughts on Ellie when you first met her?

When I first her, she was closed off and very private. She wouldn’t let me in. The more I got to know her, the more I realized she was a bit of a brat and she’s always had a quick tongue. But every day since the moment I met her five hundred years ago, she’s had a fierce determination to do what’s right and protect the ones she loves.

2. If you could change your name to anything what would it be?

Change my name? I… I like my name.

3. What has been your favorite experience with Ellie thus far?

It would be the day I realized I was in love with her. After all these years, it’s my strongest memory of her. It’s burned into my heart.

4. I've already heard several cries of "Team Will"- what is your reaction to being so popular among your female readers?

I’m just trying to do my job.

5. And because the ladies want to know: Boxers or briefs?

*blushes and stammers* I… I’m not answering that.

6. Random questions: What is your favorite...

Movie? I don’t really watch movies, but I like Almost Famous.

Book? Ender’s Game.

Food? Root beer floats.

Subject? Battle tactics and martial art techniques. My purpose is to fight and that is what I study.

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Thanks so much Will for stopping by! I definitely recommend reading Angelfire when it releases next month. For now you can check out Courtney's website for more info and some awesome extras.

Blog Tour: Keri Mikulski (Character) Interview and Giveaway

I'm excited to introduce Taylor, the main character of Head Games. Thanks so much for answering my questions Taylor! At the bottom you can also find a chance to win a gift card and fun basketball related swag!

1. Hey Taylor, thanks for stopping by! What first got you interested in playing basketball?

Definitely, my dad. He used to play semi-pro so he’s a basketball fanatic.

2. Other than basketball, what else do you enjoy doing?

Playing basketball at the beach courts (opps…). I mean, hanging out with Hannah… And spending time with someone who shall remain nameless. *blush*

3. Fashion may not be your strength, but it is Hannah's. How did you two become friends?

Years ago, I brought a Bratz doll in to school for show and tell dressed like Lisa Leslie. Hannah was so impressed with my design skills that she invited me over to her house. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

4. Who is your idol? Do you have a famous basketball player you look up to?

I have three. Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, and Candace Parker. I look up to Parker because she’s incredibly strong on and off the court. I love Leslie because she’s the most amazing center of all time. And I look up to Taurasi’s work ethic. She worked incredibly hard to become the best player in the WNBA.

5. What is some advice you can share with other teenagers entering high school?

Don’t let your friend talk you into walking the runway for a fashion show. And watch out for boys carrying lists. :)

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Thanks to Taylor and Keri I have an awesome giveaway for one lucky commenter! Win a $10.00 Barnes and Noble gift card along with a basketball charm. Get an extra entry for commenting on my review Blog Tour: Head Games Review