Blog Tour: Kimberly Derting Interview

I'm excited to welcome KIMBERLY DERTING to my blog today as part of her tour with The Teen {Book} Scene. She's the author of two fantastic books, The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead, and she recently posted on her blog about what's next for her! So exciting!

1. Do you put parts of yourself or people you know into your characters?

Not character traits so much, but I do pull scenarios out of my real life and drop them into the book sometimes. In Desires of the Dead, there’s a situation between Chelsea and her boyfriend that I actually stole from my daughter’s relationship with her boyfriend because I thought it was hilarious. I’m not sure he knows it’s in the book yet, but he will soon enough!

2. If you had a "special ability" what would it be?

This is easy, definitely flying! I’m sure I’d get over that whole fear-of-heights thing. Eventually.

3. What other YA character would Violet like to spend the day with?

Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. I love a tough girl!

4. What book have you read lately that you can't help but keep recommending?

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I know I’m late to the game with her books, but right now I have a total author crush on her. Well, and I might like Jace a little too!

5. Being an author must be an amazing experience. Has there been one thing a fan has said to you that's stood out the most?

That’s tough, but the one thing that stands out most was when a reader had a Body Finder themed birthday party, cake and all. That was one of the coolest moments I’ve had!

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Thanks so much for stopping by Kim! Be sure to check out my reviews of The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead, as well as Kim's website for more info on her and her books!

Review: Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

When Violet Ambrose's morbid ability to sense the echoes of those who've been murdered leads her to the body of a young boy, she draws the attention of the FBI. She is reluctantly pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret...but her relationship and possibly her life as well.

Review:

Desires of the Dead was a fabulous follow up to The Body Finder. There was even more suspense and intrigue and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I would not recommend this to anyone who hasn’t read The Body Finder because so much is based off what occurred in the first book and it may be hard to fully comprehend Violet’s ability.

Violet is a strong and brave main character and she was still as determined and likable as in the prequel. Violet is a very complex character and I got really attached to her in the first novel so it was almost like returning to an old friend in Desires of the Dead. The same with her boyfriend Jay. He was so kind, generous, and protective of Violet and he would never let anything happen to her. Although things weren’t always perfect for them in this book. They had their ups and downs just like any couple and it made them that much more believable and realistic. There were a few new characters introduced in this novel and a few from The Body Finder were developed even more.

There was a completely new mystery introduced in Desires of the Dead and Violet’s ability once more draws her to uncover a dead body. Unfortunately, Violet also draws the attention of Sara, a woman working for the FBI. Over much of the story Sara and her assistant, Rafe, are trying to get Violet to open up about how she found the body and what she knows about the new kids at her school.

Things became very intense and twisted when someone starts to leave Violet creepy messages and soon the plot was moving at a rapid pace making it nearly impossible to put down. I was on the edge of my seat throughout and never knew what was coming until the final chapters. A few chapters from the point of view of the “bad guy” were included and I liked being able to try and guess their identity.

Overall, Desires of the Dead was another great novel by Kimberly Derting and I definitely recommend it to anyone who has read the first book! It was keep you engaged and anxious and gripping the pages until the end. I hope there is another book about Jay and Violet to come!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

February 15, 2011/HarperTeen/368 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two

Source: ARC Tour

Other books in the series: The Body Finder