Character Interview: Penny from Frost by Wendy Delsol - Blog Tour & A Giveaway

Hi Penny! Thanks for being here. How are you doing today?

Doing great today. Life is good.

What is your favorite part about growing up in a small town? 

The people, of course. We know one another, take care of one another. I like the comfort of having known most of my classmates since elementary school. There’s a hometown pride we all feel. Well, I do, anyway.

Any plans for after high school?

Having just gushed about small-town life, it may seem odd to hear that I don’t know if I’ll stay here after high school. I do want to go away for college; I’m thinking University of Minnesota. It’s far enough away that I’ll have a real college experience but close enough that I can come home for holidays and the odd weekend here and there. There’s only me and my grandmother so I don’t want to abandon her completely. As to studies, I’m thinking business. Corporate world here I come.

How do you enjoy spending your spare time?

What spare time? I’m the assistant editor of the school paper. I’m currently organizing a food drive. I sing in the school choir. I’m on the homecoming and prom committees. Oh, and I’m a straight-A student. Time allowing, I like movies, reading, and cross country skiing come winter.

What is your favorite movie?

 The Back-up Plan with Jennifer Lopez is hysterical. The part where they all fall over in the conga line even had my grandmother laughing. And that’s saying something.

How about your favorite book?

I was a big Harry Potter fan when I was younger. More than one person has told me I remind them of Hermione. Must be the hair. Or the work ethic.

Recently, I’d have to say The Hunger Games. I’m Team Peeta, by the way.

What would you consider your go to comfort food?

Chocolate chip cookies. I love to bake and have organized so many bake sales that I know the recipe by heart. My secret ingredient is a pinch of nutmeg.

What would you say is your biggest pet peeve?

Mean girls. We have a few of those in our school. I’d guess every school has one or two. I don’t get it. Why go out of your way to be nasty? My theory is that they suffer from low self esteem themselves. When I shared this with my friend, Kat, she didn’t buy it. She thinks mean people mate with other mean people so that we’ve now got this interbred super-mean hybrid.

Anything else you would like to share?

Having mentioned my friend, Kat, above, it has me thinking: I am SO glad she moved here. She has this kind of snarky way of looking at things, and at first I wasn’t too sure about her. But, now, I couldn’t imagine Norse Falls High without her or her unique fashion sense. Not that I’m going to be getting myself a beret anytime soon, but somehow she pulls it off. 

It was great getting to know you better! Thanks, Penny!

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Books in this series:

Stork - Read my review

Frost - Review coming soon!

Follow the Frost Blog Tour!

Giveaway:

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Character Interview: Hatta from Hatter by Daniel Coleman

I’m excited to welcome Hatta, from Daniel Coleman’s Hatter, to the blog today!

How old were you when you discovered you could communicate with animals?

Might I first commend you for saying 'communicate' instead of 'talk'.  As you've no doubt realized, anyone can talk to animals.  It would be communicating with them that many people find difficult. Rather than when I first realized I could do it, I think a better question would be how old was I when I realized other people couldn't.  Or didn't.  But I can't say, as I never have known my age.

           

Do you remember the first animal you ever communicated with?

A cat was most likely the first to communicate with me.  They are still the most expressive animal I know of.  It's as easy to read a cat as it is to smell breakfast or hear crunching leaves.  I would think that anyone who can't tell what a cat is thinking simply has never seen a cat.

You have a great fascination with color. What do you consider your favorite color?

If there is anything more wonderful than colors I haven't met it, but I could never choose just one favorite.  The obvious answer which I won't say is rainbow.  Some colors I do care deeply for are: sunset, glimmer beetle, autumn, and the sky behind lightning.  I think lava would be my favorite color I've never seen.  It sounds quite powerful.

 At what age did you start dressing in such colorful clothing?

I don't seem to remember when I started remembering anything, but I remember dyeing my clothes at that age.  Grass made consistent greens.  I found a lichen that made red.  And rust always worked for rust color.

Was learning to make mirrors while in Shey’s Orchard difficult?

I haven't found many things difficult in my life.  Interacting with unfriendly people. Recalling names.  Large gatherings of people.  Oh, and of course, mules.   

What is the most delicious thing you have ever eaten?

My most memorable meals have been delicious for reasons one might not think.  On the road from T'lai to Frenala, a traveler shared some dried apples with me.  The kindness was perfectly scrumptious.  Another day, the Cheshire Cat led me to some winterberries.  The companionship was delectable.   I don't remember how the meal tasted that I shared with (EDITED FOR SPOILERS), but it was likely the most enjoyable I've ever eaten.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I'll gladly share whatever you might need.  Coins?  Provisions?  My roof?  Hmm, those may be difficult considering the distance.  Might I share some words about kind words?  --A kind word may be duller than a sword, but it lasts much longer--   

Thanks for stopping by, Hatta! It was a pleasure getting to know you better. You can read my review of Hatter here.

Character Interview: Eve from Eden by Keary Taylor

I’m so very excited to have the chance to interview Eve from Eden by Keary Taylor today. Hi Eve and welcome! 

Can you provide a brief summary of the events that caused survivors to join and create the safe haven known as Eden. 

After the technology that later became known as the infection took over, people realized they had to get away from the cities.  A lot of people were on the run and eventually they started finding each other.  Gabriel and his family found Avian, Sarah, and Tye, other's found them.  As the infected started pushing further and further out, the people had to push further into the country.  


You have no memories of your life before the Fall. Do you feel this gave you an advantage over others living in Eden? Or do you feel your lack of memories were a disadvantage? 


It made me feel like an outsider, that's for sure.  But I think it was nice to not have any experience before the world fell apart.  It was easier for me, not to have to miss electricity and telephones and whatnot.    


When the other members of Eden reminisced about life before the Fall is there anything they mentioned that you wish you could have experienced firsthand? 


Others have talked about music players and how there was thousands and thousands of songs. There's something about music that gets to me like nothing else does.  It's a rare occasion for me to get to experience it.  Regular hot showers would be nice to...  


I imagine living with so many people can be difficult at times. Where do you go when you need time alone? 


I'm alone most of the time while I'm on scouting duty.  The balance is good.  Being around others makes me feel normal, but when the pressure of not being like others gets to be too much the trees don't seem to care about that.  


What is your favorite part about living in Eden? 


The members of Eden are my family.  They have been for as long as I can remember and they always will be.  We share a bond that people didn't use to have before all of this happened.  


What is your most prized possession? 


Most valued would have to be my pack.  Everything I need to survive is in that thing.  Most valued though... that would have to be the necklace Avain gave me for my eighteenth birthday.    


What is your favorite food? 


Not long after I was found outside of Eden, Gabriel gave me this thing he called a Snickers.  He said it was one of only two he had left and he shared it with me.  Pure heaven.  


Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 


Never take advantage of the things you have.  Your roof over your head, a safe place to live, the ones you have around you.  And careful what you let doctors put into your body...  Who knows how things could evolve...  

Thanks for the chance to get to know you and your world better, Eve!  

Read my review of Eden.

Keary Taylor on the web:

Website | Blog

Buy Eden:

Paperback: Eden

Or for Kindle: Eden

Character Interview: Andrew from Laura Kreitzer’s Timeless Series

I’m so excited to welcome Andrew from Laura Kreitzer’s Timeless Series to the blog today.

TFE: How old are you?

Andrew: It’s funny you ask that; we’d probably need a . . . a . . . I believe it’s called a calculator? (He rubs his neck uneasily.) Well, I’d guess you could say from a human’s perspective I’m 28, though in all reality I’m almost 4,000 years old. Don’t go spreading that around—not like anyone would believe you. (He chuckles lightly.)

TFE: How did it feel to awaken in a time period so different from the one you last remembered?

Andrew: After learning what I have of this world, I could probably relate me waking in a crashing airplane—it would probably be more mind-boggling if I couldn’t fly myself—anyway, I’d say it’s about the same as you going to bed one night and waking up in the deepest depths of the ocean in an underwater world and everyone around you acting like it was “normal.” If it wasn’t for the “imminent” death, I’d probably have more complex feelings about the whole ordeal, but adrenaline can do some funky things to your system.

TFE: Do you ever miss being mortal?

Andrew: I can hardly remember being mortal, and from what I can, not really. I may face death now, but it was nothing like losing both of my parents over things that would have never harmed an Angel. At one time I might not have agreed, but now that I have Gabriella . . . it seems pointless to grieve for a life I’ll never have. And a life I don’t want unless she’s at my side.

TFE: Can you explain what you felt when you first met Gabriella?

Andrew: Such expressions can’t be worded when it comes to the beauty of that moment. In the past I wondered if I’d always be alone. Thousands of years passed with any and everything I’ve grown to love withering and dying. Beyond the intense love I feel for her, it was relief that held me in a bubble for a while. Then disbelief. How could this be so? How could I be that lucky? And why me? I’d made my fair share of mistakes in the past—so why now? After I pushed the “how” and “why” questions aside, I finally just let my emotions settle in and take in this new and graceful creature before me. The moment her big, green eyes found mine and she said, “Thank you,” to her fighting furiously with me in an attempt to save those who just couldn’t be saved, she owned me. From her gentle touch to her silly humor . . . she had my heart in the palm of her hands.

TFE: What is your favorite part about living in present day?

Andrew: Convenience. Toilets, toothpaste, food in cans, stoves, refrigerators. Every say I am still amazed by societies advancements. I’ve seen a lot in my time but, for such a short amount of time to pass, the human race has grown marginally more intelligent than I would have ever expected.

TFE: Favorite food?

Andrew: I’d have to say that those friend potatoes—what are they called again? Oh yeah, French fries, are my favorite.

TFE: Favorite color?

Andrew: Green. For obvious reasons. (He winks.)

TFE: Favorite book?

Andrew: I’d have to say the Timeless book is ranking up there. There’s a mystery about it that we’ve yet to unlock. I can’t wait to read and understand more about Gabriella’s journey, and I’m pretty sure the Timeless book has the answers she seeks.

TFE: Thank you so much for stopping by and giving readers a chance to get to know you a little better. Gabriella is one lucky girl to have a man who loves her with the intensity you do!

If you haven’t checked out this series you should! Read my reviews of Shadow of the Sun and Soul Stalker.

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Character Interview & A Giveaway: Pete from Trapped by Michael Northrop

I’m excited to welcome Pete from Michael Northrop’s novel, Trapped, to the blog!

TFE: Hi Pete!

Pete: Hey.

TFE: How old are you?

Pete: I’m 15. I’d say almost 16, but I guess that’s not technically true.

TFE: What are some of your favorite things to do?

Pete: I like playing video games. Like when I get a new one, I’ll play it a ton. I mean, obviously if it’s a good one, I’ll do that, but even if it’s not that great, I still try to get all the way through. I like to see how long it will take me to get through it. And I like watching TV, listening to music. I don’t know, just normal stuff, I guess.

TFE: Favorite food?

Pete: I like a lot of different foods, so it kind of depends on my mood. Like if it’s cold and rainy, I really like spaghetti with meat sauce (not meatballs). It’s like comfortable—comfort food. I like garlic bread with it too, for the same reason. Other times, I really like pizza—either pepperoni or black olives, but not both, obviously.

TFE: Most prized possession?

Pete: Playstation 3. It’s got built-in Blu-ray too.

TFE: Out of the 7 kids trapped in the school you seemed to be the least stressed by the situation initially. Were you worrying under the laid-back exterior or did you still think someone would pick you up?

Pete: Yeah, I actually was kind of laid-back about it at first. Stupid, right? I seriously just did not see it coming—and by it, I mean the rest of the frickin’ week. All of that snow, I just thought it would stop, you know?

TFE: Who do you think was the greatest asset to your group during the time you were trapped? 

Pete: That’s tough to say. Jason, maybe? At least he knew what he was doing (mostly), with the fire bucket and all that. I kind of have a bone to pick with him, though.

TFE: What advice would you offer to someone who finds themselves trapped during a natural disaster?

Pete: Wow, I sort of feel like I’m the wrong person to ask. Don’t be an idiot. How’s that? Repeat: Don’t be a frickin’ idiot!

Thanks for stopping by, Pete!

I also have a signed copy of Trapped up for grabs!

Rules:

U.S Only

Please fill out the form to enter. Comments are appreciated, but will not count as an entry.

Ends February 9th

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