I’m so excited to be the guest on the awesome Readergirlz today for Story Secrets! Holly Cupala and I became fast friends at ALA a few weeks ago, and I wished we lived closer. Her debut novel, Tell Me A Secret, is emotionally wrenching, hopeful, and insightful, and you should definitely run out and get it! AND, I forgot to mention this earlier, you can also enter for a chance to win a signed, hardback copy of Forget-Her-Nots!
Today I’m also excited to be hosting an interview and ARC giveaway for fellow Tenner, Kiersten White. Her debut novel, Paranormalcy, hits the stands in August. It’s a fun, fast read, and I could already see the movie in my head. Welcome, Kiersten!
What’s your favorite flower and why?
Lilies—both Day Lilies, a beautiful bouquet of which my husband gave me the first Valentine’s Day we were together, and Lilies of the Valley, because my grandmother used to sing me a song about them and I think they’re so dainty and lovely.
Lovely! In the language of flowers, day lilies are for flirtation while lilies of the valley are for the return of happiness. What a combo!
Is there a quotation you live by or have posted at your desk?
You know, there really isn’t. I’ve never been one to put a lot of stock in quotes. My theory is that if I can’t be inspired to do it on my own, I probably shouldn’t be doing it in the first place. Besides which, I don’t have a desk! I write at the kitchen counter next to the stove during the day, and on the couch at night. Although there is a very nice painting of a shark that watches me while I write. But he doesn’t offer any quotes.
Which book do you wish you could live inside?
Wouldn’t that be terribly small and cramped? I can’t imagine it being at all comfortable to live inside of a book. Plus, think of the mildew when it rains!
Oh. Probably not what you meant. The first book that always comes to mind is Harry Potter. Who doesn’t wish their adolescence was spent in Hogwarts?
Who’s your favorite dead writer and what book of his/ hers would you recommend?
Willa Cather. My Antonia is a beautiful, rich book, and O’Pioneers has one of the most devastatingly beautiful kisses ever written.
[Note to self: Reread Willa Cather!]
What book have you read more than any other and why?
Other than the scriptures (I’m a pretty religious person and read them daily), I have probably re-read the Harry Potter series more times than any other books.
How do you structure your writing time?
I really don’t structure it at all. I’m a full-time mommy, so I used to write during naptime and as soon as my kids went to bed. Then naptime disappeared (a fact I still mourn daily) so I would write after their early bedtime. Then somehow the bedtime ritual with my rather difficult but infinitely adorable son turned into an hour-and-a-half long ordeal. I really wish I could have a regular schedule, but I write when I can, where I can, and however much I can. If I’m on a deadline, I go to the library as soon as my husband gets home in the evenings and get a couple of hours in before it closes. Otherwise I just take what I can get and am grateful that I’m a pretty fast writer.
In Paranormalcy, accessorizing is important to Evie. What’s your most important accessory and why?
Flip-flops. I simply can’t live without them and can’t abide other shoes. I really ought to go for heels since I’m severely lacking in height, but my aversion to socks and discomfort is too strong. It’s a good thing I live in San Diego and can wear sandals year-round! It’s funny because Evie is very girly (in a positive, fun way—I don’t think it’s a bad thing) but I’m really not. Just another example of how we are not our characters!
If you could be any paranormal creature, what would you pick and why?
I know my faeries are kind of amoral, if not downright evil, but the ability to walk between our world and the Faerie Realms and use the Paths to get to anywhere on earth they want to go at any time? Yeah, that wouldn’t suck.
What’s the best part of being a Tenner?
It can be a scary, stressful, lonely journey figuring out this whole author thing. It’s so nice sharing experiences with other authors and realizing we’re all floundering, learning as we go. I’ve met so many perfectly lovely authors I never would have otherwise, and been introduced to some seriously rocking books as well!
I know just what you mean. Thanks so much for coming by, Kiersten!
And if you can’t wait to get your hands on Paranormalcy, you’re in luck. I picked up an ARC at ALA and would love to give it to a deserving reader, along with some signed Forget-Her-Nots swag. Here’s how to enter:
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@amybrecountwhit)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite)
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 entries for friending me on Facebook
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why
Good luck and please comment below with entry details. Contest is over on 7/26 at midnight, because I’m heading on vacation. Yay! Contest is open to anyone over 13 with a U.S. mailing address. Thanks for entering.
+1 Following on Twitter @BooksCompleteMe
+1 Following Kiersten on Twitter @BooksCompleteMe
+2 Friending Kiersten on FB @ Cindy Husher
+2 Friending you on FB @ Cindy Husher
+3 My favorite flower:
My favorite flower is the lily. It’s such a graceful and beautiful flower that has many colors to suit my mood. Forget roses, I’ll take a garden of lilies any day.
Woohoo flip flops! I would wear them all the time too if I could…and if they had better support for my feet!
I follow you both on twitter (@bloggersbooks) +2
And my favorite flower is lilacs. Our next door neighbor has bushes of them lining our property line and it always smells SO beautiful! Not to mention that THEY are gorgeous flowers! (+3)
Thanks for the awesome interview AND the giveaway!
+1-Following both you and Kierten on Twitter (@emma015)
+4-Sent friend request for both on Facebook (Jessica Blair)
+3-My favorite flower is the Oriental Lily. I guess I like it so much because it is exotic looking and very, very vibrant.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Oooh, loved the interview ! And I’m highly anticipating this book! I seriously can’t wait ! So thank you for giving it away
+1 Twitter Follower
+1 Twitter Follower for Kiersten
+3 My fave flower would have to be roses. I think that they are just really pretty and romantic!
Thank you again !
Whoops! My Twitter is @DreamBelieve 3, since I forgot to mention it ^
I follow both you and Kiersten on twitter and facebook. My favourite flower is the red rose – red is my favourite colour and it symbolises love
I have a US mailing addy if needs be.
Thank you for the contest, that’s 9 entries for me please WOOT!
Hi Amy!
Here are my entires.
+1 twitter follower @ http://twitter.com/booklovereview
+1 follow Kiersten on twitter
+2 friends w/ Kiersten on Facebook
+2 friends w/ you on Facebook
+3 Well I don’t really have a favorite flower because flowers remind me of funerals. I know it’s a little weird but if I had to pick I would say Tiger Lilies. They were on my wedding bouquet. They have a nice memory to them.
=9
Thanks Amy!!
Trini
abookloversreivew@gmail.com
I follow both of you! (+2)
+3 My favorite flower is a Calla Lily.
It’s so beautiful!
AWESOME giveaway!
+1 Following you on Twitter
+1 Following Kiersten on Twitter
+2 Friending Kiersten on FB
+2 Friending you on FB
+3 Favorite flower: I have a tattoo of an iris on my right shoulder; it was my grandmother’s favorite flower. My favorite flower, though, is the plain ol’ red rose. I’m a traditionalist like that.
Following you both on Twitter @mag68
Sent friend requests on FB (MK Ethridge)
I love peonies.
Great interview! I really look forward to Paranormalcy, I’ve heard fabulous buzz about it. Thank you!
+1 for following Kiersten
+1 for following Amy
(I’m @kirathegreat)
+3 Favorite Flower: My favorite flower is the tulip. When I was little my family lived in a trailer park that was just all concrete and weeds, except for a little patch by our front door. My mother and I planted tulip bulbs there together, and I always thought it was magical how they came back every year on their own.
I am now following you on twitter! http://www.twitter.com/JessRing84 i already follow kiersten.
My favorite flower changes but today it would be Black eyed susans.. I love the bright yellow color it reminds me of running in fields of sunflowers.. they are so vibrant they just scream summer and happiness..
+1 twitter follower (@MonroeTheTurtle)
+1 follow Kiersten on twitter
+2 friends with Kiersten on Facebook
+2 friends with you on Facebook
+3 My favourite flower:
My favourite flower would have to be the plumeria. They come in lots of different colours but I just think they’re really really pretty. They’re not something I see all the time because they don’t grow where I live so I appreciate their beauty more than I would with say rhododendrons which are EVERYWHERE.
+3 My favorite flower is the hydrangea. I love the varied shades of blue and purple.
Paranormalcy…one of the ARCs I wanted at ALA but didn’t get. Sigh! I will attempt to win it from you.
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@amybrecountwhit)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite)
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 entries for friending me on Facebook
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why: My favorite flower is probably the pansy because they’re just so rounded and cheerful. I can’t look at a pansy and feel bummed out for long.
+1 following you @MsFairyFreak
+1 following Kiersten @MsFairyFreak
+2 friend request sent to you
+2 friend request sent to Kiersten
+3 my favorite flower us a white lily. I’ve always wanted one in my hair for some reason.
+1 for following you on Twitter (@chasingwords)
+1 for following Kiersten on Twitter (@chasingwords)
+3– My favorite flower is probably the Stargazer Lily. It’s my mom’s favorite flower as well, and a lot of fun memories are brought back by it. (:
+ 1 following you @bibliophilesprds
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite)
+3 hibiscus because they are beautiful & remind me of my family in Hawaii.
abibliophilesparadise@gmail.com
I think I have entered every contest that’s been out there so far for PARANORMALCY. Maybe this time will be the one!
+2 following both of you
+4 friend requests pending for both of you
+3 my favorite flower is honeysuckle. Nothing takes me back to my childhood memories faster than its wonderful aroma.
+ 1 – Twitter Follower (@maidenveil)
+ 1 – Kiersten’s Twitter Follower
+ 2 – Kiersten’s friend on Facebook
+ 2 – Added you as a friend on FB
+ 3 – I love Stargazers because the scent is nice and soothing.
+ 1 entry for following on twitter (yabreviewed)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why
My favorite flower is a lily. Beautiful, pure white, and always makes me smile.
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@amybrecountwhit)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite)
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 entries for friending me on Facebook
(i’ve done all these things!)
+3 my favourite flower is the lilac. ever since i was a kid my mum has grown the most fragrant, the most beautiful ones at her house. i used to cut them off the tree and just sit there and smell them, and then spread their love and happiness to my neighbours.
+ 1 entry for following you (@jmanni32)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten (@jmanni32)
+3 for my favorite flower – Has to be the rose. Simple and elegant and the smell is wonderful!
Thanks for this *frawesome* contest!
Wonderful, Jennzah! I love lilacs too. Purple lilac is “for the first emotions of love” in the language of flowers — something wonderful to spread.
There aren’t many ARCs out there that I’d jump hurdles for…. but this one is definitely on that tiny list!
+ follow you on Twitter (@stephxsu)
+ follow Kiersten on Twitter (@stephxsu)
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 entries for friending you on Facebook
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why
My favorite is the jasmine. This small but powerfully fragrant flower not only looks pretty and has a great scent, but also is a nice metaphor for, er, ya know, something like “good things come in small packages” or whatnot! lol. It was also a name my parents considered for me.
stephxsu at gmail dot com
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@amybrecountwhit) – check
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite) – check
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook – check
+ 2 entries for friending me on Facebook – check
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why
My favorite flowers are Lilies – most any in the family but I’ve always been drawn to Tiger Lilies and Stargazers, I just love the colors. I also love Daises – Gerber Daisies are my fave in the family – again the bright bold colors are just so cheery that they never fail to bring a smile to my face.
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@DforDarla)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@DforDarla)
+3 my favorite flower is a red rose with a little bit of babys breath. The rose is beautiful and with the babys breath it’s just softens everything and makes the flowers look gorgeous.
Thanks for the awesome contest!
Ddoogg04(@)aol(dot)com
+ 1 I’m following on Twitter @BLandgrebe
+ 1 I follow Kiersten on Twitter @BLandgrebe
+ 2 I’m friends with Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 I friended you on Facebook
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower:
Hrm. I have to say these two types of mini roses that I used for my wedding bouquet. One is yellow with just a touch of peach at the tips, and the other has petals that are dark red inside and pale, dusky pink on the outside. I always forget their names, but I still love getting them.
Thanks for the awesome contest! I’m DYING to read PARANORMALCY.
^_^
+1 entry for following you (@l8bloomeronline)
+1 entry for following Kiersten (@l8bloomeronline)
+3 entries for my favorite flower: stargazer lilies, they are my absolute favorite. They look so delicate, but exotic at the same time.
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@amybrecountwhit)
Following from @GCReading
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite)
Following from @GCReading
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook
Sent a friends request from Damaris Cardinali
+ 2 entries for friending me on Facebook
Sent friend request from Damaris Cardinali
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why
I don’t really like flowers. They remind me of my grandmothers funeral. If I did have to choose I would have to say anything white or purple lol.
Thank you for the giveaway!
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@amybrecountwhit)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite)
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why – my favorite flower despite the fact that i’m allergic to pollen has got to be a red tulip…i think they’re pretty.
Thanks, Sandy. A red tulip means a declaration of love in the language of flowers!
Those are my mom’s favorite too! I love how the scent can fill an entire room.
Hi, Gail. Yes, I love both of those. Tiger lilies are for flirtation, and Stargazers are amazingly fragrant. Daisies are for innocence or simplicity.
Hi, Steph. I have some jasmine on my back deck and it is so wonderfully fragrant.
+ 1 entry for following you on twitter (@Lauren817)
+1 entry for following Kristin on twitter (@Lauren817)
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on facebook (Lauren Rusiloski)
+ 2 entries for already friending you on facebook (Lauren Rusiloski)
+3 entries: My favorite flower is a sunflower because I think it’s really pretty.
My favorite flower is a hibiscus, probably because they smell really good and they remind me of my trip to Hawaii!
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@ulsc22)
+1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@ulsc22)
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why: My favorite flower is a tulip. They’re very pretty and they have a bit of sentimental value to me because my dad taught me how to draw one.
+2 because I follow both of you on twitter.
+3 I love roses. They’re classic and pretty and they smell nice.
+ 1 entry following you on Twitter (@brykateemma)
+ 1 entry following Kiersten on Twitter
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 entries for friending you on Facebook
+3 entries = my favorite flower is the ranunculus. They are just so light and fun-looking. My second would have to be orchids because of their romantic, sophisticated nature.
Thanks, Stacy! Red tulips are to declare love in the language of flowers, and white tulips are for forgiveness.
Awesome interview. Thanks for sharing!
+ 1 following on Twitter (@donnas1)
+ 1 following Kiersten
+ 2 friend request sent for Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 friend request sent on Facebook
+ 3 I really have 2. One I dont know the name of just that its tropical and then those roses that are dual colored. I love those and how they fade into another color. I saw a lavender one once that was amazing
bacchus76 at myself dot com
+ 1 entry for following me on Twitter (@amybrecountwhit)
+ 1 entry for following Kiersten on Twitter (@kierstenwhite)
+ 2 entries for friending Kiersten on Facebook
+ 2 entries for friending me on Facebook
(all listed as EllzReadz)
+3 entries for telling me what’s your favorite flower and why
I love freesia. They are so full of color and life. They always make me smile.
+1 following you (@ScarrletReader)
+1 following Kiersten
+3
My favorite flower is the poppy. It used to be my grandfather’s too and now whenever I got to his grave I leave some poppy which also mean eternal sleep. I love their simplicity and symbolism