Interview & Giveaway with Karen Amanda Hooper!

Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Karen Amanda Hooper, author of Tangled Tides and Grasping at Eternity!

I’ve loved mermaids since as far back as I can remember. I grew up watching movies like Splash and The Little Mermaid, and you could find me swimming around the pool in our backyard with my legs stuck together, pretending I had a tail and fins.

Fast forward a couple (maybe a few) decades and I’m still playing make-believe with mermaids–except now they’re in my novels instead of a toy box.

I’m a self-proclaimed twisted little pixie. I believe that magic and true love really do exist, even in a world that can be ugly at times. I like to dance down rabbit holes and ride shooting stars while playing a never-ending game of “Imagine If…” Then I write about my impossible and fantastical musings and call myself an author. Honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love storytelling way too much.

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, but I’ve also lived in Colorado. Eventually, I had to move to a place where I’d be surrounded by water, so I now live in Florida.

When I’m not writing I can be found reading, people watching at Disney World, hanging with my amazing friends and family, listening to music, dancing, traveling, pondering the Universe, or enjoying breathtaking sunsets and a good glass of white wine.

I love great food, desserts, more desserts, movies that make me laugh or cry, thunderstorms, butterflies in my stomach, curtains blowing in the breeze, my dogs tails wagging because they are happy to see me, thrilling rides, books that make me think or learn something new, Ravens football, long warm baths, smiling uncontrollably, flavored coffee, an amazing dream that stays with me all day, popping popcorn the old-fashioned way, jumping out of airplanes, board games, lotto scratch-offs, and flying to Neverland.

I’m a constant work in progress.

Check out the teen focused blog that I co-founded with some other awesome YA authors: YA Confidential

I’m also grateful and lucky to be part of a talented group of authors called the Indelibles.

Let’s get to know a bit more about Karen, shall we? :)

1. Favorite movie? Oh, there are so many. Recently, I have a new movie crush on Crazy Stupid Love. 

2. Favorite candy? Twix. Or chewy caramels. Or York Peppermint Patties. (I like candy.)

3. Book you are currently reading? Lacrimosa by Christine Fonseca. Love me some angels.

4. Current literary boy crush? Gavin from Inhale by Kendall Grey. An Australian rockstar bad boy who saves the world. Yum. But be warned, that book is adult and rated R.

5. Favorite animal? My two sweet and spoiled dogs.

6. Favorite guilty pleasure? Drinking a cocktail on the beach of the Polynesian Resort at Disney World. I'm there quite frequently.

Now, onto some harder questions!

1. What is one of your favorite things about writing your books and sharing them with the world?

Most definitely the comments and emails from readers who love my stories and characters. They make me all warm and fuzzy, and they inspire me to be a better writer and story teller.

2. Were there any differences between writing Tangled Tides and Grasping at Eternity? Was one book easier/harder to write than the other?

Yes, I wrote Grasping at Eternity first. It was the first time I ever attempted a novel and I cranked out a 150k word first (and very rough) draft in two months. I was obsessed. I didn't write in order, I didn't know how it would end, or even if my scenes would ever tie together to make a complete story. Somehow, magical intervention maybe, the pieces of the story all clicked into place. 

Tangled Tides was a slower process and I mostly wrote it in chronological order.

However, with both, I never plotted. My mind works best in creative chaos mode.

3. What is one of your happiest memories?

The day I got hugged and kissed by a honu (Hawaiian sea turtle). I was snorkeling in Hawaii and a giant sea turtle appeared beside me. We swam side by side for a few minutes and he led me to a whole family of turtles. I surfaced and took off my mask to talk to my friend about how amazing it was to see so many honu, but something brushed up the front of me and I squealed in surprise. I looked down and was nose to nose with a giant turtle--so I kissed him. And I swear, I think he smiled at me.  It was very surreal.

4. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Jumped out of an airplane with no one to instruct me except a radio strapped to my chest. Except the radio had no batteries. Of course, we didn't realize that until I landed dead center in the drop zone all on my own. *fist pump*

5. Being a Florida native, I just have to ask: besides the amazing weather and beaches, what is your favorite thing about the Sunshine State? Also, have you ever been to Weeki Wachee, the home of the mermaids (and my hometown!)?

So weird. We were JUST talking about going to Weeki Wachee on July 4th, but we weren't sure if they'd be open on a holiday. So, no, I haven't been there YET, but we ARE going this summer. My favorite part about Florida is Disney. I spend way too much time there, but it's my happy place.

6. Do you have any juicy tidbits from Taking Back Forever or Dangerous Depths that you would be willing to share?? :)

Ooooh, I WANT to share so much, but I can't because then it would ruin the surprise factor. 
How about a link to my Pintrest boards? Those have a few fun clues. 
http://pinterest.com/karenhooper/dangerous-depths-book-2-of-the-sea-monster-memoirs/ 
http://pinterest.com/karenhooper/taking-back-forever-book-2-of-the-kindrily-seies/

WOW! Thank you so much for stopping by, Karen, and for letting all of us get to know you better! *bear hug*

Also, Karen, being the amazingly wonderful and super kind person that she is, is going to be giving out one free copy of both of her books! (Click on the cover for Goodreads info!)

I loved Grasping at Eternity and Tangled Tides, and if you have not read them yet, then I would definitely recommend doing so!! This contest will be international, and just sign-up below to enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Forsaken Harbor Blog Tour: Character Interview with Julian!

Hello and welcome! I am super excited to be participating in the blog tour for Forsaken Harbor, book 2 in The Summer Chronicles. Today, I will be interviewing Julian, another human time traveler with abilities similar to Summer’s. He is my favorite character in the series, so I am happy for the opportunity to interview him! So let’s get right to it! Without further ado, here is Julian!

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Hello, all! Today, we have the pleasure of being able to speak with Julian. Thank you, Julian, for joining me here on Storybook Escape! How about we start out learning a little more about you! Please describe yourself for us in your own words. How do you view yourself?

That’s a tough question. I know I’m not a normal guy, though I don’t fully understand what is normal. I’ve never had normal. I’d like to think I’m good and moral, though my perspective is skewed.

You have nothing to worry about! You are most definitely good and moral! You fight to protect those you care about, you stand-up for those weaker than you, and you are kind and considerate (especially towards Summer). No worries, sir, no worries!

So tell us, what was your childhood like? Did you have parental figures?

When I was younger, I had a caretaker. She was stern and wasn’t what I’d call a parental figure. I hated her. I was a means to an end, and when I couldn’t give her what she wanted, I was nothing. After Summer disappeared, I was sent to the Secret Clock Society’s headquarters in the U.S. After that I was given a room in their facilities and taken care of like a pet behind proverbial bars. Honestly? I don’t like talking about my past. Though it was nothing like what Summer endured, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.

I cannot even imagine. The Society does not exactly have the best reputation for raising and treating children well. Okay, so let’s not talk about bad memories anymore. What was one of your happiest memories?

The first time I stepped foot outside of the Society’s headquarters to find Summer. I’d never felt so free, even though deep down I knew I would never be free of them.

Let’s say you could be free, completely rid of the Society and all its influences, and you were just a normal guy, what would you want to be and why?

I’d want to be a racecar driver. I know it sounds silly, but that’s the one thing I’ve dreamed of doing every day from the first time I found a car magazine one of the techs left behind.

Racing is not silly! I actually raced myself when I was younger, and the exhilaration you feel being able to go as fast as you want is bar none (not to mention how awesome cars and motorcycles are). Trust me, racing will definitely give you a sense of freedom, so I completely understand why you would to be a racecar driver!

Alright, I have another question for you. What is the one thing you desire the most? It can be anything, a person, a thing, etc.

This is embarrassing, but I’m sure you probably already know. Summer. Every day I fight this urge to be with her in any capacity she’ll let me, because I know the Society has done this to me. Made me love her. Though part of me wonders if it’s just the Society, or is it really how I feel? Now that I’ve met her, know her . . . do I love her? It’s frustrating.

I do not want to make light of the topic, but I am a little intrigued as to how the Society was able to trifle with people’s emotions. Do you know how the society able to program the feeling of love into you? Have they trifled with other people's emotions as well?

I didn’t know it was possible to program anything like this into someone. I was told it was another experiment, which I was used to. It wasn’t like I could say no. The one time I had . . . well, let’s not talk about that. When I woke up after the surgery, I didn’t feel different. It wasn’t until Doctor Zhar came into my room and showed me a photo of Summer. Of course I knew who she was before, but the moment she showed me . . . I was done for. I was instantly in love. I didn’t understand where the intense emotion was coming from. Doctor Zhar questioned me, and it wasn’t until another researched came in that I found out what they’d done to me. I’d felt invaded, manipulated more than I had ever been before. Apparently this was something they’d been working on for a while, and once they perfected it, they’d put me under the knife to endure it.

As far as other people’s emotions, I’m not sure, though they probably have. We are talking about the Society, after all. They don’t have a conscious.

So while we are on the subject of emotions and relationships, would you mind talking about Gage and Summer and Gage’s relationship? I know this is a sensitive topic, but what are your true thoughts about Gage? Do you like him at all? How do you feel about Summer and Gage's relationship?

I don’t not like Gage, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say I like him either. I admit he’s good to Summer, and I can’t fault him that. It’s one of the only reasons I tolerate him. He always acts like he knows everything, especially what’s best for Summer, and it’s irritating. Especially when he’s right.

Summer and Gage’s relationship hurts. I try not to think about it, and I try not to let it bother me, but it stings. Seeing her with Gage breaks my heart, but I try not to let her see that. She’s precious to me, and I know her emotions run higher than a normal person’s. I don’t want her to see how much it bothers me when they’re together because I know it’ll hurt her. She cares about me in her own way—I’m positive about that. But there is something that Gage can give her that I can’t, and that’s a normal life. Well, as normal as one can expect in Summer’s position.

I think it is clear that you care for Summer and that she is someone precious to you. Could you describe how you view and what you think about Summer? If you can put it into words, how does she make you feel?

She makes me feel alive. I hadn’t realized what kind of hollow life I had been living until I met Summer. She changed me in ways that I don’t know if I could describe in words. She has a strength that is so inspiring I want to get down on my knees and worship her for it. How her situation hasn’t crippled her is beyond me. That alone makes me feel lucky she allows me to be in her presence.

(That was so poetic and beautiful!)

Okay, let’s get a little more serious now. What is your biggest regret? Do you have one?

My biggest regret is leaving Summer behind when I left the safe house. Though that also rivals the regret of going after her in the first place. If I was smart, I would have led the Society on a wild goose chase instead of going after Summer in New York. However, I know that if I had never shown up, Tanner would have brought Summer to the Society.

And, okay, maybe I regret not beating Gage senseless after he elbowed Summer in the head. Though I feel partially responsible for it, and Landon did a good enough job scolding both of us for being idiots.

Now that you are no longer housed with the Society and have a bit more freedom, let’s talk about you future. What are your goals? Is there anything you want to be sure to achieve?

I want to destroy the Society. I want to make them suffer. After that, I don’t know. What would I do if I had a normal life?

It is wrong of me to say this, but I hope you can succeed in stopping the Society. After what they have done to you, Summer, and countless others, it would be justice served, and you all deserve to live a normal, free life. 

And on that happy note, I am afraid we are out of time! Thank you for stopping by, Julian, and giving us insightful answers to some probing questions! It was definitely a pleasure, and I hope our paths will cross again soon!

Thank you, Bri, for allowing me on your wonderful blog!

Believe me when I say the pleasure was all mine!

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And that, ladies and gentlemen, was one of my favorite men, Julian! I hope you all learned a little more about him (and I also hope I converted a few of you to Team Julian)! Thank you all for viewing, and I hope you enjoy reading Forsaken Harbor!


About the author of Summer Chronicles, Laura Kreitzer:

Laura is a motivated full time author, editor, reviewer, and publisher who hails from western Kentucky. She founded Revolution Publishing, a corporation that seeks the best and brightest online fiction writers. Her full-time 9-5 job used to be working in a lab devoted to water dye-tracing investigations at Western Kentucky University. In 2008 she traveled to Southwest University China to establish one of the first dye trace laboratories in China under the China Environmental Health Project. Though Laura was passionate in her work for the environment, her favorite hobby was always writing which blossomed into her debut series, the Timeless Series.

For more about the Summer Chronicles series, click on the cover for links to Goodreads: