Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
I’m excited to have Sarah Guillory here today for an interview as part of her RECLAIMED Blog Tour! Check out the book below, followed by my Q & A with Sarah.
RECLAIMED
by Sarah Guillory
October 15, 2013 / Spencer Hill Press
Jenna Oliver doesn’t have time to get involved with one boy, let alone two.
All Jenna wants is to escape her evaporating small town and her alcoholic mother. She’s determined she’ll go to college and find a life that is wholly hers—one that isn’t tainted by her family’s past. But when the McAlister twins move to town and Jenna gets involved with both of them, she learns the life she planned may not be the one she gets.
Ian McAlister doesn’t want to start over; he wants to remember.
Ian can’t recall a single thing from the last three months—and he seems to be losing more memories every day. His family knows the truth, but no one will tell him what really happened before he lost his memory. When he meets Jenna, Ian believes that he can be normal again because she makes not remembering something he can handle.
The secret Ian can’t remember is the one Luke McAlister can’t forget.
Luke has always lived in the shadow of his twin brother until Jenna stumbles into his life. She sees past who he’s supposed to be, and her kiss brings back the spark that life stole. Even though Luke feels like his brother deserves her more, Luke can’t resist Jenna—which is the trigger that makes Ian’s memory return.
Jenna, Ian, & Luke are about to learn there are only so many secrets you can keep before the truth comes to reclaim you.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
That’s a tough question, as reading is subjective and not every book is for every person. But Fahrenheit 451 had a profound effect on me when I read it in high school, and it’s still relevant today. It’s sort of scary how dead-on the story is to what is currently going on in society, considering the book was written in 1948, but it is powerful and moving and should make everyone take a long, hard look at their own lives. Just this week I read several articles on censorship, authors being uninvited from speaking engagements, books being pulled from library shelves. We need to think about what will happen if we silence those voices.
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
“Picking up Pieces” by Blue October. I chose this song because all three characters hide things from the outside world, and all three feel like they are picking up the pieces left scattered by those secrets. Jenna has to deal with her mother’s drinking while trying to keep it a secret from everyone, especially her grandmother. Every time her mother gets drunk, Jenna is the one who has to put her back together again. Ian is always putting on his game face. He’s the peacekeeper, and he feels like he has to put his family back together after the divorce. Because he is the responsible one, it’s his job to try and repair the cracks in his family. Luke is keeping a secret from his brother, one that has consequences that he is still dealing with. But the secret he’s been hiding will eventually creep out, and all three characters will have to try and salvage the pieces.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve received?
Let your first draft suck. This was a moment of freedom for me because prior to hearing a published author say that, I assumed my writing had to be great as it was flowing from my fingers. Consequently, I would get frustrated and depressed and stop before I had ever written anything meaningful. Once I had the power to write really crappy words, I also had the power to revise those words, redeem them, make them into what they were supposed to be in the first place. I never would have gotten to that place if someone hadn’t told me I had permission to suck.
Do you have any hobbies? Writing doesn’t count!
I’m a runner. I run six mornings a week, and sometimes I’m pretty certain it’s the only thing that keeps me sane. I’ve run six marathons, and there’s nothing as fulfilling as the complete but happy exhaustion at the end of 26.2 miles.
I also knit, which is very calming. I’ve made socks, sweaters, scarves, and tons of baby hats. I’m working on a Doctor Who scarf right now.
Do you have any pets?
I have an incredibly spoiled 130 pound bloodhound named Gus. He’s our baby, though I blame my husband for just how spoiled that dog is. Gus is hilarious, with this great personality and pitifully sad eyes, and if you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably seen more pictures of him than you want to. When I’m writing, he’s usually right next to me, snoring loudly.
When it comes to writing, are you a planner or pantser?
I’m a pantser, but I do have to have dots to connect. When I start writing a book, I know the beginning, the climax, and the ending. I may also know a few key scenes along the way. But I really enjoy seeing where my characters are going to take me.
What book do you love that doesn’t get a lot of hype?
The Hounds of the Morrigan. I push this book on everyone, since I am the only other person, besides my sister, who I know has read it. I read this book when I was in the fourth grade, and I still remember lying on my bed, listening to the Bangles, as Pidge and Bridget were trying to avoid the Morrigan’s traps. I read it again every few years, and it’s just as magical.
If you were not a writer, what would you like to do?
What I’m already doing, which is teaching. I am so passionate about books, and I hope to pass that enthusiasm onto my students. Basically my job is to pimp literature all day. It’s a great job.
About the author:
Sarah Guillory is a YA author. In addition, she teaches sophomore English and loves that they pay her to fan girl over books and authors and to watch her students fall in love with the written word. Sarah lives in Louisiana with her husband and ridiculously spoiled bloodhound. RECLAIMED is her debut novel.
Thanks to Sarah for answering my questions, and Spencer Hill Contemporary for having me as part of the blog tour!
Tour Schedule
October 1 – Book Review – Jenuine Cupcake Blogspot
October 2 – Book Review – WhoRuBlog
October 3 – Author Interview – Queen Ella Bee
October 4 – Book Review – K-Books
October 5 – Guest Post – A Dream Within A Dream
October 6 – Guest Post – Wastepaper Prose
October 7 – Guest Post – Supernatural Snark
October 8 – Author Interview – A Book and a Latte
October 9 – Book Review – Fiction Fare
October 10 – Author Interview – Met In Eleven
October 11 – Guest Post – Book Savvy
October 12 – Guest Post – Reading Lark
October 13 – Guest Post – Portrait of a Book
October 14 – Character Interview & Review – Swoony Boys Podcast
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
I love the cover for this. I’m actually using a Reclaimed book mark right now!
fakesteph recently posted..Review: Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson