Author Interview: Meet Riley Graham! Plus a giveaway!

It's so cool to meet new authors and I have recently enjoyed getting to know Riley Graham, author of Accidents and Incidents. I thought you might like to get to know her a little better too, plus enter her giveaway :D

Sometimes finding love means taking the scenic route …

Living with her faultfinding mother has taught Leslie not to ask for much. Just watch your step, stay on the sidelines, and take what you can get. But she wants a mom who thanks her for cleaning the kitchen instead of yelling at her for missing a spot, and a boyfriend who does more than score her a seat at the popular table—someone who actually notices her sitting there.

So when Cain, the school heartbreaker, turns his Carolina blue eyes her way, Leslie can’t help but be tempted, even if he’s her boyfriend’s best friend. Things get even more complicated when Leslie strikes up unlikely friendships with Meredith, Cain’s girlfriend, and Dennis, a boy addicted to cigarettes and solitude. Despite his tough exterior, Dennis seems to understand Leslie in a way that no one ever has, and to need her as much as she needs him.

For the first time in her life, Leslie feels like she could belong. She’s just not sure where. 

You can find this book on Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / IBooks

Your book sounds awesome! Welcome to YAlicious, Riley!

1. What was the first story you ever wrote (and be honest here - the FIRST one).
The first thing I remember writing was actually a five and a half page poem called "My True Love." I was a freshman in high school writing about a boy I "went with" for about a week, and yes, the writing was as melodramatic and as bad as the title. I distinctly remember comparing my life to a flower and the object of my affection to the sun at some point.

2. What book are you currently reading?
And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard. I loved her debut novel, Paper Covers Rock, and this one has me captivated as well. Both books feature protagonists trying to come to terms with their role in a recent tragic event, and that makes for really good reading.

3. What's your favorite movie set in a high school?
It's a toss-up between The Breakfast Club and Clueless.

4. Who’s your go-to author - so you always buy their books because you trust them and know it’ll be a good read?
Sophie Kinsella. I love how her characters find themselves in the most awkward situations and often dig themselves in deeper before finding their way out. I wish I had her gift for humor!

5. What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
Downton Abbey. I only recently started the series but watched the entire thing in about a month.

6. Which actor did you have a crush on when you were a teen?
John Stamos. I had a folder dedicated specifically to teen magazine pin-ups of him, and a very good friend who traded me all her John Stamos pictures for my David Hasselhoff ones.

7. Who’s your ultimate book boyfriend?
Sirius Black from the Harry Potter series. Actually, I don't think he'd make a very good boyfriend, but I still have a massive crush on him.

8. Tell us about a favorite character you’ve written and why you like them so much.
I'm just starting my fiction career so my list of characters is pretty small so far, but I do have a soft spot for the protagonist of my current WIP. He's a teen evangelist struggling with his sexual and spiritual identity, and even though his story is very different from mine, I feel close to him because I understand what it feels like to hide part of yourself from the people you love out of fear that they'll reject you.

9. What is your favorite stage of the writing process?
That moment when I'm writing a scene, things start to click, and I can see and hear everything happening as if it were unfolding before me. It doesn't happen as often or as easily as I'd like, but when it does, it feels like magic.

10. If you could celebrate your birthday anyway you wanted to, what would you do?
Go on a nice vacation with my husband and my pets

YAY! Thanks for your awesome answers and your honesty. I love the sound of your poem :D

I love Sophie Kinsella as well. She's so funny. Her Shopoholic series was the best. 

If you'd like to find out more about Riley, you can check out her social links below:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rileygrahamauthor

Twitter: @RileyGrahamYA

Mailing List: http://bit.ly/1b0zOgg

And if you'd like a chance to win an ebook, plus some Riley Graham bookmarks, please enter the giveaway! There will be two winners this week!!

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Spotlight & Interview from Author Julia Crane!

Today we welcome Author Julia Crane on the blog! She is here to let us know a little bit about her IFICS series.

Freak of Nature & Fractured Innocence

Here is a 10 question interview:

1. What inspired the Freak of Nature series? It came about in a strange way. My daughter started to get into photoshop and I walked by while she was working on a cyborg tutorial, it stopped me in my tracks. I said, I should make a book about a cyborg. I thought about it for a few weeks and then asked her if she would try to make a book cover for me. She said, no way. I kept bugging her until she gave in and agreed to try. Not only did that brief glance at her computer start my series, but it also started my daughter's cover art design business—Eden Crane Design.

2. Did you have to do much research for the books? Yes, more so than usual. I've always been fascinated by the idea of merging technology and humans. I also had to get technical help from my husband with the action scenes. He just happens to be a retired Green Beret. So his tactical knowledge came in handy.

3. Have you planned anymore books for the series? I just released the second book in the series, Fractured Innocence. This one deals with the subject, human trafficking. There's a lot more action and suspense. I'm currently working on the third novel in the series. I'm very excited about the characters and how they are growing with each book.

4. If Freak of Nature was made into a movie, who do you imagine playing the roles of Kaitlyn and Lucas? I think Phoebe Tonkin would make the perfect Kaitlyn. I might as well stick with the cast from The Vampire Diaries, Ian Somerhalder would make a great Lucas.

5. What are your writing plans for the rest of 2014? I have so many books I want to write this year. I really wish I was able to write faster. I want to write a couple of books to continue Keegan's Chronicles and I also have an idea for a NA Paranormal Romance series.

6. Do you have any special events coming up? I'll be attending IndieGirl Con in Feb. A book fair in AZ in March and Romance Times in May.

7. What’s your favorite aspect of the writing process? I love getting ideas at random times, like when I'm out on a walk or doing the dishes.

8. What’s the best advice you can give any fellow writer? Write daily, read tons and find a good editor.

9. What’s the best advice you can give any human being? Don't waste time living in the past or the future. Life is short, so be in the moment.

10. What book are you currently reading? I'm currently reading a non-fiction book, Magick of Reiki by Christopher Penczak.

About Julia Crane: 
Julia crane is the author of the Keegan’s Chronicles, IFICS. She has a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Julia has believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. Growing up her mother greatly encouraged reading and using your imagination. 

Julia Crane Stalker Links:

Website 

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Yay! Thank you Julia. It's been so awesome to have you!!

If you'd like a chance to win these two awesome books, please enter the Weekly Winner giveaway below!

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