Spark Blog Tour: Interview with Rachael Craw

Rachael Craw's debut novel Spark is a compelling and suspenseful book with a likeable, determined heroine, swoon-worthy guys and a mega twist at the end. A decades-old genetic experiment has randomly selected seventeen-year old Evie to be a Shield, tasked with protecting her Spark from a Stray, hell-bent on killing his target. Unfortunately for Evie, her Spark is her best friend Kitty, and the Stray could be anyone.

You can check out my review here but in the meantime, here is your chance to get to know Rachael after I asked her a few left-of-centre questions.

I was the kind of kid who… checked to see if her wardrobe would let her into Narnia. Regular maybe-this-time checks!

My mother always told me… to take my jacket off when I’m inside or I won’t appreciate it when I go out into the cold.

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was… bullies must be confronted. Silence in the face of injustice perpetuates injustice.

My first big crush was… John Taylor from Duran Duran (I’m that old)

I earnt my first pay cheque… selling Liquorice All-Sorts door to door for a Rhythmic Gymnastics fundraising committee. Weirdly, I never did Rhythmic Gymnastics but it made me stacks of cash. I would buy a new record (vinyl album) at the end of each week with my earnings. I was so rich at 13. In retrospect, I cannot believe my parents let me do something so incredibly dangerous! I could have been stuffed into any lunatic’s basement and diced into little bits.

I really hate it when… people are cruel.

 

I’m very good at… singing

The hardest thing I’ve ever done… is write a book and get it published.

I’m frightened of… giving up.

When I’m in the shower I sing… gloriously. (I told you)

My road to publication was… 5.5 years of dreaming, praying, working hard, hoping, learning to receive criticism, applying what I learnt, getting to know my own voice, experimentation, risk, leaps of faith, revision, listening, believing, digging deep, surviving earthquakes, pressing in, taking advice, being thankful, having my eyes opened, counting my blessings, wearing my heart on my sleeve, joy, tears and more prayers…

The last book I read was… Cloud Riders by my Twitter buddy, Nick Cook. A high octane, high altitude, steampunk adventure story about airships that travel dimensions through twisters!

I would love to meet… Peter Jackson (he signed my t-shirt at the Lord of the Rings Return of the King World Premier in Wellington, NZ but that doesn’t count. I want to sit down and have a cuppa and chat).

When I get the munchies I eat… Nelson’s own ‘Proper Crisps’ Best potato chips in the whole world.

I’m currently working on… Book 2 of the trilogy, Stray.

I hope I never… forget what really matters in life: family, friends, faith, hope & love

Life is… discovery.

Spark is published 1st July 2014 by Walker Books.

Read my review.

Find Spark on Goodreads

Rachael's website

Rachael on Twitter

Tuesday, June 24 Diva Booknerd
Wednesday, June 25 The Tales Compendium
Thursday, June 26 Kids' Book Review & Happy Indulgence
Friday, June 27 Fictional Thoughts
Saturday, June 28 Inside My Worlds: R.L.Sharpe & Aussie Reviews
Sunday, June 29 Striking Keys & Thoughts by J
Monday, June 30 Books for a Delicate Eternity & Fiction in Fiction in Fiction
Tuesday, July 1 The Loony Teen Writer & Kkatie Reads

@RachaelCraw | RachaelCraw.com

Author Interview: Jaclyn Moriarty

Jaclyn Moriarty wrote the popular Ashbury/ Brookfield High School series; Feeling Sorry for Celia, Finding Cassie Crazy, The Betrayal of Bindy Mackenzie and Dreaming of Amelia.

Her most recent novel, A Corner of White, was released in October 2012 and is the first in the Colours of Madeleine Trilogy.  

Feeling Sorry for Celia has been a favourite of mine since I first read it in 2000.

Please welcome Jaclyn Moriarty to The Tales Compendium!

I was the kind of kid who... got lost, tripped over, fell over, spilled paint on my clothes, got my arms stuck between fence posts, and was often essentially blind because my hat kept slipping forward over my face.

My mother always told me... that I had to learn to look after myself (emphasis in the original).

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was... to avoid eye contact with the Wells’ twins.

My first big crush was... on a leg. Someone came to school with a photo from a party, and you could see a boy’s leg in the corner: the lower part of his left leg (he must have been wearing shorts) and his foot. His calf muscles were beautifully toned (his left calf muscles, anyway); he had nice, fine, manly leg hair (again, going by the left leg); and his foot had a solid, good-natured, humorous, grounded look. I developed an instant crush. Nobody knew who owned the leg. A lot of people got involved in trying to find out for me, and at one point someone thought his name could be Peter. But that has never confirmed.

I earnt my first pay cheque... when I was seven and my dad paid me $1.50 to write a novel. After that I made a modest fortune polishing chandeliers for the lady who lived down the street. She had arthritis in her fingers, she said, and metal screws in all the joints, so she couldn’t do it herself.

I really hate it when... I get parking tickets, late fees, penalty notices, reprimands from the body corporate for hanging my laundry on the balcony, etc, etc. I’m a Good Girl but often absent-minded and I can’t stand getting into trouble.

I’m very good at... gazing out the window.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done is... read Cases and Materials on Administrative Law. Having a baby was not exactly a walk in the park either, but lord, those cases were boring.

I’m frightened of... snakes. I have a lot of nightmares about snakes.

When I’m in the shower I sing... No I don’t. When I’m driving, I sing.

My road to publication... probably had just the right number of rejection letters although it didn’t seem like it at the time.

The last book I read was... Sam the Sudden by P.G. Wodehouse.

I would love to meet... Thor, the god of thunder.

When I get the munchies I eat... chocolate.

I’m currently working on... the third book in my trilogy about the Kingdom of Cello. The first, A Corner of White, has just been released, and I just finished writing the second, Cracks in the Kingdom.

I hope I never... have to become an administrative lawyer.

Life is... not remotely like a box of chocolates, but is often blindingly brilliant anyway. 

Thankyou for being part of Aussie Author Month, Jaclyn!

Jaclyn on Goodreads

Jaclyn's website

Author Interview: Margaret Clark

Margaret Clark is Aussie YA royalty and she has prolifically written stories for children and young adults for over 25 years. As one of the trailblazers of YA Aussie fiction, she wrote novels such as Care Factor Zero, Living With Leanne, Fat Chance, Famous for Five Minutes, and Back On Track - Diary of a Street Kid.

Her novels delve into all realms of teenage life including friendships, high-school, family life, self esteem and body image concerns, as well as teenage drug and alcohol issues which are based on her experiences when she worked in an alcohol and drug centre. These were the novels that really got me into reading in my early teenage years (roughly 15 years ago, gosh that makes me sound old!) and many of them still have pride of place on my bookshelves. It is an honour to feature Margaret on The Tales Compendium as part of Aussie Author Month.

Please welcome Margaret Clark!

I was the kind of kid who…was always reading books under the desk, in the playground, up a tree, under the house, in the chook shed. I didn't like sports, I loved reading. Due to this I had to get glasses in Grade 6 so I looked a complete nerd and boys called me Four Eyes and Teacher's Pet. My Nana said that 'Sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt you' so I just told them 'Get a life' and kept reading.

My mother always told me… to stop reading or my eyes would fall out. She lied, I still have two eyes.

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was… that I was hopeless at maths and good at, no make that very good, at story writing which was called Composition. I was also very good at reading, spelling, art, history and geography. I learned that true friends never let you down. I dropped balls, I was awful at running, I seldom got sick at school and if I talked too much I got whacked with the blackboard ruler or a strap. That was a shame because I loved talking! I also learned that no one could ever bully me unless I let them, so I didn't. I just yelled loudly, 'You stink of cats wee' or 'You have holes in your knickers' or 'You have head lice' and they ran away. (That was the teachers, the kids were okay)

My first big crush was… Eric. I met him again two years ago and he is bald and has a fat tummy and bad breath so I now DON'T have a crush on him.

I earnt my first pay cheque… at age 16 working in a milk bar and it was one pound two shillings and six pence.

I really hate it when… people are cruel to animals and kids, when people don't stand up in buses and trains for old ladies (me), when the TV stations change the programs and my fav is gone. When people ring the doorbell and try to sell me electricity, when the cats scratch my furniture. When I buy a meat pie and it's cold in the middle, when people don't listen about the ozone layer, when people light fires on fireban days, when people indicate they are going to turn left in their cars then turn right, when the dentist says I have to have seven fillings ...

I’m very good at… griping about …people who are cruel to animals and kids, people who don't stand up in buses and trains for old ladies (me), TV stations changing the programs and my fav is gone. When people ring the bell and try to sell me electricity, when the cats scratch my furniture. etc same old, same old. I am also very good with dogs, the garden, and people older than me, and little kids and teenager/young adults. I am NOT good at being patient!

The hardest thing I’ve ever done… is have a baby, all that pushing and yelling but worth it in the end

I’m frightened of… having another baby but that's unlikely as I am age 60 plus plus plus.

When I’m in the shower I sing… 'I'm Singing in the Shower, I'm singing in the shower, what a glorious feeling I'm happy just right now,'

My road to publication was… bumpy cos I was on a bus talking to a lady and when I found out she was a publisher at Penguin books I said I wanted to write a book so she groaned then said, 'Send me the manuscript when you're done'. So I did and she published my first book 'Pugwall.'

The last book I read was…'Peeking Duck' by Krista Bell and Sally Rippin. I read it last night to my four year old grand daughter Bonnie.

I would love to meet…Steven Spielberg because he makes fantastic movies.

When I get the munchies I eat… everything except tripe, liver, chillis, hot spices and worms. I love chocolate, cashew nuts, cheese, jelly babies and teeth and milkbottle lollies, popcorn and grapes.

I’m currently working on… a book for adults because they need to laugh.

I hope I never… die

Life is… exciting if you look for interesting stuff and also give thanks for five things everyday, as simple as,'Thanks for not letting me run out of toilet paper' or 'Thanks for the sunrise today' and 'Thanks for my new rose' and 'Thanks for my computer working when it didn't yesterday.' and 'Thanks for me being healthy.' and 'Thanks for Jessica asking me to answer these questions.'

Thankyou for being part of Aussie Author Month, Margaret!

Margaret on Goodreads

Margaret's website

Author Interview: AJ Betts

Originally from Queensland, Aussie YA author Amanda (AJ) Betts has lived in Perth for the last eight years and is avid cyclist. She has written two novels which means I frequently bump into her at writers events around Perth. ShutterSpeed (2008), and Wavelength (2010), which was shortlisted for the West Australian Premier's Prize in 2011, are both published by Fremantle Press. Amanda won the Text Prize in 2012 for her new novel, Zac and Mia, which will be published August 2013.

Please welcome Amanda (AJ) Betts!

I was the kind of kid who... would spend hours in the garden looking for insects.  

My mother always told me... to wear undies.

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was... don't try to please everyone (actually, I'm still learning that one...)

My first big crush was... shame, I can't say! He was sweet and brought me unexpected gifts.  

I earnt my first pay cheque... waitressing at my parents' cafe on school holidays.

I really hate it when... a driver abuses while I'm cycling.

I’m very good at… coming up with excuses.  

I’m frightened of… regret.

When I’m in the shower I sing… loudly! And brilliantly. Apologies to the neighbours.  

My road to publication was… scenic and winding, with lots of interesting foliage. I enjoyed the ride.

The last book I read was… 'The Big Picture' by David Suzuki.

I would love to meet… someone from the future.  

When I get the munchies I eat… anything that makes a satisfying crunch sound.

I’m currently working on… a speculative fiction set 300 years in the future off the coast of Tasmania.

I hope I never… give up.

Life is… a comedy. A surprise. A joy. 

Thanks for being a part of Aussie Author Month, Amanda!

Amanda on Goodreads

Amanda's website

My review of ShutterSpeed

My review of Wavelength

Author Interview: Jessica Davidson

Today on The Tales Compendium I have YA author Jessica Davidson stopping by for a chat as part of my Aussie Author Month. Jessica is the author of What Does Blue Feel Like, which led her to win the Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelist Award in 2008. Last year her second novel, Everything Left Unsaid, was published and turned out to be one of my favourite books from 2012. 

"Everything Left Unsaid beautifully shows the pain and confusion two people can feel when faced with losing the other through no fault of their own. This is an exceptional read that I highly recommend, although make sure you have a box of tissues within reach."

(From my review)

Here is your chance to get to know Jessica Davidson!

I was the kind of kid who… could be found curled up under the blankets with a book and a torch, long after I was supposed to be asleep.

My mother always told me… that I wasn't allowed to leave the house until I had eaten breakfast. (I'm not a morning person!).

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was… that people are just people. They shouldn't make you nervous.

My first big crush was… a boy in my class at primary school. It passed.

I earnt my first pay cheque… waitressing at a Chinese restaurant for $10 an hour.

I really hate it when… I really hate being late! To the point that I'll arrive ridiculously early to important appointments, and then have to sit around waiting.

I’m very good at… cooking. The last birthday cake I made required a glue gun. Yes. A glue gun. (It was a castle cake and the turrets and towers had to be glued together in order to be transported).

The hardest thing I’ve ever done… well, one of the hardest things I've ever done was getting Everything Left Unsaid finished, and the final edits done- I was pregnant with my third child and very, very sick with hyperemesis (morning sickness so severe I couldn't keep anything down), while parenting my two other small children. There was a period of time just after my third child was born where I was drinking energy drinks at 10pm to try and stay awake.

I’m frightened of… the possibility that the piece of seaweed touching my leg in the ocean is actually a shark. And crows, although I'm not exactly sure why. 

When I’m in the shower I sing… whatever happens to be in my mind at the time! 

My road to publication was… when I was at university, I'd procrastinate from writing my assignments by writing what ended up being my first book, What Does Blue Feel Like. I was very lucky- six weeks after I'd submitted it to PanMacmillan, I was offered a publishing contract. I started writing Everything Left Unsaid in 2007- but it took a little longer to finish than expected.

The last book I read was… actually a re-read, for me- it was Carrie, by Stephen King. I'm also flicking through a very large book of Vintage Grimm fairy tales at the moment.

I would love to meet… David Levithan, I think he's an amazing author. 

When I get the munchies I eat… it really depends on my mood! Mushrooms on toast are always a favourite standby- though there seems to be a large number of chocolate-chip pancakes made in this house.

I’m currently working on… a rough draft that is so terrible it's only seen the inside of my computer! I currently want to delete the lot, but I can't bring myself to, so I suppose I'll have to keep at it.

I hope I never… stop asking questions, and noticing things. Writing the kind of stories that feel real, even though you know they're not. 

Life is… imperfect, and temporary. You are a perishable item- so it's important to live accordingly, being kinder than necessary. 

Thankyou so much for participating in Aussie Author Month, Jessica! 

Jessica on Twitter: @JessicaDavidsn

My review of Everything Left Unsaid

Everything Left Unsaid on Goodreads

What Does Blue Feel Like? on Goodreads

Author Interview: Deb Fitzpatrick

Deb Fitzpatrick is a West Australian author who I have had the pleasure of meeting a number of times. Her debut novel, 90 Packets of Instant Noodles, is a refreshing story about 16-year-old Joel, who is sent to live in a bush shack for 90 days after making some poor life choices. It is a story about peer pressure, but also about how sometimes, it's not too late to change your ways.

90 Packets was named a Notable Book for Older Readers by the Children’s Book Council of Australia in 2011, as was her second novel, Have Your Seen Ally Queen? in 2012. Deb's third book, The Amazing Spencer Gray, is her first middle grade story and will be out May 2013.

Please welcome Deb Fitzpatrick to The Tales Compendium for Aussie Author Month!

I was the kind of kid who… talked in class so much I was often told off. I was also the kind of kid whose hand went up hard and fast to be the first to answer the teacher's questions. Also the kind of kid who just missed out on the netball team – every time.
 

My mother always told me… "Money doesn't make you happy."
 

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was… that I could write.

My first big crush was… on the fish 'n' chips guy in Kalbarri when I was about 14. I think I wrote him a love letter when I got home to Perth. Poor guy.

I earnt my first pay cheque… at my local newsagency, where I worked on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings in high school. It was a family business and they really looked after me.

I really hate it when… There are so many ways I could finish this sentence it disturbs me! But I'll just choose one: when people tailgate. It's an accident waiting to happen, for nothing.

I’m very good at… talking too much.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done… was spend four years living in a shack with no phone and no internet connection in the cloud forest in Costa Rica while my husband did his PhD research there. The first two years nearly killed me; the last two made me.
 

I’m frightened of… someone doing something bad to one of my kids.
 

When I’m in the shower I sing… a lot. My kids beg me to stop.
 

My road to publication was… being shortlisted for the 2006 TAG Hungerford Award. I didn't win, but it opened up so many doors for me. I'm forever grateful.
 

The last book I read was… "The House of Fiction" by Susan Swingler, about Elizabeth Jolley's family.
 

I would love to meet… Tim Winton, and have a bottle of good wine with him over a very long chat.
 

When I get the munchies I eat… cheese and biscuits.
 

I’m currently working on… a YA novel.
 

I hope I never… become a snob, or get too big for my boots, or lose my mind, or stop writing.

Life is… incredible – and scary, if you think about it for too long. And way, way too short.

Thankyou so much for being part of Aussie Author Month, Deb!

Deb's Website

Deb on Goodreads

My review of 90 Packets of Instant Noodles

My review of Have You Seen Ally Queen?

Author Interview: Rhiannon Hart

Today on The Tales Compendium I would like to welcome Rhiannon Hart, author of the Lharmell series. As part of my Aussie Author Month, I have a bunch of Aussie YA authors answering some questions over the next few weeks.

Rhiannon has written Blood Song, Blood Storm, and a short story from Rodden's perspective called The Blue-Eyed Phantom: Blood Song 0.5 which is due for release soon. UK and US followers, paperback editions of Blood Song and Blood Storm will be available from May 10th.

"Blood Song is the story of a feisty heroine with loyal animals, an infuriating but intriguing boy, a mysterious land and frightful creatures. It has action, adventure, tension and mystery, with a little bit of romance on the side. Utterly captivating!"

(From my review)

Please welcome Rhiannon Hart!

I was the kind of kid who… took a long time to find herself.

My mother always told me… "get a career before you get married". Feminism was drummed into me from the cradle.

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was… when I left, and found that university was much much much more fun.

My first big crush was… Jareth the Goblin King.

I earnt my first pay cheque… harvesting lavender.

I really hate it when… the teacher used to say "Everyone get into groups and ..." (see introvert below)

I’m very good at… staying positive.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done… Every time I speak on stage. I was a dancer so I'm used to being on the stage. But just not opening my mouth on it.

I’m frightened of… not having enough time.

When I’m in the shower I sing… Well, lately it's been George Michael's Amazing and The Ruler of the Queen's Navy from HMS Pinafore.

My road to publication was… anxious and sleepless. Having an agent on the other side of the world means waking up at all hours to check your email.

The last book I read was… Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain. (I'm technically an extrovert but I have strong introvert characteristics that come in handy for a writer.)

I would love to meet… up with all my friends. I haven't seen them in two months since I moved to London and I miss them!

When I get the munchies I eat… cheese and crackers. Seriously, cheese. Amaze.

I’m currently working on… an awesome book I can't talk about!! (Not book three, it's a wee while longer for that.)

I hope I never… get too scared to write. 

Life is… weird. It really is. Weird fantastic, weird scary and all the wonderful shades of weird.

Thankyou, Rhiannon, for being a part of Aussie Authors Month!

Blood Song on Goodreads

Blood Storm on Goodreads

Rhiannon's Blog

Rhiannon's Twitter

My review of Blood Song

My review of Blood Storm  

Author Interview: Katie McGarry

Katie McGarry, author of Pushing the Limits

Debut author Katie McGarry burst onto the YA scene in July with her amazing novel, Pushing the Limits. Readers were instantly pulled into the devastating lives of Echo and Noah as they strived to find 'normal', something they both desperately wanted. We fell in love with them and they are arguably one of our favourite YA couples this year.

My Review In A Nutshell:

Pushing the Limits had me staying up until the early hours just to read a bit more of Noah and Echo’s story. First of all, the chemistry between the two… Yeesh! It was fiery, highly charged and fever inducing and totally had me blushing at some points. But, it is an emotional roller-coaster as two lost, lonely and broken people attempt to rebuild their destroyed lives. Does that  sound  too depressing? Never fear, you will fall in love with this book and the characters within.

You can read the rest of my Pushing the Limits review here.

For those of you who want questions about Noah and Echo answered, Katie answers a fan question on her blog each week.

For those wanting to know what Katie plans to write next, she will be writing a companion novel to Pushing the Limits, featuring Beth. This will be called Dare You To and will be released in 2013.

I would like to welcome Katie to The Tales Compendium and thank her for answering a few questions about herself.

********************

I was the kind of kid who... had a million make-believe friends and I went on make-believe fabulous adventures with them. I was a storyteller before I knew what a storyteller was.

My mother always told me... that you’re lucky if you can count on your hand the number of true friends you have—those people who will stick by you no matter what.

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was... to stick by your friends, regardless of other peoples’ opinions of them.

My first big crush was... in first grade. I didn’t know his name so I nicknamed him Ronald McDonald. He never corrected me when I called him that and when I gave him my phone number he called.

I earnt my first pay cheque... babysitting in middle school.

I really hate it when... my characters won’t talk to me. That leads to writer’s block.

I’m very good at... remembering lyrics to songs.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done is... say goodbye to my best friend. She died when we were twenty.

I’m frightened of... cemeteries.

When I’m in the shower I sing… um, lately? Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5.

The last book I read was... Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter. I LOVED it. Go buy it. Now.

I would love to meet... S.E. Hinton. The Outsiders was my favorite book when I was a teenager.

When I get the munchies I eat... cheddar flavored rice cakes.

I hope I never... stop laughing at myself.

Life is... good today.

Preloved Blog Tour - Interview with Shirley Marr and Giveaway

Today I have the lovely Shirley Marr stopping by as part of her Preloved Blog Tour! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Preloved the blurb says...

If you had a second chance at love, would you do it all over again?

Amy has enough to deal with for one lifetime. A superstitious Chinese mother. A best friend whose mood changes as dramatically as her hair colour. A reputation for being strange. The last thing she needs is to be haunted by someone only she can see.

Logan is a ghost from the Eighties. He could be dangerous. He's certainly annoying.

He might also be Amy's dream boy.

**************************************************************************

I've just finished reading Preloved so I haven't had a chance to review it yet but, I loved it! Like Amy, I have often felt I have grown up in the wrong decade, although my reasoning is more to do with music than the fashion! Stay tuned for a review next week.

In the meantime, Shirley has answered some questions to help us get to know the real Shirley Marr!

I was the kind of kid who…
was always lost in her own world. Sitting up in trees and imagining stories. I remember me and my sister lying in our white walled bedroom and I would describe to her this magical land we were in instead.

My mother always told me…
never to trust smart, witty and good looking boys. If they are too good to be true, they are probably demons. Or ghosts. Or even worse - your imagination.

The biggest lesson I learnt at school was…
I could be both a Goth and also sit at the front of the class (because I liked learning) and not get struck down by the Stereotype Lightning God. So I go through life these days just being generally weird, and being anything I want to be.
<--------- Teenage Goth Princess Shirley


My first big crush was…
David Bowie. Goblin King. Pants magic pants. How could I resist?

I earnt my first pay cheque…
Being an accountant. I am still earning my pay cheques this way these days! Writer Shirley is poor and lives on love and raindrops.

I really hate it when…
I'm reading a book on public transport and I start to cry.

I’m very good at…
baking. I had to fold my cupcake catering side-business when I became an author because I couldn't hold down two hobbies. I'm always going to kinda regret I never got my own little baking van. --------> Pacman cupcakes for an 80's inspired party.



The hardest thing I’ve ever done…
is writing novels. I put all my soul into it. Both Fury and Preloved feel like my horcruxes.

I’m frightened of…
ghosts

When I’m in the shower I sing…
Naked and Sacred (I guess it's fitting?) by Chynna Phillips. I'm a diehard 90's teen. It's also my Karaoke song!

The last book I read was…
On The Jellicoe Road By Melina Marchetta. She demonstrates why the Aussie YA crown belongs to her with this book.

I would love to meet…
Every fictional character I have ever had a crush on.

When I get the munchies I eat…
anything sweet. if I am desperate, I make this Five Minute Mug Cake. I eat it with guilty pleasure and then pretend nothing happened.

I hope I never…
have to cry again.

Life is…
too short. Read and re-imagine a better world. Write a novel and live forever.

Thank you Jess for having me on your lovely blog today. Tomorrow I will be heading over to My Girl Friday to talk about the awesome 80s, so please join me then!

~Giveaway~

Thanks to Walker Books, I have a copy of Preloved to give away! To enter, please leave your first name, email address and answer to the following question, in the comments below. Entries close 30th April 2012 AWST and winners will be drawn using random.org.

Now to stick with our 80's theme and because I love 80's music...
What is your favourite song from the 80's?