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Friday, October 19, 2012

Interview with Darynda Jones + Giveaway

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Darynda Jones was kind enough to stop by and let me interview her today as part of the Death and the Girl Next Door blog tour! I love her adult series, so I was really excited to have the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Check out the interview below!

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1. What books/authors inspired you to write?

Sooo many! The first was probably Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I knew I wanted to write romance the moment I read her. And Stephen King was a huge influence. I read a short story of his in junior high school and was blown away. I knew I wanted to do what he did.

2. I adore your Charley Davidson series, but I'm curious as to what made you want to make the transition from writing adult literature to young adult literature?

Actually, I wrote YA long before anything else, since way back when I was a young adult, in fact, and my love for the genre has never waned. When I started the first in the Darklight trilogy years ago, I knew I wanted to work on another YA project and I wanted it to be paranormal, so I just asked myself, if I were still in high school, who would be the last person I'd expect to see in algebra? Somewhere on that list was the Angel of Death.

But the fun part was figuring out WHY he was there. *insert evil laugh*

3. What proved to be the hardest thing about making the transition from adult literature to young adult literature?

Since I wrote it first, not a lot about it was hard. Writing is hard period. Don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise, but the transition was a breeze. What I'm finding, though, is much of my "Charley" audience is expecting the same thing in the YA. It's hard to switch genres on your readers. Some will follow you anywhere. Some will wallow in disappointment until your next 'regular' book comes out. But I expected that so it was no surprise.

4. If you can only describe Death and the Girl Next Door in five words, what words would you use?

Death and secrets change everything.

5. How did you come up with Lorelei's story and such a unique plot?

Wow, not sure. It's just kind of what I do and I was specifically going for something a little different. Doing what's been done a thousand times isn't really my style. I try to be just different enough to get noticed without being so different nobody gets me. It's a fine line.

6. Can you see yourself in Lorelei?

Gosh, I had to think about that one, and I have to say, not really. I think the only thing we have in common is our lack of popularity in high school. LOL. Lorelei is braver than I would ever be. She is tenacious and kind. I love her overall qualities.

Thank you so much for stopping by Darynda!

Thank you for having me! I'm thrilled to be visiting you! Hugs! ~D~

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Darynda Jones Death and the Girl Next DoorDarynda Jones, author of The New York Times bestselling series that began with First Grave on the Right, brings us Death and the Girl Next Door, a thrilling Young Adult novel garnering high praise and early buzz from major authors

Ten years ago, Lorelei's parents disappeared without a trace.  Raised by her grandparents and leaning on the support of her best friends, Lorelei is finally beginning to accept the fact that her parents are never coming home.  For Lorelei, life goes on.

High school is not quite as painful as she thinks it will be, and things are as normal as they can be.  Until the day the school's designated loner, Cameron Lusk, begins to stalk her, turning up where she least expects it,  standing outside her house in the dark, night after night. Things get even more complicated when a new guy—terrifying, tough, sexy Jared Kovach—comes to school.  Cameron and Jared instantly despise each other and Lorelei seems to be the reason for their animosity.  What does Jared know about her parents?  Why does Cameron tell Jared he can't have Lorelei?  And what will any of them do when Death comes knocking for real?  Thrilling, sassy, sexy, and inventive, Darynda Jones's first foray into the world of teens will leave readers eager for the next installment.

"Unique, witty, and touching—I LOVED THIS BOOK!" —P.C. Cast, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Night Series

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

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giveaway

Darynda Jones Blog Tours is graciously offering one (1) copy of DEATH AND THE GIRL NEXT DOOR to a lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway, obey the Rafflecopter!

US/Canada only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lili

I'm a 18 year old from a small town in New Jersey that's a newcomer to the book blogging world. Because I am an incoming senior in high school the closest thing that I have to a job is being a volunteer at the town library, so I spend most of my time reading and persuading my parents to let me buy more books!

Follow Lili on: Lili's Reflections | Twitter

26 People left their mark' :

  1. Well when I was a teen I didn't have many paranormal teen reads at all. Now I there's a ton! There are sections at the bookstore specifically for paranormal YA. And I still love reading them! A lot of the YAs I read have heroines that remind me of me when I was in high school! I love that kind of connection!

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  2. I'm listening to First Grave On The Right right now. It's my first book by Darynda and I'm really enjoyed it. I'm kicking myself for not starting this series sooner! Maybe I'll check out her YA series too...

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  3. I loved this book! I really like Lorelei, but I love the scenes with Cameron and Jared! They have such smart mouths!

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  4. LOVE LOVE LOVED this book! Can't wait for the next one to see where Darynda goes with it!!

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  5. Death and the Girl Next Door is a terrific start to a new series! I love Darynda's writing and am one of the readers who will follow her anywhere!

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  6. I really enjoyed this book and now that it is done the waiting start's which SUCK'S.

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  7. I really loved this first book in this series! I never got into a lot of YA series until recently and this is definitly one i will be rereading over and over! Cant wait for the second book!

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  8. Love all Darynda's books! Eagerly awaiting Fourth Grave right now!

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  9. Love all of Darynda's books and counting down the days to 4th grave!

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  10. Darynda's book sounds great. I like YA because the stories are interesting and makes me think about my teen years. :)

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  11. thanks for the giveaway

    kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Thank you so much for having me, Tynga!!! And thanks, everyone, for stopping by. Group hug!
    ~D~

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  13. I haven't tried many but if this book is anything like her Charley Davidson series, then it's great

    diane dot sadler at gmail dot com

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  14. They just seem to be a lighter read and sometimes thats exactly what you need.

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  15. I love when YA books take place in high school. I don't know why. So it's the HS aspect that I like about YA

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  16. Thanks for the giveaway! I enjoy YA books because they are cleaner and faster to devour.

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  17. Great interview! I am currently reading this book and enjoying it. It's interesting about Darynda mentioning the genre switch and how different it is for the fans of her adult series. I have to say that I took a little bit longer than expected to start this book because I had to kind of get myself ready for it. I knew that it was going to be different than the Charley Davidson series, which I LOVE, and I didn't want to start reading it and just keep comparing it. While there are some similarities Darynda does a great job at keeping it different and very interesting. Also, after the first chapter I felt at home because the writing is witty and hilarious and throughout the book I have found myself laughing out loud at various different things her characters say. While it is a different book and series, it's still all Darynda! :)

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  18. This sounds so good would love to read it. I like reading YA series always look forward to the next book. Thank you for the interview and for the great giveaway!

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  19. I love how YA books are fun to read, great romances and takes place in high schools, Thanks for the giveaway!
    christiane_dude@hotmail.com

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  20. I love the romance and reading about their first experiences!

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  21. My favorite thing about YA books is that there is such a wide array of books to choose from, one day you could read contemporary, then dystopian, then paranormal and all of the books would still be YA! I also may be a bit biased but I think YA is one of the best communities on the web!

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  22. I think I love them so much because they didn't have YA books like they do now when I was younger. (Okay, now I feel old...) Haha!

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  23. Sounds like a good book! I love YA books because it's not as "heavy" as normal adult and it still has some innocence in it. Not that I don't like adult books! :)

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  24. I love YA because they generally focus on the storyline and development of the characters. At the same time they have something that you can relate to.

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  25. I love YA because it concentrates on supernatural and somehow, still seems to be light and lovely. I personally, ADORE contemporary YA, since it's the most realistic, but the lightest.

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  26. I can't wait to read Death and the Girl Next Door! I love YA because it's a melting pot of so many different genre's. It makes it more intersting than just strictly sticking to one.

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