FFBC: Welcome to the club, Internet Famous by Danika Stone

Internet Famous
by Danika Stone
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: June 6, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

High school senior and internet sensation Madison Nakama seems to have it all: a happy family, good grades, and a massive online following for her pop-culture blog. But when her mother suddenly abandons the family, Madi finds herself struggling to keep up with all of her commitments. Fandom to the rescue! As her online fans band together to help, an online/offline flirtation sparks with Laurent, a French exchange student. Their internet romance—played out in the comments section of her MadLibs blog—attracts the attention of an internet troll who threatens the separation of Madi’s real and online personas. With her carefully constructed life unraveling, Madi must uncover the hacker’s identity before he can do any more damage, or risk losing the people she loves the most… Laurent included.

Hello Danika! We are super excited for INTERNET FAMOUS and to have you in our FFBC tours. 

Favorite Book?

It’s always changing, but mostly, it’s whatever I’m currently writing. If I had to choose a recent book, it’s probably The Girl from Everywhere, by Heidi Heilig.

Favorite TV show?

Currently, I’m obsessed with Better Call Saul, Game of Thrones, and The 100. Again, my faves are always changing!

Favorite movie?

I LOVED last year’s The Arrival. But I need to warn you that it’s a tear-jerker. Wow! Wasn’t expecting that from a scifi movie, but that’s what it is.

Favorite Song?

Recently, I’ve had Lorde’s “Green Light” playing on repeat. I absolutely LOVE her voice!

Favorite Food?

Salad, hands down.

Name 3 fictional places you would move to in a heartbeat.

I’d move full-time to Waterton, the small town in the mountains where I grew up. I’d also happily move to Banff (another small town in the Canadian Rockies) or Canmore (you guessed it… another mountain town!)

What were your favorite books growing up? (Michelle: I was a Fear Street girl!)

The first book I remember having read to me was Gulliver’s Travels. My dad read it to me. I also loved the entire Beatrix Potter series, which I read myself! Squirrel Nutkin was one I loved!

Favorite Quote?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

What are your fandoms?

It’s whatever I’m binge-watching at the moment, which means I’m reading The 100 fanfic obsessively these days! I also ship Jaime / Brienne (GOT) more than anyone. Wow. They just… 

*stares happily off into space*

Sorry. What was the question again?

Who is your favorite fictional boyfriend (or girlfriend)?

If I’m writing a character, I fall in love with them. I spend ALL my time thinking of them and what they like and do. When I was writing Internet Famous, it was definitely Laurent. And most recently, it’s a character named Haylee from a super-secret YA project I’ve been working on! (Details on that will be coming SOON.)

Could you tell our Book Addicts a little bit about INTERNET FAMOUS?

Internet Famous is the story of Madi Nakama, a world-famous teen blogger. While her internet-fame is a rising star, she has difficulty with face-to-face interactions… especially romantic ones! This all changes when she meets a super-cute (nerdy) French Exchange student with a comic-book fixation. While their romance explodes online, she also catches the attention of a troll. Madi and her online circle of friends must figure out who it is and stop him before the troll damages her real life reputation and drives her and Laurent apart.

I love retro TV/Movies/Books, but since your book deals with modern technology— what TV shows/Movies/Books would you love to see updated with cell phones/internet/social media?

Okay – as bizarre as it sounds, the whole Oregon Trail video game would make an AWESOME phone app! I’d totally play it. I also would love to see Some Kind of Wonderful remade in modern day. I love that movie!

Besides reading, writing, and blogging, I love fashion!! How would you describe Madi’s style?

Madi’s a fandom-focused teen so her clothes reflect that. She lives in flip-flops, fandom tees and jeans. She loves pops of bright colors, and her accessories are definitely where you see that.

How did you come up with the story? Did you find inspiration in any other story/movie/show and how has this affected your writing?

I had met Mark Oshiro from Mark Does Stuff – a really AMAZING blogger – many years back. Mark is so kind and outgoing with his fans. He really makes them feel part of his blogging! 

I took the idea of a truly internet-famous person and expanded that into a character: Madi. Once I had that, I started thinking about what everyone online has experienced at one time or another… Trolls / bullying. The plot spun out from there!

Tell us your favorite quote from INTERNET FAMOUS.

“Bullies are bullies. It doesn’t matter to them why.”

While Internet Famous is a YA romance, it also delves into the serious topic of bullying. I love this particular line because it’s true. There’s no reason other than the bully WANTS to bully their victim. The want to hurt others. In our society, victim-blaming has to stop before the real issue can be addressed.

Is there a specific scene that you had the most fun to write? Or which part was the most difficult to get through?

I loved writing about Laurent and Madi coming through the woods and hearing something in the bushes. Flipping the expectations – Laurent as the damsel in distress and Madi as the hero – was SO much fun to write! Ha ha!

If you had to pick one song to be the Theme Song for INTERNET FAMOUS– Which one would you pick?

I think a great one would be “New Slang” by The Shins. First off, it’s an old song and much of Internet Famous has to do with rewatches from the 80s and 90s. Also the book deals with the unique online language that populates the internet and what it’s like to try to communicate in that forum. Lastly, I just love the moodiness of the song!

Are there any recommendations you could give your readers to be in the “perfect mood” to read INTERNET FAMOUS(specific music, snacks…)? 

Since Internet Famous is all about Madi’s rewatches, you need to choose a perfect movie – hopefully one from the 80s – and cuddle up and do a rewatch before you begin. Bonus points if it includes Molly Ringwad. Have popcorn and candy, and then, when the movie ends, pick up the book and start reading. You’ll be set!

What’s next for you? 

I have a new YA book from Swoon called Sip Sip Bang Bang! It’s a fun, action-packed contemporary. I can’t WAIT to share it with everyone! I also have a sequel coming for my contemporary mystery series. This new book, called The Dark Divide is being published by Stonehouse (Canada.)

Thank you so much for everything, Danika!

Thank you so much for having me. I had a blast!

Follow the Internet Famous by Danika Stone Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both teens (All the Feels and Internet Famous) adults (Edge of Wild and Intaglio). When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada.

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My Bad Romance & Tips to avoid a Bad Romance

Today, I am participating in the Bad Romance blog tour organised by Fierce Reads to promote Heather Demetrios' new book.

I did not have an abusive relationship whatsoever, but I did suffer from a bad romance. I spent 8 years with my ex-boyfriend and the last 6 years of my relationship I was not happy. I use to think that I was the one to blame. You see, I am Spanish and I can sometimes be compared to Gloria from Modern Family. So I have a quite strong character and it can be a lot to handle. However, being in a relationship means that there are two people sharing and caring and contributing to the partnership in equal parts. When you don't, is because there's something broken.

Therefore, I had some sort of blame in that relationship. I was comfortable with what I had and I was afraid to be alone since I had been in a relationship with the same person since I was seventeen. I did not know how to live on my own. It was easy to rely on someone that always agreed to what I wanted to do. Even banal actions such as going to the cinema were unthinkable when I thought about being alone. And I kept asking the same questions: How would I do it without him and Who am I as a person without him? Everyone knew me because of him and as a part of him. So that left me alone and friendless. Believe, it is the greatest terrifying feeling ever.

But when you are left behind, forgotten and unloved, you don't have a chance. You need to survive and try to crawl out of the hole you created for yourself. And that's exactly what I did. I met new friends which are now my best friends, I started doing activities I had never done with him (even boxing!) and I moved out of my parents' house and to another country! I had the best summer of my life with my friends and I found myself. I learn how to love me and how to appreciate small things. I became a strong independent woman and I have to thank him for giving me the chance at being happy again. Merely, because I was so scared and so trapped that I would have never left him if he had not left me. And I am not being the stereotypical woman who says this as a resentment for what happened. I am honestly thankful for giving me those years with me and for letting me go when he knew it was over and it was pointless to continue. Even though, I was terrified of terminating what I considered my whole world.

My advice? If you are not happy, it is a bad romance. Do not settle for something or someone less than what you deserve just because you are scared of the unknown or to be alone. Sometimes being alone can help you discover yourself, you can meet amazing people and you'll have thousands of adventures and experiences you one day will explain to your kids and grandchildren. Moreover, you can meet the person that was meant for you all along. Who knows?

We all want to fall in love, find our soul mate and, if not, find the closest thing to our book boyfriend(s). However, even though I suffer the risk of becoming a cliche, sometimes love is not enough.

1) Be honest. In order for a relationship to work and to be healthy, you need to be able to talk to that special person without any barriers. You need to be comfortable enough to talk about any topic and knowing it's going to be okay because the person on the other end is just going to be there to support you.

2) Trust. If there's no trust in a relationship, is there really anything going on there? And it works both ways. You also need to be comfortable enough to trust the person you are with. If you do not, maybe there's a problem.

3) Always On My Mind. I believe that if you fell in love and it's a good relationship, that special person it's always on your mind. From small gestures like going to the supermarket and buying something special for him/her just because to having a conversation with your friends and not being able to talk about anything else (well, almost!).

4) Respect. We are all humans, we make mistakes, we can argue and drive each other mad up to a point. But there's always that fine line called respect that no one should surpass and it should always be respected in order to have no regrets and don't hold a grudge for a comment said later on. 

5) Talk. I do not believe that bottling everything up and keep it inside it's a good thing. If you are having a bad day? Talk with someone. If something is bothering you? Talk. If there's something in your mind? Talk. Talk. Talk. You can even yell if given the occasion. Sometimes, getting all out is better than keeping it all in. Because believe me, one day you will pop and it's going to get nasty.

6) YOLO. I apologise for the silly acronym, but sometimes it is useful. If you are in a relationship, let things flow. Do not pressure anything, do not overthink everything... Just relax and enjoy. If it's meant to work, everything will happen accordingly.

7) Be comfortable. If you trust someone enough to love them, you are comfortable to the point of being able to show all your vulnerabilities to that person. Because that person is going to cherish even the saddest and darkest side of you.

Bad Romance
by Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Release Date: June 13th 2017

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director—anything but scared and alone.

Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it's too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she's unable to escape. 

Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness—and emerging into the light again.

Heather Demetrios is the author of the critically acclaimed YA novel Something Real. When she's not traipsing around the world or spending time in imaginary places, she lives with her husband in New York City. Originally from Los Angeles, Heather is part of the Summer 2014 Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA class at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a recipient of the Susan P. Bloom PEN New England Discovery Award forSomething Real.

FFBC: Welcome to the club, The Unlikelies by Carrie Firestone

The Unlikelies
by Carrie Firestone
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: June 6th 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Synopsis:

Five teens embark on a summer of vigilante good samaritanism in a novel that's part The Breakfast Club, part The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and utterly captivating.

Rising high school senior Sadie is bracing herself for a long, lonely, and boring summer. But things take an unexpected turn when she steps in to help rescue a baby in distress and a video of her good deed goes viral.

Suddenly internet-famous, Sadie's summer changes for the better when she's introduced to other "hometown heroes." These five very different teens form an unlikely alliance to secretly right local wrongs, but when they try to help a heroin-using friend, they get in over their heads and discover that there might be truth in the saying "no good deed goes unpunished." Can Sadie and her new friends make it through the summer with their friendships--and anonymity--intact?

This rich and thought-provoking novel takes on timely issues and timeless experiences with a winning combination of romance, humor, and wisdom.

Hi Carrie!! We’re so excited to have your book in our FFBC Tours, and can’t wait to ask you a couple of questions about your new book THE UNLIKELIES!!

Hi! Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Favorite Book? 

There are so many! The best book I’ve read this month was STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel. I loved the premise and the way the lives of the characters intertwined.

Favorite TV show? 

Game of Thrones (Shame. Shame. Shame.)

Favorite movie? 

The Goonies

Favorite Song? 

Imagine by John Lennon

Favorite Food? 

Definitely popcorn

Name 3 fictional places you would move to in a heartbeat. 

The Boxcar (from the Boxcar Children); The Chocolate Factory (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory); The House (Little House on the Prairie)

What were your favorite books growing up? 

(I was a Fear Street girl!) Oooh. I would have loved those books, but I’m old so I was all about The Boxcar Children books, MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, all the Judy Blume books, and all the Beverly Cleary books.

Favorite Quote? 

“Human beings are more alike than unalike, and what is true anywhere is true everywhere…” –Maya Angelou (Passports to Understanding)

What do you find yourself “Fangirling” over? 

If fangirling is what I think it is, I fangirled twice in my life. The first was when I met John F. Kennedy Jr. in the hallway of the school where I was teaching in NYC. The other time was when I met Barack Obama at a fundraiser. I said, “Welcome to Connecticut, Senator Obama. We love you.” He said, “Thank you. I love you, too!”

What were your 3 favorite books from the last year? 

Other than STATION ELEVEN, I loved THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas, an awesome fantasy book called HEART BLADE by Juliana Spink Mills and WE ARE OKAY by Nina LaCour.

Could you tell our Book Addicts a little bit about THE UNLIKELIES? 

THE UNLIKELIES is about a group of teens who meet at a luncheon where they are honored for being local heroes. They begin to hang out and end up fighting cyber trolls, real life bullies, and drug dealers, all while trying to honor an elderly man’s dying wish. 

What 3 hashtags would you most associate with your book? (Could be a word or phrase or anything that would instantly make you think of THE UNLIKELIES.)

#UnlikelyRevolution #UnlikelyHero #DoSomethingNoble (and I’ll add one more #Lizard)

Besides reading, writing, and blogging, I love fashion!! What would Sadie wear on a typical summer day? 

Great question! She’s very casual: denim shorts, her favorite Leprechaun t-shirt, and flip flops!

How did you come up with the story? Did you find inspiration in any other story/movie/show and how has this affected your writing? 

It’s funny because I see a little bit of The Goonies in this book. And I was definitely thinking about the revolution songs of The Beatles as I wrote. But I was most inspired by the “unlikely heroes” I have encountered in my life. I wanted to show that do-gooders can be cool and interesting and that while “no good deed goes unpunished,” it’s so important to keeping trying to do good things in this jaded world.

Tell us your favorite quote from THE UNLIKELIES. 

This is totally random, but I like when Alice says, “Hello, little boy. Would you like some sassafras?”

Is there a specific scene that you had the most fun to write? Or which part was the most difficult to get through? 

I loved writing the Speakeasy scene because I would have hung out at Speakeasy all the time. The difficult scenes were the ones that dealt with the dark world of drugs and the pain that comes from watching someone you love suffer from addiction.

If you had to pick one song to be the Theme Song for THE UNLIKELIES– Which one would you pick? 

Blackbird by The Beatles

Are there any recommendations you could give your readers to be in the “perfect mood” to read THE UNLIKELIES (specific music, snacks…)? 

1. Suggested music: Anything by the Beatles (especially Blackbird)

2. Suggested snack: blueberry cobbler or biscuits with honey (both with a side of ice cream)

3. Suggested candy: candy necklace

4. Suggested time to read: early evening on a cloudy summer night

5. Suggested companion: a notebook to write down your own revolutionary ideas

What’s next for you? 

I’m planning to read and write a lot this summer. And I’m working on some of my own vigilante do-gooder projects! #UnlikelyRevolution

Thank you so much for this, Carrie!

Thank you! This was such a fun interview!!

Follow The Unlikelies by Carrie Firestone Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Carrie Firestone has lived in rural, urban, and suburban places, and, while she currently lives in the suburbs, she is decidedly a CITY person. She loves parties, and all kinds of music, and books about random people doing random things in random places. She loves to travel with her husband, and two daughters, Lauren and Emily. When she isn’t writing, you might find her reluctantly sharing her popcorn at the movies, trying to get people (or dogs) to do a conga line, or adding items to her loose ends list.

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