FFBC: Welcome to the club, Bookishly Ever After (Ever After #1) by Isabel Bandeira

Bookishly Ever After (Ever After #1)
by Isabel Bandeira
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Release Date: January 12th 2016

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary. But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

Hello Isabel! We are super excited to have you in our FFBC tours.

Thank you! I’m excited to be here!

Could you tell our Book Addicts a little bit about Bookishly Ever After?

BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER is about a girl who decides to turn her favorite books into advice manuals in an attempt to turn herself into the perfect YA heroine and make her own happily ever after. I like to call it my ode to all things bookish.

I think everyone is dying to make this question. Can you tell us a bit about Phoebe and Dev and their relationship? What makes them the perfect YA couple?

I don’t know about “perfect” because the best part about people and relationships is that they are so wonderfully imperfect—and it’s wonderful when you find someone who loves you for both your perfections and imperfections. 

Phoebe and Dev were a lot of fun to write together. This relationship starts as a friendship that grows into something more, so they have a nice, comfortable banter right from the start. Things get a little awkward when Phoebe realizes that she might actually like Dev as more than just a friend, and I loved exploring how they learn about each other throughout the story. There’s a scene I really love late in the book where the two take a walk in the woods and Dev talks about his grandfather—it’s not a big moment, but it’s a moment that highlights how Phoebe and Dev constantly discover new facets in each other and their dynamic as they spend more time together.

Can you tell us who would be Phoebe’s favorite fictional boyfriend and what qualities must he have?

Phoebe has a lot of book boyfriends, but, if she has to pick, her favorite is Cyril from the Hidden House series. She said it best in a character interview a few months ago: “He’s just so sweet and swoonworthy and I really love the way he talks and how, even though he’s from the nineteen hundreds and they were pretty sexist back then, he loves Marissa specifically because she’s strong, sassy, and independent.”

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?

The first bit of inspiration for B.E.A. came while I was writing a short little scene for a blog hop. In that scene, a bookish girl tried to channel her favorite heroines in front of the guy she liked as she was crossing a two-rope bridge at camp. It was so much fun, and the characters kept bouncing around in my head, begging to tell their story, that I had to write it out. 

As for outside inspiration, when it came time to create Phoebe’s “books,” I drew upon a lot of common tropes that I loved in some of my favorite YA books—especially paranormal and contemporary fantasy, which Phoebe then used for inspiration in some of her plans for becoming the perfect YA heroine.

If you had to pick one song to be the Theme Song for Bookishly Ever After – Which one would you pick? 

“Dear Mister Darcy” by Marian Call. It’s nerdy and wonderful.

Is there any recommendations you could give your readers to be in the “perfect mood” to read Bookishly Ever After (specific music, snacks…)? 

Every reader has his or her own perfect set-up for reading, so I say go with what works for you! I’ve seen a few reviews where the reader is craving gingerbread lattes after reading BEA, so that would probably work. Also, if you’re really going for a BEA feel, I’d suggest a cozy knit blanket and a comfy chair.

What’s next for you? 

The next book in the Ever After series is a companion novel to BEA and I can’t wait to share the description and main character when I get the green light from my publisher. I’m currently writing book 3 in the series and writing some non-“Ever After” books on the side (I VERY appropriately refer to one as “procrastination book” on twitter).

Thank you so much for everything, Isabel!

Thank YOU for hosting me!

Follow the Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Isabel Bandeira grew up surrounded by trees and lakes in Southern New Jersey, right on the edge of the Pine Barrens. Her summers were always spent in Portugal, where the cathedrals, castles, and ancient tombs only fed her fairy tale obsession. Between all those influences and her serious glitter addiction, it wasn’t a surprise when she started writing stories of her own.

In her free time between writing and her day job as a Mechanical Engineer who designs and develops medical devices, she reads, dances, figure skates, and knits.

Isabel lives in New Jersey with her little black cat, too many books, and a closetful of vintage hats. She is represented by Carrie Howland of Donadio & Olson. BOOKISHLY EVER AFTER is her debut novel.

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FFBC: Welcome to the club, The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

The Heir and the Spare
by Emily Albright
Publisher: Merit Press
Release Date: January 18th 2016

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit, British Literature, New Adult

Synopsis:

Family can be complicated. Especially when skeletons from the past pop up unexpectedly. For American Evie Gray, finding out her deceased mother had a secret identity, and not one of the caped crusader variety, was quite the surprise. Evie’s mom had a secret life before she was even born, one that involved tiaras.

In this modern day fairytale, Evie is on a path to figure out who her mom really was, while discovering for herself what the future will hold. Charged with her late mother’s letters, Evie embarks on a quest into her past. The first item on the list is to attend Oxford, her mom’s alma mater. There, Evie stumbles upon a real life prince charming, Edmund Stuart the second Prince of England, who is all too happy to be the counterpart to her damsel in distress.

Evie can’t resist her growing attraction to Edmund as they spend more time together trying to unravel the clues her mother left behind. But, when doubts arise as to whether or not Edmund could ever be with an untitled American, what really ends up unraveling is Evie’s heart. When Evie uncovers all the facts about her mom’s former life, she realizes her mom’s past can open doors she never dreamed possible, doors that can help her be with Edmund. But, with everything now unveiled, Evie starts to crack under the pressure of new family responsibilities and the realization that her perfect prince may want her for all the wrong reasons.

Hello Emily! Welcome to the FFBC ! We are super excited to have you in our FFBC tours! 

Thanks for having me! 

Could you tell our Book Addicts a little bit about The Heir and the Spare?

The Heir and the Spare follows American Evie Gray on a quest throughout England as she discovers the true identity of her deceased mother. On her journey Evie uncovers a long lost family member, a strength she never knew she had, and a love she never expected. I like to think of it as a modern day fairytale and I’m so excited to share Evie and Edmund with readers.

If you had to pick one adjective to describe Evie and Edmund what would you choose?

Sweet

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?

When Prince William married Kate Middleton it sparked an idea. I wondered about Prince Harry and how his life might differ from his brother’s, especially in the romance arena. Once that little seed got planted, everything else fell right into place.

What is your favorite quote from the book?

“It was like Emily Post on crack meets Martha Stewart on acid.”

Is there a specific scene that you had the most fun to write?

That’s got to be the Eiffel Tower scene. :) 

Was there anything you had to research for this book, that you would be worried if someone found in your browser history?

I did quite a bit for this book. I researched Oxford, London, Paris, the different aristocratic titles and their proper forms of address, art history, and lots of other little bits and pieces. There were things that I wanted to use, but ultimately couldn’t, so I had to take some liberties. But it was all fascinating. There really wasn’t anything I researched that’d make me cringe if someone saw my history. Then again, I’m not someone who gets easily embarrassed. 

What authors are auto-buys for you? 

Diana Gabaldon, Cassandra Clare, Richelle Mead

What you would you say is harder to write: The first sentence of a story or the last?

Both. If pressed I’d probably have to go with the first sentence. 

What do you find yourself fangirl-ing over?

Right now, Downton Abbey and Outlander. I’m so bummed it’s Downton’s last season. But I’m eagerly awaiting season two of Outlander this spring. 

What is your favorite snack/drink to eat when you read?

I have to have my iced peppermint tea, but that’s about it. I don’t usually snack when I’m reading. I’m afraid I’ll get food on my books or e-reader.

Favorite book of 2015? 

Ugh, I’ve gotten so little reading done this year (which makes me so sad!) and my TBR list is a gazillion miles long. I haven’t even caught up with all the series I read that had new releases this year. They’re all just sitting on my Nook, waiting for me. (Bet you guys can guess one of my New Year’s resolutions.) Most of the reading I did in 2015 was for books that are coming out this year. I’ve got a great list for 2016 though! ;) 

If you could pick one author dead or alive to have a drink with who would you choose and why?

Hmm, that’s tough. I’d probably say Jane Austen. I’ve loved all her books and I’d love to ask her more about her own life and maybe even get a closer look at her writing process. It’d be fascinating to pick her brain for a while. 

Thank you so much for everything, Emily!

Anytime! Thanks again for letting me be here today.

Follow the The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Emily Albright's debut novel, THE HEIR AND THE SPARE, is releasing January 18, 2016 from Merit Press.

She's a writer, a major bookworm, a lover of romantic movies, a wife, a mother, an owner of one adorable (yet slightly insane) cockapoo, and uses way too many :).

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FFBC: Welcome to the club, Identity Crisis by Melissa Schorr

Identity Crisis
by Melissa Schorr
Publisher: Merit Press
Release Date: January 18th 2016

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Synopsis:

When curvaceous Annalise Bradley’s scandalous freshman year hookup sparks the anger of her female classmates, three of them decide to get her back by "catfishing" her, creating a fake online profile of the perfect boy to toy with her affections.

Against her better nature, introverted Noelle Spiers, goes along with her friends’ plan, hoping to distract Annalise from dreamy Cooper Franklin, her lifelong crush who has fallen for Annalise instead.

As Annalise discovers she is being played and seeks revenge, Noelle increasingly regrets her role in the cruel hoax and tries to salvage their relationship.

Told in alternative perspectives, IDENTITY CRISIS covers romance, betrayal, and timeless friendship in the age of modern technology.

Hello Melissa! We're super happy to have you in our FFBC Tours.

Thanks for having me on the Fantastic Flying Book Club blog tour!

Could you tell our Book Addicts a little bit about Identity Crisis?

What would you do if your new online romance turned out to be your worst enemy? That’s the story of IDENTITY CRISIS. It’s about Annalise, whose scandalous freshman year hookup sparks the anger of three of her female classmates who decide to get her back by "catfishing" her, creating a fake online profile of the perfect boy to toy with her affections. But the book is also told from the perspective of one of the perpetrators, Noelle, who starts connecting with Annalise and regretting her part in the scam.

If you had to pick 1 adjective to describe your main characters what would you choose? 

Faking — because both girls aren’t being true to how they really feel. Noelle doesn’t have the strength to stand up to her friends, and Annalise has let the whole school believe something about her that’s not true. 

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?

Yes! There had been some catfishing stories in the news, like Notre Dame football player Manti Te’o, and tragic ones like Megan Meier, and then of course, the MTV show Catfish. They made me wonder, how can someone let themselves get duped? But also, what motivates someone to do that? 

What is your favorite quote from the book?

What Eva says to Noelle about why Annalise will fall for their scheme. “She’ll keep believing because she wants to believe.” It’s that so true? How often do we keep believing something, even though we know in our heart it’s not true, but we just wish it were so? 

Is there a specific scene that you had the most fun to write? 

My favorite scene is when the girls all end up at the Prudential Center for the concert ticket giveaway. All sorts of things go wrong for Annalise: her fake boyfriend stands her up, she doesn’t win tickets to the show, she collides with the band manager and makes him think she’s a stalker. 

Was there anything you had to research or this book, that you would be worried if someone found in your browser history?

To make sure everything was logistically accurate, I called the Agganis Arena in Boston, the stadium where the final concert scene takes place, and asked the man in the ticket office a hundred random questions about the arena. I’m sure he started worrying I was up to no good, so I made sure to tell him it was just research for a novel I was writing. 

What authors are auto-buys for you? 

E. Lockhart, Sarah Darer Littman, Meg Wolitzer.

What you would you say is harder to write: The first sentence of a story or the last?

Once I really know the voice of the main character, the first sentences of my books generally pop into my head. The last is generally a little more tricky for me. 

What do you find yourself fangirl-ing over?

I’m a total podcast junkie: Serial, This American Life, Slate’s Double X, Political Gabfest, Longform. I’m always looking for a new one to add. 

What is your favorite snack/drink to eat when you read? 

Cheek-Its

If you could pick one author dead or alive to have a drink with who would you choose and why? 

Judy Blume, because her books covered every childhood touchstones, from puberty with Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret to first learning about S-E-X in Forever. I hear she now lives in Key West, so maybe we could sip something tropical, like Pina Coladas or mojitos.

What is next for you?

I started a new YA contemporary during NaNoWriMo that I’m really excited about, but for now, I’m keeping it under wraps. So stay tuned!

Follow the Identity Crisis by Melissa Schorr Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Melissa Schorr is the YA author of GOY CRAZY (Hyperion 2006) and IDENTITY CRISIS (forthcoming, Merit Press 2016), and a contributor to the YA anthology DEAR BULLY.

She is currently a contributing writer/editor to the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. Her freelance work has appeared in numerous publications, including GQ, People, Self, San Francisco magazine, and The Wall Street Journal. 

Melissa currently lives in Boston with her husband, her daughters, and her dog, Bailey.

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