Book Giveaway and Author Interview: The Lucky Boy by Caroline Gerardo

The Lucky Boy by Caroline Gerardo

Seth is a young boy who does not fit in anywhere. He is severely punished for the smallest of errors by his father a neurosurgeon. Seth’s mother is a socialite who drowns her problems in pills and alcohol. The father decides he cannot deal with Seth anymore and sends him to live with his paternal Grandmother. Seth’s Grandmother is more patient than his parents were. Seth becomes friends with a family down the street and falls in love with their daughter Amy. When grandmother dies of a stroke, he returned to his emotionally distant family.
In high school, Seth discovers he has talents in swimming and selling drugs to his friends. Seth decides he needs $10000.00 to find Amy who has moved to California. He makes friends with Jon who makes money organizing street fights between homeless men and taking bets. The two become friends and through their illegal activities, Seth saves up the money to leave on his journey to find Amy.
“The disturbing results of his quest will haunt the reader.”

--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.

A disturbed young man obsesses over a girl and raises ten thousand dollars through illegal activities to find her.

--How did you get the idea for the story?

A youth in my childhood stalked my sister Nori from Philadelphia to California. The story is not about that boy. It is about the idea of disillusioned youth, finding connection as a human as an immense struggle. I started writing a novel about being an outsider.

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?

Most: Grandmother Mac, Seth’s Grandmother, would be a joy to sit with because all my Grandparents passed away when I was young. Her spiritual bond to everyday reality is something a part of me that I do not speak of often.

Least: The selfish Mother I might have to slap her.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

I read all the time. A writer is obliged to know what came before and who is working in our time. I do not read as many e-books because of eye strain. I purchase fifteen to twenty books a month, and visit the UCI University library for another 30. I read classics, poetry, thrillers, non-fiction science, math, medicine. Authors I like now: TC Boyle, Nicholson Baker, Dave Smith, Mei Mei Bersenbrugge, Haruki Miramaki, and I’m reading some early work of

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?

I have a poetry interactive “book” in process titled A Year Without Sleep I cannot disclose everything as patents are pending. Release date 9/12/2012 I completed a first draft of a novel I am working title calling Eco Terrorist about a woman retired from Mi5 who lives on a remote ranch in Wyoming. Another first draft in a drawer that needs some time to settle is titled Pump  about a penny stock boiler room.

--If a fairy godmother told you your life could be like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why? The Bible I think that gives me a great landscape of a million million stories.
--

Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?

I sit in same chair, wear same baseball hat, Peets coffee Major Dickason’s black, I get up every morning at 5:30 and write 7 days a week I don’t believe in writer’s block. I work hard, play hard and have a grand time.

Music tastes are varied. Bon Iver, The Cure, Sublime, Jazz

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

To fly standing upright as I do when I dream.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

Run, long hikes, surf, garden organic vegetables and flowers, orchids, have rose cultivar patents, watch my children’s sports, fundraise, read, write, take photographs, paint, journal, gourmet cook, make a bonfire on the beach,

pets: dogs, turtles, pigmy goats, horses chickens and cattle

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

I appreciate that they are sharing my time and my life.

I hope to grow to become better and be great someday.

Lightning round: this or that?

Vanilla or chocolate? Vanilla

Edward or Jacob? Jacob

Hockey or soccer? Hockey, note my ex-married name Barbeau hint

Ebook or paper? Paper hardback

Salty or sweet? Salty don’t like sweet

Beach or mountains? Both I live a life half and half I am blessed

Phone call or email? Face to face

Early bird or night owl? Early always

Dog or cat? Dogs  but have many pets

Messy or neat? Neat white carpet

Ninjas or pirates? ninjas

And now for the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway