Thursday, August 16, 2012

Giveaway: Blink Once and Interview with Cylin Busby



Blink Once
Blink Once by Cylin Busby
West is a high school senior who has everything going for him until an accident leaves him paralyzed. Strapped down in his hospital bed, slipping in and out of consciousness, West is terrified and alone. Until he meets Olivia. She's the girl next door-sort of. A patient in the room next to his, only Olivia can tell what West is thinking, and only Olivia seems to know that the terrible dreams he's been having are not just a result of his medication. Yet as West comes to rely on Olivia-to love her, even-certain questions pull at him: Why has Olivia been in the hospital for so long? And what does it mean that she is at the center of his nightmares? But the biggest question of all comes when West begins to recover and learns that the mysterious girl he's fallen in love with has a secret he could never have seen coming.
Publishes Sept 4th 2012

Blkosiner's Book Blog Giveaway
- 3 paper copies, open to US only
-Fill out Rafflecopter to enter
-Ends on 9/4 11:59pm EST
-Make sure to check out and comment on our interview below for an extra entry
-If you win a review on your blog and/or amazon is appreciated but not required.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway provided by Cylin Busby
interview with Blkosiner's Book Blog

--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.
A haunting YA novel about love, soul mates and believing in the impossible.

--How did you get the idea for the story?
In the memoir that I co-wrote with my dad, THE YEAR WE DISAPPEARED, he tells the story of his near-death experience and how it felt to be technically “dead” for a few moments. His story started me thinking about what happens when you are not on this Earth, or in your physical body anymore…especially when your body is being kept alive for you. What if you were a teenager, confused about life anyhow, not fully formed as person, and found yourself in that place where Dad was—somewhere between Here and There. And what if you weren’t alone….
--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
I would love to have dinner with Nurse Norris—I based her on my mom (a retired nurse and midwife) and a few other family members who are nurses (my cousin, two of my aunts). Based on the job Nurse Norris does, and how she does it, she is an amazing lady.
--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
Yes, I can’t say too much about my next project right now, but it’s a Southern Gothic horror series that will be published by HarperCollins in 2014.
--What book(s) is your book’s “cousin”? (Similar set-up or style)
When I was a teen, I read a book called THE KEEPER OF THE ISIS LIGHT by Monica Hughes—it’s a sci-fi YA novel with a big twist in the middle. I think the twist in BLINK ONCE is similar, although the stories are very different, they both involve teens falling in love in unusual circumstances.
--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I just finished reading Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL on vacation—it was a great page-turner. One of my favorite books is WUTHERING HEIGHTS and I think I usually re-read it about once a year. I love the format and the love story.

--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY—I’ve always wanted to try all those treats, but I know I would mess up and be sent to the Oompa Loompas, so after 24 hours I would want to come home.

--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 do need coffee or tea in the morning to get going—my son gets up really early for school and I’m a bit of a night owl reader, so waking up is never easy.
I can’t listen to music when I write, but I will say that the Radiohead song “High & Dry” inspired the character of West in BLINK ONCE.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I wish I needed less sleep! I know that sounds lame, but I really need about 8 or 9 hours a night—I would rather stay up late reading, then get about 2 or 3 hours of sleep, but be able to function like a human being the next day.

--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?
I would tell myself not to be so concerned about the looks and fashion of the time—it seems to important when you’re in it, but then when you grow up and get your own style, you realize that all that worrying about having the “right” clothes and shoes and jewelry amounted to nothing but a waste of time.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of my readers! I love to hear from readers, so many teens have read BLINK ONCE and reached out to me with their amazingly well written reviews and their thoughts on Olivia and West, it seriously makes my day every time I hear from a reader or see a review that someone has written for one of my books.

Lightning round: this or that?
Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate
Edward or Jacob? Edward
Hockey or soccer? Hockey (I’m from Maine!)
Ebook or paper? Paper
Salty or sweet? Sweet
Beach or mountains? Beach
Phone call or email? Phone call
Early bird or night owl? Night owl
Dog or cat? Cat
Messy or neat? Neat
Ninjas or pirates? Pirates (but only if they look like Johnny Depp)


My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever been unable to speak?
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14 comments:

  1. That's amazing that this novel came from a near death experience your dad told you about. That gives it so much power! And I'm totally there with you on the no-sleep super power. I could get so much done that way! Best of luck to you with BLINK, I'll be checking it out.

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    1. I cant wait to find out her secret. Great interview and I like the cover. Thx for giveaway.

      blinkysthebest at aol dot com

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    2. I'd love to be able to not sleep too

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  2. Great interview. Sounds like an awesome book. What a fascinating premise! I still need to read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (love her) so I'm glad it was a page-turner.

    -lauren

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  3. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  5. This was such an interesting interview, I can't imagine what it would be like to die for a couple of seconds and no, I've never not been able to speak.

    Sounds like a great book, I'll have to check it out

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  6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is one of my favorite book.can you write a inspiration books for us.



    Interview Questions

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  7. Great interview--I can't wait to read this book! And I totally agree with her about the super power--If only I could function normally on just 2-3 hours of sleep!

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  8. I am the worst morning person ever. And I don't drink coffee so I just fail. Lucky!

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  9. Near death experiences are so interesting and scary at the same time. Thanks for the interesting interview. Also thank you for the chance to win! It looks like an interesting story!

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  10. What a creative story to write. I've never read a book like this. Sound like it'll be a really heartfelt read. Thanks!

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  11. I love all of your reviews! You are so clear and I have found several great authors from you! I look forward to adding even more!

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  12. A Southern Gothic horror series in the works! That sounds great. What an interesting inspiration for the story! I have always wanted to eat the food in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I love tea or coffee in the mornings when it is cold. I wish there was a way we never had to sleep. I could really use those extra hours. I agree with the fashion thing. I was a lot more worried about it as a teenager than I am now. I am so curious about the twist to the book. I have some ideas. I just hope it has a happy ending! Thanks for the giveaway!

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I would love to hear from you! (I always try to visit your blog back) I love links, so feel free to link to your blog or a post you like.
Sorry, but I am award and tag free zone, I do not have the time to return. Comments are reward enough :)