Monday, June 24, 2013

Lumberjack Blog Tour: Guest post with Sara Olds and Tour Giveaway


 About MY LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK (or how I fell for the wrong guy(s)):Good-looking rangers, fresh mountain air and an avalanche of crazy adventures await unsuspecting Mercedes “Benz” Bennionin her summer job with the US Forest Service.

About Sara Olds:Sara V. Olds has been telling stories for as long as she can remember. One of her favorite memories is of unfolding a tale for friends while they were all bundled in sleeping bags watching a comet shower in the Uintah Mountains.
Mother of three: Large, Medium and Small, she welcomes her newest role, that of mother-in-law.

Life has taken her from thither to yon and back again—she's moved 22 times during her marriage. She breathes to travel. Longs to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a horse. Is an addictive reader. Enjoys swimming, skiing, violin and movies. Wonders if she'll ever get to SCUBA dive again. And has found a calling that fulfills her in ways she never could have imagined—teaching history to—wait for it—8th Graders.

Her stories consume her. There's nothing she'd rather do than spend all day, all night and the next day conversing with her latest set of characters. History, adventure, action, romance, humor.Adults, YA and kids. Yep, she does it all. Looking for something to enjoy on a quiet rainy afternoon? Or wanting a pulse-pounding, stay up all night turning pages adventure? Or a you've-GOT-to-be-kidding romp? You'll find them in her pages.


Sara’s social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraVOlds

--How did you get the idea for the story? I actually worked for the Youth Conservation Corps (the US Forest Service) when I was 17. It was easy to take it from there.
--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
Hmmm….so many men, so little time. Norm, Dan, Conor, Matt.One things for sure--not the twins, and absolutely not James. But you see the problem? So many to choose from. I think Dan. He’s a meat dude and I’ve always wanted to try elk.
--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
I’m in final drafts for a new YA fantasy entitled “The Slumbering Heir.” Illyria, who has magic in a place where magic is illegal and Cynwrig, nothing more than a lackey in the castle stables are thrown together into a race for their lives, for honor and the very existence of everything they’ve ever known.  And while it’s a classic fantasy, the characters have a modern feel to it, which I’ve been told makes it very readable—it also has a dragon in it who tries to steal the stage every time he shows up. I’m also expanding a Magical Holiday Comedy Romance which is nearly ready for submission “Knot Before Christmas”—what’s fun about it is I’ve tried to include nearly every reference to Santa Claus out in popular culture—and Rudolph is it in.  Not to mention re-writing one of my Her Finest Hour books “Her Warring Heart” and I’ve started a new YA contemporary comedy a spoof on all the vampire-crazed stories.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
I have five books that growing up made me want to become a writer. Not in any particular order: King of the Wind-Marguerite Henry, Banner In the Sky-Ramsey Ullman?, Son of Tarzan-Edgar Rice Burroughs, Deerslayer-James Fennmore Cooper (Read my Lately of England to see how much). Island Stallion by Walter Farley.These books (mostly adventure based) grabbed me so hard I used to make up stories with the characters. Basically, fanfic. That’s what made me want to start writing.  And no, I’m not “allowed” to read except during school breaks because I’m such an addict, once I start, I won’t do anything BUT read.

--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?Son of Tarzan.Action, adventure, romance, gorgeous rebellious guy.Nuff said.

--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? It’s weird, but I can’t remember listening to songs while writing this. I usually find a style and use it a lot, but this book gushed out of me. I wrote every spare second night and day and I even stole moments when I shouldn’t have. I was staying up until 1 or 1:30 and getting up at 5 to write for an hour and a half before I had to go to school (to teach).Mostly, because I had students who were meeting me at the school door demanding the next pages.  Talk about performance pressure!  Chuckle.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time? Travel!  But in short bursts of time, I’m a bit of a TV addict. I watch everything from Dr. Who to Arrow and everything inbetween including Cupcake Wars—which has made me a self-proclaimed cupcake aficionado.
--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?First, don’t convince the drama teacher to do “Finian’s Rainbow.”Here’s the explanation: I moved to a different high school as a junior and I had done “Finian’s Rainbow” in my first school. I convinced my teacher at the new school to do”Finian’s” because I wanted to be the lead.  Well, I wasn’t cast as the lead and afterwards my teacher told me that he was going to cast me as Molly in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” but changed his mind when I begged and begged and then couldn’t find the right guy to match me, so I wasn’t the lead.  Argh! Smacking hand on head! Secondly, stay away from the pickup truck. (You’ll have to read “My Life as a Lumberjack” to get that reference.) Third, take the hint from Mark. Sheesh, girl! (That’s one of those ships in the night situations.)

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers? If what you’re looking for is a fast, fun read, you’ll find it with Benz in “Lumberjack.” If you’re wantingangsty, dark and gut wrenching—you’ll hate this book. Just beware of drinking while reading because you may end up spraying fluid across whatever device you’re using…and I would enjoy knowing if that happens because that sort of response is exactly what I’m hoping for. I believe we need more laughter in the world, and I hope you’ll find it with Benz. Thanks for the chance to be introduced!

Oh and here’s a top ten list:
10 Activities in High School
1.      Singing – Madrigals Group
2.      Theater
3.      Violin – in and out of school
4.      Hanging out eating Chinese Food at the Mandarin Restaurant which a friend’s family owned
5.      Swimming
6.      Reading – zillions of books
7.      Watching Movies
8.      YCC (Youth Conservation Corps) – my favorite summer job
9.      One mad crush after another

10.  Moving to a new high school my Junior Year

Buy links for LUMBERJACK:

(5 e-copies of MY LIFE AS A LUMBERJACK):
a Rafflecopter giveaway


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12 comments:

  1. Good interview! Love watching Doctor Who as well. :)

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  2. I'm such a fan of the fairy-godmother question ;) I really love what she said about this not being an angsty read but one that would have you spewing your drink. So great! Love the interview :D Thank you so much for sharing. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  3. Yay another Whovian..so cool! I must admit I do like cupcake wars too! Great interview and the book sounds delightful!

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  4. Great post :) I think the author gave some great and funny answers!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  5. Oh I love the cover, it sounds like a nice book. thanks for sharing!

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  6. I still need to get into Dr. Who. Don't know why I haven't!

    This sounds cute. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

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  7. I have been seeing this book around and it sounds like a cute little summer read. I want to check it out!

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  8. Ooh, "The Slumbering Heir" sounds right up my alley! And this lumberjack book sounds super cute, too!

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  9. Oh I haven't heard of this one but it seems like a great idea! :) Great interview! :)

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  10. Some great questions and answers. Great cover, I so like those boots.

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  11. I really like the sound of her YA book, The Slumbering Heir, and this sounds like such a fun read as well! Thanks for sharing :-)

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  12. I love mountains! I live in gently rolling Oklahoma and whenever I go somewhere with mountains, I am awestruck! I'm not sure how they inspire me but they definitely make me happier!

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