Upper YA Romance - New Adult
Date Published: 11/19/12
Clara Greenwich is too young to take on the sole responsibility of caring for herself
and her younger sister. She’s just sixteen. She should be focused on school, hanging
out with friends, falling in love. Instead, she’s working to pay off the mound of bills her
mother left behind when she vanished at the start of the school year. Left alone with her
ten-year-old sister, Beatrice, Clara discovers that she is now the parent, the provider,
and the responsibilities grow to be more than she can handle.
Complicating matters is senior Evan Morningstar who starts pursuing Clara at the
beginning of her junior year. She’s confused by this. Evan is a popular, likeable guy.
She describes herself as a nobody—a quiet, intensely shy girl who suffers from social
anxiety. She wants love like any teenage girl, but she’s terrified to let Evan get close, to
discover her secrets. His gentle persistence eventually wins out, however, and she has
no option but to open her heart to him.
When Clara’s responsibilities prove too great, she begins a slow descent into
depression, making dangerous choices that threaten her relationships. She can stay
trapped in her despair or discover redemption—how to forgive the past and love again.
Buy Links
S. Walden used to teach English before making the easy decision to become a full-time writer.
Easy because once she completed a full-time graduate program, there weren't any teaching jobs
anyway! She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who does not read fiction and
has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of
small children, so she has two Westies instead. Her dreams include getting through her next big
writing project (a three-part series) and owning and operating a beachside inn on the Gulf Coast.
Her husband's dreams for her include getting her Ph.D. so that he can tell people he's married to
a doctor.
She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and
follow her blog at http://swaldenauthor.blogspot.com where you can get up-to-date information
on her current projects.
Reading Addiction Blog Tours MEET and GREET
#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
Definitely. Once finding a teaching job just wasn’t a possibility for me any longer due
to the economy, I jumped head first into a writing career. I always wanted one but never
thought it would happen. If I’m being perfectly honest, I never had the guts to go for it.
The self-publishing platform changed all that, however, essentially allowing my dream
to become a reality. It’s a tough career, I’ve found, especially as an indie author who’s
required to wear many different hats. I’m a writer first and foremost, but then I’m also
a marketing researcher, promoter, and businesswoman. Despite how exhausting it can
be at times (and I confess that there have been several moments where I’ve felt lost and
dejected about how to be successful), this is a career I plan to have for the rest of my life.
I love to write for others, give them stories they can cherish, learn from, and pass on to
their friends and family.
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
I’m an “all over the place” type of writer. I do not write linearly from beginning to end,
and that tends to create snags and hiccups in the timeline of my stories and sometimes in
character development. I simply cannot write any other way, though, so I’m extra careful
when I go back through my manuscript and begin the revising process. I’m good about
catching most everything, but it simply adds another step in the entire process. What can
you do, though? If I tried to write from start to finish, all of my work would sound stale
and contrived. Yuck. I’d much rather laugh about the mistakes in my plot development
while I’m revising then cry my way through a story from beginning to end.
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with Your Writing Outside of
Your Family?
There are too many people to name who have helped me hone my craft, but one woman
who made the biggest impact on me was a college professor from my years as an
undergraduate at UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Elizabeth Ervin is no longer with us, having
succumbed to cancer years ago, but she will always remain in my heart as one of the most
influential people to help me with my writing. She was the first educator to ever really
challenge my work, force me to write better, introduce me to “Grammar B” before I even
knew the term for that alternative style of writing. I never worked so hard in my life to
earn A’s on my papers as I did with her! But she saw something in my work, encouraged
it and drew it out the way only a truly gifted teacher can. And when I sit down with
my laptop to write, I always think about her and her dedication to make me better. She
radically altered everything I understood about writing—the junk I was fed about the
sins of sentence fragments and comma splices. I credited her in my graduate thesis for
opening my eyes to a better way to communicate on paper, one that merged standard
English with Grammar B to create one beautiful, effective style—a style I use in all my
writing.
#4 – What is next for your writing?
I’m finishing my third novel, Going Under, which will debut in the spring of next year.
I’m excited about this story—an idea I ripped from the headlines, actually. Writers get
their ideas from all over: Honeysuckle Love came to me while I was doing research on
volunteer organizations in Atlanta, and Going Under developed after I read an article
about some very naughty high school boys and their licentious after-school activities.
Doesn’t matter where the idea comes from, I guess, so long as you get it down on paper.
After Going Under debuts in the spring of next year, I’m off to Ireland to research for
my first series, a three-parter called The Starry Trilogy. It includes a good amount of
history about “The Troubles” and descriptions of western Ireland. I’m stoked about this
trip and the resulting story that will be one epic romance. Nothing quiet about this story.
“Explosive” is a much more fitting adjective. I hope to release the first book in the series
by Christmas 2013.
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing? If so, what are you currently
reading?
I had a much bigger addiction to reading before I started writing full time! The hardest
part about being a full-time writer is trying to squeeze in time to read. It actually helps to
have Writer’s Block every now and then, I think, because it gives me an excuse to pick
up a book. And there are so many books I want to read. I had a lull in between Hoodie,
my debut novel, and Honeysuckle Love where I read a lot because I wasn’t inspired yet
to write anything. Once I finished Honeysuckle Love, I jumped right into my next novel.
No room to breathe. No room to read. Not even a news headline (except for the one that
gave me the idea for Going Under). Nothing but writing for an average of 8 or 9 hours a
day. I’m exhausted and looking forward to finishing my third novel because I’m forcing
myself to take a break afterwards. On my TBR list? Oh, a million books, but I’ll start
with The Edge of Never by J. A. Redmerski and The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling. I
like to read a balance of indie and signed authors.
This or That?
#1 - iPd or Mp3? Both, actually.
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries? Mashed potatoes (preferably wasabi or garlic).
#4 – Comedy or Drama? Drama.
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks? Would you believe neither? How about Diana
Gabaldon? Love the Outlander series!
#6 – Fantasy or Reality? Reality. I write realistic fiction.
#7 – Call or Text? Call (when it’s an Emily Post situation). Text (when it’s a simple chat
with a friend).
#8 – Public School or Home School? Hmm. Private, non-religious schools would be my
first pick.
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Coffee (though I seldom drink it. I drink hot chocolate
even less!)
#10 – eBook or Paperback? Still old school and love the feel and smell of a book, but I’m
moving into the digital age. I have to if I want to be successful! And I admit that I love
that instant delivery of books to my HTC!
Follow Along With This Tour!
January 8 - My Devotional Thoughts - PROMO
January 9 - Bookishly Devoted - Review
January 10 - A Southern Girls Bookshelf - Review
January 11 - Mom With a Kindle - Interview/PROMO
January 12 - Love in a Book - Guest Post/PROMO
January 13 - Sab the Book Eater - Review/Guest Post
January 13 - Delirious About Books - Guest Post/PROMO
January 14 - Paulette's Papers - Guest Post/PROMO
January 15 - My Bookmark Blog - Review
January 15 - Genuine Jen- Review/Guest Post
January 16 - Brooke Blogs - Review/Guest Post
January 17 - Lovely Reads - PROMO
January 17 - Tana Rae Reads - Review
January 18 - Books For Me - Review
S. Walden used to teach English before making the easy decision to become a full-time writer.
Easy because once she completed a full-time graduate program, there weren't any teaching jobs
anyway! She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who does not read fiction and
has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of
small children, so she has two Westies instead. Her dreams include getting through her next big
writing project (a three-part series) and owning and operating a beachside inn on the Gulf Coast.
Her husband's dreams for her include getting her Ph.D. so that he can tell people he's married to
a doctor.
She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and
follow her blog at http://swaldenauthor.blogspot.com where you can get up-to-date information
on her current projects.
Reading Addiction Blog Tours MEET and GREET
#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
Definitely. Once finding a teaching job just wasn’t a possibility for me any longer due
to the economy, I jumped head first into a writing career. I always wanted one but never
thought it would happen. If I’m being perfectly honest, I never had the guts to go for it.
The self-publishing platform changed all that, however, essentially allowing my dream
to become a reality. It’s a tough career, I’ve found, especially as an indie author who’s
required to wear many different hats. I’m a writer first and foremost, but then I’m also
a marketing researcher, promoter, and businesswoman. Despite how exhausting it can
be at times (and I confess that there have been several moments where I’ve felt lost and
dejected about how to be successful), this is a career I plan to have for the rest of my life.
I love to write for others, give them stories they can cherish, learn from, and pass on to
their friends and family.
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
I’m an “all over the place” type of writer. I do not write linearly from beginning to end,
and that tends to create snags and hiccups in the timeline of my stories and sometimes in
character development. I simply cannot write any other way, though, so I’m extra careful
when I go back through my manuscript and begin the revising process. I’m good about
catching most everything, but it simply adds another step in the entire process. What can
you do, though? If I tried to write from start to finish, all of my work would sound stale
and contrived. Yuck. I’d much rather laugh about the mistakes in my plot development
while I’m revising then cry my way through a story from beginning to end.
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with Your Writing Outside of
Your Family?
There are too many people to name who have helped me hone my craft, but one woman
who made the biggest impact on me was a college professor from my years as an
undergraduate at UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Elizabeth Ervin is no longer with us, having
succumbed to cancer years ago, but she will always remain in my heart as one of the most
influential people to help me with my writing. She was the first educator to ever really
challenge my work, force me to write better, introduce me to “Grammar B” before I even
knew the term for that alternative style of writing. I never worked so hard in my life to
earn A’s on my papers as I did with her! But she saw something in my work, encouraged
it and drew it out the way only a truly gifted teacher can. And when I sit down with
my laptop to write, I always think about her and her dedication to make me better. She
radically altered everything I understood about writing—the junk I was fed about the
sins of sentence fragments and comma splices. I credited her in my graduate thesis for
opening my eyes to a better way to communicate on paper, one that merged standard
English with Grammar B to create one beautiful, effective style—a style I use in all my
writing.
#4 – What is next for your writing?
I’m finishing my third novel, Going Under, which will debut in the spring of next year.
I’m excited about this story—an idea I ripped from the headlines, actually. Writers get
their ideas from all over: Honeysuckle Love came to me while I was doing research on
volunteer organizations in Atlanta, and Going Under developed after I read an article
about some very naughty high school boys and their licentious after-school activities.
Doesn’t matter where the idea comes from, I guess, so long as you get it down on paper.
After Going Under debuts in the spring of next year, I’m off to Ireland to research for
my first series, a three-parter called The Starry Trilogy. It includes a good amount of
history about “The Troubles” and descriptions of western Ireland. I’m stoked about this
trip and the resulting story that will be one epic romance. Nothing quiet about this story.
“Explosive” is a much more fitting adjective. I hope to release the first book in the series
by Christmas 2013.
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing? If so, what are you currently
reading?
I had a much bigger addiction to reading before I started writing full time! The hardest
part about being a full-time writer is trying to squeeze in time to read. It actually helps to
have Writer’s Block every now and then, I think, because it gives me an excuse to pick
up a book. And there are so many books I want to read. I had a lull in between Hoodie,
my debut novel, and Honeysuckle Love where I read a lot because I wasn’t inspired yet
to write anything. Once I finished Honeysuckle Love, I jumped right into my next novel.
No room to breathe. No room to read. Not even a news headline (except for the one that
gave me the idea for Going Under). Nothing but writing for an average of 8 or 9 hours a
day. I’m exhausted and looking forward to finishing my third novel because I’m forcing
myself to take a break afterwards. On my TBR list? Oh, a million books, but I’ll start
with The Edge of Never by J. A. Redmerski and The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling. I
like to read a balance of indie and signed authors.
This or That?
#1 - iPd or Mp3? Both, actually.
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries? Mashed potatoes (preferably wasabi or garlic).
#4 – Comedy or Drama? Drama.
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks? Would you believe neither? How about Diana
Gabaldon? Love the Outlander series!
#6 – Fantasy or Reality? Reality. I write realistic fiction.
#7 – Call or Text? Call (when it’s an Emily Post situation). Text (when it’s a simple chat
with a friend).
#8 – Public School or Home School? Hmm. Private, non-religious schools would be my
first pick.
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Coffee (though I seldom drink it. I drink hot chocolate
even less!)
#10 – eBook or Paperback? Still old school and love the feel and smell of a book, but I’m
moving into the digital age. I have to if I want to be successful! And I admit that I love
that instant delivery of books to my HTC!
Follow Along With This Tour!
January 8 - My Devotional Thoughts - PROMO
January 9 - Bookishly Devoted - Review
January 10 - A Southern Girls Bookshelf - Review
January 11 - Mom With a Kindle - Interview/PROMO
January 12 - Love in a Book - Guest Post/PROMO
January 13 - Sab the Book Eater - Review/Guest Post
January 13 - Delirious About Books - Guest Post/PROMO
January 14 - Paulette's Papers - Guest Post/PROMO
January 15 - My Bookmark Blog - Review
January 15 - Genuine Jen- Review/Guest Post
January 16 - Brooke Blogs - Review/Guest Post
January 17 - Lovely Reads - PROMO
January 17 - Tana Rae Reads - Review
January 18 - Books For Me - Review
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