Interview with Suzanne Selfors

Suzanne Selfors is a Young Adult and a Middle Grade writer. Her books are Coffeehouse Angel, Saving Juliet, To Catch a Mermaid, and Fortune's Magic Farm. She is a local author and has a signing about a ten minute walk from my house. She lives in Bainbridge Island with her family.

1. Nordby is a fictional town based on the town of Pouksbo. What are some of your favorite things about Poulsbo?
I love Sluy's bakery. And Liberty Bay books and Hot Shots Java. I really like the ambiance, the town is so cute and welcoming. And the library has some really beautiful art.

2. Malcom is quite an interesting character. Where did you get the inspiration for him?
Well, I have to make a confession. I have this thing about guys in kilts--Scottish guys in particular. Originally, I tried to make Malcolm Scottish, but writing the accent was really difficult and my early readers didn't like it.
Malcolm is an angel, but he's not a traditional angel. I combined a number of mythologies when I created him, including the Christian/Jewish/Islamic tradition of the angel as a messenger. Malcolm wears a kilt and carries a satchel because much of his character is based on Hermes, the Greek messenger God. I'm crazy about Greek mythology.

3. All of your books have some sort of magical twist. What is your favorite part of writing with magic?
I never sit down and say, okay, I'm going to write another story with magic. It just always happens. I get bored with the real world, I guess.
Fantasy is the ultimate thrill for a fiction writer because anything goes. And I love that.

4. What do you like most about writing both Middle Grade and Young Adult?
It never gets boring. It's a constant challenge to move between the two genres and I love that.

5. What books can we look forward to in the future from you?
In May, 2010, my 3rd middle grade book, Smells Like Dog, will be released. It's a very funny story and I just got a sneak peek at the cover which is adorable. I'm currently writing my 3rd teen novel. I don't know if it will be released in 2010 or 11 at this point. But it's about Cupid.

6. What are some of your favorite Young Adult and Middle Grade books?
Loved The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Loved When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. ANd I'm a huge Harry Potter fan.

7. Is there anything that you would like to add?
There will be a Coffeehouse Angel mini tour this fall. The dates and locations will be listed on my website by the end of summer. And I love hearing from readers, so please visit my website at http://www.suzanneselfors.com/.
Thanks for the interview!

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Rating:

Characters: 20/20

Plot: 20/20

Originality: 18/20

Writing: 19/20

Recommendation: 19/20

Overall: 96/100 or A

Katrina works at her grandmother's coffee shop, Anna's Old World Scandinavian Coffeehouse. Since Java Heaven has opened next door, they have lost almost all of their business. Still, Katrina wakes up before school and prepares the coffeehouse her grandmother before school. One morning, she sees a homeless guy in the alley behind the Coffeehouse. She leaves some pastries, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and a cup of coffee. This small act of kindness turns Katrina's world upside down. The homeless guy turns out to be a real guardian angel, named Malcolm. He can't leave until he grants her deepest desire. Fame and Fortune seem to be the obvious request, but after two failed wishes, Malcolm knows Katrina is hiding something from him. What if Katrina's deepest wish is Malcolm himself?

Coffeehouse Angel is so cute. What I liked most about this book, is the characters and the plot. I loved this book. I could relate to Katrina, so much. I have felt like her, where I am not good at anything. I also found "The Boys" that hung out at the coffeehouse, to be hilarious. The plot was amazing and well written. The setting was also well set for me, Nordby is based on Poulsbo, which is where my mom lives. So, I could picture it really well. It was really original. I loved the humor that was spread through every book. Selfors makes a one of kind book, that is sure to entertain you.