Interview with Deliliah Hannaford from Fixing Deliliah and A Contest

I have the amazing Deliliah from Fixing Deliliah. Her story was very captivating, and I hope that you enjoy this tiny glimspe into her. world.
1. There are only three Hannafords left. what legacy would you like your family to leave?
That's a loaded question for sure! ;-) When I first arrived in Vermont with Mom and Rachel this summer, I was so bent on figuring out the past. I felt like I couldn't think about where I was going until I understood where I came from. There were so many fights, so many tears, so much pain... and now I realize that thinking about a legacy is kind of like trying to predict the future. Part of my problem was that I was so tied up with the past and the future -- the "what happeneds" and the "what ifs" -- that I was totally missing the moment, the right now, the important things that make life worth living. I'm still figuring that part of it out, but I'm getting better. :-) That said, whatever happens with my family, I hope that we've all learned to appreciate one another as family, and that we all have our secrets and imperfections, but above all, we love each other. I don't know if that's a legacy, but I hope we carry it with us for a long time.
2. What are the parts of Red Falls that you think that you will never forget?
If coming back here after eight years taught me anything, it's that I'll never truly forget Red Falls. Even though a lot of it was hazy on arrival, it was all still inside me, all the memories, good and bad. It was such a part of my life for so long -- so many memories of my family are tied to this place. So much of my family's history is wrapped up in this town, in this house, on the lake. After this summer, those memories are even stronger, even more cemented. I'm not going to forget any of it.
3. Patrick and you were friends growing up and now you realize that there is something more. How hard was it to act on your feelings without the fear of losing friendship?
Everything with Patrick happened so fast! Because I hadn't seen him since we were really young, I don't think I was worried as much about our friendship as I was about falling hard for him and then having to leave at the end of the summer, losing him all over again. I was also trying to deal with some trouble I'd gotten into back home, including a bit of a scandal with my non-boyfriend Finn, and I didn't want Patrick to simply be my distraction from that. The timing for us was actually really bad, but like Aunt Rachel says, when the universe is trying to hit you over the head with something, you might want to pay attention. :-) From the first moment I saw him under the bleachers that day, I knew I was falling for him, bad timing or not, lost friendship or not. Sometimes you just have to take that risk!
4. After going back to your grandma's, you gained a new appreciation for family and your past. What do you love most about your mom and Aunt Rachel?
If you asked me this when we first arrived in Red Falls, I don't think I would've been able to answer. But now I realize that even though their relationship still needs a lot of work, they really do love each other. I'm so grateful for that, because if my mom and Rachel can find a way to reconnect -- even if things are still super rocky -- it gives me hope for me and Mom, too. I'm also grateful that even when I was at my worst, they didn't walk out on me or give up. I love them for that.
5. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I just want to say thank you for letting me share my story, and for being patient. I know I can be... difficult... sometimes. I had a lot of stuff to sort out this summer, and it wasn't always easy, but it helps to have a few good friends. True friends, like Patrick says, the best kind.
(But you know, good friends or not, I'm not sharing him. Sorry! :-) )
I hope that you enjoyed the interview as much as I did. I also have a signed copy of Fixing Deliliah or Twenty Boy Summer for giveaway. Just fill out the form below by December 9th and US only.

A few things...

The Debs and Little Brown are giving 100 copies of Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. I loved this book, so I suggest that you go enter, like now. Banned Books Weeks starts tomorrow. My local indie had an awesome display, I wish that I had a camera then. Here is a list from ALA of commonly banned books here.
All of the Panelists for Cybils have been announced. I want to wish all of them luck in reading all of the books. I had so much fun, when I did Cybils last year. You can nominate books pretty soon.
Lastly, new Harry Potter trailer:

OMG, I need this now!

Words can't express this...

I wrote this post, when I heard that Ellen Hopkins was uninvited to an event and I was livid. Now someone compares the rape scenes in Speak to porn. I am more then angry and honestly wondering what the moral compass, does he think he has. My older sister was sexually abused, shortly after I was born and I still think that it could have been me. My mom was drugged twice in her twenties, but luckily had a friend there that noticed something was wrong, when my energetic mother was quiet. By the time, I was seven, my mom had drilled me to always get a new drink after I leave, if I am at a party or a bar.
In 2002, I was eleven, and my mom came home with three books for one for her, one for my sister and one for me, not just any book, Speak. We read the book together and I will admit that I may have skipped ahead, when she was working. I was really shy, then. I wouldn't talk unless I was forced to, Melinda Sordino's silence may have been for a difference reason, but she was the first character that I could relate to and her voice helped me find my own. Laurie Halse Anderson is an amazing writer. Speak is a realistic portrayal of high school and also of rape and how hard it is to raise your voice. Her other Young Adult books deal with serious issues in life, that not just teens can relate to, but anyone can. I met her, while she was on tour for Wintergirls, and I can honestly say that she is a remarkable person.
In the same post, Wesley Scroggins also targeted Slaughterhouse-Five and Twenty Boy Summer. Slaughterhouse-Five was removed, for rather unusual reasons(Do they seriously not read the book?). Twenty Boy Summer is being reviewed, because of drinking at a party and having sex and using a condom. I know that drinking at teen parties happens, some of my friends have facebook pictures with this. And I also though that safe sex was a good thing. Writing is suppose to be realistic, and Twenty Boy Summer is about grief and trying to move on after something happens.

I would also like to say that both of my parents are both very conservative Christians. They don't believe in censoring the books that I read, because they rather have me reading about it now, then experiencing it later. My parents have bought me all three books mentioned above and my mom had read all three and my dad has read one. I am sorry if this post offended anyone.

Here is Laurie Halse Anderson's post.

Winner for a few contest...

Winner of Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon:
Brooke Reviews

Winner(s) of Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Oakler:
MJ
Jenna Erica
Sunkissed

Winner of Signed copy of Evernight by Claudia Gray:
Yan

Bonus Winner of Signed Kelley Armstrong Bookmark:
...MY NAME IS ELENI AND I AM A BOOKAHOLIC...

Please e-mail me your address, to Sarahbear119(at)hotmail(dot)com with the subject "Contest winner of_____" Thanks for all the entries and Congrats to the winners. There is a very cool one coming in the future.

Twenty Boy Summer Contest and Twitter Party.

I was offered by Little Brown, three copies of Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Oakler for giveaway. I love this book.
Here is a Summary:
"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed.
"It's our secret, right?"
According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.
Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.
Anyways, How to enter: Leave a comment or E-mail me at Sarahbear119 (at) hotmail.com with the subject "Contest" What is your favorite place to go during summer?
I am sorry this a US and Canada Contest.
Extra entries:
1. Currently Follow or become a follower my blog, if you use RSS feed or Google reader. I'll take your word. (+5 entry)
2. Blog about this contest. Please leave a URL, so I don't have to go all over creation looking for it. (+3 entries)
3. If you were referred by someone. I'll give each of you an extra entry and if I referred you, just say so and you shall get one..
So, Best of luck and the Contest ends on June 25th(my Birthday) at Midnight(PST).
In related news, Sarah Oakler is having a tweeting party today. It is 7pm to 11 pm EST. You should come. for sure.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Oakler

Rating:
Characters: 20/20
Setting: 9/10
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 20/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 10/10
Overall: 96/100 or A
Anna is going on a trip with her best friend, Frankie to Zanzibar Bay. Frankie thinks that it will be the perfect time and place for a summer romance, a quick and harmless fling. During swimsuit shopping, Anna and Frankie come up with a plan for the Absolute Best Summer Ever. The plan is to see who can get the most guys in twenty days. The problem is that Anna, isn't over Frankie's Brother, Matt, who died suddenly in a car crash. So, Anna is holding on to that time with Matt and hiding the secret from Frankie.
Twenty Boy Summer had an amazing setting. I felt like I was in California and feeling the sunshine, when I read it in March. Anna was true to herself. Her relationship with Matt appeared to be honest and sincere. There were a few things that I didn't like about Frankie in the beginning, but she seemed to grow up and be more honest. Oakler does and amazing job creating a well woven story that digs in to your heart. You will cry, laugh, and fall in love with the characters and the storyline. Oakler has an amazing debut of love lost and living every moment of your life to the best you can. I loved this book and could fangirl it for quite bit longer. Anyways, I recommend this book.
Twenty Boy Summer comes out on June 1st.

Interview with Sarah Oakler

Sarah Oakler is the Author of Twenty Boy Summer, which comes out on June 1st. She is the first author to be on Seven Book Babes and also a part of the 2009 Debutantes. She writes late at night and mostly in her pajamas. She is completely awesome and nice.

1. What is your inspiration for Twenty Boy Summer? Did you ever have a summer like that?

Yikes, I *knew* that title would come back to haunt me! ;-) All right, Sarah, since we share a name and you're one of my favorite YA book bloggers of all time, I'll confess... I *did* have a twenty boy summer of my own, but it wasn't exactly like Anna and Frankie's summer in the book. When I was 15, my BFF and I decided to have a friendly competition to see who could kiss the most boys that summer, and I won, 20 to 17 (please don't tell my mother, as I've spent all year trying to convince her that Twenty Boy Summer is not a memoir!). So that bit of fun summer recklessness was the inspiration for the book title, but not for the actual story.
The story influence itself is much more serious and it's extremely important to me. Though it's not my personal story, the issues Anna and Frankie face throughout the book are very real. I spent several years working for an organization that supports families after a loved one has died and donated organs or tissues. The cause is personal to me as my little brother (you'll recognize him from his cameo appearance in Twenty Boy Summer - Scotty O of Helicopter Pilot fame!) had a lifesaving liver transplant when he was four years old. He wouldn't be alive today, over twenty years later, if not for the generosity of a donor family.

Through my work, I met hundreds of grieving families, many of them teens who'd suffered the death of a loved one or close friend. The stories, memories, horrors, fears, love, and courage these families showed and shared affected me in profound and life-changing ways, and when I set out to write the book, I remembered the teens and siblings and friends I'd met. I wanted to honor them by sharing a little bit of their stories through Anna, Frankie, and Matt. That's how the idea for Twenty Boy Summer was born.

2. What novel are you currently working on?

My second novel is currently in revisions with my editor for a spring/summer 2010 publication, so I'm actually working on a third novel now. Because I'm superstitious about talking up my WIPs too early, it's still kind of secret. I will say that it's another contemporary YA, but this time, it's set during the winter. As soon as I can share more, I will! And as soon as my book 2 revisions are complete, I'll share all the details about that one, too! :-)

3. Other then writing and reading, what activities or hobbies do you enjoy?

I love photography and have started professionally shooting weddings -- capturing people's happy memories and emotions is so fulfilling. I also love to travel, especially road trips with my husband Alex, and have been lucky enough to see most of the United States that way. Camping and hiking are also high on my list! And eating chocolate. Chocolate supplements all of my hobbies. :-)

4. What are some of your favorite YA books?

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (this isn't totally YA, but kind of!)

Red Glass by Laura Resau

The Season by Sarah MacLean

Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti

Wow, there are just so many. And I keep reading awesome new books that quickly become favorites! It's hard to pick!

5. Why do you prefer working at night time?

Because I'm a vampire. :-) Well, other than the whole blood-sucking thing. I've always been a night person, just like my mom. I can't really sleep at night, and I find my most creative hours are between 10 PM and 3 AM. I've tried to get on a day schedule but I always fail! So now that I write full time, I just try to listen to and go with my natural tendencies and write at night when all the ghosts and werewolves and witches are about. I think my muse must be some kind of supernatural creature who only visits me with good ideas after the sun goes down!

6. What is it like being in the 2009 Debutantes, with the other Debs?

The Debs are awesome! Being part of such a talented group of authors, sharing our ups and downs and advice, cheerleading each other's books... it's been a great experience and so helpful to know that we're not going through this crazy journey alone. The best part, though, is that I've made some amazing friends through the Debs that I've gotten to meet and connect with personally, even beyond our common bond of our 2009 debut books. I look forward to knowing them and supporting their books for many years to come, even when we're all old and wise best-selling authors. ;-)

7. Is there anything that you would like to add?

Well, since no one has offered to send me on that all-expenses paid trip to Egypt I casually mentioned on Khy's blog, I'll have to try another approach. :-) Seriously, I just want to share my thanks and appreciation with you and all of the YA book bloggers out there who love books and work so hard to share them with the world. Meeting all of you online has been one of the best unexpected perks to writing and publishing my novel. So thank you!