Thanks for joining the Authors Around the World Blog Hop! The super prize is a Kindle Fire ~ woohoo! I want one of those!
I'm lucky enough to host talented author, Courtney Vail whose new book Kings & Queens sounds absolutely riveting.
Author:
Courtney Vail
What title are you highlighting in this blog hop?
Kings & Queens, a twisty, YA mystery-suspense novel
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Majesty Alistair wants police to look further into her father’s fatal car wreck, hopes the baseball team she manages can reclaim the state crown, aches for Derek…or, no…maybe Alec…maybe. And she mostly wishes to retract the hateful words she said to her dad right before slamming the door in his face, only to never see him again.
All her desires get sidelined, though, when she overhears two fellow students planning a church massacre. She doubts cops will follow up on her tip since they’re sick of her coming around with notions of possible crimes-in-the-works. And it’s not like she cries wolf. Not really. They’d be freaked too, but they’re not the ones suffering from bloody dreams that hint at disaster like some crazy, street guy forecasting the Apocalypse.
So, she does what any habitual winner with zero cred would do…try to I.D. the nutjobs before they act. But, when their agenda turns out to be far bigger than she ever assumed, and even friends start looking suspect, the truth and her actions threaten to haunt her forever, especially since she’s left with blood on her hands, the blood of someone she loves.
What gave you the idea for the book?
A dream where I overheard two people planning a church massacre while running in the woods. I escaped them in this little town, which gave me the seedling plot and locale I needed to bring a love triangle that had been kicking around in my brain to fruition.
Who are your main characters?
Majesty Alistair, a feisty tomboy with a quick wit, who manages her high school’s baseball team on which her two best friends play. One of her best friends is Derek McCarthy, a guarded teen with tons of layers and grit. And Alec is her other best friend. He’s an All-American type with a heart of gold. And Warren is an intelligent, loner artist, who factors into the main plot.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Derek. He’s wounded, cool and edgy.
What was your biggest challenge writing this book?
The writing was easy. It was the editing that took a couple years. It went through two critique circles and a tornado storm to come to press.
Where do you live?
Springfield, MA
Tell us a little about an interesting landmark in your country.
Fenway Park.
What's the most well known city in your country and why?
Manhattan. It’s a cultural center and everyone loves to visit New York City if they can make it to the States.
What's a little known fact about where you live?
It’s the home of basketball and volleyball.
Name two famous people who've been sighted in your corner of the world.
Bill Cosby. He has a home nearby in Shelburne Falls. He comes to Springfield quite a bit. Alec Baldwin. He was in the area, even at a mall, campaigning for Ted Kennedy. Stephen Nichols, from Days of Our Lives. My sister waited on him and his wife when she worked at Gus and Paul’s downtown.
What's your favorite restaurant and what type of food do they serve?
Red Lobster. It serves seafood and cheddar bay biscuits…or so I’m told…since they all left the immediate area.
What are you giving away on your blog?
An eCopy of Kings & Queens and a $10 giftcard, winner’s choice on store.
Who is the author you are highlighting on your blog?
Linda Ullesit, author of On a Wing and a Dare
Where can readers connect with you?
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/cvwriter
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kingsandqueensnovel
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4744654.Courtney_Vail
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