I have another great YA 2013 debut author for you! Author Lenore Appehans, releases her debut novel, Level 2 this month! Enjoy the interview with Lenore and why not enter to win a copy of Level 2!
The author: Lenore Appehans
I’m an American girl living in Germany with my illustrator husband (Daniel Jennewein) and three Sacred Birman cats. Due to my father’s US Air Force career, I moved around a lot, and have now visited nearly 60 countries. I also love to read and have been blogging about books at http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com since 2008.
Writing
People have always told me I have a talent for writing. I won competitions in school. I studied journalism at university and worked as a freelance advertising copywriter for many years. It wasn’t until I met authors through my blog that I realized writing fiction for publication might be an attainable goal. And now here I am!
The Book- Level 2 About/inspiration behind the book
Level 2 is a sort of dystopian afterlife, and Felicia ends up joining a rebellion to try to make things right. At the same time, she tries to come to terms with bad decisions she made during her life.
The inspiration for the book was the combination of two questions: “What kind of currency might you have in the afterlife?” and “What would a dystopian afterlife look like?” I enjoyed exploring these questions immensely.
Blurb:
'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.'
Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.
Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves
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How does it feel to be releasing your debut novel in later this month?
I’m so excited for the book launch party Usborne is throwing on Jan 10. This would actually be my mother’s 64th birthday, and I know she’d be so proud if she could see me with my own published book now. She always loved reading so much.
Can you describe your protagonist Felicia in less than 140 characters?
Felicia can be impulsive, stubborn, and self-centered but she can also be incredibly loyal, fun and smart. With Felicia, it’s complicated.
Why should we pick up Level 2 when it is released in later this month?
I’ve read over 400 YA novels in the past couple of years, so I know what’s out there. I strived to make LEVEL 2 really unique. And it’s the type of novel I love to read: high concept and full of twists with a swoony sweet romance.
Bookie Questions!
Favourite genre and why?
I love anything high concept – books that ask tantalizing questions and promise tantalizing answers. Some of my favorite topics are time travel, afterlife, dystopia, fairy tale retellings and historical plague tales.
Favourite YA author and why?
I can’t choose just one! I love authors who are innovative and experimental and who also produce lyrical prose. AS King and Lauren Oliver are great examples.
Debut author/ upcoming author we should check out
I’ve just read STARGLASS by Phoebe North (another book blogger turned author) and was so impressed by its depth.
Favourite 2012 read and why?
Again, so hard to choose! There were several books that hit my high concept/literary sweet spot: YESTERDAY by CK Kelly Martin, EVERY DAY by David Levithan, THUMPED by Megan McCafferty, TIME BETWEEN US by Tamara Ireland Stone and THROUGH TO YOU by Emily Hainsworth.
A book series you love and why?
Funnily enough, before I started reading YA, I wasn’t much of a series girl, but now it seems every book I pick up is the start of a series. From my pre-blogging days, one of my favorites is Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next books (starting with THE EYRE AFFAIR). These are just so inventive and fun. I also read all 13 volumes of Lemony Snicket’s A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. I can always count on them to put a smile on my face.
Congrats on the book release later this month! I love the cover and I really can't wait to read the book
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read it it looks awesome.
ReplyDeletecongrats on the release the book looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of Level 2 and I love that you want to make it unique with twists =)
ReplyDeleteHigh twists and sweet swoony romance. You've hooked me in.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing! Good luck with the release =)
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ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway!
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of this book, it's different to others and looks like a good read
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this fantastic book giveaway, that i would love to have the oporunity of reading! I adore the YA genre and Level 2 sounds brilliant x
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really unique!
ReplyDeleteSounds a very interesting read...
ReplyDeleteCongrats! This book sounds amazing :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the plot and the two questions that inspired this story, it made me very curious. I think this is a unique angle and be interested to see how this is progressed in the story.
ReplyDeleteLevel 2 sounds really awesome. I can not wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteWould love to read what looks to be a very interesting book
ReplyDeletesounds like a very good book x thanks for the give away
ReplyDeletelooks perfect for my dil she would love this
ReplyDeleteSounds great!
ReplyDeleteAnother one to add to the to-read list!
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