#CharacterInterview LOST REPUTATION by @KimberlyAnnNJ an @Evernightteen #newrelease #giveaway #ya

We are thrilled to have an interview with 

the Hero of LOST REPUTATION, Victor Cruz

How did you first meet your writer? First, I should introduce myself. My name is Victor Cruz, but most people call me Vic. My writer plucked me from my life and sat me in a math class with this girl, Casey. I was instantly intrigued.

Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book? Mine? No. I don’t think I’m anything special.

What are your favorite scenes in your book: the action, the dialog or the romance? Any scene with Casey in it makes my life worth living in this book. Of course, any romantic scene is better, but I’ll take what I can get.

Did you have a hard time convincing your author to write any particular scenes for you? Si. I wanted to get together with Casey from the beginning, but my author made Casey push  me away. I didn’t think that was very nice.

Do you infiltrate your writer’s dreams? The only dreams I want to appear in are Casey’s.

Are you happy with the genre your writer has placed you in? Si, especially since she wrote me in with Casey.

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be? I’d make Casey like me from the minute our eyes met. Then I would claim her as my own and live happily ever after with her.

Do you like the way the book ended? Si!

Would you be interested in a sequel, if your writer was so inclined? Si! As long as Casey is there, write me in!

Do have any secret aspirations that your author doesn’t know about? Si. I wish she would write more of my expertise in Spanish. It’s a beautiful language and I’m fluent in it. She doesn’t know much Spanish, but maybe I can convince her to add it in a future book.

What do you do for a living? I’m a student, but I plan on becoming a pharmacist.

What is your greatest fear? Being sent back to Spain. I want to stay in the US with Casey and my family.

What do you wear when you go to sleep? Wouldn’t you like to know?

What are you proudest of? The confidence I gained since coming to America. I was a scrawny, scared kid who could barely speak English when I got here, but thankfully, I’ve grown, learned to speak English well, and become more comfortable with who I am.

What word makes you the happiest? Casey.

How do you react when people sing “Happy Birthday” to you in a restaurant? It’s never happened to me before, but I suspect I would sing right along with everyone! May as well enjoy the attention!

What’s your favorite animal? Horses. They are such magnificent animals, and they remind me of back home in Spain.

Have you ever thought about getting a tattoo, what would it be and where? If not, what if you had to? I have, but my author probably wouldn’t give me one. I think I would consider getting CB tattooed on both biceps.

Thanks again for visiting with us today !!!!

 

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LOST REPUTATION

Kimberly Ann Miller

Romance/Contemporary/Suspense/Young Adult

Evernight Teen Publishing/237 pages

Casey Hayes has a secret—she writes the conspiracy theory column for her high school newspaper. As the editor, she thrives on the thrill of uncovering the facts—until she gets tangled up in a scandal.

When she exposes a teacher’s shameful secret, threats start, demanding she stop spreading the vicious rumors. Casey blows it off and keeps on writing. Even sexy Victor Cruz, the hot senior with the adorable accent who chases after Casey and tries to protect her, fails to convince her to keep her mouth shut. But things only get worse as she ignores the warnings, and soon, Casey must decide if exposing the truth is more important to her than her life.

Buy Links:   Evernight Teen    Amazon    ARe 

Excerpt:

I laughed at the memory as I locked up the newsroom and rushed to my next class. I still had a smile on my face as I plopped down on my seat in the back row of calculus. Victor Cruz, my secret crush, entered the room. My pulse reacted to his presence, but, thank God, no other part of me did that he could see. I didn’t want to be lusting after anyone this year because I was planning on working hard toward my college goals and didn’t need the distraction.

The worst thing was, Charli told me he gave his ex-girlfriend some rash because he cheated on her. I so did not do the sexually transmitted diseases thing, and I definitely had zerorespect for cheaters. Not even for a hunk like him, who obviously screwed around and didn’t care if he got girls sick.

But damn, did this guy make my insides quiver. He was totally hot. His parents moved to New Jersey from Spain during middle school when Vic was scrawny and didn’t speak much English. When senior year started a month ago, no one recognized him because he’d grown ten inches, gained fifty pounds—of muscle—and must have taken some classes in style because, damn, the boy knew how to dress to show off his build.

Loose jeans with a belt, black boots, and a black, long-sleeved tee only made him sexier. And the way he walked? It should’ve been a crime. He had a swagger about him that rivaled any of the good old boys of Hollywood. Watching it made me quiver in places I didn’t know could quiver.

But it wasn’t just his looks that held me captive. He had the values of an old-fashioned guy—holding the door open for girls, helping them with heavy stuff, defending them when guys were too rough or mean.

If it wasn’t for that wild partying side of him … sigh.

As he approached his seat, I couldn’t help but stare at his thighs, mesmerized by the fluid sway they made with each step.

He caught me staring and raised a thick black brow. I diverted my eyes and pretended to be very interested in the junior’s notebook next to me. But I didn’t even know his name. Ugh.

Vic slid into his seat next to me and winked at the girls that were staring at him.

They always stared at him.

I rolled my eyes. But when I felt his eyes on me, I shifted in my seat, fighting the funny tingle in my stomach that came from looking at him.

The other problem was, besides being a distraction, Vic knew how sexy he’d become. He acted so cocky and confident, I wanted to smack the grin off his face and remind him that not long ago, he could have passed for a ten-year-old boy who couldn’t speak English or speak to girls.

But, whatever. He had a harem now, so good for him. And shiny black hair, smooth, bronze skin, and deep brown eyes that … never mind. Didn’t matter anyway.

Kylie sauntered over to him, swaying her hips so hard, I wondered how they didn’t dislocate. She leaned over his back and wrapped her arms around his ample shoulders, pressing her boobs into his back. I’m sure he loved that. “Hey, Vic. Busy this weekend? My parents are out of town, and we can go riding if you want. I’ll pack us a lunch.” She ran her fingernails over his chest as she spoke, clearly enjoying the feel of him.

He pulled her fingers off him and slipped out of her grasp. “Sorry, I’m busy, but thanks for asking.”

She leaned into him again, making sure to press her boobs into his neck. I rolled my eyes so hard, they almost didn’t return to face front. That would suck. What would I tell the nurse? I was looking at my brain instead of in front of me and I needed an eye adjustment?

“Maybe another time, okay?”

Vic nodded once. “Si.”

I pulled out my phone to check messages, done with listening to the vixen and her attempts at charming the hottest guy in school.

“Hey, Casey,” he said in his sexy Spanish accent. He had this way of dragging out the end of my name, making it sound like Kay Seee.

It was both unsettling and adorable, so I just grunted at him. How else could I get anything done with him around?

About the Author:

Kimberly Ann Miller received Bachelor's degrees from Georgian Court University and Rutgers University and a Master's degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  She is an avid reader and particularly enjoys true crime and young adult novels.  She grew up in New Jersey and currently resides in Monmouth County with her husband and cats. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel to sunny islands where she snorkels by day and stargazes by night. She always takes her Nook with her.

https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.a.miller.180
https://twitter.com/KimberlyAnnNJ
http://kimberlyannmiller.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5820784.Kimberly_Ann_Miller

authorkimberlyannmiller@gmail.com

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Character Interview w/ Haydee Gomez from A Love That Disturbs @evernightteen @sharifwrites #amazongiveaway

Please welcome Haydee Gomez from A Love That Disturbs

Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book?

Never. I’ve done my best to keep things to myself. 

What are your favorite scenes in your book: the action, the dialog or the romance?

The romance. Meeting Maysa and getting to know her has been the best part of my life. 

What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?

Getting my life straight with work and school. Things were real bad for me before the book and in the beginning of it, but I’m working as hard as I can to make things right. 

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?

All the bad parts. There are so many and they were hard to go through, although horrible situations can have a way of turning into something positive. 

Do you like the way the book ended?

Absolutely. After all that happened, something good came out of it all. 

What is your greatest fear?

That I’ll lose Maysa. 

What do you think your greatest weakness is?

I’ve made many bad choices, but I’m changing that about myself. 

What do you think is your strongest attribute?

My strength, both physical and mental. 

What is your most favorite memory?

The first time Maysa and I kissed. 

Thanks again for visiting with us today and please come back soon  !!!!

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A Love That Disturbs

by Medeia Sharif

Evernight Teen Publishing/60k words

Interracial/Romance/YA/Contemp/LGBT(Lesbian)

Maysa Mazari is alarmed by her mother’s talk about arranged marriage. As a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American, she wants to find love on her own. Her judgmental Muslim clique has protected her from racist taunts, although the leader is turning on her as Maysa strays from the group because of her attraction to Haydee.

Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.

Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together. 

Buy Links:  Evernight Teen   Amazon   ARe    BookStrand

EXCERPT

At least Rafe wouldn’t bother her for a few hours. He knew it was her first day in a new school. Haydee blew her nose, wiped her eyes, and left the bathroom. She walked into first period English and handed the teacher the pass. Students stared. A few had tattoos peeking from the edges of sleeves and shorts, but nothing like what she had. She felt like The Tattooed Woman and avoided staring back at them. She wasn’t in alternative school anymore, where most students had a nasty attitude about anything related to academics. The students in front of her had their books open and had been reading and writing before she walked in. They weren’t looking to fight her and she wasn’t going to fight them.

“Let me write your name down,” the teacher said. “I’ll make a folder for your work. How do you say your name? Heidi?”

“No, it’s Hay-dee,” she corrected Ms. Tookes. “Haydee Gomez.”

Ms. Tookes wrote her name on a notepad and nodded toward an empty desk, so Haydee sat down in a seat in the back with a textbook. The assignment was on the board, but Haydee had trouble seeing. She had lost or broken so many of her eyeglasses in the past that she stopped wearing them. She was slightly nearsighted and lived with her blurry vision just fine. Tomorrow she’d come to class on time and get a seat in the front.

She continued to receive some stares, but then students went back to work.

Feeling like she was on display, Haydee twirled the drawstrings of her hoodie, chewed the inside of her mouth, and smoothed down the baby hairs on her forehead. The door opened and she was grateful for another distraction. It was Maysa, her pink-and-green silk scarf glistening under the fluorescent lights. Haydee’s vision sharpened, as if she could see Maysa clearly, while everything around her was fuzzy. Maysa caught Haydee’s gaze and smiled before turning to Ms. Tookes. “May I take a few pictures of the students working?”

The teacher smiled back. “Take all the pictures you want.”

Maysa had a sunny, innocent demeanor. Haydee wondered what it would be like to have her life. She must have two parents taking care of her. She probably had brothers and sisters who were as nice as she was. Her parents were strict, if she had to cover her head like that, but they most likely were loving. Haydee’s curiosity intensified. She needed to know more about Maysa, who was walking to the back of the room where she was.

“Can I take a picture of you reading the textbook?” Maysa asked.

“Sure,” Haydee said. Anything. She wanted to please this girl. Haydee opened to a random page. It was a Shakespearean sonnet, which was like another language to her. Haydee liked to read, but not classic works. She enjoyed romance books and read any that she could get her hands on. They helped her escape from her own reality by taking her someplace else for a few hours.

Flashes sparked as Maysa took a few shots of Haydee. “You’re very photogenic.”

“Really?” Haydee looked up. “Let me see.”

Maysa neared her and held the back of the camera to Haydee’s face. Looking at the screen, Haydee saw she didn’t look too bad. Her bun was messy in a stylish way, and her head was tilted down to her book. Her cheekbones were sharp, and her right side was on display—not the left one with the black eye. “It’s a nice shot.”

Maysa smiled, and Haydee blinked, not knowing what else to say or do. She wanted to keep Maysa talking so that she wouldn’t leave right away. Because of the picture taking, a few other students had started talking and sneaked looks at the two of them. Haydee knew they must seem like an odd pair interacting with each other. Maysa showed her the next few pictures, at different angles. “I have to go now and get to the next classroom,” she said.

“Oh, all right.” Her gaze was riveted to Maysa’s slender form as she walked out the door.

Haydee’s phone vibrated again. When the teacher wasn’t looking, she slid it out of her pocket.

Got a nice dress for you tonight

Come to my place later so you can try it on

Red, your perfect color

And just like that, the moment was ruined. She shoved her phone back into her pocket. Like she needed another reminder of everything that was wrong in her life. She gritted her teeth and made fists, then forced herself to loosen her hands. She didn’t want to think about Rafe anymore, but how could she not? He was like a virus in her system and she couldn’t get rid of him. She admitted that he took care of her: he beat up johns who mistreated her, handed over any money he promised her, and challenged anyone who bothered her on the rough streets of Miami.

If it hadn’t been for Rafe, she might have been dead at one point, because one of the johns locked her in a bathroom, threatening to kill her later, and he took care of the situation. There were the existing issues of earning money and a degree of safety, but surely she could find another line of work. How would she tell Rafe that she wanted out without having his temper explode? She had seen him cut a man’s face with a razor. Would he do the same to her?

Author Bio:

Medeia Sharif was born in New York City and presently calls Miami her home. She received her master's degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Published through various presses, she writes middle grade and young adult short stories and novels. In addition to being a writer, she's a public school teacher.

http://www.medeiasharif.com/

https://twitter.com/sharifwrites

https://www.instagram.com/sharifwrites/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4086531.Medeia_Sharif

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