Best Of 2012 Blog Hop

SLIDE by Jill Hathaway Interview & Giveaway!

 (US Only)

 

Jill Hathaway is the author of "Slide", one of my FAVORITE debuts of 2012!  If you aren't familiar with the story, here's my quick synopsis...

If you had the ability to see the world through someone else's eyes, even for just a few minutes, would you want to?

Vee Bell seems like your everyday narcoleptic but what really happens during her episodes is much more than nodding off. Vee doesn't just pass out, she slides into the minds of other people, giving her a chance to experience the world as they do. "Slide" is fast paced, interesting and keeps you on your toes the entire time, a real thriller. (I was late for stuff because I didn't want to stop reading.) It's not without it's hot boys either (there's several to choose from) and romance that's both swoon worthy and heartbreaking.   

I was honored and excited when Jill agreed to let me interview her.  Here's what she had to say...

Where did your idea for Vee's unique "sliding" ability come from?    

My original idea was for a girl to find herself standing over a dead body with a knife in her hand, unsure of what just happened. The sliding idea evolved from that. 

Do you know anyone personally who suffers from narcolepsy?  I ask because I had a boss once who suffered from it and it was always a little awkward to witness.  I used to wonder what went on in his head when he nodded off but never had the courage to ask him.  If "Slide" had been written then, it might have made me a little self conscious. :)

Haha, that would be awkward! I actually don't know anyone with narcolepsy. I watched some videos on YouTube of people having episodes and did some research on the Internet. 

Speaking of Vee's ability, it does create an interesting dilemma for her.  On one hand she has the opportunity to use it for good (to help catch Sophie's killer) but it's also a major invasion of personal space and privacy.  How is she able to reconcile that? 
That's a GREAT question. I don't think she ever completely reconciles that. Vee knows what it's like to be violated, and she knows what she's doing is a form of that. That's a moral question that I hope to explore more in further books.

Vee and Mattie are sisters who obviously love each other even though they don't always get along.  Do you have any sisters?  

I do have a sister, but it's not quite the same because mine is 9 years younger than me. We're only now getting to the point where we are very close. Before, we obviously loved each other, but didn't have all that much in common. 

In the book, music is a big influence in Vee's life, 90's alternative rock music in particular.  Did that genre of music play an important role in your writing process?   

Oh, for sure. I commute to work every day, so I'd listen to my tunes and daydream about what was happening in Vee's life. Then, when I got home, I'd write it.

How do you balance writing with teaching and everyday life?

Very carefully. Ha! Um, I draft my books during the summer, and I revise on the weekends during the school year. It's a pretty good one-book-per-year process. 

If you had to choose one song to define Vee, what would it be?  Rollins?  Zane? 
Vee- "Sour Girl" by Stone Temple Pilots
Rollins- "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters 
Zane- "Falls On Me" by Fuel  

"Slide" is a thriller but it's not without it's romance and cute boys.  Zane and Rollins both care for Vee but are total opposites in personality and physical appearance.  In your opinion, what do you think is Vee's biggest conflict concerning Rollins and Zane?  Why might she be drawn to one more than the other?

This is really hard for me to answer without spoilers. Vee cares deeply for Rollins, but he's seen her more vulnerable than she'd like to admit she could ever be. So I think that definitely throws a wrench in any possible romance. Zane and Vee have experienced a similar kind of loss, and that's really what draws them to each other.

I have to say, my favorite character was Rollins. (Thank you for writing him!) He's not your typical "hot boy" with his lip ring and snarky attitude but as I said in my review, he was definitely Vee's "knight in shining leather"!   Who was your favorite character, and why?

Ha, probably Rollins, as well. He's got a lot of depth to him, and he puts others' needs above his own.

Can you tell us how many books will be in the Slide series?  

Two for now. 

Will we find out more about Vee and Mattie's mom in future books and whether or not her narcolepsy resulted in a sliding ability?

Yes, more in the second book.

If you could slide into anyone, who would it be and why? or why not?

I'd slide into Jared Leto's girlfriend. Ha, it's obvious why. 

Thanks again Jill!
To find out more about Jill, find her at http://jillscribbles.blogspot.com/

To read my full review of "Slide", head over to YABookscentral.com and be sure to check out all the other great YA books we have there! 
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/11304-slide

ARC & Signed Bookmark Giveaway!

I loved this book so much and I want ALL THE PEOPLE to read it!  To help that along, I'm giving away my ARC of "Slide" as well a signed bookmark. (The bookmarks were generously donated by Jill.) 

 

I received my ARC courtesy of YABC.  While it pains me just a teeny bit to part ways with Vee, Rollins and Zane (epescially Rollins), I'm willing to do it for one lucky winner (US Only).  

The contest will be open for one week and the winner will be chosen on March 26, 2012. You must be 13 years or older to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway