BLOG TOUR: The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare by M.G. Buehrlen

I'm really excited to be a part of the 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare tour!

Author: M.G. Buehrlen 

Release dates:

March 4, 2014 (US)

6 March, 2014 (UK)
Publisher: Strange Chemistry

ISBN: 9781908844934

One girl. Fifty-seven lives. Endless ways to die. 

For as long as 17-year-old Alex Wayfare can remember, she has had visions of the past. Visions that make her feel like she’s really on a ship bound for America, living in Jamestown during the Starving Time, or riding the original Ferris wheel at the World’s Fair.

But these brushes with history pull her from her daily life without warning, sometimes leaving her with strange lasting effects and wounds she can’t explain. Trying to excuse away the aftereffects has booked her more time in the principal’s office than in any of her classes and a permanent place at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Alex is desperate to find out what her visions mean and get rid of them.

It isn’t until she meets Porter, a stranger who knows more than should be possible about her, that she learns the truth: Her visions aren’t really visions. Alex is a Descender – capable of traveling back in time by accessing Limbo, the space between Life and Afterlife. Alex is one soul with fifty-six past lives, fifty-six histories.

Fifty-six lifetimes to explore: the prospect is irresistible to Alex, especially when the same mysterious boy with soulful blue eyes keeps showing up in each of them. But the more she descends, the more it becomes apparent that someone doesn’t want Alex to travel again. Ever.

And will stop at nothing to make this life her last.

I had the privilege of reading this a couple of years ago and I'm really excited that Alex is finally being released into the world. FINALLY! 

There's SO MUCH I could say about this book, but I really want you to discover how awesome it is for yourself. I CAN tell you that between these pages you will find a well-written, expertly crafted story of love, romance, adventure and pudding cups. 

Yes. 

You read that right, pudding cups. Because everyone could use a pudding cup in their lives. :)   

There may be some other stuff thrown in for good measure too. Stuff like family, forgiveness and second chances, and of course, there's Alex. She's a kick ars time traveling MC who is surrounded by a complex cast of supporting characters, all of whom tug at your heart while drawing you further into the story with her.

Read it. Love it. Go find yourself a pudding cup.

 

Author Bio:

When she's not writing, M.G. moonlights as a web designer and social media/creative director. She's the current web ninja lurking behind the hugely popular website YABooksCentral.com, a social network for YA (and kids!) book lovers. 

The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare is her debut novel.  M.G. lives nestled away in Michigan pines surrounded by good coffee and good books with her husband and son and three furbabies. Say hello on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. 

 

Social media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr

Preorder links:

Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | Amazon | Indiebound | The Book Depository | Waterstones

INTERVIEW

Thanks for joining me today, M.G.! 
*hands you a cookie dough cupcake that has been microwaved for 10 seconds* 
 

How did you come up with the idea for 57 LIVES? 

Very carefully. ;-)

Actually, I've had Alex's character in my head since I was 16. (Fun fact: Her name was Susan back then thanks to my obsession with The Parent Trap.) I wrote tons of scenes where a girl suddenly finds herself in a different time period, struggling to fit in and adhere to the strange customs and traditions. It was always through some magical means, something silly like touching a magical rose or getting cursed by a witch. Those scenes were so much fun to write and explore. It wasn't until a few years ago that I thought about writing her story For Reals. I knew I wanted her to explore several different time periods without the use of magic or curses. The only way I could accomplish that was time travel. Voilà. The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare was born. 

Which character was the most fun to write?  

You already know the answer to this, you lovely beta reader, you. While I loved writing Alex's scenes with Blue, the boy she meets in the past, it was her friendship with Jensen, the boy in her present day life, that stole my heart in the end. He was such a surprise to me. I love his straightforward, cocky but kind, no-shame attitude. He strikes a nice balance with Alex's neuroses, and he teaches her how to trust and make friends. Love that boy. Can't wait to write more of him in Book 2.

How are you similar to Alex? 

Alex is called a Fix-it Freak at school because she knows how to repair electronics, hack them, and make custom mods. To relax, she hangs out in her workshop/bedroom and plays with a soldering gun. 

I was that girl. 

I built my own radio when I was 10 years old. I built my first computer when I was 15. I loved playing with circuit boards. I read Popular Mechanics for fun. 

Unlike Alex, I hid that part of me from everyone (except my father and brother who taught me everything I know) because it was "weird" for a girl to be interested in those things. I didn't want to be weird, or labeled a tomboy, so I moved on to other interests that were more socially acceptable for my sex. That's exactly why I gave Alex those same interests and skills. I wanted to show the world that girls can be tech geeks too. And kick ass at it. 

If she had a theme song, what would it be and why?

I'm thinking it would have to be Wayfaring Stranger. She's named after that song, so it's only fitting. (She wasn’t named after the nerd glasses she wears, I swear.) I think if Alex knew this song, she’d certainly relate to the lyrics. Not for any religious reason, but because the song is about a weary soul's journey from Life to Afterlife. For Alex, that means something much deeper than it does for you and me. Those who've read the book will understand what I mean. It's also a 19th century folk song, so it has some great history attached to it. If I had to guess, Alex would prefer Jack White's version. He's just the epitome of cool, is he not? I think they'd be friends. 

What are your go-to writing must-haves? These can be anything from snacks, drinks, sparkly pens, music, etc. 

FOOD!
Ahem. Let me start again. 

There can never be enough coffee and espresso in my house at all times, but especially when writing. I also need sugar. Copious amounts. Like stacks and stacks of cookies and candy and soda. It's horrible for my body, but the brain runs on sugar. It needs what it needs. 

Other than that, I have a school supply addiction, so a trip to Paper Source fulfills my notebooks, pens, pencils, and cheeky sticky notes requirements. 

If you could travel to any point in time, where would you go and why? (I would go wherever there was Hoagy and pudding cups.) 

I love you for mentioning Hoagy and pudding cups. You're my favorite. 

Hmm... I'd travel back to yesterday and take another nap.

That and I think I'd like to go back and try my hand at being an Old West pioneer. Go all Laura Ingalls Wilder on that shiz. Living off the land and off the grid is so appealing to me right now (as I sit surrounded by TECH EVERYWHERE). I actually think I'd be good at it. But then I'd travel back to present day once winter set in. I'm a total wuss when it comes to rough winters. I need central heating and hoodies and the internets.

Cupcakes, candy, pie or pudding cups, yo? 

ALL FOUR, with coffee, yo.