Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Karen Hooper Author Interview

Book Nerd Interview


I’ve loved mermaids since as far back as I can remember. This is me when I was two years old, holding my Sea Wees doll. See how happy I am? I grew up watching movies like Splash and The Little Mermaid, and you could find me swimming around the pool in our backyard with my legs stuck together, pretending I had a tail and fins.

Fast forward a couple (maybe a few) decades and I’m still playing make-believe with mermaids–except now they’re in my novels instead of a toy box.

I’m a self-proclaimed twisted little pixie. I believe that magic and true love really do exist, even in a world that can be ugly at times. I like to dance down rabbit holes and ride shooting stars while playing a never-ending game of “Imagine If…” Then I write about my impossible and fantastical musings and call myself an author. Honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I love storytelling way too much.

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, but I’ve also lived in Colorado. Eventually, I had to move to a place where I’d be surrounded by water, so I now live in Florida.

When I’m not writing I can be found reading, people watching at Disney World, hanging with my amazing friends and family, listening to music, dancing, traveling, pondering the Universe, or enjoying breathtaking sunsets and a good glass of white wine.

I love great food, desserts, more desserts, movies that make me laugh or cry, thunderstorms, butterflies in my stomach, curtains blowing in the breeze, my dogs tails wagging because they are happy to see me, thrilling rides, books that make me think or learn something new, Ravens football, long warm baths, smiling uncontrollably, flavored coffee, an amazing dream that stays with me all day, popping popcorn the old-fashioned way, jumping out of airplanes, board games, lotto scratch-offs, and flying to Neverland.

I’m a constant work in progress.

Check out the teen focused blog that I co-founded with some other awesome YA authors: YA Confidential

I’m also grateful and lucky to be part of a talented group of authors called the Indelibles.


Social Media
   



As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

It changed all the time, but for a few years I wanted to be a dancer at Disney World. I even did a school project about it in 5th grade.

You read a lot of YA fiction. Please name a few of your favorite books and tell us why they inspire you.

Oh, there are so many, but to name a few: A Certain Slant of Light (amazing writing and old-soul characters, which I love). Wicked Lovely (LOVE Seth and the world-building rocks. The Sky Is Everywhere (beautiful prose, loveable characters and it made me cry).

The story of Tangled Tides is about the underwater world. What gave you the idea?

I love the ocean, always have. Combine that with my love for sea creatures, romance, magic and mythology and the outcome was Tangled Tides.

Do you ever research real events, legends, or myths to get ideas?

I had to research basic things like the names of Medusa's sisters, but most of my other world-building was based on legends or myths I already knew about. Also, I put my own twist on most of my creatures and their backgrounds. That's the beauty of writing fantasy fiction--the only limit is an author's imagination.

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about Treygan?

He's very allergic to peanut butter.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Yes, I'm working on the sequel to Tangled Tides right now. Things didn't end as happily ever after as they seemed. ;)

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

"How are the brussels sprouts?" I always say "good" but I never really mean it.

What was a time in your life when you were really scared?

When I was holding someone I loved in my arms after a horrible car crash. He kept telling me wasn't going to survive, I kept promising him he would be okay (even though I was terrified). That was our very last argument. I lost.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

Touch. I can't wait to see where they go with it for the rest of the season.

Who was your first boyfriend?

Big Jesse (last name kept secret to protect the innocent). I was twelve and he was one of the most popular kids at Skateland, but by some miracle he chose me for a girlfriend. That one ended in heartbreak, but we're still friends to this very day.

What are your pet peeves?

People who talk loud on their cell phones in public places. So rude. Oh, and when people wear socks with flip flops or sandals. That does not look good on ANYONE.

If you could be any mythology creature, what would you be?
Medusa. But MY version of Medusa long after Perseus kills her.

Where can readers stalk you?

www.KarenAmandaHooper.com
or on Twitter at @Karen_Hooper
or at Disney World. I'm there like every other weekend.



Yara Jones doesn't believe in sea monsters-until she becomes one.

When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.

Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people-until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process-or she might open the gateway to a love that's deeper than the oceans.

Reviews:

“Tangled Tides includes a delicious romance that even the most dispassionate soul can’t refuse. I absolutely adored Yara and her strength in all things, including love. And Treygan? I seriously want in on that merman action. Blue has never been so sexy. Hooper has created a believable underwater world that will leave readers wishing for a tail instead of legs.” - Elana Johnson, author of POSSESSION

“I adored this tale of sea monsters and forbidden love. Full of deception, romance, and intrigue, Tangled Tides is a story best savored but impossible to put down.” - PJ Hoover, author of SOLSTICE

“Tangled Tides is a delightful, smartly plotted tale of adventure, family secrets, and sizzling romance. I couldn’t put it down!” - Rae Carson, author of THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS


Tangled Tides is an entertaining new twist on Merfolk. Author Karen Amanda Hooper puts together a wonderful cast of characters in a very imaginative world of mermaids, sirens, selkies, gorgons, gods, and sea monsters. There were many exciting twists and the plot was certainly created with thought and care.

Hooper’s approach of introducing this remarkable world is top notch and definitely fascinating. The world building is very compelling that at times you feel like a world like it could possibly exist. With fantastically written characters like Yaran, Treygan, and Rownan and a very intriguing storyline, it is the perfect combination for a book to maintain the reader’s attention. Story and characters are equally awesome and truly unique. You will come across many twists and turns that you’ll find yourself hurrying your daily activities in order to sit down on your favorite chair and find out what’s next in store for these wonderful characters.

Hooper’s writing style automatically draws you in. Certainly not the first mermaid story but it is definitely one of the best. A truly unique treat of a read that will not disappoint and only keeps your interest at its highest peak.

You can purchase Tangled Tides at the following Retailers:
    


And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you Karen for making this giveaway possible.
3 Winners will receive one e-copy of Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper.


Click the Picture Below to Enter My Other Giveaways.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

24 comments:

  1. My high school sweetheart and I, just walking hand in hand along the beach at sunset. Was the moment I realised I wanted to marry this man and you know what?! 15yrs later and we may not walk the beach anymore but we have a beautiful family. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. getting bitten by a huge crab and nearly losing my big toe. haha not a nice memory but its the most memorable lol
    thanks for the contest :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog! :)
    And double thanks for the thoughtful and kind review. I truly appreciate it. <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was standing on the beach in Durban, South Africa, some distance from the sea (I would say 15-20 metres), when a HUGE wave suddenly came up the beach from nowhere and crashed down. It knocked me off my feet!

    Thank you for this giveaway! Even if I don't win, I'm planning on putting your book on my Goodreads list!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Daytona Beach, family vaca with my kids, 6 years ago.. Condo on the beach and the kids didn't fight the entire time. It was fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Zuma Beach, CA took my boys for the first time. It was the best day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. My favorite beach memory was in California on vacation a guy we didn't know let us ride his his jet skies, it was awesome riding in the waves!

    ReplyDelete
  8. :O) Hunting for pippies watching the kids running up and down the beach ! They where so amazed that we could catch these and acutally cook them in a pasta lol.

    Ive been eyein off this book for ages now !! Love the cover and thanks for the post !!

    kat

    kittee_cat@bigpond.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. My sweet mother leaving me with a whole bunch of stuff because I didn't want to go to the beach. Not wanting going to the beach doesn't men someone wants to watch everyone's stuff. Memorable in a bad way.

    ReplyDelete
  10. When I was about 11 I went to Turkey and had the coolest inflatable turtle. I'd been lying on it for ages when my Mum tipped me off. Sad but true. xD

    ReplyDelete
  11. My most unforgettable 'water moment' was when I nearly drowned in a public wave pool. After that, I was a lot more careful not to venture too deep!

    ReplyDelete
  12. First time seeing the sea. My dad recorded me than... I looked really creepy, so happy :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. Unfortunately no moments scared of water t lkes and oceans

    ReplyDelete
  14. The most unforgettable beach moment was 4th of July a few years ago. I was watching the fireworks and catching crabs with my cousins and other family members.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Every time I visit the seaside. Thank you for this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  16. camping, we (me my neice, and my nephew) would make 3 person pyramids in the water. my nephew on bottom. me on his shoulders, and my niece on my shoulders.. a few time we even got my youngest niece on her shoulders to make a 4 person pyramid. it was so much fun. one summer i didn't put on sunscreen and got the hugest blister on my back! we have pictures of it somewhere and my mom saw it and got so mad that we were taking pictures of someones boob. i had to tell her it was my back and not a boob but a giant blister. hurt for a month to wear a shirt

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lake Superior in Duluth. Always beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm not a beach person =S
    but i do like do go and take pictures =) those are the bet moments for me

    ReplyDelete
  19. I don't think I've ever seen so many tweets about an interview with me as I have with this contest. Jean, thanks so so much, and thanks to everyone entering and tweeting. I appreciate every single one of you! *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  20. While I was 'trying' to do surf! Trying was me falling everytime I wave crash into me! Hilarious! (ileana-rafflecopter)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I fell asleep on the beach with a book on my belly and got a white book shaped mark with red all around it. That was a strange tan.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Going scuba diving in Turkey and seeing so many beautiful sea creatures.
    Thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  23. My first time in the ocean when I was 18 :D I loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  24. My favorite beach memory would have to be when we went to visit my in-laws. They live in Puerto Rico, lucky huh! So we went to 4 different beaches in 1 day. They vary from super soft sand that your feet dig into every time you walk. To extremely hard sand so smooth it's almost like concrete. Those 5 days were like heaven ;D

    rasberryice25@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete