Blog Tour: Interview with Shannon Greenland

I've been a fan of Shannon's for years, so I'm happy to participate in her blog tour!

How did you get the idea for the Specialist series? 

When Alias was on I watched it religiously with my friends. And so when I decided to write a teen series, spies came as a natural fit.
Oh, I LOVED that series

Is there a character from the series that most resembles you? 

 I think like any author there’s bits and pieces of each character that resembles him or her. With my lead character GiGi it’s her awkwardness around boys and her mathematical brain that I resemble the most.
I find that funny, but I'm sure in real life it would be embarrassing.

How many books are in the series and are they all available? 

 There are 5 books in the series and they are all available electronically now. Woot!

Is there something daring your characters have done that you would never dare to do?  
My favorite character is Bruiser. She is so adventurous and kick-butt. I envy her. When people ask me who do I want to be most like, it’s definitely her.

5. What's up next for you? 

 I’m working on a suspense trilogy that takes place in D.C. I’m very excited about it. It’s not like anything I’ve ever done before.
Oh, that sounds great! Looking forward to it!
 

Is there a book you're reading (or recently finished)  that you think everyone should read? 

 Hm… so many books, so little time. I recently read by April Lindner. It’s a retelling of the classic novel Jane Eyre. She did a fantastic job. So if you’re a fan of the classics, I’d say you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

Review: Model Spy

Kelly James, child genius, finds herself in hot water after a boy in college asks her to hack into a government computers system. She's brought in for questioning and given a choice. She can go to juvie or she can become a part of a government program called the Specialists.

She decides there's nothing waiting for her; she has no friends and her parents are dead. she travels with TL to her new home, a ranch for boys and girls. It's a cover for the real program.

Kelly's brought in, where she becomes a part of a new team. One of the boys gives her the name Genius Girl, GiGi for short. Each team member has his or her own specialty. They're expected to go to school, GiGi to college and the rest to high school. They're expected to train physically. Plus they're expected to go on missions as needed.

Not too long into her training, GiGi's given a mission. She needs to blend in as a model, while using her computer skills. Her partner in crime is the boy who got her in the mess in the first place. 

My Thoughts: A smashing start to series full of spies, romance, and smart girls. I love GiGi - how she's smart, how she thinks in computer code to calm down, how she loves lollipops, how she mixes up words when she talks, her determination and her strength. I love her team, can't wait to read more about them. The series is funny, sexy, and thrilling. I love the action, the danger, and the scenes between David and GiGi.

Cover Thoughts: Really like it
Source: My Library
READ poster: I created this poster about the Specialists series and Shannon Greenland.

Blog Tour: Interview with Shannon Greenland

I really loved the Specialist series. I was so excited to hear about Shannon's latest book The Summer My Life Began. I'm pleased to be part of the blog tour. 

Shannon, Welcome to YA Book Nerd.

What made you choose to write YA?  Actually, my critique partner was the one who said I had a young voice and should try writing YA. Turns out she was right because I love it!


You mention on your website that you dreaded both reading and writing as a kid. When did that change? After college graduation a friend gave me a pile of books to read. One day out of sheer boredom I picked one up and found that I suddenly had a joy of reading. That joy sparked my interest to write.
I love this! What a great way to fall into writing.



Where do you write best? I write best with a legal pad and .9 pencil while lounging across my bed.

How do you get your ideas?  Do you use real events in your novels and if so, can you describe one? I draw from my travels, adventures, and people I meet when I plot books. For example in The Summer My Life Began, the surfing scene is very close to my own first time surfing. In my spy series, The Specialists, I got my fight scenes and training scenes from my own MMA experiences.
That sounds intense!


How did you come up with your title(s)? I must be horrible at creating titles because my editor always changes them. Personally, I love her titles much more than mine.

Can you tell us a little bit about The Summer My Life Began? Summer, tan skin, ocean, cute surfer boy, strolling a Farmer’s Market, riding tandem on a moped, lazy afternoons in a hammock, uncovering some unbelievable secrets, and did I mention cute surfer boy? 
I loved it! If you missed my review, check it out here. 

You list many adventurous activities on your website. Did any of them scare you? Do you have a favorite? Did you do any of them for research purposes? Sailing has got to be the scariest adventure—you’re out in the ocean with land miles and miles away—a big storm stirs and the sea sickness kicks in—I think it’s one of the only times I thought I might die. Would I do it again? Yes!


What will you do on your release day? The Barnes & Noble local to me is hosting a launch party. I can’t wait!

What was the last book you've read and been recommending to everyone? Hunger Games—both the book and movie were great.

Do you have a book crush? I just finished writing another romantic YA and I’m head over hills in crush with the main guy.
Oh my! I must get my hands on this one too! It sounds fabulous.

Do you have a favorite library experience? Several years ago a middle cchool library in Palm Coast, FL hosted a fabulous author talk surrounding my Specialists series. The kids were great, the hostess was wonderful, and the snacks she’d homemade were out of this world.

Are there any authors you’d love to meet? I’d say Suzanne Brockmann but I’ve already met her. Probably Collins since I just read the Hunger Games.

Do you have a favorite quote you’ve read? “Slow and steady wins the race”. I do a lot of running and coach a girls team and that is our/my mantra. Who cares if you win? Just finish and enjoy the experience.
Great advice!

Listing of your favorites:
            Candy Reese’s Cup
            Cake/Cupcake Flavor Carrot
            Ice Cream Anything Ben & Jerry’s
            Pizza topping Good ole pepperoni
            Genre of books YA: suspense/adventure/romance
            Singer and/or Song Train
            Restaurant Napoli’s pizza in St. Augustine, FL
            TV show /Movie New Girl
            Color Green
            Shoe Brooks running
            Video Game Old school Frogger



Thanks for chatting with me!
Thank you ever so much!
Be sure to check out Shannon's website as well as her Specialists series starting with Model Spy 


If your a librarian, check back here tomorrow with s special giveaway just for you.

Review: The Summer My Life Began

Elizabeth Margaret has her life planned out - a summer internship at her father's law office, then she'll be attending Harvard for the next several years until she returns to her father's office with a law degree. But then life throws her a curve ball.

A letter arrives in the mail inviting her to North Carolina for the summer, from her Aunt Matilda. Em didn't know she had an aunt. After a compromise with her family, she's headed to the Outer Banks for a month.

From the moment she arrives when the airline looses her luggage and she's forced to wait two hours for her ride, life begins to change. Em begins to loosen up. Tilly, her aunt, smothers her with love and the opportunity to relax. She's not pressuring her like Em's parents and grandmother.

Em lets herself be. She  loves cooking, but she always had to cook in secret due to her parents' disapproval. Now, she's free to help out in the kitchen of Tilly's B&B. She tours the island with her new friends from the B&B including her cousin. She goes on a date with a college boy, but realizes she can't stop thinking about a more unsuitable boy. Since she has only a month of freedom, she decides to take a chance on a boy and most importantly herself.

My Thoughts: I loved Shannon Greenland's Specialist series and was so happy to hear about her new book.  I loved the setting for this book. It made me want to desperately go to the beach. I could feel myself there with the wind whipping through my hair and the sun beating down on me. A fabulous read to jump start summer!


I loved Em. She was brave stepping out of her comfort zone, dealing with family issues, and looking at her future. I adored the moments between her and her sister. I loved how Gwenny's influence helped her to relax.  They had a perfect sisterly relationship.


The family as a whole has a dark secret that Em tries to uncover. Why hasn't she heard of Tilly and her cousin Frederick before? I really liked how Em felt instantly at home in North Carolina. She had a connection with both her aunt and with Frederick - not to mention the chef.  I admire Tilly for her sense of self, for her past, and for her easy going ways. I enjoyed the moments between Em and the chef, Domino. 


I adored the moments between Cade and Em. He was so mysterious. I enjoyed watching Em figure him out, layer after layer. I loved their date; it was magical. Plus the heat between them was intense! 


Cover Thoughts: Love the carefree look in front of the ocean.


Source: Net Galley for a blog tour through JKSCommunications


Check back tomorrow for an interview with Shannon Greenland.