The time it was about city-states

I bought Defiance pretty much right when it came out, but didn't get to it right away.  When I finally found it in my TBR stack and read it, I devoured it and mentally slapped myself for not getting to it sooner.  So, of course, when Deception arcs started going out, I was dying to get my hands on one. My lovely friend, Jaime, happened to get an extra one and gave it to me. 

And gah. It didn't disappoint.  I begged asked C.J. for an interview and she was lovely enough to say yes.  But, before we get to her answers, let's check out the book!

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.



But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive.

In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.

Sounds good, right?

1. Where did the idea for Defiance come from?

I'd had the idea of a Leviathon-like creature who lived deep below the earth's surface in my head for years.  One day, I saw a picture of a fortress that reminded me of an old fashioned city-state. I thought, "Wouldn't it be interesting if we lived in city-states again?" and then I thought, "Why would we do that?" And the two ideas collided and became Defiance.

2. You wrote two POVs [yay!]. Who was easier to work with: Logan or Rachel?

Rachel! Logan likes math and science and is excruciatingly logical. I am none of those things. I can't tell you how many times I had to stop drafting and do an hour's worth of research just to write two little sentences from his POV because I couldn't understand his mind without significant help.

3. Tell me about the Cursed Ones. How did they develop as part of the story?

As I mentioned in question 1, they were part of the story from the very start. They're the reason for the city-states, and are a continued threat (especially as it looks like someone has found a way to weaponize them).

4. Will there be kissing in Deception?

Yes!! Much more than in Defiance.

5. Describe Deception in 5 words.

Dark
Suspenseful
Vivid
Emotional
Action-packed

Speed [ish] round:

1. What is your go-to guilty pleasure thing to eat?

Hot Tamales!

2. What are you reading right now?

I just finished Indelible by Dawn Metcalf. (Perfect for fans of Holly Black and Melissa Marr)

3. Who are your favorite swoony boys?

Book boys? Or Benedict Cumberbatch? ;D

4. Are there any authors that you fangirl over?

Oh yes! Too many to name. I have a lot of faves.

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Huge thanks to C.J. for taking the time!  Make sure you check out her blog, Twitter, Tumblr and Pintrest pages.  And definitely add her books to GoodReads!

Now. 

Haven't had a chance to read C.J.'s books yet?  That's where I come in.  I've got a paperback copy of Defiance and a hardcover copy of Deception up for grabs. Books will be coming from The Book Depository.  The contest is international, as long as TBD ships to you for free.

Additional rules for the giveaway are on the "terms and conditions" on the Rafflecopter widget.

**Good Luck!!**

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The time it was all bookish mail -- 1

Obviously, I can't be at all of the signings, which is a tragedy.  Thankfully, I haven't had any serious problems with various bookstores across the country when it comes to ordering for events. And sometimes, I have awesome friends or family get stuff for me....

I had been chatting with Trish Doller on Twitter about Something Like Normal [among other things].  When the time came to ask about getting a signed copy, Trish was awesome enough to give me the number to the Barnes & Noble that she works at so I could order a copy.  She did say that they had signed stock, but that she would happily personalize my book.

When the line up for Austin Teen Book fest was announced, I really thought we were going to go.  I misunderstood some of the information and thought Beautiful Redemption and Reached were both going to be released early at the event.  After I found out that I was completely wrong, I begged asked Christine to get me a copy of Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. She also got my Dear Bully signed by Sophie Jordan.

I had talked with Kat Zhang about sharing my arc of Sever by Lauren DeStefano in exchange for cookies.  Unfortunately, with the time restraints between the both of us, I was unable to share it with her. I had plans to get What's Left of Me and as soon as I saw that Kat was signing with CJ Redwine [whose Defiance I was dying to read], I knew I'd be ordering both.

The day of the event, either Kat or CJ had tweeted a gorgeous picture of Parnassus Books, where the event was going to be held. I answered back that I was jealous that I couldn't be there.  A couple of days later, I got some lovely books in the mail and they were in the super nifty bags that Parnassus ships everything in.

When I went to Chicago for Michelle Hodkin, I saw that R.L. Stein was going to be appearing at the same bookstore later in the month.  I had asked if I could ship my copy of Dear Bully to be signed.  At the time, the events manager wasn't working, so they told me to call back. Instead, my sister and brother in law offered to attend on my behalf.  I called and ordered a copy of Red Rain, shipped my Dear Bully and waited.

On the night of the signing, I started getting text messages from my SIL.  It was their first book signing, they both had a great time.  And....they even took all sorts of pictures for me.

I'm so happy that everyone is so accommodating when calling to order books.  Sometimes, I wish they would say no so I wouldn't spend so much money.  Same goes for family members.  :D