Kelly Oram's Blog, page 6

Book Playlists

I generally have a soundtrack or playlist for all of my books that I will listen to over and over again as I work on a project. I need quiet when I’m doing the actual writing part, but I still wear my playlists out all other hours of the day.

It’s usually a combination of things that will draw a certain song to a book playlist. Whether it’s a sound, or a line of lyrics, or it reminds me of a certain scene or character.

Serial Hottie

Each song on this list is a song that I imagined Seth would use if putting together a mix-tape for Ellie. It started with “Riot Girl” by Good Charlotte and just sort of grew from there. Hope you enjoy it.

 

Songs For Ellie1. Riot Girl Good Charlotte

2. Fireworks Plain White T’s

3. Hey Girl Dashboard Confessional

4. The Chemicals Between Us Bush

5. She’s A Knockout Social Distortion

6. That’s the Girl I’ve Been Telling You About Blessed Union of Souls

7. Melt the Sugar The Summer Obsession

8. Stickshifts and Safetybelts Cake

9. Meat Market Everybody Else

10. Animal Neon Trees

11. The Only Hope For Me Is You My Chemical Romance

12. Such Great Heights the Postal Service

13. 1,2,3,4 (I Love You) Plain White T’s

 

The Avery Shaw Experiment (Science Squad #1)

 

 

 

1. Ring My Bell Anita Ward (this is officially Grayson and Avery’s song.)

2. Faded Soul Decision

3. What Makes You Beautiful One Direction

4. Kiss Prince

5. Get Lucky Daft Punk(ft. Pharrell Williams)

6. Too Close Next

7. Sexual Healing Marvin Gaye

8. Blurred Lines Robin Thicke (ft. Pharrell & T.I.)

9. Rock Your Body Justin Timberlake

10. Stereo Hearts Gym Class Hereos (ft. Adam Levine)

11. Weird Science Oingo Boingo (because you just have to have this one!)

The Libby Garrett Intervention (Science Squad #2)

My Libby Garrett soundtrack was definitely all about the Character. Libby Garrett is a one-of-a-kind girl. Her personality is so big, that she tends to be a spotlight hog. It was no different when I put together my playlist for The Libby Garrett Intervention. This songs on this list don’t so much remind me of the book as they just feel like Libby. That said, check it out and give it a listen. I guarantee you will come to understand Libby just a little bit better. Here they are in my actual playlist order.

I Wanna Do Something Freaky To You …… Count Dee’s Hit Explosion

It’s a Beautiful Day ….. Michael Buble

Lets Get it On ….. Marvin Gaye

Burning Love ….. Elvis Presley

Take Me To Church ….. Hozier

Am I The Same Girl ….. Swing Out Sister & The Fall

Walking On Sunshine ….. Katerina & The Waves

These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ ….. Nancy Sinatra

Barracuda ….. Heart

Dancing Queen ….. ABBA

P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) ….. Michael Jackson

Wicked Game ….. Chris Issac

I’m Every Woman ….. Whitney Houston

I Will Survive ….. Gloria Gaynor

Respect … Aretha Franklin

Cinder & Ella

The Cinder and Ella playlist is totally going to date me. Can we say 90’s alternative rock, anyone? Not every song on this list is from the 90’s, but a lot of them are. And now that you all know I’m a 90’s child and entering into my mid-thirties, maybe we should get to the music.  Here it is, my Cinder & Ella playlist…

Better Together….Jack Johnson

Umbrella….Train

Hey Leonardo….Blessed Union of Souls

Iris….Goo Goo Dolls

Farther Down….Matthew Sweet

Deep Inside of You….Third Eye Blind

Truly Madly Deeply….Savage Garden

Over My Head….Brian Littrell

Kiss Me Slowly….Parachute

Everything….Michael Buble

I’ll Be….Edwin McCain

Crazy For This Girl….Evan and Jaron

Parachute….Train

 

 Chameleon & Ungifted (Supernaturals 1 & 2)

These two books actually share one playlist because I wrote the books simultaneously. I think I was about 2/3 finished with Ungifted when I finished Chameleon. So this playlist is for both books. I even already have a playlist for Priestess, but I’ll wait to post that until that book is written because I’m sure I’ll add/change it before then.

1. Too Close  Alex Clare

2. E.T.  Katy Perry

3. Radioactive  Imagine Dragons

4. All The Things She Said  Tatu

5. 24 Jem

6. Grenade Bruno Mars

7. Here With Me Dido

8. Come Undone  Duran Duran

9. Burning in the Skies  Linkin Park

10. Say it Right  Nelly Furtado

11. Extreme Ways  Moby

12. Echo  Trapt

 

Scion (Supernaturals #3)

Here’s my list for Scion. :)

Enjoy! (And give it a listen, because it’s awesome!)

 

 

1. Immortals  Fall Out Boy

2. Don’t You Worry Child  Swedish House Mafia

3. Higher Devotion  Jimmy Eat World

4. Love Runs Out  OneRepublic

5. Sail  AWOLNATION

6. Miss Jackson Panic!  At The Disco

7. Back Against The Wall  Cage The Elephant

8. Inferno  Sir Sly

9. Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix)  Freestylers

10. Stop and Stare  OneRepublic

11. Demons  Imagine Dragon

12. Centuries  Fall Out Boy

Meet the Geeks of Spanish Fork High!

  The Science Squad Series

Character profiles and interview: Avery Shaw, Grayson Kennedy, Aiden Kennedy, Brandon Campbell, Libby Garrett, Levi Engel, Tara Lindsay, AKA:The Science Squad of Spanish Fork High.

Available on Amazon and FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

A true geek is only as good as her club, so I’d like you to meet the members of the Spanish Fork High Science Club. (Or the Science Squad as Grayson calls them.) I’ve invited the lovely Mel from Words Feather Blog to join me today and interview this amazing bunch of kids, so I’m going to pass the mic and let Mel do what she does best!

Mel: Thanks Kelly! First of all, thanks for inviting me to the party. I’m excited to be here, and especially excited for the chance to meet all of you guys. I loved you all so much in The Avery Shaw Experiment, and I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble you get into next in The Libby Garrett Intervention. So, why don’t we start by letting you all introduce yourselves? Can you tell us your names, position in the science club, and a few things about yourselves? Let’s start with our stars, Avery Shaw and Grayson Kennedy.

Name: Avery Shaw

Science Squad Position: Co-President

Year: Senior

Scientific Focus: Physics

Wants to be when she grows up: Aerospace Engineer

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite TV show: MythBusters

Hobbies: reading, watching documentaries, billiards and pool, tutoring, skiing, museums

Name: Grayson Kennedy

Science Squad Position: ex-secret member

Year: College freshman at Utah Valley University

Scientific Focus: Social Science

Wants to be when he grows up: Social Psychologist

Favorite color: Orange

Favorite TV show: Utah Jazz games

Hobbies: basketball, dancing, movies, parties, snowboarding, working out

 

Name: Aiden Kennedy

Science Squad Position: Co-President

Year: Senior

Scientific Focus: Physics

Wants to be when he grows up: Journalist

Favorite color: red

Favorite TV show: the news

Hobbies: debate, snowboarding, watching documentaries, reading, museums, writing

 

 

 

Name: Brandon Campbell

Science Squad Position: Vice President

Year: Junior

Scientific Focus: Bio Chemistry

Wants to be when he grows up:  Biomedical scientist

Favorite color: green

Favorite TV show: House, Mystery Diagnosis

Hobbies: reading, board games, word puzzles, babysitting, research, science experiments, museums, learning, hanging out with friends

 

Name: Elizabeth “Libby” Garrett

Science Squad Position: Secretary

Year: Senior

Scientific Focus: Astronomy

Wants to be when she grows up: yet to be determined, but it will be awesome

Favorite color: purple

Favorite TV show: Bizarre ER

Hobbies: snowboarding, freeboarding, skateboarding, reading, stargazing, tutoring, cats, learning about rare freaky diseases, romantic comedies

 

 

Name: Levi Engel

Science Squad Position: Treasurer

Year: Junior

Scientific Focus: Computer science/nano technology

Wants to be when he grows up: video game designer

Favorite color: blue

Favorite TV show: Doctor Who

Hobbies: Role-playing, LARPing, reading, movies, board games, video games, science fiction and fantasy

 

 

 

Name: Tara Lindsay

Science Squad Position: newest member

Year: Sophomore

Focus: Biology

Wants to be when she grows up: Marine biologist

Favorite color: pink

Favorite TV show:  Downton Abbey

Hobbies: reading, music, movies, animals, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, renaissance fairs, hair braiding

CHARACTER INTERVIEW:

Mel: Wow! Sounds like we’ve got quite a mix of brilliant minds here today. Thank so much everyone, for coming today.

Avery: Oh, of course! We have so much going on with Libby’s upcoming story, and we’re excited to be here.

Mel: Well, why don’t we start with the co-presidents? We all heard about the success of last year’s science fair. How do you feel about having brought this great distinction to your school, especially when it was something so personal for you?

Grayson: *snort* Great distinction? To Mr. Walden, maybe. The science squad doesn’t get any love from anyone else in the school. No one besides us even really knew about us winning. Even since we put that giant trophy in the trophy case, no one knows what it was for.

Aiden: *grumbling* Lucky for you, right?

Grayson: Um, yeah. Duh.

Aiden: So you were embarrassed to be part of the science club.

Grayson: Duh. The squad was really great about keeping my involvement on the down low though. They’re cool like that. *gives fist bumps to all the geeks present except his brother, and squeezes Avery in a hug*

Aiden: *glaring* So you’re embarrassed of your friends? Of your girlfriend?

Grayson: *glaring back* Hell no. I hang out with the Science Squad all the time. They’re cool. People know I have respect for them. And I’m way proud of my brainiac. I show her off all the time, and I love that she’s so smart. *kisses Avery’s cheek* Her intelligence is the first thing I brag about to people. I always say I’m not worthy of her.

Avery: Yes you are. And you’re smart too. You’re doing great in your first semester of college. You may be an athlete, but you fit right in with us nerds.

Aiden: *bursts into laughter*

Grayson: *kicks Aiden’s shin from his seat* *grimaces sheepishly at Mel* I wouldn’t say I fit in, exactly, but I like them. I have fun with them, and I respect them. We’re friends.

Aiden: Whatever. You’re a big ol’ nerd, just like the rest of us.

Grayson: Shut up, loser. I’m nothing like you. What are you even doing here? You don’t belong in this interview.

Aiden: Me? Mel asked that question of the co-presidents of the Science Club. That’s Avery and me. Not Avery and you.

Grayson: *stiffening in his chair* You had nothing to do with last year’s science fair. You bailed on science club, remember? You aren’t even on the science squad anymore!

Avery: *Grab’s Grayson’s hand and tries to calm him down* Aiden is part of this team. He came back at the end of last year and we welcomed him.

*heads nod slowly all around except for Grayson and Libby who both glare at Aiden*

Avery: And Aiden had everything to do with our success at the science fair last year.

Grayson: He broke your heart!

Avery: Exactly. Without Aiden, I wouldn’t have been heartbroken and there wouldn’t have been a project at all.

Grayson: *grumbling* I’d be okay with that.

Avery: Without him, The Avery Shaw Experiment never would have happened. You and I wouldn’t have happened.

Grayson: *sighs* *smiles* You win. *Grins at Mel* See? She’s brilliant! Can’t argue with a genius.

Avery: To answer the original question, the people that matter to us, our friends and family, know what we accomplished last year and that’s what counts.

Levi: In the high school science world, everyone in the country knows about the Spanish Fork High Science Club. We’re proud of that reputation.

Brandon: Very. We’re so proud of Avery and Grayson, the Avery Shaw Experiment, and everything that came with it.

Avery: The fact that it was so personal to me only made it that much more special.

Grayson: *smiles wickedly* And of course, we’re still enjoying the spoils of our victory. *plants a hard passionate kiss on Avery that makes Tara blush and everyone else groan*

Avery: *pushes Grayson off her with a shriek* Grayson! We’ve talked about this! Not in public!

Grayson: *rolls his eyes* *sighs*

Mel: So it sounds like all of you were part of the experiment, and not just Avery and Grayson. Was it just moral support, or were you actually involved?

Brandon: Of course the experiment was Avery’s and Grayson’s, but as a team, we all felt it. Aiden leaving the club hit us all very hard. And what it did to Avery? *shakes his head* Avery and Aiden were our presidents–our leaders–and suddenly one had completely destroyed the other, nearly shattering our entire group.

Aiden: *cringes and looks at his lap* *mumbles an apology*

Avery: *Reaches for Aiden’s hand and squeezes it.*

Libby: *ignoring Aiden* As a group, we were pretty wrecked. But then Grayson showed up as Avery’s knight in sagging basketball shorts, and not only did things get much better looking, but our girl got better.

Tara: We all wanted to see Avery succeed with her experiment and get over her heartbreak. We helped her try to reach her different stages of grief as much as we could.

Levi: Plus, when we adopted Grayson into the squad as our mascot, the whole dynamic of science club changed. So yeah, after everything that happened, we all feel like we had a hand in it. It was personal for all of us. Avery the most, but she’s one of us, our leader. What happens to her happens to all of us.

Avery: *smiles at her team as her eyes gloss over* Thanks guys. I couldn’t have done it without all of you. *looks at Mel* It was definitely a group effort. They all supported me so much. Even Aiden helped me reach acceptance in those final stages.

Mel: *smiles* So, you’re more than teammates. You really are friends.

Avery: *nods enthusiastically* The best of friends.

Libby: Like family

Aiden: A highly dysfunctional family in Libby’s case.

Libby: *rolls her eyes* At least I’m not the family idiot.

Avery: *sighs* Guys. Come on.

Mel: *clears her throat and tactfully moves the discussion along* What is the coolest thing about you all sharing your passion for science?

Aiden: I think our shared passion for science is the coolest thing about our friendship.

Tara: I like that we can be ourselves and we don’t have to worry that the others are going to make fun of us for the things we like.

Grayson: Unless you’re Levi. He’s a little weird even for the science squad. *winks at Levi*

*heartbeat of silence passes then the whole group cracks up*

Mel: *eyebrows hit the ceiling* Wow. Well, um, I guess I’m glad you all understand one another. But probably not a lot of people do. How do you handle it when other people label you as the freaky nerds of the school?

Grayson: We remind them that Spanish Fork High also has a chess club. *laughs at his own joke*

Avery: *smacks Grayson’s shoulder* Be nice! Sun Li and Louis Sanchez are in the chess club and they’re both very nice.

Grayson: But they’re definitely geekier than the science squad. You guys aren’t the freaks of the school.

Levi: You mean “we” Grayson. You’re one of us, don’t forget.

Grayson: *grins* I’m graduated, Levi. I’m not a science geek.

Levi: Really? What’s your major at college?

Grayson: *sighs* Social science.

*laughs and giggles all around*

Brandon: *snorts* You’re definitely one of us.

Grayson: *frowns* But I’m not a geek. I make science cool.

Avery: Yes, you do, Grayson. And we love that about you.

Grayson: *grins again* And I love you.

Aiden: *groans* You aren’t answering the question again.

Grayson: *blinks* *frowns* What was the question?

Mel: Um, I asked how you handle it when other people label you as the freaky nerds of the school?

Avery: We stick together.

Brandon: Who cares what the rest of the school thinks? We’re happy. We have fun together. We get to do what we love with friends who understand us and share our same interests. What more could we want?

Libby: *mutters* Seven minutes in Heaven with Owen Jackson.

Avery: *giggles*

Grayson: Don’t you mean a photo booth?

Libby: *flashes Grayson a wide smile* Same thing my vertically gifted friend.

Mel: *laughing* You guys are the best! Thank you so much for stopping by today and letting us get to know you a bit better. I’m sure we’ll all be rushing out to pre-order The Libby Garrett Intervention just as soon as this is over. It has been a pleasure. Geek power!

Grayson: Actually, it’s nerd power.

Mel: Excuse me?

Grayson: They’re nerds. Not geeks. There’s a difference. Nerds are smart. They like learning and knowledge. Geeks are different. They’re passionate about hobbies. They’re fan boys and girls.

Libby: Like Levi.

Grayson: Yes! Levi is a prime example of a geek with his passion of role playing and Doctor Who.

Brandon: But he’s a nerd too, as he appreciates gaining knowledge and likes academia.

Mel: Okay. Well, thank’s for that distinction. Power to the nerds then. And, some geek power for Levi.

Levi: Thanks Mel.

Mel: Anytime! So , we’re going to open it up to questions now from some of your fans.

Aiden: We have fans?

Mel: Well, um, mostly Avery, Grayson, and Libby do. You sort of have a hate club.

Aiden: *sighs*

Mel: *feels bad* Sorry. It’s just, people really love Avery. It was hard to see her so hurt. People were really upset with how you treated Avery last year.

Aiden: I know. I suppose I deserve a hate club. I hate myself too, you know, for what I did to Aves. I made mistakes that I can’t take back and I’ll never forgive myself for them. I just wish people knew that I really do love Avery. I didn’t mean to hurt her, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to her.

Avery: No need, Aiden. I understand even if the rest of the world doesn’t, and I’ve forgiven you.

Mel: You know, Aiden, if you’d like to do your own interview, and maybe defend yourself and set the record straight, I could come back. We could give you some time in the spotlight by yourself. Maybe you could help the rest of the world understand a little better. I think they might appreciate that.

Aiden: Yeah, I think we could manage that.

Mel: Great! We’ll plan it. Friday sound good?

Aiden: Yeah, friday works for me.

Mel: Great. I’ll meet you then, same time same place. Now, lets get to these last few questions, so that all of you can go home. This first question is for Libby.

Libby: Sweet. I win.

Mel: Libby. Your fans are dying to know–what is with your cat obsession?

Avery: *snorts*

Libby: Are you kidding me? Cats are only the cutest animals in existence! I mean, hello!!!

IS THAT NOT THE MOST ADORABLE THING YOU’VE EVER SEEN OR WHAT?

But more than that, cats are also extremely smart and full of attitude. Nobody bosses a cat around. A cat does what it wants. It lures in it’s less intelligent prey with it’s incredible cute and cuddliness and then RAWR! GOTCHA SUCKER! Cats are awesomesauce!

Mel: Thanks Libby. Next, I have one for Levi and Brandon. What hobbies do you have that aren’t related to the Science Squad?

Levi: Well as the others previously mentioned, I appreciate the wonderful world of gaming. All kinds of gaming–video games, board games, roll playing… I’m an active LARPer (Live action roll playing). I also like to read. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite. L.P. Morgan is my favorite author! He’s coming to Salt Lake soon for a signing and Brandon and I are going to meet him. I’m pretty excited.

Brandon: Yeah, L.P. Morgan is amazing. That’s going to be fun. I love reading too, but I don’t just stick to one genre. I’ll read anything from fantasy to text books. I love reading biographies. I’m not too big into video games like Levi, but I’ll play board games with him. I like strategy based games and co-op games where the players are all on the same team and have to beat the game itself. I also like problem solving games–word puzzles and stuff. But mostly I love doing my own experiments. I have a genius IQ, and I need to constantly be learning. I research for fun, watch documentaries, and go to museums. But I also like to relax and hang out with my friends too. Sometimes it’s hard being so smart. It’s hard to turn it off, you know? I never really feel normal. When I need a break, I like to spend time with my family. I have twin little sisters. They are crazy, and a handful, but they don’t see me as a weird genius. To them, I’m just their big brother. So I like spending time with them. Actually, I like all little kids for that same reason. They simplify things, and sometimes I just need to keep it simple, so I love to babysit too.

Mel: That’s amazing! You’re an actual genius?

Brandon: *Blushes*

Avery: He is! There’s no one in the world like Brandon Campbell. He actually got recruited by MIT this year.

Mel: MIT! At what? Sixteen?

Brandon: *shrugs* It was cool. But I’m not going to go. I want to finish high school the normal way. I’ll go there after I graduate. But I’m going to do this special summer program this year though, after school is out. I’m pretty excited about that.

Mel: *shakes head in awe* Very awesome! So, who’s next? How about one for Grayson. Grayson, what career do you see yourself pursuing in the social sciences? Y’know, just in case the basketball thing doesn’t work out.

Grayson: Ah, I’ve always known the basketball thing would never be a career. I’m good, but I’m not that good. I’m not a division 1 superstar or anything, you know? The NBA won’t be knocking on my door, but that’s okay. I love the sport, but it’s never been my life. I enjoy too many other things to be so devoted as professional athletes have to be to the game. As for what I want to do, the experiment with Avery last year really opened my eyes to some things I’d never have thought about before. I’m thinking right now that I might like to be a social psychologist. I really like studying people’s behaviors, and just the different types of groups of people. The Science Squadders were so different from anyone I’d ever known, that they fascinated me.

Levi: You were quite the case study for us too, Grayson.

Grayson: *chuckles* I’m sure I was. Seriously, though, the squad freaked me out a little at first, but they made me curious too. Then, helping Avery and seeing the changes in her–I really liked being a part of that. I liked that I was helping to make her life better and I think I’d really enjoy doing that kind of thing for others.

Mel: Aw, that’s so sweet!

Grayson: *grins at Mel* That’s me. Sweet, sensitive, caring Grayson.

Aiden: *scoffs*

Avery: It’s true. That’s what I’ve always loved about him. He likes to hide his sweet side, but it’s definitely there under the surface, and it’s amazing.

Mel: You two are just the cutest couple ever! And your story is so awesome. But, Avery, what about you and Libby? We know how you met and became friends with Grayson and Aiden, but you and Libby seem just as close friends as you and the Kennedy brothers are. How did the two of you become friends?

Avery: Oh! Well, that’s easy. I met Libby the first day of kindergarten. I’ve always had a problem with anxiety–especially social anxiety. Aiden and I were in the same grade and went to the same school, but we were put in different kindergarten classes. When we got to school that first morning and had to stand in separate lines, I started crying. Libby was standing behind me and asked me what was wrong. I told her I was scared because my friend wasn’t in my class. She said she didn’t have any friends either and told me she would be my friend so I wouldn’t be scared anymore. She took my hand, picked the desk next to mine, and we’ve been great friends ever since.

Mel: Aw. That’s amazing. I can’t believe you’ve all known each other for so long. You must have so many memories.

Libby: A lifetime of them.

Mel: Speaking of memories, Grayson, a lot of people have asked, what’s your most memorable moment with Avery?

Grayson: *grins like the devil* Do you really need to ask? The shower, of course! I will never, ever forget anything about that moment.

Avery: *sighs* Grayson. Can’t you be serious? Please?

Grayson: I am being serious! It was more than just the fact that we were in the shower together, Aves.  And that there was nakedness involved… And that you  looked beyond amazing in a wet t-shirt…

Avery: Grayson!

Grayson: Seriously, though, Aves, I was shocked that day. Forever changed in that moment. You’d always just been Little Avery Shaw to me before that. My stupid kid brother’s geeky little girlfriend. You were practically a sister to me. I knew you, but I’d never paid attention to you before that day. Then, suddenly you were real. You were beautiful and vulnerable. That was the first time I ever really saw you for you. And I knew right then, as I held you while you shattered in a million pieces in my arms, that I wanted to take care of you. That I had to help you and protect you. *clears a surprise lump of emotion from his throat* That moment changed my life, Aves. It changed me as a person. You changed me.

*collective sighs from girls all around the world*

Avery: *blushes* *Grayson kisses her–a sweet kiss that she doesn’t get mad at him for*

Mel: *still swooning* what about you, Avery? Do you have a most memorable Grayson moment?

Avery: *also still swooning* As much as I’d like to say it was the shower too, that moment didn’t have the impact on me that it did on Grayson. I was so distraught that I hardly even knew what was happening. My attitude change toward Grayson happened a lot slower. He was like an older brother to me, the way I was a little sister to him.

Grayson: Actually, she thought I was like a gross older brother. And she liked to say as much.

Avery: *grinning* I don’t deny it. You were gross. Maybe that’s why it took me a lot longer to fall for you.

Grayson: Maybe you’re just that much more amazing than me.

Avery: Not possible. But anyway, I guess the most memorable moment I have with Grayson was probably the night we went to that party and he taught me how to dance.

Grayson: Mmm, that was a good moment.

Avery: I’d never spent time with anyone other than my small group of friends before and suddenly I was at this rager of a college party. I was so far out of my comfort zone that I could barely function. I was terrified, but Grayson was right there with me the entire night, keeping me in control. I know sticking with geeky little me who wouldn’t drink or dance, or even socialize, and who wasn’t going to make out with him, wasn’t Grayson’s idea of a party. But he stayed glued to my side and even seemed to enjoy himself. That night I realized Grayson wasn’t just hanging out with me for extra credit, or because he felt sorry for me. He genuinely cared about me and liked spending time with me.

Grayson: Of course I did.

Avery: Then when we danced… *shivers at the memory* *blushes* That was the moment I fell completely head over heels for the Grayson Kennedy charm, even if I wasn’t ready to admit it. He wasn’t just Aiden’s crazy, annoying, and yes, gross, older brother anymore. And when I realized that I wanted to kiss him, that I really really liked him, I knew things were going to change.

Grayson: *snickers* Took you long enough, Aves.

Avery: *rolls eyes* I was heartbroken thank you very much. And you had a reputation that was hard to overlook.

Grayson: *smirks* Well, don’t worry, I have quite a different reputation now, thank, you very much.

Libby: *snorts* What reputation? Completely whipped?

Grayson: Exactly. I lost all my street cred and had to give up my man card.*sighs playfully* It was worth it, though.

Avery: *pokes Grayson in the side* You are such a smooth talker.

Grayson: Maybe. But that doesn’t make what I say untrue. You’re worth everything, Aves. I love you.

Avery: I love you too.

Mel: Aww. And I think that’s our cue to end this interview! Thank you so much, everyone, for coming today! I hope you’ve enjoyed this interview as much as I have, and don’t forget to buy your copies of the Geek Squad books and witness the science in action!

Kelly: Shameless plug time! Avery and Grayson’s story, The Avery Shaw Experiment is on sale right now for only $0.99!! Download it now from Amazon, B&N, iBooks, and Kobo.

And then, make sure to go pre-order your copy of The Libby Garrett Intervention so you don’t miss out on the next great Science Squad adventure. (With Libby Garrett driving the story, you’re bound to go for a wild ride!)

Libby: You mean a wild journey, Kelly. Get it right, girl. You know, for someone so creatively awesome, your grammar in your first drafts… tisk tisk…

Kelly: Hey! It’s a rough draft!

Libby: *snickers* Rough, is a good word for it.

Kelly: *sticks out her tongue like a five year old* Be nice to me Libby, or I’ll give you a zit on prom night.

Libby: *gasps* You wouldn’t DARE!

Kelly: *raises an eyebrow* Don’t think so?

Libby: *smiles sweetly at her creator* Have you done something different with your hair, Kelly? It looks fabulous! And, have I thanked you yet for giving Adam tattoos??? So HOT. You’re brilliant.

Kelly: *snort* Why thank you, Libby. Aren’t you so kind!

Kelly: Goodbye everyone! See you tomorrow with more great bonus material! Don’t forget to enter all the giveaways!

Confessions of an antagonist: Aiden Kennedy Tells All

  

Character Interview: Aiden Kennedy (The Science Squad Series)

Available on Amazon and FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

 

 

Back by popular demand, I have Spanish Fork High’s most hated misunderstood science geek on the blog today, and he’s ready to shed some light on The Great Aiden/Avery Fallout as their friends have come to call it.

Joining me once again to ask the tough questions is Mel from Words Feather blog. Hey Mel! Thanks so much for hanging out with my characters this week.

Mel: Oh, of course! It’s been a blast.

Kelly: And Aiden… You’re a good sport.

Aiden: *snorts* Thanks so much, Kelly.

Kelly: So, I guess I’ll let you guys get too it. Take it away Mel!

Mel: Thanks Kel! Hey Aiden! Thanks so much for coming back today to sit with me in a one-on-one interview. I know it’s been rough for you since the whole Avery Shaw Experiment went down last year. Some mistakes were made, people were hurt, and those close to Avery and Grayson haven’t been particularly forgiving even if Avery has. You seemed so sincere the other day sitting with Avery, that my heart went out to you. Hopefully we can clear the air a little with all the fans out there, and you can finally move past the Avery Shaw debacle and find your own peace with what happened.

Aiden: *mutters* One can only hope.

Mel: So, I guess the best way to do this is just to dive in and get right to the heart of it. What all the fans out there really want to know is…WTF? How could you? What was going through your head when you abandoned Avery and broke her heart?

Aiden: *lets out a long, heavy breath* Every story has to have an antagonist, right? Guess I drew the short straw. *sends Mel a small self-deprecating smile* Really, though, I just made a mistake. I never meant to hurt Avery. I’d never want to do that. She’s my best friend.

Mel: So what happened?

Aiden: *sighs* I took Avery for granted, plain and simple. I didn’t do it on purpose, and I didn’t hurt her on purpose. I never dreamed that quitting science club and getting a girlfriend would destroy my relationship with Avery. I never once considered the possibility that I could lose her. It was Avery. We were… were… *sighs* I mean we just were. The thought of that changing—of us not being whatever we were—was incomprehensible. We did everything together, loved each other unconditionally. She was such a part of me that I couldn’t separate us. I couldn’t think of us as individuals. Nothing was ever about what I liked or what I wanted. There was no I. It was always we. What did we like? What were we going to do today? She wasn’t my sister, but she wasn’t my girlfriend. She was part of me. Does that even make sense? I’m not sure I can really explain it any better.

Mel: I think I get it. But if she was such a part of you, then how could you abandon her the way you did? Wouldn’t that be like cutting off your arm or leg, or something?

Aiden: *meets Mel’s gaze with a pained look* Losing Avery was like being ripped in two. Without her I wasn’t whole anymore. It was the worst feeling I’ve ever experienced, probably the worst thing that I ever will experience.

Mel: *frowns* But… But it was your choice to leave her. I guess I still don’t understand how you could do it. You had her. She loved you. She would have probably stayed with you forever and been happy. If you cared so much for her—needed her to make you complete—how could you give her up?

Aiden: *closes his eyes and takes a long deep breath* Look. I really hate to use such an overdone cliché, but sometimes you really just don’t know what you have until you lose it. Have you ever felt lost? Confused about who you are, or what you want? I was almost seventeen, half way through my junior year of high school. And I had no clue what I really wanted in life. All of my friends kept making decisions about college or were involved in activities or programs that were going to help them after school. They were dating, going to dances, kissing, breaking up… They were experiencing life. I’d never had a girlfriend. Never kissed a girl. I’d never done anything on my own.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I grew up, wasn’t sure what my interests were. I’d never thought about myself. My first thoughts were always about Avery. Always. We did science club because I knew she liked it. We watched most of the movies we did because I knew she wanted to. I took her to museums because I knew it made her happy. Yeah, I enjoyed all of those things too, but would I have done them if Avery wasn’t factored into the equations? I didn’t know.

The truth is, my relationship with Avery, the way it was, wasn’t healthy for either of us. I did what I did because we needed the separation. We both needed to learn to think for ourselves and figure out who we were as individuals. I still stand by that thought.  I didn’t handle it the best way, because I wasn’t really sure what I was doing, and how do you handle something like that anyway? Is there ever a good way to tell the person you love the most in the world that you need some space?  I think Avery would have understood if we’d sat down and really talked about it. I think she would have even been okay with it or a little excited about it. *smiles to himself* She’s have treated it like an experiment. The Avery and Aiden Self Discovery Experiment. We’d have tried different things and spent time apart, but we’d have done it together.

My biggest mistake was letting Mindy manipulate me. *smirks bitterly* But what guy has never acted stupid over a girl at least once? Mindy was good at using the truth against me to get what she wanted. She was jealous of Avery. Intimidated by how close I was with her. I still can’t really blame her for that. But that’s what made it so easy for her to get me to stay away from Avery. I understood Mindy’s insecurity. I sympathized with it. From her perspective, it was a horrible situation. She had a boyfriend who spent all of his time with another girl. A girl he loved. To an extent, Mindy had a right to ask me to back off of my relationship with Aves.

And she was my first girlfriend. I wanted to make her happy. I wanted to let her know she could trust me. I wanted her to feel like I cared about her, put her first before any other girl. I wanted her to feel safe with me. Are any of those desires bad for a boyfriend to want? No. Those kinds of things are qualities a girl should look for in a guy. They’re things she should expect in a relationship—things she deserves.  So while it was happening, I was trying to look at a confusing situation logically. I was trying to make everything black and white. But Avery’s and my situations wasn’t black and white. I needed to think with more than just my head. I needed to use my heart too. I just figured that out too late, and by then, the damage had been done. And the worst part of it was, I was heartbroken, and I felt like I didn’t deserve to fix it. It was my fault. I’d destroyed Avery. I was in my own personal hell, and I deserved everything I got.

Mel: *a little choked up* That must have been hard.

Aiden: It’s still hard. I’ll pay for those mistakes for the rest of my life.

Mel: But Avery’s forgiven you at least. You guys are friends again, right?

Aiden: She’s forgiven me, but she’s not mine. What I lost last year, I will never get back. Not completely. I’m relieved that she’s forgiven me, and grateful we can still be friends, but it’s not the same. I have her still, but in a way, I also lost her for good.

Mel: *just a little bit heartbroken for Aiden* So, you still love her.

Aiden: Of course I love her.

Mel: No, I mean you’re still in love with her. Aren’t you?

Aiden: *looks away and glares at the ground*  *doesn’t answer the question*

Mel: *in a soft voice* But some good came out of this still, right? I mean you said that you guys needed the separation. You’ve changed a lot over the past year. You have some knew friends, and you seem to know what you want to do with your life now. After everything is said and done a year later, do you regret what happened? Even with the positive changes in your life?

Aiden: *thinks for a long time* Honestly? Yes there have been some positive changes in my life, but I think I could have figured things out without losing Avery. I could have done things better. I didn’t have to hurt either of us and destroy the amazing relationship we had, so yes. I regret it. I probably always will.

Mel: I’m sorry.

Aiden: *shrugs* We all have to live with the consequences of our mistakes. The best we can do is learn from them.

Mel: So what have you learned?

Aiden: *sends another bitter smirk into his lap* To think before I act. To use my heart more. To cherish the people who mean something to me and never take my friends for granted. To trust myself more and not allow people to manipulate me. And I’ll definitely take a much closer look at any girls I date. I won’t be jumping head first into a relationship ever again.

Mel: So, are you dating anyone then?

Aiden: Can’t. Avery’s taken. *flashes Mel a small smile to let her know that was a joke, but can’t quite hide the truth in his words*  *sighs, resigned* No. I’m not dating anyone right now. I don’t think I’m ready to try that again. *smiles a small smile for real this time* I might have to try Avery’s seven stages of grief first. Right now I’m just focusing on finishing school. Graduating. Learning more about myself. Getting ready for next year.

Mel: What are your plans for next year?

Aiden: I’m going to study journalism at the University of Utah. I think I’d like to be an investigative reporter. I love the news. I like learning the truth of things, and I’m good with words.

Mel: Yeah, I’d say you are. I think you’ve done a great job explaining your side of the story today. I’m sure you’ve convinced at least some of the haters out there that you actually are a decent guy. You’ve convinced me, anyway. I think I can forgive you for hurting Avery.

Aiden: *smirks* Thanks.

Mel: No, thank you for coming back today. I’m really glad I got to hear your story, and I’m sure a lot of others are too. I wish you the best of luck next year at college. And hey, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you find exactly the right girl for you so you can find a little inner peace. You know, I happen to be in pretty good with Kelly. I could put in a good word for you. I hear she’s pretty darn good at the matchmaking thing.

Aiden: *chuckles* *shakes his head softly* *mutters more sincerely this time* Thanks Mel.

Deleted scene from A is for Abstinence

This is a deleted scene from A is for Abstinence. Just a warning, A is for Abstinence is book 2 in the V is for Virgin series. Deleted scenes, though they aren’t content in the actual book, often contain spoilers. I recommend that you read the books, in this case, both V is for Virgin and A is for Abstinence before reading any further.

This is a two book series that is complete. Both books are available on Amazon and free to read with Kindle Unlimited.

 

DELETED SCENE — A is for Abstinence

In A is for Abstinence, Kyle finally agrees to try and abstain from sex so that Val will go out with him. As you can imagine, it’s an entertaining affair. At one point, Kyle officially becomes a spokesperson for the Not Everybody’s Doing It Foundation. I thought it would be fun to show Kyle attempting to actually fulfill his duty as a spokesperson, so I wrote this scene where he makes is first high school visit as a guest lecturer. Of course, after I wrote it, I realized that the book takes place in the summer, and that high school would be out of session for the entire book, and that the scene couldn’t possibly work. It had to be cut, and I had to find a different way for Kyle to meet Val’s younger brother. Yup, authors make bonehead mistakes like that all the time. But sometimes the end result is still entertaining, so…please enjoy this deleted scene.

…..

Robin had booked Val for a high school appearance that afternoon, but I didn’t want to wait until dinner to see her so I decided I’d make the appearance with her. Hey, I was an official spokesperson for the Not Everybody’s Doing It Foundation after all. I figured no one would get mad at me if I showed up.

Surprising everyone seemed like the best way to go. When I got to the high school I pulled my cap low and ducked into the building. The office secretary nearly had a heart attack when I showed up. Her hands shook so hard as she filled out my visitor’s sticker that you could barely read my name. Not that anyone would need to.

She chattered about how excited the students were going to be as she walked me to the auditorium. I really only cared about the look on Val’s face. She’d tried several times to get me to come to one of these things. I’d never thought it sounded like a good idea until now.

She introduced me to the school’s principal, a sharp looking lady in her forties wearing a suit like all the ones Val always wore. I bet the two of them had a lot in common.

She seemed as thrilled to have me as the secretary and said to go on up. “They’re actually almost finished,” she whispered as she pointed to a set of stairs that led up onto the stage.

“They?”

A proud smile swept over her face. “Val’s birth mom is here too. It’s her first Not Everybody’s Doing It appearance. She shared her experience about being pregnant at fifteen. It was fantastic. Really got the kids to think. We were lucky to have her. Her son goes to school here, you know. Brody. He’s a decent kid. Good student. Plays on the varsity basketball team.”

That made me smile. “Val’s an athlete too. She plays college volleyball.”

The woman smiled and nodded toward the stage. “If you’re going to say hi, you’d better get to it. The bell rings in ten minutes.”

I grinned at the woman. “That’s plenty of time for me to get into trouble up there. Thanks for your help, Marcie.”

The principal flushed when I said her name and whispered, “Good luck.”

I didn’t need it. I climbed the steps and swaggered out to the middle of the stage where Val was sitting on a stool holding a microphone. “Hey everyone!” I called.

The room shook from the screams of the students. I’d sent all the teenage girls into a frenzy that didn’t stop for a good three minutes. If any of them passed out I’d probably get in trouble, but it would be worth it for the look on Val’s face as I joined her on stage and kissed her hello.

“What are you doing here?” she gasped.

I took the microphone from her hand and smiled at the audience. “I’m a spokesperson for the Not Everybody’s Doing It foundation,” I said. “I’m spokespersoning.”

The kids screamed again. I grinned at Val and offered the microphone back to her but she shook her head and waved me on. “Be my guest.”

I turned to the crowd and suddenly realized I had no idea what to say to these kids, so I blurted out the first thing I always said at my shows. “What’s up Riverside High?”

I got more cheering, and a bit of crying.

They waited for me to say something…

“Uh…so…have these fine ladies convinced any of you to not have sex yet? They’re pretty good at doing that. Val, especially.” I held up my wrist to show off my bracelet and grimaced. “Believe me, I know.”

There was a mixture of laughter and cheers that time. When the noise died down I scrambled for something else to say. “So, as you guys may have heard, I’ve been, uh, celibate for over nine months now. What can I say about abstinence? It sucks. A lot.” Gasps and laughter. “And it’s painfully hard all the time.”

That got a roar of laughter and applause so loud that I lost it. I laughed at all their dirty, little, horny teenage minds.

Val jumped up and swiped the microphone from me. “He meant that abstaining is very difficult for him,” she said, giving me a look of death that only made me laugh more.

I stole the mic back and said, “It’s that too, but I actually meant—”

“Kyle! Val shrieked.

“I’m teasing!” I said before she decided to kill me. “I really did mean that it’s not easy for me to abstain. All you perverts need to get your minds out of the gutter. You’re getting me in trouble with my girlfriend.”

“Oh yeah? What’s she gonna do?” some tool in the auditorium shouted. “Stop putting out for you?”

The audience roared again and Val slapped her hands over her face as she shook her head in shame. I decided I’d better get back on track before she had an aneurism.

“Anybody have any questions for me?”

Hands shot up all over the auditorium. “Appropriate questions!” Principal Marcie called out in a sharp warning tone. “Questions relevant to the topic!”

There was a low groan from the audience and most of the hands went down. I pointed to a girl near the front of the stage. “If you hate it so much,” she asked, “why do you do it?”

That was simple. “Because it’s important to Val.”

The girls all swooned while most of the guys scoffed or laughed.

Mr. Teenage Tool from before shouted, “Dude, you are so whipped!”

I laughed. “Hell yes I am.”

“Lame!” the guy called out.

I wasn’t bothered in the least by his taunts. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t want to be whipped by a woman like Val?”

“Okay!” Val shouted, snagging the microphone from me, while the auditorium once again fell apart with laughter. “I think that about covers it for today! We’ve left a bunch of pamphlets about the Not Everybody’s Doing It foundation and the V is for Virgin campaign with your principal. They’ll be passed out to you in your homerooms tomorrow. Remember anyone who comes in and officially takes the abstinence pledge gets a free V or A necklace, bracelet, or keychain. Thanks for having us here!”

With that she dragged me off stage, glaring at me so hard it was a wonder she wasn’t pulling me along by my ear. When we reached principal Marcie, I held my hand out for a high five. She slapped my palm, but the motion seemed subconscious, like she’d done it without thinking because that’s just what you do when someone holds up a hand to you.

“How’d I do for my first time?” I asked, still wondering at the look on her face. She gaped at me with wide eyes and flushed cheeks, at a complete loss for words.

I looked to Val to see if she knew what the principal’s problem was, but she didn’t see me. She was too busy pinching her nose between her eyes. “I am so sorry,” she finally said. “If you get any angry calls from parents, please direct them to call the foundation. I will speak with all of them personally.”

“I would appreciate that,” principal Marcie muttered.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, my gaze bouncing back and forth between them.

Principal Marcie blinked at me again. “He doesn’t even know, does he?” she asked. She was staring at me but the question was directed at Val.

Val sighed. “No, he really doesn’t have a clue. I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was coming. I would have talked to him before.”

“Are you ladies planning to fill me in?” I asked with a forced laugh. I didn’t like feeling cornered by the two of them. “Did I do something wrong? I thought it went well. The kids seemed to have a good time.”

“You can’t even be angry,” Principal Marcie mumbled, astonished.

“Nope.” Val laughed a little, but it was a defeated gesture. “You can’t even get mad. Honestly, I’d say we were lucky. Knowing Kyle, it could have gone a lot worse.”

“I’d believe it.”

Principal Marcie finally snapped out of her trance and a faint smile broke out on her face. She held a hand out to Val, thanking her for coming, and then to me. “Well, Mr. Hamilton, it was certainly interesting meeting you. Thank you for stopping by the school.”

Co-Authoring! Q&A with Kelly Oram & Jonathan Harrow

Joni, Underway $2.99 on Amazon or FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

Joni, Underway is the first novel I’ve co-written. Here’s an interview with both Jonathan and me about our co-writing experience.

 

 

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She’s obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

Jonathan Harrow left a career in Hollywood to pursue his dream of writing novels. He has an author crush on Charlotte Bronte, and a real crush on his author wife, YA bestseller Kelly Oram. They live in Phoenix with their four kids and their cat, Mr. Darcy.

What’s it like to co-author a book for the first time?‬

Kelly: Very difficult. We have very different writing styles! And very, very different voice. We had to let him do the actual writing so that the book would sound consistent. If we switched off back and forth, it would have been a nightmare.

What was your method in co-writing a novel?‬

Jonathan: We knew right away that in order to work together, we would need to have one of us take the lead. Otherwise, every single decision would end in a stand-still. So, in the case of Joni, the original idea was mine, so it made sense for me to be the lead. I know some writers who switch off scenes, or whatever, they literally share the writing, but that would never work with us. Our idea was for me to write the first draft (with all Kelly’s input) and then together we’d do the real work, which is rewriting. That’s when Kelly would really be able to get her hands on the material and make it hers. Well, not surprisingly, the first draft was pretty light on romance. So Kelly really got in there and did her thing in that department, which made all the difference in the world, of course. The next biggest thing was going back in and getting the actual writing to sound like both of us, which was a challenge, as we have very different writing styles. In the end, I feel that the book is a great blend of both our styles. So the image of both of us sitting side-by-side writing is not accurate. It was more like taking turns.‬

Do you have plans to continue writing novels together?‬

Jonathan: Hard to say. We don’t have plans for anything right now. After Joni, we were both excited to get back to our own projects.‬ It’s so much easier to feel like you have total control over the content. But I feel like Kelly and I collaborate on all our books, to some degree. She is the first to read my stuff and she gives the feedback that really improves my stuff. And sometimes I’ve been able to provide that help for her, as well. So while we may not be co-writers all the time, every one of our books has been influenced by the other.‬

Was it hard to collaborate together on certain scenes? For instance, maybe one of you felt more passionate for a certain part then the other. Or did you run into any difficulty?‬

Jonathan: It indeed was difficult to give up a lot of control. Some things were easy, like anything to do with the romance, I immediately deferred to Kelly and trusted her choices.

Did you two ever argue over how you wanted the story to go?‬

Jonathan: Yeah, there was some of that, mostly having to do with the romance. Kelly and I have very different love languages, lol, and different ideas about what is romantic. So I’d write something and be like, “Oh, that’s so romantic!” And Kelly reads it and she’s like, “Seriously? They’re just sitting there talking.” And I’m like, “I know, right? Getting to know each other.” And she’s like, “Move outta the way.” Hahaha. It took me a while to come around to her way of thinking, but eventually I got it, and after reading her stuff, I was like, “Ohh, okay, I see. Yeah, that’s awesome.” So if you love the romance in the book, you have Kelly to thank!‬

How did you two come up with the idea for this novel?‬

Jonathan: “Joni, Underway” started as an idea I had while watching “Deadliest Catch” about lobster fishermen. The job is so difficult, and that whole world is so foreign to me, and I remember thinking: “What if a city guy like me had to go work on one of these boats, and the experience changed his life?” That sparked an instant comparison to “City Slickers,” a movie I have always loved. So it’s “City Slickers” on a lobster boat, that sounds awesome! The idea sat in my mind for years, and then when Kelly and I were looking for a romance/drama to work on together, the “City Slickers on a lobster boat” idea morphed into “Joni, Underway.” Kelly was sold as soon as I said, “She falls in love with the hot boat captain!”‬

Which character in Joni, Underway do you most relate to?‬

Jonathan: I relate to Joni, I think. At least when I was her age, anyway. I had a lot of inner strength, but I needed the right experience to bring it out in me. If left to my own devices, I wouldn’t try new things.‬

Kelly: I had to think about this one, but I think maybe I’d go with Reid, actually. I have total wander lust and a need for adventure. I want to see and experience everything. And I want to visit and learn all about all different kinds of people and cultures. If I could sail around the world, going from job to job just to get to the next journey, I totally would. Jonathan is definitely the more stable on win our family. But I also have a bit of his compassion and empathy. I was always that friend who would go out of my way to take care of my friends who were having trouble.‬

Kelly: What part of the creation of this novel will you cherish the most?‬

Kelly: Um…. my husband? lol. I think just the experience as a whole. (And come on, lets be honest, I cherish the creation of Captain Reid!) For real though, I also really love the character of Murray. He’s based off of Jonathan’s grandpa who was quite the character. We loved him so much and I love that a part of Boompa will always live on now.‬

Do you have different jobs too, or just write together?‬

Kelly: Now we don’t. I was always a stay-at-home mom while My husband worked in the film industry. Thanks to my writing, Jonathan was able to quit his job and is now going to write full time as well. We are super happy about that, and super blessed!‬

Kelly: were there certain things that you found out about your husband that you might not have known without working on this piece with him?‬

Kelly: Hmm. I mostly saw a lot of things I already knew about him. For one, he’s WAY more disciplined than me. He needs a schedule and routine, where I’m all over the place. He’s way more thorough with research, but he’s always been really book-smart. I did learn that he’s a much slower writer than me. It takes him WAY longer to write a first draft than me. But I’m more patient with the rewriting process. I guess he just wants to get it right the first time. He’s more of a perfectionist than me. But again, after 14 years of marriage, I already knew that too!

How did you know that the other was The One?‬

Kelly: Actually it was pretty clear. A booming voice shouted down from the Heavens and said, “Hey, you! Yeah, the stubborn one who never dates seriously! HE’S THE ONE!!!!!” We met through my family. He was trying to date my older sister while I was away at college. I came home and she totally tried to pawn him off on me. Two weeks later we were engaged. Two and a half months after that, we were married.‬

Jonathan: How did you propose to Kelly?‬

Jonathan: It was nothing planned out, I can tell you that, lol. Very casual, which is my style. We had been dating for 2 weeks (yes, that’s 14 days) and we went to Disneyland together (Kelly had never been) and in a quiet moment afterward, Kelly joked about how fun it was hanging out together and I said, “How about we keep hanging out forever then?” or something really lame like that. The truth is, I’d been looking for a way to propose for a couple days, and that seemed as good an “in” as any, so I took it! I remember Kelly smiled and just said, “Yeah, let’s do it.” That was it! Very low key. But then she dropped the bomb: “But you have to call my dad and ask for permission!” I was scared of her dad, lol. Anyway, I was 21 and Kelly was 19.‬

Who are your favorite authors?‬

Kelly: Oh, man, where do I start???? Meg Cabot is my all-time favorite. I totally admire her so much. Then there’s John Green, Sarah Dessen, Jen Wylie, Julianne Donaldson, Simone Elkeles, Cinda Chima Williams, Cassie Claire, Cassie Mae, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Stephenie Meyer, Karen Lynch… I know I’ve left out like a million authors… but I could chat books all day…‬

Jonathan: Michael Crichton and Charlotte Bronte. I know, that’s a weird combo, but it’s the truth!‬

Jonathan: Which is your favorite novel written by Kelly?‬

Jonathan: Serial Hottie is def my favorite!‬

If you guys had Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak, what would you do?‬

Kelly: This makes me think of that Clay Aiken song LOL. Um… with invisibility? I’d so sneak into concerts and go back stage! I want to see the band in their unscripted moments. (And I’m not talking about the changing room you perves!) I’d just like to see what people are like when the world isn’t watching them. Also, I could get much better seats to the shows!‬

Jonathan: If I were invisible, I’d go to Pixar/Disney studios and watch them make their films. I’m a huge fan of animation and I love watching the creative process unfold.‬

Jonathan: What are your plans thus far for future writings?‬

Jonathan: I am now writing a sequel to my first novel “Dolls”, which is a supernatural horror/thriller in the NA age range. I love creepy/dark stories. But I like haunted horror, NOT slasher horror.‬Kelly, can we look forward to another book in the Supernaturals series?‬

Kelly: Yes! There is one more still to come. Book #4 is called Priestess and it’s Clara’s story. Just don’t ask me when it’s coming lol. Sometime next year… I still have to write it.‬

Kelly, do you plan on writing any sports romance books? And when I say “Sports” I mean SOCCER!‬

Kelly: I will definitely write a sports romance someday. I don’t know how soon I will get to it, but I have two ideas plotted already. one for a women’s fiction/chick-lit baseball book and a soccer book that is actually a companion novel to my book Cinder & Ella. It’s a Robin Hood retelling that has soccer as the focus.‬ Again though, I have no clue when I’ll be able to get to those books. SO many stories, so little time!‬

Kelly…what is your favorite genre?‬

Kelly: Young adult anything. The more romance the better. I’m a huge high-fantasy geek though, so probably YA fantasy is my very favorite.‬

Kelly: We all know you love frosting, but what is your other favorite dessert?‬

Kelly: Frosting!
 Nope, I’m not kidding.
 I totally eat cake just so I can have frosting. And I used to keep some in the fridge in college so I could just have a spoonful when I needed it. Nothing de-stresses like a spoonful of sugar! Okay, maybe white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies, cheesecake, and candy corns.‬

Kelly, I like the jamie baker series and I know that inspiration just hasn’t happened yet for the rest of her story. My question is are you upset that it hasn’t happened yet?‬

Kelly: Oh, how do I explain Jamie…. It wasn’t a lack of inspiration really. I just knew what had to happen, and there were so many different ways it could go. The first way didn’t work, so I scrapped it and tried again… after like seven different versions of the first 150 pages I was frustrated and burned out and still nowhere near finishing. Then I started to feel a lot of pressure to have it finished because people were waiting for it and I’d expected it to be done sooner. And then I started getting anxiety attacks when I tried to work on it. It was very strange. I’ve never experienced anything like that with any other story. I was so upset for a long time. I was upset with the story, and upset with myself. It broke my heart to have to put the book on hiatus. And, to be honest, I had a rough couple of years the last two years, overworking myself in all aspects of my life, and I went to therapy. (Which did wonders, btw!) And yes, I actually worked with my therapist about the issues I was having with this specific book. And that of course helped me get a much better grip on this new career I’d stumbled onto. Now, I’m in a much better place, and I feel much better about my manuscript. I’m still a little anxious to pick it up again, but at least my love for the book and the characters is back and I’m feeling confident in it again. I’ll let you in on a little secret… I’ve been slowly working on it for the last month or so and I’ve made big progress. I hope to have the book out sometime next year. Cross your fingers for me!

I definitely needed the time out with Jamie. It was hard to do, but it was honestly the best thing I could have done. I’m ready to start on it again, but while I’d set it aside, I committed to a few other projects. (Like Joni, and Libby, and my upcoming If We Were A Movie…) so now I’ve had to go and finish those before I could start Jamie again. Good news is, I’m finished with almost everything. I need a couple more weeks with Movie, and then the only projects I have left are Jamie #3 and Supernaturals #4. Of course, knowing me, I’ll probably write something random and completely new for my annual nano project. But November never counts in my writing schedule!

In progress!

Working on switching over my site! Thanks for your patience!

 

 

It's time to Get Lucky! (Surprise new release from Kelly Oram!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! How about we celebrate with a NEW RELEASE?

$0.99 for a limited time!AVAILABLE NOW ON:Amazon * iBooks
Get Lucky is a YA anthology featuring six contemporary romance short stories from some of today's hottest (and my favorite) Young Adult authors! Short meaning each story is around 20,000 words or 80-85 pages, so you'll get your money's worth. (Especially since it's only $0.99 for a limited time.)


FEATURED STORIES:
Sounds like it'll tug at the heartstrings, right? Now you can let it tug away for just $0.99 (limited time!) AVAILABLE NOW ON: Amazon * iBooks  To be the first to get Ali Dean's news, join her email list here: SUBSCRIBE Website * Facebook  * Goodreads * Instagram * Twitter * Pinterest 

Dude. BOOK BOYFRIEND ALERT!!! Somehow I don't think you want to miss this one. So guess what, you know what to do. 1-click for a buck! Amazon * iBooks
Want to be a part of her team and receive books before they’re released? Sign up for her ARC mailing list! Until then, visit her on the web at any of the following places: Website * Facebook * Twitter @KKehoeAuthor * Instagram @authorkristenkehoe   


You're swooning right now. I know you are. And you know what I'm going to say: swoon away for just $0.99 (limited time!) AVAILABLE NOW ON: Amazon * iBooks
Stalk, talk, or send pictures of Luke Bryan to her on her Facebook page.Sign up for the Cassie Mae Catch-up Follow Cassie Mae on TwitterBrowse Cassie Mae Books on her Website Email Cassie Mae for a free cyber hug Join Cassie Mae’s Awesome Nerds! 

All the feels! (And the eyes, and the abs, and the smile...) And he...I mean this awesome story...can be yours. Right Now. You guessed it... For just $0.99!!  AVAILABLE NOW ON: Amazon * iBooks
For updates on upcoming releases and sales, sign up to receive Theresa's newsletter. Or find her on: Facebook * Twitter  * Pinterest * Goodreads * Instagram * Blog

Come on now. You know how much I love kissing. And now I've written an entire story all about KISSING. Do I really need to say more? How about I throw in a hot cowboy? And a birthday surprise. And KISSING!All these kisses are just waiting for you to claim them. And they're only a dollar!! Amazon * iBooks Don't miss the latest news from Kelly Oram! Sign up for her newsletter to receive e- mail notifications for all of her new releases, events, sales, & giveaways. This is a monthly newsletter often with exclusive giveaways and freebies from some of her favorite authors. Subscribe 
Connect with Kelly: Website * Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads * Facebook fan group * GoodReads fan group * Twitter: @kellyoram * Instagram:@kellyoramwrites



Aww, it's Ginger at her finest. And I'd definitely sink into the grass to stargaze for a while. Forget homework! In fact, you should forget your homework right now. And 1-click this story because it's way better than doing homework. And it's only $0.99 right now. (You knew I was going to say that, didn't you?) Well, then, what are you waiting for? It's waiting for you right now!Amazon * iBooks

Find Ginger Online Here: Website *Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest * Goodreads

And, of course, we have to give a special thank-you shout-out to the lovely Ashley Blevins with tcbediting for taking the time to round us all up and make this awesome anthology happen! Make sure you check out her services, or just stop by and tell her she's awesome for doing this!
TCBediting.weebly.com

Seriously guys, this is the freaking cutest, most swoon-worthy, amazing YA anthology ever!! It's only going to be on sale for a few days, so don't hesitate. Snatch it up and start falling in love now! Here. I'll even give you the links again, just in case you have managed to resist the temptation through this entire blog post... (Which, I don't know how you could have. I totally 1-clicked while writing it and I already own the PDF version.) It's so awesome I wanted my official copy. And I promise, so do you! SO go. NOW. (Yup, I'm being bossy, but it's for your own good.)$0.99 for a limited time!AVAILABLE NOW ON:Amazon * iBooks

It's my (book) birthday! New release, giveaway, and reader vote!

March News from Kelly Oram:New Release (and this month's Matchmaker novel): If We Were a Movie!Giveaway: Signed V is for Virgin & A is for AbstinenceSurprise Cover Reveal & Release: Get Lucky (A YA Anthology)!Vote for my next audiobook release!​What I'm Reading: The Collector series by Stacey Marie Brown with freebie & giveaway!New Release! ​(And this month's Matchmaker novel.) It's finally HERE!! (Woot!)Happy Book Birthday Movie!!! I'm excited to share this one with you all. The wait is over. Now you can get your hands on the adorably sexy Nate and his lovable roommate Jordan. If We Were a Movie is a clean sweet college romance with a music and movies twist. Available NOW!Amazon * Nook * iBooks * KoboGIVEAWAY!  There is a rafflecopter giveaway attached to the If We Were a Movie book release and blog tour. I'm giving away signed copies of V is for Virgin & A is for Abstinence. (2 books, 1 winner). It's international and ends 3/15/16. To enter, check out my release day blog post on my website and enter the rafflecopter. CLICK HERE.Announcing a surprise project releasing in 16 days!! SURPRISE!
I have a new release coming out this month (other than If We Were a Movie). I teamed up with some of the awesomest of awesome in YA contemporary fiction to bring you a St. Patrick's Day special treat.
I am so excited to be part of this anthology with these wonderful ladies. This book is going to be so much fun! It's six short YA romance stories/novellas (Each is somewhere around 80 pages.)
Get Lucky (A YA Anthology)
Featuring stories by YA authors Ali Dean Fiction, Kristen Kehoe, Cassie Mae, Author, Tessa Marie, Kelly Oram, & Ginger Scott
Releasing March 17, 2016. (Happy St. Patrick's Day!)
Get Lucky on Goodreads. I'll send out a 2nd short email this month on release day with more information since there is no preorder for this one. But it's going to be awesome, so get excited! ​Calling all audio book listeners! (It's time to vote!)I've only got one audio book out, and I think it's time I do a second one. For this, I'm going to let you guys pick which book I do next. If you haven't read any/all of these books, that's okay. Take a minute to scan my books list on my website. Check them out and vote based on which one catches your interest the most. I will honestly go with the majority on this one, so happy voting! 
VOTE HERE What I'm Reading! (With freebie & giveaway!)In case you're new to my newsletter (welcome!) I always do a feature at the end where I let you know what I've read this past month. And sometimes we're lucky enough to be provided with giveaways from the awesome authors who write the awesome books I read. Like this month! :)  If I were you, I'd start with the Darkness series. the firs book, Darkness of Light is FREE and definitely worth a try!! ELI!!
City in Embers , if this series catches your interest more, is only $0.99. SMOKIN' deal that's almost as hot as Ryker. (You can all fight over him, just stay away from my Eli!!!) ​This month I readCity In Embers by Stacey Marie Brown! ​Let me star off by appropriately fangirling where fangirling is due! Stacey is a brilliant writer whom I adore to bits and pieces. I devoured her Darkness series a year or two ago, and last week I finally started her Collector series. I LOVE these books. I can't tell you enough how much I love these books. If you like fantasy and action-packed, dangerous mysteries and hot tension-filled romance, these are definitely for you. They are on the more mature side of the YA genre, so super clean readers beware. But there is nothing too explicit. :)GIVEAWAY: Because the lovely Stacey is so generous and awesome, she has offered to give away an audio book of Darkness of Light to one of my lucky newsletter subscribers! 
To enter: reply to this email and tell me which type of fey is your favorite. Good luck! Giveaway ends 3/15/16 and is international! :) 

Book release and giveaway -- If We Were a Movie

Happy Book Birthday If We Were a Movie!
Available Now!amazon * iBooks * nook *  kobo

Title: If We Were A MovieSeries: Power of the MatchmakerAuthor: Kelly OramPublisher: Bluefields PublishingGenre(s): New Adult, Contemporary, Sweet Romance, CleanBook buy links: amazon * iBooks * nook *  kobo
Summary:Music meets Movies in this sweet college romance from the bestselling author of Cinder & Ella & V is for Virgin.
NYU freshman Nate Anderson is a triplet who is desperate to escape his wild and crazy brothers. After they screw things up for him one too many times, Nate flees his housing situation and takes the first available room for rent as far from his brothers as he can get.
Enter his new roommate Jordan—a quirky LA girl who believes that everything in life has already been done in the movies. In this heartfelt tale of friendship, family, life, and love, Nate learns how to deal with his new adult life using Hollywood films as a guide.
***This book is part of a multi-author project that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***
    Teaser #1“So this is what a Pearl-approved guy looks like.” She shook her head once and cracked a smile. “She’s got good taste, I’ll give her that. You’re an odd mix of sexy and adorable. Don’t see that often.”I was a little taken aback by the compliment, if that’s even what it was. She may have just been stating what she considered to be fact. She laughed at my surprise and held out her hand to me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jordan Kramer.”I’d been afraid of that. “You’re a girl.” Jordan laughed. “That’s what it says on my birth certificate, but I’m really glad you were able to figure it out without needing to read it.” Nope. I definitely didn’t need that.
Teaser #2I handed Jordan the electric guitar that I’ve had since I was twelve, and laughed when her eyes got really big. “You play the electric guitar, too?”“Music major,” I teased, picking up my keyboard. “I play this, too. A little. And the bass guitar.”“Awesome.” She examined the electric guitar with awe.“Why do you seem so surprised?” She looked at me as if the answer to that question should be obvious. “Hello. Have you met yourself? You with an acoustic guitar singing soft songs around a campfire or in a coffee house makes perfect sense. But I can’t picture you up on a stage, jamming on your electric guitar like a rock star.” She studied me a moment, then shook her head. “You’ll have to play for me, or I’m not going to believe it.”
What readers are saying about If We Were a Movie:
"WOW! This book is great! The concept is so inventive, and the writing is brilliant."
"I thought Cinder & Ella jerked with my emotions too much but this one might have it beat."
"I finished reading If We Were a Movie yesterday. I loved it! I fell hard for Nate. Jordan was amazing! And Pearl's timing was perfect! "
"Amazing concept with movies as chapters, and fantastic storyline." 
"I loved this story and was humming along to the songs from the book whilst reading. I can see this book becoming the movie it was written to be."
"If We Were a Movie made me want to binge watch movies, listen to old playlists, and re-read it all at once."

Now you can check out what all the hype is about! Woot! Happy Reading!!amazon * iBooks * nook *  kobo
There is a book blitz/blog tour giveaway along with the release of this book. It's signed copies of  V is for Virgin & A is for Abstinence  (1 winner 2 books, international.)enter here:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Power of the Matchmaker series info:
Series: Power of the Matchmaker (No specific reading order necessary)Authors involved: Karey White, Rachael Anderson, Kelly Oram, Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright, Heidi Ashworth, Taylor Dean, Michele Paige Holmes, Janette Rallison, Regina Sirois, Sheralyn Pratt, and Jaima FixsenSeries Goodreads Link
Series Summary:The Power Of the Matchmaker is multi-author project consisting of 12 stand alone novels from 12 different bestselling authors in 12 months. All books are separate from each other except they feature one reoccurring character, a magical matchmaker named Pearl. Since Pearl is magical, she lives for hundreds of years and roams the entire world helping people find their perfect matches. The books in this series are twelve of Pearl's matchmaking stories. They will vary in genre, but they will all have one thing in common: Pearl will be doing whatever it takes to make two people fall in love.
Books in the Series already Available:Prequel Novella: Power of the Matchmaker  January: Broken Things to Mend by Karey White February: Not Always Happenstance by Rachel Anderson March: If We Were a Movie by Kelly OramApril:(available for preorder) Love is Come by Heather B. Moore 

You pick my next audio book!

I've only got one audio book out, and I think it's time I do a second one. For this, I'm going to let you guys pick which book I do next. If you haven't read any/all of these books, that's okay. Take a minute to scan my books list on my website. Check them out and vote based on which one catches your interest the most. I will honestly go with the majority on this one, so happy voting!

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Cinder & Ella was first. Which book of mine would you like to see as an audio book next?
The Avery Shaw ExperimentV is for VirginSerial HottieJoni, UnderwayBeing Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #1)Chameleon (Supernaturals #1)Do Quizzes