July 17, 2010

Interview w/ Author Jennifer Laurens and Giveaway - CLOSED -

Hi everyone, **Lisa Here**


This week we were lucky enough to score an interview with Jennifer Laurens, author of Heavenly and Penitence, as well as several other great books. To coincide with my review of Heavenly, and her interview, we decided to have a giveaway too. If you are a big fan of hers, and don't already have Heavenly and Penitence, or you think her book sounds good, enter our form below and you could win my own personal copies! Contest starts today, and ends Saturday July 24th. The winner will be announced the following day, the 25th. You can find my review of Heavenly HERE.


 And now for our interview with Jennifer Laurens...


 
1. Tell us a little about yourself?

JL: I'm a mother of 6 children, one has autism. If I have any free time, and can't find a great read, I love movies, cooking, shopping, travel and hanging with my children ( ages 24-13) 

2. Have you always wanted to be a writer? 

JL: I've always loved writing, but wanted to be a mother first. I'm an only child, and wanted a big family. After the kids were all in school, I decided to take up writing again. ( I wrote as a teen )

3. How did you come up with the idea of Heavenly

JL: First "rule" in writing: write what you know. I know family dynamics, teens and autism. I know about struggling with issues - yours, and your children's issues - until you think you'll break. I know about having to find hope and strength and courage on a daily, even moment-by-moment basis just to get through a day. These are the kinds of things I like to write about. I love challenging my characters with tons of obstacles because that's life, and if someone can read and be lifted somehow by the story, be made stronger, more hopeful than I feel like I've accomplished something worthwhile.

4. Was it hard coming up with the characters?

JL: No. Heavenly, of all my books, is most like my family and what we've gone through over the past 10 years.

 
5. What was the most challenging part of writing Heavenly and Penitence? 

JL: Definitely the Luke character patterned after my son who had a drug abuse issue. At least I could control the outcome in the story!

6. What is your favorite part of the book (Heavenly)? 

JL: Definitely the "spirit" of the book: it's real. It's uplifting. I have countless readers tell me they feel something they've never felt reading a book before when they read Heavenly. I wanted the read to be an uplifting, hopeful, dig-deep-in-your-soul read. Even though Penitence and Absolution are much darker, ultimately the story of Zoe's life is full of hope.

7. What type of research did you do to create Matthias? 

JL: My feelings about guardian angels come from my own experiences with our handicapped daughter. We've had many instances where she's been lost, in mortal danger or whatnot and been found OK. I believe that special guardians on the other side are watching out for her. I love the idea that our deceased loved ones are those special people.
Also, I've always been fascinated with life after death. For me, believing that there is a life after this life is the perfect place for people to meet, and maybe have relationships they might not have had in life. So it is with Matthias and Zoe's relationship.

8. If Heavenly was ever made into a movie, who would you want to play Matthias & Zoe? 

JL: I love this question. Zac Efron! He cries and makes me cry! He's got a sensitivity about him that is sweet and like Matthias. Alexis Blediel! She's versatile as an actress, and expressive. Zoe's such a multi-dimensional, complex character, no cardboard in her at all.

9. If you couldn't be a writer, what would you be?

JL: I already am what I want to be: a mother :)

10. Is "Absolution" the end of the series, or can we expect a 4th book? 

JL: At this point, Absolution is the final book. Zoe's story wraps up beautifully and satisfactorily in the end.

11. For those who have never read your books, summarize them....

JL: satisfying, thought provoking.

12. And finally, with all the hype lately about vampires and werewolves, which do you prefer? Would you ever consider writing a book about such? 

JL: I'm addicted to Vamp Diaries (TV) and the Twilight movies. For me, nothing compares to Interview With a Vampire. I probably won't ever write about either, neither interests me enough to spend 4 months writing about them :)


Thanks so much for the interview!!
xx Jennifer


Thank you Jennifer for taking the time to answer our questions. We can not wait for Absolution, the third and final book of the series. 

For some more information on Jennifer and her books check out:
Jennifer Laurens official website
Jennifer's blog
HeavenlyTheBook.com - You can find the trailer and more here!
Jennifer Laurens on Twitter
Jennifer Laurens on Facebook

Now for the giveaway...

Since I loved Heavenly so much, I decided to give away my copies of Heavenly and Penitence to one lucky person. I only ask that who ever wins, enjoys these books as much I have & spreads the word about this great series! :-)




RULES:
- US & CANADA ONLY (Unless you have pay pal and want to pay your own shipping hehe)
- Must be a follower
- Must FILL OUT THIS FORM

Show us some love! Leave a comment below about this post, or a question for Jennifer. She will be checking back with the blog every now then to answer some questions. :-) 

Good luck and have fun!   






15 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting the interview and for spreading the word about the books, much appreciated x x Jennifer

    www.jenniferlaurens.com

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  2. I love your review Lisa. Can't wait to read Jennifer's book! :)

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  3. Great interview! Jennifer Laurens never fails to amaze me!

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  4. Hey Jennifer I wanted to what are one or two things that most people wouldn't normally know about you? What do you need to have with you in order to sit down and write (I.E. music, caffeine,....)?

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  5. Hi,
    You said that Absolution was the last book in this series. Will you be writing other books and if so any idea as to what they would be?
    :)

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  6. Sklya11377: I ADORE Rockstar drinks. But, alas, they make my heart go pitter pat WAAAY too fast. So, I dropped them. I always listen to a soundtrack of my story whilst writing :) Thanks for the question.

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  7. OMG Jennifer, my mother in-law buys those things in bulk! lol She is obsessed too hehe funny!

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  8. Sandra: ABSOLUTION is the last book in the HEAVENLY series...but I've already finished OVERPROTECTED which comes out around Valentine's Day, and am now working on NOON for later 2011.
    Here's the link to the OVERPROTECTED book trailer if you want a peek:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf9SpqNoxiM

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  9. My brother is severly autistic so I would like to see how his role is handled in this book. It took a very long time for my brother to be diagnosed and he is now in his fifties. Was your son diagnosed quickly?

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  10. I really liked your interview, particularly where you asked how she got the idea for the book and what her favoite part was.

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  11. Great interview, I've always wanted to read these books.

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  12. fun interview! This book sounds so good! and just a note i LOVE the vampire diaries as well:)

    Angela Zhao

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  13. I'm looking forward to reading these books.

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  14. that was sweet, what she wants most is to be a mom. (and because of it she is!)

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  15. thanks everyone for the great comments. we were thrilled that Jennifer Agreed to the interview and are so excited about this giveaway!

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