Author Interview: Jen Calonita

In place of a new review, today I have a special post featuring an interview with YA author, Jen Calonita, whose newest book Belles was released last month! Read on to find out more about the book and Jen as an author, as well as a quick giveaway at the end!

Brenna: Was Belles always part of a planned series?

Jen: Yes! My brain seems hardwired to think of stories over time and I love getting to know my favorite characters intimately over several adventures in other books. I know the minute I finish something by an author I like, I'm wondering, "When will their be a sequel?" So with Belles, we always knew the story would be mapped out over the girls first year together so readers could see all the struggles and triumphs that come along with integrating a new member into a family that has worked well as is for years!

Brenna: Savannah was probably the character that interested me the most, just because I didn't have a clear idea of why she chose to act and react the way she did. Are we going to get to see more of Savannah and her motivations in later books?

Jen: Yeah, Savannah seems to be a real sticking point with people -- some love how harsh she is (really!) and others can't believe how obnoxious she is! She's actually based on a girl I knew in high school, if you could believe it. The type that loves you to your face and then says something mean the minute you turn around. I feel like she has a story to tell too so she will be in future books, but readers will be amazed at how she changes when life throws her a few curve balls of her own.

Brenna: What are the best and worst things about being a writer?

Jen: Best? Getting to connect with readers and talking to people who enjoy my characters. When I get emails about my books, I get so excited. I love knowing what you loved, what you want more of, what drove you crazy! It's the best. The worst....hmmm....I'm not sure. Maybe just figuring out how to manage your time wisely! I feel like it's so important to connect so I'm always trying to update FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads....there are days I hate my phone! :)

Brenna: The books you've written have been contemporary, but would you ever write something in a different genre?

Jen: I think I'm definitely more of a contemporary author, but I will say I've been thinking a lot about stories that make my pulse race. When I think about the shows I love -- Once Upon a Time, Alias (back in the day!), Revenge -- I love things that have a sense of adventure and tons of twists and turns. So I think I'd love to write something that gives me the same feeling I get when I watch something like those shows.

Brenna: What types of books are your favourite to read? Any examples or recommendations?

Jen: I love reading YA! I'm obsessed with all things Ally Carter. I read "Out of Sight, Out of Time," the minute I could get my hands on it. I'm excited to read Terra Elan McVoy's "Being Friends with Boys." It looks terrific. I just finished Elizabeth Eulberg's "Take a Bow," which was great, and I'm looking forward to also reading Kieran Scott's last He's So/She's So book, "This is So Not Happening."

I'm also a BIG Ally Carter fan myself, and I'm planning on reading Take a Bow this week. Great to hear of some other ones to check out though! Thank you SO much for taking the time to answer my questions and share more about Belles with us today, Jen!

You can find Jen at her website, add her as a friend on Facebook, & follow her on Twitter!

You can also find out more about Belles on Goodreads, like the Facebook page for the series, and read the first chapter here!

And read my review for Belles here, with 3 reasons why you should read it!

To win a copy of either Belles or a pre-order of Winter White, leave a comment telling me which question and answer from the interview you were most interested in reading about! Don't forget to leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you win!

Contest is international since I'll order from The Book Depository :) regular giveaway rules apply. I'll pick a winner randomly on May 31st.

Good luck!

Review: Belles

Belles (Belles #1) by Jen Calonita
Release Date ~ April 10, 2012
Poppy ~ Hachette Book Group
ISBN13: 9780316091138
ARC received from HBG Canada for review
Goodreads Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she’s ever known, and, unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous lifestyle of Emerald Cove doesn’t go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn’t thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and, in addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates’ Southern charm, a secret is unfolding that will change both girls’ lives forever.
I picked up Belles when I was needing a fresh, fun contemporary read and it easily exceeded my expectations in this area! It's a surprisingly tender and stirring book, one that features a vibrant cast of characters and introduces its readers to a fun, new contemporary series that will leave you eager for the next book, Winter White.

1. Charming characters:
   Izzie quickly grew on me as a character, even though I was worried at first that she would be needy and whiny. Boy, was I ever wrong about her! Izzie is a survivor, one who refuses to let even the worst situations completely bring her down. She acts the way any other teenage girl would in her position, and that's one difficult position to be in. I loved her for that, and especially watching her grow and adapt to her new life. Mira, on the other hand, took a bit longer for me to get used to. Even though she was rather dense and unsympathetic most of the time, there was still something endearing about her and I think we'll see more maturity from her in the next books :)
2. A beautiful story:
   
   I expected Belles to be a lighter, more fun kind of read; and it definitely had its moments. But the story itself is so involved and very intense; there's a real meaning behind all of it, and a lot of painful history and tragedy in the characters' lives. It's truly touching, and adds a good amount of dimension to the story.
3. A brave, remarkable heroine(s):
   My favourite thing about Izzie is that she refuses to back down and give up. She is constantly fighting for what she feels is right and I really admire that about her. Even at risk to herself and her own situation, she's constantly thinking of others first and it's this kindness and bravery to stand out and alone that makes her such a memorable character. Also, I have to take a minute to praise Mira's mom for her willingness to "adopt" Izzie so openly into their family. She is such a wonderful, generous woman to have and I loved featuring her as a character in Belles.

Belles is a very quick, easy read. It's enjoyable and it's fun, but it's also lacking in one large area, which is complexity. I was actually surprised that Belles charmed me so much, because normally I don't enjoy books that feature fairly one-dimensional characters, but it wasn't that much of a problem for me in Belles. And when I found out that there would be more books coming out soon to accompany Belles and continue the story- well I was just THRILLED because I think we'll really get to know more about some of these secondary characters in Belles. I'd really love to find out more about Savannah's motivations, and even Mira and her family as well.
Because of this, I have high hopes for the sequel and think I'll enjoy it even more than Belles. Fingers crossed!

Purchase Links

United States	Canada	International
Amazon	Amazon Canada	The Book Depository
Barnes & Noble	Chapters Indigo