Blog Tour: Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Illegal by Bettina Restrepo

Welcome to Author Bettina Restrepo.

Bio:

Bettina Restrepo is a writer. This means she basically sits around in pajamas making up lies. As glamorous as this may seem, she spends a lot of time researching, thinking, and talking to the dog about her characters, plots, and story lines.
She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Speech Communication. She married an Aggie. Together they have a son, Allen, (who will be an Aggie) and an English springer spaniel, Winston (who will not be an Aggie). When Bettina is not writing, or thinking about writing, she likes to exercise, go on walks, and read, read, read. She lives in Frisco, Texas…. which is basically Dallas.
Bettina has authored over 50 stories and articles. Her books include Moose and Magpie (Sylvan Dell 2009) and Illegal (Harper Collins 2011). Her forthcoming novel, Telenovela, will be out in 2012. She is currently writing a sequel to Telenovela and a zombie-inspired novel (which she thinks is Very Cool).
Bettina’s website is www.bettinarestrepo.com You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Interview:
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
The ability to be calm and level headed. I’m a bit high strung. If I couldn’t have that, I would like the power to rhyme really funny things at the drop of a hat.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Yes, any, in the largest bowl possible.

Night owl, or early bird?
Early Bird. 5:30 is up and at them.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world. Which would it be?
Does the IKEA catalog work? That looks like a very happy, organized place.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
Bridge to Teribithia

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Yes, I actually named a chapter after the song by Beck, “Que Onde Quiero” I would say it is the theme song for my setting.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Exactly where I am. Texas. I like here.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
A cashier at Kmart. I thought is was amazing they got to press all those buttons.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Cynthia Leitich Smith (author ), said, “Publish well, not fast.”

Favorite Candy?
Cherry Sours or Rolo caramels.

Nickname?
Tigger. I still have people in my life who think this is my only name.

How do you react to a bad review?
First, I stew. Then, I cry. Then I get mad and end up crying. Then, I tend to cry some more because I’m supposed to accept constructive criticism. I’m trying to be better about this because there is no crying in publishing.

What do you do in your free time?
When I’m not writing or Mommying, I love to exercise. Zumba is my absolute favorite, but I have added in Pilates too.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Coming early to carpool to talk to the other Moms.

Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
The Book Thief By Markus Zusack.

Illegal by Bettina Restrepo:

Nora is on a desperate journey far away from home. When her father leaves their beloved Mexico in search of work, Nora fights to make sense of her loss while waiting for her father’s return and a better day. When the letters and money from her father stop coming, Nora decides that she and her mother must look for him in Texas. After a harrowing experience crossing the border, the two are all alone in a strange place called Houston. Now, Nora figures out how to survive while still aching for small comforts: friends, a new school, and a quinceañera to mark her fifteenth birthday.

Bettina Restrepo’s powerful and deeply hopeful debut novel captures the challenges of one girl’s unique yet universal immigrant experience.

http://www.bettinarestrepo.com/index.htm


Blog Tour Giveaway Details:
Win one of 5 Signed copies of Illegal by Bettina Restrepo
To enter giveaway just leave a comment answering this question:
Would you break the law to find your family across a foreign border? 
Leave your city, state or country along with your answer.
Open Internationally
Must be 13 or older to enter
The winners of the contest will be announced on Bettina's Facebook and Twitter on April 1, 2011 but the last day to leave a comment on this post to be entered in the giveaway is March 1st.