Book Giveaway & Author Interview: Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Welcome to Author Sarah Ockler

Sarah Ockler is the bestselling author of young adult novels FIXING DELILAH and the critically acclaimed TWENTY BOY SUMMER, a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten nominee, an IndieNext List pick, a Girls’ Life Top 100 Must Reads pick, and a New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Book Award nominee.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of New York at Buffalo, but didn’t discover her voice for young adult literature until she moved to Colorado. Here, with guidance and inspiration from Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, Sarah wrote her first novel. She now teaches young adult fiction writing at Lighthouse.
Sarah is a member of the 2009 Debutantes and The Contemps, a group of authors writing and celebrating contemporary, realistic fiction for teens. When she’s not writing or reading, Sarah enjoys photographing children and nature, hugging trees, and hiking up mountains with her husband, Alex.

Links:

http://sarahockler.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/sarahockler

http://www.facebook.com/sarahockler

Interview:

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you? 

My husband (aka Pet Monster), a cupcake bakery, and a really long book. :-)

If you could have any superpower what would you choose? 

To eat infinite amounts of cupcakes without consequences! That's about the superist power I can think of. :-)

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose? 

Jack Kerouac.

Night owl, or early bird? 

I keep trying to be an early bird, but I'm a night owl through and through. There's something magical about the night -- it calls me. I try to listen. :-)

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. 

Bittersweet brings together three awesome things: cupcakes, ice skating, and cute hockey boys!

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

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews. How creepy!

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 

Never give up, no matter what. Writing is hard, getting published is hard, dealing with criticism is hard. But if you're dream is to tell stories, you have to push through those things and keep writing. Never give up!

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"? 

I wanted to be on the Flintstones. Seriously, that was my dream. I wanted my parents to take me to Hollywood so I could audition. I really thought I could be in a cartoon!

Who are your favorite authors of all time? 

Deb Caletti, Libba Bray, Tom Robbins, Jack Kerouac, Melina Marchetta, Anais Nin, Sarah Dessen.

Favorite Food? 

Indian food! Vegetable korma. Oh man I could live on that stuff!

If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be? 

Cupcakes! (Are you sensing a theme yet? ;-) )

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book? 

Since I got the news while I was at work (I still had an office job back then), I went out for martinis with some girlfriends from the office after hours. The next day, my husband and I went to one of our favorite restaurants and indulged. We've pretty much been celebrating ever since. :-)

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit? 

Jerseylicious. It's addicting! Also, Toddlers & Tiaras. I have a strict drama-free policy in my own life, so I guess I'm strangely fascinated by the craziness on those shows!

If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing? 

Crying. And after I finished crying, I'd open a book-themed cupcake bakery!

What are you currently reading? 

I'm reading BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray. She's a literary genius.

What is your favorite scene in the book and why do you love it? 

I don't want to give any spoilers, but all of the kissing scenes are my favorite. Pretty much any scene with smoochin' in it gets my vote!

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.
So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.
It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last...

Giveaway Details 
1 signed hardcover copy of Bittersweet
Open to US only
Ends 5/13/12

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