JeanzBookReadNReview: BLOG TOUR - SHOCK ME BY ASHLEY HARRIS

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT

ON THE BOOK

Book Information supplied by Danielle Barclay

Title: Shock Me

Author: Ashley C. Harris

Author Location: FL, United States

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: September 17th, 2013

Words: 68,230 Words

Publisher: Self-Published

Language: English

Format: Digital eBook

ISBN: 978-1-30157-839-9

BLURB from Goodreads

A promising gymnast, Donna Young is a shy, quiet nobody from the wrong side of town. The only exciting thing in life is her secret friendship with Ryan, her childhood crush. But after the accident—one that should have killed her—she discovers she has impossible powers! Why now, at sixteen, can she transform into something shocking and inhuman? Donna doesn’t know how to use her new abilities or who she can trust, but unveiling this mystery might lead to conclusions about Ryan that are deadly.

Rich kid, Ryan Applegate is the most popular guy in town. He has a face that should be on a poster in every girl’s bedroom and dates the hottest chick in school. But ever since the big explosion at the town’s power plant, Ryan has been keeping secrets of his own, that if revealed could force him to choose between his family and the girl he's forbidden to love.

As their electrifying puzzle unfolds, so unfolds a town where friends become enemies, and enemies become unrecognizable and intertwined. Tortured heroes just might be the bad guys, and Donna discovers that her and Ryan’s secrets are powerful enough to destroy everyone... including themselves.

LINKS

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author and film director Ashley C. Harris resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. When she is not hard at work writing or dreaming up new indie films she spends her time working out, reading the bible, and going on breath-taking adventures with her sister.

The seed for becoming an author started budding for Ashley in the third grade, when she wrote her first hundred page book during her class's quite time, her teacher couldn't believe it and voiced over her that surly she'd become an author someday. Those words never left Ashley and she has been writing ever since.

Ashley loves to create young adult, science fiction, fantasy novels, and is currently working on her first steamy romance... with more to come.

INTERVIEW

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

My name is Ashley Harris and I'm from Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

I've been writing since the third grade and can't stop, it's my passion.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?

I'm a film editor and director professionally. My favorite projects to edit are film trailers and I'm starting to turn that passion towards editing book trailers as well. Editing my own book trailer for Shock Me was so exciting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGVFI-jKUXI

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

With every story it is different. It took me less than a month to write SHOCK ME, my debut novel. The idea came to me and the story just poured out of my hands. Other stories I've written sometimes take a few months. It's dependent on how fast I need to bring the idea to life on page.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

Shock Me is the first of a five part series. The second book really dives deeper into character adventures, big twist, and steamy romances.... I'll be excited to start talking more about it soon. I'm also working on my first adult romance novel right now.

What genre would you place your books into?

Young Adult Sci-fi & Fantasy, and Paranormal.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?

Absolutely Donna Young, SHOCK ME's heroine. Who wouldn't want to have the power to transform into something amazing and control electricity?

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?

My sister Amber Harris is always a huge inspiration to me, and there is a little of something she has inspired in all my books. Biblical stories also stir me to write, even if the story I create has nothing to do with the bible, sometimes just one verse sparks a new idea in my head, and I start writing.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?

I always have a few people read my books before I ever consider them ready to take off. My mother Karen Harris and Amber Harris are always the first on my list to show my work to. They help me majorly with spell checks and grammar editing, and then from there I always have a few friends and co-workers read my work.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?

The Shock Me title came almost a year after writing my novel. I had a totally different idea until I re-read a line from the story where that phrase is used and I said, "that is it."

For the cover, I turned to my sister whose is a professional graphic designer. She jumped when I asked her to design the cover, and then I insisted she had to be the cover model. When she showed me what she had come up with I was so excited, it was exactly what I had dreamed of. You can check out more of her design work at http://www.amberhdesigns.com/

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

I decide on basic traits for each character right away, I like to identify what makes each person special and unique. From there I like to plot how they grow and transform throughout each story in a series.

How do you market/promote your books?

I discovered Barclay Publicity right as I was putting a plan together for releasing my debut novel. The team at Barclay has been absolutely amazing as we've gotten ready to promote SHOCK ME. Their knowledge and talent for book promotion is absolutely the best in the industry which is why I wanted to partner with them. http://www.barclaypublicity.com/

What do you do to unwind and relax?Do you have a hobby?

I love taking long walks, doing so really helps push a good story line in my mind.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

One is that everyone, no matter their age, was created to be important. I hope readers of this book cheer for the underdogs in my novel and realize they themselves should never let anyone hold them back....

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?

Nicole Luiken is pretty much my favorite YA author of all time. She writes the kind of books you can read over and over again and never grow board with. A new author whose blog, website, and books inspire and get me excited is Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook, hardback, or paperback?

Ebook and paperback.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)

I just finished Angel Eyes by Nicole Luiken -SUCH a good book!!!-, and ordered Starstruck by Brenda Hiatt so I'm excited to start that. Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout was also an incredible read if you're following her Lux serries.

Do you have a favorite genre of book?

YA all the way. I'm getting into New Adult, and of course as a women I love heart pounding romances, but YA is always my go to selection.

What do you think about book trailers?

I think the book trailer market is one that is underestimated, in the past most book trailers contained a lot of slow moving pictures from the book's cover. Now with the rapid sharing of Ebooks we can make our trailers exciting, and more closely related to TV and movie trailers to grab new markets. You can catch the official book trailer for SHOCK ME on YouTube.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?

As a new author myself I would say don't let anyone hold you back, write and if you dream of being published do not give up. If one door closes, pray for an even better door to manifest in front of you; run through it with a smile.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?

I don't have one currently but I'm very open to it.

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?

Nicole Luiken, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Stephanie Meyer.

Where can readers follow you?

Your Blog details

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