Blog Tour & Giveaway: Anne Osterlund

So excited to have Anne Osterlund here for the blog tour of Salvation, which comes out January 10, 2013!

Hi Hannah! Thank you for inviting Salva, Beth, and I to your blog to celebrate our new book, Salvation. We most definitely think you have the best blog name on our tour. And I must admit that Salva and Beth have high hopes that there might be banana splits for refreshments.

1.      “Popular guy and bookish girl” themes are fairly popular in movies, tv, and books—what sets Salvation apart from the rest?

Smile. “Popular guy and bookish girl” is marketing speak. Here is my personal pitch:

SALVA (Salvador) RESENDEZ is at god a Liberty High School. Quarterback. ASB President. National Honor Society Member. His Mexican immigrant parents have high expectations, and Salva is prepared to fulfill them—mostly—but what he really wants is to blend in with his friends and enjoy his senior year. A goal bound for destruction when a requirement forces him into AP English with the teacher from hell. And with walking disaster area, BETH COURANT. Who may be his salvation. But what neither Salva nor Beth knows is that the cost of salvation is mortality.

To me, what always makes a story unique are the characters:

Salva likes chocolate ice cream, wears a wristwatch, and spends Tuesday nights at the Laundromat. And he has two little sisters he helps support.

Beth prefers bubblegum ice cream, notices fluffy squirrels, and visits the graveyard. And it burns her to see Salva hover just below spectacular.

I could go on and on; but you’d probably rather meet them yourselves.

2.      What are the best and worst traits of Salva and Beth?

Salva’s best trait—his passion.

Beth’s best trait—her heart.

Salva’s main flaw—he allows his friends to direct his inner compass.

Beth’s main flaw—excessive feelings of inadequacy

3.      Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. And a teacher, a singer, an actress, a gymnast, a dancer, a figure skater, a trapeze artist, etc.

4.      What books are you most excited about in 2013?

In my immediate reading queue:

Hill 567 and ‘Tis the Season by Zack Emerson (AKA Ellen Emerson White)

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

New & Upcoming Books:

Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder

Battle Magic by Tamora Pierce

Fullriders, #1 by Simone Elkeles.

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

Things I Can’t Forget and Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally.

5.      Any resolutions for the New Year?

Finish Redemption. Aurelia, the heroine of Aurelia and Exile, demands that I finish her third and final novel. She’s dying to tell you all about it, but she knows this is Salva and Beth’s moment so she is very patiently—for Aurelia—biting her tongue. Though, as a tradeoff for such good behavior, I did post one blog about Redemption here. (Insert link: http://www.anneosterlund.blogspot.com/2012/12/redemption-aurelia-book-three_23.html)

6.      What are the top 3 perks of being a young adult author?

The exquisite, amazing feeling of knowing a character, discovering a scene, and realizing a full story. Each of my books—Salvation, Academy 7, Aurelia, and Exile—is a unique dream and having the chance to share them is an incredible honor. 

Thanks, Anne!!!

Anne has generously given me a signed ARC (!!!) and some signed swag (!!!) to give to one lucky winner! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US mailing address only. Winner must be over 13 & will have 48 hours to respond to winning email!