Replay Blog Tour:Interview with Keira Lea + Chance to Win Prizes.

Today I am hosting the author of Replay,Keira Lea as part of a blog tour organised by the fabulous Bookish Snob Promotions.

Summary:

Kelsee Lewis has a new school, a prima donna best friend, and one week to write a hit play. Throw in a self-obsessed mom and an absent executive dad, and it’s no wonder she has panic attacks—complete with time-warp special effects. When Kelsee meets comic book maven Quinn, she realizes the attacks give her the ability to rewind time.

Replaying life seems like the best way to erase mistakes. But will second chances leave Kelsee flailing in the orchestra pit alone?

About the author:

Keira Lea released her debut novel in April 2011. She is a devoted fan of the TV show FRINGE, a card-carrying member of the Apple cult, and a mother to two human children and three feline ones. She is working on a sequel to Replay.

Me: Could you start things off by telling us a little bit about the book?

KL: Kelsee Lewis has a new school, a prima donna best friend, and one week to write a hit play. Throw in a self-obsessed mom and an absent executive dad, and it’s no wonder she has panic attacks—complete with time-warp special effects. When Kelsee meets comic book maven Quinn, she realizes the attacks give her the ability to rewind time.

Replaying life seems like the best way to erase mistakes. But will second chances leave Kelsee flailing in the orchestra pit alone?

Me: Can you tell us a little about the main characters in Replay?

KL:The main cast is Kelsee, Miranda Ashley, Patrick Martin, and Quinn Branstetter. Kelsee and her best friend Miranda spent freshman year in separate schools when Miranda went to Bonne Arts Magnet High School. They are back together at Bonne for their sophomore year. Patrick is Kelsee's crush and the drummer of Coolivity. Quinn is a comic book expert and Kelsee's confidant.

Me: What influenced and inspired you to write Replay?

KL: For the first draft of Replay, I wrote about a girl who has a mystery illness. Critique partners liked my main character's voice, but I could tell the story bored them. I started over with a new mystery illness: the ability to manipulate time.

The concept of time travel as a physical condition inspired me. One well-known example of this is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. When I adapted the idea for Replay, I explored what it would be like to try to control an extraordinary ability like this while surviving the first year in a new high school.

Me: Who is your favorite character in this book, and why?

KL:I loved writing Kelsee. She's geeky, precocious, and a little sarcastic. She also has some doubts about her abilities. As a reader, I identify with characters who aren't too perfect or stereotyped.

Me: Do you have a favorite scene or line from Replay?

KL: My favorite scene involves a yoga class, frozen art students, and a wild ride on a Vespa.

Me: What would you do if you could rewind time?

KL: First, I would rewind to my freshman year of college. When I was in high school, everyone expected you to go to college, but no one told you what to do when you got there. I ended up on the five-year bachelor's degree plan because I was clueless the first year. While we're talking about college, I would go back to that moment I ran my car into my dad's truck as I left to move into the dorm.

Me: What books/genres do you read when you have the chance? Any must read authors or series?

KL: My lifetime favorite author is Madeleine L'Engle. I also worship Alice Hoffman, Libba Bray, Holly Black, Laurie Halse Anderson, Sarah Dessen, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Joyce Carol Oates, Ursula K. Le Guin … I could go on for hours. I read in many genres, but my heart goes to paranormal and realistic YA.

Me:  What was your favorite part of the writing and publishing process?

KL: I loved creating the time manipulation scenes. The best part of writing is saying, "What if?" I kept asking myself this question for each scene until it clicked. This is one reason writing paranormal is attractive to me. I don't have to limit my response to what can happen in the natural universe.

Me: If you could have one super power what would it be?

KL: It's a toss-up between the ability to manipulate time and invisibility. Oh, wait, I would fly. May I have three super powers?

Me: Tell us five interesting facts about yourself?

1.      I love hairless cats.

2.      I have perfect fingernails. They are the only perfect part of my body.

3.      Thanks to my husband, I own enough movies to open a video store.

4.      I'm addicted to cereal.

5.      People often think my older daughter is my sister.

That's it for now....but wait! You have a chance to win 

All you have to do is stop by Kiera Lea's blog on July 2.

You can buy Replay at Amazon , B&N and Smashwords

Next Stop: June 29 – The Wormhole ( Book Excerpt / Giveaway)