Review, Interview, and Giveaway: Eyes Ever To The Sky (Katie French)

Kindle Edition, 1
Published May 2013 by Katie French Books

When Hugh wakes up in a smoldering crater—no memory, no clothes—a single thought echoes in his head…trust no one. Frightened and alone, with no memory of who he is, he stumbles upon a grisly murder scene and is fatally shot. He wakes, only to find he can heal himself. He has superpowers, and he’s going to need them. Desperate and bleeding, Hugh stumbles upon fifteen-year-old Cece, who’s got enough troubles of her own. Between caring for her bipolar mother and trying not to get evicted from her run-down trailer, Cece may be the only person struggling as much as Hugh. Drawn to Hugh, Cece finds a love she’s never known. But when the real killer—a man-hunting beast—chooses another victim, Hugh and Cece realize they must unlock the clues to their past if they have any chance at a future.

Katie French imagined herself an author when her poem caught the eye of her second grade teacher. In middle school she spent her free time locked in her room, writing her first young adult novel. Though her social life suffered, her love for literature thrived. She studied English at Eastern Michigan University, where she veered from writing and earned an education degree. She spent nine years teaching high school English. Currently she is a school counselor, doing a job that is both one of the hardest things she's ever done and the most rewarding. In her free time she writes, reads great books and takes care of her two beautiful and crazy children. She is a contributor and co-creator of Underground Book Reviews, a website dedicated to erasing the boundaries between traditional and non-traditional publishing. She lives in Michigan with her husband and two children.

You can find her at www.katiefrenchbooks.com, at www.undergroundbookreviews.com or on Facebook.

1. What gave you the inspiration to write this book? 

The inspiration for this book came as I was waxing philosophical about the paranormal romance genre. It seemed a lot of people were writing in it, but the content, characters and settings were very stale. I love the idea of combining romance and science fiction, my two favorite things, but I wanted to do it in a very different way. The idea popped in my head for a modern day Superman/ Louise Lane story. It’s morphed into something a little different, but hopefully super hero fans and romance fans won’t be disappointed. 

2. Who is your favorite character in the book? 

Cece really speaks to me. I work with at-risk teens during my day job as a high school counselor. Cece is my tribute to the tenacious, but down-on-their-luck teens who come in and out of my office everyday. They are every bit as caring, tenderhearted and fierce as she is and they deserve to be honored for their strength in the midst of such adversity. 

3. Which came first, the title or the novel? 

The novel came first, though I knew very early on what the title would be. I had my opening scene and my closing scene first. I could picture Cece at the end, looking up into the clouds and that is where the title came from. 

4. What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why? 

The scene where Cece and Hugh get their first flight together is magical, so I am pretty proud of that. There is also a sweet fight scene at the end. I don’t want to give too much away, but I am pretty proud of the fight scene cause writing a good fight scene is hard work, y’all. 

5. Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now? 

The most important thing I’ve found as a writer is to fight the fear. Humans have so many fears and they are often masked so we well don’t even know they are there (there’s my counselor side coming on). For years I had “writer’s block” and couldn’t finish a story. Then I got a Master’s degree in counseling and learned that my writer’s block was just fear of rejection. After I learned to talk myself out of being afraid, it was easy to write everyday. 

6. What do you like most about the cover of the book? 

My good friend and I worked on my cover together, so I like it because it was my idea. I have very clear ideas of what my covers should look like when I start the process. My friend helps me build them, but in the end he gives me all the control. I like the control (insert evil laugh here). 

7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2013? 

I hear there are more Hunger Games books coming, so that is exciting. I am also awaiting the sequel to my good friend and awesome writer AG Henley’s book. Check out The Scourge if you like dystopian. Also, Veronica Rossi’s last book in her series Into the Still Blue. 

8. What was your favorite book in 2012? 

This is so hard because I read a book a week. I love Under the Never Sky. That was a great book. I also loved Pure by Julianna Baggott. Finally, John Green’s The Fault in our Stars is magical and heart-wrenching. 

9. What’s up next for you? 

So many things! I’m kind of a work-a-holic so right now I am doing marketing for Eyes Ever to the Sky, writing The Breeders Sequel and getting a submission package ready for my agent. Also I work full time and have two small children, so, yeah. A lot. 

Thanks for having me!

 OK first let me say that I am a DEVOTED fan to Katie French! She is an awesome writer and her books have intense action sequences as well as heart felt romance moments. I truly love her writing style! It is a perfect mix of what I look for in the books I want to read. She is also devoted to her fans and responds to emails, Facebook posts, and twitter. I LOVE THIS! I love when an author takes time to show her fans she cares! YOU ROCK KATIE!!!

Now, Eyes Ever To The Sky....Of course I have to rave about the cover first! I thought it was gorgeous. I love the deep blue color theme and the fact that they are flying...YES FLYING...in the clouds.. This gave me a hint as to what I was headed into when reading this book and I couldn't wait!

The story is told from several different points of view so you see the story from all different angles. I loved Hugh's POV especially because he is basically experiencing life for the first time since he has no memory. I loved that he automatically knew to be kind and how to treat people. I loved the way he immediately fell for CeCe and she for him. ( I am a sucker for a good yet impossible romance..heehee) 

CeCe not only has to deal with her new friend, Hugh, but is also battling her own "demons" within her life and I liked that aspect of the story. It kept something else going and made CeCe feel more personable. 

I really cant dig into the story because I don't want to give away any spoilers but let me just say that if you are a fan of a great sci-fi with an incredible romance mixed in then this is your book!!! I am looking forward to the sequel!! I can't wait to see where they're story goes!!!

The wonderful Katie French has agreed to host a giveaway for a E-Copy of this incredible book SOOOO enter below for a chance to win!!!

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