Curling Up With A Good Book: Kismet Book Tours, Review & Interview, and Giveaway: Against All Odds (Patricia Vanasse)

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Kismet Book Tours, Review & Interview, and Giveaway: Against All Odds (Patricia Vanasse)

Sometimes boy meets girl, and the stars align, and their future is laid out neatly before them. Together forever. Meant to be. But Max and Loren are not one of those couples.
Seventeen-year-old Max DuPont is on the verge of becoming a ward of the state and foster kid. Contrary to expectations, Max is not from the "wrong" side of town. He's from a good home in a nice neighborhood, but his mother left after his father lost his job and turned to drinking. Max has been struggling to keep his head above water ever since. All he wants is to survive his senior year, play hockey, and move on to college. When his dad lands himself in jail, Max has no choice but to accept an offer to live with his father's do-gooder attorney, Mr. Larssi. The only contingency is that Max must stay far away from Larssi's beautiful teenage daughter Loren.
Loren is aware that she's had every opportunity in her young adult life—at least, that is, every opportunity her parents designed for her. She excels in academics at a competitive prep school, she never parties, she never dates, and she's a budding ballerina and major hopeful for a Juilliard scholarship. But since her best friend Lily died tragically three months ago, Loren is lost. She knows just how precious life is. But she has no idea how to make the best of it. How can she live—really live—with obsessive parents breathing down her neck…and inviting the only guy who never noticed her to live right under their roof?
Loren's first step in living her own life might be to get Max to notice her. Max's only chance at a solid future without foster care is to keep his distance from Loren. But their chemistry is undeniable. And they can't fight the odds forever.

About Against All Odds:

Goodreads * Amazon

Patricia Vanasse was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Now she lives on a beautiful island in the Pacific Northwest. She has been through Culinary Arts, Psychology, Law School, and now has finally found her passion in creative writing. She also loves traveling, cooking, and is an avid reader. Her strength- believes that everything is possible. Her weakness- an obsessive relationship with caffeine.

About Patricia Vanasse:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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

It was a mixture of things. My teen cousins are very much like Loren, sheltered with very protective parents. It’s not a bad thing, completely the opposite; however, I have seen kids rebel when they reached a certain age or a difficult time in their lives. I wanted to show both point of views, parents and kids regarding the matter. Also, society is so quick to judge kids when they have a dysfunctional family, and I wanted to address that kids shouldn’t be judged for their parents’ mistakes. Even though his parents weren’t there for him, Max is a good kid with his head in the right place. Against All Odds, the kid from a good family was making unexpected choices, while the kid from a dysfunctional was choosing the right path.

2. Who is your favorite character in the book?

Oh, that’s not a fair question! I love all of them. ☺ However, if I have to pick one, I’d say Loren, and I’ll tell you why. She grows so much throughout the book. We get to see her at her worst, and we get to watch her pulling herself together. I love the woman she becomes by the end of the book.

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

The novel. I don’t choose titles until I’m finished with the first draft.

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

I love the scene where Max helps Loren open the box left to her by Lily, and she helps him talk out his frustrations about his mom. I just think it’s sweet that they are both there for each other during a difficult time in their lives.

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

First drafts are supposed to be messy, crazy, and well…a draft. I have learned that I have to put all my thoughts down without revising until the first draft is done. Only then can the editing begin, and the story will form shape. I’m not the type of writer who writes an outline. I like to let my imagination flow as I sit down to write. I’ve learned to accept that and go with the flow, listen to the voices in my head, and let them lead me to the end.

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

I like that the couple is a real life couple, and that we can see and feel the love and desire on their faces.

7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2015?

Ohhh! I can’t wait to read Underneath Everything by Marcy Beller Paul.

8. What was your favorite book in 2014?

Even in Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard.

9. What’s up next for you?

I’m working on a Literary YA about how an obsessive relationship can disrupt the once dreamed path in front of us.

10. Is there anything that you would like to add?

Thank you for having me! It’s an honor to be hosted by you for this blog tour!

Loved it!!! I am such a sucker for a good high school romance! I totally got lost in the lives and emotions of the main characters, Max and Loren. I wanted to be their friend...I wanted to be their parent...anything to help them through that all too difficult senior year of high school. It is suppose to be the best year of your life...your senior year!

But Loren had lost her best friend and Max had lost his parents. Their different paths collided in a very unexpected way. Will they be able to save each other?! I would highly recommend this book! I give it 5 stars!