Book Tour: A Stiff Kiss by Avery Olive Interview & Giveaway

A Stiff Kiss by Avery Olive 

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

ISBN: 978-1-937254-33-9

ASIN: B0075M4KA2

Number of pages: 248

Word Count: Approx. 68,000

Cover Artist: Taria Reed

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Book Description:

Who knew kissing a corpse would change everything?

Death always hits Xylia Morana too close to home, but she likes it that way. She hangs out with the terminally ill, attends random funerals, and every so often, when the weather is right, she sleeps in open graves.

But after Landon Phoenix, the high school hottie, dies in Xylia's arms, she sneaks into the morgue to say goodbye. How could she know stealing a kiss from his corpse would wake him up?

With Landon returned to the living and suddenly interested in Xylia, life has new meaning. But what Xylia doesn't realize is that by kissing Landon back to life, she's thrown Life and Death off balance. The underworld demands a body, and it might just have to be Xylia's this time.

Short Excerpt:

No way should I be in the morgue. If I'm caught, I'll lose my job. My dad will probably get fired, too. He's been warned to keep me out of here.
The walls are lined with thick, square doors, clearly marked with numbers. I stop in front of the one I want. In the middle of that wall, at waist height, is number twelve. Beyond the door, lying on a sliding metal table, is the body of Landon Phoenix.
I've always had a crush on Landon, ever since freshman year when his family moved to Silver Springs. I've watched him grow into his looks, no longer a gangly boy with braces. And I've longed to hear my name roll off his tongue in that deep voice of his. To press my lips against his as he holds me in a tight embrace. To share the same air as him.
Though now, all those things are impossible. Except one. I can pull open the door, slide the table out, and at least for a moment I can share the same air, even though his lungs can no longer pull in that air.
I hesitate, my hand on the handle. Besides my mother, this will be the only other person who's died that I've really known. The others have just been people, random ones at that. The guy from the grocery store who jumped off Whibley Bridge into the icy waters below, the occasional patient of mine who'd succumbed to old age, and many, many others. But this is personal. This is someone I'd known. Or at least, someone I'd held secretly in my heart.
But I need to say goodbye.

Interview:

Where did you get the idea for the novel?
A.   It was from a dream I had. Of a girl, in a morgue, kissing a dead guy. I just needed to figure out why someone would want to kiss a dead guy and eventually I figured it out and A Stiff Kiss was born!

Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title?
A.   The title was all me. But I did think it would get changed, since if you don’t see that it’s for YA’s you might, uh, you know, get the wrong impression. But in the end it suited the book to a T and was kept.

Which came first, the title or the novel?
A.   The novel. I am HORRIBLE when it comes to coming up with titles. It’s usually the last thing I figure out.

Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?
A.   People paying money for copies of a book I wrote!

What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?
A.   The last book I read was The Salvation by Melinda Metz. The book I’m currently reading is Fate Fixed by Bonnie Erina Wheeler for review for a blog tour.

What was your first book that you ever wrote (very first one you wrote, not published)?
A.   I’m not sure it will ever see the light of day but it’s called Branded. I fiddle around with it every few months trying to see if I can bring it back to life. It’s about a girl who sees ghosts, a hot guy and a Demon who is collecting and branding souls as part of a punishment.

What is your writing process?
A.   I don’t have one. Seriously. I get an idea, I make as little notes as possible (often times not even on purpose) and then I just write by the seat of my pants!!!

Who are your favorite authors of all time?
A.   I never have a good answer for this. I think it changes radically every few months because I read so much. I think Melinda Metz is great, I just finished a ten book series of hers and she’s awesome. I’m a fan of Carrie Jones, I love her Need Series, and well, I know, but I have to admit I am a Twilight Fan!

At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say?
A.   I sign my name, of course. And then I do have a little list I carry with me if people want little notes. Most people do, it personalizes the signed book more. My Mommy came up with them. Here’s a few that pertain strictly to A Stiff Kiss.
Hope you “dig” my book!
Dig into my book, you’ll love it!
And here’s one that’s for a select crowd like friends of mine who I know probably won’t read the book, but buy it anyways...
It’d be a grave mistake if you didn’t read my book!

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
A.   I write about death and ghosts and the otherside and yet, I am TERRIFIED of all those things!! I’m afraid to die, I don’t think I believe in ghosts and I’m not sure if there is really something other than earth. But that’s what makes writing about it kind of important to me, I think I’m dealing with my own issues while I write and realize all those things aren’t that scary or hell, maybe they do exist, right?

How do you react to a bad review?
A.   Knock on wood, because I haven’t had any really bad reviews yet. But I remember the most vital thing about being an Author. I write books to share with the world, and so it’s understandable that not everyone is going to love it or hate it. Reading is so subjective and everyone has different tastes. So, I try to just shrug off the bad things and concentrate on only the good!

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
A.   I didn’t, to be honest. I was by myself when I signed the contract and made the announcement so I sort of gave myself a pat on the back and just—went about my day. I actually just sold another book and same thing. I’m squealing on the inside but that’s about it. I might have to make Mr. Olive take me out to dinner or something!

About the Author:

Avery Olive is proudly Canadian. She is married, and when she’s not helping raise her very energetic and inquisitive son, she can be found working on her latest novel-where she devilishly adds U's into every word she can.
When she is looking for a break Avery enjoys cake decorating, losing herself in a good book, or heading out to the lake to go camping.
The release of Avery's first novel proves to her it won't be the last. As long as her family continues to be supportive, she can find the time, and people want to read, Avery will keep on writing.
Avery Olive’s Blog : www.averyolive.blogspot.com   
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002656782468  
A Stiff Kiss Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Stiff-Kiss/255522414458899
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/averyolive  
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13411964-a-stiff-kiss
Crescent Moon Press: http://crescentmoonpress.com/index.html   

Giveaway:

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