Welcome to my spot on The Next Forever Blog Tour hosted by
One night in college can change everything…
Away at college, Amy just wants one night alone without her high school sweetheart, Joe. So when he invites her to go to the library, she heads off on her own instead. How she ended up at a house party with the mysterious bad-boy Trevor is another story…
Joe so isn’t going to the library. He needs space from Amy, too, so he’s decided to rush a fraternity, to get back the swagger he had in high school. But it doesn’t take long for the brothers to invite him to the real rush here the beer is flowing and one particular girl has set her eyes on Joe.
Over the course of one wild night, both Amy and Joe will have to decide if their futures belong with two new people, or whether the next forever will have their first loves in it.
Title: The Next Forever (Pretty Amy #1.5)
Author: Lisa Burstein
Publication Date: January 13, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Ever After)
For my leg of this tour, I was lucky enough to get to interview the author, Lisa! So let's hear what she has to say!
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else?
I knew since the time I was in second grade. It was always a dream of mine and what I went to both college and grad school for. Luckily I had parents who believed I should be studying it.
How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?
The longest it has taken me is two years. The shortest is two months. Now that I have been published, I have to write much faster to keep up with deadlines.
I knew since the time I was in second grade. It was always a dream of mine and what I went to both college and grad school for. Luckily I had parents who believed I should be studying it.
How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?
The longest it has taken me is two years. The shortest is two months. Now that I have been published, I have to write much faster to keep up with deadlines.
How do you come up with themes for your stories?
The character always comes first, then I decide what situation they should be in. Usually I like it to be something real, something people can relate to, but I like ti take that situation to the extreme. For instance in The Next Forever, Amy and Joe are in love, but trying to decide if they should stay together with all the choices and temptations of college. To take their situation to the extreme, I put them both on the path to a night filled with the ultimate temptation another person who seems perfect for them.
Do you have a schedule of when you write?
Yes, every afternoon when I get home from my day job. And on weekends.
How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?
I have a very understanding husband.
What elements do you think make a great story line?
Conflict is #1. You have no story if your characters aren't fighting against or for something.
What was the hardest thing about writing a book?
Remembering it is your job to entertain people. I tend to get caught up in pretty language sometimes, which has it's place, but ultimately you need a compelling story and characters.
How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite?
2 full length novels and a novella and a few others in the works. No favorite- that would be like having a favorite child.
Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?
I was very nervous for my family to read my books, but they have been so supportive. They understand that while characters may "resemble" them they are not them. I was lucky they could separate that.
What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?
Reading, cooking, watching TV and cuddling with my pets.
What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?
Read what you want to write. It is really important to know what your peers are doing. Also write, everyday if you can. It is something you need to practice just like a musical instrument. The more you practice the better you get.
Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?
Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?
My agent and editor are usually who I bounce ideas off with. I don't use beta readers or critique partners. I'm not sure why, but I guess for me writing is a really solitary experience.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lisa! So great having you here!
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this novella to read and review. Here are my thoughts!
I would like to thank Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give an honest review. This has in no way influenced my review or opinions of this book.
I have to say that I am not one to read books out of order. But I was told that each book in this series can be a stand alone, so I jumped at the opportunity to see what this story was all about. I was not disappointed and I was glad to see that reading it without any other background was just fine.
I love that this book is told in dual POV. It was nice to get both views of the emotions and why the characters were going through what they were going through. It really helped to solidify what their relationship was about. The background given helped me to understand why the characters felt the need to spend time apart. It's nice to see the characters reflect on their past and wonder about their future as a couple. The dual POV also gives us an idea of where they both think their relationship is headed. I also like that we get some background on the characters, which helped with the fact that I didn't know them from the previous book. It didn't seem like it would be too much for people who had read the other book, either. The characters were well developed and relatable, which is always important to any story.
Burnstein's writing is easy and flows well. There's nothing choppy about it and the story moved along nicely without dragging. She adequately draws you in to the intensity of their relationship and you feel the tug of their emotions.
All in all I enjoyed this novella and rated it 4 stars.
I have to say that I am not one to read books out of order. But I was told that each book in this series can be a stand alone, so I jumped at the opportunity to see what this story was all about. I was not disappointed and I was glad to see that reading it without any other background was just fine.
I love that this book is told in dual POV. It was nice to get both views of the emotions and why the characters were going through what they were going through. It really helped to solidify what their relationship was about. The background given helped me to understand why the characters felt the need to spend time apart. It's nice to see the characters reflect on their past and wonder about their future as a couple. The dual POV also gives us an idea of where they both think their relationship is headed. I also like that we get some background on the characters, which helped with the fact that I didn't know them from the previous book. It didn't seem like it would be too much for people who had read the other book, either. The characters were well developed and relatable, which is always important to any story.
Burnstein's writing is easy and flows well. There's nothing choppy about it and the story moved along nicely without dragging. She adequately draws you in to the intensity of their relationship and you feel the tug of their emotions.
All in all I enjoyed this novella and rated it 4 stars.
Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.
Website: http://www.lisaburstein.com
Twitter: lisaburstein
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