Blog Tour Paperback Proust and Giveaway: The Marked Son by Shea Berkley
Everyone please welcome Shea Berkley to Paperback Dolls!
Shea Berkley started out writing nonfiction (not so fun) and quickly moved into fiction (totally fun), and knew she’d found her calling. (Her family was thrilled she’d found friends to play with even if they weren’t technically real.) She’s still pleasantly surprised people are willing to pay to read her stories.
Besides writing, her many diversions include kickboxing, reading awesome books and hanging out with her loud and rambunctious family. With five kids (all girls), her biggest job is to make sure the little darlings don’t harass the neighbors and then play dumb when the cops come knocking on her door.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Going insane. Seriously. I’m halfway there, so it’s looking pretty gruesome, though my husband assures me he’ll give me the presidential treatment. He’s padding the attic for me and told me he’ll visit every other Tuesday after he locks me inside. Such a sweet man.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT STATE OF MIND?
I’m a happy person…pretty chill. I’m also blissfully delusional most of the time and haven’t got a clue when pig parts are about to hit the fan.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OCCUPATION?(WAY OF SPENDING TIME)
Other than embarrassing my children by dancing to the music at Walmart, my favorite way of spending time is doing something physical, like horseback riding or hiking or playing touch football or kickboxing. I also like to go to the movies, but OH MY GOSH it’s so expensive now! Thank God we have a dollar movie theater nearby.
WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Peter Pan. He’s real. Seriously. He moves through time. He’s awesome.
WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
This is a huge question. I admire a ton of people. I admire those who have gone through adversity and come away without sinking into bitterness. I admire persistence. I admire bravery. I admire compassion. I admire justice. Humankind is amazing. We have the capacity to be unbelievably kind as well as incomprehensibly cruel. How we react is a choice we make every day. I admire those who don’t give into hate and focus on love. If you are one of those people, then I admire you.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL HERO?
Darcy. Seriously, does anyone pick any other guy?
Oh, but then there’s Ruark Beauchamp from Kathleen Woodiwiss’s 1970 novel Shanna. When you read Shanna now, you have to realize the time in which it was written. It’s not perfect, but it is an amazing book. Ruark is a smart-alecky, swashbuckling, poetry-spouting, adventurer who’s seen it all, can do it all and isn’t afraid to go after the woman he loves. What I most like about him is that even when things are absolutely abysmal, he still has hope for his future. He won’t quit until he sees a light at the end of the tunnel.
WHO ARE YOUR REAL-LIFE HEROES?
My dad and husband, and all those who have or are presently risking their lives for others without expecting a medal or congratulations—Military, Police, Firefighters and regular people who stand up for an injustice. They act because they care, and they care because they have a vision of what the future should be and can be.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
I’m not a packrat. I don’t have many “things”. If my house caught fire, I would probably save my photo albums, though to be honest, my parents have duplicates of nearly every photo because I am not a photo taker, they are, and they send me photos.
WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU HAPPIEST?
Wherever my family is I’m happiest.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST OBVIOUS CHARACTERISTIC?
I don’t know. I’m not sure if you’ve never asked anyone whether you’d ever know. I’m just me. Now if you asked me about my most obnoxious characteristic, then that’s something I can totally answer. But you didn’t ask me that, so I’m not telling. You’ll just have to meet me in person and find out yourself.
WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE (HATE) IN YOURSELF?
I’m forgetful. Really, really forgetful. It’s embarrassing, actually. I forgot my best friend’s name once when I was introducing her at a party. Thank God she loves me. She just jumped in and introduced herself. I used to call my kids, Hey, Hey and Hey. They’d all come a-running and then I’d point to the one I wanted and shoo the other two away. Then I had my fourth and fifth ones and they completely messed up the rhythm, so I just started pointing and yelling, “Hey you, come here!”
WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS?
Lying or doing that one-upmanship. You know that person who, once they find out where you went they say, “You went to Disney World? That’s nice. I met Walt Disney and he said he modeled Cinderella after me.” (sigh) Or they’ve heard all the news first even though it’s breaking news and they were in the shower when the story broke.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Hastings medium non-fat White chocolate mocha sans whipped cream. And I like it steaming hot. It’s like $3.75. I get one about three times a week.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JOURNEY?
Life is a journey. I love just living every day, seeing the simple, unexpected miracles that spring up all around me.
WHAT DO YOU MOST DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE?
I’m built like a twelve-year-old boy. Seriously, that’s just sad.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST OVER-RATED VIRTUE?
Silence is a virtue, right? There is no doubt in my mind that a man made this one up. I mean, I love my quiet time, but the whole let’s-sequester-ourselves-and-not-talk-for-ten-years gig is horrifying.
ON WHAT OCCASION DO YOU LIE?
I try really, really hard not to lie. I’ll actually go out of my way to not lie. I’m all about taking personal responsibility for my actions. If someone asked how they look in a particular outfit and I didn’t like it, I usually will say, “It’s not my style, but if you like it, and it makes you happy, then that’s all that matters.” See? No need to lie.
WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVER-USE?
Seriously? I don’t over use words, do I? (snort)
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I want to be a better writer, mother, wife and friend. Okay, that seems like four things, but look, I lumped them together in order to say I’d like to be a better person. Clever, huh? No, not really. I’m just lame.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My children. They are better-looking than me, kinder than me, smarter than me, funnier than me…heck they’re just all around more awesome than me, and I love it.
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE?
On a deserted island in the South Pacific that has all the amenities of modern life, electricity, plumbing, cable, fully-stocked grocery store…yeah, even in my delusional state I can see the inherent problems associated with this scenario.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A MAN?
Humor and integrity are equally important. I mean, who wants to be around a humorless yet trustworthy guy? Or be around a funny guy who you can’t trust?
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A WOMAN?
Humor and integrity. I know, it’s the same in as a guy, but people are people, and I’m not fond of ill-tempered backstabbers. Go figure, huh?
WHAT IS IT YOU MOST DISLIKE?
Besides serial killers? Drama.
You know what I mean. It’s the drama that comes from those people who don’t think they’re living unless something is tearing apart their world, and because you know them, it bleeds into your calm, drama-free life. Sadly, dramaniacs make their own misery, and it’s hard to feel sorry for someone who can’t catch a clue.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Honesty and the ability to bail me out of jail when the need arises. I’ve got awesome friends. And they have to answer my phone calls. No ditching me to watch reruns of Gilligan’s Island.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE?
What is with people who say they want to die doing something they love? What if I love pottery and I place my lovingly created clay-thingy in the kiln and then BAM! The kiln blows along with me. How is that awesome? It sucks! Or what if I’m spinning the pottery wheel, laughing (‘cause I’m having so much fun), and clay somehow flies into my mouth, and I choke to death. Um, yeah, that doesn’t sound fun…and as I’m lying there, I’m pretty sure I’m not thinking, “Gosh, I’m glad I’m dying playing with clay.” Nope, I’m pretty sure I’ll be mad, thinking I should have stopped playing with clay when I was three, ‘cause then I’d be alive and not choking to death.
Umm…yeah, sorry. I think I’d like to die in my sleep.
IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A PERSON OR AN ANIMAL, WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE?
Has anyone ever told you your obsession with death is a bit disturbing? Just so long you don’t try to kill someone, all’s good.
If I could come back as an animal, I’d come back as a hawk. They’re graceful and hey, they can wear feathers and not get laughed at for over-accessorizing.
If I could come back as a person, it’d be cool to be Elizabeth I. She had power and a sick wardrobe. I’d nix the lead-based makeup and wigs, though.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE AN OBJECT TO COME BACK AS, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
No brainer! The Declaration of Independence. People would stand in front of me in pure awe. They’d make movies about me. Quote me. Fight over me. Um, isn’t that everyone’s dream?
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO (WORDS YOU LIVE BY OR THAT MEAN A LOT TO YOU)?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Golden rule rocks. I try and treat everyone as if they’re part of my family. It does freak some people out when I get into their personal space a bit too quickly, but since I’m the size of a Polly Pocket, I get a lot of head-patting and indulgent smiles.
WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
My parents. They’re hard-working, God-fearing, salt-of-the-earth kind of people.
WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS DO YOU MOST IDENTFY WITH?
I identify with Dylan’s grandma in The Marked Son. She’s so cool. She protects her family at all costs, and wants to believe in the best of people. Even when her daughter hurts her terribly, she still chooses to believe everything will turn out all right.
Thank you Shea for visiting! If you want more of Shea, visit her website and !
Seventeen-year-old Dylan Kennedy always knew something was different about him, but until his mother abandoned him in the middle of Oregon with grandparents he’s never met, he had no idea what.
When Dylan sees a girl in white in the woods behind his grandparents’ farm, he knows he’s seen her before…in his dreams. He’s felt her fear. Heard her insistence that only he can save her world from an evil lord who uses magic and fear to feed his greed for power.
Unable to shake the unearthly pull to Kera, Dylan takes her hand. Either he’s completely insane or he’s about to have the adventure of his life, because where they’re going is full of creatures he’s only read about in horror stories. Worse, the human blood in his veins has Dylan marked for death…
Look for The Marked Son August 2nd!! Purchase: Barnes & Nobles – Books on Board
This sounds very intriguing!
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I’m really excited for this!
This sounds like it’s going to be a really good read. Thanks for the giveaway!
Wow, Shea! Your interview was awesome! And now I’m looking forward to THE MARKED SON even more — LOVE your style, lady! Congratulations on the book and best of luck with it!!!!
Viven: Thank you. I tried to make it fun.
Kayla: I’m excited for everyone to read it.
Angel: I hope you like it.
Jen: You’re so sweet. You support means a lot to me. Hugs.
Please enter me in contest. I really want to read this book. It sounds very good.
I really want to read this book, so thanks for the giveaway! And Shea, being built like a 12 year old boy ain’t so bad when you compare it to being built like something else, say a 50 year old man! lol I loved your interview – very funny, and very insightful at the same time :)
Great interview.. looks like a great book/series. I would love to read this book and any others that follow.
This sounds good! I would love to read it!
Victoria: I hope you like the book.
Julie: 50 year old man is a bit worse than a 12 year old boy. I’ll have to remember that next time I get all pouty when I look in the mirror.
Shannon: If you like THE MARKED SON, you should like my other book TORREIN: AGE OF FEAR which comes out in November from Variance Publishing. It’s an epic fantasy but it’s got all the fun and adventure that THE MARKED SON has.
Carol: Thanks for stopping by!
Paperback Dolls Rock! Thank you so much for hosting Shea on your blog today. :)
Shea, I’m going to have to look up Kathleen Woodiwiss’s, Shanna now. I wuv’s a good retro bodice ripper!
Hey chica,
You should totally pick SHANNA up. You’ll love the book!
OMG I so want these!! They look so good.
The humor you express definitely makes your book fun to read. Love the covers!
awesome contest!
savanna
Woot, Shea!!! Super congrats and WOW on ALL the covers. Holy cow, I love! ~D~
Nat: The covers are awesome, aren’t they?
Louise: Thank you. I’m an entertainer at heart.
Savanna: Contests are so fun. Good luck!
Darynda: Thanks! Your covers are pretty awesome too. Hugs!
What an awesome interview! That was great :-) “The Marked Son” has been on my TBR list and I’m really looking forward to reading it! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I love the paper dolls site. You guys have great interviews and give great book & author recommendations. Would love to be entered in this giveaway. this is a new author for me and would love to win this book. thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
Great interview, Shea. Your book sounds amazing. Can’t wait to read it!
I loved this interview. Thank you for sharing today and for the lovely giveaway opportunity.
Amber: Thanks. I try to pass along the fun. I hope you like the book.
Chris: The Dolls did a great job with the questions. As you can see, I had a blast answering them.
Melanie: I can’t wait to read yours, Mel. Just four more days!!
Denise: I hope I didn’t cross the line into TMI. Humor is so subjective. I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.
“Has anyone ever told you your obsession with death is a bit disturbing? Just so long you don’t try to kill someone, all’s good.”
LOL Shea, you would actually be the first! Thank you so much for visiting and answering our crazy questions!
Hey Doll,
LOL, I’m not surprised. My view can be slightly warped. Thanks for playing along. You guys are awesome and I’m very happy you all were my first stop on the tour.
Congrats on The Marked Son, Shea! I’m still LMAO at your answers! It’s hard to choose just one that’s my favorite. Please tell me you’re going to write an adult series as well?! ^_^
Fantastic interview, Shea! Love it! And your debut sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to get it! Congratulations on the soon-to-be release!
This interview made me laugh and was very interesting lol Peter Pan is real!! =)
Thank for hosting this giveaway!!
Shea,
Hilariously funny answers. :) You really dance to the music at Wal-mart? Maybe I should try that sometime?
Looking forward to your new release!
Doll: I have written for adults, but my humor can be… heck I’m juvenile and I’m an acquired taste. Just ask my handful of friends.
Kim: Squeee! It’s almost here. Thanks for the support, my ruby sister.
SHR: Heck yeah he’s real. Don’t mess with the Pan!
Aubrie: Sadly, yes, and sometimes I sing. My children cringe and try to walk away. I chase them down.
Hurray, Shea! What an adorable interview! Your voice has such terrific energy, and I can’t wait to hear how it comes through in The Marked Son!
Great interview —i share my YA books with my 11 year old son he loves them—we would love a copy, Thank You
I like her answer with the declaration of independence its soooo true :D
Elisa: Thank you. I hope you like the book. Your opinion means a lot to me.
Audra: I read and discuss books with my kids all the time. Very fun. Let me take this moment to ask that all parents of younger kids read the book before you let you kids read it. I don’t want anyone crying foul. This is an upper YA book and the themes are more adult.
Rachel: Thanks. It was a no-brainer for me.
Shanna is on my to-read list.
I like that you wrote the story from Dylan’s point of view.
Plus, he looks like a hybrid of Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Chris Evans..
Look at those lips. So full. Whoa.
Dear Shea, I would love to read all about Dylan and Kera. I hope I’ll come to love them.
Zoe
Love this interview! And uh… yeah. I too am built like a boy. Sigh…
I want this book so bad. It was even a WOW a couple of weeks ago.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Jennifer K Jovus
kjovus at gmail dot com
Zoe: I hope you come to love them too. Thanks for stopping by.
Rosalie: Thanks for the thumbs up. We flat-chested, slimmed-hipped girls got other things that lumpy gals don’t have… give me a second and I’ll think of something. (grin)
Jennifer: I’m glad you’re excited to read the book. I hope you like it.
so I can’t get your raflle thingy to work. I did all of the steps. Can I still enter? I like her on goodreads, FB and I tweeted.
:(
Jennifer
kjovus at gmail dot com
Hi Jennifer, you were added into rafflecopter with all your entries. So no worries! Most likely the system just needed time to catch up. :D
I’m with you – I would like to die quietly in my sleep. Well – I’d rather not die at all but….if I had to choose.
I love those book covers! I haven’t heard of this series before. More books to read!!
Shea,
I have to admit to kinda wanting to put you in my back pocket and keep you all to myself! LOL. But, don’t worry because anytime I go to Walmart, I’ll take you out and put you on the jewelry counter and let you dance! :-)
Great interview, Shea! I’m so excited to read the book!
Kimberly MacCarron
Sounds great. I’m going to add it to my TBR list.
Karen: The book covers are pretty, aren’t they?
Kim: Umm, you’re not much bigger then me so that’d be some weight you’d be lugging around. (grin) I’ll dance with you any day.
Holly: Thank you. Since I’m not rolling in the dough and am a new author, word of mouth is all I’ve got. If you like it, tell others.
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