{Author Interview & Giveaway} Liz Fichera, Author of Hooked

Welcome to the blog Liz!!

And welcome all of you to Liz and I's interview!!!

Let the fun begin!! ;D

~The Author:

Liz Fichera likes to write stories about ordinary teens who do extraordinary things.  She lives in the American Southwest by way of Chicago.  HOOKED was published by HarlequinTEEN in January of 2013.  Its companion, PLAYED, will publish in 2014.  HOOKED is available in bookstores everywhere.

Find her at: ~Website~Goodreads~

~The Interview:

1. Why did you choose the sport of golf?   

There are so few YA stories (if any) that involve golf.  There are even fewer with Native Americans as main characters.  I believe that HOOKED is the first story to combine the two.

2. If you were to write a paranormal novel what would it be about?   

I have written a couple of paranormal stories (currently unpublished) but, at this time, I am concentrating on contemporary YA.  Most of my paranormal stories involve a Native American as a main character too.  There are so many intriguing Native American legends and I love it when a paranormal story includes and explores one.   

3. Whats your favorite thing about Fred and Ryan? (Both individually and together)   

I love Fred’s quiet determination, and I love that she surprises people.  Ryan is harder to love by design but I think that’s what makes him human.  There’s nothing more annoying than a perfect hero.  Together Fred and Ryan are stronger; together they learn to help each other.

4. How big of a role did you want Fred's ethnicity to be in the beginning?   

Fred’s ethnicity is important to this story.  Since it’s set in Arizona, where there are over twenty tribes in the state, it seemed natural to me to include a Native American heroine.  I am disappointed that there aren’t more Native American characters in YA stories.  Usually you find them as secondary characters, if you find them at all.   

5. If you could be anything else in the world what would you be?   

A painter.

6. If you were faced with the resistance Fred was faced with in pursuing your dreams how would you handle it?   

Probably much like she did.  I was very quiet in high school yet I did not see “being quiet” as a weakness.  I’ve always seen it as a strength.  You can’t control everyone else but you can always control yourself and your actions. Nothing else matters.   

7. What was high school to you?   

I enjoyed high school, although I did not love it.  I was very happy to leave it and move on to college.  But I’d go back and do it again in a heartbeat.

Lover Commentary: 

--Fred: 

Three words to describe Ryan?  Handsome, moody, kind (once you got to know him) 

Ryan's best feature? Smile. 

How important is it to go after your dreams no matter how different that makes you and how much your judges for it?  Going after your dreams is everything.   

--Ryan: 

Three words to describe Fred? Determined, quiet, compelling. 

Fred's best feature? Eyes. And her golf swing. 

How important is it to be yourself? Very important. Fred stays true to herself. That’s what makes her unique.

~The Book(s):

Hooked

Series: Hooked #1

Author: Liz Fichera

Release Date: January 29, 2013

by, Harlequin Teen

Buy: ~Amazon~B&N~

~My Review~

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.{Goodreads} 

~The Giveway:

Prizes:
SIGNED Hooked bookmark

Details:
US and Canada only!
13 years or older to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great day!! :)
~Jaiden

{Review} Hooked by Liz Fichera

Hooked
Series: Hooked #1
Author: Liz Fichera
Release Date, January 29, 2013
by, Harlequin Teem
Source: *a copy was provided for review purposes by Netgalley*
Format: Kindle
Pages: 368

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  This is another book where I didn't get what I was expecting. The cover is cute and it portrays a good humored, sexy kind of book and...it's not. Hooked sort of failed me if I may say so. It sort of disappointed me. I don't mean to be harsh--never my intention--it just wasn't what I wanted and hoped.

  The characters weren't developed enough. Ryan was supposed to be somewhat broken. The rich teen that got whatever he wanted but his home life was kind of messed up. Too much pressure and not enough love. He was expected to get the good grades and be perfect. He was probably the only character I really felt pulled through with the authors inventions but even that wasn't a 100% feeling. He was a total ass hat from the beginning and didnt prove he had enough soft side to make me love him. He was just one or the other. It kind of gave a bipolar feel to him. I liked Fred every now and then. I appreciate her for going out and doing what everyone said she couldn't do. She was strong in that way. She didnt let what people say intimidate her into quitting and running away with her tail between her legs.

  I guess now that I think about it I liked both characters...individually....just not together. I didn't feel there love. It was just sudden. One minute they hate each other and all of a sudden they feel love?? No ease into it people!! There is immediate attractions and then there is warming up and of course hatred. Immediate and hatred don't go together. Give us a reason they fell In love. Something true and a bit more deep then "oh well I guess she/he is cute, maybe ill like him then" I don't know I just wasn't feeling it.

  Liz is a great writer I can tell. I think she just needs to work out her few kinks. This could have been great if we were shown more depth. More history more something!! I really wanted to love this book but I couldn't. It was good but not great. It was missing those little details that make a book great. Hooked is a good fluff book. It was worth the short little read. If you need a filler book go ahead and give it a shot but I'm not going to jump up and down egging you to read this. Go on and give it a chance. Ill be giving a chance with book two!

~Rating:

3 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!! :D

~Jaiden