Thursday, February 21, 2019

Interview - Stanley and Hazel by Jo Schaffer #HistoricalFiction


Are you currently binge watching anything on Netflix, Hulu (or elsewhere)? What keeps you glued to the screen?

I don’t have a lot of time for that lately but when I have time I watch shows like Parks and Rec, The Office and for a little while I binged on Stranger Things. I often go back old favorites like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (All 7 Seasons!)

I really enjoy shows that make the characters real for me. If you can make me care about the characters I am hooked.

Do you prefer movies or TV series?

I like both! Movies are a fun way to get one story done in 2 hours and can be a stand-alone, story quick fix! But TV can be really great because there’s so much time for a plot to develop and unfurl. And you can really get attached to the characters and form parasocial relationships with them.

When it comes to reading do you prefer standalones or series?

It depends on the kind of book it is. One that is deeply immersive and has me captivated, I want to stay in as long as possible! But there are other kinds of books and other reading moods I get into when I just want a day trip and not an epic journey.

Do you prefer to start new book series when the first book is released or do you want for a several books in the series to be released so you can binge read?

I like to start a series that already has at least a couple books out so that I can hurry and get to the next part and not have to wait as long.

What are some of your hobbies, interests or guilty pleasures?

I love to cook and hike and travel. I really enjoy martial arts. And as cliché as it is I love dark chocolate.

I also love kissing. It is one of my favorite pastimes. And I don’t feel guilty about that. Haha!

What's your guilty “nerd” pleasure ?

I have dressed in cosplay at Comic Con several times and it is fun! And I’m a big fan of Star Wars. Although, I think my favorite is the Buffy universe.

Have you ever peeked at the ending of a book?

NEVER. And I never peeked at Christmas gifts as a kid either! I love surprises and the journey from A to B.

When it comes to your own writing are you a plotter or a panster?

Both. I like to start with an outline but I don’t have to stick to it. Sometimes when I get to a certain part of the story I realize it has to be different. Because you learn new things about your character and the story as you go!


Stanley and Hazel
Book One
Jo Schaffer

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Month9Books


Date of Publication: May 15, 2018

ISBN: 978-1946700650
ASIN: B07982QYX4

Number of pages: 280

Cover Artist: AM Design Studios

Book Description:

A great depression grips the city of St. Louis in 1934. Stanley, an orphaned newsy, lives in a poor part of town hit especially hard by the economic downturn. One night, Stanley runs into Hazel, a restless debutante-in-waiting who has begun to question her posh lifestyle in the midst of the suffering she sees. She’s out and about without an escort and against her father’s wishes.

When they discover the body of a girl with her head bashed in by a baseball bat, the very different and separate realities of the two teens inform their decision. Together they will figure out what happened to her and bring those responsible to justice.

But getting involved with each other and digging into the secrets behind this murder earns them some powerful enemies, including a secret group seeking to rid society of all they deem “undesirable.” They’ve put into motion “The Winnowing,” a plan seeking to take over the city and enforce their will.

As Stanley and Hazel’s forbidden feelings for one another grow, their investigation turns deadly. Now, it is up to Stanley and his gang of street kids to stop Hazel from becoming the next victim.


Excerpt:

Hazel stumbled down the grassy hill of the moonlit park. Stanley glanced at her from several steps ahead. “You with me, Bananas?”
“Yeah.” She swallowed back the urge to be sick. Hazel’s legs moved her forward but nothing seemed real. She was in Forest Park at night with a newsie boy she’d just met and Sandy’s runaway sister was back there, slumped against the statue of St. Louis with her head cracked open.

She couldn’t make her brain take it all in. Evelyn’s face—caved in on one side, her mouth slack, teeth showing like gravestones covered in blood. Gripped with panic, Hazel quickened her step to catch up with Stanley—her only guide in this darkness. He was a part of it. This was his world, not hers.

About the Author:

Jo Schaffer was born and raised in the California Bay Area in a huge, creative family. She is a YA novelist, speaker and a Taekwondo black belt. She’s a founding member of the nonprofit organization that created Teen Author Boot Camp, one of the nation’s biggest conferences for teens where bestselling authors present writing workshops to nearly a thousand attendees. Jo loves being involved in anything that promotes literacy and family. She is passionate about community, travel, books, music, healthy eating, classic films and martial arts. But her favorite thing is being mom to three strapping sons and a neurotic cat named Hero. They live together in the beautiful mountains of Utah.









 Snapchat: jojoschaffer

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1 comments:

Jo Schaffer said...

Thank you for hosting me on your blog! =D