Novels and Necklaces: Interview: The Girl Who Fell by Shannon M. Parker

About The Book:

Title: The Girl Who Fell

Author: Shannon M. Parker
Pub. Date: March 1st, 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse
Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Abuse

Find it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Kobo

Synopsis :

His obsession.

Her fall.

High school senior Zephyr Doyle is swept off her feet—and into an intense relationship—by the new boy in school.

Zephyr is focused. Focused on leading her team to the field hockey state championship and leaving her small town for her dream school, Boston College.

But love has a way of changing things.

Enter the new boy in school: the hockey team’s starting goaltender, Alec. He’s cute, charming, and most important, Alec doesn’t judge Zephyr. He understands her fears and insecurities—he even shares them. Soon, their relationship becomes something bigger than Zephyr, something she can’t control, something she doesn’t want to control.

Zephyr swears it must be love. Because love is powerful, and overwhelming, and…terrifying?

But love shouldn’t make you abandon your dreams, or push your friends away. And love shouldn’t make you feel guilty—or worse, ashamed.

So when Zephyr finally begins to see Alec for who he really is, she knows it’s time to take back control of her life.

If she waits any longer, it may be too late.

Interview:

For today's stop on The Girl Who Fell tour, I'm excited to be featuring Shannon and her debut YA novel.

Hi Jocelyn! Thanks so much for having me on your blog today!!

1. What made you decide to write a young adult novel?

I read a lot of YA. It is a genre that has my whole heart. Zephyr’s story had been with me for some time so I thought I’d try to tell it.

2. Zephyr completely changes throughout the course of the book. How do you think readers are going to be able to relate to her?

Zephyr is a super strong high school senior who feels really vulnerable at the beginning of the book. She’s suffered some loss and that feeds a lot of self-doubt. When she meets Alec, he relieves her insecurities. He understands her. Gives her a space in which she feels important and loved. After Alec shows his true colors, Zephyr needs to go through a really dark place to regain her strength. But I hope that is what readers relate to. That Zephyr is strong. That she controls her destiny. And that she matters.

3. What was the hardest part of writing The Girl Who Fell?

Putting Zephyr through all I put her through. Because, really? We all want love. It is beautiful and kind and I really wanted Zephyr to have it.

4. Do you have any projects that you are currently working on?

Yes! I’ll be able to talk more about it soon!

5. What 2016 book are you most excited to read?

I’ve been lucky to read so many advanced copies of 2016 releases, but one book I have been stalking for forever is GIRL IN PIECES by the profoundly brilliant and brave Kathleen Glasgow.

6. If there is one thing you want teens to take away from The Girl Who Fell, what would it be?

Love shouldn’t hurt.

Thank you, Shannon

About Shannon M. Parker:

Shannon Parker lives on the Atlantic coast with a house full of boys. She’s traveled to over three dozen countries and has a few dozen more to go. She works in education and can usually be found rescuing dogs, chickens, old houses and wooden boats. Shannon has a weakness for chocolate chip cookies and ridiculous laughter—ideally, at the same time. The Girl Who Fell is her first novel. Find her at www.shannonmparker.com