First Frost Blog Tour Stop

~ First Frost by Liz DeJesus ~

Fairytales aren’t real...

That’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.

For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”

Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel… 

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.

~Interview with the Author~

Liz DeJesus was born on the tiny island of Puerto Rico.  

She is a novelist and a poet. She has been writing for as long as she was capable of holding a pen. 

She is the author of the novel Nina 

(Blu Phi'er Publishing, October 2007) and 

The Jackets (Arte Publico Press, March 31st 2011). 

Liz is currently working on a new novel.

Q:Share a bit about you with us.

A: I was born in the tropical island of Puerto Rico. I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I'm obsessed with books, pens and paper. I’m the author of Nina (Blu Phi’er Publishing, August 2007), The Jackets (Arte Publico Press, March 2011), First Frost (Musa Publishing, June 2012) and Night Gypsy Anthology (Indie Gypsy, September 2012)

Q:What gave you your start as a writer? 

A: I started writing short stories when I was 12 years old, and then at 13 I moved on to poetry. Then when I turned 18 I decided that I wanted to write a novel. It was a God-awful book, but I did it. That gave me the courage to sit down and write some more.

Q:Why did you decide to write a book for Young Adults?

A:First Frost was a natural choice to write for teens. Most of the books I write are geared toward adults (magical realism, horror, fantasy and romance), but this is the first time that I’ve written something for young adults. But in all honesty, I didn’t set out to write a book for teens. The main character is seventeen years old and she’s going through some major changes, which is something we’ve all had to go through one way or another. I think Bianca is someone people will be able to relate to. She’s thinking about her future just as this big secret gets thrown on her lap and it changes everything she thought she knew about herself. 

First Frost is a story about family, friendship, growing up, love, and magic. 

Q:What kind of poetry do you write? 

A:Most of it was moody, full of angst and free style. 

Q:What is your favorite fairytale? 

A:Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. I also love Alice in Wonderland. But I'll have to stop there because otherwise I'll keep going on and on about fairy tales. :)

Q: Where did the idea for First Frost come from? 

A:I was watching a commercial for a local children's museum. And I thought, why not have themed museums for children, because kids are interested in different things. So I started thinking why not a pirate museum...or a fairy tale themed museum. And it was like being struck by lightning, I couldn't let that idea go. So I kept writing just to see where it would take me…and even I was amazed with some of the ideas that came to me. This book took over my thoughts for nine months (just the first draft) then a couple of months with revisions and rewrites. 

Q:The main character, Bianca, is she based off of anyone in-particular?

A:She's partly based on who I think a modern Snow White would be if she liked punk rock, and made sarcastic remarks at the drop of a hat. She's also partly based on who I wanted to be when I was seventeen. 

Because I was a shy, nerdy teenager that got picked on for liking books. 

Q:What is your favorite scene from First Frost, if you have one? 

A:Hmmm....one of my favorite scenes is when Bianca, Ming, Terrance and Prince Ferdinand are in the middle of the forest and they bump into the Big Bad Wolf. And things get a little dicey.

Also my favorite scenes are the ones with Bianca and Terrance. I think they’re an adorable couple. 

Q:What advice would you give an aspiring author? 

A:Write as often as possible. Listen to your beta readers, let them critique your work (not criticize, those are two different things). Think outside the box. Listen to your characters; sometimes they know a thing or two. Learn how to write a proper query letter and synopsis (it sucks, I know. I hate doing it too but that’s what it takes to submit your work). Read the guidelines before you submit your work. Double, triple check before you click SEND. NEVER GIVE UP.

Q:What is you favorite place to write and what do you snack on? 

A:When I have a babysitter available, my favorite place to write is at the local Panera. When I don’t have that luxury I write wherever and whenever possible. Otherwise I’ll never get around to it. Snack? Chocolate! Any shape. Any form. Milk chocolate. Dark chocolate. Hot chocolate. *happy sigh* I love chocolate (can you tell?). 

Q:If you could name one person, (author, book character ect.) that has inspired you over the years who/what would it be? 

A:Terry Moore, author, artist and creator of Strangers in Paradise. The man just knows how to tell a compelling story. You fall in love with his characters. You laugh and cry with them. Even after all these years I still re-read his graphic novels every year. 

I had the honor of meeting him once at the Baltimore Comicon. Yes…I was a huge nerd, I geeked out and bought every bit of merchandise on his table. I regret nothing. 

Q:Do you have any upcoming novels we should look out for?

A:I’m currently working on the sequel to First Frost. I’m jotting down ideas for the third book in the series. I’m also going over an old romance novel that I set aside when I started working on First Frost. So yeah…I’m busy writing.

"Thank you so much for interviewing me today. These were great questions. If anyone is interested in reading more about First Frost or my work please visit my website http://lizdejesus.webs.com/"

~MY REVIEW OF FIRST FROST~

Wow! Let me start by saying I ADORED this book. It was the perfect before bed young adult fairytale!

Liz has done an amazing job with this book! The idea behind First Frost was so imaginative and unique. I loved learning about the museum and all the artifacts it held. A fairytale museum is such a great idea! 

I was sucked into this story from the first chapter, and it only got better as it went on. 

Mystery, adventure, romance... This book really had it all and was so well rounded. Liz took an otherwise unrealistic chain of events and made them believable. It was like I was saying, "Yes! Of course there is an evil witch after them!"

I really enjoyed Bianca's character. I was surprised at how well she took everything going on around her.

She made a headstrong and likable main character. 

I enjoyed Ming's character as well, all though she disappointed me a bit at being Bianca's best friend. 

Their knights in shining armour (literally) were delightful. Terrance and Bianca make a great couple. 

I really hope there will be more on the land of Ever After, perhaps in a follow up? 

The ending to this book had me thinking in the wrong direction for a bit. Then in the last two pages, well lets just say the ending was perfect! 

I happily recommend First Frost to anyone looking for an enchanting tale, where the old and new come together. Young Adults and adults young at heart will surely enjoy this book!

I want to thank Liz DeJesus for doing this interview with me and for graciously gifting review copies of her book to all the review bloggers in the tour! This has been so much fun!

If you would like to know more about the author;

Please visit her website @ Lizdejesus.com

She is also a Goodreads author!

Don't forget to visit her on Facebook too!

FIRST FROST is available in most formats from Musa Publishing

It is also available for KINDLE and NOOK