Thursday, February 27, 2014

Where in the World are...Amy Plum, SR Johannes, Ruta Sepetys, & Jeri Smith-Ready?

All this month, I'm featuring authors and the settings of their books, showcasing a variety of locales and characters from around the world--and sometimes off it!--in order to show readers new places and people.

Don't forget to enter the contest for a signed Across the Universe trilogy and swag from lots of authors--not just those featured this month! The contest is open internationally, and is super simple to enter--just tweet or share with a friend some of your favorite unique books, and enter in the Rafflecopter embedded below (or at this link).

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Die For Me by Amy Plum

Set in: Paris

Why did you pick this setting?
Have you been to Paris? Or have you always dreamed of going there? Either way, you must have some idea of how magical the city is. Even having lived 1/3 of my life in France, even though I live right in the middle of Paris, every day I walk out of my front door and look around me and think, "I am the luckiest person in the world." I tried to convey a little bit of the wonder and love that I feel for Paris on to every page of the DIE FOR ME series.

What makes your book's setting unique?
Almost every place I used in the books has been either an old apartment where I lived, an old hang-out, or one of my favorite museums or cafes. I drew from my experiences: riding on a scooter behind a handsome artist through the streets of Paris, kissing a boy on the Pont des Arts, dating a zombie. Okay, one of those isn't true. Although sometimes, I've had my doubts.

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Unstoppable by SR Johannes

Set in: Everglades, Florida

Why did you pick this setting?
A wilderness thriller that explores the various habitats and talk about conservation around the florid panther and the elimination of roadside zoos.

What makes your book's setting unique?
The Everglades has 4 distinct environments from swamps to the pines to the plains and the saw grass. It I the only place where the Florida Panther is found and there are only 100 left in the wild.





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Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Set in: 1950 New Orleans

Why did you pick this setting?
Secrets and scandal! New Orleans is full of both.
There's a story lurking behind every door in the French Quarter. The architecture, the music, the food, the local superstitions - they're all full of story.

What makes your book's setting unique?
The setting in "Out of the Easy" is a 1950's brothel in the French Quarter. During my research I was given an extensive tour of the former brothel building by an elderly gentleman who...knew the operation well. The former madam of the house had recorded her memoirs on cassette tapes. Shortly after, she took her own life. A current resident in the building had the cassettes and I got to listen to some of them while standing in the madam's old bedroom. Hearing her voice, in her room, in the brothel. Wow.


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This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready

Set in: Main Line of Philadelphia

Why did you pick this setting?
I went to college (Villanova University) in this area west of Philadelphia, so I was familiar with the location and unique culture. Since many books that focus on religious zealotry are set in small towns, I thought it'd be interesting to set This Side of Salvation in a wealthy suburb. Play against stereotype, you know? The main character's family falls on economic hard times, which creates an interesting conflict between him and his friends who can afford anything.

What makes your book's setting unique?
This area was originally settled by the Welsh, so lots of place names are seriously lacking in vowels (e.g., Bryn Mawr, Bala Cynwyd, and Tredyffrin Township).
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