by Melanie Hooyenga
About the book:
Being a bully isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Sixteen-year old Brianna had everything she wanted: money to ski all over the world, underlings to do her bidding, and parents who gave her every freedom—as long as she played by their rules. But when she’s busted shoplifting and assigned to the Chain Gang, she ditches her shallow ways and realizes being herself is easier than manipulating people.
Forced to partner with kids she’d never dream of befriending, including Xavier, a boy who makes her pulse go into hyperdrive, Brianna vows to be a better person. Breaking Old Brianna’s habits isn’t easy, but her infatuation with Xavier—someone her parents would never approve of—motivates her to keep trying.
Even when he convinces her to trade her swanky skis for a beat-up snowboard.
Brianna lets go of her need to control everything and finally starts to feel free—until her past threatens to jeopardize her first real chance at love. She discovers balancing on the edge is as challenging in life as it is in snowboarding, and when a new friend is in trouble, Brianna must decide between the superficial things that used to be her world and putting her friend’s safety before herself.
PURCHASE LINKS:
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
Yes! Melanie is perfect. :)
Anyway thanks so much for being here! Welcome to my small, humble corner of the internet!
Thanks for having me!
1. If you weren't an author what would you be?
This is easy, because I have a day job doing what I love. My background is in graphic design, and I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to combine that with my writing skills in my current role as the Director of Marketing & Communications at my local community foundation. I love that I get to use my strengths while giving back to my hometown.
2. What do you do when you're not writing?
I have a hard time sitting still, so I’m either playing sports with my husband, running around outside, or tackling a DIY project around the house. (Next: refinishing a pair of chairs that belonged to his grandmother.) We have a 9-year old miniature schnauzer named Owen who still thinks he’s a puppy, so he’s usually at the center of what we’re doing as well. I live just steps from Lake Michigan, so I try to be outside as much as I can, but when I am inside, I prefer to read or stream a show while playing games on my phone.
3. You've written other books before The Edge Rules, does it get easier after writing so many already?
Yes and no. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a writer over the years, and my process has become more streamlined, but the act of actually writing a book still takes time, perseverance, and dedication. No one else can do it for you—but I highly recommend close friends to talk you through the rough moments.
4. Which character of The Edge Rules have you had the most fun to write?
Brianna, for sure, although I always have a soft spot for the best friends in all my books. What I like about Brianna is she says whatever she’s thinking, does what she wants, and doesn’t make excuses for it. Of course, that’s what gets her into so much trouble and makes her want to change, but as a writer, it was fun. I can’t tell you how many times I’d stop myself writing something like “I caught myself from saying…” and said “No! Just say it!” Brianna does not hold back.
5. Please don't hate me. But I've yet to read The Rules series. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
I don’t hate you! There are so many amazing books out there that I’ve yet to read, so I totally get it. That said, I know you’ll want to read these after I tell you about them. The Rules Series is about three girls in Boulder, Colorado who navigate their struggles with life and love while skiing, biking, and snowboarding in the great outdoors. They’re perfect for fans of outdoor adventure, swoony kisses, and figuring out who you really are. Each book has its own storyline. In The Slope Rules, Cally has to navigate a new school while trying to figure out why the boy she likes lied to her and avoid getting sucked into the mean girl clique—all while doing some amazing tricks on skis. In The Trail Rules, Mike thinks she has everything figured out, but comes to realize that she’s just doing what everyone thinks she should do, so she makes new friends and learns to follow her own trail—and crushes it on a mountain bike. In The Edge Rules, Brianna has always been the resident mean girl, but when life comes crashing down around her, she realizes she needs to change if she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone—and switches from skiing to snowboarding.
6. What's your favorite of any five things (movies, foods, places to visit, songs etc.)?
Ooh, let’s go with favorite foods. On a basic level, I love cheese and wine. Really can’t go wrong there. But when forced to mush ingredients together for a meal, my favorites are:
• sea scallops with wilted spinach and garlic mashed potatoes (local restaurant)
• almond crusted rainbow trout with parmesan asparagus (we make this every week)
• pesto chicken stuffed with stuffing, served with mashed or cubed and roasted squash (we make this once a month in the winter)
• a perfectly cooked steak (medium-rare for me) with sautéed mushrooms and either roasted brussell sprouts or tomato-mozzarella salad (another monthly indulgence in our house)
• any salad with loads of mixed greens, grilled chicken, tons of veggies, nuts, berries, or cheese that makes sense for that meal.
And now I’m hungry. :)
7. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Keep writing, and find other writer friends. This is such a solitary endeavor that you have to love it—don’t write simply because someone else thinks “you’re so talented.” That won’t get you through the lonely nights (or mornings, in my case) when you’re actually doing the work. Having like-minded friends to cheer you on and commiserate when your down makes it more bearable.
I would like to thank the author, the wonderful Melanie Hooyenga for being here! I added your books to my tbr; I'm hoping I'll get to them as soon as I can. 'Til next time =)
Multi-award winning young adult author Melanie Hooyenga first started writing as a teenager and finds she still relates best to that age group. She has lived in Washington DC, Chicago, and Mexico, but has finally settled down in her home state of Michigan. When not at her day job as a Communications Director at a nonprofit, you can find Melanie attempting to wrangle her Miniature Schnauzer Owen and playing every sport imaginable with her husband Jeremy.
GIVEAWAY:
Physical Copies of the series (US). Digital copies for international winners.
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