The Number by Sheenah Freitas Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

I'm so happy to be participating in The Number blog tour! I have a great interview and giveaway lined up for you guys. 

We have the wonderful Sheenah Freitas here with us. She is the best-selling author of The Chosen, a blend of Greek Mythology and Modern Fantasy, and the sequel, The Number, which has just recently been released!

Sheenah's Short Bio:

Sheenah was born on the island of Oahu, but raised in the much less tropical atmosphere of Ohio. She can’t really pinpoint the time when she decided to pursue the starving artist path of being a writer, but she suspects it may have originated sometime in elementary school when she wrote her very first (but incomplete) fanfiction.

She loves to read. Although she likes the regular mainstream book, her preference is young adult. She’s quite convinced that if she could only draw better, she might have run off to California to get into the legendary CalArts and work for Disney. Room A113 awaits her in her dreams!

Her first novel, The Chosen, was based heavily on her love of magical fantasy, anime, and adorable heroines. If she was capable, she would have made the characters sing and have the story unfold in classic animated musical Disney style — but still in book form!

Without further ado... roll in the questions!

1) Hi Sheenah! Thanks so much for joining us here at The Teen Book Guru! Could you tell us a little about The Zincian Legend books?

The Zincian Legend Trilogy follows a young woman, Kaia Ketoki, as she travels around the planet of Zinc searching for the treasures of the gods in order to prevent a dire prophesy. She’s accompanied by her guardian, Reeze, the Prince of the merfolk, Derek, and a demigoddess, Catrina. As they progress along their journey, they realize that everything isn’t as it seems.

2) What inspired you to write them?

I had a series of recurring dreams that played out the first few chapters of The Chosen within three nights. I was intrigued by what was going on and didn’t want to forget what I had dreamed so I started to write everything down. The only problem was the moment that I started recording what was going on, the dreams stopped! I wanted to know more and before I knew it, I had a novel finished and knew that there needed to be more books to explain Kaia’s stories and that’s where The Number comes in.

3) Have you always wanted to be an author? What/who made you want to become one?

Being an author was the first thing that I wanted to do as a child, but that later changed to wanting to be a marine biologist, an archeologist, an astronomer, a chemist, and a doctor. Despite all that, I continued to write short stories and flash fictions. And then one day while I was lamenting that there was no way I was going to suffer through 4+ years of chemistry and how I needed to figure out what I was going to do with my life after high school, my dad suggested writing. I was reluctant about it, mostly because the chances of making it as an author are about the same chances as becoming an A-list star, but I did it anyway. And I’m having fun.

4) There are a lot of aspiring authors out there today, and many children and teenagers who want to be authors when they grow up. What advice would you give them?

Write. Just keep writing and reading. You learn your craft the best by reading published works -- both good and bad. Try to find yourself a supportive person who isn’t afraid to slap you when you need it. And trust me, you’re going to need it.

5) Are you working on any other projects that YA readers should look out for?

I’m starting research on the third and last book of the Zincian Legend Trilogy and it’s currently untitled. I have a couple of other YA novel projects I’d like to get to after this trilogy is finished and I might publish a collection of short stories and flash fiction that I wrote during my teen years (though those stories aren’t YA at all).

And now some not so serious questions... (yay!)

6) What are your favorite book(s), and who are your favorite author(s)? What authors/books are you currently reading?

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. She’s my author idol.

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

I’m currently reading Time Slip (The Zubot Master, #1) by J. Bryden Lloyd.

7) Besides reading and writing, what are your hobbies and interests?

I love to sew and draw when I can. I started to make all natural soaps that I’ve begun to sell on Etsy.

8) What are your favorite tv shows and movies, and who are your favorite actors/actresses?

Currently, I’m obsessed with Once Upon A Time. It has everything that I just love. And the new show, Touch, looks promising. The only bad thing is it’s on at the same time as Person of Interest. Also love New Girl! Zooey Deschanel has always been one of my favorite actresses and that show was just made for her.

9) Pick this or that:

-New York City Apartment, or Farm House in Kentucky?

Farm house in Kentucky. I don’t think I’d survive in a big city.

-American Idol, or Dancing With the Stars?

Hm… Maybe American Idol. I’ve missed a few seasons of DWTS and I was confused with the new lineup of professional dancers. I barely know the new guys.

-Sprite or Pepsi?

Neither. I dislike carbonated drinks.

And now the last question... 

*clears throat*

10) If you could be one Jelly Belly jelly bean flavor, which one would you choose and why?

Toasted marshmallow! No reason really… I just like the flavor.

Thank you so much, Miss Sheenah Freitas, for taking the time to answer these questions, and for being here with us today. I wish you all the best!!

Here is a short summary of The Number, the latest book in the Zincian Legend series:

Kaia disappeared for five years. Now she's back and her planet is on the brink of war.

The new "Numbers" program, created by the Tueors’ leader, tracks and isolates demigods. Kaia's friend, Catrina, refuses to take part, and that makes her the most dangerous Number of all.

It's Kaia's duty to gather and protect the treasures of the gods. But neither the treasures nor Catrina are what they appear to be.As the day a dire prophesy foresees draws near, will Kaia reverse the gears of fate, or will everything she's ever loved be burned away by the flames of war?

Release Date: March 13, 2012

If you are a fan of Greek Mythology you should really give the Zincian Legend series a go! 

And now... GIVEAWAY TIME! Sheenah has so kindly offered to giveaway a signed copy (paperback or ebook) of The Number! 

Details:

-You must be 13+ to enter.

-You must be a follower of The Teen Book Guru to participate.

-This giveaway is international.

Enter in the Rafflecopter below!! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway