Today I'm touring April Henry and her new book, Torched - and wow, check out the cover!!! That's so intense - I love it!!!
April has published six mysteries and thrillers and has another five under contract (go girl!!!!) and between you and me I think she's got a thing for serial killers, hit men and drug dealers! But since that's what makes her books stand out, I'm going to let her off on that one!!
Anyway, here is April to tell us everything we ever needed to know about herself and her new book!!
Tell me a bit about your book.
When 16-year-old Ellie’s parents are busted for growing pot, the FBI gives her a choice: infiltrate the Mother Earth Defenders (MED), a radical environmental group, or her parents will go to jail. At first Ellie is more than willing to entrap the MEDics, but the more time she spends undercover—particularly with Coyote, the green-eyed MEDic that she can’t stop thinking about—the more she starts to believe in their cause. When talk turns to murder, Coyote backs out, but Ellie is willing to risk everything to save her family—even if it means losing Coyote and putting her own life on the line.What was the inspiration for writing it?The Earth Liberation Front has long been active in the Northwest.
The FBI considers them domestic terrorists. I was driving to work one morning, listening to the news, and the broadcaster said, “The FBI says they have been unable to infiltrate ELF.” And I thought, what else are they going to say? Yeah, we have someone who is working there undercover? And then I started thinking that most Elves are young, and FBI agents have to be at least 23, and they might need an informant.
Okay I'm so hooked right now and I can't wait to read this book. I knew that cover looked intense!!
I'm a sucker for a sale story, so I'd love to hear how you sold your first book.
I was sitting at my desk, where I worked as a health care writer, when my agent called to tell me that she had a two-book offer from Harper Collins. It was actually for the fourth book I’d written, the third that she had represented.
Since you've been a published writer, what's been the coolest thing that's happened to you? (though be warned if it somehow involves meeting David Boreanaz, there will be jealousy issues to deal with).
Once I was recognized in a grocery store – and when the guy doing the recognizing told me his name I realized he was a well-known local chef. He talked to me for a minute, praising my books to the skies, and then said, “I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re tired of being bothered.” I wanted to throw my arms around his ankles and beg him to stay.
What authors inspire you and why?
Any book that makes me just completely lose myself – I want to do that for my readers. The best compliment is whenever I get an email from someone saying they stayed up way too late reading my books. For me, recent books that have captivated me are Hunger Games and the dead and the gone.
Finally, what's the best movie you've seen in the last six months?
The Wrestler. It seemed so real. And then I listened to Fresh Air on NPR and realized a lot of it was real.
And before we go, here are some of the reviews that Torched has already received:
Kirkus:
"Romance and big explosions … the thrills and action will keep readers interested as she navigates her way between terrorists and self-centered Feds."
Booklist:
"The contemporary mix of politics and thrilling action will grab teens, not just environmentalists, as Ellie must decide how to save her parents and save the earth. Romance adds to the conflict as she falls in love with gorgeous MED member Coyote, who is both an activist and an ardent pacifist. Both the MEDs and the FBI have good guys and bad guys, and this suspenseful story will spark discussion about what it means to fight for right “by any means necessary."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Henry keeps a number of slick tricks up her sleeve, and when the plot takes off with a MED tree sit to stop clear cut logging, a cascade of treachery and betrayal is unleashed that should keep the pages flying. This is a far cry from the more whimsical take on environmentalism of Hiaasen's Hoot, but readers who cut their teeth on that amiable escapade may want to explore the ethical implications of wielding vandalism and violence to achieve a worthy end.”
School Library Journal
“Educators and environmentalists will appreciate the similarities between Ellie’s adventures and the exploits of Julia Butterfly Hill, as it will allow them to engage in a discussion about endangered species, corporate responsibility, and logging.”
Teens Read Too 5 stars
“Torched is an edge-of-your-seat thriller. The book starts with a prologue that puts readers in the thick of the action, and things don't slow down from there.” Retweet this button on every post blogger
