Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pepper Jones is ready for an epic cross country season. She wants to qualify for Nationals, and she’s willing to do anything it takes to make it happen. She can handle long miles and hill sprints, but boys? That’s an entirely different challenge.
Pepper’s never considered revealing her deeper feelings for her longtime friend, Jace Wilder. After all, he’s got the personal magnetism and good looks to hook just about any girl in town — and he has. Their friendship stands apart from high school social circles, and they’re both just fine with that (or at least they pretend to be).
That is, until running star Ryan Harding moves to town.
When it comes to running, Pepper’s goals are clear. But when it comes to Jace and Ryan, it’s nowhere near as simple.
Pepper Jones knew that being Jace Wilder’s girlfriend wouldn’t be simple. But she didn’t predict just how many complications would arise from his past. Jealous girls? That she expected. Family secrets? Not so much. At least Pepper can always hit the trails to clear her head… except when it comes to racing. The high expectations from her phenomenal cross country season haunt her, and she can’t seem to get psyched up for track season. Pepper’s junior year at Brockton Public is full of challenges on and off the track, but she’s not afraid to face them.
Pepper is finally a senior, and she’s determined to defend her national cross-country title. Although Jace is busy with the demands of college football, he’s still at Pepper’s side, supporting her goals. But is she taking her renewed enthusiasm for training too far?
As Jace and Pepper focus on their athletic ambitions, they discover that Jace’s social status has followed him to college, despite his attempt to keep a low profile. With her boyfriend as an idol on campus, Pepper discovers that she might just be a target to those who find Jace threatening.
Are Jace and Pepper strong enough to withstand the pressure from those who want something from them? It won’t be easy fighting for her title and her boyfriend, but nothing easy is worth winning… or keeping.
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When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I first started writing in 2012, and I self-published my first book, Pepped Up, in 2013.
What is it about 'chick lit' / 'romance' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
What is it about 'chick lit' / 'romance' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
I think I got hooked on “chick lit” and “romance” because most books in these genres have happy endings. I like happily ever afters. I read lots of other genres too, but I’d say romance is my favorite.
Can you tell us a little about your latest release?
Can you tell us a little about your latest release?
My latest release, Pep Talks, is the fourth book in the Pepper Jones series, a coming of age series with strong sports and romance themes. The main character, Pepper, is a college freshman in this latest one. The fifth and final book, Pepped Up Forever, will be released in October.
What inspired you to write it?
What inspired you to write it?
I’ve wondered that myself. I didn’t really start writing with the intent of finishing a book until after I graduated law school and took the bar exam, so, clearly, I wasn’t exactly planning on being an author. At the time, I was commuting to work on the bus, and I began reading a lot, and discovered how much I like books by indie authors. I’d always been a bit of a day-dreamer and I decided to start translating the stories in my head into writing. When I discovered how much fun it was to immerse myself in made-up worlds, I couldn’t stop!
If it was made into a film, who would you cast as the main characters?
Pepper Jones: Kaya Scodelario
Jace Wilder: Tyler Lautner
Zoe Burton: Chloe Grace Moretz
Ryan Harding: Zac Efron
Gran/Bunny: Betty White
What is your favourite book that made it to the big screen?
If it was made into a film, who would you cast as the main characters?
Pepper Jones: Kaya Scodelario
Jace Wilder: Tyler Lautner
Zoe Burton: Chloe Grace Moretz
Ryan Harding: Zac Efron
Gran/Bunny: Betty White
What is your favourite book that made it to the big screen?
Hunger Games.
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
The last book I read was Moses by Amy Harmon and it was awesome. I highly recommend it.
Where do you currently write? And where would be your dream writing location?
Where do you currently write? And where would be your dream writing location?
I usually write at the local library or a coffee shop. I’d probably write at home some, but I have toddler twins, so I never get any writing done when I’m with them! I like writing at coffee shops because, well, I’m addicted to coffee. It’s also nice to go places with food so that if I get in a groove I don’t have to stop due to hunger. I eat a lot, so it’s definitely something to consider! My ideal writing location probably wouldn’t have any wireless internet, or cell phones, would be stocked with pre-made meals and snacks, and have an endless pot of good coffee.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I like to eat ice cream for breakfast.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
We live about a mile from fossils of dinosaur footprint and waves from the prehistoric ocean floor.
What inspires you as an author?
What inspires you as an author?
Emotions and real life events and people. I love reading books rich with emotion so I try to find the things and people in real life who make that happen for me and write about that.
Do you have a muse?
Do you have a muse?
Not just one, many. All of the characters in my books are hybrid forms of real life and made-up people I know, including myself, once-upon-a-time
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Kiera Knightly. I’m often told I look like her and she’s at least a little sporty since she did play a soccer player in Bend it like Beckham.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
My next book will be the final book in the Pepper Jones series, and then I’ll be writing about new characters. One book I’ll be writing after finishing the series is a suspense new adult romance and the other is a boarding school romance. Long term, I seem to have an endless supply of ideas for stories, so I don’t think that will be a problem. Hopefully people will keep reading what I write, and I’ll keep improving as an author.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I’ll tell you two… living in a mountain town (Steamboat Springs being top of the list) and running a sub-three hour marathon.
What do you listen to whilst writing?
What do you listen to whilst writing?
Lots of different Pandora stations: Bastille, Andres Segovia, Mumford & Sons, Blackalicious, John Legend, French Café Radio, Funk Radio, the Shins, Foster the People, Elliot Smith, Phish, Iron & Wine, Greg Laswell… I’ll stop now.
Name one of your all time favourite songs.
Name one of your all time favourite songs.
Ripple by the Grateful Dead.
Ali Dean lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. In addition to reading and writing, she loves the outdoors- everything from marathon training and biking to snowboarding and skiing.
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Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
$10 Amazon gift card + a signed copy of any book in the Pepper Jones series
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Goodreads
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
$10 Amazon gift card + a signed copy of any book in the Pepper Jones series
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