Interview and Giveaway: Revamped by Ada Adams

Hi everyone! Like I told you yesterday, today in Catch the Lune I have lovely Ada Adams, debut writer of  amazing new series ReVamped! She's super friendly and I'm really glad to have the chance to read her amazing book! ReVamped is a Paranormal YA series that takes a whole new twist in vampire story. Just read my interview with her to prove how awesome she is! Oh, and awesome Ada generously offers some cool prizes in the GIVEAWAY! Just read along if you want proof how awesome she is!

 The interview

Welcome to my blog, Ada! It’s awesome to have you here! Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Thank you very much for having me! You have a very lovely blog, Hilda.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been obsessed with reading and writing. I have many stories and journals dating back to when I was five years old. I’m the type of reader that has to finish an entire book in one sitting. However, when I’m writing, I have to take a hiatus from reading because my characters leave no room for anyone else in my head.

Aside from writing, I also act and model. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as a Master's of Science in Education. As you can tell, I love being creative and keeping busy—sometimes so much that I forget to sleep!

The things that I value the most in life are my family and friends. We’re a very large, close-knit group of individuals. I’m so grateful for the love and support (and sometimes chaos!) that they bring about.

I have two puppies named Cara(milk) and Oreo. Yes, I’m obsessed with chocolate! :)

While I love fashion and high-heels, I’m not a complete girly-girl. I have a Black Belt in Karate (I’m quite competitive in a sparring contest!), and enjoy playing sports and spending time hiking or camping in nature.

Where and how did you get the muse to write ReVamped?

The main inspiration for writing “ReVamped” was to put a little bit of a spin on the vampire genre. While the book is aimed at the Young Adult Paranormal-loving audience, I also always knew that I didn’t want it to be too fantastical. Yes, vampires are fantastical (and fantastic, if you ask me!), but I wanted to write a book in which the characters still had personality and could stand as real “people/teens” even after you took away their “vampiric powers”.
 
Once I came up with the basic outline, the story kind of took off by itself. I can’t even tell you how many times I had to get out of bed at 3:00 a.m. and start writing! The world of “ReVamped”, Angel Creek, Dawn and the rest of the gang took over my life while I was working on the novel. I grew to care for them deeply and cannot wait to develop their stories even further. I hope you enjoyed reading the book just as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Ada was a model and actress before she decided to join the author gang! How come you want to be a writer, which is more a solitary job?

I’ve been writing short stories my entire life, so it was kind of a natural progression into publishing a novel. For me, acting and writing often go hand in hand. Both require a creative and imaginative way of thinking and looking at the world. I often draw on my writing in my acting work and vice-versa. I’m a people-person, so I really enjoy the interpersonal aspect of the job that my work as an actress brings about. However, I also really value my solitude and the opportunity for self-reflection that writing provides me with. Either way, it seems that I’m constantly living in imaginary worlds and other people’s heads, no matter what I’m doing! :)

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I enjoy surrounding myself with various creative projects. Aside from my writing and acting work (which take up most of my time—when I’m not working on something, I’m thinking about working on something!), I am an editor of a fashion/literary magazine called VEUX Magazine. I love to travel and take pictures. If I could be a nomad for the rest of my life and spend all of my time trekking around the world, I would be a very happy girl! I also volunteer in various special education classrooms in the city. I find working with children very rewarding. When I’m able to squeeze in some down-time, I like cozying up with a good book or a fun movie, as well as spending time with my family and friends.

Imagination-escape round!

What book has made you wish you were the one who wrote it?

It’s so very hard to say! I have many favorite books, and each is great in its own way. I love reading all genres of fiction (YA Paranormal being one of my favorites!), as well as literary works about family life, cultures around the world, and different time periods. My mom is an expert at recommending wonderful novels which often move me so deeply that I have to go through an entire box of Kleenex per chapter! I always admire the authors who write such inspiring work.

On a lighter note, if I had to pick a book, perhaps it would be the “Harry Potter” series. J.K. Rowling not only did a wonderful job at plot, world and character building, but she managed to achieve something that is every author’s dream—she moved the entire world with her writing! Whether you are a fan of the books or not, I think one thing that really stands out is the reaction that people—both old and young—had to her work. Personally, I don’t think that writing should be about money or fame; it should always be about the readers. I’ve known many reluctant readers who started reading just because of her series.

If you were a Greek Goddess, who do you think you would be?

I like my “A” Goddesses: Athena, Artemis and Aphrodite. (My initials are AA, after all!) I would love be a hybrid of those three, with a mix of Athena’s wisdom and creativity, Artemis’ toughness and coolness, and Aprodite’s allure and femininity. Doesn’t that sound like one cool combo? If I absolutely had to choose one, I think I would be Athena, but I’d have to steal some of Artemis’ combat skills and Aphrodite’s awesome clothes (I always imagine her in beautiful, flowing Grecian garments)!

You could ask for one thing in life, and it’s ANYTHING. What would you like to ask?

I would simply ask for health and happiness for my loved ones. So often in life, we concentrate on money, power, work, fame and other things that “make the world go round”. In the end, I believe that true happiness comes from the little things (good health and being surrounded by loved ones).

It’s a beautiful and pleasant day like every day. Suddenly, your parents tell you that you’re not human (surprise!). What creature would you be?

I knew it! I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life!

To tell you the truth, I’m stumped. I feel like I should say “vampire” so that I can go and hang out in Angel Creek with Dawn and Sebastian, but that would be too predictable. I already spend too much time with them as is!

Perhaps I would be a mermaid. I’ve always had a strong connection to water. There is no better workout in the world then jumping into a pool and clearing your mind under water. However, I’m not sure if I would enjoy the whole “fish tail” thing very much. :S

If you could live in a different time in history, what time would you pick?

I love the fashion from the late 1800’s, or any period with big gowns and intricate hair embellishments. I probably shouldn’t say too much about the scene in “ReVamped” that involves this period in time, but let’s just say that I ensured that there was a little bit of history in the book. Mostly just so I could get to describe the dress!

I recently had a few modeling projects (for book covers, of all things!) which provided me with the opportunity to wear dresses from different time periods in history (1600’s-1800’s). It was so much fun! Mind you, they were super heavy and I kept tripping over myself!

Lastly:
What has been your best moment being an author so far? :)

Without a doubt, the best moment so far has been connecting with the readers. I’ve received some wonderful notes about “ReVamped”, and it deeply touches me to hear that others enjoy reading my work just as much as I enjoyed writing it. It’s quite a humbling experience to learn that my writing, story and/or the characters impacted the readers in some way.

Thank you for answering the questions, Ada! You’re such an amazing person! :)

You’re very welcome! Thanks again for having me. It was such a fun interview! :)

See? I told you guys that Ada is AWESOME! I wish I were the one who writes the amazing Harry Potter series too, and I agree: fashion from the late 1800's is gorgeous! Uh oh, I know that I was born in the wrong century! Not that I don't appreciate internet and kindle! ♥

A little bit about Ada:

Many people sing in the shower. I write scenes in my head and act them out."

At age five, Ada read her first chapter book. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for the stories and characters found within the pages of literature.

In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master's of Science in Education.

Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years, and is an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX. "ReVamped" is her debut novel.

She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.

Grab your copy of ReVamped!
from Goodreads: A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

  Website * Goodreads * Amazon (paperback) * Amazon (Kindle)

Now move on to what I know everyone has giddily anticipated: THE GIVEAWAY! 

The giveaway!

The bookmark, taken from ReVamped's website!

Open INTERNATIONAL. One lucky winner will win ebook copy of ReVamped + 1 signed bookmark. Three runners up will each win 1 signed bookmark ( just look at the picture beside! The bookmark is sooo pretty! <3). They are all provided by Ada, so make sure that you thank her and follow her journey through the bookieland! :)

Giveaway end April 15. Winners will be notified by email. May your fangs stay sharp! :)

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