I am so excited to have April Genevieve Tucholke here today to discuss her new novel, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea. This book has been on my radar for quite some time and I definitely enjoyed this Gothic thriller.
1. Tell me about your new release Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea.
It comes out Aug. 15 from Penguin/Dial. It’s a Gothic horror. It’s 368 pages. The characters cook a lot of good food, in between scenes of dread and terror. There is some kissing, and some blood. It’s rated PG-13 for violence and some sexuality.
2. Where did you come up with the idea for this?
I read this article while living in Scotland: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8574484.stm The entire book spun off from this truth-is-stranger-than-fiction news story. I wondered about the kid who started the rumor about the vampire in the cemetery–no doubt it all came down to one charismatic little liar of a kid. This is where I got the idea for River…
3. What attracted you to the YA genre?
I like writing teenage characters. I remember being a teen. Vividly. I think it’s a complex, fascinating, action-packed stretch of time. Or at least I can make it seem that way, fictionally.
4. Did you have any actors in mind when you were writing your characters?
You know, I didn’t. I was worried I would unconsciously alter the original characters, if I imagined actors playing the role. I still haven’t thought about it, I guess. Maybe I’ll have to leave it up to the readers 🙂
5. What are you working on now?
I’m doing the final revisions on the DEVIL sequel, BETWEEN THE SPARK AND THE BURN. Then I go back to working on my post-apocalypse book THE SCARECROW.
6. Are there any authors that you feel influence you?
Completely. Meg Rosoff. Susanna Clarke. The Brontes. Daphne du Maurier. Stephen King. Lovecraft.
Read. Write, sure, that’s important…but also read. Read, read, read. All genres. Not just the one you’re writing in. Read the classics and read poetry and read science fiction and travel memoirs. Read it all.
Thank you so much for being here today and I hope that everyone reads your book because I know they will love it.
Thanks for this opportunity.
About the Author:
April Genevieve Tucholke digs classic movies, red-headed villains, big kitchens, and discussing murder at the dinner table. She and her husband Nate Pedersen live in Oregon at the edge of a forest.
Jennifer’s Review of Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
TITLE: Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea
CHARACTERS: Violet White and River West
AUTHOR: April Genevieve Tucholke
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/15/13
BOOK SYNOPSIS: You stop fearing the Devil when you’re holding his hand………..
Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?
Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery…who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer NUMBER OF STARS: Five Stars
This was a hauntingly romantic story with dramatic characters and a rich atmosphere that just adds to its Gothic storyline. Violet and her brother, Luke, are living on their own ever since their parents left to study art in Paris. To make ends meet, Violet rents out the cottage behind their home to the mysterious and charming River West. Violet and River start spending a lot of time with one another and Violet soon begins to develop feelings for this handsome young man. Around the time of River’s arrival in town, strange events occur around Violet and her friends, which leads her to believe that River may have ulterior motives for being there. Is River a victim of circumstance or is he behind all the mysterious occurrences?
River was definitely a bad boy, someone who you know will break your heart but you can’t help falling in love with him anyways. He was so charming, smart and everyone automatically liked him on sight. But that was his downfall. If someone seems to be too good to be true, they usually are and I always felt that River was hiding something from Violet throughout the course of the book.
Violet was such a sweet girl and I connected with her from the very beginning. She was trying to keep everything together with her parents and her beloved grandmother gone, and she had this inner strength that you usually don’t see with girls that age. Even though she was a smart young girl, she still had this innocence about her, especially when it came to boys and relationships. Watching Violet fall in love for the first time brought back memories because that first love is always bittersweet and even though she believes that River may be responsible for the mysterious events plaguing the town, she can’t help falling for him.
Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea is a great novel that is bound to become a classic. With its timeless characters and darkly rich scenery, April Genevieve Tucholke is a master storyteller and I can’t wait to see what she creates next.
Thanks for the interview and for the review – I’m really intrigued by this book – the cover is unique and I love how it sounds.