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GIVEAWAY!! Blog Tour – Spotlight: Catch the Sun by Lee Zamloch with an interview with the author
Catch the Sun
written by Lee Zamloch
published by CreateSpace
find it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Goodreads
About the book – from the author: Marilyn Monroe begins appearing on Amanda Grace’s patio dancing, laughing at the moon and gazing at Amanda through the glass doors. Is it possible that Marilyn, against all reason, has somehow transported herself through time and space to contemporary Los Angeles? And why does she haunt Amanda, a model whose beauty is undeniable, but whose talent is questionable?
The visitations begin when Amanda’s mother, Edith, commits suicide, an event that shakes Amanda to her foundation. For, while she has been a successful model, she has always measured herself against her mother, a well-known artist who has overcome severe obstacles. But unlike Edith and her accomplished sister, Joanne, Amanda Grace has not distinguished herself intellectually or artistically, nor even managed to marry and have children. In her eyes, she has failed to live up to her mother’s expectations. Now, with Edith’s death, she has forever lost her chance to prove herself. In her grief, she forgets to eat, sleep, or carry on with life’s simplest tasks. The final blow comes when Amanda accidentally learns she was adopted. With the loss of her family as a touchstone, her foundation crumbles, and her fragile sense of self dissolves completely.
CATCH THE SUN is a story about how an obsession with a celebrity can impact the life of an ordinary woman. It explores our endless fascination with Marilyn Monroe’s fragility, beauty and dazzling rise and fall.
Every Free Chance Book Reviews would like to welcome Lee Zamloch, author of Catch the Sun, to the blog today! She is on tour with Sage’s Blog Tours. She has answered some questions for all of you.
1. What kind of research did you have to do while writing your book, Catch the Sun?
I read everything I could get my hands on about Marilyn Monroe. I watched all her movies.
2. Which character did you enjoy writing the most? The least?
Marilyn was the easiest and most fun to write. Amanda Grace gave me some trouble. She started off as a graduate student, then became a teacher, and finally, I turned her into the model she is the final version.
3. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
If you’ve ever been fascinated by a famous person; if you’ve ever wondered why we project our own fantasies and needs onto famous people; if you’ve ever been interested in Marilyn Monroe, you should read Catch the Sun.
4. Who has been your biggest inspiration?
Probably my friend and fellow writer, Catherine Ryan Hyde who has taught me how to be a professional through good times and bad.
5. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Carson McCullers, Joyce Carol Oates, Ian McEwen, Ruth Rendell, John Irving, Wally Lamb, Tana French, Jane Smiley, P.D. James, Anne Tyler, Kate Morton, Michael Connelly, Lisa See, Pat Conroy, Dennis Lehane
6. How long did it take you to write Catch the Sun? What was the process like?
It took a couple of years and many revisions. It began as a novella. Then I turned it into a short story which was published in a literary journal. Finally, I bit the bullet and wrote the story as a novel.
7. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I have another novel on Amazon.com called Bear Medicine.I’m working on a novel now about a pimp in 1970s New York who becomes entangled with a college girl to the detriment of them both.
8. What’s one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Don’t give up. Don’t assume you’re “ready for primetime” until you’ve put in an apprenticeship. The first two or three novels you write won’t be good yet, but hang in there and keep writing.
9. Is there a book that you have read this year that you couldn’t put down? Is there a book that you are most looking forward to reading this year?
I couldn’t put down Lars Kepler’s The Hypnotist. I don’t currently have any one book I’m dying to read. There are many I’m hoping to enjoy this year.
10. In your opinion, what is one book that everyone should read?
“The Hours” by Michael Cunningham for its sheer brilliance, depth and wonderful writing.
11. I see in your biography that you like to hike. Where is your favorite place to hike? And why?
I like to hike the hills around my home in San Luis Obispo. Some are quite steep and offer a good challenge. When you get to the top, the view makes it all worth it.
12. I also see that you like to travel. Where in the world do you want to visit the most?
Italy’s next. Then I’d like to go to China.
About the author: Lee Zamloch lives on the Central Coast of California where she writes fiction. Her work has appeared in a number of literary journals and she has won several honors for her writing including the Booklegger Award for best submission of the year from Toyon and honorable mentions from the Nelson Algren Award, and Raymond Carver Short Story Contest. She has published two novels which are available from Amazon.com in both print and kindle editions. She is currently at work on her next novel.
Lee has been a teacher, a consultant, a college professor and a program designer. She enjoys hiking, reading, traveling and romping with her two Siberian huskies, Sunny and Storm.
Find Ms./Mr. here: blog, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+
And now for an awesome GIVEAWAY!! Ms. Zamloch has agreed to giveaway an ebook copy of Catch the Sun to one lucky reader! Fill out the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win.
Happy reading wherever you are and whenever you get a free chance!!!
6 Comments
by S.A.
I’m fascinated with the storyline and I would LOVE to read it! This is going on my TBR list.
Thanks for the giveaway. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’m the lucky winner. 🙂
by The Every Free Chance Reader
Good luck!!! And thank you for stopping by my blog and entering this giveaway!
by Sage
Thanks so much for the great post, Chrissy!
by The Every Free Chance Reader
It was my pleasure, Sage!
by Miss. Lucinda Fountain
Thank you so much for a fantastic book giveaway, that i would love to have the oportunity of reading and reviewing. Also, thanks for a most interesting interview by the author. x
by The Every Free Chance Reader
Thanks for stopping by, entering the giveaway, and checking out the interview! Good luck!