Ships, Mermaids and Singing in the Shower (Interview + Giveaway with Sarah Ockler)

Danielle, Shannelle and I all LOVED The Summer of Chasing Mermaids–we loved it so much that we just had to interview the amazing Sarah Ockler. You can check out their posts here and here. There’s a totally fab giveaway for the book, too!

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids
by Sarah Ockler

published on June 1st 2015 by Simon Pulse
young adult | romance | contemporary | retellings

find the book on
Goodreads

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom—until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can’t sing. She can’t even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend’s invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse’s home in the Caribbean isn’t: An ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry—except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy—insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He’s also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn’t treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove’s high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn’t the only thing making waves, though—swept up in Christian’s seductive tide and entranced by the Cove’s charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn’t what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who’s best known for breaking them . . .

Aimee: Hi Sarah! Welcome to Deadly Darlings–I’m so excited to have you on here. :) Most of my questions will be more of the random sort, since I’m that kind of interviewer. ;)

Sarah: Yay! I love random!

Who would make a better husband, Christian or Sebastian Kane (when he’s older, of course!), and why?

This is a tough one! I love the Kane brothers so much. Is it cheating if I say both of them? They each have such unique personalities! Christian would be the perfect partner for someone who can dish it out as well as she can take it, someone who has a sense of adventure, and who is passionate and intense… hmm, this sounds like Elyse! ;-) Truthfully, Christian only has eyes for Elyse! Whoever marries Sebastian will also require a sense of adventure, and will love a sensitive and creative man with a giant heart and an even bigger imagination. Personally I don’t think you could wrong either way. ;-)

I completely agree with your answer. ;) Did you ever want to become a singer and passed on that dream to Elyse? How about being a first mate?

Gosh, no! I can’t sing at all. The only time I ever sing is in the shower, or if I’ve had a few drinks and lost my inhibitions! As far as being a first mate, I don’t have any legit boating skills, but I do love the ocean! So if the captain didn’t mind a total newbie, maybe I could be first mate.

I SING IN THE SHOWER TOO. (I mean, who doesn’t?) Which character in Mermaids is most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse? And who will die first?

Lemon will totally survive, because she’s got witchy powers. In fact, with the help of her coven, Mrs. James’ can-do attitude, Elyse’s determination, Kirby’s loyalty, and Vanessa’s take-no-prisoners approach, I bet the ladies of Atargatis Cove will fair just fine. They’ll keep their boys safe, too! The only person I’d worry about in the zombie apocalypse is Mayor Katzenberg. He’d break the cardinal rule — stay together — and try to go off on his own. He wouldn’t listen to the ladies’ advice, and he’d immediately get himself killed.

If they’d never met each other, which YA literary characters would Elyse and Christian most likely to end up dating?

Whoa. I have absolutely no idea! Nooooo. I can’t even imagine them with anyone else! What do you guys think? Answer in the comments — I’d love to hear about your ships!

Good call, Sarah. Good call. For the sake of readers, let’s end this interview with a useful question: What is the ONE thing readers are missing out on if they’re not reading Mermaids?

An empowering story about the importance of finding, embracing, and rocking your inner voice! :-)

---

Aimee: Thank you so much for your time and for answering my insane questions. All the hugs for you, for Elyse, for Christian and for Sebastian! Also, I would read anything else you write. Please publish your shopping list.

Sarah: Aww, thank YOU for interviewing me, and for being such an amazing and supportive fan. I rarely make a shopping list, though! I totally wing it at the grocery store. :-) Probably because I spend so much time making lists and planning things out about my characters and plots, when it comes time for day-to-day stuff, I’m all out of list-making ability!

Sarah Ockler
Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Sarah Ockler is a champion cupcake eater, tea drinker, night person, and bookworm. When she’s not writing or reading at home in Washington, she enjoys taking pictures, hugging trees, and road-tripping through the country with her husband, Alex.

Sarah is the bestselling author of six young adult novels: The Summer of Chasing Mermaids, #scandal, The Book of Broken Hearts, Bittersweet, Fixing Delilah, and Twenty Boy Summer.

Because Sarah is absolutely amazing, she’s giving away a SIGNED & PERSONALIZED (optional) hardcover of The Summer of Chasing Mermaids to one lucky winner from the US!

I am very jealous of whoever wins. D: Good luck, all!

Have you read any of Sarah’s books (Mermaids in particular)? Do you want to read from her? Do you want to read Mermaids? What did you think about Sarah’s answers? TELL ME EVERYTHING.

About Aimee

Aimee loves being a little bookworm (okay–she doesn’t like being little). She also loves chocolates and sweets but is freaked out by the thought of possibly getting diabetes.

Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | all of Aimee’s posts →