STUCK by Samantha Durante Blog Tour

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

 

 

Interview with Samantha Durante

 

Hi Julie! Thanks so much for having me back! I’m so thrilled that the Stitch Trilogy is finally complete and I can’t wait to share it with your readers!

1. Describe the series in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.

 

Girl meets ghost, but not really.  Dystopia ensues.  Plus, monsters!

 

2. To date, what is your favorite chapter you have ever written?

 

Definitely Chapter 22 of Stitch, the first book of the series.  This is where the big twist finally begins to unravel and the story just takes off.  It may not be the *best* chapter, but I just have such wonderful memories of writing it.  We were on vacation with friends at their beach house, and I was up early before everyone else and took my laptop out on the deck overlooking the ocean.  I just so distinctly remember the sun and the breeze and calm all around me while I was furiously pounding out such a pivotal part of the story which I’d be been working up to after many weeks of work on the setup.  Everything was just perfect and uncomplicated in that moment of my life, so I associate that chapter with so much pure joy.  I just felt so grateful to be able to immerse myself in a beautiful day and engaging work, and that feeling has stuck to those pages for me.  🙂

 

3. What is your take on book boyfriends? Do they actually exist? Or do they set the bar for “real life men” impossibly high?

 

On the contrary, I think book boyfriends challenge men to live up to their potential, and encourage women not to settle for less than they deserve!  I know book boyfriends “exist” because I’m lucky enough to be married to one – and I wish for every person to find that.  We all deserve a partner that will cherish us for who we are, stand by us when life throws its punches, and just generally be a good, kind, thoughtful, and loving human being.  Don’t settle for anything less!!

 

4. What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?

 

The best compliment is always when a reader tells me, “I was supposed to be doing xyz [going to sleep, my homework, going to work] but I couldn’t put your book down!”  I am so familiar with this feeling as a reader, and to me, that is the ultimate.  You know the book is good when you’re putting off other responsibilities to read!

As far as criticism goes, it’s all tough to hear.  And especially since I am an independent author, it can really eat away at my insecurities and make me question if I have any business publishing my writing at all.  But I always just try to remind myself that I can’t please everyone, and instead focus on the fact the positive feedback has always far outweighed the negative.  And in fact, the negative feedback I’ve received has actually been incredibly valuable in strengthening my writing and storytelling.  So I try to take it as a positive – if someone takes the time to write a bad review, at least they were invested enough to care!

 

5. Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?

 

I think the most important thing for any writer to remember is that writing is a labor of love – you should do it because it brings you joy, and as long as you’re enjoying the pursuit, that’s what really matters.  I think writers tend to second-guess ourselves, and since we often *also* tend to keep to ourselves, it’s easy to think you’re the only writer who doesn’t feel “good enough.”  But I came across this recently which I think holds so true for every writer:

 

It’s so easy to give up when you’re in the “This is shit/I am shit” stage.  But if you just keep at it – because you love what you’re doing – eventually you’ll make it through to the “This is awesome” stage again.

 

6. Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?

 

There are SO MANY things I’d like people to take away from the Stitch Trilogy!  First, that things aren’t black and white.  Just like real life, no one in my books is infallible, and anyone can make a mistake that can really hurt other people – and this can happen on a small or very large scale, even with the noblest of intentions.  Second, that anyone can make a difference.  It would be easy for anyone living in that world (or any world!) to feel insignificant and powerless, but the characters work really hard and work together to make things better, and they manage to do so even against odds that seem insurmountable.  Third, that inclusivity and diversity of thought are good things, especially when it comes to leadership – otherwise you’re almost certain to further exploit already marginalized groups, and foster a lot of ill-will.  And finally, that love conquers all.  At the end of the day, even (perhaps, especially) when the world has gone to hell, all we have is each other.  Be selfless.  Be brave.  Be kind.

 

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Stuck
(Stitch Trilogy #3)
By Samantha Durante
YA Dystopian, SciFi
Paperback & ebook, 306 Pages
December 15, 2018

3, 2, 1… BOOM.

Things are finally looking up for the Resistance. Sure, Alessa is still processing the revelation that the best friend she’d presumed dead is miraculously alive, though far from well… And her boyfriend is being manipulated under threat of blackmail. But her quest for justice against those behind the systematic extermination of the world population is so close to victory she can taste it.

And then in a matter of seconds, everything Alessa believes in is shaken to the core. Months of preparation are obliterated. The people she cares for most are lost.

But Alessa is still standing. And Paragon must pay.

The odds are grim, but unexpected allies surface in the most unlikely of places: A new pair of citizens still under the colony’s rule who notice something amiss in the latest drama. An old adversary who realizes the error of her ways. And a veritable army of inhuman power and terrible strength, with an insatiable thirst for vengeance. The trustworthiness of each of these factions is yet to be proven, but without many other options, Alessa may have to take what she can get. Especially since the Engineers, never to be outdone, also have a few more tricks up their sleeves…

The long-awaited final installment in the riveting Stitch Trilogy, Stuck will have readers gripping their seats as Alessa and a handful of intrepid survivors usher their harrowing journey to a close, risking everything as they endeavor – once and for all – to set things right.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Smashwords│Kobo

 

 

 

Other Books in the Series

Read my review of Stitch and Shudder here.

 

About the Author

Samantha lives in Westchester County, New York with four of the five loves of her life – her husband, son, younger daughter, and cat – and carries her fifth love, her stillborn daughter, in her heart. An avid reader herself, Samantha’s dream is to bring the same delight to readers that other authors have brought to her life. In addition to penning novels and writing candidly about grief, she is also a sometimes freelance writer/consultant – though more often than not these days she’s on full-time mom duty! A former software engineer, Samantha said goodbye to the corporate world in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and lifelong love of writing. Learn more at www.samanthadurante.com.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram

Tour Schedule

December 10th:
Launch
Andi’s Young Adult Books
Mythical Books
December 11th:
Candrel’s Crafts, Cooks, and Characters
Paulette’s Papers
December 12th:
JeanzBookReadNReview
Lisa Loves Literature
December 13th:
Coffee, Books and Cakes
Why Not? Because I Said So!
December 14th:
FUONLYKNEW
Bri’s Book Nook
December 17th:
Colorimetry
Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
December 18th:
Lovely Reads
Chapter Break
Words Are the Breath Of Life
December 19th:
Books & Such
Bri’s Book Nook
December 20th:
fundinmental
Coffee, Books and Cakes
December 21st:
Christy’s Cozy Corners
Oh Hey! Books.
December 22nd:
Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

– 1 First Place Winner will receive: Signed Print Copies of All 3 Books in the Trilogy, a Limited-Edition Stitch Scarf, Bookmarks, and a $15 Amazon Gift Card
– 3 Second Place Winners will receive: eBook Copies of All 3 Books in the Trilogy for You *and* a Friend, plus a $5 Amazon Gift Card
– Open internationally
– Ends December 27th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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