So basically I have come to a realization… I stalk the authors that I adore. Not in a creepy or scary way, but more like a I adore you and wonder about you and so I follow you on twitter and facebook and your blog kind of way.  Kristen Simmons has been on the receiving end of my stalkerish ways very over the last couple years  … I mean once I read Article 5 I was hooked on her series and then book 2, Breaking Point was coming out.  And I had to have it.  I may have conned my child into drawing the cover for one of her contests… of course it wasn’t Ember and Chase on the cover though, he had to make it Sonic and Tails  (he has his own hang-ups) LOL – but still – this is how desperate I was for Breaking Point. Â
I’ve had the chance to read the final book in this series and let me just say that I was blown away by the conclusion and I loved every single second of reading the series and I can’t wait to sit down and read them all back to back once the official copy of Three comes out. Â If you haven’t started this series yet, you should do it now, you’ll have enough time to get through book 1&2 and before you know it book 3 will be here.
Let me flail a bit about Kristen now too… She’s so frickin lovely! Â From sending Jake an email and posting his picture on her blog (it made his day) to always being available to participate in things like this celebration she’s incredibly approachable and kind… and she will sometimes find your dirty fanfiction stories and read them so there’s that. Someday we are going to write about dirty picnics together in person … LOL I’m incredibly excited about the things she has coming up in the future! Â
ABOUT KRISTEN
Kristen Simmons has a master’s degree in social work and is an advocate for mental health. She lives with her family and their precious greyhound Rudy in Tampa, Florida.
I was raised in Reno, Nevada—just below Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains—with horses and dogs and Red Angus cattle. When I was little I had a colorful imagination (read: I was a cheerful liar), and loved to write stories. I rocked spandex shorts and slouch socks, put too many scrunchies in my side ponytail, and watched The Goonies approximately one kajillion times. For a brief time, I dedicated myself to a future in professional hockey after careful study of The Mighty Ducks.
Make sure you add The Article 5 Series to your To Read List – click on the covers to find them on goodreads!Â
Three is the last book in the Article 5 series, is it hard to have the end in sight?
YES. Oh my goodness, I have so many mixed feelings about it. It’s wonderful – it’s so sad – finally – wait, wait, too soon! It’s been years since I started developing Chase and Ember’s story, and yet sometimes it seems like it’s just getting started. It helps to remember that I’m just finishing my part in their story. Their lives go on without me. (Cue Celine Dion Titanic theme song.)
What can we look forward to in the final book in the series? (Kissing right?)Â Â
Who do you think you’re talking to? Of course there is kissing. I’m super excited to say that there will be much kissing. I mean, not too much. Just the right amount. Oh boy. Shutting up now.
There will also be much resistance action, betrayals, sneaking around, heartache, and a very intriguing barn scene.Â
This series ultimately started with issues of what is morally acceptable. What was your inspiration?
My inspiration was a parking lot protest I passed one morning on my way to work. Harry Potter 7 had just been released, and some people were very upset about the witchcraft angle. It was a very important moment for me – these people were standing up for what they felt was morally right. It made me wonder what else you could try to ban in the name of morality, and further, what would happen if our government started creating laws on the same platform. There goes the Bill of Rights. That was the basis of the Moral Statutes in ARTICLE 5.Â
My inspiration was a parking lot protest I passed one morning on my way to work. Harry Potter 7 had just been released, and some people were very upset about the witchcraft angle. It was a very important moment for me – these people were standing up for what they felt was morally right. It made me wonder what else you could try to ban in the name of morality, and further, what would happen if our government started creating laws on the same platform. There goes the Bill of Rights. That was the basis of the Moral Statutes in ARTICLE 5.Â
Tell us a bit about your writing process? Do you plot everything out or do you fly by the seat of your pants as you’re writing?
I attempt to plot, then rip it up and fly by the seat of my pants. Where did that saying come from anyway? It’s funny. I like it.
What is the one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?
That I have the perfect plan to survive the apocalypse – zombie or otherwise. I can’t go into the details (if you have a special skill and want to join me, please email me your application), but I can tell you that a fortified prison, a moat, a food taster, choir practice, and a daily Jazzercise class are essential components. Â
What authors have influenced you?
You. With your dirty, rotten Twilight fanfic. So naughty!
What is the last book that you recommended to someone?
Dare You To by Katie McGarry. My BFF writes one heck of a YA romance.
Any advice for aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. It took me 10 years until I saw one of my books on a shelf. If I can do it, you can do it. Â What’s next for you? What projects do you have in the works?
I’m so excited to say that I have three more books coming from Tor Teen. All of them are stand-alones. In the first, The Glass Arrow, a girl is hunted for breeding purposes in a world where women have become endangered. The second is called Metaltown, and is about some sweatshop workers who join forces with the boss’ daughter to fight for equal rights. The third…well, that’s a secret. But I can promise action in all three, and of course, kissing.
Do you have a dream cast for Chase & Ember?
I always wanted Channing Tatum for Chase, but every year I write that he gets a year older. I love Nina Dobrev for Ember. She’s so cute and sassy.
I can totally be on board with Channing for Chase… helloooooooo Chase.
We have an amazing giveaway for everyone – We have copies of all three books that will go to one VERY LUCKY Winner – US ONLY – Make sure you get your entries in!!Â
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