
This is a great day today as I have the wonderful Sarah Alderson stopping by as part of her blog tour. I’m sure you’ve all seen her books around the blogosphere, including your one and only over here. If you haven’t read Hunting Lila I strongly recommend it! And now you get to know a bit about the mind behind this fantastic novel! In case you’re not familiar with Hunting Lila, here’s what you’re missing:

Hunting Lila
Sarah Alderson
Series: Lila, #1
Release date: August 4th, 2011
by Simon & Schuster
17-year-old Lila has two secrets she’s prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, Alex, since forever.
After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust—her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they’ve found them.
In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone—there are others out there just like her—people with special powers—and her mother’s killer is one of them…
Interview with Sarah Alderson
I was swimming one day, trying to work out what to do to make some money and bam, I decided to write a book. I’d just read Twilight and figured if Stephanie Meyer could become a gazillionaire writing about vampires then so could I. Except I wanted to make my lead character the one with the super-power and I guess I watch too much TV because I knew I wanted it to be a thriller suspense with lots of action.
Q. Lila is an incredibly well loved character, she’s feisty and irrational at times when it comes to Alex, how did you get the idea for her character? Does she have a bit of yourself in her?
Lila’s character was always just there. I didn’t have to think too hard. I often find I start writing and my characters just exist on the page.
I never thought she was like me but then my dad read it and his first words were ‘she’s so you.’ But then again my dad always refers to all my protagonists as ‘you’ when he talks to me. So yes, I guess she has got lots of me in her. My friends always say they hear me talking when she’s talking. Her dry humour is definitely from me. Probably my husband would say I’m also irrational like her.
Q. Alex and Lila’s relationship is a big part of the book (and a fan favorite); what’s your secret to writing such a swoon worthy romance?
I guess I just really felt it. Writing in the first person I felt every single one of her emotions. And also I’ve had some amazing adventures in my life, and been very lucky to have had some amazing relationships in my life, which I drew on for the romance element.
Q. How many books are you planning on this series? Do you already know how it’s going to end or are you going with the flow?
At the moment there are just the two. It may end there, I haven’t decided yet. I’ve been too busy writing other things.
I think I poured myself a glass of wine and then slept. Back then I had no idea if it was ever going to be published so it was a bit of a quiet celebration. Today though I’m just about to finish a book I’ve been writing collaboratively with another author (a hilarious adult book). We are so excited to finish it. So we’re going out to lunch and intend to celebrate in style!
Thanks so much for having me as a part of your tour! If you’re anything like Lila me and you would definitely get along! >.< I can't wait for the sequel, and very intrigued about this adult book!
Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and princess obsessed daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home. After several months in India, Singapore, Australia and the US, they settled in Bali where Sarah now spends her days writing by the pool! She finished her first novel just before they left the UK, wrote the sequel on the beach in India and had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster by the time they had reached Bali. A third book, Fated, about a teenage demon slayer, was published in January 2012. Losing Lila, is published August 2nd, 2012.
hosted by Simon & Schuster Canada
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The Teen Book Guru
Great post, Giselle! I loved Hunting Lila, so it was really nice to get to know the mastermind behind the fabulous book. Can’t wait to see what happens next in Losing Lila… I’m keeping my fingers crossed for plenty of Alex! <3
xx
Riya
Natalia Belikov @ Dazzling Reads
OMG!! Giselle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just purchased this one yesterday!! kyaaaaaa! I have read way too many awesome reviews and I have no clue why the hell I havent read this book yet! Im putting an end to it as soon as they ship my book huhuhuhuh!!!
amazing interview! thnx so much for sharing my dear ^.^ XOXO
★Dazzling Reads★
Amy
Awesome interview! I haven’t read Hunting Lila, but it sounds great. I do love a great romance!! It sounds like a lot of her went into Lila. I will have to read this book eventually. I bought Fated in January, but haven’t read that one yet either. I will have to check out her adult book when it comes out too!!
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
NO! Just the two? There must be more. We should start a petition or something… give us more Alex, woman. I guess Lila can be there too.
I’ve already preordered Losing Lila and I can’t wait to get my greedy hands on it. Yum.
Awesome interview, ladies!
Michelle Chew
I’m a big fan of Hunting Lila and Sarah! I really can’t wait for August! <3
Jasprit
Fab post Giselle! Hunting Lila is one of my all time favourite books! I can’t wait for Losing Lila, I’m getting all nervous over the wait!
Silverlight
So glad I clicked on your post today, I’ve never heard of this book! *living under a rock*
It sounds good and I’ll be adding it to my tbr pile. Thanks, great interview!
Ellen
Love the interview. Sounds like a great book.
Eunice
Only two books? Oh no! I want more! LOL! Hunting Lila’s one of my favorite books and I’m so looking forward for Losing Lila! Can’t wait for it to come out! Awesome interview, Giselle. :))
Savannah Valdez
I have got to get my hands on this book! Everytime I see it, I just want toreada it. And the interview is so good!
Catherine@thebookparade
I LOVE Hunting Lila – so excited for Losing Lila!!! 😀 x
kimba88
And bam..i decided to write a book..I love it!!!
Fantastic post Giselle 🙂 Hunting Lila is on my wish-list.
Sarah Elizabeth
Great interview! I can’t wait to read ‘Hunting Lila’ it sounds a lot more interesting than twilight!
Lila and Alex sound like juicy characters 🙂
Cindy
I’ve seen a lot of positive reviews on this book and I am glad you enjoyed it as well. Fun interview, I look forward to checking out the book 🙂
A Canadian Girl
I’m looking forward to reading Losing Lila and seeing what happens to the characters and the romance. I’m curious to find out more about Sarah’s adult book too.
Truly Bookish
This is another book that I own and need to make time to read, I have heard such good things about it. Great interview!
NC
Truly Bookish
Jenni @ Alluring Reads
Hm, I’ve seen this banner on your sidebar for quite someime now and was curious about the book. It sounds really good. Great interview 🙂
bookworm105
I have got to say i am guilty! I haven’t read Haunting Lila yet. but i hope to read soon! Oh! And i love the cover! Somehow, it has the creepy edge to it.
Great interview! =D
Mimi Valentine
Oh my gosh, SARAH! I’m SO excited that she’s here today because she’s such an amazing girl and Hunting Lila is one of my favourite books of all time! <3 I will gladly start a petition for more Lila books because there can't be just two (although I'll read anything she writes anyways), and I just love how everything seemed to fall into place with Alex and Lila 🙂
I love this interview! And I love that S&S Canada is having a blog tour for this even more — see how Canada welcomes you, Sarah? :’) <3
Shane
This series really intrigues me. Great interview!
~Shane @Itchingforbooks
new follower
Nerd Girls
I always love reading insight into author’s works. I’ve seen this book around a lot and I’d love to give it a read.
I think it inevitably happens that the main character always takes on a few traits of the author, with or without them realizing it. 🙂
I loved reading this interview!
Jenny
Megan
Great interview. I’ll definitely keep my eyes open for this book.
Vegan YA Nerds
What a great interview, Giselle & Sarah! I have Hunting Lila sitting in my to-read pile and you’re reminded me that I should really read it and SOON!
Natalie (Mindful Musings)
I’ve heard SO many incredible things about Hunting Lila, so I finally caved and ordered a copy a few weeks ago. Can’t wait until I have the time to sit down and read it this summer! 🙂
Kim
I’ve never heard of this book before. I really want to read it now! The covers are beautiful. Great interview 😛 I’m off to read your review for the book!
Danny
See what Mrs Meyer did with so many of us?? I loved to hear that she was your initial inspiration :-))
Those books sound awesome! I still haven’t read them, but I do love super powers so much! 😉
Sarah (saz101)
Aaaah! Amazing review, Giselle! I love Sarah, and I LOVE Lila! Love hearing ANYTHIGN about them! Thanks for sharing! xx
Rachel
Awesome interview Giselle! I can’t wait for Losing Lila to come out!! I loved Hunting Lila, especially the swoon-worthy Alex.
Btw, thanks for your lovely comment on Jasprit’s blog! 🙂
Nick
It’s so awesome that the author admits that Twilight is probably her inspiration ! 🙂
Sarah Alderson seems really sweet. 😀
Really looking forward to the second book in the series !
Awesome interview, Giselle and Sarah 🙂
Taneika
Awesome interview Giselle!
I love Sarah Alderson! I’m absolutely obsessed with her… books. Haha!
Ohh, have you read Fated yet? It’s absolutely magnificant! It’s only fault is that Alex isn’t in it.
I do have one problem with this post though. ONLY TWO BOOKS? NOOOOOOO. There has to be more! There HAS to be! *starts hyperventilating*
Umm. Moving on!
Again, GREAT interview!
Suzanne @ Paranormal Book Fan
Great interview Giselle and Sarah. You seemed to slip so easily into writing, and yet, you seem to have a talent for it. I haven’t read any of your books but have read Giselle’s review of Hunting Lila here and it sounds awesome. I also checked out Fated, which I wasn’t familiar with. Also sounds awesome. I will definitely get around to reading them soon.
Mel - Thedailyprophecy.
Haha, I love the first answer. Just BAM deciding I’m going to write a book :p I haven’t read her book yet, but I almost bought him today!
Giselle
Thanks so much for dropping buy, lovelies! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Sarah is fabulous! 🙂
Mari
What a lovely stop 🙂 Living on Bali sounds so nice(I’ve read Eat, Pray, Love and fell in love). I’m so happy to read that Sarah’s had a lot of good relationships that made for this swoon-worthy romance in Hunting Lila. I often find that some authors tell about the opposite so nice to hear otherwise as well(all relationships aren’t necessarily bad even if they come to an end at one point).
Rebecca (Kindle Fever)
Oh, this is definitely a great interview and one that makes me even more curious about the book! I need to pick it up ASAP, for sure. I like that she drew a lot from own experiences and it’s fun people think Lila’s so much like her. 😉 The dry humour is definitely intriguing!
Jennifer Messerschmidt
I definitely need to read Hunting Lila! So cool how she began her writing career!
I’d just read Twilight and figured if Stephanie Meyer could become a gazillionaire writing about vampires then so could I.
haha doesn’t work for everyone but glad she was inspired!
Alexa
This interview made me like Sarah almost immediately. Now I really want to read Hunting Lila!
Book Passion for Life
LOVED loved this book and I so can’t wait to meet the author in July went I go to a blogging event. Glad you liked it. Donna xoxo