News

13
May

Thrice Interview: PANDEMIC

Hi! First – I’m at the Romantic Times convention in New Orleans this week! Will you be there too? Check out the Events page to see where you can find me! And if not – check back here next week, because I’ll be giving away a signed ARC of SISTERS’ FATE!

Today we’re celebrating Yvonne Ventresca’s debut, PANDEMIC!

Before we start — why are they called Thrice interviews? The original titles for the Cahill Witch Chronicles were THRICE BLESSED, THRICE CURSED, and THRICE FATED. I have a tattoo with the word thrice, which is partly to remind me how joyful writing that first book was, back when it was just mine, and partly because I like threes. Cate Cahill is the oldest of three sisters, as am I. My birthday is May 3; my anniversary is Sept 30. So there’s a natural theme to these interview questions…

PandemicThey say: Even under the most normal circumstances, high school can be a painful and confusing time. Unfortunately, Lilianna’s circumstances are anything but normal. Only a few people know what caused her sudden change from model student to the withdrawn pessimist she has become, but her situation isn’t about to get any better. When people begin coming down with a quick-spreading illness that doctors are unable to treat, Lil’s worst fears are realized. With her parents called away on business before the contagious outbreak–her father in Delaware covering the early stages of the disease and her mother in Hong Kong and unable to get a flight back to New Jersey–Lil’s town is hit by what soon becomes a widespread illness and fatal disaster. Now, she’s more alone than she’s been since the “incident” at her school months ago. 

With friends and neighbors dying all around her, Lil does everything she can just to survive. But as the disease rages on, so does an unexpected tension as Lil is torn between an old ex and a new romantic interest. Just when it all seems too much, the cause of her original trauma shows up at her door. In this thrilling debut from author Yvonne Ventresca, Lil must find a way to survive not only the outbreak and its real-life consequences, but also her own personal demons. 

I say: Ooh, this sounds like a really intriguing, fast-paced thriller!

Now for our interview with Yvonne:​

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Lilianna is an isolated, traumatized, pessimistic fighter.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

PANDEMIC is a contemporary, realistic, frightening survival story.

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

I’m a persistent, creative, research-loving writer.

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

France, Ireland, Italy

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

Social media, genealogy, martial arts

6. If you could have any 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

Librarian, English teacher, genealogist

7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?

Stargazer lilies, honeysuckles, lilacs

8. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Cheese (all kinds), chocolate, guacamole

9. What are your 3 favorite books?

THE GIFT OF FEAR (Gavin de Becker), ON WRITING (Stephen King), and OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (Anne Lamott).

Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne!

You can find out more about Yvonne and PANDEMIC at her website or by reading her blog, or by following her on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.

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