Crossroad Reviews: Marysue G. Hobika

Carly and her best friend Becca are ready to drop a nuclear bomb on summer. It’s the last one before reality sets in and they’re off on their own. Carly is ready to break the mold and stop being known as a goody-two-shoes. In order to get the ball rolling, she agrees to a double date with Gavin – her good-looking, yet moody, lab partner.

Gavin doesn’t have summer plans except to work at his two jobs and hang out in his room drawing. He likes to keep to himself, but lets his brother Nate talk him into going on a double date. Carly isn’t like the rest of the girls at school that drive him crazy. She doesn’t ask a lot of questions and seems to know when to give him the space he craves. Gavin always thought that she was beautiful, but he believes that relationships and love are a lost cause.

Will their date prove that summer love is right around the corner or will it be a dead end?

This book is intended for audiences 17+

Goodreads

Interview with the author:

What is your latest news?

“Summer Love” was published July 8, 2013. It’s the first book in the series “Senior Year.” A lot of hard work went into it and I am truly excited about its release. I believe it is my best work so far. I have already begun writing book two.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have always wanted to write a series. The summer before senior year seemed like the perfect beginning point. Who doesn’t love summer and the freedom it brings?

How did you come up with the title?

The word summer had to be in the title. I toyed around with a few possibilities and took some polls—“Summer Love” was the clear winner.

All of the titles in the series will center around a season. The next book is, “Falling Into You.”

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Yes and No. I chose a four-year-old girl that I know and imagined what she’ll be like when she’s seventeen years old and then plopped her in the middle of a situation. Also I incorporated pieces of my own daughter. She loves to sing and I could easily imagine her joining a band someday or working toward a music degree. In the end, the characters are of my own creation and imagination.

If Hollywood made your book into a movie who would you cast as the leads?

This is one of my favorite questions—to think people would love my book enough to want to turn it into a movie.

I would choose Vanessa Hudgens to play Carly. She is beautiful and perfect for the role. My ideal Gavin would be Landon Liboiron. He is super cute and has brilliant blue eyes that look like the water in the Bahamas (just like Gavin’s eyes are described in “Summer Love”.)

Coffee or tea?

Coffee all the way. Once upon a time, I was an exchange student in Spain where I fell in love with all things Spanish, including coffee. I loved meeting friends “para tomar un café.”

If you could wear your pajamas all day, would you? Why or why not?

Of course, I would. And many times I do, especially when I’m writing.

What’s your favorite dessert?

Ice cream. I would eat it every day if I could. During the summer I love visiting all the different local ice cream stands and sampling all the delicious flavors.

Summer Love Excerpt:

Carly wasn’t the typical sexy girl who walked by in the hall every day at school—she was a special kind of beautiful, the type of beautiful that took your breath away. And at that very moment, I was in desperate need of an oxygen tank. Carly didn’t seem to realize how beautiful she was, which was another turn-on. I am in serious trouble of breaking my own promise.

She cleared her throat, jolting me out of my trance. “Gavin, there’s another reason why I’m glad you showed up tonight.”

“There is?” I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but I patiently waited for her to continue.

“I’ve wanted to apologize.”

“For what?” I quickly racked by brain, but couldn’t think of anything she’d ever done to warrant an apology.

“For the way I acted on our date the other night. I was rude,” she winced. She looked cute when she thought she’d done something wrong. I ran my finger across the top of her nose.

“Girly, don’t be sorry. I should’ve been supportive.” This was the first time she hadn’t yelled at me for calling her that. Taking it as a positive sign, I rambled on, “I was a total dickhead, and if anything, I owe you another date.” The perfect lead-in. “Carly, will you go on a real date with me? And not a double date, because I don’t want to share you with anyone.” Okay, I did it. I broke down and asked her out when I’m not looking for anything. And anything with Carly would be something. She’s not the type of girl who is known for one-night stands.