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Sweetest Taboo Guest Post and Giveaway!

Sunday, September 30, 2012
 
 
Inspired by Controversy
By Eva Márquez



Let me take the opportunity to introduce you to my work and the inexplicable passion I have for writing. I began formal writing when I was thirteen years old, encouraged by my dedicated and driven middle school English teacher. At a young age, I read the book Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews and it intrigued me to the point of inspiration. It was not long before I began typing stories up on my DOS-operated computer. Even in my early teens, I focused on writing about female characters that found themselves in difficult situations while also scheming to find a way out of them. My short stories shed light on my fascination with conflict and what lies beneath the surface, and people’s struggle in finding a resolution. At sixteen I wrote my first novella, which was truly the beginning of my writing career.


Talent and skill alone do not ‘make’ an author, context and lived experiences are great compliments to the creative writing process. I grew up as an immigrant in a lower-middle class Southern California suburb. So I tapped into that experience in writing my debut novel, Sweetest Taboo, which unravels the love affair between a young Hispanic schoolgirl and her much older, married teacher. I drew from my experiences growing up to develop several plot ideas. Romantic experiences are universal. Provocative, illicit and risqué contexts do not take away from the experience of love, and that’s what this debut book sets out to communicate.


I was also intrigued by the news of one of one of my former high school teachers being convicted of [sexual] misconduct with a minor. Since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by similar stories making the news, but like many people, wondered about how these relationships originate and how they flourish under the radar. In Sweetest Taboo, I got to unravel a clandestine relationship, one exciting page at a time.


Although I did not intend for Sweetest Taboo to part of a series or trilogy, several readers (and now fans!) have provided critical feedback that has made me think twice about the nature of my debut novel. Readers really want to know what happens next. Without spoiling any plots, I can safely say that readers want to know what happens next. Sweetest Taboo does not end the way readers expect, and there is a natural, so now what? element to the novel. My readers have inspired me to work a sequel, which I have been writing diligently over the past several months. Readers can expect complex and somewhat disturbing revelations, some disappointments, and definitely some tears. The stories I weave always include trials and tribulations, but they will also include redemption and hope.


My links:
www.SweetestTabooBook.com
facebook I twitter I tumblr I pinterest I goodreads


Author bio:

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, daughter of European immigrants, Eva Márquez has spent most of her life outside of her home country. At the age of five, Eva accompanied her parents to the United States, where the family settled permanently. After graduating from university, she went on to complete graduate studies in International Relations in Spain. Eva received her Master of International Studies degree from the University of Sydney and went on to work in the global health field in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia. Eva currently resides in Southern Africa.

Eva will award a Kindle touch to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a swag pack of goodies to one commenter at each stop. She'll award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn host.

27 comments:

  1. Whoa..what an intriguing boo to read. Going to put it on my sem break to-read list :))

    maryanngacayan at yahoo dot com

  1. Rita Wray said...:

    Great interview, thank you.
    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

  1. MomJane said...:

    I really loved the interview. I was raised in the central valley of California, and I know what your life must have been like.

    I think your stories all sound fascinating.

  1. Molly Lee said...:

    Awesome! Thanks for hosing this! I'm a new follower to this wonderful blog!

    www.mollyelizabethlee.blogspot.com

  1. CBarton said...:

    Controversial subject matter can make for an interesting read. I remember reading V.C.Andrews as a young teen. Loved those books and as does yours have a taboo subject matter. Look forward to reading this book.

    cmucha319@yahoo.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    Thank you for hosting my guest post, Krystal!

    Commentators, thanks for your interest in my debut novel. You are all automatically entered to win some nice prizes :-)

    I can promise Sweetest Taboo to be a very good (and emotional!) read.

    Happy reading,
    Eva

    www.SweetestTabooBook.com/press-2

  1. This sounds like a very interesting, and emotional read. Thank you so much for the giveaway!

  1. Unknown said...:

    This sounds like a awesome read! I will have to pick it up and do a review for our blog when i can :) Thank you so much for the great giveaway!

    smp0804@hotmail.com

  1. Unknown said...:

    I seriously can't wait to get my hands on this book :D! Thank you for the helpful review.

  1. Evie said...:

    This book sounds interesting and now I'm really intrigued.
    by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br

  1. Great guest post. Flowers in the attic was one of the first books that I read as well. I havent heard of your book but I am definately going to follow the tour and find out more about it. Thanks :D
    megnate at telus dot net

  1. Jenn said...:

    This sounds like a really awesome read! Thanks for the guest post!
    star_chaser76(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

  1. Josheka said...:

    Sweetest Taboo sounds like a really great book! Thanks for the guest post and giveaway! :D

    -Josheka
    arty.gal2797@gmail.com
    http://reading24x7.blogspot.in/

  1. bn100 said...:

    Nice post.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. Cassandra said...:

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

  1. Natasha said...:

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    Sounds like a great read!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

  1. Alicia said...:

    Great interview!

    The book sounds really intriguing, thanks for having a giveaway!

    dmr8888 at yahoo dot com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    This sounds brilliant! Brilliant giveaway :)

  1. Unknown said...:

    Thanks for hosting! This sounds intense but very interesting. I appreciate your passion for writing and also for telling us about yourself. saltsnmore at yahoo dot com

  1. Nancy said...:

    Love Series Lit. Thanks for the giveaway.

  1. Emmanuelle said...:

    I've never heard of this author before. I am intrigued :)

    frenchcanadienne(at)hotmail(dot)com

  1. Sayomay said...:

    I freakin LOVE this title! The plot sounds really good! Def getting this book! XD
    xeno_turtle(at)yahoo(dot)com

  1. Christine said...:

    This is a unique concept for a book, but I think it's great to shed some light on this topic in a way that's more realistic than it tends to be shown in YA. Definitely will have to check it out! :)

    teneysez@gmail.com

  1. I also read "The Flowers in the Attic" by V.C. Andrews at a young age! Thanks for sharing.

  1. This happens so much more than we are even aware of. I had a "mature" relationship with a police officer when I was a teenager. The taboo nature of it made it even sweeter.

  1. Flowers in the Attic. That brings back memories.

    frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com