Denise Jaden
This week, we’re celebrating Denise’s debut! Denise Jaden is, or has been, everything from a professional Polynesian dancer and fitness competitor to a mushroom farmer and church secretary. Most of her time now is spent homeschooling or playing with her six year old son or in front of her computer writing.
Denise’s writing has appeared in Mississippi Crow Magazine (Spring, 2008), The Greensilk Journal (Fall 2007), and The Tidepool Fiction Ezine (Spring, 2009). Her first novel for teens, LOSING FAITH, is forthcoming from Simon Pulse in September 2010.
She lives just outside Vancouver, Canada with her husband and son.
Here’s a little bit about LOSING FAITH (Simon Pulse / Simon & Schuster).
A terrible secret. A terrible fate.
When Brie’s sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie’s world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.
As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don’t line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night…a secret that puts her own life in danger.
LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
I’d give it a PG rating. There’s not a lot of objectionable content in the book, but there are some mature themes, such as mentioning of sex and cult activity.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
My book centers around one girl’s search to know who she is and what she believes in. I personally went through a struggle of understanding these things when I was a teen, and I think those things are still universal today. While it is not a religious book, it also doesn’t cower away from issues surrounding faith. It presents a lot of different characters with different viewpoints and answers for themselves.
Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
I think any teen who likes a book with lots of unanswered questions will like LOSING FAITH, as it has a large mystery component. I think fans of Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson would also enjoy it. It is a bit of a darker book, but still has some humor at the same time, so I think it will appeal to a wide variety of reading tastes.
List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.
- Great. Caught in the act of abducting a religious icon.
- The thing about guys in Sharon, Oregon is the majority of them wear this tougher-than-granite act, cracking bottles open with their teeth, their jean buckles, their forearms. I figure it’s to make up for living in a town with a girl’s name.
- He looks at me like I’ve just suggested we play hopscotch on the mounds of manure.
How can your book be used in the classroom?
I think LOSING FAITH will be a great resource in the classroom, as it will be engaging and has lots of twists and turns in plot that can be examined. I have a complete Discussion Guide on my website at http://www.denisejaden.com/readerguide.html.
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
- CATALYST by Laurie Halse Anderson
- ONCE WAS LOST by Sara Zarr
- LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
The statue has got to go.
That’s my first thought as I prep the living room for Dustin’s visit later tonight. I know I’m the only one who would notice the discriminating eyes of Mom’s four-inch Jesus staring down from the mantle. Dustin probably wouldn’t look away from my breasts if the room were two feet deep in holy water. Still, I reach for it.
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?
Yes, I love schools and libraries, and would be happy to arrange visits almost anywhere. I’m also happy to visit with classrooms or book clubs via Skype online.
Are you willing to speak nationally?
Absolutely!
List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
- The Publication Process – Outlining the process from outlining a novel, all the way through to seeing it on the shelf.
- Character Development – Digging in deep to really get to know your characters.
This concludes our interview with our latest author, DENISE JADEN. We wish her much success with her debut novel LOSING FAITH. To see what Denise is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.denisejaden.com or her blog at http://www.denisejaden.com/Blog.html.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Denise is giving away a signed copy of LOSING FAITH. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by September 14th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)
Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.
Comments
1 Julia Pitau // Sep 7, 2010 at 8:40 am
This book sounds great! I am a fan of Sara Dressen’s books AND Laurie Halse Anderson. This summer I read both authors.
2 Melissa Nataly // Sep 7, 2010 at 9:19 am
I love dark, humor and mystery books.
I’m a paranormal fan, but from time to time I do really need to read contemporary books. There I can find some answers to life and how others teens’s life revolve.
Thanks for taking the time for answering the questions, Denise.
3 Donna S // Sep 7, 2010 at 11:51 am
Congrats on the release! It sounds like a great book. Looking forward to reading it.
4 Ashley // Sep 7, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Wow, this sounds great! I had heard a little about it before, but now on release day I’ve heard so much about it, and I’m definitely going to add it to my TBR pile. I also love reading books from Canadian authors. =)
5 susan varney // Sep 7, 2010 at 2:50 pm
i love it mverno@roadrunner.com
6 Linda Peters // Sep 7, 2010 at 7:48 pm
would love to read this, sounds great, thanks
7 Lindsey // Sep 7, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I would love to read this.
8 Briana (The Book Pixie) // Sep 7, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I have really been wanting to read Losing Faith and would love to win it!
~Briana
9 Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} // Sep 7, 2010 at 11:05 pm
I enjoyed the interview and would love to read this
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
10 Jessy B. // Sep 8, 2010 at 8:45 am
I love both Laurie Halse Anderson and John Green! Two of my favorite authors mentioned, I’m going to have to check out Losing Faith now.
11 david basile // Sep 8, 2010 at 8:46 am
sounds great thanks
12 JAMES LYNAM // Sep 8, 2010 at 5:13 pm
SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT SUMMER READ.
MY TURN TO WIN????????????????
13 Sylvia // Sep 9, 2010 at 2:33 am
I can’t wait to read Losing Faith! It sounds amazing:)
14 shelly // Sep 9, 2010 at 8:37 am
this books sounds great would love to read it.
15 Lasha // Sep 9, 2010 at 11:02 am
This book sounds so cool, I read the summary and its my kind of book! and the cover is really cute!!! I cant wait to read it!!!
16 Danya // Sep 9, 2010 at 12:03 pm
I like those statistically improbable phrases (the second one is particularly improbable!)
17 Jenny N // Sep 9, 2010 at 12:42 pm
This book sounds like one I would enjoy reading.
18 Brooke // Sep 9, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I would have loved for a book like Losing Faith to be used in the classroom at my school. It seems so much more relevant to teens today then some of the things I’ve had to read.
19 Jessica (Confessions of a Bookaholic) // Sep 10, 2010 at 11:40 am
A lot of great information
20 Cherie J // Sep 10, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Sounds great! Would love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway.
21 Daniel M // Sep 11, 2010 at 10:48 pm
haven’t read any of yours yet, hope i win so i can!
22 latisha depoortere // Sep 13, 2010 at 1:14 am
Great giveaway book sounds so good I can’t wait to read it! Thank you so much
23 Billy Burgess // Sep 13, 2010 at 8:48 am
Sound like a great mystery to read.
24 Marc // Sep 13, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Sounds like a fascinating read.
25 shawna // Sep 13, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Sounds like a great book, would love to read it.
26 Jill // Sep 13, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Sounds like a great book that would be helpful/good for some teens. Thanks for sharing it.
27 tallcapp // Sep 14, 2010 at 12:18 am
After reading the interview with Denise Jaden, I am anxious to read this book.
28 Jodi // Sep 14, 2010 at 8:56 am
This sounds like a really great book. I love being introduced to new authors.
29 lknott // Sep 14, 2010 at 11:07 am
Never heard of this author before. The book sounds like a look at and read. Our college daughter struggles with the faith issue,so this might be what she needs!!! Thanks for your interview!
30 Melanie // Sep 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Im a big fan of both Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak is to this day one of my favorite books ever) so I think I would love to read this book!
31 christa marteny // Sep 14, 2010 at 4:49 pm
sounds like a good book sounds like a good fall read
32 Melissa B. // Sep 14, 2010 at 7:25 pm
I like when authors don’t shy away from mentioning religions.
33 Amber // Sep 14, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Great interview! This book sounds like its going to be a good one! Def going on my TBR list!
ayoung3360@hotmail.com
34 Veronica Garrett // Sep 14, 2010 at 10:56 pm
This sounds like a very interesting book. I would enjoy reading it.
35 Pothi - Admin Assist // Sep 15, 2010 at 9:56 am
Congratulations Danya!
You’ve won this Spotlight!!
36 Danya // Sep 15, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Just wanted to say again, thanks so much!! I’m very excited to read Losing Faith
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