DIANA RODRIGUEZ WALLACH

Memorial Day is just around the corner and I’m sure you’re all looking for a great beach read worthy of your beach chair and floppy hat. Well dust off your flip flops, bust out the sunscreen, and grab yourself a copy of GCC member Melissa Walker’s latest book, LOVESTRUCK SUMMER, which just debuted through HarperCollins Publishers.

As always, here’s a little bit about her book to get you hooked:
This is the story of Quinn, an indie rock girl who came out to Austin, Texas for a music internship. She also plans to spend long, lazy days in the sun at outdoor concerts–and to meet a hot musician or two. Instead, she’s stuck rooming with her sorority brainwashed cousin, who now willingly goes by the name ‘Party Penny.’ Their personalities clash, big time.

But Sebastian, a gorgeous DJ, definitely makes up for it. Sebastian has it all: looks, charm, and great taste in music. So why can’t Quinn keep her mind off Penny’s friend cute, All-American Russ and his Texas twang?

One thing’s certain: Quinn’s in for a summer she’ll never forget!

Here’s what Melissa had to say:

Q: In AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS, Mariana discovers a hidden family secret. Are you a good secret keeper?

Melissa: I used to be terrible at it! (See this story) Because of major lessons I learned about being a gossip in high school, I’m now a really, really good secret keeper.

Q: What is the favorite place you ever traveled to, and what was the coolest thing you saw/did there?
Melissa: I went to Sao Paolo, Brazil for Fashion Week once, and it was so amazing that I had to set one of the Violet books there. The colorful clothes, the carnival feel, the amazingly delicious meat dishes–sigh. So great.

Now, that’s an enviable vacation! I’d love to go to Brazil. But I worry my body would need way too much waxing and tanning before I could step foot in country.

Q: I often tell the story of how a psychic once predicted that I would go on to write children’s books. Have you ever visited a psychic?
Melissa: Ooh! I have. My Spanish class went on a field trip to NYC in 10th grade, and we all visited a psychic. She told me I’d drop out of college halfway through because I’d fall in love with a dark foreigner. Didn’t happen, but maybe that’s a book plot I’m supposed to write?

Q: My character Mariana spends her summer in Puerto Rico connecting with her father’s heritage. Have you ever researched your family tree?

Melissa: We used to have these HUGE family reunions in West Virginia, where my Irish ancestors on my dad’s side settled. There’s still a ton of family history there, and I can trace waaaay back when I visit the cemetary, which is a neat feeling.

Q: Where were you when you found out that your book was going to be published?
Melissa: I was at work at ELLEgirl when I got the offer call from an editor. After that, I had to do things backwards and find an agent, so I don’t have that one shining moment that some authors had, I was just kind of buzzing for days!

Thank you, Melissa! And for a chance to win Lovestruck Summer, plus 3 other great beach reads, visit Melissa’s other (very cool) website iheartdaily.com.

Now, everyone go out and buy books, lots and lots of books!