Goodreads Book Description: Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.
Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My Amazon Review: If I Lie Review
Author Blurb: Corrine Jackson lives in San Francisco, where
she works at a top marketing agency managing campaigns for several Fortune 500
clients. She has bachelor and master degrees in English, and an MFA in Creative
Writing from Spalding University. Visit her at CorrineJackson.com or on Twitter
at @Cory_Jackson.
Part I of Author Interview:
1. Tell us a little bit about your personal journey
to writing If I Lie. What people in your life inspired you to write it?
I didn’t know that I was going to write about
the military initially. I began with the idea of a girl who was getting
condemned for a secret she was keeping to protect someone she loved. I liked
the idea of exploring honor and loyalty. I thought it would be a reimagining of
The Scarlet Letter. Then, the story
began to shift and change. My uncle had been hurt and I’d visited him at the VA
Hospital. As a child and a teen, I’d watched another uncle struggle with the
aftermath of two tours in Vietnam. My observations about both uncles stayed
with me. Everything simmered and stewed for weeks before I knew what Quinn’s
secret would be and what the story would be about. In the end, it all came
together in a way that surprises me. I didn’t know I had this story in me, but
I’m very proud of it.
2. My favorite character by far in the book
(although all the characters are wonderful) is George. Can you talk about how
you develop your characters and which one surprised you the most? Which
character was the most fun to write?
When I think of my favorite people, the first
thing that usually comes to mind is the quirks and characteristics that are
unique to them. When I’m creating a character, I try to imagine them as if they
are someone I know. What bad habits would they have? What experiences are
unique to them and their life story? A moment comes when that person flies off
the page for me, and that’s when I know I have something. In IF I LIE, the mood
was so heavy that it depressed me to work on it. One day, I just had the urge
to write a scene with a lighter mood to give me – and Quinn – a little respite
from the relentless sadness. I wrote a paragraph about a funny, older Veteran,
and I fell instantly in love with him. I didn’t know what role he would play in
the novel, but I knew he had to be part of it. I’m so glad that I fought for
him because George is one of my favorite characters. On a side note, when IF I
LIE was on submission, some editors didn’t want to buy it because they thought
teens wouldn’t connect with an older character like George. Now, I love reading
notes from readers about how they wish they had a George in their lives
Tune in tomorrow for the rest of this great interview! Until then, enter the giveaway to win either a signed copy of her book, IF I LIE, or one of the fun swag prizes!
Thank you for such a fantastic giveaway and for a most interesting and insightful review. I found the author's interview facinating as it is always facinating to see behind the workings of a book; the ideas and inspiration for the storyline. This really does sound like something i would enjoy, and i am a fan of this genre too. I now can't wait to find out more about Sophie's story, and the romance vs the lies.
ReplyDeleteEmail: lfountain1(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
I remember when I was in second grade and my step dad was in Iraq. I was so sad and scared that he might die and I felt all this pressure yo be the head of household. Thankfully, he came home safely.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the interview. This is such an amazing book. I really loved it. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is in the Army & was in Afghanistan for a year, thankfully he came home safely.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a story, but my husband served in the Army and did a tour over in Somalia.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
Sabina @ Delirious About Books
I don't have a story but I really liked the interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
My Father is a military for almost 30 years, thanks God for keeping him safe and alive. I love the synopsis, thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI was nice to know about her journey through writing If I Lie. I dont actually know anyone was has been in the military.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview and giveaway.
I don't know anyone in the military but I have been always fascinated by how they brave they are even if they are breaking apart. I just want to share that I always find videos in Youtube about military homecomings and also their hero stories.
ReplyDeleteWow. This sounds like an amazing book. I wonder why this isn't as famous as it should be! The idea really is interesting and now I'm definitely intrigued to read it and find out her deep dark secret. :P
ReplyDeleteAnd not to mention, awesome cover. :)
Two of my family friends are in the military and currently stationed in the east. Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway! The synopsis sounds really great.
ReplyDeleteIt is always so nice to see the "behind the scenes" of a book - what inspired an author to come up with a certain plot, the author's inspiration on writing the characters and whatnot. The interview was of course very insightful and somewhat inspiring. I realized that the best story to tell is one that comes from experiencing them and being inspired by them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway! :)