Have a Lovestruck Summer with GCC Member Melissa Walker

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!