Today we're going to learn more about Rebel Ferguson from Beverly Stowe McClure's Rebel in Blue Jeans. We reviewed this title here.
For whatever reason, whenever I read the title of this book out loud, I automatically think of the song Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond. Whoops, I just showed my age there. LOL! I hope you enjoy learning more about Rebel as much as I enjoyed reading her story.
You can find Beverly online at http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com and you can visit Rebel's blog at http://rebelinbluejeans.wordpress.com
Name: Rebel Ferguson
Age: 16
Born: Whispering Springs, TX
Loves: Most animals and her friends
Hates: Snakes and drummers in rock bands
Dreams: Long term: To be a veterinarian
Immediate: Get her parents back together
Favorite things to do: Ride her mare, Sunrise, swim, shop with her friend, Josie, and play with her puppies and cat. She also rehabilitates wildlife and loves to tease the Garret boys.
Rebel, the only child of Liz and Phillip Ferguson, has the perfect life: a beautiful home in the country, a mother and father who adore her, friends who support her, and a menagerie of animals she loves. Then one spring morning, her mother walks out of Rebel’s life and her world will never be the same.
To add to Rebel’s family troubles, her friendly relationship with the Garret cousins on the neighboring ranch changes from an easy friendship to a serious perhaps-I’d-like-to-date you relationship. If that isn’t enough to deal with, a handsome college guy with a bad reputation takes an interest in her.
Rebel in Blue Jeans tells the story of how Rebel faces each challenge with courage and sometimes a touch of humor as she decides to do three things: One, bring her mother home where she belongs. Two, show Will and Sully Garret she isn’t interested in a serious relationship with either of them. Three, prove to the Garrets, and herself, that Rick, the cute college guy, is a gentleman. Along the way she discovers that people are not always what they seem.
You'll find an excerpt from the book here.
You can order Rebel in Blue Jeans at Amazon.com
WIN PRIZES!!!
The REBEL IN BLUE JEANS VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on January 5 and end on January 30. You can visit Beverly's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in January to find out more about this great book and talented author!
As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.
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10 comments:
Good morning, Cheryl,
Are we having fun? You bet. You've made this tour a wonderful experience. Rebel and I thank you.
Beverly
Hi Beverly-
Rebel makes a seriously bad judgement call when she is out on a date with Rick. And it leads to further trouble for her. What thoughts did you have behind this scene at the party when Rebel does get drunk? Why not have Rebel refuse the three other drinks from Rick and leave the party then? We would still know that Rick was not a good guy. What are you hoping to convey to the reader by having Rebel not say no? And what age reader do you envision for the book? Jennifer
You ask some very good questions, Jennifer. Yes, Rebel's judgement is bad, but many 16-year-olds act before they think. The teen years are not always happy years. Her life is in turmoil. She so wants to be right about Rick. Sometimes a person has to learn the hard way. Perhaps the reader will see Rebel's mistakes and how her decisions affect her life and benefit from them.
I think for readers 12 and up to 16 or 17. Most teens by that age are reading adult novels.
Thanks for stopping by.
Bev
Great to know Rebel is a real teen with real problems and flaws.
I agree with you Bev. I know that from the ages of 15 through 20 I made some of the worst decisions of my life. And like Rebel, I learned a lot of things the hard way.
I also believe that the important thing to remember with Rebel is that, like me, she didn't have anyone other than kids to depend upon. The Garret boys are the ones who really look after her, not her father, who is so distraught over his wife's decision to leave that he can't cope with much of anything.
My son was reading Stephen King by the time he was in high school. He had avoided reading so much when he was younger that when he picked up King's books in his sophmore year I certainly wasn't going to get in his face about it.
Books like "Rebel in Blue Jeans" could also be used to spur parent/child discussions over Rebel's behavior and what is acceptable behavior in your own home.
Cheryl
Hey, Norma, I'm so happy to see you again. Your visits mean a lot to me.
Cheryl, I'm glad you "got" the story. I didn't know about your early life, but kids today face so many challenges and decisions, many times without the help of their parents.
Thanks for your comments.
Bev
Yeah, I don't talk much about my earlier days. I think I'm trying to block out my childhood. LOL!
Cheryl
I like the realism in your characters - they are not cookie cutter personalities, but flawed characters that real people can identify with. Your story line gives a good positive message to the reader.
I'm so glad to hear you say that, Nancy. It is great that readers understand what the story is about. I appreciate you following my tour.
Have a super weekend.
Bev
I think as writers we have choices we can make with our characters and I was interested in the choices you had made with Rebel. Since I admire you, and I face similar dilemmas with my characters I wanted to hear what you had thought behind the decision. I do agree that your readers will have an opportunity to live vicariously through Rebel and maybe avoid a similar mistake. I like that Rebel is very real and I admire your courage in writing a real and edgy character in YA fiction. Drinking plays a big part in your novel. Rebels Dad is drinking every night to ease his pains, Rick and his crowd drink, Rebel gets drunk, but the rock band doesn't use at all. And this is what teenagers in America face every single day.
Jennifer
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