Corner of Ocean and Bay by Gina Azzi
Publication date: June 15th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Publication date: June 15th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Nessa Moore has sought reliable stability since her father’s death. Now, she’s over it. Tired of always being the mature adult, constantly worrying about her alcoholic mother, stressing about being able to afford college, she wants to have one normal, carefree, fun summer. And be more like her best friend Jacie.
Jacie Hayes is struggling to overcome the recent breakup with her first love. The one that ripped out her heart and left her devastated. Frustrated and bored with her own self pity, Jacie wants nothing more than to forget about Dylan, to go back to her old ways, her old self. To be the fun loving, live-in-the-moment girl who gossips about boys and sips mojitos.
Best friends since childhood, Nessa and Jacie have been through all their ups and downs together. No matter what. Now, the summer before their senior year of high school, they accept an invitation from Jacie’s aunt to join her in Lockwood Quay, New Jersey, a summer beach getaway.
Determined to make this their best, most memorable, summer yet, both girls push their own boundaries, accept new challenges, and find themselves keeping secrets from each other.
But sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone has consequences.
And some secrets can’t be forgiven.
Or forgotten.
Tell us more about yourself.
My name is Gina and I’m a passionate reader. I’m obsessed with my
Kindle. I also love traveling, iced coffees, and mint chocolate chip ice cream.
I’m a pescatarian – I enjoy sushi too much!
Corner
of Ocean and Bay is my first novel and taught me
more about myself than most undertakings in my twenties.
What is Corner of Ocean and
Bay about?
Corner of Ocean and Bay centers
on the friendship of Nessa and Jacie the summer before their senior year of
high school. The themes present in the book focus on common teenage issues such
as underage drinking, first loves, sex, family issues, etc. The underlying,
core theme is the friendship, and all its complexities, between the two girls.
How did you create the setting of Lockwood Quay?
The setting was largely inspired by my childhood summers at the
Jersey Shore. Even though I have visited many other beaches, the Jersey shore
holds a very special place in my heart. I think summers at the beach during my
teen years were magical and contributed greatly to my outlook, sense of
adventure, and enjoying the moments as they happen. I’ve never felt more
carefree than I do at the beach.
Side note: I don’t think people outside of
NJ ever refer to the beach as the Shore.
What was the last book you read and loved?
I’m torn – it’s a toss up between Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series. I just started book
five, The Fiery Cross.
I absolutely loved the All Souls Trilogy and am really enjoying the Outlander series. Both are comprised of books you just can’t put
down. They are good for summer reading if you have a lot of time because once
you start, you will most likely spend the whole day reading!
What do you do when you’re not writing?
A lot of the time, I’m reading! Lately, I’ve been trying my hand
at cooking and learning new recipes. I would love to learn how to bake. I also
enjoy yoga and Pilates – currently, I’m attending the pre-natal classes since
I’m expecting my first baby in November. I also blog at Bookmarks and Champagne
(www.bookmarksandchampagne.com). It began more as a way for me to keep in touch
with family and friends back home but has evolved to include bits about travel
and expat life. My best friend and I are considering a book blog as we both
love reading and are attached to our Kindles half the time.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Writing a book has always been a dream of mine – just not one I
ever thought I could turn into a profession. I’m very grateful for the support
of my husband and family and friends to stick with this project and give it a
try. I enjoy writing every day and feel very fortunate to do something I feel
passionate about.
What were your favorite childhood books?
When I was young, my mom read to me every night before bed and I
would always beg for one more book. My favorite childhood book was Love you Forever by Robert Munsch. As I got
older, I was obsessed with The
Babysitter’s Club – I wanted to be like Dawn. I also really enjoyed the classics: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, everything by Jane Austen, and Wuthering Heights. Harry Potter is my favorite series of all-time. I wish I could go
to Hogwarts.
What is your favorite place to write?
Since my husband and I live abroad and travel often, I find myself
writing wherever I can – on plane trips and in airport terminals, in little
cafes and coffee shops, in many news cities surrounded by new influences. But
right now, the traveling has slowed down since I’m pregnant, so it’s my kitchen
table! We’ve got this huge picnic style table from Ikea and I love spreading my
notes and journals and coffee mugs all over it when I sit down to write.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on a four-book series about four best
friends embarking on their senior year of college. Each book will focus on one
of the girls and the experiences she has during her last year of college –
whether that be as a study abroad student, an athlete, a candidate for a
competitive internship, etc. – as well as her personal growth and love
interest! The first book is scheduled to be released in November 2015.
If you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
I feel very fortunate to write. In the future, I imagine myself
doing all sorts of things. I would love to own a café one day – one that only
serves breakfast food and amazing coffee. I’ve always wanted to work on a
vineyard and learn about winemaking. We’ll see what the future holds but right
now, I’m really happy to be exactly where I am, writing!
Make sure to enter BOTH giveaways! :)
Gina Azzi spent all of her childhood summers at the beach in New Jersey - it was magical! Gina is a passionate reader, frequent globetrotter, and coffee enthusiast. She currently resides in Dubai with her husband, Tony.
Gina loves meeting new people and would love to hear from you! Get in touch with her at:
https://twitter.com/gina_azzihttp://www.bookmarksandchampagne.com/https://www.facebook.com/ginaazziauthor
No comments:
Post a Comment