Linda Gerber, YA Author: FF - Possession by Elana Johnson

Just in time for your Independence Day weekend - Freebie Friday returns with Elana Johnson and her newly-released YA dystopian, POSSESSION.

Elana is a GCC sister with a unique vision of the perfect world. (In her world, Oreos and bacon would be the only food groups. Everyone would drive 10 over the speed limit. Winter would be eliminated as a season. She would have the ability to experience her first kiss again, tell the mean girl where to shove it, and have cool superpowers like mind reading and controlling fire.) She lives and writes in central Utah with her husband and two kids.

You can find her online on her website, on facebook, by following her on twitter, reading her blog, and catching her on the league of extraordinary writers.

Here's the official blurb for POSSESSION:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don’t walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi’s future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they’re set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can’t leave Zenn in the Thinkers’ hands, but she’s wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn’s not. Vi can’t quite trust Jag and can’t quite resist him, but she also can’t give up on Zenn. This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

What people are saying about POSSESSION:

"...countless moments of 'Wow.'" --James Dashner, bestselling author of The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials "...very nice balance between badass action and romantic tension for readers who like a good mix of the two." --MTV.com “... a dark twist ending that maintains the faintest glimmer of hope.” --Publisher's Weekly "This debut dystopian succeeds at suspense and tension.... Revelations come hard and fast." --Kirkus “... heroic adventure turns into a tragic love story.” –School Library Journal "...intriguing distopia." --Booklist

The Interview:

What's one thing most people don't know about you?

I attended four universities/colleges before I graduated from Southern Utah University with a BS in Elementary Education and a minor in Mathematics. Doesn’t sound like what a writer would do, does it?

What's your favorite quote?

“Never give up! Never surrender!” ~Galaxy Quest

What is an interesting writing quirk of yours?

I don’t write in order, and I don’t outline. I simply open a document and start pouring words into it.

If POSSESSION were made into a movie, who would you like to see in the role of Vi? Jag?

Well, Vi is harder, because she’s got a particular look in my head. But Jag could easily be played by David Henrie from Wizards of Waverly Place.

What kind of chocolate best describes you?

Semi-sweet. I’m the best of both worlds, baby. Ha!

What are you working on now?

I’m currently stewing over a contemporary novel that takes place in an industrial sized elevator. It’s giving me fits, but I’ll figure it out.

The Freebie:

* a $10 Amazon gift certificate, perfect for ordering your copy of POSSESSION, or downloading the e-book.