Interview with Renita Pizzitola, Author of Just a Little Crush
(Manga Maniac Cafe) Good morning, Renita! Describe yourself in five words or less.
(Renita Pizzitola) Um, I can do this in one word: Talkative! ?
(Manga Maniac Cafe) Can you tell us a little about your book?
(Renita Pizzitola) It’s the story of two college students who from the outside seem like total opposites. They went to high school together and have a bit of an awkward history, but after reconnecting at a college party they discover they are facing similar conflicts and just might be exactly what the other one needs.
(Manga Maniac Cafe) How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?
(Renita Pizzitola) There’s this line in JUST A LITTLE CRUSH: “…it took me seven minutes to fall in love with him, and only seven seconds to fall out.” Well, that line popped into my head one day and I knew that was the story I had to tell. From there I wanted to create two characters who seemed very different, but really faced similar struggles. I combined that with a plot idea I’d been toying with (which I can’t share because it’s a bit of a spoiler) and the rest just fell into place.
(Manga Maniac Cafe) What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
(Renita Pizzitola) Brinley and Ryder’s growth. They both start off so stuck trying to prove who they aren’t, they don’t even realize who they have the potential to be. But as the two come together, they grow so much and create a perfect little balance to one another.
(Manga Maniac Cafe) What gave you the most trouble with this story?
(Renita Pizzitola) Ensuring Brinley came across as a strong heroine. She’s young and inexperienced, but I never wanted her to come off as helpless or flaky. It’s easy for any girl to lose herself in her first serious relationship, but I wanted her personality and inner strength to still shine through. Of course, she still needed to be human–mistakes, imperfections, and all. In the end, I’d hoped to create this balance of being swept up in a new romance while still being grounded in reality.
(Manga Maniac Cafe) If you had a theme song, what would it be?
(Renita Pizzitola) Good question! I actually asked a friend to help me on this and she said “something sung really fast with lots of energy…and words.” (I wasn’t kidding about that talkative thing.) But—being that I think I should pick something more inspiring—I’m going with Brave by Sara Bareilles. I love everything about it (it’s a song about the power of words, how could I not??) but the opening is just awesome.
(Manga Maniac Cafe) Name one thing you won’t leave home without.
(Renita Pizzitola) My phone! I hate not being able to check email or be accessible to people. Plus if I get stuck somewhere, I always have books to read, twitter to scroll through, friends to message…
(Manga Maniac Cafe) Name three things on your desk right now.
(Renita Pizzitola) My MacBook, coffee and phone ?
(Manga Maniac Cafe) If you could trade places with anyone for just one day, who would you be?
(Renita Pizzitola) Ooh that’s a hard one. I should probably pick someone super interesting and wonderful, right? But that all sounds very adult, and really, I’d love to just go back to college for a day. Though it had its share of stressful moments, it was also a ton of fun! Maybe I could switch places with Brinley because, really, who wouldn’t want a little Ryder action?!?
(Manga Maniac Cafe) What are some books that you enjoyed recently?
(Renita Pizzitola) My two current I’ll-read-anything-they-write New Adult authors are Christina Lee and Sophie Jordan. Their books are the perfect blend of sweet and steamy! I also loved Deeper by Robin York.
(Manga Maniac Cafe) What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
(Renita Pizzitola) I love to read! I also spend lots of time with my family and friends. I’m lucky to live in a great city where there is always something new to do!
(Manga Maniac Cafe) How can readers connect with you?
Just a Little Crush
By: Renita Pizzitola
Releasing October 21st, 2014
Loveswept
Blurb
Good girls stay away from Ryder Briggs . . . or, at least, they try to. In Renita Pizzitola’s emotional novel of heartache and seduction, one college freshman just can’t get enough.
Brinley Dawson doesn’t drink, she studies—and despite the accusations of her alcoholic mother, she’s still a virgin. But if Brinley’s life is so put together, why is she freaking out to be going to college with the gorgeous, green-eyed jerk she kissed on a stupid dare in high school? Ryder Briggs can have any girl he wants . . . and the rumors say that he does. So why, after publicly embarrassing Brinley four years ago, is he suddenly acting like he’s interested?
Ryder never forgot Brinley. In fact, those perfect seven minutes permanently raised the bar for what a kiss could be. The truth is, Ryder doesn’t dare get too close to anyone. He knows how that worked out for his parents. But when his roommate takes a shot at Brinley, Ryder can’t contain his jealousy. Now he must do the hardest thing he’s ever done: forget about sex and convince Brinley his feelings are real.
Brinley isn’t sure whether she believes Ryder, but for the first time, her body isn’t playing by the rules. Then she discovers that she’s an unwilling part of a cruel game, humiliating her all over again—and Ryder might be to blame. Has Brinley’s little crush turned into a huge mistake . . . or has she found the one guy worth trusting with her heart?
Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2014/07/just-little-crush-by-renita-pizzitola.html
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22469198-full-contact?from_search=true
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Just-Little-Crush-Renita-Pizzitola-ebook/dp/B00LDQOZWO
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-a-little-crush-renita-pizzitola/1119883834?ean=9780553395105
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/just-a-little-crush/id894376576?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/just-a-little-crush-1
Author Info
Renita Pizzitola is the author of New Adult contemporary romance and Young Adult fantasy. When not writing, she can be found feeding her caramel macchiato addiction and reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and two children.
Author Links
Website: http://www.renitapizzitola.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/renitapizzitolaauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/renitapizzitola
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5816813.Renita_Pizzitola
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