Rebel in Blue Jeans by Beverly Stowe McClure

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly S. McClure started her writing career early—though she approached it kicking and screaming—when her eighth-grade teacher sent her poem “Stars” to a high school anthology and it was published in Young America Sings. She graduated from Midwestern State University and became a teacher. As soon as she discovered Dr. Seuss and other great children’s stories, she willingly put pen to paper and had stories and articles published in Ladybug, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., U. S. Kids, Jack and Jill and other leading children’s magazines, including an article that was reprinted in a Scott Foresman Pre-K anthology and a breakout article that appeared in the June 2007 issue of Writer magazine.


A multi-published author, Beverly’s Listen to the Ghost and Secrets I Have Kept are available in trade paperback. Her latest release is Rebel in Blue Jeans, and she has four more books under contract. A member of the National Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and their North Texas Chapter, Beverly is the mother of three grown boys and lives in the country with her husband, Jack, where an occasional deer, skunk, or armadillo come to visit.

For more about Beverly and her work, please visit http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/
ABOUT THE BOOK:

What’s a girl to do when her mother runs away with the drummer in a rock band, her friendly relationship with the boys on the neighboring ranch starts to change, and a handsome college guy takes an interest in her? Sixteen-year-old Rebel Ferguson faces these challenges with courage and humor and decides to do three things:

1. Bring her mother home where she belongs.

2. Show her neighbors, Will and Sully Garret, she’s not interested in a serious relationship with either of them.

3. Prove to the Garrets, and to herself, that Rick, the cute college guy, is a gentleman.

Nothing turns out the way Rebel plans, however, and she discovers that people are not always what they seem, and she’s a lousy judge of character. If only humans were as trustworthy and dependable as her puppies, cat, and horses. Can she forgive everyone who has disappointed her?
EXCERPT:

Chapter 1

Rebel Ferguson pulled the currycomb across the mare’s broad back. Fine specks of dust floated in the early morning air. A mockingbird sang outside the stables. A lump the size of a barn owl lodged in Rebel’s throat. How could the bird be so happy when her life had been shattered into millions of pieces? Don’t think about Mom, she told herself. Keep busy.

And she tried. She brushed and brushed Sunrise’s coat until the hair shimmered like a new copper penny. One by one–she counted them–she untangled three sharp burrs from the mare’s coarse mane.

The sudden vroom of a car engine rumbling to life made Rebel’s chest tighten. Even though the driveway was not visible from the stables, she darted to the stall door anyway and looked out the open top section. Rain lingered like teardrops on the red tile roof of the white stucco house nestled among mesquite and cottonwood trees a hundred yards away. Last night’s storm was past, at least the storm outside. The clouds had drifted east, leaving behind a clear blue sky.

But the storm between her parents was etched on Rebel’s heart forever. Oh, they never yelled or fought or said horrible things to each other. They were much too civilized for such childish behavior. Sometimes she wished they would. Anything would be better than the unbearable silence. Except for what had to be said, her parents simply stopped talking to one another. They were polite strangers, and she was caught in the middle, loving them both.

She listened to the hum of her mother’s Jaguar until it faded, leaving behind only the chatter of that annoying bird, the swishing sound of the mare’s tail as she swatted flies, and Rebel’s thoughts. Everyone said she was a carbon copy of her mother. She had the same smoky blue eyes, the same long dark hair, and the same slender build. But outward appearances could be deceiving. Their personalities were complete opposites. Liz Ferguson was a city girl who liked fancy dresses and parties and crowds. Rebel Ferguson was a country girl who preferred jeans, T-shirts, and a few close friends.

INTERVIEW:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Yes, thank you for asking. Rebel in Blue Jeans is a contemporary novel for young adult readers. What’s a girl to do when her mother runs away with the drummer in a rock band, her friendly relationship with the cousins on the neighboring ranch starts to change, and a handsome college guy takes an interest in her? Sixteen-year-old Rebel Ferguson faces these challenges with courage and humor and decides to do three things: One, bring her mother home where she belongs. Two, show her neighbors, Will and Sully Garret, she’s not interested in a serious relationship with either of them. Three, prove to the Garrets that Rick, the cute college guy, is a gentleman.

Nothing turns out the way Rebel plans, however, and she discovers that people are not always what they seem, and she’s a lousy judge of character. If only humans were as trustworthy and dependable as her animals. Can she forgive everyone who has disappointed her?

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

The children and teens who live through separation and divorce and somehow survive are the inspiration for this book.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporters are my sons. They encourage me to keep writing and celebrate my successes with me.

Your biggest critic?

Myself. I want my work to be perfect.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

Mistreated and abused children and animals are my most passionate causes. Children should be able to trust and depend on their parents and other adults. Sadly, many times these are the very people who abuse them and take away their joy and innocence. Animals, too, are mistreated, when most of them just want a kind word, a meal, and a home with family to love.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

I can’t narrow it down to one thing, but several: my God, husband, children, grandchildren, and my writing.

What are you currently working on?

I have two works in progress with another idea stowed away in my mind, waiting its turn. One story is a YA contemporary novel about four teens who form a club to survive their families. My other work is a MG ghost story about a boy who makes a deal with a ghost to achieve his goal of returning home. I also have several books under contract. In 2009, my YA Civil War story, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, will be published, and a MG contemporary, Just Breeze, is due out. Kate, Little Angel Sometimes and I Live in a Doghouse are scheduled for 2010.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Never give up if you really want to write.

What are some of your long term goals?

To relax more and enjoy the process of writing.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

The day I held my firstborn son in my arms for the first and only time, I’d have cuddled him longer, kissed him more, and told him how much I loved him, had I known he would soon be with his heavenly Father.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

I’ve learned to not stress so much over unimportant things and deal with the important ones.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

Don’t get in a hurry. Enjoy the moment. If you can’t do something today, there’s always tomorrow. And if tomorrow never comes, it won’t matter.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

I wish I had started writing earlier so I’d have years ahead of me to write and publish books.

What is your favorite past-time?

Playing the piano, photography, making scrapbooks, and genealogy.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Please visit me at my blogs:

http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/

http://rebelinbluejeans.wordpress.com/

http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com/

Thank you for hosting me today.

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.