Welcome back to the Colorado is for Writers interview series! Every other Tuesday, I talk to different Colorado-based authors about their work and their connections to this beautiful state. Today, I am so thrilled to have my very good friend and critique partner Lauren Sabel on the blog, and to be giving away a copy of her book!
Lauren’s debut young adult novel, Vivian Divine is Dead, is a thriller set in Hollywood and Mexico, and it’s received terrific reviews. As School Library Journal says, “The writing shines in the scenes of a richly described Día de los Muertos celebration, and Vivian’s journey through rural Mexico will keep readers in suspense as the heroine faces danger at every turn.”
I love this book and couldn’t agree more. Let’s get to know Lauren and find out what’s coming next from her!
First things first: Colorado native or transplant?
Native.
Tell us a bit about your book(s), published and/or in progress!
Vivian Divine is Dead was published by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins in June 2014. It’s about a young movie star who receives a death threat and has to flee to Mexico to save her life. Of course, when she’s in Mexico, she finds out all sorts of things about herself and her dead mother that she never imagined.
My second book is titled Out of My Mind. It’s about a teenage psychic who works undercover for the government. It will come out in late 2015, also with Katherine Tegen Books.
[Tara’s note: I’ve been lucky enough to beta-read Out of My Mind. It. Is. Amazing!]
What’s the view like from your favorite writing space?
This is the inside of my head.

What’s the best thing about being a writer in Colorado?
I love Colorado. I love everything about it: the friendly people, the blue skies, the amazing mountains, the crisp change of seasons, the blankets of snow and cozy fireplaces, the smell of the air in the fall, the sound of aspen leaves tinkling in the wind, the feeling of standing on a mountain and seeing forever and still looking inside of yourself.
Ah, yes, the aspens. There is nothing quite like them! Thank you for joining us today, Lauren.
GIVEAWAY ALERT! You can enter to win a hardcover copy of Vivian Divine is Dead by leaving a comment on this post! You can also earn up to FOUR extra entries by posting about this giveaway on Twitter and/or Facebook and by following Lauren in those places. (Please mention or link your follows and extra posts in your comment to get credit for them.)
Follow Lauren on Twitter at @laurensabel.
Sample Tweet:
Win a copy of @laurensabel‘s VIVIAN DIVINE IS DEAD at @TaraDairman‘s blog! http://wp.me/p1VIEB-La #YA #giveaway #ColoradoIsForWriters
Sample FB status:
Win a copy of Lauren Sabel’s young adult debut VIVIAN DIVINE IS DEAD at Tara Dairman‘s blog! http://wp.me/p1VIEB-La #YA #giveaway #ColoradoIsForWriters
I‘ll announce a winner this Friday, 10/10. Good luck!
VIVIAN DIVINE IS DEAD sounds great! Thanks for featuring Lauren and her book!
Wow, this sounds fantastic! Thank for putting Lauren on my radar, Tara! I can’t wait to read her book.
This looks like a very fun read…I do love a good thriller! But I’m particularly excited to read Out of My Mind!!
This sounds so great! The cover is gorgeous and I love a good thriller.
I’ve been hearing great things about this book! And of course, I can’t resist a giveaway, so here I am! 🙂
VIVIAN DIVINE IS DEAD has been on my TBR for some time. I really hope to have read it by the time OUT OF MY MIND is published! Although I’ve had occasion to visit Colorado only once, I did enjoy my stay in Grand Lake, from which base point I explored RMNP and Denver. What a breathtaking expanse of our country.
I’ve shared the giveaway at the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/katherine.ivan.7/posts/804009999636562
https://twitter.com/kate_ivan/status/519605958884872192
My cousin read VIVIAN DIVINE IS DEAD and she loved it. This would be a great opportunity to catch up and to fangirl with her. Besides, VIVIAN DIVINE IS DEAD sounds like a really good mystery read! Thank you for the giveaway!
I’ve shared the giveaway at the following links
https://www.facebook.com/CarmelOfReadTravelBlog/posts/563273057138866
https://twitter.com/oo_carmel_oo/status/519721270121091072
Liked on FB: Carmel La
Followed on Twitter: @oo_Carmel_oo
Sounds like a fun romp.
This sounds like a great read. I would love to win this.
I liked her facebook page and shared post on my facebook page – Jennifer Berreth Frederick.
I also am following her on twitter and re-tweeted about the giveaway on my twitter page – @JenFrederick43
Thanks for the giveaway and congrats on your release.
Looking forward to reading this book! Love this series, Tara – Colorado really is for writers!
Count me in! Sounds like an exciting read.
(I also tweeted: https://twitter.com/KristaVanDolzer/status/520608117965336576)