Title: V is for Virgin
Author: Kelly Oram
Publisher: Bluefields, 360 Pages (December 11th, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads
Synopsis: When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.
After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.
As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.
How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over?
INTERVIEW:
Hey Kelly! It’s always a pleasure to have you on the blog. Being a huge fan of your books I’m always on the lookout for exciting new titles from you and V is for Virgin screamed MUST READ from the synopsis. Would you mind talking a little about how Val’s story came about?
Funny story actually. I was between projects and my little brother was visiting so I asked him what I should write next. He said I should write a book about him and make him a “hot famous rock star who got all the chicks.” I laughed, but ran with it. I decided that since he “got all the chicks” I wanted to write a story about the one girl he couldn’t win over. Then I needed a reason why he couldn’t win her over and Virgin Val was born. Pretty soon it was obvious that this was Val’s story and she became the main character instead of Kyle. (My brother only pouted a little.)
I believe that many young adults will find Val’s story empowering, honest and heartfelt. In my opinion it’ll give the younger audience even more to think about when it comes to sex. I have to say that I applaud you for writing a book about such a difficult subject without it ever being even slightly preachy. Was this the hardest part for you while writing? And if not, what was the hardest part for you in writing this title?
Actually, that was by far the hardest part about writing this story. I was so worried that I would annoy teenagers with my “religious mom” views. That’s why I did everything I could to not make this book about religion at all. Even then I was worried that it would sound preachy, which is why it’s also not really about abstinence. This book isn’t about waiting until marriage to have sex. It’s about standing up for yourself, and making your own choices for you and not other people. I think that’s something every girl (and boy) can relate to no matter what her (or his) opinion on abstinence is.
And how about the flip side to that question & tell us what was the best part in writing this one?
Um, who doesn’t want to be chased by a hot famous rock star? I had so much fun with Kyle because he got to be obnoxious but was also completely romantic and endearing. In fact, the more obnoxious he got the more likeable it made him. You don’t get to do that very often.
I often ask an author to share a favorite line or two from the book. This time I’d like to ask if you could share a line or two from the book that is the most important to you or that you hold close to your heart?
Hmm… this one is hard because even now I’m worried about sounding preachy lol. But, if I must pick something, there is a part near the end of the book when Val and Kyle finally have a serious heart-to-heart. This is a quote from Val during that conversation…
“I think that if I truly found someone that loved me like that, he’d be willing to marry me. He’d be willing to wait for me. If whoever he is isn’t willing to commit his life to me, then he doesn’t deserve to share that experience with me.”
Can you ask both Val & Kyle a question for us? Could you each describe the other in 5 words?
Kelly: Hey, Val and Kyle! Could you please describe each other in 5 words?
Val: I only need two. Arrogant and slutty.
Kyle: She’s forgetting charming, considerate and sexy.
Val: Okay, I change my answer. Kyle Hamilton is arrogant, slutty, & FULL OF HIMSELF.
Kyle: And yet, she wants me so bad she screams my name in her sleep.
Val: That’s not true. He just has to tell himself that to keep his ego inflated.
Kyle: The lady doth protest too much methinks.
Val: Do you even know who said that?
Kyle: That’s not the point.
Val: Because you don’t know, do you?
Kelly: Uh, guys? You’re getting off topic here…
Kyle: I thought we were supposed to be talking about Val. That’s what I was doing.
Kelly: You’re supposed to be describing her. In five words.
Kyle: Okay. Val is stubborn and blunt.
Kelly: That’s only two.
Kyle: Fine. Stubborn, blunt & SEXY AS HELL.
Kelly: I give up.
Val: Welcome to my world.
Could you tell us if this is the last we’ve heard from Val and Kyle?(Because I for one would LOVE to read more of their story… swoon Lol) Or are there any plans for a sequel in the future?
Aw, I love Val and Kyle too, but V is a stand-alone. I don’t have plans for any sequels.
And lastly, what are you working on now and when can I read it?
Actually I am flying through the sequel to Being Jamie Baker right now as my NaNoWriMo project this year. I should have a first draft completed by the end of December, and I think the book is supposed to be released like Nov/Dec 2013. I know that’s forever away, but I have another book coming out before then to help get you through the wait. Chameleon, the first in a 4-book paranormal romance series releases this coming summer, so be on the lookout for that one!
Kelly, you rock and so do your amazing characters! Love, love, LOVE this book and V is for Virgin has yet again proved to me just how much of an amazing author you are. I can’t wait to keep reading more of your work and please feel free to visit any time!
Aw, thanks Lisa! (You’re making me blush!)
About Kelly:
Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.
Find Kelly Online:
Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Order Kelly's Books Online:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository
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Kelly is hilarious! Great interview. I'm definitely going to pick up her book!
ReplyDeleteWell, this looks like a good book, and the author seems really cool!!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview
-Theresa Jones