Writers on Wednesday ~ Jenn Johansson

This week we welcome J.R. Johansson or Jenn as most of us call her. Jenn is awesome and funny cute. And a soon to be a published author! Her book, INSOMNIA, looks scary cool.

Enjoy Jenn's interview!

Give us your elevator pitch.
Parker is a 17-year-old boy who spends every night trapped in the dreams of the last person he made eye contact with, and it's killing him. Until he meets Mia. In her dreams he can finally get true sleep, but when someone begins stalking her, everyone believes it is Parker. He must learn who is truly to blame and clear his name before the stalker makes good on his threats to end her dreams forever.

What’s your favorite snack?

I love licorice...Red Vines, Twizzlers, even the Good & Plenty with the black licorice centers. I think I could live off of licorice and Diet Coke. :)

What is your most memorable high school experience?

In high school, I did a lot of performing in choirs and musicals, but my most memorable experience was probably when I learned to play the drums for the sole purpose of being in the band for the all-male performance choir. But hey...it worked. I had a date to every dance that year. ;-)


What was the first book that turned you into a reader?

That would have to be A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. It's still one of my absolute favorites.

Are you a night owl or early bird?

Oh, I'm such a night owl. I'm not even able to communicate in full sentences until noon most days. Me in the morning = not a pretty thing


What do you never leave home without?

My phone. I'm fully addicted. It's a little sad.


Do you have any pets?

I have two cats. A girl - Cleo - and a boy - Phoenix. They're cute, cuddly, and extremely social. Phoenix is now fully grown and seems to believe he's a parrot. He loves to try to perch on my shoulder while I'm writing. Maybe I should have named him Muse.

What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring writers?

Keep writing, no matter what. No matter where you are in the process, this is crucial!

INSOMNIA by J.R. Johansson

It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all?

 First line:
"It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me."

Oh my glob! This book made me tired...in a good way. Poor Parker! He has strange dreams that don't allow him any rest. For the last four years, the last person he makes contact before he sleeps is whose dreams he has. He witnesses horrible/odd/creepy things he wishes he didn't. (Four years!! How can someone go that long without sleep and not go crazy?)
Then he meets Mia. And looks into her eyes. Parker worries about entering her dreams but finds they are peaceful. And that he can sleep! Now Mia is like a drug to Parker. He can't get enough of her dreams because now he is rested. He almost stalks the poor girl. Then she gets threatening letters and everyone, including Parker, wonders if it's him.
Ms. Johansson has written an amazing, mind-numbing book. I couldn't take it all in at once and yet I couldn't put the book down. 
And the series is called The Night Walkers?? Creepy! And intriguing! Bring it on!


 

Rating: PG 17
L: No
S: kissing
V: Fighting, nightmares, blood,

Liked:
Unique story
Cliffhanger


Disliked:
Trilogy!
Cliffhanger

4 1/2 STARS

Thanks to Netgalley for the preview.