Title: Incense and Peppermints
Author: Cathrina Constantine
Published: March 10th, 2017
Publisher: CHBB Publishing
Genre: YA Fiction
Content Warning: Smoking and drug use
Synopsis:
In 1969 it was an age of peace demonstrations, sit-ins, burning of the U.S. flag, an escalation of the Vietnam War. Including the catalyst—a music revolution, flower power, hippies, marijuana, and drugs, spurring a young generation into a new decade.
In 1969 it was an age of peace demonstrations, sit-ins, burning of the U.S. flag, an escalation of the Vietnam War. Including the catalyst—a music revolution, flower power, hippies, marijuana, and drugs, spurring a young generation into a new decade.
Sixteen-year-old Mary believes it’s time to cut the apron strings and fly. New experiences and new friends, Mary crosses the threshold of adolescence with a bang. When her brother offers her the solution in the form of a little pill, the rumba going on in her brain should’ve been a forewarning.
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Excerpt from Incense and Peppermints:
September 1969
The corners of my bedroom had dulled to a muddy gray by the time my brother leaned on, or rather wobbled against, my door. His glassy eyes floated in their sockets. Stoned, again.
“Whatcha doing, Sis?” Stevie, my older brother slurred.
My gaze slipped over his pasty chest, sprinkled with wiry hair, and past his jockeys to his stick-like legs. Did he realize he was only wearing saggy underwear? Normally, I’d say gross and mock him, but only because he normally treated me like a speck of toe scum.
“Nothing much.” I slipped my diary into my sock drawer, away from prying eyes. Our parents weren’t home, and our little sister was asleep in her crib on the other side of my room.
“You need to grow up,” he said. “Here, it’s party time.” Pinched between his thumb and finger, he revealed an ordinary aspirin as if he’d procured the magic solution.
“Uh... I don’t have a headache.”
“Hey, turd. It’s not an aspirin. Stop the nerd act and get with the program. Grow up.”
Our sibling behavior toppled into the belittling and ridiculing stage. Though I figured it was his way of helping me. Yet, staring at the pill, I was interested, but a hootenanny of cymbals clashed inside my head and my sensible side screamed.
You’ll puke! I hate puking. Wasn’t it only last week Stevie was tripping and heaving guts like a water hose?
Shaking my head, I declined his kind and strange offer and tried using simple logic to get rid of him. “Not tonight. Mom and Dad will be home any minute. Go to bed. It’s late.”
“They’ll be so-o plastered. I can’t stand them like that.” Dejected, his shoulders slouched, and his body seemed to deflate. Until he tossed the pill, saying, “Catch.”
Though he surprised me, my reflexes snapped into play, and I caught it.
“Just in case you change your mind,” he mumbled. “I guarantee a cosmic night.” His saggy underwear melted into the darkened hallway.
My inner geek gawked at the pill as if I was holding nitroglycerin.
A taste wouldn’t hurt and lapped it with my tongue. It stuck. The pill began to dissolve, tasting chalky. I panicked. Plucked it from my mouth and shoveled it under my pillow.
Interview
with Cathrina Constantine
What inspired you to write Incense and Peppermints?
Actually, it was my daughter, she
inspired me.
I don’t
believe you have to write what you know, however, one day my daughter told me
just that. So, the setting and historical times of Incense and Peppermints, is
something I’m familiar with. Within the context of those pages there are a few
factual happenings… and the paragraphs concerning the Vietnam War are true
facts.
Can
you tell us a little bit about the next books in Incense and Peppermints or
what you have planned for the future?
I’m up in the air about my next project. I have a few
ideas with 10k or so written for 3 different books, but I might be going back
to my Wickedly Series. I started writing a prequel that has captured my
attention.
Can
you tell us a little bit about the characters in Incense and Peppermints?
Mary is a naïve 16 year old. Her wild older brother,
Steve offers her drugs to ‘get with the program’ (as he says) Steve is dating a
popular girl, and Mary is taken into the girls clique. She rides the popularity
train and jumps into the party scene filled with drugs, booze, and rock n’
roll.
Michael is a misunderstood bad boy that you just have to
love. He’s gorgeous, but not flawless due to terrible scarring on his face,
which I can’t leave spoilers, sorry. He’s been accused of just about everything,
and he’s attracted to the unspoiled Mary.
You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your
favorite author and why?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this
question, and it’s always a hard one. I love so many authors, and they’ve all
inspired me to become a better author. Truly and honestly, I can’t name just
one.
If you could time-travel would you travel to the future or
the past? Where would you like to go and why would you like to visit this
particular time period?
I’ve been enamored with the past. I
like the Victorian era in London, England and I’d love to go to an exquisite
ball or masquerade. I find I’m attracted to the early 1900’s. It’s a time of
invention, and a slower way of life with proper upbringing.
Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat?
Or any pets?
I love animals. At one point we had 3 Labrador Retrievers
and 2 cats. We’ve had hamsters, fish, and two bunnies who had baby bunnies. At
the present time, we cherish 1 Labrador Retriever and 1 cat.
Thanks
for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us today.
Thank you so much for having me!!
About the Author:
Cathrina resides in Western New York with her husband, five children, two Labrador Retrievers and her cat, Bones. Author @chbbpublishing. Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly. When not attached to her computer, she likes to take long walks in the woods with her dogs, drink way too much coffee, and is an avid movie watcher. She loves music and doesn’t need a dance floor to shake a leg.
Giveaway Details:
There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:
- A kindle copy of Incense and Peppermints
Giveaway is International. Ends March 26th at 11:59 PM
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