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Thursday, February 6, 2014

3-Year Blogoversary Party ~ Character Interview with Blaze from Made To Last and Here To Stay (with Giveaway!)


For today's post, Melissa Tagg (author of Made to Last and soon-to-be-released Here to Stay) brings us a character interview with Blaze (a.k.a Blake) a key character in Made to Last and the hero in Here to Stay. :)


Welcome, Blaze! Will you tell us a little about yourself and what's been going on in your life recently?

Sure…my actual name is Blake, but I’ve set a few, ahem, accidental fires in my life and earned the nickname Blaze. (For the record, by book two, I will be doing all I can to shed this nickname…somewhat unsuccessfully.)

I’ve spent the last five years playing nomad. Like, literally traveling all over the world. But you’ll have to read Here to Stay (the follow-up to Made to Last) to find out why. Most recently I’ve been hanging out with Miranda Woodruff and oh, just pretending to be her husband. That’s all.

What were your thoughts when you first met Miranda and heard her rather unusual proposition?

True story: I thought it sounded awesome. I mean, being someone’s fake husband—and not just anyone, but a very famous someone—is crazy. But I happen to like crazy. Plus, I have a feeling there’s more to Miranda Woodruff than she lets on. I think this fake marriage business may end up blowing up in her face, but it could be for her own good.

Also, to be honest, I had a chance to help someone else once. I didn’t. At least not how I should’ve. It’s my biggest regret, so I guess when someone else came around asking for my help…well, I didn’t want to say no.

What's the craziest thing and/or place you've ever did/been?


You mean other than pretending to be someone I’m not in front of the national public?
I’ve traveled around the world and done lots of crazy things actually. I talk about a few of those things in Made to Last. I’ve hiked through the Amazon, flew a hot air balloon in Switzerland, bungee jumped off probably half the bridges in America. 

What kind of vehicle do you drive?

Ooh, good question. Since I do so much traveling, I don’t have a regular vehicle I drive around from day-to-day. But I do have a cherry red Firebird stored in a garage which I’ll be whipping out in book two. It’s not originally my car. And if you want to know the truth, it’s not really my kind of car either. But it’s pretty significant.

And dude, not to play coy, but I can’t tell you any more than that til Here to Stay releases.

Do you play any instruments?

Drums!

Okay, fine, I don’t actually play drums, but I feel like I’d make a really good drummer. Like Animal on The Muppets.

If you could only eat one kind of meal for a month, what would it be?

I am an excellent cook, for the record. Don’t listen to Miranda. She will try to tell you differently. She’ll try to tell you I almost burned down her house making pancakes. She exaggerates.


If I could only eat one kind of meal for a month it’d probably be lasagna. Because it’s delicious and because I make amazing lasagna. Miranda might even back me up on that one.

~

About the author:

Melissa Tagg is a former reporter turned author who loves all things funny and romancey. She's the author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, as well as a current nonprofit grant writer, marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching classic movies and daydreaming about her next story. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs (and vlogs!) regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.



Enter for a chance to win a copy of Made To Last by Melissa Tagg! Giveaway is only open to US and Canada. Ends 2/15

How to enter: Sign into the Giveaway Tools form below (it might take a moment to load) and submit each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!




Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and announced here as well as emailed and will have up to one week to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Giveaway Tools or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. I am not responsible for any packages lost or damaged in the mail. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

67 comments:

  1. What a fun interview! Blaze is my favorite character from "Made to Last" --- which I really enjoyed reading! I can't wait to read more about him in book 2! :D

    I already have my own kindle copy of this book... but I would love to win a copy for a friend of mine! ;)

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    1. Hey Aerykah, glad you liked Blaze. He was a lot of fun to write about, that's for sure. :)

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  2. Thanks for the chance to win a great book. I must say if I had only one meal to eat for a month it would also be lasagna! I love it too and am a pretty good cook also.

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    1. Mmm lasagna...I wish I was as good at making it as Blaze. :)

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    1. Haha, me too. I can't tell you how many times I've wished I had a live-in cook.

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  4. I loved the interview. Thanks for doing it. I admire Blaze for not just sitting around but taking life by the horns and living! It's great to have these amazing adventures in the book. I can't imagine how you come up with the ideas.

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    1. Thanks, Jo-Anne...I've been blessed to be able to travel a little bit, but not nearly as extensively as this made-up character...so I think I was somewhat living vicariously through him as I wrote the story.

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  5. I have not read any of Melissa's books but the character interview was interesting. Thank you for post. I will add her books to my TBR list
    mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Great interview! Definitely a character, I'd say (and not just the on-paper kind). Sounds like a lot of fun!

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    1. Thanks, Rachael...he was quite a bit of fun to write.

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  7. Loved the interview! I would love to win this book!

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  8. I haven't read your books Melissa - but they seem right up my alley!! =) I love a good happy ending! Thanks so much for the fun review and the chance to win! Keep writing because it is such a blessing to us!

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    1. I love a good happy ending too, Eliza. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  9. I've heard SO much good about "Made to Last." Can't wait to read it!

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  10. Lasagna...after 2 months of rice and beans in Nicaragua....I bet I could eat lasagna for a year!

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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    1. Oh wow, two months of rice and beans? I don't blame you for being ready for lasagna. :)

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  11. Thanks for sharing these tidbits about Melissa! FUN!

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  12. The interview made me laugh, especially the part about almost burning down the house when making pancakes. Ü Sounds like something I would do.
    I've heard so many good things about Made to Last. I would love to win a copy.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter the drawing.
    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. True story: Just last week I blew up a thing of maple syrup in my microwave. There are pieces of Blaze's story that are definitely autobiographical. :)

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  13. Melissa-- I absolutely LOVED Made to Last.... great book! And Blaze, what an interesting character-- loved his part in the book. :)

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    1. Thank you SO much for saying that, Ladette. So happy you enjoyed it.

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  14. I'm actually borrowing my sister Abbi's copy of "Made to Last" at the moment and I am LOVING it! Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Yay I'm happy you're loving it, Rebekah. Hearing that definitely makes me smile.

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  15. Really enjoyed Made to Last and am anxiously waiting to get my hands on Here To Stay. Thanks for the interview.
    koho onefourthree (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    1. Thanks, Heather...I've been a bit nervous about sending Here to Stay out into the world, but I just finished reading the final galleys for it last week and remembered how much I love the characters. I hope others do to.

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  16. Hi Melissa!
    You sound like a fun person and author. I hope to read some of your books.
    A sequel to Made to Last is apparently "in the works". Will there be a third sequel? If so what will it include? If not, What will be your next endeavor?

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    1. There's not necessarily going to be a third sequel to this series BUT there is going to be a novella released next year which will be sort of a stepping stone between this series and a new series. In addition to the novella, there will be two more books coming out in 2015. I'm SO thankful to get to keep working with my publisher and keep writing. YAY!

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  17. I love the interview with Blaze! How creative. I can't wait to read his story.

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  18. Wow, I love reading character interviews! I can't wait to get my hands on this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I think character interviews are fun, too. Always neat to get to know characters more...

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  19. Okay, Blaze sounds like my kinda character and Melissa sounds like my kinda author! Entering the giveaway but even if I don't win- I'm gonna have to read these books!!!

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    1. Yay I'm glad you're going to read the books either way. :)

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  20. I had to laugh when I read the comment about almost burning down the house making pancakes. I learned to cook over the phone. My mom would call and tell me how to start dinner. I can remember as a kid always burning the pan making pudding. Then like a dumb kid I would hide the pan. When she couldn't find any pans to cook with then she would go searching. Boy was I in trouble. This was way back before non stick pans. I look forward to reading this book.

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    1. Oh Jan we may be kindred spirits when it comes to kitchen fiascos. :)

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  21. I enjoyed the interview with Blaze. This book sounds good, and like one I want to read. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Anita. :)

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  22. Oh! I make a mean lasagna, Blaze! ;-)

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    1. Oh man, I really should've eaten a better dinner tonight. Every mention of lasagna is making my mouth water. :)

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  23. Awesome giveaway! I would love to read this book!

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    1. Hope you get a chance to read it, Madilyn. :)

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  24. Blaze! I love Animal on the Muppets :) What a great role model you have! If I could only eat one meal for a month, I think I'd pick homemade mac and cheese!

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  25. Fun to get to know you, Melissa! Hope that you have great success!

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  26. Doesn't matter which one. If you need reviews, I do them. On many sites. jrs362 at Hotmail dot com

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  27. This sounds like a fun book! Thanks for the give away!

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  28. I met a little boy whose real name was Blaze --it is pretty cool sounding, but I think I'd use it as a nickname like Blake's is. I think I have Made to Last on my kindle app ... this just makes me want to read and catch up. I've heard great things about Melissa Tagg!

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  29. thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  30. This would be a new author to me.

    jnut1@yahoo.com

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  31. I loved Melissa's book Made to Last and looking forward to reading Here to Stay. This author brings a lot of humor to her stories. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
    eppersonkatrina(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. Can't wait to hear more about this cherry red Firebird! Loved the interview.

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  33. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about this author and this book! Thanks for hosting a giveaway. :)

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  34. Your stories sound lovely! I liked the 'drums' comment, my boyfriend is a drummer lol. :)

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  35. Oh Melissa. I was so in hopes this was going to be for last to Stay. And for Blaze. "Can you even tell the truth the first time around? Ha! Ha! Blaze is quite a character. Please put my name in. Thanks, Maxie
    mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  36. Have not read Made to Last, but Blaze sounds like such a fun character that I will definitely have to check it out :) Loved the interview!

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  37. Great interview! I havent read this book yet! It sounds really interesting!

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  38. Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  39. What a fun interview!! I haven't read any books by Melissa Tagg yet, but they sound fab!! Thank you for introducing me to a new to-read author!

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  40. Very cute interview - it's always fun meeting characters outside a story!

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  41. I really enjoyed Made To Last! I was hoping Blaze would get his own story!

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