Blog Tour ~ Out of the Shallows by Samantha Young

From the New York Times bestselling author of Into the Deep
LIVE YOUNG. LIVE HARD. LOVE DEEP.
Charley and Jake’s story concludes in Out of the Shallows…
Somehow, after everything they’ve been through, Jake Caplin and Charley Redford made their way back to one another. But finding each other and staying together are two completely different things. 
When Charley’s world is flipped upside down, she begins to question the choices and decisions she’s made since her arrival in Edinburgh, and in an effort to grip onto what she holds most dear she believes she must sacrifice her love for Jake. 
Returning to the States for her senior year, Charley struggles to find peace and happiness. While everyone else seems to be finding themselves in college, Charley is terrified that, along with almost everything else that’s important to her, she’s lost herself. 

While friends and family deal with their own tumultuous lives, there is one person resolved to uncover the reason behind Charley’s sudden defection and unhappiness. Refusing to give up without a fight, Jake believes he is the only one who can truly understand what Charley is going through, and this time he’s determined to prove he’s there for her no matter what obstacles are thrown in their way.
However, as Charley strives to make it through the biggest personal journey of her life thus far, there is no guarantee that the woman she is becoming will still need Jake as much as the girl she once was did...

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About Samantha Young . . .

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestselling novel ON DUBLIN STREET. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance and has been sold in twenty six countries.

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Interview with Samantha

1.   If you could write yourself into a story, what genre would you choose?

I love this question! I would definitely write myself into a paranormal/urban fantasy series. There’s always so many cool, imaginative, weird, scary wonderful things going on in this genre–there’s never a dull moment. Plus the characters are always so colourful. I doubt I’d get bored in one of those worlds. Ever.

2.   Have we seen the last of Jake and Charley?

Out of the Shallows is the conclusion of their story but there’s always a possibility readers will see more of these characters.

3.   Your love for Scotland really comes through in your writing, what is it that makes it so special to you?

I guess I’m just one of those people that is born with their home country in their blood. I love that we have such a rich and sometimes very proud history. I love how beautiful it is aesthetically, how fierce it can be and yet how tranquil. I share in the general dry humour of the Scots. I find an overall blunt honesty in our attitude and I’m affectionately amused by the armour of stoicism most of us wear over a sentimental warmth that peeks out despite it.

4.   Before you were the huge author that you are now, what was it that first inspired you to start writing?

I was first inspired twenty years ago when I read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I was about seven or eight and I’d never been anywhere so magical in my life. When I finished that book I was determined to create my own stories to escape into. I’ve been writing in some form ever since.

5.   What is next for Samantha Young?

At present I’m working on the fifth book in the ON DUBLIN STREET series, and hopefully about to begin work on another adult romance series, and, fingers crossed, on the beginnings of an adult paranormal dystopian series.

6.   When you are not writing, how do you like to spend your time?

I’m a huge bookworm so any spare chance I get to snuggle up with my kindle is a treat indeed. I also enjoy pilates, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family watching movies, eating out etc. Ooh and my latest obsession is staying in nice hotels. I know, it’s weird.

7.   (This is a tough one) Into The Deep and Out of the Shallows are now my favourite series of yours. Can you pick a favourite from all your book babies that you have written so far?

That is definitely a tough one. I don’t think I can pick a favourite but I can pick one that I’m most grateful to and that’s ON DUBLIN STREET. It was a real turning point in my life professionally and personally, and I have many positive things in my life now that I can thank ON DUBLIN STREET for.

8.   What is it that really gets your creative juices flowing?

Music. Music definitely gets my creative juices flowing. The melody or lyrics or both have been known to inspire entire plots. Movies and literature and my friends and family have done their fair amount of inspiring too, but music is always a constant companion of my writing.

9.   Whilst writing Into the Deep 1&2, what was the hardest part for you to write?

INTO THE DEEP… there was actually no hard part. It was one of those ‘miraculous’ novels for me that just seeped out of my fast flying typing fingers. The idea came to me and the characters just bled out of me. I think it’s probably up there as the fastest novel I’ve ever written. OUT OF THE SHALLOWS, however, is one of the hardest and slowest novels I’ve ever written. I had to take time to make sure I was writing the real heart of this story and it took me weeks to root out that it really is Charley’s story. From there I was determined to bring authenticity to her story and to her love story with Jake. For it to have the impact I wanted it to have I had to dig deep and relive my own college years and the unbelievable highs and lows of that time. That was quite difficult and sometimes exhausting.

10.               Describe yourself in 3 words?

Oh man, I’m always rubbish at these questions LOL. Creative. Loyal. Increasingly-absentminded (ßit’s one word, I swear!).

11.               Anything that you want to say to your fans?

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I get to do what I love every day because of you guys, and you can bet your buttocks that I never forget it.

Thanks for chatting with us J

Thanks for having me!

Deleted Scenes :P

Edinburgh, April 2013

Jake stared at the duffel bag. Was that enough clothes for seven nights? Sighing, he pulled his cell out of his pocket and dialed Charley.

She picked up on the third ring. “Yo?”

He gave a snort of laughter. “Yo? Seriously?”

“I’m just trying it out.”

“It’s cute,” he said, lifting up another T-shirt and dangling it over the bag.

“Cute? Okay, no more ‘yo-ing’ then. What’s up?”

“Are ten T-shirts too many?”

“Last night you told me you’d already packed.”

“It takes me five minutes to pack, it’s no big deal.”

“Hmm … men.” She sighed. “Ten T-shirts are fine.”

“I’m not taking shorts or anything. I’ve got toiletries, underwear, socks, three pairs of jeans, and a hoodie. We’re not going to a beach right?”

“I don’t think so. It’s warm there but not really hot this time of year. You should be fine. Now move your ass. We’ll see you in a little while. Love ya!” she hung up before he could say it back. Jake smiled and packed the last shirt.

The last two weeks had been amazing. He and Charley were inseparable, there were no more walls between them, and it felt like his life was finally back on track. The vacation to Barcelona had crept up on them quickly and he’d somehow managed to pry himself away from his girlfriend long enough to give her time alone with an increasingly nervous Claudia.

A knock sounded on his door as he zipped shut his bag, thinking about how much he was looking forward to discovering a new city with his friends and getting away from the stress of school for a while. “Come in,” he said, shoving his passport into the side zip of his bag.

He glanced over his shoulder to find Beck wandering into his room. “You packed?”

Beck shrugged. “I just threw a couple pairs of jeans and some T-shirts in a bag.”

“I hope you threw underwear and toiletries in there too.”

“No, why would I do that?” He gave him a quick grin but there was something off about it.

Jake frowned. “You okay, man?”

“Yeah. Just wondering if maybe I should give my ticket to Lowe.”

Annoyed at his best friend, Jake shook his head. “What?”

Beck shrugged again. “He and Claudia have been getting along lately. He’s spent more time with her over the past few weeks than I have.”

Sensing the question in his words, Jake assured him, “Nothing’s going on there. They’re just friends.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t know if Claudia and I are anymore.” He smirked like it was no big deal when they both knew it was a huge fucking deal. “I don’t know why I’m still going.”

“Quit it with that shit. We both know you care about her. You seriously want to leave her to go through this alone?”

“Nah.” Beck’s eyebrows puckered together. “No, I would never do that. I want to be there for her. I just don’t think she wants me to be there for her.”

“Beck, this is Claudia we’re talking about. If she didn’t want you there, she’d tell you.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” he said unsurely.

Not wanting to get into an argument with his friend before they left for vacation together, Jake was silent as he tried to decide whether to say what was on his mind.

“You got something you want to say?” Beck asked, making the decision for him.

Not even sure if it was really his place, Jake grabbed a book for the plane.

“Jake?”

Jake sighed. “I don’t want it to come out wrong.”

“Stop being a chick and say whatever it is you want to say.”

At this point Jake wasn’t even sure what was going on in Beck’s head, but when Jake had been a broody ass, Beck was always there for him, trying to pull him out of his funk. Now that the shoe was on the other foot … “Do you know what you’re doing? With Claudia, I mean?”

A stubborn glint appeared in Beck’s eyes. “Like I keep telling everyone, we’re just friends.”

“Yeah, well, Charley will probably kill me for saying this but I’m going to put out there what is obvious to everyone else: Claudia likes you, man. Likes likes you. She gets you don’t want to go there but it’s also kind of hard for her to be just friends with you. As far as I can tell, she can’t let go. So maybe … after this trip … you should do her a favor and back off?”

Beck’s huff of laughter was uncomfortable. He broke eye contact with Jake, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck as the uncertain grin curling his mouth slipped into a pinched line. After a moment, he shook his head, finally meeting Jake’s gaze. “She’s one of my best friends. She’s family, man, and I don’t have a whole hell of a lot of that left.”

Confused, Jake dared to ask something he hadn’t before. “I know how you feel about her. Why aren’t you with her?”

He shot Jake an arrogant smirk. “And take all this off the market?”

“I’m not kidding.”

Beck narrowed his eyes suddenly. “It’s pretty fucking obvious I’m not good enough for her. She deserves better.”

Jake grunted. “You don’t think Charley deserves better? ’Cause, I know she does. But for whatever reason, I’m what she wants. I’m what makes her happy. You’ve got to get over the crap your stepdad and mom fed you, Beck. They don’t know anything. Claudia wants you. That’s all you need to know. And have you seen that girl? Most guys think you’re a fucking idiot for not going there with her.”

He knew as Beck stared at him stonily that none of what he was saying was penetrating. His friend stuffed his hands in his pockets and headed for the door. “I think I’m done with this after-school special.”

“You’re being a dick,” Jake told him.

“Good. Maybe Claud will finally catch on.”

“Okay, don’t blame me if you lose everything,” Jake murmured under his breath as Beck left the room.

“What?” Beck asked, ducking his head back around the door.

“I said I’ll meet you outside in an hour.”

His friend gave him a chin nod and disappeared, leaving Jake wondering on how many levels this trip to Barcelona could turn into a disaster.

Ramblings . . . Giveaway

2x Signed Paperbacks Out of the Shallows

We are huge fans of Samantha Young here at Booky Ramblings and Into The Deep is one of our FAVOURITE books ever. No exaggeration, I swear. So when we were given an ARC of Out of the Shallows, we were jumping around the room like looney tunes!

          I love Into The Deep and Jake and Charley are one of the best book couples out there. Samantha has a pure talent for creating worlds for us to let our minds dissolve into. When I open on of her books, I know I will not be disappointed.

          Out of the Shallows is no different but it did completely stun me! The direction of the story is so unexpected. In a totally good way. I was sucked in from the start and kind of dazed by the beginning but all makes sense as you continue.

Once again a very cleverly written story. I love how it jumps between time frames. I feel like Book 1 was Charley and Jakes story and the sequel is Charley’s story. At a desperate time in her young life where all walls feel like they are caving in on her as she tries to please everyone in her life. Being the person that everyone wants you to be means that you end up losing yourself and this is exactly what happens to Charley. Every word feels so real and I just found myself sympathising for her As you all know I love Charley) I seriously felt like I was one of her friends who just wanted to shake her, cuddle her and help her through this stage on her life. Great, my new best friend is fictional! How very clever of you Samantha!

          Samantha’s writing is so powerful. I really get dragged into the pages. Most people can empathise with the story. I must admit I did feel at times, that there really was no way around it and a HEA may not be in sight! It makes you feel GAH! That's the ONLY way to describe it, I'm serious!

          So Jake. Jake. Jake. Jake. We all fell in love with him in Into the Deep and the relationship that he shared with our Charley. Well, he comes back just as HOT here ladies. Perfect book boyfriend material. Without a doubt. But this story really focuses on Charley. I was holding up my "Go Jake" banner the whole time. I love him!

          I will not spoil the story for you. I will tell you that this will make you think and feel. The emotion is so raw and deep that you can’t help tuning in on the emotions displayed by the characters that also feel real themselves. Pure genius. Totally unexpected and aw-inspiring. Everything you could want in a book is here. Samantha leaves the story in your hands.

          Another book added to my top book list.

Frustrating. Emotional. Real. Leaves your head spinning.

Love. Love. LOVE!