BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Operation Prom Date: Tactics in Flirting [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Cindi Madsen to talk about Operation Prom Date (13 March 2017, Entangled: Crush, 230 pages), a Young Adult Romance, book one of the Tactics in Flirting series.

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Cindi Madsen; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter and for sharing your playlist for Operation Prom Date with us! Enjoy!

What was the inspiration for Operation Prom Date?

"I think that a lot of teens get fixated on a certain guy in high school, even though he might not be the greatest guy. It’s that dream crush. I know I had a few of those crushes, so I wanted this girl to ask for help landing her crush, the popular football player, in time for prom. But of course that means spending lots of time with the guy helping her, which leads to lots of fun."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"There are always pieces of me in every character, but I do ship a lot of couples and get excited when the people from books and TV series that I want to get together finally get together. There’s also a lot of my teen daughter & her friends in it, because they’re huge fangirls & as one myself, I wanted to write about one."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Operation Prom Date - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I have a publisher who does the cover. I tell them what the book is about and they take that concept and find the right photo & colors. Erin Dameron-Hill did the one for Operation Prom Date & when it came through my inbox, I was so excited because it’s so perfect for the book."

Why should we read Operation Prom Date and what sets it apart from the rest?

"This book is intended to be a break from the stress of the world. It’s a fun escape that’s supposed to make you laugh and swoon. Kate and her dad used to complete missions before he died, and I love that she carried that over into her life and turns things into missions & operations & that she drags Cooper along for the ride. Their training sessions in the rowboat (he’s a rower, and she’s helping him train while his partner is injured) were so fun to write."

Can you tell us something quirky about Operation Prom Date, its story and characters?

"Fandoms have their own language and I loved peppering things in there about shipping & canons & OTPs & smooshing two people’s names together. Kate’s definitely on the quirky side. She has a bearded dragon named after a vampire from the TV show The Originals, & half the time when she speaks Cooper doesn’t know what she’s talking about, but he loves how passionate she gets about it."

Who would you recommend Operation Prom Date to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"This book is geared toward teens & readers who love YA. My publisher wrote a cute disclaimer & I think it puts it perfectly.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains stargazing, accidental swimming, and poker swindling. This kissing practice will melt your ereader...and give you a new couple to ship."

If you could / wished to turn Operation Prom Date and the Tactics in Flirting series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"When I first started, I was picturing a younger Sam Claflin & recently I found pictures of the actor Austin Butler, who could totally play Cooper. And Danielle Campbell from The Originals was my inspiration for Kate. It would also need to be somewhere with a lake & a great place for stargazing."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like to read all kind of different genres, and I also like to write in different genres. I’ve written YA, NA, and adult, sometimes contemporary & sometimes paranormal. It just sort of depends on where inspiration takes me, what series I’m in the middle of, and what contracts I have to fulfill."

What is your writing process?

"I need a playlist that fits the mood of the book & my Diet Mtn Dew. Then I pretty much blast the music and start writing. I have daily wordcount goals to keep me on schedule."

What is in store next?

"There will be at least one more book in the Tactics in Flirting Series. The next book will center around Alana and one of the football players in the book."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"We have a temperamental tomcat. He tolerates me, but loves my daughter best, since he belongs to her and she carries him around like a baby. Here’s a picture of him that basically says “I do whatever I want” since he knows he’s not supposed to be on the table."