About Sidelined:
After being pushed to excel her entire life, high school basketball star Genna Pierce is finally where she wants to be. University scouts are taking
notice, her team is on its way to the state tourney, and Jake Butler, the hot boy she's daydreamed about since ninth grade, is showing some definite interest. When he asks her out and their relationship takes off, Genna believes things can't get better.
Then, it's over.
A freak accident ends her career before it's even begun. Her parents are fighting more than ever, her friends don't understand what she's going through,
and she's not sure who she is without basketball. And while he tries to be there for her, Genna doesn't understand how Jake could ever want the broken
version of the girl he fell for.
Her life in a tailspin, Genna turns to the only solace that eases her pain: Vicodin.
Guest Post by Kendra C. Highley
What’s in a Name: Picking the Perfect Character Name
Ask any author, and they’ll tell you that character names are really important. They have to capture a character’s unique personality without being
too unique…or too bland. Sometimes, when I’m particularly inspired, character names pop out of the ether, fully formed. Other times, the character
refuses everything you throw at her. Genna in
Sidelined was the latter. Which was why, in the end, I decided to give her a name that she’d hate
and have that be one of her quirks.
Because Genna’s dad is an English Prof, I wanted something literary and a little highbrow—a name that could really embarrass a girl, but had been given in
love, with kind intentions. I spent a lot of time mulling over the female leads in several classics, but nothing ever fit. Finally, I turned to
Shakespeare. Since Genna had to hate her name, it needed to be old-fashioned and something I could shorten into a cooler nickname. After flipping through a
lot of plays, I found
Cymbeline and Imogen. I liked the character, and I loved the fact that the name was unusual without sounding like a heroine
in an epic fantasy novel. Bonus—Genna is a good, modern adaptation of Imogen.
Her middle name had to be unique, too. I turned to my family for this one. My daughter’s middle name is Parker and my mother’s middle name was Juan (no one
has ever been able to explain that…family mystery, I guess). I thought it would be cool to follow that tradition and give Genna a middle name that was both
literary and masculine. I’ve always loved Mark Twain and
Tom Sawyer was my favorite of his novels. Plus, Imogen Sawyer Pierce had some panache.
And so, Genna was given her name.
The secondary characters were easier—I simply picked names I liked, and I’ve always loved Rowan and Jake. Taylor and Ashley were named after family, as was
Dr. Charles.
And sometimes I let my daughter help with names. That’s always fun. This time, Carolyn was named after her
American Girl doll. Yep, true.
Whatever method you use to name a character, it’s always awesome when you find one that fits exactly right.
About Kendra:
Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This,
according to the cats, is her most critical job. She believes in everyday magic, extraordinary love stories and the restorative powers of dark chocolate.
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Giveaway!
$25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card and a women’s collegiate basketball to the first prize winner (US Only)
3 $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift cards for 3 second prize winners (International)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Visit the Rest of the Tour!
Tour Schedule
Week 1
9/23/2013-
Curling Up With A Good Book-
Review
9/24/2013-
A Book and a Latte-
Interview
9/25/2013-
Emilie's Book World-
Review
9/26/2013-
I'll tumble for YA-
Guest Post
9/27/2013-
Sweet Southern Home-
Interview
Week 2
9/30/2013-
Bookish Things & More-
Guest Post
10/1/2013-
Sarah Elizabeth's Bookshelf-
Review
10/2/2013-
Avery's Book Nook-
Guest Post
10/3/2013-
Once Upon a Twilight-
Review
10/4/2013-
BookHounds YA-
Interview
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