Blog Tour 1st September – 5th September
Day 4 features Max Colton
Book: Max Colton's Road to Wonderland
Author: HA Robinson
Genre: New Adult
Synopsis:
Growing up with certain expectations and your entire life mapped out for you is never easy, but when the bar is set impossibly high, most would give up.
Not Max Colton.
Even as a child, his father is unrelenting. Discipline, rules and rigid control are all he knows. Nothing Max does is good enough, and no matter how hard he works, approval and recognition are always just out of reach.
From boarding school to university, Max gets a glimpse of the freedom he’s always been denied, and learns unexpected things about himself along the way. When he somehow finds himself thrust back under his father’s iron rod of control, that freedom proves harder to let go of than he anticipated and he finds himself caught in a balancing act between his lifelong battle for his father’s approval and living out his own hopes and dreams.
With loves found and lost and his friends at his side, Max has to navigate through the world one step at a time. People aren’t always as they seem, and every stone unturned reveals a new challenge, bringing him closer to a future that has always seemed elusive and uncertain.
A future that holds success, freedom and love he never expected to have.
A future that will offer loyal friends and a home that isn’t confined to a building.
A future that leads him to Wonderland.
Author Bio:
H. A. Robinson is a jet-setting billionaire with a home on each continent, who spends her free time saving kittens from trees and babies from burning buildings. A graduate of Hogwarts and a frequent visitor to Narnia, she drinks coffee in Central Perk and tames dragons in Westeros.
In her dreams…
In reality, she’s a support worker living in a small town in Cheshire, who would almost always choose fantasy over reality. She’s been an obsessive reader from the moment she picked up her first Enid Blyton book, more years ago than she cares to admit, and enjoys nothing more than getting lost in new worlds and adventures from the minds of all the amazing authors out there.
She’s had the voices of characters in her head for as long as she can remember, and puts them down on paper in order to convince herself and the men in white coats that she isn’t crazy.
Social Links:
Twitter: @H_ARobinson
The Road to Wonderland Series
Available as ebooks and paperbacks
The Road to Wonderland Series:
Charlie M. Matthews interviews H.A. Robinson
CMM: *sneaks into the headquarters of H.A Robinson and plants a whoopee cushion on her minion covered throne.
After gazing around in admiration, I pull out my pen and notebook and wait patiently for her arrival*
HA: *Slinks in and plonks down on the King Bob throne and groans at the farting noise* I shoulda seen that one coming, huh?
CMM: Yuuuuup. It has clearly been too long, my friend. You've lost your touch.
HA: *Pulls air in through teeth* I’ll have to come see you to sharpen my skills back up. *Grins*
CMM: That you will... So, I should probably start this interview off by saying thank you. When I heard that I would be given a chance to grill the ever enchanting H.A. Robinson, I almost peed my pants. I've been dying to get my hands on you since... well... since forever. And here you are *throws arms out*
HA: *Laughs and crosses legs on my throne* Here I am. And I’m not nervous about this interrogation at all. *Shakes head* Nope. Not in the slightest!
CMM: *eyes her curiously and smirks* Suuuuuure you're not *cackles like one of the Sanderson sisters*
Now, let's get down to business *chucks on my professional face, twirling pen in hand*
You have very recently published your first novel, Max Colton's Road to Wonderland *grins* Congratulations, by the way. How does that feel?
HA: *Grins* Thank you! In all honesty, the only word I’ve been able to come up with to describe it has been surreal. It seems crazy to think that that’s my book out there on people’s Kindles and soon to be on people’s bookshelves, too. You better get used to that crazy feeling soon, too. It’s surreal, wonderful and in a way, really humbling. It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced and I really can’t thank all the people who have been so nice about my word baby enough!
CMM: I can only imagine how crazy that feeling must be. To have the whole world reading your words and judging you by them. It would appear that there isn't a soul out there who hasn't loved hearing Max's story, myself included, and the reviews have been mind blowing. Your novel touched so many people and in so many different ways. What does that feel like? To know that they didn't just buy your novel, but rated it so highly? I know I would be hiding behind my computer absolutely shitting myself as the reviews come in *laughs*
HA: *Laughs and nods* Oh yes, every review that came in, I held my breath while reading them, waiting for the one that would call me out as a fraud. I’m still waiting for that review that says, “What on earth is this woman thinking, trying to write? Go back to the day job!” It’s one thing to have your friends and family telling you you’ve done a good job, but it’s a whole different thing when somebody you’ve never spoken to before contacts you to tell you how much they’ve enjoyed your writing. It’s the most immensely amazing feeling. I can’t even begin to describe it!
CMM: Trust me when I tell you... *lifts eyes from notepad and grins* that day will never come. In fact, I can't wait see what's next. Which leads me to this question.
What is next for HA? Are you working on anything new at the moment?
HA: *Laughs and smooches her cheek* Thank you. I’ll pay you that tenner later, gorgeous.
Actually, I am currently writing a romance novel that popped into my head in the bath of all places. Don’t judge me! *Laughs* I’ve also got a dystopian story swirling around in my head that I want to work on once this project is complete. There just aren’t enough hours in the day!
CMM:Hold up! *raises hand* Can I just put this out there? She did not pay me to say that *mumbles under breath, giving her the stink eye* And I really, reeeeeally did enjoy it.
We all love a good romance. What makes this novel different to the others out there? Can you give us a little insight on what's to come?
HA: Hmm, well I don’t want to give too much away, but the characters I’m writing are insanely loud in my head. In fact, with the amount of editing work I’ve been doing recently, writing time has been pretty short and the male lead, whose name is Elijah, has had a full on pout going in my head for weeks! Other than that, I can say that it’s very much a love story, but there’s a little mystery in there, too. At least I hope it’s mysterious! *Laughs nervously*
CMM: *squeals* I love a good mystery!
The voices can get pretty loud, huh? How do you juggle both writing and editing whilst these voices are screaming to be heard? Do you have a rota in place so you can manage both? I can imagine it must be tough.
HA: It mostly involves sleeping very little if I want to fit both in. The trouble is, I absolutely love doing both, so it’s just a question of fitting them both in around my full time job. So yeah, sleep loses its priority status. *Laughs*
CMM: Ergh... I can't function unless I've had at least eight hours sleep. I don't know how you do it but I take my Arsenal cap off to you *tips peak of invisible cap in a bow like motion*
You're like superman, with huge tits *giggles*
HA: You’re the only person I’ve ever met who’s described them as huge, but I’ll take it! *Snorts* Shame about that cap, though.
CMM: *flips her the bird*
On a more personal level, though. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
HA: I presume we’re looking for something more in depth than just sunning myself on a nice beach in the Caribbean, drinking piña coladas and spending my lottery winnings here? *Grins* I honestly don’t know. I’d like to think I’ll still be writing and editing. Those are the things that make me truly happy when I’m doing them. It would be nice to be editing full time by then. But I’m a take each day as it comes kind of girl so who knows what could be happening by then. Maybe I’ll be living on the moon or something. *Laughs* You never know!
CMM: *draws a moon on my notebook and a little yellow minion called Bob sitting on top. Lifting my head, I eye her over my lashes* You're very passionate about writing and reading. Is that something you have always loved?
HA: *Roars laughing* It’s called KING Bob. *Nods* I’m just saying. *Laughs* Oh, absolutely. Especially reading. I’ve loved books since I was a little girl. I was reading before I started school and I honestly can’t remember a time since I picked up my first book when I haven’t had at least one on the go. If it was the only thing available, I’d probably read the phone book. I’ve had a love affair with words my entire life and I don’t imagine that will ever change. Writing was something I did a bit of as a youngster and enjoyed. I even have a little book my school made up when I was in year one at primary school, called The Ant and the Bee Make Friends. I was allowed to choose two friends to help me illustrate it and everything. *Laughs* It wasn’t until I was older that I started up writing again, though, and rediscovered my love for it. Now, I get cranky if I go too long without putting words on a page.
CMM: N’aaaaaaw, that's so cute. You'll have to bring it along next time. The bin-lids would love to have a read.
Well, I for one am so extremely pleased that you have carried your love of writing with you. Your first novel has been a huge success. One I will remember forever.
Some people find it hard to write a story based on the opposite sex. Did you find this while writing Max's story, or did it come quite naturally to you?
HA: Yeah, writing from a male point of view is certainly different but I actually really enjoyed it. I wouldn’t say it all came naturally and there were certain points where I struggled and had to get one of my male friends drunk in order to pick his brains. But largely, once I got inside Max’s head and rummaged around, the story unfolded in my head and I just tapped it out. Max is so alive in my head now that writing from his point of view is almost easier than from my own. *laughs* I’m not sure what that says about me. I’m sure the men in white coats will be here any minute!
CMM: *laughs and shakes head* It came across so naturally. Can you relate to Max in any way? Traits? Mannerisms?
HA: Ooh that’s a good question. It’s strange really because Max and I had completely different upbringings. I was raised by the most loving, supportive parents you can imagine. They’ve always encouraged me to chase my dreams and support me in everything I do. Max didn’t have that, but I do think there are personality traits we share. We’re both teeny tiny control freaks, although he’s far worse in that respect than I am. *Laughs* At least I hope he is. We both have insanely overactive guilt chips and care far too much about what other people think. I only wish, though, that I had his brains and his car. *Huffs* Of course, we’re both Manchester United fans, too.
CMM: How could I forget? *groans* I know you're very busy right now, so I won't keep you any longer. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with little ol’ me. I've had a blast getting to know you better.
Is there anything you would like to say before I spank your behind outta here? *grins*
HA: *Grins* I don’t think so. Other than thank you for having me and for not asking any insanely personal questions! *Laughs* Love ya! <3
CMM: You're welcome, Miss Robinson.
*waves her off, chuckling at the sticker stuck proudly on her Babylon hoodie*
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