Interview | Rippler’s Cidney Swanson & Sam Ruiz and a GIVEAWAY!!!

So today we’re welcoming Cidney Swanson to the blog. Cidney is the author of the debut novel Rippler (which I just reviewed here) and its recently released sequel Chameleon (which I’m eagerly looking forward to reading!).  After reading Rippler, I had a couple of questions for Sam — the main character of Rippler who discovers she has a genetic abnormality that allows her to turn invisible or “ripple”.  Cidney was kind enough to put us in touch, so here you go… my interview with Sam…

 

 

1. So Sam, since discovering your abnormal ability, what’s been your favorite thing about rippling?

Okay, this would so not be everyone’s favorite thing. But for me, the best part about rippling is how safe I feel when I ripple. There’s like this mental lift that comes along with being invisible. After living scared for so many years, it feels great to know there’s somewhere I can go where that weight is just gone. I think the whole brave thing is even starting to travel over into my regular life, which totally rocks. Can I add my second fave, ’cause it really is a close second! I love, love, love how things feel when you move through them invisibly. Glass-OMG-yum! I went running in a rainstorm the other day and that was crazy-amazing. Little tickle-y bits of water everywhere and me not feeling at all cold from it. (It’s already getting cold here in the foothills.)

 

2. In that same vein, what’s been the most difficult thing about adjusting to your ability?

I hate keeping it secret. I mean, I really, really hate that. I’m getting a much better handle on staying solid without accidentally rippling, so that’s not such a huge problem. But knowing that one false move could mean death to someone I love? Not fun.

 

3. So…let’s dish about Will.  What’s your favorite thing about Will?  Adorable idiosyncrasies?  When you first met him, what’s the first thing you noticed about him?

Ummmmm–is everything a fair answer? HA! Just kidding. I love how he looks at me. He does this thing where his face isn’t totally facing me, and his chin is down a little, and he looks up and over at me and it Just. Melts. Me. Idiosyncrasies are easy. He’s always fidgeting. I mean, always. Crumbling up some paper or leaf he just picked up off the ground. Scuffing his shoe in the dirt. Tearing things into little pieces. The guy cannot stay still. It is like, physically an impossibility. And the first thing I noticed? His eyes. Definitely his eyes. They’re set a bit far apart and they’re dark and huge. He’s got eyelashes that go for miles. Put it all together and you can’t look away. I’ve tried. Believe me.

 

4. Random factoid.  Tell us a fun, little known fact about you.

You’ve probably heard that I love water, yeah? Well, I can’t swim like you’re supposed to. You know, the kind where you turn your head and take a breath? I’m awful at that kind of swimming. Go figure.

 

5.  Lastly, any super hero aspirations now that you can turn yourself invisible?  What would your alter-ego’s name be? Spandex or pleather?  Stiletto-heeled boots or combat boots? And most importantly, cape or no cape?

Funny questions! I love it! Okay, so I know a lot of people think that having Rippler’s Syndrome is like having a super-power. But really, it is more like having a bizarre disease that can land you dead unexpectedly. I mean, I guess if I hadn’t met Will, I might think, “Cool, I have a super-power,” but with all I’ve learned from him (and Mickie) I really think of it more as a genetic disease than as a power.

 

But that’s not what you asked me! So, real answers: Will told me once that my super-hero alter-ego’s name would be Thunderbolt because of me not being careful where I re-materialize! Next: if I had a costume it would totally be pleather. The shiny kind. And I’d 100% go for combat-boots. They are so badass. Plus I don’t know how to walk in heels which would seriously take away from my credibility if I were a super-hero. Last: ever since I saw The Incredibles, I’ve always thought “no cape,” but you have to admit the one great thing about the “Little Red Riding Hood” movie was her cape.

 

Thanks, guys! This was really fun! Any other questions? Send ’em to cidneyswanson@gmail.com! She always answers her email.

 

 

So, I can see you’re conflicted on the “cape/no cape” dilemma.  Understandable.  They’re dangerous yet lend a certain dramatic flair that’s just necessary for that super-cool hero persona.  Best of luck as you ponder that catch-22.  Thank you for sharing a little bit more about yourself Sam, and thank you Cidney for making it possible!

 

 

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And what better way to end this post than with a giveaway!  That’s right folks!  A giveaway!

 

ONE (1) lucky reader will win ONE (1) paperback copy of Rippler!

AND

ONE (1) lucky reader will win ONE (1) Kindle copy of Rippler!

 

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter.  This is mandatory.  Comments will not be counted as your mandatory entry. Rules and conditions are listed below the Rafflecopter form.