I recently sat down for an exclusive interview with the infamous Z in Olivia Twisted/Olivia Decoded. While I’m surprised he agreed to this interview, I’m grateful to Liv for approaching him on my behalf. Of course, Z can’t say no to Liv.
Thank you for granting this interview. I understand you really don’t like to talk much about your “family’s” business.
Z: For good reason.
Ah, yes. Are you still hacking?
Z: Next question.
Haha! But seriously, are you?
Z: <raises eyebrow>
Okay, okay, next question, sure. What is your favorite holiday?
Z: Liv’s birthday
Ah, I see. Not much of a holiday person, huh? Not even Christmas?
Z: If I could skip any day, it’d be that one. Too many memories.
Like?
Z: It’s the last time I saw my mom. Christmas kicked me out of my home into foster care. So yeah, that day sucks. I think a lot of foster kids hate the holidays.
I hope that changes for you at some point. Maybe Liv will be the one to do that. How about your father?
Z: Also not present.
Something else you don’t want to talk about, I take it.
Z: I can tell you he’s pretty well known. You’ve probably read about him in the papers. Rich as hell, though he doesn’t share it with the son he pretends to know nothing about. And no, I can’t talk about it.
Ah, you’re killing me. So in the house you live in–your group home–do you have anyone you’re particularly close to?
Z: Nancy, for sure. She’s our house mother. And Micah, he’s the best at…computer programming. Sam’s okay–a little annoying, but I’m guessing most sisters are. Now that we’ve taken in so many extra girls from Bill’s other house, everyone gets on each other’s nerves more than before.
Girls from Bill’s other house? Sounds like a house of ill repute.
Z: A slip of the tongue. Ignore that. They’re just orphans like the rest of us, wanting nothing more than security and family. Nancy gives that to them. Like she did for all of us.
If you could do one thing in your life, what would that be?
Z: I’d make laws that better protects kids in foster care. Most of the kids in my house have gone through some degree of torture–bullying, neglect, abuse–and a lot of it could’ve been prevented if the laws were different. If people actually cared more. I know this firsthand myself, and so does Liv. If you knew what they’ve been through, you wouldn’t be so quick to judge them.
I’m sure you’re right about that. Maybe reading your story will help people empathize more with children who have been in foster care. Thank you for the interview, and all the best to you and Liv in whatever your future brings.
About the Author:
Vivi Barnes was raised on a farm in East Texas where her theater-loving mom and cowboy dad gave her a unique perspective on life. After college, she convinced her supportive husband to
move with her to be part of the sunshine and magic in Orlando, Florida. On a good day, she manages to divide her time writing, working, reading, goofing off with her three kids, and avoiding dirty dishes. Vivi is a proud member of SCBWI and attends conferences whenever she can.
Author Blog: https://4chicks.wordpress.com/
Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/ViviBarnes
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vivibarnes.author
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6926794.Vivi_Barnes
Book Title: Olivia Decoded (Olivia Twisted, #2)
Author: Vivi Barnes
Release Date: Sept. 6, 2016
Genre: YA Thriller
Olivia Decoded Book Synopsis:
This isn’t my Jack, who once looked at me like I was his world. The guy who’s occupied the better part of my mind for eight months.
This is Z, criminal hacker with a twisted agenda and an arsenal full of anger.
I’ve spent the past year trying to get my life on track. New school. New friends. New attitude. But old flames die hard, and one look at Jack—the hacker who enlisted me into his life and his hacking ring, stole my heart, and then left me—and every memory, every moment, every feeling comes rushing back. But Jack’s not the only one who’s resurfaced in my life. And if I can’t break through Z’s defenses and reach the old Jack, someone will get hurt…or worse.
Excerpt:
“Wow, who gave you that?”
“My grandfather. He left it on my car seat this morning.”
“Oh, boo. I thought maybe you had a secret admirer or something.” I try not to smile at her obvious disappointment. Emerson’s been on me to date for months now. She knows I had someone back in Richmond who was special, but only that we broke it off before I moved here. She doesn’t know anything else about Jack. No one does, because what would I say? The last guy I dated is a criminal, and the last time I saw him was right after we got kidnapped by his horrible boss and almost died trying to escape. That’d go over really well.
“I don’t know, what do you think?” Emerson breaks into my thoughts as we walk down the hallway to our lockers.
“About what?”
She sighs. “Where Kade’s taking me tonight. Girl, you are not with it today, are you? Are you doing anything tonight?”
“My grandfather’s taking me to dinner.”
“Sweet. Not so romantic, but sweet.”
I smile. “Yes, he’s sweet. But a little over the top on gifts sometimes.” Even after eight months of living the wealthy life, I’d be happier if he gave me a gift card to a bookstore instead of extravagant jewelry I rarely wear.
My phone starts buzzing, and I pull it from my pocket. Grandfather’s text reads: What gift?
I frown, typing, The bracelet you left in my car. I snap a quick picture of the bracelet on my wrist and send it to him. Maybe his text was a hint to send a picture, though I doubt it. He’s usually pretty direct about things.
“What’s up?” Emerson asks.
“Looks like Grandfather forgot he left me the bracelet.” But even as I say it, it doesn’t sound right. He’s one of the sharpest people I’ve ever known, and he runs a financial institution.
“Maybe he gave it to one of his staff to put in your car.” Her voice has the usual bitter tone whenever she’s thinking of her parents. They’re hardly ever around, and when they are, they don’t pay much attention to her.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I don’t believe that, though. Even though it’s possible Mrs. Bedwin did put it there, I doubt it. Grandfather is the type to handle things himself when it comes to me. But Emerson’s parents travel so much for their business that they often let their staff handle things like birthdays and other events they think aren’t important. So as grateful as I am that Grandfather’s always there for me, I don’t like to rub that in Emerson’s face.
“Maybe you really do have a secret admirer,” she says hopefully.
I roll my eyes.“I doubt that.”
“Oh, really?” She stops in her tracks, her eyes fixed straight ahead. I follow her gaze, a sharp sense of dread creeping down my spine. A white rose is dangling from the vent in my locker.
A rose I know wasn’t placed there by my grandfather.
Goodreads Book Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29500584-olivia-decoded
Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Decoded-Vivi-Barnes/dp/1633754901
Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/olivia-decoded-vivi-barnes/1123733469
iBooks Buy Link: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/olivia-decoded/id1080308160
Kobo Buy Link: https://store.kobobooks.com/ebook/olivia-decoded
Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olivia-Decoded-Vivi-Barnes/dp/1633754901/
Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Olivia-Decoded-Vivi-Barnes-ebook/dp/B01BBXSJKM/
Entangled Publishing: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/olivia-decoded
Olivia Twisted Synopsis (Olivia Twisted, #1):
Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Liv might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Liv and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…
Thanks to Z, Olivia’s about to get twisted.
Goodreads Book Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17343436-olivia-twisted
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Twisted-Vivi-Barnes-ebook/dp/B00BRAFR4Q
Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/olivia-twisted-vivi-barnes/1114511531
iBooks Buy Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/olivia-twisted/id620469564
Kobo Buy Link: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/olivia-twisted
Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olivia-Twisted-Vivi-Barnes-ebook/dp/B00BRAFR4Q
Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Olivia-Twisted-Vivi-Barnes-ebook/dp/B00BRAFR4Q
Entangled Publishing: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/olivia-twisted/
The Giveaway:
A signed copy of Olivia Decoded + a $25 Amazon Gift Card
Sounds like a great read.
Thanks so much for joining the Olivia Decoded blog tour!
-N
Happy to! Thanks for visiting 🙂