Barely Alive
(Barely Alive #1)
Bonnie R. Paulson
In twelve weeks, seventeen-year-old Paul Ledger will be dead. At least he hopes so.
Paul is trapped in the worst cult the United States has ever seen. Infected with a zombie virus, symptoms culminate in a dead body but thriving mind over a course of twelve weeks. If he doesn’t earn the final death he longs for, he’ll be chained in a basement facility, moaning for human flesh for eternity.
Sent out to kidnap girls for food, toys, or whatever the boss wants, Paul nabs Heather McCain. He’s not a fan of humans as a general rule, but even his graying skin and insatiable hunger for her flesh don’t stop her from reaching out to him. Give him the second chance he doesn’t know he needs.
Overcome by his cravings, Paul bites her delectable skin. Amazingly, she doesn’t develop the zombie-like side effects. When the boss discovers Heather’s immunity, he gives Paul an ultimatum – deliver up Heather and her family to continue the research or watch as Paul’s brother suffers the zombie fate.
Paul has a chance to endure his short zombie existence knowing his brother is safe. But he’ll have to sacrifice Heather to do it.
Welcome to the first of three posts I have this week for Barely Alive by Bonnie Paulson! Originally I was going to have some guest posts by Bonnie and reviews by me - but I've run out of time! So here's how we are now rolling with this week: Monday - This awesome guest post/character interview with Bonnie and Paul. Tuesday: An awesome zombie meatloaf recipe from Bonnie, sure to complete any doomsday themed meal! And then on Wednesday I will have a review of Mostly Dead, book 3. I want to thank Bonnie and Heather at Supagurl Tours for being so wonderful and working with me on scheduling issues this week! Now enough of my jabber, on with the interview!
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Hi! First of all, thank you so much for having Paul and I! I’m Bonnie Paulson, I wrote the Barely Alive series and Paul – well, Paul is the hot hero.
Paul: *snort* Hot. Heather’s around here somewhere I’m sure.
Bonnie: *eye roll* Okay, calm down. I’m married, and you know it.
Paul: Plus, how hot can I be? I’m a zombie.
Bonnie: Remember Heather is immune. What if you can be changed back? No longer be a zombie? Don’t you think that’s worth being optimistic about? And, you’re very good looking – a cross between Zac Efron and Channing Tatum.
Paul: I don’t know.
Bonnie: Let me get back to the introduction, anyway, okay?
So anyway, when I asked the characters of Barely Alive who wanted to be interviewed for their blog tour, Paul – in true Paul fashion – volunteered. He has this weird sense of need to protect everyone and everything at all costs.
I brought Paul along to answer some questions.
Paul, did you ever expect to find out zombies were real?
Paul: It’s hard to say. I’d never thought of it before. The only things I worried about were football, hiding my love of science, kicking my brother’s butt, and staying under the radar. I’d never considered that joining a gang could be so… what is that word? Cataclysmic.
Bonnie: Yeah, but if not for your brother and your love of science, you might not have been able to take the steps you needed toward finding a cure. Did you ever find a cure?
Paul: *shrug* How much of a spoiler are you doing? I’m up for whatever.
Bonnie: Okay, you’re right. So what’s your least favorite thing about being a zombie?
Paul: Let me clarify since you keep tossing the word zombie around. I’m not into brains. I don’t walk or talk like an idiot. In fact, I’m only a little bit gray if I don’t eat for a while. It’s only in twelve weeks that I will turn into a closer version of what people think of as a zombie. What do I hate about my condition? I hate the hunger. The complete hunger. I am always so hungry. And nothing but meat stifles it.
Bonnie: You live in Vegas – can’t you just visit an all-you-can-eat?
Paul: I wish. Raw meat is ideal.
Bonnie: Oh, yuck. Okay, let’s move on. If you could change anything about your past, what would it be?
Paul: My relationship with my dad. I miss him. I… *throat clearing*
Bonnie: Yeah, I get that. Well, can I ask one more question before we let these nice people do their thing? If you had to choose between Yamaha and Honda for your dirt bike, which would it be, and why?
Paul: Ah! A question I can get into. Well, as you know, I’m fond of dirt biking. I’d have to say Yamaha, right now. But I used to be the biggest fan of Honda. And, Bonnie, as you are such a huge fan of dirt biking, you know that Yamaha and Honda, as well as many other brand names, are pretty comparable in today’s market. The top five are fairly even Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, and Kawasaki. Right now, I’m eying the Yamaha WR450F, but Honda has some dang hot bikes, too. Maybe we could ask everyone what they think about both bikes – or even if they like dirt biking.
Bonnie: Good idea. So for those of us who have made it this far, what do you know of dirt biking and which do you prefer? I’m a Yamaha girl, myself. I ride fairly hard and prefer the 250 off-road. If you don’t like dirt biking – what do you like to do for fun?
And thank you again, so much, for having us!
My pleasure, Bonnie! And as for me, I'm a YZ girl myself! I don't ride, I leave that to my brother!
About the Author....
Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane.
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