Blog Tour: Sydney Salter!!

Okay, my next blog tour guest is Sydney Salter, whose book Jungle Crossing debuted on September 1. I read the ARC of this and really enjoyed it!

Here’s a blurb about Jungle Crossing:

Thirteen-year-old Kat can think of dozens of good reasons not to go on a boring family vacation to hot, grungy Mexico. Number one: missing her friend Fiona's minicamp. If she's not there, she'll begin eighth grade as a social reject. And it looks like she's the odd girl out on vacation, too. When Kat's parents arrange for her and her younger sister, Barb, to go on a teen adventure tour, Barb makes more friends than she does. The only person who will talk to Kat is Nando, a young Mayan guide (who happens to be quite a cutie). Each day as they travel to different Mayan ruins, Nando tells Kat and Barb another installment in the original legend of Muluc, a girl who lived in the time of the Ancient Maya. The dangerous, dramatic world in which Muluc lives is as full of rivalry, betrayal, jealousy, and sacrifice as Kat's world at school. And as she makes new friends and discovers new treasures in Mexico, Kat begins to wonder: Is she willing to keep sacrificing her self in exchange for popularity?

Aaaaaand, a little about author Sydney Salter:

Sydney Salter's fascination with Mayan culture started when she was six years old and climbed down a steep, dimly lit stone staircase to the elaborately carved tomb of King Pacal who had once ruled Palenque. Visiting Mayan ruins, walking through fragrant Mexican market places, watching women wash clothes in a river, and chasing lizards in the jungle ignited the spark in Sydney's imagination that led to writing Jungle Crossing. Sydney now lives in Utah with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and two dogs. She loves reading, writing, cooking, and traveling—especially to Mexico where she can explore ancient Mayan ruins and swim in underground rivers. Visit her online at http://www.sydneysalter.com/.

You can visit your local bookstore, or go to Amazon HERE to buy a copy of her book online!

And now, onto the vastly important 3 interview questions:

1--What was the spark of inspiration for this story? Tell us what event, or idea, or dream got this book started.

I wanted to write something to teach my daughters about Mayan culture before a family vacation to Mexico. I ended up writing my first novel which they weren't old enough to read yet!

2--What food did you looooove getting from the cafeteria at lunch in high school, and why? (or if you didn't eat cafeteria food, what was your favorite brown-bag lunch?)

I've always been suspicious of cafeteria food. But I'm a lazy lunch maker and often packed just yoghurt and a rarely-eaten apple.

3--What is your absolute favorite part of being a writer?

The writing! I'm so happy while drafting something new or diving in to fix something old. It's the waiting in between that makes me cranky!

Thanks for coming to my blog, Sydney--and congrats on your second release of the year!!