Character Bios for A Butterfly In The Winter by Tara Entwistle-Clark!!!

Title: A Butterfily in Winter

Author: Tara Entwistle-Clark

Genre: Young Adult

Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours

SYNOPSIS

Allison Stafford is fourteen. As if that is not enough to deal with in itself, her parents suddenly move her from her small town in Vermont to suburban Michigan, all in the middle of her freshman year of high school. For Allison, there is more to learn at her new school than just finding her way around. Soon she is attempting to make sense of her newly discovered sexuality, and wondering what it takes to fit in with the "cool" people at her school. Despite tragedy and several mistakes, Allison manages to survive. This novel leads the reader through the murky depths of high school, and reminds us all of the importance of true friendship.

4. I don't take pictures, although I can see if I can add one eventually.

5. Tara is always in the middle of something. Right now, that "something" includes a YA novel called "How Quick Bright Things" and a fantasy novel that is nearly done but has no title. In addition to writing, she loves to read. Her favorite author of all time is Courtney Summers. She thinks you should probably read her instead! No one captures high school better.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tara is always in the middle of something. Right now, that "something" includes a YA novel called "How Quick Bright Things" and a fantasy novel that is nearly done but has no title. In addition to writing, she loves to read. Her favorite author of all time is Courtney Summers. She thinks you should probably read her instead! No one captures high school better.

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THE EXCERPT

Bayberry Hill Park was half an hour from Bethlehem in the small town of Castleton. The park was vast, with hiking trails, campgrounds and a stable. We parked near the entrance to the hiking trails. Patrick grabbed some maps from the information desk and we walked into the forest. It was the beginning of May and everything was green. The forest smelled fresh, like it had just woken from a long sleep, and the trees were at full. It was dark inside the trees, since very little light made its way through the leaves. We were on a well-beaten dirt path. We stopped at a clearing and sat down. Rachel and Patrick sat on a log, with their backs to the trail. Tim and I leaned against a tree, sitting in the damp grass.

“Hey, Tim, what happened last night?” Rachel asked. “We really didn’t get to talk about it. What’s up with Brian and Angie?”

Tim sighed, shrugged, and looked at Rachel. “You know how they are. Angie feels like she might not have Brian’s complete attention, so she invents a tragedy. There is always something. I don’t know. I don’t even know why I bother hanging around them anymore.”

“Why do you?” Patrick asked.

“Well, Brian’s my best friend. I’ve known him since we were both kids. We live only a few blocks from each other and used to do everything together. When Angie’s family moved in, the three of us became inseparable. Angie got breasts, though, and Brian stopped thinking about anything else. I don’t really have anyone but Brian anymore,” Tim explained.

“Tim and I have been hanging out with them forever,” Rachel added. “There used to be five of us, but it’s a long story. The point is we feel obligated to still hang out with them, even though they’re totally pathetic.”

Patrick nodded. “Yeah, I understand. Everyone has people like that.” I wondered to myself if I knew anyone like that. I supposed there had been people back home, but I couldn’t think of anyone in particular.

“So, who’s up for hiking?” Patrick asked. Rachel stood up, wiping dirt off her butt and reached for his hand.

“You guys go ahead,” I offered, knowing Rachel was hoping to spend time alone with Patrick. Tim and I got up, wet from the grass, and walked away from the clearing into a large open field. He took off his jacket and laid it on the ground for me to sit on. I lay down, facing the sky and closed my eyes. Tim lay down next to me, on his side, so he was leaning over me. He kissed me quickly, softly, and lay back on the ground. We stayed there staring at the sky, not speaking, for a few minutes. He pointed out clouds to me and I smiled, breathing in the warm, spring air. I turned over on my side, so I was looking at him, and played with his hair.

“I’m so glad you didn’t wear your hat. You have the coolest hair,” I said.

“Thanks, I think,” he laughed. “You’re so awesome. You’re not like anyone else.”

“You’re joking, right? I am so much like everyone else. I’m boring and plain and I can’t do anything.”

THE CHARACTER BIOS!!

NAME: Allison Stafford
HAIR: Brown and boring
EYES: Bright Blue
AGE: 14
PERSONALITY: Quiet, shy, needs approval from others, prefers to read a book than go to a party, kind
BIO: Allison grew up in Vermont in a small town but during her freshman year of high school, her dad’s job led them to move to Michigan – to a large suburb. Lost in a sea of new people and new experiences, Allison struggles to fit in. She finds companionship in her friend Rachel and her boyfriend Tim, but she is confused. She’s discovering sex and love for the first time yet she has nowhere to turn.
BOOK: A Butterfly in Winter
QUOTE:  “You’re joking, right? I am so much like everyone else. I’m boring and plain and I can’t do anything.”

NAME: Rachel
HAIR: Brown when she isn’t dying it
AGE: 15
PERSONALITY: Reserved, antisocial but out of shyness not meanness, trusting, moody, caring, disinterested in what other people think
BIO: Rachel still trusts people despite the way she has been treated by her friends in the past. She can be prone to mood changes, but she’s a loyal friend and she is welcoming to Allison immediately upon meeting her. Rachel is never fake and despises those who are. She has trouble being open about her feelings.
BOOK: A Butterfly in Winter
QUOTE: “Just because you don’t know how much birth control costs doesn’t make you an idiot. It means you don’t need to worry about it, which is good. I promise you, I never thought sex would be such a huge responsibility. You are so much smarter than I am. It’s fun and everything, but I wouldn’t wish this kind of thing on anyone.”

NAME: Tim
HAIR: Dark and messy
AGE: 15
PERSONALITY: Sweet, genuine, fiercely loyal, awkward around girls, bored with trendy people, loves movies and music, smart
BIO: Tim isn’t an athlete and he isn’t a nerd. He’s a regular kid with mood swings, but he’s loyal to his friends almost to a fault. He falls hard for Allison, but he is considerate of her. He treats her with respect and looks to be her friend as well as her boyfriend. Tim’s wealthy, but he doesn’t act it and he hates everything that the wealth represents. He loves animals, skating, and writing.
BOOK: A Butterfly in Winter
QUOTE: “I think I am in love with you. I mean, I know we’re young and it’s silly for me to think it matters, but you’re incredible and I can’t even imagine not having you around.”

NAME: Rob
HAIR: Dirty blonde
AGE: 17
PERSONALITY: Popular, outgoing, expects to get anything he wants, self-centered
BIO: Rob is popular and good-looking and has tons of experience with girls. He doesn’t understand people who don’t give him what he wants – and he is used to taking it if he chooses. He is interested only in himself, but he knows how to suck up to the right people. He can be falsely charming and he’s always ready with the right things to say.
BOOK: A Butterfly in Winter
QUOTE: “I definitely think you’re incredible and if you’d give me a chance, I think you’d like me, too. I know your friends seem to agree.”