YA Unscene + Giveaway: Taste by Kate Evangelista

Hi everyone! Today, I’m starting a new blog meme here at Fragments of Life.

YA Unscene is a meme that features unseen or deleted scenes of novels that is followed by a short interview and a giveaway.

For the first YA Unscene, I’m featuring my fellow Filipina, Kate Evangelista and her debut, Taste. I recently read and reviewed Taste and I loved it! Be sure to stick around for a giveaway later!

Deleted Scene

Now, my lovelies, I have Kate here with me for the interview.

Where did you get your inspiration to write Taste?

When I used to teach high school, there was this practice every afternoon where the guard would ring a bell and all the students need to stay at the guardhouse to wait for their parents to pick them up. The reasonable explanation for this is that the nuns who run the school are at prayer and need silence. But the writer in me wondered what happens in the school at night that the students aren't supposed to be on campus. This is why Taste actually starts with Phoenix waking up in the library to the sound of the bell ringing. 

I have to admit, I am Team Luka. I really enjoyed reading the deleted scene. I went back to the ending of Chapter 14 and thought that the ending preserved the Demitri-Phoenix connection. Why was this portion deleted?

To be honest, I'm Team Luka too. There's something about him that I love so much. As for the deleted scene, my editor felt that it would take away the attention from Demitri too much if we added it. At the same time, we felt that the tension between Luka and Phoenix in the scene would interfere with her decision in the end. :-)

This deleted scene shows a softer, sweeter side of Luka. Did you prefer him to appear more daring than sweet at this point of the novel (Chapter 14)?

Yes. Making Luka too sweet would definitely interfere with Phoenix's psyche too much. With Demitri, Phoenix's feelings are more immediate because of the connection they share. But with Luka, the feelings need to develop more. They have a connection, but in this stage of the story it's still too premature for it to be romantic. But I do love this scene, which is why I'm sharing it with your readers today. 

You mentioned one of Luka’s favorite food, ‘kikaron.’ Is it true that it was inspired by the Philippine chicharon?

Chicharon (from Market Manila)

I love this question. And yes. Although, I didn't intend it to be a shout out at the time. The use of kikaron came organically in the story because of the pig flesh. 

I loved Demitri's and Luka’s world. How did you build their world?

Their world actually came with the characters. My process usually involves the characters telling me their story, so their world comes with that based on what they share with me. I guess this is why I write a chapter at a time. :-) My characters actually refer to me as the glorified typist. *sigh*

What’s next for Kate Evangelista? What are the titles of your next books and when are they coming out? I know you’ve got a deal with Entangled Publishing.

I'm in the process of editing Til Death, another YA novel, currently with Entangled. That one is part of a trilogy. I can't wait to share Selena's and Dillan's story with all of you. At the same time, I'm also editing the first of another YA trilogy with Omnific called Reaping Me Softly. Another one to look out for in the future. So, make sure to follow me on twitter and my blog to get the latest updates about my writing and the shenanigans I get into. 

I'd like to take this moment to thank Precious for letting me hang out at Fragments of Life today. She has supported me from the very beginning. She even beta read the first chapters of Taste when it was still in its infancy. I owe her much. It's an honor to be here and answer her questions. 

Aww, you're welcome Kate! <3

Giveaway: Ebook of Taste by Kate Evangelista

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

You can get Taste on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.


Thanks to Kate, one of you can win and read Taste! Just fill out the form! :)

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