YA Bachelor: Jay from The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, Interview and Giveaway

Our bachelor today is Jay from The Body Finder series by Kimberely Derting. The amazing Ashley from Book Labyrinth was kind enough to host Jay and remind us all why we love this super sexy best friend!


Our YA bachelor for today is Jay Heaton, featured in Kimberly Derting’s The Body Finder, Desires of the Dead, and the upcoming The Last Echo.

There are so many amazing things about Jay, but let’s try to categorize his awesome-ness down into a few categories.

LOOKS

Interestingly enough there is no specific description of Jay in The Body Finder or in Desires of the Dead. We know that during a “summer metamorphosis” he has become Hot with a capital H, but there are no specific hair or eye colours given.

Here are the things we do know:

• extremely good looking (the summer was very kind to him, and to the girls who get to look at him)
• tall and lean
• sideways grin; he smiles easily
• messy hair

Whatever specific physical attributes Jay has, you can tell that he’s a warm and friendly guy just by looking at him. He has that easy boyish charm with a newly developed sexy edge.

PERSONALITY

Jay is, in a word, loyal. He’s been best friends with Violet since they were 6 years old, and he’s always kept Violet’s secret “even though he’d never been told to” (TBF p. 13).

Violet describes Jay as “someone who never wavered and never questioned. Someone who was always there … being supportive, and funny, and thoughtful” (TBF p. 63).

Jay is sweet, funny, and smart, but he also has a confident no-nonsense side. He’s not afraid to get a little bit bossypants if it means protecting Violet.

SOME OF JAY’S BEST LINES

Jay looked serious for a moment, and then he winked at her. “It’s good being one of the beautiful people, that’s all.” (TBF p. 91)

“I was just waiting for you to want me as much as I wanted you.” His words were quiet but carried one hell of an impact. “I knew we were going to be together; it was just a matter of time. I kept hoping that you would figure it out. But for a smart girl, you’re a little dense, Vi. (TBF p. 162)

He was suddenly serious, his tone determined. “We’ll never be just friends again, not if I have anything to do with it.” And then with conviction he added, “I love you too much to go back now, Vi.” (TBF p. 202)

CATEGORIES

Sweetest Nice Guy

Violet describes Jay as “the best person she’d ever known” (TBF p. 17). That’s some mighty high praise, isn’t it? Well, Jay is a sweetheart whose actions live up to the high regard Violet holds him in.

Jay starts to carry Violet home when she’s hurt and then holds her hand to make sure she doesn’t fall again. He then proceeds to very gently clean out her scrapes and put band-aids on for her.

If these things don't convince you, let me share a little passage that no doubt will:

Jay had been the one who kept Violet sane. He slipped candy bars into her backpack for her to find and left little notes in her locker just to let her know he was thinking about her. She leaned on him every step of the way, and he never once complained. (TBF p. 63)

This is Jay just being a friend! Violet isn’t even his girlfriend at this point and he is already this adorable and kind.

Favorite Regular Guy

Jay might be part of a series where the main character senses dead bodies, but Jay himself is just a regular teenager. He’s a good student, he likes video games, and he works part-time in an autoparts store. Violet even admits that Jay makes her feel safe, secure, and normal. If Jay can make Violet feel normal, then he clearly deserves to be your Favorite Regular Guy.

Sexiest

You know what’s sexy? A guy who doesn’t need to be in charge all the time. A guy who respects his girlfriend too much to push things physically, even when he could get away with it. A guy who’s not afraid to let his girlfriend’s family know that they’re together because he loves Violet so much. A guy who, when necessary, will step up and protect Violet physically. A guy who takes care of the house for his Mom, because he’s the only man of the house. A guy who is sweet, gorgeous, and amazing, but is completely unaware of his own charm.

If you agree, you definitely need to vote for Jay in the Sexiest category.

Best One-Liner

“I was just waiting for you to want me as much as I wanted you.” His words were quiet but carried one hell of an impact. “I knew we were going to be together; it was just a matter of time. I kept hoping that you would figure it out. But for a smart girl, you’re a little dense, Vi. (TBF p. 162)

Please also consider Jay for the categories of Change My Mind & Overall Favourite.

Here are some other guys who would make a lovely Jay:

Ashley was able to sit down with Jay and chat for a bit. I think you'll enjoy what came out of that!

Hi Jay, thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed!

Anytime.

My first question is: what do you think about being voted into the Top 20 YA Bachelors?

It was a big surprise for me. Thanks, everyone, for voting me in.

So who are your fictional crushes? (I promise I won't tell Violet!)

If I had to choose, I would say Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. She seems pretty interesting and I’ve always wanted to learn to shoot a bow. I guess I’m just drawn to girls who are always getting themselves into trouble.

Since this about YA Bachelors I thought I would ask you some dating game questions. Here's the first: What is your favourite thing about yourself?

Wow, I don’t really know what to say. Umm…I guess I’m pretty loyal. Did I just make myself sound like the family dog? Great, Violet will never let me live this one down! I can practically hear her saying “Who’s a good Jay?”

What have you always wanted to do but haven't yet?

I’d like to travel with Violet to some tropical island somewhere. She's never surfed before, and I'd love to teach her.

If you were stuck on a desert island, which 3 items would you bring with you if you could?

Hmm…since I’m guessing that Violet isn’t on the island with me, I’d better choose a boat, a cell phone…and a surfboard. (Hey, I might as well have a little fun before I head home to Buckley.)

Describe your perfect date.

Any date where there isn’t a dead body is a pretty good start. Other than that, I’m more of a hang out with a big bowl of popcorn and a cheesy movie kind of guy.

Finally, getting a little deep: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

It’s hard to think that far ahead, but I’d love to have kids someday. And a loyal family dog of course. :)

Win a signed copy of Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Rules:

• Must be a follower
• Must be 13 years or older
• May only etner once
• This is International
• Contest ends July 30th

Thanks to Ashley from Book Labyrinth for hosting Jay! Make sure you stop back when voting opens and cast your votes! The more categories you vote for, the more entries you'll get for a chance to win one the voter's giveaway at the end of this entire event. For the schedule and more info, check out The Master Post here!