{Guest Post} T.M. Souders on Freedom Road ~ Love YA Books

Hi guys! So, I'm very excited to be featuring my first guest post - author T.M. Souders discussing her dream cast for her new novel, Freedom Road. I just love it when authors talk about their dream casts, as it gives you a better glimpse as to how they perceive their characters. So, without further ado, here's some info on Ms. Souders followed by her casting picks:

T.M. Souders was born in Johnstown, PA and grew up in the suburbs outside of Pittsburgh. She graduated in 2004, from Youngstown State University, with a degree in Psychology and minor in Women’s Studies. She is the author of bestselling women’s fiction novel, Waiting on Hope, as well as the novelette Dashing Through The Snow. Her young adult crossover novel, Freedom Road, is due to be released later this year. She currently lives in rural Ohio with her husband and children.

MY DREAM CAST

Ahhh…to have your book made into a movie, and not just any movie, but a major blockbuster!! That is the dream. So, if my latest novel Freedom Road were made into a movie, who would my dream cast be? I’m about to tell you. Movie execs are you listening!?

The main character, Samantha Becker: I would pick Kristen Stewart, and not because of the Twilight craze. If you read the book, you'd see why. She fits that attractive, moody, rocker vibe. Miley Cyrus also might work. The nose piercing might be a nice touch, but she would have to grow out that short blond hair and dye it black.

Laird, the college student/love interest: Liam Hemsworth from The Hunger Games (aka Gale). He’s totally hot and would be perfect! He has that tough and sexy, yet cute look going.

Tad, the neighbor’s nerdy grandson: This is certainly a vital character. This one, I'm not positive about. I wish I could think of someone, but I really am unsure because he would have to either be around 12 years old or look it, and I don’t know of anyone who matches the look and feel of the character in the book. I’m thinking his character would be a new discovery. But if you read it in the meantime and think of someone, let me know!

Kent, Sam's father: Billy Zane. He played the rotten fiancé from Titanic.

Sandra, Sam's mother: Elizabeth Shue or Ashley Judd. Both of these women would be about the right age, and I could envision them as playing her mother’s alcoholic character really well. And if I do a sequel to Freedom Road, which I hope to, who knows what I have in store for her mother, but I think they’d portray her well, no matter what I have happen.

June, Sam’s elderly neighbor: Helen Mirren. For those of you who may not know her, she played in The Queen and a few other things. She’s the perfect age, eloquent and a great actress. She’d be great for this, somewhat, mysterious character.

Derek, Sam’s boyfriend: Zayn Malik, one of the members from the boy group, “One Direction,” would be ideal. He’s attractive with dark hair and has somewhat of a bad boy quality.

As far as Sam’s friends and band mates go, I think there are a lot of different people who could play them. Ariana Grande from Nickelodeon’s Victorious could play Faith nicely. Dakota Fanning could play Lauren, while Harry Styles (the youngest member from the band “One Direction”) could play Ron.

So, Hollywood, bring it on!! Freedom Road is waiting…

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Since the tender age of eight, music served as Samantha Becker’s source of solace against her father’s tyranny and her mother’s alcoholism. Now at eighteen, her only dream is to study classical guitar at Juilliard. But when her father’s careless actions lead to an “accident,” which threatens her ability to play the guitar, Sam becomes despondent. Losing all confidence in her future, Sam hides behind the emotional barriers that have protected her for years.

Just when Sam has given up, two unexpected people enter her life, giving her the confidence she needs, and forcing her to evaluate all she’s ever known. Battling her father’s plans for her future, band mates using her for personal gain, and a permanent injury, the odds are stacked against her. With auditions approaching and time running out, Sam must relearn to play the guitar, or be destined to give up her dreams forever.