“Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

   Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

   It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.” ~ Goodreads description

Title: Scarlet

Author: A.C. Gaughen

Publisher: Walker Childrens

Publishing Date: February 14^th, 2012

ISBN: 9780802723468

Pages: 304

You’ve heard about Robin Hood’s Will Scarlet before, but you’ve never heard Scarlet put quite like this.

For one thing, the brilliant thief Will Scarlet is actually a girl. A knife-toting girl who’s past is shrouded by secrets that she’s determined to keep, especially from the one person she loves most, Robin Hood himself.

It was so refreshing to see a female character like Scarlet. Wonderfully strong, yet beautifully flawed, Scarlet delivers her blows and she takes them; she cares deeply about the people she helps and isn’t afraid to take risks; she’s independent and doesn’t need a guy; she keeps up with the boys and feels easier having a knife in hand if eyes are on her.

Yes, she really does love her knives (and you will love that about her). “Me wanting shiny knives and fool girls’ sighing over shiny jewels weren’t near the same thing.” Scarlet tells us.

SCARLET’s carefully crafted secrets come together like the pieces of a puzzle and when you do get to see the complete picture, you will not be disappointed. Filled with nonstop action, one phenomenal (knife throwing) strong female lead, plenty of wit and romance, and an ending that left me wanting more, SCARLET has made it’s rightful place in my Top 5 Books list.

Don’t hesitate, read SCARLET today!

A.C. Gaughen, the author of SCARLET, was kind enough to let me interview her:

   Me: All authors put a little bit of themselves into their characters, but has Scarlet rubbed off on you?

   A.C.: Definitely! Especially while I was in the middle of writing it, I started thinking in the weird way she talks. It’s very addictive and sneaks into your brain.
I’d like to think I’m as tough as she is, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet!

   Me: As a teen, what were your favorite books and T.V. shows?

   A.C.: I LOVED Tamora Pierce, Susan Cooper, Anthony Horowitz (a little later)–I had a lot of favorite books! TV shows…I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I watched it from the very first episode religiously. And Angel, and Charmed…maybe I need to write paranormal.

   Me: SCARLET was kind of left open ended. Did you do this because you’re thinking of writing a sequel, or because the Robin Hood legends always continue?

   A.C.: Thank you for picking up on that latter bit! Yes, I chose to do it because though Scarlet has come to a lot of realizations about herself, life hasn’t changed in Nottinghamshire. The legends always continue and continue to speak to a new generation because injustice and evil are two things the world will never be rid of. There’s no concrete end.
That being said, I’ve been totally inundated with people asking for a sequel, and I would love the opportunity to write it!

   Me: What advice would you give to young aspiring authors?

   A.C.: Keep going! Never stop. This is a constant learning process and yes, each book you write and each query you submit you learn more. But it’s also a game of sheer luck, and you have to keep playing in order to hit it at the right time.

   Me: Is there a question that you’ve wanted to be asked in interviews, but have never gotten asked before? If so, talk away!

   A.C.: I love when people ask what I do outside writing, because it’s pretty awesome (if I do say so myself)–I’m a board member for a non profit in Boston called Boston GLOW (Girls Leadership and Organized Women), and I head up efforts to encourage teen girls in underfunded school systems write their way to actionable, local change. It’s incredibly inspiring work, and every now and again I get to see this incredible spark of a girl beginning to see in herself the power to change the world. It’s totally amazing.

Thanks so much A.C.!

Visit www.acgaughen.com to see the awesome book trailer for SCARLET and more!

And remember, “Don’t get on the wrong side of a lady thief”!