Eve Corso's Bookshelf

Q&A with Author Lorah Jaiyn

Now, before I began, I must say what a pleasure it was reading Sunset Sanctuary. It was such a nice little escape into a town I could really see myself living in and enjoying.

I hope you love this Q&A as much as I do, everyone!

How would you describe your series to someone you didn’t know?

Grouper Cove is like a Hallmark Channel series with a little Nicholas Sparks thrown in. Each book is a standalone – there will be characters that carry over, but mostly the town is what ties them all together. I write them in such a way that there’s no requirement to read them in order.

What inspired Sunset Sanctuary?

I live in Florida, and I have always loved the Gulf of Mexico. I also love the closeness and charm of small-town living. I actually wrote Book 2 first, which is where I created Grouper Cove, but before it was released, I wanted to write one to explain the town’s origins, which is how Sunset Sanctuary became Book 1. Again, that was more for me because you don’t have to read them in order.

Can you tell us about some of the characters in your book?

Kate and Erik are both down-to-earth, everyday people. I like keeping my characters real and relatable. Kate had just lost her parents, and Erik had just lost his town to a hurricane. I wrote their story to help them heal together while rebuilding and helping each other find the inner strength they needed to get through.

I absolutely loved Curry, the pelican. What inspired you to use a pelican for this story?

I love pelicans. Every time we go out in the Gulf fishing, or over to the Atlantic Ocean side, there are always pelicans waiting for a handout. They are the sweetest things waiting for a treat, and I adore watching them fly by in formation. There’s something so majestic about them. Curry came about because I would love to have one that I could cuddle and love on.

If you were one of the characters in this book, who would you be?

I would be Kate. Strong, independent, ready to get things done, not afraid of an adventure. And I’d have Curry 😉

What surprised you about Sunset Sanctuary as you were writing it?

How easy it all came together. I am in love with this fictional town, and there are many days I have to remember that I can’t just get in the car and go there. One day, I’ll win the lottery and buy enough land to start the town of Grouper Cove.

What can we expect next from Lorah Jaiyn?

Grouper Cove is going strong. I keep each book separate and different enough so I don’t fall into the category of “they all sound the same”. There are four more planned for 2020. I also have the Nut House Series started, one book for each season this year. Winter Wonderful (Nut House 1) is out, and Notes of Spring (Nut House 2) will be out in April. These stories are all individual but center around four estranged siblings. A squirrel rescue ties them all together. Poetic Justice also comes out in April, and this story – definitely not Hallmark – revolves around a young woman who snaps at the injustices of animal abuse and goes vigilante to right the wrongs after the criminal justice system keeps failing. I will definitely be showing my multi-genre skills this year.

Give us a fun fact about yourself.

I am turning into the crazy squirrel lady. I volunteered at an animal rescue when Hurricane Irma came along – there was no fuel to be found in our area, so rather than take all the orphaned squirrels to the facility, each volunteer had their own area to foster the babies until we had the means to travel around (we’re talking hundreds of babies). I ended with several and fell in love with the little bushy tails. It was one thing to volunteer at the rescue; it was quite another to be a full-time squirrel mama. I still foster when needed, and I’ve made friends with many of the wild squirrels at my home.

And finally, because I am a huge lover of movies, what are some of your favorite movies?

My movies tastes are as varied as my writing. In no particular order:

Dirty Dancing

Kate and Leopold

the Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Expendable, and RED movies

Hobbs and Shaw

Lambada

PS I Love You

Jumanji (new or old)

Grease

Just watched The Shape of Water today – loved it!

About the Author

Preorder link (release date 02/13/2020) : http://mybook.to/CrullerCI
Paperback (now live!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1708248609/ref

Q&A with author John Watson

In your own words, tell us a little bit about your book, Crueller.

Crueller is part of the Donut Shop Series and is probably a bit of an outlier in that group. The story begins in London, England during the Jack the Ripper years, where a curse is placed on the Crueller family by a vampiric creature named Ladislaus. It moves to modern-day, with the son of the titular character out to break the curse.

What inspired such a deliciously dark story?

When I was first offered a spot in this series, I didn’t think that I would be able to make donuts horrific in any way. I thought about passing, but as I thought about the different types of donuts, the Crueller seemed like something I could work with. Blood jelly came to me soon after, and the story quickly built from there.

Would you eat a Crueller doughnut?

The Crueller family are bakers, and the Crueller Crimson delight is their top-selling item. The secret ingredient is a little off-putting, but I’m sure I could be tempted to take a nibble.

What surprised you about this book as you were writing it?

The romance aspect of the Donut Shope Series was a little concerning for me, but I found that I was able to create some loving relationships within the story that came quite easily. Being in a very happy marriage probably helped.

What song would you partner with this book?

I actually named a chapter after one of my favorite songs from the 80’s. It’s “Love Like Blood” by Killing Joke.

Can you tell us about your local doughnut shop? What do you like to order?

We have an amazing donut shop nearby called Donut Worry. Their stuff is always fresh and they make all kinds of really cool toppings. I keep it pretty simple, though, as I usually order the strawberry coconut. So good!!

You experienced something emotional in a doughnut shop once. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

It’s a little more silly than overly emotional, but it’s also a funny story. I was a stay at home dad for 10 years, the best “job” I’ve ever had. I had dropped my daughter at school and was taking my son to his first day of pre-school. I dropped him off and hustled out of there quicky, as I was beginning to get a little choked up. I made the short drive to my local coffee shop to get myself a coffee and a donut to cheer myself up. When I arrived, I automatically opened up the sliding door on the minivan to get my son, only to see the empty car seat. By the time I was at the counter to order, I was in full weeping mode. On the bright side, my coffee and donut were on the house that day.

What can we expect next from John Watson?

There is a lot coming in 2020, which is equal parts exciting and scary, as it means a lot of work. A month after Crueller, I have a new novel called Off The Grid releasing. I’ll also have a pair of Creature Feature novella’s, a short story in the Beyond The Jungle Anthology, as well as two more novels before the end of the year. They are called The Hollow Eyed Girl and Slave to Blood. There is also a secret release coming that I am part of. Shhhhh!!

Give us a fun fact about yourself.

I write horror, but I am a bit of a scaredy-cat. I have a laundry list of things that creep me out.

And finally, because I am a huge lover of movies, I have to ask a movie question. What scene from a movie totally and absolutely freaks you out?

I don’t very often get freaked out by horror movies now, as I’m probably a little desensitized after watching so many. I remember being stunned at the decapitation scene in 30 Days of Night, and legitimately creeped out by the scene in Signs at the kids birthday party. I usually find alien stuff unsettling, with The Fourth Kind the creepiest of the bunch.

About the Author

Preorder link (release date 02/13/2020) : http://mybook.to/CrullerCI
Paperback (now live!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1708248609/ref

To order: https://www.amazon.com/Civil-Warriors-Tracy-Ball-ebook/dp/B07RV4FS7W/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=tracy+ball&qid=1569361996&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Q&A with author Tracy A. Ball

How would you describe this book to your friends and family?

It’s an interracial romance set in the 1860’s. It’s based on a local legend and an old diary. Without downplaying the severity of slavery,  you get a rich love story that is very  human and complicated.

What inspired you to write this book?

The legend, the diary and the fact that I have an interracial marriage. My husband and I often wonder ‘what if?’.

What have some of your readers/fan said about your book that surprised you?

I was concerned about how Civil Warriors would be received (it’s different) but the reviews have blown me away! I am humbled to tears by the reaction.

*One of the best books I have read.

*Good intelligent read!!!

*It kept me up past my bedtime 😊

The book is set in 1860’s. How did you prep for this book?

Sooooo much research, lol. I had to be sure every unconventional idea I put into the story was provable.

What can you tell us about some of your characters?

Georgia Anne is a woman of color with education, ability and no desire to be a servant. (You can imagine how that goes over in the 1860’s)

John Richard owns her, and loves her. But, he can’t reconcile the two. (He is a product of his environment and a prisoner to his heart.)

William would buck society to have her, but he would never hurt his brother.

Red Eagle is a Plains Indian who could alter Georgia Anne’s destiny.

Georgie is Georgia Anne’s twin. It’s up to him to save their lives…or not.

Are you planning on a sequel for this book? Why or why not?

People have asked but, John Richard and Georgia Anne’s story is done.  I do, however,  think about some of the side stories that happened and maybe there will be a next generation sequel. Idk.

What surprised you when you were writing it?

The number of practical examples for my seemingly far-fetched ideas.

And last but not least, because I am a huge fan of movies, what are some of your favorite films?

High fantasy and epic overcoming!

Lord of the Rings (you don’t want to know how many times I’ve watched this), Harry Potter, The Avengers, The Phantom of the Opera (Royal Albert Hall), Pride & Prejudice (Keira Knightly)

About the Author

Novelist, Reviewer, Content Editor, Blogger, T-shirt Wearer, and Professional Snacker; Tracy A. Ball is a native Baltimorean and a veteran West Virginian whose family is blended from three cultures. She has opened her home to foster children, drug addicts, AIDS victims, and anyone who needed an assist. She knows people who have committed murder and people who have dined with the Pope.

Which is why she writes sweet stories about tough love, tough stories about sweet love, and takes long naps.

Her published works include:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbJa-rZGIp0

Imogene’s Flowers

Black’s Magic

Truly, Madly, Kiss Me

Thorns

Dragonfly Dreams

Civil Warriors

Death’s Desire

An Angel with Dirty Wings

Tsarnia

KAYOS: The Bad & The Worse

The Tiger & The Snake

The Right Way to Be Wrong

Left on Marriottsville

The Train Ride

Join Tracy’s Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/dcc40b02b5e6/ball-books

https://tracyaball.wordpress.com/the-book-i-write/

* * *

Find and Follow Tracy

https://www.amazon.com/Tracy-A.Ball/e/B00JH7R8XY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

tra3ball@gmail.com

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tracy-a-ball

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3171920.Tracy_A_Ball

After a humiliating break up, Sarah decides it’s time to fall back in love with her first true love—travel. She books the perfect trip to revive her humdrum heartbroken life—ten days sailing the Greek islands on a yacht.

The last thing she wants is to meet someone new, but Sarah soon finds herself flirting with the cute American, Josh, and considering something more serious with the sexy silver fox, James.

Will Sarah dive into a holiday fling, embark on a relationship, or stick to her plan – steer clear of men, continue her love affair with feta, and find her own way after all?

Ten days, two men, one boat, and one big decision.

Buy links:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Summer-Santorini-Sandy-Barker/dp/000

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NZZZJSR/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/one-summer-in-santorini

Also available on iBooks

Q&A with author Sandy Barker

Now folks, this book is a favorite of mine! I laughed, I cried. After I was done with the book, I felt like I had just been on vacation! The way that Sandy Barker describes the food, and the locations-so great. You’ll absolutely love this romcom of a book!!!

It is my pleasure to include the author today. Welcome Sandy Barker!

In your own words, how would you describe your book?

One Summer in Santorini is a fun and flirty romantic comedy with a hefty theme – getting back to the once-happy you and living your biggest life. And although she’s really not interested in meeting anyone new, being fresh from an awful breakup, she meets two ‘someones’ – very different from each other, and each bringing out a different side of her.

What is the first food you would order/eat if you returned on this same trip Sarah takes?

Horiatiki – hands down. It’s Greek salad to non-Greeks and quite honestly, when I am in Greece, I will have one or two a day. It’s the tomatoes – they are the best in the world. There is a lot of other goodness in that salad, but it is almost impossible to recreate unless you have good tomatoes.

Tell us a little about Sarah’s background. Who was she before the vacation?

When we meet her, she is reasonably fresh from a breakup, and she’s ‘stuck’. She’d let herself love an unkind man, one who snuffed the joy from her life. She’s been coping by wallowing in self-pity, slaving at the gym, and spending far too much time alone. Booking the trip to Greece in a moment of bravery was the best thing she could have done. It terrifies her – she Is prone to anxiety and worry – but she needs the journey to get back to herself.

Who are some of the friends on the boat? What can you tell us about them?

As this book is inspired by my real-life love story – I met my partner on a pier in Santorini just as we were about to get on a sailing trip – the characters on the boat are also inspired by real people. Gary and Mari are a married couple who have a fantastic relationship – very loving. It’s important for Sarah to see that love like that exists, and Marie becomes like a big sister to Sarah, even giving her a dose of tough love.

The Skipper, Duncan, and his partner – long-distance love, Geraldine (Gerry) – show Sarah that relationships can be fun, flirtatious, and anchored in friendship. They are both funny characters, and I loved writing them. Hannah is Sarah’s cabin mate. She’s also trying to get over a heartbreak, but is more cynical than hopeful, and Sarah finds herself wanting to smooth out some of Hannah’s rough edges.

And then there is Josh, one of the love interests. He is younger than her, but they both feel that yearning for a bigger life, as he calls it. They start as fast friends – he is bright and makes her laugh – but she can’t deny the attraction either.

Can you share a picture with us on your trip to the Greek Islands? What is your memory of this photo?

This is me, Ben (my partner) and Sinead, a member of our floating family from our last trip to Greece. We are sailing into Athens at the end of the trip, so it was a bittersweet moment – we’d be saying goodbye soon. Patrick, the Skipper who inspired the character of Duncan, is in the background. Sinead became a dear friend and she has inspired a character in the sequel.

I’ve also included a photo of Sinead and I swimming off the boat when it was anchored in a tiny cove off Sifnos. We were the only boat there, and we called it Artemis Cove, because the night before had been a full moon and we’d had a barbecue on the beach by moonlight.

What are some of your upcoming releases?

I am about to hand over edits for the second book in my series about Sarah’s sister, Cat. She becomes a love fugitive when her flatmate declares his undying love for her, and she escapes to Europe on a bus tour. In Paris, she runs into someone from her past and …

You’ll have to read it when it comes out in March. 😉

It looks like the sequel to One Summer in Santorini will be out mid-year 2020 and I am also writing a Christmas book about three friends from the UK, the US, and Australia who swap Christmases. Look for that ahead of Christmas next year.

Because I am a movie lover, I have to ask all authors who chat with me, what is a movie you could just watch over and over?

Just one? How about two?

When Harry Met Sally – the most perfect romcom ever written.

Pitch Perfect – hilarious and I love the singing.

Thank you very much for having me – this was a blast. xx

About the Author

I’m a writer and traveller with a lengthy bucket list and cheeky sense of humour. When I travel, I love exploring new places, outdoor adventures, and eating and drinking like a local. I’m also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob.

As an author, I write the heart – what makes it sing, what breaks it, and how it mends – and many of my travel adventures have found homes in my novels. My first novel, a romantic comedy set in Greece and inspired by my real-life love story, was published in June 2019 by One More Chapter (HarperCollins).

I am editing my second book (the follow-up to One Summer in Santorini), and have just started writing my fifth. 2020 will see at least two new books out in the world!

As we get ready for our next author, I am going to post the first two chapters of my WIP. Release date: May 2020

Can’t wait until May? Check out the first book in my Esteban & Marialena series. Book one are two are available now!

Amazon link: http://bit.ly/EstebanMarialenaEverything else: https://books2read.com/u/mVQZE6

Pierce Leewood, known to the town of Cobbly Nob as the Piano Man, played for the visitors who graced Reagan Inn. His magical melodies made him beloved to guests but stories of his past left him a source of suspicion for locals. When young girls began to go missing and turned up dead, the Piano Man played his last tune.Twenty years later, Sarah Hayes and her daughter Amber find themselves uprooting their lives and returning to Cobbly Nob to help take care of family and the soon to reopen inn. While her mom and Grams immerse themselves in opening-day preparations, the mysteries of Reagan Inn and its most feared employee haunt Amber…as do its ghosts.As the monster known as the Piano Man sets his sights on Amber, she is determined to free the ghosts otherwise bound to suffer at his hands. Can she put an end to the Piano Man’s terror? Or will Amber find herself the next to face the music?

Purchase the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Man-Rena-Marin/dp/1096246880/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=piano+man+rena&qid=1565988592&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Q&A with author Rena Marin

In your own words, how would you describe your book? Piano Man is YA ghost story about the family who owns an old Inn a small mountain town. The Inn has been remodeled and is set to reopen which has the ghostly spirit of the town’s most notorious murderer ready to claim new victims.

What inspired this story? I worked in a haunted hotel for quite awhile. My daughter Amber still talks about the motel all these years later and remembers things that happened when she would visit with us at work. It amazes me how she remembers so much since she was just small at the time. She is a huge paranormal fan, just like her momma, so the more we talked about it, I decided it was time to give the motel its own story in a way. Of course, the real piano man was nothing like the one created for the book, but the name is the same. It’s the name Amber, and several others, called one of the motel’s most active ghosts due to the piano in the corner playing so often. 

What can you tell us of Cobbly Nob, where this story takes place? It’s actually a real community. I drive through it every day on my way to work and its beautiful. That’s what inspired me to use it as my setting. My version of Cobbly Nob is extended compared to the real location. It’s your typical small town. A grocery, a few mom and pops stores, library, small school, etc. To the older people in town it’s the perfect place to live a peaceful life. The kids? Well, they may get a few bouts of boredom which is why they are constantly looking for adventure to get into.

Have you or would you ever stay in a haunted inn? I have. The one I worked at would be my home several weeks in the winter months. It was hard to get to work when it would snow. If need be, the family and I would pack up and stay till things cleared up. I’ve spent many nights hearing things, seeing things, and even wandering around with the kids looking for things while there.

If you could place yourself in your book, which character would you be? What would you be doing? Oh, I would love to be one of the kids. Learning all the old legends about their town, exploring the Inn, and facing a new adventure would be something I would love to take part in. Especially the research part. I love reading about the history of haunted locations.

What surprised you most about your book as you were writing it? Piano Man began as a standalone. By the time I ended it, I found I couldn’t say goodbye to the characters and the location. A series is now in the works revolving around them. Graveyard Girls, book two, will be coming in 2020.

Give us a Rena Marin fun and/or unusual fact. I’m a huge horror/paranormal fan. Growing up, I didn’t have siblings to do the adventurous checking out of creepy places. My friends weren’t as into it as I was, so I was left with research and learning about places. Now, I have a partner in crime. My daughter, she’s 13, is just as taken by the paranormal as I have. We’ve started doing a few things here and there like ghost walks, explorations, etc. We have more planned for the future. I guess in a way you could call us wanna-be-investigators, lol.

What are you reading now? I just finished a reread of Wuthering Heights for an anthology I’m in. Next up will be Erin Lee’s Cotton Candy.

What can you tell us about your future releases? I have several anthologies releasing this year including Beyond Atlantis, Infamy, and Art Inspires with Crazy Ink. I also have the third installment of the Dead Oaks Terrors Series, Night Stalker coming in November which is written with Skylar McKinzie. In October, The Hunter’s Guild of Dark Hollow Ridge will be releasing. It is part two of my Dark Hollow Ridge saga. In December, another solo of mine, Backroad, will be released. As an exclusive author with Crazy Ink, all these titles will be published by them and their amazing team!

And because I’m a movie person, I have to ask, name a movie you could watch over and over and over again and still find merit in? Oh, I am such a huge movie fan!! I love too many! Let’s see as a fan, I love all the great horror movies of the 70’s 80’s and 90’s. Halloween, Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, all of those. I love all the superhero movies too, but a good movie that gets me every time I watch it has to be Steel Magnolias. It’s my ugly cry movie but watching it reminds me of my family and the people I grew up with so much. Those women act just like my grandma and my aunts. It’s a great nod to life in the south and a time when things were simpler.

About the Author

Order Piano Man here: https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Man-Rena-Marin/dp/1096246880/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=piano+man+rena&qid=1565988592&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Before I get started, I have had the privilege and honor to call this author my co-worker, if you will. Though we’ve never met, we are both exclusive authors for Crazy Ink and she has helped me brainstorm numerous times. Her hard work and determination is an inspiration. Okay, enough said, let’s get to the book, shall we?

Q&A with author Justina Luther

In your own words, how would you describe your book?

Hi Eve, and thank you for this opportunity! I would describe my book as a thrilling, clean, read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. A story of family, love, and betrayal.

What inspired you to come up with the idea for your Step Into Darkness series?

It started as a short story I wrote when I was fourteen. My parents have quite a large age gap between them and I was always concerned my dad would pass away when I was still a kid. The story was my way of mentally walking through my fears of what could be the aftereffects of that happening without actually having to go through it.

How many books will it be?

Right now, I’m planning on six books for this series, but that will all depend on where the story takes me. I’m not much of a plotter, so writing truly is an adventure for me and it’s hard to tell ahead of time how long or short a piece or series will be. At this point, I do have rough ideas for six, though.

What can you tell us about book two? And how long do we have to wait?! 🙂

Without giving too much away, I can say in book two, Gut Check, the steaks get even higher for Justine, Eric, and Camille and some characters may have even more to hide than we think. It will be releasing on September 24^th 2019.

What is your favorite thing about your main character, Justine?

My favorite thing about Justine is honestly a trait I consider her best and worst. She puts others before herself. The reason I say this is her best and worst trait is because she sometimes does this to her own detriment. This is something I’ll have to work with her on in upcoming books. We’ve talked about it, but so far she hasn’t listened. haha

Your book is listed as a psychological thriller. What are some thrilling inspirations for you? Books? Films? Authors?

Thrilling inspirations for me, honestly, don’t necessarily have to be in the thriller category. Be it a book or a movie, if there’s a well written twist that I didn’t see coming, that is a thrill for me and something I strive for in my own work.

If you could place yourself in your book, which character would you be? What would you be doing?

This is such a great question, but a really hard one to answer. Every answer I think of would change the story in some huge way. I would probably be Eric’s mother Angelica, because she’s a tough woman who needs to be a bit nosier. I am nosy. I would have put an end to the shenanigans quickly.

What are writing must haves for you? Coffee, background music, tea? 

In order to write, I need a timer for writing sprints when my mind isn’t playing along, water so I don’t get dehydrated, and someone to remind me to eat because I will forget.

What are you reading now? 

I’m in between books at the moment. I’ve been in full editing mode. That being said, I’m really enjoying the Nikki Heat series.

And because I’m a movie person, I have to ask, name a movie you could watch over and over and over again and still find merit in?

That would have to be If Only. I do not cry easily, but this movie gets me every time and it has my favorite twist of all time!

Bonus fun facts about Justina:

1. I had brain surgery at 10 days old.
2. I modeled from the ages of 12-15.
3. I used to tutor essay writing to adult GED students.

About the Author

Justina Luther is a lifetime author with a passion for reading, writing, animals and creativity. Be it a story or something she’s learned, sharing with her readers is her greatest joy. With a love for trying new things, she constantly finds experiences to add depth and realism to her fiction

Order it here: https://www.amazon.com/Cursed-Legacy-Book-Hunting-Night-ebook/dp/B07HK7MLQV/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=michelle+cursed+a+legacy&qid=1561688686&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Q&A with author Michelle Edwards

In your own words, how would you describe your book?

            It’s a love story of sorts. You have a young woman who loved her brother dearly. She starts to fall for a guy who she shouldn’t be involved in, and she loves her best friend.  It’s definitely not just about the supernatural.

What supernatural elements can be found in your novel?

            Well we have some witches, an old vampire, and a badass supernatural hunter along with some others who pop up here and there.

Where does your novel take place?

            All over the United States. My characters travel around a bit, but they always come back to their home base (a home owned by a vampire).

What can you tell us about the rest of the series?

            The rest of the series is packed of action and heartbreak, and even some more death.  The second book continues Lily’s story, I can’t say too much without giving it away. The third book actually focuses more on a secondary character and the fourth book will focus on a character you don’t even meet until the end of the first book.

If you could be a werewolf, witch or vampire, which would you pick and why?

            Witch. Ever since my Charmed days I’ve always loved the idea of witchcraft.  It would be cool to do spells and have them work. Think of how many people I could help that way!

If you could place yourself in your book, which character would you be? What would you be doing?

            I think I would be Lily’s long lost sister. I’d be her wing girl helping her find out who killed Ben (her brother).

What surprised you most about your book as you were writing it?

            How easily it came together. I started a long time ago with a loose idea for this book, but it grew into something that was easy to write. 

When you write, do you use a pen and journal, or do you write with a computer?

            Computer. I always have a notebook and pen with me, but I also always carry my Chromebook or tablet so I can write anywhere. 

What are writing must haves for you? Coffee, background music? 

            I’m actually a very strange person. I have to music playing, but it has to come from earbuds. If I don’t have the earbuds in my ears I just stare at my work. 

What are you reading now? 

            What’s your Superpower. A Crazy Ink Anthology.

And because I’m a movie person, I have to ask, name a movie you could watch over and over and over again and still find merit in?

            Ten Inch Hero. 

About the Author

You can order the book here: http://mybook.to/PrettyBonesPB

Q&A with author Erin Lee

In your own words, how would you describe your book?

Pretty Bones, book one in a duology, is a coming of age story about a girl who grows up in a funeral home with a rare bone condition. If her life isn’t strange enough, those she encounters—mostly dead people—are.

What inspired you to come up with the idea for Pretty Bones?

I work as a therapist and have toyed with the idea of switching specialties to grief counselling. For that reason, I wanted to learn more about the dying process and ways to help families in mourning.

What can you tell us about Marlow? What is it like to live as the daughter of a mortician?

Marlow hates it. Her time after school is spent in the cremation room watching bodies burn. It’s made her an outcast at school and she resents the family business. At the same time, she’s morbidly curious and sees beauty in death and dying.

If you could give Marlow one piece of advice, what would you say?

I would tell her to hang in there. Life gets better after death and even somewhere in the middle.

Your book is listed as “twisted” contemporary coming of age novel. I love that. What are some “twisted” inspirations for you? Books? Films? Authors?

Nearly all of my favorite reading and other interests have some sort of dark element in them. I’m an extremely optimistic and hopeful person. ‘Dark’ is the opposite of my true nature which is why I am so curious about it. I am a huge Stephen King fan and got hooked with the movie Carrie and later his books.

What message would you like readers to take away from “Pretty Bones”?

That growing up is hard for everyone, but worse for some. I want people to get that everyone has problems and we can all relate on some level. Death is the ultimate equalizer and I think that this book and its sequel, Boned, both make it clear that we are all in this crazy thing called life (and ultimately, death) together.

If you could place yourself in your book, which character would you be? What would you be doing?

I would be Marlow. Her strength and persistence are things I admire about her. I would probably have fought the family business and sexism themes more because I’m a little spunkier than she is, but overall, she also taught me patience. I still think about this character and could learn from her. I think we all could.

What are writing must haves for you? Coffee, background music, tea? 

Tea. Five hour energy. Silence.

What are you reading now? 

Everything Ever about Edgar Allen Poe (it’s a real book). His life story is fascinating.

And because I’m a movie person, I have to ask, name a movie you could watch over and over and over again and still find merit in?

Green Mile

About the Author

You can order Pretty Bones here: http://mybook.to/PrettyBonesPB