My First Critique Partner: An International Partnership

In September 2012, I was looking for a critique partner for a fantasy book I'd been writing on and off for about a year. I met Ritu Lalit on a writing site called Agent Query Connect. Two things surprised me about her. One, she was published (a dream for a novice like me, because, hey, she's experienced! She'd be able to tell me if my writing sucks or not!). Two, she was Indian. I admittedly wasn't sure how that was going to work out. My first fear was that she didn't write in English, that we would exchange chapters and I'd be sitting there scratching my head over the Hindi.

But we exchanged chapters and to my surprise--and relief!--her writing was in English, albeit UK English. The spelling was slightly different (for example, I wrote "behavior" while she wrote "behaviour"). But it worked out. I quickly realized she was a Harry Potter fan by the Harry Potter references in the first chapter. That was great, because I was a fan too.

In the first chapter, I was fascinated by the names. I never hear those names in the US: Roma, Samaira, Sandeep, Parineeta, etc. I became fascinated by Ritu's culture--the food (whose names I'd never heard before and had no idea what it looked like), people's names, the setting, and the spiritual elements. Her story was about witches and warlocks who employed their chakras--energy centers--to use the different elements such as earth, wind, fire, and water. Her story was a fantasy thriller, one of my favorite genres! Her story was fast-paced and full of cheeky humor, and so enjoyable that I would read through her chapters quickly.

At first, I felt a little lost but after a few chapters, I began to get used to the different names and terms she used. And she began to get used to my story. I'm part of the Bible Belt, and here everything is about the Bible--crosses everywhere, Jesus on billboards, different church denominations on every street--so naturally I was writing a story about angels. A rebellious angel that somehow managed to push God's buttons. Ritu actually knew a bit about the Christian religion, so she wasn't confused by the concepts of God, heaven, and angels. In fact, she even asked me if angels were asexual and why I was making them male and female. I explained that they were in human form, and she was cool with that. She knew enough about Christianity that she was able to help me develop my angel characters, and that amazed me.

As we got deeper into each other's stories, I was surprised how much we could talk about. So far away from each other, and from such different cultures, I didn't think we'd hit it off like we did. But I was wrong! We joked about my Facebook profile picture (which was a butterfly and we kidded about me being a butterfly passing as human). We talked about the weather where we lived (I still don't know how she can live with eight months of summer!), the holidays we celebrated (I could barely pronounce the names of most of her holidays), and stories we liked and disliked.

I'm a Grammar Nazi and couldn't stop myself from pointing out every single typo in her work. Luckily, she liked me doing that. I was also big on the setting. I would ask her how something tasted or smelled, what the characters were wearing, what color the sky was, etc.

She was more focused on the bigger content issues and talked to me about my characters' motivations, the action scenes, and the pacing. She always said I wrote great action scenes, which made me giddy with happiness. She was always supportive of my writing and could boost my confidence when I was having an "everything I write sucks" day. One thing I learned while being critique partners with her was to be careful to use the term "Native Americans" in my story. In the US, most everyone thinks of the Native Americans as Indians (thanks to Columbus' five-hundred-year-old mistake). So I had to be careful to call them Native Americans; otherwise, Ritu might think I was talking about people in India. I used to have trouble with that, but thanks to her, I always call them Native Americans now.

A big thing that surprised me about her story was her strong female protagonists (and antagonists). I viewed India as an extremely patriarchal society from the news I heard. So when I read her characters, my first thought was "Hey, these women aren't whiny and weak! And men respect them! What's the deal?" (I later found out that Ritu was a feminist like myself. Something else we had in common!)

About a few months after we met, I began to run out of steam on my book and decided to set it aside for a while. But I kept reading Ritu's, wanting to know how the story ended. Then our partnership ended for about a month before she contacted me again, kindly asking me if I could do a final read through of her book before she sent it to her publisher. I went gung ho on the grammar and spelling and fired off comments left and right about where I had questions about characters' motivations, setting details, and any areas where I was confused about what was going on. She said she really appreciated my inputs.

After that, our communication stopped for a while. Then, months later, I was trying to form an online critique group in the fall of 2013 and asked her if she'd like to join. Aside from us, there was an American missionary living in Africa, a person in Sweden, and a person in France.The missionary messaged me soon after we started the group and told me she had some trouble understanding the terms Ritu used in her book. I told her she'd get used to it after a few chapters. I could read Ritu's work without any trouble now, understanding most of the terms used. However, that group came to an end due to people's schedules. But it was interesting while it lasted.

Now, me and Ritu keep up with each other on Facebook. I can barely believe that we've already known each other for two years! She was the first critique partner I ever had, and it was a fantastic experience for us both!

Interview with Thriller Author Michael Segedy

Interview Between Me and Michael Segedy 

Me: Where did you get the idea for your book?

Michael: I have been interested for sometime in the mind of the serial killer, in particular the mind of the serial killer driven to commit murder to satisfy some twisted part of his libido while at the same time using his religious convictions to justify his acts, seeing them somehow as sanctimonious and serving God's greater plan. At the same time, I've noticed how countries can engage in serial killing behavior motivated by a similar sanctimonious conviction, though not libidinal, is every bit as feverish and irrational. Certainly, one aim of the novel is to show the danger and madness in such holier than thou stances that attempt to justify horrible acts of murder.

Me: Who are your favorite characters in your book and why?

Michael: My favorite characters are, of course, my principal ones. Rick Clark the FBI agent tasked to solve the serial killings becomes personally involved with the murder of people dear to him while not having recovered from recent traumas. The pressure he is under to find the killer and resolve the mystery surrounding their deaths overwhelms him to the point of despair and gains our deep sympathy. The psychopaths behind the killings both repulse and attract, which makes them favorite characters as well. I believe that as we are drawn into the details of their former lives, we come to understand the forces that have helped shape them. My two principal female characters, Marty and Neva, are no less my favorite characters. In fact, I find their personalities are arguably stronger and more heroic than their male counterpart.

Me: What themes does your book present?

Michael: There is definitely the theme of justice. Though not all of the characters are treated fairly by fate and circumstance, overall the novel ends with the feeling that the wicked will not go unpunished, not as long as there are people in the world willing to make the necessary personal sacrifices it takes to see that justice is served. At the same, there is this moral tension, in particular reflected in the thoughts of the Rick Clark, who has grave doubts about the universe having moral order. In the final analysis, he believes that if it doesn't, it is nonetheless our responsibility as fragile human beings to impose some semblance of it. 

I believe like any good novel, it is a mistake to see the work as having one or two themes. Certainly there are a number of other underlying themes in most decent works of fiction. In Sanctimonious Serial Killers, there are various themes: political corruption, false righteousness, malignant nationalism or racism, the power of love to overcome cultural and religious bias, and  the dangers of narrow religious views and blind religious and political dogmatism.

Me: How many books do you have in this series?

Michael: I've written three novels that have FBI agent Rick Clark as the major protagonist. Each book shows how events in his life begin to transform his world view and personal and professional behavior. He is certainly not your stereotypical federal agent. He has too many scars and has become privy to too many government machinations to be blinded by nationalism or non-reflective patriotism.

Me: What makes you choose to write thrillers?

Michael: I guess I like novels that contain mystery and suspense, but at the same leave you with something to think about. For that reason, I like John Grisham's, Michael Connelly's and Jo Nesbo's crime novels and thrillers. Apart from developing interesting characters, I enjoy working out plots that contain elements of suspense and a few clever twists and turns. Believable twists and turns. I'm always disappointed when a novel has a non-plausible final chapter (or chapters) that attempts to provide the Big Surprise ending. I also think that writing a thriller or crime novel does not preclude writing literary fiction, though I have a feeling that many readers think of thrillers and crime novels as simply pulp fiction, commercial clap-trap.

Me: What authors influence your writing?

Michael: I believe some of my literary influences have been Sherwood Anderson, John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, John Salinger, and Kurt Vonnegut. As far as thrillers or crime fiction are concerned, probably Michael Connelly, Jo Nesbo, and John Grisham. 

Me: How many books have you written?

Michael: Gee, have to think about that. Six novels and two small books about literature. 

Me: What makes your book different from other thrillers or crime novels?

Michael: Perhaps philosophical and political elements. Also, I think that I tend to have more central characters than most novels, instead of one or two protagonists telling everything from their viewpoint. Often the minor characters become as instrumental in telling the story as the major. Our Darker Angel is a clear example of this. In this novel, there are no fewer than six characters unfolding the story.

Excerpt from Sanctimonious Serial Killers

He opened up a deletion program he had used in the past. It would nuke any white space on the drive, which meant it would write over the files he had turned to zeroes. All he had to do now was click on the mouse button.

Still, he hesitated. Something inside him was holding him back. Maybe it was some rebellious sentiment lingering from his youth. From his college days, when he believed that the world could be a better place.

If he hit the nuke button, nothing would change. He could be assured of that. The relatively small number of people in the government who had been setting foreign policy based on greed and self-interest would continue to do so. The American public would never know that a small group of individuals had usurped powers belonging to the president and the congress, and ultimately to the people. Like the public, our elected leaders would remain in the dark when it came to making informed decisions about corporate power and foreign policy. We’d never learn how our intelligence services aided and abetted the slaughter of dozens of women and children in order to kill a couple of terrorists. And the rush to war in Yemen? We would never see what was really behind it. But we would see over and over again on TV the images of dead bodies from nerve gas attacks by the rebel regime, while we listened to the pundits egging us on to support the Yemeni regime.

Jeremy’s index finger pressed the nuke button, and he watched as the files disappeared forever. It had come down to a simple choice between his life and everybody else’s. His life and the fourth estate. An either/or decision. Either him or everyone else. Either his life or his country’s best interests. But, like he’d told himself, he was no martyr.

Author Bio

Michael Segedy is an award winning author. Over the years he has lived abroad in faraway places such as Taiwan, Israel, Morocco, and Peru. His life overseas has inspired him to write thrillers that include scenes set in foreign lands. Many of his works have won recognition in prestigious international book awards contests.

Link to Book 

He can be reached at  msegedy@gmail.com

Interview with fantasy author Tifani Clark

Blurb for Shadow of a Life by Tifani Clark

Jamie Peters plans to spend the summer before her junior year with her nose stuck in a book—not saving lost souls. Usually the girl that blends into the crowd, Jamie’s world is turned upside down when a mysterious ghost begins to follow her.

But Sophia isn’t just any ghost.

A hundred years earlier, Sophia’s disappearance sparked a national mystery that remained unsolved. Jamie knows the legends surrounding Sophia’s disappearance, but she never dreamed she would find out what really happened . . . or that her family might have had something to do with Sophia’s disappearance.

Determined to set Sophia free, Jamie blows the dust off her family’s past and unearths clues to discover what she must do to save Sophia’s soul. She enlists the help of childhood friend—and secret crush—Peter Ashby as she sets off on a dangerous quest to find a missing map. Spending the night in a graveyard, crawling through a dilapidated barn, and staring down the barrel of a gun aren’t enough to deter Jamie from helping Sophia. But can she find the answers she needs before another ghost gets revenge on her and Sophia?

Interview Between Me and Tifani Clark:

Me: Where did you get the idea for your book?

            Some of the characters (like Jamie and Peter) had been holding conversations in my head for a couple of years before I actually started writing Shadow of a Life. I knew Jamie's personality and that she would help a ghost, but it took me a while to figure out who that ghost would be. One day, I read an article about the true story of the Mary Celeste. I knew immediately that my first book had to explain what "really" happened all those year ago.

Me: Who are your favorite characters in your book and why?

            My favorite character of this book is Sophia. In the book she is eighteen, but in real life she disappeared at age two. Her picture haunted me (ghost pun intended) the entire time I wrote the book and I still think about her all the time.

 

Me: What themes does your book present?

            Sometimes it's okay to believe in things or ideas that society tells you are ridiculous...like ghosts. Also, Jamie and Sophia and all the other characters find that persistence is important. It took 140 years, but they finally solved the mystery surrounding Sophia's death. 

Me: How many books do you have in this series?

            Shadow of a Life is the first, the second is completed and being edited, and I hope to finish the third book by the end of the year. There isn't an end to this series. Jamie can help as many ghosts as I can find time to write about.

Me: What authors influence your writing?

            I like authors that write about suspense and danger. (You know, the kind of books that you read in the dark, but wish you didn't.)  As a teenager, I read all of the Caroline Cooney and Lois Duncan books. These days, I don't necessarily focus on specific authors. The internet has opened up the chance to read the works of a million different people and I've been having fun "experimenting" with different genres and authors.

Me: How many books have you written?

            Shadow of a Life is my first book to be published, but I have completed three other novels. Hopefully they will all see the light of day soon!

Me: Where do you see the young adult paranormal book market 10 years from now?

            Honestly? I think it will still be just as popular, but it will have evolved greatly. Over the years, different beings have been all the rage. Vampires, werewolves, and witches have all found the spotlight. My books are obviously about ghosts. There are all kinds of creatures and beings that I believe will each get their turn to shine.

Me: What makes your book different from other Young Adult paranormal books?

            I think my book is different because of the way I imagine the ghosts. In real life, ghosts are portrayed as hazy (usually scary) beings. In Shadow of a Life and its sequels, the ghosts are good people who can still be seen long past their expiration dates.

 Excerpt from Shadow of a Life

            My eyes popped open and I stared wide-eyed at the ceiling, heart pounding. Something had pulled me out of a deep sleep. A noise. I’d definitely heard a noise. I lay motionless, listening for any sign of movement, but the only sounds I heard were the faint tick-tick-tick of my watch and my own heart thumping in my ears. The room was dark except for a thin stream of light extending from the crescent moon outside my open window. What made that noise? Is someone in my room?

           

            “Come on, Jamie. Don’t be a baby,” I whispered to myself. My heart raced faster and faster as I forced myself to turn my head and look into the shadowy corners of my bedroom.

            Nothing.

            My alarm clock flashed 12:00 a.m. I’d fallen asleep during a spring rain shower, and the storm must have knocked the power out at some point during the night. I fumbled for my cell phone on the nightstand and checked the time. 3:48 a.m. I sighed and sat up, turning on my lamp as I did so. The sudden burst of light blinded me for a few seconds, and I rubbed my eyes to relieve the blurriness before reaching to reset my clock.

            And then I smelled it. A floral scent—rose, with a hint of lavender—and it was strong. My heart began to pound again. Something wasn’t right.

          

Author Bio 

Tifani Clark grew up on a farm in southeastern Idaho (yes, that’s where they grow all the potatoes) as the middle of five children. She had a lot of space to imagine and daydream and often pictured herself as a character in one of the many books she read. She was habitually found pretending to be Scarlet O’Hara. Tifani loves mystery and hates it when one goes unsolved. She is married to the love of her life and is the mother to four fabulous children. When not writing, she enjoys playing the violin and piano and traveling to new places. She especially enjoys visits to national parks and places of historical significance.

Links to Find the Author and Her Book 

Author Links--

 Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/tifaniclark
Twitter:  @TifaniClark
Website: http://www.tifaniclark.blogspot.com

Book Links--

  Barnes & Noble 
Amazon 
Smashwords

Author Interview with E.B. Black

Interview Between Me and E.B. Black

Me: Where did you get the idea for your book? E.B. Black: I've always loved greek mythology. Also, I like to explore the mind and why we do things. I wanted to explore the characters of greek mythology in a deeper way and see if I could uncover "secrets" that I thought the characters might possibly have. Me: Who are your favorite characters in your book and why? E.B. Black: I like characters that sacrifice themselves or are misunderstood. They are true heroes to me. So in Pandora's Mistake, my favorite is Prometheus and in Medusa's Desire, it's Medusa. Me: What themes does your book present? E.B. Black: Pandora's Mistake is about lost innocence. Medusa's Desire is about body image and confidence. Me: How many books do you have in this series? E.B. Black: So far, only two, but it should end up with at least 5. Me: What makes you choose to write fantasy? E.B. Black: I'm drawn to it. The first story I ever tried to write was a Fantasy Romance novel about a girl with amnesia turning into an Evil Queen and her best friend who was falling in love with a Prince. I hadn't read many fantasy novels at the time. It was just where my mind automatically went. In the past ten years, since then, I have read a lot of fantasy. Me: What authors influence your writing? E.B. Black: I don't think other authors influence my writing as much as they influence my marketing. The reason I decided to make my first novel, Pandora's Mistake, free, for instance, is because I saw other authors do it and thought it would be an excellent idea. Why should someone buy my books without getting the chance to sample them at length? Me: Why do you think fantasy books are so popular? E.B. Black: It's because they provide escapism. The worlds in fantasy novels are completely different from ours. They also give a sense of wonder. It's like you are a kid again because you are exploring this brand new world for the first time and amazed by everything that makes it special. Me: How many books have you written? E.B. Black: I've had two books published, so far: Medusa's Desire and Pandora's Mistake, but I have several other stories saved on my computer that aren't finished yet. Some are greek myths, but others are just generic Fantasy Romance novels or Science Fiction Romance. Me: Where do you see the fantasy book market 10 years from now? E.B. Black: What I hope is for more women to be enjoying fantasy novels at that time. Me: What makes your book different from other fantasy books? E.B. Black: When other authors write about Greek mythology, they usually write stories that are loosely based off of Greek myths, but the details of all the characters are totally or partially changed. With my novels, I try to tell the original story, but in a new way, so that you view the characters totally differently. Like I am telling you the secret story of these characters, the parts that were left out of the original greek myths.

Excerpt from Pandora's Mistake

She wrapped her arms around him. "Aren't I enough for you? Can't you spend a little time with me and ignore this for a while?" He dropped the clay on the ground as their lips met. Their tongues fought for control of their passions as they entered each other's mouths. That old familiar desire to explore Hecate's body crawled down Prometheus' chest and to his loins. He moaned into her mouth, until he opened his eyes for a moment. He looked at the ground. The clay was covered in dirt and it had rolled over several flowers. It was misshapen. He pushed Hecate away, forgotten. He lifted the piece of clay in his hands and tried to dust it off. It was ruined. Hecate frowned and grabbed the snake around her neck angrily. Before it had the chance to bite her, it transformed into a golden key. Her face warped and began to change with it. Hecate's lips grew fuller. Her eyes became larger. Her body was curvier. "Perhaps this form of mine will tempt you more," Hecate whispered. Her voices were husky. Hecate knew he was unable to resist this body the most out of the three she possessed. She could shapeshift between them. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pecked her on the lips. "What do you need those humans for anyway?" she asked. "You have three women living inside me who all wish to sleep with you.”

Author Bio

Growing up, I was sheltered from fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction novels. Now that I've tried them as an adult, I've become addicted! I like to escape to other worlds so much that I had to create my own.

In junior high and high school, I read romance novels all day long. It frustrated my mother and teachers because I'd neglect my homework in order to squeeze more reading time in.

I became an author because I enjoy reading and daydreaming. I wanted to share my passion for these things with all of you!

I live in Southern California with my boyfriend and two dogs. If you'd like to contact me about anything, please do so at deathauthor@live.com

Twitter Faceboook Website Blog Buy Links For Pandora's Mistake-- Amazon Barnes and Noble Smashwords

Author Interview with Jayson Dash

Blurb from Treacherous

It was the end of summer party, the beginning of senior year, and Holden just wanted to let loose with his buddies Nate and Danny. For Holden Cotillard, usually the definition of fun was doing extra credit projects for his AP chemistry class. For Danny Vanderbilt it meant selling dexies to his classmates. And to Nate Engel it meant practicing drill for his future as a naval officer. But on the way home, they cover up an accident. Just when they think it’s over, they all receive haunting threats from an anonymous source who intends to make them pay.

Holden distracts himself by striking up a friendship that could prove treacherous to his perfect academic record if he isn’t careful…

Danny may be the smartest drug dealer on campus but with the latest OD on Adderall, the principal is cracking down—and he’s not the only one watching Danny’s every move.

Nate just wants to be a Navy man. It doesn’t matter that his heart flutters for Alec every time he walks in a room—even if he’s dating his best friend.

What will it take to keep Holden, Danny, and Nate’s past in the dark? Who’s demented enough to want to see them harmed, frightened, or worse?

Interview Between Me and Jayson Dash

Me: Where did you get the idea for your book?

The idea for the book came to me when I was reading a book that ended so horribly I was so frustrated I decided to write my own ending. I eventually wrote my own book and I was so happy with it, I let others read it who agreed that I should publish it. I love the idea of teens in trouble, especially when they are the ones who put themselves there.

Me: Who are your favorite characters in your book and why?

I know I sound biased but I love the three main characters: Holden, Danny and Nate. I love Holden because he reminds me of a close friend who's always trying to do the right thing. Danny is my favorite because he has amazing one-liners and he doesn’t hold back. Nate, he’s just like me in so many ways. I like that he is kind-hearted and cares about everyone and even though he’s gay, he doesn’t let it be his defining trait.

Me: What themes does your book present?

The themes in my book are friendship, revenge, deception, secrecy and accountability. Wow, that’s a lot.

Me: Is this a series? If so, how many books do you have in it?

At the moment the book is a standalone with series potential, if I ever decided to revisit that world, which I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.

Me: What makes you choose to write young adult?

I think I chose to write young adult because there isn’t so much restriction as in adult books. Young adult is all about that innocent age where we’re a bit naïve to the world and that immaturity gets us in a lot of trouble. I like putting myself in the shoes of teens with really big problems to solve.

Me: What authors influence your writing?

Oh boy. J.K. Rowling’s awesomeness seeped into me when I was like 13, been hooked since. I love how Richelle Mead infuses humor into her books and it totally works because normally there isn’t much humor in fantasy/urban fantasy. Also, Amanda Hocking is my hero. If it wasn’t for her blog and books, I never would have taken the plunge to publish.

Me: Why do you think young adult books are so popular?

I think people like the escape and to be able to have these awesome adventures involving vampires or facing off with a stalker like my characters in Treacherous. Young adult has a lot of crossover appeal and it’s because people are seeing that the books aren’t just for teens anymore.

Me: How many books have you written?

So far, I’ve written about 7.

Me: Where do you see the young adult book market 10 years from now?

I’m pretty sure it may still be around. Who really knows? The publishing industry is so fickle.

Me: What makes your book different from other young adult books?

It’s because it’s not trying to be like any other YA book about a girl who falls for the bad boy with a dark secret. Although my main characters do have secrets, my book tackles many subjects that teens can relate to without being preachy. It’s fast-paced, tense at times and makes you a bit paranoid if you read before bed, haha!

Excerpt from Treacherous

Danny was on his way out of school when his phone was blowing up; everyone was asking questions like: Is it true? You got ratted out?! No more smart pills? Is this some joke? Are you kicked out? Know where I can score some pills?

Danny was somewhat relieved when he got a text from Holden. Yo, I hoped it wouldn’t come to this but I told you this was going to happen. I’m sorry.

No worries, bro, Danny texted back. This ain’t nothing. I’ll be straight.

Holden quickly texted back and made Danny laugh out loud: Ain’t isn’t a real word. Catch you later – if your dad doesn’t kill you.

Danny was about to tuck his phone in his pocket when his father called. Regretting not letting it go to voice mail, Danny answered it anyway. “Yes, Dad,” he answered. “I’m guessing by the tone of your voice that you’re not a very proud father at the moment.”

His father was practically screaming into the phone, and he had to hold it an inch away from his ear. “You better get your ass home IMMEDIATLEY! No hanging out with your friends at the mall, no nothing! Do you hear me, dammit?!”

“You got it.”

With a heavy sigh, he totally ignored his dad's wishes and decided he was going to stay at school and watch the cheerleaders practice. Then he watched Holden and the rest of the lacrosse team run up and down the field until it was dark. When he was ready to face his father, he headed towards the student parking lot. The lights were on and he was just a few feet away when he heard a voice say, “Grab him!”

 Author Bio 

I was born and raised in South Florida where I still reside. In my spare time I attempt to sing along to Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Adele and many more. I'm a big fan of the Spurs, like going out to movies and when I'm not writing, I like to read books by Richelle Mead, Ally Carter, and anything that keeps my attention longer than five pages. I'm currently in college for marine engineering. Writing has been a huge part of my life since as long as I can remember. I love writing stories and entertaining people with my wild imagination.

Links to Find the Author and His Books

Blog

Facebook page

Goodreads author page

Twitter

Google+

Amazon
Smashwords

Author Interview with Sunniva Dee

 

Blurb for Shattering Halos 

He traded my death for love. I wasn’t given a choice. His decision has caught up with us, so now I am a living, breathing catalyst to war between Heaven and Hell.

 The violations he committed saved my life. Since the collision, he’s appeared everywhere. In my hospital room, my school, even my house. He shows up in my paintings, my drawings, in all of my art projects. I can’t stop thinking about him.

He says his name is Gabriel, and he doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. He doesn’t know how I can see him or why he loves me in ways that should be impossible for a Celestial.

My obsession grows. I want him to hold me, kiss me—give all of himself. For every day he protects me, the consequences loom darker and taller. Soon, they’ll crash down on us. Yes, the war is about to begin.

Interview Between Me and Sunniva Dee 

Me: Where did you get the idea for your book?

I've always loved angels....not in the way Gaia does, of course, but still... you know what I mean! 

Then, I read Twilight 5 years after the hype and went—aww, she should write about angels! Then I thought, "No. I should write about angels the way I want them written." So that's how the New Adult Fantasy Shattering Halos started out.

Me: Who are your favorite characters in your book and why?

As a writer yourself, I bet you know what I mean when I say that it's hard to have one favorite. I didn't write a single character thinking I wouldn't love them with all their imperfections—and in the case of the angels—all their perfections. I think I started out with a slight crush on Gabriel as I wrote him. Then, Cassiel with all his sass and wicked wit was fun for me. But deep down, I think I enjoy Gaia the most, because she's just how a very unrepentant and real 20-yr-old is in my mind with her adorable, immature reactions. Obviously, being faced with actual angels vying for her attention, I love how she just does and says whatever the heck she feels like.

Me: What themes does your book present?

Themes. Boy. The first, big one is Good versus Evil. Then, there's Beauty. What beauty is. I hope that through the escapism that this novel is, deep down, the reader will find that there is beauty in everything and everyone. The Angel of Beauty, Yofiel, represents just that. And strange how I said these two first, when obviously this novel is all about love. LOVE, love. :)

Me: How many books do you have in this series?

I wrote Shattering Halos alone. It is a standalone. I don't want to tell you if it ends on a happy or a sad note, only that I was MAD as hell for a week after it was finished because I wasn't going to be hanging out with my characters anymore. Which is why I changed my mind. I've now finished Stargazer, the second and last book in the Halos series. You will meet everyone in Shattering Halos again, and NOT because I'm backtracking on their ever afters. No. There is a new couple brewing, and the "old" couple from Shattering Halos has their own, really important life-changing issues to deal with New-Adult style in Stargazer too.

Me: What makes you choose to write fantasy?

I started with Fantasy because it's what inspired me after I was missing that one angel book in the market. I had to write it myself, with the passion, the sass, the flaws from the human side, the way I wanted it. Thankfully, my publisher found it different enough to accept. As you will see both from Shattering Halos and Stargazer, my heart is in New Adult. It was a time in my own life that I lived to the fullest, with all the mistakes, the heartaches, everything that later formed me as a human being. Because of it, my Fantasy is college-inspired, i.e. New Adult.

Me: What authors influence your writing?

Easy: The passion, the depth, and development of characters present in Cheryl McIntyre's writing. S.C. Stephens' amazing talent for conjuring to life sexy-as-hell, beautiful men like Kellan Kyle, and Laini Taylor, my only Fantasy influence. She's an absolute genius with words, and I wish I could allow myself to even try to write with such fluid, lyrical beauty.

Me: Why do you think fantasy books are so popular?

Are they? If they are, it's because of writers like Laini. And Stephenie Meyer too. Everyone has an opinion about Stephenie Meyer, but the truth is, she wrote what the business calls "a category killer." It means that readers cross genres read her stuff and loved (or hated) it and that is absolutely amazing. For me, it was the first book(-s) of the kind I ever read. Wow, and did I just mention Twilight twice??? *blushes*

Me: How many books have you written?

I'm not counting former dabblings in my native language, Norwegian, so I've finished two (Stargazer is now at my publisher's, going through the motions of getting published) and I'm finishing my first draft of my third book, Pandora, Wild Child, which is a New Adult contemporary romance. The NA market is full of bad-boys, but Pandora is about a bad-girl and the boys who try to save her/change her/deprave her. I can't wait to get it out there for you to read. I'm planning on an October release—my first self-published book!! I will finally be Indie like my friends! <3

Me: Where do you see the fantasy book market 10 years from now?

Oh God. I have NO idea. I'm guessing it will still be there? If you mean the romantic branch of the Fantasy market, I'd say it'll definitely be there because just like horses appeal to young women, so do angels/vampires/anything supernatural that's sexier than teenage boys. Makes sense, right?

Me: What makes your book different from other fantasy books?

Well, finally an easy question! ;-)

It's because it's more geared toward the New Adult issues/level of passion/writing style than it is toward the Fantasy/Paranormal style. It's fresher, they tell me, hotter, and the dialog much younger. I think it's relatable to YA readers, but I'd say to be careful because the sex might be a bit much for below 17+.  Basically, if you loved Hush, Hush and Fallen, and Twilight... mmmm—gear it up a notch. I'm not saying the paranormal version of Fifty Shades, but without comparison to storyline—how about up the alley of Jessica Sorensen's Ember X? Really, I don't know of many authors in my particular niche, which has made it easy for Shattering Halos to remain on the bestseller lists since it was published in February. It is a New Adult Fantasy novel. 

 Excerpt from Shattering Halos 

"Why was she so upset with you, Gabriel?” I asked.

“I can’t read her mind.”

“Oh right, how silly of me.” I rolled my eyes. His thoughts were somewhere else, so my sarcasm didn’t register with him.

“I’ve never had to cloak myself before.”

“Oh, with your other humans, you mean?” My voice came out strange.

Gabriel turned fully and looked at me. His eyebrows lifted. “Right…”

“How many others have you had?”

“I don’t know, thousands.”

Holy. Crap.

I leaned my forehead against the window, trying to hide the flare of jealousy.

“Gaia.” A gentle hand reached around and pulled me back toward him. I couldn’t meet his stare.

“They were humans that lived before you.”

“Girls?” Why did I sound sulky? Oh, right, because I was a terrible actress.

Gabriel’s quiet laughter drizzled over me. “Babies. Some growing into women and others into men. Many never grew up.”

“Did they see you?” Did you kiss them?

Gabriel didn’t reply at first. Then the back of his hand traced my cheekbone down to my mouth.

“No, I didn’t.”

My breath hitched. I must have heard wrong. His eyes focused on my lips, and my gut clenched.

He let go of me too fast. An arm hid his expression as he fell back into his seat. I leaned over, my palm molding to his face. I needed him close.

When it slid down his neck, a muffled groan slipped from him. “Please don’t touch me, Gaia.”

“You started it.”

“I know—I won’t. We have to stop this.”

“Crap! You’re not making any sense—you know that? This is bullshit!”

Gabriel pushed his seat up and faced me, his irises shimmering like water. “Gaia. I don’t know why the archangels haven’t come for me, but humans and angels—” He cut himself off, then continued. “I screwed up. Since I’m still with you, they must have given me another chance.”

And just like that, I transformed into pure instinct all over again and jumped into his lap. Clearly I could not be trusted near this—this…angel.

The steering wheel jabbed into my back, but I barely noticed. The pain was just another reason to get closer, much closer to him. My fingers slid into his hair, tangling with it. I tugged him to me and pressed my mouth against his.

Gabriel reacted immediately. He crushed me so tight that my breath wheezed out. The seat lowered underneath him, and he pulled me with him, devouring my mouth.

“We can’t be together?” I panted.

“No, we can’t.”

“Never?” Desperate, my tongue found his. He shook his head against my mouth. My stomach burned with need.

One at a time, I forced the words out in clipped gasps. “I can’t ever touch you again?” Gabriel groaned. I could feel him under me. So male, so alive.

“No.”

I want him so much it hurts!

Gabriel’s eyes opened beneath me. He rocked me closer, and I moaned.

“Will you be visible to me?”

“Sometimes.” The tiny suckling noises as he feasted on my lips sent fire straight to my womb.

“Please, promise me you’ll be visible always.”

His hands moved up to my face and held me out from him. The kiss he gave me was too light on my lips, and I shuddered.

“No, not always. But I promise that you will see me every day.”

I absorbed the kisses, lucid enough to know they were the last ones I would ever receive from Gabriel.

Author Bio:

Originally from Norway, I moved to the United States twelve years ago.

The first awesome five years I spent in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, before moving to the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia.

I'm currently on my seventh year in the South, where my husband, son, and I are enjoying the heat, the humidity, as well as our crazy menagerie of animals better known as the petting zoo. The only one not here is my daughter, who returned to Norway for college.

I hold a Master's degree in languages, and for ten years, I taught at university level, before settling in as graduate adviser at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Writing is my passion, my joy, and my addiction. Shattering Halos is my debut novel. When I'm not writing, I read. A lot. :)

Shattering Halos - genre and such:

Genre: New Adult Fantasy - it is "Beautiful Disaster" meets the TV series "Supernatural"...if the brothers were angels and love made them lose their heads.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunniva.dee

My website: www.sunnivadee.com 

Twitter: @SunnivaD

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7191170.Sunniva_Dee

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sunnivadee/

Amazon buy link: amzn.to/1dqfwt8