Author Spotlight: Interview with Melissa Crowe

1. Quickly, give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:

Journey, The Beast Within novellas #3.

It is Urban Fantasy. Ian is summoned to the Otherworld by the Goddess Danu, but Karina won’t let him go without a fight. Would you travel to the ends of the earth for the one you love?

2. Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

The NA market is my target audience. I had never heard of the Tuatha De Danann before and I have shaken up Celtic mythology with my own little twists. So if you are looking for something different, then The Beast Within novellas will appeal to you.

3. How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

The Beast Within represents discovering things about yourself that you didn’t know existed. When you have a life changing event you will find an inner strength and unleash your ‘inner beast.’

4. Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

I have a friend of a friend who has a photography business. She has never done book covers before and was willing to help me out so we work together.

I tell her what I am thinking of and she comes back with exactly that. I try to tie in a scene from the book that appeals to me, to represent the cover.

5. Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

Karina is my favourite, she is kick ass. I love strong powerful women.

6. How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

Fintan. He was introduced towards the end of Journey, but he will be a larger character in the coming novella’s. He is arrogant and pompous and will be a real antagonist in book 4.

7. If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?  Why?

Wow what a question! I guess I would show a little more of Karina’s character in book 1. Some of the reviews did point out that she is a little docile, given the life changing information she has dropped on her.

8. Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

My series explain lycanthropes as a religious curse. I know there are different theories on what they are, but that is the quirky twist I am taking on it.

9. What other books are similar to your own?  What makes them alike?

If I am being completely honest, I have never read any werewolf or fairy books. Everything from this series is from my own imagination. I’m sure there would be other stories similar to mine, but just wouldn’t know of any. If any readers can tell me that would be great, I’d love to have a read.

10. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

My five year old son has made up a superhero for himself. He calls it Super Giraffe, and I am his honorary side kick. I am Super Mum and my super power is baking muffins to throw at people. I’m not sure if I should take this as an insult to my cooking, but that is really the only unique talent I have.

11. How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

Facebook

Goodreads

Title: The Beast Within

Add on Goodreads!

Amazon - Kindle or Paperback

Smashwords

Title: Haunted

Add on Goodreads!

Amazon - Kindle or Paperback

Smashwords

Title: Journey

Add on Goodreads!

Amazon- Kindle or Paperback

Smashwords

12. What can we expect from you in the future?

I am working on book 3 from The Ivory Series, my NA vampire stories.
Then I will start book 4 of The Beast Within novellas.

13. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Reviews are really important, it helps people ‘stumble’ across you. You can also connect with me on facebook and stay in touch with updates.

14. Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

I never really thought about how much work goes into writing a book until I actually did it.

First you need an idea, then you need to research the topic, write, re-write, then write some more.
Cover ideas, marketing, publicity, networking, editing, releasing, all while juggling home life!

I have two young kids and my husband and I both work. So finding the balance is hard. Don’t ask me how I do it, because to be honest I don’t really know. I just get it done.
Writing is not a 9-5 job, it’s a 24 hour one because idea’s will come to you in the strangest of places.

So be prepared to work hard.

15. Is there anything else you’d like to say?

I’d like to thank you for giving me this great opportunity. Also a big thanks to all my fans, without their support in promoting me I wouldn’t be here.


16. And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:

The car was dangerously silent as it sped south through the countryside. Karina’s eyes didn’t move from Aedan’s silhouette as he concentrated on the road ahead. Lines of worry were forming around his eyes. In the back with her, Ian and Lorcan drifted in and out of consciousness as Lakeyn drove. How dare he order me around, she thought, and what exactly did he mean by her and Ian meeting our fate?

“Are you going to speak to me or continue to throw visual daggers at me?” He asked turning around.

“Let’s get one thing straight. You don’t order me around.”

“If you weren’t hell bent of trying to get yourself killed then I wouldn’t have to.”

Karina’s mouth dropped open. “I’m not trying to get myself killed!”

Aedan raised his eyebrows. “In the last few hours you have attempted to swim across the North Channel through a swarm of Lion’s Mane jellyfish, tried to slit your wrists, went toe to toe with a lycanthrope and wanted to run into the night, on the full moon, looking for a Guardian.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and scoffed. “You should have been with me for the last few weeks then.”

He shook his head and laughed. “You are like no Tuatha De Danann I have ever met. I’ll give you that.”

“Until a year ago I hadn’t even heard of the Danann, so excuse me if I don’t conform to protocol.”

Lakeyn let out a deep belly laugh and Aedan joined him. Karina blushed with embarrassment.

“You’re in for a surprise,” Lakeyn commented. The two continued to laugh at Karina’s expense a little longer before Lakeyn turned the car around and stopped.

“What are we doing?”

“Just checking,” Lakeyn answered as he stepped out of the car and listened.

“I don’t feel anything,” Karina said and looked out into the night as her fingers tightened around the handle of Ian’s blade. Her knees was bouncing with anticipation, they were so close she could sense it. Something was urging her to continue on. Lakeyn strode away from the car and began to jog. Aedan undid his seatbelt and turned to Karina. “Stay here.”

“Yeah right,” she scoffed and opened the door.

Aedan followed Lakeyn and Karina looked around. The moon was high above and illuminated the landscape. A man was lying in the field and Lakeyn was now at his side trying to rouse him. Aedan stopped and turned to Karina, his face was sympathetic and she knew it must be Noah. Running down the hill she joined them.

*****

Thank you Melissa for taking part in my Author Spotlight interview! I hope your writing continues to flourish and we hope to see more of you in the future.
*****
If you or an author/illustrator you know is interested in being interviewed, feel free to send me an email at authorjejohnson@gmail.com