Monday, December 29, 2014

Interview and Giveaway Destiny Calling by Maureen L. Bonatch




What inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always loved to write. When I’m writing it’s the one time that I don’t feel like I should be doing something else, I lose myself in the words. I’d been writing poetry and flash fiction for years, but never did anything serious with my writing until I came across a contest that involved writing a story about a conflict of interest with a minimum of 50,000 words. I finished that first book (which still requires some heavy editing, lol) and went on to write several more much longer than that, realizing I have many characters waiting to tell their story.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

The title for Destiny Calling came to me with the event that triggered the story. When a payphone started to ring outside of a convenience store and no one came to answer it, I wondered who would be calling and what message did they want to deliver? Perhaps the message that was missed was important, something that could change someone’s destiny? That thought prompted my character to start the story.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I always have the title before the book is completed, usually before I even start writing I know what I want the title to be.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

People often ask me this but I have to honestly say that no one is based on a person I know. When I’m ‘people watching’ what I pick up are characteristics and habits to incorporate into my character. So my character might have a habit that is exactly the same as someone I’ve seen or know but then not look anything like them or have many other different quirks from the real person. I do base many of the scenes on areas in Pennsylvania, but the towns in my stories are fictional.

What books/authors have influenced your life?

I have always been an avid reader so my list would be extensive, but I’ll narrow it down to a few. The series I remember most vividly as the first that made an impression on me was the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. After that I read about everything by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Patterson and John Saul (and a ton more authors). I pretty much wore out my library card! More recently I’d say Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost and Charlaine Harris.

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

I have several stories in different stages of editing and writing, but right now I’m focusing on getting book 2 of The Enchantlings series finished.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I don’t think I can pick one favorite. J But I can say something about one of my favorites, Kim Harrison. Her Rachel Morgan Urban Fantasy series amazed me in how she continued to grow the characters with each book. Each new book provided new insights on different characters that connected with previous books. The layers upon layers of character peeled back like an onion and provided such connection for the reader with more than just the main character. I absolutely love the series!

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

The Cover Artist for Destiny Calling is by Debbie Taylor (DCA Graphic). She did a fantastic job!


Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?

Whenever I needed extra inspiration to find out what happened next in Destiny Calling, I put on Gemini Syndrome’s Lux album. 

The songs are very passionate and tie in very well with the emotional struggle Hope is going through. Every song relates to the story or my characters somehow, but a few songs in particular really resonated with me.

Mourning Star- This heartfelt song is Hope’s journey to find peace within herself.
Stardust – This puts me in mind of Griffith and Hope’s initial meeting and struggle of wanting to resist being drawn together.   


Pleasure and Pain- This is obviously about Hope and her choice of how to use her gift. 


Destiny Calling
The Enchantlings
Volume 1
Maureen L. Bonatch

Genre: Paranormal Romance
subgenre: suspense, fantasy. Theme: New Adult, demons

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Date of Publication: December 22 2014

978-1-62830-666-8 Paperback
978-1-62830-667-5 Digital

Number of pages:  310
Word Count: 80,630

Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor (DCA Graphics)

Book Description:

Hope only wants to find out if her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with her touch makes her the devil's spawn, or his exterminator. But when the woman who raised her is murdered by something not human, she loses the only family she knew and discovers one she might wish she hadn’t.

Drawn back to the home town she vowed never to return to, her ability is seen as an asset to everyone but Hope, and she doesn't know who to trust. Her family wants her to help them overcome an enemy oppressing the human population, while the man of her dreams is courting her for the Underworld.

Time is running out, and Hope’s choice may be made for her, as she discovers she’s a pawn in a bigger game played by a merciless ruler who doesn't lose.






Excerpt:
I strained to release my arm from Griffith’s vise-like grip while scanning the surrounding trees, trying to determine which was less of a threat, the beast of a man holding me or those who might be waiting for me in the woods.
“You will come inside, now.” Griffith spoke slowly and deliberately as if I were a small child.
I batted at the hand Griffith placed on my head. “I’m not a puppy, quit petting me.”
“I will protect you.” Griffith’s warm breath caressed my ear. “If for no other reason, to find out what I’m giving up and why she wants you so badly.”
I inhaled his masculine scent, like musky earth. It washed over my face, and the tension in my jaw released. I stopped struggling. “Are you the devil?” My tongue was thick and heavy so the words came out slurred.
“Not even close.” His words soothed and comforted, like having a weighted blanket cocoon me. Each movement was an effort. It wasn’t the same as the thing in the woods. This was more like the feeling after a long massage or bubble bath.
“It’s not safe.” Griffith wrapped his arms around me, and I rested against his broad chest.
“It’s not safe.” I nodded. My muscles relaxed and my eyelids grew heavy.
“It’s cold. We’re going inside.” Griffith kept his arm supporting me as he steered me toward the house.
“We’re going inside.” I parroted and walked up the steps, leaning heavily on him.

Out of the corner of my eye, something was cautiously moving at the edge of the woods. Branches snapped as whatever was observing us crept closer.

About the Author:

Growing up with four siblings had Maureen familiar with escaping into a good book, or the recesses of her mind. She realized later in life everyone didn’t have characters telling stories in their heads, or weren’t envisioning magic and mayhem within the everyday. This, and long walks in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania spawned a love of writing.

Since her desire to become a Solid Gold Dancer was thwarted when the show was discontinued, Maureen opted to pursue other paths. Attempting to conquer new endeavors proved fruitful with her first novella, while other attempts, such as challenging a fear of heights with parasailing, were unsuccessful.

Therefore she’s chased other interests, though none-the-less-daring, but closer to the ground, such as belly-dancing, becoming a self-proclaimed tequila connoisseur, fulfilling her role as biker babe to her alpha hubby and surviving motherhood to twins (so far).

Penning stories boasting laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world.





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1 comments:

Maureen said...

Thank you so much for having me here today!