I am thrilled to interview fellow Month9Books debut author Lisa M Basso today. Her book, A Shimmer Of Angels is available now from Barns and Noble and Amazon. Thanks for stopping by.
Sixteen-year-old Rayna sees angels, and has the medication and weekly therapy sessions to prove it. Now, in remission, Rayna starts fresh at a new school, lands a new job, and desperately tries for normalcy. She ignores signs that she may be slipping into the world she has tried so hard to climb out of. But these days, it’s more than just hallucinations that keep Rayna up at night. Students are dying, and she may be the only one who can stop it. Can she keep her job, her sanity, and her friends from dying at the hands of angels she can’t admit to seeing?
1) Why did you decide to write YA/MG?
When I first started writing, I chose adult Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. My first two (completed) books were along the lines of Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series. I still love adult books, reading (and hopefully writing again, one day), but when I discovered young adult books, I was hooked. I personally had a lot of issues as a teen growing up. The more I thought about it, teenagers go through a huge change in their high school years. I’ve made some of my best and worst memories in those years. In one very easy decision, I knew I wanted to write for the teenagers that are like I was, maybe a little lost, maybe having to look a little harder to find who they are. To be able to reach just one teen and give them an escape or a character to attach to, that’s why I write YA.
2) What was your favorite chapter or scene to write and why?
There were several scenes I got excited about writing and reading over and over and over again, but one in particular still stands out. The diner scene with Ray, Cam, and Kade. When I first created Cam and Kade, I could feel the animosity between them, so putting them together in a scene just created these fireworks that exploded off the page. Placing Rayna in the middle was just icing on the cake.
3) Why should we pick up your book when it releases?
Lisa: Yes, it’s a YA book about angels, but you’ve never read one like this. Paranormal based in the real world but with the serious twist of some psychology and a (somewhat) unreliable narrator. Flawed characters, two hot angels, humor, and lots of Doctor Who references. Are you sold yet?
4) Besides your own book, what debut title are you most excited about for 2013?
There are so many! Number one on my list (because it’s out now) would have to be Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt. First of all, I’m a self-professed cover whore, and that cover is stunning. Plus, I’ve been on a real Contemporary kick lately. This one sounds so different. I’m all over it. Now, I know the book has released already, but I don’t have it yet, so I’m still looking forward to reading it.
Also really looking forward to fellow Month9Books author releases: My Sister’s Reaper by Dorothy Dreyer, Pretty Dark Nothing by Heather L. Reid (don’t you know her *winkwink*), and Praefatio by Georgia Mcbride.
5) List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend?
It’s been really difficult to squeeze reading time in lately since I’ve been busy with A SLITHER OF HOPE, book two in the Angel Sight series, but my three most recent recommendations are:
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. This contemporary YA knocked my socks off, tore them up, then tortured me by making me look at them again. Does that make sense? The book was full of emotional highs and lows that had me crying both happy and sad tears. It quickly became one of my favorite books of all time. Yes, seriously. Go out and get it. It’s that good.
Hidden by Sophie Jordan (the last book in the Firelight trilogy). This series was such a unique and well-written take on the paranormal YA. If you haven’t read it yet, why not? This was by far my favorite book in the series.
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes. This one I dusted off from my shelf on a good friend’s recommendation. And boy was I glad I did. This book left me confused–which doesn’t sound good, but I promise you, you want to be confused–and mystified. The characters were really well done, and the plot had so many twists it was impossible to know where the book was headed. Lots of unexpected gems to find in this paranormal YA.
6) What do you do when you are not writing?
I read, think about writing–which is more like wrangling all the blot bunnies bouncing around in my head–I’m in the kitchen trying a new recipe or baking, or logging some serious gaming time on the Playstation 3.
7) Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Uh…yeah! It’s called a job perk. 🙂 In fact, I’m in my PJ’s right now.
8) If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?
For Rayna, I totally see Emma Roberts pulling her off. She’s such a smart young woman and really has Ray’s look.
For Cam I see Alex Petterfer
For Kade, this man. He’s a model named Alban Rassier. And wow. No?
9) An actor or a book character you have a crush on –
I’ve got it bad for Joe Manganiello. Most of you probably don’t know who that is. Truthfully, I didn’t know his real name until I looked him up. Just now. You may know him as Alcede from True Blood. Or the super hot stripper guy from Magic Mike. Oh. I can’t believe I just referenced Magic Mike in an interview. *blushes*
10) If you and your main character were having dinner together, what would each of you order for desert?
This is an amazing question! I would definitely order Creme Brulee. It’s sweet and light while still having that crunchy top and being oh-so decidant. Rayna would get the Berry Trifle. Layers of soft, moist cake, whipped cream and sweet, ripe berries. Light and sweet, but not too sweet. She would never pass that up on a menu.
Where can your readers stalk you?
My blog: http://lisa-basso.blogspot.com/
My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-M-Basso/340213186037936
My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3201662.Lisa_M_Basso
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaMBasso
Other: Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lisambasso/
Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
Both! How exciting is that?
Thank you so much, Heather for having me!
