Author Bio:
A former teacher, coach and school counselor, Marilee lives in Washington State and writes full time. Her books include Castle Ladyslipper, a medieval romance, The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam, winner of the 2010 Booksellers Best award for romantic suspense, Moonstone, Moon Rise, Moon Spun, Shadow Moon, and Midnight Moon. Marilee is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Pacific Northwest Writers Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Chat with Author Marilee Brothers
LLM: Tell us why we should read Moon Rise? What makes it stand out in the vast pool of young adult literature?
MB. You’re right, there is a vast pool of young adult literature and I suppose it’s a matter of choice. Like any author, I love to introduce new readers to my series and hope they will want to read all five of the books. So, if you’ve read the first book Moonstone, and want to know what’s going on in Allie’s world, you definitely need to read Moon Rise. In addition, I’ve heard from many mother-daughter combinations who’ve read the series. The moms seem to appreciate the fact that the books are what I call clean teen reads meant for young and pre-teens. Not a lot of graphic sex, cursing, blood-sucking, etc.
LLM:What book are you reading now?
MB. I’m reading Game Change about the 2008 presidential race, Gone Girl and A Dance with Dragons, the fifth book in the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin. As you can see, I read pretty much whatever I can get my hands on.
LLM:What character in Moon Rise was the hardest to write?
MB. Beck Bradford was the hardest for the following reasons: He’s half lust demon (father’s side). His mother is devoutly Catholic and writes Christian fiction for a living. She has done her best to protect Beck and his twin sister, Nicole, and brought them up in the church in an effort to temper their instincts. Therefore, Beck is struggling with his dual nature. He wants to be good but has to literally fight the demon within. He becomes a romantic interest for Allie in Moon Rise and also plays an important role in Book 5, Midnight Moon.
LLM:What is the best part about being published?
MB. Having just received form 1099 from my publisher, I can say for certain it’s not the money – LOL! I absolutely love hearing from people who’ve read my books and make it a point to answer every email I receive.
LLM:If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world which would it be?
MB. Can I jump back to present time? If so, I love historical fiction. Books like The Other Boleyn Girl fascinate me. How interesting it would be to go back in time and observe the political intrigue happening in the royal courts.
LLM:Did you do a ton of research for this book or for the series? Do you feel research is a key element to writing good fiction?
MB.Yes, research is important. I’ve done a fair amount of research for all the books. In Moonstone, Allie has a special mark on her palm. Her sworn enemies, the Trimarks, have an inverted triangle somewhere on their palms. Consequently, I studied palmistry and what the lines mean even though I took liberties with my interpretation.
In Moon Rise, I did a great deal of research about vortexes because, one again, triangles and the power of three come into play. I needed a semi-logical explanation for Allie’s ability to read minds using the moonstone. Since Beck Bradford is a whiz in physics, he figures it out.
The climatic scene in Book 5, Midnight Moon, happens at Devils Tower in Wyoming. In the summer of 2011, my husband and I travelled there. We walked the trail around it and shot still photos and video.
LLM:Most loved scene or quote from Moon Rise? Why?
MB. I can’t speak for anyone else but my favorite scene is the last paragraph of the book.
"I lifted the moonstone toward the window, watched the light play across its surface, and made a decision. Just for tonight, I would put my problems aside and let unanswered questions remain unanswered. Instead, I would capture this tiny, fleeting moment of pure joy and hold it close, like the gemstone in my hand. Feeling blessed, I smiled at the moon.”
LLM:What is the question that you wish interviewers would ask, and the answer to that question?
MB.My question: If you had one “do-over” in your writing life, what would it be?
My answer: Start younger. I thought I knew how to write but I didn’t. Rejections slips robbed me of my confidence and I gave up for many years. Obviously, I needed an attitude adjustment. With age, came a little more wisdom. I began to study the craft of writing and it paid off. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
.jpg)
LLM: Tell us why we should read Moon Rise? What makes it stand out in the vast pool of young adult literature?
MB. You’re right, there is a vast pool of young adult literature and I suppose it’s a matter of choice. Like any author, I love to introduce new readers to my series and hope they will want to read all five of the books. So, if you’ve read the first book Moonstone, and want to know what’s going on in Allie’s world, you definitely need to read Moon Rise. In addition, I’ve heard from many mother-daughter combinations who’ve read the series. The moms seem to appreciate the fact that the books are what I call clean teen reads meant for young and pre-teens. Not a lot of graphic sex, cursing, blood-sucking, etc.
LLM:What book are you reading now?
MB. I’m reading Game Change about the 2008 presidential race, Gone Girl and A Dance with Dragons, the fifth book in the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin. As you can see, I read pretty much whatever I can get my hands on.
LLM:What character in Moon Rise was the hardest to write?
MB. Beck Bradford was the hardest for the following reasons: He’s half lust demon (father’s side). His mother is devoutly Catholic and writes Christian fiction for a living. She has done her best to protect Beck and his twin sister, Nicole, and brought them up in the church in an effort to temper their instincts. Therefore, Beck is struggling with his dual nature. He wants to be good but has to literally fight the demon within. He becomes a romantic interest for Allie in Moon Rise and also plays an important role in Book 5, Midnight Moon.
LLM:What is the best part about being published?
MB. Having just received form 1099 from my publisher, I can say for certain it’s not the money – LOL! I absolutely love hearing from people who’ve read my books and make it a point to answer every email I receive.
LLM:If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world which would it be?
MB. Can I jump back to present time? If so, I love historical fiction. Books like The Other Boleyn Girl fascinate me. How interesting it would be to go back in time and observe the political intrigue happening in the royal courts.
LLM:Did you do a ton of research for this book or for the series? Do you feel research is a key element to writing good fiction?
MB.Yes, research is important. I’ve done a fair amount of research for all the books. In Moonstone, Allie has a special mark on her palm. Her sworn enemies, the Trimarks, have an inverted triangle somewhere on their palms. Consequently, I studied palmistry and what the lines mean even though I took liberties with my interpretation.
In Moon Rise, I did a great deal of research about vortexes because, one again, triangles and the power of three come into play. I needed a semi-logical explanation for Allie’s ability to read minds using the moonstone. Since Beck Bradford is a whiz in physics, he figures it out.
The climatic scene in Book 5, Midnight Moon, happens at Devils Tower in Wyoming. In the summer of 2011, my husband and I travelled there. We walked the trail around it and shot still photos and video.
LLM:Most loved scene or quote from Moon Rise? Why?
MB. I can’t speak for anyone else but my favorite scene is the last paragraph of the book.
"I lifted the moonstone toward the window, watched the light play across its surface, and made a decision. Just for tonight, I would put my problems aside and let unanswered questions remain unanswered. Instead, I would capture this tiny, fleeting moment of pure joy and hold it close, like the gemstone in my hand. Feeling blessed, I smiled at the moon.”
LLM:What is the question that you wish interviewers would ask, and the answer to that question?
MB.My question: If you had one “do-over” in your writing life, what would it be?
My answer: Start younger. I thought I knew how to write but I didn’t. Rejections slips robbed me of my confidence and I gave up for many years. Obviously, I needed an attitude adjustment. With age, came a little more wisdom. I began to study the craft of writing and it paid off. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
BLURB:
Her mom is still dating losers. Her boyfriend’s gone back to Mexico. Dad still hasn’t told his wife and kids that she exists. At school, the drama queens and bullies still rule. But worst of all for Allie Emerson (aka the Star Seeker of an old Gypsy prophecy) is that her powers have taken a hike. She can’t read minds anymore. She can’t move stuff just by looking at it. The other Star Seekers are counting on her psychic gifts more than ever, and the evil Trimarks are closing in, eager to snatch her magic moonstone necklace while she’s helpless. The hot new guy at school is ready and willing to fight her battles, but he comes with some wicked baggage.
Dear diary: I’m a little worried. My new BF is a demon.
Welcome again to Allie Emerson’s funny, scary, amazing, and always unpredictable life, as the girl voted least likely to save the world from evil.
Amazon | BN
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I didn't know the second book was ready. Thanks for the giveaway and great interview! I love the author interviews.
ReplyDelete