Featured Author Friday featuring Maggi Myers

My Review:

This has to be one of the most remarkable books that I have read. This story is filled with loss, child abuse and love. Make sure when you are ready to read it you have the tissues handy. The story is about a girl named Beth, she has endured years of abuse at such a young age. As she gets older she begins to pick up the pieces. The Final Piece is so brilliantly written! Its is raw and "ugly" at times but yet so beautiful. Please take the time to read this amazing story! I thought I knew what was going to happen but this book pleasantly surprised me.


About this author

Born in West Des Moines, IA and raised in Miami, FL, I have an appreciation for the heartland and really good cuban food.

I want to write stories that make people think. The things you thought you knew about other people and their lives? I want to twist those perceptions and make you question everything.

I am a big fan of the underdog. The one that everyone else has written off? That's where my heart is and where my most inspired writing happens.

Before we start, I would like to say that I am a huge fan of your book The Final Piece! I love a book filled with troubled pasts, inner strength to overcome tragedy, the ability to let someone in and definitely not to forget...a good love story!

Can you describe The Final Piece in 20 words? 

20?? Yowza… Even the greatest tragedies can be overcome with faith, love and hope. Family is more than just blood bonds.

How did you come up with the idea for The Final Piece?

The idea came from someone very important to me, who I lost. I dedicated the book to him (Bobby), and wrote Tommy in his likeness. It means the world to me that Tommy is someone the readers love. 

Without giving away any spoilers, for those who have not read The Final Piece, what was your favorite scene to write?

Without a doubt, the first cherry tree scene. From the moment Beth storms out of the house, to the flashback at the lake, and then back to her & Ryan under the tree. I feel like that’s the first real turning point for Beth, and I loved writing that for her.

Describe a typical day when you are writing. Do you have any pre-writing rituals?

First thing I do is cue up some music. I can’t write without tunes! The only “ritual” I have, is to make sure I write something every day. Even if it never makes it onto a page in a book, it’s important to me to become a more disciplined writer. 

Do you have any plans for a book signing event?

I do! I will be in Richmond, VA on December 14, 2013. 

Are you currently working on your next book project? Can you tell us a bit about it?

I just finished my second book, AN ENIGMA PROJECT. It’s a story about Caroline, a woman who has to re-evaluate everything when her daughter is diagnosed with a disability. From marriage to motherhood, none of it follows the plans she’s spent her life drafting. It’s not a tragedy, though. Caroline’s journey is about realizing that the most beautiful things can come from truly terrible situations. 

What came first, the characters or the concept for the story?

Caroline came first, she’s been a voice in my head for a very long time. In January, a good friend of mine (author Charles Sheehan-Miles) challenged me to write a about my greatest fear. It was just supposed to be a writing exercise, but Caroline took it as an opportunity to take center stage and insist that her story be told. That’s when I first drafted the outline for AN ENIGMA PROJECT.

My greatest fear?

Having to raise my special needs children alone. 

If The Final Piece became a movie, who would your dream cast be?

Let me just caveat this casting with a disclaimer >>>

I cast Charlie Hunnam as Ryan over a year ago, long before he was cast as Christian Grey!!! I’m thrilled that he’s going to be the lead in 50 Shades, but he was my Ry first

 

Beth- Camilla Luddington

Ryan- Charlie Hunnam

Tommy- Eric Bana

Uncle Rob- Aaron Eckhart

Aunt Melissa- Kyra Sedgwick

Gran- Lois Smith

Pops- Robert Duvall

Charlie- Matt Lanter

Liz- Lily Collins

Do you ever read the reviews about your books? If so, do you pay attention to any negative reviews or let them influence your writing?

I do read my reviews! I want to know what people think. I try not to let the bad ones get to me, but if there is a pattern to the criticism, I do take that into account. You can’t make everyone happy, but I do take the consistent complaints to heart. I want to grow as a writer.

Do you have a favorite author?

I have a lot of favorites! Shel Silverstein (WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS), Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (THE LITTLE PRINCE). The most current author crush is Gail Forman, author of IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT. I read them a year ago and I still think about those books. 

What are your favorite top 3 books that you would recommend?

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Expuréy

If I Stay by Gail Forman

Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

What book, if any, are you reading now?

Darkhorse by Karina Halle. It’s EXCELLENT!

Do you prefer to read traditional books or e-books?

I love my e-reader, but I miss the smell of new books. Nothing beats that in my book. In fact, I think they actually sell perfume that’s supposed to be new book smell!

Out of the books that you have read, which character couple would you like to invite over for dinner and why?

Olivia and Caleb from The Opportunist, for the shear entertainment value! I love those two, and the whole Love Me With Lies series.

If you could work with any author, who would it be?

Megan Hart. I loved BROKEN. It was a steamy read, that had a dark and heavy sub plot. It had nothing to do with the steamy parts and I love the way it played out. I would love to pick her brain.

What inspired you to start writing?

Life! Haha. Seriously, when I was younger, writing was my way of coping with a crazy life. I journaled and wrote stories from the age of five on. I didn’t decide to write a novel until the Spring of 2012.

Did you always want to be a writer? 

I didn’t know what I wanted to be for a really long time. I was always writing, but never associated myself as a writer. I don’t feel like I really figured out that I was a writer until I was thirty-seven! It’s never too late to discover who you are meant to be.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Write every single day, and write what speaks to your heart, not what the trends tell you.

What are you top 5 most important things in your life?

5) writing

4) helping others

3) building my community

2) Epilepsy and Autism Awareness

1) Family and friends

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

I have 2 tattoos: an ampersand on my arm; a phoenix & a magnolia on my back. My ears and my nose are pierced.

Do you have any fears??

Clowns. I hate clowns. They’re so creepy!!

What do you do for fun, besides writing?

I’m a homebody. I love hanging out with my family, going for a ride on my bike, reading, or going hiking.

Do you have any vices? 

I’m a nail biter. Hard core, right?

What was the last thing you googled?

Kyra Sedgwick, for pics of Aunt Melissa. 

If you could describe yourself in 5 words what would they be?

Loyal. Kind. Snarky. Creative. Calamitous. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

People who chew loudly. I’m weird, it REALLY bugs me.

Where was the last place someone spotted you and asked for an autograph?

My son’s school! I was so taken aback, I didn’t know the school nurse had even ordered the book. She stopped me in the hallway and asked if I would sign her copy, and I was just speechless.

Thank you so much for the interview! Is there anything else you would like your readers to know?

Thank you for having me! 

Be on the look out for AN ENIGMA PROJECT in February of 2014, and look me up on Facebook and Twitter. I LOVE hearing from readers! 

Where can your fans find you?

www.facebook.com/author.maggi.myers

@Magnolia_B_my (Twitter)

www.maggimyers.com

My review of The Final Piece

Purchase The Final Piece now

Featured Author Friday featuring Amanda Stone

I had the pleasure of being the first person to interview Amanda Stone, author of Breathe Into Me.  I am a such a fan of her book, I mean, how could you not? You have to love a book with a hot boy with tattoos and piercings, a young girl with a troubled past and romance??? Amanda was simply amazing, so kind and humble. I look forward to working with her again!! Lets get to know her better...shall we?

Goodreads.com profile:

Amanda Stone was born and raised in the foothills of eastern Kentucky. She loves being from, and living in, this beautiful state so much that she decided to move to a small little town that is—no pun intended—called, Lovely.

When Amanda is not writing, or reading, she is a mom to two wild little kidlets, a wife to her junior high/high school sweetheart and keeper of a house full of animals. (Technically, its two dogs and a cat, but if it was up to her husband those numbers would be dramatically bigger.)

A late bloomer, Amanda, never discovered her love for reading until late 2008 and couldn’t stop reading anything and everything she could get her hands on after that. Almost four years to the day she picked up and read her first full-length novel. With some convincing from friends and family, she decided to write her very own novel, Breathe into Me. 

Can you describe Breathe Into Me in 20 words? 

Learning to let go, moving forward and not judging before getting to know someone. Sometimes people are not who we think they are.

How did you come up with the idea for Breathe Into Me?

My sister actually inspired me to begin writing Breathe into Me. Her and I enjoy reading the same books. Usually when I start one I am in love with I tell her immediately to read it and when we were both at a loss for what to read next she suggested I just write one myself. I never knew I would actually complete it.

Without giving away any spoilers, for those who have not read Breathe Into Me, what was your favorite scene to write? 

The lake scene. It was my first scene of that type and I was so nervous and bashful to write it, but I love how it turned out in the end.

Describe a typical day when you are writing. Do you have any pre-writing rituals?

I have two wild kidlets, so I do my best writing while they are in school. As or rituals, I can’t say that I have any… but… I never drank coffee before I began writing books lol. Now, I need it like I need air.

Do you have any plans for a book signing event?

I have a list of book signings that I will be attending on my website. www.authoramandastone.com and I am constantly updating my Facebook page when I sign on to new signings.

Are you working on a sequel? When can we expect it to be released? Can you tell us a little something about it?

I am working on book 2 in the Breathe into Me series, but this story follows Kelsey and Kane’s best friends, Jessi and Landon. It is titled Come Back to Me. Then there will be a third and final book in the series, which will be Landon’s brother Lucas’ story, titled Never Let Me Go. I am expecting Come Back to Me to be out sometime this winter, my hopes are for November. And Never Let Me Go sometime late spring. I can tell you that Come Back to Me takes place a few years after the end of Breathe into Me, so the people who wanted to see where Kelsey and Kane ended up will definitely get that glimpse into the future for the two.

What came first, the characters or the concept for the story?

Now this is a toss up. Kane’s character was always in my head, hot tattooed boy with a lip ring, but I never really knew where I wanted to go with him. The concept was something that I had planned out from the time I decided to write the story. So I would have to say both…

If Breathe Into Me became a movie, who would your dream cast be?

M. Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold will always be my perfect Kane and Kelsey would have to be Jana Kramer.

Do you ever read the reviews about your books? If so, do you pay attention to any negative reviews or let them influence your writing?

I read EVERY review. Even the hurtful ones. I know many authors say to stay away but I can’t. I NEED to know what they found wrong with my book/writing. Yes, they can hurt… a lot, but I know everyone is entitled to their opinion of my work. I let the negative words that are directed at my character and not so much my work in general slide off my back.

Do you have a favorite author?

I have a lot of favorite authors. Abbi Glines would have to be my all time favorite. I strive to be as good a writer as her.

What are your favorite top 3 books that you would recommend?

My all time favorite book…. Of all time… will always be Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. Then I would recommend Taking Chances by Molly McAdams because she done something that was unlike any other book out there. (That was a book that shocked me. Totally did not see what happened coming.) and the last would have to be anything by Abbi Glines. (I mean seriously. How could you just pick one book by that woman.)

What book, if any, are you reading now?

I have been rereading the Fifty Shades of Grey books and placing Charlie Hunnam’s face in place of Christian. (And it so works y’all! I am so excited for the movies!)

Do you prefer to read traditional books or e-books?

Oh, this is a tricky one for me. I began reading before e-books made it popular. While I enjoy the convenience of an e-book, as in not having to go out to buy it, clicking once and it being there for you in seconds, my heart says traditional books. I love sitting down with a paperback and turning those pages.

Out of the books that you have read, which character couple would you like to invite over for dinner and why?

Travis Maddox and Abby (Abernathy) Maddox, simply for that fact that I WANT TRAVIS and I would throw Abby in a closet, lock her up and have him.

If you could work with any author, who would it be?

Eeep. This question makes me nervous for some reason lol Oh my, I would have to go with Abbi again. For the reason that I like to think we have the same writing style, and I think she could teach me a lot.

What inspired you to start writing?

My sister, husband and my best friend.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Just do it. If you think you have a story in you, write it out. Just get it down, even if you think it sounds stupid. Sit down and write it. When you read it back through you will be amazed at how much your writing has improved throughout writing that first book.

What are your top 5 most important things in your life?

My kids, my husband, our home, his job and my books/laptop that helps me write books.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

I have my ears pierced twice. I have had the, I think its called outer conch piercing done twice but have taken them out and I used to have my belly button pierced (I was young.) But no tattoos. I want. I want bad. But the hubby says no. So I will give my characters tattoos and live vicariously through them.

Do you have any fears?

SPIDERS! I HATE THEM! And Wasps because I am allergic. If I step outside and there is a wasp I run back inside and won’t go back out until my hubby kills it.

What do you do for fun, besides writing?

I am from Kentucky and here in Eastern Kentucky we love to head up in the hills on out 4-wheelers (ATV’s for some) and get muddy.

Do you have any vices?

Spotify and cans of cold Pepsi.

What was the last thing you googled?

Lyrics to the song Never Stop by SafetySuit (What I am currently listening to as I fill out this interview)

If you could describe yourself in 5 words what would they be?

Clumsy, Awkward, Mother, Wife, Ditzy.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who won’t scoot over in the aisle at Walmart!! I know, that sounds stupid, BUT, have you ever been walking up the aisle and you see these people coming at you side by side and one doesn’t fall back behind the other so that you both have room to pass? They just keep walking side by side then they look at you like YOU’RE the one who has the problem? Yeah, that.

Thank you so much for the interview! Is there anything else you would like your readers to know?

I would just love for them to know how much there support has meant to me. I could have never dreamed the response Breathe into Me would get. I know the book was far from perfect. There was many things I leaned to do differently with my future books from Breathe into Me and I love that most of my readers were able to give Kelsey and Kane and my writing a shot and judge it based on story and not technical errors. I heart them all and hope that they enjoy my future work.

Want to follow Amanda? Here you go...

Website: www.authoramandastone.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amandastoneau...

Twitter: AmandaStone_x

Purchase Breath Into Me click Here

To see my review of Breathe Into Me and others : www.renesgetaway.blogspot.com

Do you have any questions for Amanda? Send them my way and I will post the answers the next time I interview her.