It's
back to work today after a weekend of feasting here in Canada (Thanksgiiving).
Luckily we had some time earlier to chat with Merrie Destefano, who is releasing PLACE OF MAGIC today! Welcome, Merrie.
SC: Tell me a little bit about your main character of this book.
MD: There are actually two main characters, Maddie, a down-on-her-luck writer, and Ash, a shape-shifting Darkling fae who preys on human dreams. Maddie had the perfect life—a great career, a loving husband, a beautiful little boy, and a loyal German shepherd. That life shattered when her husband had an affair and then divorced her. Similarly, Ash, an almost immortal creature, had a wonderful life, harvesting dreams in the backwoods community of Ticonderoga Falls. Then his wife was murdered. Now, he’s trapped by a curse and forbidden to return to his fairy home. Maddie and Ash meet right before the yearly Hunt begins. It’s a time when Ash is required to invite other Darklings to hunt the humans who live in Ticonderoga Falls. But this year is different. This year all hell will break loose and no one—human or fae—will be safe.
SC: Sounds like trouble in Ticonderoga. Do you believe in the paranormal and if so, do you have an experience you can share?
MD: I definitely believe in the paranormal but, fortunately, I have not had an experience. Even though I write scary, dark stories, I frighten easily! Haha. I’d probably die if I saw a ghost.
SC:. What titles are you working on now that you can tell us about?
MD: I’m currently working on an epic fantasy titled Raven Heart. It should release sometime in 2022. That story takes place after the Mage War, when humans lost a battle to the magical creatures of the realm. Now dark magic is everywhere and all creatures bow to a merciless Goblin King. Briar, a fifteen-year-old girl, sets off on a quest to find her older sister, who disappeared. Briar’s only companion on the journey is Kieran, a strong, handsome boy that she hates.
SC: Thanks for the chat. Let's take a look at your novel now.
Excerpt:
He nodded, head lowered. Then he lifted his gaze until he was staring into her eyes. One hand rested on her shoulder. “I won’t tell anyone your secret, Elspeth. You’re safe with me.”
Then he leaned closer, his scent overwhelming, his thoughts like the wind through the leaves, a wild rushing, his skin like the embrace of the forest. His lips touched hers and she could hear his heart beating. She slid her arms around his waist, leaning into the kiss, suddenly wanting more. She wanted to cast an enchantment, to lead him into sleep, to harvest his dreams. Wanted to walk into a dream with him, to see the hidden world on the other side of his eyelids. Wanted to know everything about him.
The kiss had only just begun and already she wanted another.
His arms were around her then, and the winter chill disappeared. In its place, fire crackled through her limbs, from her fingertips to her feet.
She could see it then, the world inside him. Tender and gentle as a spring morning, the shadows of night lingering at the edge of the wood, a handful of stars scattered across a pale sky.
She never knew that humans could be filled with so much magic.
It was her first Hunt and she had chosen her prey wisely.
About the Author:
Multiple-award-winning author Merrie Destefano writes lyrical tales of magic,
mystery, and hope. Her traditional books have been published by HarperCollins,
Entangled Teen, and Walter Foster, while her indie imprint is Ruby Slippers
Press. Her novels have won awards in both the science fiction and fantasy
categories.
She worked for Focus on the Family, The Word For Today, Engaged Media, and PJS
Publications, and her magazine experience includes editor of Victorian Homes
magazine, Zombies magazine, Haunted: Mysteries And Legends magazine, American
Farmhouse Style magazine, Vintage Gardens magazine and founding editor of
Cottages and Bungalows magazine. Her co-authored art books include How To Draw
Vampires, How To Draw Zombies, and How to Draw Grimm’s Dark Fairy Tales. Her
edited books include The Man God Uses by Chuck Smith, Oil Pastel Step-By-Step
by Nathan Rohlander, and The Art of Drawing Fantasy Characters by Jacob Glaser.
Born in the Midwest, Merrie now lives in Southern California, where she runs on
caffeine, and shares her home with rescue dogs and cats. And although she
dearly loves science fiction, in her heart of hearts, she still doesn’t believe
airplanes should be able to fly.
WEBSITE: http://www.merriedestefano.com/
BLOG: http://merriedestefano.blog/
NEWSLETTER: http://www.merriedestefano.com/newsletter1.html
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/merriedestefano/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MerrieDestefano
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Merrie-Destefano-127750623906184/
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/merrie-destefano
AUDIOBOOKS: https://www.audible.com/author/Merrie-Destefano/B0048L6NYO
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This book sounds like something I want to read! Thanks for the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview and the excerpt, sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing with me!
ReplyDelete