Author Spotlight + Interview: Melissa Pearl!

Here at Reads By Amanda, we love authors. How could you not? From our favorite series, books, moments, scenes and characters, there's a writer who created all those moments and decided it had to be written down and shared with the world. 

Hopefully, there will be more of these author spotlights in the future since it's important that we support and rally behind the creators that work so hard to create such amazing stories. I present, Melissa Pearl. 

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them. 

Connect: 
Website
Twitter 
Facebook
Goodreads

Check out her books! 
-Time Spirit Trilogy 
-The Elements Trilogy 
-Betwixt Series 
-True Colors 
-I Know Lucy 
-Set Me Free (Coming Soon) 
-Fever (Coming Soon) 

Interview with Melissa Pearl: 

In one of your latest series, A Fugitive Novel series, Lucy Tate is constantly hiding after witnessing the death of her parents. What did you find was the most challenging part of writing the story?
I really wanted to make sure the story was plausible, so that readers could buy into it easily and cheer Lucy on. I didn’t want there to be any of those moments where they thought - “That is so unrealistic! As if!” Because I had no paranormal or fantasy to fall back on in this series, I really had to do my research and make sure I was getting basic facts right. I found that quite hard. There are a couple of places where I know I’ve pushed the boundaries, but I’ve checked with experts and they’ve said I’m close enough. One of them actually said to me, “Remember, Melissa, this is actually a work of fiction!” LOL :D
Hopefully people will be so wrapped up in what’s going to happen to Lucy and Zach, they won’t even notice ;)

What influenced you to start writing? 
My best friend actually. I’ve always had a vivid imagination. Stories have been with me my whole life. When I became friends with Brenda in my early twenties, we really clicked and I felt safe telling her some of my story ideas. She told me I needed to stop telling them to her and just write one of them so she could read it. I took on the challenge and started writing that night. I loved it and she loved the story….I couldn’t stop after that :)

For those not familiar with your work, describe your novels in five words or less - hard one I know!
Fast-paced. 
Romantic. 
Realistic characters.
Un-put-downable….is that a word? LOL :D

I want to make my readers laugh, cry & swoon.

What was the last book you read? 
All She Wants by Anna Cruise. I LOVE Anna Cruise - she’s my favorite indie author. All She Wants was a really great read. Not my favorite of hers, but still awesome. 

Are you currently reading anything right now? 
Yes - I always have a book on the go. For once, it’s not actually a work of fiction. I’m reading How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Some of the stuff in the book is solid gold. Not sure I can implement all of their suggestions, but have given some of them a go and had success with my two boys, so yay :D

Thank you so much for being here and answering my questions! Is there anything else you would like to add or say to the readers? 
As always - a HUGE thank you goes out to all my readers. I so appreciate their time and support. One of my goals as a writer is to take people out of their every day lives and take them on an adventure…I want them to escape reality for a little while and lose themselves in the journey. My readers are allowing me to achieve this goal and I am so, so grateful. 






Thanks for reading!


Amanda Leon

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