Genre: YA Romantic Suspense
Lucy Tate is on the run. After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents, she's spent five years in hiding -- taking on different personas and faking her way through life. The authorities can't be trusted, so she remains in the shadows, always one beat ahead of the man who is forever hunting her. That is, until she meets Zach Schultz, a senior at Monte Vista High and the one guy she can’t bear to leave. Suddenly her natural instincts to lie, steal, and run are overshadowed by something else...the desire to stay. It’s her one shot at a normal life.
Curious by nature, Zach is immediately drawn to the new girl at school. How can a person look both confident and vulnerable all in the same moment? Determined to learn more about her, he tries to get close, but is thrown into a world of lies and confusion. The only thing that becomes apparent is that discovering the truth may get him killed.
Excerpt
ZACH...
"This is different, you guys." I shook my head. "I mean yes, she is gorgeous. And yes, I'm attracted to her, but it's not just her looks. There's something about her. She's intriguing. It's like she's not all she appears to be or something."
"You can tell that after two minutes of interacting with her? Give me a break." Elliot balled up his napkin and threw it on the table.
"I know I don't know her at all yet, but I can tell there's something more there." I rubbed my bottom lip.
"She looks normal to me." AJ shrugged.
"I think she's pretty. She looks sweet, but..." Liesl turned to spy her quickly. "AJ's right. She looks like any other transfer student. What makes her so different?"
"It's something about her eyes. There's a story in them. I can't even explain why I think that. I just feel like she's got a lot of layers and I want to peel back every single one of them."
"I bet you do." Elliot raised his eyebrows.
"Not like that." I threw him a droll look. "I just want to solve the mystery that is Danielle Harrison."
"Dude, there is no mystery." Elliot slapped his hand lightly on the table.
"Yes there is. I can feel it."
"Careful, Zachy, your Nancy Drew is showing." Jaeda's green eyes were large and round as she gave me a playful look.
"I don't care." I shrugged, confident in the truth that I really didn't. "That girl over there has secrets and I'm gonna figure out what they are."
Interview
What inspired you to write your first book?
My best friend told me to stop telling her all these great story ideas and just write one of them down. Even if she was the only one to read it. I thought - why not and became thoroughly addicted :)
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I guess I want readers to come away with the idea that running away from your problems is not necessarily going to solve them and that it’s okay to trust people and let them help you.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Plenty!!
Writing wise - Story by Robert McKee, On Writing by Stephen King and The Writer’s Journey by Chris Vogler have been huge for me.
Emotionally - The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers was amazing. I love that series so much.
What book are you reading now?
All She Wants by Anna Cruise. She’s my favorite indie author and as I expected, I’m totally loving the book :)
Do you enjoy writing girl characters or boy characters the most?
Both actually. I like the variety. I like seeing the story through both the male and female perspective.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I stumbled across Anna Cruise last year and have devoured all her stuff. I’ve also discovered Cambria Hebert, Ella James & Amber Garza. These are all indie authors who write just the kinds of books I like to read :)
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My Indie Inked and Inklings girls. I belong to two of the most supportive writing groups in the world. I absolutely love them. We are interacting daily in our FB groups and I find their knowledge and encouragement more than valuable. They are all amazing.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I find the first draft stage quite challenging. I often suffer from first draft blues and feel like my writing is absolute crap until I hear back from my critique readers. Once I started hearing what works and finding out what needs to be improved, I start feeling better :)
Where would you like to travel someday to do a book signing?
Like - YES!!! I’d love that!! I actual feel very lucky, because I’m heading to UtopYA Con this year. Super excited to be a part of that :)
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Always - THANK YOU!!! Being able to share my work with readers is such a privilege. Some of them love it, some of them just think it’s average. Some don’t like it at all. But it doesn’t matter. I’m getting to tell my stories and that is one of the best things in the world.
If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
The Girl Who Couldn’t Stop Dreaming
About The Author
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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.
"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."
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