Won't Let Go Spotlight~Interview

Won't Let Go by Avery Olive Media Kit

About the Author:

Avery Olive doesn't kiss and tell. Except when it comes to writing about hot supernatural guys. She lives with her husband and son in Red Deer, Alberta, where she spends way too much time reading, writing and avoiding house work.

She's the author of A Stiff Kiss, a young adult novel with is a morbid twist on a classic fairytale, in reverse, and Won't Let Go, involving an amnesic ghostboy who just won't move on.

What she is sure of, is that writing will always give her the chance to live adventures untold and hopes to release many more novels in the future.

Other Books by Avery Olive

A Stiff Kiss

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Won't Let Go

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

ISBN: 978-1-939173-67-6

E-ISBN: 978-1-939173-69-0

ASIN: B00HBSI5MY

Number of pages: Approx. 230

Word Count: Approx. 65,000

Cover Artist: Taria Reed

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Alexia Stone never wanted to move cross country. And she certainly never wanted to share her new bedroom with an amnesiac ghost boy desperate for her help.

But after setting aside the assumption she’s gone crazy, Alexia engages in the impossible—she agrees to help the ghost discover who he was and what happened to him. Convinced this mystery is what’s keeping the phantom in the world of the living, Alexia puts her heart on the line to find out what his unfinished business might be.

Ultimately, Alexia must decide what’s more important to her—keeping her phantom boyfriend or helping him finally find peace in death. What she didn’t plan on was not having a choice. One of them must move on, but what if neither wants to let go?

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle     Amazon Paperback     Barnes & Noble     Other Formats Releasing Soon!

Excerpt:

Instantly, cool air brushes my neck, hairs stand up on end and a creepy feeling tickles my spine. Shaking off the odd sensation, I look back to the window. The curtain hangs still and no shadow moves. I imagined the whole thing. Nothing there at all.

            “Well, nice to meet you all. Please, please come in and check out your new home.”

            Mr. Realtor holds the door open as we shuffle into the foyer. I want to say I’m awed, but I’m not. From this point all I can see are neat piles of boxes with Mom’s messy scrawl on the sides. It’s really hard to get the full picture.

            “The movers were here this morning. We tried to leave things organized. And missus also tidied up the kitchen and left a casserole in the fridge.” He pauses to wipe beads of sweat off his neck. “The rest of the house still needs a good once over.”

            The house itself feels about ten degrees warmer than outside. My black T-shirt is already clinging to my dampened skin. I’m guessing central air is a luxury I no longer have. Add that to the growing list of reasons why I hate this new life already.

            Only a second later I curse under my breath, knowing I promised myself and my mother I’d make the most of this new change. I can handle letting myself down, but her, on the other hand, not so much. I’ve sort of had my fill of that in the past. Letting her down, that is.

            Mom gazes around. “Oh Charles, look at this place! Isn’t it wonderful?” Both her face and voice are giddy with excitement. Mom points out a huge stone fireplace, tall ceilings, saying something about how a little fresh paint will brighten up the room.

            Speaking of...“So where’s my room?” I ask, trying to hide the small amount of excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

            “Oh honey. If the pictures do it justice, you’ll love it!” Mom smiles.

            Mr. Realtor coughs, rubbing his neck again. “It’s up the stairs. End of the hall.”

            Wasting no time, but still being vigilant, I race up the stairs and down the hall. If the rest of the house is any indication, the room will be a bit of a disappointment, but I cling to the hope that maybe I'm wrong. Grasping the crystal doorknob, I turn it and fling myself into my new room.

            I gasp, hand flying to my mouth.

            It’s not the drab sheers on the window, my four-poster bed leaning up against a wall, or the expanse of the room—filled with boxes—that’s caught my attention.

            No. That would be simple. Easy.

            Instead I find myself staring at the back of a—person. It’s a he, tall and lean, wearing dark wash jeans and a gray T-shirt, and he’s standing right smack dab in the center of the space. His hair is short and sandy blond. Just as I’m about to speak, his head tilts to the right, and slowly, ever so slowly, he glances over his shoulder.

            Stormy blue eyes narrow at me as a small grin plays on his lips.

            Just when I think I’ve lost my mind—that a stranger in my house is bad enough—the person dissolves into a cloud of dust, swirling in the rays of sunlight brought in from the window until no trace is left.

            I scream. A fierce and terrified, bone-chilling scream that echoes through the room. It’s so loud. The air in my lungs is still expelling when faintly I hear the thud of footfalls frantically running up the stairs towards me.

Describe your books in 3 words?

Ghost, love, tragedy 

If you could be any character from one of your books who would it be?

This is always a tough one. I love all my characters. I like Alexia Stone, from Won't Let Go. She's strong, yet vulnerable. I think she's had some problems in the past, but is trying to make amends, albeit it's slow going. She's very rounded, and she's got a few quirks, just like me!  

What is your greatest fear about being an author/publishing your book(s)?

I think sharing your work with strangers. I mean, you put your heart and soul into writing a novel, creating characters, and you always love it. It becomes your baby. And then, there's that fear that people will think you suck, hate your novel, and then, ultimately and without good reason, hate you. People are sort of silly that way You see it on the internet all the time...

Would the 10 year-old version of yourself kick your butt or praise you for what you've accomplished in life?

I'm not sure! I think what I wanted when I was 10 was very different from where I am now. My 16 year old self would probably call me a book loving nerd and poke fun at me! But now, I'm totally proud of what I've accomplished. I think looking back, my life took many twists and turns, and through the good and the bad, I've managed to come out ahead!

What do you do when you finish your book and turn it in to the editor?

Bite my nails. Usually by the time my editor sees something from me, it's already been read by several trusted beta's, so I know what I've written is decently good. But I know she'll find something wrong with it, and remind me that I still haven't wrapped my head around grammar and punctuation. You see, while the 16 year old me was living it up, and making fun of school, and well, skipping school, I missed out on some valuable information. I wish I could go back in time and pay attention. For once, all the stuff I would have learned in English would have come in very handy now!

What is your favorite Genre and why?

I'm not sure I have a favourite, but I do tend to gravitate towards Paranormal and Fantasy, laced with Romance, since that's what I write. I love to see how other people are keeping up with trends, and what their version of some of the supernatural creatures entail. But I do love some contemporary, and I've thrown in some Adult Romance/Erotica just to keep me on my toes.

What is one thing that would surprise us to know about you?

This is a toughie. Um. I used to hate reading. It wasn't until a few years ago that I really got into reading, and writing, for that matter. But that might not surprise.... Okay, how about this... I have the weakest stomach in the world. I mean, it's so weak, even I wonder how I make through the day. Everything from smells, the thought of mould, or throw up, to actually seeing anything gross and I am gagging, or puking, and Mr. Olive, my husband, sadly, is the one to clean it up. I just can't handle anything remotely funky smelling or looking.

Was there an Author who inspired you to write?

Not one specifically, no. What inspired me was believing that I could do what they do. When I discovered my love of reading, I often though, you know, I could probably do just a good, or better at telling a story. And then one day, I just tried writing. Before I knew it, within a couple of weeks I had written my first novel, and LOVED IT!

How did you come up with the characters in your books?
I think I just wanted to write a ghost story, but I wanted it to have a few twists. I've since realized that the situations in the book aren't that unique, but I do hope that I have managed to put a creative spin on it!

Do you prefer to write alone or do you like to collaborate with other authors?
I've never really collaborated with anyone else. I wonder if I'd like that. Hmm. I mean, I do have a few people that I bounce ideas off of, and they tend to help me when I'm struggling, but that it's. So, I guess I prefer to go it alone :)

Everyone uses computers, tablets, phones and no one uses handwritten form or typewriters, what do you prefer to use?
I use a laptop, nothing out of the ordinary. However, if I'm in a pinch, and creativity has struck me when I'm not by my computer, I have no problem writing long hand. Granted, it isn't always legible. I usually always have pen and paper nearby just in case. 

Is there a ritual you do before you begin your book?

Sadly, no. I really don't do anything. I get an idea, maybe right a few notes (I'm a pantser) and then I just go with it. Maybe I should start some ritual!

What do you do when you finish your book?
Nothing. I mean, I get a little giddy. And then I let it stew for a little while before diving into edits. When I've deemed a novel completely polished (to the best of my ability) I might have a celebratory drink before sending it off to betas.

I didn't even do anything that cool when I signed contracts to publish novels! It was just a little bit like any other day, just with a hint more excitement.

Apple or Windows? Windows

Dog or Cat? Dog
Pepsi or Coke? Dr. Pepper
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
Summer or Winter? Summer
Fairies or Angels? Neither
Dark or Light Fae? Neither
Vampires or Werewolves? Vampires
Amazon or Barnes and Noble? Chapters
Funny or Serious? Funny
Print or E-book? Hardcover
Eyes or Smile? Eyes
Dean or Sam (Supernatural)? Lol Dean
Dream spot to visit? Scotland