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Calisa Rhose and Friday Fanfare Welcomes ~ Keri Neal

And Hopeless…

This is a special edition of FFF as I help Keri Neal with her KeriNealHopeless_tourbadge11.15.13 blog tour. Please enjoy her hard work!

How did your writing journey begin?

I wrote a lot in middle and high school, mainly because that is when I became a big reader. I never really had dreams of getting something published. In fact, it wasn’t until just a few years ago when my friend Cheryl asked if I would like to write a book with her. And we did, we wrote two books actually. Neither will ever see the light of day, but I learned so much from the experience.

Tell us three things about you-the writer-readers wouldn’t typically know.

1. I am an only child, hence the voices in my head.

2. I will never go on a cruise ship.

3. I majored in Physical Therapy during my first year of college.

It all began…

when I was in church one day. The Flightless series is not a religious series, but for whatever reason Pen speaks to me a lot at church. Maybe it’s because I believe he is good at heart, despite being uncelestial in his actions. He is not your typical guardian angel, obviously. But his intentions are good and I strongly believe this makes him a good human.

Where did you get the premise for this book?

I already mentioned church. I also wanted to add that Pen represents everything I miss from YA heroes. So often I read the male leads in these YA books and I think, “This boy is too perfect. Why can’t they write about guys that are believable?” I think I know the answer to that one: We want our heroes to sweep us off our feet. I get that. But Cheryl would agree with me when I say that boys are stupid. They do stupid things and yet we love them anyway. Why not write them that way?

On her seventeenth birthday, Jade is filled with hope for the future. She and her boyfriend Pen are in love, she is finishing her final year of high school, and she is finally safe from the Fallen, who wanted her blood to fulfill an age-old prophesy. Pen is not as comfortable with the truce they made to protect her, so he makes a new deal with the Arches and leaves Jade alone.

But not for long.

A new Guardian is assigned to protect Jade. Blake is rude and offensive, his methods unconventional. Because of his dedication to her she trusts him with her life. Best of all, he knows about the Surge—her telekinetic ability—and is eager to teach her how to control her power. With Blake’s help, Jade learns she can defend herself, with or without the Arches protection, against the evil forces that want her blood.

Then . . . Pen comes back.

He doesn’t like the idea of someone else looking out for Jade, but an army of evil is on its way to destroy her, and Jade needs all the help she can get.

***

What stands out about this story that made writing it different for you?

I didn’t expect to bond with Pen so easily. He was so easy to write, I could have given him his own book!

Were there any difficult challenges or special subject matter you came across while writing this book?

I struggled with whether or not to have Jade and Pen “couple” in the first book. Lovey dovey scenes make me nauseous, but I knew going into this series that I was going to have to consummate Jade and Pen’s relationship at some point. I’m still struggling with it, but I hope the reader will bare with me.

What about this book would make us want to read it more than others of similar taste?

I love the imperfect hero/heroine. Someone I can relate to, care about. I hope Pen is unlike the other angels in similar series. I feel he is very different, but the reader’s opinion is what’s important 🙂

What do you want readers to take away from this book?

It takes all kinds. Although I don’t believe in love at first sight, I do believe in soulmates.

Tell us about the finished book. Is there anything special we might not know after reading it?

Krista’s original name was “Zoe”. Then I thought it would be fun to hold a drawing and name her after the winner. So that his how Krista go to be named, after Krista Ames.

Where can readers find you and your books?

Contact info

Blog: www.writingas.kerineal.com

Cover Artist: bookcoversby.kerineal.com

Twitter: @authorkerineal

Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorkerineal

Instagram: @kerineal

Snail Mail: PO Box 453, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Buy Links

Paperback (Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/dp/1492272221?tag=itstwiate-20

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GC3NYN4?tag=itstwiate-20

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/342191