An interview with author Melanie Crouse on the release of her new book HIDDEN MAGIC

Beautiful cover!

In honor of friend, author, and Prosers blogger Melanie Crouse's new book release this week, I interviewed her for my contribution to the blog. Melanie's book HIDDEN MAGIC came out Friday, and is available for purchase via all the usual channels. You can check out her website for more information.

Congrats to Melanie! Here's an edited version of our interview. Enjoy! And go buy her book!

1. Tell me about your new release of HIDDEN MAGIC. What is this book about?

At its heart, Hidden Magic is a love story about Arram and Jenny. In spite of her family's overprotectiveness, Jenny has always been reckless and drawn to mischief. That's why her mom decided not to pay for Jenny's education. The moment Jenny finally makes it to the University, she meets Arram, a mage-in-training who captures her interest and then vanishes. While he is gone, Jenny turns to Arram's former best friend, Jack.  But Arram and Jack's rivalry is much darker than Jenny suspects, and so are Jack's intentions.

When Jenny finds herself in need of magical help, both Arram and Jack want to help. Arram wants her to do the safe thing, and Jack wants her to show her the easy way out. Whichever option she chooses, her life will never be the same again.

2. When did you start writing?

Six years ago. I was homeschooling my daughter and we decided to try Nanowrimo together. Since then, I have never stopped.

3. What inspired you to write this book?

I think the first inkling of the idea came while I was standing in a little kiddy pool, soaking up the sunshine while my kids took lessons in the big pool. I had a whole scene planned out in my head. This book is everything leading up to that scene. The scene is still in my head, but I don't think it actually fits the storyline anymore. So sad.

But there were a million little things that led to my writing this book. Reading Twilight made me think "I could do that too!" and by 'that' I mean writing a clean romance that set people's hearts racing. I spent a lot of time analyzing the relationships of people in Pride and Prejudice, and though my book is nothing like that, more than one person has mentioned that it has that flavor. Those are some of my favorite compliments. 

4. What was hard about writing this book?

I didn't know how to write AT ALL. I've read thousands of books in my life, but the only thing I seemed to pick up from them was a larger than average vocabulary. If it hadn't been for Nanowrimo and Orson Scott Card's How To Write Science Fiction andFantasy, I don't think I ever would have finished the first page. 

When I look back at that first manuscript I am thrilled to say I don't think I could write anything that horrible now, even if I tried. Still, I loved the story enough to keep learning and polishing. I had so many amazing writers help me, and I'm so grateful none of them said, "That's good enough" until it was.  This novel went through the crucible and came out shiny and pretty.

5. What is your favorite color?

Ever since Peeta told Katniss the orange of a sunset was his favorite color, orange has been my favorite too. Until I read those words, this question always flummoxed me. I would always say blue, but it wasn't blue, not really. It was the color of orange juxtaposed on a light blue sky. Thank you, Suzanne Collins, for explaining this to me.

6. Malcolm Reynolds or Christopher Pine as reboot Captain Kirk?

Who? :) [Editor's Note: You're dead to me. In case you were curious, the correct answer here is Mal, and/or both.]

7. You're down to the last wish from a genie. You can't wish for more wishes. What do you wish for? (Assume you've already taken care of your basic needs of money with your other wishes…)

The ability to freeze time so I can get as much writing done in a day as I think I ought to, and still have time to live.

8. Who are some of your favorite authors?

I love JK Rowling, Dianne, Wynne-Jones, Megan Whalen-Turner, Jane Austen, Orson Scott Card, Shannon Hale, and Janette Rallison. Of course I’m super-impressed with my writing partners from Alchemy, Sabrina West and Sheena Bookweg.

9. What did you think about writing when you were younger? How has that changed as you've gotten older?

In my heart, I think I've always been a writer. However, I didn't write. I don't know why--whether I was scared of it, or whether I was too lazy. I wish I could go back in time and see what was going on in my head. If only I'd started when I was younger, think how much further along in the process I could be by now!

10. Did you use anything or anyone you know from your real life in writing this book? Spill! Which ex-flame got skewered in chapter 12? ;)

Hmmm...In this book? I don't think so. However, in the sequel, there are a few scenes that were inspired by reality. However, I'm never telling anyone which ones. Ever. 

Happy Book Birthday, Melanie!

Purchase on Amazon

When Jenny has the opportunity to spend the summer with her sister, a small slice of freedom is all she's really hoping for when she has the opportunity to spend the summer with her sister. Instead she finds something else altogether: electricity.

That's what Jenny feels when she looks at Arram. She knows he’s drawn to her too, but the mage-in-training does his best to hide it. Stung, Jenny turns to Arram's former best friend, Jack. But Arram and Jack's rivalry is much darker than Jenny suspects, and so are Jack's intentions. Soon she's caught in a mystery of old murder, ancient prophecies, and magic hidden where no one has thought to look. When Jenny uncovers a secret magic, she is offered two choices. Arram wants her to do the safe thing. Jack wants to show her the easy way out. Whatever Jenny decides, her life will irrevocably change. Either way, freedom may be the one thing Jenny can never have.

Excerpt

Jack put his finger to his lips and motioned toward an empty bedroom across the hall. Not knowing what else to do, she went in, her heart thudding against her ribs. “Jack,” she whispered. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?” “What? No welcome home kiss?” His voice was mocking. Trying to keep her voice steady, she said, “So Arram was right. You do want to kidnap me after all.” “Kidnap you?” Jack looked horrified. Underneath the horror though, Jenny could see that his eyes were sparkling with mischief. “I should have known Arram would fill your head with something stupid like that. No, you wonderful, impossible girl, I’m here to rescue you.”  

About Melanie Crouse

Melanie Crouse is the author of Hidden Magic, coauthor of the book Alchemy and the CEO of the craziest household in the Western Hemisphere. Lately, both of those full-time jobs have collided, creating chaos on a colossal scale. Which is just the way she likes it. In her spare time, Melanie likes to play the piano, swim, hike and teach preschool. Whether she has spare time or not, she manages to read prolifically, which probably explains more than it doesn't. She loves her family dearly, and wishes with all her heart that her teenage children weren't so embarrassed that their mom writes "kissing scenes."

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Hidden Magic Cover Reveal With a Giveaway

Hidden Magic

by 

Melanie Crouse

Release Date: 

Friday, January 24

From the back cover:

Jenny feels trapped by her overprotective family. When she has the opportunity to spend the summer with her sister, a small slice of freedom is all she's really hoping for. Instead she finds something else altogether:

Electricity.

That's what Jenny feels when she looks at Arram. She knows he’s drawn to her too, but electricity doesn't seem to be enough to entice the brilliant mage-in-training.

Stung, Jenny turns to Arram's former best friend, Jack. But Arram and Jack's rivalry is much darker than Jenny suspects, and so are Jack's intentions. Soon she's caught in a mystery of old murder, ancient prophecies, and magic hidden where no one has thought to look.

When Jenny uncovers a secret magic, she is offered two choices. Arram wants her to keep her safe. Jack wants to show her the easy way out. Whatever Jenny decides, her life will irrevocably change.

Either way, freedom may be the one thing Jenny can never have.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Melanie's Brain on Writing

I am reading two of the most awesome books right now. I'm about two thirds of the way finished with The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, and I'm about one third of the way done with The Dream Thieves. Both the books have main characters that I adore, a very interesting story line, and hints of humor and romance that make me smile. And yet, I keep forgetting I'm reading them.

I forced myself to watch my first television show in over a month yesterday while I folded my laundry. It was Chuck, which, if you've been around for a long time, you might remember is my favorite show ever. And yet finishing it felt like a chore.

If you were to ask my friends what it was like to be my friend these days, they would probably say, "Melanie Crouse? Does she still consider me her friend? I haven't seen her in ages." L And my family treats me like an amnesiac victim who wasn't too bright to begin with.

But I am writing a lot.

I'm wearing my poor cowriters out, I think, although lately Sheena's had to bear the brunt of my obsession. 

I need to know how Pyromancy ends.

It's like a huge cliffhanger every night when I go to bed, and the only thing I think about when I wake up.

I know my obsession is fueled by terror. Hidden Magic is coming out NEXT WEEK and I can't even think about that. When Alchemy came out the success or failure was very much a shared thing. With Hidden Magic I'm standing all by myself. While that thought might have been exhilarating a few weeks ago, lately all I feel is scared. So, instead of living in reality, each morning when I wake up I dive head first into Pyromancy, and each night I make a feeble attempt to come back to my real life, but frankly, I prefer Pyromancy at the moment. It's probably not the healthiest state to be in, but I can't possibly have been the only writer to get here. Someone else tell me they know what I'm talking about.

My brain is tired. I know Sheena already took that line, but I'm stealing it. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? My brain is tired. I need to read a book whose ending has already been decided. I need to watch a movie. I need to play a game with my kids...

 You Can Help!

Anyway, I'll be back on Monday, January 20, for Hidden Magic's big cover reveal. We're doing this cool thing called a Social Media Blitz where people can sign up to put my cover on their facebook page. If you are interested in helping out with that, click this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1t_Ll3tSoR9Dugo_gSGweYEDuSTfWSzUOPdv-KLr_FiI/viewform

And if you want to help with the Release Day Blitz, you can click here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DpS08bHrX_6dzL-zGdhUBX5NBNOiHKCN9SUcpsx2dAk/viewform

I've never seen anything like this before, but apparently it’s the next big thing in indie advertising. I'll write a post at some point to let you know how it went. Thank you in advance for you help and support! I'm so grateful to have you all in my life.