Guest Interview and GIVEAWAY with Krystal Shannan

I am delighted to welcome Krystal Shannan to my blog today as she stops by on her tour with her book Open House.

Intrinsically woven into the fabric of human existence, Aphrodite, Titan Goddess of Love and Passion, dedicates herself to matching soul mates. 

Rebecca Carol and Robert Corvin missed their original chance to bond when Ares, God of War, took control of Robert's career ten years ago. Their souls have naturally pulled them back together for a second chance at love, but... How far will the gods go to get their own way? 

Will divine influence create another perfect match or will it tear them apart forever?

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Tell us a little about yourself, Krystal :-)

Hi, I’m Krystal Shannan. I am a wife and mother first. My husband is so great and very supportive of my choice to stop ignoring the voices in my head. I’m sure if you asked him, he’d tell you the ‘talking in my sleep’ has lessoned since I started writing. *Giggle* I had no idea until he told me, how invasive those characters were. 

Next, I’m an elementary music teacher. I sing and dance all day with your children. *I know! Shocker right* Somebody has to get paid for that job, why not me? 

Then I’m an author and blogger. My first book OPEN HOUSE releases October 19th. I’m super excited.

I have a very full and blessed life. Any spare moments I can find I read… a lot, mostly romance, but every once in a while something else will sneak in… like a YA book that looked particularly fascinating. I love superhero movies –Thor and Ironman being my favorites. Yummmmmm. Sorry, had a moment there. Don’t tell my hubby.

What made you write ‘this’ story?

Well, I’ve had this fascination with ancient Greece and Rome since high school and I’m not surprised that Aphrodite turned into one of my muses. Yes, I’m calling her a muse. She comes and visits, chats, and tells me a story. Then I go and plot another book. What’s truly interesting about Aphrodite to me is that nearly every polytheistic civilization recognizes her as the goddess of love or at least has a version of her. My ‘ah ha’ moment was my discovery of a higher class and lower class Aphrodite. There is one version of mythology that puts her as the daughter of Titans instead of part of the Greek Pantheon. So my muse is a Titan. Isn’t that cool?

Tell us about your cover. 

Ah, the cover is inspired by the ‘Flower of Aphrodite’. The amulet on the front is her necklace.

Describe a typical day’s writing for us

Typical day – Wake up, grab breakfast, dress the toddler, whisk her away to daycare, drive to school, teach, pick up the toddler from daycare, run errands, feed toddler and husband and perhaps myself, collapse into my recliner, check 200+ emails, set timer and write for an hour or two, read a few minutes, and pass out in my uber-comfy sleep number bed.

What inspires you?

History, mythology … People … I was over at my in-laws a few weeks ago playing Mexican train dominos. Let me just say, I had no idea Mexican Train dominos could make six grown adults fall to the floor laughing, minds in the gutter, for nearly two hours. It was fabulous. I have such a funny scene from that memory to put in one of my books now. You never know when the muse will strike.

If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

LOL … a teacher. Oh wait, I am!

Do your characters ever surprise you?

Yes! I have this one character in another WIP that was supposed to just be a cook in the hotel where the hero and heroine were staying. He wasn’t even really supposed to be a character. I think I forgot to tell him that … Lo and behold, he turns into a pivotal character that will be present throughout the entire series. I love him too! I can’t imagine the series without him now.

What could you not do without when you’re writing?

Ummmm... I don’t really have a particular need when I’m writing. I’ve been known to start jotting stuff down on sticky notes. I prefer my laptop, but a journal or piece of scrap paper will suffice.

What words of wisdom do you have for the aspiring authors out there?

I’m probably not the best person to ask, since I’m just starting, but I will say that building relationships with other writers has been the most important and helpful tool for me so far. Talking and chatting and picking the brain of someone who has been where you are going is invaluable.

Where do you see yourself in ten year’s time?

Ten years! I see myself with a teenage daughter. Yikes! I also see myself as a multi-published author, making enough income to completely replace my teaching salary.

Do you have a favorite quote?

I have many. I actually have a GoodReads widget that rotates my favorite quotes on my blog. One of them is “… the devil on my right shoulder must have brutally strangled the angel on my left…” –Gena Showalter. It makes me laugh every time I see it. Most of the quotes do.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Occasionally, but usually it’s because my characters have wandered off on a tangent and I need to slap them around to get them back with the program. A good brainstorm session with my CP April London does wonders for those moments too.

What other books can your readers look forward to?

There are two more Pool of Souls books storyboarded already. I have several holiday romps coming out for Christmas 2012 and a full-length paranormal romance novel series, involving witches, wizards, weres, and dragons, storyboarded as well.

And finally can you share an excerpt with us?

Rebecca opened the bag of takeout and handed Robert his box of lo mein while she went looking for her edamame and salt. She grabbed a mini eggroll and popped it into her mouth. The fried crispy pork and veggie flavors were heaven in her mouth. She moaned in satisfaction. The beans were at the bottom of the sack. She pulled out the box and popped open the little container of salt.

“Good?” Robert asked before shoveling a bite of noodles into his mouth.

“Delicious. Want one?” Rebecca held out another mini egg roll. Robert shook his head. She shrugged and popped it into her mouth as well. He chuckled.

“What if I changed my mind?”          

“It’s too late now, genius; I swallowed it.” Rebecca laughed and broke open an edamame bean. She licked the salt off the pod and sucked the three little soybeans into her mouth. When she glanced up from her food, she couldn’t help but smirk. Robert had frozen in place, chopsticks midway to his mouth, and was just watching her eat. His brown eyes had darkened, and he was looking at her as though she were dinner instead of the lo mein.

“Are you okay?” she asked cautiously, the corners of her mouth still turned up in a smirk.

“I don’t think you’re going to be finishing that food right now.”

“Really?” Rebecca set her paper box of edamame on the floor. “Why not?”

Robert carefully placed his box to the side. He pushed her food out of the way and grabbed the edge of the cushion she was sitting on. The pillow slid easily on the hardwood floor.

“I need to kiss you.” 

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KRYSTAL SHANNAN Author Bio:

Krystal Shannan is a born, raised, and current TEXAN. She is married to a wonderful man who supports her dream of writing and allows her to spend many evening and weekend hours glued to her laptop. During the day she moonlights as an elementary music teacher. In addition to a doting husband, a young daughter is also part of the picture and keeps her hopping! An ornery little Welsh Corgi completes the household. 

      

Krystal has been writing stories since she could hold a pencil. She has always dreamed of writing romance and sharing the “movies in her head” with the world. If she’s not writing, she’s reading –historical, paranormal, action, adventure –anything she can get her hands on that ends with a Happily Ever After!

Thank you so much for having me here today! Be sure to enter the rafflecopter and leave a comment to win a $25 Amazon gift card to be awarded to one commenter at the end of the tour. 

If you would like to follow me, I would love it! 

You can find me@

www.krystalshannan.com

www.krystalshannan.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/krystal.shannan

http://www.facebook.com/KrystalShannanAuthorPage

https://twitter.com/KrystalShannan

http://pinterest.com/krystalshannan/

Here's the rafflecopter html code for the giveaway. $25 Amazon card at end of the tour and 5 digital copies of OPEN HOUSE. 

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