Today, I am both pleased and proud to have Melisa Hamling,
author of Twenty Weeks, visit with us. Melisa is my Writing BFF. I cannot tell you how many times she has inspired me, encouraged me and MADE ME LAUGH!!!! Her emoticons are the bestest.
Why, thank you,
Rachelle. You're pretty funny yourself and helped me too.
Rachelle: Yep, I guess we do egg each other on, don't we? So Melisa, tell us about your book, Twenty Weeks.
What inspired you to write it?
Rachelle: Your book includes some controversial topics. How
were you able to weave such a sweet and uplifting Young Adult romance into it?
You know you're
forcing me to really think? Ha. I can tell you my original conflict and
resolution wasn't such a happy one. As I wrote, more thoughts came to mind. I
realized there are those who have no voice, who are in situations nearly impossible
to get out of. Andrea's story formed from that knowledge and weaved in Maya and
Andrea's friendship. The romance between Alex and Maya started out simple.
Misunderstandings and lack of communication is a commonality in teens. Things
go wrong and understandably so, but I'll leave it at that. Twenty Weeks has its
own answers.
Rachelle: Twenty Weeks is an incredible book. You’ve given a
voice to those who suffer in silence. It opens with a beautiful poem that sets
the stage. I’m awed by both the message and the romance. You use the word
Kaleidoscope in both the poem and the closing chapter. What is the deeper
meaning?

OR: A complex set of
events or circumstances.
Life is like a
kaleidoscope--bringing new shades of emotions, memorable moments, and a variety
of shapes, each building new foundations at different stages of life.
Rachelle: So, what's next?
Of Love and
Deception. My next WIP is an adult romantic suspense. After that, I plan on
going back to my very first novel "Finding Forever", and
rewriting/revising it. As part of a Trilogy, the second book in the series is
written and part of the third.
Rachelle: I’m excited about the romantic suspense. Love and
Deception often times go hand in hand. Why did you decide to try this genre?
Simple. I love
romance; break-ups and make ups. Mostly the making up!
Rachelle: Tell us more about your first novel, the trilogy.
What is it like?
To be honest... gosh!
The first book is a mess right now, but the idea behind the story is one I
could only imagine. Who wouldn’t want to find a perfect man? And live in his
unique world? Even if your doctor pursed his lips, arranged himself at your
bedside and said, "… these people and this place you conjured up is
nothing more than a psychological retreat of your subconscious mind."
My main character has
to determine if the good doctor is right or if the world she came to love,
while in a coma, is real.
You sure do come up with some exciting plots. As a reader do
you enjoy plot twists, drama and high intensity, or in-depth character
examination?
I tend to favor
anything with romance. I do like
in-depth character examination, but only if those characters are interesting or
have something to offer to the story. I love twists that shock me and my
assumptions backfire.
Rachelle: Okay, now for some fun questions. Describe your
first kiss.
Seriously? My first
kiss? Yuck. Sean and I sat outside at my friend’s house. I'm not sure how it
started, but I do remember his lips being pressed against mine. I went with it,
but it was wet and pretty lame. Not romatic like I had dreamed it would be. Ha.
I didn't talk to him after that night. Boo-hoo. ;>
Rachelle: I honestly can’t even remember what mine was like.
What was the most shocking thing you read and wished to erase from your memory?
I can't say I've ever
wished to erase what I've read. I think Stephen King's "IT" was the
most disturbing thing I had read. Scarred the crap out of me. A Child Called It
really disturbed me. I guess it touched some familiar places in my own memory,
but the extreme nature of what David Peltzer (the child) went through was so
terrible. I had to put the book down several times because it made me cry.
The books I didn't
like, I didn't finish. I won't say who the author is, but it's not an indie
author.
Rachelle: Pick any author, someone you know or not. Name one
thing you would tell to their face.
One author. Without
mentioning a name (because I know her), I would have to say to this author that
she created such a beautiful story, and it literally made my heart swell. Every
possible emotion went through me and I wanted nothing more than to stay in her
story because I couldn't get enough of it quick enough. And that is the truth! It's
one of those stories you think about long after you've finished the novel. Not
many books do that for me.
Another author, I
will mention, Colleen Hoover. Her Slammed series took me by surprise. I love
the freshness this author introduced in her Slammed and Point of Retreat
novels. If you don't know what the title Slammed means, then I'd suggest you
read it. Who knew such a thing would be so cool? And the love story is
incredible in both books.
Well, it's been great
to be had! Oh, wait, I mean thanks for inviting me, Rachelle. It's been a
pleasure interviewing with you.
Twenty Weeks will be free July 25-29 on Amazon! Be sure to
pick up your copy today! [Click HERE]
What have you got to
lose? Nothing! It's free! Enjoy.
Melisa.
Melisa, I downloaded my copy of Twenty Weeks. The book sounds really good and I'm excited to read it.
ReplyDeleteRachelle, great interview! :)
Thanks, Christina. I hope you enjoy it and don't cry too much ;> I see your novel Only in her Dreams is coming out in September? YES! I can't wait to read it (and promote it).
Delete;>
Hi Melisa, so it took all that arm-twisting to get you on my blog and I still can't get an exclusive photo? Ha, ha, good luck on the freebie! And I'm excited about your next book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christina. I'm sure you've love Alex and Maya.
Rachelle, you know I'm the worlds best blogger... haha!
DeleteThe promo is going superb! Not even 24 hours free and already at #135! YES! Thanks to some really great pals and one awesome BESTY!
You're up for a new release soon too!
Thanks Melisa and Rachelle. I have downloaded it and am looking forward to reading it. If Rachelle recommends it, it must be good. I trust her judgement. Have a great day and good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, that means a lot to me!
DeleteWow, thank you so much, Melisa! :) I'm going to check your book out now since you said such nice things about mine. <3 And great site, Rachelle.
ReplyDeleteThanks Colleen, I'm so lucky to know Melisa and find out about the books she loves.
DeleteAwe gosh! *blushing* Thanks y'all ;).
ReplyDeleteMary, I've picked up some great reading based on Rachelle's reviews. I keep telling her she's superb! But I don't think she believes me. Gosh darn it!Her novel, Michal's Window is beautifully written and will always be favorite. Wait until her Broken Build comes out!
Colleen, thank you. I do hope you like it as much as I loved Slammed and Point of Retreat. Both fresh and incredible novels.
Anywho, thanks again.
Happy, happy, happy!