Laura de Luca Showcase and Giveaway

Interview with Laura de Luca, YA Author of Phantom, Destiny and Destiny Unveiled

1 Destiny is your first YA, did you set out to write a Young Adult book, or did it just happen? 

 I have always written young adult books and short stories. I started writing books, including Destiny, when I was in high school. At that time, it seemed to make sense to write from a YA perspective since I was a young adult myself. Twenty years later, I'm still in that genre because I love it. It keeps me in touch with my youth and helps me relate better to my children. I might write some adult novels in the future, but I will always make time to continue with my YA titles as well.

2 Describe yourself in three sentences. 

I am mother. I am a pagan. I am a writer. 

3 If you could hang out with one of your characters, who would it be and why?  

When it comes to the Destiny Series, I'd have to say I'd have the most fun with Flora. She always makes me laugh with the crazy comments she makes, and socially, I think we would have been on the same level in high school. She doesn't take herself, or anything, too seriously, and in that way, we are a lot alike.

4 Complete the following sentence: When I am not writing, I'm_____________  

When I'm not writing (or taking care of my four kids) I'm probably reading, preferably on the beach.

5 Are you a pantser or a plotter?   

Okay, I admit to having to google this to make sure I knew what it meant. Plotter is pretty self explanatory, but I had never heard the term "panster". But now that I have, I'd have to say I lean heavily towards being a panster. For the most part, I do wing it. I do not write out detailed outlines or make any specific plans about how or when I am going to work.  Normally, I get a basic idea, sometime from dreams, and I jot down a few paragraphs so I won't forget it.  Then I just start writing. I try to go in chronological order,  but if I get a good idea for a scene in at the end of the book when I'm working on the middle, I just go with it. When I'm writing a murder mystery, I may bend a little more towards plotting, only because its hard to drop hints along the way if you don't know the ending, but for the most part, I'm still pretty much winging it. Its more fun and exciting when my characters do things that even I wasn't expecting.

6 If you could invite six authors to dinner, dead or alive, who would they be and why?

Well, first off, I need a bigger house because my table only seats four...But if I got that straitened out, I would pick Christopher Pike because he's the best young adult author in history and started me off on my path as a YA writer. I would also enjoy meeting R.L Stine and L. J Smith who were also big influences to me back in the 90's (I read "The Vampire Diaries" when they first came out back in 93-94). I would love to meet Gaston Leorox, author of the original "Phantom of the Opera" to ask him if there was any basis in reality to his novel, as rumors suggest. I have always been obsessed with the Phantom and even have my own modern day version that was published just last month. Next on the list would be LM Montgomery, author of the  Anne of Green Gables series. They were my favorite books growing up, and I think that LM and I would be "kindred spirits". If you read the books, you'll now what I mean by that:)  Finally, I would love to meet Marion Zimmer Bradley. She wrote many historical/fantasy novels including the "Mists of Avalon." I would like to discuss with her whether her personal spirituality influenced her work because her work helped me to find my own path.


Destiny Blurp

 http://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Laura-DeLuca/dp/0982674724/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn't remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother's death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick...even if it kills her. Her mother's spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds a male witch-one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabrielle and Darron at odds.

There is more to the story than Gabrielle and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabrielle and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.

Destiny Excerpt- http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/2010/12/small-excerpt-from-destiny.html

Destiny Unveiled Blurp

http://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Unveiled-Laura-DeLuca/dp/0982674759/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_1

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella's help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. Gabriella's coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

Destiny Unveiled Excerpt- http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/2012/05/excerpt-from-destiny-unveiled-coming.html

Author Bio

Laura "Luna" DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and three children. She has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Old high school friends would tell you she was always scratching in her notebook instead of paying attention in class and the children she used to babysit for always loved to hear her scary stories at bedtime. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.

My Networking Sites
Blog - http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/ 
Twitter- www.twitter.com/authorldeluca
Face Book www.facebook.com/authorlauradeluca
Good Reads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4670048.Laura_DeLuca

For a chance to win one signed copy of Destiny, two boxes of incense, a crystal point and a few desert rose wishing stones, make sure that you follow Laura de Luca through her blog, Twitter, Facebook or Goodreads. She's willing to ship worldwide. So this contest is open for everyone.

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