What’s
the name of your newest release?
Flightless
(Book one in the Flightless series)
Where
did you get the idea from for this story?
I was in church one day and it hit me, what
if a fallen angel fell in love with a human? Flightless is not a spiritual or
religious book, but I do get a lot of inspiration from church. Once I started
researching, I realized I was not the first person to come up with this idea J But I
think Flightless is original because it’s my story about a
fallen angel.
How
long have you been writing for?
About five years. I did a lot of writing in
high school too, but never kept any of it. I wish I had.
Do
you imagine a particular person you know or have seen when creating your main
characters?
I spend a lot of time on Pinterest looking
at pictures of people I think represent my characters the best. It helps to
have a picture in my head as I’m writing.
Of
all the characters in your books who is your favourite and why?
Agnes is my new favorite character. She is
Pen’s best friend in Flightless. I love her because she breaks the mold, but
she’s still a pure soul.
When
writing, are you an ‘in the moment kinda gal’ or do you follow a strict
plan?
A little of both, but I do tend to lean toward
the structured style of writing. If not I feel like I’m floating aimlessly
through space with a lifeline.
What
are you reading at the moment?
I just finished Twisted Perfection by Abbi
Glines. HUGE Abbi Glines fan. I just started Crisis of Identity by Denise
Moncrief. and so far it’s very good.
It's on my very long 'to read' list. Looking forward to reading it.
If
you could be anyone for a day, who would that be?
Joan from Mad Men. Not that I would have
ever liked to lived in the 60s, but she is so my polar opposite that it would
be interesting to be her for the day. Yes, I know she’s not a real person J
What
would be your last meal if you were on deathrow?
Sushi. Lots of it. Enough to give me
salmonella because hey, I’m going to die anyway right?
Where
do you like to shop?
My new favorite clothing shop is Maurice’s.
I could also spend all day at Charming Charlie’s looking at accessories I would
never wear.
Complete
this sentence; I’m indifferent to…
religion. I did not grow up in the church,
so I am learning the Bible as my children learn it. I find it fascinating on a
literary level, but I feel no one religion has it right. I think that religion
needs to be between you and God, not some impersonal label that’s designed to
inflict guilt.
The struggle between faith and reason is where I'm at with religion. I do love it. Every facet of it. I think it is important to understand as it is part of so many peoples lives and as part of our history. We shouldn't avoid learning about. The acquisition of knowledge leads to understanding.
Thank you Keri. An awesome story. Good luck with it all!
Synopsis
Pen was a
Guardian, but one violent night took his wings. Ten years later he is given the
opportunity to earn them back.
Jade is
spellbound by the new student. Pen is quiet, but she is determined to learn
more about him. When her terrifying past comes back to haunt her, Pen reveals
there is much more to him than she could have ever imagined.
With his soul
on the line, Pen cannot protect Jade if his feelings keep getting in the way. But
with Jade’s soul on the line, he must protect her from unearthly forces who
want her blood. Will the truth redeem them, or tear them apart?
Excerpt
Pen and I are lounging under a big white umbrella.
I am curled up with my head on his chest. His heartbeat is steady and slow, his
breathing shallow. He is asleep. I pinch his arm playfully. “You’re going to
miss it.”
He takes a deep breath and chuckles. “I’m awake.
And I’ve seen my share of sunsets.”
I turn my head and rest my chin on his chest. His
eyes are still closed. “You’re a grouch, you know that?”
He opens one eye and stares at me. “You know I’m
going to find you. You don’t need to do this.”
My throat burns with emotion. “Yes, I do. You
might not make it in time.”
Both his eyes open and stare blankly up at the
umbrella. He is angry. His jaw clenches and his nostrils flare.
“It’s almost time.” I crawl up and lie down,
straddling him. My blonde hair makes a curtain around us. He looks sad as he
reaches up and holds my face.
“I don’t know how to say goodbye to you.”
I smile. The sun is glowing in the horizon. Its
resting place comes alive with color. I see it all happen in the reflection in
his eyes.
“Yes, you do.” I press my lips against his,
urgently stealing every taste of him. I pull his lip through my teeth, and he
groans loudly. The sound is erotic. Suddenly his hand is on the back of my
head, pulling me roughly against him. His lips are not gentle anymore. They are
rough and scaly, like a snake. He is hurting me. I push hard against his chest,
only to realize my hands are bound. I start to cry as the sun descends into its
salty grave.
Bio
Keri Neal designs
book covers. Flightless is her fourth published book. She lives near Austin,
Texas with her husband, two children, two hamsters and a snake. She crochets,
sews, reads, paints and loves all things artsy & craftsy.
