Book Tour: Chrysalis by Michel Prince Interview & Giveaway

Chrysalis

By Michel Prince 

BLURB:  

In the annals of dysfunctional families, the Chisholm’s are working their way to the top. Drug abuse, an unwed mother with multiple fathers, and the questionable cash flow for the 'pretty one'.   All this from a seemingly normal, two parent middle class family. But were the choices truly made of their free will?
            Bad choices are a Chisholm family trait, one that confounds the youngest child, Ellie, who's trying to separate herself by making smart decisions. And falling for Oscar Jeffreys, the hottest guy at school, would be number one on the list of  Chisholm family disasters.  Yet the crazy part is it’s not a one sided attraction.  Somehow Ellie has caught Oscar Jeffreys’ eye.   Sure she could see the barriers between them.  Race, age, popularity.  They were at opposite ends of the spectrum.  But a demon set to destroy her family? She can't see that.  
            Oscar provides security and acceptance Ellie never imagined she deserved.  As the passion of first love grows, Ellie honestly believes she has a chance to beat the odds and live a happy, normal life. Then her world collapses around her. With the help of a guardian angel, Ellie learns of a world that has unknowingly surrounded her for years.  And she'll have to find strength buried deep inside to save not only her future, but flush out and stop the demon in her midst.
            And Ellie will have to learn that sometimes the hardest lesson about growing up is accepting that you're worth more. 

INTERVIEW:

1. Where did you get the idea for the novel? 

Have you ever wondered if there was a demon screwing things up?  You think everything is going good and bam out of nowhere what you thought was a good idea turns your life down another track.  Then how would you get revenge and would you be strong enough to fight back?

2. Your title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title? 

I came up with the title Chrysalis…I went back and forth between Cocoon and Chrysalis because the strong feelings that Ellie has of being wrapped up and safe when she’s in Oscar’s arms.  She feels as if no one in the world could hurt her.  Although she calls it her cocoon I couldn’t used that name because I’d think about Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy in the movie Cocoon.  The second reason I chose Chrysalis is because of the change Ellie makes from the beginning of the book to the end.  And finally in the Twin Cities area where the book is set is a chemical treatment center called Chrysalis…that’s actually where I first thought of the idea for the name.  Ellie’s love for Oscar is addicting.  She can’t get enough of him and even feels like she’s in a stupor without him in her life.

3. Why did you pick this genre? What do you like about it? 

The genre picked me actually.  I knew it’d be paranormal, but originally I was just going to “flashback” to high school when Oscar and Ellie met.  Then I ended up flashing a little too long.  This is why the Chrysalis series is a crossover one because the series starts as a mature YA book and grows into an adult series.  I like the genre because of the strong overwhelming feelings we all have as teenagers.

4. Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?

Having my books printed.  There is something about having a book in your hand.  I love ebooks, but somehow being able to thumb through the pages seems more real.

5. What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read? 

I’m usually ‘reading’ three books at once.  One in paperback, one on my kindle and I listen to one on audible.  It’s kind of embarrassing because I read different genres but right now I must be in a paranormal mood.  I’m reading Night Embrace and listening to Born of Fire both by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Reflections by J. Dorothy.

6. What is your writing process? 

When I get inspired and my muse starts whispering in my ear I write the scenes as they come to me.  Sometimes I get the beginning and the end.  Other times I see the middle.  Then I connect them all together.  In Chrysalis I wrote straight through, but in subsequent books I tended to see scenes at different times.  Then I edit by reading and finally I listen to my computer read the story to catch those little things that just sound off.

7. At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say? 

I try to personalize it if I know the person.  If I don’t know them I try to come up with something to do with the book.  With Chrysalis I like putting “I hope you’ve found your flash.” But I have yet to get a good catch phrase for each book yet.

8. What is something people would be surprised to know about you? 

I’m in a tribe called Mic-o-Say through Boy Scouts and my tribal name is Small Leaping Red Ember because I took the family name.

9. How do you react to a bad review? 

I’m hurt, but I take a bad review as a hard but well meaning criticism and if as a writer you can’t take criticism I couldn’t imagine you’d ever be able to work with an editor let alone put yourself out there with a book.  A common one that I get with Chrysalis is that the paranormal element catches people off guard because I had to build the relationship between Oscar and Ellie first for various reasons.  I thought I’d dropped enough subtle hints but I guess I’m too subtle.  It’s something I can take with me into future novels and I have.

10. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book? 

Signing the contract my husband bought me a kindle because we weren’t sure when or if I’d be paperbacked.  When the book released we had a party in Minneapolis at a night club with my book trailer playing on the TV screens all over the building.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science.  Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling "It's my turn damn it!!!" She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn.  She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports.  She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers.  She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, cat and new puppy. 

LINKS:

www.michelprincebooks.com

http://www.facebook.com/MichelPrinceBooks?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/MichelPrince1

http://www.youtube.com/user/Michelprincebooks?feature=guide

http://www.amazon.com/Chrysalis-ebook/dp/B007USU6AO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351526304&sr=8-2&keywords=Chrysalis+by+michel+prince

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/chrysalis-by-michel-prince?store=allproducts&keyword=chrysalis+by+michel+prince

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-chrysalis-779953-140.html

http://www.bookstrand.com/chrysalis-0

GIVEAWAY:

Michel will be awarding a butterfly gift basket to one randomly drawn commenter and a butterfly necklace to a second randomly drawn commenter.

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/11/nbtm-chrysalis-by-michel-prince.html