It's Friday, Yay! It's been quite a week, and I am grateful the weekend is finally here. Today I'm really honoured to have Debra Anastasia, the author of Poughkeepsie. I discovered Debra through a group in Goodreads that offers books for reviews, and once I started reading Poughkeepsie, I couldn't put it down. It's one of the most romantic books I've ever read. Then I also found out she knits. Imagine my joy. I'm a knit-n-crochet person and anyone whose fingers can work the intricacies found in knitting, is coolness itself. So without further ado, lets get down to knowing more about Debra.
Author Bio:
Debra
Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs,
the kids, and their homework. The laundry pile turns into a big,
heaping monster. When the clothes finally make it into the washer, it
gets unbalanced and puts on an elaborate show before it cuts out. This
crazy job that never ends is her first love and her crowning
achievement.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago
when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of
characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the
gateway for the plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. In the
shower, a twist would take hold and--dripping and frenzied--she'd find
somewhere, anywhere to write it down.
Debra grew up in New York
and got a bachelor's degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At
the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her
husband. She still doesn't trust crabs and all their legs, though
everyone else in her family thinks they're delicious. Her favorite
hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and
slapping clowns.
Earlier this year Omnific Publishing published
her debut novel, Crushed Seraphim, and she's currently pounding out the
sequel to angel Emma's adventures. You can visit her website at
DebraAnastasia.com and find her on twitter @Debra_Anastasia.
CeCe: I'm über-excited to have you here with us today,
Debra. Please tell us a little about yourself.
Debra: I’m thrilled to be here! Thank you for putting up with me.
I’m a mom and wife and I love to write. I hate spiders and slap clowns if they
get too close to me. I’m not thrilled about mannequins either. I never trust
them. One day I expect one to come to life and chase me down.
CeCe: I had the pleasure of reading Poughkeepsie, and I fell madly in love with
your characters as well as the story. How did you come up with such diverse and
unique characters?
Debra: Thank you so very much for reading my crazy story.
Poughkeepsie was a unique experience because I sat down every chapter and it
was like the story was already there. My fingers just revealed a story piece by
piece. I would expect the plot to go one way and by the end of the chapter I
was like, damn. Okay, now where’s it going to go? Each character had a plan
they forget to tell me about, but they certainly wanted to be heard.
CeCe: Do you plot a story or just write as the story
comes to you?
Debra: I know how the story
will end and I have a few key scenes that must exist, but the plot around those
scenes is totally fluid. I love when the chapter totally shocks me.
CeCe: Why the title Poughkeepsie?
Debra: It is simply the most interesting looking word
in the first chapter, which is how I usually name my books. I grew up near
Poughkeepsie and I always felt sorry for the people that lived in that town
because they had spell it all the time on mail, etc. look at me now, I write it
all the time! I actually love the Poughkeepsie Train station is stunning. I’ve
never scene one quite like it. The Hudson river is the backdrop. I actually
just got back from a brief visit and was able to take the book there. It was a
teary moment.
CeCe: I love your cover. It’s simple, yet symbolizes a lot. How did you come up
with that idea?
Debra: My cover designer, Micha Stone and I tried many different
covers. I love simple, clean ones and she rocks at that. The Poughkeepsie cover
went down to the wire. At the last second she sent me a picture of the hands
and it fit like a glove. (hehe) It
held the love and pain we needed with one image. It was missing something
though. That’s when I contacted Shannon Lumetta and she designed the tattoo on
the cover. Once it was on Blake’s wrist it was a done deal.
CeCe: I can’t seem to make up my mind which character is my favourite in
Poughkeepsie. Do you have any character you particularly enjoyed creating in
this story?
Debra:That’s really like picking a favorite tooth! You need them all to get
the story down. I think I loved writing love scenes between Blake and Livia
most. But Beckett, he is the scariest one for sure to write. And I really
believe in writing what scares you so I looked forward to him because he made
my heart pound a bit.
I
couldn't choose which character was my favourite as well. They all added a lot of somethings in the story.
Cece: Do you believe in Soulmates?
Debra: Yes. Back to Livia and Blake, their scenes on
tenderness (not the sex!) where they are on the phone or just being together
are plucked straight from my relationship with my husband. He is just the best
person in the world. I can’t believe I tricked him into marrying me.
Those scenes (not the sex) made me all mushy inside. loved these two when they were together.
CeCe: Are you working on any other project at the moment?
Debra: I am! I’m editing
Bittersweet Seraphim right now and I’m really excited to crack that baby open
to the world. It’s the sequel to Bitttersweet Seraphim and it has Satan Jack
who just calls to me. The ultimate bad boy. I’m also working on Return to
Poughkeepsie which is Poughkeepsie’s sequel.
CeCe: What book are you currently reading?
Debra: I’m reading Gabriel’s Inferno! Mr.
Reynard is in my publishing house and we are friends as well. I love that the
sequel is ready for me as well.
I have heard alot of good things about Gabriel's Inferno and I really need to read that book. Soon.
CeCe: What do you do when you are not writing?
Debra:I love being with my kids and
husband most of all. We are all really best friends, when we get nice chunks of
time together we laugh so hard. I love to knit and read. And I have to have
music on all the time. Always.
I know what you mean about best friends with your family. There's nothing can measure to that. Knitting,rading and music. I echo your thoughts on that.
CeCe: Where can readers and fans find you online?
Thank you Cece for letting me come and play today. I’m so
honored.
You are very welcome, Debra. And thank YOU for taking time to stop by.
Book Description:
He
counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning
and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does
everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others .
. . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of
peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the
sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.
Each
day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters
as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as
nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other
girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles
every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture
as if it were air to breathe.
When the moment comes that Livia
must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to
defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable
connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles
become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens
something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must
prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their
love and their lives.
Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her
hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never
fails. Love never fails, right?
In an interwoven tale of
unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes
readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them
the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated
families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which
manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.
