Interview & Giveaway: Straight to Heaven by Michelle Scott

Original Title: Straight to Heaven

Series: Lilith Straight #2

Author: Michelle Scott

Publisher: Urban Fae Publications

Published Date: May 1st 2012

Genre: Fantasy

Hell’s newest employee, Lilith Straight, thinks she’s got a handle on her job as the Devil’s temptress until she finds herself going horns-to-halo with a guardian angel who’s determined to rescue Lilith’s next victim. To make matters worse, William Darcy, the hottest demon in hell, is trying to undermine Lilith’s mission with a few temptations of his own.

INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE SCOTT

Is there an inspiration behind why you chose writing? 

I’ve always wanted to create my own endings to stories.  For example, when I was a kid, I would read Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, and think of alternate endings that I liked better.  Now that I’m a writer, I get to not only come up with my own ending, but my own beginning and middle as well!

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

Well, this is kind of embarrassing, but in the 1970’s I used to love this TV show called The Love Boat.  The Love Boat was a cruise ship and every week, there were be three new stories about couples who fell in love while cruising through the Bahamas.  I really wanted to be Julie, the cruise director of the ship.  That was my big goal.  Never mind that I get seasick and am way too shy to talk to strangers.

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year? 

I’m really into movies, so there are a lot of them that interest me.  I think my favorite will be Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer which is directed by Tim Burton.  For some reason, I think that the real Abraham Lincoln would find this very funny.

As far as books go, I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment of Liani Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series.  The book, Days of Blood and Starlight, is out, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

What are your current literary works?  Any sneak peaks? 

Well, the third installment in the Lilith Straight series is scheduled to be released in December.  You can bet that things get out of hand now that Mr. Clerk is no longer running the office.

I’m also working on an urban fantasy involving a down-on-her-luck actress, a theater full of vampires, and a really gorgeous vampire killer who runs a comic book store.  I’m hoping to finish this one by early next year.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

I don’t have to cook, right?  Lol.  I’d go for Stephen King, Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Johnny Depp, Princess Di, and President Obama.  I can’t imagine what they would all talk about, but I’m sure it would be interesting.

Which authors have influence on you most.. how?

I jokingly tell people that Stephen King taught me how to write.  His were the first ‘adult’ novels that I ever read, and they not only scared the you-know-what out of me, they also taught me what it means to love a book so much that you think about it for days after you’ve finished reading it.  I’ve always wanted to write books that were so compelling that people would stay up too late at night to read them.  I also love the Canadian author Margaret Atwood and Joyce Carol Oates.  Both of those women write gripping stories with very strong female characters.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

Since it’s about a woman stuck in an impossible situation, I wanted my readers to wonder what they would have done if they’d been put in Lilith’s place.  Hopefully, this book is a conversation starter.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Holding a copy of my book!  It is so exciting to spend a year laboring over a project and then, finally, having the evidence of all that hard work in your hands.  It’s something I never get tired of.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 

Write every day, but at the same time, don’t let your writing monopolize your life.  It’s easy to become consumed with your writing, but you don’t want to isolate yourself.  We need to be out among our friends and family.  Or, at least, I do!

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

Here’s a clue, lol:

Yes, Hogwarts is where I want to live.  I see myself teaching magical runes or something.

What is your favorite scene in the book and why do you love it?

I love the scenes with Lilith and Mr. Clerk.  I think the two of them have a lot of chemistry.  They frequently bicker, but they share a love of fashion and reality TV.  I like how Lilith has Mr. Clerk’s best interests at heart and tries to rescue him from his dull, little life as the demon overlord’s secretary.

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

*blushes*  Dance Moms.  Yes, I know, I know…this is probably the worst show on television, but I’m fascinated by it.  My daughter and I have a standing date to watch it every Tuesday night.  I sometimes think those women bear a striking resemblance to Lilith’s demon overlord, Helen Spry.

What is one book everyone should read? 

Yikes!  That’s a tough one.  I guess I would say The Stand by Stephen King.  Not only is it one of the most fascinating books I have ever read (I’m a sucker for post-apocalyptic novels), but I love the interplay of good and evil, especially in the characters themselves.  I think that King is as fascinated with God and the devil as I am.

One food you would never eat?

Squid.  You can call it calamari if you’d like, but to me, it’s always going to be squid!

QUICK ANSWERS

Favorite place?
My backyard in summertime reading a book in the swing.

Best Christmas present?
Anything that my kids have made for me!

Favorite book?
The Stand by Stephen King

Favorite author?
Stephen King

Favorite smell?
Woodsmoke.  I love camping, and this reminds of camping.

Favorite series?
For TV, I’d say Lost.  For books, I’d go with Harry Potter.

Nickname?
Mom, lol.  That’s about it!

Favorite writing spot?
My attic office above my garage.

Favorite movie?
Donny Darko or American Beauty

Favorite dish?
Barbequed ribs

Favorite color?
Mango.

Favorite quote?
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” – Henry James

A bunch of small gifts or one big expensive one?
Little presents!

Your best trait?
I share my chocolate with people.

Your worst trait?
I’m a workaholic.

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