As part of our Spotlight 7 - Anchor Group Feature, we'd like to welcome the talented Katherine Polillo to Bex 'n' Books. This is our first Guest Post, so we're very excited. So without me blathering on (for a change), I'll pass the reins to the lovely Katherine!
First off let me
remember my manners and thank Bex ‘N’ Books for having me, my Mother would be
proud. Next let me introduce
myself. My names Katherine Polillo and
my debut novel, Destine, is due out
in late July or early August from Anchor Group Publishing. If you find my thoughts and ramblings even
mildly compelling please come and check out my facebook and website page.
I’ve always been
a bookworm since my days of reading The
Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley
High. I went on to major in History
and English in college and currently pay the bills by teaching at a local high
school. I would like to one day pay the
bills by writing fulltime, but alas that day has no yet arrived. I read everything and anything (literally
anything, including the cereal box over my morning coffee), but my primary love
is YA fiction. I’m drawn to the YA genre for it open mindedness that all things
are possible and within the reach of common, everyday characters
I’m an avid Twilight
fan, and I have my students to thank for turning me onto the books back in
2006. I recently went to Forks, WA with
some fellow Twilight fans and behaved
like the immature, uber fans we are.
Yes, I carried around an Edward doll for
picture opportunities, no I did not pack the Edward cut out in my suitcase it
was the tour guides, although I considered stealing it.
My taste in
books does go beyond Twilight though. I also love the Caster Chronicles books, The
Hunger Games, Hollowland and Hollowmen, The Brown House, and The Hollows series, just to name a
few. I find myself drawn to the
paranormal and strange and even as an adult I still believe in fairytales.
This all comes
though in my writing where I believe that nothing is impossible and every woman
can be fierce and strong and find a man who appreciates her for exactly who she
is. I find the Caster Chronicles particularly compelling in this regard. For those of you who haven’t read it I highly
recommend the series, and I am waiting with baited breath for the movie! The main character of the series is Lena a
strong, otherworldly character grappling with the unique nature of her
situation, and although none of us were born casters we can still all identify
with the constant battle raging inside of her between good and evil. Lena’s fear of never being good enough
strikes a deep cord with most readers, not to mention the fear of becoming our
Mothers. The narration is done from the
voice of the boy who loves Lena, Ethan Wate, and I find the relationship that
develops authentic and captivating.
I’m inspired to
write about strong female heroines who never settle and constantly challenge
the world put in front of them. The
female protagonist of Destine is just
such a character. Michelle at the
beginning of Destine is a passive observe
in her own life, but as the book advances events thrust her into a role she
first rejects and then finally accepts with determination. I strive to write about characters that
change, evolve, and grow throughout the course of the book. I want to create true to life characters that
aren’t perfect but strive to do their best, even if they are mythological or
divine beings, and sometimes fail just like the rest of us.
I hope that my opinions and thoughts have at
least inspired you to read some of the above mention books, and hopefully you
will be compelled to read Destine. Giveaways and free Ebooks will
be coming soon on Destine’s facebook page.
Thanks again to Bex ‘N’ Books for allowing me the opportunity to ramble
uncontrollably on your blog. Hope to
have the opportunity again in the future.
Stalker Links:
Purchase Links:
Destine Synopsis
Michelle Cross is an average, seventeen year old girl growing up in a small town in New Jersey. Up until her senior year, her life has consisted of a rather unglamorous existence. Her closet friend Cami has been by her side since kindergarten, she has a loving if somewhat absente father, and a mother who is unique to say the least. Michelle’s mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was twelve years old, and ever since then she has had delusions of angels and demons battling over her only child. Michelle accepts her mother’s delusions as schizophrenic ramblings, until a handsome new boy finds her at school. Little by little Michelle’s world is turned upside down. The new boy claims to be the Archangel Gabriel cast from heaven, her best friend falls for the Antichrist, and come to find out Michelle’s mother has seen it coming all along. So instead of being consumed with prom and graduation, Michelle finds herself battling the evils of Hell in her small town. The four horsemen of the apocalypses have descended on her high school and with the help of Gabriel, her very own angel; she must stop the events leading to the apocalypse. What surprises Michelle even more than her role in saving humanity is the love that develops between Gabriel and herself. Can their love bridge the world between heaven and earth? Can Michelle stop the powers of Hell in time? Michelle and Gabriel find themselves the pawns in a very dangerous game between an ancient power with a mysterious message and Satan himself.
Michelle Cross is an average, seventeen year old girl growing up in a small town in New Jersey. Up until her senior year, her life has consisted of a rather unglamorous existence. Her closet friend Cami has been by her side since kindergarten, she has a loving if somewhat absente father, and a mother who is unique to say the least. Michelle’s mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was twelve years old, and ever since then she has had delusions of angels and demons battling over her only child. Michelle accepts her mother’s delusions as schizophrenic ramblings, until a handsome new boy finds her at school. Little by little Michelle’s world is turned upside down. The new boy claims to be the Archangel Gabriel cast from heaven, her best friend falls for the Antichrist, and come to find out Michelle’s mother has seen it coming all along. So instead of being consumed with prom and graduation, Michelle finds herself battling the evils of Hell in her small town. The four horsemen of the apocalypses have descended on her high school and with the help of Gabriel, her very own angel; she must stop the events leading to the apocalypse. What surprises Michelle even more than her role in saving humanity is the love that develops between Gabriel and herself. Can their love bridge the world between heaven and earth? Can Michelle stop the powers of Hell in time? Michelle and Gabriel find themselves the pawns in a very dangerous game between an ancient power with a mysterious message and Satan himself.
It's been an absolute pleasure having Katherine on Bex 'n' Books. She's also kindly organised a giveaway just for us! Thank you so much Katherine.
awesome, glad to read it, hope i win so i can read you book!
ReplyDeletepossibly_kim@yahoo.com
i preffer both, we need balance in the world
DeleteBOTH for me:)
ReplyDeletei have to say Both Angels ad Demons :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say both Angels and Demons but lean more towards Angels. Thank you for the opportunity! :)
ReplyDeleteI like both cause you need bad with the good
ReplyDeleteGood versus evil is a timless story, but I also enjoy a little bad mixed in with my good guys! No one is entirely angelic, even the angels in Destine!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading Destine Kate! Congrats on your release gal! I'm always leaning towards the Angels, I'm surrounded by Demons enough!
ReplyDeleteI think we could all use a few more angels in our lives, and a few less demons. Although the demons are often more fun, LOL.
DeleteIn the case of Destine, both were pretty exciting! Great blog! Great read!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruthi!
DeleteI will say demon females. Nice.......
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read it! I've bought it just need to find the time to read it!
ReplyDeleteDemons! I like to live out my inner evilness vicariously through them :-) -April Adams-Smith
ReplyDeleteI prefer both I like the whole good versus evil thing that happens.
ReplyDeleteBut if I had to pick just one, I would say Angels. They always have that urge to protect you. :D
Depends on the context, Demons could be fallen angels, and demons have a soft part in my heart when I write about them, but I if I had to choose.... hmm.... Demons, demons win. :)
ReplyDeleteI prefer both:) Makes the story more interesting!
ReplyDeleteGood answer. I couldn't agree with you more. Good luck!
Delete