Guest Post & Giveaway: Author Katherine Polillo

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: 

Destine Website / Destine Facebook / Goodreads / Follow Katherine Polillo on Twitter

Purchase Links:

              Amazon US / Amazon UK

 

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. 

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.

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