About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.

Author Spotlight & Book Giveaway with Jordan Deen



K.S. - Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.

Jordan - Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview with you! Well, my name is Jordan Deen. ‘The Crescent’ is my debut novel, but I have been writing and making up stories since I was seven. I still enjoy writing short stories and I read a lot of novels- mostly in the young adult market.

K.S. - Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

Jordan - A quirk and something kind of funny. I usually get the motivation to start writing when it’s time to go to bed. So while the house is asleep, I’ll get up and start writing, possibly at 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning.

K.S. - When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

Jordan - I started making up stories when I was seven-years-old and our house burnt down. I came from a really small town called O’Fallon and rumors were terrible about the house fire. The town was really generous and helped my family with donations and stuff, but, I grew tiresome of people talking about the fire. So, I made up stories as to how and why the house burnt down, for example aliens invaded, a burglar broke etc.

Ironically, reading young adult novels with my niece is what motivated me to start writing novels. She opened my eyes to several amazing authors such as Simone Elkeles, Jason Myers, Amanda Marrone, Lisa McMann and Lisa Schroeder. I’ll be forever grateful for her bringing Perfect Chemistry to my house- that book started off my young adult book obsession.

K.S. - What genre do you write?

Jordan - ‘The Crescent’ is young adult urban fantasy. But I have a special place in my heart for edgy young adult.

K.S. - What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

Jordan - I couldn’t say that one thing inspired me more than another. Every experience in life leads you down a path and whether you decide to follow it or not, is up to you.

Admittedly, I’m hooked on several series right now. Fade by Lisa McMann, Evernight by Claudia Grey, Evermore by Alyson Noel. I also love every novel by Amanda Marrone. There are so many amazing young adult authors, it is hard for me to choose just one.

K.S. - What does your family think of your writing?

Jordan - Writing is a very personal, private thing because there is a piece of you in every page, every character that you create. Some of those characters and the situations you put them in can drive you completely insane. My family and friends have been extremely supportive during this process. I think it didn’t become real for anyone though, until that first book arrived in the mail.

K.S. - What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

Jordan - One of the things that surprised me the most when I wrote my first novel was how much the characters meant to me and how much I cried over some of the things that happened to the them. ‘Benches’ is the first novel I penned, and there is a heartbreaking scene between the main characters, Lauren and Danny that I literally cried the whole time I wrote it. I really didn’t think I’d get that attached to fictional people.

K.S. - What inspired you to write your novel?

Jordan - ‘The Crescent’ was inspired my late German shepherd, Biscuit. He wouldn’t let me into the house one night, and having a hyperactive imagination, I automatically assumed the dog knew I was in trouble. I can laugh at that now, but back then I was terrified. I even let both my dogs run through the house and check every room.

K.S. - Can you tell us a little about your novel?

Jordan

Becoming a werewolf is not an option for seventeen-year-old Lacey Quinn, but death can be a strong motivator. Lacey is so focused on her future that everyday life has passed her by. Counting down the days to her eighteenth birthday, Lacey is almost home free. But when she falls for the mysterious Alex Morris, she lands in the middle of an ancient war between two enemy wolf packs. Tempting dreams, tantalizing lies and a dangerous love triangle ensues leaving Lacey heartbroken and confused. Lacey's fate rests in the hands of Alex and Brandon, but both are pulling her strings for their own agendas. Even as she slips further into the dark world of werewolves, Lacey struggles to find the truth and save the only family she's ever know.

K.S. - Where can we find your novel?


Jordan - ‘The Crescent’ is now available at: Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com and Barnes and Noble.

K.S. - Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

Jordan - Yes, my website and blog can both be found at www.jordandeen.com

K.S. - Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

Jordan - The number one thing I’d suggest to any aspiring writer is to carry around a notebook. You never know when motivation for a character or a situation is going to hit you- so carry a notebook and a pen and write whenever and where ever you can.


And now for the part you've all been waiting for!

THE BOOK GIVEAWAY!





Jordan has made available THREE free copies of her book The Crescent!

All you have to do is leave a comment, indicating you want to enter, and your email address.

Only one entry per person.

Jordan will pick three lucky winners (at random) from the comment section.
If you do not wish to leave an email address, please make sure you are signed in to your blogger profile so we have some way to contact you.)


Winner will be announced no later than Monday.

Good Luck!