Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Crossroads by Mary Ting & Necklace

Welcome to Author Mary Ting.


Bio:

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.

Author's Blog. http://marytingbooks.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.marytingcrossroads.com

Interview:


What is one book everyone should read?
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I cried so much!!! I can’t imagine writing this book knowing you will never see your family again. As my kids grow up, I would urge them to read this book.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I would love to be able to fly. I could fly to Paris for lunch…hehe!!!

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Crossroads is about love and friendship know no boundaries.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I am currently working on the sequel to Crossroads.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I was never inspired to become a writer. Writing Crossroads was a way for me to heal the death of my grandmother. Stephenie Meyer has also inspired me as well. Twilight was based on her dreams and I based my story on my dreams.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
I’ve meet so many wonderful people around the world. Many of them have become my friends. Friendship knows no boundaries for sure.

What is your dream cast for your book?
Claudia-Nina Debrov
Michael-Ben Barnes
Davin-Channing Tatum
Vivian-Megan Fox
Caleb-Chase Crawford
Patty-Amanda Seyfried
Philip-Orlando Bloom
Agnes-Courtney Cox
Margaret-Angelina Jolie
Gamma-Susan Sarandon
Aden-Huge Jackman

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
I loved reading Judy Blume and V.C. Andrew series.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Write all your thoughts down. Ask your friends to read your draft. And most importantly, believe that you can!!!

What is your favorite Quote?
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
Though I don’t like to admit it, Claudia is just like me. Her experiences are my personal experiences…first car, first job, first time camping, but too bad there was so Michael when I was in high school…lol!!!

Hidden talent?
I oil paint. I once painted the cover of New Moon. I sold it for $100 at a Twilight convention. I also make jewelries. My friends and I started a website called www.inspiredbytwilight.com I also love to dance. I teach a dance routine every year for a talent show for my daughter’s group, the school I work at.

Favorite Candy?
Giant Chewy Sweet Tarts. I can eat one pack as I write…lol!!!

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

How do you react to a bad review?
I know that my book will not please all. It’s impossible!!! I think about the reasons why I wrote this book and the great reviews I got. My husband, family and my friends are proud of me. I’ve been told many times that they don’t know how I do everything that I do. I don’t either…lol!!!

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
A publishing company…lol!!! I would love to help other authors publish their first book.

What do you do in your free time?
Besides spending time with my family. I enjoy shopping…hehe!!! I enjoy reading, listening to music and watching movies.
.
What's your favorite season/weather?
Fall. I love to wear boots, scarves, and jackets

What is your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate…yum!!! Especially with nuts.

I took on a journey not knowing how rewarding it would be for me. I’ve meet so many wonderful people from all over the world through facebook, twitter, goodreads and blog sites. I’ve made everlasting friendship where friendship knows no boundaries. And I have to thank my grandmother who continues to watch over me from Heaven. Thank you so much for having me!!!

Crossroads

Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.

Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should?

Giveaway:
One signed copy of Crossroads plus a Swavorski heart necklace that is the same shape as the cover of the book.
Open Internationally
Ends 11/2/11

Optional Extra Entries:
+1 Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crossroadsbook
+1 Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/maryting
+1 Follow Mary's Blog: http://marytingbooks.blogspot.com/