Interview and Giveaway: Shades of the Future by Suzanne Lilly

It's my pleasure to have Suzanne Lilly here today. She's the authoir of Shades of the Future.

Let's get to know Suzanne!

 Suzanne, do you prefer...

Milk chocolate or Dark?

I know dark chocolate is healthier, but I love the taste of milk chocolate. It’s so smooth and creamy.

Coke or Pepsi?

Coca Cola beats Pepsi any day. I’ll take Pepsi if the restaurant I’m at doesn’t offer Coke, but I’m never happy about it.

Almond Joy or Mounds?

Almond Joy, and only with the milk chocolate coating. I tried one with dark chocolate once, and it just wasn’t the same.

Romance or a Thriller?

I love cross genres, so I have to say I’d pick a thriller, but it needs to have a romance woven into the story line to keep me happy.

Mystery or Horror?

I don’t do horror. It gives me nightmares. I read some books by Stephen King and Dean Koontz years ago, and I still get the heebie jeebies thinking about the stories. Likewise with movies. If there’s blood or anything gruesome, I’ve got my hands over my eyes.

Did you always want to be an author?

Yes. I didn’t take a direct route, because I went to college and majored in accounting. When I realized accounting wasn’t my passion, I went back to school for my teaching credential. Teaching is my fantastic, and it gives me time during breaks to focus on my passion, writing. When I retire from teaching, I want to write full time.

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult?

I have to say Nora Roberts had a big impact on me. When my children were babies, and I was only writing short stories, I read an interview with her. She talked about her writing schedule and how many books she could write each year. I clearly remember thinking, “I want to do what she does.” That desire never left me, and here I am today, glued to my computer, writing. My motto should be, WWND? (What would Nora do?) I’ve always admired her work ethic.

Did anyone in your life influence you or encourage you to be a writer?

My husband has always been my biggest supporter. I’m very lucky to have someone like him in my life. He keeps me going when things get rough. I also have a critique partner who is like gold.

What is your writing atmosphere like?

 I need quiet to write, because I’m easily distracted. For example, today I could hear a bird chirping outside, and I had to go check it out to see which bird it was, where it was, what it was doing. I get up before sunrise when the whole world is quiet, and that’s when my best writing happens.

What is your favorite aspect or writing? Your Least Favorite?

 My favorite part of writing is getting to know the characters. It’s as if I make new friends with each story. My least favorite part is getting up before light o’clock.

Your current book you’re promoting is: Shades of the Future.

It’s the story of Mariah Davis, who finds a magnificent pair of shades in a restaurant booth. Once she puts them on, they show her the future. Unfortunately, not everything she sees is good. When she foresees a tragedy, she finds out she’s unable to change the future, and she has to make the best of things.

How did you come up with the story line?

 I think most people have inklings of things to come from time to time. For example, knowing who’s knocking on the front door before you answer it, that sort of thing. I started wondering, “What if you saw something horrible in your future? What would you do about it?” That question led to the story in Shades of the Future.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
 Mostly I look through baby name lists, and meanings of names, much the same way parents choose names for their children. I try on the names and write a couple of scenes with the characters to see they’re well matched. Often I find a person needs a different name to fit their personality. In my current writing project, several of the characters have had name changes. I also try to avoid names of people I know.

~ Shades of the Future~

What would you do if you could see your future? Would you accept it or would you change it?

Mariah Davis loves animals, running, and her hunk of a boyfriend, Kevin Creamer. Everything looks bright for her until the day she finds a pair of sunglasses that allow her to see the future.
When she glimpses a disaster looming, she tries to avoid it but fails. She has a car accident that lands her in a wheelchair, smashing her hopes for a running scholarship to the veterinary program at Ohio State University. She pushes Kevin away, thinking he’ll want to end their relationship now that she can’t walk.

Will she ever learn to trust and love again? She could search for an answer in the sunglasses. But she’s afraid what they reveal might destroy her.

Excerpt:

“You see things?” Eulalie put the remains of her cookie on her saucer and leaned her elbows on the table. She laced her fingers together and rested her chin on her folded hands. “What kinds of things?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m crazy, but I see things that haven’t happened yet,” Mariah blurted out. She went on to tell her about the trig test that day, Hayley’s color-changing outfit, and the hamburger.

“Well, now, that doesn’t seem too bad.” Eulalie stirred her tea even though she hadn’t put any sugar in it. She took a sip.

“So you don’t think it’s strange?” Mariah asked.

Eulalie put her cup down. She shook her head. “I didn’t say that. Have you seen anything else? Anything that might involve other people? Something that might be a burden to you?”

Mariah shook her head no.

“That’s a good thing.” The words meant one thing, but the way Eulalie cleared her throat and looked away made Mariah think that it wasn’t what she truly thought. “If I were you, I’d be careful with them.”

“What do you mean?”

“When you start messing around with fortune telling and seeing the future, sooner or later you might see things you don’t want to know about.”

Watch the Trailer!

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Suzanne Lilly is a writer at night and a teacher by day, which is why she’s known online as the TeacherWriter. Her articles and stories have appeared in numerous places online and in print. She writes light romance, young adult, and middle grade novels. When not busy with words, she enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, fine arts, and cooking. She lives in California with her family and furry friends and has yet to feel an earthquake.

 

You can follow her on Twitter as @suzannelilly,  visit her blog at http://www.teacherwriter.net, or her author website at http://www.suzannelilly.com.

Author website: http://www.suzannelilly.com

TeacherWriter blog: http://www.teacherwriter.net

Fridays at Honey Creek blog: http://www.honeycreekbooks.com

Suzanne Lilly at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5258804.Suzanne_Lilly

Follow @SuzanneLilly on Twitter: http://twitter.com/suzannelilly

Available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Suzanne-Lilly/e/B006HY79IY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_2 and most online book retailers in digital or paperback.

~ Giveaway~

Suzanne will be awarding pair of designer sunglasses to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US/Canada only). To enet just leave a comment on this post with your eamil address.

For more chances to win follow her tour by clicking the link below!

Godddess Fish Shades of the Future Tour