Sunday Spotlight: Sara Mack, author of "The Guardian Trilogy" plus a giveaway!

Hello Amongsters! Today for Spotlight Sunday, I'm interviewing, Sara Mack, author of “The Guardian Trilogy.”

Sara, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions! I'm looking forward to learning more about you and your writing.

AGAB: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

SM: I’m a wife and a hockey mom, and I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life. My husband and I have a daughter, the hockey player, and a son, the video game player. I work for a local community college in Student Services, and I just got moved to a different department. My office now has a window, which is pretty exciting, although this squirrel keeps jumping up into the windowsill and scaring me! She’s cute and all, but a little warning would be nice.

I adore bacon, iced tea, and dark chocolate. I follow a Paleolithic diet, dance and sing while I drive my daughter to hockey (which embarrasses her to no end), and if I could live in Cinderella’s castle at Disney World, I totally would.

AGAB: What book(s) are you reading right now?

SM: Sadly, none. My Kindle won’t turn on anymore! I have the app on my phone, but it isn’t the same. My new Kindle should be here any day now. **smiles like an idiot**

AGAB: Now since we are on the topics of books...let's talk a little about your book, The Guardian. What inspired you to write it?

SM: It was my friend, Shannon. About a year ago, she was writing some fan fiction, and I was her beta reader. The longer we bounced ideas off one another and discussed the books we were currently reading, we decided we should try to write our own original stories.

The idea for "Guardian" actually came to me in the shower (the BEST thinking place ever!), when I was trying to come up with a storyline I considered original. Personally, I hadn’t read many ghost stories, and I enjoy reading romance. So, I decided to try and combine the two.

AGAB: How long did it take for you to write "Guardian?"

SM: I wrote all three books in The Guardian Trilogy in just over a year, so I’d say about four months.

AGAB: Are any situations or experiences in your novel based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

SM: A few. The lighter situations, like Emma’s dad making alphabetically-shaped pancakes, came from my own father. I’ve definitely been out TP’ing houses on Devil’s Night, and I used to work at a golf course. I’ve also been a little light-headed due to strawberry daiquiris – heehee.

As for death and loss, I think everyone has experienced that at some point in their lives. I’ve never lost a significant other, but I did lose a friend just after high school who had the same girlfriend for years. You just knew the two of them would be together for life. He was killed in a car accident, and I remember thinking how hard it must have been for her. Thoughts of those days played into my writing, but the characters in the story are entirely fictional.

I also firmly believe in guardian angels. I’m not a religious person, but there have been a few instances where things have happened, and I know someone was looking out for me. I just don’t know who.

 

AGAB: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

 

SM: No; it was never my intent to write a story with a moral or a message.  No two people read the same book; they may agree that they like or dislike a story, but everyone interprets things differently.  My main goal was to entertain and give readers a place to lose themselves for a while, because that’s why I enjoy reading.  I love the escape.

 

AGAB: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything about "Guardian?"

 

SM: No, I don’t think so. At first I was going to answer “yes,” because when I wrote Guardian (and the sequels), I didn’t tell anyone but my few beta readers.  My husband didn’t know, none of my family did.  Then, when I confessed after hitting publish on Amazon, it felt like this huge secret.  Everyone was shocked that I'd wrote a book, but also very supportive. I was going to say I would have told everyone from the get-go, but thinking on it, no. They would have asked me too many questions, and I would never have been able to be alone in my little Guardian world.

 

AGAB: "Guardian" is your debut novel and also book 1 in the trilogy. Have you already started writing book 2 and 3?

 

SM: Books 2 and 3 are complete.  Book 2, Allegiant, will be released on October 6^th.  I’m planning to publish the third novel, Reborn, in early February 2014.

 

Now that we got to know Sara a little better and we learned a little about her book “Guardian.” Here is the cover:

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

True love never dies.
Emma Donohue begs to differ.

When a late night accident claims the love of her life, Emma secludes herself in memories of James. In his sandy brown hair and clear blue eyes. In their innocent first kiss and declarations of love. In their plans for a life together after college. But happy dreams can’t rid her of the guilt she carries. She can’t erase her actions the night he died. She can’t erase her reaction at his funeral. And she can’t erase the hollow void that fills her chest and consumes her heart.

The first time Emma hears James’ voice, she’s astounded. It sounds as if he’s standing right beside her, and she fears her shattered heart is trying to drive her mad. But, as she continues to hear the voice, she finds comfort in it. With the help of her best friend Shel and handsome newcomer Dane, she tries to move forward and start living again.

Until the voice in her head turns out to be more. So much more.

You know what they say.
True love never dies.

 

Links to purchase “Guardian” : AMAZON  SMASHWORDS B&N

FOLLOW SARA ON THESE SITES: Goodreads  Amazon Facebook

 

Sara Mack "Guardian" Giveaway:

 

Sara has decided to gift ONE (1) lucky winner a eBook copy of her book, "Guardian," as well as some awesome signed bookmarks! In order to be entered in this giveaway you MUST complete ALL of the following tasks:

 

1) Like Sara's Facebook page (HERE)

2) Like A Girl Amongst Books Facebook page (HERE)

3) Leave a comment on THIS blog post saying you have done both.

 

It's that simple! Winner will be drawn on Tuesday (10/1/13) at 8pm EST, using Random.org.