Guest Today: Starr Gardinier and Giveaway

Today I have the pleasure of having Starr Gardinier on my blog.  See below for instructions on how to enter the giveaway.

Welcome Starr.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m a paralegal by day. By nights and weekends, I’m that not-so-famous but eager to become renowned, author who has previously written in the crime genre, but switched to the paranormal. I feel I’m more at ease making the impossible plausible.

Crime genre to paranormal that's an interesting switch.

What do you like the most and least about writing?

What I like the most? I’d have to say the challenge of creating a paranormal story that is believable to the reader. As to the least about writing is the waiting—after I’ve written the book, edited it numerous times along with my editor, and after I’ve pulled all my hair out—will I see results. I guess I’m impatient. Huh, who knew?

I'm like you love the creating, not so thrilled with the editing portion.

Give us a peek into your latest book:

That would be “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story,” which is book 1 in the Other Side series.

Melinda's family is dead, killed for information that is hidden deep within her mind. Her father tries to warn her from the 'Other Side' that she is in danger from the killers who want what only she can give them. Committed to Skyview Haven, she must determine if the 'Other Side' truly exists or if it is a trick of her heart and mind. With time running out Melinda must determine who she can trust. Is it the ghosts of her family, a boy who may not be who he appears to be, or the doctor who is determined to cure her? Can she figure out the truth before it is too late?

Sounds intriguing.

What's next on the horizon for you?

Book 2 in the Other Side series, “The Other Side: Trent’s Story” is with the copy-editors and the artist now. I hope to have that one out soon.

Book 3 in the Other Side series, “The Other Side: Ben’s Story” is written only in my mind. It hasn’t made it to the computer screen yet.

You've got your job cut out for you.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell readers?

This has been a mantra of mine for so long that people are probably sick of me saying this, but here I go. Never discourage your children. If they have a dream, let them dream it. If they change their minds, let them. Because if you discourage one idea, you never know if that is the one they are meant to live.

Here's an excerpt of The Other Side: Melinda's Story:

Prologue

I tried to tell them it was going to happen, but nobody would listen. They all said I was just having bad dreams, or that I was crazy.

It started at my father’s funeral. It’s been so long since it first began, about eight years ago. Sometimes though, it seems like yesterday. My father was there. No, I don’t mean just in the casket. He was there. He talked to me, begged me to tell Mom that we all needed to run and hide. He said we were all in danger.

I asked him why he didn’t tell Mom himself. He said he tried, but she wasn’t listening. I heard him fine. But I didn’t believe him. Why would we be in danger? We can’t just up and leave. My friends are all here in Beaumont. When I told him that, he said it was important, that it was a matter of life and death. He seemed so worried, but I was so confused, I blew him off.

I guess when it first happened I didn’t pay any heed to his warning. We went on with our lives. Mom was grief stricken, my brother Kyle was in his own world playing videos and I was trying to shut my father out of my mind. Was I going crazy? What was wrong with me? Dad was dead, but I could still see and hear him.

If I tell you the story, will you believe me?

And here's a link to Starr's book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2yODD9AScVe_5yxpWTnNvtW7A4NV0Lqa 

Now for the fun stuff - giveaway.  Starr is giving away 1 e-book to a lucky person.  All you have to do is leave a comment and your email address.  Contest is open until Tuesday Sept. 22 at 12 noon pacific standard time.
Thank you for being on my blog today, Starr.