Author Interview Katie Groom: Gibbous Moon

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Katie Groom will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Author Interview: Katie Groom

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

Oh, I am not sure how I chose my genre. I’ve just always been drawn to the paranormal. I wrote this particular book (Gibbous Moon) because I wanted to continue Hugh’s story. I started writing this story/ series as a whole because I needed a way to escape. Because it’s within me and had to get out.

2. Writers write what they know and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle, or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I absolutely LOVE this question. I am a middle child, and that has totally shaped my world! I’ve always felt like I was no one’s favorite, so for many, many years I had a bad case of people-pleasing. But I’ve started to set boundaries, and that really shows who cares about you versus who just wants to get something from you, y’know? I think starting to not care about being anyone’s favorite has helped make me realize who I really am and brought me more joy in my life. It’s helped change my view of the world, truly.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

I like to write at home. I live alone (well, it’s just me and my pupper), so I get to control the environment, and no one bothers me. It’s private. I really like privacy when I’m writing.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

No character is safe! As for the remains — it depends. Sometimes I make them take up residence in another character’s memories and torture them. Other times, I just make them blow away in the wind.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

I actually don’t know that I have a favorite author —I have a lot of favorite books and authors, but recently I’ve been super into the Stephanie Plum series. Janet Evanovich is the author, and I HAVE to know how she has so many ideas in her head that she can write 30 books about the same characters! It’s incredible that she has so many ideas and just keeps going!

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

Oooooh this is difficult because I’m not that interesting. I collect copies of Little Women. Different covers, editions — even abridged versions. I have about a dozen now.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

I’m assuming this deserted island is the perfect climate, and that it has shelter for me because, in my mind, for an island to be deserted, there had to be someone there before that left in order for it to be deserted. Otherwise, it’s just an island because no one has deserted it. The climate — that’s because that’s what I wanted in this situation — HAHAHA. So I would hope to have a magic bag with unlimited food (it just magically has the nourishment I would need); a bottle with some crisp, clean water that would continue to refill as I used it (look: I’m a writer and I write about magic); and Delta, my furbaby, who I don’t know how well I survive without.

8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be?

I believe that everyone has little superpowers that just seem like coincidences or normal things. For me, it’s always getting a really great parking spot. But that’s not a superpower; it’s a run-of-the-mill magic power. If I could have a superpower, I really do think that I’d like to be able to talk to animals. I really wish that I knew what my dog was trying to say to me sometimes! I really wish I could hold a full-on convo with her. Also, I have always been jealous of the moment in Beauty & the Beast when the Beast is covered in birds. If the Beast can get a bird to hop into his hand, why can’t I?!

9. Favorite snack?

I LOVE SNACKS. I think my favorite though is some pretzels. I love dipping them in hot chocolate.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

If you are talking about literal driving, I use GPS to go everywhere except the grocery store and work. I try to go the speed limit, but there are times (like long trips) where I can get a touch of the lead foot. If you are talking about writing, I totally fly by the seat of my pants. I think because I live so much within the rules in most areas of my life, writing allows me to have some freedom.

Gibbous Moon

by Katie Groom

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GENRE: Paranormal Thriller/Romance

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BLURB: Werewolf and professor of literature Hugh spent nearly 200 years to find his soulmate, Zoie, but others betrayed him, working with rivals to take her away in only an instant. Revenge was swift and unsatisfying. More people need to pay for what was stolen from Hugh.

Zoie’s death had been orchestrated by powerful beings in the supernatural world. Exacting revenge will require precision and planning.

Biding his time before acting, Hugh reverts to the patterns that finding true love had disrupted. Walking through life in a fog, he does his best to appear as if he is moving forward, though nothing feels the same.

As Hugh tries to start the next chapter in his life with Rosalie, he is haunted by the memory of Zoie. The literature professor cringes every time he’s reminded that Rosalie doesn’t like to read, but he tells himself that opposites should attract. That Rosalie can patch the hole left in his heart when Zoie died. His revenge will take time, and wallowing in grief won’t help.

Just as Hugh is still focused on revenge, his enemies are still plotting to harm Hugh further. It’s dangerous to oppose a bereaved werewolf, but even werewolves can be hurt.

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Excerpt:

Zoie quickly flew down closer, taking in everything that was going on around her. Hugh had a death grip on her body, and a terrified crowd of hotel employees had gathered in the lobby. One of them was on the phone—undoubtedly calling for emergency help. Not only was it obvious to Zoie that she was dead, but Hugh had literally crashed through a wall of glass to get to her. One police car was not going to cover this.

Stevie and Hugh’s best friend Cade were trying to convince Hugh to leave. They tried to plea from every angle—any excuse to get him to comply. “No!” Zoie cried. “Don’t leave me.” She couldn’t imagine that Hugh would even consider leaving her there.

“You need to leave her, and you need to go,” Cayden stated as they knelt down in front of Hugh. Their face was so full of genuine concern. It became obvious to Zoie that this was the best choice.

Zoie placed her feet on the pool deck and walked over to Hugh—despite everything going on, she noticed that her shoes didn’t make that strange squelching sound that they should have. So her guess was right, then; she was dead. Hugh ignored Cade’s pleas, but Zoie inched closer and put her hand on his shoulder. She lied, “It’s okay, Hugh. Go.” It was in his best interest and in the best interest of their world for Hugh to leave.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Katie Groom grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from PITT and her master’s in Employment and Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2016, she decided to move to Alabama in order to avoid as much snow as possible (and to advance her career in Human Resources).

When she isn’t working, Katie enjoys reading, writing, jokingly critiquing movies and TV, and campaigning that the plural of moose should be meese. She also loves to take in live music (especially Hanson) and traveling, with the goal of reaching each of the continents. Katie’s favorite pastime, however, is spending time with her beloved Shih tzu, Delta.