Author, author... Paula Kennedy with Keeper of the Gate @evernightteen

...read all about her !!   

...and don't forget to leave your comment at the end of the post for a chance to win a copy of Keeper of the Gate !!

It’s All About the Book…

**Please tell us about your current or upcoming release.

Keeper of the Gate follows Annalisa Harold a high school student who struggles with self esteem issues and depression. She’s never really felt as though she belongs among her peer group. Over the years, she has had several relationships but none of them ever lasted or felt right. Devin, a mysterious dark hair senior with luminous aqua eyes, comes into the picture and Anna feels strangely drawn to him – this type of connection has never happened for her before. Anna soon finds out there’s more to Devin than good looks and his weird obsession with the Bible, and the sense of loneliness she felt her entire life is finally explained. Anna spends a good portion of the book searching for answers about her past with Devin and struggling to accept her true identity. Amid this turmoil she begins an adventure into the City of Fire to reseal the gates of Hell. The story is a roller coaster and I won’t let you off until the very end so hang on!

**What is this book’s genre?  Is this the genre you usually write in?  Are there any genre’s you haven’t written that you’d like to try?

    Keeper of the Gate is a paranormal romance/fantasy.  If you've read any of my other novels you'd know I'm slightly obsessed with all things paranormal so yes, this is the genre I usually write in.  I would LOVE to try my hand at Science Fiction and have had an idea for a story floating around for a few years.

**What inspired you to write this book?

I talked about this at length in another blog visit. My oldest daughter was the one who inspired me to write this story. When I told her I was going to dedicate my latest book, Keeper of the Gate, to her because she had inspired me to write it, she crinkled her nose and said, "Book? What book are you talking about?" I had to laugh, and hold onto the nearest solid surface. The heated conversation we'd had so many years ago about what type of book I should write next was just a fleeting moment in her life. She had no idea I'd spent the last two years writing a story based on her desire to read a love story with angels. After some prompting and bugging - and possibly some tap dancing and head stands - Kristen finally nodded weakly and smiled.

 "Oh sure, Mom, that's right." Her eyes skirted as she struggled to recall any memory of the conversation we'd had. "That book. Now I remember. I thought it was about ghosts are something?"

Boy oh boy the things we do for our kids!

**How did you pick its title?  Did it come first or did you have to write the story first?

The title for Keeper of the Gate actually came well before I had the idea for the book. Many years ago, when I worked in a call center selling credit cards, there was a term we used to describe people who screened our calls: Gate Keepers. Every time I heard someone say this, ideas for stories would start. I guess the title has been on the back burner for over ten years!

**Who is your favorite character of this book and why?

I think this is a tossup between Devin and Anna, the main characters. I love Devin because he is utterly devoted to Anna and suffers so much for her. Anna is flawed, much like most of us, and I love how real that makes her.

 **What was the hardest part of this book to write? Can you share an excerpt from that part?

Without giving away too much, one of the most difficult parts to write was when Anna secretly follows Devin one day, determined to get answers. She does get the answers she wants but ends up witnessing something horrible that changes her forever. The torment Devin endures for Anna really tears at my heart. It was difficult to see him suffering.

Excerpt:

“Please, Father.” Devin looked up at him, body shaking uncontrollably as he pulled his arm from the old man’s grip. “I must continue. If I do not. . .” he paused, head wavering as though he were going to pass out. The old priest moved forward but Devin held a bloodied hand up and boomed. “No! Stop! Do not assist me.” Silence. I held my breath as he continued. “If I do not show penance, I will not be able to stay here. She needs me, until she is strong enough to come back to us.”

**What is your favorite part of this book?  Can you share an excerpt from that part?

Questions like this are tough because I have many favorite parts. I had to scan through the manuscript and the following section really stood out because it happens not long after the excerpt in the previous question. This really showcases Anna’s stubborn side.

Excerpt:

Devin shook his head and stared at me through the hair hanging in his face. Face stained with tears, eyes puffy from crying, in an instant my heart melted for him and I felt like crying again. Damn mixed-up emotions. He frowned and wiped his hair out of his eyes with trembling fingers. “You shouldn’t have come.” Voice quavering, he gestured to the door. “Just go. I . . .” he stammered. “I don’t want you to see me like this. I-I’ll be fine.”

“No!” I stomped my foot like a child. “There is no way I’m going anywhere before I know you’re okay.” I drew a shuddering breath. “And while we’re on the topic?” I crossed my arms after tucking my hair behind my ears. “What was that? I’m not leaving here without answers! No chance!”

Screw him.

“You don’t need to worry about that. Forget it.” His beautiful liquid eyes held mine. “It’s time for you to leave now. I––I’m going to be okay. Okay?”

Narrowing my eyes, I shook my head. “No! I’m staying.”

“Why do you have to be so stubborn?”

“Because,” I fired back. “There’s something seriously wrong with you.” I held his gaze challengingly and he looked away defeated. “I’m not leaving until I know you’re okay. Until I get the answers I came for . . . until, until . . .” I was stammering and clenched my fists at my sides to ground myself. “I’m not leaving. Deal with it!”

**Did you have any special rhythm or quirks while writing this?

As a writer I find I’m inspired by music – new stuff and old. Often times, if I’m suffering from lack of motivation or even the dreaded writer’s block, I scan through the songs on my i-pod until I hear a song that propels me forward. If this fails, I’ll plug in my i-pod and take a long drive with the music cranked. My parents live 50 minutes from us so that’s a great reason to jump in the car. It might seem strange but my quirk would be that I’ve worked out more than a few issues driving on the highway. For Keeper of the Gate I found myself on many cross country drives as I tried to work out tough spots. My parents loved all the visits!

**Is this a stand-alone book or is it part of a series?  If so, we want to hear about it and what’s next in the series.  If not a series, what comes next to be released?

When I started writing this book I wasn’t thinking far beyond the first one. As I neared the end, however, it became apparent I had to write more books. There are so many possibilities for sequels I’m grappling with where to start. I really miss Devin and Anna and feel like I need to get them back right away.

Thanks so much for having me! 
Paula it was a pleasure having you and please come back any time !!!

*****

Keeper of the Gate

Paula Kennedy

Evernight Teen

Paranormal  Teen Romance, 63k

Anna, the girl with flaming red hair and attitude to match, always felt like an outcast. In her final year of high school, when she can’t even connect with the right guy, she meets mysterious bible-loving Devin and feels strangely drawn to him. 

There’s more to Devin than good looks and his weird obsession with scripture, and Anna finally understands the emptiness she’s felt her entire life. Join Anna as she searches for answers about her past with Devin, struggles to accept her true identity, and begins an adventure into the City of Fire to reseal the gates of Hell. 

Buy Links:    Evernight Teen    Amazon     

Author Bio:

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Paula has a B.A. in
psychology, a B. Ed. in the primary, junior, intermediate and senior
divisions, and a vivid imagination. She spent her early years
listening to the stories of her father, a well-loved high school
teacher and creating tales of adventure for her two younger sisters.
She is a wife and mother to four amazing children.
“I am a mother, a wife, a teacher and a writer. Life does not get any
better than this!”

*****

Giveaway:  1 Ebook copy of Keeper of the Gate 

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