MOONLESS is Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
What are the main themes of your book?
True love means sacrifice, and embrace who you are.
Who or what inspired your story?
It was actually a story dream, right off a Dickens reading binge, and suddenly I had this image in my head of a young woman who didn’t fit into her time period or circumstances. She was forward thinking and brave enough to break free from society’s expectations, inspired by a startling murder and a dazzling set of blue eyes.
What do you like best about your primary characters?
Alexia faces her fears. She recognizes her own naiveté from a lifetime of sheltering, but she isn’t afraid to step into the dark and embrace the possibilities.
Kiren would give his very soul to protect those he associates with, and has sacrificed all for the sake of others. His compassion endears him to me.
Bellezza is gung ho in her cause, even when it means breaking laws. Her determination gets me.
Sarah knows how to laugh off the awful things in life.
Miles loves deeper than anyone. He’s learned from a lifetime of patterning that to truly love someone, you have to put their happiness before your own.
What are their worst peculiarities?
Alexia’s unsure of her place in the world, and vacillating between the powers that govern her life.
Kiren thinks he’s always right—because he knows way more than he should.
Bellezza kills people. All the time. And loves it.
Sarah’s a flirt.
Miles is pretty much socially inept.
How does your main character evolve?
Alexia has always been sheltered and kind of ugly, but she’s okay with that. Belonging to a noble born family, that’s not exactly the most promising circumstances for a good match—which is pretty much her sole purpose in life—or so she’s been led to believe. The night she suddenly becomes stunning, she discovers she’s not only been living under a veil of deceit, but she has abilities that draw Soulless and eternal monsters to her. In order to protect herself and those she loves, she has to make some difficult choices, which I won’t spoil. Throughout the story, she matures into a strong young woman who understands her place in the world.
What’s the principal message you want to send to your audience?
The truest definition of love is being willing to sacrifice all for the sake of another person.
What’s the nicest thing anyone has said about your book?
I’ve heard so many nice words, but the best were probably “Brain Candy,” or when someone called Kiren a darker Mr. Darcy. My favorite review was probably this one.
Where can we purchase it?
Buy MOONLESS HERE.
About the Author
Crystal Collier, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.
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