An Interview with Crista McHugh

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Crista McHugh our guest today.

Crista is here today to discuss her new book, just recently released, as well as to tell us a little bit about herself.

Let’s meet Crista.

 

Hi Crista and welcome to The Reading Café.  We would like to start with some background information.

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?

Crista: In real life, I’m a doctor and a mother of 2 small children (which may explain some of my insanity). I refer to writing as “therapy”. In the past, I’ve some odd jobs like being a morgue attendant and autopsy assistant. I’ve also been a contestant on Jeopardy

TRC: Have you always been interested in writing?

Crista: Always. I’m a Southerner, and we’re known for our tall tales. I wrote my first book while in high school (which will never see the light of day, thank heavens), and even when I had to step away from writing in med school and residency, I still couldn’t shake the stories from my mind.

TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Crista: Finding time to write. I’m a doctor with two small children (a 3yo daughter and 5mo son), so my time to write is usually on my one day off or when my sitter comes over on Saturday mornings. The next challenge would the middle of the story. I know how to open the book, and I know how I want it to end, but it’s all the little details and character growth in the middle I find challenging. I want a smooth journey from beginning to end, but I don’t want the reader to fall asleep.

TRC: What was your first book published?  Can you tell us your reaction to seeing your first book published?

Crista: That’s a tricky question since I was epublished with shorter works for several years before I sold my first “novel”. The first book I actually had in print was The Tears of Elios, which was the first book I finished once I really got serious about writing for publication. I admit, I petted the cover quite a bit. Regardless of the how the story was published, there’s always that small, heart-stopping thrill when I first see my name on the cover.

TRC: Can you please tell us the premise of your new novel, Tangled Web, which is the first book in your Diezian Empire series?

Crista: In a brief sentence, Stargate meets Ancient Rome (or, if you want, Game of Thrones meets Fifty Shades of Grey, but without the incest and improperly used kitchen utensils). The deadliest assassin in the empire finds herself caught in a tangled web of lust, lies, and politics and is faced with the dilemma of killing the man she loves or placing both their lives in danger.

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon /Barnes and Noble / Book Depository / Books a Million

TRC: You have the second book of your Soulbearer Trilogy series being released…”A Soul of Chaos”.  Can you please tell us the premise of this series, as well as A Soul of Chaos?

Crista: The Soulbearer Trilogy revolves around Arden (aka, “Trouble”), a witch who unintentionally finds herself as the Soulbearer for the disembodied god of chaos, Loku. The benefit? She can channel his power. The downside? She can’t get him out of her head, and he’s threatening to drive her insane. Each book in the series focuses on one of the three main characters. A Soul For Chaos is Dev’s book. He’s Arden’s protector, a man who never let anything compromise his duty… until he met her. Now, he’s torn between his vow to protect her and his growing feelings for her, and his life is utter chaos.

TRC: You write Paranormal and Fantasy.  Do you have a preference?

Crista: Fantasy, without a doubt. My fantasy will always have a touch of romance in it, but I’m allowed to have more fun with the world-building in fantasy. Mages and knight and elves are interesting to me than vampires, and I like the broader scope of the story I’m allowed to tell.

TRC: Your website lists a number of open projects.  Would you like to tell us about what we have to look forward to?

Crista: I had a bit of a challenge writing the sequel to Tangled Web, but I’m really proud of how it turned out. And I’m looking forward to wrapping up the Soulbearer Trilogy (which will be Kell’s book). After I finish that, I’ll start working on the sequel to The Tears of Elios, which so many of my readers have emailing me about. There will be some familiar characters from the first book, but the story will focus on Seron, a character who made a few brief appearances in Tears. I’m also toying around with a few non-fantasy ideas, including a spicy contemporary romance and half-finished historical romance.

TRC: Do you have a favorite female or male character from your books, if so why?

Crista: My favorite female characters to write have been Ranealya (from Tears), Oni (from The Alchemy of Desire) and Azurha. All three of these women have been intense, independent, and “outsiders”. I loved their strength and their journey to find true love. As for male characters, Gergor (from Tears) will always hold a special place in my heart because there are little things about him that remind me of my husband. Dev (from the Soulbearer Trilogy) has been another I’ve come to love because the way his character has been tested and the way he’s grown throughout it all.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information between each other and their family and spouses.  With whom do you bounce ideas?

Crista: I’m blessed with a circle of writing friends (Dani Monsch, Anna Alexander, and Gwen Mitchell) that listen to my crazy ideas and let me know if going too far out in left field. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with some great editors who’ve helped me refine my ideas through the editing process.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Crista: A big thank you for having me over today. 🙂

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: pasta

Favorite Dessert: brownies

Favorite TV show: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Favorite Movie: Ever After

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark

Favorite Author: I plead the 5^th (too many to name)

Favorite Literary Character (male & female) not your own: Hermione Granger

Thank you, Crista, for taking the time to answer our questions.  The Reading Café wishes you good luck with both Tangled Web & A Soul for Chaos.

If you want to know more about Crista, you can find her at the following links:

Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

Crista has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win a copy of Tangled Web.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open to U.S. or Canada only

4.  Contest runs from November 10th – November 13th.