Author Interview Monday with Jennifer Murgia (Angel Star)

Jennifer has been writing since she was nine years old. After receiving recognition for her poetry, she went on to use her talents to bring characters to life in fiction novels that are intriguing, authentic and personal. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.

Bio from her website

Her book Angel Star was released May 18 2010 and you can read my review here

She was gracious enough to take some time to answer these interview questions:

--Can you give us a brief description of Angel Star in your own words?

Angel Star is a love story between a human girl and her guardian angel who has been granted eight days to come to earth, warning her of a dark angel's menacing plan. It's a tale of love, loyalty and finding how extraordinary you can really be.

--How did you get the idea for the story? Did you do much research for your book?

It's funny when an idea pops into your head and eats at you until you do something with it. The idea of an unconditional love from someone who is constantly in your life, yet untouchable hit me over the head one night. It made such an impression on me that I started writing the next day and a few months later, I had a book. I did research on finding the perfect names, angel mythology, as well as incorporating my octagram and my own beliefs into the story.

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?

Honestly, I'd love to have the opportunity to have dinner with all of the characters! I think they'd provide incredible conversations. The one character who might make me uncomfortable would be the bad girl of the story, Brynn Hanson. I can just feel her eyes on me waiting for me to get broccoli between my teeth or something equally embarrassing!

--Can you give us any teasers for Lemniscate?

Ooooh a teaser! You'll be able to see the best teaser on October 31st when I release the official Lemniscate trailer! But for now, here's the back cover blurb:

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth—especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more “human” than either of them expected.

Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.

In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

I always make time to read! It's a huge part of me that I enjoy so much and could never give up, no matter how busy I am. I tend to read at night since I write during the day. A few of my favorites are A Great and Terrible Beauty, The Thirteenth Tale and The Blood Confession.

--If a fairy godmother told you your life could be like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

You're going to think I'm nuts but I would pick Ivy & Bean! My daughter and have read the entire series together. It's something special that we do. Spending a day in Ivy and Bean's world would be such a refreshing break from the adult world! To run around, laugh, get into trouble with a BFF, and just be a kid all over again would be the best time of all!
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--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on the Angel Star "playlist-" songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?

Oh definitely coffee. I'm a java junkie and can drink it all day! I like to write in absolute quiet in the morning after the kids leave for school. When I take a break in the afternoon, that's when my iPod gets a workout and the songs always inspire me, so shortly after that I'm at the computer again!

The songs that inspired me were YOUR STAR and HAUNTED by Evanescence, IRIS by the Goo Goo Dolls and lots and lots of Breaking Benjamin and Creed.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Super hearing. I'm nosy.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

I'm a homebody so that means watching movies with my husband and two children or reading, but I enjoy hanging out with good friends and taking day trips too.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

I do! I'm enormously grateful for how ANGEL STAR has been embraced by readers. It's a huge jump letting a story out into the world, no matter how much you want it there, so the reactions and well wishes have been such encouragement to me!

Also,  don't forget to look for LEMNISCATE, the sequel to ANGEL STAR, which will be released March 21, 2011!

You can connect with Jennifer on her website her blog or these places:

Here is the Angel Star trailer