HERO Interview with Alec Morretti, the hero from COLLIDE by Melissa J. Crispin @MelissaJCrispin @evernight teen @bloggerbees

These answers are written from Alec Morretti’s POV, the hero from Collide by Melissa J. Crispin.

Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book?

Never. There are a lot of skeptics out there. I don’t know if anyone will believe that tipping the balances between the worlds could remove mankind from Earth. People tend to frown on negative news like that.

What are your favorite scenes in your book: the action, the dialog or the romance?

That’s easy. Hands down the romance. Nothing beats quality time with Kayla.

Do you infiltrate your writer’s dreams?

No, but I can walk into Kayla’s and take her to Afterlife, and that’s pretty cool. I can’t enter other people’s dreams, not even my writer’s. Maybe someday I’ll figure out why.

What do you like to do when you are not being actively read somewhere?

When I’m not busy worrying about the fate of the universe or the safety of my girl, I like to cook. I know that’s not common for guys my age, but I like to think I’m not your average guy. Experimenting with food has always been something I enjoy.

Are you happy with the genre your writer has placed you in?

It seems fitting. I have no complaints. But, if she wanted to put me in a new adult spinoff with Kayla and make Luke disappear from existence? I’m game.

If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?

I would have made Kayla remember who I was sooner. If she had known what we had was real, that it wasn’t just a dream, Luke never would have had a chance. I think about that a lot. I can’t count how many times I wished I could go back and change that.

Would you be interested in a sequel, if your writer was so inclined?

I’m at a point in my life where I’d prefer to lay low, so I wouldn’t want one right now. I don’t need the rest of the world in my business. The aftermath of the first book is still pretty raw. Maybe someday.

What is your greatest fear?

I fear that no matter how hard I work, the evil forces will prevail, and Earth and Afterlife will be destroyed. I can’t afford to fail. There’s too much at stake.

What is your most prized possession?

My parents bought me a set of high end cutlery for Christmas last year. All of the knives cut through everything like butter. 

What do you think is your strongest attribute?

I have a solid work ethic. When I give my word that I’m going to follow through on something, I mean it.

What embarrasses you?

Maybe not what, but who…My mother lives to make me uncomfortable. She tells embarrassing stories about me to any guests that come to the house. When Kayla came over, my mom did a spectacular job of holding nothing back.

If I was smart, I’d stop telling her so much, so she’d have less ammunition to work with. But, even though she embarrasses me, I’m a mama’s boy at heart, so I know that’ll never happen.

What do you like most about where you live?

It’s quiet and peaceful in New Hampshire. Also, it’s where Kayla is, so there’s nowhere else better.

What word makes you the happiest?

Kayla. That word makes me the happiest because she’s everything to me.

What is your least favorite word?

The word “extinguish” leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. To many it probably conjures up images of putting out a fire. To me, it means that someone’s soul is removed from existence, never to return again. I hate that word.

Do you believe in ghosts/evil spirits/mysticism? Would you spend the night in a remote haunted house?

Since I’m a Spirit Guide, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that I believe in all of the above. I know that evil exists, and that souls not from this world can make their way to Earth.

If given a choice, I wouldn’t spend the night in a remote haunted house. I feel like I’m in enough danger already. No need to go out and ask for it.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

I’m a night owl, but not in the traditional sense of the word. When I’m asleep, I go to Afterlife, where I train for an impending battle. 

Would you ever use a voodoo doll to hurt anyone?

No. If I have a problem with someone and need to bring a world of hurt on them, they’ll know. Trust me.

What is your most favorite memory?

My first kiss with Kayla was initiated by her. That memory is at the top of the list.

Have you ever thought about getting a tattoo, what would it be and where? If not, what if you had to? 

I have thought about this, and I know exactly what I want to get and where. The Circle of Fate is talked about in my book a lot. A soul enters the circle to see what challenges they may face in the next life, which is ultimately supposed to bring them closer to inner peace.

The tattoo will be on my chest. It’s going to be a yellow circle, which represents the Circle of Fate. The inside of it will have a “K” in script. In case you’re not sure what the “K” stands for, see the previous question about what makes me happiest.

Thanks again for visiting with us today !!!!

Thank you for having me. -Alec

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COLLIDE

Melissa J. Crispin

Release Date: March 18th

Approx. 88K, Evernight Teen

Romance/Love Triangle/Fantasy Elements

Kayla has a plan. She’s moving to the city after graduation and Luke’s coming with her. He’ll eventually become a doctor, she’ll be a ballerina—and they’ll live happily ever after. That is, until dark forces, led by a sister she never knew existed, start hunting her down for a power she never knew she had.

When Kayla starts working with a boy named Alec to learn how to defend herself and to stop the evil from eliminating the worlds, she finds herself falling for him. Hard. Torn between two loves and struggling to do what’s right for Earth and Afterlife, Kayla must decide if she’s fighting to keep her life together, or letting it go to save everyone else’s.

Buy Links:    ARe    Evernight Teen     Amazon

14+ due to sexuality, language, teen pregnancy, and adult situations

Excerpt:

Luke nodded. “Let me get this straight. So, this guy, he can heal your leg, protect you from something that isn’t yet clear to me, and bring you to some otherworldly place, where you’re reunited with your father?”

“Yeah.” There was that word again.

He pulled his hand out of mine and ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, that’s pretty damn hard to compete with.”

“Luke, this isn’t a competition. This is my life. He’s already saved me once.”

“And I’ll do it again,” Alec said.

Luke pointed a finger at Alec. “I don’t care what you can do. I don’t like you. You stole my girl, who’s pregnant with my baby.” Luke stepped around me and got in Alec’s face. “She will always have a part of me in her life.”

Alec slowly shook his head. “Not new news, and for the record, you stole her from me. So, you don’t get to play that card.”

The tension thickened in the air until the hairs stood on the back of my neck.

“She never said a word to you before all this weird shit started to go down.” Luke poked Alec in the chest. “You’re a liar.”

“It’s true,” I whispered.

Luke whirled around. “What?”

“Before us. It was him.”

Luke opened his mouth, as if to say something, but snapped it shut. He finally spoke after a long moment. “You said I was your first boyfriend. Your first kiss. Your first everything with a guy. You lied to me?”

“At the time, I thought that was true. He finds me in my dreams and takes me to Afterlife. That’s how we met. I never even knew he was real. I thought he was a boy in some recurring dream. I never even remembered until I barreled him over in the hallway one day by accident. His touch jarred my memory.”

Luke’s eyes were wild. “Do me a favor. Do not talk about touching him, ever, in my presence.”

“I’m sorry, Luke. That’s why this is so difficult. I’m only now remembering things that happened before us. It’s … confusing.”

“You were with him? Actually with him, before me?”

I swallowed. “We were sort of dating.”

“That’s not what I meant.” A muscle ticked in Luke’s jaw, and realization dawned on me.

“Oh, no. We didn’t.” I cleared my throat. “Not that…”

“I don’t know what you’re so pissed about. You’re the one who got to have a real relationship with her,” Alec said.

“Shut up. Just shut the hell up.” Luke gently brushed me to the side, leaving him and Alec staring each other down. “You’re an asshole.”

“Hate me, if you want. Call me whatever you want. But that girl right there?” He pointed to me. “She needs me. I swore to protect her, and I don’t give a shit about what you think. I’m her best shot at survival. Your baby’s, too. So, next time you get in my face, remember their lives are at stake and that your guns can’t fight off the shit that’s coming.”

“Asshole,” Luke muttered.

“Douche,” Alec said under his breath.

“Stop fighting,” I said from behind Luke’s back.

“You’re a loser. A loser, with no friends and no life, who came in and stole my girlfriend. Even if she chooses you, you’ll have to help her with my baby. Every time you look at our kid, you’ll be reminded of who was there first.”

I took a step outward to try to get between them, but Alec swung before I could, and as his fist connected with Luke’s face, Luke charged him, sending them both tumbling toward the ground.

Fists flew and grunts sounded in the scuffle as they rolled, each trying to get the upper hand.

“Stop!” I yelled.

About the author:

Melissa J. Crispin lives in Connecticut with her husband, two kids, and an adorable Siberian Husky. She spends her days in the corporate world, and pursues her passion for writing in the late nights and early mornings.

From micro-fiction to novels, Melissa loves to write stories in varying lengths. But, no matter the story, it's almost always about the romance.

Website: http://melissajcrispin.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaJCrispin  

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