Title: Crux
Author: Julie Reece
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Release Date: July 9, 2012
Pages: 285
Buy Here: Amazon|Barnes & Noble
She should have run. Now, she’ll have to fight.
Eighteen year old Birdie may be homeless, but she’s surviving, that is until a mysterious guy throws money in the air like a crazy game show host, and she grabs some with the idea she’ll be able to buy dinner that night.
In that singular moment, unassuming Birdie becomes the girl in everyone’s viewfinder. Thugs want to kill her.
Money-guy wants to recruit her. The very hot, very rich, and very out of her league Grey Mathews wants to save her.
Birdie, though, wants nothing to do with any of them, until she realizes fate didn’t bring them all together.
Her heritage did.
Now, with only twenty-one days left, she’s got to decide whether to follow in the footsteps of those before her or risk her life for people she’s only just met.
click on the cover above to add this book to your Goodreads TBR list.
How did you come up with the title for "Crux"?
In the book, Birdie is standing on Grey’s back porch. She looks up into the cool crisp evening and watches the stars, wondering if she’ll survive her quest, or take her place amongst those stars in the very near future. I thought about the star constellation Crux. juxtaposed against the other definition of the word: a vital, basic, decisive, or pivotal point. That’s exactly what is happening in Birdie’s life right now. It all seemed to fit together and it sort of stuck with me.
If you could go back and add/change anything to "Crux", would you? Why or Why Not?
Oh my gosh, loaded question. If there is one thing I’ve learned it’s that I’m never satisfied. I wonder if any artist ever is? That’s probably what makes writers a little crazy! I could forever tweak and change what I’ve written. (And I tried to, believe me) I practically begged my editor to let me rewrite the beginning. Twice! We also yanked a big dream sequence out that I still wonder if we should have left in. She threatened to beat me with a fly swatter if I didn’t stop. LOL Not really but close. The thing is, at some point, you have to let it go. As a writer improves, it’s natural to want to go back and ‘fix’ what you think was broken. That can’t happen, so I’m trying to be mature about it. Sort of like when you trip in front of a cute boy and act all cool like you meant to do that. Yeah, right. Anyway, the point is, I think I can already see I’m growing as I writer with my next book. I hope readers will like Crux, and follow along and see what I do next. (Historical paranormal romance, perhaps, and another urban fantasy). My goal is to improve with each new thing I do.
What is your absolute favorite part in your book "Crux"?
Yowza, you ask the tough questions, don’t you? J LOL Okay, almost half way through the book, Bird and Grey are lying on her bed talking. (Just talking, people, sheesh!) Anyway, it’s late at night and Grey makes a thinly veiled confession. Unfortunately for them, the other people in the room who are supposed to be asleep, well, they aren’t. The conversation is overheard and things get pretty awkward …
Drat! I just thought of another scene … Never mind, I’ll stick with that one
How have your interactions with Bloggers gone so far?
Truthfully, I just started blogging. I’m new, and Crux is my debut novel, so I don’t have much following yet. I’m working on that. People who’ve been gracious enough to follow or stop by have been wonderful—really supportive and encouraging—and patient! Since I don’t know what the heck I’m doing yet. I’ve met some awesome readers with a lot of wisdom and insight, and that’s been a blast!
Do you like to interact with your readers and fans?
Oh yeah. The bottom line is: Unless they are mean spirited, I like people. If you know me very well, you know I like to get in people’s heads and see what makes them tick. I’m always shrinking my kids’ friends, and so far they don’t seem to mind. They even sort of like it! LOL I love the differences and wide range of opinions, interests, talents and gifts folks have. My favorite is talking to teens and early twenty somethings. I don’t know why, maybe because they’re so wide open and fun. The drawback is I don’t have time to interact as much as I’d like.
What is one major goal you wish to accomplish this year?
This is a big goal. I have two, (no, don’t lie, Julie) three YA novels in various forms of completion. I’d like to see two cleaned up and submitted for publication by the end of the year. How’s that?
IS there anything else you would like everyone to know?
I like animals, and enjoy riding horses. I love my kids. My husband is my all time favorite person in the universe. I am deathly afraid of spiders and will stand on a chair and scream if I see one (just like a girly-girl) I would write if no one ever read a thing I’d written, but I sincerely (fairly bursting with) hope people will enjoy my story.
Thank you so much for having me. This was a lot of fun!
Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.
I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.
Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess... or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.
Then I thought I’d write one down…
Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!
You can find Julie here: Goodreads|Facebook|Twitter|Website
Thank you so much for being super kind and sweet Julie! I have really enjoyed doing this Interview with you, as it has been a lot of fun. I hope that Crux becomes very successful. You are welcome here at Bengal Reads anytime, and I hope you visit again soon!
So, what do you guys think about this Interview? Have you read Crux yet? If so, what did you think about it. IF not, are you looking forward to reading it? Be sure to leave a comment letting me and Julie know what you thought. Thanks so much for reading guys. Have a great day :D
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