Author Interview: Jessie Harrell, author of Destined

I am so honored that Jessie Harrell, author of Destined has agreed to guest on my blog today! I read the book a few weeks ago, and... WOW... it's one of the most romantic books I have read. (Read my review HERE.) I fell in love with Eros, and even made him my book boyfriend. (Swoon over him HERE.)

By day, I'm an appellate lawyer. By night, I'm a wife, mother of two, and author/lover of all things Greek mythology. I'm a native Floridian, frustrated world traveler, unrepentant dreamer, lover of acoustic music and not-so-closet geek. Destined, being released November 17, 2011, is my first novel. Stay tuned for Beneath the Surface, co-written with the amazing Nikki Katz.

Stalk Jessie: Twitter | Facebook | Blog

Welcome to my blog Jessie! How are you today?
Thanks for having me! I'm doing awesome, as I just had a very productive Christmas-y day.

Give me one thing that you would want to change about Destined.
I missed one of the god's names when I was converting from Roman to Greek names. The harvest goddess is still identified as Ceres and she should be Demeter. I hate that I missed that!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I basically cannot write without music playing in the background. I'm especially happy if my book's "soundtrack" is on.

You said that Eros & Psyche's signature song is "Crack the Shutters" by Snow Patrol. (One of my favorites by the way. :D But I was listening to "Set Down Your Glass" while devouring Destined.) What music were you listening to when you were writing Destined?
Set Down Your Glass is actually another one I listened to a lot (and is my ring tone on my phone!). I also really love Joshua Radin and his songs Only You and What If You feature prominently on my play list. Another one is Pieces by Red and Strange & Beautiful by Aqualung.

Scenario: Eros is doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for him to throw out? What is difficult for him to part with? Why?
Eros is a bit of a neat freak, so he doesn't mind parting with things like old tunics that are cluttering up his closet or scrolls he doesn't think he'll ever read again. There's no way he'd ever part with dried orchids that Psyche gave him early in their relationship. She still doesn't know he saved them, but it was her very first "gift" to him and he treasures it.

What makes Psyche laugh out loud?
Since becoming immortal, she's gotten to hang out with Hermes more. That guy is hysterical and he always makes Psyche laugh -- especially when he's having some good natured fun at Eros' expense.

Where does Eros go when he’s angry?
He returns to his first palace on Olympus. It has sort of a negative vibe to it anyway, so he doesn't mind going there to blow off steam, even if that means smashing a few urns. Eros has a bit of a temper, but he doesn't like Psyche to have to see it. Usually it's his mom who sets him off though and Psyche's gotten pretty good at calming him down.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Not having to cook. My sister-in-law is a chef and prepares dinner for my husband & I each weeknight. (Gosh, I feel so lazy just admitting that...)

What do you miss most right now?

The body I had as a teenager. Ha -just kidding! (Although I do miss those days.) I'd have to say my Grumpy (what my cousin & I called our grandpa). I wish he'd gotten to meet my daughters and see me publish Destined.

What was your favorite toy as a child?
I had a stuffed yellow dog that I named Sunnydays Sunburst. I'm pretty sure she had an embroidered sun on her belly. I remember really loving that stuffed animal more than any of my others (and I had about 100).

Coffee or Tea? 
Coffee, with lots of flavored creamer.

Flats or Heels?
I wish I could wear heels, but my feet can't take it. Flats.

The one who loves you or the one you love? 

He's one and the same.

Boxers or briefs? 
Can I answer with boxer briefs?

What is your next project?

Editing Beneath the Surface and writing some sort stories for various anthologies. One will be a short story entirely from Eros' perspective.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog Jessie!

BUY

Destined

by Jessie Harrel

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.
As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.