Bitten by Books
BBB: What’s your favorite 90s jam?
RLP: My Name is Jonas by Weezer
BBB: What real-life science, pseudo-science, history, religion, or mythologies did you research for your book?
RLP: I did a little research on Irish/Celtic/Scottish myths and folklore, just taking bits and pieces from what I knew about Faeries etc.
BBB: Who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Batman?
RLP: Batman. He’s got lots of cool gadgets (LOL).
BBB: If you had a machine that produced $100 dollars a day for life what would you be willing to pay for it today?
RLP: Hmmm…maybe a couple of thousand. Then it’d kind of pay itself off after a month.
BBB: Please tell us more about The Summer Marked and the storyline that drives it.
RLP: The Summer Marked picks up where The Winter People left off. Salome is now in Faerie and hopes to live out her happily ever after with her Fae Warrior/bodyguard boyfriend. Unfortunately, Winter is spreading and the King of Summer, Nevin wants Gareth to come back to the kingdom to do patrols. But he also seems to want something from Salome as well.
Meanwhile, Kadie, who has been Salome’s BFF since they were little ends up being kidnapped and brought to the Kingdom of Winter. She finally realizes that all the monsters that Salome used to see as a child are real. And she’s now a prisoner of the psychotic Winter Queen, who hates humans and hates Summer, the last remaining kingdom that could keep her from controlling all of Faerie.
This story follows these two characters through both the beautiful and horrific places and people who make up Faerie. Like “not everything beautiful is nice”. Both characters kind of come into their own and recognize their strengths and what they’re willing to sacrifice to protect the people they love and care about-and themselves.
BBB: How many more books will there be in the Winter People series?
RLP: There will be one more book after The Summer Marked. So the series will end with three books.
BBB: What sets The Winter People series apart from other books in the same genre?
RLP: I’d have to say the characters and the mythos behind how the kingdoms fell. There aren’t just two seasons, Winter and Summer and we learn about the Spring and Autumn courts. Each season has it’s place within Faerie. There are a lot of different types of characters and elements as well…
BBB: What types of characters / creatures can readers expect in your world?
RLP: Humans, Fae, ghosts, trolls, redcaps, horses, dragons, elves, dwarves. I pretty much run the gamut on Fantasy types of characters.
BBB: What does your protagonist think about you? Would he or she want to hang out with you, the author, his creator.
RLP: Salome probably thinks I’m pretty funny, but have a potty mouth. But she’d probably hang out with me because we both hate winter! Kadie has the same type of sense of humor as me so we’d probably spend most of our time laughing. I think Kadie would like me, but maybe not much after the 2nd book (LOL).
BBB: Describe the color yellow to somebody who’s blind.
RLP: It’s a warm color. Kind of like the warm feel of sunshine on your face.
BBB: Who is your favorite Disney Princess?
RLP: MULAN!!! Hands down Mulan. LOVE HER!!!
BBB: What’s coming up for you for the rest of 2015 and into 2016?
RLP: I’ll be finishing up the Winter People series (currently working on book 3). I’m also in the midst of edits on Legend of Me (which will release next year as well). I should see edits over the next few months for another book Where There Be Humans (totally excited about this one). I have a book signing in October here in Michigan (10/17/15) at the Rivertown Crossings Barnes and Noble from 12-2 pm. But mainly I’ll just be working on finishing up edits and hopefully being able to work on a couple of new projects that I’ve already started on.
I also have a son who will graduate from high school 2016 and my step daughter will be getting married in December, so lots of “big” stuff on the family side as well!
Buy a print copy of The Summer Marked from Amazon by clicking here.
Buy a Kindle copy of The Summer Marked from Amazon by clicking here.
Books in the Winter People series in the order they should be read:
The Winter People
The Summer Marked
About Rebekah L. Purdy
Author Bio:
Rebekah was born and raised in Michigan where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. She’s lived in Michigan most of her life other than the few years she spent in the U.S. Army. At which time she got a chance to experience Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina, and California. Rebekah has a business degree from University of Phoenix and currently works full time for the court system. In her free time she writes YA stories, anything from YA Fantasy to YA Contemporary Romance. Rebekah also has a big family (6 kids) she likes to consider her family as the modern day Brady Bunch complete with crazy road trips and game nights. When not hiding at her computer, Rebekah enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games, traveling, and hanging out with her family and gazillion pets.
11 Quick Things About Rebekah
Favorite Food? Pizza
Favorite Color? Blue
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? Star Wars
Favorite Drink? Ice Tea
Favorite Current Book? Splintered Series by A.G. Howard
Favorite Season? Autumn
Favorite Online Hangout? FB and Twitter
Favorite Animal? Dogs (we have 5)
Favorite Band or Musician? Crap, I’ve got too many. The Beatles, NKOTB, Collabro, Demi Lovato, One Direction…
Mode of Travel? (Trains, Planes or Automobiles) LOL depends on where I’m going. Probably cars.
Favorite Vacation Destination? Overseas it’d have to be Ireland. Closer to home, I’d say the U.P. in Michigan.
Connect with Rebekah
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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.
Prize: $30.00 Amazon Gift Card
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Ahhh…so many great ones. But the ones that inspired me the most growing up are probably LJ Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine….they just seemed to kind of fan the flame for my wanting to be a writer. But I LOVE my crit group girls too! They’re honestly the ones who help make my stories what they are… Thanks so much
Who are some of your favourite authors?
EEP! I have so many (hahahaha), from my teens it’d have to be L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Lois Lowry, Judy Blume. More modern, A.G. Howard, Martina Boone, Sarah Maas, Meg Rosoff…I know I’m forgetting a bunch. Oh, Jenny Han…and soooo many more
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give? One PRO to becoming an author? One CON to becoming an author?
The one piece of advice I’d give to ANY one wanting to get into writing is KEEP WRITING and DON’T GIVE UP! It seriously took me 7-8 manuscripts before I landed my first book deal w/a small press. The next book after that one landed me my 1st agent…it can take a while, so have tough skin, but don’t quit. Some of my older manuscripts that got passed on have now gone on to sell (3 of them have).
One pro to being a writer is getting to tell the stories that are in my head.
Con, that once you get published you don’t always have control over your stories/characters anymore. Sometimes you have to cut characters and storylines that you love…
Q) What is your favorite go to jam when you’re having a bad day? A) Anything from Foster the People (Torches).
Q) Magic wand or crystal ball? A) Magic wand,
Q) If you could go on a date with one fictional character who would it be and why? A) Can’t really think of one, maybe Mr. Darcy: I like gentlemen, and that character seems like one, once you get to know him.
Mr. Darcy… *le sigh* in pretty much EVERY version of Pride and Prejudice he’s freaking adorable!! *he’d be one of my go to lit dates too* hehehe
Magic wand or crystal ball?
Magic wand.
YAY! That’s what I’d pick too! *I blame Harry Potter for this* hahhaa
Or I’d take a light saber…
How many books total (including your e-books), have been published/sold at this point?
And, did you ever think in your wildest dreams that your writing dreams would actually come true?
The Summer Marked is my 7th published book! I have 2 more coming out next year, another 1-2 in 2017. I think there were a few years in there where I thought, “OMG, is this ever going to happen?” But I LOVED my stories and characters so much that I just couldn’t let it go! So glad I hung in there
hi, do you have a celeb crush and make characters in your books
OOH…I have a couple celeb crushes. Ian Somerhalder, is freaking smoking hot (LOL). He’s kind of how I see Nevin (only a little bit younger version of him). And welllll, Chris Hemsworth is pretty nice on the eyes as well. He’s kind of how I picture Gareth, kind of bad ass, tough…(Thor anyone?) hehehe
Hello! A gazillion pets? What do you have and what are their names?
We have 5 dogs: Jack, Pearl, Grr, Callie, and Leia. We have 2 cats Mooshoo and Sherbert, and we have a turtle named grouchy. We used to have ducks and hamsters, but they’ve all passed on now (sniffles).
So we have 8 animals at home
1. Any work by Larissa Ione. Love her worlds.
2. Magic wand. I’d have trouble seeing in the crystal ball ;).
3. Larissa’s Wraith Seminus ;).
When you write do you picture your characters in your head like known actors or do you create an all new imagine in your mind?
I think it’s a combination of both. Sometimes, I have a great visual of a character based off an actor. Like when I was editing The Winter People all I kept seeing was Ian Somerhalder as Nevin and then of course, Chris Hemsworth as Gareth (only younger versions of them).
I actually saw a guy at the gas station once that looked like one of my characters (hahhaha). It really depends on the book though…
What’s it like being a published author?
Very busy! LOL. I work full time for the court system and also have 6 kids (although 3 are grown now). But between working full time, trying to juggle writing/deadlines/book signings etc it gets chaotic. But it’s awesome knowing that people are reading your stories and falling in love with your characters. My favorite thing about it, is hearing from the readers…their excitement or emotions after reading something you’ve written.
Or when people are nervous to talk to me at a book signing and my kids are like, “Why are they freaking out? You’re just mom.” LOL
Hi Rebekah and Congratulations! Who is your all time favorite book character?
1. That’s a toughie….
2. Magic wand so that I could change things.
3. Hmmm, another tough one! Maybe Ranger from Stephanie Evanovich’s series. He’s somewhat mysterious but still a gentleman.
O.M.G. I LOVE RANGER. That book series is my go-to series when I need a good laugh. And Ranger is FREAKING AWESOME (and a “babe”) hahahah… *how could I forget about this series*
I agree and then, for some reason, I always want donuts as I’m reading one of these! LOL
And cake and fried chicken…LOL… *now I’m hungry*
LOL!So true!
Congratulations on the publication of The Summer Marked! The cover is lovely. Did you have any input in the cover design for the Winter People series?
Actually the publisher got it right on the first try (LOL). I’ve really lucked out with great covers for this series. Basically the publisher will send over a cover art form and kind of get ideas of what the author is kind of visualizing and the stuff they absolutely don’t want on the cover. They then get to work on it.
I remember the eyes just sticking out from the page and the magic/eeriness that both captured. I’m actually kind of geeked to find out what the 3rd one will look like after these two
1-What is your favorite go to jam when you’re having a bad day?
—- “Still Counting” by Volbeat
“Feel like I do” by Drowning Pool
“Don’t damn me” by Guns n Roses (sometimes their “Get in the Ring”)
“Quiet” by Hypnogaja
“Bugger Off” by Irish Drinking Songs (This song always makes me laugh)
2-Magic wand or crystal ball?
— Wow, this one is a toughie to answer. Even though I am no good with them, and I have quite a collection, can I say “Tarot cards”? Though, it’s funny because I showed my seventeen year old a tutorial to make his “own” magic wand. He got into magic, mostly card and coin tricks.
If you could go on a date with one fictional character who would it be and why?
—- Another tough one to answer! There are many fictional characters I would love to go on a date. Vanyel from Mercedes Lackey’s Filk but that would go against his preferences… Something about the man just warmed my heart. Then there is Deveraux Peltier from Kenyon’s Dark/Were Hunters. He always made me laugh with his warped sense of humor.
Oooh, I have some Irish Drinking Songs CDs at home (from when I went to Ireland). I like “Whiskey in the Jar”. And Molly Malone…
I do love Under the Scotsman’s Kilt by Irish Rovers. That makes me laugh…
I do love Drunken Sailor by Tears for Beers…
That’s the one that talks about “winning” first prize (when the girls are trying to look under the kilt?)…I think that’s the one I’m thinking of and it’s freaking hilarious…
Yes, where the drunken Scotsman passed out and two girls take a peek, then ties a blue ribbon. He discovers it when he wakes and answers the call of nature to see it tied there “Well laddie I don’t know where ye been but I see you won first prize.” LOL
You think that’s funny, listen to Bugger Off.= by Dubliners. It’s funny too (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrXP5zoFxss )
YES! I LOVE this hahaha… *wants to use it as my voicemail for nasty calls* hahha. Thanks for sharing this!
Got to step out for a bit (time to commute home). I’ll drop back in, probably about a little over an hour for more questions…
What do you like to do for exercise?
I actually work out at 5:00 am every morning before I go to work. 3 days of cardio, one of upper body strengthening, 1 day of lower body stuff, and 1 day of pilates! *falls over* hahha
When did you decide to become a writer?
Actually, I wanted to be a writer when I younger (you should see some of my first stories I wrote-one was a complete rip off of The Goonies-LOL), but didn’t start pursuing it whole heartedly until after I got out of the Army, which was in my early twenties!
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
Getting to share the characters and voices in my head with other people. And also getting to meet new people. I’ve gotten to meet lots of awesome readers and bloggers…
Hi, Rebekah!
Welcome to Bitten by Books. Congratulations on your new release.
It is fantastic to have you with us today.
My question for you is; do you have a favorite book or series that you have written so far????
If so, which is it and why???
Thanks SO SO much for having me!!! I have a book that will be coming out in either 2016 or 2017 (not sure exactly yet as it hasn’t been slotted), but it’s entitled Where There Be Humans, it’s probably one of my favorites I’ve written. It’s got all the elements I love in a story: Fantasy stuff (kick butt heroine), humor, some romance, but it also kind of follows this girl who doesn’t quite belong anywhere. I loved writing the world from her eyes because she’s two types of races and she’s struggling to find her identity, all the while, trying to strive for this dream of becoming an elite guard for the king.
SO can’t wait for everyone to meet the characters…
If you were given the chance to be a director of one of your books, which would it be and who would you pick for the leading roles?
Eeep, that’s hard, but either the Winter People or The Fairy Godmother files either one would be awesome! If I could pick ANYONE for the roles in The Winter People:
Nevin: Ian Somerhalder
Salome: Dove Cameron
Kadie: Lucy Hale
Gareth: Chris Hemsworth
And I’d LOVE to have either Debbie Reynolds or Betty White be Salome’s Grandma Doris (LOL).
What was your favorite book as a child?.
I’ve got a couple (LOL)…I don’t know why I have such a hard time picking one of anything…hahaha
The book that got me into reading/writing was Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls my 4th Grade teacher Mr. McGrath read it to us and introduced me to reading…so that would have to be one of them.
Also loved The BFG by Roald Dahl, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and the Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin.
My favorite go to song is The Fight Song by Rachel Platten.
I choose magic wand because I can do so many good things with it.
I LOVE that song! My daughter sings it and always gets it stuck in my head (LOL). But the message is awesome! And YAY for magic wands!!!
Do you have a favorite stand-alone novel?
My favorite standalone is probably How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff. I seriously can’t recommend this book enough. The first time I read it all I could do was think about it. When you first start it though, the POV might be a little offsetting, but I definitely fell into it quickly.
I have a question on a personal note. I have A son graduating next year also, do you have any advice for me on how to prepare for him leaving?
AHHH…no. I have another one graduating this year and I’m SO not ready for it. But I try to think of all the good things he’s going to be able to do and experience for the first time so that makes it a little easier. I’m excited for him (he’ll be majoring in Anthropology with a focus on Archaeology)…and I made him promise he’ll come home to visit…but it never gets easier, I tell you.
But I’m so happy that he’s going to branch out and get a chance to try something new…
Favorite pizza topping? Any topping that’s a regular on pizza menus that you feel has no business on pizza?
I LOVE Turkey pepperoni, but one of my FAVORITE types of pizza is made at this really small pizzeria up here in Michigan. It’s a BLT pizza. It has mayonnaise, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on it…I know it sounds gross to some people, but it is SO GOOD! As in I crave it all the time (but only have it like 2 times a year with my friends at work)…
If pizza didn’t exist, what would be your next favorite food?
Cheesecake! hahaha, I know that’s a dessert, but it SO good and should be its own food group. *or a salad with crumbled bleu cheese is pretty yummy*
What book or books are you reading now?
The lake,
Magic wand
Rhage from BDB, because I love dragons.
I’m reading two books right now, The Diviners by Libba Bray and I’m also reading A Shade of Blood by Bella Forrest. And my own books over and over again due to edits (LOL)….
From any of your books, what has been one of your favorite scenes, or types of scenes, to write?
Oooh, I have so many! But there quite a few scenes in The Summer Marked that I liked writing…I liked being able to show both my main characters, Salome and Kadie kind of embracing who they are and kicking some butt (in their own ways). One of my favorite scenes is with Salome when she is learning to use a sword and a ghost tries to help her in a battle against one of the fae who has been kind of giving her a hard time.
And I’ve got some great kissy face scenes that I like (LOL). The villain in this book was pretty hard to write because she’s so horrible, but those scenes I think turned out the best (at least for the backdrop of Winter and the evilness that lurks there).
Do you have any current favorite shows or books?
Actually there’s this show called Expedition Unknown that I SUPER love (it’s on the travel channel). I was watching The Vampire Diaries, but am not sure if I’ll continue this year or not (was one of my faves, but not sure how I’ll like the new season). Also really liked Sleepy Hollow.
But there are two shows coming up in 2016 that I’m SO GEEKED about and that’s Shadowhunters and The Shannara Chronicles…
I actually just heard about the Expedition show with Josh Gates last week and thought it looked interesting
I used to watch Vampire Diaries but I’m so behind now I don’t think I can catch up lol
It’s pretty decent. He used to be on a show called Destination Truth, which is where I first saw him. He’s pretty funny and I like that he hunts down legends and stuff like that…
Going to have to Dvr it at the same time I add Samantha Browns new show that I just heard about
1. What is your favorite go to jam when you’re having a bad day?
Usually my Disney playlist lol or my Harry Potter soundtracks
2.Magic wand or crystal ball?
Magic wand because it’s more travel friendly and i can do more with it
3.If you could go on a date with one fictional character who would it be and why?
Captain America because as of his last movie he’s sweet, intelligent and tough…and never been on a date still after how many years…even though most of them were because he was frozen solid under the ocean but still lol
I listen to the Mulan soundtrack a lot…and you definitely can’t go wrong with Harry Potter…
Who is your favorite author to read?
I Love Jenny Han, A.G. Howard, Sarah Maas, L.J. Smith, robin LaFevers, Rachelle Mead, Karen Marie Moning, Martina Boone, Rae Carson, Robin McKinley, Tamora Pierce…pretty much anything I can get my hands on (LOL).
go to jam moves like Jagger adam levine
magic wand
If money wasn’t a barrier what would be your dream property to purchase? 5 dogs OMG we have 3 and that’s enough lol. 1 is very elderly at 17 so doesn’t do much though.
There are probably two placed I’d love to be. One is I got a chance to visit Ireland about 7 years ago and it was SO beautiful. I’d love to get a cottage in the rolling hills, with a view of the cliffs/sea! SO pretty there. The other place I’d LOVE to be is on Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. There’s a place called Fayette (an old ghost town) that is in the area I’d like to be. Lots of awesome forests/woods, rocky outcroppings and awesome views of the lake…
date edward from twilight
I’m going to cut out for the night (after 10 est for me-LOL). But I’ll pop back on in the morning and answer any other questions that people have. Thanks so much to everyone who has already commented/asked questions/answered questions. You guys are awesome ((HUGS))…
What’s your favorite cake?
Cheesecake (and carrot cake-they sound so healthy don’t they?) LOL!!! And I’m definitely not picky about the type of cheesecake either…
no fav jam
wand
not sure who
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
Fozzy Bear! Just because he’s always so nice and funny and adorable…
It depends on the situation…it can be anything from Teenage Fanclub’s BANDWAGONESQUE album to side one of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. I usually end up playing a bunch of stuff!
Magic wand for sure-knowing too much about the future would upset me, especially if I couldn’t change it.
I immediately thought of Griff Muir from Damon Suede’s HOT HEAD-adorable fireman, and he likes hockey like I do! Of course, his boyfriend would get pretty upset. Sigh. If I could catch Kenny Kolodny from Kevin Canty’s INTO THE GREAT WIDE OPEN in the *five seconds* before he falls for Junie, that could work. He’s well-read, angsty without being too threatening, obviously a devoted and sensual young guy, and in retrospect he strikes me as someone who’d have an easier time today than in the late ’80s of the story…
If you found a genie, what would be your three wishes?
My 3 wishes:
World Peace
That my family/friends would always be taken care of
And probably a really awesome movie deal (LOL).
My favorite I am for a scrappy day are: I REALLY LIKE YOU BY CARLY ARE JEPSON (while doing my PONYTAIL BOP), COOL FOR THE SUMMER BY DEMI LOVATO, BURN BY ELLE GOULDING & CONQUEROR BY ESTELLE & JUSSIE SMOLLETT.
Magic wand because a SEEING IN TO THE FUTURE Crystal ball.just FREAKS me out.
Some folks would think that JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood aren’t superheroes, but I think they ROCK! I have 2 favorites, RHAGE who turn into a raging monster were pissed & Zsadist who.is a old tortured soul, but his leelan Bella would have to.come too.
Ok, I have a great question for you. My daughter just got married on Saturday, so I have some experience with all that wedding drama. I see your stepdaughter is getting married soon, so what has been the MOST HAIR PULLING OUT MOMENT you have had?
Probably the type of catering she wants for her wedding. She doesn’t want buffet style and the caterer she talked to is like $10,000.00. So trying to talk her into being more “reasonable” LOL…
My daughter is a true VAN HULLE, sloppy & wearing any food she comes into.contact with, so serving at the table & family style was completely out of the questions. Why? Because all of the bride’s family would be wearing their DINNER STAINS in the pics!!
Is there a genre you have not written in yet that you would like to?
OMG, YES! I’ve written all YA stuff (fantasy and contemporary), but I’d LOVE to try my hand at either an adult book or a middle grade one (I have ideas for both, but I’m not sure if I’ll have the right “voice” for it).
Have you ever written something you later cringed about?
LOL-heck yes! I have some 1st drafts that I’ve gone back and looked at that I wrote years ago and I was like “Holy crap, I did a lot of head hopping.” Or the voice isn’t there. The plotlines were usually good, just the execution of wasn’t all that great (I didn’t know all the “rules” back then!
Have you ever written a Mary Sue character?
*partially guilty of this* It depends on how someone views that character. I have some characters that might start out that way, but they grow into their own and become something greater etc.
who is your favorite author?
EEP! I have so many (hahahaha), from my teens it’d have to be L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Lois Lowry, Judy Blume. More modern, A.G. Howard, Martina Boone, Sarah Maas, Meg Rosoff…I know I’m forgetting a bunch. Oh, Jenny Han…and soooo many more.
Pretty much love any genre so it’s hard to choose just one!
Which do you prefer, traditional publishing or indie publishing?
I actually like both (LOL). I read and write both…
Wheres your favorite place to write?
Ooh, I love to write near the beach or near woods. And when it’s raining (I LOVE NATURE). I normally do most of my writing at my desk at home (surrounded by my pups) or during my lunch hours at work
What type of weather do you like to write in most?
What it your favorite vacation spot?
How many books do you release in one year ?
answers
1. books
2. magic wand
3. Char from Judy Mays celestial Seasons cause he has his own spacecraft. lol