Interview with Missy De Graff

Today, I'm thrilled to feature an interview with debut novelist and friend Missy De Graff, whose new novel The Rogue's Fate is coming soon!

​If your life hung in the balance, would you choose to make your own destiny or leave your life to fate?
 
Lucinda Raven is being hunted by her ex-lover, a controlling rogue Alpha, who is determined to perform the sacred mating ritual that will bind them together forever. Knowing nothing will keep him from carrying out his ruthless plan, Lucinda is on the run and seeks refuge in the territory of an old friend.
 
Caidan Moone, cursed Alpha of the Blood Moone Pack, has a tortured history that haunts him daily. He sees the arrival of this beautiful and alluring nomad as a chance at redemption from his prior failures and invites her to stay, despite the danger it brings to the entire pack.

As Caidan and Lucinda grow closer, her two worlds collide and Lucinda must face the events of her dark past in order to save the future. Will Caidan be able to protect her without sacrificing his pack? Or will she end up bearing the mark of her psychotic ex?

CM: Tell us about your new release?

MDG: The Rogue’s Fate is my debut novel, scheduled to be released soon, possibly Fall 2017. It walks the line between an urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and it will appeal to the older YA and Adult crowd.

CM: What inspired this particular story?

MDG: I was going through a hard time when I first started writing this story. My mother had just passed away after a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Writing was my way of coping. I’ve always loved fantasy and paranormal creatures, so it was only natural that’s what I would write about. And I needed a strong female lead to help me through the hard times, so I made one. I threw all sort of emotional obstacles at her and she survived-so I knew I would too. 

CM: How long have you been working on this and what did it take to get published?

MDG: I first started working on this story in 2014. It was just for fun and as a coping mechanism. But then, it took on a life of its own and grew into so much more. I took a break from writing in 2015 but got back to finishing this piece in 2016 and then went through the revision, editing, and querying process. It has been a long journey to get here, but I’m thrilled to be at the end stage.

CM: How'd you pick your MC's name?

MDG: I try to pick my character names for specific reasons, such as the meaning of the name. Lucinda, the main character, her name means Light. And Caiden, the male lead, his name means Battle. In picking Lucinda’s name, I also wanted a name that had multiple nicknames. Lucinda has two nicknames in the book-Lux and Cinda-each one represents a different period of her life.

CM: Tell us about your main character.

MDG: Lucinda Mae Ravin is a rogue wolf shifter, meaning she wanders alone with no pack allegiance. She is strong-willed, resilient, and compassionate. Life has thrown so much at her, and she may stumble, but she doesn’t falter. Her life motto is:
I bend with the hurricane when the wind blows.
I stand as solid as a brick wall when the waves come crashing down.
I am strong.

CM: Is this your first work?

MDG: Yes, this is my debut novel. It isn’t the first story I’ve written, or idea had, but it is the first novel I’ve completed through the entire process of outlining, drafting, revising, editing, querying, and now publishing. 

CM: What's next for you?

MDG: I’m currently in the first round of revisions for The Alpha’s Secret, which is the second book in The Raven Chronicles. And then I’ll dive straight into drafting the third book, The Witch’s Betrayal. 

CM: If you had to pick a theme song for your book what would it be?

MDG: Oh wow, that’s a tough one! Just one song? Let’s see...Taking Chances by Celine Dion.

CM: Anything else you want to add?

MDG: Chris, thank you so much for having me here today, it’s been fun! 

Sound interesting? Check out Missy's website, or add the book on Goodreads!

You can also visit Missy on Facebook or Twitter.