The Crossroads Day 14 ft Joy Preble

Meet Me At The Crossroads Day 14 ft

Joy Preble and Dreaming Anastasia

From Goodreads:

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

Coming February 1, 2011 HAUNTED (Dreaming Anastasia, #2)

Anne Michaelson’s world turned upside down last fall when a handsome, blue-eyed and temporarily immortal Russian named Ethan informed her that she had a destiny to save the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, held captive for decades by the witch Baba Yaga. But Anastasia had her own thoughts about destiny. And Anne and Ethan discovered that some things aren’t so easily undone. Now, six months later, the craziness in Anne’s world hasn’t gone away. Neither have her feelings for Ethan. Anne still has powers she doesn’t fully understand. She’s still dreaming about Baba Yaga’s forest. And she’s got a new boyfriend – very normal and very sweet lifeguard, Ben Logan. As for Ethan, well, he hasn’t quite gotten over the events of last fall, either. And he definitely hasn’t gotten over Anne. In short, everyone’s haunted by something – or someone.

Enter the rusalka – a Russian folklore mermaid with a malevolent streak - and a particular interest in Anne. When Ethan suddenly returns from Europe, Anne’s world collides with the paranormal once again. Her heart torn between Ben and Ethan, Anne’s search for the rusalka’s identity reveals deep and startling secrets - including the true source of Anne’s powers.

Like Dreaming Anastasia, HAUNTED is a wild adventure of a tale, a genre blend of fantasy, folklore and romance alternately narrated by both Anne and Ethan. As lives and fates intertwine and the romance heats up, so does the danger. “Stories within stories,” the rusalka tells Anne. “Secrets within secrets.” And as Baba Yaga frequently observes, nothing is as simple as it seems. 

Joy stopped by and answered a few questions...

Book-Savvy: How did you choose your characters?

Joy Preble: "Honestly, I didn't. They chose me. Really."

Book-Savvy: Which of your characters do you personally relate to?

Joy Preble: "Well, there's a little bit of me in each of them. I used to answer this question by saying Ethan because I am a firm believer in second chances, but I've recently realized that it's actually Tess. I am a smart aleck like her; I spend much of my life having to bite my tongue so that I don't give a snarky response."

Book-Savvy: If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters would you choose to be stuck with?

Joy Preble: "Well there's a question! My obvious answer would be Ethan - cause he's fairly intelligent and definitely a hottie. And he's a darn good guy (at least so far) so I'd assume he'd help me build a hut or fight off the wild animals or give me the last of the fresh water! But for sheer conversation, I think Tess would be my best bet."

Thanks so much for stopping by! I love seeing the author responses to the "Desert Island" question, it gives so much insight into their relationships with the characters, and the answers are beyond intriguing! I have to get to know Ethan and Tess now!

Joy gave me some gorgeous bookmarks to share with one lucky commenter. Be sure to leave an e-mail address :)

Don't forget to Meet Me At The Crossroads! Check out the question for today. We're getting close to the deadline!