Book Spotlight: Destined by Jessie Harrell - Interview & Giveaway!

Hello minions!
Today I have a very special guest on the blog. Everyone please welcome Jessie Harrell! *round of applause* 
Now, before we get into all the goodies Jessie has for us, let's talk about her book Destined. 

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.


Review:
I found Jessie through the blogosphere during the cover reveal for her book. I fell in love with the cover and had to get my hands on the book. I was not disappointed.
I love Greek mythology. It has always been a fascination of mine and if you know me at all, you know I mention writing a mythology book one day. Destined was a beautifully crafted re-telling of Psyche and Eros. I loved how accurate it stayed to the true story. Many of the aspects of Greece were brought into the story and told from the historical view point. It was a wonderful way to bring in the parts of history and make it interesting.
Psyche is a great character. She's high strong and opinionated, but she also has a heart that wants to be loved. Eros has been hurt before. Even as a god of love, he refuses to put his heart out for anyone. But then he sees something in Psyche that changes his mind, and his heart.
Their story is beautiful and heartwarming. I love the stories that deal with falling in love with something beside good looks. Like Beauty and the Beast. Those are the stories that touch the heart and Jessie has done so in Destined.
If you love mythology and romance, Destined is a book for you.


Fire Questions Round with Jessie Harrell:

Coffee or tea? 

Coffee & lots of flavored creamer (Me too!)

Favorite name of all time!

I don't know if I can pick just one. I really wanted to name my daughters Rowan and Reegan. (FWIW - they ended up Morgan and Samantha) (Nice)

One person who inspires you most

My mom. She's awesome and so positive and upbeat. (Woohoo for moms!)

If you could live in any world, who's and where would you live?

If the move didn't have to be permanent, I'd love to be Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bones. I'd love to be able to have a mastery of any foreign language (let alone all the ones she had) and to be able to draw so well -- and fly -- all of that would be awesome too. (That book is awesome)

Favorite part about writing Psyche and Eros

Their romance and conjuring up all the fun ways Eros could be romantic with someone who didn't trust him very much was great.  The epilogue, though, is probably my favorite piece of writing in the book. (Le sigh on the epilogue.)

What inspired you to become a writer?

My husband said that we should write children's picture books, because "how hard can that be?" Turns out, it was too hard for me, so I started writing YA and never looked back. (Good choice)

One interesting not well known fact about you

I bit my nails my entire life, right up until my oldest daughter was born. For some inexplicable reason, I just quit once she came along. Poor thing bites her nails now though. Maybe I gave the habit to her upon birth??  Who knows. ( :-D)

Special sneak peak into Before, Eros story coming in February as part of the anthology In His Eyes.

Hunkered down in a rough wool cloak, I’d snuck in to watch the religious ceremony. I stayed against the perimeter, hoping to enjoy the spectacle anonymously. But the flames cast these creepy-seductive shadows against the walls, making me feel watched. And present in the moment of the dance.

The longer I watched, the more I wanted to join the swirling crowd. The movements of those performing the ritual were hypnotic, reminding me of the way Maenads twirl for Dionysus. But one figure dancing before the firelight stood out from the rest.

Her slender hips pulsed with the rhythm of the drums.  Soft, brown curls swirled down her back, caressing her shoulders and barely tickling her waist. I watched her move, entranced by the way motion flowed from her.

When she turned her head and caught my prying gaze, her eyes were as emerald as any gem. Finding my stare, she narrowed her lids for a moment. Then she smirked, shot me a wink, and went back to her dance. 

That was all the invitation I needed.

The rest of the night was a blur of sour wine, too much smoke from the bonfire, and lust so consuming I thought it might swallow me whole. There I was, the god of Love, but she held all the power without even realizing it. Or maybe she did know. Maybe that was part of what intoxicated me too. In Greece, no mortal girl could bend me. None dared. But in Media, I was anonymous in a way that gave me a freedom to just exist. Here, I could be anyone. No pressures. No expectations. No women holding back in reverence to a god. 


Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13331838-in-his-eyes-anthology

Giveaway:
Jessie was sweet enough to donate some awesomeness to all of you wonderful people! Go ahead and enter! :-)



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thank you, Jessie for stopping by my blog and for sharing with us Psyche and Eros story. Minions, you have your orders!


Much love,
Valia