Interview with Author Elizabeth Arroyo

We are very excited to have Elizabeth Arroyo here

author of The Second Sign!

“Bred to believe in the war between angels and demons, Gabby has come to the conclusion that love is responsible for war, jealousy, and all the other deadly sins she can think of. So when she’s exiled to the middle of nowhere for getting kicked out of her fifth school for fighting, she doesn’t expect to meet Jake. Much less fall in love.

But Jake is quickly drawn to the eerie beauty of her violet eyes while Gabby is unsettled by their undeniable connection.

When a demon guardian comes to collect her soul, she refuses to give it up. She’s not a demon. She can’t be. Her father and twin brother are angels. The demon gives Gabby twenty-four hours to decide her allegiance and then starts killing her short list of friends, leaving a message behind: She is the Second Sign.

As Gabby and Jake begin to unravel the mystery behind the Second Sign, she learns Jake may be the key to saving her soul. But it means a sacrifice has to be made that will change their lives forever.”

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*That sacrifice DID change everything and I can’t get book #2, The Second Shadow, in my hands fast enough!*

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The Second Sign was released earlier this year by Sapphire Star Publishing. How much has life changed since becoming a published author? Life hasn’t changed all that much. I have deadlines now, but everything else remained the same. I still have a day job, spend as much time with family as I can, and have loads of housework.

This book is a dark young adult paranormal romance. Some scenes were so raw and graphic I felt, at times, that I was right there and marveled at the darkness that came out of your brain. Did you debate taking out or taming down some of the horror in The Second Sign?

I marvel at the darkness in my brain too. =) It’s kinda scary, really. After writing one of the graphic scenes, I did pull back to evaluate how far, or how dark, I wanted the book to be. I realized that it was going to be dark and those scenes were important to show the nature of demons. I did tame down some of the scenes, especially the scene at the Crossroads where most of the murders took place. We wanted to keep it as “dark” and not venture too far into “horror” territory.

One thing that is hard to pull off in a romance novel is “love at first sight”. Elizabeth, you pulled it off! Jake and Gabby DO have something between them at first sight. However, neither of them can figure out what and it seemed believable and acceptable within the paranormal setting. AND THAT ENDING! WHOA. What is in store for Jake and Gabby in the next book in this series?

Thank you! I was worried about the insta-love between them, but it was an important part for the story. Gabby and Jake are confused about their feelings for each other because it isn’t a “normal” attraction, and they both can feel that. The reader finds out the reason behind their visceral attraction in book two.

The ending…it is so hard for me to write “happily ever after.” Let’s just leave it at that. =)

While book one focuses more on Gabby’s changes, book two focuses on Jake. We see his progression deeper into what he’s become, his purpose, and how he’s connected to Gabby. We also have some great sidekick characters in book two that I fell in love with. And of course, we have loads of action and mayhem.

You are from Chicago. Me too.

Awesome!

Cubs or Sox fan?

Oh, you are bringing it on. I’m a Southsider. Sox all the way, baby. =)

*** Oh, I’m bringing it all right! ;-) I will admit to owning a Sox World Series champs T-shirt. BUT, it’s my go-to top when cleaning with BLEACH ***

Deep dish or stuffed pizza? Give a shout out to your favorite pizza place.

Deep dish. Connie’s Pizza is my favorite.

What do you think of people who put ketchup on their hot dogs? (It’s ok if YOU do. My daughter is also an offender. I will still buy anything you write)

Oh, no!!! My daughter is excused too.

How far along is book #2 in this series and will you PLEASE give us a hint?

Book two has a title: THE SECOND SHADOW. I’m so excited! We are currently working on the cover and I’m working on the edits. It is currently scheduled to be released September 5^th. I haven’t written the blurb yet.

I can say that we meet Jake and Gabby four months after the events in Maine. Gabby is struggling with her change, and Jake is coming to terms with what he did over the summer.

As the Harbinger, Jake heralds the apocalypse and Hell’s gate begins to dissolve. But he still has free will. All he has to do is let go of his past and learn to accept who or what he is.

But what will he choose?

**inserts wicked laugh**

What else are you working on right now?

I’m currently pitching a YA supernatural thriller.

Thanks for the interview, Gabi!

Elizabeth spent most of her younger years as an avid reader with a wild imagination which led her to write her first manuscript at the age of fourteen. Her fascination with the paranormal was influenced by the vivid ghost and demon stories her father told her as a child, scaring the crap out of her. It also led her to ask the “what if” question that propelled her down the path of the fantastical.
But, life got in the way. Elizabeth completed a Bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice at Northeastern Illinois University and works in the community strengthening families. Her love of stories held, and in 2008 she found herself back into her storytelling roots and began writing again. Since then she’s published a short story in SQ Magazine, countless musings on her blog – Chandara Writes, and completed three manuscripts.
In 2012, Elizabeth signed with Sapphire Star Publishing to release her debut novel, THE SECOND SIGN, a Dark YA Paranormal Romance, slated for an early 2013 release.
Elizabeth resides in Chicago with her family, a household of kids, and the bliss of chaos. The good kind.

I’d like to add here that Elizabeth is sweet, funny and an all around awesome person. I devoured The Second Sign and The Second Shadow focusing on Jake? Yay!!

Thank you so much Elizabeth!