Author Interview & Giveaway: Dusty Crabtree


We are excited to welcome author, Dusty Crabtree, to the nest today. Be sure to check out the giveaway details at the end of this post. 

Andrea @ Reading Lark: What inspired you to be a writer? 

Dusty: I was very creative as a kid but really only attempted a few stories when I was probably 8 or 10. After that, I never considered writing an actual novel until my friend suggested I write a book like the ones we’d been devouring recently. I thought she was crazy, but the idea stuck and wouldn't go away. Shortly after, I remembered a screenplay idea I had a few years before and a vivid image of what is now the prologue of Shadow Eyes randomly popped into my head. I started writing and developing both my story and my craft from then on, and I've never looked back. 

Andrea @ Reading Lark: What are your top 3 favorite YA books? 

Dusty: Hunger Games series! Divergent series! Hush Hush series! (Yes, every series needed an exclamation mark – they were that good! Also, I know a series isn't a “book,” but that way I can choose more than 3.) 

Andrea @ Reading Lark: What is your favorite quotation from your novel? 

Dusty: It’s cheating, I know, but I have 2 favorites. Actually I have several, but I narrowed it down to two…(grins sheepishly

 It was as if his green eyes were my kryptonite, making all my defensive powers of wit and sarcasm useless. I was exposed and vulnerable. But for some reason, with Patrick…I liked it. 

 I closed my eyes tightly and slowly put my hand to my forehead. I didn't have to be completely lucid to recognize that our wreck of a situation had just escalated from a mild concussion to being thrown through the windshield of the car. 

Andrea @ Reading Lark: Which of your characters is most like you? 

Dusty: The main character Iris is an organizational freak and a control nut at times like I am. However, I can not see shadows. That might be a bit strange. 

Andrea @ Reading Lark: What is your biggest pet peeve? 

Dusty: Good question! I don’t know that this is my biggest one, but I am a teacher, so one of my biggest pet peeves is when a student (let’s just say a boy so I don’t have to say he/she 10 times, and, let’s be honest, it is a boy most of the time) has been sitting at his desk not doing his work for the last 15 minutes, and when I go over to ask why, he says, “I didn't have a pencil”…as if he were mute and couldn't ask for one or his legs were broken and he was unable to get up to go retrieve one from the pencil jar. 

Andrea @ Reading Lark: What is your favorite bird? 

Dusty: Lol! I don’t think I've ever been asked that! I don’t know that I even have an answer to that question. Um…Oh! I've got it! A mockingjay. (Refer back to favorite YA books question.) 

 This or That:
- Math or Science? That’s a tough one! Science is more interesting, I guess, unless it’s chemistry. If it’s chemistry or physics, I’m out - I’ll take math. 

 - Summer or Winter? I’m a teacher, so this is a no-brainer - summer! However, fall is my favorite season. 

 - Morning or Night? I’m not a big morning person, so let’s go with night. 

 - Tea or Coffee? So unfair that you make me choose! I love both, but if I had to choose I’d take coffee. It makes me way more productive than tea. 

 - Harry Potter or Edward Cullen? I have a confession. I've never read the Harry Potter series, and I've only watched the first 4 movies. I know, I know… As an English teacher and an author, that’s probably criminal of me or something. However, I have read the Twilight series, so I’m going with what I know and love. Yes, I just also admitted to loving Twilight. What can I say?

About the Author:


Dusty Crabtree has been a high school English teacher since 2006, a challenge she thoroughly enjoys. She is also a youth sponsor at Cherokee Hills Christian Church in Oklahoma City and feels very blessed with the amazing opportunities she has to develop meaningful relationships with teens on a daily basis. She resides with her husband, Clayton, in Yukon, Oklahoma, where they often serve their community as foster parents. Apart from the obvious reading and writing, she also enjoys serving on the praise team and drama team at church and watching movies. Shadow Eyes is Dusty’s first novel, but there will definitely be more to come!


About The Novel:

Iris Kohl lives in a world populated by murky shadows that surround, harass, and entice unsuspecting individuals toward evil. But she is the only one who can see them. She’s had this ability to see the shadows, as well as brilliantly glowing light figures, ever since an obscure, tragic incident on her fourteenth birthday three years earlier.

Although she’s learned to cope, the view of her world begins to shift upon the arrival of three mysterious characters. First, a handsome new teacher whose presence scares away shadows; second, a new friend with an awe-inspiring aura; and third, a mysterious and alluring new student whom Iris has a hard time resisting despite already having a boyfriend.

As the shadows invade and terrorize her own life and family, she must ultimately revisit the most horrific event of her life in order to learn her true identity and become the hero she was meant to be.




We have ONE eBook copy of Shadow Eyes up for grabs. The winner will be able to choose their preferred eBook reader format. Thank you, Dusty, for providing the book for the giveaway. This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY! In order to win you must:

* Be 13+ years old
* Fill out the Rafflecopter below

The giveaway runs from January 1-8. The winner will be contacted via email on January 9. 


Comments

  1. SHADOW EYES actually looks like it will be deserving of an exclamation mark!!

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  2. Thanks Mary! And thanks for both exclamation marks. :) Good luck to you!

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  3. I would love to win Shadow Eyes so my 13 yr. old daughter (who devours books) can read it!

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