Sunday, September 13, 2009

Day 280 - Q&A with Author Lee Moylan (& GIVEAWAY!)


Please welcome author Lee Moylan to mis(h)takes!! She's agreed to answer a few questions about her book ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE, which I reviewed yesterday.


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A little background info before we go on:


Lee Moylan is a fiction writer with a BS degree in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She lives outside of Chicago in the Northwest suburbs with her three children.

Besides a fascination with biology and chemistry, she has a passion for the art of forensics. She has studied many books on the subject as well as those on serial killers. Instead of pursuing a career in forensic chemistry, she decided to raise a family and turn her intellectual and creative talents to the writing of haunting fiction.

Her desire to comprehend the almost incomprehensible has driven her to create a frighteningly believable tale that explores the depths a deranged mind can go. The murderer of Once Upon a Nightmare combines elements of actual criminals.

She has completed her second novel, Fatal Charade, and is currently working on her third.


You can visit her website here.


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Me: Can you describe what ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE is about?

Lee: Once Upon a Nightmare is a graphic and disturbing story about two women who share a kind of psychic bond and the sadistic serial killer that has targeted them. Despite both women having an ability to 'sense' bad things on the horizon, neither one knows the who, what, where or when. The killer watches them - is near enough to touch them - yet they don't know who he is. As the story unfolds, we get a glimpse inside the killer's mind - hear the dark, twisted thoughts that drive him. But only as he gets closer to his ultimate goal, Sara Bishop, do we get a real taste of the true evil within...

Me: I’ve been dying to know what your inspiration was for ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE.

Lee: Well, it actually was a nightmare... Probably the worst one I've ever had. In the dream, I awoke to the sight of blood all around my bedroom. It was on the walls, the floor... And then I saw body parts. It was quite horrific. I really thought I was awake. I thought someone had just been murdered in my house! But as I got up to call for help, I realized I was moving without my body, sort of floating around. That's when I looked back at the bed and saw why I was able to move about so freely... I had been the victim. Before the dream ended and I truly awoke, I was trying to communicate with my closest friend. I was trying to get her to call the police, keep my husband and kids from finding me like that and lastly, to find the person who had done it. So, the nightmare was born...

Me: I understand that you have a degree in biochemistry but a passion for forensic science. Did your education and love for forensics help in writing the book?

Lee: Oh, absolutely! I've studied every part of science I could from physical to behavioral to life sciences. I wanted to be a profiler before anyone even knew what that was! So I just took all the information I've been storing for years and put it in my characters' heads...

Me: Did you have to do any additional research?

Lee: No, I guess you could say I've been researching this material since I was a teenager. That was the first time I ever heard the words 'serial killer'. His name was John Wayne Gacy, and he lived a few towns away from me. I never got over seeing those young men's faces and the horrors he committed against them. That was when I began my quest. I just wanted the answer... Why?

Me: What do you think the hardest part about writing your novel was?

Lee: Well writing a novel over a two-year period is difficult because the characters live with you the entire time... (At least that's how it is for me) But the worst thing was writing those truly disturbing scenes. In order to write them, I had to put myself into the killer's mind as well as the victim's. It was brutal. I was having a hard time dissociating from the victims and had to take frequent breaks to get out of those scenes.

Me: Are you currently working on anything?

Lee: Yes, thanks to my most recent nightmare, it's another suspense/thriller. I love the twist in this one! And hopefully my second book, Fatal Charade, will be released next year.

Me: Who are some of your favorite authors and books?

Lee: Oh, I love Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe, James Patterson, John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald... Favorite books? Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, loved the creepiness of Pet Semetery, and of course, anything by Poe!
Me: If you could write a book about absolutely anything with another author, who would you choose and what would it be about?

Lee: Hands down, Stephen King, and it would have to be a ghost story, the most haunting one ever! (Hey, if we're gonna dream...)

Me: Thank you so much for taking the time out to answer some questions. I really enjoyed your book and I’m looking forward to reading more of your work.

Lee: Thank you for reviewing it! I hope you had at least a few breathless moments!

Lee's Question for you!
Have you ever 'sensed' anything before it happened? If so, what was it?


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And now for the GIVEAWAY!

Lee has generously offered 1 signed copy to one of my readers! There is no mailing restrictions so everyone is welcome to enter =)


To enter:


-Simply leave a comment expressing you'd like to win the book. You must leave a valid email address so I can contact you if you win - No email = No entry!



For extra entries (you must leave comments telling me you've done so or they will not count.)


+1 for answering Lee's question above!
+1 for commenting on my review here!(<--click the link and post comment there)
+2 for linking to this contest (blog posts, sidebars, twitter, facebook, etc all count - leave a link or you won't get the extra entries)
+2 for becoming a follower of the blog (if you currently follow just mention it below)


The deadline is Sunday, September 27th. One winner will be chosen and announced September 28th. I will email them and they will have 3 days to contact me back with their information.
CONTEST CLOSED

61 comments:

Louise said...

Woohoo, I'm in.

louise_alkjaer(at)hotmail(dot)com

I am a follower of your blog and has been for some time, and I commented on your review yesterday. I am going to Tweet about your giveaway right now. My Twitter name is Louise_al

Unknown said...

Oh, my! Count me in! ^^

I also wrote a tweet about your giveaway.

My e-mail is amandyan(at)hotmail(dot)com

And my twitter name is amandha_katsu

donnas said...

Great interview. Please include me. Sounds like a good book.

+1 - I have never sensed anything before it happened. I believe some people have though. And I am sure if I did it would freak me out.
+1 - commented on the review
+2 - linked on sidebar here: http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/
+2 - blog follower.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Bunny B said...

Wow... sounds like a thrilling read! Count me in please!!

bunnybx at gmail . com

Bunny B said...

I have sensed some things before they happen, but ridiculous little things. For example, I was once hanging out at my friend's place and asked her if this lady selling cakes from door-to-door would come by. She said she doesn't think so cos that lady hasn't come in a long time. 5 mins later, there's a bell and I asked, "Could it be her?" My friend got the door and guess who it was? Yup, the lady I wanted to come! :)

bunnybx at gmail . com

Bunny B said...

1. Blogged: http://bunnymoney9.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-week.html

bunnybx at gmail . com

Bunny B said...

2. Blogged: http://bunnymoney9.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-week.html

bunnybx at gmail . com

Bunny B said...

Commented on your review

bunnybx at gmail . com

Bunny B said...

+2 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/bunnyb/status/3977721000

bunnybx at gmail . com

Miss Haley said...

I've sensed little things before they'd happen, but nothing crazy. it happens to me a lot actually.

i linked this blog at my post: haleymathiot.blogspot.com

i'm a follower( rss)

i put this link on twitter (twitter.com/haleymathiot)

and i blogged about it on Pulse It (haleyknitz)
thx!
haley mathiot at yahoo dot com

Lindsay Frost said...

I would LOVE to WIN this!! please enter me!
Thankyou!! :D:D:D:D

-Lindsay



lindsay15photo@gmail.com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me. I'm dropping in to say hi and thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I once sensed that my neighbours were getting divorced. They both thought it was hilarious at the time and then a year later they really did file for divorce.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I commented on your review.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am already a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Sue said...

This looks so great! Thanks for sharing it.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Brodie said...

That would have been a really creepy nightmare to have! It's wonderful it inspired her to write a novel, but definitely scary to experience!

+1 I'm really interested in psychic/spiritual stuff, I once tried doing a distant reading for an unknown girl online to see if I could pick up anything and over and over in my head I just heard the word "Rape". I really don't want to bring it up to her since it's a sensitive issue, but I did and it turns out she had gone through that ordeal. We had a really long chat about it and she said it helped her a lot which was good. Then other small things like I sometimes get the feeling I know what someone close to me is going to say before they do and what they're feeling sometimes.

+1 Commented on review
+2 Linked to sidebar at http://liliesveggiesandshootingstars.blogspot.com
+2 New follower

I'd love to win a copy of this! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

hanging.by.a.moment_@hotmail.com
Brodie

Hot Off the Shelves said...

How exciting! I just read the review and decided I had to have it and now you're giving a copy away. Please enter me.
jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com.

+1 for answering Leanna's question above:
I've always been able to tell when people (or pets)were going to get very sick - not the best sixth sense to have.

+1 for commenting on my review here!
I commented on the review.

+2 for becoming a follower of the blog
I have been following for a couple weeks now.

Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kalynnick said...

I would like to win so please enter me to win. Thanks

kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

Froggy said...

I would love to win!!

Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com

Froggy said...

Lee's Question for you!
Have you ever 'sensed' anything before it happened? If so, what was it?

I have had deja vu but not sensed something before it happened.

Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com

Froggy said...

I commented on your review!!

Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com

Froggy said...

I added your link on my sidebar under contests

Thanks for a chance to win,
Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com

Froggy said...

I became a follower! :)

Thanks for a chance to win,
Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com

BlackWolf said...

please count me in..

+1 for answering Leanna's question ..no i haven't sensed anything before it happened
+1 for commenting on your review
+2 for linking to this contest http://kingdomofthenight.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-copy-of-once-upon-nightmare-on.html
+2 for becoming a follower

Llehn said...

I would love to play please!

+1 No, I have yet to sense anything before it happens.

lesly7ch(at)yahoo(Dot)com

Beleth said...

Count me in! I would love to read this book. Im already a follower.

battyaboutbats(at)gmail(dot)com

Thank you for giving us this chance

Jaime said...

I would love to win this book!
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Raspberry said...

Of course I'd love to win this! My email is rae_sunshine4(at)yahoo.com
+1 Yes - I have. I had a nightmare that I left the front door open, my toddler son went outside and fell down a 20-something step flight of stairs, entirely made of concrete. He wasn't dead when I reached him, he was mangled and barely coherent. I woke up crying and holding my husband. I don't knwo if this counts, but a coupel of days later he fell down 4 concrete stairs. No broken anything, but I just about sobbed when I held him after that.

+2 for linking to this contest on my sidebar
http://twoandahalfbooklovers.blogspot.com/
+2 for being a follower

Anonymous said...

Please enter me

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

+2, follower

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Debbie F said...

Please include me! Thanks!

There was one time when I was at work and had a "bad feeling", like something bad had happened. An hour later my then BF called and said that he was at the hospital getting stiches in his head. Apparently he got hurt the same time I was having my bad feeling.

Thanks for the giveaway!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Cherie J said...

Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance to.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

+1 Yes, I there have been times I have sensed when my twin sister was in trouble. One time i got such a feeling of dread and just felt like I had to pray for her. When I checked with her later she told me she had almost been in an accident at about the time I had stopped to pray.

+2 I am a Follower.

cqueen2 said...

sounds great count me in

+2 follower

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

Ms. Asphyxia said...

I would love to win.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Ms. Asphyxia said...

If it counts, I 'sensed' that my sister was going to have a boy. Even when everyone including the doctor said he was a girl. I just KNEW it was a boy.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Ms. Asphyxia said...

I follow.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Andrea [Buried In Books] said...

Excellent interview! This book sounds so good.

+1 never sensed anything big, but i do believe it's possible for some people to do so

+1 commented on review

+2 linked in sidebar
http://ireadd.blogspot.com

+2 now following

Mystica said...

The only time I can sense something/someone is if something is going wrong with my husband and this has happened on three of his trips away from home! other than that nothing.

Please count me in.

Mystica

mystica123athotmaildotcom

renee said...

Please enter me, would love to read this
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book

Anonymous said...

I have never sensed anything before, but I am getting one now ... about winning this contest :-)

Anonymous said...

I tweeted about this giveaway

Sage Ravenwood said...

Wicked awesome giveaway. I love thrillers.

+1 As for sensing things before they happen. I think everyone has had that deja vu feeling at one time or another.

All while I was growing up I would have nightmares watching something unfold. It always began with a someone being chased. Eventually they ended up in the hands of whatever was chasing them. I've watching things unfold in gory reality in these dreams, helpless to stop it. And...right before the final blow I would end up the victim seeing the end through the victims eyes. About then I would wake up. I always wondered if what I saw was real or not. You don't get over that helpless feeling.

+2 I'm following.

Thanks for the opportunity! Indigo

ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

booklover0226 said...

Have you ever 'sensed' anything before it happened? If so, what was it? When I was younger, I would sense when a family member died. I would have difficulty breathing and get cold. It would last very long, about 10 minutes or so and then I would be fine. A day or two later, we would find out a relative had died....

Anyway, this books sounds really great; I can't wait to read it.

Thanks,
Tracey
booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

I am a follower through Blogspot and Google.

carol said...

I had a nightmare years ago of someone crashing through a car window. I didn't see who it wasbut it was like I was seeing it happen. My friend died in a car accident shortly after. I'd like to read this book.

carol said...

I'm a follower

Aik said...

I'd love to win this book. It really sounds like an interesting read!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I commented on your review! +1

I linked this to my sidebar. +2
http://aik-friendsnfamily.blogspot.com

I blogged about this giveaway. +2
http://aik-friendsnfamily.blogspot.com/2009/08/list-of-worldwide-giveaways.html

I tweeted.+2
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/4144393605

I facebooked. +2
Username : Aik Chien

I'm a new follower. +2

aikychien at yahoo dot com

-.- said...

Please enter me as well.

I don't know if I ever sensed something before it happened. I usually get a feeling when one of siblings are about to sneak attack me, but that's because they're loud so it isn't really sensing it.

~ Popin
proudbookworm[@]gmail[dot]com

Belinda M said...

Please include me in your giveaway

+2 I follow your blog

+2 tweeted http://twitter.com/Prairiebelle/status/4332047121


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

vvb32 reads said...

sounds like a good one.

vvb32 at yahoo.com

booksrmysoul said...

Blair W.
blairwlewis@gmail.com

+1 Yes I seem to do this a-lot with my kids.

+2 I became a follower of your blog

Thanks for the chance to win this neat book!!

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

+1 Yes I sure have... I can always Feel it if my Kids are having a bad day or if they are to go on a trip and I have a bad feeling I will tell them & they don't go or they will change their travel plans in some way.

+2 I am a follower of your blog!!

+2 I tweeted https://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4362811217

+2 I posted on Blog http://booksaremoviesinthemind.blogspot.com/

+2 I posted on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/posted.php?id=1259591812&share_id=142960813683&comments=1#s142960813683

9 POINTS TOTAL THANKS!!!!

Aimee said...

I would love to win this book! Count me in please. Thanks!
+2 follower

Jessica ( frellathon ) said...

I would love to win count me in please.

jessica(at)fan(dot)com

+ 1 no I have never sensed anything. My father yes but me no.

Ashley said...

Please count me in =)

+1 No I don't believe I've ever sensed anything.
+1 I read and commented on your review.
+2 Linked in my sidebar http://fillthesilenceforever.blogspot.com/
+2 Became a follower

-Ashley
razeldarling@gmail.com

cherdon said...

+1 I have sensed things before they happened but nothing really out of the ordinary..such as I had that feeling the phone was going to ring and it did..also felt a certain relative was going to come over and infact she did show up.

+1 I commented on your review

+2 tweeted http://twitter.com/iamcherdon/status/4426060750

+2 I posted this giveaway on facebook
username is cheryl hodgkins
url to post
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?

+2 Became a follower of your blog

cherdon@sympatico.ca

L said...

I'd love to win this book!

+2 I became a follower.

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

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