Last year, I read a book called Gifted. I remember it well for two reasons. First, I can't seem to forget the fact that I was lying on a couch in an empty house, reading this novel when I was in the middle of moving across the state. Second, it was a very entertaining NA novel. Liz Long is back with us this year talking about Gifted and a new novel she's releasing, Witch Hearts. Check it out!Tell us about yourself, as an author and a person. Hi there! I'm Liz Long, author of Gifted, a Donovan Circus Novel, and the upcoming Witch Hearts. I am also the social media editor at a publishing company in Roanoke, VA, where I am proud to be the voice of my magazine publications. I've been writing since the sixth grade newspaper and have been published in local newspapers and publications for several years. I'm obsessed with my dog Fisher, am head over heels for my musician husband, and love to spend too much money at Target (just ask the musician husband)!I remember reading Gifted, a Donovan Circus Novel last June. It was really unique. Where did the inspiration for that come from? Thank so much! I began that book while living in Nashville and I hadn't initially thought to publish it. I wrote for my own sanity and one day, I began to write about a girl who could control fire. I'm a Fire sign and while I'm not a pyro, I've always thought it would be cool to control an element. When I began to think of how this girl lived in the real world, how she would hide from humans and still be part of her gifted world, the circus became an obvious choice. Of course the circus would hide a bunch of supernatural misfits - and then the story began to write itself from there. No really! I created Lucy and her circus and the next thing I know, I've got a murder mystery, a unique group of friends, and a villain who actually kicks off the rest of the series because his actions affect the next book plots. 
What's the plot for Witch Hearts, and when will it be released? Witch Hearts will be released on April 30th for both paperback and Kindle. It's an adult paranormal thriller in the same vein as "Kiss the Girls" or "Criminal Minds" but with a witchy twist. Here's the synopsis:How does a witch stay safe if a killer can get through her protection spells?Witches like Ruby and Courtney can take care of themselves. So when Courtney is murdered, Ruby’s world crashes to a halt. The only thing keeping her grounded is the return of Courtney’s brother, Cooper. He seeks revenge, but Ruby wants to help other witches stay alive. To do that, she’ll have to reunite with her old coven’s High Priest, who also happens to be her cheating ex-boyfriend.
If that wasn’t awkward enough, when the killer gets too close, Cooper temporarily moves into Ruby’s place while a police officer tails her every move. Cooper’s presence distracts Ruby as they fight their desire against their need to stay safe. Then Courtney begins to haunt Ruby’s dreams and secrets are spilled, things from Cooper’s past that could get them both killed. The killer continues to stalk Ruby and the more she discovers, the more she fears she won’t be able to keep her heart in her chest.How long did it take you to write it? Witch Hearts took me, from start to finish, about a year by the time my cover and info was done. It's actually being released exactly one year after Gifted!Favorite writing snack? Skittles - with the green apple flavor instead of lime :)Advice for aspiring authors? Any parting words of wisdom?Know that it's okay to take a break sometimes. Between day to day life, hobbies, and writing, you can get tired. I'm not saying skip writing for days or weeks at a time - just don't feel guilty about taking a night to watch your favorite movie or TV shows with a husband/kid/dog by your side. You can get back to it tomorrow!
About the Author:Liz Long is lucky enough to have a dream career in magazine publishing as an editor and writer, yet still have time to create adventures on the side. If you catch her staring off into space or talking to herself, don’t worry – it’s just her imagination at work.
Liz graduated from Longwood University with a BA in English, though her professors might be disappointed to hear she reads more fantasy fiction than literary novels. She also loves action and thriller genres. This book probably won’t change your life, but she hopes it steals you away from reality for a while.
Her newest release, Witch Hearts, will be for sale on Amazon on April 30th. Her first book, Gifted, a Donovan Circus Novel, is also available for paperback and Kindle on Amazon.
To learn more about Liz, visit her website: http://lizclong.com
Author Links:Twitter (Handle: @LizCLong) WebsiteFacebook Author Page
WITCH HEARTS LINKS:
Amazon: NOT YET LISTED
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17616067-witch-hearts
GIFTED LINKS:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Donovan-Circus-Novel-ebook/dp/B007VT34J2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336675611&sr=8-2
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