Title: Mystical
High
Author: Lisette
Brodey
Published: October 7th, 2013
Publisher: Saberlee Books
Word Count: 72,700
Genre: YA Paranormal
Content Warning: Mild
sexual content and non-gratuitous profanity
Recommended Age: 14+
Synopsis:
In Mystekal, a small, dying town in the Southern California
desert, only 75 students attend the old, sometimes creepy high school dubbed
“Mystical High,” where strange things have been known to happen. Jessie
Dalworth and Jinxsy Patterson are juniors and lifelong best friends. At home,
Jessie deals with the pain of an absentee mother who has abandoned the family
for the lure of Hollywood; Jinxsy contends with a 17th “birthday present” she
never wanted or expected.
Meanwhile, at school, the unexplained activity begins to escalate when Jinxsy keeps seeing a long-haired guy in the hallway checking her out. Jessie can’t see him, but her younger brother, River, can.
Then, in English class, a stapler mysteriously flies off teacher Eve Carrow’s desk, hitting a student in the face who has just mouthed off to her. The beloved teacher is in the unenviable position of having her brute of a father as principal, so she hates sending any student to his office. As Principal Ernest Carrow begins to terrorize Eve and others more openly, something or someone unseen decides that it’s payback time.
School is getting stranger, and Jinxsy and Jessie are faced with mind-boggling changes in their home lives that complicate everything. When a string of shocking events expose explosive secrets, decades-long mysteries are finally revealed.
Meanwhile, at school, the unexplained activity begins to escalate when Jinxsy keeps seeing a long-haired guy in the hallway checking her out. Jessie can’t see him, but her younger brother, River, can.
Then, in English class, a stapler mysteriously flies off teacher Eve Carrow’s desk, hitting a student in the face who has just mouthed off to her. The beloved teacher is in the unenviable position of having her brute of a father as principal, so she hates sending any student to his office. As Principal Ernest Carrow begins to terrorize Eve and others more openly, something or someone unseen decides that it’s payback time.
School is getting stranger, and Jinxsy and Jessie are faced with mind-boggling changes in their home lives that complicate everything. When a string of shocking events expose explosive secrets, decades-long mysteries are finally revealed.
About the Author:
Lisette
Brodey was born and raised in Pennsylvania. After high school, she moved to New
York City where she attended Pace University and studied drama. After ten years
in New York, several of them working in the radio industry, she moved to Los
Angeles, where she held various positions at Paramount Studios in Hollywood and
CBS Studio Center in Studio City, CA.
Back on the East Coast, she worked for many years as a freelance writer, specializing in PR and the entertainment industry. In 2010, she returned permanently to the Los Angeles area.
Her first-published book, CROOKED MOON (General Fiction) was published in both the trade paperback and Kindle editions in 2008. Her first-written, second-published book, SQUALOR, NEW MEXICO (Young Adult/General Fiction) was published in the Kindle and trade paperback versions in 2009.
Her third novel, MOLLY HACKER IS TOO PICKY!, a romantic comedy, was published December 1, 2011. The author blogged as her character, Molly Hacker, for over a year. All blogs can be found at www.mollyhacker.com.
In January 2013, the author edited and published a book of her mother's poetry (written 50 years earlier) called MY WAY TO ANYWHERE by Jean Lisette Brodey.
Lisette's fourth novel, MYSTICAL HIGH, is the first book in her YA Paranormal Desert Series trilogy.
Back on the East Coast, she worked for many years as a freelance writer, specializing in PR and the entertainment industry. In 2010, she returned permanently to the Los Angeles area.
Her first-published book, CROOKED MOON (General Fiction) was published in both the trade paperback and Kindle editions in 2008. Her first-written, second-published book, SQUALOR, NEW MEXICO (Young Adult/General Fiction) was published in the Kindle and trade paperback versions in 2009.
Her third novel, MOLLY HACKER IS TOO PICKY!, a romantic comedy, was published December 1, 2011. The author blogged as her character, Molly Hacker, for over a year. All blogs can be found at www.mollyhacker.com.
In January 2013, the author edited and published a book of her mother's poetry (written 50 years earlier) called MY WAY TO ANYWHERE by Jean Lisette Brodey.
Lisette's fourth novel, MYSTICAL HIGH, is the first book in her YA Paranormal Desert Series trilogy.
Interview with Lisette Brodey
Welcome to Keira’s Corner, where there is
always chocolate and lots and lots of coffee.
Keira: You have a story
out entitled Mystical High. What is that
about?
Mystical High is about strange and random happenings in a dying desert town. The
story centers on two best friends, Jinxsy and Jessie, who are juniors in high
school. The bizarre occurrences begin in a classroom, but they soon escalate to
include the girls’ families and teachers. Everyone tries to make sense of
events that defy logic, but no one has a clue just how much everything and
everyone are connected.
Keira: What made you
choose that title?
I wanted a title that was short and sweet
and representative of what the book is about.
Keira: Where did the
idea for your story come from?
I’ve always had a great interest in (and
some experience with) the paranormal. I wanted to write a paranormal novel that
was realistic as well. Living in southern California, I had a great desire to
write a story that took place in the desert. When I finished the book, I was so
excited about it that I decided it needed to be a series.
Keira: What is your
preferred genre to write in?
That’s a tough one. This is my fourth
novel. I’ve written general fiction, YA (coming-of-age), and women’s fiction (a
romantic comedy), and this book/series is YA paranormal. Although I’ve written
in four different genres, my style is very much the same: character-driven
novels with multiple story arcs and lots of secrets.
Keira: Are you with an
indie publisher, a traditional house, or self-published?
I’m self-published (Saberlee Books)
because I like to have complete control of my work. I’m lucky enough to know
some very talented editors and graphic designers who work with me. I couldn’t
do it all without them.
Keira: Please tell us
about any future projects that you are planning.
Mystical High is the first book in The Desert Series. I expect the second book to be
out in spring 2014 and the third novel by fall 2014. After that, I’ll be
finishing a general fiction novel that I’m already well into writing. I have
several more ideas, but that’s as far down the road as I’m specifically
planning.
Keira: Are you
currently running any contests? What are they?
I sure am. I’m currently running a
blog-wide giveaway that includes the following prizes: $35 Amazon gift card
(international), a Mystical High tote
bag (U.S. and Canada), and a copy of my novels Squalor, New Mexico, Molly Hacker Is Too Picky!, and Mystical High (three separate prizes;
U.S. only).
Keira: Do you work at a
job outside the home, or is this your only career?
Sometimes I work as a SAG background
actor in film and television, but being an author is my number one and favorite
job.
Keira: We have a special
place for unpublished writers in our hearts here at Keira’s Corner. So what
advice would you give to an unpublished writer?
I love to hear that, Keira. Every writer
was once an unpublished writer. I know that most authors offer the same advice,
“Write, write, write,” but it makes sense. Remember this: you can’t edit a
blank page. Even if you don’t like what you’re writing, keep the words coming.
Don’t ever forget that great ideas often evolve out of bad ones and that your
skill will grow with experience. Just keep writing, and remember that you’re
accomplishing something wonderful just by not giving up.
Keira: What do you wear
to write?
Something very comfortable.
Keira: Where in the hell do you find time to write?
That’s a great question. The world of
publishing has changed so much, and most authors (even traditionally published
ones) have to use social media to some degree. There’s so much to do besides writing the actual book, and
many authors (this one included) hate that there aren’t more hours in the day.
Like the Nike slogan says, “Just do it.” It’s like getting onto a New York City
subway car at rush hour. You’ve just got to squeeze your way onto the car to
get where you need to go.
Keira: Why are you a
writer?
Because it’s as natural to me as
breathing.
Let’s get personal…
Keira: Do you judge a book
by its cover?
In some ways, yes. In other
ways, no. I think we all have an initial reaction to cover art and there’s no
doubt that it can have an extraordinary impact on us when choosing to read/buy
a particular book. While I do initially judge a book by its cover, there are
many other factors that I will also consider. I’ve read some great books with
bad covers and some not-so-great books with fabulous covers. That said, having
a great cover is extremely important to me.
Keira: What do you think
you will be doing five years from now?
Writing.
Keira: Scary Movies or
Happy Endings?
Happy Endings, for sure. I
see a lot of movies. Horror isn’t my favorite genre, but if it’s really good, I
enjoy it. There’s a second-run movie theater near my home and I go to matinees
every weekend for $2. So I see a whole lot of films that I’d never see if I had
to pay full price.
Keira: What is your guilty pleasure?
Movie popcorn
Keira: Do you have pets?
Yes, I have a dog
(dachshund/Chihuahua mix) and a cat. They get along beautifully and one of my
biggest joys is watching them play together. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but
sometimes they are so much fun to watch that I’m distracted from my writing
Shhhhhh!
Thank you for hosting me on
your blogspot, Keira. I’ve had a great time.
Giveaway Details:
There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:
- $35 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
- Print copy of Molly Hacker Is Too Picky! (US
only)
- Print copy of Squalor, New Mexico (US only)
- Print copy of Mystical High (US only)
- Tote bag (US and CAN only)
Keira
Kroft
