Giveaway, Interview, and Review of In My Dreams By Cameo Renae

Hello my Fantastic followers!!  I have had so much fun the last couple of months with all the traffic on the blog and the fabulous authors that have stopped by!!  Just like this lovely one here.  Cameo was kind enough to stop by and answer some questions for me and let me take a look at her newest book, In My Dreams.  She was also awesome enough to allow two of my followers a chance to win an e-copy of her book!!  Stay tuned after the interview and review for your chance to win your own copy!!  Take it away Cameo!!

How old were you when you first realized you wanted to write?

When I was almost three, my grandma said that I would copy words from books. She recently gave me a letter I wrote to her at age 4. I knew I wanted to write when I was in grade school. Whenever we had creative writing… I was in my element. I loved it! I loved making up stories and still do! haha

Most authors have an unusual story or way that they come up with their ideas for books…Do you have one?

Well, In My Dreams actually started from a dream. The first part of the story… the scary part… was an actual dream that I had. I wrote it down, and the rest just seemed to fall into place.

What was your biggest influence that steered you towards writing?

Probably the first time I read C.S. Lewis’ – Chronicles of Narnia. I was so engrossed with the story, and loved how I felt while reading it… like I was a character, climbing into the wardrobe with the other children. I am still searching for my magic wardrobe!

That was one of my favorite series growing up!!I have to ask, what are the hardest scenes for you to write?

I’d have to say the sad scenes. I spent a lot of time trying to get the story into that certain “sad” mode. It’s hard to put emotions into words, especially sadness. This story is actually the total opposite of what I thought it was going to be.  

I would agree, the sad parts could put you in a funk.  Do you see yourself writing in another genre?

I do have a children’s fantasy novel on the back burner. It will be my take on my favorite genre growing up. I don’t think I’ll ever write for adults. Children and YA are too much fun! 

LOL…You can get them addicted to your awesome stories at a young age!! Has your family been supportive?

Totally! My family is my greatest support and cheerleaders! Without their support… I wouldn’t have anything written yet.

 
Are any of your characters reflective of you? I’d have to say yes… They all have a little of me in them, but I think the one that is most reflective of me is Emily… and my family would agree. I love to laugh and make people laugh. Most of the time, people tend to laugh at me… not with me… but it’s all good! Hey… laughter is the best medicine!

Laughter is its own brand of magic!! What were some of your biggest challenges at the beginning of your career?

Not knowing how to start. I started writing short stories. Those are easy. But when I finally decided to write a novel I didn’t know how to start. Google became my best friend and tool. I learned almost everything from the internet. Thank God for modern technology!

It does make it easier on us! How do you feel about reader comments?

In the beginning I was totally apprehensive, and scared of what readers would think about my story. But now that it’s out… I love the feedback. Good and bad… It helps me grow as a writer. I don’t take things personally. I use every comment to better myself.

That is an awesome answer!! Do you have any advice for new authors?

Write about things you know and love, and when in doubt… keep writing. Keep your imagination open to new and unusual ideas. Usually the weirdest ideas are what readers love the most.

That is tueJ  I consider myself a professional reader! Where are your books available?
They are available online. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, etc…

What can we expect from you in the future?
I’ve started a new YA paranormal romance/thriller trilogy. Although I love In My Dreams - I think this one is way better!

Where can we reach you and become informed of updates?

You can check my website at http://.cameorenae.com, or follow my blog at http://cameorenae.blogspot.com.

Facebook: Cameo Renae – Author page

Twitter: @CameoRenae

 A great big thank you to Cameo for taking the time to answer my questions!!!  And now for a little bit about In My Dreams.  Let's take a look:

It was happening again. The dreams. The nightmares. It was something seventeen year-old Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hayes thought she'd outgrown; dreams that would come true; detailed premonitions of how people would die. This time she dreams about her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers that he's been found... dead.
Michael hasn't crossed over because he was murdered, and now his murderer is coming for Lizzy. His spirit won't rest until she is safe, and as a newbie spirit, the easiest way for him to make contact is through Lizzy's dreams. When she dreams, it's as if he hasn't died.
Lizzy must learn to pull on her inner strength to survive horrifying events. Meanwhile, in the spirit world, Michael learns everything he can about his supernatural gifts to help. But will it be enough to save her?

My Review:


Books are the best escape out of reality imaginable.  I must confess though, I was unprepared for the amount of emotion this book pulled out of me.  It has been a long time since a book has brought me to tears, but its a happy kind of sad.  I have a thing for epic sacrifice for love and this book is definitely that.  Lizzy isn't perfect, which made her character all the more endearing.  She didn't come from a broken home, but from a realistic one that you see everyday.  The dad finds a younger plaything and takes off leaving the wife crushed and unable to cope with the situation.  She turns to drinking and Lizzy becomes the caretaker or mother of the family.  Her saving grace is Micheal, who has been her best friend all of her life.  Their friendship grows into something more and Lizzy feels as if she is truly blessed.  She moves out of her mothers house because the mothers behavior is effecting her school work.  She begins to build a life alone with Micheal.  But fate has many ways of testing perfection.  And the twists in this book take you for a ride.  I don't want to give too much of the story away by going into details.  But lets just say this love-story will break and then re-mend your heart several times til its completion.  It truly is a shining example of love conquering all.

So how can you win a copy of this great book?   HAHAH...Just fill out the rafflecoptor below!! And don't forget to check out the rest of the tour dates for this fantastic read here: http://darkmindbooktours.blogspot.com/


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