Phantom Blog Tour: Interview & Giveaway

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into writing?

I was writing poetry in kindergarten and wrote my first play in second grade, so writing has definitely always been in my blood. But it was starting a product review blog that led to me getting published. I reviewed a book for one of my publishers, one thing led to another, and I had my first contract. In addition to being a young adult author and blogger, I am also a mom to four great kids and own a restaurant. I live at the Jersey Shore, and I love spending the summer on the beach. It’s the best place to write.

Can you tell us about your novel, Phantom?

Since you already know the gist of what it’s about from the blurb, I’ll tell you about some of the people who inspired my favorite characters. The character of Lord Justyn and his mother were inspired by real people, both of whom are Wiccan/pagan. Because it tends to be a misunderstood religion, it seemed to tie in well to the often misunderstood Phantom. You can learn a little more about the real people who inspired the characters and helped bring Phantom to life on my blog. http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/2012/03/many-masks-of-phantom.html

Where did you get the idea for Phantom? (I think the phantom musical may have been an influence LOL )

It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to start writing Phantom. I was cleaning my house and listening to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack when I suddenly thought to myself that my gothic friend Justyn, who is an actor, would make a great Phantom. Then I thought, hey, that would make a great book…six months later it was done!

Describe your main protagonist Rebecca in less than 140 characters?

Shy, innocent, and high strung, but willing to open her mind with a little prompting.

As we know Phantom of the Opera is a musical. Which character from a musical would best describe you?

I’d probably fit the role of Meg Giry. I’d be the best friend rooting on Christine from the shadows.

Why should we read the Phantom in one sentence?

Whether are familiar with The Phantom of the Opera or not, Phantom offers a refreshing romance with intriguing characters, a shocking ending, and a heroine who doesn’t need a man to come to her rescue.

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars

—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.