Release Day: Beneath the Scars by Melanie Moreland *Interview and Giveaway*

The sound of the ocean, the crash of the waves as they kick up against the sand and rocks—these are the only sounds Megan Greene wants to hear. She wants to leave the rest of the world behind, and find some peace.

The offer of a private house on the beach, set in a small town in Maine, is perfect. Time to think—to be by herself. It’s all she wants. It’s the escape she needs.

Until she stumbles across the painting that seems to echo her own chaotic mindset.

Until she meets the unfriendly artist behind the stormy painting and discovers his secrets.

All Zachary Adams wants is to be left alone. His canvases, and the unending scope of the ocean and sand, are his life. They direct him—fill his hours. Bring him focus.

Until she enters his life.

She dredges up memories of the past—the haunting images he has hidden for years; the fears he has never shared.

A story he keeps buried below the surface.

Can she make him see what he is missing? Can he trust her enough to believe?

Together they embark on a journey where their pasts collide and threaten to tear them apart.

Will their fragile bond hold or wash away with the ebbing tide?
****INTERVIEW****

    Beneath the Scars is a hauntingly beautiful tale. A lot of emotions are in play here. How do you, the writer, get in the zone for a story like that?

 I listened to a lot of music when I wasn’t writing. I can’t play music while I write but I draw from the emotions I feel when I listen to the music in between. Often when I am writing I get up and walk around imagining what is happening and how I would feel if I was in the situation. My husband has learned there are times best to simply leave me alone. I went to a few dark places putting myself in a spot where I could relate to Zachary. Megan’s pain was a little easier to identify with—who hasn’t had their heart broken ?

     From your first published book, Into the Storm, to now, what would you say you've learned about  the publication world?

 

 It’s tough. I am not very good at self-promotion and it is something I need to get better at. You have to wear so many different hats, and I’m sure, like most writers, I would really rather just be left to create the worlds I live in for a short time and let someone else do all the rest. The way the industry has changed, that  is really no longer possible. It’s a huge learning curve, one I am still dealing with daily!

    What's your biggest strength as a writer?
 

 I write with emotion—I draw on past experiences and feelings I’ve dealt with in my life.  I love creating the scenes around the characters and helping the reader see them as they move through the story. I want them to experience the feelings of that unexpected intense love, the joy and pain…all of it.

   Cast your characters for me? Say they are going on the big screen, who would be your ideal cast? 
 

       Henry Cavill as Zachary. His eyes speak to me and his broad shoulders and height are the  perfect fit for how I pictured him. Alexis  Bledel  as Megan. She has that pretty girl next door look I imagined Megan to have.  I picture Ryan Gosling as Jared and Anne Hathaway as Karen.

  Where would you like to see your writing take you?

 

 I’d like to be able to do nothing but write. I would love to be in the position of writing more, attending meet-ups getting to know other authors I admire. Maybe one day! 

  I know you are a music guru so this might be hard. But, what soundtrack would Beneath the Scars have? Give me at least 5 songs. 

 

Secondhand Serenade figures huge in this one. His haunting words and great melodies played a lot throughout this book.  

Never too Late – Secondhand Seranade.

Stranger – Secondhand Seranade

Alone in this Bed – Framing Hanley

The Mess I’ve made-Parachute

and a song called Once by Air Supply – all instrumental. Haunting and pretty and was so perfect for the underlying feeling to the book

I'm going to go out on a limb and say, after reading this book, that you're a dog lover, am I right and if so do you have any of your own? 
 

LOL! No, actually I don’t. I have a cat. I love dogs and their beautiful personalities. I think they bring out the very best in their masters and they are fun to write. They say so much with no words. Huffs and whines, head butting and eye rolls. All my cat does is sleep and eat. Not much to add to the scene unless she rolls over.

What or who inspires you? 
 

Music inspires me. Great words. A book that melts away the hours.

In people? Kindness and generosity of spirit. We are on earth for such a short time—we should treat each other well.

Can you tell us about any future work? 
 

I’m working on the next book. A girl next door story. And I have another idea floating around for the one after. It’s a little more…angsty.

 What have you learned about being a writer? 

It’s something I can’t not be anymore.(And if my editor saw that line, she’d smack me.)  My day isn’t complete until I write. If the voices in my head are silent it bothers me. I am constantly creating, scribbling on pieces of paper, thinking of scenarios and making up stories about the smallest thing. I have to write. Every day. 

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MY REVIEW: 5 STARS

*sigh* Megan and Zach. Wounded hearts. This books was a fantastical journey through a love that is rarely seen. I could feel all of Zach's pain throughout the story and Megan's determination to heal the unseen scars. One look at Zach and you know there's a story there. A painful one and Megan's strength and the power of her love for him transforms Zach.

Zach, in his all consuming darkness holds on to the light that Megan brings to his life. In return he helps her heal her own wounds.

The tug of war the two have was choreographed brilliantly by Melanie Moreland and I was enthralled! This is how you write a love story.

Melanie owned me early on and never did that falter. She has written a story that will make you soar through every emotion there is!

Outstanding!

 
***GIVEAWAY***
One lucky person will win a free copy of Beneath the Scars by Melanie Moreland! Enter below.  Contest ends Sunday October 19th!

Goodluck to all and remember to REVIEW! 

 

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