Blog Tour (Interview): By Jove by Marissa Doyle

About the book:

Synopsis:  

For Theodora Fairchild, graduate school is a dream. The professors are fighting over her, she gets to study Latin and explore her knowledge of Greek gods with others who share her passion…and she meets Grant Proctor. He's as shy as she is, and oh so handsome.

As she gives in to her feelings for the man who's stolen her heart, someone seems determined to keep them apart—no matter the consequences. There are evil forces at work, and they have plans for Theo that don’t include Grant. When Grant disappears, surviving the semester becomes the least of Theo’s worries. Her knowledge of ancient mythology may be her best weapon, and relying on her wits and wisdom may be the only thing to help her save her true love.

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Author Bio:

Marissa Doyle graduated from Bryn Mawr College and went on to graduate school intending to be an archaeologist, but somehow got distracted. Eventually she figured out what she was really supposed to be doing and started writing. She’s channeled her inner history geekiness into a successful young adult historical fantasy series, and is now also happily writing contemporary romantic fantasy. She lives in her native Massachusetts with her family, including a pair of bossy but adorable pet rabbits, and loves quilting, sailing, gardening, and collecting antiques. Oh, and coffee.

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

As a part of this tour, I thought I'd interview Marissa and see how reacts to my questions. Enjoy!

Me: Hello Marissa! So glad to have you for a morning cup of coffee today :) Anyway, how do you take your coffee?

Marissa: Cream/no sugar, decaffeinated (I hate it, but caffeine does awful things to me) and in a very large mug. I love my coffee, I do.

Me:LOL I get it, honestly. Would you tell us about your greatest fear? Not coffee related. *wink*

Marissa: Something happening to my husband or kids. They’re my pole-star.

Me:Oh yeah. That fear is a great one to all us loving wives and mothers. Is there someone you’d like to thank for encouraging you through the hard times?

Marissa: My BFF Sherry, who is my biggest, most enthusiastic non-related cheerleader.

Me:Where would a person find you usually?

Marissa: In my office, at my desk. Life would be so much easier if I could just have my computer surgically implanted, and then I could write anywhere.

Me:How did you come up with the idea for By Jove?

Marissa: By Jove was the result of a dream. I’ve actually dreamed a number of the plots for my books; it’s why I keep a dream journal and light-up pen in my nightstand.

Me:Really? I tried that at one time, but hubby looked at me like I'm nuts to get up in the middle of the night to write my dreams, so I sort of gave up on it... Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline, or are you more of a seat-of-your-pants type of writer?

Marissa: Both, actually. I start with a rough synopsis and then refine it as I go along, but am very happy when some bolt-from-the-blue idea comes into my head to either change that outline or make it stronger.

Me:What is your most interesting writing quirk?

Marissa: Before I start a new book, I go to the candle shop and pick out a scented candle that just seems to go with the story I’m about to start...and then I buy about six of them. I burn the candle while I write until the scent becomes completely associated with that story. It really helps get me going in the morning when I sit down to write because of that association. Once my candle got discontinued while I was in the middle of a book, and I went crazy searching online for more.

Me:Wow! That's such a creative idea! I'm not much of a scented candle lover, as I have bizarro scent allergies, but I think you've found a great way to concentrate on your stories :) What is your usual writing routine?

Marissa: Get up, go to the gym, come home, shower, and write. At least, that’s what I aim for, but sometimes the darned internet gets in my way.

Me:You must be the first author how I've interviewed to go to the gym. I admire you for that. Way to go! How often do you visit the library or bookstore?

Marissa: I got addicted to buying books on-line years ago, and my ereader has just confirmed that habit. I have a scary number of books, both paper and electronic.

Me:Yup. Same thing here. Not to mention that I'm somewhat of a tree-hugger, so yeah. E-books it is :) What’s the last book you bought?

Marissa: Just today I downloaded The Late Scholar, which is the latest Lord Peter Wimsey mystery as told by Jill Paton Walsh, who was authorized by Dorothy L. Sayers’s estate to keep writing Peter Wimsey books. I’m saving it for a long plane flight I have to make later this week.

Me:Awesome! I hope you're going to a wonderful place :) How long does it take you to fall in love with a book?

Marissa: As little as a page, which was the case when I started reading Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell books, about a young girl who becomes Sherlock Holmes’s apprentice (and later partner).

Me:If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Marissa: I wish I were better at small talk and chatting with strangers. It’s something I’ve really been trying to improve about myself, because I’m pretty shy.

Me:Huh. Writers are supposed to be sort of introverts. But I like to think that they have a lot to share, should they feel a bit less shy about it :) You collect...?

Marissa: Antique fashion prints from the early nineteenth century. They’re total eye candy. And I tell myself it’s okay to keep collecting them, because it’s research. And I can post them on my blog and feel like I’m being educational.

Me:Hehehe! Makes for great blog posts too :) Fruit you can’t live without?

Marissa: Pears.

Me:What’s the pet of your dreams?

Marissa: I have them—my two silly, adorable, and utterly sweet house rabbits, Saffron and Beatrice. I’m constantly posting pictures of them on Facebook because they’re just so funny and photogenic.

Me:What do you think is the most important thing in life?

Marissa: To be kind.

Me:What do you carry in your purse/pockets?

Marissa: Wallet, keys, mini-hairbrush, phone, chapstick, business cards, a tiny tape measure and tiny flashlight, about fifteen pens and a notebook, and my ereader. I don’t go anywhere without that!

Me:A tape measure? Okay, I guess we all have our quirks. Where are you right now?

Marissa: In my office, of course. I live here, remember?

Me:*slaps hand on forehead* Gosh! Of course! Well, good luck with your next novel! I hope there are a ton of those to follow :)

Giveaway Details: 

Prizes:

--$30 Starbucks or B&N Gift Card

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