Today on Paws 4 Thought we welcome YA author, G. K. DeRosa, the author of the supernatural novel, Wilder.
- Tell us a little bit about yourself, G.K.
Well for starters my name is Genevieve and my last name is even longer and harder to pronounce which is why I go with GK DeRosa (K is the first letter of my last name and DeRosa is my maiden name). I’m a total teenager at heart, in fact one of my husband’s favorite things to say to me is “Grow up!” At which, I turn to him resolutely and shout “Neverrrr!!” I grew up in beautiful sunny Florida and like Celeste, I went to Catholic school from pre-school through high school. I had some awesome English and Literature teachers in middle school that really instilled in me the love of reading. Though I kind of lost track of it for quite a few years when I went to college at The University of Florida (Go Gators!) and decided to follow the more conventional route and study International Business and get jobs in the corporate world. Travel and food are my other two passions so hence the “international”. I am also obsessed with way too many TV shows to mention and most of them are for teenagers of course. My favorite is The Vampire Diaries (the TV show, I didn’t love the books) and it was the source of my inspiration when writing Wilder. Come on, who wouldn’t swoon for Ian Somerhalder?
- When did you start writing?
I actually just started writing in September of 2014. I remember it clearly because it was just a few weeks before my birthday and on a whim, I sat at my laptop and began typing away. I had no outline and no real idea of where I was going with it. I had been reading a ton of books at that time, from Twilight to 50 Shades of Grey to Game of Thrones, if it was popular I read it. But it was the YA fantasy that I loved most. I got sucked into series after series – The Sookie Stackhouse series, The Mortal Instruments, Hunger Games, Divergent, The Vampire Diaries, Vampire Academy, etc. etc. And it was around that time that I decided that instead of spending so much time reading, I should try my hand at writing something myself. I found it to be so much fun that I just couldn’t stop! I had a full time job at the time and would write when I was on my lunch break (or if it got really quiet at work ;)) and on weekends. It took me about 3 months to write the first draft of Wilder but I didn’t publish until almost 6 months after that. It was a totally new and exciting experience and also very overwhelming, especially when going the indie route and trying to do everything on your own. But I couldn’t be happier with my choice.
- Who are your favorite authors?
I love Richelle Mead and Cassandra Clare. I love the fantasy worlds they create and the fun characters. Hunger Games is probably my favorite series of all time, so by extension I like Suzanne Collins too.
- What are you reading right now?
That’s a tough question because I am reading so much right now. My to-be-read list in Goodreads is ginormous. Lately I’ve been reading mostly indie stuff – you gotta support! I just finished Badly in Blood by J.N. Colon, an awesome indie author I met through a Goodreads group and I absolutely love her urban fantasy series. I just started Shearwater by D.S. Murphy who is another new and very up and coming indie author. It’s a paranormal mermaid adventure romance, which is something new for me. Outside of the indie world, I’ve been dying to start The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. I want to go see the movie too, but I have to read the book first!
- Tell us about Wilder?
Why I’d love to! Celeste Wilder is the heroine of the story, a normal teenage girl trying to finish out her senior year of high school and figure out her place in the world when the handsome and intriguing Constantin brothers fall into her life. She’s immediately drawn to them and senses they are keeping secrets from her and needs to find out why. As she grows closer to them she finds out about not only their supernatural past but her own family secret kept tucked away from her for her whole life. It’s a fun coming of age story with romance, adventure and edge of your seat excitement. And the best part is that Celeste’s only just learning about her new life and there is much more to come in the rest of the series.
- What attracts you to writing YA?
Like I said before, I’m a teenager at heart and just love that time of life. There are so many possibilities and you have your whole future ahead of you. It’s an extremely exciting time. And I absolutely love young love, I’m a total sucker for romance and all good YA must have some in my opinion!
- If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
As far as superpowers go, I’d like to be a witch. They get to practice magic and do all kinds of amazing things, but they’re still human so they don’t have to worry about drinking blood to survive or turning into a wolf on the full moon. As a matter of fact, I think my next series will be about a young witch. I’d really like to explore more about that!
- What do you like to do to relax?
Growing up in Florida, I absolutely love the ocean. There’s nothing more relaxing to me than grabbing a good book, slathering on some sun tan lotion and lying out on a lounge chair at the beach. I could stay there for hours and be completely happy.
- So what’s next? What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on the fourth and final book of The Guardian Series. Wilder Destiny and Wilder Revelation are both out now and I plan on finishing up the series this summer. It’s very bitter sweet for me as this was my first venture into writing, and it has turned into the most amazing thing. Celeste, Roman, Nico and the rest of the crew have become like family to me and putting an end to their story is extremely difficult. But as I mentioned before, I do have another idea for a new urban fantasy series in mind so I’ll probably start working on that in the fall. I’m also working on a YA urban fantasy/paranormal romance bundle that I’m putting together with a few super talented indie writers. It’ll be a fun compilation of some of the best stuff that’s out there right now. Keep a look out for that in early May.
- How can readers connect with you?
In oh so many ways!
Website: www.wilderbook.com
Email: gkderosa@wilderbook.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wilderbookseries
Twitter: www.twitter.com/vampgirl923
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/14097535.G_K_DeRosa
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gkderosa
(The Guardian Series #1)
Publication date: June 12th 2015
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
All that Celeste Wilder ever wanted was to find someone who would sweep her off her feet like she had seen in countless romantic movies. When she meets the gorgeous and mysterious Constantin brothers her senior year of high school, she gets much more than what she had bargained for. As they introduce her to an exciting supernatural world that she never imagined existed, she makes a startling discovery about her own family legacy and is forced to make a decision that will change her life forever.
Paws4Thought 
Thanks for being on the tour! 🙂
You’re very welcome – always happy to help out.