I'm pleased to present to you an Interview with Laura Deluca on her Phantom Blog Tour along with a review of the novel.
1. Hi Laura! What inspired you to write Phantom?
It was kind of a spur of the moment decision. 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!
2. Where you a fan of The Phantom of the Opera yourself?
Much like Rebecca, I have always been obsessed with the Phantom of the Opera. I haven’t had a chance to see it live yet, but have watched every movie version, seen every play that is available on DVD, and read every book on the subject.
3. Rebecca, Tom and Justyn make up a fabulous love triangle! What do you think makes an interesting love triangle?
I enjoy love triangles that involve an old love and a new love. Sometimes you can be certain the person you’re with is the only one for you. Then you meet someone new and there is that instant connection that you just can’t deny…
4. I loved reading about Justyn’s Wiccan lifestyle. Why did you decide to make him Wiccan?
The character of 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 on my blog. http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/2012/03/many-masks-of-phantom.html
5. Did you relate to Rebecca at all whilst writing Phantom?
I relate very much to, Becca. I was raised with the same type of conservative views of the world. When I was her age, I would have been just as intimated by someone who was different. Happily, I have grown up enough to learn to look beyond the exteriors, and I think Rebecca has too.
6. What made you decide to write for a YA audience?
I started writing books when I was a teenager, and set my books into the world I have living in. I stuck with YA because it worked best with my storylines. I do have a few ideas for adult novels that I plant to work on in the future.
7. Which other YA authors do you admire most?
Christopher Pike was my favorite young adult author when I was a teenager, and he remains my idol to this day. His stories are unique and original. It was his influence that made me decide to stick to the YA genre, even after I “grew up.”
8. Are you currently working on any other projects?
I am currently working on editing a fantasy novel called Morrigan. Morrigan is a teenage witch who has been shuffled from one foster home to another all her life. Now she is about to discover she is a princess from the mystical land of Tír Na NÓg. The handsome werewolf Filtiarn guides her through countless perils to find her mother, Ceridwyn, and grandmother, Hecate. Only together can they complete the magical triad and save their world. This YA novel will be released 10/5/12.
I’m also in the process of writing a sequel to Phantom inspired by the musical, Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I’m hoping to have it finished and released by the Spring 2013.
I can't wait for the sequel to Phantom! Thanks for stopping by Laura!
Author Bio
Laura “Luna” DeLuca
lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She
loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.
In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a
popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local
pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.
Conect With Laura:
Check out my review of Phantom below:
Bookish Details:
Pages: 262
Publisher: Pagan Writers Press
Genre: YA Thriller
Release Date: March 30th 2012
Buy It From: Amazon
Synopsis: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.
My Review:
Phantom had me hooked from just reading the synopsis. I was
completely drawn in by the idea of a modern twist on the story of The Phantom
of the Opera.
Phantom follows Rebecca during her senior year. Throughout
her high school life she has stayed in the shadows but when she discovers that
the school play for the year will be Phantom of the Opera, she just has to
audition. After the play is cast, all hell starts to break loose.
There are so many unpredictable twists throughout the book. The
plot is seriously awesome – I actually couldn’t stop reading.
The characters are fabulous. Rebecca’s typical high school
life before she gets the part in the play is very relatable. She is strong when she needs to be and is a very likable character.
Justyn, or should I say Lord Justyn, is totally awesome. I
adored him and his lifestyle - he isn't your average teenage guy! He is a fascinating character to read
about and I can totally understand why Rebecca is so taken by him. The building of the relationship between him and Rebecca is adorable.
I also liked Tom. He was sweet and I did feel sympathy
towards him throughout the story. The three of them made a really entertaining
love triangle and there were some funnier moments when Tom and Justyn
were both fighting for Rebecca’s affections.
The ending was spectacular! I couldn’t see it coming from a
mile off. It was such a spooky and heart-racing ending to everything.
Phantom was a great mysterious read and I definitely
recommend it to anyone, especially lovers of a good mystery thriller! There are plenty of 'OMG!' moments to keep you entertained until the end.
Royal Rating:
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading
Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author.
Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no
payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation
to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may
not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or
readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade
Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and
Testimonials in Advertising*
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