Hey Everyone-I'm so excited to host double Rita nominee, author Kelly Parra, who I was lucky enough to meet at last summer's RWA conference, and let me tell you she's as nice as she is talented!
Her new book, INVISIBLE TOUCH, was just released by MTV Books and people are already raving about it!
Here's what they're saying:
A magical blending of mystery, romance, and deep and dangerous secrets. Kelly Parra’s Invisible Touch is an action-packed coming-of-age novel, sure to keep readers turning pages and begging for a sequel."-- Laurie Faria Stolarz, Bestselling author of Blue is for Nightmares and Deadly Little Secret
"Readers are going to delight in this fast-paced, gripping story, and be kept spellbound until its surprising finish." --Tina Ferraro, How To Hook A Hottie
"The Gold Award of Excellence! An amazing, touching novel that deals with big issues in an original context."--TeensReadToo
"Five out of five gold pens for Invisible Touch."- The Salinas Californian
Here's what it's about:
Kara Martinez has been trying to be "normal" ever since the accident that took her father's life when she was eleven years old. She's buried the caliente side of her Mexican heritage with her father and tried to be the girl her rigid mother wants her to be -- compliant and dressed in pink, and certainly not acting out like her older brother Jason. Not even Danielle, her best friend at Valdez High, has seen the real Kara; only those who read her anonymous blog know the deepest secrets of the Sign Seer.
Because Kara has a gift -- one that often feels like a curse. She sees signs, visions that are clues to a person's fate, if she can put together the pieces of the puzzle in time. So far, she's been able to solve the clues and avert disaster for those she's been warned about -- until she sees the flash of a gun on a fellow classmate, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before. Kara does her best to follow the signs, but it's her heart that wanders into new territory when she falls for a mysterious guy from the wrong side of town, taking her closer to answers she may not be able to handle. Will her forbidden romance help her solve the deadly puzzle before it's too late...or lead her even further into danger?
Here's the same 5 questions we always ask:1. Every story has a backstory, what's the backstory for your book?
I've always believed in intuitive vibes and repetitive signs and
thought wouldn't it be cool to have a girl who really saw visions and
have to piece the signs together to help others? But not only that,
but this gift had to also be a curse and would a logical mother
believe her? And from there Kara was born in my mind with secrets
and pain and grief and romance.
2. What's your work environment like? Any rituals, totems, or must
haves?
My desk is usually a mess, and recently its been cleaned and
organized! I wonder how long it will stay this way. ;) I work a lot
better with organization. It's sort of silly, but I have this old
trophy from fifth grade that was given to me for "Outstanding Award
in Language Arts" and it sits atop my desk as a sort of symbol that
maybe I was meant to be a writer. :) :)
3. If you could live inside any book-- which would it be?
I think it would be really cool to live in J.D. Robb's Death series
world. Its one of my favorite series so of course I'd love to
explore it, but only for a short visit. I'm pretty happy with my world.
4. What book rocked your world growing up?
V.C. Andrew's Dollanganger series and the Castell series. I felt for
these characters that weren't really real, but they felt real to a
sixteen-year-old girl. :)
5. If you could visit any time, place, or person- what, where, or who
would it be?
My father passed away suddenly in my early twenties. I think I would
visit my dad one last time. :)
Also, if you haven't yet stopped by her blog-- run don't walk! She's hosting a Secret Fates Blog Extravaganza through the month of October, with 26 authors sharing secrets and giveaways on the Secret Fates blog. But hurry on over, the party ends on October 31st!
About Kelly:
Kelly Parra is the author of Graffiti Girl, a double RITA nominee and a Latinidad Top Pick, and the contemporary paranormal, Invisible Touch. When not pulling her hair while writing her current novel, she likes to play with her abundance of websites and feed a serious television addiction. For excerpts visit, www.kellyparra.com or follow the Secret Fates blog at secretfates.blogspot.com.
