Q&A with author Mysti Parker

A very warm welcome to Mysti Parker, author of A Ranger's Tale.

Thank you for having me here, Suzy!

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
There are so, so many…but I’ll have to say Jane Eyre. It’s been one of the few books that I can honestly say spurred my love of romance and romantic suspense. I was enamored with the timeless love between two soul mates set amongst the dark, twisted plot.

Who is your favourite author and why?
I give kudos to Victoria Holt—epic romantic suspense that swept me away to Europe, India, and beyond! But I also love Stephen King, Lillian Jackson Braun, and many of the independent authors I’ve met over the last several months!

What is your all-time favourite book cover?
I could no sooner choose a star from the heavens! Plus, my memory is about an inch long. *ahem* Anyway, in recent times, I love the covers on Jenna Petersen’s novels. Others I’ve took notice of are Jasmine Giacomo’s duology, The Wicked Heroine and Oathen—very appropriate to the story itself. Jody Wallace’s Survival of the Fairest is quite eye-catching too!

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose?
Charlotte Bronte, Lillian Jackson Braun, Victoria Holt (aka Eleanor Hibbert). Let’s not forget Edgar Allen Poe, William Shakespeare, Mark Twain, and all of my writer friends. We’ll need a banquet hall!

Who, or what, inspires you?
My kids, with their vivid imagination. My husband, who still loves me after all these years and gives so much to our family. All the authors I’ve met who put their hearts and souls into the words they write. Every time I read someone else’s work, I’m inspired. Every time I see a glorious sunset, hear my baby niece laugh, eat mouthwatering chocolate, or smell the honeysuckle when I go for a walk. Life itself inspires me, and I’m glad I can transfer some of that to the page.

Where is your favourite place to write?
When I can ever get uninterrupted time, it’s my office downstairs. I shut the door, turn on some music, and just peck away. Otherwise, I’m upstairs in the dining room or on the laptop wherever I can take it.

What is your book about? 

A Ranger’s Tale is the first in a series of stand-alone novels from my fantasy world of Tallenmere. Here’s the scoop:
In the fantasy world of Tallenmere, the high elf Caliphany Aranea has lived a life of luxury in the capital city of Leogard as niece of King Leopold and daughter of a powerful wizard. When her older brother died while fulfilling his dream of becoming a paladin, her father put her on a tight leash. Now at almost a century old, she's destined to follow in her father's footsteps to lead the Mage Academy and marry a scribe she doesn't even like. She longs to leave her gilded cage and takes a fateful stroll on the docks.
Galadin Trudeaux has lived with the stigma of being a half-breed. Born to a human father and elven mother, he witnessed his parents' death at the hands of pirates when he was a boy. Raised by the same murderous seafarers and forced to do their bidding, he finally escaped. Now he's turned his life around, reclaiming the sea merchant business his father left behind. As both ranger and sailor, he knows a thing or two about fighting. It comes in handy when he witnesses two brutes trying to kidnap the beautiful Caliphany.
Since she failed at using magic to defend herself, Caliphany decides she better learn some new skills so she can finally set out on her own. She seeks out Galadin again. Against his better judgment, but persuaded by her hefty sack of coin, he agrees to train her.
From that moment on, Caliphany and Galadin embark on a journey of self discovery. Besides some very real threats in the form of goblins and trolls, she struggles to merge her identity as both wizard and ranger. He struggles to overcome his guilt. Their attraction soon blossoms into love, allowing Galadin to let go of his past, and Caliphany to finally believe in herself.
Her newly-found confidence is shaken, however, when tragedy strikes. Caliphany must learn to depend on those around her, including an old love, to help her survive. Trust is tested on every level when her world is turned upside-down again and again. Dark secrets emerge, but are they a match against the power of forgiveness and a love that stands the test of time?

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
That would have to be The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Who could watch Orlando Bloom as Legolas and NOT be inspired to write about elves? 

Suzy: I'm totally with you on that one, Mysti!! 

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters? 

I’ve had this one once before. I chose Bradley Cooper for Galadin and Scarlett Johanssen as Caliphany.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
One of my biggest pet peeves is people not putting their shopping carts in the corrals. Oh, and loud chewing. Especially if said chewer is close to my ear.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
Ah, Kentucky, where the summers are hot and the iced tea is so sweet, you can stand a spoon in it. Truly, though, every time I’ve left the state and came back to Kentucky’s rolling hills, horse pastures, sleepy farms, and hospitable people, I know it’s the one place I’ll always call home.

Winter or summer? Winter
Ebook or paperback? Love the feel of paperback, but I love my Kindle too…
Favourite food? Good quality chocolate
Sporty or couch potato? Let’s say computer chair potato
Cook or be cooked for? Depends on my mood, but I tend to bake when I’m feeling down.
Link to your blog: I love visitors to my blog, Unwritten! http://mystiparker.blogspot.com/
You can also follow me on Twitter (@MystiParker) or Facebook!

Fabulous interview, Mysti! Thanks for taking part.