About the Book:
Stacey
Lorenzo has finished treatment, but is still devastated by her past as she
enters college. With drugs and alcohol so readily available, so much freedom,
and barely any supervision, Stacey falls back into old habits. Soon it’s a daily
dose of partying, self-medicating, and having sex with lots of different guys.
As her relationship with Eli destructs, she falls for Jesse, who just so
happens to be a drug dealer. Every time she starts to fall back into the
memories of her past, Jesse makes it easy to snort away the pain.
But she
snorts too much one night; it forces her to question the man she loves and
acknowledge her mental and emotional instability. In the second
installment of The Barren Series, Stacey must overcome her addiction and
make peace with her past if she is ever to be truly happy again.
Excerpt:
“Why don’t you repeat after me?” she asked, and then started. “I
am a recovering addict.”
My eyes started to tear as I opened my mouth. “I’m a recovering
addict.”
Carol didn’t waver as my voice quavered, betraying me. She just
continued. “I’m smart,” I repeated it after her.
“I’m talented,” she continued.
“I’m talented.”
And then she said the affirmation that made me shake. An
affirmation that felt all too much like a lie. “I’m special. I’m beautiful. I’m
not perfect but I will be happy.”
I slowed down, wiping the tears away from my eyes. And I said the
words as slowly as I could. Trying to believe them.
“I’m special?”
Carol nodded. “You are.”
“I’m beautiful?” The statements were coming out like
questions. I wasn’t sure if I really was these things that Carol was having me
repeat.
“I’m not perfect,” I sighed, making the affirmation my own.
“But, I’m on the road to happiness.”
Carol put her arms around me and I sank into her embrace.
I may not have been perfect, and I may not have felt beautiful- but I was
trying. Trying to recover. Trying to be happy. Trying to live.
Author Interview:
What inspired you to write CONSUMED?
When I was
in high school, I had a boyfriend who was an addict. It was terrifying, scary,
and frustrating all at the same time. Following that relationship, I had drug
abuse on the brain. I knew that I needed to write a book about relationships,
why people use drugs, and recovery. I wanted to continue Stacey’s story and
drug abuse was a great way to do that considering her already questionable drug
habits.
When or at what age did you know you
wanted to be a writer?
I never sat
down one day and decided to be a writer. BARREN just kind of poured out of me
and so did CONSUMED. It still amazes me that I am an author!
What is the earliest age you remember
reading your first book?
I remember
reading with my mother at bedtime when I was five or so.
What genre of books do you enjoy
reading?
I love
erotica and romance. Give me a love story and I’m a happy girl.
What is your favorite book?
Twilight by
Stephanie Meyer.
You know I think we all have a
favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite author
is Nora Roberts because her novels always keep me hooked. Her characters always
feel so alive and so real.
If you could travel back in time here
on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?
I would go
to Woodstock so I could hear amazing music and be enmeshed in the “hippy”
culture.
When writing a book do you find that
writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?
I go through
phases. I either write a hell of a lot or literally nothing at all for months.
There is no in between for me. When I’m in my writing zone, I can bang out 10
chapters in one sitting and it feels as easy as breathing. Other times, I can’t
even put one word down on the page. I call it writing bipolar. My moods are all
over the place.
Do you have any little fuzzy friends?
Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?
I don’t. I
wish I did. I keep dropping hints to my boyfriend about getting me a lab or a
golden retriever puppy. We’ll see!
What is your "to die for",
favorite food/foods to eat?
Pizza, ice
cream, cookies, and basically anything with carbs in it!
Do you have any advice for anyone
that would like to be an author?
Don’t give
up. Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t be a writer. People are going to
tell you that your book sucks, they’re going to tell you that you’re not good
enough, and they’re definitely going to tell you that you’re a horrible editor.
If there criticism is grounded in reality, listen to it. But don’t let their
criticism bother you. Just fix what needs fixing and move forward. It may seem
like you’re never going to get published but I promise you, it will work out.
You will achieve your dream.
Author bio:
Elizabeth hails from the smallest state with the biggest heart. She
started off at The University of Akron and then transferred to the University
of Rhode Island. She is a majoring in Human Development and Family Studies and
minoring in Psychology. Although she loves writing- she also has a passion for
helping others which is why she is studying to become a sex therapist/couples
counselor. Elizabeth loves spending time with her family and friends, singing,
eating everything Italian, and baking cookies. She is “in love with love” which
is probably why the driving force in almost everything she writes is romance.
When she’s not getting lost in her characters she can be found waiting for her
prince charming in her North Kingstown, Rhode Island home.
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