Author Interview: Shadow Eyes by Dusty Crabtree

In this post, you will find an interview with Dusty Crabtree, a quote from her debut novel Shadow Eyes, and a trailer for her book.

Interview with Dusty Crabtree

Q:  In your book, Iris tends to have recurring nightmares that haunt her. Can you describe one of those dreams?

A:  It was dusk and the air was stagnant and bitterly cold as I shuffled hesitantly on Main Street at an old strip mall. I was alone, kicking at the misty fog covering my feet and listening to the sound of my shoes hitting the pavement. I paused to wrap a black cloak tightly around me but didn’t receive any warmth from it, so I kept walking, hoping to reach my destination soon before frostbite set in.

Suddenly, my eyes caught a glimpse of a brilliant light and I halted mid-stride, shivering and lifting my head to stare at a glowing man across the street. He gazed back at me. He had a quiet intensity about him, and although he didn’t say anything, I could tell he was hoping I would invite him over. It was as if he knew I needed him for some reason and wanted to help but had to wait for my invitation.

Q:  If you could only use five words to describe the characters in Shadow Eyes, how would you describe each character?

A:  Patrick: suave, mysterious, sexy, flirtatious, confusing (that’s all I’m going to say about that)

      Josh: sweet, cute, protective…um, I don’t think I can say anything else without spoilers

      Hanna: kind, giving, transformed, goofy, good

      Kyra: pure, good, friendly, compassionate, beautiful

      Iris’ mother: lonely, cautious, caring, troubled, funny (but not because she tries to be)

      Mr. Delaney [Iris' teacher]: handsome, mysterious, mentor, kind, powerful

Q:  If you had to pick an actor or well-known star to model Patrick, who would you pick?

A:  Since he has to be young-looking with messy-blonde hair and gorgeous, I’d have to say Alex Pettyfer [pictured above] for sure! And for Josh, even though you didn’t ask, I would pick Logan Lerman from Percy Jackson
[pictured below].

(manda-rae:  Obviously, we can tell which guy I'm rooting for in this book...)

Q:  Iris experiences a lot of dark shadows following her friends around. In some scenes, it seems like the shadows are attached to people like parasites. Can you describe one of these shadows?

A:  The shadows vary quite a bit depending on what they represent or what their motives are. Some are foggy masses that hang over or around people, and some are more distinct, dark human-like silhouettes that hover beside or on people. Some of them drift slowly, whirl around chaotically or have vapors flutter away from them like steam.

Q:  Kyra and Iris tend to frequent a local coffee shop, Coffee at the Ritz, that features cupcakes in addition to coffee. What is your favorite coffee shop beverage and favorite cupcake?

A:  I LOVE coffee! My favorite is probably some sort of mocha with chai or toffee flavoring. I like chocolate cupcakes over vanilla with lots of cream cheese or chocolate icing.

Q:  Nicole, Iris' friend, had problems passing her driving test due to parallel parking. Did you pass your first driving test?

A:  I did pass the first one, but barely! I had learned to drive from my mother instead of through drivers ed, so I learned the bad habits of normal drivers like not coming to a complete stop. He said I “rolled” through most of the stop signs, but I actually did great with the parallel parking.

Q:  Who has been your biggest inspiration?

A:  Probably Becca Fitzpatrick. I loved the suspense and intrigue of Hush Hush and the way her writing flowed. I did my best to make my writing like that.

Q:  What is one book that everyone should read?

A:  Good question! For mind-blowing enjoyment and to get people to want to read more – Hunger Games.

Q:  Favorite Quote?

A:  “If you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling. You must write every single day of your life. You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next. You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads. I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon you. May you live with hysteria, and out of it make fine stories — science fiction or otherwise. Which finally means, may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.”
    – Ray Bradbury

Dusty's favorite quote from Shadow Eyes

Click here to see the Goodreads description and my review.

It was as if his green eyes were my kryptonite, making all my defensive powers of wit and sarcasm useless. I was exposed and vulnerable. But for some reason, with Patrick…I liked it.

Shadow Eyes Trailer