Final Year by M.J. Moores – Blog Tour [Interview and Giveaway]

Title: FINAL YEAR

Author: M.J. Moores

Pub. Date: March 2, 2019

Publisher: Love Knot Books

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 192

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon

Graduation can be killer…

Beth pushes beyond her comfort zone to prove a sociology thesis. She turns a chance meeting with a known player into a personal experiment on first impressions. Weaving herself into casual meetings with the guy reinforces her assumptions… until she’s no longer the one pursuing him.

Jeremy’s only serious relationship is with his studies as he competes for the coveted post-grad theoretical chem spot with Dr. Young. When the campus goes into lockdown and everyone is evacuated to the stadium, his habit of “fun only” friendships turns into a curse.

Can he trust a skittish girl he’s known for ten days to help him find his not-so-theoretical chem project or will her assumptions about him keep her at arm’s length?

Final Year – a fast-paced new adult romantic suspense that keeps you guessing at every turn.

 

INTERVIEW WITH M.J.

What inspired you to write Final Year?

A: I was taking an online writing course with Athabasca University when my instructor ungraciously announced that the book I’d already written (my sci-fi/fantasy crossover) couldn’t be used in his course and I’d have to write a new, contemporary piece. Needless to say, I was not impressed. So, I dug into my dream journal, found the basic plot for Final Year from a dream I’d had and proceeded to use my own campus experiences to infuse it with that believability factor. I clearly remember 9/11 and how it affected me and the entire university. I used that major event to fuel my understanding regarding the campus e-vac in the novel. Beth was basically a version of me (I majored in Theatre Production, though, not Sociology) and Jeremy a mash-up of my brother-in-law (theoretical chem) and a colleague I worked with for many years when I taught high school (he suffers the same disability). They say “write what you know” and I did my best to do just that.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

A: I think I fully understood the concept when I was in grade 6 (I started writing adventure chapter fiction in grade 4) but I also knew it wasn’t something I’d be able to make a living doing (so sayeth my father and the world). So, I focused on teaching with a dash of broadcasting journalism and a ton of theatre to get me through. I’m still not making a living at it, but I’m getting there😉.

What tips do you have for those who would like to write a book one day?

A: Don’t wait for “one day”, write it now. Don’t wait for the muse or inspiration or the right time or a block of good time. If you have a story in you waiting to come out, let it. Shovel sand into that box and when you’re done, start making sand castles. It’s a process and it starts with just getting the words on the page.

Who/what are your biggest inspirations?

A: Hmm… never really thought about it before. I guess, I’d have to say my mother. She was a single parent for most of my life. She’s the black sheep of the family, never finished high school, working pay cheque to pay cheque, and stubborn as a mule (I do come by it honestly from both sides). But, no matter what life threw at her feet, she pushed through, soldiered on, made it work… and all with a smile and a positive attitude. You can’t help but admire that.

As far as writing is concerned? I’d have to say Maria V. Snyder is right up there for me. She’s in a similar life-situation to me and she’s now doing what she loves for a living. Maria persevered and believed in her stories. I must admit, I went all “fan girl” on the poor woman last summer when she attended a writers conference I frequent. She was a guest of honour and so totally unassuming, open, and honest about her struggles, the industry, and her love of writing… I got her to sign all 9 books of her I own. I’d like to inspire a reader like that one day.

What are your hobbies other than writing?

A: Nothing? LOL! I used to do a lot of things before I dug in and started writing/editing full-time. I used to roller skate (no, not blade, not into that), hike, bike, plant flower gardens, play epic video games… grant it, I still do those things with my young son whenever possible, but I couldn’t really call any of them hobbies any more. Oh, and scrapbooking. I have a ton of stuff waiting to be put into albums but I never seem to find the time anymore. Maybe when I step down from my volunteer role as Chair of the Writers’ Community of York region, I’ll have time to indulge in more than just writing and the industry 😉.

 

ABOUT M.J.

Growing up in Ontario, Canada, MJ was the only child of a single mom. MJ’s passion for the arts ignited at a young age as she wrote adventure stories and read them aloud to close family and friends. The dramatic arts became a focus in high school as an aid to understanding character motivation in her writing. Majoring in Theatre Production at University, with a minor in English, she went on to teach both elementary and high school for 10 years throughout Simcoe County.

MJ currently lives with her husband and young son in Caledon, Ontario. She keeps busy these days with her emerging authors’ website Infinite Pathways: hosting writing contests, providing editing services, free publicity tips, book reviews, and opportunities for authors to build their writing platform and portfolio. In addition she writes articles, works freelance writing and editing, and is preparing to launch her first science fiction novel The Chronicles of Xannia: Time’s Tempest on October 1st, 2014. She firmly believes that if she hadn’t been born a Virgo, she would not be half as organized as necessary to accomplish everything in her daily agenda.

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GIVEAWAY

Giveaway Details:
5 lucky winners will win an eBook of FINAL YEAR, International.

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2904/?

 

TOUR SCHEDULE

Week One:

3/4/2019- Lone Tree Reviews– Excerpt

3/5/2019- BookHounds– Guest Post

3/6/2019- Kelly P’s Blog– Excerpt

3/7/2019- Lisa Loves Literature– Spotlight

3/8/2019- Down The Rabbit Hole– Excerpt

 

Week Two:

3/11/2019- ❧Defining Ways❧– Excerpt

3/12/2019- Two Chicks on Books– Excerpt

3/13/2019- Owl Always Be Reading– Excerpt

3/14/2019- Smada’s Book Smack– Spotlight

3/15/2019- Cheyenne Reads– Interview