She is an author that I probably would never have discovered without it, and an author that I have grown to love these past couple of years. She has several books in The Unbidden Magic series; a YA series about a spunky girl named Allie who discovers her magical talent after a tussle with a satellite dish (she lost). They are great reads, and absolutely appropriate for the young adults, but still fun to read for us older YA readers.
Marilee keeps herself busy; she publishes about a book every year and has a great book blog. As busy as she is though, I've found that she is great about responding to any questions or comments I might write to her on Facebook or twitter.
So great, in fact, that she agreed to do an interview with me so that you guys can get to know her a bit better.
What kind of jobs did you have before you started writing and when did you
realize you wanted a career change?
I was very young (19) when my husband and I married. Two baby boys quickly
followed. Several years later, we sold all our earthly possessions and moved to a
college town. Through a series of part-time jobs, scholarships, student loans and
juggling baby-sitting duties, we both obtained degrees with teaching certification. We
began teaching. Another baby boy came along. (Gee, how did that happen?) Later, my
husband went into school administration and I became a school counselor. However, I
always loved the world of books. Even though I had very little spare time, I was either
reading or writing. I even managed to sell some poetry. It wasn’t until my kids were
grown and gone that I had the time and energy to attempt a book. My first book was
published in 2008. Since then, I’ve had a book published every year.
What was the most influential book or author you’ve read? Tell us how it
affected or influenced you.
Just one book? You’ve got to be kidding! Here are some that linger in my memory.
Favorite memoirs: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Unbroken by Laura
Hillenbrand. For pure reading enjoyment: The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. YA series: Can’t beat The Hunger Games. When I
get stuck in my own writing and want to read beautiful, lyrical prose, I read any book
by James Lee Burke. As you can see, I’m a very eclectic reader.
What are you reading right now?
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey and Roadside Crosses by
Jeffrey Deaver.
Tell us something about yourself that people wouldn’t guess.
I taught physical education and coached a winning volleyball team for a number
of years. I play an ugly game of golf but enjoy hacking my way around the course. I
absolutely love to fish but always give them away because I don’t like eating them.
Out of all your books, is there a character that you relate the most with? Which
one is most like you?
Allie Emerson, my protagonist in the Unbidden Magic series has all the qualities I wish
I’d had when I was her age. She’s brave. (I wasn’t) She doesn’t let her circumstances
hold her back. (I did) I guess you could say Allie is my alter ego. The character I relate
to the most is Allegra Thome, in my adult romantic suspense, The Rock and Roll
Queen of Bedlam. Allegra teaches behavior-disordered teens as I did. Many of the