1--What is the title of your latest release?
MEET THE PARENTS
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
After falling in love with her boyfriend Owen, Gina visits his parents, where she learns that they hide a secret just as dark as hers.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Secluded settings where nobody can hear you scream are my favorite. Growing up in Western North Carolina, I’ve spent my fair share of time in secluded, wooded areas, and I knew immediately this story would work well in a location like that. It was really fun imagining this gorgeous house deep in the woods by itself and letting the story flow from there.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Oof, that’s a tough one. I think I would, I’d just always be very careful not to make her think I slighted her in any way.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Driven. Focused. Enraged.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned how many wonderful female rage revenge songs there are on Spotify! I have a great playlist of songs that set the mood perfectly for this book.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit when it’s all over because otherwise I’ll get caught up in the weeds.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Loose-leaf tea. Technically it’s not a food, but I love having tea each day and have gotten spoiled with the good stuff.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
It’s part of our living room. Since I don’t have an actual office, I’ve made this spot my own. I painted bold stripes on the wall, hung a bunch of art I love, and have Dolly Parton and Elle Woods on my desk.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Brandon Sanderson, for sure! Not only is he incredibly prolific and talented, but he’s also constantly working and releasing surprise books. Additionally, he does an amazing job interacting with his readers.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I read Carrie by Stephen King when I was in middle school. Even though I’d already had it in my mind that I wanted to be an author when I grew up, this solidified it. I tore through it and immediately grabbed as many books by him as I could.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I had originally self-published, then had the opportunity to work with Inkubator Books, which was a wonderful experience. When my editor at Bookouture, Kelsie, reached out to chat, I was over the moon. Bookouture has an incredible reputation for releasing gripping books, and the opportunity to work with them was a thrill!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Thrillers, hands down! I’m also a sucker for a great romcom or creepy horror.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Ooh, there are a few movies I turn to all the time when I need to veg out and waste an afternoon. Legally Blonde (the musical is amazing, and you should definitely go see it if you have the chance), Mean Girls, and Stick It all top that list.
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall. The answer to this question has always been fall. I want sweaters, pumpkins, hot tea, snuggling under thick blankets while reading, and crunchy leaves.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
We always go hiking for my birthday. It’s in December, so we have to bundle up, but it’s a lot of fun to get outside with my favorite people. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do, especially when it’s not mosquito season, so getting out on my birthday is a great way to celebrate.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
It’s not super recent, but The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune is the latest book to make me ugly cry. I’ve recommended it to dozens of people and everyone loves it. I tore through Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. (He also wrote the incredibly catchy Piña Colada song. What can’t he do?”
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Mexican. I’ll happily eat it for every single meal.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I love to read and write, but I also enjoy being outside however I can. During the summer we have a huge garden, so I’m out on the tractor. We also keep chickens and bees, and working with them gives me plenty of time to let my imagination run wild on the next book.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I have two German translations releasing this fall as well as some new thrillers in 2025! One new thriller is already written and in the first stage of edits. Buckle up—it’s a wild ride.
A totally gripping and twisty psychological thriller
The mother: Stay-at-home mother Marta lives in her successful husband's shadow, overlooked by him ever since her darling son Owen went to medical school. She's not about to let the beautiful Gina take Owen away from her. Marta will play nice, get Gina to trust her. And then she has a plan of her own.
The son: Owen is already certain he wants to marry Gina. She's perfect. They just have to get through this weekend and then he'll propose. Sure, his mom can be overprotective. But Owen knows why. He knows what she's hiding.
The girlfriend: Ever since purposefully running into Dr Owen Whitlock at the hospital, Gina has been playing the doting girlfriend. She didn't mean to fall for Owen's charms for real... Now she's finally meeting his parents at their sprawling, secluded home. Gina knows all about the terrible secrets this family is covering up. And she'll do anything to make sure they never find out who she really is.
By the end of the weekend, the Whitlock's beautiful house will have burned to the ground. And someone won't make it out alive...
Meet the Parents is an absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will keep you up reading late into the night! Fans of The Housemaid, The Girl in Seat 2A and The Perfect Marriage will be totally hooked.
Readers love Emily Shiner!
Women's Fiction Psychological [Bookouture, On Sale: August 28, 2024, e-Book, ISBN: 9781835255841 / ]
Emily Shiner grew up in Western North Carolina, and after going to college in Charlotte, returned to her beloved mountains to write novels that keep you up at night. She lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, menagerie of chickens, and tens of thousands of bees. When not writing, she’s reading, hiking, or drinking copious amounts of tea while daydreaming about fall.
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