Interview with Entrusted author Ava O'Shay

Can you tell us a little about your latest book, Entrusted?
Entrusted follows seventeen year old Emma as she discovers love with a good looking guy who seems to only have eyes for her. Little does she know that his intentions are not to keep her as his girlfriend but to take back a heart that was entrusted to her when she was just a baby. You see Luke, the boyfriend, is a wayward spirit that had his heart taken away after he used his powers against humanity. Soon Luke’s brothers come to protect her and of course that’s when the love story begins.

What inspired you to write it?
I reside in Washington State, which has more Native American Nations than any other state, although our tribal land is pretty small when looking at square miles. I grew up in the setting of Entrusted and the Shoalwater reservation was just as it is depicted in the book. It is a square mile. Very tiny. Grayland is south of Forks, where the Twilight series took place. However if you start at the tip of Washington state there are numerous tribes as you move south down the coast. The majority of the cities in our state are named for Native Americans. Seattle was a chief in the area, Wenatchee is the name of a nation, Yakima, Colville all tribes...you get my point. All through school I was taught about the influence of our costal nations. Then, after suffering a life threatening illness, my parents offered to take my family on a trip to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, Utah. Monument Valley is the Navajo Nation. I was having some issues with anger, due to the fact my illness was caused by maintenance issues at work and caused life long issues with my health...so I needed a break. I fell in love with the Navajo people. Their culture is so deep and spiritual. The people are quiet and thoughtful. It was an environment that centered me and brought my peace back. Traveling through the area you are bombarded with the legends, culture, and history. At the Grand Canyon we watched the Hopi perform traditional dances. So much of Entrusted is based on these experiences. It is the only book I have written that stems from a lot of personal experience and although much of it has been edited out and smoothed over the entire writing experience was very therapeutic and I know it is still a part of the underlying story. Meshing the coastal culture with the Navajo traditions was fun. I did take a few liberties but tried to keep it as close to the traditions as I could. I chose Raven as my antagonist because when I was young I was attacked by a Raven. Not just a flyby, but the bird stalked me and continued to attack me until my Dad finally was able to corner it and kill it. I feel the Raven is my talisman and I wear a Raven charm along with a vile of sand filled with the orange sand from Monument Valley, as a way to keep myself centered. My family continues to vacation in the Grayland area as well as we return to The Navajo Nation when we can. I love the culture, I love the people, and I hope that someday the Native youth will see what a gift they are to the world and embrace it

How did you come up with the idea for the cover? 

This is actually a second edition cover but I had more input in this cover than the last. Entrusted takes place on the Washington coast so I wanted the ocean. And Solomon talks about seagulls and their resilience so I wanted them on the cover to. I wanted to keep it simple and serene and I think it came out that way.

If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters? 

I would like Carey Mulligan as Emma, Alex Meraz as Luke, Nicholas Gonzalez as Solomon

What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much? 

Entrusted is actually the only paranormal YA I have written. It was kind of out of the box for me. I primarily write Contemporary Romance.

What made you want to become an author? 

I have always written…whether it was journals or short stories. I never thought my stories would end up anywhere but then my kids grew up and I figured why not see where they could go.

How do you come up with character names? 

I have two boys so Emma was the name I wished I could have named a little girl. Each of the names of the brothers comes from a book of the bible and the traits of those individuals. I thought the parallel between the Bible and the Native American legend was interesting. Logan was named after a Nicholas Sparks character I absolutely loved! And Greg, after a friend of mine. I love naming things!

Name one of your all-time favourite books?
The Outsiders. It was the first book that really affected me. I still have my original copy and bought the movie and memorized the poem Ponyboy knew…read Gone with the Wind because they did in the book. I was nuts over it!

Who, or what, inspires you? 

I get inspiration from people around me. Many of my characters are people I know or have taught in the past. No one is safe. Ha Ha

Where is your favourite place to write? 

I love to write in my front yard with my shoes off and my toes in the grass. And some Fall Out Boy on my Ipod.

What is your favourite movie that was based on a book? 

That is a hard one because I think that the movies are usually really bad renditions of the books because you just can’t get the same feeling. I am hoping that I can say The Fault Of Our Stars will be my favorite movie.

Name two of your favourite authors.
Cassandra Clare, Maggie Stievater

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
I think I would want to have dinner with the Indie authors of today. They are an incredible bunch with all the aspects of publishing we need to do on our own.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I do not have a sense of smell.

Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Chalize Theron. (I wish)

Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live in the rainiest city with the most Starbucks and a yearly riot on May Day.

What are your (writing) plans for the future? 

I have another book Serenity, coming out in June or July. It is a Contemporary New Adult. Then an Adult Romance in August. I am always writing so I have two other books, Contemporary Romances, that I work on when I get time.

Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Currently number one on my bucket list is to be able to attend one of the large author events in New York City

Favourite myth / fairytale?
I love the story of Sleeping Beauty

Title: Entrusted
Author: Ava O’Shay
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Formats: E-book and Paperback
Publisher: Ava O’Shay
Cover by: Raven Books and Design
Editor: Kara Leigh Miller
Pages: 314 pages
ISBN: 978-1499522761
ASIN: B00KBYESQ2

How Far would you go to protect the people you love?
Seventeen-year old Emma wants what every teenage girl wants: good friends, good grades, and a good looking boyfriend who only has eyes for her. Little does she know that in order to get one, she must sacrifice the other two.
When Luke, Emma’s apparently devoted boyfriend, sets in motion a series of events, Emma finds herself in the middle of an ancient war strategically taking out anyone who gets close to her. Emma seeks refuge in a small coastal town and is introduced to Solomon, a mysterious Native American warrior. Unsure of who exactly are the good guys, Emma is hesitant to trust anyone. But when her feelings for Solomon begin to grow, Emma has difficulty remembering loving her may come at a high price. Now she must decide: can she trust Solomon with her heart? And just how far will she go to protect it?
Book Links -

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Excerpt-
I closed my eyes. I couldn’t look at him and say what I needed to say. I wanted to accept his help, I wanted so badly not to be alone but I was afraid. “I was told not to trust you. I need more time but he’ll come. He’ll eliminate you. That’s what he does.”
He leaned toward me, his tone stern. “You have to live the life you have been given. You did not cause nor deserve what has happened. Don’t force yourself to shut people out before you give them a chance. I’m stronger than you think.” His voice hovered over me. “You can trust me. I’ll never hurt you. And I’m not asking to be your friend. You have no choice in my involvement. Accept my help or not, I’m here to stay.”
My eyes were drawn to his. The pull toward him was overwhelming. I was losing my resolve.
“Why are you afraid of me?” His words turned soft and I wondered if I had heard them at all. “When I come…why are you afraid?”
“I don’t know who to believe.” I sighed. “My mind is being told too many things. I don’t know what I am. What you are. I am afraid for you. I don’t want to be responsible for another life.”
He took my hand and rubbed it against his cheek. So soft, I thought. No stubble. Flashes of Luke’s rough skin against my cheek when he’d finally kissed me slithered through my thoughts. My breath caught. I closed my eyes, trying to regain my own thoughts, to push the hard kiss from my mind. Luke’s words echoed through me. I was your first kiss.
Solomon leaned forward and touched his lips to my cheek, lingering briefly before moving away.

Book Trailer

About The Author
After many years trudging through the social awkwardness of high school and the whirl wind of college romances I finally landed in the Seattle area writing about the hell, horror, and don't forget hot romance of youth.
I love all things outdoors and can be found hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, or doing anything that will work up a good sweat. I love to interact with my readers and meet them at signings.

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