Synopsis:

A girl undergoing a terrifying transformation goes on an epic quest to find a refuge from her ruthless father.

Nymphosis, a disease that turns Humans into Chimeras, is ravaging the land of Gashom. The More-Than-Pure, determined to protect themselves, have seized power and enacted segregationist laws.

The daughter of a high dignitary, young Neria learns she is afflicted by the very disease her father is determined to eradicate. Forced to surrender her privileges, she must flee her home in the capital and traverse the strange wilds to seek refuge with her fellow kind.

Will she have the courage to fight oppression to emancipate the Chimeras from the yoke of the More-Than-Pure?

Interview:

On writing:

How did you do research for your book?
The research took place mostly on the internet. A word I stumble upon while writing can instantly turn into several hours of reading.

Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
None of the characters were easy to write about, but certainly the most difficult was the tyrannical father. I read three different books about serial killers before I began to understand the reasoning of a psychopath.

In your book, you describe the gargoyles’ people. What made you use elements of Gothic architecture for creating these characters?
During a visit to Notre Dame de Paris, I was able to admire the sculptures of gargoyles that adorn its facade. Their mere presence evoked a fabulous universe and served as great inspiration in my novel.

Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
The ideas seem to me to be floating around, in books, events, and encounters, and that it is enough to sit for long hours in front of a computer screen and concentrate on arranging them in a new way.

There are many books out there about chimeras. What makes yours different?
The story follows a family and a people through a tone that is both intimate and epic, which is rather unusual in this kind of literature. The plot captures the struggles of humanity through a fantasy lens, making it both digestible and thought-provoking.

What advice would you give budding writers?
Don’t give up! Remember that this journey takes time and you won’t find all the answers from the start. Find yourself a smart, professional, and gentle literary advisor who can guide you in the process.

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
I think I would like to be Matar, the Pedler. I envy his freedom and independence, despite the difficulties he faces in his life.

Do you have another profession besides writing?
I have had other professions in the past, but writing has become my main focus at the moment. I still practice and teach aikido, which actually turns out to be really useful when I write combat scenes.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve only been writing for five years, but I’ve been reading every day for as long as I can remember, which certainly helped me a lot.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
Never. I think the writer’s block happens when you force yourself. I take the first topic that comes to my mind and I write only about what strikes me as exciting. I make no judgment during the first phase of writing. I let the ideas flow.

What is your next project?
I will soon publish a thriller about a woman who decides, after a divorce, to take over her parents’ farm: a return to nature that does not go as planned. I also just started writing a science fiction book.

What genre do you write and why?
I choose the story first. The genre follows. I don’t force myself to create series. I think that having fun while writing increases the chances that the reader will have fun too.

What is the last great book you’ve read?
Lately, I’ve read Philip Roth’s Human Stain. I found the beginning of this book stunning and the scenes taking place around the main protagonist and the university’s life incredibly well done.

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
My favorite compliment is that once started, it’s difficult to put the book down.

How are you similar to or different from your lead character?
It’s a difficult question. I’m too close to her to tell. The similarity would be that she doesn’t give up easily. That being said, I find her more stubborn than I am.

If your book were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
Odeya Rush for Neria, the heroine.
Lior Raz, for the Pedler
Lior Ashkenazi, for Valterone, the ruthless father.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your book?
It was incredible to see a world coming into life out of my mind. The greatest challenge was to make it right—to find the right balance between all the elements.

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like?
It’s a difficult, but worthwhile road.

Which authors inspired you to write?
Tolkien, Barbara Pym, Kazuo Ishiguro, Camus, Albert Cohen, Proust, Baudelaire and many others.

What is something you had to cut from your book that you wish you could have kept?
I regret nothing because I hope to use these discarded parts for a sequel.

On rituals:

Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?
I don’t usually snack because it distracts me. But I drink green tea to stay alert.

Where do you write?
I write mostly in my studio, but I also like to write on the go, in coffee shops, hotel rooms or in my car.

Do you write every day?
Six days a week.

What is your writing schedule?
I’m a morning person, so I usually start writing as soon as my youngest daughter leaves for school. I write at least two hours a day, sometimes more, and Iusually keep the afternoons for other activities, like publishing and marketing.

Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?
I just sit down and look at my computer screen, my hands ready on the keyboard and my mind traveling.

In today’s tech-savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?
No. I’ve just drawn a diagram for the protagonists’ relationship and a map.

If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?
I’m a mom, but my daughters are quite grown up now. So it’s less of an issue, although I have the best focus time in the mornings when everybody is still sleeping or busy.

Fun stuff:

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
I would like to be able to move in time according to my research. For example, take a leap into antiquity to observe the hotels of that era. It would be amazing if we could see everything in person instead of relying on archaeological digs or writing found on the internet.

Favorite travel spot?
New York

Favorite dessert?
I try to cut off sugar, so no dessert for me please.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which three books would you want with you?
I’d take Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Barbara Pym’s Some Tame Gazelle, and Proust’s In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower.

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you? The scariest? The strangest?
I was kidnapped by aliens who looked like Buster Keaton. Just kidding… I live a quiet life, like many writers I suppose. Most of my adventures take place in my head.

What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
I hesitate between leaving France, my birth country, or having three children.

Any hobbies? Or Name a quirky thing you like to do.
The main ones right now are Aikido and basketry. I like making sculptures or baskets with branches I find in the garden.

If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?
I’d prefer they’ll remember my books. That’s where I store the most important things I have to say.

What is something you’ve learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I love silence and quiet, but the pandemic was too much, even for me.

What TV series are you currently binge-watching?
Severance

What is your favorite thing to do in summer?
Swimming and eating mango.

What song is currently playing on a loop in your head?
“Eem rak taskimi” by The Idan Raichel Project

What is your go-to breakfast item?
No breakfast. I started intermittent fasting a few years ago and I found it keeps my mind clear until the first meal of the day.

What is the oldest item of clothing you own?
A fox fur collar that belonged to my great-grandmother. My mother passed it down to me. Even though I oppose the use of animal fur for clothing, I can’t get rid of it.

Tell us about your longest friendship.
My friend Sylvie lives in France. I met her in high school and even though our paths parted, every time we speak on the phone or meet (rarely), it’s like we’re immediately back in the old days.

Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
When they were first released, Star Wars and Indiana Jones were some sort of revelation. And Harrison Ford was the handsome cool hero in both of them.

About the Author:

L.M. Rapp has lived in different countries and practiced several professions: dentist, web developer, artist, aikido teacher, farmer. Eager to learn and discover, she uses her experiences to enrich her stories. She has also written a thriller, Of Flesh and Tears.

Website: https://www.lmrap.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/L.M.Rapp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l.m.rapp/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMRappAuthor

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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JrBPFS

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60560084-dreadful-beauty

Rules for giveaway:

If you are interested in winning a copy of Dreadful Beauty just like this post and comment that you are interested. I’ll then use a random generator to pick the winner. Once the winner is chosen I’ll announce it here on my blog as well as Twitter and I’ll get in contact with the winner and the author will send out the copy of her book to you. 😊