An Interview and a book release!

This is an interview with Shelli Johannes-Wells, author of Untraceable - Coming Nov 29th!

A new young adult wilderness thriller with a missing father, a kickbutt heroine, and of course - two hot boys.


Available in paperback and ebook at Amazon, B&N, iTunes, and other sellers. But more about that later...

What books have influenced your life the most?

Hm, writing wise – I would say James Patterson’s Kiss The Girls and James Hall’s Gone Wild, and Pippy Longstocking


Life wise – I would say classics like Fahrenheit 451, Kahlil Gibran’s Prophet, and the Teachings of Dali Lama. They got me through some bad times.

In your wildest dreams, with what author would you like to co-author a book?
JK Rowling. I would like to learn about how she outlines. She outlined the entire Harry Potter series before she ever wrote a word. That intricacy amazes me and I’d love to see how she did it.

Favorite foods?
Breakfast - Smoked salmon bagel on everything bagel with garlic cream cheese – Not to be specific.
Lunch – quesadilla and salad
Dinner - Seared tuna/spicy tuna roll
Snacks – spicy Cheetos, spicy hummus and crackers.

If you were a superhero, what would your name be?
SuperScribe – I would beat people with my words. 

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Mostly in my head – scary right? I get ideas from articles, news, people things say. There are stories all around us – we just need to pay attention to see or hear them.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I have always loved thrillers. When I was a teen – we didn’t have them. I would sneak my mom’s James Patterson, Iris Johannsen, and Steven King books. I love those books where you stay up all night and can’t stop reading because they are so good. I wanted to give people that feeling. Plus my life is simple and low key. I’m a mom and wife and I love that but I live through my stories.

What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
If I am not with my family or friends and not exercising (which trust me I do not do enough of) – I am writing or reading or watching movies. It’s what I love.

What does your family think of your writing?
My hubby is very supportive. I used to work in Corporate America as an executive. I wanted to write – he was the one who supported me leaving that field and encouraged me to stay home and write.

I think at first my parents were like – what? You had a huge paying job and an MBA and you want to write. But they have been supportive.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book?
It’s a wilderness thriller with a kickbutt girl character in today’s world, an unsolved mystery, and - of course – 2 hot boys  What else do you need?

Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I never really wrote until I had my daughter. So I say it was her. Maybe it was because I finally got a chance to breathe and sit because I wasn’t working. Once I had her and was on maternity leave – I just started writing and never stopped.

What is your favorite number?
13 (What can I say - I root for the underdog so I think he gets a bad rap) and 8 (infinity sign standing on its feet)

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Make your mark on this world. Whether it be small or big. Every one matters.

The book is a contemporary wilderness thriller with a strong girl as the Main Character.


"Grace is a spunky, independent, nature girl who doesn't need a boy to save her. With wilderness survival, a juicy love triangle, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this fast-paced novel had me holding my breath until the very last page—and still begging for more!"
-Kimberly Derting, author of the The Body Finder

"This thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance. The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."
- Kirkus Reviews

16-year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies her whole life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. But when Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. When a Cheetos bag and stolen government file materialize, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

Then one day while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent, that’s definitely not from her neck of the woods, and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged Wyn.

Now with renewed confidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kickass heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.
 

Untraceable - Coming Nov 29th!

Available in paperback and ebook at Amazon, B&N, iTunes, and other sellers.