Could PRETTY LITTLE WEREWOLF Represent for Diversity Groups?

Welcome, Katie Salidas. Thank you for agreeing to my FAST FIVE interview about your debut YA novel release PRETTY LITTLE WEREWOLF , and Happy Book Birthday! 

JACKETFLAP

All Giselle ever wanted was a family... that can accept her for what she is, a werewolf. 
In a world where supernatural creatures are not out and proud, this has been a problem for 16 year old Giselle. A child of the system, she's been bounced from home to home for as long as she can remember. As soon as the moon calls out her inner wolf, it's back into the system she goes.
Against the odds, a new family is found for Giselle. One that may prove the answer to all her dreams and wishes. But this family comes with a deadly secret that could send Giselle six feet under instead of back into the system.
Amid factions of warring witches and werewolves, and deadly curses with no hope for a cure, the way will not be an easy one, but if Giselle can call upon her skills as a lone wolf, she may just be able to unearth the truth keeping her from the one thing she's ever wanted... family. 

Q  Katie, you've written novels and novellas for 5 years, however this is your first novel for the young adult market. What was your impetus and inspiration to write for teens?

A  If I told you I did it on a dare, would that negate the interest in it? I hope not. In all honesty, I’ve had many people over the years tell me I “should” write YA. I’ve always been one to play in the genre pool, so dipping my toes into new waters is something I enjoy. The character, Giselle spoke to me and I found the story developed very cleanly around her. She’s got it rough, trying to find where she fits in, and in a world where supernatural creatures are not “out and proud,” it’s even harder to find where you fit.

Q  What were some of your favorite novels when you were in high school?

A  In high school, I remember reading The Vampire Diaries, and The Vampire Chronicles. My interests were pretty singular there. I have always been a paranormal fan. Something about the creatures that could possibly exist in our world, under our nose, is intriguing.

Q  If Giselle were given the chance to meet her birth parents, would she take it?

A  Giselle has spent her entire life wondering why she was dumped into the system. She’d never found her place in the world. The one thing she’s wanted is family. So, yes. If given the chance, Giselle would cross any distance to find out what happened to her family, and she would do anything find them.

Q  If PRETTY LITTLE WEREWOLF was sold to Hollywood, who would you cast in the roles of your main characters?

A  Oh that’s easy! I’m a never-ending daydreamer, one day hoping to see my books turn film, so all my book files have character dream sheet with them.

Giselle - Lauren Ambrose

Asher - Santiago Cabrera

Damien - Damien Molony

Di - Claire Holt

Taylor - Phoebe Tonkin

Q  Will there be a sequel and what insider information can you reveal here?  

A  As of right now, I have no sequel planned. The book ends on a HEA [Happily Ever After]. Of course, with all my books there are some threads left out on purpose, so I have fodder to come back to later in potential future installments. For example in this one, Di’s little secret magical contract is teased but never revealed. That could come in to play should readers want to continue to dig deeper into the Hernandez pack and the Thrace pack’s past with the local witch coven.

Thank you, Katie! On a final note, in the current campaign for diverse books in the young adult market, I can't help but notice PRETTY LITTLE WEREWOLF  represents a paranormal group that's not "out and proud". Perhaps this a nod to the We Need Diverse Books campaign and the many under-represented minority groups.

PRETTY LITTLE WEREWOLF buying links below:

Pretty Little Werewolf. 
 
Kindle USA - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W8W68Z4
Kindle UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00W8W68Z4
Nook - http://tinyurl.com/mk6cjfg
Kobo - http://tinyurl.com/n8qn2m6
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/…/show/25373764-pretty-little-wer…
iBooks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id986657617