{Friday Book Spotlight} Passion And Pain by Kathy Petrakis

Passion And Pain by Kathy Petrakis
Paperback, 350 pages
Published October 15th 2012 by Antartis Publishers

Does passion and desire guarantee success? Can friends really be trusted? Can true love be found beneath lust and deceit? 

These are questions street dancer Elena Martinez faces as she struggles to compete against the most talented students at New York’s top Performing Arts High School. Along with her best friend, the cheeky and mischievous Sebastien Duval, they are determined to make center stage. 

But the singing diva Letitia has other plans. Beautiful, talented and popular, her desire for revenge could ruin everything for Elena and Sebastien. Now, they must fight against prejudice, treachery and deceit as Letitia sets out to destroy Elena’s friendships, her romance, her dignity and her dreams. Can Elena win the battle for true love, happiness and success?

Today, I'm pleased to welcome Kathy to my blog for a little interview. Welcome!

How would you describe Passion and Pain in one sentence?

FAME meets GOSSIP GIRL - a place where love and lust, friendship and betrayal, fear and hope collide with dancers, actors, singers and musicians, fighting for their dream.

Where do you get the ideas to write Passion and Pain?

Passion and Pain is a combination of my own experiences as a teenager and my collective experience enjoying the various performing arts such as singing, dancing and acting. Together they created this book!

What was your favourite chapter (or part) to write?

Without giving too much away, my favourite two chapters are where Elena meets Jay in the studio and when Anya and Darius have that final dance together. On the other hand, the scenes where Elena meets Letitia and the end of freshmen year party were quite fun too!

While you were writing, did you ever feel that you were one of the characters?

the entire time I was writing I was part of the book-  I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, upset, sad. I lived that world for months - every single part of it.

Did you ever experience writer's block? How did you deal with it?

I never really experience writer's block -  there is always something to write about. It's more about what comes out. But in regards to this book, (both books) were very well formed in my head before I started. I can never really explain it but I knew from the moment I started this project, a lot of what would happen in the book - it was like something waiting to happen.

What do you do when you're not writing?

When I'm not writing, I am doing acting classes, sing in a gospel choir, dance classes, watch theatre and dance performances, write review for fringe theatre, manage property in Sydney and work for the London Olympics. Before this book, I was working in banks for a living - I love writing so much more!

Are there any upcoming projects that you can share with us?

Yes! The second book is in first draft but would love to hear reader's feedback of what they would like to see in the second book - plenty of editing to be done yet!!

Also, I have been writing some short stories and am working on a play based around women in their late 30's and the relationship choices they make. I am also hoping to convert Passion and Pain into a production so that I can get involved in the choreography and music that was so vivid in my head. A film would be great, but a play would work well in the meantime!

I hope you enjoy the book and always look forward to feedback!

Thanks for stopping by, Kathy! :)

Passion And Pain is available free for grab now at Amazon! Go get your free copy and remember to drop a message to Kathy for having the lovely promo! Remember, Kathy look forward to feedback! :)

Click here to get a free copy!
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About the author: Kathy Petrakis

Kathy Petrakis was born and raised in Sydney Australia by Greek immigrant parents. She always had a passion for the performing arts - dancing, acting and singing but they were hobbies giving way to a traditional professional career in banking. Before this book, her writing was used to entertain friends with her unusual, and often disastrous travel adventures from around the world. 

By the hand of fate, Passion and Pain and Bittersweet were born while unemployed and living in London, heaven for lovers of the performing arts. At the time of publication of Passion and Pain, she was still living in London with plans to prepare for the launch of the sequel in either Sydney or New York. 

For more information, visit kathypetrakis.com