Crystal Collier’s debut novel Moonless was one of the most fun reads of my year, and if historical paranormal romance is your thing, you won’t want to miss this one.

I’m always on the lookout for gripping reads to recommend to the crowd of YAs who hound me for book recs. They’ve got diverse tastes, to be sure, but I won’t send them looking for a poorly written book, and I won’t hand them a book that has to be recommended “with a million warnings.”

I have to be honest. I was excited about Moonless even before I got my hands on the book. My interest was piqued when I read this: Moonless is Jane Eyre meets supernatural.

What?

Sign me up. If you know me at all, you know Jane Eyre is my favorite, favorite, favorite, most favorite. Edward Rochester is win. And I adore an unlikely love story. Throw in scary, shadowy figures? Sure. So I signed up for the Moonless blog tour, too.

Here’s what the book is about. Alexia must choose safety and an arranged marriage, or true love and being hunted by the Soulless every moonless night.

With a cast of beautifully intriguing characters, hauntingly flawed, and set in the familiar English countryside, Moonless drew me in from the first paragraph.

After one chapter, I thought, BAM! That’s how it’s done.

I have a list of favorite lines and moments (and characters), but no one tugged on my heart quite like Miles. This guy spent a lot of time behind the scenes, but if he weren’t there–well…

I thought you might like to meet him, too, so I risked asking Crystal (politely) if she’d help me swing an interview with this guy. (Also, I might have begged a little. But I just wanted to spend five minutes with him.) Crystal graciously got us connected.

You’ll see what I mean about him, but be warned: It’s good that Miles is an enigma. I could try to explain that, but he’s so winsome and mysterious, he doesn’t need my intro. Here he is now.

Miles, you have no idea how glad I am you decided to join me. I know it’s not your thing, so seriously…thanks.

*shrugs and takes a nearby chair with a half-smile*

You’re a busy guy. You come in contact with a lot of people. How would you describe yourself? An introvert or an extrovert?

*shifty eyes*

Okay. How about tell me how your friends would describe you–three words.

*tilts his head* I’m having a hard time getting a read on you.

That’s funny. I’m thinking the same thing. Let’s talk about what you like then. What’s an ideal day like for you? Why?

*blows limp hair out of his eyes* Ideal? *shrugs* Maybe a deserted island—including no animals, or insects, or fish. Um, really, we’re talking about a dream day, right? One that’s quiet.

But you like to be around Kiren, right?

*nods* I like him.

How long have you known him?

*runs a hand through his hair* Almost my whole life. I mean, he rescued me from the Soulless when I was four, but he probably knew about me before that. That’s what he does.

Do you always find it easy to trust him?

Yes.

Does he listen to you? Really listen?

*hunches his shoulders inward* It was easier to talk to him when I was younger, but he’s the only person I really feel like I can confide in. About almost everything. Him and Nellie.

I really like Nellie. She seems great.

She is.

I wonder, though, what it’s like to work with Kiren the way you do. What’s the best thing about working with him?

I don’t know. He understands how other people think. He sees it too. It’s nice not to be the only one.

Does he have any habits that annoy you?

*huffs* Only when he’s around Alexia.

*chuckles* Yeah. I get that. How old were you the first time you saw her? What did you think of Alexia at first?

Six. She was trying to bandage a frog’s leg and couldn’t keep a grip on the thing. She was sweet, even all covered in frog slime.

Is she as likeable as she seems?

She’s as naïve as she seems. *shaking his head* It’s a miracle she’s still alive, but I’m glad she is.

You’ve got great insight. In your opinion, what’s her greatest weakness?

She trusts too easily—me, Kiren, everyone else. She doesn’t realize there are dangers, even among us.

I can see that. I understand her hope though, too. What about you? What do you hope for? If you could wish for one thing. Anything.

*exhales* I don’t really know what I want. To be loved, I guess. Not that Kiren doesn’t do a good job, but he’s like a big brother or father figure. *hangs head* Can you ask me something else?

Sure. Sorry…this one’s not much easier, but I want people to know your heart. What’s your greatest fear?

That I’ll give into the Soulless. That I’ll betray the people who care about me. That I’ll fall to everything that’s dark and angry and then it’ll be over. I’ll be one of them—the most powerful weapon against my friends.

That’s a weight and a half to carry. Listen, I know I asked some tough questions, but thank you–so much!–for answering what you could. I hope one day, we’ll get to hear your story. It’s worth telling.

~*~

I know Miles didn’t say a whole lot, but honestly, he is amazing. He knows the value of goodness and friendship in a way that few other can. And he’s integral to Alexia and Kiren’s story.

Check out the reviews on Goodreads. And buy it here, if you like. (Though there’s a link below where you can enter to win a FREE copy.)

Crystal Collier, the author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.

You can find her on her blog (if you click this link, there’s a rafflecopter giveaway). She’s also on Facebook, or you can follow her on Twitter.