Spotlight: Janice Hardy {The Shifter}

How would you describe The Shifter?

The official pitch: A war orphan with the unique ability to heal by shifting pain from person to person, is forced to use those talents as a weapon to save her missing sister. The more casual description, it’s a fantasy adventure about a girl with a really crummy gift/curse, who can only help people by hurting others, and she has to decide how far she’s willing to go with this ability to save her sister. How many bad things can you do and still be a good person?

Which of your characters do you feel you relate to the most and why?

I’d have to go with my heroine’s best friend, Aylin. She’s optimistic and practical, and always tries to look on the brighter side of things. Even when they’re bad.

Were you a reader in your teen years and if so, who was your favorite author?

Absolutely. I was a reader for as long as I can remember. I was always getting into trouble in school for reading when I should have been working. My favorite authors in my younger teen days were Lois Duncan (loved the scary stories) and Paula Danzinger (loved the humor). In high school I was a big fan of Anne McCaffrey and the Pern series. My ultimate fave is Harlan Ellison (a science fiction short story writer my 7^th grade English teacher turned me onto).

What one 2012 release are you most looking forward to reading this year?

I’m really torn between Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter and A Million Suns by Beth Revis.

Are you currently in the process of writing a sequel or newer book?

A new book. It’s a YA fantasy/spy thriller about a deep cover spy who gets caught between love and loyalty when she risks treason to save the boy she’s spying on.