Topteen Fall Edition - Keaten Vale Cover

Topteen's
Author Spotlight
We sit down with model turned best
selling author Danica Mendéz of
Certainly Something.com to discuss the
release of her second book!
TT: Danica! Here we are again! Tell us about your next book coming out.
DM: Thank you so much for having me! I wrote a second book in my series
The Phantom’s Tea called Two Face Arcade! The book is about a girl named
Dakota and her friends navigating out of an arcade game of terror! As she
goes through the levels, she finds it hard to trust her friends and learns
that people are not always what they seem.
Danica
Mendéz
TT: What was your inspiration behind this plot?
DM: Everything. We’ve all had a brush with a two-face. I’m sure everyone can relate to this plot. You can be
the kindest person in the world and you’ll always meet someone who sort of betrays you and breaks your
heart. The important thing is not not let that hurt turn you into a two-face, and that’s what Dakota sort
of struggles with through the game.
TT: There are a lot of characters in this book, unlike the first. In fact, it’s very different from your first work!
What was your inspiration behind the characters?
DM: Dakota symbolizes who I am right now, and her best friend Riker is who I used to be. Riker is adventurous
and spontaneous while Dakota is a little more reserved. There is a girl Ofelia in the story who’s the antagonist.
She’s quite nasty! I definitely modeled her after someone who bullied me for a few years. I also made sure to
write in a way where people felt bad for Ofelia. You should always have compassion for people who are angry
and limited. It’s like the saying goes; hurt people hurt people.
TT: There is a lot of symbolism in this book. What is one scene that is the most significant to you?
DM: I would say the scene where Dakota comes across an evil chameleon who changes colors. She’s so
confused as to how easily someone can change the narrative and bend the truth. You have to be confident
in yourself and your heart. Protect your voice and your mind fiercely because there are going to be people
who want nothing more than to silence you and discredit you! Be brave! Be kind! Don’t question your gut!
TT: What is next for you and the Phantom, Danica? We followed you from the Silent Circus, through the Two
Face Arcade! Where are we going next?
DM: I’ll see you by the field of Dracula Orchids next! After my second book Two Face Arcade releases on
October 21st on Amazon, the third book will be even more action packed and full of tea! Actually, the third
book will even have a toy line!
TT: Before we let you go, we have to ask about this amazing cover!!
DM: I worked with the legend behind the Goosebumps covers again; Tim Jacobus! I feel like working with him
is my childhood dream and I’m so blessed to be living it! Follow your dreams, never give up! Don’t let anyone
distract you from your journey and destination.
The Phantom’s Tea: Two Face Arcade, available at Target, Walmart, Amazon,
Barnes and Noble now! Follow author Danica Mendéz
on Instagram @certainly.something
and check out her blog certainlysomething.com!
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