Wednesday 31 December 2014

Demon Hunt by Renee Scattergood

Renee Scattergood lives in Australia with her husband, Nathan, and daughter, Taiya. She was inspired to become a story-teller by George Lucas, but didn't start considering writing down her stories until she reached her late twenties. Now she enjoys writing high fantasy, and has recently began publishing her first series, Shadow Stalker. Aside from writing, she loves reading (Fantasy, of course), watching movies with her family, and doing crafts and science experiments with her daughter.


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Auren faces the harshest punishment she's ever experienced for having pursued her relationship with Etan after being warned to stay away from him. To make matters worse, she has to face Kado for breaking her connection with him.

Kado decides it's time to leave Ganida so Auren can focus on her training. Although she struggles to put her feelings for Etan behind her, she realizes there are more important things, like telling Kado she believes leaving the Dark Isle might be inevitable.

To her surprise, Kado agrees, but he wants to ensure Auren is prepared. She faces torture at the hands of the Galvadi Empire, and he feels she needs to learn to survive it. It might be the only thing that saves her, but can she endure the training?

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Don't miss out on the Shadow Stalker Double Feature Blog Tour between 31 December and 6 January. There will be excerpts, reviews and guests posts, as well as a visit from the Shadow Stalker characters and a Giveaway, two lucky winners will get the Shadow Stalker Bundle Episodes 1 - 5.

Character Interview with Drevin from the Shadow Stalker Series


Hello Drevin. Thank you for stopping by!

*Drevin nods*

I'm sure Renee's readers are looking forward to getting to know you.

*wry grin* I'm sure.

Why don't we get started then?

Lets.

Where were you born, and what was it like growing up there?

I was born on the Dark Isle. My life there was great until I found out the Foramar had done a horrible thing to my parents. I had grown up believing they were dead, but it turned out they had been forced apart because they had mated against the will of the shadow people.

Is it true that the Foramar spared your life when it was well within his rights to kill you when you were born?

It was the only sane thing he'd done as the Foramar

I see. So is that why you keep him prisoner?

I keep him prisoner because he would unleash an unspeakable horror on our world just to spare his child.

But sparing you was okay.

*icy glare*

Okay, moving on. Did you have many friends growing up?

I did, and they are still my friends today.

Oh? Who are they?

*laughs* Kado could tell you. He watches them like criminals and believes they don't know.

What is the most important thing you've learned in your life?

Trust no one.

That seems to be a pretty lonely view. Haven't you ever been in love?

I do not need to get tangled in emotional affairs to have women. As the emperor of a great nation, they flock to me.

I see. And it doesn't bother them that you do not love them?

They feel honored just to be with me.

You are very driven to capture and kill the delohi-saqu. What are your plans for the Serpent Isles once you've achieved that goal?

I have many plans that I will not speak openly about. You never know who is listening.

Of course, but wouldn't you like to be able to just relax and maybe go on vacation?

There is no time for such trivial things.

Well Drevin, that's all we have time for. Thank you for joining us. It's been…interesting.

I'm sure it has. Be sure your readers understand that siding with the delohi-saqu is dangerous. Don't be fooled by her innocent appearance or one day she may enslave your world too.

Of course, I'll let them know.

See that you do.


Saturday 6 December 2014

Shadow Stalker: Forbidden Love (Episode 4) by Renee Scattergood

Renee Scattergood lives in Australia with her husband, Nathan, and daughter, Taiya. She was inspired to become a story-teller by George Lucas, but didn't start considering writing down her stories until she reached her late twenties. Now she enjoys writing high fantasy, and has recently began publishing her first series, Shadow Stalker. Aside from writing, she loves reading (Fantasy, of course), watching movies with her family, and doing crafts and science experiments with her daughter.


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The storms on the Dark Isle can be deadly. Kado and Auren find shelter to wait it out in relative safety, but little do they know another storm is about to descend upon them.

Love.


Auren meets, Etan, a young shadow stalker in her uncle's village, and they experience an immediate and deep connection. As far as she is concerned, she's old enough to pursue a relationship with whoever she wants, but the shadow stalkers live by different rules. Auren learns that her love for Etan is forbidden, and pursuing it can lead to dire consequences.

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Don't forget to check out the release blitz taking place all day today (6 December 2014) There will be reviews, interviews, guest posts, and excerpts.

Character Interview with Calista (a.k.a. Cali)


Hi Calista, thanks for agreeing to do this interview. It's nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too, and please call me Cali.

Okay Cali. You were born on the Dark Isle. What was it like growing up there?

Very hot. It's a tropical island in the middle of nowhere. Seriously, though. It has been a great place to grow up. The people in our village all know each other and it's like have a really large family. There are some I'd rather not know, but we don't have to talk about that now. And it's beautiful. It's like living in a perpetual summer and it's always green and colourful. There are flowers everywhere. It's probably not a great place if you're allergic to pollen.

If someone were to visit the Dark Isle, is there any place you'd recommend they avoid?

Anywhere that is not in a village. The forests are full of venomous man-eating plants. You wouldn't want to run into one of those. It would be the last thing you do, unless you're lucky enough to have someone along who can rescue you and give you the antivenom.

Have you ever encountered any of them?

Once, when I was about ten. I got angry at my foster father, Cathnor, over something. I can't even remember what it was, but I decided it was horrible enough to warrant running away. It was the worst experience of my life. Thankfully, Cathnor was there to get me away from it. I never thought it was possible to feel so much pain.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

It would definitely have to be Cathnor. He's not only my foster father, but my mentor as well.

How has he influenced you?

Well he's raised me since I was little and has taught me everything I need to know about being a shadow stalker.

Do you have a secret you've never told anyone?

Well, I have lots of secrets, but Cathnor knows them all. He's the only one I've shared all my secrets with.

Would you tell us one?

Ummmm, if I did that, it wouldn't be a secret. ;)

Do you have any regrets about anything in your life?

I regret not getting to know my family. Most of them were killed when the Galvadi Empire invaded the Dark Isle. My only living relatives are my uncle, Kado, and my cousin, Shai, Kado's daughter.

If you had one day left to live, what would you do with your last day?

I would try to rescue our Foramar, Zain. If I was going to die anyway, it would be worth trying to bring him back so our people would have a leader again, who could take the corrupt Council of Elders down a notch.

Wednesday 3 December 2014

The Other Inheritance by Rebecca Jaycox

 Rebecca Jaycox grew up in the tiny town of Berryman, which borders the Mark Twain National Forest and the Courtois River about 70 miles south of St. Louis. The beautiful landscape fed her imagination, and she began writing stories at age 10 and never stopped. Always seeking adventure, Rebecca moved to France after she graduated college with a journalism degree to teach English at a French high school. Bitten by the travel bug, she has recently visited Italy, Greece, Austria, Spain, and finally made it to her bucket-list destination of Istanbul last summer. Rebecca now lives in New York City with her husband, Gregory. She is the curator and program director of the YA Lit Series at the 92nd Street Y--one of New York's premier cultural centers. She enjoys reading and writing fantasy, urban fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction. The Other Inheritance is her first novel.


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The Other Inheritance


Seventeen-year-old Reggie has been having a tougher time than usual. As if dealing with her alcoholic mother and fighting school bullies isn’t enough, this biker dude shows up in her dreams, babbling about magic and a world called the Other. 

Then, in biology class, her finger brushes a dead frog set out for dissection and it leaps off the table, scaring everyone, including her.  
Reggie’s life is changing, and she has no idea why. Or whether she should believe the man in her dreams, who claims she’s in danger and that someone is coming to take her to a safer reality. But if there’s one thing she’s learned, nowhere is safe.



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Interview with Rebecca


Why did you decide to be a writer?

I didn’t really decide; as cheesy as it sounds, writing found me. I’ve been writing down stories since I was 10 years old, and no matter what other profession I’ve tried, I always come back to writing. Always.


What genres do you write?

I write fantasy, UF, and steampunk. 


What is the biggest obstacle you face as an author and what do you do to overcome it?

Time. Time is my enemy. I work full time at a “career” job, meaning my job isn’t a 9-5 that I can put away at the end of the day. I program YA Lit events at the 92nd Street Y and do fundraising. This sometimes means nights and weekends, and honestly this isn’t an obstacle I’ve overcome just yet. I do my best to set aside a few hours during the week and on the weekend. It’s a constant struggle. 

What fears do you have about writing and being an indie author? How do you cope with your fears?

My fear is that no one will read my work! I don’t have the resources a big publishing house has. All I can do is reach out to bloggers like you and get the word out the best I can. Thanks again!

Does your family support you in your writing, or are you on your own?

My family is completely supportive! I’m very lucky in that respect. I dedicated my first book to my mother who is my biggest cheerleader!

What inspires you to write?

Traveling! Other than writing, traveling is my favourite thing to do! Travel introduces me to different cultures and that inspires my world building. Last year, I went to Italy, Greece, and France. The architecture there is stunning, and you can bet that shows up in my writing. 

What are your goals as an author? Where do you see yourself in five years?

My goal as an author is to produce enough quality work that I can make a living writing without having that full time job to support myself. I think that’s every author’s dream, right? To do what you love and get paid for it.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on an adult UF featuring a witch in over her head with a dragon. It’s been fun. I’m also starting the sequel to The Other Inheritance. There will be a giant cornfield!

What was the hardest part about writing your latest book?

The hardest part about writing The Other Inheritance was knowing when to let go. I went through six drafts and at one point, I had to tell myself enough is enough. This is good; walk away. 

Do you ever base your characters on people you know?

Yeah, loosely based, but definitely. I write what I see around and me, and if I see certain character traits in people that I know that I want to write about, I use them. A lot of writing just comes from observing the world around us.

Are you a pantser or outliner?

I’m a bit of both. Sometimes I’ll outline the first half of a book so I can get started fairly quickly, but after that, anything goes! 

What book or series do you enjoy reading over and over again?

The Kate Daniels UF series by Ilona Andrews and the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. I’m a huge UF fan.

Do you have any advice for other indie authors?

Persistence, persistence, persistence! I signed with a small press in January 2013 after shopping my book around for eight years. Don’t give up and keep trying, it will happen. 

Do you have anything specific you'd like to say to your readers?

I hope you like the book! Reggie, my heroine, is a strong character and I hope readers can relate to her. I only wish I was that cool at 17.