My Demonic Ghost blog tour - Interview & Giveaway

Book Info-

Title- My Demonic Ghost: Banished Spirits

Series-My Demonic Ghost Book #1

By- Jacinta Maree

Genre- YA Paranormal/Ghosts

Published By- Staccato Publishing

Links-

Goodreads- 

Kindle- 

Nook- 

Smashwords-

Trailer-

Blurb-

Rachael has traveled to Whitehaven to visit her father, a trek she can not help but dread given his recent descent into madness. Upon her arrival she realizes his deterioration has not only been mental, it’s been physical as well. His death comes as no surprise, but what she discovers soon after, is shocking when his burden becomes hers.

Lock is a banished spirit who must attach himself to a human host in order to hide from those who would drag him back to hell to be destroyed. When he meets Rachael he finds more than a host, he finds an ally.

Together they must defeat each of the seven sins in order to guarantee Lock's safe passage into the Third Realm, a loophole in creation that would allow him to escape hell and have peace at long last. Through their unlikely friendship, other banished spirits flock to them in hopes of a peace they hadn't dreamt possible.

Book Info-

Title- My Demonic Ghost: The Reapers

Series- My Demonic Ghost # 2

By- Jacinta Maree

Genre- YA Paranormal/Ghosts

Published By- Staccato Publishing

Links-

Goodreads- 

Kindle- 

Nook- 

Smashwords- 

Blurb-

The day you die is meant to be the end, but for 18 year old Jordon Hastings, his death was only the beginning.

In a dark and twisted world, lost spirits known as Reapers remain behind after death to help collect the spirits from the realm of the living. A new Reaper, Jordon struggles to accept his fate and lingers in the shadows of his mortal life. But when a demon wolf starts to live through his shadow, hunting his family and friends Jordon has no choice but to leave. As soon as he accepts his new role the truth behind the relationship between Reapers and Angelic Hunters is revealed. His loyalty is tested, making him choose between a corrupted God and a single Banished Spirit.

INTERVIEW

Welcome back to Worlds of Wonderment Jacinta!

Thank you, always so happy to be here.

How would you describe your My Demonic Ghost series to potential new readers?

I like to think that My Demonic Ghost is a unique telling of a classic demon vs angel story, it is open age so anyone can enjoy it and it’s an exciting mix between adventure, fear and romance. My Demonic Ghost follows the stories of three different spirits and one very unfortunate host, Rachael who is currently 15 years old in book one. Each book is written following the perspective of a different class, first we have Banished, then the Reapers and lastly we have the Hunters. It was really fun to write because each story has a completely different belief and different understanding of the other classes and the world around them, allowing the reader a fresh outlook with each book.

Does Hunters differ from the previous MDG books at all?

Book three: Hunters & Creators swings back to Rachael’s POV where she's entering her University life in a completely different setting from Whitehaven. Unlike Book one and two where we watch from the Demon’s side, this time Rachael chooses to help the angels and therefore opens up a completely different set of problems. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends, it completely turns the series on its own head. All of the characters are more mature and seeing as this is the last book, all of the unresolved problems and broken relationships have to come to a conclusion.

Banished, Reapers and Hunters & Creators are very a unique concept, how did you come up with the initial idea?

Well, the initial idea for the entire series came to me when I was in high school studying in my Philosophy class. My teacher was teaching us about Descartes and his theory of consciousness, which got my mind spinning up all these different possibilities about the unknown. The way I’ve broken up by the series in three books came to me as I wrote. Originally, Banished Spirits was on its own for a very long time before The Reapers had even started. Which made it increasingly difficult to interweave Reapers through Banished later on.

Did you find one book harder to write than another?

The Reapers was definitely the hardest book I had to write out of three. Mainly because I was speaking from a POV I never really practise, which is Jordon an 18 year old male turned Reaper. Secondly, I had to write Reapers in a way that it made sense as a stand-alone, but also worked as part of a series. Thirdly, Reapers’ timeline works before, during and after the first book, so timing scenes and character reappearances were incredibly difficult.

Banished Spirits was my initial inspiration outbreak and I didn’t have any plans for publication, so time limitations and other publication related stresses weren’t a concern. Hunters & Creators was stressful as I had to tie a very complicated story with complicated relationships together within a certain time frame and in a believable manner.

Evan (Lock) and Jordon didn't have the best home life, do you think it helped shape their characters as Banished and Reaper?

I think it is very important to see Evan’s/Lock’s life growing up, as it gives his reactions, his issues with trust and yearning to be accepted an even greater depth and understanding. We were lucky to not only be able to watch his childhood but to also see how that affects how he treats others and how he views himself. Along with the bad, there’s also the good with Locks’ and Rachael’s budding romance that transforms him away from his arrogance and selfish personality and into a loving and strong character. It’s also great to watch a character that was originally so small, weak and invisible have such an amazing impact on others in a positive way. Same with Jordon, his undying devotion to protect his brother spreads out to such an impressive scale that all creatures and spirits alike flock to his cause. Jordon’s love towards his brother becomes a beacon for others.

Hunters is your third book published, what have you learned about writing over the last few years?

I’ve learnt that there is a lot of work to do beyond publishing, like marketing and tours and give aways. Writing and publishing is just the beginning, I didn’t realise the amount of constant work that followed the publication. Not that I’m complaining, I love it. As I’m with Staccato Publishing, I am very fortunate as to have other authors around willing to help me. I’m still experimenting with finding my voice, so with every book I write my writing style changes a little bit.

Did you receive any advice in the beginning that has helped you write your books?

My first book was written purely for my own entertainment, and no one had read it until I decided to get it professionally edited. When it came to writing, I always wrote my own way and in my own style. Sure, my teachers taught me the basics of the English structure, but no one taught me how to write a story. I found my own way.

Is there anything you are currently working on that you can share with us?

I would love to, at this very moment I am writing a fantasy short story with a group of other amazing authors. I’ve also just finished my manuscript for a dystopian supernatural I’ve called Soulless, which revolves around a future where reincarnation exists. I’ve got a steampunk supernatural as well, called Time Weaver, which revolves around the idea of exchanging wishes for time. I’ve been quite busy.

Are there any other genres you'd like to write? If so, why?

I’m a big supernatural fan, but I also love dystopian and fantasy. I think the only genre I am yet to write properly would be horror. My long nights of horror movie marathons has definitely been great research, and I really think I would be able to write something incredibly scary.

Was there a reason you chose to write YA or was it just the way the story progressed?

Originally I wrote YA because of the character’s ages. Both were young and Lock was based off the character Casper the Friendly Ghost and Peter Pan, which are very playful, innocent and has a small hint of naivete. At the beginning of the novel I was tempted to change the characters and age them into young adulthood, but I feel that if I did that I would’ve lost a lot. I love the contrast between them and the world they live in. They are young and innocent but the world is dark and corrupted.

If any of your novels were picked up, what type of platform would you like them to be expanded on? E.g. movies, anime, games.

Umm… definitely a gaming platform. I’m a massive gamer so if any of my books were to be turned into games, I think I would pass out from my constant, high speech squealing. Alternatively, I’m a lover of animations, so even if it was turned into an animation movie like Monsters Inc, I would be very, very happy.

Favourite movie?

My favourite movie so far has been How to Train your Dragon. It’s a toss-up between movie 1 and 2.

Favourite book?

I loved the assassin series by Brent Weeks, so incredible.

Favourite holiday destination?

Hands down, Japan. I don’t know what it is but I love everything about their culture and life style.

Ice cream or chocolate?

Chocolate, of course. Chocolate would be my answer to really any food question.

About the Author-

Self confessed chocaholic, Jacinta was born and raised in Melbourne Australia with her loving family of five. Even as a child Jacinta had an itch to write. Writing was the one constant hobby she clung to, also trying her hand at piano, flute, tennis, horseback riding and drama.

Jacinta works full time in the family business and spends her afternoons either playing basketball, reading, writing or hanging out with friends. She is always happy to try something new; getting her real estate license, practicing ninjitshu, Zumba and parkour to name a few.

For her future, Jacinta sees herself writing. It is a large part of her identity and something she hopes to continue. Aside from her love of stories she loves Japan and its unique and beautiful culture and history. From their delicious sushi dishes right down to their wooden sandals and kimonos. She is also a huge cat person and loves to snuggle up in front of the fire for a good movie or book. Her favorite genres are paranormal and fantasy but she also loves anything written by thriller writer, Stephen King.

Social Media Links-

Publisher- http://staccatopublishing.blogspot.com/p/jacinta-marie.html?m=0

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/jacinta.maree.10

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448929.Jacinta_Maree

Website- http://jacintamaree.wix.com/mydemonicghost

Blog- http://jacintamareeauthor.blogspot.com.au/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/JacintaMaree6

Giveaway Info-

1 hard copy My Demonic Ghost book 1

1 hard copy My demonic ghost book 2.

$5 amazon gift card.

A Key chain and magnet.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Rebecca Laffar-Smith

Welcome to Worlds of Wonderment, Rebecca. For those who have yet to hear about your novel, could you tell us about it?

Sure! The Flight of Torque is a paranormal fantasy about a young reporter, Tori, and her guardian angel, Lucas. Tori is captured by the Nagaran, a sinister cult of snake worshippers. Lucas, also captive and now seriously injured, is unable to prevent the cult taking Tori for a ceremony of ritual sacrifice. Thankfully, rather than dying from the ritual like those before her, Tori becomes Serpenthropy, a human able to transform into a giant serpent. Unable to control her serpent form, Tori is taken over by the creature. It acts from basic, animal instinct and is prone to violent anger and lust.

The Flight of Torque explores Tori and Lucas’s experiences and internal struggles as Tori tries to reclaim her body and find a cure for what she has become, and Lucas fights a growing sense of helplessness and failure as a guardian angel unable to protect his charges. The forbidden bond forming between them complicates matters and raises the stakes as both realise that they’d sacrifice themselves to save the other. At every turn Tori and Lucas discover new secrets about the Nagaran and it’s connection to Tori’s family and the Angel Hierarchy.

Is The Flight of Torque part of a series? If so, what do you foresee for the series?

Yes. The Flight of Torque is the first in what I currently see as four books. Book two is actually a prequel that goes back a generation to follow the experiences of the Sacred Mother, a being worshipped by the Nagaran as the first Serpenthropy and mother of the Nagaran Royals, men who go on to father the Children of the Nagaran. While in book-world-time it comes before The Flight of Torque, it’s intended to be read after, as some of the secrets revealed in the first book will be the story and action of the second.

Following that I’ll be returning to where The Flight of Torque ends (or shortly after) as Tori and Lucas continue to unravel issues within the Nagaran and the Angel Hierarchy. I don’t want to spoil the ending for those who haven’t read The Flight of Torque yet so I’ll say no more, but I’ve already started to outline that book and I’m very excited about discovering the story as it unfolds on the page.

Finally, there will be a fourth book where Zara and Crey are the main characters. I’m not too sure what will happen there yet, only that they’re demanding a book of their own.

It’s possible more books in the world will evolve as I write the sequels so I won’t say four is it, but it’s definitely more than enough to be going on with right now. Especially since I also have other book projects in the works and I coordinate Write Along The Highway and the OzNoWriMo Young Writers Program for West Australian writers. There are never enough hours in the day to write everything I want to write.

Can you describe your main characters in five words?

Wow, this one is difficult (mostly because I write long, so boxing them up into only five words is very challenging).

Tori: Independent. Passionate. Determined. Courageous. Stubborn.

Lucas: Compassionate. Loyal. Honourable. Timeless. Wounded.

How does the fantasy world you've created differ from ours?

Maybe it doesn’t… At least, I like to think of it that way. Everything within the world is just like our real world today. There are mobile phones, suburban houses, sprawling cities, towering skyscrapers, bustling police stations and news offices, stylish sedans and compact hatchbacks (including an Easter-egg-style nod to the first car I ever owned, a little blue Kia). As I was writing it I used a lot of the real world around me here in Perth, Western Australia, but I also wanted to make it unidentifiable so that most readers could feel like it could be an urban environment near their own home.

The fantasy comes from the presence of angels and serpenthropy. And I like to think, maybe such things are possible in our real world, like an undiscovered world of supernatural beings existing under the surface of what is collectively accepted as normal. Who knows? Maybe there is a cult of snake worshippers living in a segregated community underneath an old, abandoned church somewhere.

Have there been any authors that have influenced your writing?

The author who had the most influence on me as a writer is fellow Australian author, Traci Harding. I read

her Ancient Future Trilogy when I was a teenager and was struck by the way she introduced metaphysical and spiritual concepts through fiction. She made things that were often considered rather airy-fairy at the time something that could be embraced.

I remember reading her book and realising that fiction is a great medium for introducing spiritual and esoteric beliefs in a way that won’t cause readers to close their minds to possibility. I decided that’s what I wanted to do as a writer. I wanted to use my fiction to explore the wonder and ‘magic’ that exists in the world and use fiction as a gateway to explore my own beliefs and share those beliefs with others.

Having said that, The Flight of Torque is not in any way preachy. The only truly “spiritual” or religious aspect of the book is the presence of angels, guardians who watch over and protect mortals. Beyond that the themes that came out were to do with inner strength, self-love, and acceptance. I found Tori’s experience with the serpent within her was almost metaphoric for my experiences with Bipolar and so, rather than looking at more new-age concepts, I explored the journey she’d take facing the darkness within.

Where did the inspiration for the Flight of Torque come from?

Actually, I owe this book to a cherished friend of mine who I’ve never met in person. Forge (to whom the book is dedicated) is a fellow Australian author living across the other side of the country in Victoria. He and I ‘met’ on Writing.Com and in December 2006 we decided to co-write a story. The story evolved through brainstorming sessions via Yahoo messenger and emails. We wrote alternating scenes and together a basic outline and few thousand words evolved.

The alternating scenes technique we used as co-writers was actually what lead to the alternating point-of-view (POV) in The Flight of Torque. When we co-wrote, I wrote POV Tori and Forge wrote POV Lucas. The way the story unfolded from two points of view, with the opportunity to experience both Lucas and Tori’s inner thoughts and feelings, was something I was very strongly drawn to and I continued that when I wrote The Flight of Torque. As you read you’ll find some scenes are written in Tori’s POV. The reader experiences some of Tori’s thoughts, internal dialogue (when she’s arguing with the serpent form), and her feelings. In other scenes readers experience what Lucas thinks and feels. It gives us a greater sense of connection with the main characters and allowed me to do things within the story that I could not have otherwise done.

In early 2007, Forge found he couldn’t continue with the project it idled for a long time, but I found myself constantly drawn back to it. The characters wanted their story told. Many months (possibly years?) later I contacted Forge to find out if he would mind if I continued to develop the story as a solo author. I had no idea how far the story would diverge from its beginnings.

The original story Forge and I outlined together had dragons, and stolen eggs, and sonic weapons, and an epic adventure up a mountain, and lots of cool stuff that never made it into the final book. In fact, almost nothing remains of that original outline, but it was the seed that would, over the eight years that followed, evolve into the Blood of the Nagaran series.

Having said, “almost nothing remains”, there are two sequential chapters in the book that remain from the very first pages written way back in 2006. I rewrote the Lucas scenes so it had my writer’s voice rather than Forge’s, but the actual story elements are very similar to the original draft. Early readers have mentioned that they absolutely loved these chapters and found them the most effortless and enjoyable to read. I wonder if any readers can guess which chapters they are? Drop me an email or catch me on Facebook or Twitter to let me know which chapters you think they are.

If you could choose anyone to portray your characters, who would they be?

I always pictured Tori as Jessica Alba, particularly from her role as Max Guevera in the T.V. series, Dark Angel.

While I was writing the book, Lucas was played by Paul Walker. After Paul Walker’s death in November 2013 I had a short bout of writer’s block as I struggled to recast him in my mind. Then I was watching Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant on Fiction Unboxed as they talked about casting their characters. They cast based on roles rather than the real life actor. So, they might cast Sean Connery, but a young Connery like in his James Bond days rather than the older actor he is today. This idea of casting to the role they once played rather than who they are today helped me get past that block and keep writing. Still, when a big production company buys the rights we’ll need to find someone for the role and I still haven’t recast him, so I’d love reader’s suggestions for who they’d cast as Lucas in The Flight of Torque movie.

Crey de Luca Vento is Orlando Bloom as Will Turner (Pirates of the Caribbean); Zara is Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games); Tempany is Kate Hudson (the glamorous, elegant Kate we see at award ceremonies rather than the rather aggressive and very modern female heroine she often plays in romantic comedies); Michael is Hugh Jackman as Leopold in Kate & Leopold (but more sullen and aloof); and Marlena is Michelle Trachtenberg as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl (but older and with a wash of crimson hair dye).

I actually have photographs in my Scrivener file (I use Scrivener for Mac but you can get Scrivener for Windows too). I like to pick out pictures that have the look, hairstyle, makeup, etc. that I feel most closely represents the characters in my mind. It helped to have that tangible reference to come back to because sometimes I’d take long breaks from the book and it became fuzzy/blurry in my mind; the photographs helped ground me back with the characters. One of the first things I did in July, when I began preparing the outline for the sequel, Birth of the Sacred Mother, was cast my characters and add pictures to their character profiles.

Thanks so much for giving me an opportunity to talk about The Flight of Torque. I’ve enjoyed sharing my experience and loved running with the questions you’ve asked, Jo-Anne. I hope we’ll have a chance to do this again some time. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from readers. I’ll hang out in the comments but also invite conversation on The Craft of Writing Fiction on Facebook.

Rebecca Laffar-Smith is a science fiction and fantasy novelist. Her debut novel, The Flight of Torque, is available now as eBook and Paperback. You can try before you buy with a Free Flight of Torque Sample copy on your choice of eReader device or app.

FYI: Some of the links included in this interview are affiliate links. All products are honestly recommended by  Rebecca but in the honour of being open she would like to acknowledge that she will receive a small commission on any sales made following these links.

Amazon AU | Goodreads

When investigative reporter, Tori, chases the story of an underground smuggling network, she stumbles into something significantly more sinister. Instead of the illegal trade of exotic reptiles, she finds a temple of devout snake worshipers. Taken by the cultists, Tori is subjected to a savage ritual and irrevocably transformed. Now something dark and primal slithers within her. 

Lucas, charged with Tori’s protection, struggles against an overwhelming sense of helplessness. He should be stronger, faster, and more powerful than any human, but in the past twenty years all of his charges have been murdered. Their deaths and his failures linger in his nightmares. They writhe in his mind like the chilling sense of brooding hunger that floods Tori’s thoughts. 

Filled with violent rage and dark jealousy, the cult’s High Priestess rears up between Tori and the truth. The only thing protecting Tori from the long, cold embrace of death is the darkness within and the tingling warmth and light of her guardian angel.

Interview with Pepper Winters

Welcome to Worlds of Wonderment, Pepper. Thanks for stopping by.

Thanks so much for having me!!! <3

For those who haven’t heard about your book, could you give us a quick overview?

Sure, the best way to describe Tears of Tess is: Dark Romance. There are some areas that are hard to read such as violence and rape, but ultimately it’s a story about love and finding your perfect other even in the strangest of situations. It’s a HEA with no cliffhanger, but there is a second book as I loved the characters too much to stop.

Can you describe Tess and Q in five words?

Um, Passionate, Obsessed, Secretive, Strong, Complex, and Warriors

You cover quite a few dark and gritty subjects in Tears of Tess, how were they to write?

Pretty hard as I really tried to put myself in Tess’s situation to understand how she would feel. Her heart would be racing, her thoughts all scrambled. It wasn’t nice just to imagine… I can’t fathom what it would be like in reality.  The scenes with Q were hard too as she has so many hidden desires she really is a stranger to herself.

Human trafficking is such a terrible issue, what made you want to cover it in your book?

After watching Taken with Liam Neeson I started researching just how rampant it is in the world and it’s pretty horrific. You aren’t safe anywhere these days. India, Egypt, Thailand, Bali, Mexico. If you don’t keep close or aware these sort of situations can happen. And for someone who travels a lot, it’s always been a deep seated fear of mine.

What is the overall message you’d like readers to grasp after reading Tears of Tess?

The fact that everyone has someone out there for each other. Never settle unless your soul is on fire and you are worshipped. If they also take away a harder message to help stop slavery that would be fantastic too.

What is the most interesting thing you learnt while writing your book?

Probably learning about my characters. They really didn’t give a lot of themselves away until I started to write the story. Q always remained very distant in my head, only giving snippets of his thoughts. It wasn’t until the epilogue that he made sense to me.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Purely from imagination. I’m not someone who goes looking for images or bases a location on something I’ve seen. I like to start from scratch in my head.

Describe your ideal setting when writing.

Ideal setting is in my office upstairs with the sun streaming in. However, I mainly write on the couch in the lounge as that is where the heater is and it’s been a cold winter. Lol

Why do you think New Adult has become such a popular category?

I think the category has always been around, it’s just been mixed with full adult fiction for so long. It’s nice to have the distinction of a younger adult, compared to an older adult dealing with heavier things like child raising and divorce. I think the ease of separation has meant easier book selection J Plus all the readers who got hooked on YA needed to evolve to something and NA was the next step.

Summer or Winter?

Even though my last name is Winter and Tess and Q love winter. I’m a summer girl through and through. I HATE being cold. I would be happy if it was 38 c degrees all day everyday. J

Boxers or briefs?

Oh tight boxers for sure. I hate silky boxers and I hate tighty whities, but boxer-briefs. Yum

Do you have a guilty indulgence?

Um, probably Coke Zero. I sip on a glass while I write. I don’t drink coffee or anything else but water and Coke so it’s the only way to get caffeine J

Is there anything you are currently working on that you could share with us?

You know, I wasn’t going to do this as Last Shadow is no here near ready yet, but I’m going to share a bit from this book. Here is the work in progress blurb:

Blurb for Last Shadow

I may exchange dollar signs for a life, but it doesn’t mean I’m without morals.

I may not know my true name, but I don’t need one.

I may be human, but my soul is rotten.

Kage is a perfect shadow. A highly trained killer and unforgiving mercenary, he’s been trained since birth to suffer no emotion, remorse, empathy, or compassion. He’s void, empty—a black unrelenting darkness.

Vivienne is sunlight and happiness. Her twin sister is her reason for living, and she believes her life will be filled with romantic movie-like-moments and golden wrapped opportunities.

But then Kage kills her sister.

By mistake.

His real target was Vivienne, and he steals her away to cover up his blunder. But nothing is secret from the Society of Shadows and Kage is ordered to deliver Vivienne to a high roller in Thailand as a gift for his screw-up.

Kage does his job, and Viv becomes the latest acquisition in a harem of women at the mercy of the highest sadistic bidder.

Life shattered for Viv, and Kage managed to tie up loose ends, but they both weren’t prepared for the unexpected, or a force greater than a human hand.

Excerpt: (unedited, subject to change, copyright Pepper Winters)

Two days later, I boarded a plane to Brisbane, Australia, along with a hoard of brash and loud mouthed imbeciles.

I wanted to wring Sonny’s neck when I took a seat next to a pretty blonde woman with an accent like a broken clarinet. “G’day. Oh, I’m glad you’re sitting next to me and not some horrible hairy old man.”

I guessed that was a compliment seeing as my grey eyes were red-rimmed from lack of sleep, my black t-shirt was scuffed and embellished with the band Korn, and my black jeans needed a wash two weeks ago. I wasn’t exactly a sleek and pretty killer. I preferred to ruff it. Hang with the lower crowd. I found if people were frightened of me, or just plain sickened by my wardrobe sense, they subconsciously stayed away.

I didn’t know if it was my upbringing in the hills of Japan, with no other contact but karate masters and weapon geeks, or if I’d always been a recluse, but I hated the human race with a vengeance. Hence why I’m perfect for my role on earth. An exterminator of a virus gone way out of control. My hatred for humans went so far, I even hated myself. I wanted Sonny to call me after some animal, not a shadow… at least then I could prove I wasn’t human.

“Looks like,” I grunted, slouching in my chair and immediately grabbing the inflight magazine in pretense to shut her up.

A white dainty hand appeared beneath the pages. “I’m Chantelle. If I’m going to be sitting next to you while we fly across the world I think we should be on first name basis.”

Ever so slowly, I lowered the magazine, all the while feeling rage and hatred and need to hurt bubble in my blood like an undetonated bomb. I fixed grey-black irises on her, and let my longish black hair cascade over one eye. I didn’t say a word.

It didn’t take long.

The sparkle in her pretty, innocent eyes dissolved, and fear cast a shadow in one quick swoop. My stomach tensed, recognizing the terror, the awareness that something wasn’t quite right with me. And it fed me better than any drug or delicacy.

She was right to fear me.

I kill in the shadows. I’m your worst nightmare.

Author Bio

Writer, reader, sometimes wife.

An avid devourer of sexy romance and angsty New Adult.

Nothing beats lolling in a bubble bath with her array of book boyfriends.

Her two titles: Tears of Tess and Broken Chance are coming soon.

She loves mail of any kind:

pepperwinters at gmail dot com

Facebook

Twitter

Interview with Elizabeth Richards!

Welcome to Worlds of Wonderment Elizabeth, it’s great to have you here.

Thanks for having me!

Can you tell potential readers about your book?

Sure thing. Here’s the official blurb, which sums it up best:

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love.

Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Where did the idea for Black City spring from?

The idea of Black City all started with Ash. I was watching this indie movie called Charlie Bartlett, and the character of Ash suddenly sprung into my mind. I don’t know why, but inspiration often strikes at the oddest times. I began thinking about this damaged, drug-dealing, supernatural boy whose dormant heart starts to beat when he meets his soul mate, Natalie. As soon as the film was over, I wrote a scene between Ash and his best friend Beetle. It never made it into the final book, but it all started with that kernel of an idea and grew from there.

What have you planned for the Black City Chronicles?

I can’t go into details as it is all top secret for now. All I can say is that the stakes will be raised, you’ll get to meet other supernaturals, and there’s plenty of kissing!

Describe Ash and Natalie in three words.

Ash - Damaged, brave, passionate

Natalie - Conflicted, rebellious, caring

How does your paranormal world differ from others?

Black City differs from a lot of paranormal YA novels, because it has a dystopian twist. It’s set in a war-torn, post-apocalyptic world where Darklings are treated like second-class citizens and forced to live inside walled ghettos. It’s a gritty, dark and dangerous world, and the threat of execution always lingers over Ash and Natalie’s heads.

Do Ash and Natalie grow much during Black City?

Very much so. Ash starts off the story as this broken, angry, selfish guy and grows into a very strong, brave young man, who is willing to stand up for what’s right to protect those he loves. Equally, Natalie starts off as a bit of a brat, who hates Darklings and does whatever her mom tells her to do, and grows into this confident, defiant girl who supports the Darkling cause despite the risks to herself. 

If you could date or marry any fictional character who would it be and why?

Oooh, that’s a good question! Mmm, well the boy I’d want to date wouldn’t necessarily be the boy I’d want to marry. So with that in mind, I would date Patch from Hush, Hush because he’s such a bad boy and would be a lot of fun, but I’d marry Edward from Twilight, because he’s a gentleman, eternally cute, and a good provider and protector.

What’s your guilty indulgence?

I’m currently addicted to these caramel chocolate bars called Curly Wurlys. They’re divine and a really naughty indulgence.

Can we get a sneak peek at Black City? Just a teeny, tiny one. Please?

Since you asked so nicely... ;-p There’s actually a sampler of Black City on Penguin’s Breathless Reads Facebook fan page, featuring excerpts from their Fall 2012 Breathless Reads, including Black City, Origin, Venom, The Innocents and Falling Kingdoms. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/breathlessreads/app_190322544333196

Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist, who spent her early career reviewing videogames before making the bold (or crazy) move into travel writing, despite suffering from terrible travel sickness.

In her spare time, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls, where she got to interview many of her favourite bands, go to gigs and basically blag loads of free swag all in the name of ‘research’.

Elizabeth lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her husband. Black City is her debut novel.

Interview & Giveaway with Susan Dennard

Welcome to Worlds of Wonderment Susan, it’s great to have you here!

You’re book Something Strange and Deadly releases later this year. Can you give potential readers a rundown?

It’s 1876, and Philadelphia is hosting the first American World Fair. It’s also hosting rancid corpses that refuse to stay dead. When one of those decomposing bodies brings Eleanor--a 16-year-old with a weakness for buttered toast and Shakespeare quotes--a hostage note for her brother, she resolves to do anything to rescue him. But to face the armies of Dead that have him, she’ll need a little help from a rag-tag ghost-fighting team called the Spirit-Hunters.

Is Something Strange and Deadly going to be part of a series? If so, what do you foresee for the series?

Yes, Something Strange and Deadly is the first book in a planned trilogy. Book 2, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, leads Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters to Paris, and book 3 takes them to Egypt.

Can you describe your main characters in five words?

Do you mean a sentence of five words? Or five adjectives? I’m going to go with the latter. ;)

Eleanor is brave, overly curious, too impulsive, hungry-for-carbs, and fiercely loyal. Okay, that was WAY more than five... Sorry!

What do you think sets Eleanor and Daniel apart from other YA couples?

I think they’re different because they aren’t necessarily meant to be together. There is no love-at-first-sight, soul-mate love between them. In fact, they aren’t even remotely interested in each other at the start. Their romance is a gradual thing...but even in books 2 and 3, there’s a lot standing in their way--specifically themselves and their own emotional readiness for love.

What makes a swoon-worthy rogue attractive and why do think we swoon over these rogues?

Ah, it’s the arrogant charm. A good ol’ Han Solo or Howl makes me go weak in the knees. There’s just something about their self-confidence...and also their tendency toward sarcasm. The key is figuring out which rogues are actually worth being with and which are just self-centered jerks. ;)

Is there a song that you think encompasses Something Strange and Deadly? Why does it fit your book?

For Something Strange and Deadly, it would be “Septimus” from the Stardust score. It’s just full of tension, and I can so vividly see Eleanor and Daniel running for their lives as they flee a dynamite factory on the verge of exploding!

Was there one defining moment when you realised you wanted to be an author?

Well, I wanted to be a writer when I was growing up, but when I went to school to study creative writing, I wound up sidetracked by marine biology. But when my husband and I got engaged, we realized if I continued to pursue science and he continued to pursue engineering, then we would be apart for many, many, MANY years. At that point, I decided to re-examine that old life goal of mine. But this time, I was older and willing to approach it without the rose-coloured glasses of childhood. This time, I was going to approach it as a profession. And...well, that’s what I did!

What has your journey been like to become published?

It was definitely not what I expected! When I started querying, I was actually on vacation and barely had access to the internet. I figured I wouldn’t hear from any agents for a while, so I sent out my queries and then went to the south of France for a week…only to get my first offer of representation a few days later! I can’t explain to you how stressful  that vacation was.

A few weeks after I signed with the amazingly fantastic and astonishingly wonderful Nancy Coffey Literary, I became an official HarperTeen gal!! :)

Honestly, I feel like my luck with SS&D all boils down to two things: how much I revised the book before I even began querying (I totally over-revised! But maybe my perfectionism paid off…er right?) and timing. The premise for Something Strange and Deadly was exactly what my editor was looking for at that exact moment, so it was all very “stars aligning”.

Is there one thing you wish you had the talent for (besides writing)?

Oh goodness yes! There are so many things I wish I had a talent for--long-distance running, playing an instrument, promoting myself. ;) But if I had to choose one skill I really, really wish I had, it would be drawing. Being able to sketch the characters in my head or draw out a scene--that’s something I would love to be able to do.

I’m a 28-year-old reader, writer, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I really like swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in Germany with my French husband and Irish setter, and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on twitter, facebook, or Goodreads. Visit www.susandennard.com!

So who wants to win a pre-order of Something Strange and Deadly? Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

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Interview with Lee Nichols

Welcome to Cotton Candy Reviews Lee. It’s great to have you here.

Thanks for having me!

There are some people out there who may not have heard about you or your books. Could you give potential readers a rundown?

The Haunting Emma series is about seventeen-year-old girl who discovers she can see and control ghosts and while a lot of them are good, some of them are out to kill her.

I have read both Deception and Betrayal in your Haunting Emma series (& loved them), how many books are planned for this series?

Surrender is the final book in the series and I think will be available in the UK and Australia in April.

I really enjoyed the ghostkeeper aspect of the Haunting Emma novels. How did this idea come about?

I set out to write a sort of contemporary Gothic mystery, which to me means an old house and ghosts, but to keep it fresh I decided Emma Vail, the main character, would discover she could see and control the ghosts, and that there would be this whole ghostkeeping world and society that was protecting regular people from evil ghosts.

You write both YA and Adult books, where did you begin and why do you dabble in both demographics?

I started writing women's fiction for adults and will probably go back to that in the future. The original idea for the Haunting Emma series was an adult novel, but I kept making the character younger and younger until I realized she was better suited to a YA novel. I really love both demographics.

When you go to the movies, is there one type of junk food you have to have?

If I'm going to have anything, it has to be popcorn.

Have you ever thought about who could play your Haunting Emma characters if the books were to be made into a movie?

Deception, the first book in the series, is being optioned for television. I'd love for Diana Agron from Glee to play her.

Are you working on anything new that you could give us a sneak peak at?

I can't give you a sneak peak at anything I'm working on, but here is a short excerpt from Surrender the final Haunting Emma novel:

I’ve never liked bad boys. On TV shows, when the girl is torn between her sweet best guy friend—who is not-so-secretly in love with her—and the stand-offish bad boy, I always root for the best friend.

But standing in Bennett’s attic room, my arms twined around him, I finally saw the appeal. I shouldn’t have been there. Shouldn’t have let Bennett’s drug-stained fingers stroke my neck, shouldn’t have lied to Simon about him. And I definitely shouldn’t have been kissing him when I was supposed to be downstairs with the rest of the team, trying to figure out Neos’s next move.

Yet I barely protested when Bennett nibbled my neck. “I—I should—oh—”

He pinned me with his piercing blue eyes. “Yes?”

“Um …” I licked my lips. “I forgot what I was going to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. Just keep making those little noises.”

I let out a sound I didn’t recognize, as he traced my spine with his finger.

“Yeah, like that,” he whispered.                                 

Oh my God. How could I have been so wrong about bad boys? Forget the best friend, I wanted this—the unpredictable charm, the danger, and the heat. Did anything else matter? I closed my eyes and ran my fingers through his hair in the spinning darkness—then stopped when I heard a cough from the doorway.

My eyes snapped open and I caught a glimpse of someone standing at the top of the attic stairs. It was Simon, peering inside.

“Simon!” I yelped. “Go away!”

“Emma …” he said. There was something weird in his tone, something more than just I’ve caught you with your drug-addled boyfriend who shouldn’t be here.

“What?” I asked. “What’s happened?”

Before he answered, two people stepped into the room. Well-dressed, faintly familiar, and completely unamused.

And Bennett said, “Mom … Dad?”