Emblaze Blog Tour: Interview with Jessica Shivington

Title: Emblaze

Author: Jessica Shirvington

Series: The Embrace Series #3

ON SALE NOW!!!

Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

I'm so excited to have you on the blog for the Emblaze blog tour! The Embrace Series is one of my most favorite angel series right now!

Thanks so much for having me as a guest. And, yay! I'm so excited to hear you are enjoying the books!

How much research of angels and demons went into starting Embrace?

The research was extensive. Once it starts it kind of just escalates. I find that I stockpile a lot of different stories and take my times to become familiar with them and then, at the least expected times, I find an interesting way to weave them into Violet's world. Sometimes it is obvious to the reader and other times it is more subtle.

When featuring scripture through out the novels, do you find verses that fit the story or do you mold the story to fit a particular verse?

I find verses that fit my story - though that isn't to say that biblical stories and verses don't influence me along the way.

Who is your favorite character to write?

I write in Violet's point of view so I naturally feel closest to her. That said, I love them all. It is like asking a mother to choose between children. Very hard! And I really shouldn't! ;-)

Were you a big reader while growing up?

No. Not at all. In fact, I'd probably go out of my way to avoid reading books that I was told I should - even now I find it hard to be told what I am supposed to read. Although I am getting better!

It wasn't until I was in my twenties that I really discovered my love of reading. It is strange sometimes to think about what I missed out on now that I know what a huge part of my life reading and writing are. I really feel a bit cross with myself over it to be honest.

Who are your inspirations as a writer?

To tell a good story. That's it. Then once I do that, I'd really like to do that again.

If you had to recommend one book (or series) that you believe is a must read, what would it be?

Any book that grabs your attention. I don't know. Like I said above, I don't love being told what to read - it's personal, so I don't want to do it to other people. I love authors like C.S Lewis and I think there are some amazing authors like Neil Gaiman out there who should not be missed, but that's just me. Everyone is different.

Sum up The Embrace Series in 140 characters or less.

Angels are not always good. Consequence chases every choice. And love will kill them all.

Can you give us any spoilers or hints at what the future holds for Violet and Lincoln?

At the moment I'll give everyone a chance to enjoy EMBLAZE since it has just come out. ENDLESS will be out soon in October this year and then the final book will follow shortly after that. I'm very excited to share ENDLESS in October and I can let you know this much - I cried when I wrote it. A lot.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! The Embrace Series is fantastic and I'm eagerly anticipating the rest of the novels!

Thanks Crystal!! xx

Ghost Planet Blog Tour: Interview with Sharon Lynn Fisher!

Today I have the pleasure of having Sharon Lynn Fisher on the blog for an interview about her new book Ghost Planet! Ghost Planet is so awesome and I think you all should go out and read it!! Scroll down through the entire post to read an excerpt from the book!

A world in peril. A bond deeper than love.

Psychologist Elizabeth Cole prepared for the worst when she accepted a job on a newly discovered world - a world where every colonist is tethered to an alien who manifests in the form of a dead loved one. But she never expected she'd struggle with the requirement to shun these “ghosts.” She never expected to be so attracted to the charming Irishman assigned as her supervisor. And she certainly never expected to discover she died in a transport crash en route to the planet.

Reincarnated as a ghost, Elizabeth is symbiotically linked to her supervisor, Murphy - creator of the Ghost Protocol, which forbids him to acknowledge or interact with her. Confused and alone - oppressed by her ghost status and tormented by forbidden love - Elizabeth works to unlock the secrets of her own existence.

But her quest for answers lands her in a tug-of-war between powerful interests, and she soon finds herself a pawn in the struggle for control of the planet…a struggle that could separate her forever from the man she loves.

1. How did you come up with the concept of Ghost Planet?

I had been mainly writing fantasy romance up to that point, and decided I wanted to try my hand at sci-fi. The title came to me first, and then I started noodling on what a story with that title would be about. I came up with the concept for the ghost-aliens, and thought it would be cool to have my heroine travel to the planet and discover she was tethered to one. Then I thought no, SHE should be the alien. That’s really what got the story going.

2. What drew you to combine science fiction and psychology?

That’s a great question. It was really a natural direction for this particular story. When I came up with the concept for the ghosts – aliens who are created in the form of dead loved ones, and symbiotically bound to the colonists – I put myself in the colonists’ shoes. I tried to imagine how I would react if I traveled to a newly discovered world, only to meet up with a deceased mother, father, or husband who was actually an alien. And what if it happened not only to me, but also to the thousands of others who had colonized the planet. Chaos, right? Depression, PTSD, suicides, even murder.

And of course that was the reason the hero -- psychologist Grayson Murphy-- was recruited to work on Ardagh 1 (the “ghost planet”), and came up with the Ghost Protocol.

3. Did you read a lot of science fiction when you were a kid?

No, I wouldn't say a lot. But one of my favorite books as an adolescent was A WRINKLE IN TIME, which, like GHOST PLANET, combines sci-fi and romance. I read that book a dozen times. I also read the Star Wars novel SPLINTER OF THE MIND’S EYE (Alan Dean Foster) several times. That story also combines sci-fi and romance.

Beyond that I read mostly fantasy -- Piers Anthony, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien. I loved anything about ghosts, goblins, or fairies.

4. Who are your inspirations as a writer?

All of the above plus Richard Adams, Charlotte Bronte, Anthony Trollope, and Jane Austen.

5. If you lived on Ardagh 1 who would be your ghost?

Interesting question. I've been asked a few times whom I would *choose* as my ghost, but not who would actually BE my ghost.

Following my own world building rules, it would be either my dad or one of my grandparents. Loved them all dearly but I think my gran (my dad’s mom) would be the easiest (and most fun) to live with. She was an Okie, part Cherokee, who told great stories and said things like “God love your meat” while pinching my cheeks. Please don’t ask me what that means because I have no idea.

6. Who was your favorite character to write?

I find this question tough! I enjoyed writing them all, for different reasons. If I translate “favorite” to “most fun,” I think of characters that sprang fully formed from my brain and required very little revision. By that definition: the smart-ass, suicidal, physicist-turned-transport-pilot Garvey.

7. If you had to recommend one book that you think is a must read, what would it be?

I wish everyone would read WATERSHIP DOWN (Richard Adams). I think people are put off by the fact that it’s about rabbits, but that’s like saying THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH is about a church. WATERSHIP is about very human trials and emotions, plus it’s full of adventure, mystery, politics, and even romance.

8. Sum up your book in 140 characters or less.

Psychologist takes a job on an alien world. On day 1, she learns she's: Dead. Reincarnated as an alien. Tethered to a man who must shun her.

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog and answering a few questions! Your book is fantastic and I can’t wait for the next one!

Wow, thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed it! And thank you very much for having me.

Excerpt from Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher!

We trotted up half a dozen steps and were passing through the glass doors when Murphy said, “We’ll be scanned by security just inside. I hate them being here, raising people’s anxiety level in a place where we want them to feel safe. But all new arrivals pass through here, and someone decided it was a good idea.”

Thinking about the illicit-substance and weapons scans in all the airports and public buildings back home, I raised my eyebrows. “What’s it for?”

“To get a sort of fingerprint on everyone,” he explained, walking through the doorframe-shaped scanner. “Just to make sure we know who’s who. They can’t do it at the transport terminal because no one has ghosts when they first arrive.”

I followed him through the scanner, and a long beep sounded somewhere off to my left as I joined him inside. Murphy’s head jerked toward the sound. His eyes moved to the glass doors we’d just come through, and slowly back to me. He glanced at the security desk on our right.

“Where is it?” Murphy called to the guard, whose fingers were flying over his keyboard. The guard’s ghost leaned against the wall behind him, little more than a shadow.

The man stopped typing and looked up. “I’m sorry, Dr. Murphy?”

“I heard the alert go off, but I don’t see her. My ghost, Simon,” Murphy added, growing impatient. “Do you see her?”

The guard blinked at him a couple times. Then he cleared his throat. “She’s standing right next to you, Dr. Murphy.”

SHARON LYNN FISHER is the author of GHOST PLANET, coming from Tor Books on Oct. 30. The book -- a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist -- is a sci-fi/romance blend that offers a "fresh and fascinating take on the human-alien problem" (says author Linnea Sinclair). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she is hard at work on her next novel and battles writerly angst with baked goods, Irish tea, and champagne. You can visit her online at SharonLynnFisher.com.

Author Interview- Aaron Patterson and Giveaway!

Today I have here at Elegantly Bound Books the author of the upcoming book Airel, Aaron Patterson! He was so great to do this interview and to giveaway an e-copy of his book!

Where did you get the inspiration to write about angels?

I got the main story idea from Genesis 6 in the Bible where there are two verses about these angels that left to be with the human women and after that not much is said about them. I thought it would make a great story and so here we are.

I really love the cover, it's just stunning! How much sway did you have in the process of creating the cover of the book?

I work with my cover artist closely and so I got final say on everything to the color to the feel it gives off. I wanted something that was irresistible and I think she did a fantastic job!

What is your favorite scene and character in the book?

I love the end as it has action, heartbreak and when I write it I get goosebumps so I hope it does the same for readers. I write for myself so if a story keeps me going as I write I figure it will have the same impact on most other people. Although I am a little weird.

How did you choose the name Airel for the main character?

Airel is the old Hebrew way of spelling her name. It is a old angel name so I thought it fit. As with every charater I write, each name has a hidden histroy and meaning. Every book I have written the names mean something so if you want to get really nerdy about them you can look up each one and try to figure out what I was going for.

The publishing process can be long and arduous, from writing the initial draft of a book to selecting the cover art to waiting for those first reviews to roll in. What the most exciting part of the process for you?

The first draft. I love getting the story out. After that I like to see how people respond even if it is bad. I try to write books that that get a reaction. Good or bad I want you to "Feel" something.

Are you ever surprised how a scene works out when you're writing it or how a character winds up acting in a scene?

All the time! These people are real and do what they want. In fact, sometimes I get mad that they did something stupid or didn't react like I wanted them to, but that is the goal, make them real so they write themselves.

It must be hard to find time to relax when you're so busy writing, but everyone needs a break. Is there a particular genre or author you enjoy read when you're not writing?

I read just about everything. I like Steampunk and thrillers. I also enjoy medical thrillers but my all time favorite series is the "Black, White, Red" series by Ted Dekker... it is amazing!

For more information on Aaron Patterson, you can visit his blog or follow him on twitter!


Giveaway

Rules:

• One entry per person
• Must be 13 years or older
• International participants accepted
• Ends midnight, August 5

Blog Tour-Interview with Angela Henry and 2 Giveaways!

Today I'd like to welcome to the blog Angela Henry, the author of the Paris Secret, an adult mystery novel set in Paris.  As her Kizmet blog tour is coming to end end, she has done an interview with me and has some big prizes to giveaway!

The publishing process can be long and arduous, from writing the initial draft of a book to selecting cover art to waiting for those first reviews to roll in.  What's the most exciting part of the process for you?


The most exciting part of the writing process for me in when I'm writing that first draft and an idea hits me out of the blue that takes the story to another level.  Sometimes it's a new subplot other times it's a change in a character's motivation.  The coll part is that I never know exactly where the idea will take me until I start writing.

How much sway did you have in the process of creating the cover of the book?


Of all my books, I've had the most input on the cover for the Paris Secret.  My publisher, Carina Press, had me fill out a cover art fact sheet where I answered questions about my characters looks, setting, what other covers and images I liked.  I was able to make suggestions on what I wanted it to look like.  When I saw it I was so surprised and happy because they gave me exactly the over I asked for.  The Paris Secret is so cross genre and I think the cover really conveys that well.

Are you ever surprised how a scene works out when you're writing it or how a character winds up acting in a scene?


Always.  I usually have a vague idea of how things are going to work when I start writing.  By the time I'm finished, it's never exactly how I envisioned it.  My characters don't always do what I want them to.

What is your favorite scene and character in the book?


My favorite character is actually Simon's smart and sassy 13 year-old goddaughter, Francoise.  I just think she's a hoot.  My favorite scene is when Maya and Simon have to go to a hair salon to try and retrieve a dress.  Maya is furious with Simon because of something she finds out from Francoise and he can't figure out what's wrong with her.

I read in your book that you got the idea for the Paris Secret while on vacation?  Is vacation where most of your inspiration comes from or other places as well?


The Paris Secret is actually the only book inspired by a vacation.  My inspiration comes from lots of places: dreams, new stories, and personal experiences just to name a few.

When in your life did you decide to become a writer?


I decided I wanted to be a writer when I was in my teens.  But I didn't attempt to write my first novel until I was in my late twenties.  Up until then I'd only ever written short stories.

It must be hard to find time to relax when you're so busy writing, but everyone needs a break.  Is there a particular genre or author you enjoy reading when you're not writing?


I love "time slip" novels where character either travel back in time like in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series or featuring two heroines who are connected through time by an object, like in Kate Mosse's Labyrinth and Christi Phillips's The Devlin Diary.  I also love dark, edgy YA and middle grade mystery and adventure novels.

I would like to thank Angela for conducting this interview! It has been a great pleasure and it was really fun doing my first ever interview!


The Grand Prize Giveaway!



Angela has a huge grand prize that she is giving away on her blog on Tuesday, July 26, 2011!  The grand prize consists of a beautiful Eiffel Tower pendant, delicious lip gloss, a signed poster, The Paris Secret music playlist and an Audible gift card good for two audio book downloads! WOW! That's a huge prize pack!  For your chance to win, you answer to the following question in my comments section will be valid for one entry!

Every good story must come to an end.  But not every story ends happily ever after.  Do you prefer endings that are tempered with loss or unfulfilled wishes?  Or are you someone who reads a good story FOR the happily ever after?


Rules:

1. In order to win the grand prize pack, you must answer at least one question in the comments of any of the tour stops. You may answer as many of the questions as you like, for up to 15 entries in the tour.  Only one answer per tour stop will be considered valid.
2. No purchase, affiliation, status as follower to a certain blog or any other association is required to enter.
3. Full rules for the contest can be found at The Paris Secret's tour home page.
4. Winner of the Grand Prize pack giveaway will be announced on Angela's homepage on Tuesday, July 26.

For your chance to enter the giveaway 14 more times, please visit The Paris Secret's tour home page for a complete list of all the participating blogs! GOOD LUCK!!