Tricia Zoeller, Fiction Author Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
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“Silver Shackles”— Tour Stop & Author Interview with Fiona Skye

6/16/2015

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When you steal from faerie queens, the consequences are painful and sometimes deadly.

Were-jaguar and TV personality, Riley O’Rourke, has been looking over her shoulder ever since she stole from the Dark Queen of the Unseelie faeries. When Riley is contacted by an informant with knowledge that can blow the lid off the story of the year, she can’t pass up the opportunity to investigate. What she finds instead is something that puts her at the mercy of the Dark Queen, who is not known for her compassion.

When Riley’s boyfriend, David, realizes she’s missing, he’ll do whatever it takes to get her back, including starting a war with the Unseelie. The balance of power among the Fae courts is shifting, and if David makes one wrong move, Riley could end up crushed in the struggle. But after being the subject of the Queens’s legendary cruelty, will there even be anything left of Riley to save?

The second book in the Revelations Trilogy continues the story of Riley O'Rourke, David Lo, and Neve MacAlpin. Buy it here.

Taming Shadows is the first book in the Revelations Trilogy and introduces us to Riley, David, and Neve. Buy it here.


Welcome Author Fiona Skye...

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What inspired you to write the Revelations Trilogy?

It was a combination of things, really. I have wanted to be an author since I was probably five or six years old, but my career went sort of in the opposite direction. I worked as a journalist for years—both as a staff writer and in the editorial department—for two different newspapers and a magazine. Then I discovered National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and only wrote fiction during the month of November. I never went back to those books despite crossing the 50,000-word finish line with all but one. But in November of 2012, I decided that it was time to make my childhood dream true and picked a character who had been living inside my head for more than ten years. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Tell us a little bit about your character, Riley O’Rourke?

Riley has lived inside my brain since 2001, when my husband introduced me to Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series. I was very intrigued by the lycanthropes and wondered what sort of were-animal would do best in Southern Arizona. Then I discovered that there were wild jaguars living here and decided, yeah, that could work.

Riley has gone through a few permutations since she was first born. She was a lawyer when I first met her, then a ballet dancer, and finally a journalist. Most of the rest of her—her heritage, her involvement with the Fae and David, where she lives and where she's from—has stayed the same, though.

What would be her theme song? Who would you cast for her in a TV/movie?

She's had a few theme songs throughout the years, but I think the one that most           fits her is “Scars”, by Rush. And she's Maggie Q in my mind.

What’s your writing process like? (Any routines: time of day, snacks, music) Plotter or pantster?

When life and the day job (which would be an epic name for a band, by the way) allows, I like to write as soon as I get up until around lunch time. I always try to get at least 1,000 words a day if I can. My choice in music usually depends upon what sort of scene I'm writing that day—I have Spotify playlists for everything from love scenes to fight scenes. As far as snacks go, I've been trying to go for healthy stuff, so on the snack shelf of my desk, I have everything pretzel thins and trail mix from Trader Joe's. Of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't have some gummis as well.      

I am definitely a pantster, much to my detriment, I think. I know how stories start         and end, but it's the middle stuff that bogs me down. Lately I've been trying   different outlining techniques to see which is the best fit for me. We'll see when I get finished with my experiment stories.

Favorite character to write/least favorite character to write and why?

My favorite character is Riley. She's so much like me, really...well, except for her Jaguar side and her shoe budget. But her snarky attitude and her outlook on life are very similar to mine.

My least favorite character to write is...well, no one. I really do love all my characters.

Any suggestions for the author embarking on series writing?

Make sure you know where you're going and approximately how many books it will take to get there. Pepper your books with things that will be explained in the next installment to keep your readers interested and wanting more. And please, for the love of all that you hold holy, answer ALL the questions in the final book in the series! 

Biggest mistakes fantasy authors make (in your opinion)?

Adhering to cliches. Yes, elves and dwarfs and orcs are established winners, but maybe you could write about something different? Dryads, golems, and goblins maybe?

You’re also an editor—what are the most common errors you find writers make?

Not taking advantage of an editor's services. I've run across so many indie and self-published authors who think that hiring a professional editor is a waste of their money. They can do everything else themselves. And then then get a ton of one-star reviews saying they needed to run the manuscript past an editor. Don't be that guy! If you can't afford a professional, turn your manuscript over to someone you trust—a friend who is a fellow author is the perfect choice.

What books have influenced your life the most?

The Hobbit, Peter Pan, and the Chronicles of Narnia. If not for them, I'm pretty sure I'd be writing either high-falutin' literary fiction or trashy romance novels.

Is there anything particular you want readers to take away from your books?

I just hope they enjoy them. I honestly did not write these to be something with a message or a moral. These are not high-falutin' literary fiction novels that can change your life. They're fun, escapist literature, and I hope that people read them with that in mind. 

Ups/downs of Indie publishing?

People still not considering me a “real” author or my books “real” books. I've put just as much—if not more—effort into getting these books into the hands of my readers than have traditionally published authors, and frankly, I'm a little sick of being told I'm not a real author.

Tell us about your upcoming adventures—more fantasy? Have you written/plan to write in other genres?

I've written a pirate-themed historical romance that will be coming out under a pen name in the fall, and I have a YA dystopian sci-fi thing that will be coming out next year. I'm still looking for something so epic that it will require multiple books to tell, because I like writing series and I think a lot of readers prefer series to stand alones.

Any predictions for the publishing world in the next decade?

 I think with the overwhelming amount of self-published authors and independent presses, the Big Five publishers are going to have to change their game even more. I also hope that there will eventually be some sort of standards for self-published authors, so that our reputations will stop being harmed by people who churn out sub-par garbage.

Red's Randomness

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Are you a homebody or adventurer?
I am an adventurer living on a homebody's budget.

What kind of paranormal/preternatural creature would you choose to be?
Maybe a magic-user of some sort, like Orla Brown in my own books.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. Which author would you choose as company and why?
 I actually have a list! Here they are, in order from top to bottom:

1.       Diana Gabaldon
2.       Neil Peart
3.       Kevin Hearne
4.       Jim Butcher
5.       Brandon Sanderson

In 2050, _______ will rule the world.
The cynical idealist part of me says greed, because I don't see that changing any time soon. Then the optimist pipes up and says compassion, because if we don't change the way most of us are living, we won't be around in 2050. Wow, that's kinda heavy. Um... Dog lovers will rule the world in 2050. Because dogs >> everything else.

Favorite guilty pleasure?
 Chick flicks. My favorites are PS I Love You, Say Anything, Love Actually, and anything with Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

About the Author

Fiona Skye is a fantasy author, currently living in the deserts of Southern Arizona. She shares a home with her husband, two kids, three cats, two rats, a betta fish, and a Border Collie.

Fiona’s passion for story telling began early in life. She loved playing make-believe and inventing elaborate fantasy worlds for her friends and her to play in. At age twelve, she wrote her first short story, which was based on a song by a 1980s hair band. After giving it to her English teacher for editing and rewrites, she learned to love the entire writing process, and has dedicated her life since then to writing, only to be occasionally distracted by her insatiable love of yarn and crochet, and the dogged pursuit of the perfect plate of cheese enchiladas.

She counts Diana Gabaldon and Jim Butcher as her favorite authors and biggest influences. Joining these two on the list of people she would wait in queue for a week to have a coffee with are Neil Peart, Kevin Hearne, and Brandon Sanderson.

CONNECT WITH FIONA HERE:

Website & Blog: http://fiona-skye.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fionaskyewriter

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/fionaskyewriter

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/FionaSkyeWriter/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/fiona_skye
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The Darkling Chronicles, Shadows 1 Blog Tour

6/1/2015

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I’m so excited this week. It’s here: the paperback collection of the first three novellas in The Darkling Chronicles.

Join me on the tour June 1 – June 5. There are so many amazing blogs and an awesome giveaway! 

Many thanks to everyone who has made this journey possible. I have incredible beta readers (alpha readers) who I couldn’t live without! And then there are these professionals who keep me on course: 

Editing: Nancy S. Thompson
Cover Design: Robin Harper, Wicked by Design
Formatting: Angela McLaurin, Fictional Formats
Blog Tour: Heather Davenport, Book Plug Promotions

PURCHASE LINKS

Shadow Blues
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1E3Kole

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1GrXkkv

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1EDYOrh

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1J31lyk

Apple: http://apple.co/1dyNIdq

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1FPpZQH

 Shadow Fire
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Nc54cd

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1xi86Yt

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1dujh7I

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1HMMKa6

Apple: http://apple.co/1SD6BM6

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1dyOirs

 Shadow Thief
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1M3I3v0

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1CdaizD

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1GxdUvy

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1KpZVuZ

Apple: http://apple.co/1AuXSG4

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1FEbGgk
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Cover: Robin Harper, Wicked by Design
 Paperback
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1CrDXGL

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1CrDXX9

ABOUT THE BOOKS

GENRE:
Fantasy

Shadow Blues
The Darkling Chronicles #1
(Novella)


LOVE


At the age of four, Patrick Benjamin Solomon becomes Anka Rehmling’s human charge. By eight, he can SEE her. At thirteen, he breaks her heart, and by eighteen, she finds herself fighting for his life. 

As a darkling shadowcaster, Anka casts shadows in the human world, harnessing some of the earth’s UV light to bring back to Montenai—a world full of darklings, nymphs, satyrs, phantoms, and dragon lords. Her job is crucial to preserving the vitality and balance in her town of Shadowland. However, Anka has trouble following the strict rules set by the Shadowland Council, a ruling body comprised of three dragon lords. 

The lords’ decree states all shadowcasters will abide by the rules or face the penalty of harsh punishment, banishment, or death. Torn between her world and Ben's, Anka must choose to defy the Council or turn her back on love.


Shadow Fire
The Darkling Chronicles #2
(Novella)


COURAGE


As a darkling shadowcaster, Bianca Rehmling works under the three dragon lords of the Shadowland Council, casting shadows for her human charge on the earth’s plane and harnessing energy to bring back for the balance and wellbeing of her kind. She’s always been a law-abiding darkling, as opposed to her younger sister, Anka. When Anka broke shadowcasting rules over the summer, she suffered the wrath of the council, something Bianca never wants to witness again.

To protect her sister, Bianca harbors some dark secrets, ones that could cause the decline of Shadowland. When a deadly illness called Shadow Fever strikes the village, Bianca fears her own rule-breaking has caused a fatal imbalance in the world of Montenai. She hasn’t been doing her job, her duty, and the dragon lords suspect.


Family or duty? With loved ones suffering, and the dragon lords breathing down her neck, Bianca keeps her nymph friends close and her enemies…closer. When an unlikely ally offers to help, Bianca must decide whether to trust him or brave the heat alone.

Shadow Thief
The Darkling Chronicles #3
(Novella)


SURVIVAL


Natcha is a creature of fire, drawing in shadow to cloak herself from the dangers of the world. She has never known what she is or where she came from, but she knows her wings and claws make her different. The sea cliffs of Montenai are her home, the Aglatian Sea her playground, and the phantoms her family.


All her life, she has hidden in the Faunlier Mountains with her sister Nalene. Only the oath she swore as a child to a darkling father to watch over his son draws her toward the turmoil in Shadowland.


When unrest among the darklings, satyrs, nymphs, and dragon lords begins to bleed into her own life, Natcha wagers the welfare of one against the welfare of many. To protect all she holds dear, she must incur the wrath of Shadowland’s leaders and become… the Thief.

COVER REVEAL
THE DARKLING CHRONICLES, SHADOWS 2

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Cover: Robin Harper, Wicked by Design
The last two Novellas in the series:
Shadow Ice
The Darkling Chronicles #4
(Novella)

SACRIFICE

So much pain to bear for something new to come.

Despite a rocky start in life, Nalene has survived twenty years in the sea cliffs of the Aglatian Sea. She struggles daily to master her water energy rather than succumb to it. An icy constitution has forced her to rely on her sister for care, protection, and guidance.

But the tides are turning and powers shifting in Montenai. Once a sickly creature with no purpose, Nalene emerges a strong, willful guardian. This reclusive orphan has everyone’s attention, including a new seer who predicts “only one can survive” the battle to come.

Challenged by dragon lords, championed by outcasts, Nalene meets strife at every turn. As a crisis of faith wages within her, she forges ahead because she won’t give up on hope. What is she willing to sacrifice to fulfill her destiny?


 Shadow King
The Darkling Chronicles #5
(Novella)


HOME

A family tragedy at the age of twelve thrusts Serena into the world of shadowcasting. She relishes the dragon lords’ protection and training but loves her new job and human charge even more.

Because of her great-great-grandfather’s alliance with a vicious nymph queen, Serena finds other Montenaians refuse to trust or accept her. It doesn’t help that she has the same birthmark and orange spark in her eyes as the relative who brought shame to the Brisson name.

Stepping through the portal to Paris allows Serena to escape her family’s reputation as well as her mother’s harsh traditions. Every day Serena pushes to be “worthy of the dragon,” regardless of her brother warning her the path leads to horrible loss. 

For years, the lore of dragon and astrei has molded the practices and beliefs of Montenaians. No one has felt this more than the phantom, Serena. This Drifter’s history is the key to Shadowland’s fate. Can she protect them from a dangerous future and still find her way home?

TOUR SCHEDULE

MONDAY, JUNE 1:

Moonless Bites http://www.moonlessbites.com/
Review & Excerpts

Tiger Hebert’s Blog: http://www.tigerhebert.com/#!blog/c1ecg
Article on Worldbuilding

Literary Mania Reviews: http://literarymaniareviews.blogspot.com/
Review & Author Interview

TUESDAY, JUNE 2:

SA Gibson https://gibsonauthor.wordpress.com/
Feature Post

Mythical Books http://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
Feature Post

Skye Writing http://fiona-skye.com/blog/
Feature Post & Author Interview

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3:

Undercover Book Reviews
http://undercoverbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Feature Post

Maria’s Book Blog
http://www.marialovesbooks.com/
Feature Post

Naughty and Nice Book Blog
http://www.naughtyandnicebookblog.com/
Feature Post

Life & Times of a Would Be Somebody
http://wouldbesomebody.blogspot.com/
Feature Post & Character Interview

THURSDAY, JUNE 4:

Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
https://pratr.wordpress.com/
Review & Excerpts

Deausha & Kitty’s YA Book Blog
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deausha-Kittys-YA-Book-Blog/709258539116151
Feature Post

Writers of Bad Ass Ladies and Big Ass Dragons
https://lornageorge.wordpress.com/
Feature Post

 FRIDAY, JUNE 5

Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
Feature Post

Archaeolibrarian—I Dig Good Books!
http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.de/
Feature Post
 
Deal Sharing Aunt
http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/
Feature Post & Author Interview
 
Twin Opinions
http://www.twinopinionsreview.blogspot.com/
Review & Excerpt
 
Storysculpting
http://storysculpting.blogspot.com/
Feature Post

Jen Ponce Writer of Kick Ass Women and Oogy Monsters
http://jenniferponce.com/
Feature Post

TUESDAY, JUNE 9:

Jo Michael’s Blog
http://jomichaels.blogspot.com/
Feature Post

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COMING SOON:

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