Oppression
(Children of the Gods #1)
There are others like her.
Many of them.
Many of them.
And they have been waiting for her
...for a long time.
Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.
Oh wow, I'm having a hard time finding where to start gushing about this one! I adore Greek Mythology, and coupled with an awesome romance and a unique and intriguing world, well, I was up VERY late reading this one! Waiting for the next book will be torture. The book itself was a little like X-men meet the Percy Jackson series--in the best way possible. Oh, and with a very hot and swoon-worthy William. I loved that Elyse is a strong character with a mind of her own, willing to do whatever it takes to do the right thing, no matter the cost. Definitely pick this one up as soon as you can!
Also, if you happened to like Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, which was one of my favorite reads of last year, then you'll love Oppression!
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And because I'm lucky, I've got the author here to answer some questions! Yay, right?
(Q) Thanks for stopping by my blog! Let’s start with the basics: where are you from? Is there any place online you’d like to direct us to learn more about you? (A blog, facebook, etc.?)
I grew up on a ranch in the small town of Chilcoot, California (population 108). This town is mentioned in my book, and yes, it actually exists.
(Q) What is most important to you as a writer, plot or characters?
Characters. In my opinion, great characters make a great book. It doesn’t matter how exciting the plot is if I don’t care about the people I’m reading about. I tried to make my characters as real as possible. I hope you all connect with them as much as I do.
(Q) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
I do suffer from writer’s block quite a bit actually. If I’m not feeling the writing, I don’t force it. I walk away. I let it sit for a few days or weeks, whatever it takes, until I can come back with a fresh mind. Good books also help get me going if I’m in a lull. I always feel inspired when I read a great book.
(Q) What do you do for fun other than writing?
I have little time to do anything these days but read and write, but if I did have time to do whatever I wanted, you’d think I was more of an old lady than a 26-year-old. I love to sew, scrapbook, make jewelry, and play guitar. Pretty old-ladyish I know, but hey, I grew up on a ranch in a town with 108 people in it. I had to get creative.
(Q) If you could describe your ideal writing spot, where would it be? What music would you listen to (if at all)? What treats would you have on hand?
I like to think that my ideal writing spot would be somewhere cool, like Hawaii, but in reality I wouldn’t get anything done there. I think I’d like to have my own office somewhere outside of my home. That way I’d 1) be forced to get out of my pajamas, and 2) feel like I’m in a place where work must be done.
As far as music, I like the slow girly kind for the mushy love parts. When I’m writing action, I can’t listen to music. It’s too distracting.
Treats – A ton of fruit and dark chocolate. Oh…and coffee. Unlimited amounts of coffee.
(Q) Plotter or pantser? Both? Neither?
I start off a plotter and slowly morph into a pantser. I have good intensions. I want to be organized and structured as I write, but my creative brain doesn’t work like that. It doesn’t like to listen to me.
(Q) Do you have any new projects that you are working on? Care to share?
Book two is in the works. It’s almost done, actually. I’d love to give you all the juicy details, but I’ve got to leave you wanting more, you know? It will be released through ZOVA Books sometime next year.
(Q) What kinds of marketing do you think are the most successful in terms of getting your name/book out there? (Curious minds are taking notes!)
Well, blogging has really worked for me. Rachael Harrie’s Platform-Building Campaign helped me meet a lot of writers and bloggers. GoodReads is a great place to find readers. I was amazed at the reaction my book got after being posted on GoodReads. Conferences are a perfect way to network as well.
(Q) How about an excerpt to tantalize the readers?
“When I finally pulled myself together and gained full control of my body, I made my way to the bathroom. I couldn’t let William see me like this. Both Ryder’s blood and my own were smeared all over the right side of my face, and in the dim florescent light, it looked like the scene of a horror movie. I turned on the cold water and rinsed my skin clean, avoiding looking myself in the eye. I knew it would only make me cry. Be stronger, I told myself. Don’t let him win. Don’t let him tear you down.”
(Q) If you'd like to add anything, please do so.
Stop by my blog to enter to win a signed copy of Oppression.
Thanks so much for a great interview, and thanks to everyone who stopped by for the blog tour!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jessica, and hope my readers go and check out OPPRESSION!
