Elixer Bound Book Blitz

 

 

ELIXIR BOUND

YA fantasy

by Katie L. Carroll

Cover Designer: Charlotte Volnek

 

Katora Kase is next in line to take over as guardian to a secret and powerful healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of Faway Forest to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the handsome son of a mapmaker as companions, she feels alone.

 

It is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir to serve and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to open up her heart to love.

 

Ebook on sale for $.99 until September 27:

Amazon: and   MuseItUp bookstore:

 

 To Win a Signed Paperback of Elixer Bound on Goodreads until September 28,  Enter HERE


About the Author:

Katie L. Carroll began writing at a very sad time in her life after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She wrote ELIXIR BOUND and the forthcoming ELIXIR SAVED so Kylene could live on in the pages of a book. Katie is also the author of the picture app THE BEDTIME KNIGHT and an editor for MuseItUp Publishing. She lives not too far from the beach in a small Connecticut city with her husband and son.

 

For more about Katie, visit her website at www.katielcarroll.com and follow her on Twitter (@KatieLCarroll) or Tumblr.

Katie's Book Blitz Schedule.
Check out all the other blogs on the list and don't forget to enter for her giveaways.

But first, come back here tomorrow and treat yourself to Katie's wonderful article on  'The Women in Elixir Bound'.

 

 

 

The Women of 'Elixir Bound' by Katie L. Carroll

The Women of ELIXIR BOUND

By Katie L. Carroll

 

I originally conceived ELIXIR BOUND as a there-and-back-again quest, a sort of tribute to my sister Kylene, who died at the age of 16. I had hoped to give her a fantasy tale of her own. When it proved too hard to write the story from the POV of a character inspired by her, I decided to try from a different character's POV: her sister Katora's.

 

This really changed the direction of the story. Where Kylene was sweet, sensitive, and wore her feelings on her sleeve, Katora was stubborn, independent, and also sensitive but would never want to show it. ELIXIR BOUND then became a story about a young woman (Katora) who must go on a quest to find out whether or not she will become guardian to a secret healing Elixir and bind herself to it.

 

The binding part was key because it wouldn't allow to just use the Elixir as she wanted to; the binding would force her to use it in a way that also served the Great Mother (who is also called Mother Nature, and is basically the highest form of being in Katora's world). Now I had a story where a very independent character was forced to make a decision that would seriously hinder her independence and impact the path the rest of her life would take.

 



Cover Designer: Charlotte Volnek

This whole story line was a personal journey that was paralleled by a physical journey in which Katora and her companions had to find the secret ingredient for the Elixir. Notice the total lack of mention of a love interest. It was really important to me that Katora's motives for the quest had nothing to do with a boy.

 

It was also important that Katora be chosen for this quest, not either of her two older sisters or her younger brother. I've always wondered why in so many real and fictional worlds the oldest son is the one who is entitled to the inheritance, so I wanted Katora to be neither the oldest nor a boy. The reason Katora was chosen as the next guardian of the Elixir, taking over for her father, was she was person who was best suited for the job. 

As I started writing ELIXIR BOUND, I realized I wanted these themes to be reflected in Katora's world as well. I think a lot of these themes spilled out of me unconsciously, and only in revision did I become consciously aware of the feminism in them. Suddenly Katora's world had turned very pagan with the people following a female deity (the Great Mother) closely tied to nature. From there I sort of ran with the idea that females would, in a sense, rule this world. Though I kept it that Katora would take over for her father because I wanted some balance in the world. Women didn't need to rule everything. 

And Kylene was still there on the quest and plays an important role (though not the starring one). I wanted her there to contrast Katora's personality because there are other strong female characters besides the bulldozer type, which is kind of how I think of Katora. I needed a female who was strong in character but not in your face about it. Also, Zelenka, a member of the miniature demick species, was an interesting female character. In many ways very much like Katora, but also a bit of an adversary to Katora. They never quite get along, mostly because they are so alike. 

There does end up being a love interest on the quest. One I had to emphasize and play up more as I went through revisions because several of my early readers didn't think it played a big enough role. Katora initially resists forming a relationship with Hirsten, the handsome son of a famous mapmaker. She doesn't want anything to distract her while on her mission and while she has such an important decision to make.  Though the quest part of the story is not driven by romance, Katora's ability to realize her capacity for love (and in turn why she has resisted her feelings for Hirsten) does play into her decision on whether or not to become guardian of the Elixir. 

As you can see, I thought a lot about the role of females in the made-up world of ELIXIR BOUND as I was writing it. I'd like to think my story offers a feministic look at females and hopefully speaks to teenage girls in a positive way. Although, I didn't want to force any certain didactic message about feminism in the story...more an offering of female characters and how they take control of their lives and futures. Themes I certainly plan on considering while writing future works as well. #

 

Come back here tomorrow for the 1st day of Katie's Book Blitz and Giveaway of Elixir Bound.

Book Review of Invaded: The Darkest Day

My review of Rosalie Skinner's Book 5 in her Chronicles of Caleath

YYYYY

This is a fast paced novel trapping the reader in a full-on experience of the power and intensity that dark magic has, especially on the immortal Caleath as he battles with forces of evil.

In his mission to rescue the  Kentorian princess, Corrine, and to save the planet Allorn from invaders, Caleath is thrust back into the deadly game. Caleath becomes Tag in order to hide his identity. When exposed, he suffers great physical pain from his enemies, but his impossible struggle to contain the vengeful warrior, Wrath, within himself, ignites a bloodlust he abhors and threatens to destroy his last feeble grip on innocence and compassion.

 Ms Skinner’s beautiful writing and vivid imagination delivers an amazing other world filled with such memorable characters as Merkatt, the dragon Queen;  Tallowbrand, the ghost archmarge; and the dreaded dark lord, Cassius, who wears a cloak that absorbs light and power. We also welcome back Caleath’s loyal friends, among them Penwryt the wizard; Gwilt; Raul; Etham; Jenna, the young witch bethrothed to Spider with the mismatched eyes; and Joel a young wizard. Ms Skinner skilfully uses violent Nature as the atmospheric backdrop to the violence in this story, so that Nature is almost a character in itself.

 Strap yourself in for another exhilarating, fabulous adventure in a fantasy world like no other, teeming with vibrant life. You’ll keep coming back for more of this series The Chronicles of Caleath.

 

Sue Perkins interviews Reva from Reva's Quest

My guest today is New Zealand author 

Sue Perkins. Accompanying Sue is Reva, the main character in her Young Adult Fantasy novel,

                                     Reva's Quest.

From what I understand, Sue, Reva is a lonely girl.

Yes, her father's job moves them from place to place meaning she frequently changes schools and consequently has no friends. At every school she attends friendships have been in place for years and there is no room for a new girl to join in. Reva withdraws to her imagination and begins to write about the magical world of Fey.

Cover Designer: Mike Zambrano

 Reva seems quite shy with me, and can you blame her after her ordeal.  I'll get you to draw her out, Sue.

Sue: Reva., Wendy would like you to tell us about your quest. Could you do that?

Reva: It was funny really. I'd been writing a fantasy book about the land of Fey. Then one night Fey came to life.

Sue: How do you mean "came to life"?

Reva: We hadn't had time to tidy up the garden since we moved in and I'd found a garden gnome half buried in the bottom of the garden. That night the gnome knocked on my window and told me to come with him.

Sue: A garden gnome spoke to you? That's weird. Did you? Go with him I mean.

Reva: Of course I did. Who wouldn't when it provided a bit of excitement in my boring life. His name was Gareth and he took me through the scummy pond where he usually fished. When we came out the other side we were in Fey.

Sue: What happened then?

Reva: We visited the elves and the Narun, she's a sort of queen, told me evil had come to Fey. She thought it was my fault. I didn't believe her of course, but I did agree to help try and solve the problem.

Sue: So you and Gareth began the quest.

Reva: Not just us two. Jared and Maura the elves and Kai the griffin came with us. They were supposed to be our quest companions to protect us from the creatures of Fey who had been affected by the evil. Oh by the way they called the evil Malice.

Sue: How did the trip go?

Reva: I never knew what was good and what was bad. Malice had turned good things round and we couldn't trust anything. The real Fey also had lots of animals my story didn't have, and my book had wizards and witches which the real Fey doesn't have. I did meet a dragon, a unicorn and a knight in shining armor.

Sue: Do you mean a real knight?

Reva: Of course I do. He wore this really shiny armor, so bright I couldn't see him properly at first.

Sue: So did you succeed? Did you rid the world of evil?

Reva: Wouldn't you like to know? I think you'd enjoy it better if you buy the book and read it. There's a buy link somewhere below. Why don't you read the excerpt and see if it's your type of book.

Sue: Thanks Reva, I will. Thank you also for answering my questions.

Reva: You're welcome.

Excerpt

“I've brought her.” Gareth spoke loud enough for her to hear him.

Movement in the shadows of the hut at the rear of the platform caught Reva’s attention. The figure who emerged walked with a slow halting step. The elderly head had a hint of red hair amongst the grey which topped the dry and wrinkled skin of the face. A crown of leaves sat on the sparse hair, and the wearer seemed to find it difficult to keep her head up. A full length gown of a flimsy light green material covered the skinny, aged body. The female murmured something to the gnome, and he turned and beckoned Reva to join them.

“This human is the cause of all your troubles, Narun.” Gareth turned to Reva. “This is Piora, Narun of the forest elves. The Narun is the elf leader.”

She nodded her head in acknowledgement of the introduction, but then her companion’s first words sank in. “Hey, wait a minute. I've never been here before. How can I have caused any trouble?”

“I believe you are writing a book,” Piora said, and Reva looked up with surprise when a young voice came out of the shrunken lips. “When did you begin?”

“Pardon?” Amazed with the discrepancy between voice and body, the Narun's words passed over her.

“The Narun asked when you started writing your book?” The gnome shook his head.

“I started writing it when we moved, about three months ago.”

Piora nodded slowly and remained silent for a few moments. Reva looked at Gareth, but he refused to meet her eyes. What thoughts were going through the Narun’s mind? Piora raised her head, faded yellow eyes staring directly at Reva.

“The land of Fey has existed for some time,” Piora stated. “We have good years and bad years. Most creatures in this magic land live in peace with one another, with a few exceptions. Until recently, my people experienced little trouble, but about three years ago, this changed. Evil entered the elven life. Friends argued and fought each other. Constant bickering prevented any work from being done. As Narun, I took steps to stop the wickedness before it destroyed my people.”

“Excuse me,” Reva interrupted. “But I don’t see how you can say it’s my fault.”

“The evil started at the time you began to write your book.” Piora’s sad eyes looked at her.

“No. You said three years ago. I only started writing my story three months ago.”

“You don’t get it do you?” The gnome spoke for the first time since he’d introduced Piora. “A month in your world is a year in Fey.” #

 Sue, thank you for visiting my place today. I’m so glad you were able to bring Reva too.  Lovely to meet you Reva. My word you were in a difficult predicament, weren’t you? So, I guess you couldn’t just stop writing your book so that the trouble could go away? Silly question. Of course you couldn't. Most writers have to keep going no matter what. Well, I certainly hope you were able to write you and your new friends out of trouble.

Sue would like to give away an ebook of  "Reva's Quest" to a commenter picked randomly.

Reva's Quest is available from  MuseItUp Bookstore  and  Amazon Kindle

Learn more about this talented author - these talented authors, Reva and Sue - 

 at  Sue's Webpage  and  Sue's Blogspot

Balls of a Hairy Goat! It's Launch Day for EXILED AUTUMN's PERIL

Today Rosalie Skinner's fabulous fantasy series Chronicles of Caleath,Book One is released by MuseItUp Publishing. It is my pleaure and priviledge to share in her special day.

Welcome to my blog Rosalie, I am just as excited about the release of the first book in your eight book series as you are. I have read book one Exiled: Autumn's Peril, from your Chronicles of Caleath and loved it. This one comes out in September from MuseItUp Publishing and Book Two through to Book Eight are released every month after that. Is that right?

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for your enthusiasm and support. Yes, after book one is released in September, each month there will be another snippet of the chronicles available. Each book is novel size. No short stories here. J

Wow! That is fantastic.

 What prompted you to start this story about Caleath?

 I have always been an avid reader of Fantasy. So when the local library ran out of new books to read and my favourite authors took too long between releases, my friend and I decided to create our own. That was many years ago and from those early plots and characters Caleath and Nasith remain. Otherwise there isn’t much from those days.

Why did you choose the fantasy genre to tell his story?

Caleath’s story is a mix of fantasy and science fiction, mainly because they are genres I have read and loved since childhood. For a moment in time, probably while ink was drying on the first chapter, for the first time, I believed writing fantasy meant I wouldn’t need much research. The illusion didn’t last long and research became part of the joy of creating the story, rather than a chore.

Caleath has been exiled from his home planet and is hunted by assassins. Can you tell us how this came about and why he is trying so desperately to find a way home?

Without introducing too many spoilers, you mean? ;)

On his home world, Caleath was obsessed with Virtual Reality games. His determination to become the ultimate Game Master blinded him to the risks he took. When competitions have whole galaxies as their audience, the mistake of publically humiliating the son of a powerful magnate sealed Caleath’s fate.

Now his struggle to survive on a strange planet is made more difficult as assassins, sent by the same magnate’s son, try to kill him.

There is no secret to how I took inspiration from Survivor and Big Brother, as each move of Caleath’s adventure becomes compulsive viewing for the same audience he once entertained in Virtual Reality.

Only this time it’s life and death... and he is desperate to find a way home and wreak vengeance on man who arranged his exile.

Ah, now I see the connection with Big Brother. That hadn’t struck me before. 

Did you write the story from beginning to end? If not, how did you write it?

Yes, the plot flowed from beginning to end. There are times I try to plan plot arcs but truth be told, when the muse is on fire, there isn’t time to plan. During the second or third edit the plot becomes more polished, but at the time of writing, it is each character’s motives and choices that push the story. The outcome is determined well before the draft is written. All else depends on how the characters behave when faced with decisions.

What do you like about writing?

I love being transported to another world. Being part of the lives and struggles of my characters, seeing their journeys come to fulfilment... placing different obstacles in their path, twisting fate and bringing strands of different lives together through adversity and trial, to find their strengths, see them grow and achieve an outcome, in a satisfying manner... that’s what I love. When others read and enjoy Caleath’s tale, well, that is the most satisfying thing of all.

What don't you like about writing?

That it is an obsession I cannot control. If I am writing... doing anything else is frustrating. Life gets in the way. There is no writing for five minutes at a time. When I write, I am obsessed. Until the scene or the chapter is complete, nothing intrudes. Thankfully I have a very supportive family. There are times though when they wonder at my sanity. 

Is there anything about the writing process that you found surprising?

LOL. What a great question. I will admit that I was surprised how difficult the art of writing is to master. Today I feel I am beginning to understand the most basic of writing skills, but each day I find there is more I don’t know, more to learn. The act of penning a story, getting a manuscript down, is the easy part. It did come as a surprise, to discover that. Everything after waiting for the ink to dry is difficult.

Yes, I know what you mean. It’s surprising how much you actually learn once you get started. Are any story lines based on things that have happened to you or you have heard about?

There are so many of the story lines that are influenced by life’s experiences. Not only my own, but experiences I have witnessed and shared. The rest are things I have experienced, studied, watched, and heard about, but having said that, liberal amounts of imagination have been applied.

What advice would you have for other authors?

Keep reading, keep writing, keep learning and keep an open mind. Don’t ever give up. Complete your manuscript before you worry about the fine details. They will shine with the polish you apply during edits.

What are you passionate about?

Family, life, love and being a source of positive energy. Oh, yeah, and writing. LOL. I am passionate about my books and the support and energy of those people who have helped me get them to where they are today!

Where can we get to know you better?

Come and visit my blog at Ramblings from Lady Rosalie or you can contact me through the official Chronicles of Caleath website. I have an author page at Museitup Publishing too.

From today you can purchase Exiled: Autumn’s Peril here.

This is a very exciting day, Rosalie. Congratulations on the launch of your Chronicles of Caleath with this beautiful Book One.

Thank you so much for being my guest today.

Wendy it has been a pleasure. Thanks for having me here.

Just one more thing :) Would you favour us with a short excerpt, please Rosalie?

From Exiled: Autumn’s Peril...  

 My pleasure... a short excerpt from Exiled: Autumn’s Peril...

Despite his determination, sleep overwhelmed him but offered no peace of mind. Scrutinized by the sightless eyes of drowned men, panic plagued his dreams. Hungry for vengeance and corrupted by the stench of watery decay, their angry spirits sought to destroy his sanity.

In his vision, strands of hair washed like seaweed across the disintegrating flesh of dead sailors. Tides of marine scavengers reduced humanity to bare bone and memory. Ghostly accusations spread on the current to drown him in guilt. Lifeless skulls and partially devoured corpses of the recently drowned whispered curses. They laid the blame for their demise on his shoulders. Fleshless fingers reached through the depths to draw him into Death’s grasp while parasitic wraiths gnawed at his soul and his lungs filled with the fetor of a carnivore’s breath.

Caleath woke from the nightmare. Daylight drove barbs into his eyes, forcing him to blink before he could focus on the muzzle of a salivating wolf.

Fangs gleamed inches from his face and amber eyes regarded him without blinking.

Hunger, thirst, and the will to survive overcame any fear a wolf might evoke. Terror dissolved before a snarl. Caleath lifted an arm to fend off the creature’s curious approach. #
And now we await Book Two which comes out next month.
Dear readers, Stay right here! YOU are invited to join Rosalie's Launch Party,  by way of these comments, and have a chance to win a copy of Exiled Autumn's Peril. Winner will be chosen on 9th September.
Best leave an email address or check back on the 9th.
Anyone who entered the competition on Rosalie's blog, during the week, just leave your code number in the comments, here, to claim your prizes.
Now we'll start the cyber party in the comments. Good Aussie food and drink and banter. All for FUN. Come back during the day to continue the fun.
LET THE PARTY BEGIN