Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Interview and Giveaway with Angela Orlowski Peart


What inspired you to write this book?

My infatuation with mythology, the idea of a “rivalry” between summer and winter seasons, overall appreciation for paranormal and fantasy Young Adult literature, and that nagging need to write an epic novel.

Please tell us about your latest release.

Forged by Greed is the first book in The Forged Series. It is a Young Adult paranormal romance, although it’s far from a syrupy-sweet love story. The plot is firmly set in reality, which also makes this book contemporary. There are elements of high fantasy and a lot of mythology as well. Add a good dose of action to the mix and you have a book that should appeal to a large audience.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

I honestly love all my characters—the protagonists, the antagonists, the secondary characters. I made each of them unique, gave them a different personality, and a distinctive set of flaws and strengths. But if I had to choose one that I have enjoyed writing a bit more than the others, it would be Penelope. She’s a lot like me so writing her felt more natural than the others.

Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?

There was a lot of research prior and during the writing of the novel. I have explored the subject of natural disasters (there are plenty in the novel) and various aspects of different mythologies. I have watched countless videos of professional skateboarders, while writing the scene in which my characters skateboard in the park. There was a lot of small research like how do the most popular chocolates look from Dilettante on Broadway in Seattle, or what is the current menu at Subway.

What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?

Definitely rock climbing. I have developed an interest for it while researching the terminology and various rock climbing techniques. My male protagonist, Jatred, and his uncle Tyrrell are both into rock climbing. There is a scene when they rock climb and the earthquake hits. The scene is pretty intense.

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

Although I love good fantasy books, I didn’t want The Forged Series to take place in another reality all together. Instead, I created this secretive ancient society of Shape Shifters, living among humans in present time. To add the high fantasy element, I gave the Summer and Winter Goddesses their own Realms, where the Shifters can be summoned from the Human World.

Do you write in different genres?

I mostly write Young Adult books, but I like to enmesh different, although related, subgenres to create a more interesting and appealing to a wider audience story. In the Forged Series I interlace paranormal romance with elements of high fantasy, while the story is firmly set in today’s reality, which puts it also in contemporary subgenre.

What are your guilty pleasures in life?

Chocolate, sunshine, and stilettos.

Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?

I like to read in bed right before I fall asleep. But because I am so addicted to audiobooks, I basically “read” them everywhere: while driving my car, shopping, running errands, or doing housework.

What can readers expect next from you?

The second book in The Forged Series, Forged by Synergy, is scheduled for publication in the early summer of 2013. There are new developments of the story that take root in the ending of the first book. There is a new conflict, and all the characters—the main and the secondary—are forced to deal with the brand new personal challenges. Plus there will be a new antagonist.

I am also working on a novella introducing a new sci-fi series. This one will be published in spring of 2013. The story takes place some 50 years from now, when our world is provided with an amazing technology, but human flaws, feelings, and relationships are still similar to what we all currently live with. 

Where can readers find you on the web?

The communication with my readers is very important to me. I write for them, and not for myself, so I want to hear what they think about my published work and also what they would like me to write. I can be found on:
my website www.angelapeart.com (subscribe to my newsletter)

Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?

Absolutely. Here is an excerpt from the earthquake scene mentioned in one of my answers above:
Jatred held onto the wall, his body pressed flat against it. His grip was not secure enough, and he felt his fingers slipping from the rock. He gritted his teeth in pain when a piece of stone hit his shoulder. A few smaller ones bounced off his helmet. Another piece struck him at the nape of his neck, cutting into his unprotected flesh.
Jatred lost his footing and fell off the wall again, yelling in frustration. Tyrrell belayed him immediately. He strove to stay upright on the shaking ground. Jatred bared his teeth. He felt the stinging pain in his neck and warm blood seeping through the back of his t-shirt.
“Jatred, get down! Now.” Tyrrell yelled. “Use a descender. Fast.”
“I’ve got the rescue eight.”
“That will do, son. Use it.”
Jatred fumbled in his belt. He unclipped the descender and, with a speed never seen in humans, wove the rope through it. Pieces of rock kept falling, shattering on the quaking earth. Jatred slid down his rope, as if in a fast elevator. His feet slammed into the ground. He tumbled down, unfastening the rope from his harness.
Tyrrell unclipped his end of the rope. He rushed to Jatred. Together, they scurried away from the rock, staying clear of the trees. Their eyes darted from side to side. One of the trees, no more than five yards from them, toppled down. It hit the two others. Several large branches broke off of them. The tree smacked the soil beneath with a terrifying clamor.
Both men shouted and backed in the opposite direction. They dropped to the ground, scanning the area in search for any immediate danger.
“Why is it still shaking? It’s been over two minutes.” Jatred yelled over the grinding noise of the earthquake.


October 1 Promo
Freda's Voice

October 4 Guest Post
Stuffed Shelves

October 7 Review
Books, Books, and More Books

October 8 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm

October 11 Promo
Sapphyria's Book Reviews

October 12 Review
Mommy and We

October 13 Interview 
Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews

October 14 Interview/Review
Crazy Four Books

October 16 Interview 
Blooding Book Reviews

October 17 Promo
Cover2CoverBlog

October 20 Review and Guest Post
Happy Tails & Tales

October 21 Guest Post
Ya Bteween the Lines

October 23 Interview
Fang-tastic Books

October 25 Review
Howling Books and Design

October 26 Guest Post and Review
Always a Booklover

October 27 Guest Post
Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

October 29 Review

October 30 Interview
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom




Forged by Greed
by Angela Orlowski Peart

Their choice had been taken away long before they were born.

BLURB

Two Seattle 16-year-old Shape Shifters, Jatred and Jasmira, are torn between following their hearts and protecting the order of the world. The path of the star-crossed lovers leads only to destruction.

The ancient Shape Shifter Races—the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards— live among humans and fit perfectly into modern life, while keeping secret societies with their own laws and traditions.

Two Goddesses, Crystal and Amber command their respective Races. One is on a quest to tilt the scale of power to her side. The other will never let it happen, even if it means sacrificing Jatred and Jasmira’s love.

The Amulet commissioned to bring stability into the world remains hidden and concealed with the help of advanced technology. Jatred is the guardian of the Amulet and key to the Goddesses’ conflict.

When the forces of nature are disrupted, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions rake the world.  The Goddesses go to war and summon all their Shifters to join in the conflict. Jatred and Jasmira must fight not only for their love but to protect the future of both Races and humankind.


About the Author:

Angela Orlowski-Peart was born and raised in Poland. She describes herself as “European born, American by choice”. She was just seven-years-old when she decided to learn English to translate her favorite Polish fairytales.

Angela is a Young Adult fiction writer. She completed her first YA paranormal romance novel, Forged by Greed, which is scheduled for publication on September 20, 2012. It is the first book in The Forged Series. Angela writes in multiple genres, including paranormal, fantasy, urban fiction, sci-fi, and short stories. She is a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Western Washington Chapter (http://www.scbwi.org), and several authors’ and readers’ networking groups on Linkedin and Goodreads. 

Angela loves reading good books almost as much as writing them. She can’t decide which is her favorite season—summer or fall. She speaks with Polish accent, but loves listening to the Southern drawl.

She is passionate about watercolor painting, fashion—especially stilettos, rock climbing, environment, and organic food and gardening. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband, two children, and a very independent and chronically curious cat.

Angela can be found on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Linkedin and Goodreads.







a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 comments:

Reading said...

Love shape shifters! Thanks for the giveaway.

Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Ann S. said...

Sounds like a great new book. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I think stories about shifters are my favorite.

Debby said...

Nothing better than a shape shifter story. Thanks for the contest
debby236 at gmail dot com

KMichelleC87 said...

Thanks for the giveaway

Kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

 
BLOG DESIGN FOR FANG-TASTIC BOOKS BY BARBARA.
RED CORSET © HALAQUINN ARCADIAS. GOTHIC NIGHT © ASHEN SHARROW.