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)
my author Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angela-Orlowski-Peart/280412012074496
Twitter https://twitter.com/Angela_Peart
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.
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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.
Posts
4 comments:
Love shape shifters! Thanks for the giveaway.
Lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Sounds like a great new book. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I think stories about shifters are my favorite.
Nothing better than a shape shifter story. Thanks for the contest
debby236 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway
Kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com
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