Showing posts with label Spirit Seeker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirit Seeker. Show all posts

Friday, October 7, 2011

Character Interview and Giveaway with Su Halfwerk


Interviewing Andrew Taylor of Seeker

We have a very special guest today.

Andrew, the hero in Seeker—Book 1 of the paranormal romance series Unsettled by Su Halfwerk—has graciously agreed to sit for an interview with me. You will get a glimpse of Andrew's personality and will get to know a bit about Seeker.

The interview takes place right before the start of a movie premiere he's attending.

****

Andrew, thank you for visiting with us today. Please tell us about yourself. Where do you live and how do you relate to the whole setting of Seeker.

My residence is in Santa Clarita, but my job as a lead actor takes me all over the globe.

I understand that you star in romantic movies. With your height and physique, I would peg you as action movies type.

*Andrew smiles* Height and physique don't do much if the actor lacks the willingness or the skill to carry that look. I'm very relaxed in my life which won't support that image of me. No, I'm happy starring in romantic movies.

You have an entourage of guards around you wherever you go, that's hardly a relaxed life.

My guards are my wall of privacy; they block curious eyes from interfering in my business. And it's hardly an entourage. I have four bodyguards in total who work shifts.

What can you tell us about the latest addition to your team of bodyguards?

Adoria? She's a very efficient and valued addition. I hired her initially because of a lawsuit but she has proven her worth more than once. She's focused on her duty even though she possesses a softness about her that makes me feel safe when she's around my son.

Talking about safety, why are there so many attacks on your life?

One was a mugging that went wrong and the other a misunderstanding. Hardly organized crimes.

The night is still young. Moving on, are you an introvert or extrovert? What stresses you and what makes you relax?

There's no space for introverts in acting. I'm definitely an extrovert. Unfairness and loss of rights stress me. Any activity involving my son or my staff relaxes me. I'm like an open book with others.

Funny you mentioned that. There are whispers that you're more than what meets the eye. Is there a secret in your life that nobody knows about?

*Andrew frowns* What whispers? And no, I have no secrets. What you see is what you get with me.

If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?

Privacy, safety for my family and staff. I do care about people who are loyal to me.

Perhaps you care for some members of your staff more than others?

I have a feeling you're hinting at someone specific.

Yes, Adoria.

*Andrew waves a hand* Although she's new, she has saved my life more than once. Besides, even though I'm not a chauvinist, I can't help but pay more attention to her wellbeing since she's the only woman in my security team. Aren't you going to ask me about my girlfriend?

You mean Megan? No, Adoria is more interesting.

*Andrew huffs*

How would you describe yourself as a boss?

I don't view my position as higher than them. They have their jobs and I have mine. I think I treat them fairly, keeping in mind that they are human with their own needs.

*He glances at his watch and smiles* The movie is about to start. We better wrap up.

There are all kinds of rumors around and about you. Some even hint at an alter ego with super powers. Care to comment?

Yes. Look at how busy my life is. Do you think I have the time to do anything else but live it? As for super powers, this is reality, not some comic book. *sniggers* If I had a super power, one at least, I wouldn't be tolerating many things that go on in my life.

How do you fall in love? At first sight? Over a long period?

I haven't timed it, but I think love at first sight involves admiring the appearance, while the one that grows over a long period of time is about knowing that person. My answer is that I fall in love at first sight and let it mature over a period of time.

When you met Adoria, for example, the first time, what was the first thing you noticed about her?

All of her. *clears throat* I pay attention to details. It's not like I gave her any special treatment.

How do you decide if you can trust someone?

I don't decide it, I let time show me the true color of anyone I meet.

What are you most proud of about your life?

My son. He's my soul. After that comes my career which is a result of hard work and dedication.

Which career are we talking about?

Acting, of course. What else?

Describe your ideal mate.

Independent, graceful, smart, funny, and adores children. She must be someone who can live with the type of job I hold.

What job is that?

*huffs* Acting!

What are you most afraid of?

Right now, I'm afraid I'll miss the movie. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think the movie is about to start and I don't want to disappoint the movie's leading actor by missing on it. Maybe we can continue this interview at a later time. Call my publicist and schedule another one, okay? *He rises*

Andrew smiles as he exits the room as though he won. I think we got more from his evasive answers than he thinks.

Don't you think?




Seeker
By Su Halfwerk
Genre: sweet paranormal romance


Blurb:

The only obstacle in his quest is his heart.

Andrew Taylor has it all. A flourishing acting career, a stunner of a model as a girlfriend, and a countenance that swoons women right into his arms.

Except, this is not the only life he’s living. He is also a Spirit Hunter tormented by the murder of his wife and daughter and destined to hunt rogue spirits, seeking the one who destroyed his family. Even if that means repressing his needs.

Adoria Hall’s life is turned upside down after an unfair layoff from her job.

Financial pressures force her to accept babysitting a spoiled actor like Andrew. Or so she thinks, until she discovers a lonely heart beating beneath his glamorous façade. Protecting Andrew’s life from harm is her duty, safeguarding her heart is her compulsion.

When the spirits drive the war to Andrew’s turf, he must confront his key enemy to settle the score. Yet, if forced to pick, will Andrew choose to exorcise the one he seeks or will he opt to protect the one he adores?


Publisher's buy link: http://www.extasybooks.com/seeker
Amazon: Not out yet, but should be up in a week or so.
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ImwhCKwLk


Author info:

Su Halfwerk writes in the horror and paranormal romance genres. From a tender age, the written word left a strong impression on her, later on terrifying, blood-chilling books became the object of her interest. Su’s style in horror combines shuddery terror with elements of surprise; some would even call it an enigmatic twist. In the world of paranormal romance, she transforms the desire to scare into a quest to seduce and tantalize.

Other books by Su Halfwerk:

Untamed Temptation (Paranormal Romance)
His to Possess (Finalist in 2011 EPIC Awards in the Paranormal Romance category)
Zuphreen (Horror/Urban Fantasy)
Intricate Entanglement (Horror/Thriller)
The books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online outlets

When not writing, Su is designing book trailers for herself and other authors.

You can find Su online in any of these places:

www.su-halfwerk.com
http://www.suhalfwerk.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/Su.Halfwerk
http://twitter.com/SuHalfwerk


Su is offering 2 giveaways- open tour wide.

1 lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and another lucky winner will receive a PDF copy of Seeker.

To enter please fill out the form.

Receive one bonus entry for each of the following: leaving a comment on this post, following Su on Twitter, and her blog.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Interview and Giveaway with Jamie Haden

Spirit Seeker by Jamie Haden

1. Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

I am a stay at home mom raising three young daughters. My children are my greatest inspiration. I wrote Spirit Seeker for them.

2. What is it about the paranormal, in particular shape-shifters that fascinates you so much?

The shape-shifters in Spirit Seeker are spiritual humans that have died with their spirit animal present. Now, they must live a dual existence, condemned to walk the earth as man and beast. This becomes tricky because how they live depends entirely on the moral state of their soul at the time death. These shifters can voluntarily alter their bones to become something else entirely. Of course, this is not just a mental transformation, but a physical one. I think the one thing that intrigues people the most about animals is they live free from the existential burden of choice. Of course, human reality is wholly different. The mere idea that some very spiritual people (shamans) can literally metamorphosize is of the mysterious, something I find to be deeply compelling.

3. Please tell us about your latest release.

Spirit Seeker is a story about sixteen-year old Talisa Santiago. She is the granddaughter of a shaman and was born in the desert underneath the full moon in January—the wolf moon. However, she left the desert with her mother when she was a young girl. She remembers bits and pieces of her past, but it isn’t until she and her mom move to a remote barrier island off the coast of North Carolina that she feels fate has finally called—secretive and mysterious he stands alone on the edge of the bank. Her friends tell her to stay away; she hears rumors that he is dangerous. Still, she can’t resist. Whether Talisa realizes it or not, she knows a thing or two about boys like Jag Chavez. Fate is funny that way.
For the first time in her life, Talisa meets kids just like her—Native Americans who know the way of the spirit. The closer she gets to Jag, the more she realizes he is hiding a dark secret. He may have the markings of the Thunderbird, but he is named for the powerful Jaguar. Together they embark on a journey that will haunt her forever.

4. What is your favorite scene in the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?

One of my favorite scenes is when Talisa, Jag, Dakota, and Miguel go to Cave Island at midnight to perform a sacred ceremony. I can’t say much about it without giving too much away, but it is certainly a surreal experience for Talisa when she learns what she is capable of doing. Becoming.

5. Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?

Even though I always start with an outline, I let the characters develop as I write. Talisa Santiago, the heroine, shocked me the most. I had to let go of all my personal beliefs and philosophies and allow her to develop own personality entirely. I knew she was completely independent from me when she fell in love and made some very adult decisions that would alter the course of her life forever.

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

In Spirit Seeker, I wanted to build a world that was separate from society. Spirit Seeker takes place on Silence and Cave, two fictional remote barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. Cars are not permitted, and it is only accessible by ferry boat. Still, the islands are home to many families who live a very normal lifestyle going to school and work. I am fortunate to live near the seashore in North Carolina, and I have spent time on barrier islands. When I started to write the manuscript, I was at the beach and had an ideal image in my mind of what I wanted Silence and Cave to look and feel like.

In the sequel, Illuminate—Alive, she cried, Talisa, and her three closest friends go to live deep within the great Smokey Mountains with a very secretive tribe of Cherokee Indians. The only way to and from the reservation is by horseback. It is certainly a completely different world from anything I have ever seen and was drawn entirely from imagination.

7. With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?

Each of the novels in The Talisa Santiago Series can be read as stand alones. I just completed the second book in the series.

8. Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?

I definitely think I share some of the same characteristics as my characters. I am a Native American Indian and was adopted at a very young age. Even though I never met my biological parents, I have felt their presence my entire life. As an only child, I spent most of my childhood dreaming up magical worlds and faraway places. I always delighted in my imaginary friends, just as I do today.

9. Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?

Every morning before I write, I burn sandalwood and light white candles. My office is filled with fresh cut flowers, stacks of my favorite novels, lots of chocolates, and photos of my girls. I have a statue of Saint Jude right beside me and usually my seventy-five pound English bulldog Sophia is asleep at my feet. I have to surround myself with the things I love in order to be productive.

10. What are your guilty pleasures in life?

Wine. Chocolate. Coconut. Candy. And fried green tomatoes.




Sept 12 Fang-tastic Books

Sept 12 Guest Post

Sept 13 Guest Post
Babsbookbistro

Sept 14 Interview

Sept 15 Interview
Mysteriousbooks

Sept 21 Guest Blog
Freda's Voice

Sept 26 Live Radio Interview 11 am EST
BK Walker Blogtalk radio

Sept 26 guest post
ReaderGirls

Sept 29 Guest Post
AwesomeSauce Book Club

Sept 30 Interview
Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews
http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.com

Oct 3 Guest Post

October 6th. Review
Braintasia Books

October 7 Interview and Review
oodles of books.

Oct 8 Guest Blog

October 9 Review and Guest Blog

Oct 10 interview and review
The Ramblings of Amy -

Oct 10 Guest Blog
My Bookish Fairy Tale



Spirit Seeker
By Jamie Haden

ISBN: 978-1-61706-074-8
Price: $14.99
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Available at: www.pillhillpress.com & most other online retailers!

Book Description:

Life is strange and difficult for the granddaughter of a shaman.

Sixteen-year-old Talisa Santiago was born in the desert underneath the full moon in January—the wolf moon. However, she left the desert with her mother when she was a young girl. She remembers bits and pieces of her past but it isn’t until she and her mom move to a remote barrier island off the coast of North Carolina that she feels fate has finally called—secretive and mysterious he stands alone on the edge of the bank. Her friends tell her to stay away; she hears rumors that he is dangerous. Still, she can’t resist Whether Talisa realizes it or not, she knows a thing or two about boys like Jag Chavez. Fate is funny that way.

For the first time in her life, Talisa meets kids just like her—Native Americans who know the way of the spirit. The closer she gets to Jag, the more she realizes he is hiding a dark secret. He may have the markings of the Thunderbird, but he is named for the powerful Jaguar. Together they embark on a journey that will haunt her forever.


Jamie Haden lives in Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband and three daughters. Jamie has a Bachelor's degree in philosophy and taught special education in Kentucky and North Carolina. Pill Hill Press will release her young adult novel SPIRIT SEEKER-BOOK ONE OF THE TALISA SANTIAGO SERIES August 26, 2011. Jamie is currently working on ILLUMINATE-ALIVE, SHE CRIED, the sequel to SPIRIT SEEKER.

www.jamiehaden.com
http://www.facebook.com/jamielhaden
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spirit-Seeker-YA-Novel-by-Jamie-Haden/164228800283194
http://twitter.com/sippingbythesea
http://goodreads.com/jamiehaden
http://jamiehaden.blogspot.com




Five print copies of Spirit Seeker will be given away tour wide

To enter fill out the form below or follow this link

For bonus entries:


And leave a comment on the this stop

 
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