<>

Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Interview and Giveaway: Finding Eve (Lyons' Tales) by Rita Bay

Description: 18+

Nicholas Lyons, chief physician to the Lyons clan of shape-shifters, has mourned the death of his promised lifemate until a rogue shapeshifter reports having seen her at an exotic animal sale. Accompanied by Marie Lyons who is no stranger to the dark side, her new lifemate Anthony, and the imperious Lady Bat, he embarks on a frantic search for Eve through the dangerous world of exotic animal trafficking.

Eve, whose first memories are of recovering from an injury at an isolated animal refuge, has lived through a succession of owners in a world filled with cages and cruelty. When Eve meets Marie at the exotic animal sale, she begins to have flashes of a different life – a life in which she was something other than feline. Her last sale, however, has landed her as prey to exotic animal hunters and the clock is ticking.

MB's INTERVIEW

What do you think about the evolutions/trends of fantasy literature today? 
I primarily write paranormal stories – shapeshifters (like my Lyons’ Tale trilogy) and vampires vs Light Warriors (The Aegis) both published by Champagne Books. I’m a huge fan of Anne McCaffrey. I love the Dragons of Pern series. She does a fantastic job of creating a world and weaving stories within it. It’s so upbeat, optimistic and filled with romance and adventure. 

What do fantasy stories bring into our life? 
Fantasy takes the reader out of the mundane world and stimulates the imagination. Historically, fantasy brought color and life into what could be very dull lives. The tales of King Arthur actually defined how people should behave and introduced the idea of courtly love. 

While fantasy is a form of escapism, from a positive perspective readers can follow the heroes through a series of adventures assured that there will be a happily ever after and that right will prevail over might. That’s a really good feeling in today’s uncertain world. 

What must a fantasy story have? 
In my opinion, fantasy must be both believable and entertaining. The author creating a worldview of his/her own must determine the society’s explanation of the world, define their ideas about the future and the culture’s goals, develop a cohesive system of ethics and values, create a basis for knowledge – what the world knows, and detail the society’s history and origins. Finally, you must have memorable characters and a story that will entertain – but you need that for almost any story. 
What should a fantasy story avoid? 

Too much information? Writers become very involved when they’re creating their world. While trying to write a great story that is filled with memorable characters, the writer can’t allow the world to overwhelm the story. Some stories actually develop other languages which I think are a bit much – way too complicated for me. 

What would you say to those who refuse to read fantasy? 
It’s their loss? Try it you’ll like it? Maybe start with movies or TV series, then move onto books. I love the Highlander movies and series, the Firefly series, and Star Trek and think they would be great starts. To be honest, though, some people just aren’t into fantasy, and are more comfortable with the mundane – their decision. 

Thank you for inviting me to visit, Mythical Books. Your questions were very insightful and made me think about my writing.

EXCERPT 





Nick tamped down his panic. Eve’s neurological tests, scans, X-rays and vital signs were all within normal limits, but his lifemate had remained unconscious for over twenty-four hours.

“Tell me what happened again.”

Marie sat with her head in her hands. She’d not left Eve’s side since her call after Eve’s collapse had alerted Anthony that something was very wrong.

“We’d talked it out after you left. She was ready to make the change–had even picked out the dress she wanted to wear after she shifted. We were touching so she could feel what I was doing. She made the shift quickly. No problem. Then she just fell over. Like I said a dozen times before.”

“She’d never expressed interest in shifting before. You sure you didn’t push her?”

“No, damn it, I didn’t. She heard what you said about leaving Lyons’ Den. She didn’t want to leave. She thought if she shifted, you would allow her stay here. This is her home now.”

He wanted to kick himself. Eve was sensitive, fragile even, since she’d returned. The last thing he should have mentioned was leaving Lyons’ Den. It was her home and he was going to take her away. He felt himself begin to shift. It was too sudden. He might not be able to control himself.

“Quiet, Nicky. I was sleeping.”

“Evie?”

“Who else runs free in your head?”

“You’ve been unconscious for more than a day.”

“Been sleeping. Change hurt.”

“I told Marie she shouldn’t have allowed you to change.”

“Afraid you and Tony send me away. Marie gave me shiny dress.”

“You always were an acquisitive kit. I will give you whatever clothing you wish.”

“Wanted Marie’s dress. She is like me. She knows.”

“What does Marie know that I don’t?”

“Hurt. Fear. Alone.”

“I want that part of your past to go away. Since I thought you were dead, I felt the pain. Alone was the worst. I want things how they were with us before.”

“Can’t. Not yet. Can’t speak in my human form. Don’t know why.”

“What can I do to make it better, Evie?”

“Find my past.”


About the author:
Rita’s journey began on the Gulf Coast. Over the years, she lived and/or traveled in the eastern US and Western Europe. While juggling family and work, she participated in archaeological digs, earned a black belt in Shotokan karate, prospected for gold and crystals, camped across Europe, and volunteered with the American Red Cross Disaster and Education Services. Rita has worked as a registered nurse, educator and school system administrator. She lives with her family on the Gulf Coast, except when she’s in Atlanta, at least for now.

Rita is published in multiple genres with several publishers including paranormal and erotic novellas (Champagne Book Group – Champagne Books and Carnal Passions), historical novels (Siren BookStrand), and contemporary F/M and M/M novellas (Secret Cravings). She posts random bits of historical trivia about western history and culture on Rita Bay’s Blog at ritabay.com.

Authors' Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Great post and awesome giveaway, thank you for sharing

Unknown said...

You actually know who Anne McCaffrey was? I'm stunned. To today's readers of fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal literature the Grand Dame of SF&F is almost completely invisible. My brother introduced me to her DragonRiders of PERN in middle school (which was, if you must know, in the mid 90's). By ninth grade, I had moved onto her Brain/Brawn Ships, Acorna, Rowan, and was running out of her books, truth be told - until I found ones by McCaffrey my brother didn't yet own. My reading journey has always been very personal. On one hand, it's how I cope with life's overwhelming stresses and why I prefer "escapism" genres. Regardless of the genre, I can say and do things as the main character that I'd never do in real-life. It's a place to try out relationship and sexual fantasies safely. My best non-romantic friends are in books, some of whom I've followed for two decades (I am only thirty, after all.). ---> Currently, Top Amazon Reviewer #5,013 bookwormpov (at) gmail (dot) com

Rita Bay said...

Thank you to CCAM for the interview. It was very insightful. Wish I could respond to comments individually.

Sylvie - Thank you for visiting. Please enter the giveaway often. There's some great stories up for grabs.

Lori - McCaffrey may be deceased but her stories will, for me, be some of the best scifi written.

Roxi. said...

Mmm ,suna foarte bine.

Amie said...

The description sound good. Thanks for the giveaway!