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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.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

dying for the exiles is not on her to-do list - The Reluctant Sacrifice by Kerr-Ann Dempster

Centuries ago, sibling rivalry tore Aramith apart. As punishment, the losers were stripped of their immortal birthright and banished to Earth. There, they wasted away from old age and diseases. However, there is hope…

Description:

Published: August 7th, 2015 

Centuries ago, sibling rivalry tore Aramith apart. As punishment, the losers were stripped of their immortal birthright and banished to Earth. There, they wasted away from old age and diseases. However, there is hope…

If a Shaw child, born on the 12th day of the 12th month offers her soul in a public sacrifice, then the exiles will be forgiven and welcomed home to Aramith.

Aubrey Shaw is that child, but dying for the exiles is not on her to-do list. Using her gift as a Jumper, Aubrey leaps between bodies to escape relentless shape-shifting hunters. Only, shedding her skin is not enough. Not when Joshua, her best-friend-turned-hunter, is hell-bent on dragging her to the altar.

Will Aubrey’s love for Joshua change his mind?

Or, will she have to trust the scarred stranger who shows up out of the blue cloaked in lies and secrets? Doing so means giving up on Joshua. But betting on Joshua’s love could do more than break her heart.

It could kill her.

Author's Q&A

Why do you write Young Adult Novels? 
Because at 30 years old, I still read YA novels. Being an adult is tons of fun, but it comes with immense responsibilities. Also, as an adult, I don’t have many firsts left to enjoy. Writing and reading YA brings back fond memories that bill-paying and gray hairs have caused me to forget. Plus, let’s face it, the stories are more authentic and interesting than the ones I read as a teen. Don’t get me wrong. I loved Sweet Valley High and The Hardy Boys, but I would have killed for some Harry Potter and Beautiful Creatures. I was raised in a strict household and fantasy novels were a big no-no. Now, I gobble them up and churn them out every chance I get. 

As both a writer and reader, what do you want to see more of? 
Authenticity. We’ve come a long way, but I’m sick of vampires and witches. As a writer, I try to come up with new creatures or put a fresh spin on what’s been done before. Changing the back story is not enough. Writers need to recognize that readers are hungry for new stories that explore new ideas and new obstacles. We have to risk it all and throw out the usual tropes and scare ourselves and readers a bit with new stories. It isn’t easy, of course. I’ve fallen victim to it myself, but I am fighting to be authentic. I’m taking more risks and I’m liking the payoff. 

How do you get inspired? 
I’ve always lived in two worlds. The real world and the one I created in my head. I skipped my way through childhood, living in the stories I dreamt up and hosting Q & A’s with my favorite characters. It went on for weeks at a time. When I grew up, it didn’t stop. I used to think it made me a weirdo, but with time I understood these stories were meant to be written down and shared. 
*I’ve been told my status as a weirdo is still up for discussions. 

Why should I read it [The Reluctant Sacrifice]? 
Because you’re hungry for something fresh and enjoyable? If you want the same- old-same, this book isn’t for you. However, if you are looking for a fast-paced story that’s rich with diverse characters, a unique plot, and witty dialogue, then dive in

Tell us about your current project.
I’m currently working on The Reluctant Huntress. It follows Morgan, the sister of the main character in The Reluctant Sacrifice (TRS). She is the most hated and misunderstood character in TRS. Her story will shock those who hate her and force them to see her actions in a different light. The fun thing is that the books can be read in any order the reader chooses, which means you will end up hating the main character from each book because everyone is the hero of their own story. 

Since this novel takes place in Landon, fans of the TRS will get to see more world building as I take them deeper into the magical Aramithian community. (A novella will is also planned to tie the series together).

About the author:
Kerr-Ann Dempster lives in Michigan where she is often found with her nose in a book, knee-deep in snow, and online fan-girling over fictional characters and fellow authors. She is a graduate of Loyola University, Chicago where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After working in Visual Communications and as a Flight Attendant, Kerr-Ann decided that life was best spent being happy. With that in mind, she published her first novel, Beneath Scarlett Valley, in August 2014. She then published her second novel, The Reluctant Sacrifice, in August 2015.

To learn more about Kerr-Ann, connect with her on: Instagram (author.kerr), Twitter (@annk3rr), Facebook and Goodreads. If you live in Michigan, you may also find her in line at Moomers purchasing homemade ice cream.

Author's Giveaway
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3 comments:

Stephanie LaPlante said...

Sounds like an interesting book.

Jan Lee said...

Nice cover...love the premise too with Shifters :) I'll look for this to read!

Unknown said...

Looks like a great read and I look forward to doing so. Thanks.