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09 November 2015

Amy McKinley & 'Hidden' @amymckinley7 @GoddessFish #ParanormalRomance

Today we have author Amy McKinley visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?
* Amy McKinley is a freelance writer and author. She lives in Illinois with her husband, their four talented teenagers, and three mischievous cats. Her debut novel, Hidden is the first in the Five Fates Series.

Do you have any tattoos? Where? When did you get it/them? Where are they on your body?
* No tattoos for me.

Is your life anything like it was two years ago?
* It never is. We have four kids so it’s constantly evolving with where they are in life.
* In terms of my writing, it’s definitely different. For the past five years I’ve been a freelance writer for a creative firm and writing fiction on the side. In February 2014, I signed with Champagne Book Group for the release of Hidden. My second book was completed soon after and I’ve begun working on a third.
* It’s chaotic. Trying to carve out time for writing, and my family, is challenging. During the school year it’s much easier. But when summer rolls around, I know I’ll be in trouble. Summer ushers in lots of driving to classes, camp, work or friends houses, lots of noise, and kids over that are not my own. Each summer is better in terms of my ability to work than the last, but with its approach I know my carefully planned out schedule is in imminent danger of annihilation. It’s easier to use those three months for outlining and editing instead, not that I always follow those rules either.

How long have you been writing?
* When I was young I loved to write but I didn’t know how to turn that path into a career. Especially since I didn’t want to be a journalist. It wasn’t until after my husband and I began our family that I thought about writing again. I’d say it’s been about five years since I’ve really been back into writing fiction.

What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?
* Keep going! Find and join a critique group, either online or one that meets in person. They offer invaluable support and growth potential. Whether you are a pantser or a plotter, defining your plot points prior to writing, or utilizing beat sheets, will help you create a roadmap to capture your readers’ attention.
* Write what you want to write. If you’re involved and feel strongly about what you’re writing, your readers will too.

Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.
* From the first moment of learning Jade is being hunted to encountering her enemy, a hateful picture develops. As the story progresses, there are hidden layers that will be uncovered and you’ll learn what her foe’s motivation really is. Your opinion of him may change.
A look into...
~ Blurb ~
* Cursed since birth, hunted by gods, and desperate for love—Jade never stood a chance.
* Half-demon, half-goddess, Jade’s fate makes her a pawn in an epic battle among the gods. Hidden on Earth with her sisters, she successfully avoids the Oneiroi—the dream gods—bent on her destruction until the prophecy, long dormant, awakens a dark shadow within her.
* Roen, a reclusive Worr demon known for his battles against the Oneiroi, is called to protect Jade. Together they must unlock their mysterious connection and find a way to beat back destiny. Can she outsmart the prophecy, change her fate, and find love—even when she learns who is connected to her destruction?
~ Excerpt ~
* Hades kissed his wife, Persephone, one last time before reluctantly relinquishing her above ground, where her mother impatiently waited.
* “Behave while I’m gone, Hades.” Persephone traced a pink-kissed nail along her husband’s dark jawline.
* He was loathe to shave too often as the rough stubble against her skin excited her. “Six months is ridiculously long,” he murmured against her lush lips. “Find a way to meet me at the meadow.”
* Mischief danced in her eyes as she stepped onto the boat which would ferry her along the River Styx, leading her out of the Underworld. “It’s a date,” she purred, blowing her husband a sultry kiss.
* That woman slays me. He watched until she was out of sight. Once his bride was gone, his attention returned to his beloved Underworld and the current state it was in.
* Hades leapt onto his chariot. A resounding crack split the air as he commanded his four black horses to lead him past boiling lava pits and stalagmites to the deepest, fiery pits of the abyss—Tartarus.
* Creatures scampered out of his way. Fallen angels and demons went about their business—lest they draw his anger—as he thundered past. Tormented screams echoed off cavernous walls and pools of fiery despair. His pulse roared in his veins. He reveled at what he was about to see…
* The Fates’ curse had begun.
* Reining his steeds to a halt, he dismounted, his black boots crunching on a mixture of bones and jagged pieces of rock. Amidst the prisons, the things of nightmares tortured imprisoned souls.
* A laugh rumbled up from his gut and rolled out. He threw back his head then ran his hands through his black hair, freeing it from its tie. Pers wasn’t here right now, due to his brother, Zeus’s, acquiescence to Demeter.
* Hades ignored the slow burn in his chest at the thought of his wife being gone for six long months and focused on the game of persecuting his brother instead, for he knew a thing or two about Aiesa’s offspring that Zeus did not.
* An ear-splitting scream rent the air, snapping Hades out of his thoughts. New souls.
* He knew who sent them. Although he benefitted from so many entering his domain, his brother would not be happy.
* What a perfect time to pay Zeus a visit.
Buy Hidden here...
Amazon
Find Amy McKinley here...
Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Website
Thank you for joining us here today, Amy McKinley! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.

ANNOUNCEMENT! Amy McKinley will give one randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card! So be sure to leave a comment AND use the Rafflecopter below. Also, visit the other tour stops for a greater chance of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

13 comments:

https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com said...

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Casey! I'm happy to answer any questions and hope you enjoy the book.

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thanks for hosting!

Anonymous said...

Informative interview!

--Trix

https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com said...

Thanks, Trix! The interview was a lot of fun and I'm excited for Jade's story to be published. I hope others enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Victoria Alexander said...

Great post - I loved reading the interview. It's always fun learning about authors..thanks for sharing!

MB said...

Inspiring history of your writing career. I love to hear of people pursuing a career meant for them. This excerpt is intriguing! Looking forward to the whole series.

https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com said...

Thanks, Victoria and MB. I appreciate you stopping by and good luck with the drawing!

karin said...

Thanks for sharing! I love paranormal books and mythology

https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com said...

Of course! I too love paranormal and mythology books, Karen :) There will be five in this series: The Five Fates Series. The second is releasing this spring. I hope you like Jade's story and Layla is next. I'm currently working on a stand alone mythology book as well. Total sucker for them.

Ally Swanson said...

I enjoyed reading the excerpt and the interview. This book sounds like a very interesting and intriguing read! Looking forward to checking this book out!

https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com said...

Thank you, Ally :) I hope you enjoy Jade's story. I can't wait to write the rest of the sisters stories too :) (Layla's will be out this spring). Good luck on the drawing!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed this interview and loved the question about how has the autho's life has changed in the past two years. Very interesting!

https://amymckinleyauthor.wordpress.com said...

Thank you Chocomeiske! I'm glad you stopped by and hope you enjoy Jade's story. :)