Monday, July 06, 2015

Sidhe by Amanda Meuwissen



What inspired you to become an author?

Life. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making up stories. But the clincher that led me from debating between pursuing acting and writing, my other love, was a review on a fanfic when I was about 15. An anonymous review said that the way I handled depression and overcoming it emboldened her to do the same and even, and I quote, throw away her razor blades. I realized then that writing was the path that would bring me—and others—the most joy, to make the most difference, and I’ve never looked back.

Do you write in different genres?

I do! I tend toward urban fantasy/paranormal romance, but also dabble in sci-fi, and feel that I am particular talented with non-fiction. 


If yes which is your favorite genre to write?

Urban fantasy/paranormal romance. Other than non-fiction, I don’t know if I could ever not have some element of romance in my stories, though it’s rarely the focus point – plot first, then romance – but I just love writing two people falling in love. Add vampires, or fae, or something else fantastical, and I’m set. 

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

It’s really about being open and accepting of yourself as well as others, and being willing to embrace whoever might come along in your life that you fall in love with, no matter who they are or what society might think. It’s why I love writing family too, like the brothers in this series, because there are so many kinds of love worth writing about. 

What books are in your to read pile?

The Last Watch. American Gods. All Saga volumes after 2…

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Absolutely. Here’s the current blurb:

Emery Mavus just wants to survive his senior year of high school. Becoming a vampire complicates things. So does a bizarre mentor, a group of vampire hunters, and an unexpected, new attraction for his openly gay best friend, Connor. An occasional uncontrollable hunger for blood might be the least of his worries.

I am infusing this baby with so many real life stories and events from my life, and from the lives of people close to me, that almost everything, aside from the vampires, of course, will have some basis in reality. I am just loving writing this so far! It opens with the main characters blowing up a teddy bear after Emery has been dumped, which my husband and some friends actually did in high school.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding time. I have a full time job, I give up a lot of my time to working pro bono for the publisher BigWorldNetwork, which has published my books, and I like to spend time with my husband, friends, and family, and get some movies and video games in from time to time, so time management is crucial.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

My good friend and coworker at BWN, Mario Hernandez, who does everything for the publisher, and is just too talented for words. He has worked tirelessly with me on perfecting each of the covers for my series, and they have all turned out exactly as I imagined. 

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Whenever you reach a point of catharsis, the end of a scene, of a chapters, etc., don’t stop writing. Push yourself to write the beginning of that next scene, even just a sentence or two, so that when you come back later, you’re in the midst of feeling inspired and knowing where you want to go next. You’ll be surprised how much faster you write, how hard it will be to stop, and how rare writer’s block rears its head. 


Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?
I do! So many more than this, but here are the 11 tracks I most think of with this series. 

1. May the Road – a version of the Old Irish Blessing (Nathan’s lullaby)
2. Everything by Michael Bublé (performed by Sasha on his birthday)
3. Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy (when Sasha fights Gabriel in the warehouse in Minneapolis)
4. Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede (plays on the jukebox in the Gatehouse)
5. Nothing Else Matters [Acoustic] by Metallica (played by Sasha and Nathan in book 2)
6. Cold by Breaking Benjamin (played by Sasha after meeting an old friend)
7. Elaborate Lives from Aida (sung by Leven at musical practice)
8. The Howling by Within Temptation (the end of book 2)
9. Hurt [Cover] by Johnny Cash (on the jukebox in the diner when Nathan meets Dave)
10. My Funny Valentine [The Talented Mr. Ripley version] sung by Matt Damon (when Sasha and Nathan slow dance at the start of book 3)
11. Lookin’ Out My Back Door by Creedence Clearwater Revival (end of book 3)

Sidhe
The Incubus Saga
Book 3
Amanda Meuwissen

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Gay Paranormal Romance
                          
Publisher: BigWorldNetwork.com, LLC

Date of Publication: July 2, 2015

ISBN:
ASIN: B00Y1WDVK4

Word Count: 180,000

Cover Artist: Mario Hernandez

Book Description:

Nathan Grier returns from the Veil a changed man. The consequences of his time with Malak, the dark sidhe king, and the deal made to free him may be more than he can bear. The weakening of the Veil and new enemies foretell of a greater battle still ahead.

With Nathan’s brother Jim now an Awakened changeling, and Nathan’s role in Malak’s plans finally revealed, Nathan’s love for fae hunter and incubus, Sasha Kelly, may not be enough to save him after all.

Available at Amazon

Excerpt:

“Nathan, it’s us,” Sasha tried to say calmly, inching closer with hands held up in seeming surrender.  Jim did the same.
Nathan knew he had to be a pitiable sight with that weakly held knife, but he’d use it, damn it, he would.  Somehow he’d use it. 
His back hit the corner of the room. 
“Playing that game?” Nathan scoffed. “I know better.  You haven’t been them in…in so long, I…I don’t even remember.  I don’t remember…”
“Nathan,” Jim pleaded, moving closer with one hand outstretched.  He looked so strange to Nathan, almost believable with those dark blue eyes so caring, so concerned.  “I can’t imagine what it must have been like, but it’s over.  You’re not in the Veil anymore.  We got you out.  You’re safe.  With us.”
“Please believe us, Nathan,” Sasha said. “Just look at us.”  He gestured to himself; to Jim.  Sasha too looked so normal, so honest and how Nathan remembered him.  “It’s really us.  You’re safe, Nathan.  Please recognize us…”
He recognized them.  But it had to be a trick.  Another damn trick like all the others. 
“I gave you what you wanted,” Nathan said again.  He was so cold.  Nothing looked right.  Nothing felt right.  He couldn’t understand why this was happening when he had finally given in.
“Nathan, it’s us,” Sasha said more firmly, like maybe Nathan just couldn’t hear them.
“Malak took you and we’re so sorry,” Jim said. “We wish we could have gotten you out sooner, but you have to know us.  Please tell me you still know us…”
“Malak…?” Nathan glared at the false images before him, knife still held firm, warning them not to get closer.  “It had nothing to do with that, you know that, you know.  I didn’t…I didn’t go to the Veil.”
Jim and Sasha stopped their progression toward him, their eyes wide and disbelieving.  They shared a pained look, not knowing what to say until finally Jim spoke, slow and gentle.
“Nathan, don’t you remember?  Malak said killing the spriggan instead of banishing it broke the deal. That’s why we couldn’t win, why we couldn’t save you.  You went to the Veil, Nathan.  You’ve been in the Veil.  But you’re out now.  I don’t know what Malak did to you there, but we got you out.”
It almost made sense, as if a second reality were trying to push into Nathan’s mind: memories of what Jim was saying, memories he knew weren’t fabrications, and yet…how could he remember things happening two different ways?
The Veil?  Had that been the Veil?  To him it had felt like life.



About the Author:

Amanda Meuwissen is the author of The Incubus Saga and The Collector. Amanda also serves as COO and Managing Editor for BigWorldNetwork.com. She oversees editing and series selection, and is featured as a narrator for several BWN series. Amanda lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, John, and their cats, Helga and Sasha (no connection to the incubus of the same name).









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1 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the opportunity, and for the thoughtful questions with this interview to kick off the Sidhe blog tour. It's an exciting time for me, and I hope everyone who joins the stops along the way are excited at the chance for a copy of all three books.