Monday, May 19, 2014

Interview and Giveaway with Tricia Skinner


1. How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

I've wanted to write my own version of the Cain and Abel story for a long time. They're the original sibling rivalry, and I saw the conflict between two brothers as irresistible. Angel Kin played off the core elements in the story. One, you have angels and half-angels (Nephilim). Two, the family relationship described not only Cain and Abel, but Katie and her brother Jon as well as Cain's connection to his team, The Bound Ones.

2. Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

Yes, I always know the title before I begin writing. It's easier to visualize where I want the story to go. Once I tried to write a story without a title and it was a mess. I guess my brain refused to accept writing with a title to guide the path.

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

Angel Kin is about being related. This could mean through blood, or by extension. The Bound Ones – Jarrid, Cain, Nestaron, Kasdeja, and Tanis – are family though none share the same blood. Violent circumstances brought them together, but they remain because they care for each other as family. In the case of Cain and Abel, they have a blood bond, but their family ties were severed. I'd like readers to see how all the characters weigh the meaning of family.

4. What books are in your to read pile?

Oh, hell. I have too many books to read and not enough hours in the day. There are series I've always wanted to jump into and maybe an equal number of single-titles I want to check out. When you're writing, it's very hard to get back to the simple joy of reading for pleasure. I've made it a habit to choose something from my pile as a reward for finishing a project.

5. What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

The Angel Assassins series continues in August 2014 with Angel Lover, which is Kasdeja's book. The first draft is complete, but I have polishing to do. I also regained the rights to my debut novel, Angel Bait. That will need tweaking to fit with the changes I made to the world for Angel Kin. Eventually I hope to have Bait available again for readers as a prequel story.

6. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I'm still new to writing novels so I'm constantly learning the craft. My natural tendency is to downplay the romance so that the rest of the story is fulfilling. The challenge is then going back and improving the romance so it's not an afterthought. Getting the motivations clear can be a pain in the butt.

7. Do you have to travel much to do research for your books?

No, but I wish I had the money to travel more. Seeing the world would expand the settings, I think. I've picked up books that have such rich description of places and events, and I want to see those for myself. Most of my research happens online, or through talking with experts.

8. Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?

Yes! Zack Hemsey is an amazing musician. His work has been used for movie trailers and in films, including Inception.

"Vengeance" is one song that helped me work out Abel's personality in Angel Kin.


Les Friction has a song called "World On Fire," which inspired a lot of the epic battles in my novel.

 



Angel Kin
An Angel Assassins Novel
Tricia Skinner

Genre: Paranormal Romance with Urban Fantasy elements

Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Edge Imprint

Date of Publication: April 28, 2014

ISBN-13: 9781622664931
ASIN: B00JI09FIG

Number of pages: 268

Amazon    BN   iBooks  Kobo

Tagline: The thief will steal his heart...

Book Description:

While channeling Robin Hood’s “steal from the rich and give to the poor” attitude at a local politician’s house, ex-con Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not, supernatural or not, he didn’t deserve to die, especially not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping forward as a witness isn’t an option. On the run from the police and the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.

When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much alive…and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: “You’re next.”

It’s a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman he’s falling in love with before his brother Abel destroys them both.

Excerpt

First, Cain checked the room’s double window and the flimsy front door, then threw the motel blanket on the brown carpet. He smoothed his hands across the sheets and lifted the mattress. He let it go and unrolled his blanket, tucking the corners.


“Should be fine now.”


Her mind felt miles away. “Will it be? Fine?”


He removed his jacket and pulled one of his guns from the holster. The magazine shot into his hand before he slammed it back. “As soon as I find Abel your life will go back to normal.”
Katie huffed a half laugh. Normal sounded like a dream. “I—”

Cain paused his movements. “You what?”


“I wish I knew how to help you.”


“Well you can’t.”


She snapped her gaze to his stony face. “Would it hurt to pretend I just showed some compassion for you? You could at least act like you’d considered my words.”

“Let’s analyze your sweet wish, little burglar. I’m an assassin, which translates to I kill people.” The half angel folded his arms and left no doubt about the arrogance on his face. 

“Sorry if the facts sting, but you can’t fight like I can. You can’t do what needs to be done.”

Infuriating, arrogant, and stubborn was not a good look on him. Katie mimicked his posture and crossed her arms. “Tell me, Mr. Super Assassin, are you sure those legendary fighting skills you claim to have will work when you’re face-to-face with Abel?”

“You think I’ll run from the fight?” A growl slipped through his gritted teeth.

“That’s not what I meant. I want to know if you can”— she raised her fingers in air quotes— “do what needs to be done, when your opponent is your own brother?”

Cain pressed his lips together, and she dove into the void left by his hesitation.

“Family is about love, but it’s also about a shitload of pain.” Katie expelled a slow breath. 
“When you face off with your twin, the end result will stay with you.”

“Abel’s my blood, but he’s done wrong. I’ll deal.”

Katie tossed her hands up. “Say you’re standing near Abel and he’s got a gun pointed at some poor schmuck’s head. What are you going to do? You’d have to decide whether or not your brother is more important, or that innocent life.”

He clawed his fingers through his hair. “I’d never allow him to harm a soul in my presence. I will stop my brother, but don’t tell me my only option is to kill him.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” Exhausted, she sank onto the edge of the mattress. “I truly do.”

“Ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath.

She shot up from the bed, ready to tell him exactly where he could shove his tough act, but Cain’s hand caught her wrist. They stared into each other’s eyes, but the emotions passing over his face cranked her heartbeat.

“Let. Go.” She jerked her arm, but his grip held.

“You should thank me for my honesty. An angel, even an impure abomination like me, could kill you before you could react. No more wishing you could help me. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“So we’re clear, if I wasn’t dealing with mind-controlling giants, I could hold my own in a fight,” she said.

Cain’s expression darkened. “Could you? I wonder.”

The Nephilim brought her crashing down onto the mattress, and Katie yelped. She thrashed under his heavy weight.

“Overpowered by a body, not mind control,” he said as his breath fanned her skin. “Your nonassassin skills are sadly lacking.”

He pinned her wrists above her head, leaving her body flush against his. Katie wiggled and tugged, but Cain had the advantage of position and strength. She stopped her frantic movements. Only one option left—surprise.

She molded her lips over his, the pressure so heavy and intense she could only moan breathlessly into his mouth. The warmth of her tongue touched his, drawing her nerves guitar-string tight.

The grip on her wrists loosened, and Katie raised her hands until her fingers slid into the thickness of his hair. She arched her body and his wide palm cupped her back. Distracting Cain to throw him off took a back seat, replaced by instinctual need pounding deep within her belly and ricocheting between her legs.

Cain’s tongue continued a slow exploration of her mouth, lapping the depths, erotic as hell. Her trembling fingers brushed the expanse of his shoulders, his firm muscles jolting the tips as they passed over. Filled with untethered boldness, she ran light touches down the ridges of his firm pectorals. When her thumb flicked a pebble-hard nipple, her bodyguard growled.


About the Author:

Tricia Skinner writes urban fantasy with twist of passion. She’s a former journalist who discovered her inspiration to write fiction as an escape from “real life.” Her reading tastes include fantasy (and its subgenres), paranormal, sci-fi, and history.

When she’s not writing, Tricia is a newbie “green” practitioner, fitness procrastinator, and a technology geek. Her family includes a patient husband, a demigod son, and two Great Danes. She’s active in several writing communities and enjoys interacting with readers.






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2 comments:

Maria D. said...

Thanks for the spotlight on Tricia's book - this is the first time I've seen it. Good interview! Thanks also for the excerpt - it was yummy!
Thanks for the giveaway.

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Tricia Skinner said...

Thanks for checking out the interview and entering the giveaway, Maria. Good luck to you!

Trish