Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Lost Reaper by Shelley Russell Nolan




Do you write in different genres?

I would call myself a speculative fiction writer, covering all types of fantasy and science fiction. But I also have a couple of ideas for action adventure type stories that I hope to write one day.
 
If yes which is your favorite genre to write?

My favorite is always the one I’m currently writing, so it is more about the story than the genre.

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

I usually come up with the title soon after I get the initial idea for the book or as I am jotting down notes about the characters and what happens to them.

What books are in your to read pile?

I have so many books that I want to read. Top of the list is ‘Fireborn’ by Keri Arthur, followed by ‘Shades of Milk and Honey’ by Mary Robinette Kowal and so many other books that it would take days to list them all.

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

I’m three quarters of the way through the first draft of the second book in the Reaper series, ‘Winged Reaper’, and I’m also editing a YA book.

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

The YA spec fic novel, ‘Freak: Book One of the Revival Project’ is about a troubled teenager who dies and is then ‘revived’ by a sexy young scientist. She not only has to deal with the side effects of the top secret revival process but she also has to navigate her way through her last year of high school without letting anyone find out that she is now a science experiment.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

With two young children and builders working on a room extension right outside my window, finding peace and quiet is often difficult. I usually write when the kids are at school or kindergarten, but with hammering and sawing most of the day it is hard to concentrate at times. I have to console myself with the knowledge that it won’t be forever and I’ll have a shiny new bedroom at the end of it and will free up space to create the perfect library/study to write in.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

The cover for ‘Lost Reaper’ was designed by Two Decade Designs and I absolutely love it. They came up with it after consultation with me and I feel it is perfect for the story.

Do you have any advice for other writers?


The best thing I ever did was start attending writing festivals. Not only did I get to learn from amazing authors, I made fantastic friends who support and offer valuable critiques on my works in progress.


Lost Reaper
Reaper Series
Book One
Shelley Russell Nolan

Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Ormiston Press

Date of Publication: 23rd October 2015

ISBN: 9781311053688
ASIN: B0169KUNCO

Number of pages: 240 Kindle
Word Count: 83,000 words

Cover Artist: Two Decade Designs

Book Description:

The first dead body I ever saw was my own

For twenty-five year old Tyler Morgan, being murdered was easy. Easy in comparison with working for the Grim Reaper. Jonathon Grimm may have brought her back from the dead in exchange for working as a reaper for her home town, Easton, but she has to find his lost reaper before she can enjoy her second chance at life.

Only … the lost reaper isn’t actually lost. He has a new body, a new life, and no intention of turning himself in.

Tyler begins the grisly task of reaping the souls of Easton’s dead while searching for the reaper. He could be anyone – the intriguing detective, Sam Lockwood: the handsome, wealthy Chris Bradbury; or the serial killer stalking the women of Easton. Women who bear an uncanny resemblance to Tyler.

As the killer closes in and Grimm’s deadline draws closer, Tyler discovers she is fighting a much bigger threat than the Grim Reaper and time is running out for everyone.

Excerpt:

I opened my eyes and found myself somewhere else, looking through a window at my body on the service station floor. Blood coated the front of my t-shirt, darkening the cloth. My caramel-coloured skin was pale, heart-shaped face slack, long black hair matted with blood. 
I put a hand on my chest. My heart beat faster and faster. It should have reassured me, but I couldn’t ignore the evidence of my own eyes. I was dead.
I clutched my stomach and found my ruined clothes had been replaced by a long white gown, the silken fabric soft and cool against my body. My feet were bare but I could feel nothing beneath my toes. Around me was a dark void, the only light coming from the room where a horrible scene was playing out.
Behind the counter, the owner had pulled himself to his feet and was frantically pushing buttons on an ancient telephone, gnarled hands shaking, horror etched on his face when his call wouldn’t connect.
To the left of my body, the man who’d tried to give me a chance to escape slumped at the end of the aisle closest to the counter. He struggled to his knees, oblivious of the monster standing over him.  
I heard the knife thud home and wanted to turn away but my body seized up. Helpless, I watched the owner scramble out from behind the counter, making for a door marked ‘Staff Only’. The monster got to his feet and stalked after him, whistling as he prepared to kill again.
I sobbed, hands covering my mouth, tears streaming down my face.
‘It doesn’t have to end this way, Tyler.’
I dropped my hands and spun around.
A man shrouded in mist appeared out of the darkness, the light from the service station creating shadows that cloaked his features as he glided towards me.
The mist flowed around him like a living thing, keeping his shape indistinct until he stood in front of me. Then it parted.






About the Author:

Shelley Russell Nolan is an avid reader who began writing her own stories at sixteen. Her first completed manuscript featured brain eating aliens and a butt kicking teenage heroine. Since then she has spent her time creating fantasy worlds where death is only the beginning and even freaks can fall in love. With books for both young adults and adults in the works, Shelley plans on writing for as longs as she has the power to type and looks forward to the day when her stories will be published.



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1 comments:

ShelleyRNolan said...

Thanks for being a part of Lost Reaper's blog tour.