The Kailmeyra Series Blog Tour Stop

Hello lovelies!  Today I have yet another blog tour stop, this one hosted by AToMR Book Blog Tours!  Today I have an awesome interview and excerpt!

The Light of Asteria

by Elizabeth Issacs

Amazon / Goodreads

If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different-something within her has changed.
Nora tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength.
Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity has allowed all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive?
A gripping tale of unbounded love and ancient power, The Light of Asteria will take you on an epic adventure filled with war, treachery, and demons, as well as unimaginable delights.

The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

Amazon / Goodreads

The Kailmeyra Chronicles: Book Two--

Life for Nora couldn't be better; she has married the man of her dreams and loves living in the pristine land of Kailmeyra.

That is, until the darkness threatens her perfect world.

Now war is upon the land. She and Gavin must strengthen their clan and prepare to fight. But the enemy has an ally—one that not only wields power, but holds knowledge of the ancients' secrets. Secrets that could destroy creation itself.

As the darkness grows, doubt seeps in ... protectiveness hinders progress ... and the unthinkable comes to pass.

Bewildered and alone, Nora shoulders the responsibility of leading an entire race to war. As she struggles with decisions that seem impossible to make, she is haunted by one choice.

BOOK EXCERPT

“And who might this be?” Malachi motioned to Rune’s small frame, still hovering by the horses.

“My apologies. Everyone, I’d like for you to meet the last of the Urisk clan, Rune.”  

As I introduced them one by one, their calm reaction let me know that Gavin had been filling Elias in as we traveled home. Rune fidgeted with his tartan bundle, obviously uncomfortable being the center of attention.

“I’m still not understandin’, Lass. Why are they choosin’ to stay weak?”

Elias took a threatening step forward, but Malachi raised his hand in a silent command.

“They do not want to dishonor their mate.”

“Why would ya be thinkin’ love’ll be dishonored with strength? I’m findin’ yer ideas of the Maker a bit strange.” He shook his head in disbelief. “The Urisk know love’s needin’ all the strength it can be gettin’ to express.” His eyes danced as I blushed. “The princess’ power comes from intent. T’aint no essence there, and yer daft if ye think she’s sharin’ somethin’ she ought not be sharin’.”

“They’re not strong enough.” Malachi murmured. Elias bristled, his lips thinned to a line as his eyes became faceted sapphires.

“He means no offense,” I said. “He’s been alone for far too long and his social skills have suffered.”

“That’s where you’d be wrong, princess.” Rune chuckled. “I never had ‘em.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1.  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’m a creative spirit, and so I love expression in any form. Because of that, I’ve always been a writer, I just never thought I’d be a published one. It wasn’t until I wrote The Light of Asteria as a gift for my daughter that sharing my words with the world became a possibility.  

2.  How long does it take you to write a book?

I try to write three to six hours a day, but creativity can’t be rushed. Often characters will detour from the planned plot, turning my world upside down. The first two in the series took about 4 to 6 months to write the first draft, but Ancients is taking a bit longer because of the complexity of the subplots.

3.  Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

I love to free write in the dark. I know it sounds strange, but taking five or ten minutes to write down every thought that traipses through my head helps clears the cobwebs away. I write in complete silence. Music distracts me, but sometimes I’ll put on classical and free write until the end of a song.   

4.  Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

My characters are already in my head. I’m sure psychiatrists would say they are deeply rooted in my emotional psyche or some such, but I believe that stories are given to us—and it’s up to us to find the words that do them justice.

5.  How do you decide what you want to write about?

The ideas come from someplace deep within, and so I don’t question it. But as the story unfolds, I discover new facets, lessons, even symbolisms I hadn’t planned. The Secret of the Keepers was extremely difficult to write because I tried to change what was given. I warred with the characters, not wanting to write what the story demanded. It was Elias’ character that actually convinced me to have the courage to go where the story wanted to go. Once I started writing I knew he was right.

6.  What books have most influenced your life?

That’s a very broad question. Books have always influenced me, even as a child. If I had to choose, these would definitely be in the top 100.The Bible, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Heart of a Woman, The Thomas Covenant series, The Hobbit, The Giver, The Proud Breed, The Harry Potter series, Pride and Prejudice, The Left Behind Series, Charlotte’s Web, and all things Dr. Seuss.

7.  What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?

The first book I read all by myself was Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop. I was four at the time, and I think that’s when my rereading addiction started :-). Everyone who crossed the threshold had to listen to my rendition of Dr. Seuss, whether they wanted to or not. 

8.  What are you reading right now?

I’ve been on a huge Lisa Kleypas historical romance kick, but that’s starting to wind down. I just finished Veronica Roth’s Divergent and Insurgent.  Next up is The Help. I’ve wanted to read it for ages!

9.  What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I have two jobs, one as an elementary school teacher, the other as a children’s music coordinator at a local church. That keeps me pretty busy, but when I’m not writing I am reading. A good friend and author of The Willows: Haven, Hope Collier, just lives down the interstate, and so at least once a week you’ll find us scouring books stores or going to author signings whenever we can.

10.  What do you think makes a good story?

A good story must have three elements: multi-faceted characters, a rocking plot, and great writing. Everyone has different tastes, but I love stories that are sensory driven, complex, and action-packed. 

11.  Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

My two favorite authors are Dr. Seuss and Maya Angelou. I know, weird combo, but I’ve never claimed to be normal.

Theodor Geisel was my first love. I read every book he wrote before I was eight. More importantly, I understood the deeper implications of his work at an early age. Dr. Seuss was the first person in my life that inspired me to find different ways to phrase ideas, to love the way words are strung together. He taught me to have fun with words, to play with them, to find joy in reading them over and over. 

Where Dr. Seuss taught that words could affect through humor and rhyme, Maya Angelou educated me in their power … that words can change who we are, who we want to be. Her voice is so deeply embedded in her writing that they literally go from the page straight to my heart. She has a way of turning ordinary words into extraordinary thoughts.

12.  What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

I’m a chronic rereader, and so if I don’t reread a book I didn’t like it. The first book I reread well over twenty times was DeBlasis’ “The Proud Breed”. I was all of fifteen at the time, and picked it up at a yard sale. I loved the historical romance aspect and the way she chronicled the life of her protg, Tessa. I haven’t read it in years, but it was the first time the pages actually came loose from the spine.