Thursday, October 23, 2014

Book Blast, Giveaway & Interview: Seraphina - Initiation by @Sheena_Hutch

Seraphina Initiation Banner TOUR 851 x 315_thumb[1]

bookblast

 

clip_image002_thumb[1]Seraphina: Initiation

Seraphina Series

Book Two

Sheena Hutchinson

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Hutchinson Publishing

Date of Publication: 10/20/2014

ISBN: 1502319608

ASIN: B00NE4Q7J2

Number of pages: 200

Word Count: 60,000

Cover Artist: Andrea Garcia

Book Description:

Seraphina Cross is unexpectedly thrown into this crazy, spiritual world of Angels versus Demons. Never did she expect to meet Nate who was just a figment of her imagination until last week. Now she finds herself moving in with him because of her innate responsibility to protect her loved ones from harm.

Finally beginning to feel at home in her new house and with her new relationship. Nate begins training Sera in all that she can do, surprising even himself at times.

Just when she is starting to feel safe and powerful, the Devil finds a new way to attack her at her most vulnerable.

When her dreams are no longer a gift, can Sera control the powers needed to defeat what's coming before Lucifer fulfills his promise to her?

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/GFFT-_DAuZk

Available at Amazon Amazon UK

  excerpt

Climbing the three steps, I turn to Nate and state, “I want to cook!” as I push him into his seat in the breakfast nook.

“Are you sure?” he asks me knowing full well I have no culinary skills and we could conjure a meal in seconds. I could attempt to conjure a meal, but to be honest I crave some normalcy.

“How bad can I screw up eggs?” I joke over my shoulder as I’m checking the cabinets for a frying pan. When I find it I open the refrigerator for some eggs. As I open the door, I feel the cold hit my bare legs and I’m suddenly fully aware I’m wearing nothing but a short, sheer, silk nightgown. I’m beginning to feel Nate’s eyes all over me. I take a calming breath, grab a few eggs, and turn to the stove pretending not to notice. I turn the flame on when he finally speaks.

“I feel useless! Can’t I do something?” he asks with a smirk I know implies more than he says.

“Uh, you can make the toast!” I turn around and joke, but he rises. Passing me so close he just barely makes contact, but I can sense his body heat radiating towards me. He pops a few slices of toast into the toaster before I feel his body heat behind me again. My body stiffens when my senses begin to go haywire. Then I feel his fingers touch my waist through my nightgown sliding themselves lightly up and down the side of my body. With his other hand I feel him move my hair to one side, over my shoulder as he gently places a kiss on the back of my neck. His body heat is rising behind me as he kisses down my neck to the tip of my shoulder. I close my eyes relishing in his touch and let my senses feel him. I let myself feel him, his touch, his emotions, his heat. I can sense him, and… smell him? I smell something else, something burning. I look over to see the toast hasn’t popped back up. Regrettably and slowly pulling away, I walk across to the toaster and pull out the black bread.

“I give you one job!” I joke waiving the burnt toast in his direction.

“Sorry, I was distracted!” he defends mockingly looking down like a puppy in trouble.

“Well, don’t let it happen again.” I parentally joke back as I throw the blackened bread at him playfully. He flashes me a heart-stopping smirk before sitting back in his place while I serve him his eggs. We eat breakfast in silence. It’s hard to put into human words, but it’s as if there’s some unspoken connection in the room. One that we are both aware we want, but we don’t want to act on it. So instead, we sit staring at each other, basking in the emotion the other is giving off for what seems like forever until Nate breaks the silence.

“Okay,” he leans back throwing his arms up in defeat, “I think it’s time you put some real clothes on so we can get some actual work done today!”

I giggle looking down at the nightgown that’s hugging my body before getting up to change. I’m almost down the stairs when I hear,

“Aren’t you going to clean up your mess?” Nate asks in his stern training mode voice.

“What?” I flash back around to ask in surprise.

“I think it’s time you try using your mind powers, clean this up,” he replies trying not to move his eyes lower than my hazel ones.

I sigh before closing my eyes, trying to remember how Nate explained using them. I focus my mind on all the dishes being clean and tucked back into their little places in the

cabinets before snapping my fingers. I open one eye first to check the table, when I see all the plates are missing from the table I open the other. I smile proudly, shrug my shoulders before turning around and dashing upstairs to put on something more, appropriate.

A few minutes later, I’m running down the stairs in my training clothes and my hand excitedly reaches for the front door when I hear Nate cough behind me. I turn to see him standing in the dining room. Confused, I walk towards him.

“Aren’t we going for a run?” I ask him pointing over my shoulder to the door behind

me.

“I’m sorry Sera, but we can’t go outside anymore. If you need to release some

energy I made a treadmill in the basement.”

I freeze staring past him and out the glass wall of the dining room at all the trees and the gorgeous cliff and my heart sinks. I can’t go outside anymore? I can’t feel the sun on my face? The wind in my hair? The heartbeat of the earth? I’m a prisoner in my own house. I know this is because of the bear yesterday and that this is for my own safety, but I can’t help feeling my heart drop and I know Nate can see it sprawled all over my face.

“I’m sorry Sera, but until you are trained you shouldn’t be in harm’s way… consciously, not if I can help it.”

I can’t be mad at Nate he’s only trying to protect me, but I can’t help the resentment I feel. I turn around without a word, open the basement door against the side of the staircase, and slam it behind me as I descend the stairs. When I reach the last step, I eye the plain cement basement with the treadmill in the middle of the room. He has set up a flat screen television with a picture of the forest, but it doesn’t help. Looking around, in this dreary training facility I notice there are no windows or air. I can’t help the anger I feel, but instead of thinking about it, I try and focus it. I turn the treadmill up and run. I run as fast as the stupid machine will go. I run, trying to escape all the anger, all the sadness, all the confusion and all the other weird feelings I can’t put into words. I run until all my overwhelming emotions produce a tear. I feel it begin to trace its way down my cheek. As if in slow motion, I see the singular tear drop all the way down to the belt before my foot extends and I step on it. I slam my foot down as if I’m repressing all the depressing feelings, all the anger I harbor. Somehow in all that is going on I realize the old, depressed, weak Sera is gone. She died that night in the middle of the street. The only thing that remains is Seraphina. She is strong, confident, and she is who I need to become. I slam my hand down on the ‘Stop’ button and jump off the treadmill wiping my cheek before heading upstairs, ready to learn how to become who I need to be.

authorinterview

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

No, I actually had aspirations of being a model/ actress. I even went to school for Psychology and medical billing… so you could say I dabble in a little bit of everything.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

That moment I held my first print copy—it just felt real.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

I self published online, so from conception until I clicked upload was almost a year.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

Yes, Medical reception/billing. Not as exciting believe me! I spend most of the time daydreaming about my characters.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

Seraphina: Initiation. 

Classic Good Versus Evil tale of the trials and tribulations of a Half-human/ half-Angel powerful anomaly.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I self-published. I’m on Amazon and I just started printing paperback copies!

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

It depends how inspired I am, Seraphina Awakening (book one) took about a year. Initiation (book two) I was writing at the same time, but I needed an extra few months to really double the drama.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

The Seraphina Series will have hopefully two more books. I’m writing a spin off two book series coming after Sera’s story. Then I’m also working on two romance novels without the paranormal aspect. It was originally just to see if I could, but they are actually turning out quite nicely. My main project that’s always in the back of my mind is a YA Dystopian series. (Like I said I like to dabble in different things!)

What genre would you place your books into?

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy 

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

It’s what I like to read, it’s fun and there is no wrong. The best part about writing fiction is, it’s fiction! You can’t tell me this didn’t / can’t happen!

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

OOoh this is a tough one! It’s like picking your favorite child! I love Sera because she’s strong. I love Amanda because she’s everything I am not. I love Nate because he would do anything for the people he loves and I love Jack because he surprises me at every turn.

BUT … if you had a gun to my head and I had to choose, I would go with Seraphina. I feel like she’s my baby. I gave birth to this character that has blossomed off the page into this powerful woman and I hope I have enough creativity to make her story continue on and on.

How long have you been writing? and who or what inspired you to write?

I’ve been writing books for going on two years now.

A break up and a dream is what gave me the time and focus to dive right in.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

I NEED COFFEE! Haha, I can write pretty much anywhere when I’m inspired. When I’m not inspired there is not a chair or a song in the world that can get me to form a sentence. You’re going to think I’m crazy, but I do my best work at a busy Starbucks with my headphones in and a fully charged laptop.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Religiously! The good, the bad, and the ugly. It isn’t always easy, but I always try to use the bad reviews to make the books and my writing better.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I had the idea for the story, but it wasn’t until I decided on her name that I wanted it to be self titled. It’s such a beautiful name, Seraphina. When I found out there already was a book by that title that’s when I added the subtitles.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?

I literally Googled “Angel Names” and Seraphina was the best one I found, Nathanael and Gabriel were two others. Amanda is loosely based off my friend Miranda, so that’s where her name came from and Jack was the name of a kid I used to babysit for, I love that name. As for the setting, I also owe to Google, did you know there is actually and town of Angelica in New York? Well, there is and the symbolism is too obvious for words. Jack’s Coffee Bean was just a play on words from Jack and the beanstalk. I originally wanted Java Jacks, but I wanted to be more original.

Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?

The name of the town and coffeehouse came last, it was just a minor detail to me. The character names were the first things I researched when I started writing. I just feel like for them to be real to me they have to be named. I can’t write about someone I can’t picture and a name says a lot about a person.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

For the most part, I know my characters. Seraphina I wanted to have an amazing transformation, I wanted her to be determined and grow stronger, Nate was always the overprotective stud, Amanda is the over the top comedic relief. But Jack’s character surprised me. When I first started writing the book, he wasn’t even a secondary character. He was some guy at the coffee house, but now he has come out of the shadows into a secondary love interest.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")

Of course! I love hidden messages! I’m all about the symbolism even if it’s blatantly obvious.

Seraphina: The Awakening—“Everything Happens for a Reason”

Seraphina: Initiation—“Never Give up, Never Surrender”

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

There is nothing like a good old fashioned book. I prefer paperbacks because I like to fold my books over.

What is your favorite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?

Oooo this is a tough one! I have to say… Mortal Instruments is my top series. I love it because it’s original and the way she incorporates all the fantasy elements is pure genius.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

No! I don’t know why I’m always excited to see a book on the big screen, I go to every single one like religiously. But it’s never the same. I do like seeing whom they pick to play my characters and I like to see how my imagination measures up to those of Hollywood.

My Favorites would be: Maze Runner, It was different from the book in a lot of ways, but I just thought they did an awesome job depicting the maze and the fear. Hunger Games was a good one too, I thought the weirdos at the capital and the games were amazingly pictured.

My Worsts: The mortal instruments, don’t get me wrong I LOVED the books and I watched the movie a zillion times but they changed and left out so much! The first Twilight movie was pretty bad too.

Your favorite food is?

Anything pumpkin or covered in chocolate. 

Your favorite singer/group is?

I don’t really have a favorite. I listen to pretty much anything. The only song I am obsessed with is A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, so I guess we can call her my favorite.

Your favorite color is?

I’m a classic pink girl

Your favorite Author is?

George RR Martin. How that man keeps so many story lines, point of views, & settings straight I will never know. I bow to you Mr. Martin, you are my idol!

  giveaway

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  abouttheauthor

 

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Sheena is a born and raised New Yorker, even her writing can't seem to hide her hard sarcasm. She claims destiny has lead her back to her true passion for writing.

She constantly strives to be a positive role model and writes stories that empower and inspire. Sheena always roots for the underdog, believes in love at first sight, and that everyone should have their happily ever after.

While God is currently still writing her love story, she continues to put all her effort into her writing as she is constantly getting new inspiration.

For more info, updates, and fun facts visit her website at www.SheenaHutchinson.com

www.Twitter.com/Sheena_Hutch

www.Facebook.com/TheSeraphinaSeries

www.Goodreads.com/SheenaHutch

www.amazon.com/author/sheenahutchinson

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