Thursday, January 31, 2013

Cedar Fort Books Presents "Fractured Soul" by Rachel McClellan: Interview and Giveaway


Fractured Soul by Rachel McClellan
(Sequel to Fractured Light)
Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her new found friends and home, but the dark plot threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

What readers are saying . . .
“I love these books! A kick-butt heroine and a hottie love interest, with a refreshingly original concept. Be prepared—once you start, these are hard to put down.”
Paula Cotton, book reviewer at ReadingLark.blogspot.com
 
Fractured Soul is a brilliant sequel, exceeding even the remarkable first book in the series. It will haunt your every waking moment between the times you’re reading it, and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished. It’s an amazingly well written and engrossing story that I highly recommend—after you’ve read the first one, of course.”
Cindy Bennett, bestselling author of Geek Girl and Rapunzel Untangled


Get your copy of Fractured Soul
 
Scroll down for an interview with the author, and a Giveaway!

Enjoy an excerpt from Fractured Soul

As soon as the Vyken appeared in the doorway, I tossed a ball hard. He dodged it by jumping up along the side of the wall, his nails and bare toes somehow finding a hold in the thin cracks of the wall. I threw another one, but he was already moving, scrambling alongside the stones like a spider. He was grinning.
I rolled away from the wall until I was in the middle of the room. I lost sight of him for just a fraction of a second, but that was enough. The Vyken was gone, or, I should say, hiding. He was still here. I could feel him. I looked up toward the rafters of the tower roof. It was pitch black.
At the bottom of the tower, I heard Christian begin to ascend the stairs. “I’m coming, Llona!” he yelled.
Still staring up, I created Light again in the palm of my hand and willed it to rise. The closer it got to the rafters the faster my heart beat. Sweat rolled down the small of my back.
Light began to fill dark spaces, exposing that which wished to remain hidden. My Vyken was there, but he wasn’t alone. Another sat crouched on a beam. Where his left eye should’ve been there was an empty hole.
I screamed when my Vyken dropped from the ceiling, extinguishing the light. He fell onto my stomach, pushing my shoulders into the floor. I tried to create Light, but it was as if he knew what I was going to do because his hands slipped up and pinned my wrists together. He bent forward and inhaled my skin. The warmth of his breath steamed my ear when he said, “I’m going to eat every part of you.”
 

Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. She can’t take any chances. But when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake.


As an Aura, Llona can manipulate light and harness its energy. But if she wants to survive, Llona will have to defy the Auran Council and learn to use her power as a weapon against the Vyken whose sole desire is to take her light. Now she’s caught in something even bigger than she can understand, with a power she can’t wield, and no one she can trust, except, just maybe, a mysterious stranger.




Get your copy of Fractured Light
 
Meet the Author
Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was . . .

Connect with Rachel

Giveaway

 I'll bet right about now you want to read Fractured Soul--am I right? I know I do! Here's your chance to win a copy! 

One lucky commenter will win either a hardcover copy (US only) of Fractured Soul, or an eBook copy if you're outside the US. 
 
As a bonus, beginning February 4th, Fractured Light will be a steal at $2.99, for two weeks only!


In the words of Rachel McClellan

Please tell us a little about the writer behind these stories! 

Besides loving to write, I love sports. I especially love to play racquetball and volleyball. Before kids I loved to snowboard, but now it’s hard to find a babysitter to watch the kids all day. And expensive.



I like scary movies and funny ones, but it’s hard to find one that includes both. Um, what else? The first boy I ever kissed is in jail for murder. Glad I dodged that bullet!

(MK comment: Now there's another story in there somewhere! :)



What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?

Learning to balance my time. With four kids and a husband in a graduate program, I’m spread pretty thin. But writing is important to me so I find time.



If you had to sum Fractured Soul in 30 or less words, what would you say?

A teenage girl must learn to control the dark poison inside her while also trying to save Lucent Academy, a school for Auran girls.



Do you have a favorite character in Fractured Soul? Who and why?

I love Llona. She shows such strength in this book, and she’s always trying to do what is best for everyone else, especially Christian, despite the fact that it might break her heart.



What has been your greatest challenge in writing Fractured Soul?

The ending. I knew what had to happen with one of the main characters, but I wasn’t sure I could do it. It was very difficult to say the least, but, not only was this event needed for book three, FRACTURED TRUTH, but it was also necessary for Llona’s character development. 

(MK comment: I've run into this same problem when I know the characters carry into the next book.)



Will you share with us a short preview of Fractured Soul?

I created light again in the palm of my hand and willed it to rise. The closer it got to the rafters the faster my heart beat. Sweat rolled down the small of my back.



Light began to fill dark spaces, exposing that which wished to be remained hidden. My Vyken was there, but he wasn’t alone. Another sat crouched on a beam. Where his left eye

should’ve been there was an empty hole.



I screamed when my Vyken dropped from the ceiling, extinguishing the light. He fell onto my stomach, pushing my shoulders into the floor. I tried to create Light, but it was as if he knew what I was going to do because his hands slipped up and pinned my wrists together. He bent forward and inhaled my skin. The warmth of his breath steamed my ear when he said, “I’m going to eat every part of you.”



What is your favorite scene in the book?

There’s a scene between Christian and Llona where Christian is trying to convince Llona that they can be together, despite the complications. While at a school dance, he backs her into a private area and a passionate moment is shared between them. I swoon just thinking about it.



Do you have to be alone or have quiet to write?

I like to be alone, but it can’t be quiet. I must have my music. It inspires me to write and I think strengthens my novel. 

(MK comment: Can you comment and tell us one of your favorite writing songs while working on Fractured Soul?)



What kind of research was involved for the series? Did you find it became easier with each book?

I didn’t have to research much except for the area where it takes place. And writing about the characters was a lot easier this time around simply because I already knew them. I knew exactly what they’re going to do in every situation. 

(MK comment: With stories like these, you don't need much more than your imagination.)



What do you have in store next for your readers?

In March I have a humorous memoir titled CONFESSIONS OF A CEREAL MOTHER coming out. I also just finished YA urban gothic novel titled UNLEASHED, and currently I’m writing book three in the Fractured Light series, FRACTURED TRUTH.

(MK comment: These all sound like great projects Rachel.)



If you could meet any writer, dead or alive, who would it be? What would you want to know?

I would love to hang out with Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein. I would want to be a part of her inner circle including Lord Byron. I bet I would learn a lot about writing dark stuff!



Did you have a favorite character or hero as a child? Do you have a literary hero as an adult?

I love all superheroes. I’m particular fond of Batman and Superman. As an adult, I love the literary hero Temple from The Reapers are the Angels, by Alden Bell. She has such amazing strength!



How do you feel about book trailers and do you have any?

I do have book trailers for both Fractured Light and Fractured Soul. They can be found on my website or Youtube. They are fun to do, but I don’t think they sell books. Occasionally, a person who has already read the book will forward the trailer to a friend, asking them to check it out. For this purpose, they are great. 

(MK comment: I agree. They are a great marketing tool, but I don't know that anyone can definitely say they sell books. Readers can view your Fractured Soul trailer below.)



What is your greatest weakness as a writer? Your greatest strength?

I’m not very good at describing things. I tend to write very fast so during the editing phase I’ll go back and add better scene and character descriptions. My greatest strength? I love to write dark, creepy stuff. In fact, I don’t think I’ve even tapped into my full potential where this is concerned.



How long did it take to get this book from idea to being published? What was the most grueling process?

The whole process was about one year, and querying it to agents and publishers was by far the hardest parts. Hard because it’s a blow to your self esteem when rejection letters start coming in. But if you can make it through, you become a much better, stronger writer. 

(MK comment: I love the last part of this comment and completely agree.)



Do you believe in writer’s block? Has it ever happened to you?

I think it does happen. So far it hasn’t happen to me though. Usually if I get stumped, I go for a drive, crank the music, and a solution to my problem presents its self.



Best Christmas present?

A few years ago, my husband presented me with a ring along with a sweet letter. It wasn’t a typical ring. It was extremely old, like 1000 years old, and was found at an archeology sight near the Dead Sea. The metal is so thin and fine that he couldn’t find a jeweler who dared put an inscription on it. Another cool thing about is when he gave it to me, it was all black, but as I’ve been wearing it, the black is slowly wearing off revealing a beautiful copper color. 

(MK comment: I bet that one earned him some major points!)



Favorite series?

Walking Dead, Alias, Vampire Diaries, Being Human, Supernatural, Downton Abbey, Mentalist (MK comment: "I love Downton Abbey"!)



Favorite movie?

Underworld Series and Stepbrothers

Fractured Soul Book Trailer
 

4 comments:

  1. Thank you for joining us today Rachel. I greatly enjoyed the interview. Congrats on your new book!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have this one on my wishlist! :) Thanks for sharing!
    -Amber
    goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for letting me come visit. The interview was fun.

    As for some of my favorite music, I love listening to James Dooley. He's an amazing composer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. intriguing excerpt! anxious to read. thank you for sharing! :)

    jukyjoauka(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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