Interview + Giveaway: Beasts of the Frozen Sun by Jill Criswell (@JillCriswell, @XpressoTours)

UFI welcomes Author Jill Criswell. Thanks for Joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

I’ve always been captivated by heroes and heroines from sci-fi and fantasy stories, and it’s shaped some of the most important decisions in my life. I was determined to travel the world after watching Indiana Jones movies as a kid. I starting working out and took martial arts because it made me feel more like my favorite female warriors—Ripley, Sarah Connor, Valeria (from the Conan series). I started writing because I wanted to make my own characters and stories that were like the ones I loved. 

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

I read a lot, especially young adult fantasy (currently reading The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen, and loving it). I try to work out every day to stay in shape. I hang out with my husband and my daughter, and if I have any extra time, I like to binge-watch shows (currently catching up on season 6 of The 100).

What is your favorite part of writing?

When something surprises me! Sometimes I think I know what’s going to happen in my story, and then my characters go off-script or something I never planned for drops in like a bomb. Once a writer creates a world and characters, they really do take on a life of their own.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

It often depends on the scenes I’m writing. Usually I need music that fits the scene’s mood. Sometimes the words come easily and I write straight through for hours, sometimes I take lots of breaks to mull over details and plot points. I have a convertible desk, so sometimes I stand up to write and sometimes I sit down. Sometimes I drink hot coffee, sometimes cold coffee. Whatever keeps me writing is what I do. 

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?

For urban fantasy, I love Karen Marie Moning, Ilona Andrews, and Sarah Fine. For high fantasy, I love Juliet Marillier, Jacqueline Carey, Leigh Bardugo, and Sabaa Tahir. Recent books that knocked me off my feet are The Fever King by Victoria Lee, The Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty, and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.


How would you pitch BEASTS OF THE FROZEN SUN to someone who has not heard of it before?

Beasts of the Frozen Sun is a young adult fantasy inspired by Viking invasions in Ireland. It's about Lira, a chieftain’s daughter with the power to read a person's soul, who saves Reyker, a foreign invader sent to attack her village. Despite being from enemy nations, they begin to care for each other. But Lira’s father and Reyker’s warlord will do anything to keep them apart, forcing them to choose between loyalty and love, between the fates of their countries and the desires of their hearts.


Can you tell us a little bit about the world that the FROZEN SUN SAGA is set in?

Glasnith (based on ancient Ireland) is an island nation divided into villages ruled by chieftains, the patriarchs of powerful clans. In every clan, one female magic-bearer is born each generation—the Daughters of Aillira—to help protect Glasnith in the name of the True Gods. Glasnith has a bloody history of wars between gods and men that ravaged the lands a thousand years earlier.

When a tribe from the Frozen Sun (based on ancient Iceland) invades, Glasnith’s clans turn on one another, and the island falls into chaos. Blood spills, gods walk the earth once more, and a new war between mortals and immortals begins that threatens to destroy Glasnith and its people.

Do you have a favorite scene in BEASTS OF THE FROZEN SUN?

There’s a scene where Lira winds up a hostage of one of Reyker’s arch enemies. It’s very cinematic and has a great mix of all the things I love to write—an action-packed emotional battle scene, followed by romantic confessions and a bit of kissing. There’s a lot of meaning packed into a handful of pages, and I had a great time writing it.   


Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?
It's hard to choose between Lira and Reyker. Lira starts out an idealist, but as the people she cares for die or betray her and the gods she worships use her as a pawn in their schemes, her character gets darker and darker. Reyker has already hit rock bottom, and his journey is about clawing his way back to redemption, with many setbacks and relapses along the way. Both of them are flawed and struggling through tragedy and trauma, which made it fascinating to write from their points of view.

Lira’s father, Torin, was the most difficult to write because he’s neither a hero nor a villain, but has aspects of both. He wants power and status, but in his mind, it’s a required tool to protect his people. He does horrible things to achieve this power, but he thinks the ends justify the means. I wanted him to be monstrous, but still sympathetic and honorable, and that was a hard line to straddle.


What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

Right now, I’m focused on promoting Beasts of the Frozen Sun and finishing up work on the sequels (which should be released in 2020 and 2021, respectively). But I do also have a draft of a Hindu-inspired young adult fantasy sitting on my computer, just waiting for some attention, so I’m hoping to polish that up and make it my next book project.

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Jill Criswell is a writer of Young Adult Historical Fantasy. She was born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida. She earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she's visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland).

Find Jill and her books

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Beasts of the Frozen Sun 
Frozen Sun Saga #1

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Burn brightly. Love fiercely. For all else is dust.

Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people's souls, to see someone's true essence with only a touch of her hand.

When a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland--one of the fearful marauders from the land of the Frozen Sun--Lira helps the wounded man instead of turning him in. After reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. He confides in her that he's been cursed with what his people call battle-madness, forced to fight for the warlord known as the Dragon, a powerful tyrant determined to reignite the ancient war that Aillira started.

As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all of Glasnith, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira's life, for Reyker's soul, and for their peoples' freedom has only just begun.

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Promo + Giveaway: The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy (@LaurenMansy, @XpressoTours)

The Memory Thief

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In the city of Craewick, memories reign. The power-obsessed ruler of the city, Madame, has cultivated a society in which memories are currency, citizens are divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others through touch as they please.

Seventeen-year-old Etta Lark is desperate to live outside of the corrupt culture, but grapples with the guilt of an accident that has left her mother bedridden in the city’s asylum. When Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, a Craewick practice in which a “criminal's" memories are sold to the highest bidder before being killed, Etta will do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it means rejoining the Shadows, the rebel group she swore off in the wake of the accident years earlier.

To prove her allegiance to the Shadows and rescue her mother, Etta must steal a memorized map of the Maze, a formidable prison created by the bloodthirsty ruler of a neighboring Realm. So she sets out on a journey in which she faces startling attacks, unexpected romance, and, above all, her own past in order to set things right in her world.

Q+A with Lauren Mansy:

• What was it like to write your first book and have it published?

Incredible! It’s been such a wonderful journey filled with many sweet moments. I began writing over seven years ago, and it’s definitely surreal that The Memory Thief is now on shelves! As of late, there have been quite a few teary moments—and I’m totally not a crier! I’m truly overwhelmed by every kind word, the support, and the willingness to walk alongside me as The Memory Thief has gone from something imagined to a real book. I couldn’t be more excited to share this story with readers!

• What was your inspiration behind TMT?

When I was a teenager, my mom was diagnosed with a heart condition, which led to an unexpected heart surgery. On the way to the operating room, her heart stopped six times, and the doctors warned my family that it was unlikely she’d survive. And if she did, she may not remember us due to the trauma she’d experienced throughout the entire ordeal.
I was sitting at her bedside when she first began to stir after her surgery, and I slipped my hand into hers and told her that it was me. Then she began to squeeze my hand three times, our signal for I love you! That’s my most favorite memory because I’d never felt such fear suddenly overcome by the most incredible joy. That collision of emotions was the moment which first sparked the idea for The Memory Thief.
Ever since then, I always struck by how memories make up so much of our identity and influence our relationships with others. It terrified me that my mom wouldn’t remember me, but I’m so thankful to say that she made a full-recovery. Though it was long and difficult process, she never gave up hope that things would one day get better. Her unwavering courage inspired me to want to share this story.

• What kind of impact did writing TMT have on you personally?

Writing TMT has had a huge impact on me. I first began writing after completing treatments for Hodgkin’s Disease, a form of lymphatic cancer. It was a very difficult time in my life, and writing fiction helped me express myself in ways that I’d never done before. It helped me process through some of my most difficult memories.
When I first began drafting The Memory Thief, I realized there were still some emotions about being faced with the possibility of losing my mom that I’d yet to express out loud. Writing this book proved to be a source of healing, and a wonderful platform for exploring truth in my own life through a backdrop of fiction.
This story is very dear to my heart, and reflecting back on the process of writing this book is what made the moment of holding it in my hands so amazing.

• What is your favorite part about TMT?

I think my favorite part is the relationship that Etta has with her mother.
Gwendolyn was one of my favorite characters to write because she’s full of opposites. Because of her coma, she hasn’t spoken a word in four years yet that entire time, she’s been teaching Etta how important it is never to give up, even when all the odds are stacked against you.
On her journey to save her mother, Etta discovers that Gwendolyn’s story is intertwined with Etta’s in ways that she never imagined. Writing this aspect of the plot was so much fun, and definitely one of my favorite parts of the drafting process, as well!

• What do you hope readers take away from TMT?

The main thing I hope readers take away is that it isn’t the hardships of the past which define us but the strength we find in overcoming them. Etta has been through a lot of difficult things, and she struggles with trusting others because she has a hard time trusting herself. At the beginning of the story, Etta has spent four years hiding from both the people and events which haunt her, but to save her mother, she’ll have to come face-to-face with the past. I hope her journey will inspire readers to never lose hope, even in the midst of impossible odds.

• How are you reflected in TMT (or, how much of you is reflected in the book)?

Because this story is based on my own journey with my mother, many of Etta’s worries, doubts, and fears are things I also experienced when faced with the possibility of losing my mom. The questions that Etta asks about how to deal with a situation like this are questions that I often pondered myself.
So when I first began writing TMT, I thought, “What if I wasn’t the only one who faced this fear? What if there was an entire society that feared their loved ones no longer remembering them?” It was these kinds of thoughts which ultimately let me to want to explore a world where memories reign over everything. Then writing Etta’s emotional journey also helped me process through a lot of my own memories, as well.
That’s one reason that I love not only writing but reading fantasy novels. Even though these characters live in worlds that are vastly different than our own, what they love, hate, and fear can often be so relatable. That often sticks with me long after I read the last page, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share this journey with readers.

• What is your favorite thing to do to promote your book?

My favorite thing has been getting to know readers. I had the privilege of attending BEA and ALA this past summer, and I loved meeting librarians, educators, fellow writers, bloggers, and industry professionals. Writing can often be a solitary venture, but the publishing process has been filled with creating some wonderful relationships. I couldn’t be more grateful for this community!

• Why should readers be sure to place TMT on their TBR list?

The Memory Thief is a book full of secrets, lies, and betrayal. It’s set in a world where memories are currency, people are struggling to hold onto their true identity, and nothing is quite what it seems. And Etta is a very flawed character. She has a lot of regret and has made many mistakes, yet she never stops fighting to save her loved ones. If any these things appeal to you, I hope you’ll consider adding TMT to your TBR!

• What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned while being a writer?

I think the biggest lesson being a writer has taught me is the importance of the “story behind the story”. Though the publication journey is filled with exciting moments (like seeing the cover for the first time and holding the final copy!), the journey of getting here has changed me for forever. There have been highs and lows, moments of uncertainty coupled with unexpected encouragement, and wonderful support from family, friends, and even strangers! Writing fiction gave me a voice when I was still struggling to find mine, and I’ll be forever grateful that even as the last page of The Memory Thief ends, my own life story is still being written

• Additional thoughts?

If you’re interested in learning more about The Memory Thief, I have more information of my website, and I also LOVE connecting with readers!
Website: www.laurenmansy.com
Instagram: lauren_mansy
Twitter: laurenmansy

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Lauren lives in the Chicago area, where she's spent years working with youth, from young children to high schoolers. When she's not writing, Lauren is usually with her family or exploring the city to find the best deep dish pizza. The Memory Thief, which was inspired by Lauren's own journey with her mother, is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.laurenmansy.com.


Find Lauren and her books

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New Releases: 10/6-10/12

Tue. Oct. 8th

 The Beautiful (The Beautiful #1) by Renée Ahdieh
 The Burning Shadow (Origin #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 Into the Crooked Place (Into the Crooked Place #1) by Alexandra Christo
 Ninth House (Ninth House Series #1) by Leigh Bardugo
 Reveal Me (Shatter Me #5.5) by Tahereh Mafi
 Sharpest Sting (Elemental Assassin #18) by Jennifer Estep

Thur. Oct. 10th

 Shadow Weaver (The Nightwatch Academy #2) by Debbie Cassidy

Happy Reading!!

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Off Balance by Aileen Erin (@aileen_erin, @XpressoTours, @InkyTheMonster)

Off Balance
Aunare Chronicles #2

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Broken, beaten-down, and plagued by nightmares, Amihanna di Aetes is surrounded by the Aunare race that makes up the other half of her heritage, but she feels alien amongst them. She’s not sure which is worse: SpaceTech’s overt hatred of Aunare or the Aunare’s covert hatred of halfers. She hears their whispers whenever she enters a room and sees her death reflected in their eyes. Amihanna doesn’t know who to trust anymore, but she hasn’t survived this long by ignoring the warning signs all around her, especially when her instincts are screaming that a familiar choice is coming: flee or fight.

Her parents assure her everything is okay—that there won’t be any reason for her to fight, let alone flee—but with Amihanna’s sudden return, questions arise among the Aunare: who should be blamed for the start of a full-scale war with SpaceTech, how much danger will the war bring, and is Amihanna truly fit to be the next high queen?

Honestly, Amihanna wants to forget all the politics, her betrothal to Lorne, and the possibility of being queen. Her needs are much more basic. All she wants is a solid night’s sleep where she doesn’t wake up screaming with the phantom pain of her skin burning. All she needs is to live without fear of a mob tearing her away from her family. All she hopes for is a chance to dream of a future instead of constantly fighting for her right to live.

And yet, somehow, everything she does leads her back to Lorne. He always seems to know when she’s about to break under the pressures of her new life. His quiet patience is wearing Amihanna’s protective walls down, and she’s terrified of what will happen if they fall.

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Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

Find Aileen and her books

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Week in Review: 9/29-10/5

Books Received for Review

Conspiracy of Ravens by J.C. McKenzie
A Ghost of a Chance by Debbie Cassidy

Books I've Read

Wonderland Academy: Year One by by Melanie Karsak
Void by Raven Kennedy
Lawless by Crystal Ash

Reviews Posted

The Memory Thief by Lauren Mansy (@LaurenMansy, @BlinkYABooks)

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Monday- Promo + Giveaway: Seduced by a Demon King by Felicity Heaton (@felicityheaton)

* Thursday- Interview + Giveaway: Demon in the Whitelands by Nikki Z. Richard (@NikkiZRichard, @RoxanneRhoads, @Month9Books)

* Friday- Promo + Giveaway: Alien Love: Ella & Karin by Vera E. Unita (@XpressoTours)

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* Did you know you can follow UFI on these other sites?

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You can also add me (as in Stacy) to your friends on these sites if you're on them.

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 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Promo + Giveaway: Alien Love: Ella & Karin by Vera E. Unita (@XpressoTours)

Alien Love: Ella and Karin

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Mischief and lies brought us together but as soon as I learn the truth, I promise to help her.
She is mine now and everyone, who ever hurt her, will feel my wrath.

Krian
My people are dying. We won the war against the Rakes but they poisoned our water and one after another our females died.
We searched the solar system for a compatible species, humans piqued our interest. As King of Krotan it is my duty to test our scientist’s theory. Thanks to the matchmaking agency Alien Kink a tiny human called Ella Bellini comes to Krotan. Something feels off, though…

Ella
I was kidnapped, f*cking kidnapped.
When I realize that I have been sold to planet Krotan, home to an infamous warrior people, I didn’t expect to be put into a luxurious suite. And I really didn’t expect my tall, overly muscled captor to look confused, when he comes for me in the night and I fight him with everything I’ve got. What did he expect? That I wanted to be here with him?
Problem is, we don’t understand each other. But he stopped, that’s everything that counts. Perhaps the sexy as hell alien will even help me, once we find a way to communicate?

Every book in the series can be read as a standalone, HEA guaranteed! This fast and steamy romance is intended for adult readers—have fun!

Only 99¢!
Or FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Excerpt:

My legs felt shaky and suddenly being able to understand his language was overwhelming.
We could finally talk to each other!
The thought was like a lightning strike. I needed to tell him everything that had happened! Hopefully he could really help me find Sia. “We were just walking down the street, when they came at us,” I began. My tongue felt strange, as if talking Krotan needed different motions than I was used to. He had hacked my brain with his translator, right now I didn’t care anymore, after all I was finally able to communicate properly with him.
With Krian, I reminded myself. The Krotan warrior had a name.
“They drugged us, I only woke up again in the cargo bay of their ship.” The memory of how scared I’d been made me shake even now, months later. Staring at the floor, I didn’t see him coming. Suddenly there were arms pulling me towards a heavy, reliable chest. “You’re safe.” The dark timbre of his voice vibrated throughout my whole body, it made my skin prickle but the frantic rhythm of my heart slowed immediately. I believed him: In his arms I really was safe.
Something must be wrong with me, right? How could I trust him so quickly? Exceptional situations brought exceptionally strong feelings, I guess…
“They took my sister. They took Sia, too!” I whispered against his chest, my throat was closing in. “And there were other women, one was barely more than a girl!”
Around me I felt his arms tighten, as if he didn’t like what he was hearing. My heart was pounding heavily between us but his embrace helped me to calm down. “I need to find her,” I urged. When I looked up, his gaze was dark. By now I was able to discern the tiny differences between his expressions, though. He wasn’t angry at me, he was just determined.
“I understand,” he said after a while and I got the feeling that he understood much more than he let on.
“Did…did you have a sister?” Suddenly my heart was racing again, meanwhile my hands clutched at his shirt, seemingly of their own accord. A bad feeling was whirling around in my stomach.
“A brother.” A sharp nod. “He died in the war against the Rakes.” At first I was shocked how he could say these things as if solely stating facts. Then I saw the gut-wrenching pain hidden beneath the calm mask of his face. He did hurt, apparently Krotans only had fewer facial expressions than humans.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, while tears began to roll down my cheeks. Only the thought of losing Sia made me go into a panic. I was so sorry that he had had to go through this.
He nodded solemnly but didn’t say anything more about his brother. Perhaps one day he would tell me about him. One day? How long did I plan to stay here? I wanted to find my sister and then go back home. Right?

 
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Due to her father’s many business trips, Vera Elle Unita was born in Germany near Stuttgart in 1990. Since then she has traveled a lot, even studied one year abroad, but finally settled down with her husband and two beautiful dogs back home in the US—hello, Boston! She likes new hair colors, chocolate (who doesn’t?), and reading or writing about strong, perfectly imperfect book boyfriends struggling with their past. Everyone just needs a little love, right?

Find Vera and her books

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Interview + Giveaway: Demon in the Whitelands by Nikki Z. Richard (@NikkiZRichard, @RoxanneRhoads, @Month9Books)

UFI welcomes Author Nikki Z. Richard. Thanks for Joining us!!

What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

I have a ragdoll kitty named Audrey Hepburn. It’s the perfect name for her. She’s prim and prissy but has a heart of gold.

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

I love music! I’m a musician, and I play bass and sing in a pizza-punk band, Infinite Pizza. A lot of free time goes to that. And binge-watching anime series on my iphone.

What is your Favorite part of writing? 

My favorite part of writing is the excitement and relief I feel when I’ve completed any 1st draft. I’m a huge nerd, and editing/revising is super enjoyable to me. The actual writing-down-the-words process is always so much work for me. My mind is constantly going, and I’m like a child when it comes to sitting down and writing

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

Most definitely. I can never write inside my house. There are far too many distractions and I’m not disciplined enough to focus in the vicinity of a television. I either find a place to write outside or hole up inside a coffee shop. I also have to be listening to music. I honestly don’t know how to write without a soundtrack.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Genres?

Octavia Butler is by far my favorite author. She’s the first African-American woman to come to international fame as a science-fiction writer. In Dawn, the first book in her Xenogenesis trilogy, Butler explores such progressive queer themes. In Parable of the Sower, Butler imagines a dystopic future not-too-far from where we are in America now, and preaches the inevitability of change. She even wrote a vampire novel, Fledging, which should tickle the heart of any gothic literature lover.

How would you pitch Demon in the Whitelands to someone who has not heard of it before?

At its core, Demon in the Whitelands is about sixteen-year-old Samuel trying to reconcile his father’s religious piety with the ugliness and disparity he sees in the world. When he ends up becoming the caretaker of a “demon girl” by the mayor of Haid, he finds himself in a dangerous game of power, violence, and control. If you’re into YA dystopian literature with sensitive characters, queer themes, and a bit of gore, Demon in the Whitelands might be right for you.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that Demon in the Whitelands is set in?

Demon in the Whitelands is set in a dystopic future where exceptional sciences have been banned and all religions have been consolidated into one, the Holy Roots. The story takes place in Haid, a lumber town in the heart of the Whitelands, where it’s notorious for it’s cold climate and snows nearly 10 months out of the year.

Do you have a favorite scene in Demon in the Whitelands?

Early on in the novel, there is a scene where Samuel catches and kills a deer caught in a     ground snare. Feeling sympathy for the animal, he thinks about Zei, and what it means to be held captive. He also contemplates his own weakness, and wonders if he will ever measure up to his father’s standards. It’s a quiet scene, but (to me) it’s probably one of the most authentic scenes in the novel.

Which one character out of all your books was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about? 

My favorite (and most difficult) character to write about is Zei. They are a genderless humanoid being with uncanny strength, predator-like eyes, a missing arm, and mysterious scars covering their body. Zei is so interesting, particularly because they don’t have a voice: the ability to speak. That fact also makes it so hard to write about Zei. How do I read intention, feeling, and thought into a character who literally has no voice? I’m hoping to do far more exploring of Zei’s origins in the sequel.


What Other Projects can we look forward to reading from you?

My biggest upcoming project is a new-adult queer dystopian novel that’s sort of     a hybrid between Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Naomi Alderman’s The Power. I’m also working on the sequel to Demon in the Whitelands!

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Nikki Richard is a sensitive queer writer with moods and coping mechanisms. An MFA graduate from the University of Baltimore, she lives in the city with her hot wife, amazing daughter, and fluffy cat.


Find Nikki and her books

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook
 

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Demon in the Whitelands
Amazon

Sixteen-year-old Samuel, son of devout cleric, has endured shame and prejudice his entire life. Although he is destined to become clergy too, he longs for an ordinary life in the whitelands away from demons and holy roots.
When the mayor claims to have captured a mute demon girl, Samuel is forced to become her caretaker. But as Samuel gets to know the prisoner, he finds her not to be very demonlike. Instead, she is intelligent, meek, and an exceptional artist. Despite her seeming goodness, some more concerning things cannot be explained. Samuel is hard-pressed to reconcile her uncanny strength and speed, missing arm, ambiguous gender, and the mysterious scars covering most of her body.

Samuel forms a deep attachment to the girl with predator eyes and violent outbursts, against his father’s advice. Their friendship could turn into something more. But when Samuel discovers the mayor’s dark intentions, he must decide whether to risk his own execution by setting her free or watch as the girl is used as a pawn in a dangerous game of oppression, fear, and murder.

 Excerpt:

After a while, the buck quieted its struggle. It panted wildly, its dark tongue hanging out the crack of its mouth. Samuel got to his knees, drawing closer. The deer twisted its neck in horror, its dark eyes watching him. They were wide and black. The eyes of prey.
Samuel reached inside his jacket and got the knife.
“It’s okay,” he said softly as he straddled the deer’s torso, making sure to fully secure him underneath his legs. The buck’s muscles twitched, but the creature could do nothing. How had the girl felt when she’d been caught in the bear trap, iron teeth snapping into her leg? Like the buck? Did she think she’d be free? Somehow, he couldn’t picture her as a deer. She was more like a scrappy wolf cub.
Or a demon.

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