Monday, June 9, 2014

"The Reapers" by Jacinta Maree

INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
The Reapers
(My Demonic Ghost Book 2)
by Jacinta Maree


The Reapers is the second book in the My Demonic Ghost series but can be read as a stand-alone. Also available: Banished Spirits.


The Reapers is currently on tour with Xpresso Book Tours. The tour stops here today for my interview with the author and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.


Description
The day you die is meant to be the end, but for 18 year old Jordon Hastings, his death was only the beginning.
In a dark and twisted world, lost spirits known as Reapers remain behind after death to help collect the spirits from the realm of the living. A new Reaper, Jordon struggles to accept his fate and lingers in the shadows of his mortal life. But when a demon wolf starts to live through his shadow, hunting his family and friends Jordon has no choice but to leave. As soon as he accepts his new role the truth behind the relationship between Reapers and Angelic Hunters is revealed. His loyalty is tested, making him choose between a corrupted God and a single Banished Spirit.

Book Trailer


Excerpt
“Lust for love,” Elliot scoffed before running his wrist across his forehead. “Maybe I didn’t know the difference back then, but I know now. Lust doesn't feel like someone stabbed me in the heart.
Lust doesn’t make me want to puke whenever she stares at me. Lust doesn’t cause butterflies, or make me worry about her all the time. Aren’t I good enough to love her?”
“It isn’t you. She must be unable to love or to recognise love. She was trapped in that Realm for a long time. It may have tainted her perceptions.”
“She doesn’t hate you.” He glanced up at me with what I thought were accusing eyes, except they were soft with vulnerability.

"What if I can’t let her go?" Lock mumbled into his chest,
"I don’t think I could ever choose an eternity here if it meant leaving her behind."


Featured Review
By Tara
I love the unique world Jacinta Maree creates in this series. The Reapers keeps your attention throughout the whole book, is very descriptive and will leave you wanting more. There were so many twists that you never knew what Jordon's fate was going to be. He was definitely a strong, main character who would do anything for the people he cared about. I loved the growth he had in the book. He had a hard journey from the beginning but he learned from his mistakes, took in the knowledge from the people around him and then used all that to make a huge difference in his new world. The ending was really good but left you dying to know what was going to happen to these three brothers. Can't wait for the next installment in this series.

Interview With the Author
Hi Jacinta Maree, thanks for joining me today to discuss your series, My Demonic Ghost, and your new book, The Reapers.
For what age group do you recommend your book?
I would safely say my book is open to all readers of every age. It is classified as a young adult read, but I would say about 50% of my readers are in fact adults. Some adults even say it’s too scary for them, which is funny because I wasn’t even trying to be scary.
What sparked the idea for this book?
My Demonic Ghost came to me in my philosophy class, when I was about 17–18 years old. I was interested in the idea of a corrupted afterlife, and that the stereotypical belief of angels and demons were completely wrong.
So, which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?
The idea of the novel always hits me first, then I start to figure out the people and the characters living in that world.
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
The beginning. The start of the book is the most important part, it’s where readers decide whether or not they are going to spend more time reading or just to dump it.
How do you hope this book affects its readers?
I wanted to make them feel a sense of hope, a sense of loss, and a sense of fear when reading the Demonic Ghost series. I want them to care about the characters, and when the main character is pulled under water I want the readers to hold their breath with them.
How long did it take you to write this book?
I’m what they call, a lazy writer. My first book was purely for my own enjoyment, so I took my sweet, sweet time. Almost four years. My second book was a lot faster, as now I had more motivation to write and get the story out there. It took me a year.
What is your writing routine?
Write when I get home from work, write when I get up from bed, well … to be honest its more sit in front of the computer and stare at the screen.
How did you get your book published?
I don’t think I went the traditional way. I had been rejected a few times, and I had figured it was because my work wasn’t as polished as it could’ve been. So I turned to Staccato Publishing for some help editing my work. They in turn offered me a publishing contract. I still remember the day I got Heather Savage’s email, I burst out into tears and had to lie down in fear I was going to faint. I even chased after my father, my words inaudible through my sobbing and I just ended up pointing at my computer for him to go read. Ha ha ha, yeah great times.
That's fantastic, Jacinta! What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
I say, write what YOU find interesting. Agents and publishers aren’t looking for what’s already out on the shelves, they are looking for the next big thing. Who knows, it could be that story you’ve been hiding and picking at for over three years. It doesn’t hurt to try; the worst that could happen is you get a "no". Even then, you’re one step closer to getting your "yes". I was told "no" multiple times; it never stopped me.
Great advice! What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love playing video games. I love anything with a great storyline and amazing graphics. I finished Tomb Raider and Bioshock infinity in just a couple of days.
What does your family think of your writing?
They are very impressed with me, and I would even say proud. I was always kind of the loner one; when I was in trouble they would send me to my room and then they’d have to drag me back out again, because all I did was write. 
Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
There’s nothing really interesting to say. I had a normal childhood, I wasn't exactly popular or anything like that. I had a best friend with me during primary school; we would write stories together about a high school full of demented and demonic animals in Hell. (Wow, I was weird.) I played basketball, I tried keyboard and the flute and horseback riding. I wasn’t anything ever special; I never really won awards or was picked as captain for any teams. Sometimes, I felt invisible. Maybe that was who I was, just some girl in the corner.
Did you like reading when you were a child?
I don’t think I ever read that often, mostly because I spent 90% of my time making up my own stories.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Writing has been my one constant passion in life. Even as a child, I loved to write and make up my own worlds where I was the most important person in the universe. Now I get to make others feel like the most important person in the universe, and that’s an incredible feeling. 
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
Maybe, maybe not. I’m not sure, I’ve always been this way before I could’ve been influenced by other people. It’s like I was just born wanting to write.
Which writers have influenced you the most?
I have my favourites, which are Stephen King and Brent Weeks, but I would say the writers that influence me the most now are the writers I get to meet and talk to over Facebook every day.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Yes, I do and I am so thankful for their time and attention. A bit of everything honestly. My readers quickly become my friends. I have some readers that just love to talk to me about day-to-day stuff. I have other readers that talk to me about their own writing career, and they ask for my help and feedback. I love when I wake up to random emails saying how much they loved the book and how they wept for hours, or how they became obsessed with the world of banished spirits.
It never fails to make me smile.
That's great, Jacinta. What can we look forward to from you in the future?
A lot more books, hopefully. I have the third book of Demonic Ghost, Hunters and Creators with my publisher now. I also have a steampunk/supernatural Time Weaver; The Time Collector Series sitting with my agent. I’m also working on a supernatural/dystopian Soulless and a cyberpunk Grave of Machines.
Sounds like you're busy! Thank you for taking the time to stop by today. Best of luck with your future projects.
Thank you so much for your participation in the blog tour, it really means the world to me.

About the Author
Self confessed chocaholic, Jacinta was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, with her loving family of five. Even as a child Jacinta had an itch to write. Writing was the one constant hobby she clung to, also trying her hand at piano, flute, tennis, horseback riding and drama.
Jacinta works full time in the family business and spends her afternoons either playing basketball, reading, writing or hanging out with friends. She is always happy to try something new; getting her real estate license, practicing ninjitshu, Zumba and parkour to name a few.
For her future, Jacinta sees herself writing. It is a large part of her identity and something she hopes to continue. Aside from her love of stories she loves Japan and its unique and beautiful culture and history. From their delicious sushi dishes right down to their wooden sandals and kimonos. She is also a huge cat person and loves to snuggle up in front of the fire for a good movie or book. Her favorite genres are paranormal and fantasy but she also loves anything written by thriller writer, Stephen King.

Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win an ebook copy of The Reapers by Jacinta Maree. Your prize will be sent out after 14 July.


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