Five Blog Tour: author interview & giveaway

Part of what I enjoy in book blogging are the wonderful people we meet, especially authors. Christie Rich is our featured author today as we host the Five Blog Tour. Christie was so sweet, helpful, and answered my questions so quickly I just have to mention this and thank her again. Her book, Five, is FREE on some outlets so go pick it up today! This tour is hosted by SupaGurls Book Tours.

Five (Elemental Enmity #1) by Christie Rich

YA paranormal*paperback & e-book, 314 pages*Published August 10th 2011

Purchase: Five (Book #1) is FREE on many sites! 

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Rayla Tate’s life is about to turn vertical…again. As if it wasn’t bad enough her mother disappeared under questionable circumstances leaving Rayla to be raised by her aunt in a horrendously small town. Her overprotective guardian is determined to ruin Rayla’s life. She refuses to let Rayla out of her sight or out of the state. Provincial living might be what her aunt demands of her purposely sheltered niece; but, Rayla has other ideas. In a desperate attempt to follow her dreams she flees the safety of her home and runs away to college with her best friend toward a bright future in the art world.

However, excitement over her newfound freedom turns into terror when she is chased by a mysterious stranger on her way to school. When his motorcycle suddenly morphs into a fire-breathing pegasus, Rayla questions her sanity. Worse, the man riding next to her stirs a burning desire in her soul she has never known or could have ever imagined. Using all the will she owns, she manages to resist the compulsion she feels; yet, as he disappears into the night, she is certain he hasn't gone far.

Rayla quickly dismisses the encounter to her overactive imagination. She is determined to settle into her new life, yet the images and feelings of that night still haunt her. To make matters worse, her aunt seems to be in on the act, insisting that Rayla will soon be hunted by a pack of fae lords for a power over the elements she never knew she possessed—a power that could change the world. Quicker than she ever thought possible, she finds herself surrounded by stunning men that all seem determined to win her heart. Why does she feel drawn to each one of them? More importantly, what dark power do they hold over her? Rayla must quickly learn to fend off these beautiful and seductive pursuers using whatever means necessary or find herself lost to the fae world forever.

About the author:

Christie Rich

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I grew up daydreaming about fairytales, and my love for discovering new worlds has never died. I am not one of those writers who always knew I would write. I thought that was what other people did until one day a few years ago, I took a challenge from a friend and typed my first words. My journey has been wonderful, and I cannot imagine a day where I would ever give up writing now. My love for reading is what fueled my imagination in the first place and still does. When I am not writing or reading, I am enjoying family time with my husband and two children. We live in a quiet community under the Wellsville mountains in Utah, and I am so thankful for the rich life I have been blessed with.

with author Christie Rich

1) How did the Elemental Enmity series come about? 

 From reading a whole bunch, lol. I actually went over ten years without reading a thing (gasp. I know, what was I thinking, right?). Life kind of got in the way, but I went on a business trip and needed something to occupy my time. I took a few books and, bam, my love for reading was born. I read everything I could get my hands on and eventually read books from Karen Marie Moning. I devoured her Highlander books and wanted more, so on a whim I read Dark Fever (The first MacKayla Lane novel). The story grabbed me so deep, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. One question kept circulating my mind: What if the fae were mistunderstood? It was that question that sparked my imagination exploring a fae world of my own.

2) What is your favorite part of writing about Rayla and her world? 

Immersing myself into the story. Reading is absolutely amazing, but writing is something indescribable. The feelings that come when I write take me on a journey as if I’m living another life. It’s really neat to be able to live a life from someone else’s point of view. It sounds strange, but it is the most amazing experience.

3) Five is the first book in the series. Can you give us any teasers as to what may happen next in the series? 

Love to, hehe. Dark Matter propels Rayla into the fae realms where she will face trials she could never imagine, and just when she thinks she escapes, she’s drawn into the other side of the equation…the Order, a corrupt organization that breeds Elementals for the fae. Rayla discovers much about herself and her new world in this installment.

4) How do you handle your worldbuilding?

I write it as it comes. I try to visualize the place in my mind and translate that into words. From what I’ve heard from readers, it seems to work, lol.

5) The fae are such timeless creatures to write about. What drew you to them and what makes your fae different from others?

The Fever Series was definitely what drew me to the fae, but my fae are more humanized than in Fever. They are vagabonds of a sort and have been allowed to live on Earth in exchange for servitude to the creator of our world. They have societal issues and political ploys. I just love them.

6) When did you know you wanted to be a writer and why did you choose YA and the paranormal? 

I actually tried to give my idea to a friend of mine because writing was what other people did. When she told me I needed to write my story if I had one, I couldn’t let it go, so I dug in and tried to figure it out as I went along. It was a really fun process and one I think anyone with a desire and an idea should try.

7) What are you working on now? 

I’m finishing up Elemental Enmity with Horizon, the fourth book in the series. I’m not done with this Elemental world, but the other books I write will be from different points of view. We may see Rayla’s point of view now and again, but for the most part her story arc is finished. I think, lol. I’m also working on a new series called Netherworld. Dreamscape will be the first book in the series. There are two main characters and points of view in this series. Seth is the first character that came to me, so he is the main lead. He is Oneiroi (a keeper of dreams) and must recruit a mortal to help him defeat the evil Erobos who are trying to take over the Dreamscape. Amelia is the second main character and she is Seth’s recruit. Amelia starts the story having just lost everything, including her freedom. Seth has taken her to his lair and the only way out is through her dreams, but once she discovers how to escape him, will she want to?

8) What do you find most challenging as a writer?

The first words of the day. The easiest? Hmm, I don’t know if it is the easiest, but I most enjoy when the story takes over and my fingers can’t keep up with my mind. I love that feeling. I go back and read some of those scenes, and I’m just like…wow.

Thanks so much for hosting me today! Oh, and if any of you are interested, Five is free for download at all major eretailers. I hope you all will pick up a copy and enjoy a read on me.

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