Virtual Name Before the Masses Tour: Blood Destiny series by Helen Harper
BLOOD DESTINY SERIES
by Helen Harper
Bloodfire (Blood Destiny #1) by Helen Harper
eBook, 246 pages
Published December 29th 2012 by Amazon KDP
Goodreads
Mackenzie Smith has always known that she was different. Growing up as the only human in a pack of rural shapeshifters will do that to you, but then couple it with some mean fighting skills and a fiery temper and you end up with a woman that few will dare to cross. However, when the only father figure in her life is brutally murdered, and the dangerous Brethren with their predatory Lord Alpha come to investigate, Mack has to not only ensure the physical safety of her adopted family by hiding her apparent humanity, she also has to seek the blood-soaked vengeance that she craves.
Mackenzie Smith has always known that she was different. Growing up as the only human in a pack of rural shapeshifters will do that to you, but then couple it with some mean fighting skills and a fiery temper and you end up with a woman that few will dare to cross. However, when the only father figure in her life is brutally murdered, and the dangerous Brethren with their predatory Lord Alpha come to investigate, Mack has to not only ensure the physical safety of her adopted family by hiding her apparent humanity, she also has to seek the blood-soaked vengeance that she craves.
EXCERPT from Bloodfire:
He came again. I dully wondered again how I was going to explain not shifting and regenerating when he hit me full on, knocking out my breath. He raised a paw and extended his claws and scraped them down my cheek before bringing the same claws to his mouth and sucking off the blood. My blood. I felt the fire coursing through my entire system. Anton’s face looked oddly surprised for a second then he did the same with the other cheek before lifting up his entire paw and preparing to strike. Through the haze of pain, I registered the power that he was preparing to put behind this blow and it occurred to me that this was his plan. He’d kill me with sanction and solve forever the problem of the little human. It hadn’t dawned on him that after I died the Brethren would investigate why I’d not shifted and they’d work out I was human. Then they’d kill everyone.
The rage built up inside me and the flames took over. He was playing with the pack’s lives. I sprang to my feet in one movement, ignoring the sudden streak of dizziness. He was not going to do this. Anger took over me and flooded my system but I knew with cold clarity what to do. The fire won. I sprinted back to the wall, aiming just to the left of his crouched body and ran three steps up before using it as a springboard to spin off. I was too fast and Anton had no time to turn. I put my hands round his thick neck and twisted, snapping it in one movement. My bloodfire roared in approval and he collapsed to the ground.
He was a shifter. He’d recover. I wiped a smear away from my cheek and turned and walked painfully out of the room.
He came again. I dully wondered again how I was going to explain not shifting and regenerating when he hit me full on, knocking out my breath. He raised a paw and extended his claws and scraped them down my cheek before bringing the same claws to his mouth and sucking off the blood. My blood. I felt the fire coursing through my entire system. Anton’s face looked oddly surprised for a second then he did the same with the other cheek before lifting up his entire paw and preparing to strike. Through the haze of pain, I registered the power that he was preparing to put behind this blow and it occurred to me that this was his plan. He’d kill me with sanction and solve forever the problem of the little human. It hadn’t dawned on him that after I died the Brethren would investigate why I’d not shifted and they’d work out I was human. Then they’d kill everyone.
The rage built up inside me and the flames took over. He was playing with the pack’s lives. I sprang to my feet in one movement, ignoring the sudden streak of dizziness. He was not going to do this. Anger took over me and flooded my system but I knew with cold clarity what to do. The fire won. I sprinted back to the wall, aiming just to the left of his crouched body and ran three steps up before using it as a springboard to spin off. I was too fast and Anton had no time to turn. I put my hands round his thick neck and twisted, snapping it in one movement. My bloodfire roared in approval and he collapsed to the ground.
He was a shifter. He’d recover. I wiped a smear away from my cheek and turned and walked painfully out of the room.
Bloodmagic (Blood Destiny #2) by Helen HarperUrban fantasy
There are times when my fingers can’t keep up with my thoughts and ideas, when the words fly across my screen and I can pump out thousands of words in a day. And there are other times when I can sit there for an hour and manage barely a sentence. I know what I want to write and where I want to go with my plot and characters, but somehow it just doesn’t flow.
I’d never really held much credence in the idea of writer’s block until I became a writer. I do remember a beautiful poem that I studied in school called The Thought Fox by Ted Hughes that detailed it perfectly, and yet I couldn’t really imagine how it was a thing. And it is most definitely a thing. Bizarrely, it often seems to happen during my most interesting and memorable scenes. Mack, my main character, is finally about to confront her nemesis and…nothing. Days and days and days of nothing. Or I have a big scene that I’ve been anticipating writing for days involving the sexy Corrigan and…arrrrrgh.
All the advice suggests to not try to force it. If the words aren’t coming, then go away and come back the next day. But I can feel the story itching at me, prickling at my skin, wanting to be written, so I sit there and just stare. I write a word, then delete it. Then I re-write it. And delete it again. It’s frustrating. As a teacher, I’m fortunate enough to have holidays during which I can break the proverbial back of whichever novel I’m working on – sadly, far too often, my progress can be unequivocally slow. In fact, instead of writing another chapter right now, I’m here writing this blog!
I know what Mack would say. She’d tell me to quit beating around the bush and get a move on, although she wouldn’t put it quite so politely. I’ll go and grab some brain food and let her scratch away at my inner muse and then try again…
eBook, 156 pages
Published December 29th 2012
Published December 29th 2012
After escaping the claws of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the Brethren, Mack is trying to lead a quiet lonely life in Inverness in rural Scotland, away from anyone who might happen to be a shapeshifter. However, when she lands a job at an old bookstore owned by a mysterious elderly woman who not only has a familiar passion for herbal lore but also seems to know more than she should, Mack ends up caught in a maelstrom between the Ministry of Mages, the Fae and the Brethren.
Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself.
Now she has to decide between staying hidden and facing the music, as well as confronting her real feelings for the green eyed power of Corrigan himself.
Bloodrage (Blood Destiny #3) by Helen HarperUrban fantasyeBook, 1st edition, 237 pages
Published March 7th 2013
Published March 7th 2013
Mack begins her training at the mages' academy in the hope that, by complying, the stasis spell will be lifted from her old friend, Mrs. Alcoon. However, once there, she finds herself surrounded by unfriendly adults and petulant teenagers, the majority of whom seem determined to see her fail.
Feeling attacked on all fronts, Mack finds it harder and harder to keep a rein on her temper. Forced to attend anger management classes and deal with the predatory attentions of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the shapeshifter world, her emotions start to unravel. But when she comes across a familiar text within the walls of the mages' library, which might just provide the clues she needs to unlock the secrets of her background and her dragon blood, she realises that her problems are only just beginning...
Feeling attacked on all fronts, Mack finds it harder and harder to keep a rein on her temper. Forced to attend anger management classes and deal with the predatory attentions of Corrigan, the Lord Alpha of the shapeshifter world, her emotions start to unravel. But when she comes across a familiar text within the walls of the mages' library, which might just provide the clues she needs to unlock the secrets of her background and her dragon blood, she realises that her problems are only just beginning...
About the author:
Helen Harper is an English teacher currently living abroad in Malaysia. As a long time reader of urban fantasy, she finally bit the bullet and began to develop her own series of novels.
Helen has always been a book lover, devouring science fiction and fantasy tales when she was a child growing up in Scotland. "I always loved the escapism provided by those genres," states Helen. "No matter how bad life gets, you can always find a route out, even if only temporarily, in the pages of a good book."
The growth of urban fantasy fascinated her - the mix of reality and fantasy along with strong heroic female characters appealed from the very beginning, and inspired her to write her own.
Facebook Author page | Twitter: HarperFire
Helen has always been a book lover, devouring science fiction and fantasy tales when she was a child growing up in Scotland. "I always loved the escapism provided by those genres," states Helen. "No matter how bad life gets, you can always find a route out, even if only temporarily, in the pages of a good book."
The growth of urban fantasy fascinated her - the mix of reality and fantasy along with strong heroic female characters appealed from the very beginning, and inspired her to write her own.
Facebook Author page | Twitter: HarperFire
Distractions
There are times when my fingers can’t keep up with my thoughts and ideas, when the words fly across my screen and I can pump out thousands of words in a day. And there are other times when I can sit there for an hour and manage barely a sentence. I know what I want to write and where I want to go with my plot and characters, but somehow it just doesn’t flow.
I’d never really held much credence in the idea of writer’s block until I became a writer. I do remember a beautiful poem that I studied in school called The Thought Fox by Ted Hughes that detailed it perfectly, and yet I couldn’t really imagine how it was a thing. And it is most definitely a thing. Bizarrely, it often seems to happen during my most interesting and memorable scenes. Mack, my main character, is finally about to confront her nemesis and…nothing. Days and days and days of nothing. Or I have a big scene that I’ve been anticipating writing for days involving the sexy Corrigan and…arrrrrgh.
All the advice suggests to not try to force it. If the words aren’t coming, then go away and come back the next day. But I can feel the story itching at me, prickling at my skin, wanting to be written, so I sit there and just stare. I write a word, then delete it. Then I re-write it. And delete it again. It’s frustrating. As a teacher, I’m fortunate enough to have holidays during which I can break the proverbial back of whichever novel I’m working on – sadly, far too often, my progress can be unequivocally slow. In fact, instead of writing another chapter right now, I’m here writing this blog!
I know what Mack would say. She’d tell me to quit beating around the bush and get a move on, although she wouldn’t put it quite so politely. I’ll go and grab some brain food and let her scratch away at my inner muse and then try again…
Giveaway:
Helen will award a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Don't forget to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Find the tour schedule here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I agree with Helen i love the mix of reality and fantasy in a book. Ty for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI also love the mix of fantasy and reality in a book. Thanks for sharing the great series and the giveaway. evamillien at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI'm not a writer but you offer some good insight on writer's block.
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Thanks for hosting, and for the comments!
ReplyDeleteThese sound awesome! How many books are planned for the series?
ReplyDeleteSounds like an amazing series!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
These books sound amazing, can't wait to read them!
ReplyDelete