Monday, January 4, 2016

BOOK BLITZ: Interlude by Theresa DaLayne


We are so excited to kick off this week-long Book Blitz for Theresa DaLayne's Interlude, the second book in the Stone Legacy Series! Today, we will share a Chapter 1 excerpt AND a fun Q&A with the author! Plus...there is a cool giveaway at the end of this post! Sooo...don't forget to enter!

Genre:
Young Adult
Paranormal Romance
Mythology/Fantasy
Series:
Stone Legacy, #2
Publish Date:
January 12, 2016
Publisher:
Limitless Publishing

Synopsis:
Tara may have spent years in an asylum, but that doesn't make er crazy-just fearless.

Dropped in Moscow with a the group of enchanted Mayan descendants seventeen-year-old Tara is forced to wait on the sideline while her best friendthe Stone Guardianbattles to reclaim a friend's soul trapped in the underworld.

It sucks being ordinary when everyone else is superhuman...

A mortal girl with a tainted past, Tara is left to deal with an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. Her boyfriend, Peter, is a healer. Her best friend is The Guardian, and everyone else is a powerhouse of awesome strengths. Meanwhile she struggles to leave her childhood of abuse in the past, and while Peter picks her up every time she falls, it becomes clear he deserves better.

When they opened Pandora's Box, hell came pouring out...

When she's given a chance to aid in the group's mission, Tara is eager to pull her own weight, even if it means uncovering buried memories of being held prisoner by the underworld general. Now haunted with flashbacks of torture, Tara wanders from the safety of Peter's arms into a city of depravity and corruption. And amidst all this evil is a young man with an agenda of his own, who leads her down a road that will either prove she is a hero at heart, or drag her into a world she's always feared.

He wants revenge, she wants redemption. And in an underground ring of missing girls and bloody sacrifices, only the fearless can survive...


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*Excerpt*
Chapter One


Tara rested her head on Peter’s chest while they lay in his bed, watching TV. She kicked the blanket off of her, and then sighed. She should be happy. She finally had a family of sorts—a boyfriend who would do anything for her, and a best friend who was more like a sister. But she wasn’t happy, and she couldn’t tell anyone.
Peter’s bed was somehow more comfortable than hers, and he seemed to want her there. That didn’t stop her from feeling terrible over waking him up—for the third time that week. Her plush bed looked inviting, but it was home to her horrible nightmares. At least she wished they were nightmares…
She used to find solace in Zanya, back in the orphanage, when they were all each other had. Funny how life had changed so much, so fast. Best friends, they spent their entire lives dreaming of a future outside of the orphanage’s walls, only to be sucked into a reality that surpassed even their idea of insane.
Back then it was Zanya whose dreams were filled with terror.
They’d been taken from the orphanage to Renato’s estate in Belize, where they’d experienced so much, and discovered Zanya’s dreams were real. Then they traveled to Moscow. That’s when things had gone from bad to terrible for Tara.
Her throat tightened. She curled her fingers around Peter’s T-shirt. Half asleep and with the TV on, he didn’t seem to notice.
She fought to stay awake out of fear of reliving her time spent with Sarian, the underworld general. The nightly reminders hadn’t gone away. In fact, they had only gotten worse.
It was just like when she was a kid, before she was taken from her mother by child protective services. Then, the fear of another encounter with her mother’s “boyfriends” had coiled around her in a paralyzing way, stalking her day and night.
Her eyelids grew heavy, and her muscles ached for just a few hours of sleep. Being close to Peter somehow made it all better, for the moment. He chased away her demons and made her forget.
Peter pushed one of her curls aside and placed a soft kiss behind her ear. “How are you feeling?” he said in a groggy whisper.
She shrugged. He nudged her shoulder with his chin and rested his lips on the curve of her neck. His breath teased her skin.
She smiled and cringed away. “Knock it off. You know I’m ticklish.”
“Mmm.” He trailed kisses down to her shoulder.
The tickling subsided, and Tara’s eyes fluttered closed. Her lips parted, fingers tightening around the blankets underneath her.
The smell of fresh rain filled the air. God, she loved his scent. The first time Peter had stepped close to her at Renato’s house, it had washed over her like a wave of relief. After that, she just couldn’t stay away.
“You think you can get some sleep?” he whispered. “You need it.”
Tara composed herself and nodded. Even though he didn’t push the issue, a tiny piece of her wished he’d keep kissing her neck to see where it went—see if she felt comfortable, without committing to anything from the beginning. After all, it was she who didn’t want to take the next step in their relationship. Peter, however, would never put her into a situation she didn’t ask for. He loved her too much. It was the first time she had experienced that kind of commitment from anyone. There was no way she’d risk ruining it with sex.
Tara sat up, rubbing the tight muscles in her neck. Every nightmare threw her body into a more tense and agitated state. Her appetite was all but gone, her sense of humor dimmed, and since the flashbacks had become more vivid, she’d nearly lost the ability to smile.
Peter’s hands replaced hers and worked around her shoulders, massaging the knots into submission. Warmth radiated from his fingertips and spread through her body, soothing the tension. His healing ability had come in handy more than once over the last few weeks.
She exhaled and melted into him. “Thanks.” She glanced at the digital clock. It was almost four in the morning. Guilt tore at her. “I really have to stop coming in here every time a memory breaks through. I’m not five.”
“No, what you really have to do is tell Marzena that you’re remembering more.”
Marzena, the group’s dreamwalker, had helped Tara unlock the hidden door in her mind, allowing them to find the memories to locate Sarian. If only she could go back in time and block that door with concrete and chains to seal the memories inside...
“I won’t do that,” Tara said. “Not yet anyway. It’s not that bad.” Only bad enough to wake her in a cold sweat with her stomach knotted and muscles so tender she was achy for days. “Besides, she isn’t even in Moscow, so it’s not like she could do anything about it.”
“She would come back if you needed her.”
“Well, I don’t.” Not if that meant putting her issues on display. “She already reached into my head once. I don’t need her doing it again.”
Peter leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her. “Even if it’ll help?” He kissed her temple. “Come on, Tara. You know you can’t keep doing this.”
He was right, but she couldn’t admit it aloud. She had been so selfish, staggering to his bedroom, shaking like a leaf. Not exactly a romantic midnight rendezvous. “I’m sorry I keep dragging you into this.”
If she could just leave him alone, at least one of them would get some rest and not feel like a zombie.
With her stomach in knots, she scooted to the side of the mattress and stared blankly at the wall. Lights from the TV danced, casting shadows over the room.
“Whatever you’re dealing with, I’m here for you.” His voice was soft and comforting.
She swallowed down the urge to cry.
Zanya was still working to counter Sarian by travelling decades into the past with Renato, Arwan, Hawa, and Jayden, leaving Marzena, Tara, and Peter behind. Tara had tried to curb her bitterness about that, especially since she had nobody to channel it toward. It wasn’t Zanya’s choice to leave them. That’s what she kept telling herself, anyway.
Tara rubbed her throbbing eyes. It was probably good that Marzena had gone back to Belize to manage the workers while they patched up the damage to Renato’s house. It needed to be done before they all went back—if they went back. Renato’s house had already become her home. Her heart ached at the memory of it under attack. And with Marzena gone, no one had to know Tara was steadily losing her mind. Again.
Peter grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels. “There’s nothing on that’s not in Russian.”
She glanced at the screen. Had the actors been speaking Russian? Showed how much she’d been paying attention. He stopped on a news station with a woman speaking English in a heavy Russian accent. Behind her, emergency lights from police cars and ambulances flashed. Tara sighed and slumped her shoulders forward. “The news?”
“There’s nothing else on.” He lifted the remote. “You want me to just turn it off?”
She shook her head. “Nah. Leave it. At least it’s in English.” She tuned in for the first time.
“Officers responded to a call of a suspected gang clash outside of the Moscow Academy of Science. Authorities say a confrontation occurred between a student and an alleged gang member when the student’s younger sister was forced into a gang-marked vehicle. The victim, who was wounded at the scene, was a freshman. Sadly, he died before the ambulance could respond, while the alleged attacker, who was also wounded, is now being treated at the Yakimanka Hospital where he is in critical condition.”
Tara pushed the power button on the remote and the screen winked off. “I changed my mind. Even if it is in English, that’s just depressing.”
“Yeah. Seriously.”
“Poor guy,” she whispered, imagining the look of terror on the brother’s face while his little sister was being dragged away. “I hope they get her back.”
Peter moved to the far side of the bed. “Get who back?”
“The girl who was kidnapped.”
“Yeah.” His yawn deepened her guilt. “Come on.” He patted the mattress. “Lie down next to me.”
It was still dark out. If she left now, he could catch at least a few hours of sleep before the morning. She stood up and walked toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
She paused with her fingers wrapped around the handle. “I’m letting you get some rest. I’ll be fine until morning.”

Whether that would prove true or not, only time would tell.


~~~~~

Author Interview Questions with Theresa DaLayne
Thank you for taking the time for the interview. Please answer the following questions; you also have the option of changing some questions if you feel that you would be more at ease with other questions, or just answering a min of 15.
Author Name: Theresa DaLayne

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

No, not even close. In fact, in grade school I was a terrible reader and had very bad grades. I had to go through additional tutoring in order to read simple stories and struggled for years with literacy. Only when I was in high school did I fall in love with writing. It started in journalism and branched out from there.

When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?

When I read an article—can’t remember which one—that said, “If you love to write, you’re a writer. You have something important to say. Something others want to hear. Don’t ever forget that.” I had to believe that or I wouldn’t have made it through some of the struggles I faced as a self-taught writer. And you know what they say: If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.

How long did it take to get your first book published?

I wrote my first book in 2011 and it was published in 2012. It was a very accomplished moment because I’m a self-taught author with no professional training, and I was still very new to the literary industry.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

Yes. In addition to writing, I also manage an online Amazon store, and I also write the official book blurbs for Limitless Publishing. It’s a fun mix and I love it.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

My most recently published book is Mayan Blood, book 1 of The Stone Legacy series. Twenty words? That’s tough. How about…Disturbed teen discovers Mayan bloodlines and faces the grueling decision of embracing her destiny or running for her life.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I have two fantastic publishers. Bloomsbury Spark who published my new adult contemporary romance, The Edge of You.

Limitless Publishing has both of my series—The Stone Legacy series and a new young adult inspirational series, The Five Pillar series.


How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

I’d say about nine months. That is from an idea to a clean draft. But that’s just me. Everyone is different. It also depends on my kids’ schedule and how much extra time I have.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I have a ton of releases coming up, which is SO exciting!
  • Book 1, Mayan Blood, releases 12/29
  • Book 2, Interlude, releases 1/12
  • Book 3, Lights of Aurora, releases 1/26
  • Book 4, Anarchy, releases 2/23
  • Book 5, Birthright, releases 5/19
Also, in February, I have another release of a young adult inspirational under my pen name, Theresa Mae—If All Else Fails. There will be two more books to follow.

What genre would you place your books into?
Mature young adult paranormal romance.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I fell in love with that genre from being an avid reader. I love diverse books and interesting, unique characters. I couldn’t imagine having started in any other genre, and I don’t see myself branching outside of the young adult or new adult genre any time soon.

How long have you been writing, and who or what inspired you to write?
I started writing in 2011, after reading a chain of heartthrob young adult books that left me feeling hollow when they were over. I started to write in journalism back in high school, but after I realized how much I hated being confined I branched out into fiction writing.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
To write I generally go upstairs after my kids are in bed and write while I’m tucked in. I like to turn on the lamp mounted to my wall, which gives a soft glow to my bedroom, and sometimes turn on the noisemaker beside my bed that mimics a thunderstorm. Other times I’ll turn on a show I’ve seen a thousand times just to have the background noise with no temptation to actually watch the show.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Yes. Some authors don’t think it’s important, and some even say they would never read their reviews with a ten-foot poll. It’s all an individual preference, but I like to hear what my readers have to say. I take their feedback under consideration and look into ways I can improve my writing.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
I generally write the book first and then give it a title. I feel like you can’t really title a book until you know what it’s about. But again, that’s just me. Every author is different. Some authors I know actually start with a title and then write the book.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
I try to pick unique names that are diverse and fun. Ethnic characters are especially fun to name. Just for fun, here are some name samples from The Stone Legacy series:
  • Marzena—seemingly young dreamwalker
  • Zanya—heroine of The Stone Legacy Series and destined Stone Guardian.
  • Arwan—hero, timebender, and something else entirely.
  • Grima—Viking and petrifier (not introduced until Lights of Aurora)
Fun, huh?

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
Usually I have a good idea with my main characters, but my secondary characters always take my by surprise.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
I think the overall moral of the series is to believe in yourself, be a loyal friend, understand that everyone has different needs, wants, and desires, and not to be afraid to follow your heart. Every book does highlight its own moral or theme.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
I always love a paperback over e-book. Kindles run out of batteries. Paperbacks don’t.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?
Oh gosh. It’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Book or movie. Movie or book?

The answer: Book. Always book.

Worst movie ever made based off a book? The Mortal Instruments movie. I saw it with my mom and was cursing under my breath when we left. So mad.

Your favorite food is?
Chocolate cake and coffee.

Your favorite singer/group is?
I love The Ataris and Taylor Swift.

Your favorite color is?
Blue. Blue. It’s the color of the ocean—I know not technically, for all you science buffs out there, but still—and it’s a lot of color with variations for my wardrobe. ;)

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The Stone Legacy Series!
  

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**About the Author**
Theresa DaLayne is a north-south-east-western kind of girl with a quirky personality to match her nomad life. Born in California, she migrated to three different cities in Washington State, a tiny island in Alaska, North Carolina, and finally to the suburbs of Ohio where she currently lives with her husband, three kids, vegetarian cat, and her ungrateful fish.

Always on the lookout for a new story, Theresa is a shameless eavesdropper and will take anyone who provides inspiration and mold them into a character without a second thought. She enjoys writing both paranormal and contemporary stories, considering her mind wanders between worlds of fantasy while she’s forced to live in the real world, very much against her will.

Stay connected with Theresa DaLayne
   

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***The Giveaway***



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