This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kelsey Quick will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
What books were your favorite as a youth and why?
When I was younger, I fell in love with My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. I would always go out into the woods with my father and just sit in the quiet, beautiful wilderness. Oftentimes I would imagine surviving out in the wilds with only myself and a beautiful peregrine falcon to rely on for food and companionship. I loved that book so much that it inspired the type of fiction I eventually wrote, as well as the movies I loved the most.
What’s your favorite sweet treat?
Oh! That would have to be either taiyaki or a fresh, lavender-flavored latte. What is taiyaki, you ask? It’s a Japanese waffle-like pastry in the shape of a fish, filled with a number of whipped flavors! My favorite would be chocolate or melon-flavored taiyaki!
What did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
I actually wanted to be a dolphin and Orca trainer at Sea World for close to twelve years! I’m glad I didn’t end up going into that, though. As a child you don’t really see how bad those beautiful creatures have it behind the scenes. You can’t see their anguish, so you think everything is just as wonderful as it appears.
What would you write in a letter to your teen self?
Literally this, “Calm down, one day you’re going to thank yourself for being a weirdo.” The one thing I got right in high school was being a non-conformist. My parents were my best friends and I didn’t fit in, which pushed me to cultivate my creativity and independence rather than placing myself in compromising situations with boys and with activities at parties.
What candy do you give out at Halloween?
ONLY THE GOOD KIND. Nobody wants the suckers and off-brand Tootsie Rolls. Since I am blessed enough to afford it, your child is going to get a Snickers, Reese’s, or M&Ms!
What book is on your nightstand currently?
I have four… that’s normal, right? Currently I have The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh, Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, and The Beckoning Shadow by Katharyn Blair! All are pretty big in the reading community right now and while I am reading to enjoy them, I’m also doing research.
Hunger Games or Twilight? Why?
Okay, but why not both?! I’m a sucker for both of these series, so much so that I’ve been told you can find a blend of both of them in A Violet Fire. Dystopian is one of my favorite genres, along with vampire romance. Hunger Games because fierce and opinionated females are where it’s at, and Twilight because strong vampires who are susceptible to an average human’s charm hits me right in the feels.
Sum up your book for Twitter: 140 characters or less.
“A Violet Fire is the perfect blend of everything you’ve wanted in vampire lore—horrific and sensual, a dark fantasy world shrouded in mystery.” That sounds cool, right…?
You’ve just won a million dollars and you’re not allowed to save any of it. What do you spend it on?
Honest to God, this is what I would do. I would give away at least half of it to charities, if not more. I would pay off all of mine and my husband’s debt, and my parents’ debt the most that I could. I’m not really materialistic. Anything I could buy that I would want would probably amount to $3k. $2k of that being a new Cintiq tablet for my art.
Favorite class in high school. Why?
Art class! For one, both teachers I had for the duration of the four years were huge for my creativity cultivation, and for two I nearly went to college for traditional and digital illustration. I’m glad I didn’t now, but art was such a big part of my life. It still is, as I use it to make my own fan art and create content for my campaigns, but back then it was my entire existence.
"A vampire tale with a heady mix of defiance and doubt, rebellion and romance." — Kirkus Reviews
"There is not a single dull moment in this book... A Violet Fire has all the ingredients to become the next Hollywood movie about vampires." — Readers' Favorite
"In the Vampire Stratocracy of Cain, human blood is scarce. For centuries, councils have sought to assuage the blood shortage by enslaving and breeding humans, turning them into profitable supply units for the rich and the abled.
Today, eighteen-year-old Wavorly Sterling is officially a supply unit, bound to serve her blood willingly to her master for the rest of her life. One of only few humans that was not bred in Cain, Wavorly knows freedom better than anyone, and she is determined to escape the clutches of her oppressors—despite the allure of forbidden love."
Read an Excerpt
He grabs the hair on the back of my neck and pulls down, exposing the breadth. My mind leaps to my years of night terrors; to that vampire from ten years ago; to my mother changing before my eyes into one of the fallen. I nearly forget to breathe while terror floods my veins.
He’s going to turn me into one of them!
“No! You can’t!” I scream as he lowers his face to the crook of my neck and shoulder, his hot breaths sending chills along my skin—as if each and every inch knows the horror that lies ahead.
“I can,” he says.
My fingers grasp at his immovable arms that have me locked against him. I pull and push with as much might as my hands can muster, to no avail. If I am dirt, he is steel.
About the Author:
Website: http://www.avioletfire.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/avioletfire1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avioletfire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avioletfire
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47179561-a-violet-fire
Amazon Preorder eBook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XNKH9XL
Amazon Preorder Hardcover/paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Violet-Fire-Kelsey-Quick/dp/1733072403
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-violet-fire-kelsey-quick/1131658735?ean=9781733072403
Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781733072403
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ReplyDeleteExcellent blog post. Love it and such brilliant questions!
ReplyDelete<3 I get the pleasure of rereading all of my answers and I'm always sinking farther back into my chair the more I read! haha
DeleteWhich of your characters was easiest to write for?
ReplyDeleteHi Bernie! Aside from the main character, who is the subject of the first person present perspective, I would have to say either Zein (the sinister (or is he?) vampire love interest, or Anaya (the female rival of sorts). Great question, thank you!
DeleteI encourage reading so having a family who loves to read I sure support.Thanks for sharing your terrific read with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks James!
DeleteCurious to hear your thoughts on the beautiful by Renee Nd ninth house! I have them on my TBR. I fell in love with Zein when he gave her that smile in the hallway when she was walking with Gemini. If I remember correctly its when he was using his powers on her.
ReplyDeleteI should have time next year to finish them, I'm so busy with launch right now, but I'll let you know what I think. :) Oh yes! I don't think he smiled at her, but he caught her when she almost fell because of blood loss! *swoon*!! <3
DeleteI recall a smirk when he was walking away lol or was it in my head... 😁
DeleteWell, he is a smirk-a-saurus so it wouldn't surprise me! It's about time for me to re-read it anyway to prepare for book 2 writing frenzy! ;)
DeleteThanks for hosting Books in the Hall!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting book!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!! This book sounds amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Q&A I enjoy meeting new to me authors and reading about them and their work. On a personal note, I also enjoyed spending time in the woods when I was young, only it was my sister and I with our grandfather not our dad. I still prefer spending as much time as possible outside camping or hiking.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release. Will your next book be in this same series?
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome interview. Love your current books you’re reading too :) I have Them at the top of my shelf to read next. Have you started writing the sequel? Or do you have a mother book outside of this series you’re working on?
ReplyDelete