Interview with Kaitlyn Davis for The Raven and The Dove

The Raven and the Dove (The Raven and the Dove #1)

by Kaitlyn Davis
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Release Date: March 9th 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

Synopsis:

Four fates collide in this avian-inspired, epic fantasy retelling of Tristan and Isolde perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo!

A princess longing to be free...

On the dawn of her courtship trials, Princess Lyana Aethionus knows she should be focused on winning her perfect mate, yet her thoughts wander to the open sky waiting at the edge of her floating kingdom. One final adventure calls. Upon fleeing the palace, the last thing she expects to find is a raven prince locked in a death match with a dragon.

A bastard aching to belong...

Reviled son of a dead king, Rafe would do anything for his beloved half-brother, Prince Lysander Taetanus, including posing as him in the upcoming courtship trials. When a dragon interrupts their secret exchange, he orders his studious sibling to run. After suffering a fatal blow, Rafe is saved by a beautiful dove who possesses forbidden magic, just like him.

Fate brought them together, now destiny will tear them apart...

Unknown to the world above, on the foggy sea ten thousand feet below, a young king fights a forgotten war. He believes Lyana is the queen prophesied to save the world, and with the help of his favored spy, hidden deep in the highest ranks of the dove royal house, he will stop at nothing to have her.

Three shocking betrayals. Two star-crossed lovers. One unforgettable journey. If you like fierce heroines, brooding heroes, forbidden romance, and action-packed magical adventures with twists you'll never see coming, don't miss The Raven and the Dove!

Can you briefly describe THE RAVEN AND THE DOVE and its characters?

The Raven and the Dove is an epic fantasy retelling of Tristan and Isolde set in an avian-inspired world. Picture aerial fight scenes, forbidden romance, elemental magic, masked balls, floating islands, and wings!

At the start of the novel, the characters are preparing for the courtship trials, in which the royal heirs compete to win their choice of mate. Lyana, the dove princess, yearns for freedom and sneaks out of her palace in search of adventure. She stumbles upon the raven prince who is locked in a death match with a dragon, but she soon comes to discover not everything is as it seems…

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

The story revolves around four main characters who are all so different and unique I could never pick between them! Lyana is the adventurous princess, dreaming of more than what's planned, in search of a purpose and longing to explore the world outside the confines of her royal responsibilities. Rafe is the brooding warrior, aching to find a place where he belongs, strong and loyal but lost in all the ways that matter. Xander is the noble prince, ready to sacrifice anything for his people, kind-hearted and determined, book smart but unsure of his own worth. There's a fourth main character, who I'll keep secret—her morally grey viewpoint was also a blast to compose.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

The story first came to me in an image (which later went on to become the basis for the cover!)—I saw a woman with white wings standing before a man with black wings as magic sparkled between them. I have no idea where the thought came from, really, but when I saw it, I just knew I needed to explore the new characters making home inside my mind. The rest of the world unfurled from there, to include an entire floating avian kingdom based around different bird houses, and the plot twisted into a retelling of Tristan and Isolde. 

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

I'm really not a musical person (and I'm horrible at picking one of anything), so I'd say, one part "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis, one part "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele, and one part "Apologize" by OneRepublic…if that makes sense. 

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

I'll pick people for the main four! For Lyana, I would go with Lovie Simone. Rafe and Xander are nearly twins, so they could probably be played by one person, but I have two options anyway—Matthew Daddario and Noah Centineo (I'm obsessed with To All the Boys I Loved Before…and yes, it definitely influenced my choices!). And for Cassi, I'll say Naomi Scott.

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish THE RAVEN AND THE DOVE? 

Well, the sequel, The Hunter and the Mage, is now available to pre-order… ;) JK! I'm a huge fan of young adult fantasy so I probably have too many recommendations, but some of my favorites are: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce, Protector of the Small by Tamora Pierce, Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (not YA, but amazing), and An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. 

If you prefer standalones, I just recently read The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow and Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, and both were fabulous! 

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book? 

Self-doubt is definitely my biggest struggle! Even with twenty books under my belt, I feel like an imposter some days. Usually, when I first start a book I'm so excited to be writing these new characters, everything flows. But somewhere around the middle of the manuscript, those evil little questions creep in—Is this good enough? Will anyone want to read this? Is the storyline terrible? Are the characters horrible? The only way I deal with it is to push through. As I near the climactic scenes, everything starts to flow, and usually, during my first read through, I fall in love with the book all over again. But then you send out ARCs, and the self-doubt process begins anew… lol! It's a vicious, never-ending cycle, but it’s worth it. 

As a reader, what is the “one thing” that a mind-blowing story must have, in your opinion? 

Surprises! Obviously, I want to fall in love with the characters, I want to be wrapped up in the romance, and I want to be glued to the pages, but some books do all of that, and are still missing something for me. I love a good twist ending I never saw coming. 

What’s next for you? 

Writing the sequel! The Hunter and the Mage goes on sale in September 2020, so I'll be polishing up the manuscript over the next few months to get it ready. I'll also start working on book three :) Some of my favorite scenes are coming up in the next few books (ones I've envisioned since my initial brainstorming session years ago), so I can’t wait for people to read them.

Kaitlyn Davis, a bestselling author with over a quarter of a million books sold, writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie. Publisher's Weekly has said, "Davis writes with confidence and poise," while USA Today has recommended her work as "must-read romance."

To learn more about her contemporary romance novels, visit her Goodreads author page for Kay Marie here: https://www.goodreads.com/Kay_Marie

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found playing fetch with her puppy, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

Sign up for Kaitlyn's newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of her new releases and more! http://bit.ly/AuthorNewsletter.

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Welcome to the FFBC Tours: Realm of Ruins (The Nissera Chronicles #2) by Hannah West

Realm of Ruins (The Nissera Chronicles #2)

by Hannah West
Release Date: December 4th 2018
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

Valory’s power is different . . . it’s dangerous, unruly, and destructive. But can she channel it to crush a cunning enemy and save the realm from chaos? 

Welcome to Nissera, land of three kingdoms and home to spectacular magic.

A century after her legendary ancestors overcame a bloodthirsty tyrant, seventeen-year-old Valory Braiosa attends a training academy for elicromancers, immortal beings with magical gifts. Yet Valory’s immense power seems impossible to tame, and she faces imprisonment by the Nisseran authorities. Then a forbidden resurrection spell awakens a long-dormant evil, and Valory may be the only one who can vanquish this terrifying villain. Together with a band of allies—including an old friend; a haughty princess; and a mysterious, handsome stranger—Valory must learn to harness her power and fight back.

Weaving together her imaginative world of gritty fairytale magic with snippets from Beauty and the Beast and other classic stories, Hannah West’s dark and dangerous adventure is a gripping, immersive companion to her acclaimed debut, Kingdom of Ash and Briars. This richly packaged edition includes an illustrated family tree, detailed map, and embossed jacket with shimmering metallic effects.

Can you briefly describe the world in Realm of Ruins and their main characters?

Realm of Ruins takes place in the realm of Nissera, which contains three kingdoms: Calgoran, Volarre, and Yorth. The realm is home to ancient elicrin magic, whose source is a deadly pool in the western woods. If you touch it, it will either offer you an elicrin stone, which means power and immortal life, or it will drown and kill you. Elicromancers are those who have survived the Water. They have unique stones and gifts, for the most part. There are shapeshifters and omnilinguals, healers and portal-makers...there’s no end to the possibilities. 

In ancient times, thousands of elicromancers lived in Nissera. But after a civil war killed many and the rest chose to give up their elicrin stones to avoid the temptation to rule over mortals, their numbers dwindled. In Kingdom of Ash and Briars, Bristal is one of only three elicromancers. But a century later, when Valory's story begins, the elicromancer population is on the rise and their bloodlines are closely intertwined with royal bloodlines. Elicromancers are making a comeback. They have their own academy. They have power and privilege.

Valory is a member of the royal family of Calgoran. She’s grown up attending the academy, but unlike her many royal relatives, she does not display a magic gift. But when tragedy strikes and Valory gains a destructive power, it sets her off on a journey that leads her to a new ensemble of unlikely allies. These include Mercer Fye, a mysterious boy she finds wounded on the side of the road; Kadri Lillis, a kind and witty childhood friend; and Glisette Lorenthi, an acerbic princess. 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Sometimes - not always - your characters write themselves, and that's exactly how Valory and her band of allies was formed in Realm of Ruins. This is most true of Glisette Lorenthi, the imperious, spoiled, sly, yet surprisingly stalwart character who wrested control from me every time she appeared on the page. She insults, she bickers, and yet she self-evaluates and changes. 

If you were part of the Nissera Chronicles, what character would you be and why, and what powers (if any) would you have?

It’s funny - I intentionally set out to make Valory feel different from her ancestor, Bristal (the main character of Kingdom of Ash and Briars), but I think what I really did was mirror different aspects of my own personality and growth. Bristal is quiet, self-possessed, and doesn’t want to be seen or known. I relate to that. But Valory has an edge to her, an anger at the world and corrupt systems of power, which I related to deeply as I was writing Realm of Ruins. Ultimately, I think I’m probably more like Bristal, and I would honestly love to have her shapeshifting power. 

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

“Castle” by Halsey. It’s about an angry woman taking the power she deserves from a corrupt ruler. One of my favorite lines is “If you wanna break these walls down, you’re gonna get bruised.”

If the book was a movie/TV show, who would you imagine representing your characters?

It’s easier for me to find character inspo on Pinterest, and if you want to see the closest ideas I have for the characters, check out my Realm of Ruins Pinterest board. But as far as casting real actors and actresses, I’m gonna give it a try!

Valory Braiosa: Lily Sullivan

Mercer Fye: Okay I’ve already failed. Can someone find me a real person who looks like this?

(art credit Jirka Vinse at jirkavinse.com)

Kadri Lillis: Aiysha Hart

Glisette Lorenthi: Skyler Samuels or Kathryn Newton 

 

Hannah West is the author of Kingdom of Ash and Briars and its companion, Realm of Ruins. She's always loved writing about magic and fairytales, but her time studying abroad in Orléans, France inspired her to finally write and publish a fantasy novel. She's a freelance writer and vegetarian living in Texas with her husband and their rambunctious blue heeler.

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Review Tour: Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madsen

Getting Lucky Number Seven
by Cindi Madsen
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Release Date: April 28th 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, College, Hockey, Sports
Rate: Enjoyed it (4 stars)

Synopsis:

What's your lucky number?

Lyla Wilder is done being the shy, chemistry nerd extraordinaire. While every other college student is out having fun, Lyla is studying. With her cat. Well, she's played it "safe" quite enough, thank you. So she creates a "College Bucket List"―with item #7 being a night of uninhibited, mind-blowing sex...

But she needs some help from her man-whore best friend.

Hockey player Beck Davenport thought Lyla's transformation would be subtle. Man, was he wrong. With every item she ticks off, Beck finds himself growing seriously hot for his sweet, brainiac best friend. And if he's not careful, he'll end up risking their friendship in order to convince Lyla that he might just be her lucky #7...

Getting Lucky Number Seven is everything I was looking for when I searched for a New Adult College book to read. It has friendship, sexual tension, sports, a bucket list and romance. What more could you ask for?

The synopsis of this book pretty much explains what the books is about: two friends, one nerdy girl and a hockey and sexy boy, who also happens to be popular, that are friends. They have never looked at each other as more than friends, but one decision and one bucket list will change everything.

Lyla and Beck were a great fictional couple. Their relationship is based on a solid friendship were friends come first and that leads to its climax moment when they blur the lines between friendship and having a sort of affair. Cindi Madsen did a wonderful job, creating that tension and that moment were the reader is begging for these two to kiss or do something and when it happens is like being in a rollercoaster. 

I felt that I betrayed a bit Lyla when she did her make over and Beck started to really see her, what she had to offer and how attracted he was to her. I hated a bit - because saying hate is a really strong word - that she had to change her outside to make herself visible to Beck. It was like he did nothing and Lyla was doing all the work, you know what I mean?

Aside from that, the story was a great one that hooked me until the very last page. I had to know how the story would end and what would happen between these two; if they would end up as a couple or not.

Getting Lucky Number Seven is definitely one of my favorite New Adult reads this year, and if you are seeking for a good College story like I was this is definitely your book. Give it a try!

Zac Efron as Beck

Karen Gillan as Lyla

USA Today Bestselling author Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she'd be even crazier. She has way too many shoes but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they're sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

Visit her at www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter and learn about upcoming releases.

Cindi is the author of YA books All the Broken Pieces, Cipher, Rift, Resolution, and Demons of the Sun, and adult romances Falling for Her Fiancé, Act Like You Love Me, Resisting the Hero, Cinderella Screwed Me Over and Ready to Wed.

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