Embrace Blog Tour & Giveaway! Author Interview with... Jessica Shirvington

12:01 AM

I'm sure you've been hearing all the buzz lately for the North American debut of Jessica Shirvington's Embrace, the first novel in the Violet Eden Chapters! Today, I'm really excited to be taking part in the Embrace Blog Tour celebrating the recent release of the novel. Only one question remains: Are you ready to EMBRACE?

Thanks to Raincoast Books and Sourcebooks, I was able to ask Jessica Shirvington a few questions...

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden… 

1) Who was your favourite character to write about in Embrace? 

I definitely feel the closest to Violet. Embrace is written in the first person so she remains the focus of my attention. However, I do have a lot of fun with some of the minor characters as well. In particular, some of the less behaved characters like Onyx, who reappears in Entice (book 2) as well. 

2) What was your initial reaction after seeing the gorgeous US book cover? 

I think I was actually shaking. It is so beautiful. As a writer, you hope that the cover of your books will portray the story and mirror what you have imagined in your mind during the writing phases. The US cover did this perfectly. Now I am bursting to find out what they have planned for Entice! 

3) In Embrace, there's quite the romance connection tying Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix together. What is it about love triangles that you think attracts YA readers so much? 

I think love triangles are representative of the confusion many of us feel growing up. Plus, let's be honest, who wouldn't want the attention of a couple of highly desirable guys? I think we all wonder how we would deal with that particular problem. Mostly, I think we want our characters to go on a journey of self-exploration. They may not start out perfect in the beginning and they may make a lot of mistakes on the page, but we like to see them develop and love triangles can offer a lot in this department. 

4) How did you research the mythology and hierarchy of angels to help inspire the series? 

I concentrated my research on looking at a variety of religious interpretations. I didn't want to just follow a Christian point of view or otherwise - so I was able to discover many differing opinions and versions of stories I was able to incorporate into my angels. I also based the structure of angels around well-known versions of the angel hierarchy. I found this to be a good base to build on and it then fed the strength and power developments for many of my characters. There are so many stories out there - it is just about picking which ones work for the world building and the characters. 

5) Was there a particular deleted scene from Embrace that you wish had made it into the final version?

Not really. I think once you make a cut, you have to let the scene go. There was one scene I was attached to, still am, that focused on part of Violet's past. But really, although it was important to me, it didn't move the story forward in the right way so it was the right decision to let it go. 

6) Can you tell us more abut the next book you're writing for readers to enjoy? 

ENTICE will be out in the States in September 2012. I'm really looking forward to sharing the next chapter of Violet's story with everyone. Violet is introduced to some new characters that arrive from The Academy in New York and they find themselves on a race against to clock to hunt down the lost Grigori Scripture before Phoenix gets to it. Violet and Lincoln discover more about their connection and grow closer. Phoenix is back and determined to get what he wants at any cost - and his hold over Violet is stronger than ever. 

Soon after Entice, in March 2013, EMBLAZE will be out. And right now, I'm working on book 4, ENDLESS.



*****

Thanks so much to Jessica Shirvington for answering my questions! If you'd like to learn more about the author and Embrace, you can check out her author website... or visit the US official website for the book series where you'll be able to read character biographies, teaser chapters and more!

Giveaway! Sourcebooks is very kindly offering to give away one copy of Jessica Shirvington's Embrace to a lucky reader!
  • please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
  • must have a US / CANADA mailing address
  • giveaway will end on March 29, 2012
  • winner will be contacted by email afterwards
  • do not leave your email address in the comments
Giveaway is closed.
Congratulations to Sarah C.! 

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I'm a Canadian girl with a passion for reading! When I'm not escaping reality with a new book, I love to listen to Korean pop music or get addicted to Korean/Chinese dramas.

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24 comments

  1. SilverpoolMarch 15, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    ooh great giveaway! Thanks!

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  2. Lexie@BookBugMarch 15, 2012 at 12:39 AM

    I have to admit-the cover was the first thing that drew me to it. I would buy it for the cover alone!

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  3. DoodleMarch 15, 2012 at 12:46 AM

    Two reasons. First, I love this cover. Second, I love reading about angels.

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  4. ashleyMarch 15, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    I love Angel books!

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  5. AnonymousMarch 15, 2012 at 3:43 AM

    I actually just came across this book yesterday at Wal*Mart and read the first two pages. I didn't want to put it down, it was so interesting and easy to get lost in. Sadly though I had to put the book back so am really excited to see this giveaway here. I'm really excited for this book for a couple reasonse, main reason though is because I'm hardly ever able to find a YA book that hooks me in on the story, especially from the get go, so for this one to do it in 2 pages is a great start. :)

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  6. Keisha Martin Romance WriterMarch 15, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    I have never read a angel book but the synopsis was interesting so I would love a copy, thank you for the giveaway.

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  7. Andrea @ Cozy UpMarch 15, 2012 at 1:09 PM

    I'm really excited to read this book, I've heard so many good things. I've just started getting into angel books and I hear this is the one that has to be read! Great review, and thanks for the awesome interview, it makes me so excited to read this series!

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  8. Anne-MarieMarch 15, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    I love angel books, plus the cover is awesome!

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  9. Sarah C.March 15, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    I've heard really good things about this book! I love the cover :D Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  10. TayteHMarch 15, 2012 at 4:58 PM

    I love angel books. :D And the cover is awesome.

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  11. shorevalerieMarch 15, 2012 at 6:40 PM

    Gorgeous cover with a cool plot!

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  12. ZaraAlexisMarch 15, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    I'm fascinated with the idea of the hierarchy of angels. Aside from that I'm a voracious reader, book addict, and hoarder so this beauty would be a great addition to my collection. I'm also a book blogger so I do reviews!

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  13. ChrystalMarch 15, 2012 at 7:47 PM

    First - the cover is gorgeous and we all know how much I love covers. But really I just really want to meet Violet and hear her story. :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  14. Jessica EtchesMarch 15, 2012 at 11:47 PM

    It sounds like a fantastic book and I've heard so many good things

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  15. mandaespiMarch 16, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  16. AnjelicaMarch 16, 2012 at 10:12 AM

    I'm excited to get my hands on a copy of Embrace because I heard so many good things about it through the book blogging community and it sounds really good!

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  17. Tiffany DrewMarch 16, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    I'm excited because I haven't read an angel book before and this one looks awesome :)

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  18. latishajeanMarch 16, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    I heard so much about this book and would love to read it I also love angels!
    Thank you so much for the great giveaway!

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  19. UnknownMarch 16, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    Beautiful cover and sounds like a great read.

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  20. ValMarch 16, 2012 at 11:20 PM

    I love that whisper that wants her to know who she is! It sounds sooooo interesting.

    Valerie
    StuckInBooks.com

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  21. Hoot aka JessyMarch 17, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    I keep hearing about how freaking awesome this book is! And the cover is so pretty!!! I'd love to read it!

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  22. Stephanie27March 18, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    I have just heard so many good things about this book! I can't wait to see if I agree with other reviews.

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  23. Jessa Russo March 23, 2012 at 2:00 PM

    This storyline looks so amazing! And I have to say, great title! (It *was* going to be the title of my WIP. lol. I can already see how perfectly fitting it is for this story.) I CAN'T wait to read this book! I agree with other commenters - the cover is gorgeous!

    I love what the author said about YA love triangles, and I completely agree. I know they are cliche, but they are that way for a reason, and that reason is simple: we LOVE them. We love the self-exploration and discovery, the drama, the attention, etc. We love the two different versions of what make our "perfect" guy. We love a good boy and a bad boy, the two sides of our hearts at war over the "best" pick for us. There's a reason triangles work in YA, and it's that we just can't get enough of them. Before I began writing YA, I was reading it, and will continue to do so passionately. I can personally say that I will NEVER tire of a good old fashioned love triangle.

    Adding EMBRACE to my reading list immediately and can't wait to read the series!

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  24. KaraMarch 24, 2012 at 2:51 AM

    love the cover, sounds like a great read :) thanks for the giveaway!

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