I'm very excited to be taking part today in the blog tour for Jessica Shirvington's Emblaze, the third novel in the Embrace series!  

Emblaze will be officially hitting bookshelves next Tuesday, and if you're a huge fan of the series, you'll definitely want to buy a copy as soon as possible. The stakes are higher than ever for the Grigori as they race to stop Phoenix, and the romantic tension/angst between Violet and Lincoln will leave you breathlessly turning the pages.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire, I was able to ask Jessica Shirvington a few questions about Emblaze...

NO GOOD CHOICES

When you're hanging off the edge of a volcano, how do you make the most important decision of your life? For Violet Eden the decisions between right and wrong are getting harder and harder. Because apparently being a half-angel Grigori doesn't always make you right.

Where is the good in having to choose between the life of her best friend and saving humanity? How does she balance a soul-crushing need for her Grigori partner, Lincoln, and the desire to keep him safe at all costs? And what if the darkest exiled angel of all, Phoenix, isn't as bad as she thought?

Both sides—Angels vs. Exiles—are racing to decipher an ancient scripture that would allow anyone banished to the Underworld to return. And at the very center: Violet. She only has one chance to make the right choice...  

1) Who were your favourite characters to write about in Emblaze?

I think it goes without saying that I always enjoy the three main characters in the series - Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix. In EMBLAZE, I especially loved writing the chapter from Phoenix's point of view. I also enjoyed introducing the new character of Josephine. And I always have fun with Spence and Onyx!

2) What I love about Phoenix is that there are so many layers to his character. He may be trying to open the gates of Hell, yet I can't make myself hate him for causing so much trouble. What are the challenges to writing a villain with so much depth, one who makes you feel conflicting emotions?

I suppose it is that you have to imagine what they are feeling and thinking when no one is around. Motivations and actions are often only part of the story. Each and every one of us, at times, does things we later live to regret or realize too late the result of our actions wasn't really what we'd intended. To me, Phoenix is acting out of desperation much of the time. I feel for him so much because I can understand his torment and in some ways I think he is the strongest and best of them all. It may sound strange but when you think about the basis of his character - a dark exile whose innate nature demands that he always lean towards the dark choice - he really has a lot to fight against. It's not an excuse but it is a way to see where the conflicting emotions are possible.

3) We traveled to Jordan in Entice and now the Cyclades Islands in Greece this time around in Emblaze. How did you research the countries and is there a particular reason why you chose these places for Violet and the Grigori to visit?

It was very important to me that Violet goes to the problems in the world rather than everything simply, and conveniently, finding her. I wanted her to be active and involved in the bigger picture so travelling was always going to be key. In each book after EMBRACE, Violet will travel to at least one other location around the world. Jordan was the obvious choice in ENTICE since I was using forgotten scripture and the story of Moses as a tie in. I loved using this location because I felt it was new and fresh in YA. In EMBLAZE they travel to Santorini, Greece, and again, it seemed the obvious choice. Initially I considered using Indonesia (the Volcano, Krakatoa) but in the end the history and mythology surrounding Santorini left me with no doubt it was the only choice. In book 4, ENDLESS, the team will travel to New York. 

4) What is it about writing a series centering around angels that interests you the most?

I'm drawn to the idea of a separate government. That angels have a role in the universe (unlike so many other supernatural groups) and that together with humans we generate one another's functions. When I started to really research angels I found so much rich mythology and from so many sources and different religions. It is truly fascinating.

5) If you were a gifted Grigori, what special ability (or "strength") would you want to have and where would you fall under angel hierarchy?

I love Zoe's ability - to bend nature and manipulate its movement. I think that could be an incredible strength and I look forward to seeing how Zoe will develop. As for rank, Zoe is an Archangel so I guess that would put me there. :)

6) Can you share any details of what readers can expect in Endless, the fourth book in The Violet Eden Chapters?

ENDLESS is an incredibly intense book. I don't want to give away spoilers because it will also ruin EMBLAZE but I can say that I cried when I wrote it. A lot!

About the Author:

Jessica Shirvington lives in Sydney with her husband of ten years, FOXTEL presenter and former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington, and their two daughters. She has previously founded and run a coffee distribution company, Stella Imports, in London, and been involved in managing the restaurants Fuel Bistro, Tow Bar and MG Garage in Sydney.

She is currently a full-time mum, author and co-director in the company MPS Investments Pty Ltd.

Visit her author website or check out the official Embrace series website! 

Giveaway! Thanks to the generosity of Sourcebooks Fire, I'll be giving away a copy of Jessica Shirvington's Emblaze to one lucky reader!

• please fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter
• must have a US / Canada mailing address
• giveaway will end at 12:00 am on March 19, 2013
• winner will be contacted shortly afterwords 
• do not leave your email address in the comments

a Rafflecopter giveaway