Midnight Bloom Reads: Jessica Shirvington

Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

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Emblaze Blog Tour & Giveaway! Author Interview with Jessica Shirvington

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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!

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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

Announcement

Entice Me Day: Team Lincoln!

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As a Street Team blogger for the ENTICE ME DAY campaign, I couldn't be more excited to cheer on Lincoln today as part of the celebration for the recent release of Jessica Shirvington's Entice, the second novel in the Embrace series!

All week long, Sourcebooks Fire and other bloggers have been posting and tweeting up a storm about some of the different characters from the Embrace series... and today is Lincoln's turn to be featured!

You can read more on Lincoln's character bio (and who wouldn't want to know everything about this hot Grigori?), but hopefully what's written below is already enough to leave you swooning... All I can say is, "Team Lincoln for the win!"

Every day Violet Eden wonders whether she made the right choice.

She still doesn't fully understand these powers she's been granted as a half-angel Grigori. And worse, isn't even sure she's capable of using them. Stab someone through the heart? Really?

No matter how bad things get, though, Violet doesn't run and she doesn't quit. Even if it means she can never allow herself to love the guy she longs for. Even if it means asking her enemy for help. Even if no one is telling her the truth.

The war between Exiles and Angels is on—and she's wanted by both sides.

“People couldn’t become legendary heroes if they hadn’t first done something to combat darkness." —Lincoln

With the most breathtaking green eyes, he’s gorgeous, athletic and so hard not to fall in love with. Mr. Darcy and Bruce Wayne wrapped up in one, Lincoln is the man Violet absolutely trusts, secretly fell for—and then she learned her destiny. Now, Grigori partners, there are rules they aren’t allowed to break. But the rules can’t control feelings...

Under the Harbour Bridge at the Sydney wharves, Jessica dishes the dirt in the vlog below on the stuff you always wanted to know about this heroic warrior!

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ENTICE ME DAY will be taking place on Saturday, September 15... but don't forget to visit the official US Embrace series website where you can learn more about the series in general and check out cool extra features. You can also take a fun "favourite quote" quiz and vote on some of your favourite lines.

And if you live in the US, Sourcebooks Fire is also hosting a pretty awesome sweepstakes with prizes like a NOOK Color, free ebooks, an early excerpt of Emblaze (the third novel in the series), and more! You can find all the details on the Entice Me Day page on the Embrace series website. There's even going to be a live chat with Jessica Shirvington on ENTICE ME DAY!

And you'll definitely be wanting to keep updated about the Embrace series by following @SourcebooksFire and @EmbraceSeries on Twitter, plus "liking" the official Embrace Facebook page, for more chances to win giveaways and find out more about the books!

Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal! Entice by Jessica Shirvington

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I'm very excited to be one of several bloggers helping to reveal the US book cover for Entice, the second novel in Jessica Shirvington's Embrace series!

Release Date: September 4, 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

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Did we all just collectively gasp aloud at the amazing cover for Entice? When I first saw the cover, I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped!

Sourcebooks Fire editor, Leah Hultenschmidt provided this quote about the Entice cover: “For Entice, we really wanted to have the cover reflect the darker edge of the story and Violet’s toughness.”

Well, I think that helps sum up my feelings about this cover! The cover for Embrace is pretty, without a doubt, but the one for Entice stands out so much more against the other YA angel books with its darker edge and an older, more urban fantasy-like vibe. I absolutely love it!

Summary (from Sourcebooks):

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden is back! With a destiny to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels it becomes clear that it won’t be easy as even her partner, Lincoln, is hiding something. And now she has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori. It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and Phoenix ignites and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever. Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme with a race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles. And the ultimate betrayal will be exposed.

Want a more detailed glimpse at what's ahead for Violet in Entice? Why, of course you do!

“Two tutors and three students from the Grigori training center in New York were arriving in two days and I couldn’t be happier. I was going to be able to learn from the experts and have people my own age to train with, something I really needed. I was sure with their help I would be able to get over whatever it was that had been holding me back.

Griffin had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two senior Grigori –the intelligence, resources and backup they could provide was much needed. The Scripture that can decipher the identity of all Grigori, even those who have not yet embraced and are therefore defenseless, was at stake.

I would not stand by and watch it fall into the hands of exiles. If they found they key to destroying all Grigori and gained the upper hand, the slaughter would not stop until all the humans knelt before them, worshipping them as gods.”

I can't wait to meet the new characters and see more of the angel mythology explored! It sounds like Jessica Shirvington has definitely raised the stakes higher in Entice.

And do you want to read an excerpt from the book? You can check out the first two chapters of Entice on Sourcebooks's website! Plus, more exciting news! Jessica Shirvington will be traveling to the U.S for a two-week national book tour for Entice starting September 18. Keep an eye on www.embracetheseries.com for more details. As a Canadian reader, I sure hope she'll have an event in Toronto and not just stick to events only in the U.S!

I'd love to heard your thoughts on the cover in the comments! Do you like the direction Sourcebooks has taken by switching up the cover design to something darker for Entice?

Below, Jessica Shirvington vlogs about her favourite place to read when she's at home:

Author Interview

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

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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.

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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!