I have been gearing up for this tour from Nurture Virtual Book Tourz...the book sounds great, the cover is amazing, the author is as Southern as they come (which is definitely a good thing!) The paranormal genre is definitely hitting a chord with readers, so this book comes at the perfect time. And while I am normally into more realistic fiction and historical fiction, this was a welcome departure from my norm!Book Summary:
When Fate tempts you, accept it and adapt. Or die.
The Niteclif Evolutions, Book 1
Looking back on the wish she made on Midsummer’s Eve, Maddy Niteclif should have been more specific. She only wanted to escape the shadowy nightmares that plagued her nights, not to be thrust into a completely altered reality.
If a strangely familiar, sexy dragon-shifter named Bahlin, who causes a never-to-be-mentioned-again fainting spell, isn’t enough to make her question her sanity, his insistence she’s the Niteclif ought to do the job. Prophesied super-sleuth of the supernatural world—a world that desperately needs her help—isn’t a job she’s remotely qualified for no matter what her family tree says.
Catapulted into a very different London ruled by dark mythology, mystery and murder, Maddy makes a few startling discoveries. Paranormal creatures exist. Getting shot really sucks. And her body responds remarkably well to dragon magic—in more ways than simple wound healing.
But in this kill-or-be-killed world, reality bites. And Maddy must choose to go back to what she knows…or stay and fight for the man she knows she can’t live without.
Warning: This book contains a shape-shifting dragon with a Scottish accent, modern and archaic weapons, global inter-species politics that make democracy seem mild, some sexual content, a severed head, murder, and…oh yeah…a woman caught in the middle of it all.
About the Author:
Denise Tompkins lives in the heart of the South where the neighbors still know your name, all food forms are considered fry-able and bugs die only to be reincarnated in aggressive, blood-craving triplicate. Thrilled to finally live somewhere that can boast 3 ½ seasons (winter’s only noticeable because the trees are naked), her favorite season is definitely fall. It’s the time of year when the gardens are just about to pass into winter’s brief silence, and the leaves are out to prove that nature is the most brilliant artist of all.
A life-long voracious reader, Denise has three favorite authors. Why three? Because favorite authors are lik
e chips: a person can’t have just one. Her little house was so overrun with books last year that her darling husband bought her an e-reader out of self-preservation. He was (legitimately) afraid she might begin throwing out pots and pans to make room for more books, and he didn’t want to starve.Along with reading, Denise loves travel, is obsessed with the British Isles, practices photography, enjoys cooking and looks forward to Christmas as an excuse to bake.
Her debut novel, Legacy, is the first book in The Niteclif Evolutions and will be available in both e-book and print from Samhain Publishing.
Visit Denise Tompkins Website HERE
Find Denise on Twitter HERE
Find Denise on Twitter HERE
Author Interview:
1. Describe what it’s like to be an author in three words.
Exhilarating, challenging, rewarding
2. What is your favorite genre of literature?
Urban fantasy with strong elements of paranormal romance
3. At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
When other kids wanted to be doctors or firemen or ballerinas, I knew I wanted to write stories. My mom tells this story about the first story I ever wrote. I was six. So I’ve known for a long time.
4. What would you consider to be the best book you have ever read?
Great question! I have to say that Diana Gabaldon’s very first novel, Outlander, was the book that brought me back to wanting to write twenty years ago. It moved me so very much. Her gift with language can’t be reproduced, and her ability to weave a tale that grabs you and won’t let go is truly remarkable.
5. What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
First and foremost, writers must retain an active, working sense of humor. Laughing at the frustrations that drive others to drink and smoke is healthy, not to mention cheaper. Good judgment skills are critical. Knowing when to set a frustrating problem aside and leave it to ruminate has saved me many a grey hair. And understanding that reaching out and asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, will help you when it feels like even the fictional world has turned against you.
6. What message, thoughts, or ideas do you want readers to take away from Legacy: The Niteclifs Evolution?
The main theme that runs through this entire series is free will versus destiny. Which one of these truly rules our lives and, ultimately, the universe? Are we pawns in a greater game, or are we the king/queen of our own chessboard?
I’d also love it if they took away a sense of fair play and open mindedness. Nothing is what it seems in this world that Maddy has been dumped into, and so the reader will find throughout the series that there are preconceived ideas they have to set aside and difficult ideas they have to be willing to explore in order to answer the ultimate question.
7. Any sneak peeks at what is upcoming from you?
I’ve just finished the first book in a new series. The working title of the book is Raising Cain, and the working series name is The Key Guardians. It’s a wonderful urban fantasy about a woman who is The Key, the one creature capable of opening the gates to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, thus setting about the end of the world. Both Heaven and Hell want to control her, and the fight’s about to turn nasty.
8. What is it that you like to do when you’re not reading/writing?
I absolutely love to travel. I also love photography. I paid for part of my college with some freelance photography as well as studio work, and the walls of my home are decorated with pictures from trips I’ve taken. I also love to bake. My favorite part of winter is the holidays that give me an excuse to bake like mad. Oh! And I love to garden. I have a small cottage garden in my front yard. It’s a point of pride for me.
9. How do you react to a bad review of your book?
Well, to be honest, I haven’t had one yet. But I’d like to think I’ll be gracious about it. As much as I’d like for everyone to love my work, it’s not a realistic expectation. So when it happens, and it will, I hope I’ll be able to thank the reviewer for reading the book and giving it a shot. Then I’ll probably go crawl in the corner with an ice cream cookie sandwich and console myself.
10. Are the names of the characters in your novels important? How and why?
The heroine, Maddy, was named for the significance of her name in old Welsh. It’s clearly defined in the book, so I won’t give that away if that’s alright. The men in the book are all names I either picked or made up because I liked them for the characters they represent. But none of the names hold special meaning.
1. Describe what it’s like to be an author in three words.
Exhilarating, challenging, rewarding
2. What is your favorite genre of literature?
Urban fantasy with strong elements of paranormal romance
3. At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
When other kids wanted to be doctors or firemen or ballerinas, I knew I wanted to write stories. My mom tells this story about the first story I ever wrote. I was six. So I’ve known for a long time.
4. What would you consider to be the best book you have ever read?
Great question! I have to say that Diana Gabaldon’s very first novel, Outlander, was the book that brought me back to wanting to write twenty years ago. It moved me so very much. Her gift with language can’t be reproduced, and her ability to weave a tale that grabs you and won’t let go is truly remarkable.
5. What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
First and foremost, writers must retain an active, working sense of humor. Laughing at the frustrations that drive others to drink and smoke is healthy, not to mention cheaper. Good judgment skills are critical. Knowing when to set a frustrating problem aside and leave it to ruminate has saved me many a grey hair. And understanding that reaching out and asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, will help you when it feels like even the fictional world has turned against you.
6. What message, thoughts, or ideas do you want readers to take away from Legacy: The Niteclifs Evolution?
The main theme that runs through this entire series is free will versus destiny. Which one of these truly rules our lives and, ultimately, the universe? Are we pawns in a greater game, or are we the king/queen of our own chessboard?
I’d also love it if they took away a sense of fair play and open mindedness. Nothing is what it seems in this world that Maddy has been dumped into, and so the reader will find throughout the series that there are preconceived ideas they have to set aside and difficult ideas they have to be willing to explore in order to answer the ultimate question.
7. Any sneak peeks at what is upcoming from you?
I’ve just finished the first book in a new series. The working title of the book is Raising Cain, and the working series name is The Key Guardians. It’s a wonderful urban fantasy about a woman who is The Key, the one creature capable of opening the gates to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, thus setting about the end of the world. Both Heaven and Hell want to control her, and the fight’s about to turn nasty.
8. What is it that you like to do when you’re not reading/writing?
I absolutely love to travel. I also love photography. I paid for part of my college with some freelance photography as well as studio work, and the walls of my home are decorated with pictures from trips I’ve taken. I also love to bake. My favorite part of winter is the holidays that give me an excuse to bake like mad. Oh! And I love to garden. I have a small cottage garden in my front yard. It’s a point of pride for me.
9. How do you react to a bad review of your book?
Well, to be honest, I haven’t had one yet. But I’d like to think I’ll be gracious about it. As much as I’d like for everyone to love my work, it’s not a realistic expectation. So when it happens, and it will, I hope I’ll be able to thank the reviewer for reading the book and giving it a shot. Then I’ll probably go crawl in the corner with an ice cream cookie sandwich and console myself.
10. Are the names of the characters in your novels important? How and why?
The heroine, Maddy, was named for the significance of her name in old Welsh. It’s clearly defined in the book, so I won’t give that away if that’s alright. The men in the book are all names I either picked or made up because I liked them for the characters they represent. But none of the names hold special meaning.
Great interview, the book sounds interesting. I love to travel as well and since my passion is scuba diving I get to do it alot. I take underswater pictures so we sound like we are like souls.
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview.....May you always have other better reasons for enjoying an ice cream sandwich than as consolation for a negative review....You have an awesome attitude...however! Best regards and keep those stories coming!! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful Interview! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, loves to read! I am a total travel junkie. If I ever win the lottery, it's all I'll do. In the meantime, I write about places and take pictures on trips. It's a good reminder that there are places left to see and adventures to have. Thanks for the comment!
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie! Thank you for the comment. I've found that I enjoy ice cream sandwiches now for a variety of reasons...too *many* reasons. :) It's become an addiction. And thanks for the comment on attitude. I'm a firm believer that you are responsible for painting the lining on your silver cloud, so each day I pick up my paintbrush and get to work.
Hi Jaidis. Thanks for the nice comment. I'm really enjoying the tour!
All my best to three lovely readers,
Denise