Thursday, June 11, 2015

Sarai's Fortune by Abigail Owen Interview & Giveaway


Title: Sarai's Fortune
Series: Shadowcat Nation #2
Author: Abigail Owen
Publication Date: May 13, 2015
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis
Zac Montclair’s first priority is to protect his people. With the escalating war between factions of shifters over land and resources, he has agreed to an alliance between his polar bears and the Shadowcat Nation of cougar shifters. But the treaty comes with a condition…he must accept one of their Seers into his Timik and put her under his personal protection.

Sarai Bouchard doesn’t need her supernatural gift to know that Kyle Carstairs’s obsession with controlling her ability will eventually result in her misery and demise. Her power is essential to her people’s survival, so when Kyle goes rogue, she’s sent to Zac Montclair to keep her safe. However, her visions reveal that while staying will lead to their becoming lovers, it also leads to his death. Leaving Zac will result in her own.

If Sarai can’t find a way to change the future, she will be forced to choose…save her lover or save herself.



Author Bio

Award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.

Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

Interview:

Where are you from?
I grew up in Texas – in the Austin area. I’ve spent the last 10 years living in northern California, which is a bit of a switch. J

Tell us your latest news?
Lots of news to share. I just released Sarai’s Fortune (Shadowcat Nation #2). 

When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always written stories – for as long as I can remember. I won my first essay contest when I was 10 and haven’t looked back.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always considered myself a writer. I considered myself an author when I finished my first book – Blue Violet in 2007, and stepped up that opinion when I self-published it in 2012.

What inspired you to write your first book?
I don’t know why that book clicked. I’d wanted to write books for years, had started but never finished probably 20 of them. With Blue Violet, I think I finally discovered a conflict that I could sink my teeth into for an entire book. And then I feel in love with writing full length books and haven’t looked back. I’m working on my 10th!

Do you have a specific writing style?
I like to focus on my characters – who they are and how they develop. I spend a lot of time with them before writing (it’s my only “planning”), and sometimes they still surprise me as I go (I’m a pantser). I like to write dialogue in particularly – I think because I like to read it – and so you’ll see a lot of that. Although I’m starting to really enjoy the prose part too the more I write.

How did you come up with the title?
All the titles of this series are the heroine’s name and some “F” word. (No, not that one. Lol.). I try to select unusual names for my ladies, because this is paranormal romance and why not have a cool name, right? The titles so far are Hannah’s Fate (short story prequel), Andromeda’s Fall (book 1), Sarai’s Fortune (book 2), Tieryn’s Fury (book 3). The 4th and final book will be Someone’s Faith. I haven’t picked her name yet – thought I’m leaning toward Mirasol.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
That despite what background and life situation Fate gives to you, to keep trying and never give up. No matter how dark a future you can see (even if you’re a Seer), there might be something wonderful and perfect on the other side of the hard/bad part.

How much of the book is realistic?
Very little. I love pure escapism. Although, it is set in New York City and several locations mentioned are real.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Small moments – things they say or do for a second might be based on something I saw or did. But for the most part this is all from my imagination.

What books have most influenced your life most?
All those many Harlequin novels over the years. They got me hooked on the romance genre in general. But I also love many genres. Jane Austen showed how romance can be interwoven with satire and commentary on society. Jane Eyre was the first classic that truly engaged me and showed me that classics are still entertaining reads.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
At this point, there are so many. I’ve taken workshops that have directly influenced my writing methods and styles. I’ve had beta readers whose feedback has been invaluable, helping me learn. I’ve had author friends who I’ve learned an invaluable amount about the business and marketing side from. I couldn’t narrow it down to one.

What book are you reading now?
Awaiting Fate by J.L. Sheppard 

What are your current projects?
The 3rd book in the series is in my editor’s hands now and I’ll be working on the 4th and final book this summer. In the meantime, my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, contracted my four-book Svatura series which was previously self-published. I’m working on those with my editor now and looking forward to re-releasing them new and improved!

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
The people who’ve taken a chance on me. Wendy (my editor/beta reader) was the first to tell me my writing was good. Lill and Mary, my editors at The Wild Rose Press who contracted me and have been so supportive. And readers and reviewers who took the chance. Those that have become online friends have been hugely inspirational for me to continue the publishing side. I’ll never stop the writing side.


What would you like my readers to know?

I love to interact with readers. I do tons of games and giveaways across my social media and always enjoy and respond to comments. Swing on by and say hi!
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