SWB: Get Personal with Natalie Wright, author of Emily's Trial #review, #giveaway, #fantasy

Emily’s Trial (Akasha Chronicles #2)

by Natalie Wright

Publisher:  Boadicea Press
Published:  October 3, 2012
Length:  204 pages
Genre:  Paranormal Fantasy/Romance

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 Book Summary:

Two years ago, Emily’s journey began. She learned the ancient magic of her Celtic ancestors,and became a modern Celtic Priestess. The golden torc, forged by faerie hands, is still wound around her arm, fused to her soul. She was entrusted with powerful magic – secret knowledge.

But even a Priestess can feel desire – temptation – and the quest for love. Will passion entice Emily to use her sacred magic in a forbidden way?  Can new love take root in a world of nightmares? And will her friendships survive Emily’s Trial?

The Journey Continues . . .

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Excerpt:

The Apocalypse didn't start with four horsemen, harbingers of the horror to come. It didn't start with a plague, or pestilence, or even zombies rising from the dead.

It came slowly, and without warning. It crept up on people in the shadows, no more than a vague darkness that spread like an unseen cancer.

And it wasn't set into action by a divine hand. A teenage girl was the catalyst for the End Times.

I should know. I'm the one that started it.

I didn't plan to. I didn't want to start the End Times, and I'm not evil.

Madame Wong taught me to tell the truth, and so here it is. I'm the one responsible for the Apocalypse. And this is the story of how I unwittingly unlocked the door to the darkness; of how a Priestess of the Order of Brighid, entrusted with powerful magic that was supposed to be used for the benefit of all humankind, unleashed a force that would destroy it instead.

And it all began with desire.

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 AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Natalie is the author of The Akasha Chronicles, a young adult fantasy trilogy. When not writing, blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding or eating chocolate, Natalie nurtures her young daughter, feeds her dog too many treats, and can’t resist watching Ancient Aliens, no matter how absurd the show becomes.

Natalie enjoys travel, good wine, and excellent food shared with family and friends. She was raised an Ohio farm girl, now lives in the desert Southwest, and dreams of living in a high rise in a big city.

“Books are my friends, ideas my passion.”

Natalie enjoys chatting with readers, so stop by and say hi:

Natalie Wright's YA Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  YouTube  |  Wattpad  |  Pinterest

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Getting Personal with Author Natalie Wright:

My favorite environment to write in is my home office. Here’s a picture of it:

I have to have tunes, good light, and my MacBook Pro. It’s so easy on my laptop to write and then research things as needed. I LOVE my MacBook <3

You’ll see my Moleskin notebook there too. More and more I find myself penning first drafts of scenes with my Dr. Grip pen on the Moleskin paper. There’s something about the action of writing it out by hand that seems to produce more creative stuff. With headphones on and the music filling my ears, I can write anywhere. But I enjoy my office best for writing.

Oh, and you can’t see her, but my elderly dog Molly is always sleeping nearby on her bed. Furry loves make the day better :)

Let's see, about my current release... Emily’s Trial, Book 2 of the Akasha Chronicles, is a young adult paranormal fantasy with a touch of romance. In Book 1, Emily’s House, fourteen-year-old Emily Adams learned of her ancient Celtic heritage and had to hero up and kick some butt. In Emily’s Trial, Emily is now sixteen and thirsting for love. She has her eye on hotty Owen Breen. Actor Ian Somerhalder is my inspiration for Owen.

Is he smoldering enough to tempt Emily to do things she knows she shouldn’t do? You’ll have to read Emily’s Trial to see what’s in store for Emily and Owen.

Most scenes in my books are purely from imagination. Though at times I wish I could go to another dimension (hopefully one with unlimited chocolate and where ice cream has no calories!), I have not actually gone through an inter-dimensional portal.

But in Emily’s Trial, there are some opening scenes grounded in our real world. And one scene in particular, at a party, I pulled heavily from my experiences in late high school, college and law school when I frequented parties. Some of the people and images are pulled straight from real experience. Hint: The girls dancing on the coffee table and what they do with each other – real ;-)

The best part of writing this book....It was all fun! I had a blast with this book. But my favorite? I know this is going to sound weird, but I enjoyed writing a scene toward the end where it looks like all hope is lost. Emily is in a really tough situation, seemingly without escape. And here I’ll reveal a secret: This scene captures what is probably my worst fear. She’s completely defenseless and about to lose what, for me, is essential to continued existence. She’ll then be left absolutely vulnerable to whatever the stooges hanging out in that scene want to do to her. It was not a ‘fun’ scene to write, but I had to allow myself to ‘go there,’ and that always feels good – afterward!

Emily’s Trial is part of the series The Akasha Chronicles. All three books are filled with action and adventure. But each book has a different theme that I explore through Emily.

Emily’s House is about finding ‘self.’ The title is both literal – Emily’s actual house is a frequent ‘set’ in the story – but it’s also metaphorical. The ‘inner house.’ Emily emerges from Book 1 a hero – and armed with a magic dagger, the powerful golden torc on her arm, and filled with ancient magic and wisdom.

But anyone who has ever learned a life lesson probably knows that in time, we can ‘unlearn’ the lesson. We go to church or temple and feel moved by the spirit, but just a few days later perhaps succumb to a temptation or find ourselves bowled over with despair or fear. We go to a yoga class and breathe and stretch and feel wonderful from our head to our toes and inside and out, but then find ourselves with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in our hand, spoon digging in, drowning sorrow with the silken yumminess only dairy can provide.

Emily is a real girl living in the real world. That means that although she learned a lot in Book 1, she’s not a saint. She’s coming of age and her hormones rage. She wants a guy to hold her and kiss her softly on the lips. And she yearns for acceptance. Emily’s Trial is about temptation, desire and fear – about life’s ‘trials’.

In Book 3, Emily’s Heart, Emily finds herself in a hell of a pickle! I can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil the surprises in Emily’s Trial. But let’s just say she’s got a lot to take care of in Book 3! But the book’s theme will be heart. Again, there’s double meaning. There is the heart of love – passion, romantic love. But there’s also the heart of compassion. Emily will have to learn what it is to walk through the world being fully in touch with her heart if she is to set things right in Emily’s Heart.

The Akasha Chronicles is my own exploration of these themes. They say, “Teach what you need to learn.” I write what I want to know.

 

Do I have any new authors who have caught my attention?  I recently read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and I LOVE her! I thought about that book for weeks after reading it. I love the way Flynn weaves observations about male/female relationships into the story. Gone Girl is not Flynn’s first book (it’s her third), but she’s a new author to me. I’ll definitely be reading more Gillian Flynn – after I write my next novel, Emily’s House. Can’t read another author while writing – don’t want to have it cross-pollinate in my head!

My favorite quote?  “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

If I could be any paranormal being, which would it be?  A faerie. I’d have magic and be able to fly. :) What could be better?

As for your random question about bugs...In my house, we’ve been known to rescue spiders, crickets and such and have a “critter relocation” program. BUT, if I see a scorpion or a roach, I LOSE MY DAMN MIND! I’m sorry to say, but it’s true, I will kill such pests until their super dead.

 

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My Review:

In the second book in the series, Emily has grown and matured by a couple of years.  She is now a High Priestess and has really come into her powers.  Turns out that is a very good thing as she crosses the portal into a really dark and evil world where she needs everything she has to fight against the danger and negativity there.  

 

The Good:  I have now read both Emily's House and Emily's Trial and must say that while I liked them both, the second book is much, much better.  The plot is sharper, the characters are again a highlight of this book and the plot has more depth.  The detail Natalie uses is exquisite.  Each of the negative thoughts and fears felt by Emily and her friends while in this world actually come true and they really live them.  They really are quite scary at times...the stuff of our nightmares.

The Bad:  A Huge Cliffhanger?  Really?  I know it will be handled in Book 3 but I like a little more closure than I got here.

The Snuggly:  Owen was introduced here in Book 2 along with Emily feeling and having to deal with desire, love, temptation and passion.   Emily and Owen are romantically involved through the book but rarely alone and they don't get past the kissing and hand-holding stage.  It is all quite clean...well, except for the dirt...;)

The Rest:  This is a very well written and enjoyable book.  It has humorous, romantic, terror-filled and suspenseful moments that all serve to keep you on the edge of your seat. While very appealing to younger teens,  this book will be thoroughly enjoyed by all lovers of Magick, Sprites and Fae.   5 Stars and 0 Flames.

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Giveaway:

Natalie will award an autographed copy of "Emily's House", a handmade Celtic-inspired armlet, similar to one worn by Emily in the books and book swag to one randomly drawn commenter (US only -- an eBook of "Emily's House" will be substituted as the prize for an international winner).

Be sure to follow the tour and comment because the more you comment, the better your chances of winning!

Love ‘n Books,  

Alyson

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of GoddessFish  Although GoddessFish received payment, I participated in this tour in exchange for a copy of the book. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising*

You can follow the tour here.