Below is the schedule for this week's Sacrifice Blog Tour!

Links will be updated daily!


Friday August 30th Trip the Eclipse Blog- Review, Excerpt from Sacrifice, and Giveaway!

Saturday August 31st A Life Among the Pages Blog- Review of Sacrifice!

Sunday September 1st J. Scott Sharp Blog-  Q+A with author Jessica Fortunato!

Monday September 2nd
The Man Behind The Curtain Blog- Q+A with main character Olexander!

Tuesday September 3rd  Adventures Of A Wandering Mind Blog-Q+A with new character Ian Keane!


Wednesday September 4th Sarcasm And Lemons- Waiting on Wednesday

Thursday September 5th Creative Difference Blog- More info about yours truly!

Friday September 6th Kayleigh’s Spot Blog- The Meaning behind the Castus Crest!


Also, August 30th-September 3rd You can pick up the novella in The Sin Collector Series, Thomas, FREE!!
 
The Sin Collector: Sacrifice will be available for purchase tonight at midnight!

What better way to amp up the excitement than to tease you with ten pictures that relate to the story...with no description whatsoever!
 
Music heavily influences my writing. It helps to set the mood for scenes that can be difficult to write.  However, I've found that in each of my books, there has been one song that was played to DEATH.  So much so in fact that I've been forced into headphones!
The song most played during the writing of Sacrifice was a collaboration between Liz Lawrence and Allman Brown titled Sons and Daughters.  Below is the song as well as the lyrics. 
I hope it gives you another sneak peak into the soul of Sacrifice!
And I
Will hold you tight
Like the moon
In the arms of the sky
And I
Will keep you warm
I will build a fire
In this house

And I’ll build a fire
You fetch the water
And I’ll lay the table
And in our hearts
We still pray for
Sons and Daughters
And all those evenings
Out in the garden
Red, Red wine
It’s quiet hours
Turning to years

And I
I’ll wrap myself
Round your heart
I’ll be the walls of his heart
And I
I’ll keep a light on
To call
You back home

And I’ll build a fire
You fetch the water
And I’ll lay the table
And in our hearts
We still pray for
Sons and Daughters
And all those evenings
Out in the garden
Red, Red wine
It’s quiet hours
Turning to years

It’s all to come
For now we’re still young
We’re just building our kingdom
But it’s all to come

And I’ll build a fire
You fetch the water
And I’ll lay the table
And in our hearts
We still pray for
Sons and Daughters
And all those evenings
Out in the garden
Red, Red wine
It’s quiet hours
Turning to years

It’s all to come
For now we’re still young

Click Here to listen to the song most played during The Sin Collector

Click Here to listen to the song most played during Thomas
 
        Right now, I have the privilege of knowing a brilliant and awesome ten-year-old girl.  Currently buried between the desire to model and be a fashion designer, she would like to write.  She asked me recently, “Will you give me writing lessons?”  She was willing to pay a hefty five dollars per lesson.  Granted at this point…I could use the income.  However, as I told her I’d be more than happy to critique her work (free of charge) I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Jess…how the hell DO you teach someone to write?”

        I sincerely have no idea how I manage any of this.  You may be a naturally gifted author, but I’m not sure if I’d lump myself in that category.  I never went to school for writing (as I’m sure many of my editors will attest to.)  However, here are a few things I’ve observed on this winding road of witticisms and prose. I may be wrong, I may be clueless, but for me it works.

        First, you must try.  That is lesson number one.  It seems the easiest task, but I assure you it isn’t.  To face a blank piece of paper can sometimes feel like facing a firing squad.  Yet it has to happen, before you can find out where your gifts lie you must pursue them.  You may fail, you may not, but you must TRY.

        Lesson number two: when you’re not writing, read something.  No, it doesn’t have to be an American Classic.  Read what makes you happy or intrigued or knowledgeable about the world (even if your greatest wish is to escape it.)

        Lesson number three: and this one is a toughie.  When you feel your soul has purged upon the page a story of value and importance you must share it.  Some people will pat your head and say it’s lovely.  Some people will hate it with a passion you can’t quite understand.  You must search for the person who takes you by the hand and says, “I like certain things, and dislike other’s…do you want to know why?”  They aren’t placating you or tearing you down, in fact those people are the nutrients that will help you grow.

        Lesson four: fall in love with your story, whether it is about purple people eaters, a group of friends living in Chicago, or a narrative about your childhood.  Love your words and believe in what you have to say.  If you don’t believe in it 100%, how can you expect others to?  Anyone with a computer can string together some words.  I’d advise you to always dream bigger.  Create a story, a legacy that will far outlive you, and perhaps even the world you currently know.

        No one can teach you to write.  Like no one can take an afternoon and teach you ballet or how to make the perfect soufflé.  In all instances, things will likely fall on the first try.  You will sit amongst the heap of your dream and doubt everything you’ve done.  You’ll wonder why you picked up the pen at all.

        On those days, pick up a book instead.  Remember being young and feeling as though you could run your hand through Aslan’s mane.  The summertime days you spent reading under a tree.  The nights you spoke to the moon, and you swear it spoke back.

        Remember the enchantment that can be found in a book.  Relish it, take a deep breath, and pick your pencil back up.  Create magic for the next generation.

        We owe it to them.

 
Can you believe that in
You will be holding your very own copy of TSC: Sacrifice?!

Picture
Until then, take this new quiz and share your results on Facebook and Twitter or even in the comments below!

Which New Character From

TSC: Sacrifice Are You?

You can also find 5 other Sin Collector Quizzes by clicking HERE
Sacrifice is Coming!  Get Collected.
 
Today I was fortunate enough to lure S.M. Boyce, the author of the national best-selling The Grimoire Saga, out of her visionary land of Ourea.  Once here, she was kind enough to answer 15 questions about herself, her books, and give spoilers!

(Find the complete Cover Reveal of The Grimoire Saga below!)


1.    Would you rather be a Hobbit, a Mother of Dragons, or a Wizard?

    That’s tough. Can I be a Mother of Dragons wizard? No? I think I’ll go with wizard, then. Mother of Dragons comes with a hefty level of responsibility, and I much prefer to wave around a wand and make the bed with magic. I’m easy to please.

2.    If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what book would it be and why?

    Can we stretch this into a series? If so, The Lord of the Rings trilogy. There’s so much to it that I could read it a thousand times and probably still catch things that are different.

3.    If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

     I think Jennifer Lawrence, since we look vaguely similar and her interview persona is hilarious. She seems both fun and hardworking, so I like to think she would do a great job as me.

 
4.    Do you have a guilty pleasure?

      Ghost hunting shows. I love them and usually get drunk while I listen for EVPs in the static. So fun.

 
5.    Has a person in your real life ever strongly inspired a character?

      My husband is my content editor, so he helps me mould many of my characters. In fact, one of my favorite characters—Stone from the Grimoire Saga—was pretty much created by my hubby. His tone and personality are nothing like my husband, but I could swear Geoff channeled Stone during our editing sessions. He always seemed to know the perfect dialogue. It’s fantastic to have my husband on my team like that!


6.    If the Grimoire Saga was made into a movie, who would you want to play Kara?

      You mean when, right? Because it’s going to happen! Someday. Hopefully by Peter Jackson.

As for Kara’s actress, I would really like Emma Stone. I love her work, and she seems like the perfect fit for Kara’s character. In fact, I think a Goodreads reviewer actually cast Emma as her ideal Kara. So how cool is that?


7.    Do you prefer writing heroes or villains?

     Villains! They walk the line of morality, and half the time can rationalize their cruelties and schemes in a way that make you love to hate them. I really enjoy exploring the morally corrupt characters.

 
8.    What do you think makes a good story?

    Relatable conflict that makes you connect with the characters. A story begins on the day something changes. Of course, characters, world building, and plot are all important as well, but I think relatable conflict is the core driving force of any spectacular story.

9.    Have you ever considered writing a story from a completely different genre?  If so what genre?

    Yes, actually! I have a dystopian sci-fi with biological warfare undertones in the works. It will probably come out in a few years, after the Grimoire Saga is done. I make it a point of honor to learn something new from every book, and that book will be an experiment in treading outside my comfort zone with my novels.

10.    What was your favorite childhood story?

    Not sure if this counts, but The Magic School Bus. I loved exploring science with Miss Frizzle and the class, since they always went on these impossibly magical adventures. Actually, I think that’s what I liked best—the blend of magic and science.

11.    What has been the best part of being a writer?

    I’m going to sound like a total sap, but it’s a tie between watching a novel come to life and interacting with fans. Writing is a journey, but I don’t want to do it alone. I love to share my stories with readers, and it’s an unmatched thrill to see someone else enjoying my story enough to tell me they liked it.

12.    If the world was ending in 24 hours, what is the one thing you’d wish you’d done?

    Damn, that’s depressing. Um… I live in the now, and I’m a very happy person. I’m fulfilled and blessed in so many ways that I know I’ve lived (and will continue to live) a very full, peaceful life. But if I had to choose something, I would wish I’d slowed down a bit more. Watched more butterflies or studied flowers. Sat back on the grass and watched the clouds. Life blurs by if you aren’t careful—you have to make time to appreciate what’s there, or you won’t ever get the chance.

13.  What’s your favorite holiday?

    My anniversary. Hey, that counts! And yes, I’m gooey. I love my husband. He’s my soul mate.

14.  Do you have a piece of jewelry you never, ever take off? (aside from wedding rings)

    Before I finished Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1), I gave myself a present: a Grimoire pendant from the series. I wear it all the time as a reminder that I can absolutely do whatever I want in life. It’s an empowerment symbol, and it makes me proud every time I see it because I did something incredible: I achieved a lifelong dream and published a book. And I’ve continued publishing!

15.  Just give us one teeny tiny spoiler from your upcoming novel, Heritage.

    Hmmm… Someone mentioned in book one as an evil murderer is revealed to have a softer side—and when we look into their past, Kara realizes she’s more like them than she feels comfortable admitting.

How’s that?

Thanks for having me! This was really fun!



Briefly after this interview concluded, Ms. Boyce jumped back through  a Lichgate and should emerge again in the Fall!

Check out her work below!
 
Fantasy & paranormal novelist S. M. Boyce is releasing brand new covers for her YA Fantasy series, the Grimoire Saga. And man, are they visually stunning. Take a look!  
Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1) Treason (Grimoire Saga #2) Heritage (Grimoire Saga #3) Illusion (Grimoire Saga #4)
 

Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1)

Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1) Fans of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Eragon will enjoy this contemporary remix of the classic epic fantasy genre

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Kara Magari is about to discover a beautiful world full of terrifying things—Ourea. Kara, a college student still reeling from her mother’s recent death, has no idea the hidden world of Ourea even exists until a freak storm traps her in a sunken library. With no way out, she opens an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire and unwittingly becomes its master, which means Kara now wields the cursed book’s untamed power. Discovered by Ourea's royalty, she becomes an unwilling pawn in a generations-old conflict—a war intensified by her arrival. In this world of chilling creatures and betrayal, Kara shouldn’t trust anyone… but she’s being hunted and can’t survive on her own. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn’t know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing. For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this human girl, there is something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire. Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.

Grab your FREE copy

Amazon: USA | UK | Germany | France | Spain | Italy | Buy the Paperback

Kobo | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Add to Goodreads | Watch the Trailer

 

Treason (Grimoire Saga #2)

Treason (Grimoire Saga #2)

Kara Magari ignited a war when she stumbled into Ourea and found the Grimoire: a powerful artifact filled with secrets. To protect the one person she has left, she strikes a deal that goes against everything she believes in. But things don’t go as planned.

Braeden Drakonin can no longer run from who—and what—he is. He has to face the facts. He’s a prince. He’s a murderer. He’s a wanted man. And after a betrayal that leaves him heartbroken, he’s out for blood. To survive, both Kara and Braeden must become the evil each has grown to hate.  

Grab Your Copy

Amazon: USA | UK | Germany | France | Spain | Italy | Buy the Paperback

Kobo | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Add to Goodreads

 

Heritage (Grimoire Saga #3)

Heritage (Grimoire Saga #3)

Available Fall 2013

In 2013, the saga continues with Heritage. Kara is forced to face a past she never knew existed, and Braeden must prove his loyalty to the brother who still wants him dead. (Set to release in Fall 2013.)

Bookmark Now

Add to Goodreads

 

Illusion (Grimoire Saga #4)

Illusion (Grimoire Saga #4)

Available Fall 2014

In 2014, the Grimoire Saga ends with Illusion. Blood is spilled. Love is tested. Loyalty fades. Peace will come at a hefty cost. And in the final moments of the war, both Braeden and Kara must make a heartbreaking sacrifice to win. (Set to release in Fall 2014.)

Bookmark Now

Add to Goodreads