**TAG LINE**
In a world foreign to you, who can you trust?
Author: Jessica Werner
Series: Ashwood Falls (Part 1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: Mar 20 2015
Editions/Formats: eBook
Blurb/Synopsis:
Feared by the citizens of her birth town and her family, Alana spends her 18th birthday in a way she did not expect: put on a bus to a town called Ashwood Falls, after being told by her parents to never return. Soon after arrival, she learns that she has something in common with the denizens of her new home: Magic. Unable to control her powers, she seeks help in The Circle, a group formed by magic users. She begins her journey in a strange world unknown to her, completely unaware of the dangers.
Leandrus, a powerful demon, had been summoned before. But this time it was different. His powers, and the summoner, were nowhere to be found. The demon makes his way into the foreign town on his own. The problem? The soul of his human host had not been banished and keeps making his life difficult. As if that was not enough, he can sense that his 'One' is near. As he finds Alana - sweet, innocent and inexperienced - he cannot believe that an old prophecy has chosen her to destroy him. To avoid his own destruction, he has to eliminate her first.
Will he be able to ignore his heart and kill Alana? Or will he rather kill the danger threatening her, before it is too late? And how will Alana handle the vast changes to her life? Will she learn to control her powers or will she endanger everyone?
Teaser
water met the bank. It took just a few moments before
she was able to completely fade out the smell of
pollution and inhaled the salty air. The soft breeze
mingled with the swooshing and splashing of the waves,
with the rustling of grass, the tictac as long undressed
twigs of the tree met each other, composing a gentle
melody like wooden wind-chimes.
The whole concert of nature calmed her down like nothing
had ever been able to.
Author Spotlight
The ideas come from everywhere. Once I heard a melody and my mind began to thread together words that ended up being a short story. The main character of my first book, Sra'kalor, is based on a character that I played in a Role play group years ago. And then there are random ideas that float into my head, which happens all the time. I never know when it hits me.
Have you ever co-written book/books? If so was it difficult? If not would you ever consider co-writing with another author?
I have not co-written a book yet, but I have been part of multi-author groups like Roleplays in which every writer poses as one character and develop a story together. It can be challenging, since everyone has a different style. But it also has room for surprises, plot twists that one did not expect, and a lot of fun. I am not actively seeking to co-write for a book, but if the other author and me click, I do not exclude the possibility.
Where do you get your character names from?
Mostly they pop into my mind. Other times I am checking websites with baby names, to base the name on a certain meaning that fits to their story. It can also happen that I hear a name somewhere, that I like so much, that I just have to put it into a story.
What type of research goes into your writing?
All kinds of research actually. I can get lost into hours and hours of researching things that I might find important, but in the end are only a small detail for the reader. I just love those details. For example Leandrus, in Sra'kalor, is an old demon who has been cut off the world for a long time. I have spent some time researching to make sure that the objects and developments in the world he has missed are accurate. I also used made up locations in my stories, so I am doing some research that the name of the place is not a real location. Depending on interests of my characters, their hobbies, professions and so on, I do research to not write complete nonsense.
I do not only research when it comes to the story. Since I am not native English, I often have to research idioms, every day speech, grammar and so on. While I prefer to think, speak and write in English, every now and then I use German expressions, which I have directly translated and that would not make sense to anyone but me.
Are your family and friends supportive of your writing?
Yes, very much. Most of my friends are creative, and we do support each other. Some of them have read parts of Sra'kalor, while I still wrote it, and gave their honest feedback. Others I know from the mentioned multi-writer groups, where we wrote stories together. They all have been quite excited to hear, that I published my first book. My family is quite supportive as well, though they are not reading my book. Not that they do not want to, but they are not fluent enough in English to actually understand it. I might, at some point write a German version of it just for them; but before thinking about that I want to finish the series. My partner is the one most involved into my writing. He has been the first reading the book and he is helping me out with suggestions for better writing, grammar and spelling mistakes and points out plots holes, so I can correct them. All together I am really lucky to be able to write with such a supportive environment.
Do you remember when your interest in writing came about?
The first thing I wrote was when I was 8. I remember that it was a story about a young boy dreaming of a melody from a music box. One day he heard it, while he was awake and followed it, and he found a girl dancing to the music in a dance studio; just like the ballerina on the music box. Sadly I do not recall how it continued or if I wrote more of the story. But since then I have been writing and reading all the time.
Other than writing what are your interest?
Most of what I like to do is creative. I work with Poser, which I also used for the cover from Sra'kalor, and Photoshop. I am creating content for a virtual world called Second Life, I love to tinker and play my guitar, and not to forget I am a huge geek and love watching my TV-Shows, Role play or play video games with friends. But most of my time goes into writing.
Did you learn anything from writing your books, if so what was it?
The biggest thing that I have learned is that I can do it. In all these years I have always thought that I wanted to write a book. I had started many times, but at some point stopped, or turned it into a short story. While writing Sra'kalor I have learned that being stuck happens to everyone and how to overcome my writer's block. I also learned that deleting parts of the story, that I get stuck on, is not a bad thing, but can actually help to go on. I am less afraid of rewrites and drastic changes now. Last but not least it has shown me over and over again, how much I love writing and that I will never stop.
What are your current WIP? Can you share with us?
I have three WIPs right now. Highest priority lies with writing the second part of the Ashwood Falls Trilogy of course, which has the title Laochra na Scáth (Shadow Warrior), so my readers won't have to wait too long to see how the story around Alana and Leandrus evolves.
One of the other projects is a twist on a fairy tale, showing a well known story, from the view of one of the villains of the story. I won't reveal the twist, though, you will have to read it to find out what makes it special.
And the last WIP is a sweet romantic story, based on an idea I had when I was a teenager. It might end up different than I have thought back then, but the base idea had come back to me over and over, so I will just have to write it.
Faves
Food Meat. Seriously, keep your side dishes, just give me the meat.
Color
Dark Forest Green, Purple, Garnet Red
Quote
"There is no shame in falling down, the shame is in not getting back up. "
My father said that to me all the time when I was young, and even though I know it is a Chinese proverb, for me it is a quote of my dad.
Movie
I love too many movies to actually choose one as a favourite. It depends a lot on my mood and situation, what kind of movie I would watch or what I like. Though I think that Romantic Comedies, Science Fiction (especially the Star Trek movies before JJ), animated movies and all kinds of Disney (old, new, animated, drawn, real world) and Pixar belong to my favourites.
Music
Same as with movies, I like all kinds of music. Even in genres that usually are not my taste have single songs in it that I enjoy. Like we say here, I like it colourful in my garden.
This or That
Day or Night Night
Rain or Snow
Snow
Facebook or Twitter
Mac or PC
PC
Coffee or Tea
Tea
Book Spotlight
Where did the inspiration for this story come from? What is the story behind the story so to speak?
I have been a roleplayer for over 20 years, I'm giving away my age, am I? A while ago I joined an online Role play in a dark urban setting, and I made a young character, unable to control magical powers she had suddenly gained. Alana, the female main character, is based on that character and ideas I had for her story. It is a pleasure to see her come more and more to life, far more than I had been able within the Role play.
Tell us about the book cover. How does it represent your book? How did you choose the artwork?
I actually made the cover myself in Poser and Photoshop. It represents the main characters, the way Alana is not in control of her magic, and Leandrus' conflict of protecting and at the same time wanting to stop her. Just like with many things I do creatively, it just came to me, while playing around in Poser to create the cover.
Where can readers find out more about you and your work?
They can find out more on my blog, where I try to keep my readers up to date with my projects and post the one or other teaser and interesting things about writing in general, or that I have personally experienced. I also created a newsletter, so feel free to subscribe (the link is on my blog) to get updates into your mail - no worries I'm not a spammer.
https://jessicasjourneyofwords.wordpress.com
Jessica lives in Germany with the love of her life, Michael, and spends most of her time in one of various creative activities, reading or geeking out over her favourite shows, virtual worlds or games.
Places to find Jessica
Places to find Sra'kalor
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I would love to hear your thoughts. :) HAPPY READING !!!!