Friday, April 5, 2013

Author Spotlight for Stacey Rourke

I am so excited to have Stacey as the spotlight author today. I have heard such great things about her books and I have been wanting to read them for awhile. So when Stacey agreed to be on my blog and let me interview her I jumped at the chance. So let's get started with getting to know more about Stacey and her books. Oh and Stacey has offered up some ebooks for you all to try and win. 

Stacey Rourke is the author of the Gryphon Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects.

Stalker Links:


All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.


While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.



"Okay, little side note here. If a psychopathic killer asks if you want to see a trick, say no. That’s the smart thing to do. I, on the other hand, responded, 'Bring it'."
-excerpt from THE CONDUIT


Teaser:

“Wow.” Gabe’s eyes widened in mock awe. “You must really feel like crap right now.”
“Yes. Yes I do. Can we go now, please?” As much as I wished he would leave this alone, I knew he wouldn’t.
“Sure.” A smile played at the corners of his lips, as he motioned for me to lead the way. We made it all of fifteen paces before he started in. “I mean, you just made an angel cry. I can’t say for sure that you’ll go to hell for that kind of thing, but it doesn’t look good.”
“Shut up, Gabe. And she’s not really an angel.”
“Keep telling yourself that. I’m sure you’ll find it very reassuring while you’re burning in the eternal hell fires, right next to the puppy kickers.”
I muttered a few expletives under my breath, but kept walking.
Gabe matched me stride for stride. “I gotta ask, Cee, is it out of your system now? Or do you need to track down good ole’ Saint Nick and kick him in the crotch?”
“Leave her alone, Gabe.” Kendall said as she trailed us. “She’s got a lot on her mind right now!”
“Thank you, Kendall.”
“Yeah. She’s busy trying to find the Easter Bunny, so she can rip his fuzzy, little tail off.”
I glared over my shoulder at her. “Et tu, Brute’?”
Their tittering laughter echoed through the forest.
I thought I had gained a good distance on them when Gabe jumped in front of me. With his back to me, he kept his gaze locked to the north of us.
“What now? Oh, ha, ha, ha. Is the Gryphon coming to settle the score for me making his BFF cry?” I tried to push past him, but he blocked the way with one enormous arm.
A hand locked onto my shoulder and pulled me back. I turned. Kendall silently motioned me to come to her. A low, rumbling growl escaped from my brother’s chest. All the hair on the back of my neck stood at attention.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“We’re not alone.” Gabe’s voice came out a deep, disturbing rumble.
“The panther?” Kendall asked, her tone surprisingly calm.
Another menacing growl confirmed it.
“We’ve got to go! We aren’t ready yet for him to report us to Barnabus!” I grabbed Gabe’s arm and tried to yank him toward the parking lot.
Gabe’s head snapped around. To my astonishment, yellow slit cat eyes bore down on me. “Do you think you can outrun a panther?” He snarled.
I’m kind of worried about outrunning you right now.
Instinct made me release his arm. Despite my trembling voice I tried to reason with him. “Gabe, you’re getting ready to change. That’s pretty obvious. If he sees that, he’s gonna know. I am asking you, please, calm down and come with us. Now!”



Buy Links:


Book 2:

Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her. 


Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.


Teaser:

My head snapped up and my cheeks burned. “Wha…?!” Picture of eloquence, that’s me.
“Saturday. A date. You, me, dinner? Yah’ve heard of this concept, yeah?”
“Yes, the concept is somewhat foreign to me, but I’ve heard of it,” I answered. Still fearing this was some kind of joke, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why? Why are you asking me out?”
His expression was equal parts amusement and confusion. “Because if I don’t ask ya the chance of ya actually showin’ up on the date is highly unlikely, isn’t it?”
An abrupt—and incredibly loud—laugh erupted out of me. “True. But why? Why would you ask out the freaky purring girl?”
“Yar laugh is amazin’.” He grinned. Another wave of heat rushed through me. “And because from the moment I laid eyes on ya I knew there was somethin’ different about ya. The purrin’ just supported the theory. So, would ya like to go out with me?”
“Yes, I’d like to. Go on a date. With you. Please.” Smooth, huh?
On her way to another table, Sophia passed behind me.  “Give him your number.”
“My what? Oh! My number! I have a number!” I scribbled it on my order pad and tore off the page to hand to him.
His chin jerked up slightly. “Who do I ask for when I call?”
I agreed to go on a date with a guy before I even knew his name, or told him mine. Please, don’t tell my mother.
“Celeste.” I chewed on my lower lip and I brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
He caught my raised hand and drew it gently to him. His emerald eyes stayed locked on mine, as he bowed his head to brush his lips across the back of my hand. Tingles of excitement tracked up my arm and down my spine. I clamped my teeth together to stifle the purr that threatened to escape.
“It’s nice to formally meet ya, Celeste. The name’s Caleb.”



Buy Links:




Novella in the Gryphon Series:

Celeste isn't the only member of the Garrett family whose life changed when destiny called. Every sidekick has their tale and in this Gryphon Series short the spotlight is turned on Kendall, Grams and even Gabe. Get an inside look at the hilarious stress that goes along with being a...sidekick. 


Sidekicks...ya can't live with 'em and you'd probably die horribly without 'em.



Buy Links:




Book 3:
Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to a certain hunky Irishman. But if there's any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it's that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she's ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear. As much as she'd like to have a pity party for one, there's no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn't scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jello shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception? Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding...Conduit-style.

Buy Links:


Interview:

When did you know you wanted to become a writer?
I’ve always BEEN a writer in that since elementary school I would write stories, but it wasn’t until adulthood and completing my first manuscript that the desire to actually become a writer professionally was spawned.

 How did the idea of Gryphon series come to you?
It started with a dream. If you’ve read The Conduit the scene at the end where Celeste is creeping forward in the dark theater and the hand shoots out of the orchestra pit was the exact dream I had. The mythology and characters were created around that.

Are any of your characters based off people you know?
Grams is! She is a mix of my husband’s great grandmother, who was always the life of the party, and my great grandmother who even in the retirement home had guys chasing after her. Those two women molded together became Grams.

How many books will be in the series?
Four full length novels and two novellas.

How do you over come writer’s block?
I make myself write. Even if it’s absolute drivel I’m going to have to delete and rewrite later just the act of putting words down tends to loosen up any blockages.

What is your writing process?
I put together an outline of the story and then I storyboard it, by which I mean I divide the elements up into scenes and what needs to happen in each to drive the story forward. From there I write the first draft. Once that is complete I go through three rounds of editing before I let another human being read it and offer feedback. My process is a tiny bit neurotic.

What is your favorite paranormal being?
I’m not sure I could pick just one! Right now it would probably be a gryphon for obvious reasons.

What was the first paranormal book you read?
The original Vampire Diaries books were my first dip into the world of the paranormal.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
I love all the Anchor Group Publishing authors, they have become a second family to me. Also have lots of love for indie writers;  Willow Cross, Jenn Wright, KB Miller, LP Dover, LM Preston, there is so much talent in indie it blows my mind!

Can you give us any hints about future books?
Ascension, the final Gryphon Series novel, will be huge. I highly doubt anyone will see the ending coming. The novella I have coming out will give readers a fresh perspective of Rowan, our resident pirate. I guarantee they will not see him the same afterward.

 Is there a writer or writers that inspire you?
All writers inspire me. If they can create a world to engage and entertain, I am inspired to follow suit and step up my game.

What paranormal being would you like to be?
I’d like to be able to fly, that’d be sweet.

 If you were stranded on a deserted island what character would you want with you and why?
Cap’n Jack. He’d be able to get me off the island with a pair of sea turtles…right after we finished all the rum.

What would you do in a zombie apocalypse?
Aim for the head, keep moving, and stay with people slower than me.

What 3 people would you like to have dinner with and why?
Wolfgang Puck to cook, Joss Whedon and Kurt Sutter so I can pick their brains about writing and story ideas.

Favorites:
Color:blue
Pets: dogs
Food: spaghetti
Drink: sweet tea
Holiday: Christmas
Music: anything that makes me shake my bon bons
Movie: All the Pirates of the Caribbean movies

 This or That:
Night or Day? day
Theater or Rent? theater
Fall or Summer? SUMMER
Music or Reading? Both
Pet Dragon or Pet Gargoyle? dragon
Flip flops or Tennis Shoes? Flip flops

Giveaway:
Stacey has offered up 2 ebooks one of The Conduit and Embrace. Just answer this question: Would you rather have a Pet Dragon or Pet Gargoyle and why? Please leave your email in your comment. Good Luck!!!

I want to thank Stacey Rourke for being on my blog today. I had a lot of fun getting to learn more about you and your books. I can not wait to start reading them. 
~Sabrina


8 comments:

  1. Awesome feature and interview. I read and loved every one of Stacey Rourke's 5 star books, as did my teens. The series got them reading again. Yay

    ReplyDelete
  2. pet gargoyle so he could take me away to beautiful places

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Stacey, WHY would I want to have to choose between Dragon and Gargoyle? Each would be so cool to have, although upkeep on either would be enormous.
    However, I do think of gargoyles as more human-like, and "owning" one would just be, uh, wrong. FRIENDS with one, maybe. While a dragon is more like a really really really really big pet lizard that can fly and breathe fire.
    P.S. Good luck with the books.
    P.P.S. Great author photo.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome interview! I would want a pet Dragon! I could train it to fly and we could go on adventures! ;) I live StCey Rourke and her books!

    ReplyDelete
  6. gargoyle, I've loved them since starting Kelley Armstrong series

    ReplyDelete
  7. AH, a novella about Rowan? Yippee! I can't wait! I love these books!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would choose a pet dragon. Gargoyles would be fun but they seem a bit grouchy. A pet dragon could scare off any enemies and he can fly me anywhere.

    ReplyDelete