Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Savage ~ Blog Tour, Author Interview, & Giveaway!


Savage (Dragonrider Legacy #1)
by Nicole Conway
Publication Date:  September 26, 2017
Publisher:  Month9Books

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Savage begins the Dragonrider Legacy series, a thrilling companion to the international bestselling Dragonrider Chronicles.

Never send a hero to do a monster’s job.

Forty years have passed since Jaevid Broadfeather brought peace to Maldobar and Luntharda. But that fragile truce will be tested as darkness gathers on the horizon. The vicious armies of the Tibran Empire have crossed the far seas and are threatening to destroy Maldobar completely. Not even the dragonriders can match the Tibran war machines. And after an attempt to awaken Jaevid from his divine sleep fails, the fate of Maldobar is looking grim.

Reigh has never known what it means to be a normal human. Raised amongst the gray elves in the wild jungle of Luntharda, he’s tried everything to fit in. But the dark power within him is bursting at the seams—refusing to be silenced. And while his adoptive father, Kiran, insists this power must be kept secret, Reigh knows he’s running out of time.

As Maldobar burns, the world is desperate for a new hero. Destiny has called, and one boy will rise to answer.
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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR NICOLE CONWAY
How has your formal education influenced or impacted your writing?

Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I would say yes, my formal education did influence my writing, but not in the ways you might expect. I never took any creative writing courses in college. I did, however, take LOTS of Latin, classical history, and mythology courses! I’ve always had a passion for Roman history and the Latin language. Originally, I wanted to be a Latin teacher. But, alas, marrying an Air Force pilot means you move all the time—which isn’t great for a profession like teaching where the goal is to eventually retire. It all worked out in the wash, though. I love my career as an author and I always find myself integrating aspects of classical mythology and culture into my writing. The one actual writing course I did take and find useful was a Technical Business Writing class my senior year of college. We learned to write formal documents like resumes, etc. Very useful!

Also, not sure if this counts, but my professor for my Shakespeare courses was insanely handsome, always wore a tailored suit, and is the inspiration behind one of my characters from my upcoming Teen Urban Fantasy Novel!

Along those same lines, you have cranked-out a lot of books in a short time since graduation, plus you are a mom and wife -- how do you balance it all? 

It’s not easy. Really, it has been an absolute fight. The transition into motherhood is incredibly hard, or at least it was for me, and writing is one of the things that has actually helped keep me sane and feel less like I am “losing myself” to the role of motherhood. I think that’s kind of an unsung struggle for all new moms. Motherhood is wonderful, but it is messy, stressful, and difficult at times. In a matter of months you are expected to adjust to this new role you have to play, with this tiny human that’s totally dependant on you, and for many military moms that means doing it on your own without the help of family. You’re trying to meet the impossible expectations of society to be the fit, healthy, beautiful, happy, positive, nurturing, all natural, organic, balanced, super wife, and mom. It’s impossible not to have those moments feeling defeated and I know, for me, I grieved for the life I’d had before because no one warned me that I would miss who I was before. Not that being a mom isn’t a beautiful gift – it truly is – but it comes at a price. So writing became my therapy and I always make it a priority to have time to do it. It’s my consolation when I’m lonely (which is a lot). It’s my stress and anxiety relief. It keeps me grounded and focused and also allows me be “Nicole” instead of “Mommy” all the time.

If you could date one of your characters from SAVAGE, who would it be and why?

Tough one!! It would be a tie between Prince Aubren and Kiran. On the one hand, Aubren is kind of the whole package. He’s handsome, chivalrous, brave, and the kind of bashful that makes a guy totally adorable. But on the other hand, Kiran has that whole mysterious, brooding warrior thing that I can’t help but be drawn to. I guess if I HAD to chose, I would pick Aubren.   

What’s your funniest flaw?

I have “invisibrows.”. It’s that problem when your hair is really light blonde and you’re also super pale so it looks like you have no eyebrows. I have to draw them in, and I’m always worried it looks bad!

Do you have a mantra for writing and/or for life?

Absolutely! I have two, actually.

First and foremost is, “If I’m not enjoying writing it, no one is going to enjoy reading it.” Readers 100000% can pick up on authors’ states of mind and whether or not they are “into” a book or even a particular scene. If I find myself dragging my feet or not feeling into it, I will go back and start that scene, chapter, or even the whole book over. It’s not worth doing unless you do it right!

Second is something I picked up a couple of years ago. I can’t even remember where I heard it, exactly, but it rung so true. The saying was “The first chapter sells the book, the last chapter sells the next book.” To me, that means you have to pull no punches with the beginning, get the plot moving, make the reader connect – but you also have to end that way. Leave an impression that makes them hungry for more.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 Nicole is the author of the children’s fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES, about a young boy’s journey into manhood as he trains to become a dragonrider. She has completed the first two books in the series, and is now working on the third and final book.

Originally from a small town in North Alabama, Nicole moves frequently due to her husband’s career as a pilot for the United States Air Force. She received a B.A. in English with a concentration in Classics from Auburn University, and will soon attend graduate school.

She has previously worked as a freelance and graphic artist for promotional companies, but has now embraced writing as a full-time occupation. Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves watching children’s movies and collecting books. She lives at home with her husband, two cats, and dog.


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 GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
Kindle Fire + Drawing Dragons book + signed art from the author


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