Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed - Indie/Small Press Month - Interview with author Kristie Cook

Hello and welcome to the third week in our Indie/Small Press month for Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed! Jessica (Confessions of a Bookaholic) and I are really excited about this month and this week we will be spending time with Kristie Cook and her fabulous characters!

Promise (Soul Savers, book #1)

Summary:  

Alexis Ames has a life full of promise…but not all promises can be kept.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can’t be real, she decides it’s time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family’s secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy…until she discovers he’s not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family’s secret society, the Angels’ army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy – Satan’s minions and Tristan’s creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

 Purpose (Soul Savers, book #2)

Summary:

Lost in despair, Alexis teeters on the edge of an abyss, her lifeline of hope fraying into a thin thread. If it snaps, she’ll plunge into complete darkness. With the help of her son and her writing, she’s been able to hold on. Until now. Erratic impulses, disturbing delusions and her own demonic blood threaten her sanity. When she’s forced to choose between hanging onto hope or letting go to serve her Amadis purposes, she faces a decision with inconceivable sacrifices.

Alexis runs to the one place she thinks will provide answers, only to find herself at the center of another battle of good versus evil, not only with the Daemoni, not only within herself…but also against the worst opponent imaginable. But even if she wins, what will she lose?

Devotion (Soul Savers, book #3)

Summary:

With powerful abilities gained from the Ang’dora and Tristan back by her side, Alexis thinks she’s ready for the next challenge— protecting her son from what appears to be the inevitable. But she has so much to learn about her powers, her new world and the people in it. Nothing is what it seems to be on the surface, including the Amadis.

Power-hungry politicians comprise the council and make impossible demands. A traitor lurks among them all, inciting trouble that could destroy the Amadis and, ultimately, humanity. The Daemoni wreak havoc in the human world, with the ultimatum that they’ll continue attacking innocents until Alexis and Tristan are expelled from the Amadis’ protection. The couple’s own society begins to shut them out. But that’s not all.

Someone’s keeping a secret. A big one. Faith and hope in Alexis and Tristan will be restored if she can uncover the truth in time.

But the search for answers leads only to the discovery of more betrayals by those closest to Alexis. Her devotion is put to the test—devotion to her husband, to her family, to her people and to her beliefs—leaving her to question whom she’s fighting for and why she should even bother. But if she won’t fight . . . who will?

 Genesis (Soul Savers Novella, book #0.5

Summary: 

A father who reveals his truth.
Twins who take different paths—one light, one dark.
Angels who have plans for them both
And Demons who do as well.
So the Earthly battle for souls ignites…

A tale that is over 2,000 years old, this is the story of the Amadis beginnings.

 

Interview:  

Hello friend! A HUGE Congrats on the up and coming release of the fourth book in the Soul Savers Series – POWER! Thank you!!! I can’t wait to read it. You are the best! So, my first question is, now that you're four books in, has writing this series become harder or easier for you and why?

Both. I know the characters so well now that they're much easier to write. I know their backstories well, too, so if any of it comes into play in the current story, I don't have to stop and figure out that part. I also know the major turning points for the rest of the series, which helps with foreshadowing and such. However, each book deepens the world, setting more rules in stone – rules I can't suddenly break because it's convenient for this story. There are also more details to try to remember. I've gone through the previous books while writing this one and came across things that made me smack my head and say, "Oh, crap, I was supposed to expand on that in this book." The puzzles have become more complicated to put together with each story.

Over the course of the four books and the novella, do you still have a favorite scene or has that changed and of the characters, who’s been the easiest to work with as of late?

Oh, wow, favorite scene… Well, Power has some pretty intense scenes, including one that I've been imagining and writing in my head for over three years. It definitely ranks among the top with several others. I don't think I can pick out a favorite, but even if I named those at the top, they're the most spoilery, so I don't want to say. *snicker* As for the character who's been the easiest to work with in this book, I'd definitely say Vanessa, the villainess. She's a lot of fun to write. She's always been one that you love to hate and we get to know her a lot better in this book.  

What’s been the most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently as an author?

I am surprised every day with the fan mail, blog comments and Facebook posts readers make. I never expected any of it. I sold my 100,000th book in June and that was just amazing. The average author sells fewer than 10,000 books in their lifetime, and for indies, it's less than 1,000. So, yeah…wow. When I decided to play around with these two characters in my head talking about soul mates and life purposes, I had no idea I'd be where I am today. My fans are the best, but most unexpected, reward. I wish I could bear hug each and every one of them. Oh, another exciting thing – I donated a portion of proceeds of June and July book sales to The National Domestic Violence Hotline and helped raise awareness. They noticed my campaign and not only contacted me to personally thank me, but asked if I'd be interested in getting involved in a project with them for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. This cause is very important to me, so I'm excited to do what I can. I usually am the one approaching the organizations or just making my donations, so it was cool to be asked in this capacity.  

Could you share a little teaser with us from POWER? 

 

I leaned forward and pressed my forehead against his chest, unable to look into his eyes. “Stupid, I know. I’m just … I feel weird in my own home. Like it’s not even mine. I just want to get back to normal.”

“Normal?” he asked with curiosity as he wrapped his arms around me.

“Heh. Yeah,” I said. “Whatever that is.”

Except having his arms finally around me was the best normal I could ask for. I pressed my hands against his ribs and slid them around to his back, pulling him closer, wanting to eliminate the last millimeters of space between our bodies after the thousands of miles that had separated us for the last two weeks.

 “I’m so glad you’re home,” he said, his voice thick.

“Me, too,” I whispered, my hands wandering southward to the hem of his shirt, and underneath. His muscles tightened under my touch. “Does this mean you’re not mad at me anymore?”

A low growl rumbled in his chest, but he didn’t let go of me. “We’ll talk about it later.”

How many books can we expect with this series? Do you have any more novellas coming up? 

There are seven books in Alexis's story and yes, more side stories, as well. Which ones turn out to be short stories, novellas or full-length novels, I don't know yet. Genesis was originally supposed to be the opening of Devotion, but when I started writing it, I realized it deserved to be its own story, and it's even long for a novella. So we'll see what comes of the other characters' stories. I know Owen will have at least a novella, if not a full-length novel. I'd love to tell Sophia's story (Alexis's mom) - she has a terribly interesting history. But I also have completely different characters and worlds in my mind that I'd like to explore – new series I hope to write, including one I've already started. 

 
Find Kristie Online: 

Website  |  Book Site  |  Twitter  | Goodreads

Add Kristie's books on Goodreads

Purchase Online:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  The Book Depository



*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this post.