Guest Blogger: Deborah A. Bailey - Fated Couples Means More Conflict, Not Less

I've always liked the idea of couples being meant for each other. Bound together by fate, they're inevitably drawn together.  So, when I started working on my Hathor Legacy series, it was important to create a hero and heroine who would fit that mold.

Though when I first got the idea, Jonathan was a shady nightclub owner with a criminal past. He and Nadira weren't fated, but were thrown together while she was investigating a crime.  

But in the process of developing the first book, the characters changed along with my original vision for the series.

In the completed version of, Hathor Legacy: Outcast, Jonathan comes to Hathor in search of his missing father. Nadira uses her PSI abilities as a member of the elite security force, the Guardians. Though she's responsible for investigating his father’s disappearance, she dislikes Jon at first. But, of course she’s attracted in spite of herself.

Though Jonathan could be arrogant and overly confident, his impulsive behavior helped move the story along. Inspite of his initial behavior, it was important to make Jon the type of person Nadira would grow to care about.

She creates a psychic connection with him so that she can protect him. Even though they're still at odds halfway through the book, their connection helps them to work together. And, ultimately it magnifies their physical attraction and leads to their love scene.

In book two, Hathor Legacy: Burn, their relationship has grown stronger, but it's not without pitfalls. Nadira, used to being independent and protective, ends up doing things without Jon's knowledge. He feels betrayed because she still maintains a separation between them. Yes, they're joined, but that doesn't mean they're completely open to each other.

Jonathan is an alpha male who has to manage an emotional connection where he can't hide too much from his partner. He wants to be the protector, but she's actually physically stronger due to her abilities. She has to learn to trust, and sometimes to yield. Their relationship is a bond of love, by this point in the series, but also one that is never entirely without tension.

By book three, Hathor Legacy: Revelations, they've moved through a lot of the relationship growing pains. Others around them have acknowledged that they have a real bond, even though no one really knows that Jon's secret past has a lot to do with the psychic connection. (In the interests of not revealing any spoilers, I won't say more about that!)

In fact, one of the characters says that perhaps Nadira and Jon were fated to meet and form a connection. Which, based on the events in book three, makes perfect sense.

They've grown and learned to trust each other completely. And by that point in the series, they've influenced each other enough to take on each other's traits. Instead of being impulsive, Jonathan learns to think before he acts. While Nadira, always the more conservative of the two, becomes the one most likely to rush in and confront danger.

Fated couples are drawn together by forces beyond their control, and that's when the real fun begins. They must learn to love and to trust, as they grow as individuals and as a unit.

Tension – sexual and otherwise - is always present as two strong-willed people find their footing. But, that's why their stories are so much fun to write (and to read).

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Hathor Legacy: Revelations (blurb) -

An enemy returns to spark new tensions between the psychic Guardians and Novacorp. In the midst of the crisis, Nadira is given information about her parents that threatens to destroy her relationship to the Guardians and to Jonathan.

While Nadira searches for answers, Jonathan is enticed into the hedonistic world of the Novacorp executive class. His entertainment club attracts the elite of Hathor, but his notoriety comes with a price.

The worlds of the Guardians and Novacorp are put on a collision course where only one side may come out on top. Nadira is called on to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the legacy of the First Families, the original settlers of Hathor, while Guardians, Kasema and Deshtu psychic groups are faced with the choice to unite or be brought completely under Novacorp control.

Old scores are settled and long-hidden truths are revealed, and at the end Nadira and Jonathan's relationship and their world will never be the same.

|Amazon| |Barnes&Noble|
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Deborah A Bailey’s Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance stories include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat. She’s the author of the “Hathor Legacy” Science Fiction Romance series and several shapeshifter Paranormal Romance novels.  Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference and have been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. They’re included in her short story collection, “Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.”

Website: http://www.BrightStreetBooks.com 

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Interview with Guest Author Amanda Bouchet

 I'm pleased to have Amanda Bouchet, new fantasy romance author, visit with us today. She took some time to answer a few of my questions and to talk about her books!

Hi Amanda! Thanks for joining us here at Here Be Magic.

Thank you for inviting me. I’m so excited to be here!

You know how much I loved your debut fantasy romance, A PROMISE OF FIRE. What was your core idea or inspiration for this story?

Thank you so much. I’m thrilled that you loved A PROMISE OF FIRE! The whole story really sprang from the heroine, Catalia Fisa. I kept thinking about her and constructing her physically and emotionally in my head. Strong but damaged, cynical but innocent, brave but scared—she’s full of contradictions. I didn’t start writing until she was such a strong character that I had to drop everything else and put her on the page. I knew what she looked like, what exceptional magic she would have, that she had an attitude a mile long, tons of snark, and a tortured past. I knew she would be hiding from both her past and her future, and that a certain warlord would explode into her sphere and irrevocably shake up her life on the run. The hero, Griffin, needed to draw Cat out of hiding, steer her toward the fate she’d been trying to avoid, and completely destabilize the relative safety she’d found in being emotionally alone. I’m not much of a plotter, though, so the events of the story really unfolded organically from Cat and Griffin’s initial meeting and developed as a result of Cat’s actions and evolving feelings and her interactions with the world and people around her.

What kind of story did you set out to tell – were there any particular books or series you loved that made you want to add to that canon?

I actually set out to tell a fantasy with a bit of romance and ended up with a romance with a lot of fantasy! I was aiming for something along the lines of Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study series, which I enjoyed very much. I’m a lifelong fan of the romance genre, though, and I like a good, steamy read. Once I had Cat and Griffin on the page together and sparks were flying, their emotional arc became just as important to me, if not more so, as the larger fantasy plot.

So, you and I have talked that there have been some vocal reviews about the hero being abusive to the heroine in this book. It’s a view that took me by surprise because I don’t see it at all. How do you see it?

I’m happy to say that the overwhelming majority of reviews have been positive and readers seem to be loving Cat and Griffin’s relationship as much as I do. The few who see it differently came as a shock to me as well. My view of Griffin is that he’s extremely protective and patient with Cat. Cat is prickly as hell and emotionally immature due to her abusive past and present fears. She’s also justifiably angry about Griffin abducting her and taking her from her home. That’s a difficult place to start a romance from, despite the attraction that’s clear from their first meeting. But Griffin and his team spend their time trying to win Cat over with their protectiveness, integrity, and good humor. And underneath her outward abrasiveness, what Cat really longs for is a place to belong and good people to love.

Cat is very powerful magically, and she doesn’t hide the violence lurking inside of her. She’s also enormously compassionate and not interested in hurting people who haven’t hurt her. Her past taught her what real malice looks like, and it’s clear from the first pages of A PROMISE OF FIRE that she doesn’t see that kind of threat in Griffin. She wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone she feels is a true danger to her, and she could do it by any number of means—magically or physically. A certain God also plays a role in the hero and heroine coming together, and Cat is familiar with and willing to listen to that guiding hand. My point of view as the author is that every decision Cat makes is her own, whether she likes that decision at the time or not, and that someone as powerful as her could always have gotten away from Griffin if she truly wanted to.

I don’t at all see the hero as being abusive to the heroine. The world they live in is dangerous and violent. Cat and Griffin are both strong-willed alphas who fit right into the context that surrounds them. They argue and there is conflict, both internal and external to their relationship. But then, there wouldn’t be much of a story if there wasn’t!

We all know not to read our reviews, but has it been difficult to avoid hearing some of these strong opinions?

I do read my reviews, so I’ve seen both the good and the bad. Sometimes I feel like I’ve written and read a totally different book with different characters and relationships from what I’ve seen described in a few reviews. I’ve also been surprised to see some complaints about there being explicit sexual content when this is, after all, an adult fantasy romance. I just try to keep in mind that reviews have been overwhelmingly positive overall, that we all see things differently, and that no author can please every reader.

In some ways, as a writer, I envy those who lived without the internet or ever hearing much feedback or discussion about my books. How has hearing from readers and reviewers affected your creative process?

It would certainly be less distracting that way! It’s really a mixed bag. Getting positive feedback from readers who loved the book is amazing and makes me feel great. It’s a particularly wonderful feeling when people tell me they’ve already read the book more than once or that they can’t stop thinking about it. I enjoy interacting with my readers on social media, and I love connecting with people all over the globe about something we all enjoy—books and reading! Time spent on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter has definitely cut into my writing time, though, which is already limited due to other constraints, so I really need to be careful about concentrating and keeping my focus on writing books.

In terms of negative feedback, I try not to let it influence my writing. This is a trilogy where the characters have time to learn, change, and grow. The characters and their relationships evolve and mature over the course of three books, and that has to happen in its own good time. If everything starts out without any conflict or mistakes for them, then there’s nowhere to go.

What has been a positive of all the wonderful conversation about this book?

It’s really pretty terrifying to put your creative work out into the world and wonder how it will be received. The wonderful conversation surrounding A PROMISE OF FIRE has been so encouraging for me! It’s thrilling to have readers tell me that A PROMISE OF FIRE is their favorite book, that they love Cat and Griffin, that they laughed out loud, and that they are excited to see what happens next. I know that word-of-mouth and people sharing their excitement has really helped get the word out about the book, and I’m so grateful for that! A PROMISE OF FIRE has also received very positive reviews from top review outlets, and it’s been beyond amazing to see superstar authors I adore and respect give A PROMISE OF FIRE spontaneous shout-outs because they read and enjoyed it. As a debut author, I couldn’t have dreamed better!

Has the debut experience been different than you anticipated? What has been the best part?

That’s actually hard to answer because I didn’t have much of an idea about what to expect! Even without any experience in the industry, though, I know that my publisher, Sourcebooks, has been extremely supportive of this series. They have gone above and beyond to give these books fabulous covers, special packaging for review copies, and great media coverage, and I couldn’t be more grateful!

It’s also been fabulous to meet other Sourcebooks debut authors and band together as we head into this new adventure. Even though we don’t live anywhere near each other, we stay connected on a regular basis and celebrate our successes and share our anxieties. We created an amazing support network without even meaning to, and I love having these wonderful and talented friends in my life.

I understand the sequel is coming out and I can’t wait! When does it come out and can you give us any hints??

BREATH OF FIRE comes out January 3^rd and I’m so excited about it! You can expect lots of adventure and danger, more of Cat’s smart-mouthed humor, exciting Beta Team moments, and a romance that heats up even more. Cat’s secrets are finally revealed, and Griffin won’t let her back down from the fate she’d love to avoid. Important plans form that move the overall story arc forward and definitely keep the team on their toes. Another essential part of this book is the character development, both of the individual characters themselves and of the relationships between them. Cat matures immensely, but her fears and emotional fragility remain poignant counterpoints to her physical and magical strength.

Will there be a book three? What do you see yourself doing after that?

Yes! Cat’s story is a trilogy, and I’m currently working on the final book, HEART ON FIRE. After that, I have a few ideas I’m thinking about. I’d love for the secondary characters from The Kingmaker Chronicles to get their own books, and I also have a new story in mind that could relate to this trilogy in terms of the mythology but take place somewhere else. We’ll see!

Breath of Fire—Coming January 3^rd

SHE'S DESTINED TO DESTROY THE WORLD...
"Cat" Catalia Fisa has been running from her destiny since she could crawl. But now, her newfound loved ones are caught between the shadow of Cat's tortured past and the threat of her world-shattering future. So what's a girl to do when she knows it's her fate to be the harbinger of doom? Everything in her power.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT
Griffin knows Cat is destined to change the world—for the better. As the realms are descending into all-out war, Cat and Griffin must embrace their fate together. Gods willing, they will emerge side-by-side in the heart of their future kingdom...or not at all.

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iBooks

Books-A-Million 

Indigo

Indiebound

Canine Hero

Today I'm celebrating the release of a new Urban Fantasy, NIGHTMARE INK, written by my friend and critique partner, Marcella Burnard. Please give her a warm welcome for her guest post!

Allow me to introduce Riley. Isn’t that a handsome smile? He’s a red heeler who belongs to my friends Emily Olesin and Alden Denny. For a couple of years, they all lived across the dock from me, until the three of them abandoned Seattle in favor of Norway.

At any rate, Riley is the real life model for the dog in NIGHTMARE INK. In the book, I changed his name to Augustus, but everything else remains the same. He’s a willful, opinionated handful who’s convinced he’s a lapdog. He’s a tripod – both in real life and in the book. When Riley was a puppy, long before my friends adopted him, one of his rear legs was badly broken and had to be amputated. It doesn’t slow him down much and it’s possible it contributes to the HUGE chip Riley has on his shoulder. No one is quite sure whether that’s Riley trying to prove he can DO ALL THE THINGS! Or whether that’s just a red heeler trait. They are herding dogs who are generally happiest when there’s a job to do. Riley’s self-appointed duty was to keep the dock clear of birds. I think most of the boaters who hated washing seagull poop from their boats appreciated his efforts.

Gus lives in an apartment rather than on a sailboat, but I wanted that same ginormous attitude combined with delusions of lap dog-dom. Like Riley, Gus is very specific about who he likes and who he doesn’t.

Cute and all, right? Only one problem. Like most people who end up with a pet, I didn’t fully comprehend the consequences when I gave Isa, the heroine of NIGHTMARE INK a dog. She has a cat, too, who I’ll write about her tomorrow. The thing is, few people go into pet ownership (whether that’s you owning the pet, or the pet owning you) without at least a little bit of thought. It’s just that the reality of a dog that chews table legs, shoes, and sometimes pees in the floor occasionally comes as a shock.

It was one thing to blithely give Isa a dog who has to be walked and fed and played with because I thought, “Hey! Wouldn’t it be cool for her to have a dog just like my favorite canine neighbor?” And it was! There’s a scene of Isa walking Gus. The two of them play a game that Riley plays with Emily all the time – he jumps up and grabs hold of the leash near Emily’s hand and he hangs there huffing breath out through his mouth in a doggy laugh until Emily’s arm strength fails. Oh, it is great fun. Gus plays the same game with Isa in the book.

It’s just. Things happen in NIGHTMARE INK that make having animals massively inconvenient. So much so, I contemplated cutting them entirely. I couldn’t. I’d already fallen for them. So had the characters in the book. The result, as I struggled to write a story that juggled the existence of the dog and the cat, was a story colored very differently than the one I’d planned. Having Gus, and the cat, Ikylla, rooted Isa in a way I hadn’t anticipated. That served the story well, I think. It’s an emotionally richer experience. I hope.

And Gus has a part to play in Isa’s story. I’ll admit up front that I don’t know all that much about dogs – I’m not familiar with canine body language or behavioral issues since I grew up with cats. I hope it doesn’t show through in Gus. I want to be true to his nature – to Riley’s nature.

Course, I’ve always heard I shouldn’t write characters based on anyone I know so I don’t get sued. Do you suppose if Riley decides to sue, I’ll be able to pay him off with kibble?

NIGHTMARE INK is available April 15, 2014

With the needle of a tattoo gun, Isa Romanchzyk has the power to create and destroy. In her shop Nightmare Ink, Isa helps those in need by binding the powers embedded in their Live Ink—the magical tattoos that can enhance the life of the wearer, or end it. But binding tattoos has earned Isa the contempt of her fellow artists—including her former lover Daniel.

When a friend comes to the shop with a tattoo on the verge of killing him, Isa can’t turn him away. For the first time in years, she works Live Ink into someone’s skin—something she swore she’d never do again. But breaking her vow soon becomes the least of her problems.

Isa is horrified to discover her friend’s body in the shop, but the real nightmare begins when she’s abducted and inked against her will. Now, as she seeks retribution from the man who betrayed her, Isa must figure out how to bind her Living Tattoo before it consumes her completely…

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Marcella Burnard graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with a degree in acting. She writes science fiction romance for Berkley Sensation. Her first book, Enemy Within won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award for Best Futuristic of 2010. The second book in the series, Enemy Games, released on May 3, 2011. An erotica novella, Enemy Mine, set in the same world as the novels was released as an e-special edition by Berkley in April 2012. Emissary, a sword and sorcery short story released in the two volume Thunder on the Battlefield Anthology in the second half of 2013. Nightmare Ink, an Urban Fantasy novel from Intermix available April 15, 2014

Come Listen to Authors Read Excerpts From Their Books!

Every Monday night I host a radio show on Blog Talk Radio called "Other Worlds of Romance". During the 30 minute show, I have guest authors who write sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal romances, and they read excerpts from their new releases. Sometimes it's bawdy, sometimes it's romantic, but it's always fun!

You can check out who my monthly lineup includes by checking out my own blog. I also advertise upcoming shows on my Twitter (Linda Mooney) and Facebook (Linda Mooney).

Come have a listen! You can park on the website and hit the Play button to listen, or you can come into the chat room where you can type questions and comments for the author to answer, or you can call in to talk directly to the author!

The show is on at 11 pm et/ 10 pm ct/ 8 pm pt.  Come join us!