Q+A with Kimber Leigh Wheaton
EJ: When did you begin writing?
Kimber Leigh: I've always enjoyed writing—used to write all sorts of short stories in high school and college. A couple years ago, my son reached an age where he was more independent. Suddenly I had this free time, and for a while I didn't know what to do with it. The idea for Shadow Fire hit me out of the blue one day. It grabbed ahold, and I was a woman possessed. One month later I had my first draft. There was no planning, no outline. Ashlyn, Zane, and Taranis were in my mind, and their story needed to be told. I loved writing Shadow Fire and Stolen Moon soon followed. Writing has become a passion. Life would be dull without it.
EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?
Kimber Leigh: I've had an interest in the paranormal since I was a child. I love all sorts of mythology and folktales. My bookshelves are filled with books on the paranormal that I've collected through the years. I have a novel, Tortured Souls - The Orion Circle Book 1, coming in July about a group of teenage paranormal investigators. In that series I plan to really explore the supernatural world: ghosts, cryptozoology, werewolves, vampires—you name it. I just find the whole supernatural world fascinating.
EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?
Kimber Leigh: I'd love to be a shapeshifter. I love animals and think it would be fun to be able to shift into an animal… as long as that shift is under my control and not tied to the moon or other event. I'm thinking a dragon or a griffin—it would be so cool to fly! Besides, can you imagine the look on the neighbors' faces when a giant blue dragon appears in the front yard? Yeah, still think you can steal my trash can?? Go for it! I dare you…
EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.
Kimber Leigh: Shadow Fire is a lighthearted, fun adventure with a touch of whimsy and a sweet romance. It definitely takes its cue from the RPG video games that inspired it. It's the first novel in a series of standalone fantasy romances. No cliffhanger endings here! Written for readers who like their characters silly at times and their 'ever-afters' happy.
EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?
Kimber Leigh: This is a rather difficult question for me to answer. I always pictured Shadow Fire as an animated movie. I also tend to see my characters more as anime than real people.
I think Princess Anna from Disney's Frozen would be a great in Ashlyn's role—no question. Princess Anna not only looks a bit like Ashlyn, but she's loyal, determined, and sweet.
For Zane, I'd have to choose Kratos Aurion from Namco's video game Tales of Symphonia. Kratos is lacking Zane's sense of humor and ethics, but I think he could pull off the role quite well. They're both amazing swordsmen, and Zane shares some of Kratos' wisdom as well as his more serious nature.
Taranis is really hard to cast… slap a red wig on Miroku from InuYasha and he might do a good job as Taranis. Miroku is quite similar to Taranis in many ways. They're both guys who are a bit too fond of the ladies which tends to get them in trouble… but they're also loyal, courageous, and fun-loving.
Shadow Fire Book Excerpt
Every step I take is one step closer to death.
Hiking through the dense underbrush, I try to calm my frayed nerves and control the fear threatening to overwhelm me. Twigs and tendrils of ivy grab at my ankles as I continue to forge ahead, forcing me to wrench away from their skeletal grip. The sunlight is fading, signaling the end of another day, but this is no ordinary day.
A loud crack pierces the air. I freeze in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. Whipping my head around, I try to locate the source of the sound. My heart pounds in my chest, the erratic rhythm painful. These woods are full of predators, some animal, some monster, but the worst… human. Taking a deep breath, I listen to the surrounding woods: birds chirp, insects hum, and small animals scurry about as if they have no care in the world.
Lungs burning, I force myself to continue walking. I didn't collapse three weeks ago when this whole fiasco started, and I won't give in now. My family needs me to be strong.
The trees become sparser as I approach the edge of the forest. My shoulders slump when I pass the tree house we used to play in so many years ago. Any other day when I'm this close to home after a long day of hunting, I'd smile, breathe a sigh of relief, and perhaps look forward to dinner. Today there will be no raucous family meal, no solace in entering the peaceful village, and nothing to smile about.
The villagers will be awaiting my return, skulking in the shadows, desperate to catch a glimpse of the walking dead girl.
I've dealt with the whispers and pointing for three weeks with my head held high, my anxiety hidden behind a mask of indifference. I don't want them to see me like this, trembling in fear, broken. They've taken everything I am, every hope, every dream I've had for the future and smashed them to pieces with little hope of salvation. The townsfolk of Verdane decided my fate and they chose death.
The elders told me being Chosen is an honor. Either they are ignorant or apathetic. Every five years for the last twenty, a teenage girl has been chosen by the town, via secret ballot, to undertake this dangerous quest, never to return. Perhaps if the elders had to forfeit their lives instead they wouldn't be so quick to label it an honor, they'd call it what it is…a sacrifice.
Shadow Fire (The Light Chronicles #1) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.
Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.
Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.
Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal
As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
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To enter, use this Rafflecopter form. This is a tour giveaway. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Giveaway ends May 25, 2014.
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enjoyed reading the Excerpt and Q&A :) Thank you for sharing.
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