Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Please Welcome Jessica E. Subject Author of the Zurian Child

The Zurian Child by Jessica E Subject is on tour with goodessfish. Please give Jessica a huge welcome today.

Jessica will be awarding signed cover flats and a magnet at every stop, as well as a $10 Amazon GC plus swag package to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. She will also give away a $15 Amazon GC to host with the most comments.

All of you out there who are browsing, don't forget to leave a comment for Jessica. The more you comment on the tour the better your chances of winning.

The Zurian Child
by Jessica E. Subject

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BLURB:

Lindsay Beckett longed to be reunited with her first love, Quinn Montgomery, until she learns the secret that sent him fleeing from her in the first place. He’s an alien, a Hemera, and she’s half-Hemera herself. As if that wasn’t enough to ruin her dreams of a perfect life, when their child is born, they discover she fulfills a prophesy told twenty light years away and many years ago. Lindsay wants to ignore it, until her husband is murdered and suddenly believing becomes a matter of survival.

Lindsay and her young daughter are forced to rely on another Hemera, her husband’s partner and best friend, Bryce Beuermann as more and more of the Hemera are slaughtered. Bryce will do anything to help his best friend’s widow—including suppressing his own deep feelings for her. But he must prove they can trust him, even pretending he doesn’t want her with all his heart.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JESSICA

1.    What or who inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always been writing newsletters and stories for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t sit down with the intention of writing a publishable story until almost four years ago. My daughter was in kindergarten, and hated reading, absolutely refused. That was the worst thing ever for me as a parent, and I set out to write a book she would enjoy, about superheroes. Now, I’m proud to say she reads well in both English and French.

2.    What elements are necessary components for this genre.

In science fiction romance, one must have a love story which involves some sort of science fiction, whether it be aliens, characters in space, a futuristic time, etc. The possibilities are endless.

3.    How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

It started as that superhero book for my daughter and quickly developed into something else. Though the story has gone through so many rewrites and revisions since then.

4.    As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I have two series I need to finish, and many individual story ideas in my head. Lots to do; I only need more time.

5.    Can you give us a sneak peak into this book?

Sure, here’s the blurb and an excerpt:

Lindsay Beckett longed to be reunited with her first love, Quinn Montgomery, until she learns the secret that sent him fleeing from her in the first place. He’s an alien, a Hemera, and she’s half-Hemera herself. As if that wasn’t enough to ruin her dreams of a perfect life, when their child is born, they discover she fulfills a prophesy told twenty light years away and many years ago. Lindsay wants to ignore it, until her husband is murdered and suddenly believing becomes a matter of survival.

Lindsay and her young daughter are forced to rely on another Hemera, her husband’s partner and best friend, Bryce Beuermann as more and more of the Hemera are slaughtered. Bryce will do anything to help his best friend’s widow—including suppressing his own deep feelings for her. But he must prove they can trust him, even pretending he doesn’t want her with all his heart.

Excerpt:
When Bryce and Lorne removed their socks and set their feet on the coffee table, she flushed. She'd had many opportunities over the summer to look at his feet, particularly when he wore only his swim trunks. But she’d kept her distance, catching only the occasional glimpse of his broad, bare chest or other parts of his body, wondering if they matched what she’d seen in her visions.
Both Bryce and Lorne's toes remained held apart by skin, noticeable skin. Unlike the translucent and pliable tissue which formed between her own toes, theirs appeared thicker, widening the total width of the front of their feet.
"We are not from around here," Lorne said. He removed his feet from the table and brushed them across the plush carpet. "Your mother, Quinn, and your father, Lindsay, as well as Bryce and I, are from another planet located twenty light years from Earth."
She turned to her husband, waiting for his reaction. They were his guests telling the ridiculous story. If they were friends of hers, she would have told them to leave.
Quinn only raised his eyebrows. She couldn't read his expression as he stared at Bryce. "This is not the time to be discussing this. We've just returned from out holidays, our honeymoon at that."
"No, this is the time. We should have talked about this long ago."
Her gaze shifted between the two of them. This has to be some kind of gag, but this is more likely to come from Michael and Francis, not Bryce, not based on anything Quinn had ever said about him. The punch line didn't come and Quinn gripped her hand tighter. This is no joke.
Maintaining his dry expression, Bryce continued. "I've known all along. I remember my trip to Earth and being placed with the Beuermanns. I don't remember my parents though." His chin fell to his chest. "It's not easy living with a secret like this. I figured my best friend should know."
Bryce told what he believed to be the truth, but despite her belief in aliens, she refused to accept anyone in the room came from anywhere but Earth.
"I'm sorry, Lindsay." Quinn refused to look at her, but maintained his hold on her hand.
She'd never felt more uncomfortable than this moment. What did Quinn believe? That he's an alien?


6.    Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I used to belong to a local critique group, and although I learned a lot from them, I found I wasn’t getting the feedback I wanted as none of them were romance authors. Right now, I have four awesome critique partners who help me to improve my writing all the time. And I am a huge fan of all of their stories, too.

7.    When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I was in the middle of getting The Zurian Child ready for submission when Rebecca Royce, one of my critique partners, suggested I write short story for Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand line, and add my sci-fi twist to it. I did, and was lucky they decided to contract Celestial Seduction.

8.    What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

When I first joined the social networking ride, I connected with fantasy author, Lorna Suzuki. She was the first to tell me about critique groups, and how useful they can be. I immediately set out in search of one after that.

9.    Do you outline your books or just start writing?

It depends on the story. With all of them, I brainstorm in my head before I start writing. If the details are long and involved, I’ll write them down in point form notes. I generally have a basic idea of what’s going to happen before I write anything, but I’m not rigid about the details, as the plot generally changes once I begin.

10. Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?

In The Zurian Child, I can’t pick just one. It was always whoever’s POV I was in at the time, even the antagonist, Isabel.

11. Are your plotting bunnies angels or demons?

A little bit of both. I love it when the ideas are flowing, but sometimes too many ideas hit me at once. Can be very overwhelming.

12. Anything else you might want to add?

You can find The Zurian Child here:

And find me here:


Thank you so much for having me on your blog today!




~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:
When Bryce and Lorne removed their socks and set their feet on the coffee table, she flushed. She'd had many opportunities over the summer to look at his feet, particularly when he wore only his swim trunks. But she’d kept her distance, catching only the occasional glimpse of his broad, bare chest or other parts of his body, wondering if they matched what she’d seen in her visions.

Both Bryce and Lorne's toes remained held apart by skin, noticeable skin. Unlike the translucent and pliable tissue which formed between her own toes, theirs appeared thicker, widening the total width of the front of their feet.

"We are not from around here," Lorne said. He removed his feet from the table and brushed them across the plush carpet. "Your mother, Quinn, and your father, Lindsay, as well as Bryce and I, are from another planet located twenty light years from Earth."

She turned to her husband, waiting for his reaction. They were his guests telling the ridiculous story. If they were friends of hers, she would have told them to leave.

Quinn only raised his eyebrows. She couldn't read his expression as he stared at Bryce. "This is not the time to be discussing this. We've just returned from out holidays, our honeymoon at that."

"No, this is the time. We should have talked about this long ago."

Her gaze shifted between the two of them. This has to be some kind of gag, but this is more likely to come from Michael and Francis, not Bryce, not based on anything Quinn had ever said about him. The punch line didn't come and Quinn gripped her hand tighter. This is no joke.

Maintaining his dry expression, Bryce continued. "I've known all along. I remember my trip to Earth and being placed with the Beuermanns. I don't remember my parents though." His chin fell to his chest. "It's not easy living with a secret like this. I figured my best friend should know."

Bryce told what he believed to be the truth, but despite her belief in aliens, she refused to accept anyone in the room came from anywhere but Earth.

"I'm sorry, Lindsay." Quinn refused to look at her, but maintained his hold on her hand.

She'd never felt more uncomfortable than this moment. What did Quinn believe? That he's an alien?



~~~~~~~~~~~~~




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.


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Jessica will be awarding signed cover flats and a magnet at every stop, as well as a $10 Amazon GC plus swag package to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. She will also give away a $15 Amazon GC to host with the most comments.

21 comments:

  1. It's beautiful that a story for your child grew into something for everyone to enjoy.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  2. Thank you again for hosting me on your blog today! :)

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  3. Can't wait to read this one, Jessica. Congrats! No need to enter me. :)

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  4. Welcome to our blog. Hope you have a great tour and sell lots of books.
    Allana Angel

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  5. Children can be such wonderful motivators. And it sounds like you're an awesome motivator to your daughter too. What a good mom you are! I really enjoyed your excerpts.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sheri! Reading has always been very important to me, and I want it to be that way for both of my kids. :)

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  6. Welcome, Jessica! So nice to hear of a parent encouraging a child to read. I can't imagine a life without books! Hope your tour goes well!


    -Amber Angel

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Genene/Amber! I can't either, and that's one of the reasons it was so important for me to have her enjoy reading. :)

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  7. Hope the tour goes well, Jessica. :)

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  8. I am so glad your child helped you decide to write. Your story sounds absolutely fascinating.

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    Replies
    1. She is truly an inspiration, and that's why I dedicated this book to her. Thanks, Jane! :)

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  9. Thanks for the excerpt. SO interesting!
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  10. The authors nowadays are killing the readers with the cover..this is one amazing cover. How can I now buy it, after seeing the cover.. :( And a little bit of angels and demons? This book is going to TBR list for sure.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vidya! Reese Dante created another beautiful cover for The Zurian Child. :)

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  11. Thank you again for hosting me during The Zurian Child blog tour! I am tallying all of the comments now, and will post the winners here:
    http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=9840

    ReplyDelete