Blog Tour and Interview: Alyx Rayer Chronicles by S.J. Pierce

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the Alyx Rayer Chronicles Series. The author gave a great interview to share. Enjoy!

Marked for Vengeance by S.J. Pierce 

Series: Alyx Rayer Chronicles #1 

Publication date: October 10th 2012 

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

Alyx Rayer’s existence in Atlanta, the eternally bustling capital of Georgia, is one of routine and blending in among the worker bees. But her ‘normal’ life is actually a façade for a higher calling; she's a three hundred year old soul, encased in a human vessel and sent from the darkness between heaven and Earth to capture her Marked when summoned by her superiors.

During the initial, routine stake-out of her Marked, a dream prophet named Isaac Walsh, Alyx is thrown for an emotional loop when his allure captivates her heart from two rooftops away. The event marks the very instance when her sense of what’s right and what’s wrong is brutally challenged as her contact with him is strictly forbidden.

While already trapped between honor and desire, her emotional struggles are further challenged by a man in a black suit who continually pops up when she least expects it, his presence evoking a strange response from the scar she was branded with at birth. The scar tingles like a warning beacon, alerting her that something is amiss. Because her superiors never told her what this would mean, or much of anything except what to do when they summon, she can only conclude to try and keep her sanity, and her life, from completely shattering to pieces.

This engaging first book of the series is a Paranormal Romance novel interlaced with twists, turns, and thrilling suspense that is sure to satisfy readers of any genre.

***Book is on sale until June 28

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Tethered by Fate by S.J. Pierce

Series: Alyx Rayer Chronicles #2

Publication date: November 29th 2012

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:
Where fate would take the both of them now, Isaac wasn’t sure, but either way their paths were irrevocably tethered."

Hurled into the midst of a holy war between the sinister fallen Angel of War and their beloved Creator, gifted humans, Angels, and Spirit Guides unite to create a formidable, ethereal army. With the imminent battle only days away, continue to follow the story that captivated your hearts as a Protector Angel named Alyx struggles with her own inner conflicts between right and wrong, love and honor.

Passionate, engaging, and filled with surprising twists and turns -- see which path fate will lead our beloved Angel down next in this second book of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles.

***Book is on sale until June 28

Goodreads ~ Amazon

1. What inspired you to write the series?

I’ve always had a fascination with angels and demons, which coincidentally, happen to be big right now in the Paranormal Romance genre. I’m also a sucker for Fantasy; my first introduction into this genre was with The Chronicles of Narnia as a child. So the series is a good blending of both – paranormal and fantasy, my two loves.

2. What were your favorite elements of the story to write?

I can’t say all of it, can I? lol If I was forced at gun point to choose, I’d say the characters because they move the story along. They need to be multi-faceted, interesting, and surprise you from time to time. In real life we all have our weaknesses and skeletons. We might be inherently good, but struggle with temptation and our darker sides. In my opinion, a hero/ heroine who always makes the right decisions and knows all the right answers and never does anything wrong is unrealistic and boring, so it’s no surprise that I put a lot of effort into constructing my characters and love every minute of it.

3. Were there parts of the story you didn't enjoy writing?

I can honestly say no to this one, even at gunpoint. :) I enjoy writing so much that even the heavier subjects are enjoyable for me. Not that I like putting my characters through tough situations, but I recognize every element of a story is necessary. I will admit, though, that I do cry sometimes as I’m writing certain scenes.

4. Do any of the characters personalities resemble your own, or people you know?
In a way, I think a piece of me is in every character. A favorite quote of mine is by Ernest Hemingway, who I love:

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

It’s so true. I pour everything I have into my writing, so it only stands to reason that – even if it’s a small percentage – at least part of every character is a reflection of me.

5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

GREAT question! During promotional blasts and blog tours, it’s easier to only focus on all of the good things that have been said about your book. After all, we’re all trying to create a brand and make a sale. But hidden behind all of those gushing, enthusiastic reviews lurk the *gasp* negative ones! I’d say the toughest for me to swallow was one of my very first. He said my dialogue was stilted and I used too many descriptions, and I’ll tell you, NO amount of coaching will truly prepare you for your first blow. I knew it would eventually come, but it didn’t ease the sting. I just did what I thought was best – take what he had to say into consideration and use it to better my work.

Now… on to the fun part! :) One of my most memorable compliments came from a woman who reads and reviews a lot of indie novels. She emailed me to tell me that my Alyx Rayer series was so refreshingly different than everything else that was out there, it made her want to delete everything she had on her Kindle. Talk about a monumental compliment! And it couldn’t have come at a better time – right on the heels of my first negative review. I burst into tears. My fans really are my angels… God seems to send them when I need their encouragement the most.

6. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Thank you for giving a debut author a shot! Your support has been the fuel that keeps me going on days when doubt and exhaustion want to win the battle. You rock!!!

About the Author:

Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy and Sci-fi novels. 

Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex storytelling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her first publishing credit was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to 'life happens', but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook