Book Blast & Interview: Season Of The Witch by L.J.K. Oliva @writermama

 

Season Of The Witch

Shades Below

Book 1.5

L.J.K. Oliva

Genre: urban fantasy/paranormal romance

Date of Publication: Oct. 1, 2015

Word Count: 99,733

Cover Artist: Amy Mateyka

Book Description:

Something wicked this way comes...well, more wicked than usual.

Georgia Clare needs help, and fast. As the lone survivor of—and witness to—her coven's brutal massacre, she's felt the killer hunting her. There's just one problem: the rest of San Francisco's witching community wants nothing to do with her, and the one man she can turn to doesn't do witches.

Darius deCompostela has done his best to steer clear of subversive affairs. A private investigator and reluctant medium, the last thing he wants is to advertise his existence to the things that go bump in the night. But then Georgia knocks on his door, and try as he might, he can't turn her away.

It's just one case, after all. It's not like it's going to change his life…

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It was her third night in a row of frozen pasta for dinner. Not that she was counting.

Georgia popped the top off yet another bottle of Corona and took a long draw. She leaned back against the counter. The microwave hummed behind her. She glanced over her shoulder at the digital clock on the unused stove. Sighed.

Nearly six o'clock, and still no sign of deCompostela. The pang of disappointment in her chest chafed at her pride. She should have known better than to believe he would stop by. He'd already made it abundantly clear he thought she was out of her mind.

Truth be told, the possibility had occurred to her. It had been a week since the new moon, and she hadn't seen hide nor hair of...it. Whatever it was. If not for the lingering scent of blood in her nostrils, she could almost believe she'd hallucinated the whole thing.

The microwave beeped. Georgia took one last drag of beer, then set her bottle down next to the two that had preceded it and opened the door. Fragrant steam rushed out; a heady blend of tomato, basil, and MSG.

Georgia reached in and grabbed the microwaveable plastic bowl, hissed and yanked her hand back again. She scanned the kitchen for something she could use as a potholder. Finally, she settled on a bunched-up paper towel.

The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as she pulled out the pasta bowl. Georgia tensed, turned...

...Just in time to see her living room window explode inward in a hail of glass. She let out a startled shriek. A massive, dark creature suddenly occupied the space where her coffee table used to sit.

Everything else seemed to happen in slow-motion. The creature straightened, shaking shards of glass off its dull black fur. Its ears twitched towards her. Its lips peeled back from its razor-sharp teeth.

Georgia's chest seized. Recognition slammed through her. The creature snarled. Any lingering doubts she'd been harboring instantly evaporated.

It was here.

Georgia blindly hurled her steaming pasta bowl in the direction of the living room and bolted from the kitchen. She looked over in time to see it connect with a loud splat squarely between the intruder's eyes. The creature howled and clawed desperately at its face.

Georgia didn't wait for it to recover. Her altar. If she could just get to her altar, she could banish the ugly fucker and buy herself some time.

The creature was planted in the dead center of the straightest path across the living room. Georgia veered wide. She had almost cleared the front door when it flew open in a barrage of splinters. Someone barreled into her. They both sprawled to the ground.

The new intruder landed on top. Georgia hissed, bucked, clawed at anything she could reach. Her mystery assailant scrambled off her.

"Jesus Christ, would you calm down, you crazy—what the f*ck?"

deCompostela. Georgia didn't let herself pause to feel relief. She rolled to her feet, grabbed his hand and dragged him after her. They dove behind her sagging couch just as the creature regained its bearings. It threw back its head and let out a roar that shook her remaining windows.

Darius sniffed. "Is that tomato sauce?"

Georgia didn't answer. Her focus was squarely on her altar again. It was still too far away. "Wait here."

"What—"

She leaped to her feet. The creature's eyes locked on her. Georgia swallowed the terror that welled in her chest and sprinted for the altar. She skidded to the floor in front of it like a baseball player sliding into home, yanked open one of the drawers and fumbled for the first items that came to mind.

The creature roared again. A blast of superheated air hit the back of her neck. Georgia braced for the feel of teeth around her throat.

"Right here, ugly!"

She turned in time to see Darius' massive fist catch the creature square in the nose. The creature yelped, then retaliated with a swipe of an even-more-massive paw. The blow swept Darius clear off his feet. He flew backwards and hit the wall with a dull crunch, then sagged to the ground with a wheeze. Flecks of paint and drywall fluttered to the floor around him.

But he'd bought her the time she needed. Georgia held up her black candle and flicked her Bic lighter to life. She touched the flame to the wick. The creature's eyes widened.

"Black, the color of protection. Black, the color of night."

The creature snarled. Darius heaved himself to his feet and surged forward. He wrapped his arms around the creature's hind legs and held tight.

"Black, the color of silence. Black, the color of stillness."

The creature swiped at Darius again. Its paw caught empty air where his head had been just seconds earlier. It tried to move. Darius' arms visibly tightened. Muscles bunched under his suit jacket.

"With black I banish thee. With will I banish thee." Georgia poured intent into her words. Her voice grew heavier, fuller. "Return to the night. Return to the silence. Return to the stillness. Be gone from this place."

The creature let out a strange yelp-hiss as invisible forces compelled it to obey. Darius released it and scrambled backwards.

Georgia lifted her chin. Magic crackled through her veins, tinged her vision black. "Be gone from this place," she repeated. "With black and with will, by my power and by the power of the Lady, I banish thee. So mote it be." She blew out the candle.

The creature vanished in a swirl of acrid black smoke. Its final, infuriated roar echoed through the small apartment.

Georgia finally allowed herself to breathe again. For the first time, she realized she was coated in a fine film of glass and wood slivers. She reached up to dust herself off, at the last minute thought better of it.

Instead, she turned to Darius. He had hauled himself onto her sad excuse of a sofa. His hands were planted on his knees. He stared at the spot where the creature had last stood.

Georgia crossed her arms and cleared her throat. She waited until he looked up at her, then arched an eyebrow. "So. Do you believe me now?"

 

Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

While I've always enjoyed writing, I never expected to be a writer. When I was younger, it was just something I did to amuse myself and the select few friends I allowed to read my work. I probably should have seen it coming, though, because I really didn't have any other career aspirations. I knew I wanted to do something where I wouldn't get bored, where I could let my geek flag fly and live an interesting life, but I had no idea what that might be.

Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?

In addition to writing, I'm also a stay-at-home mom to a young son. Believe me, that's a job.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?

My latest book is the first companion novel in my urban fantasy series, Shades Below, and is called Season Of The Witch. In 20 words or less: a desperate witch approaches a private investigator/reluctant medium for help investigating her coven's murder. Hijinks and sexy times ensue.

Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?

I self-publish (go, indies!).

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?

It depends on the book. For the most part, I've whittled my complete turnaround down to about 5 months, however, Season Of The Witch ended up taking about 8. For one thing, it was twice as long as anything I've ever written before. Also, the story took a turn I wasn't expecting about halfway through the book, so I had to completely recalibrate. I think the end result was totally worth it, but it made things a little stressful at the time.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?

I'll be continuing with my Shades Below series well into the foreseeable future. I'm introducing new characters, new monsters, and new twists, as well as revisiting the characters from Book 1 (A World Apart), Lena and MacMillian. I'm really excited for where things are headed!

What genre would you place your books into?

These books are in solid urban fantasy territory, but they do have a streak of paranormal romance running through them as well. ;-)

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

My favorite books over the last few years have overwhelmingly been urban fantasy. I've also grown really passionate about mythology, monster lore, and various religious traditions. I find the stories we've told ourselves throughout our history incredibly fascinating, and bits and pieces of them definitely show up in my books.

Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?

That's a bit like asking a parent who their favorite child is, but if I had to choose, my favorite character is probably Jesper MacMillian. He's a transfemoral amputee (translation: his right leg has been amputated above the knee), and he's trying to relearn how to live his life. At the same time, he has been thrust into a leadership position in his community that he doesn't want and isn't prepared for.

Also, he handles the subversive world the way I would like to think I would: with healthy skepticism, but also a realistic acceptance that the world is a big and strange place, and it's perfectly conceivable that he might not know everything that goes on in it.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?

With a four-year-old running around, I don't really have the luxury of a set routine. I make coffee (pretty much my only non-negotiable habit), plant my butt where I can see if my son's about to knock over the TV, then try like hell not to get too distracted by the Internet.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

I do. I know everyone says you're not supposed to, but I TOTALLY DO. My books don't have a whole lot of reviews yet, so it's not too ridiculous (or so I tell myself). I never respond - even to say thanks - but I love hearing what people think of my books.

I'm convinced reading my reviews has also improved my writing. I've gleaned some great insights about my strengths and weaknesses as a writer by paying attention to what people say about my work. Plus, hearing directly from readers just what they liked (and didn't like!) about my books helps me craft books that people are likely to find appealing in the future. It's like my own little form of market research.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?

I usually choose a title first. Full disclosure: I already have the entire Shades Below series titled, mapped, and plotted. I'm crazy like that.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?

While I would love to think I have that much control over my characters, truthfully, I don't really decide anything. The voices in my head pretty much drive the bus, and I run along behind, cleaning things up as we go.

Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?

Depends on what I want the book for. I love eBooks for my pleasure-reading material; I can take an almost unlimited number of books with me wherever I go. For research material, however, nothing beats curling up in one of my office armchairs with a good hardback.

What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?

Ooo, that's such a mean question, haha! I definitely don't have just one favorite book. My recent favorites are Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series, and Uprooted, by Naomi Novik. I cycle between them constantly.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?

I think it depends on the book. If a book is very visual and fast-paced with a linear plotline, I think transfers can totally work. It seems like the books that don't transfer well are books that take place mostly inside the characters' thoughts. It can be the most brilliant book in the world, but you can't have a movie where the actors just stand around thinking at each other for 67-or-so minutes.

Favorite book-to-movie transfer? The Lord of the Rings series, hands-down. While they left a lot out of the movie that was in the books, the end result ended up being very true to the overall tone of the books, and the characters and storyline just sparkled.

Least favorite? Exodus: Gods and Kings. Seriously. What even the f*ck.

Your favorite food is?

Chilled shrimp cocktail, served with a good, spicy horseradish cocktail sauce and a squeeze of lemon. I could eat that stuff for DAYS.

Your favorite singer/group is?

IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION! In general terms, I love classic rock, indie rock, mullet rock, and the blues.

Your favorite color is?

Blood red.

Your favorite Author is?

It's a tie between Karen Marie Moning and Stacia Kane.

 

 

 

L.J.K. Oliva is the devil-may-care alter-ego of noir romance novelist Laura Oliva. She likes her whiskey strong, her chocolate dark, and her steak bloody. L.J.K. likes monsters… and knows the darkest ones don’t live in closets.

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