Shadowcat Nation
Book 2
Abigail Owen
Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Number of pages: 246
Word Count: 60,000
Book Description:
Zac Montclair's first priority is to protect his people. With the escalating war between factions of shifters over land and resources, he has agreed to an alliance between his polar bears and the Shadowcat Nation of cougar shifters. But the treaty comes with a condition…he must accept one of their Seers into his Timik and put her under his personal protection.
Sarai Bouchard doesn't need her supernatural gift to know that Kyle Carstairs's obsession with controlling her ability will eventually result in her misery and demise. Her power is essential to her people's survival, so when Kyle goes rogue, she's sent to Zac Montclair to keep her safe. However, her visions reveal that while staying will lead to their becoming lovers, it also leads to his death. Leaving Zac will result in her own.
If Sarai can't find a way to change the future, she will be forced to choose…save her lover or save herself.
Sarai concentrated on precise, sharp movements with as much power as she could muster. She’d only been working out for ten minutes or so. She’d started the day similarly yesterday. She cooked breakfast, eating with the guys. She dragged George and Scott on more sightseeing trips. Today she’d decided to explore a small portion of Central Park. She didn’t try to lose them this time. When they’d got home, they’d hit the gym.
Now, Sarai tuned out Scott and George—who were sparring across the way from her—to focus on her own drills.
“How about you try that out on a man who moves and reacts.”
Sarai spun on her heel to find Zac standing behind her. He was wearing running pants and a tight tank top, which meant she didn’t need to use her imagination to picture the muscles of his arms and chest. They were on display. Her own personal show. Sarai swallowed.
Then she computed what he’d said. How was she going to get out of this? The truth was she couldn’t spar. Her visions messed her up. But that was a secret she had no intention of sharing with three people.
“Not really a good idea.”
He stared at her for a long moment. Then he glanced over her shoulder at George and Scott who’d stopped to listen. “I’ve got this, fellas. Why don’t you go back up to the apartment?”
There was no doubt in her mind that was a command, not a suggestion. Clearly the guys thought so too. She watched them leave the room with wide eyes.
As the door closed behind them, Zac’s hands landed on her shoulders, turning her to face them. “Okay, kuluk. It’s just you and me now. What are you not saying?”
Sarai had never felt this vulnerable in her life. Or this scared. This man got to her in a way no one else ever had. How was she supposed to resist that?
“Why is this so important to you?”
He moved his hands from her shoulders to frame her face, his fingers threading through the dark blond strands of her hair. “Keeping you safe is important to me. I need to know how much you can defend yourself if you have to. It will help me determine just what I need to prepare for. No surprises. Okay?”
Sarai took a deep breath. He couldn’t have meant it that way. Just the thought of being important to this big, strong man connected with the frightened, lonely little girl who’d spent her life just trying to survive. But she couldn’t think that way. She had to leave him, and that knowledge made her want to cry.
Seeing her hesitation, he brushed her cheeks softly with the pads of his thumbs. “Let me help you with this burden,” he murmured softly, his voice a hypnotic, deep rumble.
Sarai bit her lip. Sharing this with him really wasn’t that big a deal. She knew she could trust him.
On a deep inhale, she gave a tiny nod and started talking before she could change her mind. “Okay.”
He gave her one of those rare little half-smiles, making her suddenly very glad she had agreed to capitulate. Thankfully, he released her and stepped back, giving her room to breathe.
Shadowcat Nation
Book 1
Abigail Owen
Genre: paranormal romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: 12/10/14
ISBN: 978-1-62830-661-3
ASIN: B00PM6T2YW
Number of pages: 258
Word Count: 61,300
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Book Description:
Andromeda Reynolds is being hunted. After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of a pack of wolf shifters, Andie has devoted her life to protecting her community of cougar shifters from a similar fate. But now, a greater threat lies within her own dare, and she must run. If she stays, Kyle Carstairs will force their mating, seeking the added political power their union would provide.
Andie would rather chew off her own foot than end up with Kyle. Though, knowing him, she won’t live long either way. Andie’s only hope of survival is to mate Jaxon Keller, the Alpha of the Keller Dare with which she is seeking asylum. But before she can get to him, Andie must first go through A.J., one of the Alpha’s Protectors.
What Andie doesn’t realize is that A.J. has secrets of his own. All Andie knows is that the incredibly frustrating shifter insists on challenging her story, her skills, her trust… and her heart.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/VPoOg6WFolo
Series Pinterest Board:
https://www.pinterest.com/abbyowen/the-shadowcat-nation-series/
Available at The Wild Rose Press
He glanced down at her. “You really are a tiny thing, aren’t you?”
Andie scowled. “Don’t let my size fool you. I can pack a wallop when I want to. Even with a broken arm.”
A.J. laughed. “I’m sure you can.”
Andie stared straight ahead, her mouth thinning. She hated being patronized. Men were so dense sometimes. They never took her seriously until she showed them exactly why they should.
Keeping her left arm protected, Andie suddenly dropped. One leg shot out and she spun low to the ground, sweeping A.J.’s feet out from under him. As he landed on his back, she was on top of him, her knee on his windpipe—not crushing, just sending a message.
Before she could gloat too much, though, she was flying through the air. Andie tucked into a back flip, landed on her feet, and then spun and launched herself backwards in a one-handed back handspring. A.J. had just gotten on his feet when her legs wrapped around his neck. She used her momentum to drop him back to the floor.
Andie rolled and ended up in a crouch close by. A.J. held up his hands in surrender. “All right, wildcat. You’ve proved yourself.”
Andie glared at him. “Don’t doubt me. And don’t insult my intelligence by pretending you just lost either,” she said in a severe voice, made harsher, perhaps, by the fact that she’d just realized exactly how incredible his blue eyes were. They were a vibrant color made even more interesting by the black ring that rimmed the irises. And she was more than irritated with herself for having noticed that at all.
He levered himself up off the floor. “Fair enough.”
The only thing that kept her from proving her point more—because she could tell he’d held back—was the small amount of respect she could see in his eyes. With a brusque nod, she followed him down the hall.
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I always wanted to be a writer – ever since I was about ten. Maybe younger. Although for a short while I considered being a jockey. Then I got too tall.
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I’ve always considered myself a writer. I considered myself an author when I published my first book about three years ago.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
I self-published my first book – Blue Violet. Three years later I signed my first contract for a different book which was published five months later. In January I signed a contract for Blue Violet which I expect to release soon – about four years after I originally self-published it.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
I’m a business analyst for a major tech company. As a liberal arts major I never would have said I’d do anything with math or computers, but that’s what I do all day – and I love it.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
Sarai’s Fortune (Shadowcat Nation #2)
A Seer has a vision that no matter what path she chooses either she dies, or her lover does.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
I started out self-publishing. My publisher is The Wild Rose Press and I love working with them.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
I write the first draft quickly – 2-6 weeks. I spend the bulk of my time, another 1-3 months, doing subsequent drafts. I love the drafting phases where I perfect and round out and add the sparkle.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I’ll be finishing out the last two books of the Shadowcat Nation. I have a four-book paranormal romance series called the Svatura series also coming out with The Wild Rose Press. I have two contemporary romance novels completed that I’m working on publishing in the next year. Lots of projects!
What genre would you place your books into?
This series of books are paranormal romance. I also write contemporary romance.
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I love romance in general and have ever since discovering my mom’s stash of Harlequin novels when I was twelve. I love the interactions and watching the story of people falling in love. The paranormal element comes from my love of the science fiction and fantasy genres (I’m a total Star Wars/Lord of the Rings geek) and combining that with my favorite romance genre.
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?
My favorite tends to change. My favorite heroine to write my be Andie from Andromeda’s Fall. She’s so snarky, it was fun to write her. My favorite hero at the moment is Shane from Tieryn’s Fury (the 3rd book in the series that’s currently in my editor’s hands). He’s the broody type with a heart of gold. I enjoyed writing him.
How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing since I was ten or so. I’ve been writing romance novels for the last seven years. The stories in my head just keep coming and won’t leave me alone.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I write any and everywhere whenever I can find the time. Mostly it’s on the couch or in bed. Sometimes the TV is on, sometimes it isn’t. But I also write at kid’s soccer practice, in the car (when I’m not driving), at coffee shops. You name it.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
I read every single one – good and bad. If the bad ones have merit I try to fix it in the next book. The good ones help keep me going.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
The title usually comes after for the first book. For subsequent books in a series, I usually have the titles first.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
Character names I have fun with. Lots of trolling through baby name websites. I like to pick names that suit my character’s personality. Places are usually real places that I’ve researched online or been to myself.
Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
It depends on the character. Andromeda’s name came first because I liked it. I built a personality to suit it. Sarai’s name also came first because she was mentioned in a previous book. In my Svatura series, Ellie’s name came after I had an idea of the character. I like the names to fit the characters (or vice versa).
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I develop my characters quite a bit before writing. I tend to be a pantser, but I like to know my characters – who they are and how they’ll change – before I write. Sometimes they still surprise me and show me something unexpected. I love it when that happens.
Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
I’m no Aesop. My messages tend to be more about the importance of relationships and love.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
I don’t like hardback – they’re too heavy. I’m six of one/half a dozen the other on paperback vs. ebook. They both have advantages and disadvantages. I tend to read ebooks more these days because of transportability and they’re cheaper.
What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I read it every couple of years. Part of it is the sentimentality – I first read it on a particularly lovely family vacation. But I also love the story – the growing up, the bond of sisters. It’s a lovely read.
Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?
The movie is never as good as the book, because it can’t include all the subtlties without being 10 hours long. But with special effects, I do love to see my favorite books in movie format.
Your favorite food is?
chocolate
Your favorite singer/group is?
I love a ton of music in almost every genre. I don’t have one favorite. Glenn Miller (40s swing band) comes to mind off the bat. Lately I listen to a lot of Pitbull.
Your favorite color is?
blue
Your favorite Author is?
Way too hard to answer. Depends on the genre and what I just finished reading.
Award-winning paranormal and contemporary romance author, Abigail Owen was born in Greeley, Colorado, and raised in Austin, Texas. She now resides in Northern California with her husband and two adorable children who are the center of her universe.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. A fourth generation graduate of Texas A&M University, she attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
Website/Blog: http://abigailowen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abigail.Owen.Books
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AOwenBooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/abbyowen/
Thank you so much for having me! I really enjoyed this interview. :)
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