Title: Blood Curse (Branded Trilogy #2)Author: Kat FlanneryGenre: Historical Paranormal w/Romance 16+Publication Date: October 1, 2014Publisher: Imajin BooksEvent Organized By: Literati Author Services, Inc.Synopsis
“Upon mine death for the blood ye have shed, Every daughter born to ye shall die before it draws breath, to which ye will know pain and worse, I cast unto ye mine blood curse.” ~ Vadoma
Four years after the Blood Curse, Pril of the Peddlers vows to protect her child against the evil men who hunt her. With her clan unaware of the branded girl among them, Pril has to keep the identity of her daughter a secret. When her child is kidnapped, she is forced to ask Merchant runner, Kade Walker, for his help.
Kade Walker needs to find the gypsy child. Blackmailed and pushed beyond his own moral code, he is determined to do whatever it takes. When he comes across the Peddler clan, he is sure the girl is there, however all hope is lost when the gypsies capture him. Time is running out—until Pril makes him an offer he cannot refuse.
Amidst greed, lust, revenge and love, Pril will need to trust Kade. But as the evil nears and doubt creeps in, will she discover that the enemy has been standing next to her all along?
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“Upon mine death for the blood ye have shed, Every daughter born to ye shall die before it draws breath, to which ye will know pain and worse, I cast unto ye mine blood curse.” ~ VadomaFour years after the Blood Curse, Pril of the Peddlers vows to protect her child against the evil men who hunt her. With her clan unaware of the branded girl among them, Pril has to keep the identity of her daughter a secret. When her child is kidnapped, she is forced to ask Merchant runner, Kade Walker, for his help.
Kade Walker needs to find the gypsy child. Blackmailed and pushed beyond his own moral code, he is determined to do whatever it takes. When he comes across the Peddler clan, he is sure the girl is there, however all hope is lost when the gypsies capture him. Time is running out—until Pril makes him an offer he cannot refuse.
Amidst greed, lust, revenge and love, Pril will need to trust Kade. But as the evil nears and doubt creeps in, will she discover that the enemy has been standing next
to her all along?Book 2 in the Branded Trilogy
About the Author
Kat Flannery's love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. When not researching for her next book, Kat can be found running her three sons to hockey and lacrosse. A member of many writing groups, Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. She's been published in numerous periodicals. Her debut novel CHASING CLOVERS has been on Amazon's Bestsellers list many times and was #62 over all their titles. LAKOTA HONOR (book 1 in Branded Trilogy)
and HAZ ARDOUS UNIONS are Kat's other two books and both have made bestseller lists. T he second book in the Branded Trilogy BLOOD CURSE will be released fall of 2014.
Writer’s Corner: Where the author likes to write and why?I have a few favorite spots I like to write and over the years have become my go-to place for creating my stories. The place you’ll find me hacking away at my novels is my kitchen table.
My family congregates in the kitchen and so it seemed natural to set up shop there.
I have an office, but I cannot write in it. I have tried, but nothing ever got done, which is not a good thing when you’re on a deadline. This topic gets me going and it frustrates me to no end. You see, I’ve got a lovely office, with wainscoted sage green and white walls with beautiful pictures and my diplomas hanging from them. My books along with writing, editing and grammar books line the shelves. I have everything I’d want or need in the small room. I even have an awesome heated chair. However, the dilemma still remains, much to my husband’s dismay…I simply cannot write there.
The other place I tend to “plop” myself is the couch, which is next to the kitchen. This is where I sit in the wee hours of the night creating characters and plot twists. There is something about the soft glow from a candle, the smell of cinnamon and a little bit of Micheal Buble crooning in the background that get’s me in the mood.
I’m somewhat of a neat freak, and so I keep a coiled notebook beside me at all times. Organization is what brings me peace and keeps the muse flowing. I know that anything I’ve researched, plotted, characters etc are written on the lined paper to my left. There is nothing worse than coming to a climactic scene and not remembering if the character had brown or blue eyes. Yes, that does happen.
My writing schedule is consistent with its word count, but not the times I chose to write. I try to get most of my writing done during the day, but if appointments and life interfere, than it’s late into the night when the house is quiet. To tell you the truth it is my favorite time to write. I can allow my imagination to take flight. I don’t need to worry about anything, but the story in front of me.
Character Inspiration:
As a writer I strive to give the reader a great story wrought with suspense, action, drama and romance. I express my own feelings through my characters when writing an emotional scene. I agonize over the simplest of words while trying to convey an emotion. I type and delete only to re-type the same sentence again with added passion. I utilize the five senses to the best of my ability, writing them differently each time.
I place raw—real feelings within my characters. I write their actions according to what most would do, their reactions are an outcome of who they’ve become. I will not compromise them for a happy ending.
Blood Curse is filled with adventure, greed, hate, lust and love. The journey of Pril and Kade will take you to a far away land in Colonial America during 1723. Before I started writing this story I studied my characters. As with all of my novels my characters nestle themselves within my heart and attach to my soul. Pril and Kade were no different. I fell in love with them, with their strength, their sorrow and their honor. I only hope you do too.
Introducing Pril of the Peddlers- When the plot had begun to form for Blood Curse, I had to create my lead character, Pril. My dad actually named her. It was a conversation over coffee when he told me of a girl he used to go to school with named Pril. I liked the name, but wasn’t stuck on it. However, the darn name wouldn’t leave my mind. I kept seeing my character; red hair, jewelry, bright shawl and Pril kept popping up. Instead of fighting it, I gave in and my gypsy was born.
I created Pril to be tough, mouthy, and resilient. She was skilled with a bow and could throw her fist better than some men, all taught to her by Galius her oldest brother.
Pril needed to be strong in order to go up against the wealthy Monroes. Yet, I wanted to give her frailties too. I instilled fear within her. A constant worry when it came to her child. I made her insecure, gifted with only certain magical abilities. Due to her insecurities she couldn’t perform crucial spells. This would be the cause of her guilt.
I had created my heroine, the character that would push the story along. The main reason the reader would continue to turn the pages and as I wrote, I began to adore her.
How to Meet Deadlines and Remain Sane…
Ha! For most of us authors a deadline is an end to the writing process, a death to our prose. When a publisher utters the word deadline, it sends me into an anxiety attack that has my head spinning and my heart racing. The “I can’t make it” or “there’s simply not enough time” escape past my lips in faint whispers that are followed with a pitiful cry for help.
However, there is a light at the end of this dark and tumultuous tunnel. Once the initial shock of being on a deadline sets in, I pour myself a stiff drink, sit down at the table and make a schedule—a writing schedule. This keeps me on track and as keeps the anxiety away.
I devise a word count for each day and I must make it. This doesn’t mean I need to make this count in one sitting. If my word count is 2500 a day, I have the span of 24 hours to get it done…and I will. There is no room for failure here. My goal is to finish the rough draft of a novel within three months.
Determination is what will complete the story. Perseverance plays a role as well, especially on those days where you want to give up—when you have writer’s block and the second-guessing begins. Yes, authors are constantly wondering if the story we’re creating is the right one. Doubt is an emotion you need to push aside and let the story take charge—allow your characters to speak to you, let them tell you where to go.
Once I’m on a role and the story is dripping from my fingertips to the keyboard, the deadline is non-existent. It leaves my mind and I do not think of it again until I’ve typed The End.
The only novel I wrote leisurely was my first, and if you count on being published it will probably be yours as well.
How to Avoid the Rejection Blues…
There is no pill you can take, no drink to ease the pain of being rejected. It is a part of the writing process, especially if you plan on being traditionally published. I’ve got the battle scars of a writer searching to belong, and I won’t sugar coat this…it sucks.
As you sit surrounded by your own self-pity there is one thing you need to remember. It is not personal. It took me a long time to actually believe that sentence. It is not personal. There is the truth. Being rejected is not a direct hit to you as an individual. It is a criticism of your work that you submitted. A lot of writer’s take a rejection as they’re not good enough and you cannot think that way. If most of the bestselling authors out there gave up after one rejection we’d have no books to read. Place your ego aside and concentrate on what really matters and that is the story. You will never stop learning lessons in life, and this applies to writing as well.
The process of sending to a publisher is like a job interview. Sometimes you get the job, sometimes you don’t. I will let you in on a little secret, most publishers will tell you what is wrong with your manuscript, and though you may disagree with them, look at what they are saying with an open mind. Make the changes, do what they’re asking. Polish and shine that novel, and send it off to the next one.
What you need to remember is that the rejection process does not need to be such a bad thing. Learn from it. Take everything you can from the letters and emails that are returned and make yourself a better writer.
As a published writer, who has had many rejections, the best advice I can give aspiring authors is to grow a thick skin. I know how difficult it is to let someone criticize your work, to have them rip it to shreds—to be told writing a novel is not what you’re good at. I’ve shed tears, cried out in frustration and felt defeated too, but what I wouldn’t do was give up.
Beware the Procrastination Demons…
Procrastination is a writer’s enemy. It can halt the writing process within seconds and it happens to all of us. It is the moment in which you wonder if the story you’re telling is good enough, if the characters and their plight are believable. It is the one emotion that causes me to drink.
How do I over come this horrible downer? On a good day I ignore it, on a bad one, I cave into the insecurities every writer faces and bang my head on the table. When procrastination stops the flow of my writing, I take the time to research. This allows my mind to go in a different direction, one filled with possibilities and the creation of plot twists.
As an historical writer, I need to research. I use it as a distraction from the gloom and doom that comes from my self-doubt. I don’t read when I’m writing, but if you do, this could be a great way to come out of your funk as well.
What you should not do is dwell. Do not allow yourself to be pulled into the realm of second-guessing; this will only lead to disaster and an unfinished book. Ponder it for a moment or two, down a shot of whiskey, stretch your arms and legs, and get back to it whether it be research, taking notes, or writing.
What you need to remember is that all writers experience this, and it is not the end of the world. Muddle through, even if the writing is slow. Soon the procrastination will disappear, left in the words you have written.
Top Ten Pieces of Advice for Aspiring Writers:1. Write everyday, or try to. You will need this discipline when you’re published. If you do not have it you will never finish a novel.
2. Throw your ego out the window. No one likes a know it all, and publishers, editors and your peers are no different. An ego will get you nowhere.
3. Learn grammar. Writing a book is not a simple task, but if you do not know the simple rules for grammar you will not succeed.
4. Get an editor. This is an essential part of the writing process. An editor will see things you cannot. Their job is to enhance your writing through sentence structure, grammar, and suggestions. They should not re-write your novel.
5. Know your audience. You cannot write a book if you do not know whom you’re writing it for. You will need to know this if you want to send to publishers.
6. Write a blog. This will keep you writing in your down time and will give you a presence on social media. Most publishers ask for an online presence within their submission guidelines.
7. Learn how to market. Social media is the main source of marketing for authors. Blog, meet other authors, tweet…engage.
8. Be smart. Do not post things on social media you do not want thousands to read. Even if you only have 50 friends, if one shares and so on, a bad post could ruin your career.
9. Read. If you want to be a writer you need to be a reader first.
10. Take writing classes. You will meet other writers. Receive bit of criticism on your work. You will learn things about the craft you never knew
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Kat Flannery:
1. I’m a mother to three boys, two teenagers, who keep me running with their hockey and lacrosse.
2. I am Italian. Many people assume I am Irish because of my name, but it is my husband who drinks the beer and gives me my last name.
3. I’ve been writing since I was twelve.
4. I was never a dog lover, until I got my Valley bulldog, Maddy two years ago. She is one of my best friends.
5. I cannot sing at all, not even a little bit. Please, don’t ask.
6. I have dual citizenship. I was born in Vero Beach, Florida and live in Canada.
7. My first book Chasing Clovers was in my head for five years before I wrote it.
8. I was rejected 12 times before signing on with Imajin Books. In celebration I got a shamrock tattoo with the number 13 in it.
9. I have ten tattoos, each hold a significant meaning to me and who I am.
10. I am an introvert.
I love to read and have been ever since I was a teenager. My first book was Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. I fell in love with Claire and Jaime. I was sucked into the plot and how Diana intertwined her characters and their stories. My favorite part of the book was the historical aspect; Diana’s description of Scotland, the language, dress and civilization all affected me long after I was done reading it. I knew then that I wanted to write historical novels.10 Books That Made Me Want to Become a Better Writer:
This list was hard to create, as I’ve read so many books by great authors, but these ten hold a special place in my heart.
1. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4. The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
6. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
7. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
8. The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
9. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
10. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
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