Monday 28 January 2013

Character Interview with Bach From Wisteria.




(This interview was taken before the start of Book One)

Three years after the Nero Plague turned 80% of the world's people into flesh eating zombies, most humans barely understand what is happening around them. Our people are struggling to survive. Amongst this madness (and through the ages), a race known as the Family visit to watch the Earth die, out of a twisted pleasure.

Welcome! Today we’re interviewing Bach from new novel Wisteria. You can find out all about Wisteria on this blog, facebook or get it here.
Tell us about your family.
I have two older brothers, a father and a step-mother. My father is the Sen of my clan or Pillar. He leads our clan of a million people and is one of the seven Elders who guide our realm. This makes my brothers Sen-Sons and we work with our father ensure stability on our realm.

So, you’re like a prince?
No, I am more like the son of a governor.

And what should we call your people?
The Family.

Don’t you have a real name? The Family kind of sound generic?
Almost no one knows the ancient name of our people because we  find names too sacred to just say.
It is hard to see how easily your people throw names around.

Well you can’t feel that strongly about it, since you told us your name.
Bach is not my true name. I just told you, names are highly sacred. Like most of my people, I do not go by my actual name.

What is your actual name?
(He pauses) I will never tell you that.
The last person to actually say it was my mother shortly before the Terran’s killed her.

I’m sorry for your loss.
 I do not need your pity.

Still, that must’ve been the scariest moment of your life?
I do not get scared. I suppose if you were  be caged and tortured by humans for amusement and shortly after those same human’s murdered someone  you cared about, you would be terrified.
While that was a terrible time for me, I was not afraid.

I’ll move on to my next question. If you could apologize to someone in your past, who would it be?
(He frowns)

Unless you have nothing to apologise for?
You are right. I have nothing to apologise for and if I did why would I tell you Terran?

Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know?
I am a night person. I find the darkness and cooler air better for contemplating.

What makes you happy?
I will be happy once my Great Walk is done.

The Great Walk?
It is a 1,000 day journey away from our home realm. It is a rite of passage teenagers take to see more of the realms around them and develop the skills required to live as adults. Mind was to come to Terra, or Earth as you call it and watch the zombie destroy your world..

Wait you want to watch us get destroyed? Do you even care about your own safety? Eventually the zombies will come after you.
First the infected don’t come after The Family, because they cannot sense us unless we let them. Second I can control them telepathically—if I wanted to. Third, I’m immune to the Nero virus, so their bite has no effect on me and finally, I am faster and stronger than any Terran which means,  I would be able to kill a zombie long before it was even a threat to me.

Why don’t you help the humans?
Why should I after what they did to my mother? The Terrans created the virus, so they should figure out how to deal with it or it will deal with them.

You can’t mean that.
Did I stutter? The Terran’s killed my mother. I do not care what happens to them.

Isn’t here a single human you care about?
There was this girl when I was younger... No, the Terrans mean nothing to me.

Is there a piece of advice that you have received that has really stuck with you? If so, what was it?
It was something my father said, “The Family and Humans can never commune. That was the way it was in the beginning and the way is shall be forever.”

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For a chance to win a copy the latest Wisteria novel Aporia, please sign up for the newsletter here and leave comment below stating one thing you've learnt from the interview above.

I will select my favorite comment.

Entries close 5th February 2013 at 12pm GMT (London Time).
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Aporia (Wisteria Series #3)

Out Soon



The Third Book in the Wisteria Series by Bisi Leyton

Wisteria was forced to betray Bach in order to save his life. Two years later, his best friend and her blackmailer Enric shows up on the Isle of Smythe demanding she help the Family locate Bach's brother who has disappeared.

Dragged back into the center of the Family's politics, she searches for the missing Family member along with Bach who is still deeply bitter from her apparent callousness.

Traveling through the decaying human world, Wisteria and Bach uncover more truths about RZC Bio Technologies, Wisteria's complex family, Bach's mother and their seemingly impossible bond. And pay a very high price.

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Sliding Scale of Antiheros


Rather than talking about Bad Boys, thought I'd go all out and discuss the beloved Anti-Hero.  I believe when it comes to down to it a Bad Boy is an anti-hero. We all know we should hate him and really part of does, but then we still can put the darn book down.

I was on TV Tropes's blog and came across this interest classification which I've summarized.

Bach from Wisteria
1. The Classic

An classic anti-hero is a protagonist lacking the typical heroic characteristics like loyalty, honor, duty, and in the case of some of the bad boys kindness. Sometimes the a guy (or girl) falls into this category due to a checkered past they are trying to escape. At the end of day, the antihero still believes in the cause. He will try to save the day because it is the right thing to do. His methods just might be less than perfect questionable, but no one gets hurt.

Ladies love him because he's just misunderstood

2. Pragmatic Anti-Hero
A lot darker than the first antihero. He wants to do good, does so using questionable methods. He'll whatever it takes to get the job. Sure a few people get hurt on the way, but they were bad guys and probably deserved it. He's not a killer, but might cross the line by accident if he doesn't stop.

Ladies love him because we want to change him

3. Vicious Anti-Hero
Amadeus from Unwish
He has undergone some gut wrenching ordeal that has made him bitter out for revenge or blood. Nothing will derail him from fulfilling his mission not even his love for the leading lady. His revenge or mission drives his bloodlust or the manner in which he treats those around him. He will do what it takes to stop the villain and where necessary they are prepared to kill, but this serves to make them more tortured and unstable. There is some teeny-tiny hope he will grow into the classic hero, but in reality there's an almost fifty-fifty chance he'll become just scrape to the Dangerous Anti-Hero or descend into a Hero in Name only.

Ladies love him because we love tortured souls and deep down he's a little boy who's momma left him

4. Hero in Name Only

The only thing that makes this guy a hero is the villain he's fighting is worse than himself. He has no redeeming quality whatsoever and really for the story to work, he has to be that way. Simply put, he is the lesser of two evils as not only are his methods despicable and his motives are too.

Ladies... and girl with him is probably long dead.

For more on this check out: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SlidingScaleOfAntiHeroes
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Why do you like bad boys?
Please answer below and include your email address.
The best answer will win an Advanced Copy of Aporia (Wisteria Series #3)

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Winner: Vicky

Paranoia - Free Wisteria Short Story!


Sign up for our newsletter and get the Wisteria short story, Paranoia free!

Zola, Dale and Cheryl crash land on a mysterious Isle of Smythe.  Immediately her boyfriend, is taken by the shady residents under the direction of the dictatorial Major. It is up to Zola and her friends to find him and escape the island that is determined to turn everyone in slave





Tuesday 8 January 2013

It's all about the Fair Folk



One thing I loved about vampires were the rules: stay out of the sun, no reflection and only come in if invited. Now, everything is changing and while change is good for the soul, sometimes I miss what once was. 

Luckily with Fairies  not a lot has changes yet. So for the sake of memory lane, I am listing a few of the rules of the Fair Folk we called Fairies.

And for those who've read the Wisteria Series, you might recognize a few of these traits in Bach's people.

As Fairies are mythical creatures, the rules will sometimes contradict each other, but hey...
  1. Fairies cannot produce music, but they love it and are often found around live music.
  2. For the Fairies who can make music or art they often teach humans in exchange for animal sacrifices
  3. Fairies do not lie, but can be selective with the truth
  4. They steal babies and switch them with their own. These switched infants are often called Changelings
  5. While they all have names, they don't offer them up freely as knowing a Fairy's name give you power over her
  6. Cold Iron is like kryponite to a Fairy
  7. They are magical creatures and their main business on earth is to cause mischief
  8. A fairy are generally good humored, but will do horrendous things to a person once she is upset.
  9. They have green eyes 
  10. Not all accounts held that Fairies were tiny people with wings. Some believed Fairies were tall and majestic human like people.

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Leave your own rule about fairies below (Existing or made up).
Please let me know if you made it up yourself or actually did a bit a research.
Include your email address.
I will select my favorite rule (one I will work into the last Wisteria Novel).
The winner will get an advanced copy of my new Wisteria short story (Criteria)

Contest Closes 12pm GMT on 15 January 2013

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Tuesday 1 January 2013

Character Interview with Julian from Her Game His Rules



Today it’s all about HER GAME, HIS RULES, a breathtaking upper YA romance, and the enchanting heroes of the story.
The book is brand new, just one week old, and some of you may have already adventured the sweet love evolving around teenager Jona and guardian angel Julian.
I’m happy to introduce Julian to you today, who agreed to join me so I could ask him a few questions. And ladies, if you thought him hot in the novel, you have no idea what a cupcake he is in reality…   But let’s not waste time making the man flush with compliments when I know you all are burning to hear what he says.
B: Julian, you’re an angel. But you don’t look a day older than 20. As far as we know, angels go way back. So, how old are you really?
J: If I told you that, you’d probably keel over. My girlfriend did. Ha ha. But I’m a good few millennia old.
B: Okay, that’s quite a span of time. In all the time you’ve existed, have you ever dated a human?
J: Apart from Jona? Never. And she was well worth the wait. (Julian grins)
B: And now I know why Jona’s heart flutters every time he does. Fine, let’s move on. What do you like about human girls that you don’t find in angel girls?
J: I value their ability of being short-tempered and sarcastic at times, something you’d never find in an all-loving angel. It’s fun to sit back and watch Jona in action. Very entertaining.
B: Short-tempered and sarcastic. Not everyone’s favored trait in a partner, I would say. So tell us, do you have any pet peeves?
J: I don’t like liars. Nothing can ever be so bad as not to come out with it straight forward.
B: I see that, and I totally agree. So here I have a few questions from readers who asked me to get them answered in this interview. Ladies, here you go:
Hugs or kisses?
J:Jona gives amazing hugs, but I’d die to kiss her right now. With a little stop in time, I can enjoy her all the more. So definitely kisses.
B: If you could choose between being a human and an angel, how would you decide?
J: Oh no… (he laughs) You will have to read our story to find out.
B: What is the hardest thing about being in a relationship with a human?
J: Patience. Definitively, and nothing else. As an angel you have en mass of it. Humans mostly don’t. Jona—no way. Ever since she found out that life is too short to waste a single minute, she’s dragging me everywhere, making me try everything, taste whatever exotic food she’s holding in my face. Then again, the girl is just lovely when she’s on a roll.
B: Are you romantic?
J: Hmm, I like to believe I am. But not in a bring-her-flowers-and-candy way. I think a lot about what could make Jona happy and would be good for her soul. Our first real alone-time on the beach was well thought through. Although, I didn’t expect it would end in a kiss. A win-win situation. Ha ha.
B: Oh, this laughter is infectious. Is there anything Jona doesn’t like about you?
J: She never lets me wear ball caps. Don’t understand why. I look cool with a ball cap. Really.
B: Favorite quote?
J: Seriously? Without having a book of quotes with me? I see your readers are of the hard-nut kind. But I wouldn’t be an angel if I didn’t know my math, right? (He winks)
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a ride!” by Thompson
B: Definitely something to live by and remember. Next one. If you could name a star, what name would it be?
J: If I said Jona, it would sound a little apparent, right? So I think I’d name it…Princess.
Okay, I think we came to the end of our questions. Thank you very much for coming. And here’s a final note to the readers: if you have any questions you want to ask Julian personally, please feel free to post them in a comment. I’m sure he will answer them for you.
If my chat with Julian intrigued you and you want to find out more about him and his lovely girl, please check out Piper Shelly’s website for more information on the romance.
http://www.pipershelly.com
The book is available on Amazon, Barns & Noble, the publishers website http://www.blackopalbooks.com and many more online stores. Or maybe you want to check with your local book store and ask for the title.


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Please leave a comment and sign up for the Bisi Leyton News Letter for Chance to Win a copy of Myopia.

Entries close 12pm GMT on the 8 January 2013

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Winner: Wwe11