The Reluctant Sacrifice
by Kerr-Ann Dempster
Publication date: August 7th 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publication date: August 7th 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis
Centuries ago, sibling rivalry tore Aramith apart. As punishment, the losers were stripped of their immortal birthright and banished to Earth. There, they wasted away from old age and diseases. However, there is hope…
If a Shaw child, born on the 12th day of the 12th month offers her soul in a public sacrifice, then the exiles will be forgiven and welcomed home to Aramith.
Aubrey Shaw is that child, but dying for the exiles is not on her to-do list. Using her gift as a Jumper, Aubrey leaps between bodies to escape relentless shape-shifting hunters. Only, shedding her skin is not enough. Not when Joshua, her best-friend-turned-hunter, is hell-bent on dragging her to the altar.
Will Aubrey’s love for Joshua change his mind?
Or, will she have to trust the scarred stranger who shows up out of the blue cloaked in lies and secrets? Doing so means giving up on Joshua. But betting on Joshua’s love could do more than break her heart.
It could kill her.
The Reluctant Sacrifice FAQs
Q: What is this book about?
A: It’s about Aubrey Shaw and her fight to remain alive. Aubrey is an Aramithian exile and according to prophecy, her death will earn forgiveness for all the exiles and reinstate their immortal birthright. However, Aubrey is unwilling to play savior. She wants to live and will do anything to it takes to stay alive.
Q: Why should I read it?
A: Because you’re hungry for something fresh and enjoyable? If you want the same- old-same, this book isn’t for you. However, if you are looking for a fast-paced story that’s rich with diverse characters, a unique plot, and witty dialogue, then dive in.
Q: Aubrey is a Jumper. What’s that all about?
A: Most Aramithians are born with supernatural gifts, given to them by the creators of Aramith. As a Jumper, Aubrey’s soul has the ability to leap between bodies. You’ll get to see it happen a few times throughout the novel.
Q: According to the blurb, she’s in love with her best-friend-turned-hunter, Joshua, but she also meets a mysterious stranger. Will there be an eye-rolling love triangle?
A: No spoilers! But, for those who hate love triangles, relax. Yes there are two guys in Aubrey’s life, but I can guarantee you there are no eye-rolling tropes in this novel. If you’ve ever fallen in love then you’ll find Aubrey’s love life relatable.
Q: Tell us about the relationship between Aubrey and Joshua, her best-friend- turned-hunter.
A: Aubrey and Joshua were childhood best-friends. They were each other’s firsts in many ways and have a deep connection. They know each other inside-out, and have a knack for saying all the things that cut straight to the heart. They know how each other think. This is great, but it also sucks since Joshua is now a hunter and has been assigned to drag Aubrey to the altar.
Q: Tell us about your favorite character (who is not the MC).
A: That would be Coy. Coy Brady made me laugh out loud a dozen times while writing. He’s handsome and sexy, but also roguish and flawed in every possible way. I won’t tell you more. You’ll have to fall in love with him yourself.
Q: Favorite moment in the story.
A: That’s hard. I’d have to go with the entire 1st paragraph of chapter 2 when we first see the Hawk Unit transform. Invoking the right image without being overly descriptive is a difficult task. The paragraph accomplished that beautifully.
Majestic wings slapped the air. With beaks pointed toward the ground, the hawks plunged into the market. Shrieking, the shoppers covered their heads and ducked. But the hawks did not attack. With a burst of feathers, they transformed into naked, muscular men and women. Wings and tails billowed out like smoke, and then formed hooded, feathered cloaks around their bodies.
Q: When will I get to see more of Landon and the Aramithian community?
A: The Reluctant Sacrifice takes place largely outside of the Aramithian community, so the reader only gets to see it when Aubrey does. Thankfully, The Reluctant Huntress will followAubrey’s sister Morgan. Since Morgan lives in the town of Landon and is a member of the Hawk Unit, I get to show the reader a lot more of Landon and also take them behind the scenes of the hunter’s world.
Q: When can we expect The Reluctant Huntress?
A: The Reluctant Huntress is scheduled for a 2016 release. It will be swiftly followed by a novella that ties the duology together and gives closure.
Q: Throughout the novel, Aubrey and her friend Tessa discuss Supernatural. Aubrey is Team Dean, while Tessa is Team Sam. What team are you on?
A: I’d like to combine those teams. How about Dean’s voice and face, with Sam’s body and hair? Hmm, excuse me while I daydream.
Author Q&A
Question: Three books to take into the afterlife?
- Angefall by Susan Ee. Because what if the angels in heaven are as corrupt up as Ee writes them? Penryn is a bad-ass. I’d want some ideas for surviving.
- When Heaven Weeps by Ted Dekker. He is the best male writer I’ve ever read. I buy just about everything he writes. Everything.
- The Hobbit. It’s a long, glorious read that will help me past the time. Plus, you know. It’s awesome.
Question: You’re stuck in an elevator, which 5 book boyfriends do you want for company?
- Joe Hardy from The Hardy Boys. What can I say? A girl never gets over her first book-boyfriend.
- Ren from Wicked. If you have to ask why, then you should read the book. I’d wrestle Ivy for a chance with this dude. Just saying.
- Edward Cullen form Twilight. Because I’d still like to hear his perspective, and it’s obvious Stephanie Meyer isn’t publishing Midnight Sun. Plus, I’d like to see the look on his face when he hears he’s now Edythe in the gender-swapping remake.
- Harry Potter. I’ll need someone to put a binding spell on Edward when he gets thirsty and decides to tap a vein
- Coy Brady. He’s from my novel, The Reluctant Sacrifice. Honestly, he was so much fun to write and interact with (in my head), that I would love more time with him. Plus, you know "muscles plus accent equals chew-your-arm-off hot.”
Question: If you could be a character in any book, who would you be?
I’d be Karou in Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I’m slowly reading through this series and I am fascinated by her story. Laini Taylor has written Karou with so much depth and angles that I can’t get enough of her. She is fierce but gentle. I find her love for the Chimera race admirable, since she loved them before she knew her past. I can’t wait to see how her story continues.
Question: Five authors you’d like to meet?
- J. K. Rowling. The woman is a genius. Her world building and attention to detail is second to none.
- C.S. Lewis. His creativity is beyond anything we’re seeing today. He had just the perfect mixture of light and darkness without being heavy-handed.
- Nnedi Okorafor. Everything about her writing is fearless. I can’t get enough.
- Stephen King. He’s an expert on all things dark, creepy, and bloody.
- Ted Dekker. He gets it. He knows how to craft thought-provoking stories that stay in your head for years after reading them.
Question: Favorite and Least favorite words?
- Favorite word: At the moment, it’s Sepulchral. It conjures these images in my head that sets my creativity in motion. No idea why.
- Least favorite word: Snot. It gives me the chills. Each time I hear it, I remember that one kid in my kindergarten class who would lick his upper lip when he had a cold. Yuck.
- An uncomfortable chair. Comfort kills my creativity. I do allow myself a blanket though. A nice scratchy one.
- Coffee with tons of cream.
A closed door
- Headphones for when I listen to previous chapters
- Post-it notes. I write notes for everything.
3 biggest distractions while writing
- Instagram. So many pretty pictures. so little time.
- The text from that one guy I like but can’t figure out if he likes me back. I swear. I’ve been staring at the damn thing for five hours.
- Chex-Mix. If they are in the house, I cannot focus until they are safe in my tummy.
Question: Why do you write Young Adult Novels?
• Because at 30 years old, I still read YA novels. Being an adult is tons of fun, but it comes with immense responsibilities. Also, as an adult, I don’t have many firsts left to enjoy. Writing and reading YA brings back fond memories that bill-paying
and gray hairs have caused me to forget. Plus, let’s face it, the stories are more authentic and interesting than the ones I read as a teen. Don’t get me wrong. I loved Sweet Valley High and The Hardy Boys, but I would have killed for some Harry Potter and Beautiful Creatures. I was raised in a strict household and fantasy novels were a big no-no. Now, I gobble them up and churn them out every chance I get.
Question: As both a writer and reader, what do you want to see more of?
Authenticity. We’ve come a long way, but I’m sick of vampires and witches. As a writer, I try to come up with new creatures or put a fresh spin on what’s been done before. Changing the back story is
not enough. Writers need to recognize that readers are hungry for new stories that explore new ideas and new obstacles. We have to risk it all and throw out the usual tropes and scare ourselves and readers a bit with new stories. It isn’t easy, of course. I’ve fallen victim to it myself, but I am fighting to be authentic. I’m taking more risks and I’m liking the payoff.
Question: How do you get inspired?
I’ve always lived in two worlds. The real world and the one I created in my head. I skipped my way through childhood, living in the stories I dreamt up and hosting Q & A’s with my favorite characters. It went on for weeks at a time. When I grew up, it didn’t stop. I used to think it made me a weirdo, but with time I understood these stories were meant to be written down and shared.
*I’ve been told my status as a weirdo is still up for discussions.
Question: Could you talk a bit about your writing process?
I love writing. I also love notebooks. The two go hand-in-hand when I’m starting a story. I jot every thing down. Every sentence and dialogue that pops into my head. Every character quirk and attribute. I keep a second notebook for the plot. After doing that, I try to look at it as a reader would. What do I need to know about this story’s world to make me feel like i’m apart of it? Which characters should I identity with? Which plot twists will I expect? (Those are the first ones I cut.)
The next step is outlining. I use a combination of a notepad, Pinterest, and software to map the story and build a timeline. Timelines always trip me up when writing. I have to go over them repeatedly.
Then, I begin writing. At the moment, I am experimenting with writing my first drafts in 3 months as the author, Stephen King advises. In the past, it took me six-eight months because the first few chapters are the hardest for me. We’ll see how that goes. I never share my story before the first draft is complete. It’s for the best because first drafts are usually crappy, repetitive, and inconsistent. The story doesn’t come together until the second draft.
The second draft gets sent to a developmental editor and then revised and presented to beta readers. I never skip the beta readers. They spot things even an editor misses. I would be lost without them.
Question: Tell us about your current project.
I’m currently working on The Reluctant Huntress. It follows Morgan, the sister of the main character in The Reluctant Sacrifice (TRS). She is the most hated and misunderstood character in TRS. Her story will shock those who hate her and force them to see her actions in a different light. The fun thing is that the books can be read in any order the reader chooses, which means you will end up hating the main character from each book because everyone is the hero of their own story.
Since this novel takes place in Landon, fans of the TRS will get to see more world building as I take them deeper into the magical Aramithian community. (A novella will is also planned to tie the series together).
Thank you so much, Kerr-Ann, for stopping by and allowing us to get to know you and your release, it's been fun!!
Excerpt
Majestic wings slapped the air. With beaks pointed toward the ground, the hawks plunged into the market. Shrieking, the shoppers covered their heads and ducked. But the hawks did not attack. With a burst of feathers, they transformed into naked, muscular men and women. Wings and tails billowed out like smoke, and then formed hooded, feathered cloaks around their bodies.
The crowd heaved a collective gasp. I did not. I could do nothing but stare at Joshua Kaito. He stood twenty feet in front of me. Hair as black as soot spilled down to his chin, and sunlight bounced off the crystal in the gold medallion at his throat. Shape- shifting had hardened his features, sharpening them in a way that made him beautiful, but also terrifying to look at. A whirlwind of emotions whipped through me.
Did his lips recall mine? “Please remember,” I whispered.
Joshua’s head swung to the left. I followed his gaze. My heart plunged when I saw Mom. She was hard to miss since she was the only one moving. Making no effort at stealth, she shouldered her way toward the gate.
Joshua’s narrowed eyes clouded with doubt, but then blazed with purpose when Mom flipped him off. “Over there,” he hollered, pointing to Mom.
Mom bolted. Joshua dashed after her like a comet. His fellow hunters followed, jabbing elbows and knees into those who blocked their paths. Panic rolled through the crowd. Fear screamed at me to go with the tide of bodies to safety, but instincts—or stupidity—screamed at me to stay.
I planted my feet, but I was no match for the crowd. I crashed to the ground, skinning my palms on the pavement. Using my backpack as leverage, I pushed my body upright.
No sooner had I stood than a leg the size of a tree trunk struck me in the stomach. Pain ripped through my chest, threatening to split my heart in two. The ground tilted up to kiss my cheek. Shades of gold danced beneath my eyelids. Then the world turned to black.
AUTHOR BIO
Kerr-Ann Dempster lives in Michigan where she is often found with her nose in a book, knee-deep in snow, and online fan-girling over fictional characters and fellow authors. She is a graduate of Loyola University, Chicago where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After working in Visual Communications and as a Flight Attendant, Kerr-Ann decided that life was best spent being happy. With that in mind, she published her first novel, Beneath Scarlett Valley, in August 2014. She then published her second novel, The Reluctant Sacrifice, in August 2015.
To learn more about Kerr-Ann, connect with her on: Instagram (author.kerr), Twitter (@annk3rr), Facebook and Goodreads. If you live in Michigan, you may also find her in line at Moomers purchasing homemade ice cream.
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
A signed copy of The Reluctant Sacrifice + a swag bag
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