I am pleased to be a part of Kelly Hashway’s blog tour for her YA debut
novel, Touch of Death published by Spencer Hill Press and to be released on the 15th January 2013.
Today, I will be sharing with you my interview with Kelly.
Author: Kelly Hashway
Series: Touch of Death
Pages: 240
Genre: Young Adult (Suggested age range: 13 & up)
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Synopsis: (Goodreads)
Jodi Marshall isn’t
sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in
her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and
her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.
After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.
Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.
After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.
Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.
INTERVIEW
Welcome to Obsession with Books Kelly, Are you able to tell us a
little about the Touch of Death trilogy and yourself?
Thanks for having me. Well, I write everything from young adult
to middle grade to picture books. I’m represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA
Management, and Touch of Death is my first novel.
Touch of Death is the story of Jodi Marshall, a descendent of
Medusa and a member of a group of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the
zodiac, Ophiuchus. She has the power to raise the dead, but her blood is
poisonous to humans. She'll have to learn how to use her new powers quickly
because Hades is coming for her and the other Ophi.
When and why did you begin writing?
I can remember writing in elementary school. I started with
poems and short stories and by middle school I was working on a novel. I’ve
always loved books, so it seemed natural for me to write them.
Where did the inspiration for your series come from? And are
there certain influences that motivate you (literary and non-literary)
I was researching for another book I was writing, and I came
across a lesser-known myth about Medusa and the 13th sign of the zodiac,
Ophiuchus. As soon I read it, I knew I had to write about characters born under
this sign and descended from Medusa, giving them the power to bring the dead
back to life or kill with their poisonous blood.
I’ve been influenced by great writers like Rick Riordan and
Becca Fitzpatrick. I love their books and have learned a lot from reading their
series.
Did you find a particular character more challenging to write
than the others?
I’d say Abby was a challenge. She’s pretty evil, but I had to
make sure I showed the reader why she’s that way. It’s a tough balance to keep
a character evil but also give them justification for their behavior.
What is your ideal day as an author?
I get to write for five and a half hours each day when my
daughter is at school, and that’s pretty ideal. J But, it really makes my day when I
hear from people who have read my books. Nothing makes me smile more.
Is there anything about you that would surprise your readers? Any
quirks, habits, routines etc.
There are almost so many I don’t know which to choose. I’m
pretty weird. I can say the alphabet faster backwards than forward. I can
hitchhike with my big toe. It’s kind of freaky. (I’ve never really done it,
though. I just weird people out with it.) And I’m really obsessive when I have
something to do. I’m a total workaholic.
Are there any books or authors that have most influenced you?
Yes, the Percy Jackson series and the Hush, Hush series. I can’t
get enough of them and have tons of passages marked so I can reread them.
Is there are book you are reading at the moment? And do you tend
to favor a particular genre?
I favor the paranormal genre. I’m currently reading Poltergeeks
by Sean Cummings.
What is up next for you?
I have a young adult romance novella called Love All releasing
the same day as Touch of Death. I’m also working on another release through
Spencer Hill Press in 2014 called The Monster Within. And I have the first book
in the Birth of the Phoenix
series titled Into the Fire also releasing in 2014 through Month9Books.
Which 5 songs would you choose if you had to make a mini playlist
to accompany Touch of Death?
“Poison” by Alice Cooper
“Zombie” by The Pretty Reckless
“Dance with the Devil” by Breaking Benjamin
“Get Out Alive” by Three Days Grace
“Hero” by Skillet
Quick Questions:
Fave band / television series / movie?
Band: Right now (it changes) it’s The Pretty Reckless
TV series: Pretty Little Liars and Vampire Diaries (It’s a tie.)
Movie: Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief
Coffee or tea? Coffee
E-reader or hardcopy? Hardcopy
Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Ideal travel destination? Aruba
Thank-you so much Kelly for taking time to talk to us today!
Thank you for having me!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I write for children of all ages from picture books up to young adult. I
am proudly represented by Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. My debut YA, TOUCH OF DEATH,
releases January 15, 2013 through Spencer Hill Press. Also look for my other
upcoming YA novels: STALKED BY DEATH (Spencer Hill Press, July 23, 2013), THE
MONSTER WITHIN (Spencer Hill Press, April 2014), THE DARKNESS WITHIN (Spencer
Hill Press, TBA), and INTO THE FIRE (Month9Books, spring 2014). My debut MG
series CURSE OF THE GRANVILLE FORTUNE releases in 2016 through Month9Books.
GIVEAWAY
Spencer Hill Press is offering a
prize package to ONE winner throughout the Touch of Death tour.
Thanks for having me, Sharon. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview, Kelly! My students and I can't wait for the release of TOUCH OF DEATH, and the rest. Karen - thanks for posting the interview.
ReplyDelete