Wednesday 14 November 2012

Spencer Hill Press Blog Tour: Interview + G!veaway with Kelly Hashway, author of Touch of Death

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.

Touch of Death (Touch of Death #1)Author: Kelly Hashway
Series: Touch of Death
Pages: 240
Genre: Young Adult (Suggested age range: 13 & up)
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Contact Kelly: TwitterBlogFacebookWebsite - Goodreads

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.

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.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 comments:

  1. Awesome 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.

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