So please welcome Aimee!
***
What inspired you to start writing?
I don’t remember an actual moment
when I was inspired to write. It has always been a strong part of who I am.
Even when I was young I remember being drawn to the written word. I enjoy using
words to create. I have a chest full of papers and scribblers and bits and
pieces of things that I have collected over the years. I really love curling up
with a good book, I have always enjoyed grabbing a notepad and pen and just letting
myself get creative with my thoughts. My goal had always been to write a book
one day, whether it be published traditionally or by myself, it didn’t matter.
I just wanted to be able to hold a physical copy in my hands and know that I
took a story from idea to completion and share it with the world. I am
overjoyed to say I have accomplished this goal. However, it was not until
January of this year that I decided that it was time to start sharing my
writing with the world. I became a mother at a young age so my writing could
never take center stage because of more pressing responsibilities. I am finally
at a time in my life where I can focus my energy on producing quality work that
I feel confident sharing with readers.
Where did you get the
idea/inspiration for Alluring Song?
To be honest I’m not entirely
sure how I come up with my stories. They usually start with a random idea that just
comes to me. Then I find myself trying to grow it into something more. It
usually lives in my head for a while before I can start turning that thought
into a story. . Alluring Song started with a particular idea for a scene that
actually doesn’t play out until the story nears its end, involving Lorelei’s
origin. There is also some Greek mythology influence that I portrayed in the
backstory as I developed the plot. I have a pretty active imagination
that is always working away on something, leading to lots of daydreaming.
Who are your favorite authors,
and why?
This is actually not an easy one
for me to answer because there are so many good books that I have read and the
list of authors that I adore for their particular style of writing is very
long. The amount of talent in the world is breathtaking and there is never a
genre that I shy away from. There is one particular author who always stands
out for me because she wrote one of my all-time favorite books, Sherrilyn
Kenyon. I love Greek mythology and even tend to take inspiration for it when I
write my own stories. I love how she utilizes that magical history in her
writing. Acheron was a book that stayed with me long after I read it. Though
Acheron is my favorite, I enjoy all her work.
What are your favorite genres,
and why?
My favorite genres are fantasy
and romance. I love fantasy because I love the escape from reality when reading
and writing. Then there is always romance because I am a romantic at heart and
adore a good story that pulls the heart strings.
What do you need to help you
write?
I love to have quiet surroundings,
a hot cup of tea, and music that fits the mood of what I am writing whenever I
sit down to write my books. The calmer the world is around me the more active
my imagination, which explains why my mind often kicks into high gear in the
middle of the night. Sometimes I prefer to write with pen and paper rather than
typing, especially in the developing phase. I do my best thinking when I can
scribble on paper.
What are some challenges you face
with your work, and how do you overcome them?
I am a mother of three and time
is always a challenge for me. I have to utilize my time effectively to be
productive in my writing. I also have to accept the fact that some days will go
by and I will not be able to invest any time in it because my schedule does not
allow it. My family takes priority but I know I will always find my way back in
front of my computer because of my passion and desire to write. The toughest challenge that I
face now is marketing my book now that I have self-published. Some days I feel
like I am standing in front of a rock wall that reaches higher than I can see.
I know I have to find my way to the top but I don’t have the equipment or experience
to do so. When I start to climb, I find myself slipping and stumbling back to
the ground. I have to hold on to the hope that eventually I will find some
footing and make some progress. Until then I have to be persistent and patient.
The biggest help has been connecting with other author’s and talking with
others that have an understanding of what I am going through. It is comforting
knowing that I am not alone in my struggles.
What is your current project?
I am currently working on the
developing plot for another fantasy romance that has yet to be titled. It is
still in its early stages but I am very excited about how it’s unfolding. I am
also polishing a romance novel that I had written years ago. Romance is a
pretty consistent theme that tends to work its way into my stories.
Where would you like to be in
your career in five years?
I would like to be involved with
a publisher, someone with a better understanding of marketing that could direct
me on the best path. I find at this point that a lot of my time is consumed
with trying to wrap my head around how to properly promote my book and make it
known to readers and thus I cannot concentrate on my writing. I would also like to have further
books published. My goal is to release at least one book per year so if that is
obtainable then in five years I will have released that many more. Only time
will tell if this goal is realistic.
What do you love most about writing?
I love creating something from
nothing. I love taking a passing thought and developing it into an entire story
that could captivate and entertain readers. I love being in the middle of a
plot, developing and entire reality that someone can pick up, dive into, and
maybe fall in love with. The idea of people reading my book(s) and hanging on
to every word is thrilling.
Where can we find you
online?
Facebook: facebook.com/aimeemcneilswriting
Twitter: twitter.com/aimeeswriting
Instagram: instagram.com/aimeemcneilswriting
Book Links
Amazon http://tiny.cc/xu8kzx
Smashwords http://tinyurl.com/q49oass
Barnes and Noble http://tiny.cc/vx8kzx
Goodreads http://tinyurl.com/qfk5yj8
Bio
Aimee McNeil was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada,
where she continues to live today with her husband and three children.
Alluring Song is
her first novel, which she presented to the world after a lifetime of dreaming.
Aimee writes fantasy because she does not like to be confined within the
boundaries of reality. Other interests include reading, painting, and enjoying
every moment with her family.
Alluring Song Intro
Alluring Song sweeps
the reader away to a medieval era, where magic and love coexist, and blood is
spilled by unrestrained violence. Several points of view are depicted to paint
the story in its entirety. This allows the reader to have a better
understanding of all of the characters involved, even those on the darker
spectrum. The story takes the reader on a high paced adventure with lots of
action to keep them turning the pages until the end.
Brief Description
In a world where gods
wield power over mankind, testing their loyalties and their hearts, there are
some men that will rise from the ashes. This story begins with the sea. A
beautiful goddess whose misplaced affection unleashed a wave of torment upon
those who had wronged her, creating the means to wipe her beloved daughters
from her sea. A mother whose love defied the laws of life and death, protecting
her daughter from the demons of her past. A young woman who could not escape
her fate or the will of her heart, leading her to embrace a man created to
destroy her. Three warriors forged from a curse that has plagued them for
generations, one seeking vengeance, one struggling with his nature as
revelations shake his beliefs, and one that embraced his need for battle. A
queen whose thirst for power leaves a trail of destruction in her wake by her
use of deceit and dark magic. And a disheartened king with two sons, one born
of love, the other pure evil, with a nature so dark it threatens to destroy all
in his path. The struggle for power has begun.
Synopsis
Raised in seclusion, Lorelei is
suddenly taken forcibly from the only place she has ever known. Her captors,
led by a man named Crewe, become enamored of the fair Lorelei, except the
warrior named Ajax, who refuses to accept her innocence. Suspicions lead him to
act upon deep-rooted instinct. Lorelei can feel his distaste for her, almost
palpable in the air, while she struggles against the confusing feelings he
stirs within her. Everything about Ajax appeals to her, while he seems intent
on causing her harm.
Ajax, bred from a lineage
thought to be only myth, struggles between his nature and the intense desires
that Lorelei inflames within him. Her very being causes him to question
everything he believed to be true. When Lorelei is taken from his grasp, and
her life is threatened, he realizes he will stop at nothing to save her, even
if it is at the risk of his own life.
The notorious Teller
arrives at Falls Landing, making strategically violent moves against the crown,
causing fear and doubt to stir in the hearts of the people. Fueled by a
vengeance so fierce, Teller has woven an intricate plan for the demise of the
royal structure, the king, and the true target of his hatred.
The once-proud King
Brom spirals into the web of lies and deceit his own wife, Queen Peronell, has
spun around him. His ability to rule the kingdom comes into question as he
encounters threats that infiltrate his realm. The truth of his downfall soon
confronts him, and he is left to face what will remain.
Prince Arthur
struggles with dark urges that threaten his sanity. His thirst for pain,
pleasure, and the taste of blood begin to control him. When his secretive
mother reveals the truth of his existence, he embraces his nature, even biting
the hand that feeds him. His fascination soon turns toward the mysterious
beauty that shows up at his door, and he will destroy anything that gets in his
way.
All paths collide,
and Lorelei finds herself in the middle of a struggle for power. She must face
the truth of her creation, confront the powers that seek her, and face the new
world that has forever changed from the protective walls of her forest. The
dangers that surround her have been in play long before Lorelei was born, but
they have been awaiting her arrival. Lorelei will also discover something that
gives her the strength to face all that confronts her, her heart holding the
key.
***
Thanks for stopping by the blog, Aimee! Remember to check out the buy links for Alluring Song and give it a shot, and check back this Saturday for the review!
Cheers!
Amy
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