The
Carriage
Jena
BaxterGenre: YA, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Jena Baxter Books
Date of Publication: February 16th, 15
ISBN: 978-0-9911677-2-2
ASIN: B00TOQNODQ
Number of pages: 214
Word Count: 52,313
Cover Artist: Consuelo Parra
Model: Amber Ornelas
Book
Description:
A
teenage girl enters a carriage in Central Park and disembarks in
Victorian, England.
Cursed
by her sister Brooke, Alexis Powell arrives in the Victorian Era
where she meets Ezra, who was recently murdered by an assassin his
brother Amos hired. Now a supernatural creature, Ezra sees into
Alexis’ mind with a touch and Intrigued by her memories, offers his
help only to be rebuffed for his kindness. Alexis runs away, but Ezra
is unable to shake off what he saw. He follows her through the
streets of London.
Vulnerable
after the death of his Father, his brother’s harassment, and
Alexis’ many rejections, Ezra decides to stop following her.
Alexis is unable to find work or food. Facing starvation, she steals
a tomato and Ezra finds her facing the local magistrate and an angry
mob. He pays for her freedom.
Finally
accepting the help Ezra offers, Alexis moves into the manor he shares
with his brother. Romance blossoms but the bond between Ezra and Amos
is worse than Alexis’ relationship with Brooke.
While
Ezra and Alexis search for a way to send her home, Amos looks for a
way to kill them.
Book
Trailer: http://youtu.be/-2P1NTDmQww
Available
at Amazon
Somehow
I was certain I was no longer in New York. The streets were
cobblestone, and the buildings wood and brick. A lot of them were
broken down, old and shabby. The alleys were filthy and smelled like
shit. Exhausted, I looked for a place to hide but didn’t know where
to go. When I couldn’t move another muscle, I hid behind a wooden
staircase with my back against the wall and fought not to jump at
every sound.
I
hadn’t meant to fall asleep, and didn’t know how long I’d
slept, but it looked close to mid-morning when I opened my eyes and
looked around.
The
women walking by were wearing long, full dresses, and big feathered
hats. The men’s pants were more form fitting, not the jeans they
usually wear. Some of the children running around were barefoot and
downright filthy, looking as if they had been rolling in mud or
playing with charcoal. I cringed when I saw a boy carrying a rat by
the tail. Everything was straight out of a Dickens novel. I wouldn’t
have been surprised to see little Dorrit, or Ebenezer Scrooge waltz
by any minute now. I rubbed my nose with the palm of my hand. What
the hell was I going to do?
This
obviously wasn’t real, so I must have fallen in with a role playing
community of some sort. My mother and father used to play dungeons
and dragons. Maybe this was the same thing, but in the extreme.
Something
slammed into my back. I screamed and turned at the sound of a woman
yelling at me. The broom in her hand whooshed down again, just
missing my face.
“Whoa.
Hey, stop!”
What
was wrong with these people? I couldn’t understand a word she said,
so I ran. She chased me, swinging the broom until I left the alley.
I
stopped to catch my breath, smoothed my clothes, and approached a
woman in a long brown dress with a white bonnet and black boots. She
stared at me like I was some sort of freak. Uh ... she was the freak,
not me. Maybe the men would be friendlier, but not one of them would
stop. Then I saw the man that crashed into me yesterday across the
road. He looked a little different, wearing a brown suit, and an odd
piece of material similar to a scarf around his neck, with a top hat.
He was actually still attractive in the weird clothes. Dodging carts
and vendors, I made a bee-line for him. At least he wouldn’t chase
me with a broom.
About
the Author:
Jena
Baxter has always loved history and time travel. She liked to read,
and often wrote poetry as a stress inhibitor while growing up. But
like other writers, she dreamed of writing a novel. So she enrolled
at the UCLA Writer's Extension, to gain the confidence and skill to
move forward.
Today
Jena has a YA Fantasy novel, as well as a YA Paranormal Romance novel
online and in print.
Interview
Ojai, California.
Tell us your latest news?
I finally finished a story I’ve been working on for
years, right behind The Carriage. I worked on it through writing classes, wrote
and re-wrote it. I’m so glad it’s finished.
When and why did you begin writing?
I wrote a lot of poetry as a child. As I grew older
I wanted to take creative writing classes. I put it off for years, then after
taking that class, I enrolled in some classes that focused specifically on novels.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I never really questioned it. I guess I thought the
poetry qualified me as a writer. I just needed to stretch out my wings a little
bit.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I was watching the movie with a subplot about a girl
who does something behind her boyfriend’s back and they break up. An entire
sex, drugs and rock n roll story formed in my mind. I’ve recently started
rewriting it.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I usually write in third because I like my
supporting characters to have their own subplots that tie into the story. But I
always wanted to try writing in first. The Carriage was planned in first from
the beginning.
How did you come up with the title?
The Carriage is the foundation of the story. The
only title I liked better was Ezra, but while he plays a huge part, the story
belongs to Alexis’. This way they share it.
Is there a message in your novel that you want
readers to grasp?
There’s a strong sense of consequence to action, and
how we treat each other.
How much of the book is realistic?
I try to make the time period as realistic as
possible. While I made Ezra a man who hated being obligated by the restraints
of society, it’s still very much a part of him. He’s also based on a mythical
creature called a Fext. Alexis is a modern girl; cell phone, independent,
modern hair and revealing clothes. They have to learn how to deal with a clash
of cultures.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events
in your own life?
No, I have some experiences in other stories I’ve
written, but not this one.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy. She goes so deep into
the culture and what they believed in the era her characters are based in. I love
cultures, whether I create them or use a historical period.
If you had to choose, which writer would you
consider a mentor?
One of my writing teachers. Her name is Lynn
Hightower. Great teacher and a best-selling Author.
What book are you reading now?
Stone Guardian, by Paulina Woods. It’s been
interesting so far, but I’ve been so busy lately that I’m not far into it. I
loved the beginning though.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your
interest?
Aubrey Wynne, Kishan Paul, Renea Mason. All great
writers.
What are your current projects?
Well, I just finished the story I mentioned earlier.
It’s a dramatic romantic fantasy about a warrior angel whose bonded-brother
becomes a fallen angel. Ilan becomes rebellious and finds himself on a guardian
assignment to restore a broken marriage. He falls in love with his charge and
decides to make her his own until he realizes warriors aren’t sent on
assignments like that, Lily is in danger and he has no idea what’s ahead. He
veils her memories and waits for an unseen future.
I have another called One with the Dragon, about a
culture entrusted to bond with dragons and guard the nations. But the Methali
people began treating their dragons like slaves. A dictator has risen and is
taking the nations one by one while the dragons are deserting Methalis.
The last is called Pretentious. It’s my sex, drugs
and rock n roll story I mentioned earlier. It’s about a boy who promised his
dying Father he would watch over and protect his family. He’s good with it
until he gets a little older and has dreams of his own, and realizes he’s
trapped in his Father’s world. His dream of becoming a rock star that was almost
impossible from the start is beyond impossible now. Not many make it in the
business and Danny can’t walk the walk and keep up the family restaurant.
What would you like my readers to know?
The Carriage is available on Amazon now. It’s an
easy read and I think they’ll enjoy it. I also have a YA fantasy called
Reflections. It’s set in the Regency Era, available for kindle and nook. Both
books are time travel stories.
Tour giveaway
4 $10 Amazon Gift Cards
1 $20 Amazon gift card
2 e-book copies
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks so much for having me Deal Sharing Aunt.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview, thank you.
ReplyDelete