Thursday, June 30, 2016

Forever and One Week by Caroline Cairn Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway


Forever and One Week
Spirits of Saoradh
Book Two
Caroline Cairn

Genre: Paranormal romance

Date of Publication: 24th April 2016

ISBN: 1532909055
ASIN: B01EPTMFYA

Number of pages: 262
Word Count: 78.5K

Cover Artist: Bree Archer

Book Description:

The Spirits of Saoradh, who carry the guilt of a crime they committed when they were alive, now spend their ghostly days in the Void, dark nothingness where time and space are distorted. Until they get bound to a human. As often as needed, that human can call them to the real world, ask them to grant a wish, then send them back to the Void. The Spirits also have to follow strict rules or be punished, unaware that they can earn their redemption through a selfless sacrifice.

Spirit Logan despises the obedience he has to show to his humans, and prefers the enjoyable solitude of the Void. For three years, he has managed to threaten them into severing their bond, thus having his memory wiped of their existence. Except his latest human, an emotionless woman with a secret past, isn’t scared of him. Worse, she doesn’t care about his ability to make wishes come true.

Tessa, a twenty-six-year-old nursery teacher in Fort William, Scotland, doesn’t expect a sullen ghost only she can see and touch to burst through her solid defences. Both dismayed and intrigued, she offers Logan a deal he can’t refuse: to live with her in the human world for one week, at the end of which she will agree to release him.

Slowly, Tessa braves through the safety of her detachment towards people to show Logan some kindness. But the more her feelings deepen, the more Logan increases his distance…

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Excerpt:

“What the hell do you want?”
The sharpness of his voice didn’t shock her as much as him turning up in her dining room. She presented the coffee tin to the Spirit lurking in the shadowed corner. She didn’t notice herself pressing on the metal until it created a dent.
“I would like a full one, please.”
If he could fill the can with the same beans he had used the last time he had granted her wish, she would cry in happiness. His coffee had tasted like smooth chocolate with a hint of bitter nuttiness. The fruity flavour of her usual brand had suddenly vanished to blandness.
“Are you asking for freaking coffee again? Are you serious?”
Her extended arm began to ache. “Please, and I need some painting supplies, too.”
He crossed his arms. She couldn’t watch the expression on his face as it was bathed in darkness, but his posture was relaxed. “I thought you didn’t need me.” The sarcasm was drenched in triumph.

About the Author:
Born in France, Caroline studied hotel management before spending a couple of years in England, Ireland and Belgium. In 2001, she and her husband settled close to the Loch Ness monster in the Highlands of Scotland, and soon, two children and about thirteen fish joined them.

Dramatic scenes are her favourite to work on, which is perhaps a reminiscence of those teenage years when every single one of her stories had to end in epic tragedy (Shakespeare had nothing on her). Thankfully, these days, she veers towards the happy-ever-after finale set in a glorious orange and red sunset.

Apart from writing, she loves digital fantasy art, loud rock music, and anything weird and new for her to discover.

Interview
Where are you from?
I was born in France, but I’ve lived in Scotland for the past 15 years.
When and why did you begin writing?
As a teen, when we were asked to write essays which at the time, were nothing less than very short fiction stories. They developed my interest for writing and I drafted a few short novels in my bedroom, pen to paper (no computer in my time!). But I began writing “properly” about a year and a half ago, when I realized that life was too short to not give writing a serious go.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I still feel awkward using the term. I suppose being self-published retains that notion that I’m a fraudster somehow, but then again, since I’ve never even tried the agent route, who can I blame but me?
What inspired you to write your first book?
I wrote a contemporary romance with some fantasy/paranormal elements woven through, because at the time, I couldn’t find anything like that to read.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I tend to prefer short sentences, staccato style, and my descriptions are to the point rather than long-winded.
How did you come up with the title?
The series involve an eternal bond between a Spirit and his human, hence the “forever”. I had used this word in my first book, and I thought it would tie the whole series together. The “and one week” refers to the one-week deal offered by my heroine to her Spirit.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I won’t pretend my book is this deep. It’s only a story that should grab the readers and take them someplace else for a while where some good friends, and some not so good, are living in.
How much of the book is realistic?
I think the fantasy part of the book is central, but limited. Only the world of the Spirits is supernatural, and most of the story develops in the real world. This was important to me.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
No, all my characters/events are pure fiction.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Stephen King’s style has taught me so much about how to make scenes and characters come alive on the page. His writing style looks deceptively effortless, which makes reading just as effortless. And that’s what I think makes a great writer.
What book are you reading now?
I’m waiting to receive the latest book from Simone St James: Lost Among the Living.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Simone St James. I love how she mixes the genres: her novels are set in 1940’s England, and are built around a central mystery tied in with paranormal elements and romance. Her characters are realistic, mature and engaging, and the pace of her stories is flawless. My favourite book of hers is Silence for the Dead.
What are your current projects?
I am taking a break from the Spirits of Saoradh series, to pen down a contemporary romance, titled “Recipe for disaster”. I haven’t ironed out the details yet as I’ve written maybe twenty per cent of the first draft (I’m a seat of the pants writer), but it features a successful writer and his private chef. When they decide to pretend of a love relationship between them, they expect their lie to remain trivial and useful to the both of them, but their deception will soon spiral out of control.
What would you like my readers to know?
If you are fed up with the recurring paranormal romance storyline of a perfect, handsome warrior fighting against evil to defend the world and his destined mate, give Forever and One Week a try. If you want a mix of sweet and dark moments, you’ll find what you’re looking for.



Twitter: @carolinecairn





Tour giveaway

1 paperback of Forever and One Week


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