Feast
of Mercy
Order
of the Sinistra Dei
Book
Two
Kathryn
M. Hearst
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Romance
Publisher: Crushing Hearts and
Black Butterfly Publishing
Date of Publication: October 4,
2016
Number of pages: approx. 300
Word Count: 75,000
Cover Artist: Marcela Bolivar,
Designer Shawn T. King
Book Description:
An ancient feud. A threat from
the Vatican. Two lovers caught in the middle.
Nick never wanted to live
forever, and he certainly didn’t want to join the Order of the Sinistra Dei.
Unfortunately, before he’s able to get used to the idea of immortality, the
High Judge from the Vatican arrives in New Orleans to investigate the strange
events of Fat Tuesday. If Nick doesn’t play his cards right, his forever could
be a whole lot shorter.
Marin, a relatively new immortal,
is forced to serve as assistant to the High Judge while he investigates the
alleged crimes of those she holds most dear. She’ll do what she has to do to
protect her clutch. However, her efforts bring her closer to facing the
executioner’s blade.
As their world spins out of
control, Marin and Nick struggle to reconcile past hurts and hold onto their
budding relationship. New enemies, new abilities, and new desires threaten to
tear them apart. It isn’t long before they realize love can’t heal all.
Loving someone means you want the
best for them...but what happens when what’s best isn’t you?
Feast
of Mercy is the second book of the Order of the Sinistra Dei series, an Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance like no other. If you like mysterious supernatural
creatures, conflict-ridden romance and a lot of heat, then you’ll love this
series.
Short
Excerpt:
Nick expected
sounds from her—moans, maybe a scream or two. What he didn’t expect was for her
to bolt upright and let out a blood curdling scream. Déjà-f**king-vu.
“Get out,” Marin
shouted.
For a brief
terrifying second, Nick thought she spoke to him, then a male voice spoke from
the door.
“Marin, I
require your services,” a man said from behind him.
About
the Author:
Kathryn M. Hearst is a southern
girl with a love of the dark and strange. She has been a storyteller her entire
life, as a child, she took people watching to new heights by creating back
stories of complete strangers. Besides writing, she has a passion for shoes,
vintage clothing, antique British cars, music, musicians and all things musical
(including theater). Kate lives in central Florida with her chocolate lab,
Jolene; and two rescue pups, Jagger and Roxanne. She is a self-proclaimed nerd,
raising a nerdling.
The Order of the Sinistra Dei is
her first series and includes titles, Feast of the Epiphany and Feast of Mercy.
Kate's novel, The Spirit Tree, won a publishing contract with Kindle Press
through the Kindle Scout contest. Her short stories have been published in
various anthologies.
Interview
Where are you from?
I am a rare third generation Floridian, born and
raised near Orlando.
Tell us your latest news?
I recently received release dates for Feast of All
Souls and Feast of the Assumption, books three and four in the Order of the
Sinistra Dei series. It’s terrifying and thrilling to know the series will be
completed mid-2017.
When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing fiction in the mid-90s, then life
happened. In 2014, I made the decision to put my first career on hold and
homeschool my youngest child. After spending years working long hours, raising
three kids, and completing graduate school, I had way too much time on my
hands.
My closest friends, who were probably tired of
listening to me whine, encouraged me to finish the book I’d started years
before. I dug the original manuscript out, finished it in three weeks, and have
completed six novels to date.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been a technical writer and grant writer most
of my professional life. I considered myself an author when I won a contract
through the Kindle Scout program with The Spirit Tree. There’s something
surreal about receiving an advance.
What inspired you to write your first book?
At the risk of sounding like a complete dork, I
started Feast of the Epiphany while in a Vampire the Masquerade role play
group—think Dungeons & Dragons with vampires.
I’ve always been intrigued with the psychology of
immortality. Many humans who make it to old age suffer from dementia and other
cognitive issues. What sort of illnesses or neuroses would develop over
centuries? What personality types could handle such a long existence? Most
vampires in fiction are type A, domineering types. Could someone with a need to
control really handle that amount of change?
The Catholic elements came in on a whim. I converted
to Catholicism as an adult and spent a lot of time researching the faith and
lore. There are many facts and conspiracy theories surrounding the Church’s
quest for power and influence throughout history. Why not use immortals to help
further their cause?
Do you have a specific writing style?
Before I published my first book, I would have said
no. However, my critiques and reviews describe my writing as “crisp” or
“clipped.” I don’t spend a lot of time on description, instead I focus on the
dialogue and character interactions.
How did you come up with the title?
I wanted something that tied into the Catholic lore
in the book and had meaning to the story. The books in the series are named
after feast days. The Feast of Mercy celebrates divine forgiveness through
confession and communion. In the novel, several characters experience
forgiveness by owning their mistakes.
Is there a message in your novel that you want
readers to grasp?
This book is a coming of age story. The main
characters, Nick and Marin, are forced into situations that stretch them to
their breaking points. Their abilities to adapt, forgive, and love are tested.
How much of the book is realistic?
Feast of Mercy is an urban fantasy, with strong
romantic elements. The book is set in New Orleans, one of my favorite places. I
wanted the setting to be as realistic as possible, though I took major creative
license with the interior of the Old Ursuline Convent. The characters are
immortal, but if you take away their supernatural abilities, they’re as flawed
and vulnerable as any human. In many ways, this story could have been told
without the paranormal elements, but it’s so much more fun with them.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events
in your own life?
The characters are under investigation by a
representative from the Vatican. I don’t know anyone who has been in such an
extraordinary situation. However, we have all felt judged, thrown into
situations that we aren’t prepared to handle.
The character, Nick King, is largely based on my
friend Tony. The youngest of a large Italian family, he lived a charmed life as
the owner of a bar in New Orleans. To the world, both men are sexy and
self-confident, but internally, they’re riddled with regret and doubt. I
dedicated the book to Tony, who lost his lifelong battle with mental illness.
Nick is my way of keeping a tiny piece of him alive and well behind a piano in
his favorite city.
What books have most influenced your life most?
This is a tough question! The book that had the
biggest impact on my life is Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Not a
fun blog kind of answer, but it changed the way I thought about life.
The book chronicles Frankl’s experiences as a
prisoner at Auschwitz and describes personality traits of those whose spirits
weren’t broken in the horrendous conditions. Those who had a meaningful purpose
in life were far more likely to adapt to life in the concentration camp.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation,
we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankl
If you had to choose, which writer would you
consider a mentor?
I have a few, but Anne Rice sits at the top of my
list. Her take on vampire lore as an expression of human strengths and
frailties has always resonated with me. I love the idea of creating powerful
creatures who suffer in meaningful ways.
What book are you reading now?
Dumbfounded by Matt Rothschild. It’s the story of a
wealthy, sexually confused, Jewish boy growing up in Manhattan. The author has
a way of drawing you in with humor, then sucker punching you with a tender
moment. His crazy cast of characters makes it possible for the author to tackle
some tough subjects honestly and openly, without coming across preachy.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your
interest?
I’m obsessed with Meg Collett. She hooked me with
her End of Days series, and I’m loving her Fear University series as well.
These are the kinds of books that I read when I need to unwind.
What are your current projects?
I’m putting the finishing touches on the sequel to
The Spirit Tree, entitled the Twelve Spirits of Christmas. It’s a paranormal
romance filled with family drama, murder, and ghosts.
I’m about halfway through Feast of All Souls, book
three in the Sinistra Dei series. It features Lysander and Joliette’s love
story, along with the continuing struggles of the immortals in New Orleans.
What would you like my readers to know?
I’d like to take a moment to thank anyone who has
taken time from their lives to read my books. I’m constantly amazed and humbled
by the messages I receive from my readers. Drop me an email, reach out on social
media, I’m always happy to hear from you.
Tour
giveaway
1 $50 Amazon Gift Card
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