Enchanted Orb with Stacey Nash

Today we have YA author, Stacey Nash, sharing her inspiration behind the first two books in her Collective Series.

Inspiration is a funny thing. A bit like motivation; sometimes it’s there just waiting for us to grab hold of it and others it’s not and as a writer we find we have to drag it from deep inside of us. I’ve experienced both of these. I recently wrote a story that had been close to my heart for years, but when I sat down to start drafting there was no inspiration for the plot or the characters. Sure I had a great concept, but all the pieces didn’t fall together and for a little while it kind of felt like I was forcing them. Needless to say the story wound up in my bottom drawer where it will stay until inspiration strikes. Other times, like with my recently published series, not only did the idea for the concept, and plot arrive at once, but so too did the characters. Because I love the type of science fiction seen in the TV shows like Fringe and Agents S.H.E.I.L.D I drew a lot of inspiration from there, which I combined with my love of urban fantasy. This made the series a real mix of advanced tech sci-fi in a setting secluded from public knowledge, just like must urban fantasy stories. I’m pretty sure it’s not a genre, but I like to call my books urban sci-fi.

This wasn’t the only inspiration or its main source. I’ve spent many years not only fascinated by conspiracy theories, but debating about them with my father.

Is the Da Vinci code real? What about crop circles? Big Foot a hoax? Maybe Nessie exists.

My favourite conspiracy theory is the illuminate and this is where I drew my inspiration for the secret society in the Collective Series, called the Collective. In my books the Collective are a secret organization who not only suppress the knowledge of highly advanced technology from the general populace, but they use it to shape world events in a way they believe is best for all mankind. This also is done behind closed doors, without society realizing that they are not only the puppets, but also play things of the Collective. Yes, I essentially wrote a conspiracy theory YA. Forget Me Not has a lot of adventure, a good dose of danger, and a bucket load of romance, because everyone loves a little love!

I find stories like this that have plenty of inspiration easier to write. What about you, where does your inspiration come from and has lack of inspiration ever stopped you from writing?

About the Collective Series -
Anamae is drawn into a world which shatters everything she knew to be true.

Since her mother vanished nine years ago, Anamae and her father have shared a quiet life. But when Anamae discovers a brooch identical to her mother's favorite pendant, she unknowingly invites a slew of trouble into their world. They're not just jewellery, they're part of a highly developed technology capable of cloaking the human form. Triggering the jewellery's power attracts the attention of a secret society determined to confiscate the device - and silence everyone who is aware of its existence. Anamae knows too much, and now she's Enemy Number One. She's forced to leave her father behind when she's taken in by a group determined to keep her safe. Here Anamae searches for answers about this hidden world. With her father kidnapped and her own life on the line, Anamae must decide if saving her dad is worth risking her new friends' lives. No matter what she does, somebody is going to get hurt.

Buy links for Forget Me Not, Collective Series, book 1

HarperCollins || Amazon || Amazon Au || iBooks || GooglePlay || Barnes & Noble || Kobo

Buy links for Remember Me, Collective Series, book 2

HarperCollins || Amazon || Amazon Au || iBooks || Googleplay || Barnes & Noble || Kobo


About Stacey Nash

Stacey Nash writes adventure filled stories for Young Adults in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. She loves to read and write books that have a lot of adventure, a good dose of danger, a smattering of romance, and KISSING! Hailing from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, she loves nothing more than immersing herself in the beauty and culture of the local area.

Author of the Collective Series; Forget Me Not and Remember Me.

Connect with Stacey:

Author Website || Twitter || Facebook || Pinterest

Good News Day

Welcome to this week's good news....
coming to you this week by Cheryse Durrant

NEW RELEASES

Congratulations to Shona Husk on today's release of her latest novel, The Changeling Soldier.

Here's the blurb:

Her time in the mortal world is running out… After fleeing Annwyn three centuries ago, Ella built a life in the mortal world making gowns for European royalty and playing in mortal intrigues. Now those Courts are long gone, and she dresses Hollywood starlets. Mortals come and go, but Ella always ends up alone. She longs for the home she left behind.

He’s been dreaming of the coming battle all his life… Isaac Norton is a returned soldier. Now home, he’s restless and his recurring dream is becoming more frequent: he’s fighting on a snow-covered field stained with blue blood. When he sees Ella, he knows she isn’t human. And she knows what he is, a changeling.

Ella can give Isaac the answers he needs, but there will be a price to pay: his soul.

Buy links:
Smashwords   |   iTunes   |   Kobo   |   AllRomanceBooks

CONTRACTS & UPCOMING RELEASES

Young Adult author Stacey Nash is delighted to have found a new home for The Collective Me after the previous publisher folded.

Forget Me Not will be published by HarperCollins’ new Impulse imprint on August 1 and Remember Me will release on October 1.

Both books are already available for pre-order on Amazon and iBooks.

Buy links:   Forget Me Not   |   Remember Me

OTHER NEWS

A miniature copy of Darksider Cheryse Durrant's The Blood She Betrayed was on display as part of a State of Origin diorama at the Bundaberg Show last week. Avid reader and The Blood She Betrayed fan Rieckie Muchow, who created the display, said Barbie had been seated with the boys at the table but they were going "on and on" about the game so she made her escape with a good book.

This is not the first time that Rieckie has used her doll collection to create a diorama featuring The Blood She Betrayed. Last year, she created a series of fun shots, including some with the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Barbie was even a guest of honour at Durrant's Bundaberg book launch, donning pyjamas and a fluffy pink dressing gown for the occasion. Go, Barbie!

Buy links:
Amazon | Booktopia | Kobo | iTunes | Lulu | Clan Destine Press | Booktrailer

Good News Day

Welcome to this week's good news...

coming to you this week by Cheryse Durrant

SALES

JM Bray has signed a contract with Escape Publishing for the second book in his Shroud Trilogy, Mending the Shroud, which captures Vincent and Jule and the gang in a less than boring Thanksgiving holiday. The novel's release date is July 1 so JM has his head down, butt up, transforming his edits into another piece of magic.

If you haven't read JM's debut novel, Tearing the Shroud, check it out at Amazon, iTunes, Escape Publishing or Kobo.

RELEASES

Stacey Nash's latest release hit the e-shelves on February 17.
Forget Me Not is a YA Sci Fi from Entranced Publishing.

Fiction is Fact. Know the Truth.

Since her mother vanished nine years ago, Anamae and her father have shared a quiet life. But when Anamae discovers a brooch identical to her mother’s favorite pendant, she unknowingly invites a slew of trouble into their world. Because when the brooch and the pendant are worn together, they’re no longer pretty pieces of jewelry—they’re part of a highly developed technology capable of cloaking the human form. Triggering the jewelry’s power attracts the attention of a secret society determined to confiscate the device—and deal with everyone who is aware of its existence. Anamae knows too much, and now she’s Enemy Number One.

She’s forced to leave her father behind when she’s taken in by a group determined to keep her safe. Here Anamae searches for answers about this hidden world. With her father kidnapped and her own life on the line, Anamae must decide if saving her dad is worth risking her new friends’ lives. No matter what she does, somebody is going to get hurt.

Buy link - Amazon | Barnes & Noble

ANTHOLOGY NEWS

Great Australian Ute Stories, published by Harper Collins, has been released as a paperback following its successful trade release last year. The John Bryant edited anthology features a humorous short story by DarkSider Cheryse Durrant, but is published under her journalism pen-name, Cherie Curtis. Reincarnated Landcruiser tells the story of a farmer and his two loves. Durrant was delighted to discover her books side by side each other in Dymocks. Talk about cross-genres... (but then again, both stories are set in Queensland).

CONTESTS

The launch of Danielle Belwater's debut novel, Of Fire and Roses, was celebrated with a fabulous Facebook party last night. Readers still have one more day to enter her Rafflecopter Giveaway. For a chance to win a $15 giftcard or one of two exclusive charm bracelets, go to the Rafflecopter site by tomorrow afternoon. Check out Of Fire and Roses on Amazon or Evernight Teen.

REVIEWS

Danielle Belwater's debut novel, Of Fire and Roses, is attracting five star reviews. Book Bliss described the novel's hero Nate as a character that will only continue to grow. "He had it all - gut wrenching sorrow, beautiful love and a broken home trying to heal."

 Full review HERE.

Celindara on Amazon said Of Fire and Roses captured her imagination with its well-drawn characters and a great male POV.

Full review HERE.





Cheryse Durrant's debut novel has attracted a five-star rating at Meme's Review which described The Blood She Betrayed as 'not your normal YA fantasy novel" but a new style of urban fantasy. "There were so many twists and turns," Meme wrote.

Full review HERE.

A Bite Of... Forget Me Not

This fortnight, it is my pleasure to welcome Stacey Nash, with a bite of her latest release, Forget Me Not.

Can you, in less than five words describe your book/story Forget Me Not?
Adventure, intrigue, action, romance, technology

Who is your favourite character in this book?
The love interest, Jax. He’s a smart mouthed teen with a bit of attitude, and a lot of secrets. I always pictured him as a teenage Chase Crawford.

What inspired you to write it?
I’ve always been fascinated by conspiracy theories and Forget Me Not is like a whole bunch of them rolled in together with a science fiction and secret society explanation.

And here's the snippet!
“I’ve got a couple of youngsters in need of your help,” Al says to the back of a tattered, old armchair. Light blue fabric peeks out between numerous patches.

The chair spins on its base, and a man whose skin matches his milk chocolate eyes scans me. He wears long shorts which dangle over his bent knees and an oversized yellow, green, and red striped shirt. They’re paired with sandals and a knitted, striped beanie. He offers his hand in greeting. “Beau Fairsmith’s the name.”

I wait a moment too long before shaking his hand. He’s such a contradictory ensemble, I’m lost for words. “Ah…” I finally say. “Anamae Gilbert and William Avery.”

The blond newsreader’s voice changes tone, and my attention darts to the ancient television in the corner. “A tragedy occurred today when a man in his early thirties plummeted from the top of an office building to his death. Details on hand are sketchy, but police have issued these surveillance pictures showing a young man and woman at the scene. Anyone with information regarding these two suspects should notify the police immediately. The suspects should not be approached, as they are considered armed and dangerous.”

A pencil sketch of a moonlike face with round eyes and a small dimple just off-center of the left cheek pops up on the screen. Oh my God, it’s Will. There’s no mistaking it. A phone number flashes underneath, and an uncanny likeness of me follows.

My mouth forms the shape to exclaim ‘what,’ but the word stalls on my lips. Someone’s dead, and they think we did it. The guy who attacked me, did they find his body? Surely they couldn’t link him to me, and Will wasn’t even there. It doesn’t make any sense.

“Ya got him!” Al claps me on the shoulder, and I blink at him.

Will’s brows knit together. The same look he gets when he’s put an engine back together and there’s a part left over.

“We didn’t kill anyone. He came after me, he tried to hurt me. We weren’t even near an office building.” I can hear the crack in my voice and know I’m verging on hysterical. Breathe, Mae, breathe.

Beau points a chunky remote at the television, and it fades to a black screen. “Ahh, I bet you two have something not quite normal. Perhaps odd things happen when you use it in a certain way. The sort of thing some people might call magic.” The end of his sentence raises like it’s a question. He looks at us with expectant, wide eyes.

My hand darts to the pendant under my shirt and pins it to my chest. I exchange a troubled glance with Will.

“Magic? Yeah, maybe,” he says.

“They have a cover-up. Dimwits used it twice in broad daylight and brought themselves to the attention of The Collective.” Al rubs his brow.

Beau pulls himself up out of the old armchair, suddenly more alert. “The Collective will sacrifice everything to ensure this type of knowledge is not in the hands of the public. You are incredibly lucky or clever to be unharmed.”

The Collective. That’s what Al said, too. I glance at Will sideways. His mouth hangs slightly open, his eyes wide. He looks as astonished as I feel. Beau’s gaze shifts beyond me, and his face lights up in a smile. When I look over my shoulder, I see Bertie standing in the doorway, waving. She smiles and continues past the room; obviously she and Al are well known around here.

“When tech is used, an alarm is activated, alerting The Collective,” Beau continues. “If the use is unauthorized, they send a scout to appropriate the tech and contain any knowledge of its existence.”

The man in the East Coast Gas uniform, he must have been a scout.

“What do you mean?” Will asks.

Beau rubs his forehead. “Technology, tools, machines, items which perform a specific function. Some tech is common, like cellphones, computers, and satellite tracking, but other tech is not known or used at all. The Collective works hard to keep its knowledge hidden from the general population.”

I shake my head. “I should have known it wasn’t magic.”

The blue flower on the pendant made me appear invisible. Not magic, but technology. My hand still clutches it protectively. How does it work? It has to be some trick with light. I’ve always hated science; I spend most of class daydreaming of being outside with Will and my camera, soaking up his contagious happiness.

Beau’s voice breaks my thoughts. “We also have an alarm. We use it to intercept Collective agents and stop them from harming innocent people. The radar pinpoints the location of the use of tech.”

The boy, the one in the leather jacket. My gaze darts back to the window and the tree branches reaching over the lawn, but I can’t see him. He must have been sent to intercept the gas man.

“This is a safe house. The Collective can’t reach it. You’ll have to stay here while we secure your safety,” Beau says.

“A safe house?” Will asks.

My mind spins again. It’s doing a lot of that this afternoon. There’s so much to take in. This morning we played a dumb game, and now we’re here in the middle of ‘great danger’.

“There are several of them across the country, and each house has a number of people. We will give you assistance.”

My mind whirls. Scouts, collective, safe houses. It’s too much to take in. I move toward an armchair identical to Beau’s, place my hands on its soft, well-worn arms, and sink into it.

“I can’t stay here. My dad, I need to go home to him,” I say. “After Mom, he won’t cope if I disappear, too. He -- he needs me. He doesn’t even have his mother anymore.” I hang my head in my hands, twining my fingers into my hair. He’s balanced so close to the edge of despair, and I won’t push him over.

“They’re relentless. They won’t give up until they find you,” Al says. He’s still here. I’d almost forgotten him. “It’s not safe. You can’t outrun them forever. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on your old man.”

Will’s already rigid stance stiffens further. “What do you mean ‘not safe’?”

“Mae is a threat to the secret knowledge of advanced technology,” Al says, “and The Collective eliminates their threats.”

Thank you very much for sharing Stacey...

Now, if you'd like to find out more about Stacey Nash and her books, check out the links below; 

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