The Battle for Arcanon Major Spotlight w Giveaway

Hello everyone! Today I’ve got something fun for you 🙂 Sometimes authors can give you the most wonderful surprises, and this is one 🙂 So lemme show you all my goodies…

If you’ll remember, a while back I read, Elemental: The First.

This was such an interesting book, and you can find my review HERE! It’s a 4 Paw review 🙂 Well, so this lovely author saw that I wanted to read her other books and so wonderfully asked if I wanted to review the first book in her new series, which is really cool too! So here’s what I’m showing you today!

Blurb:

With an army of four thousand at her command Halíka Dacomé – daughter of the Primord Elemental King – must lead the final battle to save her planet.

The six hundred thousand savage and bloodthirsty Primords plan to wipe out the diminished Royal line of the Elementals once and for all.

When the battle goes badly, the unexpected arrival of some gifted friends change the course of the fight. Among the newcomers is her childhood playmate Nerído Xipilé. Reunited, emotions run high and promises are made.

But the enemy has a new plan involving Halíka Dacomé. One she cannot refuse and the ultimate price could be treason.

The Battle for Arcanon Major is the first prequel to Elemental: The First.

You can start reading this story on Wattpad.
http://www.wattpad.com/9114046-the-ba…

This book releases JANUARY 1, 2013!

So here’s my review for you:

WOW!! I am amazed! First, I’m normally not really a sci-fi fan but it’s such a great book and has so many fantasy elements that I LOVED it! It’s just surprising that such a dark story can have so much brightness. 🙂 and it’s short, but not really a short story. I would consider it about half of a normal novel. This is such a good prequel!

So, Halika, Hally to her brother and friends, is a warrior princess. Her father is a LOSER king. I’m sorry but I have a lot of hate towards the king. I have nothing but LOVE for Hal! She is strong, brave, fierce and wants to do what’s right to help the people of the kingdom. She’s in charge of the army, and she’s earned the right. She just impresses me continuously!

You know I love side characters. There’s not too many supporting characters, but the few they have are awesome! They were written in a way that you feel like they’re your friends too. And Neri- he’s HAWT!! As the boyfriend should be 🙂 though boyfriend may not be the right word. I’m so enthused about how these kids, yeah kids, save a planet!

The writing is EXCELLENT!! I started reading and didn’t stop! I just devoured it! After reading, I really can’t wait for book two in the elemental series to come out! And it also gives you so much background and understanding! I’m fully invested in this whole series! GIMME GIMME GIMME MORE!! 5 FIERCELY THRILLING PAWS!!

Author Interview:

First, tell me a little about your book and why you wanted to write this particular story….

The Lost Dacomé Files #1 – The Battle for Arcanon Major is where it all began for Halíka Dacomé. For those who have read Elemental: The First you will know that she plays a pivotal role. To help readers grasp a better idea of who she is/was I decided to write her own accounts of her life before Rose Frost.

As the title of the book suggests the story weaves around the days of the final battle for Halíka Dacomé´s home city. The planet’s other cities have all fallen to the enemy and Arcanon Major is all that’s left of her father’s reign. The odds of winning this war are not in her favour. For Halíka Dacomé, born a warrior and a leader, she has no other option. Lead her soldiers with conviction. Fight or die.
The battle goes badly but the arrival of some unexpected friends turns the course of the war. Finally the people of her city are given a small morsel of hope.
Emotions run high for Halíka Dacomé and Nerído Xipilé, their reuniting sparks a long overdue love affair. Promises are made and alliances are created. The Elementals have a real chance of living as free people again, away from the constant backdrop of war. But behind the frontline nothing is as it appears to be. And Halíka Dacomé soon faces her enemies of a different kind and will be asked to pay the ultimate price…

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or did you always just know?

I wrote my first real piece of prose when I was six. I was on a car journey and I just started writing about my trip—what I saw, how I felt, what parts of the journey I loathed and sights that moved me. Just basic stuff really. I still remember my parents reading it afterward and telling me it was really good (for a six year old, at least). I’ve always loved reading but what I love most are intriguing, twisting story plots. If I wrote a book, that was what I wanted to create. Stories that keep the reader guessing. So, yes, I’ve always wanted to be a writer.

Dude, at six I was playing in the mud on my family’s farm, so that’s quite a feat for that age! What inspired you to write your first book and what was it?

I was lucky enough to live In Wiltshire (the home of Stonehenge). The whole county is dotted with old stones, chalk horse, burial grounds. The tales, myths and legends are extensive and definitely worth reading. Inspiration came from delving deeper into the history of the area. That’s how I created Elemental: The First. I always wanted to write Young Adult and I wanted to create my own myths.

Well, even as an adult I think YA is awesome, so high five for making me happy! 🙂 Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

No! I lead a very boring life compared to my characters.

HAHAHAHA! How do you choose when/which characters die in your books?

Ah! Nobody has died yet! But in Elemental: The Circle of Fire (the sequel to ETF) a key character does die. It’s an important part of the story. I chose that particular character because it would affect each of the others in very different ways. The story evolves based on that person’s death.

OH NO, what are you doing to me, teasing me like that! 🙂 Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I love YA author Priya Ardis and her Merlin books. She’s very brave to recreate an old legend but her storytelling is superb. I also love Tina Reber’s books—Love Unscripted and Love Unrehearsed. The characters are amazing and I admire her hours of research she must have put in to create such a convincing storyline.

OOh, I will look into this! Who do you look up to as a writer?

I always keep my eye on Indie writers who get a break and make the step into traditional publishing. So of the top of my head I would say Jennifer L Armentrout.

I believe everyone agrees with you, and I swear I’m going to read her books SOON! LOL If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?

No. What’s done is done. It’s how you take the story forward that counts.

GREAT answer! Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I think writing as a whole is probably the hardest thing but the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. The challenging thing is to do tons of research, write a scene which might take days and then when you finish the book and read through, you realize that that scene doesn’t fit how you want it to and you have to drop it from the story. The letting go of that scene is really hard!

What book are you reading now? Or what genre? My followers love author’s opinions!

Right now I’m reading A Million Suns by Beth Revis. It’s a YA sci-fi. Across the Universe, her first book, was great. When you strip away the world-building she does, it’s actually a very simple story. But her character narratives draw you in brilliantly.

Who designed the cover? And do you help with them?

My husband’s first job was a graphics designer, so he now puts together my covers. I basically tell him the kind of thing I’m after. I hunt down images and show him other covers I like. He takes it from there.

Good job having a cool hubby! HA! Did you learn anything from writing your books and what was it?

Two things mainly. I explored my world-building skills in my new book. I haven’t done it to such an extent yet. Creating the world behind BAM took months, much longer than I anticipated! I had to learn patience and the end result was quite satisfying!
The other thing I’ve learned is not to be so protective over my books. Once it’s published and out there I have to let it go.

If you could be one of your characters, who would you chose?

None of them! They all have too much danger and pending doom in their lives. It’s great to write but would be scary as hell in the real world. I like things safe!

I’ve never had someone say that 🙂 Are there any books you think some of us should read, just because?

I have 3 books that I would give 5 out of 5. Grave Mercy by RL LaFevers. Scarlet by AC Gaughen and The Messenger by Leah Rose. They all came out this year and were my favourite reads.

I LOVED Grave Mercy! I will check those others out too! 🙂 Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

My readers are amazing and I get a lot of emails. But I just want to say a huge THANK YOU for being so supportive over the last couple of years. I know they’ve had to wait for it but Elemental: The Circle of Fire will be out (all being well) in February/March.
Oh, and keep sharing the love! And Merry Christmas!!

That’s it! Over and Out!

x Alex x

Thank you sooo much! I am definitely looking forward to Elemental: The Circle of Fire, and I know it will be great! 🙂

Author Links:

Alexandra May

author of Elemental: The First

Official Website: http://www.alexandramay.co.uk
Twitter: @alexmayauthor
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alexandramayauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5041905.Alexandra_May

Giveaway!

Alrighty kids, the author has SO graciously offered some of her books to give away to you guys! YAY! So here’s what we are offering to you…

• two ebook copies of Battle for Arcanon Major
• one signed copy of Elemental

You can leave a comment for me or Ms. May to enter the giveaway. THIS WHOLE GIVEAWAY IS INTERNATIONAL! I’m going to hold this giveaway for two weeks, as I know the holidays sometimes means people have less time to scan blogs and have crazy things going on. I’ll pick a winner around the New Year so the winners can have their copies as it comes out 🙂

I would really like to thank Ms Alex for being so totally awesome! 🙂 I was really happy when I got that email with her book in it! I really hope you guys enjoy her books as much as I do, and I wanna wish everyone an extra GOOD LUCK. That’s some really cool books to win 🙂 Thanks so much for being here today!! 🙂 I wish you all a happy reading! Later Gators!! and Happy Holidays!! 🙂