Genesis Inspiration + The A Part of Q & A Part II + Winner!

For today's stop on the Genesis Release Tour, I'm hanging out with Book Reader Addicts and talking about the landscape in Greece. While answering more questions and then announcing the winner of the Q&A giveaway, I thought I'd share some inspiration for Genesis, too. I could - and have - spent hours upon hours gazing at photos of Greece, each one giving me some kind of inspiration. Here are a few of my favorites:

A mountainous area the characters traveled through and perhaps might have lived in. Courtesy of http://www.polirealestate.com/

Heather asked: What do you have planned for us after the Soul Saver series?
I have so many ideas, I don't know what I want to work on first. However, there is still lots more to come in the Soul Savers Series and so far, those characters have been the loudest and most demanding to tell their stories. That includes side characters who have their own stories - some you haven't even met yet. But I'd like to start on something new, as well, perhaps a YA novel or series. I've found that I have to go with the muse, though - the characters talking in my head the loudest. They won't shut up until I give them the attention they demand, so it's useless trying to work on anything else.

If this balcony were the edge of a cliff, this is the view Cassandra might have of her island off in the distance. Courtesy of www.rgbstock.com

Jackie asked: Do you only write paranormal stories or do you write other genres?
I've written contemporary fiction in the past, but nothing ever came of it. Right now, all of my ideas are fantasy/contemporary fantasy/paranormal. I have a couple ideas for dystopian/post-apocalyptic stories, too, that I'm kind of itching to explore. 

There's a scene at the bottom of this gorgeous rocky canyon (minus the house, of course, which actually makes me think of Po's house in Graceling.) Courtesy of www.pixdaus.com.

Anonymous asked: Are any of the characters personality traits based on friends or family? 
I think every author borrows character traits from family, friends and acquaintances, but that doesn't necessarily mean any character is just like someone we actually know. So yes, I've stolen borrowed traits from friends and family. For example, Sophia nods her head when she's using her "power of persuasion," which I got from a friend who nods her head when she asks you to do something, as if affirming the answer she wants. But Sophia's other traits come from other people, fictional characters or just my imagination - she's not entirely based on anyone I know.

Perhaps a place Cassandra and her family might have taken up as home for a while. Photo taken and provided by Author Jessica Bell.

Amanda asked: What would you have done with all the years between having lost your love and finding him again? 
It's hard to say when you don't know if you'll ever see him again. I guess at some point, since I wouldn't have the same soul connection Alexis has with Tristan, I might give up hope and completely move on. I don't know. I'd try to do my best, as Alexis does, to go on with life - take care of my kids, write my books, etc. Like her, though, I just don't know how enjoyable it all would be.

Katrina asked: Question for Tristan, how did you cope being away from your soul mate for all those years, and knowing that your child was born, what kept you going? I found this quiet emotional for Alexis!! Her feelings so raw, it was like being tortured for her, and when you first saw her when you escaped... what was your first thought?
Tristan: It was agony, of course, but when you're as old as I am, it doesn't feel as long to me as it would to you or to Alexis. She and Dorian kept me going - just knowing they were out there, probably safer as long as the Daemoni had me. When they made their move, of course, I had to, too. I'd just been waiting for the right opportunity. When I first saw Alexis and Dorian... *looks away and clears throat* ...it was pure joy and sorrow at the same time. After all, I didn't know what the creature inside me would do to them.

Thank you, everyone, for all the great questions! This was fun. We'll definitely be doing it again.

So, what you're all waiting for...

The winner of the Q&A giveaway for an ebook of Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella...

Picked by random.org, the winner is...

Can I make this any more suspenseful?

Maybe if I drag it out a little longer...

Okay, let's see...

It is...

Heather McC!!!!!

Woot! Congratulations!

Email me, Heather, and I'll send you the details to get your ebook.