Black Atonement by Sasha Hibbs: Author & Character Interview, Giveaway

Black Atonement 

(Vulcan Legacies, 3)

Sasha Hibbs

The burden of Dave’s girlfriend’s death pushes Brandi, the Seraph of Love, to abduct David Howels in hopes of protecting Dave from his murderous father. 

Will Brandi be able to show Dave that all in life is not lost in death? Twists and turns abound as Brandi discovers her own shocking revelation—that Dave has been her soul mate all along.

Separating Dave and herself from their allies on the threshold of the apocalypse, Brandi turns to an old friend for help—a witch—to aid her in her quest to prepare Dave to face his worst fears and her own. Filled with curses, and secrets that threaten to destroy everything, Brandi must find forgiveness from within before she can find love. In the past, healing a broken heart would’ve been easy, but now faced with the task of healing Dave’s broken heart while not exposing her own, Brandi learns why love is truly the greatest gift of all. 

Excerpt:

She began walking towards Dave and stopped. It occurred to her to bolt from the room. She knew Abraham cast a spell on Dave, that he wouldn’t remember anything from tonight. But she would. What would he think of her? God! It had never occurred to Brandi before, in all her vanity, would Dave even think she was pretty? Doubts surfaced in her mind. She’d never had to deal with these kinds of emotions before. She was Brandi, the Seraph of Love. She was gorgeous. Every mortal wanted her. But Dave wasn’t mortal. Dave wasn’t everyone.

Brandi turned to leave, but stopped dead in her tracks as Dave turned at the same moment. His blue eyes caught hers, a glass of punch up to his lips, him stopping as though stunned at what he was looking at. Brandi looked behind her. Did something else capture his attention? She turned her gaze back around. Dave kept his gaze fixed on hers while setting his drink down. His mouth formed a perfect O. Brandi’s heart leapt into her throat. He started walking towards Brandi, his pace slow, as though time stood still.

Dave stopped inches from her, almost as though unsure of himself. He wore a black tuxedo, a matching black mask covering his face. He slowly removed his mask as though it was obstructing a clear view of her.

They stood there together in a timeless moment just taking each other in. Brandi felt like a timid rabbit, too scared to move. Finally Dave took the first step.

“Would you like to dance with me?” Dave asked, his voice so different. It was the same, but it was the Dave she knew before he had lost so much, before he had been thrust into a supernatural world he knew nothing of, before he lost his soul mate. This Dave was untainted by the stains of loving and losing.

Brandi’s voice was jammed in her throat, a first for her. She had never been so nervous before, never had a reason to care what anyone thought of her. “Yes….”

Brandi extended her hand, her gaze locked onto Dave’s. He put his mask back on. Dave brought her up close to him, one hand holding hers up and the other going to the small of her back. He spun her around in circles and all Brandi could do was stare into his blue eyes. She was mesmerized, lost.

She had never been this close to him. If there was something about the Dave spinning her around now, he seemed surer of himself, more confident. Brandi would hold this moment close to her for the rest of her days.

The room was buzzing with music, men and women swirling in symmetrical patterns, the lights casting shadows on the walls, but to Brandi there was only one girl, one boy.

It was only her and Dave in the ballroom, dancing close together, the only melody heard in the great room was the sound of their hearts beating wildly. Brandi gave up on love a long time ago, but staring into Dave’s blue eyes was the closest she came to renewing her faith that something beyond her own self torment existed. She could see a paradise in his gaze, one she wanted to live in.

In this moment with him, Brandi realized a surge of truths. Dave had been the most carefree-vibrant-full-of-life boy she’d ever encountered, a sense of humor so bright it would light up the darkest days. He was everything Brandi wasn’t. And she loved him for it. Brandi Frasier, aka the Seraph of Love, was in love with Dave, aka the man-child whose heart had been shattered by the death of his soul mate, whose mind was currently under the care of a witch, and who right now, this very precious second, was looking at Brandi as no one in the world ever had. Dave looked down on Brandi as though he felt the same way Brandi did.

“What’s your name?” Dave asked, his voice a breathy whisper.

“Brandi.”

“You look stunning,” Dave said, his voice low.

“Thank you,” Brandi said nervously.

“Would you think I’m crazy if I told you it felt as though we’ve met before?” Dave asked, his voice warm.

“Not at all,” Brandi said, her gaze still locked with his. She couldn’t steal her eyes away from his.

“Do I know you?” Dave asked, the corners of his lips turning up into a smile.

“Perhaps in a previous life we knew each other,” Brandi said, the truth painful.

“What were we in our previous lives?” Dave asked.

“Hmm…I don’t know,” Brandi said leaning in closer to Dave.

“I know,” Dave said, twirling her out and then bringing her in closer and closer. “I was a composer and you were a ballerina, my little dancer.”

“A ballerina?” Brandi said, arching a brow and smiling at him unconvinced.

“Sure. I wrote music, not just any music, but I strung together sounds and melodies so great, they would have matched Amadeus, and they were written just for you. I can see you, a dress as elegant as the lines of your body. You’re in the distance, a soft spotlight framing your tiny figure, you gliding across the stage gracefully…a little ballerina. My little ballerina,” Dave said, his voice dropping an octave.

“Was I happy dancing for you?” Brandi asked breathlessly, his presence closing in on her.

“Yes, and I was happy writing music for you, watching you dance. But in our previous lives, I always watched from afar, never brave enough to ask you to dance with me, as you are now,” Dave said.

“Well,” Brandi said, her gaze lowered to his lips, “it’s good we have our chance.”

Dave lowered his head, resting his brow on hers. Brandi’s heart jumped into her throat. She had never craved anything more. David Lee Howels, her soul mate, the greatest love of her life, only discovered weeks ago, was seconds away from kissing her and she felt like the most fragile girl in the world, her sanity hanging by threads.

Dave cupped her face, tilting her head so she was looking into his eyes.

“My beautiful little ballerina,” he said, and then he kissed her softly, his lips moving gently across hers. 

Brandi melted in his arms, leaning into his kiss in complete rapture, her guard down, her heart wide open, the walls protecting that muscle now down. She tangled her fingers up in his red hair, pulling him down on her. She was dizzy, the music playing softly, the moment more perfect than she’d ever dared hope.

 Author bio:

By age 5, Sasha Hibbs' favorite movie was Gone With the Wind. By age 12, she completed her 7th grade book report on the sequel, Scarlett. By 18, she met and married her very own Mr. Rhett Butler and as it turns out, she never had to worry about going back to Tara to win the love of her life back. Fortunately, he stuck with her.  

With a love of all things paranormal, the ambiance of the South with its gigantic antebellum mansions and canopies of Spanish moss, and a love for her husband’s rich storytelling of blacksmiths and the mythology surrounding their origins, it wasn’t long until the world of her debut novel, Black Amaranth, was born.

When not working her day job as a nurse, you can find Sasha dreaming of her next beach trip, reading the latest YA novel, and drinking more white chocolate mocha than she should.  

Sasha lives in mountainous West Virginia with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Aeliza and Ava. She is currently hard at work on book four in The Vulcan Legacies series.

Website: http://sashahibbs.blogspot.com

Interview:

Please welcome Black Atonement author Sasha Hibbs to Diane's Book Blog.

Thanks for having me today!

What is your favorite part of the story, Black Atonement, book 3 in the Vulcan Legacies?

Without a doubt, the ending. The fun part of writing a series is the reader knows there is a continuation, more to be told about other characters and I love doing that. In Black Atonement, I loved writing the masquerade ball scene and there’s one part towards the end that I feel is a tear-jerking-OMG! moment that I’m proud of.

How long did it take you to write Black Atonement?

Around two months. The first book took longer, but after establishing characters, plot, etc. Black Abaddon went pretty smoothly as did book 3, Black Atonement. 

If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by your side?

Definitely the Authority. I want him on and by my side. He’s the Creator and has unlimited power. 

What inspired you to write your first book?

My husband, Tim. He’s a blacksmith (among many other talents) and the history and superstition of early blacksmiths is a concept that always intrigued me. In early history, the towns people were so scared of blacksmiths they actually made them live outside the villages. I felt there was a story somewhere in there waiting to be told. 

What is your favorite book that you wrote?

That’s tough. I love them all. I would perhaps say that I have favorite parts in each book but not (at this point) a favorite book  

How do you overcome writer’s block?

There’s generally a lot of praying  Sometimes, I have to take a step away. After a small departure from writing, I can usually come back to the table with some fresh ideas. I really struggle sometimes with the beginning of a novel, but after I get over that hump, I can usually pump the rest out pretty quickly. 

What book are you reading now?

I just finished Kim Harnes Still Photo, a YA Suspense Thriller that was fantastic! I’m currently working on Brenda Beem’s YA Dystopian novel, Knockdown. 

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

A big THANK YOU to all my readers! 


Character Interview:

Please welcome Brandi Frasier from Sasha Hibbs' Black Atonement to Diane's Book Blog.

What is your name? Do you have a nickname?

Brandi Frasier, those closest to me know I’m the Seraph of Love.

How old are you?

Centuries old. 

Who are the people you are closest to?

David Howels. He’s my soul mate but I messed up. I didn’t know it until it was too late, and now I’m trying to put things back together. 

What is your biggest fear?

I’m on the run right now. I don’t really care what happens to me but the boy I love…I don’t know if I can talk about this….

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Funny question. *gives a sarcastic/disgusted laugh* I’ve been so blind. I thought the greatest love of my life was Edgar Warwick, the first generation son of Vulcan. Love can be blind. So blind that it can get people killed. *looks off into the distance as though pained by a haunted memory* But that was then and this is now. David Howels is the greatest love of my life, he just doesn’t know it. 

Which living person do you most despise?

I’ve got a list of people I hate but if I were being honest with myself I’d have to say there is no one that I hate more than myself. 

What is your greatest regret?

I’ve lost count. I regret letting Edgar blind me. I regret that that blindness ultimately killed my sister and her husband. I regret being so mean to people I care about, especially Dave. Because I’ve been so cruel to him over the years, he’ll never love me back and it’s no less than I deserve. So, yeah. I’ve got plenty of regrets.  

What do you most value in your friends?


Friends? I’ve got one friend to speak of, Abraham Rathbone. And he happens to be a witch. And there’s an old saying where I come from, “Never trust a witch.” So, I don’t know about the while friend thing. 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Black Amaranth by Sasha Hibbs

Black Amaranth

by Sasha Hibbs

Release Date: 08/16/13

Summary from Goodreads:

Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more than a little annoyed that her Uncle Argyle—Ally’s legal guardian and only surviving relative—didn’t even bother showing up. But instead of berating him for his forgetfulness, Ally finds him in a life-or-death battle with a monster. Argyle manages to kill the creature, and gives Ally a parcel containing a destiny she never knew existed.

Ally, along with her best friends Michael, Jessica, and David, hurry to Georgia to uncover the truth of Uncle Argyle’s secrets, and the meaning of the mysterious marks that Ally bears. Are the marks related to the blacksmith mythology of her ancestors? Who are these heavenly warriors who show up in the oddest of places? And will an ancient gypsy curse destroy the very things Ally fights to save?

Black Amaranth: a simple flower, a symbol with an ancient legacy, a conduit for prophecy…while faith and hope are essential to the journey, Ally soon discovers that love is the most powerful force of all.

Available from:

Excerpt: 

“There are three Ravenscraft women: Denaulda, Griselda, and Irini.” Parthenia looked deeply into Ally’s eyes and then shot a look of caution to Michael and the twins. 

“Denaulda is the eldest sister, and by right, the acting leader of the Gypsies. She is the most powerful next to their holy woman, Belle Crow. Let me caution you now. Do not cross them. They prove to be useful and good allies, but can also prove to be fearful enemies if you’re not on the same side as them. Remember, the curse of the elder Gypsies coupled with Vulcan crossing them is what caused all of this to ensue in the first place. Their magic runs deep, it’s old, and just as the blaxxmiths have a particular affinity for a single element, Gypsies have a strong affinity for magic.”

“Ooo, this should be fun,” Brandi purred mischievously.

“Try to curb your enthusiasm, will you?” Parthenia glared back at Brandi.

“I’ll not say a word.” Brandi winked and said, “Promise.”

“Are they witches?” Jessica asked, a noticeable trace of anxiety in her voice.

“They’re worse than witches,” Eli barked out.

“What is your problem? Considering how you treated me last night, I doubt that your dislike is exclusive to Gypsies. I’m guessing that you hate everyone and everything.” Jessica’s face flushed with anger. Eli fumed, but said nothing.

“No, they are not witches,” Parthenia said, interrupting the awkward silence. “They are Gypsies, and if you want to get on their bad side quick, call one of them a witch.” She turned and looked down her nose at Dave.

“Gotcha,” Dave said, seeming to understand she worried most about what might come out of his mouth.

“Stay behind me and try not to stare at anyone,” Parthenia said.

About the Author

By age 5, Sasha Hibbs' favorite movie was Gone With the Wind. By age 12, she completed her 7th grade book report on the sequel, Scarlett. By 18, she met and married her very own Mr. Rhett Butler and as it turns out, she never had to worry about going back to Tara to win the love of her life back. Fortunately, he stuck with her.  

With a love of all things paranormal, the ambiance of the South with its gigantic antebellum mansions and canopies of Spanish moss, and a love for her husband’s rich storytelling of blacksmiths and the mythology surrounding their origins, it wasn’t long until the world of her debut novel, Black Amaranth, was born.

When not working her day job as a nurse, you can find Sasha dreaming of her next beach trip, reading the latest YA novel, and drinking more white chocolate mocha than she should.  

Sasha lives in mountainous West Virginia with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Aeliza and Ava. She is currently hard at work on book two in The Vulcan Legacies series.

***Author Links***

   

***GIVEAWAY***

1 print signed copy of Black Amaranth (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Black Abaddon by Sasha Hibbs: Author & Character Interviews

Black Abaddon

Sasha Hibbs

Blurb: Ally Watson struggles to live with the choices she made, the worst of which resulted in her soul mate's death. Michael’s sacrifice to save the girl he loved may have reversed the Apocalypse, but not the permanent damage inflicted by living with his loss. 

Ally begins a journey where she soon discovers that death is not always the end, but sometimes the very beginning. With old friends, she journeys to the Nosferatu Nation where she meets with new alliances willing to help her in her quest to defeat the Devourer.  At every turn, Ally unearths secrets that threaten to destroy those she loves.

The second installment of The Vulcan Legacies series will put Ally to the ultimate test, forcing her to face her fears and the true destiny she will fulfill as Azrael, the Seraph of Death. 

Excerpt:

Ally quietly turned to leave but stopped as she heard Marik.

“No, please. Don’t…go,” Marik said.

Something grabbed hold of Ally’s chest. She stood still trying to understand what she was feeling inside. This didn’t sound like the Marik she knew. He sounded wounded, weak, vulnerable—all the things Ally felt. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the conflict she struggled with now.

“Ally…” Marik whispered.

“You called me Ally. The Devourer refused to call me by my name,” Ally said. She didn’t know why she responded to him. He didn’t deserve words or kindness, but there was something in her that was drawn to him.

“Ally, I will not ask your forgiveness. I…don’t deserve it,” Marik said between breaths. He struggled to push himself up into a sitting position, wincing as he did. “But I will tell you,” Marik cleared his throat, “I am…so very sorry.”

“Sorry is not enough,” Ally said. She moved in closer. She lowered herself to the floor, to where she was eye level with him. She circled her fingers around the bars. “Sorry will never bring Michael back,” she said. She didn’t know where the words were coming from but she continued. “Sorry will never be enough to pay for the sins we both committed together.”

“You are blameless,” Marik said. “You didn’t…know. I did and I let him…take me.”

Ally didn’t move away as Marik scooted across the cell floor closer to her. The only things separating them were the thick steel bars. Ally truly had no fear left. It was simply gone.

“Was there truth to anything you ever said to me? Or was it the Devourer the entire time masked as you?” Ally asked.

Marik was mere inches from her. He raised his hand and swept his raven black hair from his eyes. Ally had nearly forgotten how piercing blue his eyes were.

She stared into their icy blue depths. They reminded her of winter. They were cold, like frost over ice. They reminded her of Michael, too. She felt as though she were truly looking at Marik for the first time. Even through the moonlight, she could see the resemblance. If Michael had had black hair like Marik’s they would have been nearly identical. It was painful staring into his eyes, to see how his skin was stretched over his cheek bones. She could see more than a craving for blood, the sustenance the Nosferatu required, in his gaze. There was another hunger there. Something different and unlike anything Ally had seen in their depths before. But her gaze never wavered. Ally didn’t flinch under his heated gaze.

Marik reached through the bars, gently brushing his fingertips against Ally’s hand.

She didn’t jerk away. She looked down to where his skin touched hers. Ally looked back up, as a single crimson red tear slid down his cheek.

“The Authority help me, but I never lied about the way I felt and still feel about you.”

Author Bio: 

By age 5, Sasha Hibbs' favorite movie was Gone With the Wind. By age 12, she completed her 7th grade book report on the sequel, Scarlett. By 18, she met and married her very own Mr. Rhett Butler and as it turns out, she never had to worry about going back to Tara to win the love of her life back. Fortunately, he stuck with her.  

With a love of all things paranormal, the ambiance of the South with its gigantic antebellum mansions and canopies of Spanish moss, and a love for her husband’s rich storytelling of blacksmiths and the mythology surrounding their origins, it wasn’t long until the world of her debut novel, Black Amaranth, was born.

When not working her day job as a nurse, you can find Sasha dreaming of her next beach trip, reading the latest YA novel, and drinking more white chocolate mocha than she should.  

Sasha lives in mountainous West Virginia with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Aeliza and Ava. She is currently hard at work on book two in The Vulcan Legacies series.

Contact info:

Website: http://www.sashahibbs.com

Blog: http://sashahibbs.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sasha-Hibbs/658779730814634

Twitter @SashaHibbs

Author Interview:

I would like to thank author  Sasha Hibbs for stopping by today to tell us a little about herself and Black Abaddon.

Thanks for having me today!

What is your favorite part of the series, The Vulcan Legacies?

Without a doubt, the last chapter in Black Abaddon is my favorite! I’m super excited about the ending as it was what I envisioned before ever penning the first book, Black Amaranth. I can’t wait to hear the response from readers.

How long did it take you to write Black Abaddon?

Around two months. The first book took longer, but after establishing characters, plot, etc. the rest of the series was pretty easy (in comparison to writing the first) to write.

If you were stranded on a desert island which of your characters do you want by your side?

Definitely the Authority. He’s the Creator and has unlimited power.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My husband, Tim. He’s a blacksmith (among many other talents) and the history and superstition of early blacksmiths is a concept that always intrigued me. In early history, the towns people were so scared of blacksmiths they actually made them live outside the villages. I felt there was a story somewhere in there waiting to be told.

What is your favorite book that you wrote?

My latest release, Black Abaddon. I’ll always love my first book, but I’m stoked about my second novel. It gets very dark. I wrote Black Abaddon around Halloween and hope readers can see the scare factor throughout.            

How do you overcome writer’s block?

There’s generally a lot of praying J Sometimes, I have to take a step away. After a small departure from writing, I can usually come back to the table with some fresh ideas. I really struggle sometimes with the beginning of a novel, but after I get over that hump, I can usually pump the rest out pretty quickly.

What book are you reading now?

I just finished Danielle Belwater’s, Of Fire and Roses. It’s a YA Paranormal Romance, the first in a series, and it had me literally scratching my Kindle screen at the finish line because I was hoping it wasn’t over. Really great stuff!

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

A big thank you to all my readers!

Character Interview:

I would like to thank Ally Watson from Sasha Hibbs' Black Abaddon for stopping by today to talk with us.

What is your name? Do you have a nickname?

Ally Watson, those closest to me know I’m Azrael, the Seraph of Death.

How old are you?

Eighteen

Who are the people you are closest to?

My Uncle Argyle. My parents were murdered and he raised me. Also my best friends-twins-Jessica and David Howels.

What is your biggest fear?

I thought making the wrong decisions a few months ago, which would’ve resulted in the Apocalypse, was my biggest fear. But now I realize losing the boy I loved was my biggest fear and that’s already come to pass, so I have nothing left to be afraid of.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Michael Blackwell. I wish you could have known him. He lived on the farm beside mine. We grew up together. I always felt this connection with him and realized too late (turns head, clears throat and wipes eyes)…Sorry. It’s so hard to talk about Michael like he’s not here. He was amazing, selfless, and in the end saved us all. I will always love him…

Which living person do you most despise?

The Devourer. He was a Seraph, the Authorities favorite until trying to wage war against him. After being cast out, he’s pretty much taken everything away from me that I love. So, yeah….I’m going to kill him.

What is your greatest regret?

  

Losing my soul mate, Michael.

What do you most value in your friends?

I have the most amazing friends in the world. They have stuck by me even after finding out what I am and am capable of doing.