Hello all! I hope you have had a wonderful summer. Mine has been a busy one. I’ve managed to get lots of words on the page (my top secret project is coming along slowly but surely!), drooled over countless new beautiful books that are currently weighing my bookcase down (really, it’s been an amazing year in terms of book releases, y’all and if we hang out on Instagram, you’ll know what I mean!), and enjoyed building friendships with more authors and readers!
So … I’m stoked to introduce you all to my friend, K.A. Emmons. Her Instagram account is seriously one of my favorite things. Ever. I met her on a Q&A video for Kingdom Pen and then immediately went out and snagged a copy of her book The Blood Race. (It’s way cool, y’all! You should check it out.)
The second book in her sci-fi/fantasy thriller series, Worlds Beneath, released this summer around the same time as Song of Leira, so I’m so excited to have Kate over here chatting about the story process and the impact of stories!
But first, a bit about the first book in the series (don’t worry, I won’t spoil book two for you yet!):
ABOUT THE BLOOD RACE
All Ion Jacobs ever wanted was to be normal. But when you’re capable of killing with your very thoughts, it’s hard to blend in with the crowd.
Running from his past and living in fear of being discovered, Ion knows he will never be an average college student. But when Hawk, the beautiful, mysterious girl next door unearths his darkest secret, Ion’s life is flipped upside-down. He’s shocked to discover a whole world of people just like him — a world in another dimension, where things like levitation, shape-shifting, and immortality are not only possible… they’re normal.
Forced to keep more secrets than ever before, Ion struggles to control his powers in the real world while commuting between realms – until his arch enemy starts a fight he can’t escape. Now he has sealed the fate of the Dimension, severing their connection to the real world, and locking himself inside forever. But a deadly threat hidden in plain sight may cost Ion more than just his freedom – it may cost him his life.
The Blood Race is the first book in K.A. Emmons’ riveting new sci-fi/fantasy thriller series. If you like epic urban fantasy, fresh takes on super powers, deep allegories, raw emotions and intricate plots that surprise you at every turn, you’ll love the first novel in Emmons’ page-turning series. Grab your copy of The Blood Race and delve into a new dimension today!
Meet K.A. Emmons
When she’s not hermiting away in her colorfully-painted home office writing her next science fiction, passionate story-teller and adventurer Kate Emmons is probably on the road for a surf or hiking trip, listening to vinyls, or going for a power run. Emmons’ debut novel The Blood Race is the first book in her YA science fiction/fantasy thriller series. She lives in the often-snowy hills of rugged Vermont with her husband and dog named Rocket.
Find Kate on Instagram – Website – Facebook – Youtube – Twitter
Guest Post from K.A. Emmons
Writing The Blood Race was a unique and rewarding journey – actually, writing the whole series has proved to be such. It’s interesting because it can often be hard to understand if you’re not a writer, how characters take shape and take *over* with or without your consent, and somehow, knee-deep into the story we find ourselves being taught and shaped and admonished, rather than it being the other way around. The Blood Race was no exception.
The characters, especially the main characters in this series, have taught me so much that I find myself not only especially attached to them, but also profoundly grateful to them for helping me grow into a better person because of them.
The characters made this story, they made this book and this series. I almost feel like I can’t take credit for it because they did the work, but I drank the caffeine that powered their existence, so there is that. But in all seriousness, it never ceases to amaze me, the impact a story well told can have; the lasting impressions characters can leave. Which actually leads me to a concept The Blood Race touches on quite a bit:
The fact that we are powerful. Our words, actions, deeds, and creations have the power to give or take – to spread light or darkness. Our greatest mistake is to look into the mirror and see a mere, powerless human…we are so much more than that! Within us is truly limitless potential. Just like how Ion begins to discover how much power he has within him, I deeply believe that we must begin to discover a similar sort of power that exists within ourselves.
We are powerful.
Through the words we speak and write, through our talents and gifts, even through our interactions with others and the world around us, we have been equipped with the power to change this world for the better. And I think it’s so important that we remember that so that we can use this incredible superpower for good: to bring peace, and joy, and love, and understanding.
I love the way Sensei phrases it in The Blood Race: “there is a warrior beneath your skin.”
No matter who you are, or what you believe about yourself, this is true about every single one of us: we are warriors. We were made not to be weak and to succumb to the world around us, writing it off as “this is just the way things are.” No; we were made to become those warriors. To be the light.
And just like Hawk, when we begin to realize this, we no longer look at ourselves in the mirror the same way. We begin to realize that there is something beautiful in the undertones of this life-song.
And we’ve been given the opportunity to add our voices to the chorus.
Thanks, Kate! I love this reminder to remember the impact that we can have through our talents, our gifts, and our presence on those around us.
We are warriors.
And now, fellow wanderers, it’s your turn! Have you read The Blood Race or Worlds Beneath? Discovered any new an exciting books this summer? I’d love to hear about it!
Lillianna Avila says
I really want to read this book, and I can’t wait to get it in my hands!!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Oh that’s awesome!
Janice says
Well, I finished my collection of The Mission League, and I’m trying to find a Canadian branch to join (where is it??). I also discovered Robert Treskillard’s Merlin Spiral series (so good!).
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Ha! Keep looking! I’m sure you’ll find it eventually. (I love that series. The final book should be coming soon!)
Ooh, the Merlin Spiral series is great too! Awesome.