Author Interview and Giveaway: Annie Rachel Cole

Annie Rachel Cole, author of the YA book Guardian of Atlantis, is stopping by today with an interview and giveaway!

WS: What three words best describe your book, Guardian of Atlantis?

A: twisted Greek mythology

WS: In just one sentence convince readers why they MUST read your books?

A: Reading the Children of Atlantis series is the only way for you to find out the real stories behind the myths you’ve read.

WS: Where did the idea or inspiration for this book and the series as a whole come from?

A: My school took the 8^th graders to watch The Lightning Thief. The Medusa character in the movie got me to thinking. What if Medusa had a daughter? What if she had to hide the child? What would the daughter be like? Who’s her father? A few days later I happened to watch a show about Atlantis and the theory of ancient aliens. My imagination went crazy. What if Atlantis was really an alien outpost? The ideas slowly merged and grew. Before I knew it, Raven Weir, the daughter of Medusa and Poseidon, was born.

WS: Who is your favorite Guardian of Atlantis character to write? Who was the most challenging to write?

A: The answer to both questions is Raven Weir. She has a lot of issues she’s dealing with as she discovers who she really is. I wanted to capture the mentality of what would a 16 year old girl do in this situation, but yet try to keep her as “real” as possible—the girl sitting next to you in history class.

WS: Grab a copy of Guardian of Atlantis and answer the following:

·         Favorite chapter? Chapter 5 (Raven kicks a little Hellhound booty.)

·         Favorite page? Page 94

·         Flip to a random page and chose any one random sentence from that page and give us a little teaser:  “But I am Poseidon, god of the sea. And I am your father. I forbid you to leave.” (Oops, that’s three sentences, but can’t you just hear Poseidon telling Raven this? Bet you can’t guess what her reaction is. Lol)

WS: Who or what is your favorite mythological being or God/Goddess? What do you love about them?

A: Difficult question. I actually have several I like: Persephone, Hercules, Medusa.

Medusa would have to be my favorite. I was always curious about her. What kind of woman was she before Athena turned her hair into snakes? Was she really self-centered or was that just part of the lore surrounding her? So, I guess you could say, I love the mystery surrounding her as a person.

WS: If you could switch places with any literary character, just for one day, who would it be? What would you do as them?

A: Another difficult question, because there are just so many to choose from. Okay, I’ve got one. I would want to switch places with Minerva McGonagall. I would spend the day perform all sorts of magic, just because I could.

WS: Who is your favorite villain of all time…who do you just love to hate or hate to love?

A: It would have to be Severus Snape. You just have to hate him in the beginning of the series, but in the end, you finally see the real man hidden from the world, and understand why he did what he did.

WS:: Fill in the blanks:

 I’m really awesome at coming up with story ideas. I’ll never be without a story to write.

 I’m really embarrassed to admit that I’m deathly afraid of the old iron and wood bridges that can still be found over rivers on gravel roads here in Texas. Some of the fear is from the fact I never learned to swim.

In 100 years I hope people remember me as a good story teller.

WS: If you were to create/bake a Guardian of Atlantis cupcake, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?

A: It would definitely be a vanilla, chocolate, red velvet cake swirl with midnight blue cream cheese icing. Starfish and snowy sprinkles decorate the top. I would call it the Cupcake of Souls.

Thank you SO much Annie for answering my questions!

Annie Rachel Cole: 

Site / Blog / Goodreads / Twitter 

Books by Annie

Guardian of Atlantis (The Children of Atlantis #1)

Sixteen-year-old Raven Weir has a somewhat normal life until she receives a mysterious necklace…a necklace others are willing to kill her to get because it contains the key codes to Atlantis. Now she finds she’s the only one standing between Atlantis and those who want to use the power hidden there to take over the world.
And Zeus is at the head of that line.
On top of worrying about social acceptance at school, Raven has to get control of her growing powers before she harms someone. And it doesn’t help that the alpha Hellhound at school is attracted to her while members of his pack are trying to kill her. And then there’s the whole biological parent issue. Finding out you’re adopted is huge, but discovering you’re actually the daughter of Medusa and Poseidon will definitely cause problems.
Will Raven find the inner strength she needs to survive? 
Will she be able to protect Atlantis?

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

No Rest For the Spirit and Other Ghostly Tales

Beware of Ghosts!
They may be lurking where you lest expect them...
Open the book and read if you dare…In this collection of twelve chilling tales, ghosts rule. From ghosts haunting a school, to a phantom trucker who gives hitchhikers rides, and windows which refuse to stay closed, to a vengeful spirit who plans to get her husband back, no one is safe.

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Win a signed copy of both Guardian of Atlantis and No Rest For the Spirit and Other Ghostly Tales from Annie!

Annie has generously offered one signed paperback copy of each of her books to one winner.

Details

-US/CAN only

-Will run from 9/20 - 9/28

-There will be one (1) winner who will win a signed paperback copy of each book

-Must be 13+ to enter

-One main entry per person

-Winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-I am NOT responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes

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