Chiara Cilli's Blog, page 23
March 30, 2013
Interview on Il Portale Segreto ^_^
Hello Chiara! Welcome to the literary salon of Il Portale Segreto! Would you like to introduce yourself to the readers of the blog? Tell us a little of you...
A warm welcome to all users of the blog! My name is Chiara and I'm 22. I live in Pescara, Abruzzo, and I'm a writer full time. I'm a beautician specializing and currently work as a presenter of a line of cosmetics. I love to read, listen to music and watch movies and TV series. I practiced riding for ten years and a few months ago I ventured in the group dances, the only activity able to detach myself from the PC!
Now let's talk about your novel. Do you want to tell us something about it? What's it about?
The awakening of the Fire is the first novel of a saga that chronicles the rise to power of the Heir to the throne of the Underworld, Morwen. It's an intense and violent book, raw and bleak, but with a strong love story at its base. Everything revolves around the relationship between Morwen and Galadir, Prince of the Land of Men, and to the dangerous attraction that flares up between them as the flames from which she was created.
"The Queen of the Underworld - The awakening of Fire" is your first novel. How did you get the idea to write it? And how did this adventure change you?
This saga is born from my adoration for the dark side, if I may say so. I've always been fascinated by the baddies in the story, those able to make you weak at the knees with their mere presence and able to turn on your desire with a glance. I've always wondered why the hero should have won even if his opponent is literally stronger, so I created Morwen. Writing about her has changed me deeply and made me realize what kind of writer I wanted to be. It was as if, with a simple and penetrating look, she had given to me the proper course to follow.
Why did you choose to write a fantasy? Is there an author or a book in particular that inspired you?
I chose fantasy because at sixteen was the only genre I read! Christopher Paolini gave me a nudge, to show me up in this magical world, then Licia Troisi was my 'teacher' until the third book in the series with his adventures in the Emerging World. Finally, when I was writing the last book, I knew the superb writing of Keri Arthur and from that moment everything changed.
The characters are inspired by people actually exist or are a figment of your imagination? What is your relationship with them? And what is your favorite?
I am always inspired by real people, especially actors. With the characters in my novels I have an almost visceral relationship, and it is needless to say that they are super possessive of Morwen and Galadir! What is my favorite? You certainly expect it to be Morwen. Well, it is not so! My favorite is the Prince Galadir: I have a special relationship with him, I would say empathetic; when I wrote of him I could feel him in a completely different way from how I felt Morwen. Sometimes I seemed to see him turning to me and winking to tell me he approved of the joke I had chosen for him!
What song and what color will you choose for your novel?
ForThe awakening of the Fire I'll choose the song Bring Me To Life by Evanescence (whose songs have given me the inspiration during the writing of the whole saga). The color, however, is a beautiful bright pink as Morwen's irises.
Usually what are the time and place you want to write?
I write in the afternoon because I dedicate the morning to the work of web advertising and to proofs editing. In the living room, in the bedroom ... the place is irrelevant!
It has been difficult to complete this book? How did you feel when you wrote the word "end" to your story?
Writing The Queen of the Underworld has never been difficult: I knew exactly what had to happen and when was going to happen, what was going on behind the scenes and while the players were busy doing something else. In fact I have not left this saga! There are sequels (four books), a spin-off and a cross-over, plus an erotic story taken from The awakening of Fire. So no, I'm still in the service of Morwen and I think it will still take a while before saying goodbye!
How do you feel to know that your book is held by the public? Fear the judgment of readers? What do you hope from the publication?
Entrust a novel to readers is like taking an examination: I fear their judgment, of course, but I believe in my characters and I know they won't disappoint. There are always criticisms and you must know how to accept them, but if a person falls in love with what you wrote... ah, yes those are moments that make you cry with happiness! Unfortunately, the publication has not borne fruit and the Publisher which collaborated decided to back out, which is why the second book in the series will be released in ebook by selfpublishing.
Is there a message you would like to send to your readers?
To those who can not wait to find out what will happen to the Prince Galadir ask you to bring a little patience, with the promise of a second chapter even more violent and intense set in the unsettling Vivar, the capital of the Dark Land!
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? Do you want to tell us how you came to the publication?
It's been a long and exhausting but it has paid off. Working with an editor helps to understand many things (for example, that there is a word to express a whole sentence and where to cut the superfluous). Be accompanied by a publisher was instructive and exciting, especially when I participated in the demonstrations of fantasy and I had the opportunity to know other authors and let me know. In the end, unfortunately, it went wrong and I have two whole sagas that I hoped to publish this publisher. But, hey, never despair! There is digital publishing, there are sites online to self-publish: just because someone says you no, does not mean you have to give up and put everything aside. No! I didn't, and you shouldn't too: each of you has talent, no matter what they say, and each of you deserve to see his work on a shelf - it's digital or wood in a library! Never say never and never give up, you don't know the future...
What is your favorite book or author?
My favorite author is Keri Arthur, but I must say that Beth Kery is follow closely. There are many others, of course, but the list does not end up more! For my favorite book, the choice is much more difficult... I save saying Riley Jenson Guardian Series, Fifty Shades Trilogy, Chicago Stars Series, Lords of the Underworld...
What is a book to you?
Books are my life.
Do you have other literary projects in the future? Can you give us a preview?
On January 11 was released the erotic tale Tasting the Fire, published by Lite Editions. March 1st was published in ebook The Lion's Promise, an urban fantasy set in Tanzania, whose cover was commissioned to talented illustrator Gaetano Di Falco. The collaboration with Lite Edition also has a new contemporary erotic series entitled Matt Staton's Agency. With regard to the second volume of The Queen of the Underworld, Deadly Imprisonment, I hope to publish it by the end of this year.
Have something else to add to the readers of Il Portale Segreto?
I really hope that my work can excite you so much as happened to me while I was writing!
Thank you for giving me a bit of your time, I'm glad I had the opportunity to host you in my living room for a chat together!
Thank you for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to talk about me and my books. A huge bye to all users of the blog!
March 23, 2013
Interview on The Secret Door!
Hello, Chiara, and welcome to The Secret Door! Thank you for agreeing to be my guest. It is indeed a privilege and a great pleasure to talk with you!
Hello, Monia! Thank you for your hospitality. I can't wait to have a chat with you!
You are a young and imaginative. From your writings we will immediately notice your love for creation and imagination. Tell us about yourself, tell us about your interests and who is behind the mysterious figure of a writer.
Not much to say, really. I am a normal girl! I am twenty years old and live in Pescara. From October 2012 I attend a course in group dances and in my spare time, when I'm not planted in front of the PC to write, I like to listen to music, follow the American TV series and movies. I'm addicted to books that manage to turn something in me. At the age of eight years I began to practice horseback riding at a competitive level, stopping after ten years. As for my personality ... well, let's say I have many, so I do not know what to say! I have the power to transform myself according to the environment in which I am.
Your first book, "The awakening of the Fire," published in 2012 by Tabula Fati, is a fantasy novel that is part of the series "The Queen of the Underworld" and that brings together many elements intriguing and fascinating. It is an original story and certainly magnetic. Explain us how it came into your mind the idea for this saga and why you decided to give life to a story where the figure of the deity has such an important role.
I have always been bowled over by the evil, and when Morwen appeared in my mind I decided that hers would be a story full of tragic events and deadly wars. Morwen had to be dark and so seductive to kill with a glance. She had to be the scariest and unreachable than deities who want to kill her. She had to be the Goddess of the Gods, born to be the absolute Sovereign. She turned out to be exactly how I wanted... until it arrived Galadir who suggested I make things a little more interesting and naughty. I should have to command him to not interfere and let me write, I know, but it is impossible to resist when he shows his damn sexy smile!
Often, writing stories, our imagination leads us to take up the elements we have learned over time. When you invent a plot do you let the memory will suggest you ideas to rework or do you try to deviate from what has influenced your imagination over the years? For example, to create the world in which it is set "The awakening of the fire," did you take inspiration from literary topics that have intrigued you in the past?
When I discovered the world of fantasy, I read of land very different from those that were created in my imagination. Before creating The Queen of the Underworld, I had never met obscure landscapes, neither in reality nor in the literature, so I entrusted everything to my mind. None of the novels I read was so darker, so I was inspired by other authors only for the genre and, in the early days, for the style to follow.
In your fantasy saga we can note the presence of a well-defined mythology and the Gods take actions whose consequences affect the Land of Men. Did you get inspired by a particular mythology to create your own?
I think I didn't! It's been so long, I do not remember all the details tested while writing! It is true that, as my mother always told me, in elementary school, the teacher read to us the Iliad and the Odyssey ... Maybe my subconscious was so fascinated by those events to prompt me to insert the gods in my work.
Morwen is a multi-faceted protagonist and she's characterized by a strong personality. What did you want to show through her character? Why did you decide to develop the dark figure (and perhaps, in the popular imagination, negative) of a Goddess of the Underworld? This is not the most obvious choice to bring out a heroine so dark! Indeed! Was you scared by the idea of abseil down mentally in her shoes? Or did you have fun?
With Morwen I wanted to give the opportunity to the 'dark side' to have a leading role and show that not always the Good has to be at center stage. I love the 'bad guy' of a story, and by Morwen I got exactly what I wanted: an incontestable leader and the embodiment of darkness more than seductive. I've never been afraid to enter her mind, indeed: while writing the spin-off that tells about the three years she spent in Nobbis in the Kingdom of Winged Horses, I was able to understand her better and be even more impressed by darkness that cloaks her. Writing about she is more than a pleasure, and yes, it's really fun to see her shoot one of her deadly looks and turn fear against those who are so foolish as to catch her eye. If then there's also Galadir... oh, palpitations are guaranteed!
When you wrote "The awakening of the fire," did you know you wanted to create a saga or was it a choice you made when you have finished writing the first volume?
I had everything clear before to start to write, because I usually draw up a list characters, plot and timeline.
The fantasy world you have created is certainly a treasure trove of details from which we can draw endless inspiration narrative. In fact, you've already written an erotic story set in this land that continues the exploits of Morwen. "Tasting the Fire", published by Lite Editions, is a spin-off that tells the passion between Morwen and Galadir and what promises to be an exciting and engaging story. What is the reason that prompted you to go deeper into the relationship between the two lovers?
When I wrote The Queen of the Underworld I didn't know the erotic genre yet, but the level of sensuality was very high in my books. I wanted the readers really found out what happened the first night of love between the Prince and the Queen. I wanted they taste the intensity of feeling that binds them together.
The fire is a key element in these two works. What does it mean for you? Is it particularly important in your life?
I think that expresses Morwen's true nature: dangerous but charming, deadly but irresistible, treacherous but sinuous, devastating but essential.
Now to your last novel, "The Lion's Promise", published in March 2013 with Narcissus Self Publishing, and has already found considerable favor with readers. The story is set in Tanzania, a place that isn't often taken into account for urban fantasy. Why did you choose to develop the characters' events in such an exotic and remote location?
I needed to breathtaking views and impact locations that made the events that revolve around the main characters even more powerful and exciting. And what better land than Tanzania? The Ngorongoro crater is gorgeous, and perfect for the life of a bunch of shapeshifters. And Sanje Waterfalls, which hosts one of the most touching scenes, are of a superlative beauty. I wouldn't have chosen a different location for my novel.
How did you get the idea for lions shapeshifters? And why did you decide to create a story where friendship is threatened by love?
The idea came from the Disney animated film The Lion King: I have always been fascinated by lions and I wanted to use my passion for them to create an original story. Love vs. friendship ... is not it the greatest war fought, leaving the secular between Good and Evil? Sometimes friendship wins, and sometimes it's love. It is up to readers to decide which of the twofeelings will have the best in my novel: for some it will be friendship, for others will be love. I do not tell anything!
Was there anything in particular that inspired you for "The Lion's Promise"? A dream or an event, for example?
I was inspired by a Japanese anime series that won me over heart and soul, and that gave me the input for the triangle Jamila-Daren-Kenan.
Your novels are fascinating and original environments and engaging and dramatic plots. However, the romantic part is always present and love stories you tell are full of passion and supported by deep and tormented feelings. While the writing, what has most importance? You tend to go deeper into the emotional aspect of a story or prefer to dedicate yourself to the events and general objective of the plot?
Maybe before I gave more importance to the events that revolved around the characters, maybe I purposed with descriptions or episodes that had little relevance. Now, however, I focus only on the main characters, their emotions. Even when I read a book, for example, I like that the story relates only to the lead couple and not being shifted to other things: it risks boring or to lead the reader to 'speed up' the reading to return to the main story.
How do you creater your characters? And how much of you is in them? What is the element that should never be lacking in the construction of the personality of the main characters of your stories?
When I create a character I always based on real people, mainly on the actors of the big screen who can send me the kind of character that I need. How much of me is in them? Well, I always say "nothing!", but often my mother, who knows me better than anyone else, denies. My characters are always very strong, dark and tormented, or determinated, brisk and fun... there is something for everyone!
What is the message that you would like to send to the readers who read your books?
I never claimed to convey a message, to tell the truth. I wish that those who read my books remain fascinated and touched in some way. I'd like to make a mark in each of them, however small.
You have published with publishers and with a method of self-publishing, in both cases with success. Are you satisfied with the experience of self-publishing? What are the main advantages and disadvantages in both cases? Is there any advice you would give to anyone who wants to take the path to self-publication?
I am very satisfied with the self-publishing! However, I have also been working with the Tabula Fati, which allowed me to participate in events such as the Turin International Book Fair, Pandino Fantasy Books and San Giorgio di Mantova Fantasy, and to meet many other Italian writers of the genre. The disadvantage to publish with the publisher i'ts that some readers would prefer the digital version of The awakening of the Fire, conversely some would The Lion's Promise in paper format. My advice to those who want self published is to do a good job of editing, provide a good cover and make lots of advertising on the web.
What are the genres you most like to explore as a writer and as a reader?
Currently I jumped headlong in the erotic genre, as a writer and as a reader. Thanks to the strong emotions present in these novels, the erotic can touch many parts of my soul and conquer me completely. In my library there are also many urban fantasy and paranormal romance for adults, and even some thrillers are making their way through my shelves.
Your style and your imagination have been influenced by an author in particular? Or by a book?
Certainly the discovery of the novels by Keri Arthur has been enlightening for my style. Hers is what I like most: direct and intense, which goes straight to the heart. Study his writing style was very instructive, especially when I was writing action scenes. The moment I landed in the erotic genre, however, I was haunted by the style of Beth Kery, lapidary at the right point as that of Arthur's and wonderfully descriptive in highlights.
Why have you taken the road of writing? And what is the essential thing to your creativity while you let your imagination and write your thoughts? Do you listen to a particular type of music?
Writing makes me happy, it allows me to keep going when maybe it's a bad time, it's my life. The indispensable element when I sit down at my computer is the music, yes! All songs of Evanescence have been crucial during the writing of The Queen of the Underworld, while for The Lion's Promise I have inspired by Alains Morissette, Leona Lewis, Nickelback, Seether, Breaking Benjamin and Snow Patrol Ft Martha Wainwright.
We know that "The Queen of the Underworld" is a series and, having already released the first volume, we look forward to the sequels. Can you give us some little anticipation? And in addition to this fantasy saga, what are your future plans in literature?
Deadly Imprisonment, second book in the series, will be released for autumn/winter. Here we will have to do with the sadistic Deshre, determined to make the Prince Galadir her personal toy. Galadir shall survive her cruelty and temper himself to deal with the hardships that await him. It will be very difficult and Galadir will have to take the situation in hand, show what he's worth and become the hero that his Land needs. He will also be called upon to make a choice that is likely to break him: continue to fight to save Morwen, or sacrifice himself and gain the power that will allow him to kill the Goddess of Death?
Stay tuned!
The other works that I have in my drawer include the saga sequel to The Queen of the Underworld and its cross-over, a spin-off of The Queen of the Underworld, a self-contained urban fantasy and the first two books of two urban fantasy series for adults. I am currently working on the second volume of these two series and I'm finishing the first novel of an erotic trilogy that will be released by episodes for Lite Editions.
Dearest Chiara, I congratulate you and I wish you to realize your dreams! It was a pleasure talking about you and your novels and I thank you for being my guest and for bringing us together! Want to greet the readers and readers indicating the main ingredients that can be found in your novels if they decide to read them and enter in your fantasy world?
Thanks to you, Monia, I enjoyed it very much! I hope I have intrigued your followers and have enticed those who like to read stories about tormented love and passion, of epic and bloody battles, hatred and darkness, to dive in my novels. A warm hug to everyone!
March 19, 2013
Review on Reading is Believing ♥
"As the story opens, we find ourselves faced with three lion cubs full of energy and curiosity towards life: Jamila, the pack leader's daughter, Daren and Kenan. We're immediately in front of the much loved and hated love triangle. Daren has a crush on Jamila who can not stand him and opts for Kenan. Kenan, for his part, doesn't initially appreciate the attention of the girl, but then surrenders to his feelings for her.
At twelve years, however, the three are in that age when the feelings are still timid and friendship prevails on love and our protagonists spend their days among bickering and races. In the beautiful scenery of Africa and of the beautiful Tanzania, with pleasure we follow the stories of these lions that are growing.
The story complicates by the arrival of a group of poachers, led by a ruthless man named Mark Shelby, arrives in town with the goal of capturing just the lion cubs for a zoo. Without too much difficulty, Shelby can discover the secret of the pack, plans an ambush and manages to capture Kenan.
Daren promises to Jamila that he will not rest until he brings back the lost friend and, at this point, the story takes a leap forward nine years.
Things have changed a lot. Kenan, thanks to a trick, lives the life he always dreamed of, while the herd continues to look for him and the relationship between Jamila and Daren has evolved in unexpected ways. But when Shelby pretends that Kenan keeps the promise he made, the future of each of them will be in danger.
By the plot that Chiara provided to me when she proposed me the reading, I was expecting so much romance and little action. I find myself in front of a young adult novel that turns out to be a reading quite soft, but original thanks to the majesty of lions who were the protagonists. While reading, I had to change my mind though. The action has space and how! I found the whole thing is well-researched and balanced.
What in all honesty I was not convinced at all, was the final part of the book. I wished things had been more in-depth after the jump time, before the events took precedence over history.
I loved the characters so much that I found well characterized and also Chiara's writing, which allows us to get in touch with many of them closely.
The decision to create lions shapeshifter was very apt. I had never read of similar creatures and it was really nice to be able to imagine these beautiful animals through her words.
I recommend the reading to everyone who wants something different and who wants to take a leap into the lands of Africa to daydream."
Interview on Notizie D'Abruzzo :)
Fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal ed erotic romance. What's the difference?
Fantasy is a literary genre in which the writer invents everything, world, laws, social classes. The urban fantasy, however, is set in the present, and the paranormal is linked to unexplained events. The awakening of Fire is a fantasy because the story takes place in Penthànweald, a world that I have created, and The Lion's Promise is tied to an urban present. My passion for the erotic novel comes with the reading of books by Keri Arthur, where there are many explicit scenes that kidnapped me immediately and I hope in the future to become a writer of this kind. Tasting the Fire, for example, is a story that I published in January in E-book format, where I describe the first night of sex between Morwen and Galadir, the protagonists of The Queen of the Underworld.
The awakening of the Fire is the first book of a series. Why did you choose to write four books?
The Queen of the Underworld is a very long story that I originally divided into three books. The publisher has preferred then lighten the first publication by dividing it into two volumes, so we have come to a quadrilogy. The events are many and Morwen, the protagonist, goes through a long process before the ascent to the throne of Penthanweald. She's the heroine of absolute evil and however she lives a painful love affair with Galadir. I needed many pages to tell what I had in mind.
Why did you choose an evil heroine?
Why I love Evil, both in terms of settings that cast of characters. I think I have the darkness in blood because I always cheer for the bad guy that is objectively the strongest character. I've always wondered: why evil must lose? From here was born Morwen, the Queen of the Underworld, a heroine unusual, but I never resisted to the evil's charm.
What about your new novel, The Lion's Promise?
The Lion's Promise is an urban fantasy in which the protagonists are shape shifters, humans who turn into lions. I studied the actual locations of these wonderful cats, discovering incredible places that form the backdrop to the events. This is a book that focuses on the emotions experienced by Jamila, Kenan and Daren that create a very complex love triangle. Despite the life of lions is active, and despite the poachers threaten the peaceful life of the group, the stories of the three young shapeshifters are always in the foreground with the tragic implications.
You wrote 18 books in five years. Which are your future publications?
The priority goes to Deadly Imprisonment, the second book of The Queen of the Underworld. After the publication of the first chapter of the saga I had problems with the publisher, so things have gone wrong for the second chapter. I think I will go out with Deadly Imprisonment in October in E-book format, as I'm doing with The Lion's Promise. Only after finishing with the Queen of the Underworld I will publish its sequel, set 2000 years later. I also prepared a crossover of this saga and a spin-off of The Queen of the Underworld, which tells the three years before The awakening of Fire. Finally I wrote an urban fantasy (wolfs, whitches and vampires) and the first volumes of three new series.
What do you think about E-reader?
I do not think you can compare the reading of a paper book to electronic media. I could never concentrate reading on a PC, but I think that with a tablet that things can improve. My dream is to get published by Harmony, go back to the paper and see my books in newsagents and supermarkets. It's not easy to find a publisher now, so I choose the E-book.
Where do you see yourself in 2020?
I hope my determination takes me up to my goals, I hope nobody will never demoralize me and that people accept me for who I am and for what I write. I see myself as a writer one hundred percent!
March 16, 2013
Review on La Bella e il Cavaliere
"It's official: I love shapeshifters. [...] The revelation, that matured in me for some time, came with the reading of The Lion's Promise by Chiara Cilli.
Not long ago I read The awakening of the Fire, which I found really well written and I was impressed. A few days later I was among the fans of Chiara and so I discovered her new self-publishing: a very different story from that of the first novel. You can well imagine how many expectations and I'm really happy to tell you that they were not disappointed, although they are still stunned by the events.
However, before you venture in Tanzania, I feel compelled to inform me that: a) I screamed (real insults or classical vocal) b) I cried and c) the author has admitted to have the tragedy in the blood... If comforteth you (I'm not), she apologizes.
Jamila, Daren and Kenan, three lion cubs, wake up at dawn, trying not to make noise so as not to wake adults. Embarked on a frantic race, a competition towards Lake Eyasi: their days start there, witnessing the marvelous spectacle of the sun reflecting off the water.
The narrative follows the point of view of the three cubs, giving the suggestion to empathize with these amazing animals, but does not take much to see that, in reality, the puppies are boys of twelve years with the extraordinary gift of transformation.
They are lions-shapeshifters and live with their families in the Rock, in the Ngorongoro crater. Does not take much to become attached to the dark but already fascinating Kenan, to the funny and clumsy Daren and to the strong but also passionate and sensitive Jamila.
Through the eyes of three adventurous protagonists you soon meet the rest of the pack and their customs: during the day, the Sons of Destiny (this is the name of the legendary shapeshifters) live as human, becoming lions only at sunset; if satellites spotted them, in fact, they would all be in great danger.
Jamila is the daughter of the pack leader Rashid (how I longed for him!) and she's obviously in love with Kenan, who pays her feelings with ostentatious indifference. On the other hand Daren fill the girl of attentions, almost suffocating. The interplay of emotions between the three boys is central to their relationship, but their bond is made stronger by an incredible friendship.
The joy of their games is very contagious and when William - an American boy - arrives, the group is full. However, it will be just a few days of joy because Will is the son of the poacher who will upset their lives. Ah! You're gonna hate Mark Shelby, but I assure you that the worst is yet to come.
Nine years later, Kenan has changed life: he lives with his best friend, Will, and attends Yale, wreaking hearts havoc and partying big time. Kenan and William have become two beautiful boys and their friendship is strong. Kenan's grumpy character has given way to a shiny smile, making him even more lovable. Readers, you can not help but celebrate the new life of the beautiful lion!
However Mark Shelby has decided that it is time that the shapeshifter rewards him: the poachers return to Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Daren and Jamila grew and an unstoppable feeling is born between them: they belong each other, deeply, but the return of Kenan could change the cards on the table...
With the obvious exception of Mark Shelby, I loved a lot the other characters in The Lion's Promise and I was so fond of to stay upset by events, and suffering with them. It was a compelling and shocking reading, in some ways it exceeded my expectations. I was so excited that I'm afraid to not finding the right words to convey my feelings. The plot didn't prepare me to what I've tried: the narration took folds that I never expected, revealing a complex care in the facets of character of the protagonists.
Contradictions, inner contrasts and also blind ambition collide with loyalty, idealism and love, but only the will can prevail the light over darkness.
«He's hopeless, Jamila. Open your eyes.»
«And you don't close yours, Daren.»
Chiara had already given complex characters and an articulated plot with The awakening of the Fire, but this new novel reveals a maturation of her writing. While maintaining a rich and distinctive style, the narrative is more dry and direct: the register is appropriate for the age and the cultural environment of the characters, making them more alive and real, but there are poetic and vibrant descriptions.
I regret not being able to do justice to this novel that made me fall in love, shocked me and broke my heart. The Lion's Promise is an intense fantasy that is not only about men and lions, but also ambition and darkness. Do not expect to find just the story of a passionate love affair, because much space is left to the warmth of family and to the intense and very poignant friendship.
«Your hand over my heart.»
«Always.»
First review for The Lion's Promise on Romanticamente Fantasy!
"From Morwen and Galadir's great Kingdom of Penthànweald the author takes us to East Africa, where a legend tells of an ancient Emerald, kept in the Rupe of Fate, capable of changing the soul of a man in the wild nature of his Majesty the lion.
Among the beautiful landscapes worthy of the best National Geographic documentary we meet three young lion cubs playing with each other and running carefree in the savannah, when suddenly a white light emanating from their chest wrap them completely... and when the glow turns off in their place we find three teenagers: Jamila, daughter of the pack leader Rashid and her two friends Daren and Kenan. Yes, you read well, are shapeshifters!! Strong in animal form just as in the human, the girl has a good temper and she is attracted by the beautiful and damned Kenan, who does not reciprocate fully and wants to see the world, and finally Daren, the reliable friend that everyone wants and hopelessly in love with Jamila (often takes some nice fish in the face!! poor). The life flows peacefully in the herd until the arrival of foreign men, going to disturb their routine... A new friendship and a painful betrayal will create a series of dramatic events and painful for all involved. But a promise rekindles hope that only time will achieve...
Don't say more...
Before we get to my vote I want to say a few sentences about the writer than her other works I've read. I noticed in her writing a maturity which I don't think is due to the growth of age; I appreciated the fact that she knows how to take risks because in the Queen of the Underworld there was still a lot of potential that deserved to see the light, and here she proposes a new and diametrically opposed book, with new characters to which you grow fond a lot. Congratulations Chiara and good job, keep it up because I wait for your future works.
Congratulations for the cover, for the beautiful graphics and for the book trailer I've seen and shared on facebook."
February 27, 2013
February 17, 2013
Interview on Lite Editions ;)
Three adjectives to describe yourself (one negative).
Determined, creative, stubborn.
Your dream and your nightmare.
My dream is to be able to share my books with readers around the world. My worst nightmare is that someone says to me that I will never write.
You're a writer. Why?
Is the only way I know to live, is the reason why I wake up early in the morning and at night I can not fall asleep because of the ideas that crowd my thoughts.
What you want to be or not to be.
I would never be a person who can not dream.
Are you envious?
No more, I realized that I have almost everything I want in life.
Literary loves and hates.
I love Kery Arthur, Beth Kery, E.L. James, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Lisa Marie Rice, Gena Showalter, J.R. Ward, Maggie Stiefvater, Sharon Bolton, Sylvia Day and Nicole Jordan. I hate Lisa Jane Smith and Lucinda Carrington.
The artist you love and who you hate.
I love the works of the illustrator Gaetano Di Falco.
How do you think you worth? (1-10)
10, of course, it is important to believe in yourself.
What do you think about love?
Right now, I think it does not exist. But, if it does not, it's not like I guess. I do not believe in love based on friendship or a beautiful harmony: love I seek is painful and takes everything you have to give, but it gives you in exchange emotions so intense to disrupt your universe. For me, love has to be dripping with passion, one that takes your breath away, and the need that drives you to look for the other at any time of day, do not let it go. Because without, life doesn't worth anything.
What is your favorite position when you sleep?
A face down, with clenched fists to my chest.
The quality you want in a person?
The frankness.
The country would you live or where you want to die?
USA.
Do you have a hero or a superhero?
Elektra Natchios, Violet Song Jat Shariff, Alice Abenathy and Selene (Underworld saga).
Would you prefer to enjoy a wonderful night of love with the perfect partner or be invited to Che tempo che fa?
A wonderful night of love!
What did you publish?
The awakening of the Fire, The Queen of the Underworld #1
Tasting the Fire, an erotic short shory of The Queen of the Underworld series.
Leave us with a quote.
"Because it's in the darkness that power dwells."
Dangerous Games - Riley Jenson Guardian series by Keri Arthur.
February 13, 2013
Review on Damned Soul ^_^
"First, an introduction: this story, which is about 40 pages, is closely related to "The awakening of the Fire", the first book of the "The Queen of the Underworld" series, then, to learn more about the protagonists, we recommend you to read the novel.
That said, let's move to the story. "Tasting the Fire" is an erotic story that has the great merit of never expire into vulgarity; reading is very smooth and the text, quite short, is very addictive, although the pace is probably broken too many times by the concerns of Morwen that, because of some of her characteristics related to being the Heir to the throne of the Underworld, fear of hurting Galadir. In this regard, the dialogues are perhaps the weak point of the story: they are repetitive and, as already mentioned, can disrupt the rhythm, in addition to appearing slightly discounted for a few sentences. This problem also applies to some adjectives attributed to Galadir that are repeated, ie those relating to his body "granitic"; except for this detail, however, the language used can not say nothing bad.
Pulling therefore the amounts we can say that "Tasting the Fire" is an enjoyable reading, engaging, with a fast-paced, erotic but not vulgar, ultimately, a story highly recommended."
Review on Violet Nightfall :)
"When the fire calls ... it is impossible to resist his singing! The passionate arsonist element is a voluptuous siren who with her turns and his persuasive voice threatens to take over all of us.
Galadir and Morwen know it all too well, busy for the duration of the story in resisting the temptations of the flesh... well, maybe the only one who tries to resist is Morwen XD
I state that I have not read the book in which this story is part of, and I regret ç_ç but the author has been so good as to make this short extract accessible to people who hasn't read the novel!
The story unfolds in a military academy... that I did not understand where it should find XD only drawback perhaps the story.
Morwen and Galadir are hiding and suddenly the desire envelops them, giving their brains a violent jolt... the passion takes over and the two find themselves soon to consume their greed among the white sheets of the bed of the Prince Galadir (every time I read the name I am remind of the Galak XD).
So far so normal, or enough, but then we go, expertly drawn by the pen of Cilli, in their "small world" imperfect, in their minds, more into Morwen's to tell the truth, in their fears, delusions, in their forbidden dreams.
So we have a lustful Prince who does not seem to turn off even with a bucket of ice water (in some circumstances admit I found him almost annoying XD) and a woman (not a normal woman but the Heir to the throne of the Underworld), apparently marble and without hesitation or fear, which emerges instead as one of the most fragile and fought creatures the universe.
Morwen is divided between the pure passion and carnal desire to dismember her Prince, the love she feels for him and the afraid for him because she knows that if she succumb to her instincts, might kill him!
Do not say anything else, I would just mention the skill of the writer who uses language quite grasped yet fast and easy to understand, weaving in great detail, and fabulous hot environments.
Chiara Cilli is a writer to discover that perhaps could really give her best in the genre of Erotic Paranormal Fantasy!
Congratulations!"
