Pippa DaCosta's Blog, page 8

Interview With 'Beyond The Veil' Narrator Hollie Jackson

Hollie Jackson, narrator for The Veil Series, has stopped by to answer some questions about what it was like to narrate 'Beyond The Veil, #1 The Veil Series.' (Audiobook out now).

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I was lucky enough to discover a narrator who not only brought the main character of Muse to life, but who was also great fun to work with. Audiobook production can be a bit of a mystery, so I asked Hollie if she could demystify the process for us (and what she wants for Christmas!) ~ Pippa.


How did you discover you had a talent for narrating?
~I’ve always been a reader and I was that girl in class who was always first to volunteer when asked to read out loud. *laughs* I grew up being read to by my family members, and I’ve always been known to just… spontaneously read out loud whatever I’m reading if I’m particularly taken with a turn of phrase. My husband was actually the one who encouraged me to try my hand at narrating, as I read to him on a daily basis as it is. Everyone told me I had the voice for it and I figured, what the hell? When someone approached me about narrating their project, I gave it a whirl and realized just how much I loved it. And here we are almost 150 projects later.

Do you have any other talents? (Quirky is good)
~Dragon (my husband) claims that I have an uncanny talent for finding the hole in any flat surface I’m walking upon. I’m also quite good at falling up the stairs.

What were your first thoughts when you read Beyond The Veil?
~My first thought? I *have* to narrate this. I absolutely fell in love with not only the premise, but the character, Muse. I have a soft spot for snarky, confident, strong female leads in Urban Fantasy settings, and I *loved* being able to portray all of that. Plus? She’s a half-demon. And that is complete awesomesauce. I’ve done all manner of halflings, but Muse is my first demon.

Were there any scenes you struggled with & why?
~Actually, no! And this is a very good thing. One of the things I noticed as I went through, was that the writing was so fluid that I rarely had to stop for any mistakes or adjustments. It was an easy read, as far as just being so smooth and well written, and kept me utterly engrossed the entire time.

The one thing that DID bug me? What happened to Jonesy? As a fellow cat-owned person, I was all kinds of distraught about what happened and the not knowing is driving me nuts! (Don’t worry. Like all good felines, Jonesy survives pretty much anything and everything. He’ll be back later in the series).

What was your favorite scene & why?
~That final showdown was *completely* my favorite scene. From the moment Muse heads to the hotel, to that realization on the ground of what happened with Stefan… it was one of the most frustratingly satisfying finales I’ve had the pleasure of reading!

Who’s your favorite guy, Stefan or Akil? Why him?
~That is a tough one, as I kinda like them both. I’m a “root for the villain” kind of gal, so my first instinct is to go with Akil. No matter how despicable he may be, he’s all kinds of sexy suave, and I can completely understand Muse’s fascination and wariness. But then there’s also Stefan…who, just yum. I love his sarcastic wit and cocky attitude. Can I just have a Stef/Aki sandwich? (Perhaps with a scruffy dash of Ryder on the side…)

How many projects are you working on right now?
~Oh goodness. I have a *bunch* on my plate. I’ve currently got somewhere around 60 or so projects all told waiting in the queue in various stages of development, with more added every week. I never thought I’d be as busy as I am, but I truly do love it.

What’s your favorite thing about being a narrator?
~Honestly? That I get to read amazing stories and bring those stories to life for not only their creators but those who read them. There are so many people who don’t have time or physically can’t read and audiobooks open up those worlds to them, introduce them to characters and stories they might not otherwise get to enjoy. I love that my voice is instrumental in doing that.

What do you want for Christmas?
~A cat-proof Christmas tree. *laughs* We haven’t had one for years because our Feline Mafia like to cause all kinds of havoc. Beyond that? I’ve got a birthday and anniversary literally within days of the holiday, so perhaps a weekend getaway to the Rose Red Mansion is in order.

Barring that, cookies. Cookies and video games are always welcome.

What are you most looking forward to when narrating the upcoming ‘Devil May Care, #2 The Veil Series’?
~I am *really* interested in seeing what Muse decides to do. The ending to BTV was so epic and it really seemed like she was finally embracing who she really is, so I’m excited to see just what she does with her abilities. Also? I cannot *wait* to see the “jail break” as it were.

And of course… if there’s any word on what happened to Jonesy. ;)

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Thanks for dropping by, Hollie.

You can buy the Beyond The Veil audiobook (or get it FREE with your Audible trial) here. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA3S97K

#2 The Veil Series, Devil May Care is due to be released as an audiobook in December.

Find out more here www.theveilseries.co.uk & sign up for your FREE novella here: http://eepurl.com/O5Aq5

'Darkest Before Dawn' #3 The Veil Series ~ Out Now

The third book in The Veil Series sees Muse trying to manage both sides of her half demon/half human nature, while simultaneously trying to save a young half-blood girl from a horde of demons, her immortal brother, and the Prince of Envy. And she has to do all of this while fighting back the darkness coiled around her heart.

As the third book in a planned five book series, some questions are answers, while more are asked. Our favorites are back, including Stefan (who recently won a Facebook poll for favorite guy in the series - sorry, Akil!). We meet a new character in Jenna (Stefan's ex and Enforcer hard-ass). Ryder is back - as surly as ever. And then there's Dawn, the sweet nine year old girl, who perhaps unsurprisingly isn't what she appears to be. Oh, and of course, Akil; who's motives are as gray as always - although he does finally answer some questions. As to whether he's bad? That's up to you to decide.

While writing 'Darkest Before Dawn', I ditched almost 30,000 words, I struggled with the death of a character, and wrestled both Akil and Stefan as they fought to have their side of the story told. The resulting book is more complex than the earlier novels, but no less action-packed, gritty and raw.

You'll be pleased to know Book 4 is written, and I'm now going through lengthy edits (whilst juggling another project - more on that soon!). I hope to have 'Drowning In The Dark' #4 The Veil Series ready for early February 2015, and book 5 (the final book) available late Summer 2015.

If you haven't already, please add The Veil Series books here: https://www.goodreads.com/series/1250...

If you've read the books and are up to date, don't forget to review them on Amazon (every new review helps The Veil Series find new readers). http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OKSBCA0

Thank you so much for joining me and The Veil Series characters on this journey. It wouldn't be the same without you to witness this wild ride.

www.theveilseries.co.uk
www.pippadacosta.com

Wings Of Hope Released! (& Why I Had To Write It)

The novella Wings Of Hope existed only in my head while writing Beyond The Veil and Devil May Care. The Veil Series books were always going to be about Muse's future, BUT as the series progressed readers cried out to know more. How did Muse meet Akil? How did she escape the netherworld? What was she like as demon? I couldn't gloss over these events, and didn't want to bog down the fast pace of The Veil Series books by including flashbacks (urgh!) so a prequel was the only way to get Muse's backstory out there.

Well, I set out to answer those questions, and believe me, it was the most difficult book to write in The Veil series to date. Getting inside the young Muse's head was hard enough, but add to that the fact she's demon... How does one write from a demon's point of view? Plus, she comes from a position of abuse, of degradation, and is a very different person to the feisty, confident, Muse we see in Boston in Beyond The Veil. Writing the demon-Muse was an uncomfortable experience, and not one I'd wish to experience again any time soon!

But, there is hope, and that is exactly what keeps her going.

So, the novella Wings Of Hope is now officially 'out there' to fend for itself. I'm sure you'll discover some things you didn't know about Muse (and Akil!). And to anyone joining the Veil Series anew, I promise it does get lighter!






www.theveilseries.co.uk

'Darkest Before Dawn' Out 20th Oct 2014

“It’s too late to save myself, but I’ll save her, even if it kills me.”

When Akil leaves a nine year old half-blood girl on Muse’s doorstep, it’s not long before the demons come hunting, but this time Muse isn’t the target. The Institute, Muse’s immortal brother, and the Princes of Hell, all want a piece of the little half-blood. What’s so special about Dawn, and why has Akil conveniently disappeared just as Muse needs answers?

To save the half-blood girl, Muse must first save herself, but is it already too late? Muse’s humanity is failing. Her demon hungers. The darkness coiled around her heart lures her toward madness. And all that stands between Muse and her demon’s lust for destruction, is the hope that some half-bloods do get happy endings.

The veil weakens. Titles will fall. A new Prince rises. And if Muse can’t stop them, the demons will have their day.


www.theveilseries.co.uk
www.pippadacosta.com

Wings Of Hope Available for Preorder at .99c

The much anticipated prequel to The Veil Series is now available for preorder at just .99c (The release date has been moved forward to Oct 11th 2014).

"I am his muse. But not for long..."

When Mammon, the Prince of Greed, 'acquires' a half-blood slave known as 'Muse' for three nights, and bespells her with tales of a world where people live like kings and queens among towers of steel and glass, the seed of hope takes root in Muse's soul. But hope, for a half-human half-demon creature like her, is a dangerous thing. Especially when that tentative hope springs from the honeyed words of a Prince of Hell. What is Mammon's price for freedom?

Meanwhile Da'mean, her ruthless owner, would rather see her dead, than free. She belongs to him. She is his muse. And no beast will take her from him.

The netherworld is harsh and violent. Muse's demon kin are merciless, blood-hungry beasts, but little do they know, Muse has something far more dangerous coiled inside her, desperate for a taste of freedom.

Her humanity.

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This novella can be read as a stand-alone book, or at any time before/during/after the other books in The Veil Series.

Click here to preorder

**COVER REVEAL**

**COVER REVEAL** With huge thanks to the extremely talented artist Celairen, I have the pleasure of revealing the full cover for #4 The Veil Series, 'Drowning In The Dark' - due out early next year.

As you may or may not know, the book covers for The Veil Series represent actual events in the books (most book covers don't do this) so do take a long, hard look, and let me know your thoughts.

Add it to your shelf here:

Help Us Get To 2000 Likes & WIN a $25 Amazon Gift Card

We're close to cracking the 2000 likes on the Beyond The Veil Facebook page. If you hop over, like the page & enter the competition, you'll be in with a chance to WIN. $25 is a lot of ebooks!

Follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/theveilseries

(US & UK only. Competition closes when we reach 2000 likes. Winners will be notified on the page and have a week (seven days) to respond & claim their prize. UK value is £15. Not affiliated with Amazon or Facebook).

Good luck x

Wings Of Hope (The Veil Series Prequel)

This book is for you.

When I wrote the first book in The Veil Series, I deliberately sprinkled breadcrumbs of backstory throughout the pages. Beyond The Veil is not about Muse's past. It's a book about her future. Where's she's going, and who she wants to be. It's a seed, from where the rest of the series grows.

But, many readers have cried out for more of Muse's past. Especially after we catch a glimpse of the netherworld and her owner in book 2, Devil May Care. What happened to her in the netherworld? How did she meet Akil? How did she escape?

So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to Wings Of Hope, the short-story prequel to The Veil Series due to be published at the end of Oct 2014.

Muse is a very different woman prior to her arrival in Boston (Fifteen years before events in Beyond The Veil). She is, to put it bluntly, a slave. Considered an abomination among the demons, her half-human nature marks her as weak and vulnerable; traits the demons exploit. When the Prince of Greed 'acquires' her for three nights, and bespells her with tales of a world where people live like kings and queens among towers of steel and glass, the seed of hope takes root in her soul. But Da'mean, her owner, refuses to release her. She belongs to him. She is his muse, and he'd rather see her dead, than free.

It'll be a tough read. But there is hope.

We already know how it ends. Let's see how it all begins.

Add it to your GoodReads shelves today.

Sign up for The Veil Series mailing list to get a FREE e-copy emailed to you upon its release in October.

Devil May Care #2 The Veil Series ~ OUT NOW

Devil May Care, the second book in The Veil Series, is out now. If you're familiar with the first book, you know we left Muse in a prison cell, without her demon, vowing to take revenge on those who've hurt her.

The second book is darker - no doubt about it - and so is Muse, but not all is lost. She has hope.

Take a look.



I'm over at Bitten By Books on Wesnesday. I'll be chatting about this book and The Veil Series. RSVP using the ink below to be in with a chance to WIN a $50 Amazon Gift card.

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=77960

See you there x

Pippa.

Gritty Urban Fantasy **Beyond The Veil** Free this week on Amazon.

To celebrate the release of book 2 in the Veil Series Beyond The Veil (book 1) is Free this week on Amazon.

If you enjoy fast-paced action-packed reads, give it a try.

Reviews for the Veil Series:

It's unlike anything I've read before and probably will read for awhile. The writing is clever, witty and very addicting. Once you start this book your not gonna want to put it down. (Goodreads reviewer)

Moonrise Books

This is a fantastic book, and one of my new favorites! ...a brilliant and original tale, entwined with a fascinating element of romance. I am eager to dive into the next book in the series to see what happens with these fantastic characters.

Happy Tails & Tales

“It goes to the excellence of writing skill when you love, and hate, ALL of the characters so much. Seriously, I think it could have had a bad plot and I would have loved the characters. BUT the plot is amazing. You’ll never be able to guess what’s really going on because it’s all about the unveiling.”

Nocturnal Predators Reviews

“I almost cried. It was THAT heart wrenching. After getting slapped upside the head with plot twists every five pages during the WHOLE book I still didn't see that ending coming.”

Amazon reviewer

I was sucked straight into the most exciting and hugely original story that kept my interest firmly glued to the pages throughout. Nothing is as it seems and it's all too easy to get caught in Muse's story as the plot twists and turns

Smexy Books

From page one I was intrigued and as I turned the final page I still wanted more.

Take a look and grab a copy today :)

(eCopy only. Free 19th to 23rd May 2014).