Wednesday, July 5, 2017

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Kelly St Clare for "The Return (the After trilogy, #2)"


Title: The Return (the After trilogy, #2)
Author: Kelly St Clare
  • Publication Date: June 29, 2017

SYNOPSIS:

The dystopian science fiction story continues in this action-packed novel for young adults by internationally best-selling author Kelly St. Clare.

Three months ago, Romy emerged from the cultivation tanks after a year floating inside.

Body intact. Mind broken. Memory gone.

Now she undergoes regular testing as doctors work to find out . . . well, she's not exactly sure what.

The tests must have something to do with the reason she can't remember her knot--the single lucid memory the other insane soldiers on Orbito Four still possess. Whatever the researchers are searching for, if it aids the soldiers in the deathly war against the lethal alien invaders--the Critamal--the excruciating pain is worth it.

But a grey-eyed man has other plans.

Boxed in and caught, Romy is taken hostage by people who shouldn't exist! They dress in black and carry weapons she's never seen in her genetically enhanced life.

Reunited with Knot 27. Memories returned.

Fifteen months have passed since her world shattered into bright red, ringing chaos. Things have changed--people have changed. How long until what was once as familiar as breathing is familiar once more?

Friendships. Love. Freedom.

Can the new Romy reconcile with the old, or will the two halves of herself remain locked in an internal battle?

And if a victor should arise from this silent war . . . will it be the part of her that kills without hesitation, without mercy?

All it takes is for the cracks to join and blood will pour.


~AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Kelly St Clare~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?  

Something big happens to the main character, Romy at the end of book one, The Retreat. When I saw what happened to her, I knew that plot had to be taken further and explored. It took me on an absolute whirlwind and has been an amazing challenge to depict her inner battle in words. Aside from the main character, I find my books always have tight friendships in them and tonnes of banter. This is inspired by my personal friendships, and the New Zealand sense of humour ingrained within me. I also find because I prefer to read action-packed books with a hint of romance, I incorporate both of those aspects into my stories – so, in a way, reading books I love inspires me, too.

2) Are there any hidden themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

Love these questions! There are several themes the reader will discover on their own that are spoilers right now, but I can reveal one of the main themes….
The Return is really about assembling the scraps of yourself to find your inner strength, and discovering that sometimes you need to embrace the less virtuous parts of your personality and be okay with that because those traits give you what you need to get through the day.

As for the other themes… You’ll need to discover those for yourself. I feel particularly strongly about one other in the book.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

None of the characters are based on any real personalities—more from my own, I’d guess. But I do borrow names from friends and family. In The Retreat, Officer Meaker and Officer Lawry are based on a couple of my friends, and in The Return there is a Captain Cecelia. Cecelia is the middle name of one of my Sister-in-laws.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

When I read a book and feel the magic in the story, that is what inspires me to write. Some authors who have made me feel the magic are: John Marsden, Emily Rhoda, J.K. Rowling, and Tamora Pierce. But I come across these authors weekly. Nothing motivates me more than an amazing story.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?  

Ha! Hilarious. I would invite Hermione, Mr. Darcy, and Shard (one of my characters from The Tainted Accords). We would play Settlers of Catan to decide who is the best strategist of the group. I would lose. Id serve a selection of black and herbal teas (because tea is life), and I would ask each character to bringing a platter from their world to share with the othersI like to try new things and have severe culinary difficulties. My platter would be triple chocolate muffins with I heart Mr. Darcy on the top. Though I might be prejudiced against Mr. Darcy at the start of the night, by the end I will have seen through my pre-conceived notions and he will have humbled his pride. We will fall in love within hours and get married with Hermione as his best man, and Shard as my maid of honor.


Check out the Video Trailer HERE!

You can purchase "The Return" on Amazon 
in DIGITAL or PAPERBACK format.

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