Blog Tour Stop: Omega Penton Vampire Legacy, Book 3 By: Susannah Sandlin *Interview, Reviews & Giveaways*

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First...Check Out My Interview With

The Author :)

Tell us a little about you : )

I’m a Southern girl who’s lived in Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana—plus three odd years in northern Illinois thrown in for variety, where everyone made fun of my accent. (What accent?) My “day-job” career is in university magazine work. Let’s see…I hate to cook, have an unholy addiction to Diet Coke, work too many hours, and have two elderly furkids, Shane and Tanker.

What inspired you to write Omega?

I’d always envisioned the story arc for the Penton Legacy series culminating with Omega, where my town of peaceful vampires and humans is literally forced underground in order to survive. It’s kind of an apocalyptic scenario, and an interesting setting for the love story between the hero and heroine, who each have to fight their way out from behind the walls they’ve put up even as they’re fighting their way out of this underground prison they’ve made for themselves. I also wanted to write a paranormal romance where the story didn’t play second-fiddle to the romance. They’re equal partners.

How long did it take to write?

Omega was written on a very tight deadline, in about two months. Four months is a good pace for me for a full-length novel; three is doable. Two was insane!

Do you mostly write during the day or night? Or whenever?

Since I do have a pretty demanding full-time day job, I keep to a very rigid writing schedule at night. Usually 7-11 p.m. seven nights a week, plus an extra four-eight hours on Saturday and Sunday.

In general, how do you come up with your story ideas?

They usually come to me when I’m not actively trying to think of them. I read magazines that are my “idea incubators”—Science News, National Geographic, Smithsonian. When I read an article, I look to see if it has potential for a paranormal spin.

Which character(s) were the most fun writing?

I always fall in love with my characters at some point in the writing. Mirren and Glory (the hero and heroine of Absolution) were probably the most fun to write because they’re such polar opposites. He’s this big, short-tempered grouch of a vampire with a violent past; she’s a human chatterbox who isn’t intimidated by him in the least. And that equals fireworks.  

Did you have to research, and if yes, how was that process?

I do quite a bit of research as I write. Even though I’m writing a paranormal romance, I want the details to be as right as I can make them. I’m working with a couple of attorney friends right now to ensure a legal detail about my work in progress is right. I want to know how buckshot could be laced with poison to damage a vampire. How much a 17^th-century Scottish battle sword weighs (Mirren’s weapon of choice) and how it’s wielded. All kinds of research! Fortunately, the Internet has made research much, much easier.

What do you want readers to get from your story?

I always seem to come back to the same themes in my writing, whether it’s this series or the urban fantasy series I write under another name: real family has nothing to do with DNA; own your feelings; forgiveness.

When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?

I was on a pre-med track in high school, but in my senior year I got really interested in writing (bad) poetry and co-founded my school’s literary magazine. I ended up with college degrees in English lit because I loved it and journalism because it would make me employable. Which is pretty much how it worked out.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been working as a journalist for a long time, but only began writing fiction in 2009. I was living in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina, and decided to try my hand at an urban fantasy novel set in the city during that time. I caught the fiction-writing bug big-time and was fortunate to find an agent and a publisher for that book, Royal Street, which became the first in an urban fantasy series.

Is there a place you especially like to write? Ultimate place to write?

I can write anywhere, but ideally I’m in my home office on my own laptop with my iTunes cranked up. I stayed at a cottage in Cedar Key, Florida, last year that has become my dream writing spot. I’d like to rent it for three or four months and just write and watch the birds and wildlife.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a serial novel that’s a loose spinoff of Omega, although it doesn’t have any of the same characters. It’s a paranormal-romantic suspence novel called Storm Force, and it will be released initially in episodes as a Kindle serial beginning March 19, and in July will be released as a complete novel. For the serial, you “subscribe” for $1.99 and every two weeks get a new episode at no extra charge delivered to your Kindle. The first episode comes out on March 19. Or you can wait until July and buy the complete novel in print, digital or audio just like any other book. It’s an interesting process!

For aspiring writers, do you have any advice for them?

I’ve said this a lot, and I don’t think anyone really believes me—LOL. And that’s that you really need to decide how badly you want to pursue writing as a career rather than a hobby. It takes a lot of sacrifice, long hours, and hard work. Chances are good that you will struggle. You will likely not get rich or be able to support yourself on your writing alone. People are always waiting in the wings to tear down your work, so develop a thick hide. If you can handle all that, the rewards are amazing.

What are your favorite genres to read?

I’m really a promiscuous reader. I tend toward urban fantasy and paranormal romance, but I also love dystopian fiction, and read a good bit of nonfiction as well.

What are you currently reading?

Currently, I’m reading a romantic suspense novel (see, I told you I was promiscuous), Blank Slate by Tiffany Snow, one of my fellow authors at Montlake Romance. I started reading it to see how it was organized since it’s also coming out as a serial, and then got hooked.

All time favorite film that you can see endlessly, and you have practically memorized all the lines?

(Spoken in imperious, deep voice) You. Shall. Not. Pass! Yes, it’s Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Beautiful movies that I could watch forever and still not see everything.  

Favorite guilty pleasure television show?

Currently, I’m obsessed with a show on Animal Planet called Gator Boys. Yes, I’m a reality-show geek.

Location of place you have never visited, but really want to go to someday?

Alaska! I find it fascinating and am forever watching all those “Last Frontier” shows. Outside the U.S., Scotland. I really, really need to go to Scotland. Really.

- Fall or Winter?

Fall—summers are so hot in the south that the first cool breeze of fall is invigorating. And then we’re wusses when cold weather comes.

- Hot Chocolate, Tea or Coffee?

Coffee. I love my coffee.

- Mac or PC?

I’m bilingual. I use Mac at the day job and a PC at home. I’d probably go all-Mac if they weren’t so expensive.

- England or Scotland? : )

About 90 percent of my ancestors were from Scotland and there are some of the old Sandilands (Sandlin) castles still standing near Edinburgh. So I really, really do need to go to Scotland!

- Print or E-Book?

Both. Until a friend gave me a Kindle for Christmas a few years ago I said I’d never want an ereader. Now, I actually prefer it, although for authors or books I really like, I want print.

- Middle Earth or Hogwarts?

I can only choose one? Sigh. I love Middle Earth, but I’d probably choose Hogwarts. I want a Room of Requirement.

- Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?

Ice cream. Preferably, Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla.

- Sunny or Rainy Weather?

Depends on whether I have to go anywhere. If I’m writing or hanging out at home, I like a rainy day.

- Christmas or New Years?

Christmas. I’m a total loser on New Year’s. I spent it writing this year, and protecting my dogs from fireworks, which they were convinced were gunshots. 

Book Descriptions (1-3)

REDEMPTION

Book One Penton Legacy series

By Susannah Sandlin

Following a worldwide pandemic whose vaccine left human blood deadly to vampires, the vampire community is on the verge of starvation and panic. Some have fanned into rural areas, where the vaccine was less prevalent, and are taking unsuspecting humans as blood slaves. Others are simply starving, which for a vampire is worse than death—a raging hunger in a creature too weak to feed.

Immune to these struggles—at first—is Penton, a tiny community in rural Chambers County, Alabama, an abandoned cotton mill town that has been repopulated by charismatic vampire Aidan Murphy, his scathe of 50 vampires, and their willingly bonded humans. Aidan has recruited his people carefully, believing in a peaceful community where the humans are respected and the vampires retain a bit of their humanity.

But an unresolved family feud and the paranoia of the Vampire Tribunal descend on Penton in the form of Aidan’s brother, Owen Murphy. Owen has been issued a death warrant that can only be commuted if he destroys Penton—and Aidan, against whom he’s held a grudge since both were turned vampire in 17th-century Ireland.  Owen begins a systematic attack on the town, first killing its doctor, then attacking one of Aidan’s own human familiars

To protect his people, Aidan is forced to go against his principles and kidnap an unvaccinated human doctor—and finds himself falling in love for the first time since the death of his wife in Ireland centuries ago. 

Dr. Krystal Harris, forced into a world she never knew existed, must face up to her own abusive past to learn if the feelings she’s developing for her kidnapper are real—or just a warped, supernatural kind of Stockholm Syndrome in which she’s allowing herself to become a victim yet again.

Susannah Sandlin’s REDEMPTION is the first in the Penton Legacy series. Book two, ABSOLUTION, will be out September 18, and book three, OMEGA, on December 18.

Amazon      Barnes and Noble     Book Depository

ABSOLUTION

The Penton Legacy, Book 2

By Susannah Sandlin

Release date: October 9, 2012

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Book Description:

With the vampire world on the brink of civil war over the scarcity of untainted human blood, battle lines are being drawn between the once peaceful vampire and human enclave of Penton, Alabama, and the powerful Vampire Tribunal.

A Scottish gallowglass warrior turned vampire in the early 17th century, Mirren Kincaid once served the Tribunal as its most creative and ruthless executioner—a time when he was known as the Slayer. But when assigned a killing he found questionable, Mirren abandoned the Tribunal’s political machinations and disappeared—only to resurface two centuries later as the protector and second-in-command of Penton. Now the Tribunal wants him back on their side—or dead.

To break their rogue agent, they capture Glory Cummings, the descendant of a shaman, and send her to restore Mirren’s bloodthirsty nature. But instead of a monster, Glory sees a man burdened by the weight of his past. Could her magic touch—meant by the tribunal to bring out a violent killer—actually help Mirren break his bonds and discover the love he doesn’t believe he deserves?

It’s a town under siege, a powerful warrior in a battle with his past, and one woman who can make the earth move—literally—as the Penton Legacy continues.

Amazon    Barnes & Noble   Book Depository

Omega

Penton Vampire Legacy, Book 3

Susannah Sandlin

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Date of Publication: February 5, 2013

ISBN: 978-1612183596

ASIN: B0073XV3L2

Number of pages: 328

Word Count: approx. 88,000

Amazon        Barnes & Noble        Book Depository

Book Description:

The bloody war between the Vampire Tribunal and the defiant scathe of Penton, Alabama, rages on, forcing its residents and their bonded humans to retreat into the underground fortress of last resort: Omega. There, Will Ludlam is charged with the care of Penton's humans, though he longs to fight alongside his vampire brethren. He knows the risks: as the renegade son of the Tribunal's vicious leader, Will's capture could doom the resistance.

Yet he is determined to prove his worth to his adopted scathe, to his vengeful father and to former US Army officer Randa Thomas, his beautiful, reluctant partner. Randa has little faith that a former member of the vampire elite has what it takes to fight a war. But as their enemies descend upon Omega, Will's polished charm and Randa's guarded heart finally give way to the warrior within.

Fans of Susannah Sandlin's Penton Legacy are sure to devour this long-awaited third installment of the steamy paranormal series.          

About The Author

Susannah Sandlin is the author of paranormal romance set in the Deep South, where there are always things that go bump in the night. A journalist by day, Susannah grew up in Alabama reading the gothic novels of Susan Howatch and the horror fantasy of Stephen King. (Um…it is fantasy, right?) The combination of Howatch and King probably explains a lot. Currently a resident of Auburn, Alabama, Susannah has also lived in Illinois, Texas, California, and Louisiana.

Website: http://www.susannahsandlin.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/susannahsandlin

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/susannahsandlin

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5828129.Susannah_Sandlin

Indie Bound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781612183541


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Giveaway 2: On This Blog
(Details & Rules)

- This is an US/INT Giveaway!

- Ends March 3rd!

- The Winner Will Be picked by Rafflecopter!

- Upon who wins, the winner will have the choice of a Print/E-Book/Audio Copy of 1 Book from this Series...but the Print Copy is for one that resides in the US.

- I will be Checking the Entries Regularly, so if there is Cheating, those Entries Will be Disqualified! 

- As you submit Entries, be sure to use an Email that you use Daily, as that is how I will contact you, if you Win.

- You will have 24 hours to Respond, or I will have to Choose a New Winner!

- And Good Luck! :)

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