{Interview+Giveaway} Painted Maidens Trilogy by Terra Harmony @harmonygirlit

Painted Maidens Trilogy by Terra Harmony
Pages: 819
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on March 12, 2015
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Young Adult

A Complete set of The Rising, The Betrayed, and The Taking, plus bonus short story 'How I Met Your Mother'.

Seventeen-year-old Serena is the youngest member of a dying race. The increasing acidity of the ocean is destroying her home, slowly eating away at the once thriving underwater landscape. But since the night of Serena’s birth, it is an outside force that most threatens their dwindling population. Werewolves, who once served as protectors for mermaids in the Kingdom of the Undine, now seek to eliminate all who dwell in the ocean—and Serena is about to find herself right in the middle of the deadly conflict.

Given the title of Werewolf Liaison, Serena is determined to make things right for her people. When she ventures to The Dry, she meets Liam, the werewolf with hazel eyes, and her whole world gets turned upside down. As Serena discovers the real history between werewolves and mermaids, she is left wondering who her true enemies are.

How would you describe The Painted Maidens books?

This is a three book, young adult fantasy series. Eco-fantasy, actually. There is plenty of action, some gore, some romance (which gets steamier as the series goes on), and it is definitely unique to anything you’ve read before. A young maiden (the youngest of her species, actually), Serena, is caught going beyond the borders of her kingdom to The Dry. As punishment, she is assigned to be the Werewolf Liaison which puts her in The Dry semi-permanently. She must contend with the hostile werewolf clan that has a long-standing, bloody history with the maidens. There are plenty of twists along the way and I have to say this might be suited toward those that enjoy the dark fantasy genre.

How did you come up with the idea for the series?

Really I just wanted to write about dragons. I still kind of do but I might be over the whole ‘scaly creatures’ thing by now. As I was running through dragon imagery in my head, I began to think about scales, and what other animals have scales, and the best ways to describe them. Then boom – mermaids. Then boom – a three book series. (Yeah, I wish it were that easy.)

My niche is the ‘eco’ part in fantasy books, so mermaids were really a good fit. Please understand, this isn’t in-your-face lectures about being kind to the planet. It’s about showing (not telling LOL) the reader what a beautiful world we have and why they should care about it.

When and why did you begin writing?

I was an adamant reader for the majority of my life. In fact, I got reprimanded for reading the explicit Sidney Sheldon novels in 5th grade.  In high school, it got more difficult to hide the books I was reading during class – so instead I wrote.  It always looked like I was just really into my note-taking.  I’ve been writing ever since!

How has your journey from writing to getting published been?

A long one!  Two years spent querying publishing companies and agents.  There were plenty of rejections, a few full manuscript requests and lots of feedback.  I finally put that feedback to good use and made a better novel.  But I didn’t want to go through that whole process again.  Instead, I chose the self-publishing route and found something I love doing just as much as writing.  The marketing is hard work, but the community is more supportive than I’ve ever imagined – and the results?  Well, one good review does wonders for my motivation and sense of accomplishment!

Who is your favorite character? Is there a character in the series you think the readers will hate?

My favorite character is Darcy, the only human among the werewolf clan. You don’t really see too much of her until book two, then more in book three. I love her because of all the characters in the book, she is the one that is really out of her element – and raising children in it. In fact, I love her so much that I am writing a story about how Darcy and Colin (her werewolf husband) met. It was only supposed to be short story as an added ‘extra’ to the boxed set, but I am enjoying it so much it may just turn into a full blown novel, or at least a novella.

Which was your favorite scene in the book?

There are a couple, shall we call them ‘blockbuster scenes’ in the series that are at the top of the list for me. In ‘The Rising’ it would have to be the final battle toward the end. In ‘The Betrayed’, also toward the end, is Cordelia’s labor (hope I’m not giving away too many spoilers, here). And in ‘The Taking’, I absolutely love two scenes. The first is when the wolves and the Painted Maidens meet to take the first steps of their migration, and the second happens during the migration when the Painted Maidens are singing in a river. Guess you guys will just have to read the books to see what I am talking about!

What is your next project?

Although I thought I’d be turning away from the Painted Maidens, I’m all caught up in this love story between Darcy and Colin. I’m just going to keep writing while the writing is good and see where that goes. After that, I’m looking toward the Amazon Rainforest for my next series.

Who are your all-time favorite authors?

My favorite all time author has to be Diana Gabaldon (sorry Sidney – you’ve been replaced). I also love Angelfall by Susan Ee – please read that if you haven’t already.

Give us three “Good to Know” facts about you, something you could not read just about anywhere.

Fact 1: I’ve managed to ‘clumsy’ my way into being quite the coordinated person.  Does that happen?  I really think since I’ve tripped over everything under the sun, I became really good at catching myself – or whatever it is I happen to drop.

Fact 2: I love being creative – I’ve tried my hand at drawing, poetry, and photography.  All of which I love, and all of which I wished I had more time for.

Fact 3: I’m the type that doesn’t prioritize my ‘to-do’ list, because everything gets done – one way or another.  Yes, sometimes that can be more stress than it’s worth, but that is just me.  I can do everything and I can do it right now.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?

No matter what genre you are into, join Goodreads! Best thing to happen to readers since the alphabet.

QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS:

E-books, paperbacks, or hardcover?

E-books!  I spend a lot of time in school pick-up lines, and I always have my phone with me. Kindle app all the way, baby…

Cats or dogs?

Allergic to cats – not crazy about dogs although I have two.  Can I just go with fish?  “My fish just did the cutest thing.” I guess that doesn’t work for twitter updates.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morn’, tea in the noon.

Favorite food?

Steak and potatoes!

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Wherever and whenever my muse hits me over the head.  I try to bring my laptop everywhere, because you never know when that cheeky monkey will strike.   I’ve been known to write on napkins, my arm, and on the back of my kid’s school projects.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you any why?

Johnny Depp (need the back hair for roping sea turtles), Magellan (need a navigator – plus his name is cool), and Chuck Norris to fight off the sharks as we make our way home.  I’d provide the entertainment value; read my book aloud or something.

Favorite movies?

Recent movies, I’d have to say Guardians of the Galaxy. Old time favorites are The Sound of Music, Rat Race and Christmas Vacation, because I can watch them every day for the rest of my life and not get sick of them.

Favorite bands?

Mumford and Sons and The Avett Brothers.

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?

Game of thrones, Vikings, Walking Dead – wait, am I sure I’m writing in my preferred genre?

 

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