Guest Post & Giveaway with author Leia Shaw

Today I would like to introduce the very sweet author of Destiny Divided, Leia Shaw.  You can find my review on her wonderful novel here. 

I'm very excited that she graciously agreed to visit PRA for a guest post and giveaway, so without further ado....





Remember in grammar school the teacher could write a little note under your grades on your report card about your performance in class? Well, my grades were decent but underneath it always said, "does not follow directions" and "a daydreamer." Twenty five years later - and a full grown adult (mostly) - not much has changed. Only I traded unicorns and rainbows for vampires and sorcerers (and werewolves and witches and oracles and fey and well, you get the point). 

Currently I'm a stay-at-home mom of two young children and I'm moonlighting as a writer. A year or so ago, after becoming so overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for my special needs' son, I realized I'd forgotten how to have fun. Gasp! I'd always been the clown, the fun-loving free spirit, the prankster. But I'd turned into a stressed out, sleep deprived, mom zombie complete with snot stained sweats (which I've since retired.). 

In an attempt to escape my world of cartoons, sippy cups, and potty training, I started reading fiction. Only fiction. Stories with a strong fantasy element that took me as far away as possible from the truth of my real life. That's not to say that real life wasn't great. It was. But I just needed to get away now and then. Mostly between the hours of 8am and 5pm. 

Back in high school I had fallen in lust with vampires (and Brad Pitt) when a little movie called "Interview with a Vampire" came out. This was long before Twilight and Vampire Diaries and when it was cool to have a thing for fangs. I may have a dark twisted mind but, like most women, I'm a sucker for a good love story. And so, sticking with my fang fetish, I started reading paranormal romance novels. A LOT of them. Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter, Jeanine Frost, Larissa Ione, just to name a few. It was my first experience with any romance novels. Holy Mother and hello libido! Thus began my addiction to paranormal romance. 

Then it occurred to me one day (my very own Aha! moment) to put my writing talent, my crazy imagination, and what little time I did have, to good use. And I started writing my first book. Three months later I scrapped it, realizing it didn't fit well enough into any one genre. 

The story for Destiny Divided came to me in a dream. A sorceress raised in foster care with a serious anger problem and out of control powers meets the prim and proper, yet dangerous, sorcerer who tries to train her. They hate each other at first and then...well, I'll let you read it to find out. The Shadows of Destiny series takes place in modern times where the supernatural live among us. Some of them work hard to blend into human society. Many of them live in isolated communities within their own race where they have their own government, rules, and agendas. 

What I love in a book is a strong, alpha male with a loving, gentle side, and a kick-ass female who can keep him on his toes. Humor plays a big part in my books and characters as well. They say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. But I firmly believe that humor doesn't have to be smart to be funny. Just look at The Simpsons. 

What might be different about my stories is that I'm not afraid to let my heroines get their asses kicked from time to time. The supernatural world is a bloody one so they have to toughen up to survive. And there's nothing sexier than a girl who can take a hit, get back up, then go all Chuck Norris on some ass. 

I chose to make the heroines in the first two books of the series having grown up in foster care. It's a passion of mine, since both my kids are adopted from foster care. I find that trauma can both strengthen and weaken a person, and it's the people around them that help shape what perseveres. That's why you'll see my characters morph from broken individuals into healing, thriving warriors. And it isn't the brave, tough men that "fix" them, it's the unconditional love. 

But mostly, if you're looking for a light, fun read with sexy, funny characters and a lot of bloody action...well...that's me. My second book is due out in June 2011 and I have at least five more planned in this series (my brain runs away without me sometimes). Each is the love story of at least one spin-off character from the previous book. A Destiny United is Marcelo's story (a vampire you'll meet at the end of the first book). You can read an excerpt from both books on my website. Destiny Divided is available for the Kindle on Amazon and on Smashwords for every other e-book format (you can also read it on your computer on Smashwords). Thanks for having me and I hope you enjoy my book!

Destiny Divided
Amazon / Smashwords

After fleeing her native city — and nightmares of a traumatic childhood — Sage Peterson meets the overbearing, pretentious, yet haunted Professor Elias. He’s the only one who knows about her mysterious powers, which seem to be spiraling out of control. When he convinces her to train with him, she finds herself thrust into a five hundred year war and on the run from vampires, werewolves, and even worse — her budding feelings for James Elias.
James had been living a dull and empty existence for the past century and a half. When a fiery half-sorceress, half-witch with a stubborn streak and sharp wit enters his life, he sees her only as a potential weapon to use against his greatest enemy. But when he discovers the vulnerable woman beneath the angry mask, instinct screams to keep her safe. To protect and provide. And to claim her as his.
But will it be too late? As passion and lust ignite between them, vengeance is slipping away. And when Sage is confronted with fulfilling an unexpected destiny, will she choose to trust James with her heart?

A Destiny United 

(June 2011)

Erin Bolton knew all about the supernatural world that existed in the shadows of modern society. But she wanted no part of it. Fear and anxiety ruled her life and kept her in hiding. The only thing able to draw her out was alcohol. But seemingly overnight she finds herself in danger from a powerful group of sorcerers wanting to use her against her foster sister, the Queen of the Underworld. When her sister sends a dangerous vampire with a wicked seductive streak to keep her safe, Erin begins to wonder, who will keep her safe from him?
Marcelo has postponed the eight hundred year search for his wife to perform a small favor for his Queen. When the errand turns into a week long journey across the country toting a fragile female with anxiety and a budding alcohol problem, his life takes a turn for the unexpected. Especially when, on Erin’s twenty first birthday, he discovers there is much more to this girl than meets the eye. And now instinct claims she’s his. His mate. Meant to be with him, and only him, forever.
Can Marcelo give up his dream of reuniting with his lost wife to be with the girl his body cries out for? As war breaks out in the supernatural world, Erin is confronted with a destiny only she can fulfill. Can she conquer her deep-rooted fears and reconcile with the new identity fate has given her?

You can find out more about Leia Shaw at:

Website

FaceBook

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GIVEAWAY

Leia has offered to give away an e-copy from Smashwords of Destiny Divided to one lucky reader!
To enter the giveaway, jut leave a meaningful comment or question for Leia. Don't forget to include a way to contact you if you're the winner! I will choose one winner at random on April 15th. Good luck my lovelies!