Author Interview: Fallen by Laury Falter

Fallen
Guardian Trilogy
Book 1
Laury Falter

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Audeamus LLC
Date of Publication: April 1, 2009
Number of pages: 274 pages

Amazon

Book Description:

Fallen - the first book in the Guardian Trilogy...

Maggie is unaware of the terrifying fate that awaits her. It isn’t until she lands in New Orleans for a full year at a private high school and her unknown enemies find her does she realize that her life is in danger.

As a mystifying stranger repeatedly intervenes and blocks the attempts on her life, she begins to learn that there is more to him than his need to protect her and that he may be the key to understanding why her enemies have just now arrived.

PRFL would like to extend a very warm welcome to Laury Falter, author of Fallen. Laury, to begin, can you tell us where you're from, and what inspired you to become a writer?  

I was born and raised in Southern California, and yet I've always had a deep appreciation for the south, so much that when I developed my idea for Maggie and Eran's romance there was no better place to set it than in New Orleans. Oddly enough, I never read romance while growing up. My favorite author was Stephen King. Horror. Strange that I would end up writing young adult romances. I suppose that's where the paranormal/fantasy parts come in.

Can you say that your journey to publication was difficult? If so, what were the hardest moments to get through?

Yes and no. I don't know of a single author who would say it has been easy. My manuscript was rejected repeatedly by agents and publishers alike. When I ended up putting it Amazon and my books became bestsellers (one of which outranked a Stephenie Meyers Twilight Saga book in Amazon sales for a duration) I felt proud…and stunned. The publishing part was a challenge. On the flip side, the actual act of writing the book was effortless. Writing was my release after my day job, a place where I could escape to another world with danger and romance.

How do you overcome i-suck-at-this, that little voice in your head that tells you your writing isn’t good enough?

Okay, so there is a tendency in me to flick the owner of that little voice aside, off my shoulder and out of my life. Unfortunately, I never do. I don't overcome it. I listen to it. If it's telling me this there is a reason for it, or so I figure. At that point, I go back and rewrite. 

What is your dream vacation?

First, I know how corny this sounds. Most authors, I'm assuming, would rather take a break from their novels/characters. I, on the other hand, am a bit odd. I would absolutely love to travel to the locations where my characters have lived out their fictitious lives. Many of the places where my characters have lived, fought, and died truly exist. I've researched those places in depth via books, travel guides, historical accounts and references, Google Earth, etc. But to visit those sites, would be awe-inspiring. This was definitely the case when I visited New Orleans and conjured up the plots for the Guardian Trilogy and the Residue Series.

Describe your writing style in five words.

These are the descriptions my readers have given so I'll pass them along…Fast-paced, action-oriented, reflective, sexy, page-turners.

What movies are you currently excited to see?

Maleficent (as I'm told it has excellent character development) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (since I read it was a magnificent war drama) . Most movies I watch are in relation to what I write (fantasy, good romance, action).

What are you currently reading?

My own work, actually. I'm writing the prequels to my Guardian Trilogy and have been re-reading the first three books (Fallen, Eternity, and Reckoning) to ensure the plots, characters, etc fit into the patchwork that is a series.

If you weren’t a writer, what other careers would you pursue?

I'd dedicate my time to helping animals.  The truth is, though, I don't foresee myself ever giving up writing entirely.

If you could create a holiday of your own, what would it be called?

A pirate holiday in which treasure hunts were replaced with trick-or-treating and everyone had to use pirate lingo like "Arrrgh" and "Blimey, blistery weatha'"

For people who haven’t read your novel, how would you summarize the plot?

Maggie is unaware of the terrifying fate that awaits her. It isn’t until she lands in New Orleans for a full year at a private high school and her unknown enemies find her does she realize that her life is in danger.

As a mystifying stranger repeatedly intervenes and blocks the attempts on her life, she begins to learn that there is more to him than his need to protect her and that he may be the key to understanding why her enemies have just now arrived.

What are two of your pet-peeves?

Whistling (I know it's a reflection of happiness, but it pierces the ears) and traffic (that one is self-explanatory).

To you, what makes a good story?

A good plot and interesting characters. Without those, all you have are a lot of pages filled with pointless words.

What usually turns you off about a story?

When it keeps giving away the teasers too early on.  I've never been able to finish a book when the author has created an enticing side story only to reveal the conclusion a few pages later. Very frustrating.

If you could collaborate with any author, who would you choose, and why?

Aaron Sorkin. Put simply and firmly, his dialogue is the best I've ever encountered. Ever.

What is on your night stand?

Oops, I don't have a nightstand. J

What is your favorite book?

Of all time? Besides mine? Just joking. The Bridge to Terabithia. It was the first book I read that made me cry.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Laury. We really enjoyed the visit. Good luck and great sales with Fallen. 


About the Author:

Laury Falter is a bestselling author of young adult romantic suspense and urban fantasy. She has three series out: the Guardian Trilogy, the Residue Series, and the Apocalypse Chronicles.

Author Links:
Website | Twitter  | Facebook  | Goodreads  

Guest Post & Giveaway: Messenger by Laury Falter

Messenger
The Guardian Trilogy
Prequel
Laury Falter



Book Description:
Messenger is the first prequel to the bestselling Guardian Trilogy - the breathtaking romantic saga about a love that has lasted centuries between a messenger and her guardian.

Maggie does not know she is a messenger. She has never met her eternal lover. She has never survived a Fallen One. All this changes when a messenger awakens in the Hall of Records only to die moments later, never to return.

As Maggie sets out to determine why the messengers are suddenly beginning to die, she crosses paths with the infuriatingly appealing Eran and their story begins.

In this riveting account of Maggie's first life on earth with Eran, the star-crossed lover's romance transpires amidst treacherous enemies, their friends' resistance, and their own opposing wills. With the odds against her, can Maggie survive long enough to admit the feelings she has so carefully denied?

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Character Profiles:

Magdalene "Maggie" Tanner

Maggie has moved from city to city every three months since she was an infant until landing in New Orleans to finish high school at a private academy. She has no idea her enemies have hunted her for years, that she is married to her eternal love, or that she is the last of her kind.

Eran Talor

Eran Talor is a guardian. His only ward is Magdalene Tanner. He is embroiled in the fight of all eternity but his sole dedication is in keeping Magdalene from harm. He has trained for centuries. He knows what is ahead, he knows the devastation their enemies can bring, and he is ready for it.

Excerpt:

I twisted around in search of Eran.

He stood over a small body lying in an odd position. Its head was facing me and I could see Cedric's face, dirtied with his eyes closed. His back was exposed and the grey appendages were in the midst of sinking into his body.

I looked up to find Eran staring over his shoulder at me, his handsome face contracting into dread.

He spun on his heel and sprinted for me, the fear in him deepening with each step.

As I waited for him, something flowed into my left eye, blinding me. I brought my hand to it and wiped. It was warm and stuck to me. When I pulled away to study whatever it was, a deep crimson color was swathed across my fingers. It collected at the bottom of my hand and dripped, splattering the same color on the dirt at my feet.

Blood…

Lots of it…

I suddenly felt dizzy, weak. I reached for Eran.

He was closer now, having taken to flight, the mist clearing in his wake. Down that narrow grey tunnel he created, at the end of it, something stirred. It left hollowness in my heart.

Cedric wasn't dead.

He was knocked out and beginning to revive.

With Eran facing me, he had no idea.

I searched for my rapier, the one Oleg's brother had given me. Somehow it had made it down the hill, landing a few feet away. The silver in its handle contrasted with the yellow grass, peeking at me from between the dead blades.

I went for it, picking it up, stumbling under its weight.

Then the ground came at me as I fell toward it. But before we could meet, I used the thrust of my fall and sent the rapier through the air.

My toes twisted with the force and my body rotated until I could no longer see Eran or Cedric or the rapier. I was facing the hillside by the time my shoulder and hip slammed into the dirt. But I was smiling because the aim was good. The rapier would hit its target. Eran would be safe.

I was smiling for all these reasons, and because I didn't have the slightest notion how much danger I was actually in.

About the Author:

Laury Falter is a bestselling author of young adult romantic suspense and urban fantasy. She has three series out: the Guardian Trilogy, the Residue Series, and the Apocalypse Chronicles.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads  

Giveaway:

1 set of all three ebooks in the bestselling Guardian Trilogy 

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