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Please welcome back Kristi Helvig! She’s stopping by for an interview as part of her blog tour for STRANGE SKIES. Learn more about it below, check out her Q & A, and then be sure to enter the giveaway!
STRANGE SKIES by Kristi Helvig
Pub. Date: April 28, 2015 | Publisher: EgmontUSA
Action, adventure, and romance are heating up in this sequel to the futuristic science fiction thriller Burn Out. Perfect for fans of Across the Universe and The Memory of After.
Caelia is the new Earth. That’s what the Consulate told everyone and, against all odds, Tora finally has made it there. She can’t see the ocean from her cell in the Consulate’s containment center, and she doesn’t know what happened to the weapons her father died for and she’s risked her life to save.
But as she plans her escape, she runs into the last person she ever expected to see-her dad. The Consulate has kept held him prisoner in a complicated plot designed to lure Tora out of hiding. Now Tora has a new purpose: break free, get the guns, and save her father.
But first she’ll have to navigate a strange new planet, track down James (whose loyalties still remain questionable), and find Kale…before he finds her first.
Story Locale: Caelia, a planet colonized after Earth becomes unhabitable
Series Overview: In a future where the sun has turned into a red giant, making Earth unhabitable, a teen girl fights for survival while trying to protect the special weapons her father invented from falling into government control.
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Q & A with Kristi Helvig
In the length of a tweet (140 characters), tell us about your book.
Tora finally makes it to a new planet only to discover a whole new host of problems—and the same people who still want her dead.
What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve looked up in the name of research – or what do you think the government has flagged you for?
For BURN OUT, I looked up types of bombs that would kill the most people. I was sure I was going to have a visit from Homeland Security. In hindsight, it’s a little troubling that I never heard from them.
Are you working on something new? Can you tell us what’s coming next?
Yes! I just turned in a YA fantasy book about an assassin ballerina to my agent, and started on a YA thriller that I’m so excited about. Then I’m writing the final book of the BURN OUT trilogy which is already outlined.
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I started writing picture books in Kindergarten, complete with stapled covers made out of construction paper. Though I loved writing, I put it aside in order to get my Ph.D. in clinical psychology. As a psychologist, I ended up doing a ton of writing, just of a different sort. After having my kids, the writing sort of called out to me again and I’d never written a novel before but thought “why not?”
If you were stranded on a desert island what are 3 things you’d want to have with you?
Chapstick, water and a boat-making kit with easy to follow instructions.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
Frequency: The Power of Personal Vibration by Penny Peirce. It’s a non-fiction book—I’m a certified life coach in addition to being a clinical psychologist and I recommend this book to every single client I see.
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I often have dreams that I can fly and soaring over mountains and streams is the most amazing feeling in the world. I wake up and think it would be the best thing to have that ability for even one day.
What are your pet peeves?
Rude people. It takes the same amount of energy to be nice as it does to be obnoxious. Why not always choose kindness?
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Center of the Sun by Conjure One. I heard it for the first time after watching a science documentary with my husband and dreamed the entire story of BURN OUT that same night. Even though the sequel, STRANGE SKIES, takes place on a new planet, I still played that song while I was writing because it brought me back to that place and feeling of those characters.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Keep writing, keep improving your craft, and if you’re old enough, keep drinking wine.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford
About Kristi Helvig
Kristi Helvig is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist turned sci-fi/fantasy author. Her first novel, BURN OUT (Egmont USA), which Kirkus Reviews called “a scorching series opener not to be missed,” follows 17-year-old Tora Reynolds, one of Earth’s last survivors, when our sun burns out early. In the sequel, STRANGE SKIES, coming 4/28/2015, Tora makes it to a new planet only to discover a whole new host of problems—and the same people who still want her dead. Order Kristi’s books through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your favorite local retailer. Kristi muses about Star Trek, space monkeys, and other assorted topics on her blog at www.kristihelvig.com and Twitter (@KristiHelvig). You can also find her on Facebook. Kristi resides in sunny Colorado with her hubby, two kiddos, and behaviorally-challenged dogs.
Many thanks to Kristi for stopping by, and Rockstar Book Tour for having as part of the tour! Readers, be sure to follow the STRANGE SKIES blog tour (schedule below), and enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter below.
Giveaway
Tour Schedule
4/20/2015- Dark Faerie Tales– Interview
4/21/2015- Curling Up With A Good Book– Review
4/22/2015- Such a Novel Idea– Guest Post
4/23/2015- Addicted Readers– Review
4/24/2015- A Book and a Latte– Interview
4/27/2015- Reading with ABC– Guest Post
4/28/2015- Moonlight Gleam Reviews– Review
4/29/2015- Bookhounds ya– Interview
4/30/2015- Library of a Book Witch– Review
5/1/2015- Two Chicks on Books– Guest Post
The Burn Out series looks excellent! It’s being added to my TBR right now. However, the assassin ballerina book has me very intrigued, lol. Can’t wait to read it when it comes out:)
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I have had my eye on these books for a bit! 😀
The book cover shows a very exciting story. Can’t wait to read this book.