The Prophecy Blog Tour: Interview+Giveaway!

Hello my lovely followers! I am so excited to introduce Ms. Erin Albert and her AMAZING book, The Prophecy on Fiction_TheNewReality today! I have some minions here to help me share my excitement:

Title: The Prophecy (The Fulfillment Series Book 1)
Author: Erin Albert
Shelves: Young Adult, Fantasy
Summary:

Growing up on a small farm in the kingdom of Vanguard, seventeen-year-old Layla Givens lives a deceptively tranquil existence. But her carefully constructed life quickly falls apart when she’s abducted by a religious zealot who proclaims her The Fulfillment of an ancient peace prophecy and whisks her away to marry her greatest enemy.

Wilhelm, Prince of the Ethereals, is reluctant to meet his new bride. He's grown up believing Vanguards are evil, an enemy to fight and fear...not love. Can he set aside his prejudices and work alongside Layla to bring lasting peace after centuries of war?

Nash, a loner who has never fit in, carries a huge secret, one big enough to destroy both kingdoms. When he accidently meets Layla, he’s no longer content to live in the shadows, but he must resist his growing attraction—for her safety and for the longevity of the two kingdoms.

When Nash's secret is revealed, a firestorm sweeps through both realms, with Layla at the center. Now she must choose between duty and desire while the fate of two nations hangs in the balance.

*Does this book sounds amazing OR DOES IT SOUND AMAZING??* 

For all you dear lovely readers, Erin is giving you a blurby of The Prophecy to fangirl over!

“Everything must be taken down.”  A rotund man, with beady black eyes, surveyed the town, disdain in his expression.  While he did not appear distinguishable from the other black and purple clad men, he spoke with authority. “The First Ones and their great Prophecy must be honored properly.” He sniffed, his actions indicating the very existence of Medlin and its occupants offended him.

Layla wondered what this man considered a “proper honoring” of the First Ones.  The First Ones…they’d been dead for centuries, and, as far as Layla could tell, hadn’t done much in life except start a never-ending war.  She knew nothing more about them except that she was to thank them for good things, curse them for bad, and celebrate them on this day.

“That’s Elder Werrick, head of the Ecclesiastics,” whispered Samson, glancing back at Grant.  Layla noticed the look that passed between them.

Grant nodded his assent. “Get her out of here, brother.”

Samson tried to steer Layla away, but she held her position to get a closer look at the man whom her family so feared. She knew they had good reason to worry—her black hair and purple eyes marked her as a Fulfillment candidate, one with the potential to bring about the long awaited peace. But she couldn’t quite bring herself to believe Elder Werrick would notice her on the crowded streets, especially with her eye drops and hood. Could he really be responsible for dragging candidates from their homes, forcing them to undergo strenuous, sometimes gruesome, testing for the sake of the Prophecy?  To Layla, he looked like nothing more than a short, fat, unhappy man.  The very notion that he could strike such fear into the hearts of her people seemed almost laughable…almost. As his gaze swept over the crowd, she glimpsed a sinister undertone that made her shiver.

Waving his pudgy arms at the awaiting townspeople, Werrick commanded, “Take it down.” 

Suddenly, his body stilled and his tiny eyes grew wide.  They briefly connected with Layla’s, narrowing with calculation.  The Elder turned to his nearest black clad companion. 

“Do you feel that?” Layla heard Werrick ask. 

The other man looked skeptical.  “Feel what, Elder?”

Werrick leaned in as the two whispered, stealing furtive glances in her direction.  When the Elder’s companion pointed at Layla, Samson grabbed her arm. She heard his breathing change from rhythmic to jagged as he pulled her away from the men.

“We have to go now.” His urgency spurred her into action.

Grant moved to block them from the Elder’s view.  “Get her away from here, Samson.”

The Elder looked up to see everyone staring at him as if frozen. He repeated his demand, “I said take everything down.”

The townspeople, joined by the Elder’s minion, scampered to remove their decorations, anxious to “properly” celebrate the First Ones.  Their flurry of activity concealed Layla as Samson and Grant escorted her away.  Layla scanned the streets, horrified, as the people of Medlin stripped the town’s center barren.  In no time, everything appeared as it always had, devoid of any celebratory adornments.  She looked up at the sky with its gray clouds lingering overhead.  A bad omen…

On the hill, a safe distance away, Layla watched a group of Ecclesiastics erect a monstrous stage where the donkey races should have occurred.  She heard the braying of the angry animals, harnessed and corralled on the orders of the Elder to avoid interfering with the “true” Day of Dawning celebration. Her ire rose.  Who did they think they were coming in and changing everything? 

An icy, phantom finger traced a frigid line down her spine.  After hearing warning after warning from the Mantars her whole life, Layla knew exactly what the Ecclesiastics could do, what they had done to others in the past.  Maybe Samson and Grant had been right.  Maybe she should never have come, especially today.  Layla turned her back on the town, resolved to go home, to safety. 

“Layla!” Samson’s alarmed tone sliced into her, and she swung around toward him. 

To her horror, two Vanguard soldiers forced Samson to the ground.  She knew just how much strength he possessed, yet he couldn’t free himself. Her hands balled up into fists, shaking with their desire to unleash the full force of their fury.

“Run!” Samson screamed before a soldier’s fist smashed into his face. 

His body stilled.  Panic, coupled with indecision, crippled her.  She should run like Samson commanded, but she couldn’t leave him lying there.  To her relief, Grant ambled toward them, his eyes full of rage. 

“Run!” Grant echoed Samson’s warning.

With a final glance at the two boys who’d been as close to her as brothers, Layla fled.  She flew down the hill, swinging her head from side to side in alarm.  Ecclesiastics swarmed throughout the city, making a clear escape route difficult to discern. 

Terror rose within Layla.  Why hadn’t she listened to her family?  She’d been foolish to believe she could sneak around under the ever-watchful eyes of the Ecclesiastics, and that hubris put Samson and Grant in danger as well.  She choked back a sob. 

“Run,” she whispered. 

Willing her feet to move forward, Layla darted toward the back of the baker’s shop, hoping to take a shortcut through the back alleyway.  She swerved to miss a wooden box and stumbled, arms flailing to right herself. Unfamiliar hands reached out to break her fall.  Once stable, Layla looked up to find Elder Werrick staring down at her.  She screamed but no sound came out of her open mouth. 

            “I’ve been looking for you,” he said, a wicked smile on his face.  

And I have a special treat for you all! An interview with the lovely lady herself! Please give it up for Erin Albert! *insert clapping and cheering emojis*

Thank you for hosting me today, Jayne!!  I look forward to “talking” to your blog followers. *waves*

Q1) If you were stranded on a deserted island with one other author, who would it be and why?

Wow…that’s a good one!  I’m going to say Rick Riordan because I bet he’s a wealth of fascinating information.  And based on characters like Percy and Sadie, I have to believe he’s hysterical. 

Q2) When you write, do you have a routine or a ritual of sorts?

I usually write in my bed with my “husband pillow” behind my back for support.  At 3:30 every day, I need a container of chocolate and a Diet Pepsi to keep me going.  Chocolate and caffeine…important brain food. LOL!  ;)

Q3) Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

My advice would be to never give up and edit, edit, edit.  When you think your manuscript is ready, edit some more. Involve critique partners and beta readers to help you out.  In the process of attempting publication, you will receive “no” a lot, but keep pressing forward.  It just takes one “yes.” Finding your publication niche is like finding a mate.  You might have to experience people that don’t work before you find “the one.”

Q4) Do you base any of the characters from your novel off anyone in real life? If so, have you told him/her?

No, there are no characters based on people in my real life.  I’m sure some of their personality traits reflect people I know, even my own self.  But there is no direct correlation to one person.

Q5) If you could have on character from The Prophecy as your best friend, who would it be and why?

Hmmmm…Samson.  He’s a piece of work and would keep me in stitches.  I love to laugh and enjoy the company of funny people!!

Q6) What made you decide to become a writer?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a writer.  I started reading at a young age and have always had a passion for the written word. 

Q7) What other books can we expect from you soon?

The Prophecy is the first book in a trilogy.  The second book (tentatively The Outlanders) and the third book (tentatively The Fulfillment) are already written. I made some changes to the first book that will affect the other two, so I am in the process of working in those revisions.  In addition to those, I’ve been working on a futuristic thriller, a middle-grade coming-of-age story in the vein of Judy Blume, a women’s chick lit, and another YA fantasy. 

Q8) What is the one book/author that got you into reading?

I always loved to read, but the first book I ever read was Morris The Moose Goes To School.

Q9) What are your goals as a writer?

I would be lying if I said I didn’t dream of being a bestseller—a Rick Riordan, Cassandra Clare, or Richelle Mead.  But mostly, I just want to have a book worthy of discussion and discourse.  I want to meet new people who share a mutual love of books. 

Q10) What is the one word that comes to mind when others' hear your name?

Spirited.  

You guys will definitely want to read The Prophecy. Erin Albert is THE author to watch for the upcoming year! And because Erin is such a wonderful person, she has a giveaway for you guys! Yayy! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway