Interview & Giveaway: Marked for Vengeance by S.J. Pierce

SUMMARY:
“Isaac was more than just precious to her, he was precious in ways the world could only fathom. If she failed, she failed everyone.” –Marked for Vengeance
Alyx Rayer’s existence in Atlanta, the eternally bustling capital of Georgia, is one of routine and blending in among the worker bees. But her ‘normal’ life is actually a façade for a higher calling; she's a three hundred year old soul, encased in a human vessel and sent from the darkness between heaven and Earth to capture her Marked when summoned by her superiors.
During the initial, routine stake-out of her Marked, a dream prophet named Isaac Walsh, Alyx is thrown for an emotional loop when his allure captivates her heart from two rooftops away. The event marks the very instance when her sense of what’s right and what’s wrong is brutally challenged as her contact with him is strictly forbidden.
While already trapped between honor and desire, her emotional struggles are further challenged by a man in a black suit who continually pops up when she least expects it, his presence evoking a strange response from the scar she was branded with at birth. The scar tingles like a warning beacon, alerting her that something is amiss. Because her superiors never told her what this would mean, or much of anything except what to do when they summon, she can only conclude to try and keep her sanity, and her life, from completely shattering to pieces.
This engaging first book of the series is a Paranormal Romance novel interlaced with twists, turns, and thrilling suspense that is sure to satisfy readers of any genre.

Author Bio

S.J. Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy novels as an indie author. 

Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex story telling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her only publishing credit to date was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to 'life happens', but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self. 

Chat with Author S.J. Pierce

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Tell us a little about you.
I was born and raised in the South between two brothers, which I’m thankful for because it kept me from being too obnoxiously prissy. Even though I work in the city of Atlanta and love the culture and variety of restaurants there, my heart forever belongs in the clean, open spaces of the country and is where I choose to live along with my extraordinary family and five fur-babies. It makes for a long commute but is well worth it.

What inspired you to write this story?
So many things. I’m afraid if I get too specific, I’ll give away details of the book that is best discovered blindly, so I’ll try to keep it as discreet and brief as possible.  It began as a daydream, which isn’t too surprising since my mind seems to always be in the clouds, but this one recurred so often that I mapped out an entire storyline. This is also the story that inspired me to become a writer in the first place because it eventually pled with me to sit and type it out in hopes that it would one day be shared. 
I also have an eternal fascination with the stars, and much like the letter to my readers in the first book states, have caught myself dreaming up scenarios of who else might be out there as well as who among us might not be who they say they are –two big contributors to the creation of my story, as well.

Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Right now my family is in love with cruising, and in particular, Disney cruises. We’re going on our second one in 2013 to Grand Cayman.

What is your favorite quote from your book?
“You obviously have something wrong with you, Alyx Rayer.” This quote comes from a heated argument between Alyx and her human boyfriend, Benjamin. It holds so many truths.

What is your favorite song right now?
“Some nights” by Fun. To me, it’s about second guessing the decisions you’ve made regarding love and passion, but that some good can always come from the worst of relationships. I think that resonates with everyone. I also love the anthem-type feel of the song with its strong drum beats and lively background vocals. When I listen to it, I feel like I can go out and conquer!

Who was the hardest character to write?
Micah, Isaac’s son. As I mentioned before, I grew up with two brothers so the fact that he was a challenge surprised me a little. He’s thirteen, and finding that fine line between child and teenager without making him sound TOO juvenile proved to be a chore, but I think I did him justice.

If you had to choose between invisibility and flight… which would you choose?
What a fun question! I think both would be pretty amazing, but I’m going to have to go with flight. I’ve had many a vivid dream about being able to fly. I’ve also always had a fascination with birds and wonder what our world must look like to them from up there. 

Are there any projects in the works?
Oh, are there! So many, in fact, that I would have to write forever to get them out of my head… which would be just fine with me! But to be more specific, I’m currently working on the novella to the Alyx Rayer series as well as the third and final book, both to be published in 2013. 

Finish this sentence. “I would love _______.”
I would LOVE to be able to write full time. 

If there was a question that you wished an interviewer would ask, what would be the question and answer?
Why do you write?
I write because it’s something that gives my creative soul an outlet and because it gives me a sense of purpose. You’ll know when you find that one thing that you were born to do because it grabs hold of your heart and never lets go. My wish is that everyone finds this “something” because it makes you come alive. Even if I never “make it big”, I’ll still be content just writing and sharing it with others. That’s how I know its love.
One of my favorite quotes:
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -Howard Thurman

Excerpt

CHAPTER 11: Marked for Vengeance, The Alyx Rayer Chronicles
Isaac zipped the bag closed and rounded the corner to the kitchen, snatching the butcher knife from the counter on his way to the door. When he emerged from behind the cabinets, he halted. Alyx stood in the middle of the living room between the staircase and the sofa, staring through the broken door.  “Where’s my son, bitch!” he barked. Seeing her there was of no surprise to him now, he had almost expected her to show up.    At the sound of his voice, she spun around. He dropped his bag, pointing the knife in her direction to show that he meant business, her frightening appearance not deterring him in the least. Because she had occupied his dreams for so long, this didn’t seem any different.Her dark, polished eyes studied him intently as her body positioned into a careful stance, like a lioness sizing her opponent – or her prey – anticipating her next move. Fairly certain that his face didn’t reveal it, he now felt hunted and vulnerable. “Hello again, Isaac,” she said with a caginess to her voice that harmonized with her posture.The feral tone in her words almost unraveled him. “Do you know where my son is?” he asked again, and hoped she hadn’t noticed the crack in his voice.Her eyebrows pinched together as she searched the flat, his question taking her by surprise. “Your son?” “Yes, I have a son! Don’t play around with me,” he said, waving the blade violently through the air. “Why would I know?” “Well don’t you?!” Her brows pinched tighter. “I wasn’t aware you had one.”  Oh I’m sure.She placed one foot in front of the other, carrying her smoothly in his direction, reminding him again of a feline.“Do you know who I am?” He jutted the knife toward her. “I know that you look like a demon and that your name is Alyx.  Is that even your name?” “Yes, that is my name,” she said calmly. “But do you know why I’m here?” She took another indulgent step, and Isaac lunged forward. “I will use this, I’m not playin’ around!” She fought an amused smile and held up her hands. “I don’t think that will be of much use to you.”“All I want is my son, so if you can’t help me with that you need to get out of my way,” he said, grabbing the bag he had dropped, and marched for the door. “You don’t want to do that,” she warned as she moved into his path. He stepped around her. “Watch me.” “No, you don’t understand… you don’t want to do that!” she shouted desperately. He had almost made it there when she gripped his upper arm, pulling him back with the strength of a man three times her size. Clang! The power behind her quick grasping had launched the blade into the wall and onto the concrete floor. He hollered under the vice of her death grip and dropped to his knees. “Oh, Isaac, I’m so sorry!” she cried and released her hold. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t know my own strength yet.” He rubbed his throbbing arm as he stood, and when he glared at her, a burning remorse showed in her eyes. She told the truth, his pain upset her. “You care that you hurt me?” “It was a reaction. I’m sorry.” Isaac’s anger slowly withered away. Maybe he should listen to what she had to say. After all, if she had come to harm him, she wouldn’t be upset over his pain.

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