Indie Authors Unite: FEATURED AUTHOR

Saturday, December 3, 2011

FEATURED AUTHOR - CATRINA TAYLOR

Catrina Taylor, Author

Action/Romance/Sci-Fi

Two minds meet by accident. Two lives intertwine despite the war around them. One teaches, the other learns. Both grow, both survive to find there is more in this war than either expected. Betrayal, misunderstanding, love lost and lives lost lead to desperation beyond words. When a second chance presents itself, can the bridges be built to overcome the past? Can lives be changed despite the pain? Is it possible to let such desire for peace to reach out to their worlds? Find out in the new release Birth of an Empire by Catrina Taylor.

In a mult-site launch announcement, Catrina Taylor has included an incredible and fun Scavenger Hunt.

Scavenger Hunt

Here’s how to play:

Read the questions and the samples at the bottom of the posts, then go to TheWritingNetwork.com and/or Xarrok.com and answer the 5 questions OR the 2 bonus questions accurately and win a free copy of Xarrok’s first novel, Birth of an Empire part 1. The Top 3 responses will each win a copy.

At the end of the sample on each site will be a link to another post and one to the home of the Scavenger Hunt.

Now, onto the short interview segment:

If we can't understand something in your book, is it magic or science?

It’s science. It may be undiscovered science, but there is always science behind anything they do, encounter, and participate in.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee… always coffee.

Chocolate or cheesecake?

Can I have both? Chocolate cheesecake tastes great with coffee

Who designed the Cover?

The Writing Network

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Morning person… early morning person.

Is there another book coming?

Book two will be out early in 2012, with many origin stories being created along the way.

Excerpt of Birth of an Empire Book 1 - Chapter 2

~Good. Now, tell me how you ended up there.~ Yatrell projected, trying to hide the concern from his voice.

~I told you. I was sold.~ She reached in her pocket and found the now comforting feel of the listening stone. She was glad that none of the trainers had discovered it on her.

Astonished, Yatrell projected, ~Sold? To the military? That sounds wrong even for a Xenonian.~

~No. My master is expecting a wedding announcement.~ She paused briefly and then corrected herself, ~My former master. My new master is something of an enigma to me.~

He shuddered hearing that, still not able to get used to that idea. ~How long have you been there?~

Her projection even stuttered when she thought about it, ~A week.~

Instantly his face turned downward, ~A week and you still can’t move with your team? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?~ He found it difficult to hide his frustration with her when he projected, ~You need to be paying attention to what your instructors are telling you. Not to the minds around you. They don’t know what you need to know, your instructor does. He will be the reason you survive your first battle and your next and every battle after that.~

Flustered and trying not to cry, Kala, projected back to him, ~Yes, I believe this too. I… am … just not cut out for this. I …can’t do this.~

Yatrell asserted confidently, ~Yes, you can. You have no choice now Kala, you must.~ He wished he felt as confident about that as he sounded.

Kala looked at the others, still holding onto the listening rock in her pocket, she told them she didn’t want dinner tonight. Phil acknowledged her and continued to the common area. Kala walked right back to her room. Henessa and the rest of the team went to the common area after Phil for dinner.

Once Kala was in her quarters and Yatrell was done explaining why she needed to do what she knew she needed to do, she began to cry. ~I didn’t want this. I can’t do this. I’m not built to fight people, Yatrell. What is … what am I goin to do?~

He listened to her words, finding it hard to deny what she said but forced himself to do so anyway, ~Anyone can train and work and learn anything if you dedicate yourself to doing it.~

~I’m trying. I’m… lost Yatrell. I don’t belong here.~

~No, you don’t, Kala. Of all of the people I know right now, you belong there the least. That doesn’t change the fact you’re there and need to get yourself together.~

She remained silent as the tears streamed down her face. She clutched onto the listening stone tightly and projected, ~I… can’t. I don’t know how.~

~Keep practicing what you’re told and taught.~

~Ok. I am. My roommate helps me before lights out. I’m trying Yatrell.~

~Kala, you can’t avoid of your training. You need it … or you won’t survive six months.~

Kala remained silent as she laid on the bed. She curled up into a ball and tears flowed down her cheeks freely soaking the pillow. Henessa walked in with a tray of food and sat at her desk with it. She picked at one dish while watching Kala in silence.

Yatrell realized he’d been lecturing her and he softened his tone, ~I just don’t want to lose the only other sane mind in this craziness. I’m … sorry I’m lecturing. If you need anything I can help with, please tell me. I… should go now. Anara is here to visit. We’ll talk soon.~ Without another word, the two let their link go silent.