Pages

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Release Day Blitz & Author Interview Slither by Nikki Rae #ReleaseDay #BookBirthday #AuthorInterview


- What is your “day” job if you are not a full-time author?

My day job is editing other authors’ books! I love the revision process, and I love helping other writers who don’t have a ton of money to spend on editing. :)

- If you wrote a book about your life what would the title be?

Probably something like, “Imposter Syndrome Personified” with a tagline of, “how I kind of sort of survive and make art at the same time while also kind of thinking I don’t deserve any of the good things that happen to me. “

But that’s probably why I’ve never written non-fiction ;)

- What is the hardest thing about being an author?

It can get lonely and overwhelming sometimes. I’m a person who enjoys solitude, and I’m pretty much a hermit, so it takes a conscious effort for me to make sure I’m not isolating too much when I’m “in the writing zone”. As an indie author, the amount of work that goes into release always seems insurmountable when I start the process, but I somehow always make it through with a book I’m proud of by the end, so it all works out. 

- What is the best thing about being an author?

People relating to my words. It’s one of the most indescribable feelings, and it never gets old. When my characters create emotions in people, when readers reach out and tell me what they love about a certain book or series. Extra points if someone says they cried. ;)

- Have you ever been star-struck by meeting one of your favorite authors? If so who was it?  

I think I’m easily intimidated by other creative people. I love so many artists and authors, but I’m almost scared to meet them! However, I do think if I ever saw Neil Gaiman in person I would immediately faint.

- What book changed your life?

I think for an author, any book you read changes your life just a tiny bit. Even the ones I didn’t enjoy taught me something along the way, whether I was aware of it or not. However, I do think some authors like Anne Rice and Edgar Allan Poe influenced my descriptions of scenes and how to approach dark subject matter. Kafka’s Metamorphosis also had a large impact on me in high school, so I’m sure he has some part in my love of surrealism and symbolism. 

- What were some of your favorite books growing up?

I made it my mission to collect the entire Goosebumps series when I was younger, and I think I got pretty close before I moved on to books like Dracula and Interview with The Vampire (around middle school). I also read a lot of Poe as a goth teen, but I also read every paranormal YA I could get my hands on. I’ve always liked reading across genres and changing what book I picked up based on my mood or the time of year.

- What books are currently in your to-be-read pile?

-The Deepest Well by Nadine Burke Harris (it’s like The Body Keeps The Score but better IMO)

- The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldrich by Phillip K. Dick (A re-read because it’s one of my favorites of his)

-The Unseelie Prince by Kathryn Ann Kingsley (a long-time reader recommended it to me!)

- Which do you prefer ebooks, print, or audiobooks?

It just depends on my mood! If I want to be completely absorbed, I go for a paperback, light a candle, and have a whole experience with that book smell. Sometimes, it’s more convenient to read an ebook, and if I want to listen to something while I’m drawing or doing chores, I’ll choose an audiobook. :)

- If you could live inside the world of a book or series which world would it be and why?

Probably Howl’s Moving Castle, but only if I get to live in the house and maybe have a throuple situation with Howl & Sophie. ;)



Slither
The Shadow and Ink Series 
Book Two
Nikki Rae

Genre: Dark Paranormal Monster Romance
Publisher: Nikki Rae
Date of Publication: December 14, 2023
ASIN:  B0CNSFBY1V
Number of pages: 340
Word Count: 98,921
Cover Artist: Nikki Rae

Tagline: Some cycles repeat for a reason, but is this one worth fulfilling?

Book Description: 

Plunged into darkness after an eerie ritual, Corbin finds herself torn between the reality of her life with her mother and the nights she spends with Six. Even though she wakes alone every morning, the nights they spend together are worth it. Suspicion and unease surround her, drawing Jordan closer and closer while Six disappears deeper into the shadows.

Obsessed, Corbin sketches only him. As his monstrous image becomes clearer, etched in ink and gold, the pair and Jordan are enticed into a sensual world meant to feed him.

Six is reluctantly forthcoming with information about his origins and the mystical connection between the three of them. He has no control and little concern for the human world he affects with his mere presence—even when no one can stop the consequences.


Excerpt 

“You’re here.” I wasn’t sure whether it was for my comfort or his, but I was relieved nonetheless.

Yesss. I heard it directly in my ear. I smelled fire on him. Leaves, earth, and flames. Alwaysss.

A breeze wafted through my hair, tickling my shoulder. His presence calmed me, and I felt like for the first time all day, I wasn’t holding my breath. I wasn’t waiting to hear or see him. I wasn’t constantly anticipating when and in what way Six would appear because he didn’t need to. He was with me as much as any other vital organ.

In the span of one summer, I had gone from hearing his disembodied voice and believing I had lost my mind to accepting that all of it was true. Now when I thought of us together, it made no sense how we had ever been apart. Why I would try to push him away, defy some ancient law of nature?

“Can you come closer?” I whispered, staring straight ahead, out the window. “I won’t look.”

I sat on the edge of my bed and it wasn’t long before I felt the mattress sink in on either side of me.

A soft breeze moved the curtain. A car drove down the street.

I kept my promise and didn’t direct my gaze anywhere but the sky outside my window. I could feel him parting my hair, strands swaying on their own until I felt his mouth against the back of my neck again. From the corner of my eye, I watched the shadows grow into lengths of multiple arms that pulled me toward him, completely supporting my weight.

I am right here, my love.

Bands of scales wrapped around my middle, draped themselves over each thigh. Little by little, my head inched upward so all I could see was the pink canopy above my bed. I felt the trace of claw marks just beneath my chin, the strong hand around my throat.

Are you pleased with your gifts, little one?

I nodded against him, surprised even now at how solid he felt behind me. “Thank you, Six.”

I have so much more to give you, he cooed.

Before I could stop anything, I fell backwards, into a stain shaped like him. Legs splayed open, my arms were also restrained above my head, but he surrounded me at the same time. The darkness was weighted, warm. I wasn’t afraid to let it creep across my field of vision and obscure everything in sight.

So many ways I could please you, my flower. My lace of light.

Warmth traveled up my back, throughout my chest and down into my belly. His tone left no question as to what he might mean, so I decided to feed into it.

“Show me, then.”

It came out more of a challenge than I’d intended, but I liked how it sounded.

An echo of whispers met me and I realized it was laughter. Always demanding your proof.



About the Author:


Nikki Rae is the head editor of Metamorphosis Editing Services and a writer who lives in New Jersey. She is an independent author and has appeared numerously on Amazon Best Seller lists. She is the author of The Sunshine Series and concentrates on making her imaginary characters as real as possible. She writes mainly dark, scary, romantic tales, but she'll try anything once. When she is not writing, reading, or thinking, you can find her spending time with animals, drawing in a quiet corner, or studying people. Closely.










a Rafflecopter giveaway

No comments:

Post a Comment