Friday, August 7, 2015

Forbidden Things: Book One - Dissident by Nikki McCormack (VBT, excerpt, GIVEAWAY) GFT



Here's a fun interview with author Niki McCormack

What group did you hang out with in high school?
NM: I tended to be rather solitary. When I did hang out with a particular group, it was either the nerds/geeks or the goths/stoners. I’m not sure I fit properly with either, but I found them all interesting. Socializing was always less compelling than people watching to gather fodder for my books. The majority of my true friends came into my life after high school.

What are you passionate about these days?

NM: My writing, as always, is still a primary passion in my life. I am, unfortunately for my work, also quite passionate about video games. I love a good RPG, mostly because I love having the opportunity to play in the stories of others in such an interactive way. Several injuries have limited some of my other passions, such as horseback riding, kayaking, and cave exploration; though I hope to spend more time doing those things again soon.

If you had to do your journey to getting published all over again, what would you do differently?
NM: I think the only thing I really wish I had done differently is taking my writing seriously earlier in my life. I treated it like a hobby for years, even though it was the only career I ever wanted. I feel as if I might have been in a better position coming into the eBook revolution than I am now if I had focused on it back then, but I have also improved significantly in my writing over the years, so it might also be better that I waited.

Ebook or print? And why?

NM: Both. I love eBooks because that format is so accessible to people and is the most popular medium these days. I will probably always have print available, however, because I love being able to have a copy of my books on my shelves and because it is so much fun to do public signings where I can actually meet people who are interested in what I do.

What is your favorite scene in this book?

NM: There are several scenes I love, but the first to come to mind is one of the ones I most enjoyed writing. The scene is in the last third of the book when Indigo has a chance to save Yiloch from an assassination attempt, but she must risk exposing her greatest secret to do so. When…oh wait. No spoilers.


by Nikki McCormack

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BLURB:

Ascard power can strengthen, heal and create. It also has great potential to destroy, enough to topple entire governments. Indigo’s country places strict limitations on the use of ascard so she must channel her talents into the healing arts or risk severe punishment. An orphan from a disgraced family, trapped by her father’s treason, Indigo struggles to reclaim her place in a society that has driven her into an abusive engagement.

Then a mysterious stranger from a neighboring country contacts her using ascard. He needs help escaping his prison so he can bring an end to his emperor's oppressive rule or die trying. His unshakable devotion to his cause and the passion hidden behind his cool arrogance move her to help him at the risk of being branded a traitor herself.

When the politics of society bring them together a second time, Indigo decides to use her growing powers to help him fight his war. If only she dared fight for her own future with such passion. Perhaps she can find the courage to do so by helping the man she has fallen for win his revolution. She might have exactly the power he needs to succeed.

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EXCERPT


Indigo stared at the place Eldrian had been seconds ago. With him there, even the beasts couldn’t drive her away. With him gone, icy fingers of dread crept up her spine. She wanted to be anywhere else. In scant seconds, everything changed and all she had left of him were memories and a pair of boots.

Looking at the oversized boots, she grinned. Though she barely knew him, something about him fit her. His arms felt like home more than any place she had ever been. Jayce would be a poor substitute for this exotic man who made her feel so wanted and alive. Such was the price she would pay for her father’s treason.

She stepped closer to the pillars, pulse racing, but the shimmer was gone. He was gone and she couldn’t follow. In that instant, she would abandon everything to go after him. Placing a hand on either side of one pillar, she closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against rough gray stone. If only…

The sound of movement behind her shattered her musings like so much fragile glass. Her heart bounded into her throat. She spun. A hound ambled into the canyon. She looked into its sightless eyes and recognized death in them.



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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Nikki started writing her first novel at the age of 12 (which is still tucked away in a briefcase in her office). Despite a successful short story publication with Cricket Magazine in 2007, she treated her writing addiction as a hobby until a drop in the economy left her with an abundance of free time to focus on making it her career.

Nikki lives in the magnificent Pacific Northwest tending to her awesome husband, two sweet horses, three manipulative cats, and a crazy dog. She’s a wine and tea fanatic who loves sitting on the ocean in her kayak surrounded by open water or hanging from a rope in a cave, embraced by darkness and the sound of dripping water. She also enjoys horseback riding, archery, PC gaming, dancing, good anime, etc. She studies Japanese and practices Iaido because she believes we should never stop learning.

Twitter handle: @Author_NikkiMc





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GIVEAWAY




a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here


51 comments:

  1. I loved the interview! I am looking forward to reading this book! Thank you!

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    1. Thanks Ree Dee! It's been great having you along.i hope you enjoy the book. :)

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    2. Glad you liked it, Ree Dee. Thanks for visiting!

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  2. Enjoyed following this tour, thank you!

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    1. Thanks Nikolina! I've enjoyed having you along. Good luck in the giveaway!

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    2. That's great that you were able to follow the tour, Nikolina! Thanks for popping in.

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  3. Thank you for hosting the tour and giveaway!

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    1. My apologies for not welcoming you sooner, Nikki! I really appreciate that you took the time to interact with my visitors and hope that the tour has been successful!

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    2. No worries, it's been a lot of fun! Thank you again for having me on your blog. :)

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  4. thanks for the great post. Congratulations to Nikki on the new release.

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    1. Thank you Sandy! Good luck in the giveaway! :)

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    2. Glad you liked the post, Sandy, thanks for taking the time to visit!

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  5. I like both formats too, mostly because I hate trying to cook from an ebook!

    --Trix

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    1. Hi Trix! I understand. I've been trying to develop the skills to carry my iPhone with me while cooking. One of these days it's going to end up in the pan. ;)

      Thanks so much for following the tour!

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    2. Good point, Trix. I really prefer print but it is definitely easier to transport larger numbers of books when traveling. Thanks for dropping by!

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  6. The interview was great~I'm glad you're now taking your writing seriously! I really enjoyed the excerpt! Thank you for a great post and contest! This has been a fantastic book tour!

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    1. Thank you Betty! The tour has been lots of fun. Now I can go back to editing books 2 and 3. I also have the second book in another series coming out next month. I love taking my writing seriously! :)

      Thanks for following the tour!

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    2. Great to see you, Betty, glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with the editing, Nikki, sounds like you are incredibly busy!

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  7. Thanks for the great post, I've enjoyed reading the excerpts and learning about the author on the blog tour! I'm looking forward to reading this series :)

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    1. HI Victoria! It's been a pleasure having you along on the tour. I'll be back around in December when book 2 comes out. Hope to see you then. :)

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    2. Happy that you've been enjoying the excerpts, Victoria. Thanks for dropping by!

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  8. Thanks for the excerpt and interview :) I love both ebooks and print also. I love holding a book in my hands but I love how ebooks help save space, which comes in handy when you have a small house.

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    1. Hi Amber! I agree. I just moved into a smaller house in the city and the hardest thing to fit has been the book collection. eBooks let me keep buying books. :) Thank you so much for coming along on the tour!

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    2. I understand, completely, Amber, but I have to admit that I am happier with all of my piles of books around, lol. Thanks for visiting!

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  9. It's been a fun tour. I have enjoyed learning about your book, it sounds great.

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    1. Hi Rita! It has been fun, mostly thanks to you and the other great people who have followed along the way. Thank you!

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    2. Thanks for dropping by, Rita. Glad you've enjoyed the tour!

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  10. Great interview, I enjoyed following the tour and learning about the book, thanks for sharing and here's wishing you great success with your book.

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    1. Hi Eva! Thank you so much! I was delighted to get to share with so many great people. Hope to see you when I tour book 2 in December! :)

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    2. I enjoyed reading Nikki's answers, Eva. Thank you for visiting!

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  11. I loved your excerpt. I prefer ebooks as holding open a book hurts my hands. I am excited to find a new series,

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    1. Hi! I have a few people in my life who have similar problems with print books. I love that eBooks make it possible for more people to enjoy reading. Thank you for visiting the tour! :)

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    2. Sorry to hear about your hands, I understand completely. The funny thing is that the e-reader tends to cause my hands to pain me! Thanks for popping in!

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  12. Excellent post! I really enjoyed reading the excerpt and the interview. Also totally love the cover! Looking forward to reading this book!

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    1. Thank you Ally! I hope you enjoy the book as much as you've enjoyed the rest (perhaps more). Thank you so much for being part of the tour! :)

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    2. Thank you for your enthusiastic endorsement, Ally! I appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment!

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  13. I have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. You're welcome Patrick! It's been a pleasure having you along on the tour!

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    2. Glad you liked it, patrick, great to see you!

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    1. Thanks DamieX! I certainly hope it is. :)

      Good luck in the giveaway!

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    2. Glad you think so, DanieX, hope you get a chance to read it! Thanks for visiting!

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  15. Nice interview. Nice getting to know you a little

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    1. Happy you liked it, amy, thanks for dropping in!

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    2. Thanks Amy! I'm glad you stopped by. :)

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  17. It's been a fun tour getting to know you! This sounds like it going to be a wonderful series!

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    1. Thank you Glenda! It's been great meeting you! I can't wait to share the rest of the series! :)

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    2. Thank you for taking the time to visit, Glenda!

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