The Gardinian World Series
Book 1
Kelsey Jordan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing
Date of Publication: June 1, 2014
ISBN: 9781620154311
ASIN: B00KQ5E6I6
Number of pages: 308
Cover Artist: Greg Simanson
Book Description:
When Alexis James arrives at her first assignment in months, she anticipates the danger and violence rife in her calling as a Lycan Hunter. What she doesn’t expect is a handsome, blue-eyed wolf saving her life and kidnapping her. Surrounded by the enemy, Alexis must not only survive her prisoners but the bonds of a different sort that begin to form against her will.
Mikko Kyran was chosen by the gods to lead his pack, and he has made it his mission to end the eight thousand years of war plaguing his people. The Alpha never suspected that the key to the prophecy ending the Forever War would be held by a smart-mouthed, sexy Hunter determined to kill him.
Can two people from different worlds set aside everything they know about one another long enough to survive retribution from the Hunters, the pack, and the gods? Or will their differences start a war that neither can win?
Written with intensity and depth, The Lycan Hunter is the first in a thrilling new series.
An ominous feeling settled in her stomach, the sensation surging and plummeting so fast in her gut she had to reach out to grip the desk for stability. The only thing missing was classic horror-themed music as the sinister feeling surged again when Kyran paused as if he was listening for something. Still she couldn’t’t force her feet to move, too drawn in by all the awful possibilities from what the screen showed her.
Theo – like all Hunters – had been trained to be aware of their surroundings yet maintain the appearance that he was unconscious. Alexis found herself hoping that Theo would do something to give himself away. All Kyran would need is a subtle uptick of Theo’s calm heart, a hitched breath, or a subtle muscle movement to show him that Theo wasn’t asleep but pretending. Nothing happened, and Kyran stepped forward. Her gut twisted in agony, but her feet still refused to obey her command to find help.
Kyran was obviously in doctor mode. He would naturally wonder what happened to his patient, wonder if somehow the sedatives that Theo had been given had been too much. He suffered from a kindness that Hunters were trained out of from childhood. His inclination for decency would cost him, but at least he was cognizant that something was unusual. Maybe that would keep him safe enough that she could warn him or send help.
Her gut tightened again, and a quick glimpse showed how close Kyran was to his destruction. She knew she wouldn’t’t find that room in time, so she left the room hoping to find Ronan. Hopefully, it wouldn’t’t be too late.
She began beating on the first door she came to. It swung open to reveal Ronan’s sleep tossed hair, unfocused glare, and gloriously naked body.
“What the hell, Ky – ” His hands flew to his groin when his gaze fell on her.
“Come on. Kyran’s in trouble.”
The Lycan Hunter Excerpt #2
Alexis stood outside of the small, weathered hotel room she’d reserved and scanned the horizon. She’d made it to Nowheresville, North Carolina without a single Hunter sighting. Granted, it had taken her three days to make it here, but that had more to do with the ridiculous amount of energy she spent to stay away from heavily populated areas, avoiding the areas that she remembered had past issues with Lycans, and trying to be mindful of her healing stomach.
She sighed and went back inside to stare at the horror-movie-ugly tropical wallpaper and depressing furniture. All of it needed to be updated. One look at the front desk clerk/owner, and Alexis had known that the man’s beaten body wasn’t capable nor did it care for things like twenty first century amenities. The room was missing a shiny new flat screen mounted on the wall or nice faux marble counter tops in the bathroom. The only TV she had to watch was a turn knob set that, when she checked, only had three channels. The bathroom was a beach- bungalow-don’t. Overall, the décor was a clusterfuck of stuff that didn’t make sense. The depressed beach atmosphere was at odds with the fact that the hotel was over a hundred miles away from any beach. Maybe it was to remind the guests of where they really wanted to be.
She collapsed on the well-worn bed and thought of her next move. She needed to turn in her rental and get a new one sometime soon. Over the next few days, she would have to make it to New York, and eventually she would make her way to Ireland. Flying to Ireland would be both cheaper and faster, but taking a cruise would give her some time to decompress.
Ireland was the perfect place to go. Very few Lycans lived there, and Hunters never stayed for long durations. Alexis was sure that Ireland was one of the few places where she would be able to relax a little until Kyran pulled together whatever he was trying to do. That was her plan, despite knowing that when the war did come to an end she wouldn’t be around to appreciate it.
She was just getting comfortable when there was a knock at her door. She drew her weapon and glanced through the peephole. It was the front desk clerk. She cracked the door as far as the slip chain would allow. It was a flimsy defense, but paranoia and overzealous defenses would keep her alive.
“Yes?”
“Hi, ma’am. I just wanted to check and make sure you were cool enough. These old AC units don’t work as well as they should sometimes.”
“Yes, I'm fine. Thank you.”
“Well, if you need anything feel free to let me know.”
“Thanks, will do. Goodnight.”
She closed the door, slid the deadlock in place, and went over to the backpack Ronan had given her before she left. He had tried to give her his credit card, but she refused. She didn’t need a way for anyone to track her, but she also carried cash – a hundred grand –on her at all times. That paranoia and knowledge that her parents had been gunning for her death for years made carrying cash a necessity.
Fifteen minutes later, she had finished cleaning, oiling and reloading her guns when another knock sounded at the door. This time the clerk wanted to know if she had enough towels. Ten minutes later, she answered it to have him give her info on the local area. Another knock sounded and Alexis rose from the bed and stashed away any hopes that she would get a restful night’s sleep.
“Yes?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, but I wanted to warn you that the local sheriff just called to say there is a bear wandering around. He is notorious for rummaging near city limits.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll be okay.”
“Well, I don’t know if you are licensed to carry, but just remember to shoot as fast as you are accurate.”
“I’ll remember that.”
She tried to keep the shock off of her face as he told her some information on the continental breakfast she could get in the morning before he excused himself back to the front office. She closed the door on his latest interruption and began packing up her cleaning supplies.
She wasn’t staying for breakfast. If the décor was any indication, she might die from ingesting it. Not to mention the fact that there was something up with the clerk.
No hotel, at least not one this unloved, would allow its clerks to be so overly attentive. She felt like he was checking on her. Whoever he was he knew the mantra about how to shoot that Torin had taught her. Was it possible that the old man just happened to know it? Yes, but she wouldn’t take any chances.
Alexis tensed as a soft rustling brought her attention from slipping on her holster. There was a slight chance that the sound came from the room adjacent to hers, but walls weren’t that thin. Were they? She shook her head, because from what she remembered, there had only been one other car in the parking lot, and it was in front of one of the rooms towards the other end of the lot. The only logical place the sound could come from would be from the back of the hotel where a tree-lined field was located.
She rolled to the floor as silently as she could, keeping her body below the low lying window. It wouldn’t matter if whoever was outside had infrared, but she had to assume that they didn’t.
She grabbed her bag and slung the straps over her shoulders just as two shots fired.
The rounds entered low on the wall and buried themselves in Sheetrock next to her.
Shit, high powered rifles with barrel silencers. Fan-fucking-tastic.
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I didn’t consider myself a writer until after I completed my first novel. I wrote before then, but I didn’t understand what it really took to do what I’m doing now.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
I’ll have two regular daytime jobs in the near future. One working for an insurance company and the other is the one I work now, which require I write unique web content for clients.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
Initially, I self-published, but I was later welcomed on to Booktrope Editions.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
That depends entirely on how well things are flowing within the book. My timelines have ranged anywhere between three to ten months.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
In the immediate future I plan on finishing out the four remaining books in the Gardinian World Novels which are all paranormal/fantasy romance. After this series I want to cover everything from High Fantasy (romance) to a Thriller.
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?
This is a tough one. One of my favorite characters is Tuyir, God of War, but not because of who he is in The Lycan Hunter. I like who he eventually becomes. Of course, I can’t forget my love for Lykil, God of Destruction.
How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I started writing poetry when I was 13. I’ve written off and on since then, but I turned my attention to novels when I was 23. My writing journey started thanks to my middle school English teacher and volleyball coach, Mrs. Davidson.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
At the moment, yes I still do. I think it’s important to see what readers like and dislike.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
Depending on the book, I have to write at least the first few chapters before I have a concrete idea of what type of title will fit the book.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
Character names are generally given to me by the characters. Place names follow certain rules of the planet from which they originate. If the language of the world is based on a specific earthly language, then all names for a particular region must come from a manipulation of that particular language.
Are character names and place names decided after their creation? Or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
The names of the characters are typically “given” to me at the time they appear. I’ve tried changing them after the fact and the character won’t talk to me anymore. As for places, I typically get the description of the place and an idea of what the name should be like before I decide on a name. Also, certain names in my world follow certain rules of the planet from which they originate.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
My characters come to as they are. I don’t really sit down and iron out their traits. They are just kind of revealed to me.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
I read more eBooks than paperback and hardback, but I don’t consider it a preference. I can read eBooks on my phone when I’m out and about, which can be a bit of a hindrance when it comes to toting around some of my thicker novels.
Your favorite food is?
Beef Thai salad with a side of steamed rice from one of my favorite restaurants.
Your favorite color is?
My favorite color hands down is royal/navy blue.
Your favorite Author is?
This is like asking who your favorite book boyfriend is. If I had to narrow it down, my top three authors would be G.A. Aiken, J.R. Ward, and Karen Marie Moning.
Kelsey Jordan is the author of The Lycan Hunter, the first book in her Gardinian World series. Though she has a preference for all things paranormal and romantic, Kelsey admits she just writes what her muse demands of her. It’s less painful that way. When she isn’t enjoying the momentary benefits of playing god to the many characters that live in her head, she can usually be found curled up with a book, killing something in a video game, or spending time with her family. At some point in the day she is probably drinking more than her recommended dose of coffee, but don’t tell her that. She doesn’t care about recommended servings.
As a Texas native and self-described Air Force brat, Kelsey now lives in Georgia with her husband and their tutu-wearing minion. Book 2 and 3 of the series will be published by Booktrope Editions late Summer/Fall 2014.
To learn more, visit her at: http://kelseyjordangw.com
https://twitter.com/KelseyJordan_GW
https://www.facebook.com/Kelseyjordangw
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22053393-the-lycan-hunter
Thank you so much for having me over!
ReplyDeletelove the cover
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