Please Welcome Marie Bilodeau Author of Destiny's Fall

If you like Science Fiction you should like the Destiny's Fall. 

Give aways:

All you have to do is comment to be entered to win.

Marie will give away a signed eBook copy of Destiny's Blood (the first book in the series) to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and an autographed set of Destiny's Blood and Destiny's Fall in print (US and Canada only) or eBook (International) to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. She'll also give an autographed set of books to the host with the most comments (excluding hers and the host's).

Destiny’s Fall

by Marie Bilodeau

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BLURB:

A broken tradition. A hunted child. A rebellion that threatens to topple the very fabric of the universe. 

When Layela Delamores gives birth to her first child, the ether immediately rejects what should be its only heir. A wave of destruction sweeps the ether races and sparks Solaria’s ire and rebellion on Mirial. A new heir rises to take the throne of Mirial, one who wields tainted ether.

Unable to access the flow of ether, Layela is left with little choice but to flee Mirial, seeking answers that may no longer exist, prepared to sacrifice everything to free herself and her daughter from the clutches of the First Star.

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EXCERPT

 “Cap’ain!” her second-in-command, a short man named Larod, screamed.

 “Gun the engines, get us out!”

 “Solariers are telling us to stand down,” said Jaru, her systems analyst.

 “And I’m saying the docks need redecorating. Gun the engines!”

The two moved quickly to obey her order. The engines churned to life, the scent of rotten cabbage pumping through the entire ship. The ship jerked once and the engine popped, and her hull vibrated, resonating in Avienne’s skull.

 “Come on, you useless piece of crap!” She kicked the tactical controls and half the panel lights blinked out.

 “Blood and bones, I need to steal a better ship!” The engines sputtered and the ship stopped vibrating.

 “Engines online, Captain!” Jaru screamed. Avienne whooped and switched the viewport on. The entire metal structure of the docks buckled as they pulled free without first de-clamping, ripping great chunks of metal. The Dessicate’s engines kicked in full blast, throwing Avienne back into her seat. The docks swayed for a moment when the engine’s jet of hot hair struck them, then buckled sideways, and seemed to be righting themselves before suddenly collapsing in a heap of smoke and metal, dragging a few of the smaller ships down.

Avienne hissed. That made a nice, round ten worlds on which she would no longer be welcome. She was running out of planets to do business on.

“Where to, Captain?” Larod asked from navigations.

“Mirial. I believe it’s time to pay my brother a visit.”

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INTERVIEW

1.What or who inspired you to start writing?

A great many people fanned the flames of writing throughout my life, but I’d have to say that the original spark came from my parents. Both my mother and my father were avid readers, and both loved reciting lines from a favourite text to then sit back and let the words roll over them.  I always loved those moments. I still do.

2.How did you come up with ideas for your books? 


Tidbits I hear, ideas that won’t let my mind rest, things I can’t figure out, labels on cans… The world is a giant blackboard of relentless inspiration!  For example, the debate of modern vs. traditional really influence Destiny’s Fall.  That, and drinks that make you kiss ugly guys.

3.What components are necessary for the genre of this novel?

Destiny’s Fall is classified as science-fiction, but I like to call it space fantasy.  Science and my novel crossed paths a few times, but they’ve never even exchanged business cards.  The space aspects of the novel are spaceships (obviously), interstellar travel using tunnels and I have some pretty fun weaponry. The fantasy components are in the ether, which is the energy that feeds the universe, especially the mistrusted and hunted ether creatures

4.What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I have a BA in Religion, Culture and Archaeology, which I think shows in the world development.  I’m fascinated with the evolution of legends and myths, and their application in a modern (sci-fi or otherwise) setting.  The protagonist’s homeworld, Mirial, definitely showcases that interest. 

5.What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

I drink too much coffee and I tend to laugh at very inappropriate places in books (including my own).  Plus, I decided to not get Novocain once when I had three teeth drilled for cavities. (Tip: Don’t do that.)

6.As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I have sooo many plans I get giddy just thinking about it!  The third book in the Destiny series is high on that list (did I mention it’s a trilogy?)  I also have a sword and sorcery book in the works, multiple short stories, and I just hope to keep on writing for a good long time! 

7.If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

I totally don’t want to be in my books.  Totally.  I do horrible, mean and downright despicable things to my characters.  Do what you will to me, but please, never put me in my own books! 

8.Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I’m part of a local closed group called the East Block Irregulars (http://eastblockirregulars.wordpress.com/).  We’re all published writers, and we all view writing as a job rather than a hobby.  I was skeptical at first, never having belonged to a useful writing group, but I have to admit that they’ve pushed me to become a much better writer.  Their insight, humour and wisdom are now an integral part of my writing process, whether they actually get to critique each of my stories or not. 

9.When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

My first big encouragement to become a writer came from my 9^th grade teacher, Mlle Lalonde.  She gave me a book of writing tips and tricks, which I still have, regardless of it being horribly outdated. It still took another, um, fifteen years before I sent anything off. It took me that long to write anything good. The inspiration to actually send out a manuscript was, without a doubt, my big brother.

10.         What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

Best: Keep writing, and keep getting better at it

Worst: Invoke your muse.  (I’ve personally never met her, but I’m sure she’s lovely.)

11.         Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I start by writing the scene or kernel of an idea that entices me.  Then I begin the book. When I get stuck (usually a third of the way through), I stop and outline.  That’s usually enough to get the ideas flowing again, which leads me to cast my outline aside and continue writing.  I then usually get stuck again about two thirds of the way through, do the same thing, and write until the end.

12.         Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

I’ve already started on Destiny’s War, the next book in the Destiny series. It’s a dark time, darker still, for the protagonist, Layela Delamores.  There’s more on the line than ever before, and only a very fine exists between ultimate success and bitter defeat. It’s going to be a breakneck ride!

13.         Who is your favorite actor and actress?

David Tennant and Judi Dench

14.         Can you tell us a little about the black moment in your book?

The black moment in Destiny’s Fall, as in most books, is when hope is taken away from my protagonists.  But it’s not just ripped away from my protagonists, but from my antagonists, too, making it an across the board clean sweep of hope. I’m a bit of an egalitarian that way.

But for Layela, it’s having to trust a stranger with her newborn daughter, sending her away to an unknown future, with no knowledge of who she is or who she was meant to be.  All in the hopes of giving her the choices Layela herself never had.

15.         If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles?

I’d pick unknown talented actors so the characters could really shine through.  And then, when the actors become super popular, they could always refer to the Destiny series as their breakout film. 

16.         Anything else you might want to add?

Thanks for having me. This was fun!

Thanks Christine

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marie Bilodeau is an Ottawa-based science-fiction and fantasy author. Her space fantasy novel, Destiny’s Blood, was a finalist in the Aurora Awards and won the Bronze Medal for Science-Fiction in the Foreword Book Awards. She is also the author of the Heirs of a Broken Land, a fantasy trilogy described as “fresh and exciting” by Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo award-winning author of WAKE. Her short stories have appeared in several magazines and anthologies, including the recent When the Hero Comes Home, edited by Ed Greenwood and Gabrielle Harbowy.   

Marie is also a professional storyteller who’s told adaptations of fairy tales and myths, as well as original stories, in venues across Canada. More at www.mariebilodeau.com.

 Don't forget to leave a comment!  

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