Today on our blog I'm excited to be hosting a Party for our interview with author Lisa Beth Darling! She was kind enough to answer my questions about her new book coming out called Child of War-A God is Born, Book #2 in her "Of War" series. Welcome Lisa, lets begin!!!
Tell us a little about yourself Lisa!
I'm 44 years-old, married 25 years to my wonderful husband, Roy, we live in my hometown of New London, CT where we've raised two daughters.
For those who have not had the pleasure of reading your Of War series, can you tell us a little about it? The OF WAR series centers around the Greek Pantheon and some of the Celtic Pantheon although it's set in modern day. Ares God of War has been living in exile from Olympus when a half-fey half-human woman, Maggie MacLeod, washes up on the shore of his secluded Greek Isle. The Olympians want her on Olympus believing she knows something about the violent death of Artemis. Ares sees a way to get his place back on Olympus. As Fate would have it he falls in love with her even though all of the odds are against them. Alena, as Ares comes to call Maggie, has been on the run from her husband Cernunnos for as long as Ares has sat in exile. The first book in the series, "The Heart of War" contains many graphic scenes of sex and violence and isn't recommended for the faint of heart. The second book, "Child of War-A God is Born" doesn't contain the brutal violence of "The Heart of War" but still got a great dose of sex!
Child of War-A God is Born (Book 2) is about Ares and Alena's son, Raven. What can we expect from this book?
In Child of War-A God is Born, Ares and Alena have moved from the peace and solitude of the island to Mount Olympus where she doesn't fit in and she's outwardly despised by Zeus. After Raven, the son of Ares and Alena, is born, things go from bad to worse very quickly. The boy is quite the handful, if you've ever seen "The Omen" you have a good idea of Raven.
How is this book different from the previous book in your series?
It's not quite as 'adult' as "The Heart of War" because it centers around a child. Writing Raven was difficult, I'm accustomed to dealing with adult characters-late teens at the youngest. Having to go from pregnancy to toddlerhood to adolescence in 428 pages without cheating (too much) was an interesting task. I wanted to show Raven growing up and how he develops but couldn't get stuck there and had to keep it moving along. If I ever say I'm going to do another novel with a child in the middle I wish someone would just kick me!
What are 3 words you would use to describe Raven?Young Bad Ass
Where do you see your Of War series going next?
In book #3 "Child of War-Rising Son" we'll finish off Raven's coming of age with lots of wicked tid-bits and oodles of sex, it will be a lot more like "The Heart of War" in style and dark adult happenings. I can't tell you anything about the last book in the series "Spoils of War" or I'll ruin the ending of "Rising Son". Sorry.
We will just have to wait until then!! Who has been your best or favorite character to write and why?
I've been with Ares God of War for nearly 20 years now, so he's not only my favorite, he's sort of like my second husband. I always was a total sucker for a sexy bad boy. I married one!
I love Greek myth and the way many authors change the original myth stories to bring us completely new versions!! How did you come up with this new storyline for Ares and the Gods?
I didn't come up with the storyline. I'm one of the Muse Writers. Ares tapped me for it, whispered in my ear by saying those two famous words of his; "What if…." That's that. We sat down, started writing, and haven't stopped yet.
Who is your favorite Paranormal Romance Author? Any specific books or series?
I haven't read a romance novel since I started writing them in high school. I used to love Jacqueline Susan, Harold Robbins, and Judith Rossner. VC Andrews too, I still adore the "Flowers in the Attic" series. The best romance novel I ever read was called (auspiciously) 'Raven' by Shana Carrol. I fell in love with that book in 7th grade, it totally swept me away and ruined me for any other romance books. To my discredit, again, other than the local newspaper and magazines that come to the office, I read Stephen King exclusively and have since I fell in love with him, also in 7th grade. He came into my life and everything else got swept aside. No one calls to my inner-self like he does with his stories. He ruined me too. ;-)
What is your favorite drink or food when you are at a Party? (or wish you could have it)?LOL! Depends on the party. If I'm with friends I know well or it's at my house I'm up for a few Blue Moons and shots of Southern Comfort. If it's a less casual event a glass of Barefoot Moscato (or two) will do nicely!
Again thank you so much Lisa, for answering our questions and spending some time with us!! We can't wait till your book comes out!!
To all the viewers, you can check out Lisa's books , where to find her and see an excerpt for Child of War-A God is Born below!!
A HEART OF WAR (BOOK 1) Can be found here:
Child of War-A God is Born
by Lisa Beth Darling
- Available in mass paperback October 31, 2011
- Available in mass ebook November 25, 2011
Excerpt from Child of War-A God is Born!!!
**Please note, as Lisa has stated.. this is an ADULT book. It is not for the faint of heart... the excerpt is a sneak peak of Raven's birth and WOW didn't see that coming!!**
"Stop I know it's hard, I know, but don't push." Hera looked up from between Alena's legs where Raven was just beginning to crown to Ares. "Why did you wait so long to come get me?" she hissed. "You knew how important this is!"
Panic rising within him as he tried to stay calm and hold Alena close he roared at her through lips thinner than a dime. "Do what you have to, Mother."
"It's too late." Alena had done what any woman in her position would do and she pushed with each contraction until the boy dropped just enough to get his head past those slender hips, but his shoulders were too wide to make the same squeeze and now Raven was stuck in her pelvis. Opening Alena's womb would do them no good. Pulling the boy back through the narrow opening would only result in injury to him and her. On the verge of losing her Grandson, the only thing the grand Goddess of All the Olympian Gods could do was stand here and watch both of them pass into the Underworld.
Not believing his Mother, Ares left Alena's side to stand at the end of the bed and inspect the precarious situation. As they stood there watching Alena writhe in agony as she tried to hold back the urge to push, they saw Raven's feet push upward. The little toes curled as though they were fists as he started slamming them against the inside of Alena's womb. Listening to Alena's near silent screams and seeing her face gnarl and twist in a way he never wanted to see again, his Warrior's Mind hit upon a plan. For a split-second, he tried to talk himself out of it but in his heart he knew it was the only way to save them. Reaching out cautiously with one hand, he held to it Alena's cheek as he stared into her stormy eyes. "Do you love me?"
What a question! Here she was in the deepest clutches of labor with his Son and Ares wanted to know if she loved him? If this wasn't love, what was it? "Y-yes."
He leaned in further as his hand slid down to her hip where the other was waiting on the opposite site. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"I love you, Alena." With that, Ares planted his lips over hers. In one brutal but mercifully swift motion, he pushed down on her hips with all of his strength and did the unthinkable. With a loud snap, her slender hips cracked open like a clamshell. His mouth over hers silenced the shriek of utter agony that went through her.
The way to freedom suddenly open, Raven began making his way toward it with much haste. But he couldn't do it alone.
"You have to help," Hera said as she stared down at the scene in disbelief. Alena was in far too much pain to push. "Hurry, put your hand on her stomach, gently guide him down. Gently."
With his hands shaking and his mind still in shock at what he'd just done, Ares put his big mitts on Alena's stomach and, gently but firmly as he could, pushed the baby toward the opening between her legs waiting for him. No longer feeling the harsh pain of the contractions or anything below her waist other than what felt like fire, Alena buried her face in Ares' upper arm as she held onto him for comfort and strength. She was met with the sight of a nearly healed scar.
"Keep going, keep going, he's coming," Hera said excitedly. "Alena, he's almost here." She reached between Alena's spread legs to get a grip on the back of Raven's neck. As she turned him slowly so that one shoulder at a time emerged from the enlarged hole, the baby's face came into her view.
Alena screamed uncontrollably at the sight.
Raven had no face. No eyes. No nose. No mouth. Instead of features, there was only a sheet of skin.
