Deborah's Blog of Books, Reviews,Spotlights and More: TOKEN HUNTRESS ~BY~ KIA CARRINGTON-RUSSELL

TOKEN HUNTRESS

BY KIA CARRINGTON-RUSSEL

EXCERPT

The sun’s light dimmed many centuries before; now in the year of 2,341 rampant vampires now stalk their victims in a half-lit world. Humanity has been overtaken by a new society: one comprised of vampires, the supernatural beings that hunt them, and the remaining humans they fight over. The laws and rules that once bound our world have long since been lost. Now, the Hunter Guild struggle to stay one step ahead of the Vampire Council.

Esmore, Token Huntress, has exceeded all expectations at only 18 years of age. She is fearless leader to her team, and she is relentless in her pursuit of the enemy. There is only one problem: Esmore is struggling to repress the growing darkness that seduces her from within. Esmore takes another step into the darkness when she encounters a teasing, tantalizing -- utterly unignorable -- vampire.

The lines between right and wrong are blurred further as Esmore gives into her temptation, and her reality becomes deliciously tainted both with evil and with lust.

Prologue

Even when I conjured all my strength, his speed was unmatched. He grabbed my sword with his hands, blood spurting everywhere, his eyes now savage on me. In one swift movement he threw it away, grabbing my throat, ready to rip out my heart. His fangs were very large and blood dripped over them. Had he bitten into one of his own comrades? I could not breathe, but I did not gasp for air. I would not fall so far as to want mercy from his kind.

Before he plunged his fingers into me a hand stopped him. My heart pounded, yet I was not scared to face death. A swift movement was made and I fell to the floor, holding my throat. Whoever had grabbed his hand tore him away from me. I looked up in front of me to see the familiar coat. It was Chase. His back was to me as he faced the vampire who had almost killed me. Did the Council really have such old and strong vampires right under our noses?

“Don’t touch her. She’s mine,” Chase snarled, holding two swords.

“She threatened Whitney!” the other vampire spluttered.

“Tythian.” The small voice of the woman from behind him broke the tension. “It’s okay, we can go now.”

He buckled to his knees in front of her, cupping her face gently. “I’m sorry,” he whispered to her. “I did not know they would use you for this.” She gently caressed his face. In amidst the ghastly noises of weapons scraping against one another, it seemed to them that nothing else mattered as they gazed into one another’s eyes devotedly.

“Let’s go home,” she said with a reassuring smile. I was mortified how comfortable she was in the blood war that raged around her.

Before I could stand, the vampire had grabbed her chair and, with lightning speed, they were gone.

Chase turned to me, his fangs not as large as Tythian’s, but I could see he too was a very old vampire. “Esmore,” he whispered. Before I could run for my sword to use it against him, he had already vanished, leaving me by myself.

Kora and Kasey were the reason why he fled. They had advanced on him, trying to entrap him. For what reason he hadn’t tried to kill them I wasn’t sure. He simply hid amongst the dark. I could still feel his presence close by, but it felt as if he were only watching. Not fighting, but just watching how everything would play out. Realizing Chase was gone, they focused on another three vampires, entrapping them as Dillian and Tori covered their backs. One by one, the girls trapped more. There were so many of them.

Teary was fighting off four. Except for Tythian and Chase, they all seemed like younger vampires. You could tell by their strength and speed. Usually we could challenge vampires if they were no more than one hundred and fifty years old. After that it became very difficult to compete against a vampire who had lived for so long.

James was now by my side. He had gathered my Barnett bow and sword for me. I used my arrows instantly on a vampire who ran for me, piercing his chest. He crumbled to the ground, quickly decaying. I roared in anger at how easily I had been overcome by the previous two vampires. I sliced through another vampire, cutting down his throat and through his belly. I cut across another’s head, slitting their throat and puncturing their chest. I raged again, feeling myself fill with hatred and a need to see their blood. I cut off one’s arm, plunging my sword into its chest, driving so deep into it that after a few steps I had nailed it to a tree. It slumped around my sword, its skin turning a shade of black. I pulled it out, watching it begin to decay.

A huge fire lit behind me. Teary was controlling the flames, sweeping over the ten of them that encircled her. There must have been one hundred vampires. This was a well-thought out ambush. James grabbed one vampire’s throat and then another as it ran from behind him. Smashing both their heads together, they shattered from the impact. James steely skin was impenetrable. He grabbed his sword from the ground. A vampire must have knocked it out of his hand. He punctured both in the chest before they could heal.

In the distance I could feel the presence of many more coming. For that many we would have to use the grenade. It was us against many. As if knowing what I was thinking, James ran to Teary as she continued to sweep her hand containing the fire around.

In the distance a vampire stalked toward Teary. He too was strong and old. I had the feeling that others followed him as their numbers grew. James now had the grenade, and he was pulling the pin. Inwardly I counted the short seconds in my head. Ten, nine. Teary continued to control her flames, still engulfing the many around her. Eight, seven. Two vampires came at me and quickly I thrust my sword into them, before shooting an arrow into another oncoming vampire. Six, five. James threw the grenade at the large army that stampeded toward us.

The leading vampire swept one hand across them both. Teary’s flames were instantly put out as a gust of wind extinguished it. The wind not only pushed James and Teary back but Dillian, Tori, Kasey, and Kora as it smashed into their backs, throwing them forward. It had even taken the Council vampires along with it. This vampire had the gift of control over wind. The grenade was thrown toward my team.

Four, three.

With all the speed I could muster I ran for them, grabbing a hold of the grenade in the air. I ran into the distance so the grenade was nowhere near them, throwing it at the army that charged toward them.

Two, One.

The grenade exploded near the army, but shattered much more than just that. Quickly a burst of dust swept over me. The burning flames of the explosion encased my body. I heard my name whispered by an angelic voice, but noted it was probably the afterlife calling for me. This must now be my time of death.

MEET KIA

Kia Carrington-Russell is a young author writing from her Australian home. Kia is supported by her helpful friends, family and readers. Most of all she is assisted by her Ying and Yang kitties, Isa and Forest, as well as her Cavoodle, Sia, who are always by her side as she busily types away in her office.

Kia completed her first manuscript, Possession Of My Soul: The Three Immortal Blades, when she was fifteen. After graduating from high school, Kia pursued freelance journalism. After working for half a year within the sales section of the local paper, Kia realised journalism was not what she wanted to focus on.

Kia started Ther Precious Living website, which is a self-help blog publishing weekly affirmations. It was a way to express her enjoyment of photography as well as reaching out to readers who might not be feeling positive in their current lifestyles. She often published motivational stories, hoping to fill many with gratitude for what they had, instead of focusing on what they didn't.

In the year of 2014, Kia took her first manuscript seriously, and on May 15, Kia's first book was published. Since then Kia has continued writing and publishing many works from the Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, and Action genres. Kia has many more books planned for the future.

In 2015, Kia's self-publishing services and promotional services became live. She is now CEO of both Crystal Publishing and Crystal Book Promoters, which have been designed to help other authors at an affordable price. The mission is to guide writers through the perilous journey of self-publication.

Kia enjoys dancing, cooking, painting, manga, anime, eating (loves eating), reading, and is very competitive in all games, no matter what game.

From Kia:

Thank you to all my friends, family, and readers who have supported me. You have no idea how much it truly means to me; the support inspires me to keep writing. I am very grateful for the kind words you offer me and for telling others of my books.

Thank you everyone so much,

Kia

Sneak Peek in to the first chapter Free below!

http://www.thethreeimmortalblades.com/token-huntress-chapter-one/

REVIEW

Omg I can't begin to tell you how many feelings and emotions this book has depicted on my heart embedding in my soul forever. It truly has made an impact on my heart. It left me breathless at times wanting and craving more. Kia how could you stop! Give me more!!!

Most vampire novels starts out with the same plot and twist but, this one dis surprise me. We have a tough as nails heroine that doesn't mind telling you nor showing you how how she feels, yet she's true to her heart and others. Then we have Chase. Omg yes Chase, he's hot, dreamy, and fine as hell vampire sure of himself and his future relationship with an enemy. There are so many characters that bring it alive and so much more! I can't wait to find out more and get to know all the characters!!!

Kia takes a sensitive ugly subject and gives you a look into a mind so tormented, for instance, there is so much prejudice between the two because it's one long battle going on since forever, but they soon learn that a lot is taught and learned. They battle through these obstacles and find a love that stands against time in the middle of battles and hard times. Will there love changes things and ideas of others? Will there friends merge together and become a force to be reckoned with?

You begin to feel her pain, her grief, her rage. My heart hurt for her, my eyes cried for her, my mind wanted revenge for her, but my heart wanted more for her. Don't get on board this ride if your not prepared because it will change you. You did an outstanding job at this novel Kia my heart is merged with this novel. I'm now going through withdrawals. Sigh...

Buy Links

Paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Token-Huntress-1-Kia-Carrington-Russell/dp/0994299907/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1428441242&sr=8-6&keywords=kia+carrington+russell

Ebook on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Token-Huntress-Kia-Carrington-Russell-ebook/dp/B00UXK9IFU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-6&qid=1428441242

RELEASE DAY OF TOKEN HUNTRESS BY

KIA CARRINGTON-RUSSELL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SPECIAL

INTERVIEW

What in your life influenced you to be a writer?

I have always loved writing. I think it was the joy to express everything I felt, I wrote a lot of poetry in high school as well. I had a lot of support from my family in doing this and starting my first book. Looking back then I had no idea how far I would come to now. And what influences me most is the support but from a much larger audience now, but always and foremost those who helped pushed me over the edge at first.

Why did you choose the genre you write?

Fantasy is something I have always loved watching and reading. I also love how limitless it is, the only thing that can bring me down is my lack of imagination (which I don’t think is anything I have to fear in my lifetime hehe)

Do you like background noise when you write or silence?

I went through a faze where I listened to lounge music. Nothing with words or singing in it, but now I prefer silence. I get distracted to easily. However if I am doing other things for my book, such as promoting, Author Takeovers, creating graphics etc I always have something upbeat on.

Do you have a special place you go to write?

My special place is my office. It has all my paintings my fantasy ornaments, my book collection, just all of me.

Can you share something extra that you want the viewers to know?

How much your support really means to me. I doubt myself a lot, I wish I were confident all the time in my work, but I always have my doubts and insecurities, so one small message from a reader, telling me how much they love my stories and characters really brightens my day.

Is there a certain mind frame you have to be in to write?

Yes and no. At most times I can sit down and right until my brain tires and I find myself restless. But usually I can sit down from about four to six hours writing. I do however have the days where I will avoid it, only because my mind is growling at me. I know on these day’s I am tired. I’ve learnt to not push the matter because it would take me twice as long to write and I will find excuses and chores around the house to do in between I distract myself very well at times.

How do you come up with your characters?

How do you come up with the different plot twists?

To be honest, I have far too many. At first it was by small segments of dreams and then pondering on those for a few hours, after a few hours or days I have a complete story outline. I now find myself daydreaming, and within a few minutes I have concepts and ideas of new books and characters. I just can't keep up with my overactive brain.

Who is your favorite character from your books?

I absolutely love Scott from Possession Of My Heart. His character is so inconsistence, playful but very dark and powerful at the same time. I have also recently fallen in love with my Huntress, Esmore in my new book Token Huntress. I love her character now of strength, courage, military like ways, but I know what is to come for her and I am very excited to slowly reveal that darkness. She will be my favourite to write as even I don’t know if I want to twist her into darkness or light.

Which one of your characters do you relate to most?

I think a small part of me is in all my characters. In Clover, from My Escort I can see both of us as extremely hard workers. In Sia, from Phantom Wolf I can see my strength in defending and protecting others. In Esmore, her ability to think quickly and objectively. Karla, being a confused teenager questioning where life might take her; and Sia from Sia, with her insecurities of not being woman enough and sensitive towards the death of living creatures. I think all of these things are traits within myself. So I don’t know which one I would relate to the most.

What is your inspiration and muse?

My inspiration is other authors who work hard and achieve, or even any other person in their field. And my fans and readers, who support me. I wouldn't be able to do it without them, so they inspire me to continue this journey.

Who is your favorite author and why?

I love Kristen Cashore’s work. Because she focuses on feminism and empowers. Women her heroines are self efficient clever, strong and powerful beings. I loved that.

What authors have inspired you to write and why?

Most likely Kristen Cashore, Cassandra Clare and Issobelle Carmody. I just love their individual style and books.

When did you first start writing?

I started writing at fifteen years old in high school. I then studied for journalism and began writing self help x affirmations on my website Precious Living. I didn’t take my writing career of fiction books seriously until 2014 at twenty years of age.

What inspired you to write?

I think mostly because I fell in love at the time, I was a teenager with Cassandra Clare’s books. It was when I first found an appreciation for Young Adult books. But it was also a way to express myself and be something more than an average student. It was my own secret way of being something awesome, I mean it’s not like I had the chance to be a vampire or something haha.

Who are some of your biggest influences? John Boy Walton and Stephen King.

Kristen Cashore, Issobelle Carmody and Cassandra Clare.

Is there a special place you go and a certain mind frame you like to be in before you write?

What's the most exciting thing that happened to you during your writing career?

There really are so many. I have had so many wonderful things happen. I think the ones that surprise me the most. I had one girl come into where I work who was purchasing my latest book, I told her I could sign it. She was so excited and ran out to get her ipad so she could get a photo with me. She had read all my other books and loved them. Within that week I was on Youtube and found a fan based trailer on Phantom Wolf, I almost cried watching it. I have had a few parents tell me how much their child has loved my books. It really touches me when they are things I least expect, but make my whole week.

How do you come up with all the characters and different exciting plots?

Usually at the start of every book concept, I already have a skeleton of who my characters are and I focus on their faults because that is what makes them individual. However, usually by the end of the book they turn into their own person. I love this the most. To be honest, I have far too many concepts and plots. At first it was by small segments of dreams and then pondering on those for a few hours, after a few hours or days I have a complete story outline. I now find myself daydreaming, and within a few minutes I have concepts and ideas of new books and characters. I just can’t keep up with my overactive brain.

What authors have inspired you through your writing and how did they inspire you?

Most likely Kristen Cashore, Cassandra Clare and Issobelle Carmody. I just love their individual style and books.

Do you have advice for any writer who's struggling right now?

That it is tough and you are probably doubting yourself right now. But you shouldn’t. Already what you have achieved is an amazing thing. And not everyone can do it. You are courageous for sharing your book, you've achieved a lot for taking the time to sit down and write a book. And you are an inspiration to those who soon want to write a book. Don’t give up, maybe have a small break because we all get tired. But don’t give up. You’re amazing.

What's the silliest thing that you have ever experienced in your writing career?

Umm probably the interesting expressions I have on my face as I write. I try to channel my characters as if I were them. I even cried writing Phantom Wolf. My partner often walks past my study asking me what is wrong with my face. I must pull some ugly faces haha

Could you share something extra that you would like your viewers to know about you are your writing?

Extra things your fans would like to know

Your favorite song? I have a lot of songs I love. But one that sticks to me is Misguided Ghosts by Paramore. I think as a teenager I really connected with this because I always felt a little different. I listened to it religiously especially in my sadder times.

Your favorite food? I love everything. Probably ice-cream. But my favourite dinner is spaghetti bolognaise.

Your favorite book? Fire by Kristen Cashore.

Your favorite movie? Oh that is a hard one hmmm I would have to say the Underworld series.

Who was your loved one that has been your inspiration through your success? Both my partner, Scott and best friend, Keeley.

Who has been their that work with you that you truly have been inspired by or pushed by to succeed?

A lot of people. I am often told by my close loved ones I need to take a break and rest haha But I continue to work hard. My Pa, Julia and Street Team as well has been a huge help. It’s been almost a year now since I’ve been published and I just can’t handle it all on my own anymore. They have been very inspiring to me and have helped me along the way this year. It’s reassuring to know I have them standing beside me every step I take. And I have some amazing people to meet when I get to America. Thank you everyone x

Things need to know about Kia:

Favorite color: red

Favorite food: I love everything. Probably ice-cream. But my favourite dinner is spaghetti bolognaise.

Favorite thing to do: If I have the time reading or just spending time with my boyfriend or best friend, Keeley.

Favorite dessert: Ice cream.

Favorite read: Fire by Kristen Cashore

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Possession Of My Soul

KIA'S BOOK LINKS

Amazon Links

Phantom Wolf

http://amzn.to/1xyYfeY

SIA Phantom Wolf 2

http://amzn.to/1rZpqPn