Welcome to Parajunkee’s view, Ms Young! Can you tell us a little bit about your book and the Fire Spirits series that you have written?
Hi! Thanks for having me.
The Fire Spirits series centers around an eighteen year old Ari Johnson, a girl who discovers she belongs to the race of the Jinn. Throughout the series Ari finds herself pulled into the political and monarchical wars of the Sultan and his sons, The Seven Kings of Jinn. Add in a complicated friendship with ‘the boy next door’ and an attraction to her young guardian Jinn, Jai, and Ari’s life is full of non-stop action and drama.
Your book has a paranormal species called the Jinn, or genies. What are their unique powers and how could they dominate other paranormals?
There are different Jinn with different abilities, but Azazil and the Jinn Kings are pretty much all-powerful. They can telepath, teleport, conjure, mess with time, space and events, and even the elements (although they try not to), and they’re immortal. It would probably take one of them to kill the other. How could they dominate other paranormals? I’d imagine they’d be able to take on most paranormals. I think witches and warlocks might be the only ones to give them a bit of hassle… even then…
What is the defining aspect of your fantasy world that you created?
Destiny. The most powerful and oldest Jinn are integrally tied to the paths of life. Their actions, their motives, their own destinies are connected to life in the mortal realm.
Have you used any famous people for inspiration, in regard to your character?
Even though he doesn’t physically look like him, I always imagine the actor Ken Watanabe whenever I’m writing The White King. He has his dignified ferocity.
What do you think is an integral part to a good Fantasy novel?
World-building. I think the reader should be able to see, taste, hear and smell the fantasy world a writer creates.
What are some of your favorite authors?
Oh, I have so many! Laini Taylor, Suzanne Collins, Tahereh Mafi, Richelle Mead, Rachel Vincent, Rachel Caine, Chloe Neill, Stacia Kane, Karen Marie Moning, Kelly Creagh, Veronica Roth, Veronica Rossi, Brodie Ashton, Karsten Knight…
What is your favorite paranormal creature?
Ooh that’s difficult. Hmm… I think it would have to be a witch/warlock. There are so many more possibilities to their power, whereas vampires and werewolves have a very definitive scope of abilities.
What would you like your readers to understand about your novel? Is there something that you would like to them to feel, or experience while reading your book?
In amongst all the fantasy and drama, the series is about flawed young characters learning about life and about love. It’s partly a coming-of-age story, and more than anything I think the reader follows Ari’s journey to discover about power, courage, morality, honor, first love and the strength of friendship.
Cover Questions:
Your covers are beautiful, who is your designer?
Thank you very much. I love my covers! They are designed by the wonderful Claudia McKinney a.k.a www.phatpuppyart.com
How much influence did you have on the design?
I have a lot of influence on the design. I basically approach Claudia with my concept and she totally gets my vision. The next thing I know I’m receiving a cover art that is even more beautiful than I could have imagined.
Do the models on the covers capture your characters?
Sometimes it’s difficult to find the perfect cover models. In fact, it’s near impossible. The closest to perfection I’ve come is the model for Ari on the cover of Smokeless Fire and Darkness, Kindled.
GoodreadsFor the last two years Ari’s life has been anything but normal and on her 18th birthday,when her friends surprise her with a gimmick genie claiming to grant wishes, Ari discovers the truth. The tragic and strange occurrences surrounding her 16th birthday were not coincidental and her life is never going to be the same again.
Ari’s real parents are not normal. They are not loving. They are not human.
They are myth.
They are Smokeless Fire.
They are Jinn.
About Samantha Young – the Fire Spirits series website, her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
Samantha Young is a 26 year old writer who resides in her home county of Stirlingshire, Scotland. She is a self-proclaimed book addict and Kindle junkie, using fantasy, dystopian, sci-fi and paranormal novels to feed her addiction.
After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in ancient and medieval history, Samantha returned to her main passion, writing, and often incorporates history and mythology into her novels.
Samantha’s first release, The Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy, was followed by a second series titled Warriors of Ankh. At present, she is a full-time writer working on a number of projects for near future release. She is the author of nine novels and one novella. Her young adult paranormal series are Amazon bestselling novels.
Win on Parajunkee’s View:
Smokeless Fire pen, bookmark and signed Smokeless Fire
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I am testing comments. They are not showing up right now.
i am thanking for all this, as best i can and attempting to leave you a nice comment. had to open this in a new window. so my question?………..when did you know you were going to be a writer?
Hi, thanks for the giveaway! It is extremely generous. I would like to know how you (ms. Young) come up with the stories you write and have already written, where do you get your inspiration from?
Cool post, good questions. Hope the tour goes well, Samantha!
evega
Love the interview!!
As for my question, Do you ever find it difficult to write a story, as in to think it up, or does it just come to you?
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Of all your books, who is your favorite character and why?
Very beautiful interview! I don’t have actually a question but I wonder, how did you manage to write so many books in such a young age.
Your covers are fantastic!
I would ask which character was the toughest to write and why.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Out of all of your books, do you have one particular scene you like the best? If so, why that one? Also, what was the hardest thing you ever had to do to one of your characters?
Thanks so, so much for this giveaway!!!
Do you put yourself into your characters as you write them and which quality is the most “you?”
I have loved all of your series so far and am looking forward to a possible Lunarmorte follow up! Anyway, what question…
How has the fame of your books changed your everyday life?
What made you decide to write an adult contemporary romance after writing YA? (I loved On Dublin Street, by the way!).
Nice interview. What’s your favorite cover of your books?
Samantha – what music inspires you the most?
Ms. Young,
Can you tell us who will be the stars of ODS #2? Please!
Hi, how do you decide how many books will be in a series?
How did you come up with the idea for this series? Also, do you have a special formula you use when you write?
How do you learn to write human nature and the stupid mistakes we make. What makes a writer?
hmm.. what book do you wish you wrote?
Id ask where does she get her amazing ideas from? She is seriously talented!!
Do you like self publishing or being published by a house?
hah! My name is Samantha! I will ask myself the question! lol jk Do you have a guilty pleasure movie? (Mine is Ninja Asassin and Mortal Kombat)
I’m curious to know how things would have turned out for Charlie and Ari if his brother had not died, or if he’d handled it better. Would they have lived happily ever after? I’d love to read an alternate reality for them. Don’t get me wrong. I love Jai and would be team Jai all the way of we were picking teams, but I also love Charlie and want things to work out for him.