Hi all,
Hope you’re having a lovely Sunday. I’m thrilled to have the lovely Torie James visiting today, to share some gossip and talk about her latest release, with co-author Jammie Lynn, Ties that Bind: The Cloie Chronicles. Torie is not only a fabulously talented author, but a wonderfully supportive and awesome person so am excited to get to grill her over tea and biccies 😉
So, let’s start with you telling us a bit about yourself.
I’ve loved reading since I was old enough to hold a book in my lap. While my friends were out playing, I was generally curled up nearby falling down rabbit holes, catching second stars to the right, and stepping through wardrobes into mysterious lands and countless adventures. When those stories ended, I made up my own and kept going.
This later on translated into a strong passion for writing that has helped me keep my feet on the ground and my head in the clouds.
Lover of Dr. Pepper, all things chocolate, and Duran Duran, my dreams finally became a reality with the publication of Timeless Night, with the amazing people at Breathless Press. Timeless Night begat Timeless Desire. I’m currently working on the third book in the series, Timeless Surrender. I’ve also written several short erotica tales called Fractured Fantasies on top of beginning the sequel to Ties That Bind: The Cloie Chronicles with my writing partner, Jammie Lynn.
That sounds a lot like my childhood 🙂 and you’ve definitely been busy since! Was there a specific moment where you first knew that you wanted to be a writer?
I remember I was quite young, perhaps in 3rd or 4th grade. That golden ‘a-ha’ moment during class and I never looked back. I’ve never wanted to be anything else.
Do you have a particular writing routine, or any special rituals?
I didn’t realize it until recently, but each time I sit down to write, I’ve got a bag of rolo’s, a cup of ice, a cup of soda (I’m weird, I own it) and a slice of cheddar cheese. Every time.
Hehe, definitely specific 😉 Tell us about the genre you write in, and what drew you to it.
The paranormal genre has always loomed large on my personal horizon since I was in my late teens. I’d been reared on Barbara Cartland, cut my teeth on Johanna Lindsay and grew into Anne Rice, Maggie Shayne, Lori Herter and Sherrilyn Kenyon at length. I’ve never looked back. And, lately, I’ve been tackling dark erotica which holds a mysterious appeal for me.
I’ve been reading some of your shorts, and they are definitely fab! Are there any particular authors or books that have really inspired you?
Anne Rice and her Vampire Chronicles, Charlaine Harris and her Southern Vampire Mysteries, along with the Mallory Novels by Johanna Lindsay. Oh, Jude Deveraux is one of my go-to writing Goddesses as well!
I remember Johanna Lindsay being one of the first romance authors I really got into. What five things could you never do without?’
Chocolate, my cellphone, my sister, my Daenerys Stormborn chibi doll, and my Sonic Screwdriver.
Chocolate and a sonic screwdriver – I knew there was a reason we got on 😉 So, tell us a bit about your new release.
Ties That Bind is the beginning of a new series, called The Cloie Chronicles.
The main character of Cloie is very precious to me. As are ALL of my characters! However, Cloie is the sole reason I found courage and strength to once more pursue my dream of writing. As a huge fan of mythology, I eventually tumbled into The Dark Hunters Series, by Sherrilyn Kenyon (*swoons* total fangirl!!) in which mythology plays a huge part. One of the main protagonists is the younger half brother to the Greek Fates: Atropos, Lachesis and Clotho. They are referenced here and there, but not in a favorable light. No one really has anything good to say about those Goddesses now that I think about it!
I decided to change that after I joined a DH role play group and ended up with Clotho…Cloie…as my character. I began to ask myself what her real story was. I refused to believe, as all of mythology would indicate, that she was cold, unfair and vicious, playing with lives like a child with toys. There was more to Cloie…I just knew it.
One of the most amazing people I know, I met through roleplay in the DH world. The person behind this particular role play character went on to become a very intense and major part of Cloie herself and I am very proud to have her input and work as my writing partner on this series. Without Jammie Lynn, there would be far less to this story overall. She’s a true soul sister.
One of my greatest joys has been bringing Cloie to life and sharing her story with the world. She has taught me there are differences between who we are and what we do. She has changed my life in countless ways and helped me change my own stars.
And we’re still going strong…
Hehe, Dark Hunters is one of my favourite series of all time – but yeah, the fates are definitely not portrayed nicely. I’m intrigued now to see your version of Clotho 🙂 Where did your inspiration for it come from?
I feel no shame in admitting that Role Playing is a hobby and it is that from which my Cloie sprung.
Nowt wrong with that, I kinda miss roleplay sometimes, definitely good for some inspiration 🙂 What did you find most enjoyable about writing it?
Cloie is one of those rare characters that allows me to find joy in all aspects of telling her story. Even her sadness brings me this weird measure of joy. Of all the characters I’ve created, she is the one closest to my heart. Her childlike wonder and infinite love always inspires me to be a better person.
Aww, some characters just sneak under your skin more than others, don’t they? What was the hardest part about writing it?
Sticking to the plot points. *laughs* The tension between Cloie and Soren tends to leave me exhausted at the end of writing sessions. There is so much love, hate, desire and duty between them and it breaks my heart at times.
Sounds intense, and speaking of tension – who’s your favourite character in it? (I know, I know, favouritism!)
Cloie! No, wait! Soren! Gah!!! *laughs*
Lol, yup, it’s like picking a favorite child sometimes! So, just in case we’re not convinced yet, why should we run out and buy it right now?
Because keeping Cloie stocked in chocolate bars and paying for Soren’s tattoos isn’t cheap. *winks*
Well, can’t argue with that 😉 Check out the details here!
Blurb
Fate always finds a way…
For thousands of years, the Gods of Olympus and Asgard have warred, each determined to establish dominion over the Earth. Both pantheons grow weary and in a slick unprecedented move, Zeus and Odin design a plan to unite their realms.
Clotho, the youngest Greek Fate bears many burdens and secrets but none greater than the one she doesn’t even realize she carries.
Soren, a proud and ancient Viking warrior holds the power of demons and gods, but not by his own choice. More importantly, he holds the heart of the very woman who broke his own.
Dagr, grandson of Odin and heir to Asgard, desires little more than ultimate power and when offered Cloie’s hand in marriage to cement his place, eagerly agrees. But he has his own reasons for wanting the baby Fate in his grasp…and bed.
Passions collide and betrayals abound when the First Evil is unleashed on Gods and man alike. Cloie holds the key to all destruction and salvation.
Her secret will save the world…
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GGT3FY
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1056988241
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/288906023/Ties-That-Bind-The-Cloie-Chronicles-1
Page Foundry: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/107a31dc-b72e-446a-828a-1959c32324db Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/ties-that-bind-50
And don’t forget to follow Torie on social media.
Blog and Website: https://toriejames.wordpress.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WriterGurl216
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Writergurl216
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7054839.Torie_N_James
Have a great Sunday x
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