Short Interruption of the usual program for an awesome cover to share & a Giveaway!!
Isn’t it super pretty???
*sigh* I love it and I cannot wait to read it!
The Goddess Inheritance Goddess Test #3
So, here I have a goodie for you! A Q&A with lovely Author Amiée Carter and later a Giveaway for Goddess Interrupted!
Q&A With Aimée Carter, Author of the Goddess Test Series
(note:questions were not asked by Bewitched Bookworms)
How familiar were you with Greek myths and folklore before writing the Goddess Test series? Was a lot of research required?
+ I first fell in love with Greek mythology when I was a kid learning how to read, and my infatuation only grew from there. I’ve studied various kinds of mythology for years, sometimes for class and always for fun, but even then I put a great deal of research into the Goddess Test series. Mostly as a refresher to make sure I was getting my facts right, but I also researched the various myths looking for ways to tie the plots and characters together in unexpected ways.
Was Goddess Interrupted any easier or harder to write than the first book in the series, The Goddess Test?
+ It was both easier and harder, in a strange way. I rewrote The Goddess Test multiple times, and I’ve never edited a book more heavily in my life. Goddess Interrupted did require some editing, of course, but it was much easier
However, the pressure to deliver a sequel worthy of the series made the writing process for Goddess Interrupted more difficult than I’d anticipated. There’s something called the “sophomore slump”, where sequels or second books generally don’t quite match up to the second, and I wanted to avoid that at all cost. So that added a lot of stress, but in the end, I was very happy with the results.
You give the gods and goddesses in the series “ordinary names” – Zeus is named Walter, Aphrodite goes by Ava, Hermes is named James. Why did you do that and do the more contemporary names have any significance?
+ This was something I went back and forth on multiple times. Initially the characters Kate encounters weren’t council members at all – I changed that very, very quickly though. By the second draft, I had a place for each of the Olympians, and I did some heavy rewriting to replace my first draft characters with the gods. I wanted to find a way to keep their names the same, but since they’re supposed to live among us in secret in the modern world, it didn’t really make sense. How many men named Zeus do you know, or women called Aphrodite? On top of that, keeping the council’s identities secret was incredibly important to the plot. So eventually I decided they would have changed their names when Western civilization stopped worshipping them as gods, allowing them to live freely among us.
I did choose each name for what it means, some more than others – Walter, for instance, means “army leader”, while James means “supplanter”. The exception is Calliope, which in the story was chosen by her counterpart for its Greek roots. The reason the gods changed their names – and why Artemis didn’t wind up with the name Diana – is explained throughout the series, but you get to actually see this happen in The Goddess Legacy (July 31).
Goddess Interrupted begins with the main character Kate Winters adjusting to her new life as an immortal. Given Kate’s innate strength and stubbornness, was it difficult to switch gears to portray her as a bit more vulnerable and unsure of herself in her new role as goddess AND wife?
+ Not so much, to be honest – her progression felt natural to me. While Kate is very tough in certain ways, she’s extremely vulnerable as well. She’s emotionally dependent on the people around her (her mother in the first book, Henry in the second), and that in and of itself carves the path she takes in the sequel. She’s spent six months with Henry, falling in love with him and forming a relationship she thinks is going to last for eternity. But Henry is battling his own demons and isn’t ready to be the person she needs him to be, and because Kate is so stubborn, she has a hard time coming to terms with that. In the sequel, Kate really is her own worst enemy emotionally – her entire world has changed, after all, and that’s a lot for anyone to take – but it’s all part of her development into a goddess and queen.
Kate finds herself trying to work through her rather complicated relationship with James, as well as her relationship with her new husband, Henry (Hades). Neither seems to be black and white, but rather varying shades of gray. Were any of Kate’s feelings or situations based on any relationship struggles you’ve been through?
+ Not personally, no, but I did try to make Kate’s relationships with the people in her life as realistic as possible. She isn’t perfect, and neither are they, and that’s something they all have to work through at varying points in the series. None of the relationships in the books are based off of specific experiences I’ve been through though.
What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?
+ Outlining is by far my favorite part of the process. I love the idea stage, where anything’s possible, and it’s such a shiny place. All of that comes crashing down when I write the first draft though, which is the hardest part for me. I tend to get mentally exhausted about two thirds to three quarters of the way into the manuscript, and it’s always a struggle for me to push through it, especially if I’m on a deadline. And inevitably there are a ton of problems I didn’t notice in the outline stage that have to be fixed for the story to work. I’m a perfectionist, so in order for me to continue writing the story, everything I’ve already written has to make sense.
Do you have a favorite quote or line from a poem or book?
+ I love so many quotes that I couldn’t possibly pick a favorite.
How did you get your first publishing deal and how did that feel
+ My agent, Rosemary Stimola, sent the manuscript out to various publishers, and after a long submission process, Harlequin TEEN offered to publish it! I was stunned at first, but that quickly gave way to giddiness. It was an incredible feeling to know I’d be published, and to this day, I still can’t quite believe it.
When is the next book in the series due out? Any hints on what will happen in book 3?
+ Goddess Interrupted, the sequel to The Goddess Test, came out in late March. The next book in the series, The Goddess Legacy, will be out July 31. It’s a collection of five novellas told in the perspectives of Calliope, Ava, Persephone, James, and Henry, and together they form one story
The third book in the series, The Goddess Inheritance, is currently scheduled to be released in March 2013. Unfortunately I can’t say too much about it, but the challenges that Kate will face are pretty clear by the end of the sequel!
After the huge success of The Goddess Test, Goddess Interrupted is on many, many TBR lists for this summer. What’s on your TBR list?
+ I’m so excited for a slew of books coming out – The Girl in the Clockwork Collar, Grave Mercy, The Selection, The Serpent’s Shadow, Philippa Gregory’s YA novel, and a ton of others. I never have as much time to read as I want, but I’m definitely making time for all of those and more!
Yearbook Superlatives! If you went to high school with the Greek gods and goddesses, who would you vote for?
- Most likely to succeed? – Hera
- Class clown? – Hermes
- Nicest? – Demeter or Hephaestus
- Best dressed? – Aphrodite
- Best dancer? – Apollo
- Most school spirit? – Iris
- Most likely to attend summer school? – Ares
- Teachers pet? – Athena
Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2)
Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she’ll have to fight for it.Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.
As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.
Henry’s first wife, Persephone.
and now my lovely friends, it’s…
thanks to Harlequin I have a copy of Goddess Interruped for one lucky winner! (US/CAN only )
Just enter the Rafflecopter below!
Much Love and Happy Friday!!!
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Love the new cover but my favorite of the series is Goddess Interrupted!
Melissa recently posted..Book Review: The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
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The Goddess Test series is my favorite mythological series next to Starcrossed. I’m super in love with Henry! He is my favorite Hades. I can’t get enough of this series! Thank you!
wendyrailey@yahoo.com
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I loved this series. And this cover is really beautiful. Aimée made the perfect mythological series. Can’t wait for more Henry!!!
Mariana @ Book Travels in Young Adult recently posted..Review: Taken at Dusk by CC Hunter
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Hmm which Greek God or Goddess, I have always liked Aphrodite and I am fascinated by Persephone and Pandora as far as the men, Apollo for sure! Fantastic giveaway! Love the new cover! Have a great weekend!
Heidi recently posted..Friday Forecast September 2-8 Cover Reveal for Tirade by Cambria Hebert
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I have found lately that I am a big fan of Greek Mythology in my novels (Everneath and Darkness Becomes Her) though for some reason I haven’t picked up Goddess, Interrupted yet. I love the cover for Goddess, Inheritance, it’s gorgeous and ties into the series covers perfectly. Great post Danny!
Jenni @ Alluring Reads recently posted..Butter Review
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love the cover for goddess inheritance! It’s pretty. <3
my favorite greek god would probably be aphrodite
Nickle Love recently posted..Giveaway: Dark Promise by Julia Crane and Talia Jager
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I love the new cover the best!! I thnk I enjoyed reading The Goddess Legacy the best so far. I really enjoyed the back story!
Alicia0605 recently posted..New Young Adult Series by Kresley Cole
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I’ve always had a thing for Ares.
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Athena is my favorite goddess. She is the goddess of wisdom and war.
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I like Zeus.
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I love the Goddess Inheritance cover! Thanks for this amazing giveaway – I would love to win!
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I love Psyche the most! She really isnt a goddess but she is immortal! She is also not really considered part of the greek myths bc her story with Eros is considered ‘new’. Anyway I loved the story of Eros and Psyche the most! The art about them are my favorite!
Honestly I have love both books but I would have to go with the Goddess Interupted! She and Henry finally get together! 😀 I need to get my hands on the Goddess Legacy!
I love the Goddess Inheritance cover the most!
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Gosh, all the covers are so awesome! I think The Goddess Test is still my favourite though.
I read The Goddess Test months ago but I still haven’t read Goddess Interrupted! Shame on me! Thanks for the giveaway and awesome Q&A!
Ashley recently posted..Erasing Time by C.J. Hill
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Oh, I love this series! And I highly recommend the Goddess Legacy. It puts so many things in perspecitve. but don’t read it until after the other two books. March cannot come soon enough!
Heather
hrose2931 recently posted..Back to the Books Blog Hop Giveaway Sept 1-7th
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I LOVE this cover the best!!! :DDD
Eeek!!
Must get my hands on this book… *drools*
Emily recently posted..Feature and Follow #3
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Loved all of these books! Can not wait for Inheritance! The cover is gorgeous!
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All the covers are beautiful, but I think I like The Goddess Inheritance best. Thx for giveaway.
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I love the Goddess Inheritance cover. Its beautiful. I would love to read this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Artemis!
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Haven’t read the series. Would like to try it. Thanks
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Hephaestus. I seriously feel terrible about what happened to him as an infant. (Thrown down Mt. Olympus by his own mother would never feel good.) It takes guts to get up from that sort of blow.
Grace Lo recently posted..Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
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For me, I think I like the cover of the first book best, but I like the new cover as well! Havent read this series, but heard great things! Thanks for the giveaway love!
– Farah @ MajiBookshelf
Farah recently posted..Stacking The Shelves (3)
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My favorite Greek god has always been Artemis and I absolutely love the cover for The Goddess Inheritance.
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This cover is by far my favorite of the whole series so far! It’s gorgeous! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
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My favorite cover of this series is Goddess Inheritance, it’s beautiful 😀
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My favorite cover is Goddess Inheritance! Thanks for the chance to win!
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Ananke – goddess of inevitability, compulsion, & necessity – seems to follow me everywhere, especially in a bookstore. Therefore, I must also welcome Sophrosyne, spirit of self-control and discretion, into my life.
nrlymrtl recently posted..R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril VII
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The Goddess Inheritance is definitely MY fav cover so far! I LOVE IT!
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My favourite cover has got to go to The Goddess Inheritance – the colors really pop! And the closeup shot is gorgeous!
Kelly recently posted..An eBook Freebie: The Burning Star!
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My favorite cover is The Goddess Inheritance (just like Kelly said above), the close-up shot is interesting and unique amongst the others.
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I really loved Goddess Interrupted. It was a whole lot less cheesier than The Goddess Test.
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I’ve only read the first one so far, so that’s my fav 🙂
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I have always loved Persephone.
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The Goddess Inheritance is my favorite cover from all three books 🙂
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Which Greek God do you like most?
I don’t know yet.
which book in the series you loved most!
I don’t know yet.
which cover do you like most!
Gosh, they both look wonderful!
I have not read these yet, but just the covers would have made them an impulse buy… but the interview and book details definitely convinced me to add this to my TBR list!
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I like the Goddess Interuppted cover the best.
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Hades would probably be my favourite. Ironically, despite being the god of the Underworld, he’s the least cruel out of the gods and goddesses.
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My favorite greek God would probably be Aphrodite (:
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Goddess Interrupted has an Awesome cover
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While all the covers are simply gorgeous (they really ARE!),
I think The Goddess Test is still my favorite <3
Mary DeBorde M.A.D. recently posted..Don’t Worry, Be Happy …
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I love the goddess, Athena!
Thanks,
Leanne
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I don’t know enough about greek gods to have a favorite. I do like reading about them. I love the cover on The Goddess Inheritance. What beautifiul eyes. Thanks for the giveaway.
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I would have to say Athena. I really love the covers, they catch my eye. Thanks for the chance.
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Hades is my favorite. Thanks for the giveaway.
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I really like the Goddess Inheritance cover! Great giveaway! I’ve been meaning to add these to my collection. 😀
Zara Alexis recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday. 09.05.2012
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My favorite cover would have to be The Goddess Inheritance. It’s beautiful!
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I love the Goddess Inheritance cover! Thanks for the giveaway
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I really like Athena. Thanks for the giveaway! 😀
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The cover for Goddess Inheritance is definitely my favorite because it has pink letters 🙂
Hwa Sun recently posted..[REVIEW] Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
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The interesting thing is just how much better the second book is to the first one. I’m hoping the third will do the same. 🙂
Liza recently posted..Stacking the Shelves [6]
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Looks fantastic! Can’t wait to read it!
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Wow, chica! This cover is gorgeous!!! I so need to have this book soon, after Goddess Interrupted and Legacy I am totally hooked on this series! And Aimee is just the sweetest person in the world! Can’t wait for this book to come out! Please tell you’ll be hosting a blog tour on Kismet!!!
Evie recently posted..BLOG TOUR: Anastasia Forever by Joy Preble (Review + Giveaway)
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I do accept as true with all the concepts you’ve introduced for your post. They are really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very quick for beginners. May you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
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