Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Special Guest: Kylie Griffin with Alliance Forged!

The Master Race

What comes to mind when you hear those words?


Hitler? Germany? Concentration camps? A superior race? Experimentation? Extermination? A dark time back in the early decades of the 20th century?


Like me, you might have studied the rise and fall of Hitler's Regime at high school or university. The images, recounts and documentaries aren't exactly warm or fuzzy, and they certainly leave an impression on you. But, as a writer, some of the events and concepts of Hitler's grand plans make the mind tick over, imagining what if...


What if Hitler's idea of establishing a Master Race had succeeded? How would it have shaped our world history? What sort of place would be the world today? Would there be a caste system? Slavery? Ideologies developed around the superiority of certain genetic traits? Laws forbidding the mixing of races?


The mind boggles, doesn't it?


One of the questions I get asked a LOT is where do you come up with ideas for your stories. Well, history tends to be a good starting point, and to be honest, much of the time I don't realise where the inspiration comes from until after I've written the book. The subconscious is a wonderful thing. It can absorb a photo, an event, a fact, or even a phrase or lyric can and mull it over for days or even years.


I'm now up to book #3 in my Light Blade fantasy romance series, and I'm only now beginning to recognise and understanding that some of my plot lines reflect events from human history, specifically the time of Hitler.


The idea of a master race starts in VENGEANCE BORN and arcs through into ALLIANCE FORGED and ALLEGIANCE SWORN. A lot of my world building links to this concept - there are humans, a race of demons known as the Na'Reish, and a hybrid race of half-human, half-demons called the Na'Chi. Both human and demon histories regale their own race as being superior to the other, and both are at war to prove the point. They also can't stand the thought of a hybrid race, of their bloodlines being tainted, so laws and actions have been instituted to ensure any such offspring are terminated, then over the decades the possibility of their existence relegated to the shadowy realm of mythology.


But, as with any society, what happens when ideologies break down or beliefs are challenged? Or better yet, proven wrong?


In VENGEANCE BORN (Bk#1), secrets about the origins of human and demon history were uncovered, and the fallout of hundreds of years of corruption, lies and misinformation alters that history and defies perceptions. ALLIANCE FORGED (Bk#2) propels the characters into a time of conflict and instability where everyone - humans, Na'Reish demons and the Na'Chi - struggle to come to terms with the need to change and what it means for their survival.



Varian and Kymora, the Na'Chi hero and human heroine, spearhead this life altering change as they try to navigate the dangerous path of melding two races together, to forge an alliance against the much stronger Na'Reish - the demons who would see the humans enslaved and the Na'Chi exterminated. But their efforts are hampered by those who rebel against the change.



This is the backdrop behind the story and woven into it are Varian and Kymora's personal trials and their romance. Our hero seeks a haven for the Na'Chi but fears the humans will never be able to put aside their mixed blood prejudice, a belief reinforced as he struggles to control his darker half-demon personality. In her role as high priestess, and armed with the truth, Kymora fights to unite their two races while helping Varian to accept his dual nature.



So, will a master race triumph in ALLIANCE FORGED? Well, I can't tell you, not without spoiling the whole storyline - sorry! :-) Until you can get your hands on a copy of the book and find out, here's the back cover blurb of ALLIANCE FORGED, just to whet your appetite:



ALLIANCE FORGED

(Book #2 of the Light Blade series)

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a blind priestess lays claim to a half-breed warrior, body and soul…

Hunted and marked for death by Na’Reish demons for their half-blood heritage, the Na’Chi are searching for a new home—something an alliance offered by the human leader could provide. With both races divided by prejudice, when Light Blade rebels brutally attack the Na’Chi, the alliance seems doomed to fail.

Varian, leader of the Na’Chi, a hybrid race of gifted warriors, is cursed with the darker impulses of his demon heritage. Controlling the part of himself that craves the high of the battle is a struggle he’s afraid he’ll lose—until he meets Kymora Tayn, a priestess driven to serve her deity. While he’s unwilling to trust anyone outside his people, he finds himself drawn to Kymora’s strength and passionate nature, and discovers she has the power to calm the darkness inside him.

When the Na’Reish raid human territory for blood-slaves and kickstart a war, the key to the survival of both races—Na’Chi and human— is an alliance. However, when Kymora is kidnapped, pitting human against human, Varian realizes he must embrace his darker half, not only to save the alliance…but also the woman he loves.



If you'd like to know more about Varian an Kymora, you can visit my website to read an excerpt (http://www.kyliegriffin.com/AF_Excerpt.html).

Kylie Griffin’s obsession with all things paranormal/fantasy started at an early age, when she used to imagine the jacaranda tree in her front yard was a spaceship used to defend the world from invading enemies. Writing stories seemed a natural extension to her childhood adventures.
Today, she’s a primary school teacher sharing her love for the written word with young children. In her spare time, she writes and reads all things paranormal.
Kylie lives in a small rural village in outback New South Wales, Australia, where she volunteers in a number of emergency service organizations in her local community. Visit her website at www.kyliegriffin.com
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30 comments:

Michelle de Rooy said...

Woot! Varian is nearly here! Can't wait to have him on my bookshelf, Kylie. Luck, luck, LUCK with the release!

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Hello, ladies,

It always seems that a master race comes with master arrogance and ego. Actually the term 'master race' seems to be a bit of an oxymoron. To really be superior a race must be imbibed with compassion and mercy, thus, in some eyes, making them less superior.

Right, somehow yesterday got away from me, so now I'm off to EC to get me a bit of Renate. :)

Book Chatter Cath said...

Hi Mel and Kylie :)

Why is it that some people's ego's are so overly inflated that they believe the crap they do?!!
Are they deluded, mentally challenged or simply monsters?
Who knows, but I cant wait to read all about your villains vain and monstrous attempts at a master race in AF real soon!!

Great blog post :)

Mel Teshco said...

Hi Michelle
- same here!! Really looking foward to their story =)

Mel Teshco said...

I agree Sandy - and well said!

And hope you enjoy Renate too =)

Mel Teshco said...

Hi Cath!

It does make you wonder doesn't it? Mind you - fun to read in fiction! lol

Christina Phillips said...

Great blog post, Kylie. History is a rich minefield! Congrats on the release of ALLIANCE FORGED, I'm so looking forward to reading Varian and Kymora's book!

And Mel, huge congrats on the release of GALACTIC INFERNO! Another one for my trusty iPhone!!!

Kylie Griffin said...

Mel, I second Christina's good wishes - hoo-yah on GALACTIC INFERNO's release! I love that we've released a book around the same time.! :-)

Kylie Griffin said...

Yep, it's good to see Varian almost out there, Michelle. It's a bit scary but a lot exciting to think people will be reading his story shortly.

I wonder if the nerves get any better the more books you publish? LOL

Kylie Griffin said...

Compassion and mercy?

Well, Sandy, Hitler and the Na'Reish certainly failed in your definition of being a 'master race' big time!

And you're dead right about those qualities being seen as a failing by some. I know the Na'Reish consider anything other than total dominance and control as a weakness to be exploited.

Thanks for dropping in! :-)

Kylie Griffin said...

Cath, I think you hit the nail on the head with 'deluded, mentally challenged or simply monsters' - anyone who holds the belief that they belong to a master race are probably all three!

I loved the twist of how humans and demons once used to coexist peacefully and that certain elements/characters in the series have tried to erase this from memory.

The idea that history can be so easily corrupted when someone has the motivation and resources to do so, makes me wonder how much of our known history has been doctored or altered into what we believe today.

I'm not an avid follower of politics or the goings on in government (in fact I'm quite happy ignoring most of it), but creating the intrigue that can surround such institutions was/is a lot of fun in fiction! :-)

Kylie Griffin said...

Christina, great to see you here! I thought you were in the edits cave - but then I've lost track of time I'm afraid. :-)

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the second installment in the Light Blade series! Varian & Kymora's story was so much fun to write.

C.T. Green said...

Loved the post Mel & Kylie. That's a fascinating concept Kylie and I hadn't thought about the Light Blade series from that perspective. Though the clash of cultures/races even sexes is one that's played out regularly throughout the world. I suppose it's not surprising then that it finds it's way into popular culture. Can't wait to get the first two books in the series and get a peek at the third!

Kylie Griffin said...

LOL, CT, as I said the parallels of what I write about & human history aren't immediately obvious to me but I love looking back and working it out.

Have fun reading the series! ;-)

Linda said...

I just started reading Vengeance Born & it's awesome! Didn't want to put it down. & of course I can't say enough about that glorious cover. Alliance forged is definitely in my wishlist & all & every other Kylie Griffin book!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting post, Ladies! Amazing how much we can mine from history. And I can't wait to read about Varian. Not long now...

Mel Teshco said...

Hi Christina =)

I'm with you, I've been really looking foward to book 2!

And I hope you enjoy Galactic Inferno too =))

Mel Teshco said...

Hi miss C.T Green,

great to see you here!

Kylie brings up an interesting topic - and yes, you really must read the books! (just one more to shuffle under your couch! LOL)

Mel Teshco said...

Hi Linda!

It's a great book isn't it =)

Now just for the next installment *drums fingers*

Mel Teshco said...

Hi Kylie

The past is quite a scary place when you think about it from Kylie's context! And here we thought post apocolpytic was bad...

Kylie Griffin said...

Linda, you have made my night - thank you! I'm very happy you're enjoying VENGEANCE BORN!

Gene Mollica is my cover wizard - he will have done all three in the series - haven't yet seen Bk#3's cover but I have confidence he'll work his magic again. :-)

Kylie Griffin said...

Kylie, only 18 days until Varian comes calling! LOL

Eli Yanti said...

Hi Mel,

wow.. i love your blog design :)

Hi Kylie,

Just found that BD had sold vengence born with cheap prize but omg i should wait till what 292 days to get it, dillema

btw congrts on the release and i saw that third book will be release too :)

Eleni Konstantine said...

Fascinating blog post, Kylie. Thanks and have fun on your blog tour.

Mel Teshco said...

Hi Eli,

so glad you like the look of my blog =)

And not long till A.F's release!

Mel Teshco said...

Thanks for dropping by Eleni =)

Lexi said...

Funny how our subconscious works. I totally see the relationship to a superior race now you pointed it out, but I wasn't thinking history when I read Vengeance Born.

Kylie Griffin said...

Hi Eli! great to see you here.

Yes, VENGEANCE BORN is being released as a mass market paperback (cheaper price compared to the trade size) in April 2013 - wonderful news, just sad readers have to wait so long to get their hands on it! :-(

And ALLEGIANCE SWORN will be released in trade size the same month, doubly good news! Much to celebrate then!

Kylie Griffin said...

Hi Eleni - thank you, I will! :-)

Kylie Griffin said...

Lexi, as I said, neither did I until it came to writing guest posts/interview for people. Some of the questions that tend to pop up are 'where did you get the idea for this series" or "what inspired this book/series" or "can you write about the world-building" - those sorts of things.

Damaris - coming soon!

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