This is my stop during the blog tour for Beyond Reach by Siobhan Davis and I’m so excited to have the author here to answer a few questions about herself and the series. This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 1 till 21 May, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.
Meet the Author: Siobhan Davis
Lillian: Thank you so much for coming today Siobhan! Tell us a little about yourself 🙂
Siobhan: First and foremost I’m a mom to two beautiful boys; my sons are aged fourteen and nine. Up until recently, I was an employee – I worked as Head of Human Resources for an Irish-owned IT company for twelve years. I’ve decided to take some time out of the rat-race that is the corporate world to focus on my writing. I’m wife to Trevor and we’ve been together for sixteen years, though we only married in 2007. I write YA science fiction romance with a fantasy/paranormal twist and my debut novel (and Book 1 in my series) True Calling was released in August 2014.
When I’m not writing I love to spend time with my family and friends and indulge my passion for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and good food! I’m also an avid reader and YA, NA and crime novels are my favorites. I also love going to the movies and taking a walk on the beach near my house.
Lillian: What inspired you to become a writer?
Siobhan: I loved reading from a very early age and English was one of my favourite subjects in school. My corporate career involved a huge amount of writing though it was mainly corporate communications, policy documents and management reports/proposals. I’d felt the desire to write fiction for years (I was always dreaming up stories in my head and dissecting books/movies) and once I started fiction-writing five/six years ago I couldn’t, and haven’t, stopped. I’m a member of a writing group and I try to write something every day or every other day. It’s not really something that I choose to do at this stage –it’s something I feel compelled to do and it’s as vital to me as breathing! I have lots of things written, but my first published work is True Calling.
Lillian: Is there any author or book that influenced you growing up?
Siobhan: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and Virginia Andrews Flowers in the Attic series both made lasting impressions on me (I love the dark stuff). I’m also a big fan of crime thrillers. My favorite crime author is Tess Gerrittsen and I love her Rizzoli & Isles series. But the last eight years or so I’ve been hooked on YA, and I have an ever-growing list of of favorite YA authors including Laini Taylor, J K Rowling, John Green, Marie Lu, Veronica Roth, and Susan Kaye Quinn (a new fav). However, the YA authors who have most influenced my own writing are Stephenie Meyer (I obsessed over the Twilight books), Suzanne Collins (such a talented writer. THG Trilogy is exceptionally well written) and most recently Jennifer L. Armentrout. I only discovered Jennifer about five months ago and I’ve read all 31 of her books. I devour anything she writes and I am in awe of her talent and her ability to write so many excellent books so quickly. I bow at the altar of JLA.
Lillian: Is there anything in your series based on real-life experience/events or is it purely imagination?
Siobhan: It’s largely my imagination though there is an experience from my own teenage years that I have drawn on to write a few scenes in Beyond Reach and Light of a Thousand Stars.
Lillian: I love reading from Zane’s POV (#TeamZane) as we get to glimpse what life was like on Earth after Ari went to Novo. What was your favorite part/chapter to write and why?
Siobhan: I really enjoyed writing Zane’s part in the first novel. Even though the timeline is the same as Ariana’s part, the experiences were very different. Zane’s voice felt very natural to me and I found it much easier to write his chapters. I adored writing Light of a Thousand Stars, which is narrated purely from Zane’s perspective. This relays Ari and Zane’s love story prior to their separation and it is an emotionally-charged tale. I don’t mind telling you that I was crying writing the end chapter and it really tugged on my heart strings. Everyone that has read it so far have all said the same. So this one comes with a health warning – make sure you have a sturdy box of Kleenex by your side!
Lillian: Yes!! Absolutely you need tissues to read Light of a Thousand Stars! If you could go back and do it all over again, is there anything you would change about your series (not that you need to 😉 )?
Siobhan: To be honest there isn’t really that much I would change. There are some scenes I feel I could have expanded on a little, and a couple of others that could have been slightly shorter, but overall I’m very happy with the end result. The feedback I have received from readers, in the main, has been absolutely fantastic, so that affirms my belief in the final published version.
Lillian: Personally I’d love to know more about the group that joins Ari and the others towards the end of Beyond Reach. Is there a character or theme/idea from your series you’d like to go back to?
Siobhan: Isla Munroe has an interesting backstory and I may write that someday. I am also considering writing a companion Novella told from Cal’s perspective. However, for the moment I’m focused on my new series and if I do decide to write anymore on the True Calling series it will be much later in the year.
Lillian: What project are you working on now?
Siobhan: I’m currently finalizing the draft of Destiny Rising, which is the final book in the True Calling series. I have also already plotted and started writing book 1 of my new YA science fiction romance series. It’s called ‘Saven: Deception.’
Lillian: What is some of the hardest criticism you’ve had to deal with since becoming a published author? Best compliment?
Siobhan: I’m very fortunate that most of the people who have read my books have really enjoyed them. Some readers haven’t and it’s always hard to hear negative feedback. But I’ve learnt to take the good with the bad and not to dwell too much on them. Sometimes bad reviews – if they are well-written – can actually add value. Books are so subjective; what one person loves another will hate and most every book has a mix of great and poor reviews. Recently someone gave me a 1 star review on Amazon based on his reading of my book description – that’s right, he hadn’t even read the book! He couldn’t suspend belief and get over the fact that I have positioned Planet Novo so close to Earth. I am well aware that it’s unrealistic but I needed to position both locations close together to support the plot, and I won’t apologize for that. I write science fiction romance with a fantasy thread and if you can’t suspend belief or you only like factual based science fiction then my books are not for you. As an author, I have creative license and I’m not afraid to use it. Of course this person is entitled to their opinion but I felt it was a bit harsh to rate a book that they haven’t actually read.
In terms of the best compliment, it’s really hard to pinpoint one as I’ve garnered so many great reviews and all of them warm my heart. I’ve included some snippets from some of my best blogger reviews on the book page in Amazon. There is one reader review that stands out in my mind so I’ll quote it here “True Calling is a mix of The Hunger Games and a better version of the movie Elysium.”
Lillian: Do you have any advice you’d like to share with aspiring writers?
I’m still learning my craft so I don’t feel I’m qualified yet to pass on advice to other writers, but I have reads tons of advice from established authors and the two things that resonate with me are:
- Write every day – it’s important to flex the muscle.
- Never stop believing in yourself – there are enough people out there who will doubt you, so don’t doubt yourself.
Lillian: Good advice 😀 Is there anything you would like to share with your fans?
Siobhan: True Calling, Book 1 in the series is available to download exclusively on Amazon at a specially discounted price of 0.99.
I have recently set up a Street Team and I am looking to sign up more members! If you are interested in contributing and meeting other like-minded bookaholics please email me – siobhan@siobhandavis.com. The main requirement is that you must have read True Calling and rated it a minimum of 4 stars. Street Team members will have access to advanced complimentary review copies of all my books and will be eligible to enter my quarterly member-only giveaways for book vouchers, books, swag and other book-related items!
Sign up to my mailing list to receive a free True Calling short story!
I love hearing from readers so feel free to reach out to me!
Author website: www.siobhandavis.com
Author blog: http://siobhandavisauthor.wordpress.com
Twitter: @siobhandavis
Facebook: TrueCallingBooks
Goodreads Author profile: www.goodreads.com
Amazon Author profile: www.amazon.com/Siobhan-Davis
Lillian: Now for the really hard questions 😀 Favorite color?
Siobhan: Pink
Lillian: Favorite movie?
Siobhan:Titanic
Lillian: Favorite TV show?
Siobhan: Criminal Minds
Lillian: Favorite place to write?
Siobhan: At home.
Lillian: If you had to choose just one book, what would it be and why?
Siobhan: God, you’re killing me here. Who could pick just one??!! This response changes all the time, but at the moment I’m going to say ‘Pure’ which is Book 2 in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Covenent Series. I’ve chosen this because it’s a totally amazing read (as is the entire series) but I cannot get that brilliant New York catkills scene out of my head. The dialog between Aiden, Seth and Alex is hysterical and I have never laughed so much at a book. My husband was in bed beside me when I read it for the first time and he was looking at me as if I had finally lost my mind. I seriously didn’t stop laughing for about fifteen minutes.
Lillian: Last question and possibly the most important 😉 ….What brand of cereal best describes you and why?
Siobhan: Love this question! As Head of HR I had overall responsibility for recruitment and I’m raging that I didn’t come across this one before – I so would have added it to our list, just to see how the techies would have responded to that!! Now onto my answer (I’m not going to use a brand as I live in Ireland and it may not resonate with your readers so I’ll just pick a cereal that I feel describes me): Muesli because I’m a bit boring and a bit nutty in equal measures, and I’ve been known to get a bit fruity after one too many aforementioned Sauvignon Blancs!!
Don’t Miss True Calling, Books 1 & 2 Available Now!
True Calling by Siobhan Davis
(Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads)Series: True Calling, #1
on 2014-08-01
Genres: Dystopian, Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Social Issues, Speculative, Young Adult
Pages: 289
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Goodreads
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo • 
Planet Novo, nestled in space twelve hundred miles above the surface of the Earth, is the new home of 17-year-old Cadet Ariana Skyee. Confused by the government-sanctioned memory erase and distressed at her impending forced marriage and motherhood, Ariana’s plans for the future are thrown into complete disarray.
As the traumatic events within her family life enfold, Ariana grows increasingly alarmed at the authorities apparent pre-occupation with her and feels progressively more isolated and alone.
Her growing feelings for fellow Cadet Cal Remus intensify as the recently announced pageant, ‘The Calling’, gets underway. Struggling to comprehend the continuous, inexplicable dreams of the mysterious Zane, discovering the past helps shape her future, with devastating personal consequences.
Beyond Reach by Siobhan Davis
(Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads)Series: True Calling, #2
Published by Self Publish on 2015-04-30
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 440
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Goodreads
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo •
Back on Earth, Ariana is caught in a dangerous crossfire between clandestine rebel organization Clementia and the power-hungry government. Refusing to divulge the location of the secret information entrusted to her by her late father, she desperately tries to bargain for her Mom, Lily, and Cal’s rescue. She’s fighting a losing battle, and the clock is ticking.
Presented with evidence of her fiancé Cal’s apparent betrayal, she loyally defends him despite her concerns. With her emotions in turmoil, matters become even more complicated as she grows closer to her ex-boyfriend Zane.
When the stakes are raised, a succession of shocking revelations rocks her world, setting her on a path that will not only change her destiny but the fate of humanity.
Confronted by a memory so abhorrent comes a truth she would do anything to forget.
But some things just can’t be undone.
Also Available….
Tour-Wide Giveaway
There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Beyond Reach. These are the prizes you can win:
– 2 e-copies of Beyond Reach by Siobhan Davis
– 2 10$ amazon gift cards
[rafflecopter 1000e4f1105]
About Siobhan Davis
USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling True Calling, Saven, and Kennedy Boys series.
Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.
Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.
She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
I loved reading your interview with Siobhan! It’s so much to get to know the author behind the book more. And that question about which breakfast cereal brand describes you best is an awesome question! I can’t wait to read Destiny Rising after the cliffhanger of Beyond Reach and I want to know if my suspicious concerning the secret mentioned in LOATS are correct. Great interview and thanks for being part of this tour!
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You and me both! I’ve got so many theories for Ari and Zane and Cal. I kinda can’t wait for August 😀