Welcome to my stop on the Bonds of Resolve Blog Tour, a tour celebrating the release of the latest book in the Cadicle series by Amy DuBoff! I have included a bit of info on all three books below, and with book one FREE and book two only $0.99(both for a limited time only!) now is the time to get started with this awesome series.
Out of sight beyond Earth, the Taran empire spans the galaxy from its seat of power on Tararia.
Cris Sietinen was born with rare telekinetic gifts—abilities he refuses to ignore, regardless of the governing Priesthood's decrees. But, as heir to the most influential Dynasty on Tararia, only a stifled life of business and politics awaits him within the confines of his family's estate. Determined to be true to himself and explore the potential of his abilities, Cris leaves Tararia to begin a new life touring the stars.
When Cris unexpectedly receives an invitation to join the Tararian Selective Service (TSS), the only organization to offer an official telekinesis training program, a new future awaits. It's his dream opportunity to be among people like himself, free from the Priesthood and political objectives. Except, Cris' path was designed, and he's right where the Priesthood wants him.
Architects of Destiny is the first installment in the Cadicle series, a new space opera epic with elements of "Dune" and "Ender's Game." A fast-paced space adventure with intrigue, coming-of-age and romance, this short prequel is a prelude to the defining events in Tararia’s history in the ensuing years.
The greatest deceptions are never suspected. After twenty years with the Tararian Selective Service, Cris Sietinen is in the unprecedented position of being both Lead Agent and heir to a High Dynasty.
Family, career, information—it would seem he has it all. But when his fourteen-year-old son, Wil, is captured by the mysterious Bakzen, Cris is forced to question all that he once took for granted in his life.
Only one thing remains clear: it's imperative he rescue Wil. What Cris and Wil learn in the process will change their perception forever.
Veil of Reality is the second installment in the Cadicle series, a new space opera epic with elements of "Dune" and "Ender's Game." This fast-paced adventure novel with intrigue, danger and self-discovery begins to untie the knot of secrets binding the TSS, High Dynasties and the Priesthood.
A year after his encounter with the Bakzen, Wil is still grappling with his upcoming role in the war. Weighed down by his sense of duty and a grim vision of his fate, he has withdrawn from friends and family—focusing only on his official assignments. However, Wil finds unexpected support when he befriends a new TSS trainee from Earth, Saera. Through their budding relationship, Wil comes to terms with the purpose he was born to fulfill and gains comfort in the knowledge that he won't have to face the future alone.
With a sweet romance, coming-of-age, and a dash of adventure, this novel follows Wil as he completes his training to become the youngest and most powerful Agent the TSS has ever known.
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Interview Questions:
1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I first started dreaming of being a writer in fourth grade. My teacher gave us a prompt to write the beginning of a novel. I took it and ran with it. I think I got about seven chapters in before I became distracted by other things--in typical kid fashion--but that was definitely what ignited my interest in writing. A few years later, I began the initial sketches of what would eventually evolve into my Cadicle series.
2. What is your favorite book?
That's a tough one... "Dune" by Frank Herbert comes out on top, but "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card is a close second. Both were quite influential at a young age.
3. How much of your own life do you put into your stories if any?
I like that you asked this, because it's an interesting question in the context of science fiction. Being a largely different universe than day-to-day reality, there are some striking differences from my own life. But, I will say this--my early drafts of the book were pretty terrible when it came to characterizing a new love relationship. It took falling in true love and going through that experience myself before I was able to really do what I had envisioned with the story.
4. What is your dream location to live and which of your characters or characters from you favorite books would you take with you?
If we're talking fantasy here, I'd absolutely go live on Tararia with my characters :-). I'd take my whole cast with me... minus the Priesthood. But, I'd especially want to take Cris. As for here on Earth... I think I could settle into alternating between a beach in Bora Bora and some classic European city, like Vienna.
5. Who are the authors that have inspired you?
Frank Herbert, Orson Scott Card, and Robert Jordan are probably the biggest influences. But, I like to take a little something from everything I read. I will always admire the imagination of those that helped define the genre in the Golden Age, like Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov. Such visionaries!
6. What has been the best part of your self publishing journey?
Aside from the "Yay, I did it!!!" reaction :-), it is so gratifying to have readers say they genuinely loved my book. But really, I'm just excited to finally be sharing my story universe with the world.
7. Do you know how your stories will end or does it come to you as you go?
I have the entire Cadicle series mapped out at this point, though it took many years to get there. It started out as a two-part novel, then became two books, then a trilogy... But, I took a step back and realized the core series would be best as seven books covering three generations of characters. Those volumes are now all outlined and just need to be written. However, there's much more to the universe than will be contained in those volumes. So, if you fall in love with the story universe, rest assured that there are plenty of spin-offs in the wings. But, also rest assured that I do have the core story arch mapped out and I know what's going to happen to everyone.
8. From your own list of characters do you have a favorite?
Wil, who's introduced in Volume 2, is my favorite, but I adore each character in their own way. Wil stands out as my favorite because he's the most complex--he needs to balance the fate and responsibilities he's dealt with finding his own identity. It's an interesting position to explore as a writer (and psychology major :-)).
9. What other books do you have in the works? Can you give us a short description?
I intend to finish the core books in the Cadicle series before I tackle any other novel-length projects. But, after that, I'd like to work on a standalone sci-fi space thriller.
About Amy:
Amy has always loved science fiction—books, movies, shows and games. She was born in San Diego, Calif., and moved with her family to Vancouver, Wash., at the age of seven. After devouring some of the classics like Dune and Ender's Game in her tween years, she began writing science fiction and fantasy short stories.
In the ensuing years, Amy attended the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, where she continued to study creative writing, visual art and played viola in the school orchestra. During this time, she began the very early sketches of what would eventally evolve into the Cadicle series.
Amy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Portland State University, and also pursued minors in Professional Writing and Business Administration. After graduating, she moved to Portland, Ore., and began working in business development for an energy efficiency consulting firm. Over the next several years, she primarily wrote proposals to prospective utility clients and managed the proposal development process. She recently transitioned from energy efficiency into the architectural, engineering and planning industry.
Amy currently lives in Portland, Ore., with her husband. When she's not writing, she enjoys travel, wine tasting, binge-watching TV series and playing epic strategy board games.
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