Monday, September 9, 2013

Tour Kick-off! {Meet & Greet and Villain Repertoire}—The Elite series by Jonathan Yanez

We're kicking off The Elite series blog tour! Meet the author, learn more about one of the villains in the series,
and enter to win an ebook or an Amazon gift card. Visit The Elite series tour schedule for reviews,
excerpts, guest posts, a tens list, and more!


The Beast Within
The Elite series  #1
Publication: March 22nd, 2013 by Limitless Publishing
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy


Once eighteen-year-old Connor Moore stumbles across an almost human species, he is faced with history’s darkest secret, a daunting future, and a love life he can’t even begin to explain.

Concealed throughout the pages of time, there has been a powerful race of human-like creatures manipulating mankind. This Elite race is made up of five ruling families, who have obeyed The Law and remained content to keep their identities a mystery. Now after centuries of secrecy, an ancient foe is forcing them out of hiding.

When a dark-haired mystery woman named Laren crosses Connor’s path his life is turned upside down. Soon Connor is taken on a heart-pounding journey that leads to a startling discovery of who he really is and a daunting future of what he is to become.

** The Beast Within has been optioned for TV/Film! **

Available on:



The Trials
The Elite series  #2
Publication: July 1st, 2013 by Limitless Publishing
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Lives will be lost, prophecies fulfilled, and trials endured.
Connor Moore doesn’t have the same luxury as other eighteen-year-olds. He has been called upon to assume the mantle of the Judge of an Elite race of humans. Now to prove himself to a population who doubts him, he must pass a series of three trials that will test his mind, body and spirit.

Things are made worse when two women vying for his affection finally meet and Connor realizes a decision must come soon. However, there is little time for personal life when an ancient evil force returns to the realm of men and Elites. If he fails to pass the series of trials to prove his claim as Judge and earn the Elite race’s support, the world will have no hope.

With the support of friends and loved ones, Connor embarks on his trials. He begins a journey that will take him from dangerous jungles, to lost islands and dungeons not of this world. Friends will fall, new allies will be made and true darkness will make its presence known.

Available on:




Welcome, Jonathan! The blog tour for your series, The Elite, kicks off today! Are you flexing your muscles or sweating and nervously running a hand through your hair? :)
If those are my only two options, I'm going to go with flexing. I'm really excited for the blog tour kickoff and being able to connect with readers and reviewers alike.

Describe The Elite series in two sentences.
The Elite series centers around eighteen-year-old named Connor Moore who discovers he’s a descendant from a powerful group of humans called Elites. These Elites are divided into five ruling families and have been manipulating the outcome of history since the beginning of time.

What inspired the idea behind the premise?
I wanted to create a YA story with a male lead and do it in such a way to grab both female and male readers. I also wanted to bring something knew to the table in way of vampires and werewolves. I wanted to explain who they were in a more realistic and believable way.

What was the most challenging part of writing it?
The "unknown" factor would definitely haunt me at times. Not knowing if people would receive it well, not knowing if I would be able to find a agent/publisher. I just had to push all the fear and doubt out of my mind and tell myself that this was going to happen.

How many installments do you plan on being in the series?
The Elite series is going to be either 4 or 5 books long. The reason I'm not sure is because I'm currently working on book 3 and I don't want to extend out the series just because I can. If there is more story to tell, I will. If not, then I'm completely ready to close it.

How does it feel to have your debut out there in the hands of readers?
Like a dream come true. I know it should have sunk in already, but it hasn't. I signed with my publisher early January 2013, and since then, the ball has kept rolling.

Besides writing, what other artistic talents do you have?
I can play the piano and maybe the saxophone. I say maybe because its been a few years. I'm a horrible drawer, but I can color in the lines, does that count?
Ha! It counts. Maybe.
And I'm in the same boat—I can play the piano and the alto sax and maybe violin, too. :)

Are you currently writing another book?
Yes, the third installment in The Elite series and I'm also working on another project. I'll be mysterious about that one for now.
Darn. With the way The Trials ended, I'm dying to know to know what happens next.

What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Don't stop. Whether you're looking for an agent/publisher or writing a book you never fail until you give up. Embrace the process and have fun.





Current Obsession:
Smallville. I know I'm late to the party, but a friend lent us all 10 seasons. We're on season 6 now.
Last thing you Googled:
Trask Industries... I know I'm such a nerd.
You’re stressed. What’s the first thing you do or reach for?
The gym. My day job is a personal trainer so working out is a great way for me to relieve stress and practice what I preach to my clients.
You write best with __CAFFEINE__ at __MY DESK__ and in your __PAJAMA BOTTOMS__.
Best writing resource:
Other books or the internet. I google things non stop.
Guilty pleasure:
I don't know what it is about cheery pie, but it calls for me on a daily basis. If I let myself I could eat it all the time.
Automatic buy-list author:
George R.R. Martin
Favorite YA Paranormal Romance:
Jonathan Maberry's Benny Imura Series. Need to get my zombie fix.
Character you wish was real so you could meet:e fix.
Is it bad that I've spent a lot of time thinking about this already? It's a toss up between James Bond and Wolverine.
Your favorite Stark—Eddard, Rob, Sansa, Arya, Bran, or Jon Snow?
Arya is a beast! I don't want to say too much because I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but the direction her character is going in is awesome. I can't wait for the next book to be published.
I know! I can't wait for The Winds of Winter, either.
Let's hope it releases in 2015, as expected.


Faust Ulfric

My name is Faust Ulfric. I am a descendent from one of the five Elite families and for years I have waited to make my move. For years I have sat by and followed The Law, an ancient set of rules created by the first meeting of the five families. For years I have done nothing as lesser families have taken land and wealth that does not belong to them.
I can bear it no longer. The spoils of war should go to the strong, not the self serving or entitled. I say away with The Law, if my family will not rise against the others then I will. I will take it upon myself to raise my family to their rightful place and if they will not follow then so be it. I will assume control of the Elite race myself.
The time for old men to sit and talk is over. The time for action is at hand. There are a few that have the power to challenge me a few that may be able to stop me. But these few best be prepared for a war because I do not stand alone. There is another. Another more powerful then any ever known and he is coming to extract his vengeance both on the Elite and human race alike.

Likes:
Scheming and plotting the fall of the Abelardus family.
Ripping heads off of his victims.
Looking into magical mirrors.
Lying while under oath.
Wearing fancy suits and having expensive things.
Midnight meetings in the forest.
Wreaking havoc on humanity
Dislikes:
All other Elite families.
Having his eyes ripped out.
Not being invited to dinner.
The idea of Connor as a Judge.
The Council and what they stand for.
Horrible Deeds:
Killed Katie's father by decapitation.
Beat up and bloodied Lu and Laren.
Brought Connor to the brink of death.
Turned Katie into an Elite.
Set flower shops on fire.



Jonathan Yanez was born and raised in a Christian household in Oxnard, CA. He was involved in everything from piano and saxophone lessons to swimming and track. Growing up, his parents encouraged him to read, and he did—anything he could get his hands on. Soon he developed a fascination with storytelling and characters that would follow him the rest of his life.

Graduating from BIOLA University with his BA in English Literature, he never lost his love for writing and creating. He now works part-time as a personal trainer and hopes to one day make the move to writing full-time.

Other than reading and writing, his passion is living life to the fullest. He loves spending time with his wife and pets, watching movies, participating in mud runs, traveling, going to the gym, and pushing his limits in everything. This desire takes him anywhere from skydiving and motorcycle riding, to surfing in Hawaii and various types of martial arts. He has his eyes set next on archery and running with the bulls in Spain.

He is married to the love of his life and resides in Southern California with his husky, Daphne, and cat, Helen.



Three (3) eBook copies of The Beast Within OR The Trials (winners’ choice of book and format) {International}
Two (2) $15 Amazon gift cards {International}

2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for all of your work. Your site looks amazing!

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    Replies
    1. You're quite welcome, Jonathan! Thanks for stopping by. :)

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