We're kicking off the Courage blog tour! Meet the Carrie Butler, learn more about one of the villains in the Mark of Nexus series, and enter to win a signed paperback, one of five eBook copies, and a limited edition Mark of Nexus series pillowcase to rest your head on Wallace's abs. Visit the Courage tour schedule for reviews, excerpts, guest posts, interviews, and more!
Courage
by Carrie Butler
Mark of Nexus #2
Publication: October 15th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Making a deal with the bad guys wasn’t the highlight of Rena Collins’ semester, but hey, it saved her boyfriend. Now, in order to appease the human-altering organization known as ERA, she’ll crawl under their microscope while they study the Mark of Nexus and plot their eye-glazed version of the future--until she realizes that’s not all they’re plotting.
Wallace Blake has always known his girlfriend is unlike most girls. But now that information has surfaced regarding the two bloodlines that balance his supernatural race, he finally understands why. Rena belongs to one of them. She’s been augmenting his power, all along...
Enter: Corynn Catley. Brought into the country under the guise of an internship, she’s intended to become ERA’s secret weapon. Kind of. Her abilities cancel out Wallace’s, rendering him powerless, but that’s exactly what he’s always wanted. Too bad it only works when his girlfriend’s not around.
All the while, Rena fails to notice the crush her geeky best friend, Aiden Ross, is nursing. He’d give anything for her to see him in a new light--even reinvent himself through questionable means--but there’s a reason people are told to be careful what they wish for. Finding the courage to tell her could put everyone’s lives in danger.
** Courage (Mark of Nexus #2) is a New Adult paranormal romance that features four unique points-of-view. The novel is best enjoyed after Strength (Mark of Nexus #1). **
Wallace Blake has always known his girlfriend is unlike most girls. But now that information has surfaced regarding the two bloodlines that balance his supernatural race, he finally understands why. Rena belongs to one of them. She’s been augmenting his power, all along...
Enter: Corynn Catley. Brought into the country under the guise of an internship, she’s intended to become ERA’s secret weapon. Kind of. Her abilities cancel out Wallace’s, rendering him powerless, but that’s exactly what he’s always wanted. Too bad it only works when his girlfriend’s not around.
All the while, Rena fails to notice the crush her geeky best friend, Aiden Ross, is nursing. He’d give anything for her to see him in a new light--even reinvent himself through questionable means--but there’s a reason people are told to be careful what they wish for. Finding the courage to tell her could put everyone’s lives in danger.
** Courage (Mark of Nexus #2) is a New Adult paranormal romance that features four unique points-of-view. The novel is best enjoyed after Strength (Mark of Nexus #1). **
Available on:
Strength
Mark of Nexus #1
Original Publication: March 7th, 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing
Re-release: August 19th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Mark of Nexus #1
Original Publication: March 7th, 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing
Re-release: August 19th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.
Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation—and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…
Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.
They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do—even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.
Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation—and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…
Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.
They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do—even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.
Available on:
Tired. LOL
I’m kidding (mostly). I feel humbled by everyone’s support!
I’m kidding (mostly). I feel humbled by everyone’s support!
♥ Describe the Mark of Nexus series in two sentences for those who haven't started it (yet).
The Mark of Nexus series revolves around a spitfire who falls for the campus outcast. Throw in deranged relatives, supernatural bloodlines, and an organization hell-bent on taking the future into their own hands. That pretty much sums things up. ;)
♥ What inspired the idea behind the series' premise?
It started as a "what if" scenario. What if a unique, supernatural race lived among us? What if there was more than one? How would the world stay in balance?
I listened to music while I plotted out a few points, and the 2005 Five for Five cover of "All I Know" came on. Wow. The lyrics—especially the first few lines about bruising each other—really struck me. As I considered them, the figurative meaning morphed into a more literal scenario. How tortured a man with uncontrollable strength must be... falling in love for the first time... unable to touch the woman he loves without hurting her...
That's how the romance element fell into place. ♥
I listened to music while I plotted out a few points, and the 2005 Five for Five cover of "All I Know" came on. Wow. The lyrics—especially the first few lines about bruising each other—really struck me. As I considered them, the figurative meaning morphed into a more literal scenario. How tortured a man with uncontrollable strength must be... falling in love for the first time... unable to touch the woman he loves without hurting her...
That's how the romance element fell into place. ♥
♥ How many installments do you plan on being in the series?
It feels like a trilogy, but the third book might not be able to contain everything. If all else fails, I’ll just have to write a separate novella for Cole.
♥ So far, what has been the most challenging part of writing it?
Keeping track of timelines! Sometimes, I get a scene in my head and I have to write it—even if that means skipping thirty chapters and circling back. As you might imagine, that’s where things start to get sticky.
♥ Was there anything with Courage that didn't turn out as planned when you started the series or book?
The ending. Definitely. I was freaking out when it went off course, but it’s so much better (and darker) this way.
♥ One fun or interesting fact about/behind the series that most don't know
Cole has a personality disorder.
♥ You design all your book covers, promotional images, videos, and webpages. How long have you been a graphic designer, and how did you learn?
Before I started Forward Authority, I did freelance graphic design for four years. I learned by studying every resource I could find—books, the Internet, other designers, etc.—and experimenting with various tools. That took a decade.
It was fun, though!
It was fun, though!
♥ Besides writing, what other artistic talents do you have?
I can draw (sometimes), paint (when my ADD is in check), sing (in the shower), dance (while cleaning), and play the trombone (kind of).
♥ Here's a toughie: If you had to choose one for life, would you write or design?
Ouch! I think I’d have to go with writing. I have too many ideas to keep them to myself.
♥ The easy: Are you currently writing another book?
Yep! I just started Loyalty (Mark of Nexus #3). I’m going to try writing it alongside one of my other WIPs. *gulp*
♥ The (not-so) middle ground: Who do you love more—Wallace or me (Raina, not Rena)? *bats lashes*
You. Between Rena and his fangirls, Wallace has all the love he needs. LOL
♥ Current Obsession:
I just finished Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid, so I’m stalking her until the next book comes out.
♥ Last thing you Googled: The amygdala and prefrontal cortex—boring, I know.
♥ You’re stressed. What’s the first thing you do or reach for? Green tea and Guild Wars 2!
♥ You write best with __NO DISTRACTIONS__ during __THE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING__ and in your __OFFICE__.♥ Inspiration hits, but you're not home or near your computer. You _____.
Write on anything available—my phone, a napkin, my arm, etc.
♥ Best writing resource: ♥ Guilty pleasure:
Firefly marathons
♥ Automatic buy-list author:Rachel Gibson or Gena Showalter
♥ Favorite Paranormal Romance: The Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter
♥ Favorite villain of all time♥ Character you wish was real so you could meet:
Wallace ;)
♥ Your favorite Lannister—Jaime, Tyrion, or Tywin? (And if you say Cersei, well ... hear me roar.) Wallace ;)Don’t kill me, but I have no idea what we’re talking about. LOL Hello, Mr. Google... Oh, oh! I haven’t read/watched that yet, so I choose whichever one is your favorite. *ducks*
Thanks, Raina!
Thank you, Carrie!
Thanks, Raina!
Thank you, Carrie!
10 Facts About Faye Tobler
Note: This list contains spoilers from STRENGTH (Mark of Nexus #1).
• They have one daughter (Elise Frasier) and one granddaughter (Gail Frasier).
• She is the president of R.S. Tobler Laboratories, Inc.
• She has one brother (Henry Lawrence) and one sister (Clara Blake).
• In her younger years, she served a humanitarian organization overseas.
• That killed her—kind of.
• She came back.
• In case you haven’t guessed, she’s not exactly human.
• Her dream is to forcibly evolve mankind, in order to create a perfect society.
• She’s closer than you think...
Carrie Butler
Carrie Butler daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.
Her passion for New Adult fiction led her to co-found NA Alley—a widely recognized informational hub for the category. She is the author of STRENGTH (Mark of Nexus #1) and COURAGE (Mark of Nexus #2).
Her passion for New Adult fiction led her to co-found NA Alley—a widely recognized informational hub for the category. She is the author of STRENGTH (Mark of Nexus #1) and COURAGE (Mark of Nexus #2).
• One (1) signed paperback of Courage by Carrie Butler {US only}
• Five (5) eBook copies of Courage {INT only}
• One (1) limited edition Mark of Nexus pillowcase {US only}
• Five (5) eBook copies of Courage {INT only}
• One (1) limited edition Mark of Nexus pillowcase {US only}
Thank you so much for having me over, Raina! I really appreciate it. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Carrie! Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck. :)
Thanks, Melissa! :)
DeleteThank you, Melissa!
Delete