Tuesday

Spotlight, Review, Author Interview & Giveaway: The Connection: Two Worlds. One Connection. (The Blood-Light Trilogy #1) by Dana Claire



Book Blurb & Info

Beatrice Walker thought she lived in a normal world—that is until she learned she’s a living hostel for an alien energy source, and apparently the answer to preventing extinction.

Bea has no memory of her last moments with her mother. The week they’d gone missing is a complete mystery. Suddenly moved back to her hometown with her father, Bea has rekindled her friendship with her two best friends—and seems to have caught the attention of an arrogant, yet gorgeous boy named Cash Kingston. But there’s more to Cash than his annoying attitude and good looks. Cash isn’t human, and he’s now in charge of protecting Bea from those who know what she keeps safe inside her: the energy source that once belonged to his murdered girlfriend.

Tensions mount as Bea learns her energy source must be paired with the one Cash holds to protect both their planets from an imminent threat. But what Bea doesn’t realize is there’s more to her than being human a host, that her feelings for Cash are not just a prophetic plan that will save their planets, and that the fate of everything lies in her choices.

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Toot's Review by Betty Bee

Beatrice Walker and Cash Kingston are, as far as I'm concerned, the ultimate YA sci-fi romance. Their relationship was so magnetic and adorable that it ended up being the cherry on top of the sundae that was 'The Connection: Two Worlds. One Connection,' by Dana Claire.

Initially, Beatrice and Cash hate each other. See, he is an alien that has recently been charged with protecting her but he won't actually tell her what he's protecting her from. Plus, he's really handsome. Also, Beatrice didn't know aliens were real until about five minutes ago.

But, lets back up. This story starts with Beatrice and Cash meeting in the hall of their school, Cartwright High. Beatrice notices Cash's model good looks first (wouldn't we all?) and his arrogance second, when he tells her to move out of the way of his locker. She decides that his looks aren't worth putting up with his personality but, little does she know, she's going to have to put up with it.

When she arrives home that day, it's only to discover Cash and his equally stunning sister, Tasha in her house, speaking to her father. What Beatrice learns that afternoon changes her life forever. It turns out that both of her parents worked with the Department of Alien Affairs until Beatrice's mother died in what she was told was a random accident. Now, Beatrice is in danger but no one will tell her from what. Hence the need for a bodyguard and hence the budding romance that starts off a little, shall we say, rough.

This was an excellent read and I'm thrilled to find out that it is only the first in a series. I can't wait to see where this story goes next! Hopefully there will be lots more of Beatrice and Cash's dynamic to enjoy!

Author Interview with Dana Claire by Betty Bee


Describe yourself in five words.

 

Zealous, Loving, Driven, Energizer Bunny, Family Oriented

 

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? 

 

My computer is almost 15 years old, and I won’t get rid of it because I finished my first novel on it. It’s like a good luck charm or a lucky rabbit’s foot just with a keyboard.

 

How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

 

I focus on what could be if I push forward. I also remind myself that self-doubt and fear like fire need fuel and I control the fuel with my thoughts and what I allow into them.


Why do you write? 

 

I get to live a hundred lives through my characters and their stories. How cool is that?!

 

Have you always enjoyed writing?

 

Since I was very small, I’ve always loved writing and reading. I was the little girl with a flashlight under her covers turning one more page or writing in her journal before her mother would remind her, she had school tomorrow.


What motivates you to write? 

 

My mother and I dreamed of co-writing a book together. Unfortunately, cancer had other plans and my mother passed before we could accomplish our joint ambition. I promised her upon her deathbed I would make her proud and continue her legacy determined to see my name in print for the both of us.

 

What writing are you most proud of?


Thus far, I think it would have to be The Awakening, The Blood-Light Trilogy, Book #2 because I wrote it in eight weeks. I’ve never written so fast in my life. It was as if my fingers couldn’t keep up with my brain. The story just flowed out of me. But I do love all of my book babies equally.


What are you most proud of in your personal life? 

 

Marrying the best love story I could ever imagine. I believe my husband is the Prince Charming of my own fairy-tale and it’s an honor to be his wife.

 

What books did you love growing up? 

 

As a toddler, I was obsessed with 101 Dalmatians. I bring this up because by age four I had it memorized and could read it page by page by recall alone. Of course, as I got older, I grew into Nancy Drew books and other mysteries as well as historical fiction which was my favorite genre. By college, I’d read anything YA in one sitting and ever since then, it’s become my most loved category and the genre I write.

 

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live? 

 

I’m from New York and I live in Los Angeles. I think having been exposed to the two biggest cities in the United States has provided a diverse cultural experience. I’ve taken this and submersed it into my writing allowing the worlds I create to be a high fantasy concept contrived of these two markets and environments. I feel very fortunate to have been exposed to these societies.

 

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

 

Getting published has been the hardest part. I’ve been in marketing for 17 years and have a thorough background in how to sell but getting a publisher has been challenging. Writing is the whip cream and sprinkles, the best part of the sundae 😉


Do you find it hard to share your work? 

 

Not at all. I encourage those who write to share their artistry with anyone: a friend, family member, the world. Be heard. I promise it will be worth it.

 

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? 

 

Absolutely. My friends and family are the first to buy my books and review them. I especially love when they call to tell me how they want the sequel to go or ask if they can get insider info on the characters. It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling when your loved ones love your characters and story lines.

 

What else do you do, other than write? 

 

I’m Vice President of a fitness company called, Egg Weights, handling sales, marketing, joint ventures, our wholesale division, filming/casting/creatives, app design, and events. Other than writing, fitness and business are my passions.

 

What other jobs have you had in your life? 

 

I’ve been in sales, marketing and an entrepreneur for over 17 years and I am still in those fields. I’m lucky to have this experience and apply it to my book business.

 

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick? 

 

English or Marketing. I’d love to go back to school and get my master’s in creative writing or a more specific marketing degree. I do have an undergrad English degree and a Business degree. I find going back to school extremely appealing. I wish I had more hours in the day.

 

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? 

 

I write 90% of my books at my 15-year old computer but once and a while when I am traveling for my fitness company, I’ll work from a hotel room. I’m inspired at a desk primarily. It’s hard for me to write anywhere else. However, I’m especially successful on a flight (where my phone is silenced).

 

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? 


Success for me would be to have one of my books picked up and converted into a movie. All of my books are driven by action and I think taking their concepts and turning it into a blockbuster hit would be the ultimate success. As someone who has lived in Los Angeles for many years, I’ve had first-hand experience with filming, casting, and creative and believe to be a part of something I’ve written on screen would be the pinnacle of my career.

 

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

 

I hope for my readers to remember my character’s in their hearts long after the last page is turned and the book placed back on the shelf


Author Info

Author, Dana Claire, believes that a good story is made through strong character development. When readers become attached to the characters’ emotional state and are invested in their objectives, the readers are there for the long haul backing the characters and their emotions. How cool is it to read a book and think about the characters long after you’ve read the last page? She believes that the beauty of reading is that one can live a hundred lives within the stories of books.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be a vampire, slay a dragon, or use a time machine, there’s a book for that.

Website: https://danaclairebooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danaclaire143
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanaClaireBooks/

~Giveaway~


This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ends on April 16, 2021 at midnight pacific. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

~To Enter~
Please fill out the rafflecopter below

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