Brian Young - Blood Veins - Author Interview

Author Interview

1. Who is your favorite character?
My favorite character ended up being Briah.

2. Why is he/she your favorite?
Briah I think stands out the most in the novel. She is the only prominent female character and there is a lot of mystery behind her. The reader won’t be entirely sure where Briah’s allegiances lie. She is a young and strong character, but she is a little naïve and will have a lot of learning to do before the story is over.

3. How did you come to create him/her?
Briah is integral to the story. I knew I needed a strong female character and the role she occupies fits that perfectly. Her role is to lead the other main characters along, all men. They are following a certain path, one that they want to take, but she nudges them in a certain direction in order to make sure they end up where her master wants them. Who better to play that role than an intelligent, attractive and strong female?

4. When did he/she first enter your mind?
She entered my mind very early in the story. She is in the second scene of the first chapter and I always knew I wanted the type of character she portrays to be present in my novel. I grew up with two sisters. I’m married and I have a daughter. I’ve been around a lot of strong women and I think Briah has a lot of those qualities, though she will have some struggles in the novel with her values.

5. Where was he/she given life in the creative process?
Many of the characters in the novel have very limited knowledge about the circumstances surrounding them. Briah develops the most in her interactions during these conversations. She represents a group that has a much greater view of the world beyond what most understand. Briah has answers to many of the questions the other characters are looking for but is forbidden from answering them by her superiors. But Briah is still very young and over the course of the novel as she spends more time away from her former home and more time with her current companions she starts to question where here her future will be.

6. What do like the most about him/her and what do you dislike the most about him/her?
I like that Briah really gets a chance to shine in the novel, both mentally and with her physical prowess. The reader will get to see her struggles especially internally develop throughout the story. She is put into a very dire situation in the latter half of the novel and really shows her toughness and perseverance. I don’t think there is anything about the character I dislike except that I wasn’t able to feature her even more in the novel.

Book Summary:

A black wave has passed over the thriving kingdom of Larista. Mysterious invaders calling themselves the Dolus have swept over the land laying waste to everything in their paths and leaving ghost towns in their wake. No one knows where they came from and no one knows what their purpose is. Tasting nothing but defeat after defeat the light of hope is fading in the kingdom; but the guerrilla forces resisting the Dolus invasion have received new information. This news has provided a small glimmer that could possibly spark into something more. Captain Maximus Rex leads a daring rescue mission deep in the Laristan forests to save the lone surviving member of the royal family.

Once freed Prince Alexander Novelle along with his friends and comrades face a perilous journey deep behind enemy lines. Their destination is Castle Varanasi. The once proud Laristan capital, gateway to heaven and salvation, lies in ruins under Dolus occupation. Mysterious assassins, underworld savages and renegade Dolus survivors stand between them the answers they seek. What they find there will shatter their perceptions and lead to unknown perils none of them are ready to face.

Excerpt:

Percival shook his head. "It's our duty to kill that murdering, traitorous scum, Novell, and free everyone. Not just these people here today. We can't do that on our own though. We need him or no one will follow us."

Maximus cocked his head and looked quizzically at Percy. "You know both their names are Novell, right? Not to mention there's no proof Prodis is responsible for this. I doubt Alexander would appreciate you calling his brother a murdering, traitorous scum."

It was clear Percival was convinced Prodis was responsible and all he gave in response was a short grunt.

"Anyway," Maximus continued, "If Alexander is down there and we don't go in, we will have missed our best and possibly our only chance at freeing him. We go."

Percival's face went blank as he barked out, "Yes Sir."

The captain sighed, his breath showing in the crisp cold air. The rain had started to let up and it seemed the temperature had dropped another ten degrees as the chill renewed its assault against his rain soaked cold weather gear. "I hate it when you call me Sir. It means you disagree with me, or you're mad at me"

Percy gave his Captain a half grin. "First, if I can't call you Maxi and I can't call you Sir, what am I suppose to call you? Second, I do agree with you. I just know when you need someone else to voice your inner thoughts and help you sort things out. Lastly, I'll make sure everyone is ready." Percival finished with his customary grin.

"I hate you sometimes, Lieutenant."

Percival shrugged and turned to pass the plans along to the rest of the squad.


Author Bio:

Brian is a graduate of the University of Oregon. He works as a banker and an editor for Rogue Phoenix Press. He currently resides in Oregon with his wife and daughter.

Find Brian on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Brian-Young/209003422499368


Giveaway:

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY: a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly selected commenter during the tour, and a $15 Amazon GC to the host with the most comments (excluding Brian's or the host's).

Encourage your readers to follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-book-tour-blood-veins-by-brian.html