The Valley of Decision by Shannon McDermott – Interview + Giveaways

A themed book tour through Prism Book Tours.

The Valley of Decision by Shannon McDermott
Adult Fantasy
Paperback, 416 pages
May 31st 2014 by SALT Christian Press

“A solid fantasy that wears its spirituality lightly yet effectively.”
~Kirkus Reviews (read the entire review here)

Where the Black Mountains pierce the sky, they divide the south from the north, Alamir from the kingdom of Belenus. Belenus, the undying master of the north, commanded Keiran – the Captain of the Hosts – to conquer Alamir. But the Captain is deep in conspiracy, and he has his own plans.

The Valley of Decision is a fantasy novel, a saga of slavery, freedom, and choices.

AmazonSALT Christian Press

authorinterview
Today, Shannon McDermott is visiting Brooke Blogs to answer some interview questions. Thank you so much for stopping by & answering my questions, Shannon! 🙂

1) What is a day of writing like for you? (Where do you like to write, certain time of day, schedule, etc.)
I usually write in the afternoons and evenings. When I make notes or write the first draft of a scene, I do it in a notebook, which I can and have done in many different places. But I prefer to be at my desk, with coffee or tea and music playing. When I’m completing the polished draft on the computer, or doing Internet research, I have to be at my desk.

2) What is your favorite part of the writing process?
When I take my scenes, written longhand in my notebook, and transcribe them into the computer, revising and polishing as I go. It’s easier than the initial writing, and I finish with a feeling of satisfaction. The scene is done! Until my editor gets her hands on it, anyway.

3) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read. Listen to music. Watch television. Talk with family and friends.

4) If you could visit any era, where would you visit and why?

Just to visit? New York City in the early 1900s. The city was becoming itself during those years, and it was very much alive, with newsboys shouting on the corners, and so many immigrants coming off the ships, vaudeville rollicking and the presses rolling.

I might also pick England, including the countryside but particularly London, between the end of the Napoleonic wars and the late nineteenth century. Britain was preeminent in the world then, and the history alone would be fascinating. I also think it would be interesting just to see. I’d be interested in medieval Ireland, too, again for history and simply to see. And maybe a little sentimentality.

5) What are some of your favorite books?
The Napoleon of Notting Hill, by G. K. Chesterton. The Lord of the Rings. The Chronicles of Narnia and C. S. Lewis’ The Problem of Pain. Modern Times and A History of the American People, by Paul Johnson. Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga, and Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Starflower and Dragonwitch.

6) What authors influence your own writing?

G. K. Chesterton, for one. I’ve actually borrowed some of his phrases in my own writing. Tolkien and Lewis were early influences, too, just by stirring my interest in fantasy stories and by showing me how novels can contain beauty and truth.

Shannon McDermott is a Christian author of speculative fiction, as well as a humorous detective series called “The Adventures of Christian Holmes”. She has written both fantasy and science fiction, and has yet to decide on which one to like better.

She was born to Wisconsin, expatriates in California, grew up on the East Coast, and now lives in the Midwest. Her principal hobbies are politics, history, novels, and coffee.

WebsiteBlogGoodreadsFacebook

Tour-Wide Giveaway

– INT Grand Prize: $25 Amazon gift card and ebooks of The Valley of Decision and The Sunrise Windows
– 2 print copies of The Valley of Decision (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour:

6/16 – Launch

6/17
Katie’s Clean Book Collection
Hope To Read

6/18
Bookworm Lisa
Distractions of Grandeur

6/19
Finding the True Fairy Tale
I Love to Read and Review Books 🙂
Rhiannon Paille – YA Fantasy Author

6/20
Kelly P’s Blog
Mythical Books

6/22
alwaysjoart
Brooke Blogs

6/23
Coffee Books & Art
Mel’s Shelves

6/24
The Wonderings of One Person
The Written Adventure

6/25
Mommynificent
Deal Sharing Aunt

6/26
Platypire Reviews
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima
Wishful Endings

6/27
My Devotional Thoughts
Christy’s Cozy Corners

6/29 – Grand Finale

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