Meet Deborah A. Bailey, author of 'Hathor Legacy: Outcast'

What was the inspiration behind this book?

I was inspired in part by my years of working in the corporate world. I'm also a big fan of science fiction and stories about space exploration. So it wasn't too hard to imagine what might happen if a corporation took over an entire planet. How would things run? What would be different if there were no separate countries or governments? Another inspiration was my interest in the paranormal. I've always wondered what would happen if psychic powers were mainstream? If there were lots of people who could read minds, or move objects by thought, what impact would that have on society? Obviously it would shake things up quite a bit! So in my book, I've combined those ideas by having the corporation find a way to use the psychic powers to their advantage. That's what led to my creating the group called, the Guardians.

To which character do you best relate?

At first I related to the heroine, Nadira. I feel for her struggle to be herself, while at the same time being forced to put her duty before her desires. Also, I liked that she's a bit rebellious and wants to do things her own way. But as I continued to write, I found myself relating much more to Jon, the hero of the story. He's dropped into a world where he has no allies, other than Nadira, and he's not sure whom to trust. He makes decisions based on his gut instinct and his passions, which leads to a lot of conflict with Nadira and a few others! I like how he's self-assured, even when he's not making the best decisions. There are times when I'd like to have a bit of that swagger for myself.

Will we ever see these characters again?

Most definitely! I'm working on the second book, and there will probably be a third. The more I write, the more of the history of the Guardians is revealed. As I explore the characters, I'm getting even more ideas for future books. But I also like to write short stories. So, some of the characters may turn up in a short story or two!

What is one of your favorite scenes in the book?

For me it's the scene where Nadira rescues Jonathan from the attack. She's using powers she didn't even know she had. For the first time, she's not in control of her emotions or her abilities. She just reacts instinctively. She's surprised at what she's able to do when she goes after the attackers. And she's also surprised by the depth of her feelings for Jon. It's a turning point for both characters because they have to start trusting each other. Jon is used to being the protector, but this time Nadira is the one who saves him.

What do you think the appeal of paranormal romances set on other planets for readers? For writers?

That's a great question. I think readers like to experience things beyond the everyday world we're used to. Imagine being a shapeshifter or vampire or someone with telekenetic powers -- how would you use them? How would that change you as a human? Or would you still be human? If we spend so much time going through the motions -- going to work, running errands, living our regular lives -- how exciting would it be to have extraordinary powers? That's what I think attracts readers. And it attracts writers too. I've always loved science fiction and fantasy. When you add space travel and futuristic settings you don't have to stick to conventional settings. I can create a world filled with technological advances and gadgets that we haven't dreamed of yet. I can go beyond the average into something totally new.

Please tell us about your other published works.

I've written short stories over the years, and had a few published. I recently collected seven of them into a book called "Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales" which is on Amazon.com. I have two non-fiction books, "Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life" and "Think Like an Entrepreneur: What You Need to Consider Before You Write a Business Plan." Both of those books are available on Amazon.com, B&N.com and other online booksellers. I'm also a freelance writer, so many of my articles and blog posts can be found on various websites.

On what projects are you currently working?

I'm working on book two in this series. It's called, Hathor Legacy: Burn, and it continues with Jon and Nadira. This book will go into more detail about the Guardians and the history of how they came to be. There will also be a lot of intrigue and a power struggle within the group to deal with. In addition, I have a few contemporary romance novellas in mind and an urban fantasy that recently popped into my head. I'm just adding my ideas to the list as they come up!

What is the last book you read? Are you currently reading? Next on your TBR list?

My reading list includes different genres. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the books I have downloaded on my Kindle. The last book I read was "The Snow White Christmas" by David Handler. It's a mystery that's part of his Berger and Mitry series. I love how he weaves their relationship into the mystery solving. So it's a bit of romance on top of the police procedural action. I'm between books right now. So I have "Takedown Twenty" by Janet Evanovich on my list and "The Summer Prince" which is a YA paranormal by Alaya Dawn Johnson. Right now I probably have enough books downloaded to fill my TBR list for a year!

When not writing, what can we find you doing?

Is there anything else besides writing? When I'm not writing fiction or working on a freelance writing project, I'm either reading or baking. From cupcakes to homemade bread, I've got it covered. Of course when it's warmer outdoors, I'm usually out watering my plants. My mom does the gardening and I do the watering. It's much easier!

What is some of the best writing advice you have ever received?

Years ago, a writer told me to write everyday. At the time, I was writing a lot. But after I started working in corporate jobs, I put it aside. Then finally, I started writing again and it felt like coming home. It took me a while to understand why it's so important, but now I do. You'll improve and grow as a writer if you do it regularly.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

I'm a bit obsessed with the Tudor age, and I have lots of books on Elizabeth I and of course, Henry VIII. I practically devour historical novels set during that time period. It must seem like an odd mix seeing how much I love for technology and geekery, but it works for me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks so much for inviting me to stop by your blog and share my book with your readers!

Thank you so much for your time!

Hathor Legacy: Outcast
by Deborah A. Bailey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

On the planet, Hathor, a powerful group called the Guardians serves as the security force for Novacorp, the corporation that runs Hathor with its ruthless monopoly. Nadira, as one of the most powerful Guardians, is expected to use her intuition and telekinetic powers to keep the capital city safe from thieves and intruders.

Jonathan Keel, son of a mine CEO on the nearby planet, Astarte, is wealthy, privileged and used to getting what he wants. When his father goes missing after a robbery and explosion at the mine, he defies the authorities and heads to Hathor to search for him and for the robbers.

Struggling with their growing desires, and chased by company security, Jon and Nadira find that solving the crime leads them to endure betrayals from the people closest to them, as secrets are revealed that not only link their pasts but also threaten to destroy Jon's family and separate him from Nadira forever.

Read an excerpt:

Nadira walked through the open doorway that led to the kitchen. It was empty, except for some instant food packs that were on the counter next to the deep, stone sink.

She examined one of them. Fish soup, not exactly appetizing. It was enough to make her miss Jason's cheerful house. Back in the dining room, she peeled off her damp jacket and draped it over the back of a chair.

Rain pelted the window, leaving streaks across the glass. Zina wouldn't be a threat while this kept up.

A boom of thunder shook the house, echoing through the empty room. "Jon?" she called out. No answer. "Jonathan!"

Her response was a thud, followed by another one. Nadira rushed up the stairs. Breathless, she checked the first room. It was empty except for a chair facing the window. Darting to the room across from it, she got there in time to see Jonathan wrapping a blanket around him, his boots on the floor.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Why didn't you answer?"

"My shirt's wet. Figured this was warmer." He climbed on the bed. "Worried about me?"

"No!" He was the most exasperating man she'd ever met. "You like taking your clothes off, don't you?"

"I thought you liked to see me naked." He chuckled. "But I still have my pants on."

Nadira sat down on the edge of the bed, her back to him. Kicking off her shoes, she drew her legs up and sat cross-legged. Though she could feel a desire to be closer to him, she pushed it away. She was not going to give him the satisfaction.

Available in print and ebook at Amazon

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

As a little girl when Deborah A Bailey was watching Star Trek and Twilight Zone, she was writing and drawing her own superheroine comics. When she grew up, she continued to write and followed her love of technology into a career as a computer programmer and developer. But writing was never far away from her heart, so over the years she wrote and published stories set on other worlds and in Earth's future. Ultimately she fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her first novel.

Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers’ Conference and her work has been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun. And she recently published a short story collection, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales. In her "other" life, she's a freelance writer who's published two non-fiction books and countless articles that have appeared in print and online. Visit her blog for writing tips, interviews and updates. http://brightstbooks.blogspot.com/

Links:

Website: http://www.brightstreetbooks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDeborahB

Deborah will be awarding a print copy (US ONLY) of Hathor Legacy: Outcast to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and a Grand Prize of a $25 Amazon GC will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. A $25 Amazon GC will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.

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