True Calling Blog Tour Review, Interview, & Giveaway!!

        Release Date: August 1, 2014

Blurb:
Planet Novo, nestled in space twelve hundred miles above the surface of the Earth, is the new home of 17-year-old Cadet Ariana Skyee. Confused by the government-sanctioned memory erase and distressed at her impending forced marriage and motherhood, Ariana’s plans for the future are thrown into complete disarray.

As the traumatic events within her family life enfold, Ariana grows increasingly alarmed at the authorities apparent pre-occupation with her and feels progressively more isolated and alone.

Her growing feelings for fellow Cadet Cal Remus intensify as the recently announced pageant, ‘The Calling’, gets underway. Struggling to comprehend the continuous, inexplicable dreams of the mysterious Zane, discovering the past helps shape her future, with devastating personal consequences.

You can find True Calling on Goodreads.

You can buy True Calling here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- iBooks
- Ciando ebooks
- Copia books
- Bookbaby

About the Author:
Siobhan Davis is the author of YA science fiction romance series True Calling.
A self-diagnosed ‘teenager forever’—at least when it comes to books, music and movies; Siobhan is totally addicted to teen fiction and superhero/blockbuster movies. Siobhan loves baking, crime novels, shoes, bags, make-up, anti-wrinkle cream, anything pink, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and Robert Pattinson (definitely Team Edward).
Siobhan has forged a successful corporate career, in Human Resources, over the last twenty years.
A member of the IWI writers group, Siobhan resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
Contact Siobhan at: www.siobhandavis.com

You can find and contact Siobhan here:
- Website
- Author blog
- Book website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Google +
- Goodreads

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of True Calling. The giveaway is open international. These are the prizes you can win:
- Paperback copy True Calling
- 3 e-copies of True Calling

For a chance to win enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview:

What was your inspiration for writing True Calling?

It all started with a dream. Just not my own! I got hooked on Twilight in 2009 and was fascinated to hear how Stephenie Meyer felt compelled to write the series on the basis of the now-infamous dream. Dreams have always captivated me and I started thinking a lot about their meaning and whether our dreams have the power to change our lives (not just metaphorically speaking).

I wondered a lot about her ‘meadow dream’; probably more than was normal. Who sent her that dream? And why? And did someone (or something) plant that seed knowing full well that it would lead her on a path to a significant life-altering experience? And what are dreams anyway? A malfunction of our brain? An unconscious message from our inner selves? A medium for receiving messages from others? My thoughts jumbled around like this for weeks, and my idea started to grow from this silent analysis and developed from there. And hence ‘True Calling’ was borne.

What got you into writing? What persuaded you to be an author?

I loved reading from a very early age and English was one of my favorite subjects in school. My day job involves a huge amount of writing though it’s mainly corporate communications, policy documents and management reports/proposals. I’d felt the desire to write fiction for years (I was always dreaming up stories in my head and dissecting books/movies) and once I started fiction-writing five/six years ago I couldn’t, and haven’t, stopped. I’m a member of a writing group and I try to write something every day or every other day. It’s not really something that I choose to do at this stage –it’s something I feel compelled to do and it’s as vital to me as breathing! I have lots of things written, but my first published work is True Calling. I also have a True Calling related short story now available on Wattpad.

What was your favorite part to write in True Calling?

True Calling is set within the context of a technologically-advanced Utopian-style new world order on Planet Novo, and a technology-deprived, ravaged post-apocalyptic Earth. The story is told from two different perspectives and we get to explore the different experiences of the characters as they battle the challenges of the society they live in. I loved crafting both worlds, and describing them for the reader in a way that made them both believable and relatable. Several readers have already commented on this aspect of the book so I think my enjoyment of writing these parts has shone through.

Do you have any writing regrets?

Only one – that I waited so long to publish some of my work; I wish I’d had the courage and confidence to pursue a writing career sooner. I actually wrote True Calling back in 2010 and then got distracted with work and life in general, and it sat gathering dust in a drawer. It was only this year that I felt brave enough, and that the time was right, to release it.

Did you write the characters in your book based off someone you know/knew? If not in this book, have you written characters based off someone real before?

Not consciously! I didn’t base any of the characters on people I knew, but if I reflect on it now Ariana could be my alter ego – I was quite introverted and shy at aged 17 and I remember wishing I was more out-spoken, just like she is. My tendency is to shy away from basing any characters on real people, I personally feel that’s just asking for trouble!

Do you/are you attached to the characters you have written? Who's your favorite character you have written?

I’m very attached to my characters, and I often wonder what Ariana would do when I find myself in certain situations. Sometimes they pop into my head at the most random or inopportune moments, and I find myself scrambling for my pad to jot down some thoughts or ideas I’ve had. It’s really difficult to choose one favorite character as I’m very fond of all of them, for various different reasons. However, if I’m being forced to pick one then I’d choose Cal Remus for his unflinching loyalty to Ariana, his tenderness towards his sister, his bravery, his vulnerability and most of all, his lust for life.

Do you plan on writing & publishing more books in the future? If so, can you give us any kind of tidbit of info to look forward to in your next book?

My focus is on publishing Books 2 and 3 in the True Calling series in 2015. After I’m finished with this series there are three other stories in particular that are calling out to me. The first is another science fiction story but it’s a completely different premise than True Calling. The second idea is a contemporary drama/romance that will require heaps of research to ensure the facts are bang-on. The third is a historical fiction piece, based around Irish History and it’s something I have longed to write as I have a Degree in History and a love of the past.

Has the overall publishing experience been pleasant for you?

Definitely! It’s been a steep learning curve but a thoroughly enjoyable one. I’ve been amazed at how supportive the writing community is in general, and some very successful authors have willingly provided advice and guidance. There is no feeling as incredible as receiving a wonderful review, or a lovely email from a reader who has loved True Calling. I get such a buzz when someone enjoys my work, and takes the time to comment or provide feedback on it. This industry is not for the faint-hearted though, as it’s hugely competitive and it requires heaps of determination to see it through.

Review:

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

When I was young, well younger than I am now, I used to adore watching old Star Trek re-runs starring the one and only William Shatner. My love for science fiction grew as I became obssessed with Star Wars and Doctor Who. Which then grew even more as I saw movies such as James Cameron's Avatar, Predator, Pacific Rim, District 9, Men In Black, War Of The Worlds etc. It is quite apparent that I do love science fiction, so I thought that this book would be right up my alley, which it was!

I devoured every second of this book. One of the best read to review books I've read in a while!

The characters were fresh and absorbing. The plot was catchy and kept you on the edge of your seat. The themes were memorable. Case in point, this book was amazing!

I need more!