Catriana Sommers guests + a giveaway!

Hi, everybody! I hope you'll help me in welcoming a fellow Silver Publishing author, Catriana Sommers. Her new book, Destined, releases tomorrow. *squee* I'm looking forward to this one! Here she is to chat a bit about the world she's created, along with the blurb and an excerpt. Thanks for dropping in, Catriana!

About Arcanus:

Since Destined releases today, I figured some folks wouldn't mind a bit of information regarding the world and how it functions. I hope you find it enjoyable.

The planet is called Meedia and has five moons. Each moon represents a Goddess: Noxia, Linna, Illuena, Yuena, and Lunaria. In contrast, there are five elements on Meedia that are represented by Gods: Etates(Earth), Kinnan(Water), Arian(Air), Filarn(Fire), and Kard(Void/Shadow). There are many stories and legends about the Gods and Goddesses, the most famous being the story of Lunaria and Kard.

Another story, the tale of Arian and his mortal lover, is currently being told on It's Raining Men for Fantasy Fridays. You'll get to learn more about the very ancient war which now affects The Arcanus Series.

In any case, Destined takes places in Elven territory, two hundred years before the main events begin. Think of Destined as a prequel of sorts. Meedia boasts several races with Humans being one of them. The setting begins on a heavy fantasy note, but in later novels, you'll see some technology like trains, cars, and even steam-powered airships. Magic does exist, although it's fairly limited compared to other fantasy series that have been published.

Most magic draws powers from spirits of a particular element. Communicating with these spirits allows the user to utilize the element only as strongly as their connection allows. Elves are the only race who can use all of the elements at once, but their abilities may not be as powerful as say, a dragon's. In Destined, Naliel shows proficiency in Earth magic, in fact, his connection is one of the strongest in their lands. The downside to this is his lack of abilities in any other element. This caused him to be somewhat alienated growing up, and being half-human didn't help matters.

While Humans are the youngest race, and keep themselves alienated, the Dragons, Kass'na, Vampires, and Elves hold tenuous alliances, depending. The Elves are actually the most friendly of races, having dealings with just about everyone, with the exception of the ancient but all reclusive Dragons. Human/Elven relationships were common once upon a time, but Humans short life spans and the Elves tendency to mate for life caused the latter race to become less inclined to take on lovers outside of their own race.

Not that this stopped Lavern, Naliel's father, otherwise we wouldn't have a story, now would we?

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little bit of insight into my world and I hope you pick up a copy of Destined. A bit more is explained about magic and Elven cultures, with much more to come in the future.

Also remember, to enter in today's contest, leave your name and an e-mail address (so I can get your mailing address) and if you win, I'll be sending you a signed print copy of my novel!  Good luck!

Coming June 25th through Silver Publishing
Pre-order now!

Blurb:

Raised together, Sarnaiel and Naliel are as close as brothers could be, until the dark elf Sarnaiel decides he wants them to be something more. Only after he reveals his intentions does he learn of an arranged marriage that stands between them and their happiness. Unable to stand the idea of the one he loves with another, he vanishes, leaving Naliel alone...or so he thought.

But someone has been watching the young half elf from the shadows, and without Sarnaiel's presence he makes his move in the most brutal of ways. Naliel survives, but his mind and body are broken. Sarnaiel returns to pick up the pieces, mending and nurturing and rebuilding their bond, but once again their relationship is thwarted by the birth of Naliel's bride.

Once the source of his greatest joy, Sarnaiel becomes Naliel's torment. For Sarnaiel, when hurt, strikes back twice as hard and viciously. It doesn’t matter who it is. He almost goes too far and through that, finally learns what should be truly important to him. The oath they make that day is what seals their already unbreakable bond, and the two grow older, and wiser, together. For no matter what happens, no matter what they face, even if it's their own kin, they live by their promise:

"It was us from the beginning, and it'll be us until the end."

Excerpt:

The angle of light filtering through the leaves overhead indicated midafternoon by the time they found their prey, a lone male hubrion. Due to the beast's extreme temperamental and territorial nature, these large creatures were normally a hunter's last-resort game. There were typically only two reasons why one would wish to hunt such an animal--desperate starvation, or having something to prove.

Two young elven males, Sarnaiel and Naliel Liunos, happened to be in the latter category. Perched high in the trees, they looked down as the creature grazed the branches to their right. What had started out as a simple conversation amongst peers had turned into a daring bet against the two social outcasts. Pride and egos at stake, the two naturally accepted. Their peers were currently a good distance away, quietly observing in the dense forest.

Naliel frowned thoughtfully, brushing aside his long midnight hair. He reached behind for his bow as the hubrion turned, presenting the perfect angle to hit the vital spot just beneath its jaw.

Something flashed just outside the corner of his eye, distracting him. Naliel turned to his childhood friend, whose fingers moved rapidly in silent communication.

Jumping in one minute. Naliel nodded right as Sarnaiel melted into the shadows of the forest, leaving nothing but a small stream of black smoke in his wake.

Naliel counted the seconds, readied an arrow, and took aim. Enchanted clothing and natural elven abilities kept him from making a single sound and alerting their prey. The creature had yet to change its angle, continuing to chew on fresh leaves, oblivious to its upcoming demise.

At fifty-nine seconds, Naliel shot the first arrow and struck the target dead on. A blood-curdling roar erupted from the beast and three more arrows struck deep, seconds apart. The hubrion swayed, disoriented.

Once the fourth arrow hit, Sarnaiel seemed to emerge out of thin air, flying down through the shadows, wisps of dark smoke trailing from his clothes. He latched onto the creature's long and slender head, gloved fingers digging into rough hide. Before their prey could even contemplate trying to shake this newest annoyance off, two swords appeared in the elf's hands, slicing open the creature's throat. The hubrion flung its head, and Sarnaiel let go, fading back into the shadows.

The beast thrashed weakly, choked attempts at a roar coming from its mangled throat as it drowned in its own blood. Bloodshot orbs rolled to the back of its head as the body fell sideways, dead the moment it hit the ground.

Silence reigned in the forest as Naliel jumped from the perch and made his way towards the creature. Sarnaiel emerged a moment later, a triumphant grin on his handsome face. Turning to the woods, the dark-skinned elf shook blood from his blades before sheathing them. "All right you bastards, pay up!"

Slowly, the rest of the elves came out of hiding, annoyed expressions on most of their faces. However, even they were unable to hide the awe and grudging admiration in their gazes. Two of the golden haired females, Niona and Ralina, glanced at the hunters, impressed and intrigued. They were the only ones to have smiles on their lightly painted lips despite the fact they were out quite a bit of kon.

A blond-haired male, taller and unusually bulky for his race, approached the victors, fixing Sarnaiel with a hard glare. "So you succeeded," Mironel Liunos said.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Sarnaiel raised a pale eyebrow, smirking smugly. "I dare you to claim we cheat now. As you can see, the two of us are better than all of you combined and I assure you, it's all natural skill."

And here's how to get in touch with Catriana:

My Website: http://www.catriana.net
My Blog: http://catrianasmuse.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Catriana_S
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/catriana
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/catriana.sommers

Publishers:

Silver Publishing (Call on Me, Destined): http://www.silverpublishing.info