Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Blog Tour + #Giveaway: Magic Harbor by Kristen L. Jackson @KLJacksonAuthor @XpressoTours


Magic Harbor
Kristen L. Jackson
(Keeper of the Watch, #2)
Publication date: October 10th 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

When Alyx Eris convinced him to become a keeper of the watch, Chase Walker knew he gained the ability to traverse the twelve dimensions.

He knew there were others—the hunters—who would do anything to put an end to the watches’ existence.

He knew his status as a keeper was completely binding until his nineteenth birthday.

Most importantly, he knew he’d be spending the year by Alyx’s side.

What he didn’t know was that in this dimension resides a ruling mage that poses more of a threat than the hunters ever could.

He didn’t know that magic-born hybrid beasts lurk in every corner of the surrounding forests.

And he didn’t know that nothing—and no one—is what it seems in the mystical world of Dimension 8.



Interview with Kristen L. Jackson


As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
I would choose a dog. I’ve been a dog-lover all my life, and I currently have four large-breed dogs. (One Bernese Mountain Dog, two Newfoundlands, and one Saint Bernese.) I can’t imagine a life without dogs to come home to!

How many hours a day do you put into your writing?
That’s a hard question for me to answer because it varies. I work full-time, so I write on my lunch break, in the evenings, and mostly on the weekends. I guess you could say I grab writing time whenever I can.

Do you read your book reviews? If yes, do they affect what you write in the future?
Yes, I do read the reviews. A great review makes my heart smile, and a poor review, though admittedly painful, can also be very helpful. I want to know what my readers are thinking. Reviews are also the life-blood of a book. More reviews equals more exposure, so bring on the reviews … good and bad—though hopefully more positive than negative, LOL!

Do you leave hidden messages in your books that only a few people will find?
Yes. In the Keeper of the Watch series, there are some hidden tributes to my dad who passed away 5 years ago last month. He was the inspiration for the series because he loved to wear a watch and always knew what time it was. He also loved astrology, so there are lots of references and names that come from the stars. His favorite constellation was Orion’s belt, and that plays a huge part in the hunter’s storyline.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Magic Harbor?
In Book One, Chase Walker has just become a keeper of his family’s ancestral watch. Chase has recently turned eighteen-years-old and a lot of things happen to him at once: The uncle that raised him dies unexpectedly, he graduates from high school, and finds himself alone. While going through his uncle’s belongings after the funeral, he discovers an old watch. The watch calls to him, and he fights the connection. He’s this popular football player from high school who has no idea what to do next in his life. That’s when he meets Alyx.

Alyx Eris is from another dimension and, unlike Chase, she was raised knowing all about dimension travel, the watches and keepers. Her parents have trained her all her life for this year of dimension travel, and she is skilled in combat of all forms. She is Chase’s opposite: socially awkward and a fierce loner. She enters Chase’s life when she saves him from the hunters.

The Hunters a man and a woman, have been hunting the watches since their invention, partially out of hatred for the watches inventor, and partially because they want to steal the ability to travel to parallel worlds. In Magic Harbor, we get a little of their back-story to explain this obsession these two have with the watches. They exist in every dimensional plane. Even if they die in one world, their ‘other-selves’ will live on in another.

Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
I am currently working on the prequel to the Keeper of the Watch series which tells the story of Elias Walker, Chase’s great-great grandfather and his unique power to travel to the twelve dimensions. This novella will tell the whole tale of the origin of the watches and how keepers came into being. After that one is finished, I’ll get to work on Book Three in the Keeper of the Watch Series.

Do you allow yourself a certain number of hours to write or do you write as long as the words come?
I definitely write as long as the words come. I find that I can’t force it, but when I’m on a roll it’s awfully hard to stop!

Do you have a certain number of words or pages you write per day?
I don’t have a set number of words/pages per day. Someday, I hope to retire early from teaching and make writing my full-time job. When that day comes, I’ll absolutely set more strict rules for myself. Right now, I squeeze in writing time whenever I can, and I’m happy with whatever amount I’ve written.

What inspires you to write?
It can be the simplest thing! As I’ve mentioned, my dad inspired the Keeper of the Watch Series. After he passed away, I asked my mom for one of his watches. I put it on my wrist, and thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool to write a story about a watch with powers?” That’s how easily an idea can spark. I have a children’s picture book called JOCELYN’S BOX OF SOCKS about a little girl who loves to wear socks. The inspiration for that story was my mom. She loves to wear what she calls ‘Fun Socks.’ (Socks with pictures on them.) That’s was sparked the idea for that story. Just simple, everyday things can trigger a ‘bigger’ idea.


Would you rather

Read fiction or non-fiction?
Fiction

Read series or stand-alone?
Series

Read Science fiction or horror?
Science Fiction

Read Stephen King or Dean Koontz?
Dean Koontz (His earlier works hold a special place in my heart!)

Read the book or watch the movie?
Read the book!

Read an ebook or paperback?
eBook

Be trapped alone for one month in a library with no computer or a room with a computer and Wi-Fi only?
In a library with no computer

Do a cross-country book store tour or blog tour online?
Blog Tour online



Author Bio:

Kristen L. Jackson been a teacher for over twenty years, and lives in Reading, Pennsylvania with her husband, two grown sons, and three large-breed dogs. Books inspire her. From children’s picture books to adult literature in all genres, she has loved reading all her life. Becoming a published author has been her dream come true, and she loves to share her stories with readers of all ages. Sign up on her website to follow her blog to stay up to date on what she’s working on now! Kristen loves writing, reading, and spending time with her family and dogs at their cabin in the Poconos…her favorite place to escape and write!





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5 comments:

pippirose said...

Love the cover! It draws me in.

Kristen L. Jackson said...

Thanks for the interview piece and feature on your blog!

Deb PelletierC said...

The book sounds interesting.

Teenyluvkins said...

Thank you for the interview. I enjoyed reading it, especially the bit of adding things from your father. It's something I'm always curious about for authors. How much of their personal experiences or those of their family and friends make it into a story.

Daniel M said...

sounds like a fun one