Friday, October 18, 2024

Virtual Book Tour + #Giveaway: The Nephilim's Fate by Eliza Hampstead @GoddessFish

THE NEPHILIM'S FATE

Eliza Hampstead

GENRE: Fantasy Romance


BLURB:


She will find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.

In the heart of London, Alissia's ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she is attacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about for years, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shocking truth: she's a witch, and he's a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbidden by ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.

As old rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate must confront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it means igniting a war between Heaven and Hell.

With unforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, this captivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delves into a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power of fate.

If you crave the intensity of Shadowhunters with an added dose of spice, don't miss out on this spellbinding series!

ADD THE NEPHILIM'S FATE to your TBR list @ Goodreads

Purchase THE NEPHILIM'S FATE @ Amazon

 

Excerpt:

My heart stopped for a moment before resuming its work at double speed. I gulped. Now was the time for the truth. Seraphina stood up and walked to her desk; when she turned back, she held a photo in her hand. My heart was beating frantically as Seraphina held out the picture. I nearly didn’t take it. I suddenly wanted to live in ignorance, yet my body reacted before I could decide and took the photo. I looked at a woman who resembled me a great deal. She also had dark hair and green eyes, her nose was a bit longer than mine, and her lips were thinner. However, it was clear that she was my kin.

Her name was Keira Shepard. Your father is still unknown; the coven thinks he was a human and unimportant to her. She never told anybody about him.”

Keira Shepard. A beautiful name that fitted her. I wanted to know everything about her, right now. “What do you know of her? Is her family an old witch family? Did she leave anything behind?”

She was from an old family. To our knowledge, it had died with her until now. Her belongings went to the coven after her mother—your grandmother—died ten years ago. Her file states she could glimpse into the future. She was much into the second sight. If you want to, I can ask for the whole file, including the documentation about her going missing.”

That would be splendid. Thank you.” I tried to say more, but my thoughts were spinning. I had the name and face of my birth mother and a thousand questions.

 

Interview with Eliza Hampstead

    Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?

    Yes, definitely. Reading books that blend genres, like V.E. Schwab’s work, opened my eyes to the possibilities of how fantasy can intertwine with contemporary elements and human emotions in unexpected ways. These books challenged me to think beyond traditional boundaries of fiction. They encouraged me to embrace complexity in my characters and plots, making room for mature themes like spice and intense emotional conflicts.


    How do you select the names of your characters?

    Choosing names is both a fun and challenging part of writing. For the Nephilim, the process was a little easier since they have angelic origins, and I wanted to stay true to that by using real angelic names from lore. For example, Nate's name needed to reflect strength but also a down-to-earth quality. For the rest of my characters, though, I often spend days, even weeks, searching for the right names. I make sure to research if those names exist in real life to avoid any unintended connections. I want the names to feel organic and suitable for the world I’m building.


    Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

    Yes, there are hidden gems for sharp-eyed readers. I love weaving subtle details and foreshadowing into my books. There are Easter eggs in The Nephilim’s Fate that will only make sense once you’ve read further into the series. For example, some of the ancient symbols and character interactions may hint at deeper motivations or connections that won’t be fully revealed until later books. Also, a few minor characters in The Nephilim's Fate may become key players in future storylines.

     

    What was your hardest scene to write? → the battle scenes. As I#m doing sword fighting myself I have high expectations to make the fight scene realistic but also epic

    The battle scenes were the hardest to write, hands down. I do sword fighting myself, so I have high standards when it comes to making those scenes realistic but also epic. Balancing the choreography of the fights with the emotional tension between characters required a lot of fine-tuning.

    I didn’t just want the fights to be flashy—I wanted them to mean something.


    Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

    The War of the Nephilim series is very much a connected body of work. While each book focuses on different central characters and their individual arcs, the overarching storyline and world-building weave everything together. Readers can certainly enjoy each book on its own, but for those who follow the series, they'll see how all the pieces come together in a larger narrative, especially in The Nephilim’s Fellowship. I like the idea of creating a universe where each story adds depth and layers to the others.


    What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?

    My primary goal with The Nephilim's Fate was to create a spicy fantasy romance that combined thrilling world-building with deep, emotionally complex characters. I wanted to tell a story where romance, magic, and action coexist harmoniously, where readers feel both the tension of forbidden love and the stakes of a dangerous, supernatural world. I feel I achieved this by giving Alissia and Nate not just chemistry but also emotional growth, and by tying their personal conflicts into a larger battle of good versus evil.


    What inspired you to write The Nephilim’s Fate?

    A mix of things! My love for Shadowhunters and my desire for more mature characters and spice really kickstarted it. Plus, my D&D campaign gave me ideas for magical battles and complex character dynamics. I wanted to create a world where romance and fantasy were intertwined in a way that felt adult but still adventurous.


    Can you tell us a little bit about the next books in The War of the Nephilim series or what you have planned for the future?

    After The Nephilim’s Fate, readers can look forward to The Nephilim’s Fear, which centres on Azariel and Andrew. Each book in the series focuses on a different couple while still pushing forward the overarching conflict between Heaven, Hell, and Earth. There’s plenty of drama, battles, and romance to come, especially when the group has to journey through Hell itself in The Nephilim’s Fellowship. I’m also working on a time travel romance, scheduled for release in early 2025.


    Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Nephilim’s Fate?

    The main characters are Alissia, a scientist who discovers she’s a witch, and Nate, a Nephilim with a dark past. Alissia’s logical, science-driven mind clashes with the discovery of her magical heritage, while Nate struggles with his responsibilities as a Nephilim and his feelings for Alissia. Their romance is forbidden due to ancient laws, and they must learn to navigate the dangers of their world while grappling with their love for each other. Alongside them, we meet other characters like Azariel and Victorija, who become key players in the future books.


    What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

    I loved the challenge of blending romance and fantasy together. Creating a world where magic and supernatural beings feel real, while also keeping the emotional stakes high between Alissia and Nate, was incredibly rewarding. And of course, crafting the steamy scenes was fun too. Writing their chemistry felt very natural to me, and I loved how their relationship unfolded amidst the chaos of their world.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Award winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she's always planning her next adventure.


Sign up for Eliza’s newsletter to get exclusive updates on new releases, behind-the-scenes author news, and exciting extras like character interviews, maps, playlists, and bonus chapters that bring the books even more to life!

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Connect with Eliza Hampstead

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Giveaway:

$10 Amazon/BN GC


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.



9 comments:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting today.

Marcy Meyer said...

Enjoyed the interview. Sounds like a good book.

Michael Law said...

I'm looking forward to checking this book out. Thanks for sharing.

Sherry said...

The cover of your book is very striking!

Eliza Hampstead said...

Thanks for having me!

Eliza Hampstead said...

Thank you! I hope the story captivates you as much as the cover does!

Eliza Hampstead said...

Thanks! I hope it becomes a favourite read for you!

Eliza Hampstead said...

Thanks! I can’t wait for you to uncover the story’s secrets!

Edgar Gerik said...

Great interview