Welcome to your first stop on the BLOOD LIFE TOUR!
On this stop I have a review, interview and giveaway so sit back, relax and enjoy.
Blood Life, written by Gianna Perada, is a twisted tale of witches/vampires mixed with a Romeo and Juliette type love story. Here is some more about Blood Life.
Blood Life is a vampire/witch thriller full
of blood, magic, love, violence, and sex. The witches and vampires of
the fictional world of the Spectrum have united and created a race of
half-breeds called the Combined. These are very powerful entities, but
their race has been threatened by a rogue vampire with very old,
powerful blood named Lokee, son of the Great Witch, Devendra. This story
is about letting Fate play out, but in all its turmoil, trying to save
one woman who will be the key to saving the Combined.
Can the Combined’s strongest adversary form an army
to defeat them, or will the power of three keep the race on top?
Centered around the lives of four integral characters, Blood Life is a
fresh and unique paranormal adventure. Meet Devendra, a powerful witch
descended from one of the first lineages; Lokee, her son and worst
enemy; Roman, her friend and companion; and Alethea, the key to it all…
Isn't the cover amazing!
Here is what I thought of Blood Life!
Ok here we go. So first of all I have to commend Gianna for her creativity and wild imagination. The story, characters, places and dramas are very unique, some of which are also quite disturbing. In parts she made me feel uncomfortable, which I suppose in a way is a good thing.
We start off by being introduced to Roman and Alexandria, a forbidden love (this is where the Romeo and Juliette type love story comes in). Set in the 1700's, she is the King's daughter, he is but a peasant, both of which who would rather die than live without each other. Following the King's discovery of this "disgraceful trysting", Alexandria is forced into an arranged marriage. Little did she how much that it would affect her life and future lives to come.
This part of the book to me was really confusing. I was at a loss as to how it actually fit into the witch/vampire category, it made no reference to them whatsoever so you can understand my confusion. Gianna's writing style made it even more confusing. I found it hard to keep up with who she was talking about and where the storyline was going. This may dis-hearten you...
But Keep Reading
Skip forward to 1982. Roman has been a vampire for the last 2 centuries, living his existence without his one true love. That is until the time comes when her soul is re-introduced to him as Alethea. This is where the roller-coaster starts. Given a second chance at love they are forced to fight to save their race against the evil Lokee (aka Alethea's husband from her previous life) who is hell-bent on destroying Fate no matter what it takes.
Although Blood Life is at times hard to follow, the events throughout are thoroughly entertaining from the sick and twisted rituals that will make your stomach churn to the intriguing battles over mind control. Gianna's out there imagination provided a storyline like no other, it's in a league of it's own with nothing to compare it to. Yes it fits into the paranormal genre but it's so different. It was nice to read something where the author didn't hold back, I get the feeling that she didn't care if it made the reader uncomfortable. To me it's those parts that made it memorable and worth reading.
Interview time!
The answers in this interview are awesome! They alone make you want to read Blood Life.
Q1. What or who inspired you to become
a writer?
Early on, I was drawn to paranormal
stories and dark twisty movies. My family is full of creative genius;
I guess it was always in my blood and there wasn’t one single
trigger to get me going on the thought. Although, Blood Life
was inspired by a paper I wrote on vampires in junior college. The
professor hated my topic and gave me a D, even though it was a great
paper. So, I left her class after telling her off and went home to
start writing the first draft. ;-)
Q2. Who is your favourite Author &
what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I have many favorite authors. I guess
the author that truly inspired me to write about vampires was Anne
Rice. Her intricate, romantic, and dark alluring worlds intrigued me.
Her way with words really spoke to me and resembled mine (at least I
thought so).
Q3. What was the hardest part about
writing your book?
Letting it be finished. I couldn’t
let it go. I kept revising and reediting it. That’s why it took me
15 years from start to finish. That won’t happen with the next
book. The first born is always a little special.
Q4. Has the paranormal been
something that has always interested you?
Always! Ever since I can remember; even
as a little tiny girl.
Q5. What was your favourite chapter
to write and why?
I’d say my favorite was the first sex
scene between Roman and Alexandria. I am a very passionate person, so
writing erotica like that came so naturally and exciting. I’ve
toned it way down since the first draft, let me tell you… only
because I felt what is there now is enough for that story. Had it
been a straight erotica story, I would have left it as it was
originally.
Q6. What was the most surprising
things you’ve learned in writing your book?
That I can really tell a story from
beginning to end! It was such a trip to piece it together, and this
particular book, since it was written over the span of 15 years, has
undertones that tell the story of my life and growth as a writer and
a person. It’s pretty cool if you think about it.
Q7. Do you ever experience writers
block?
Yes! Usually when I’m stressed out in
my daily life. Stress really affects my writing.
Q8. What is the last book you read?
“Inside the Outside” by Martin
Lastrapes. Excellent book!
Q9. If you could trade places with
any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or
dead,
real or fictional. with whom would it be?
My inner witch, Devendra. She’s the
bomb. I love everything about her.
Q10. What do you like to do when
you're not writing?
Exercise. Watch movies. Have coffee/tea
with good company. Watch live music. Read. Cuddle.
Q11. As a child, what did you want
to be when you grew up?
The first thing I wanted to be was a
nun (I went to catholic school). That quickly turned into a bus
driver (WTF?) and then a veterinarian. Writer came next and stuck. =)
Q12. If Hollywood made a movie
about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role
as
you?
Me… Or Madeline Stowe. Or Sherilyn
Fenn. Or Monica Bellucci.
Q13. Do you have any advice for
aspiring writers?
Yes, always remain true to yourself.
Don’t write for others; write for you. And write with all your
heart.
Q14. Is there anything you’d like
to say to your readers and fans?
Thanks for giving my debut a chance and
for your amazing support! More to come, even stronger than the
first, so stay tuned! =)
Some quick
questions..
Q15. Light or Dark chocolate?
Dark
Q16. Sunrise or Sunset?
Sunset
Q17. Dogs or Cats?
Cats
Q18. Tea or Coffee?
Coffee
Q19. Favorite Colour?
Purple
Q20. Favourite Disney movie?
Old Yeller
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!
Gianna sounds like one honest and determined woman who knows what she wants and stops at nothing to get it.
Now I guess you want to know what's up for grabs in the giveaway?
To win an ebook copy of Blood Life simply comment below with your email address and format choice. The winner will be chozen at the end of the tour and contacted via email.
For your chance to win a signed copy of Blood Life (U.S residents only. Sorry) head on over to
DARK MIND BOOK TOURS
to enter.
Otherwise...
You can purchase your copy of Blood Life at the following links:
Click on the following links to find out more about Gianna:
Head on over to Dark Mind Book Tours by clicking HERE to get the link to your next stop on the Blood Life Tour!
Thankyou taking the time to follow this tour. Thankyou to Dark Mind Book Tours for hosting the tour and including us in it and to Gianna for providing us with a review copy. I hope you enjoyed the kick off to the tour and hope you enjoy what is to come!
