RENHALA BY AMY JOY LUTCHEN
Genre: Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 9780988281509
ebook, 406 pages
CONTACT LINKS:
- Website: http://www.renhala.com
- You Tube Trailer:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/karmiccandy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyJoyLutchen
- Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16050736-renhala
Buy Links:
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BOOK DESCRIPTION
Kailey Rooke, timid accountant, dedicated to philanthropic work, finds herself spiraling into a deep depression after she suffers a horrifyingly odd and humiliating assault, to only discover more of these freakish assaults occurring across the globe.
A chance discovery leads Kailey to a meeting with elderly Gunthreon, actual master of persuasion. Gunthreon, who seems to know too much of Kailey’s history for her liking, opens Kailey’s eyes to a coexisting realm she never knew existed: Renhala, while entrusting her with the knowledge of her newfound power as karmelean, serving as a beacon to the Higher Ones. Kailey slowly starts revealing new talents, and Gunthreon is fascinated with what she starts achieving.
She soon discovers that Renhala is in danger, and this danger has been leaking into her own realm. As she uncovers secrets within herself, and attempts to toughen up, she fuses with an unlikely band of fellow travelers (including a dragon, woodsprite, six-hundred-pound greble, her faithful female canine companion, and a “giver”), falls into an unexpected love triangle, deals with her sexy and flirtatious best friend’s “issues,” and finds the courage to master a new deadly weapon.
On her mission to save Renhala, Kailey will find herself running from life-threatening disasters, such as greble Tartarin, who likes to remind Kailey that when he catches her, he plans on eating her brains with ice cream; she’ll run from the deadly meeples: small cute bunnies with talons and an undeniable thirst for imposing self-destruction on others. Kailey will also run into the possibility that a centuries-old Renhalan rumor is true, that advanced technology existing in Kailey’s realm shortens all life spans.
As blood is shed and puzzles near completion, Kailey pulls from deep within herself, conjuring up mystical qualities that enable her to astonish as once predicted at her birth, but despite the newfound strength, Kailey will discover that monsters not only come in ugly packages, but can be easily disguised as those she has come to love and trust.
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Author Info:
Born in Chicago, Illinois, a few days prior to watching her first movie, at a drive-in theater. Yes, drive-in theater. And yes, her mother believed she was possessed by the devil after said first movie.
Grew up in the Chicagoland area and graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she simply became a number, but decided it was a good number.
Loves cooking (mostly candy-cooking), gardening (putting holes in the ground for perennials, DONE!), designing and constructing jewelry (everything from silversmithing to lampworking), and living with her wonderful husband, two children, black Labrador, and frog—and maybe even the chipmunk family that likes to destroy her aforementioned perennials.
Also hopes that you enjoy her writings, and won’t criticize her for her aversion of eating things in multiples of three.
Interview:
Where are you from?
I was born in Chicago at Cook County Hospital (now Stroger Hospital) where my mother was almost knifed by a patient hours after giving birth. Fortunately, she was a kind soul and had made protective friends already, so the attacker was subdued and my mother was unharmed. What a start to life, eh?
A little bit about yourself:
I am married with two young boys and absolutely LOVE that I am the only female in the house. I feel special. Don’t get me wrong, I can totally throw you out at first base and I totally get the farting jokes, but the nail polishes and lipsticks in the house are ALL mine.
About your book and how it started:
Renhala is a unique urban fantasy with some deep-rooted issues relating to my real life. Sure there’s six hundred pound, three-legged creatures that might skin you, and there might be a few deadly white rabbits with talons, but there’s also underlying beliefs regarding things like karma and technology. Even deeper in the text are details of a horrible sexual assault I experienced. That is actually how Renhala was started; it was a therapeutic jam session where I could let out all the bad things to make room for something new and magical and allow myself to grow, and to become empowered.
How do you create characters?
Characters/creatures are born mostly in my dreams and nightmares. Oh, and I can also say that a few came to life through conversations with the boys I mentioned earlier. Kids’ imaginations are birthing grounds for some messed up worlds and monsters. What spews from the mouths of babes at times is pure genius, I tell you—well, except for the farting jokes. That’s just an epic fail on the genius test. Funny? Maybe. Ok, damn right it’s funny.
What inspires you and what got you started in writing?
Not to sound like your basic Hallmark greeting card, I do have to admit that inspiration is everywhere. It’s in the grocery store (chopped up, bloody meat). It’s in a hospital room (random knifers). It’s in the eyes of the ones you love (from betrayal to undying loyalty). Everywhere, see?
I’ve always enjoyed writing random scenes that play through my mind like old school film reels and Renhala was about connecting several stories that needed to be written, for they all shared one common theme: empowerment. I gained power through writing and don’t have any plans on slowing down!
Where do you like to write? What do you need to write?
I love writing at Starbucks and also at home, in bed, on my little netbook. I always need earl grey tea. If it’s a latte, that’s even better!
What do you like to read?
Anything fictional is up my alley. I love Stephen King and Neil Gaiman.
Advice for aspiring authors:
I say: start with what you know and ramp it up with “extraordinary,” all the while stretching boundaries.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’d like to just say thank you for allowing me to be interviewed, for I truly understand the time it takes to maintain your blog and carry on with your daily life *big hugs and virtual kisses*.
2 comments
Very good post. I absolutely love this website. Keep it up!
Cheers pal. I do appreciate the writing.