Welcome to my tour stop! Check out an interview with the author and giveaway below...
By Elizabeth Isaacs
Adult Fantasy, Mythology, Dystopian
Paperback & ebook, 372 Pages
October 23rd 2018 by Vesuvian Books
Summary
Descendants of the Amazons, the Scythians work alongside prominent governments but answer to no one. Warriors living on the fringe of civilization, they live by one credo: Strength through Equality. Power through Knowledge.
Nya Thalestris is the brightest Scythian of her generation. Strong, capable, ruthless, she is sure to earn a spot in the Trials, a time-honored mating ritual responsible for the evolution of her species.
Abducted by their sworn enemy, the Drahzda, Nya is forever altered and spirals out of control. The Society sends in Jax Nickius. Infamous psychologist and one of the most brutal warriors of their kind, he discovers triggers planted in Nya’s mind. As Nya solidifies her spot in the Trials, Jax develops a plan to help—while pursuing her as a mate. But, Nya’s attraction to Jax is at war with her instinct to never let anyone get too close.
During the Trials, Nya’s repressed memories surface, revealing a new enemy—one from inside the consulate walls—and a traitorous alliance on the horizon that could irrevocably change the course of history.
Since before the Bronze Age, the Society has managed to safeguard humanity from itself … until now.
Praise for THE SCYTHIAN TRIALS
"... Fun and sensual fantasy [with] magnetic characters." ―Publishers Weekly
"The Scythian Trials crackles with life, hums with heart, and pounds with action for one hell of a read." ―San Francisco Book Review
"If you loved the Hunger Games and Divergent and just all around kicka$$ characters with an amazing storyline then you will love this." ―Books With Jess
Interview
What inspired you to write THE SCYTHIAN TRIALS?
In 2016, I was doing research for a historical romance when I came across an article about a mass grave that had been discovered in Romania, which was believed to be the final resting place of Amazonian warriors. Nomadic women who lived on their own terms was such a stark contrast to the historical piece I was writing at the time, I started to wonder what our society would have been like had western women been appreciated for their abilities instead of their beauty. That sparked the idea of a hidden society within our world where women were considered true equals.
Thus the Society was born.
Would you tell us a little more about your main characters?
Nya Thalestris is known as a fierce competitor that will use any measure to win. She’s a sharpshooter and is incredibly smart, both on and off the arena floor. Nya likes all things outdoors. She loves to fish, hunt, and shoot anything with a bow. She speaks eight languages and is stronger than most Scythian females, but deep down she knows there is something wrong with her. She longs for a sense of normalcy and would give anything to live life on her own terms.
Psychologist Jax Nickius is a Tovaris, the most brutal warriors in the Society. He loves to delve into the minds of others, and when he was presented with Nya’s case, he viewed it as a challenge. But then he met her, and his world completely changed. Her strength and determination made him want her as his equal, and so he put his name in as a candidate for the Trials. Jax wants to find one person that can understand him and give him the true intimacy he is looking for, and after spending time with Nya, he is sure she’s the one.
What do you love the most about this story?
Nya’s strength never waivers, not even when she remembers the dark events of her past. Too, I really tried to create a world where female characters carried most of the agency in the storyline. Most romances find the female protagonist in a reactionary role to a more dominant figure. I had no idea how difficult that was to write until I embarked on this journey. Creating the Scythian world has forced me to see the world in a different light. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
What is the world like in THE SCYTHIAN TRIALS?
The Society’s main focus is moving their species forward, and so anything that doesn’t align with that goal is pushed aside. Curious and driven, they rarely waste time. The world they live in is hidden in compounds, and their architecture is a weird mix of ancient structures and modern-day technology. As The Scythian Trials is the first book in the series, the majority of the story is developed around the characters and their relationships as well as the logistics of why they have evolved as a different species. We explore their world in greater detail in the second book, The Scythian Legacy, which is slated to be released in the fall of 2019 or early 2020.
What genre do you read the most, and favorite authors?
I literally read over a hundred books a year, and so this question is a hard one. I will say what solidified my love of fantasy was Stephen Donaldson’s The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. I believe the series is no longer in print, but I still find the occasional paperback in second-hand bookstores. Regarding poetry and literature, I love anything Maya Angelou. Her words have a way of slipping from the page and going straight to my heart. Anything JK Rowling, of course, is a great re-read. Romance wise, historical would be anything Lisa Kleypas. Contemporary, anything Abbi Glines. Rom-Com, anything Penny Reid or Amy Daws. Beach reads, anything Mindy Ruiz. Steamy paranormal, JR Ward. Thrillers would be Alan Jacobson or Jonas Saul. My new Sci-fi find is Gareth Worthington. Basically, I’m an absolute nerd that loves all genres, lol.
What are you working on next?
Right now, I’m finishing up The Scythian Legacy, which is the second book in this series. And then I’m working on a YA novel about an Alchemist set in the 18th Century.
Book Trailer
About the Author
Elizabeth
Isaacs is an
author, teacher, and publishing professional who began her career as a national
presenter for Resource Profiles, where she developed teacher seminars designed
to foster creative brain stimulation. Moving into formal education, she helped
at-risk students improve their writing skills as well as created and
implemented a creative writing/blogging program that centered on teaching the
21st-century learner. Works stemming from this initiative were published online
and seen in over 40 countries.
Elizabeth receives invitations to speak nationwide at schools and book clubs. She co-founded the popular book blog, Chirenjenzie, which reaches thousands of readers throughout the world. The writer support and reader interest group promotes and interacts with followers on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. Elizabeth has a Master’s degree from Austin Peay State University, where she studied classical opera. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Her newest work, The Scythian Trials, is slated for release in 2018.
Elizabeth receives invitations to speak nationwide at schools and book clubs. She co-founded the popular book blog, Chirenjenzie, which reaches thousands of readers throughout the world. The writer support and reader interest group promotes and interacts with followers on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. Elizabeth has a Master’s degree from Austin Peay State University, where she studied classical opera. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Her newest work, The Scythian Trials, is slated for release in 2018.
PHOTO CONTENT FROM VESUVIAN BOOKS
Tour-Wide Giveaway
- 1 Winner will receive a Copy of THE SCYTHIAN TRIALS by Elizabeth Isaacs.
- 1 Winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.
- Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter | Ends February 4, 2019
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