Interview & Giveaway: CUTLASS by Ashley Nixon

* Cool prizes up for grabs (INTL). Check Rafflecopter below.

 

Book Details:

Title: Cutlass (Cutlass Series #1)
Author: Ashley Nixon
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: April 23, 2014
Buy Links: Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle

Notorious pirate Barren Reed has one thing on his mind: Revenge against the man who killed his father. So kidnapping his enemy’s fiance seems a perfect plan… until he actually does it. 

Larkin Lee is more than a pretty face and fiance to a powerful man. Her fierce personality is enough to make any pirate want to push her overboard.

But when the King of the Orient comes to Barren with a task–to find the Bloodstone, a powerful gem thought only to exist in legend, Barren sees another opportunity to destroy his enemy. Together, Barren, Larkin and a crew of pirates set off to find the stone, only to discover it caused the death of Barren’s own mother and Larkin’s, too. As his strongest allies turn into his greatest enemies, and the life of the girl he kidnapped becomes more important than he ever dreamed, Barren’s quest for revenge becomes a fight to save the Orient.

Interview with Ashley Nixon:

 

What was your inspiration for Cutlass?

It’s hard to say what my inspiration for Cutlass was at this point because I wrote the book so long ago. During the rewrite, I concentrated on themes. I can say that I was interested in exploring this idea that good and bad are very gray areas, depending on whose side you are on. I also wanted a kickass heroine—someone I would aspire to be.

 

What was your most memorable experience while writing this book?

Oh gosh. My most memorable experience was a heartbreaking one—the night I had to face the rewrite. You see, I had this book for about seven years. It had been read and reread by me with little fixes here and there. It was me in my High School form and I had been fighting the rewrite because I was afraid. The day I realized what I had to do, I felt heartbroken, defeated. I cried. I piled everything up that belonged to my writing career and considered quitting. But then, I decided to start from the beginning. Blank page. And I did! It was the best decision ever. I love Cutlass in this form. It is me in so many ways.

 

How would you describe Barren in three words?

loyal. headstrong. passionate.

 

How would you describe Larkin in three words?

kickass. headstrong (lol). brave.

 

If you could write in another genre, what would it be and why?

Umm. I love fantasy. Honestly, I find it so hard to write in the world we live in. Though, I am working on a sort of supernatural book, and I have a more literary novel in mind. I think I’ll expand my genres at some point.

 

Could you share with us your writing process?

I’ve been in college for the last six years so my writing process is haphazard. You would all be confused to practice it in reality. I have to understand my character motivations first and I have to understand how their thoughts and feelings are going to affect the plot. Then I like to know how the plot and subplot all tie up in the end. I don’t have to know everything to start writing, but I usually know the beginning, middle and end points. Then I start. I write until I’m stuck and then I edit. Usually by the time I am finished editing, I know where I’m going with the story for a few more chapters. I repeat. I usually always listen to music while I write, too.

 

Who are you favorite authors?

My favorite authors are J.R.R. Tolkien, Oscar Wilde, and Jane Austen.

 

Do you have anything you’d like to share to your readers?

If you are curious about the Code of the Silver Crest Pirates, you can go HERE to read some of their rules! 😀

 

 

 

About the Author:

Ashley was born and raised in Oklahoma, where the wind really does sweep down the plains, and horses and carriages aren’t used as much as she’d like. When she’s not writing, she’s hard at work on her Master’s degree in Library Science and Information Technology, working out, or pretending she’s Sherlock Holmes. Her obsession with writing began after reading the Lord of the Rings in the eighth grade. Since then, she’s loved everything Fantasy–resulting in an unhealthy obsession with the ‘geek’ tab on Pinterest, where all things awesome go.

Connect with Ashley Nixon:

Website  |  Goodreads  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

 

 

Giveaway!!!

*Tour-wide Giveaway (INTL).

• Prize 1) A signed Paperback Copy of Cutlass, include a cute octopus mug (it’s purple and ADORABLE), Bookmark, and maybe a poster.
• Prize 2) A signed Paperback of Cutlass + a bookmark
• Prize 3) E-book of Cutlass

If the Rafflecopter does not appear, you can go HERE instead.

You can follow the Tour HERE.