Blog Tour Interview & Giveaway - Cursed by Trakena Prevost

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Cursed
Author: Trakena Prevost
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Date Published: December 13, 2013

Book Summary:
Half-succubus Jazz Watkins spends her days navigating the halls of Moreland High and her nights knee deep in Chicago drug dens hunting Suecai – an evil kind of incubi and succubae who devour the souls of humans. But when a leader of the Suecai curses her, Jazz has to track him down. Either she kills him before the curse burns through her, or she’ll become a full-fledged, out of control, soul sucking monster.

She’s got a handful of weeks, absolutely no leads, and her sexy best guy-friend and team member, Khan, covering her back. But will the growing attraction she feels for Khan get in the way of her mission to save her own life?


Author Links: Amazon ¦ B&N

Author Interview

1. What inspired you to want to become a writer?

The one big comfort I had growing up was my love of reading. I enjoyed losing myself in tales filled with fantasy and wonder, and would often be found with two to three books hidden away on my person at any given moment. My only frustration was that hardily any of the books I loved had people in them that looked like me. That's where my passion for writing started. I just wanted to write the type of stories that I loved, and fill them with characters that were truly as wonderfully diverse as the world we live in. I now write for that teenaged girl I used to be, but also for all of the other teen girls of color out there who would love to see themselves in fantasy tales.

2. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

For me, just having folks read and enjoy my book is the best reward. Getting in Goodreads and seeing reviews from folks who've read and enjoyed my story, well, that's the best feeling in the world!

3. If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I'm a huge fan of J.K. Rowling. She did such a fantastic job of pulling together a well rounded and intricate tale of one boy's journey, that it truly has stayed with me for all of these years. I still go back from time to time and re-read them. I'll probably give my kids the entire series as a gift at a certain age as a reader's right of passage...once I have kids that is.

4. If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Telekinesis. When you think about it, it's the perfect  superpower. You can defend yourself, both physically and mentally if you can get into someone's mind, and you can always know what folks are up to. Knowledge is power, but it can also be a big burden as well.

5. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

You should read Cursed because it's a perfect blend of kick-assed action and swoon worthy romance, with main characters you can relate to who are diverse and fun, and it's an overall good time to read!

6. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

Yes! I'm outlining the sequel to Cursed in which Jazz will be tempted beyond her wildest imaginings. I'm also working on a New Adult story involving casters. My goal for future projects is to write fun and interesting tales that all people can relate to.

7. Do you write as you go or do you have the book planned before you start the first draft?

I like to start with a detailed outline before beginning with the first draft of a project. That outline helps me to stay focused and to know where my story is taking me so I don't get off track. It's not meant to box me in though, and I'm more than happy to deviate from the outline if I feel the characters moving in a different direction. In the original outline of Cursed, the first kiss was meant to be farther into the story, but the timing was right and it just happened. I went with it and it was perfect!

8. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay! I loved that series so much and cannot wait to see the actors bring it to the big screen!

9. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Seoul, South Korea. I'm a big fan of Korean Dramas and I cannot wait to visit the place that I've seen in so many shows I love.

10. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

All the time. A lot of my characters will pick up little traits I have, like how one of my characters liked to twirl her hair. I like to input pieces of myself and people I love in my characters. I'm not sure why, but it always makes for a fun read for me...like having an inside secret joke that only I know.

Excerpt from Cursed

When he walked out the bathroom, the nerves I’d thought I’d turned to steel started to quiver. What if he refused me? Khan was just as stubborn as I was. How could I possibly ask this of him? How could I get him to understand?

I took a deep breath and looked at him. “Khan, we need to talk.”

“Uh oh, that’s never what a guy wants to hear from his girl.”

My stomach fluttered, but I refused to give into the distraction. “I have a plan…in case we don’t find and kill the Gunshi. But I need your help to pull it off.”

He didn’t look taken aback, just more determined than anything. “Jazz, it’s too soon for you to give up now. We’ve got some really good leads, we can do this!”

I shook my head. “I’m not giving up, Khan. I never give up…you know that.” I smiled at him and was rewarded with one in return. “But…being a leader means having to think outside of myself…you and my dad taught me that. We have to prepare for all possibilities – even this.”

His dark eyes flashed and, for a second, I thought I was in for a long and hard fight. Then understanding washed over his features and he nodded. “As long as you promise this doesn’t mean you’ve given up.”

“Not even close – and giving in doesn’t even sound like me.”

He snorted. “That’s for sure.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, I think we can do this, but if not…I have a forgetting tonic to erase my memories. That way, in the very least, the vermin can’t use my knowledge against everyone I love.”

Khan jerked. “Where in the hell did you…?” Then he groaned. “Claudine.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “She always has been good at knowing what I need.”

His face was hard. “Okay, so I’ll make sure to wipe away your memories. I’ll erase everything that makes you, you – everything I’ve grown to know and care about. We done?”

I paused. “Not quite.”

He flinched. “I figured something more was coming when you said, ‘In the least’.”

I almost didn’t have the guts to continue. “Think about it, Khan. You can’t just leave me there, a newbie Suecai with the urge to feed. What if I came across my mom one day? Or your dad?

“You might not be able to do it immediately – there’s no telling how strong I’ll be at first or how protected – but eventually you’ll have to take me out! I shuddered at the thought. “What else can we do?”

The rage flew through his features even more quickly than when I’d told him I couldn’t be his Valentine in the sixth grade.

“Anything, Jazz,” Khan whispered. “We fight. We search. We keep pounding the pavement until we find that bastard. We do anything and everything.”

Words escaped me. A boulder set squarely on my chest and wouldn’t budge. I should’ve known this wouldn’t be easy – hadn’t I spent my entire life traipsing around Chicago with Khan? I shouldn’t have expected anything else.

Khan seemed to take my silence as an opportunity to change my mind. “You could learn control, Jazz, become a full-fledged Dorgai.” There it was, that secret hope I held deep in my heart that I was too scary to speak out loud.

“Khan, that’s impossible. There’s no way I can learn control if I’m forced into feeding too fast. The only way we halfers manage it is by taking an entire year to ease into the process. All of Dad’s advisors are agreed that I’ll become an uncontrollable Suecai.”

“I can’t believe that, Jazz. It can’t happen. Not to you.”

I couldn’t focus. My need to be rational kept battling the little girl within me reaching for a solution, any solution.

I didn’t notice Khan moving until it was too late.

Before I could say something to break the bubble, Khan stood over me, his face inches from mine. His eyes were warm and I could feel the heat of his breath, minty from his recent trip to the bathroom. My heart stopped.

About the Author

Trakena Prevost was born and raised in the great state of Texas, where everything IS bigger and the people are very friendly. She spends most of her time oscillating between being completely obsessed with reading and Korean dramas (to her wonderful boyfriends chagrin) and writing down the fantastic tales rumbling around in her head. When not reading and writing, Trakena spends her time working in HR for a major medical system in Houston, and hanging out with her family and friends.

Trakena has always loved the many worlds she's found in books, where everything was possible. As a child, you would often catch her enjoying a good story in the comfort of the AC, instead of wilting in the Houston heat (she showed great intelligence...even then). It didn't occur to Trakena that the fanciful stories she made up for fun could one day be out in the world, but now that they are she can't imagine it any other way!

Author Links:

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***GIVEAWAY***

$10 Gift Card and a signed copy of Cursed up for grabs.

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