Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Guest Author: Shiloh Walker - Veil of Shadows

Contest Closed

Thank you for all your great comments everyone, and thanks to Shiloh for such a fun post!

I've run the random numbers and the winner of Shiloh's giveaway is: Mary Frazier! Congratulations! An email is on the way to you.

_____________

I'm delighted to have Shiloh back on the blog to talk about her new book, the intense and emotional
Veil of Shadows, set in the same intriguing world as Through the Veil. I'm really looking forward to seeing where she'll take her world next.

Please give a warm welcome to Shiloh everyone!

INSPIRATION-LESS
Shiloh Walker


You know, when it comes to thinking up a book, I've got a million ideas. Or at least it seems that way--and they usually pounce on at the worst time--like when I'm in the middle of three other projects with no time for others. And talking to friends? I never run out of things to talk about.

But thinking up a thing to guest blog about… that always leaves me…empty. I can't wax eloquently about what inspires me, I can't get all deep and pensive--I'm best at being weird and/or rambling.


I reckon I should talk about
Veil of Shadows, my September release, but the thing is…I never know what to really say about any of my books, and this one isn't much different.

It's a book. I wrote it. It's got a pretty cover. I really dig the guy's sword (and stop thinking dirty thoughts) the hero is
holding a sword…. See? And it's not even exactly positioned in a manner so it looks sexual. Not thrusting up from the pelvic area or anything. Just holding it down, by ready to use it if he needs to.

If anybody is wondering why there's a guy with a sword standing in front of the ruin of a city…well, it's a war-torn sort of world, and although they've got some serious tech, they can't always rely on it. Good, old-fashioned steel, though? Different story.


The guy, by the way, his name's Xan--pronounced with a Z sound. He heads into the base one day, takes one look at Laisyn AKA Syn, the second in command and…well, for him, that's all she wrote. All I wrote--his first, last, only thought was
want. Eventually want turned to need and need turned to love, but then all sorts of problems came up because he's got things he hasn't told the pretty Captain.

The pretty Captain, AKA Syn, has enough problems him getting all secretive--a gift for magic that she can't use, demons tearing things up around her home, food and supplies are running thin, too many refugees pouring into the camp. Xan is the last thing she planned on. Actually, she
never planned on him.

But there he is. There they both are, and like it or not, they are stuck with each other, because the voices in my head say so. And once I actually got the story rolling, I kind of liked what the voices in my head had to say about these two.


And hey…whaddya know? I managed to ramble somewhat coherently…about the book, even. To wrap it up, I guess I can mention what the book is about a little more formally.
With demons running amok throughout the forests and mountains, a rebel army has been established to win back the land--and a new soldier has appeared out of nowhere to join them.

His name is Xan, and his past is a mystery to everyone, including Laisyn Caar--a beautiful captain in the rebel army--who is shocked by the powerful, all-consuming desire she feels in his presence.

But now isn't the time for distraction. The future of her land--and of her people--is in her hands. On top of that, she's been stripped of her magic--and without it she feels like part of her soul has been stolen away.

But when she discovers the dark secrets of Xan's agenda, it will be up to her to determine whether the man she's starting to love is a friend of her people--or a dreaded enemy…
There you go… a blurb to go with the pretty, nifty cover.

And just because you were so patient listening…um… reading my ramble, I'm going to do a giveaway. But since I didn't do much of anything awe… or commenting… inspiring...instead of asking you a question somehow related to my non-sensical ramble, how about this? We'll relate to the nifty cover.


Xan looks like he's either A) looking at something or B) thinking really hard. Which do you think and telling either what he's
looking at or what's he's thinking. One random commenter wins a $20 GC to the online bookstore of their choice--open across the globe*, but I do have to be able to buy the GC from the US, though, due to geographical restrictions and all that. (Contest closes midnight, Friday 10 September 2010, New Zealand time).

Shiloh Walker

http://www.shilohwalker.com/website/

*Void where prohibited

43 comments :

Maree Anderson said...

Shiloh, it's so refreshing to read that your Muse goes AWOL when it comes to blogging about your new releases. "It's a book. I wrote it. It's got a pretty cover." I love that! But don't forget to add: "It's a really awesome story, so buy it, already!" LOL.

As for your most gorgeous cover hero: I know he's a man, but he's pretty special, so he could be doing two things at once -- this is fiction, after all ;-)

So maybe Xan's looking out for bad dudes to demolish with his really big sword AND thinking about how to get what he wants--needs!--from Laisyn.

BTW, pls don't enter me in the contest as I'm in NZ and it all gets a bit too tricky. But I just wanted to pop in and tell you how much I enjoyed reading your guest blog. Hugs!

Abhishek Duggal said...

He's looking at the ruins and thinking about the true purpose of life.

forsurveysonly at gmail dot com

Sofia said...

Hi Shiloh

Xan, on his way into the ruined city, has stopped for a rest because he knows he'll never get a cab at this time of night and he's thinking 'I knew I should have gone for a pee before leaving the house'

This is the weird way my mind works lol

Sofia

Sofaltaf at Gmail dot com

Diane said...

Glad you are here today Shiloh, it's a great release day!

Unknown said...

He's thinking that ominous cloud in the distance portends doom.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shiloh Walker said...

damn it... i had a nice long comment typed up and my internet skipped on me.

Shoot.

O.o

Um. Okay... I'll just say.. thanks everybody... (stupid internet...)

Rory G said...

I think he is trying to figure out why it looks like a wizard and a horned beast are fighting on the top of the right hand building or perhaps he is just wondering if any of those buildings have a loo he might be able to use. Obviously too much time on my hands and I failed the ink blot test.

Vi Dao said...

I think he's contemplating dinner plans with Syn. Mexican? Chinese? Thai? Indian?

Chelsea B. said...

He looks like he was walking along, thought he saw something, climbed onto whatever it is that he's standing on and thought, "Yep. That's completely what I thought it was. I need to go stab it with my sword."

kalynnick said...

It looks like he is looking at what happen the place.

kalynnick At yahoo DOT com

myrandaroyann said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
myrandaroyann said...

I read Veil of Shadows earlier today and loved it! Sadly, I'm not very brilliant or creative when it comes to this assignment. I think Xan is waiting for the sun to rise and thinking about how soon he can get back to Syn. I think Sofia's idea is hilarious! ;)

Edna said...

He's thinking his broody pose would make for a great book cover. I kid, sorta. Honestly, he looks like he's just having a moment alone, reflecting on some event.

Linda Henderson said...

I think he's looking but not seeing the ruin before him. He's thinking of what the city looked like before the war.

seriousreader at live dot com

Anonymous said...

Hi Shiloh,

I think Xan is looking at his route, as in ambush sites, places to hide etcetera .... The typical (prepared) warrior mindset

Kate
(storm_cloud_261@hotmail.com)

Erin said...

Hello Shiloh! Your post was awesome, funny and down to earth. I think that Xan is looking into the horizon and contemplating how fantastic his pose makes his chest look (and probably how to rebuild the destroyed buildings, but mostly how manly his chest looks and that hopefully it will impress Syn)!

ejeusanio AT aol DOT com

Shiloh Walker said...

LOL... you all are making me grin with your ideas... *G*

Edna, this

He's thinking his broody pose would make for a great book cover.

almost had me choking on my coffee...

Myranda, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Unknown said...

It looks like he's looking off into the distance trying to contemplate weather or not he's going to survive the upcoming fight and get the girl. Or he's trying to decided weather to pee before the battle or after. Anybody's guess.

Ina said...

yeah, it was really tough to read your ramble ;) I think he is looking at his next enemy...
Ina

CrystalGB said...

Hi Shiloh. Veil of Shadows sounds good. I think he is thinking about the danger that lurks ahead and that he is ready to kick butt when trouble comes.

Tiona said...

Wow! That cracked me up Ms. Walker! Hehe!
Are your books funny, as well?
Well, it looks like he's deep in thought, really. But, I could be wrong! Maybe it's me cuz I usually look like that, all deep in thought and everything, hehe!
Sign me up! Sounds like a fascinating world!

Christina said...

Hi Shiloh! I loved your rambling :) I totally appreciate the "best at being weird and/or rambling"

And the book sounds amazing! I love world building and yours sounds interesting. As for Xan, I think he is thinking. He is looking at the cityscape, but to me it is more like he is looking but not looking at it (like when you are staring at the same page of a book for ages because your mind is off in lala land thinking about everything you have to do ...) As for what he is thinking...well, you know Xan's head better than me ;) I'm guessing its something along the lines: Do I *really* want to get involved in someone else's fight? (then again, maybe he's just posing...Syn is in that corner building, foot tured in, chest puffed out...)

Lindlee said...

He's thinking "what would you do for a Klondike bar?"

Shiloh Walker said...

Are your books funny, as well?

eh, afraid not... I'm a smart alec by nature, and completely weird, and when I'm writing, I can come up with funny one liners and sometimes my smart mouth comes thru, but comedy? Not so much... O.o

Comedy is one of the things I don't think I could ever write.

I can ramble, though. I can totally do weird, and I can totally ramble.

Tracy said...

He's thinking, "To be or not to be– that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,or to take arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, end them."

And then, of course, he goes off and kills his uncle with that sword! ;-) (As you can tell, I can't think of anything witty to say, which is why I'm not a writer.)

jbauergirl24@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

He's having a blank look thinking about the things he has to do today and the women he has to apologize to :)

chichai_hana at hotmail dot com

Mary Frazier said...

Hi Shiloh,
I Think Xan Got Lost After Searching For Sin And Is:

Looking off in the distance, Thinking of a way to get back to his beautiful Sin, Because he cannot live with out her. He would die without seeing her everyday.

book_reader_10(at)yahoo(dot)com

Pamk said...

I love this cover. and I think he's searching for monsters and thinking to himself. come on just bring it already. I need to kill and you need to die.

Jikie said...

I think Xan's debating whether he'll need the sword to beat off the fangirls, or use something less painful. I'm opting for something less painful. :]

I like rambles, especially when they recommend new reading material.

Louisse A. said...

It looks like he's staring at something really hard. :)
Like he's looking demons to slay.

Louisse
louisse_ang@yahoo.com

MaryK said...

This sounds good. Can it be read as a stand alone?

He looks like he's standing watch to me. Either that or he's brooding on the state of the city he's surveying.

Anonymous said...

Maybe he's thinking: Why am I not married yet? Or How many demons will come?

Keila
geraldine_1997@yahoo.com

Raven said...

He may be staring at the throng of demons coming his way.

Raven
ravenkristineang@yahoo.com

Cathy M said...

He is watching Laisyn, because she draws his attention whenever she appears.

caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Shiloh Walker said...

This sounds good. Can it be read as a stand alone?

Well, it's going to kind of be up to you... I try to work in enough back story so new readers can follow. I've had a few tell me they did okay-others were glad they waited.

He's thinking "what would you do for a Klondike bar?"

each time i read this, i crave a klondike bar...

Stephanie M said...

I think he is looking out past the ruins to find his next battle.

Jill B said...

Wow, there are some great twisted minds at work in these comments. I thought that perhaps Xan was contemplating a new hairstyle. It's not really long enough for an old-school warrior, but it's not short enough for a hard core military type. He needs to make a decision immediately!

Sara said...

Xan is gazing at Syn and thinking about how much he wants and needs her.

I don't know what time it is in New Zealand right now, so I hope I'm in time for the contest. Keeping my fingers crossed...

lindseye said...

Well he is gazin g into the distance and calculating how long it will take him to clean up the situation and find a beer or Veil of Shadows equivalent.

Kim Phan said...

I love Your books ~ I especially enjoy the Grimm series!

Kim N. Phan (kimplovely@gmail.com)

Kim Phan said...

I really love your writing! Grimm series is a refreshing change!

Nalini Singh said...

Thank you for all your great comments everyone, and thanks to Shiloh for such a fun post!

I've run the random numbers and the winner of Shiloh's giveaway is: Mary Frazier!

Congratulations! An email is on the way to you.

Mary Frazier said...

O.M.G :) I can't believe i won.. Thank You :)