A.F.E. Smith
  • Home
  • Books
    • Marked series >
      • Dawn Rising
      • The Dark Knife
    • Darkhaven novels >
      • Darkhaven
      • Goldenfire
      • Windsinger
  • Shorts
  • Gallery
  • Contact

Barren Island Books – Rachel McClellan

29/1/2015

1 Comment

 
author-rachel-mcclellan-unleashed-8

Welcome to Barren Island Books, the author interview series that’s in no way related to a popular music-based radio programme. You know the rules by now: my guests are exiled to a remote island with only five books for company, selected from the categories I give them. It’s up to them to make sure they choose wisely, because they’re going to be stuck with those books for a long, long time …

My interviewee this week is Rachel McClellan, author of young adult Jekyll and Hyde novel Unleashed – currently on tour! When she’s not being banished to a desert island, Rachel can be found at www.rachelmcclellan.com and mcclellanbooks.com. Stay tuned for more information and a giveaway at the end of the interview!

Rachel, thanks for joining us. First of all, could you please tell us a little bit about yourself – just so we know who it is we’re sending into exile. Illogical fears, unusual birthmarks, whether you’d rather wrestle a bear or punch a shark, that kind of thing.

Rachel McClellan
Thank you for having me! What a fun interview! I’ll get through the quick boring stuff first. In addition to Unleashed, I’m the author of the young adult Fractured Light trilogy. I also wrote a humorous memoir titled Confessions of a Cereal Mother about raising four young children. I love anything supernatural or superhero-ish.

A few interesting tidbits about me? The first boy I ever kissed is currently in jail for murder. I’m so glad that tween romance didn’t last! I’ve been skydiving and would easily do it again. And I’m scuba certified. To say I love adventures is an understatement!

Then you're going to love being exiled :-) And what about your own work? What are the inspirations behind it? What would make someone else choose it to accompany them into exile?

Unleashed
One of my favorite novels is The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It’s such a great, layered story focusing on the dual nature of man. I really wanted to write something geared toward young adults that would capture this same feel.

I would hope someone would choose Unleashed for their exile adventure because it would help keep them sane. Everyone has an internal beast just waiting to be unleashed. I can imagine being stuck on an island would make that transformation pretty easy! Hopefully my book would remind them of the perils of releasing such a creature with no moral compass.

Now let’s move on to the books you’re going to take to the island with you. First up, it’s your favourite childhood book – perhaps the one that got you interested in reading in the first place, or the one you read over and over when you were young. Which will you choose, and why?

The childhood book that first struck a nerve in me was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I would take this to the island because it would remind me of all the adventures I can have if I so choose, while also serving as a reminder that I need to find my inner gift/talent.

It was one of my favourite childhood books, too – I still check the backs of old wardrobes, just in case! Next, the book that made the greatest impact on your life. This could be one that inspired you to become a writer, or one that made you look at the world in a whole new way – maybe even one that resulted in real-life romance or adventure.

Tough one. I’d probably have to choose Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, because it would remind me to work hard and be responsible for my own actions. It would also keep me from having a daily pity party, being all alone and all.

For your third book – and you’re probably going to need this one, all alone on a remote island – I’d like you to choose your greatest comfort read. You know, the one you turn to when you’re sad or ill or just need a little pick-me-up.

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter. I’m always inspired when I read about him.

I expect we can find you a box set :-) Fourthly, it’s your unexpected treasure: a book you didn’t expect to like but did, maybe one outside your usual genre or that you picked up with low expectations but were pleasantly surprised …

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell. It’s a zombie book, which isn’t something I usually read, but man was this one good!!

And finally, I’d like you to choose your instant classic – the book you think most deserves to be read and reread by future generations. It’s up to you whether this book is already considered a classic or is something more obscure.

Since I’m already taking Atlas Shrugged, then I would have to choose A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. There are so many great lessons to learn in this book about the importance of having an imagination, being kind to others, forgiveness, and so much more!

Ah, another childhood favourite that you and I share :-) We’ll get those five books packaged up ready for your journey. Since we’re not completely heartless here at Barren Island Books, we’ll also let you take one song/piece of music, one film and one other item of your choice into exile with you …

One song?? That is heartless! I love music, so to choose just one is downright criminal. But … if I must choose, I’ll take Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones. I’ll take The Count of Monte Cristo for my movie selection, and one last item would have to be a bulk case of toilet paper.

Very practical! Now, before we whisk you away, you have one last decision to make: where you want your remote island to be located. You can choose anywhere you like for your exile, in this world or another.

My exile would be in Superhero World. Haven’t heard of it? That’s a shame. I have a key. All kinds of good and bad guys with abilities live there, including vampires, because they can be superheroes and villains too. And they are all crazy good looking! This exile’s going to be awesome!

Sounds like fun. I might even pay you a visit. So that’s it – you’re ready to go. Thank you for joining us, and enjoy your trip!


About the book
Unleashed by Rachel McClellan

Genres: Romance, Thriller, Science Fiction

355 pages

Release date:  September 9, 2014


Seventeen-year-old Claire Williams’ tough upbringing has taught her how to throw a punch or two to survive, especially when it involves a man’s unwanted attention. But her strength waivers when she visits Bodian Dynamics, a medical research facility, and stumbles upon classified information—someone has stolen a drug that not only changes a person's appearance, but will also unleash a dark and evil alter ego.

After an intimidating security guard threatens the lives of her friends if she speaks to anyone about the incident, Claire pretends the drug never existed. That is until she meets Gage, a teenage boy who doesn’t seem to have a conscience and who is hell-bent on making her just like him by unleashing her dark side.

But Claire knows a secret—he can only die while in his normal state. And since Gage knows personal information about her, Claire thinks she knows who it is: either her best friend or her recent boyfriend. And once she figures out which boy Gage is hiding behind, she’s going to kill him, even if it breaks her heart.
Purchase links
Buy Unleashed on Amazon US, UK and CANADA, B&N

Follow the tour
Follow the tour schedule here.

About the author
Rachel McClellan, author of Unleashed and many others, was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she’s not in her writing lair, she’s partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel’s love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was …

author-rachel-mcclellan-unleashed

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Giveaway
Ready for the Unleashed giveaway? Enter below via the Giveaway Tools form!
Entry-Form

Good luck, and happy reading and winning!

Unleashed Virtual Book tour presented by ...

Happy-Geek-Media

Enter your email address here!
Enter your email address here and click on Submit.
Submit
Or sign up to my mailing list!

1 Comment
John Thuku
29/1/2015 10:55:40 pm

If I won, I would buy new books. I think the book sounds wonderful to read. Thank you for sharing it.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

      Enter your email address and click on Submit to receive notifications of new posts.
      Enter your email address here!
    Submit

    Archives

    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011

    Categories

    All
    About Me
    Artwork
    A To Z Challenge
    Barren Island Books
    Books
    Character Interviews
    Characterisation
    Darkhaven
    Editing
    Events
    Excerpts
    Fantasy
    Flash Fiction
    Giveaways
    Guest Posts
    Marketing
    Maths
    Pedantry
    Point Of View
    Prophecy
    Publishing
    Reading
    Recommended Reads
    Reviews
    Rules Of Fiction
    Science Fiction
    Serious Stuff
    Sunday Showcase
    Tentacles
    Ugh
    Worldbuilding
    Write Every Day
    Writing

    Or subscribe to my mailing list here!

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Books
    • Marked series >
      • Dawn Rising
      • The Dark Knife
    • Darkhaven novels >
      • Darkhaven
      • Goldenfire
      • Windsinger
  • Shorts
  • Gallery
  • Contact