Dark Seeker (Giveaway) by Taryn Browning

Welcome to the Dark Seeker Virtual Blog tour. Today I am pleased to bring you my review of this fantastical tale and a chance to win an e-book of Taryn Browning's opening  novel to The Dark Seeker Series. If you haven't heard the gossip leaking from around the blogosphere...you definitely need to grab a copy of this book and read it. I think you will be surprised in a most pleasing way. Oh, and in case you missed my interview with the wonderful Taryn Browning...look HERE!

Title: Dark Seeker
Series: Dark Seeker #1
Author: Taryn Browning
Independently Published
Publication Date: October 4, 2011

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Synopsis:

For 17-year-old Seeker, Janie Grey, ridding the Baltimore streets of the undead is an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors. Seeker Training Lesson #1: Never trust the undead. After her father’s tragic death, Janie creates her own life lesson: Love isn’t worth the risk. 

Both lessons are easy to follow until she encounters the flawed Kai Sterdam. At first, she believes he is the hybrid she is trained to hunt. But, when he has human traits, she determines she doesn’t know what he is. As Janie’s intrigue over who Kai is pushes her deeper into his mysterious past, she discovers a shocking truth that is even more harrowing than the evil they are up against. It’s a secret Kai wants to keep hidden, especially from Janie.

Dark Seeker is a great beginning to a promising series. Ms. Browning has created a group of characters who are riddled with conflicts and filled with emotions. The world they fight to survive in is an everyday world plagued with paranormalcies unbeknownst to humans. Janie Grey is charged with Seeking these life-depleting creatures and ending their terror against mankind.  Problem is, things are changing amongst the vampires and Daychildren. Janie now has to choose between the worst of two worlds.

I enjoyed the uniqueness of Dark Seeker. After so many vampire books, it can be difficult to create something new and refreshing. A big round of applause goes to Taryn for accomplishing this task. I loved the Blood/Crypt spin she put on this story. The "turf battle" between the Vampires and Daychildren oozed of gang type struggles. Who's the strongest, who can "turn" the most people, who can acquire the most assets...these types of never-ending controversies. Instead of the common one-on-one pairing, Ms. Browning threw in another player notching up the action and adversity to a whole other level.

Janie is a strong heroine. She has been raised to kill first and ask questions later, which is exactly what she does until she meets a certain smoldering dem_, Day_, hum_ ...ah hell, who knows what to call Kai. He is something Janie's world has never seen and Janie knows he is trouble; but, like all trouble, she has to know more. Kai will cause emotions to surface in Janie that she has kept locked away since her father was murdered by one of these creatures she Seeks. Not all these emotions will be all happy and fluffy. She will have to overcome things she had never dreamed of in order to accept the past and move into the future. Kai will be dead center around everything.

I loved the relationship between Janie and Kai. Now the whole Imprint thing with Matt was a little unbelievable for me. I just didn't feel the love and devotion that I thought I should with that type of link. I am definitely interested to see where Taryn takes this relationship as well as the relationship between Luke and Ava, two of Janie's best friends. 

This book is action-packed which makes it a difficult book to put down. Janie definitely grows as a protagonist, becoming stronger and much surer of the life she wants. However, Janie is not the only character who matures...several of the secondary characters grow and learn to accept that the world is not everything they once believed it to be. It is so great seeing adults open their minds and grasp that change isn't always a bad thing. Okay, okay...I won't start my preaching but you get the point. 

Many of the books I have read recently have left me unsatisfied in their ending...especially when part of a series. While I completely understand the need for unanswered questions to bring the reader back for more, I tire of never really knowing anything until the last novel. I have to say this is NOT the case with Dark Seeker. I was ever-so-greatly pleased with the ending. No...I won't tell you about it, but it did satisfy my needs and left me with enough curiosity to pick up the sequel.

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So...you want to win a copy of Dark Seeker? 
Let's make this simple...
Leave me a comment telling me who your favorite vampire is. 

Be sure you leave your email address so I can contact the winner. 

The contest will end December 31, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST. That's right...as soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Day...the contest ends. 

(Author Interview) Dark Seeker by Taryn Browning

 

An Interview with Taryn Browning!

Surprise - We are revealing the cover to the second Dark Seeker Book during this tour. You will find the third piece of the puzzle somewhere in my post.

Be sure to follow the tour so you can find all six pieces. Tomorrow's stop is at my good friend Giselle's blog, Xpresso Reads.

  

Kristin: Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live?

       I live in Virginia with my husband, two young boys and dog. I love reading, writing and spending

       time with my friends and family.

Kristin: What is the name of the book you are currently promoting?

        Dark Seeker

Kristin: Where did you come up for the idea for your book?

     I guess you could say it was inspired by my love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Both Buffy and

     Janie are strong female characters who do what it takes to get the job done. Plus, they both

     hunt the undead.

Kristin: How long did the entire process from writing your current work to getting it published take?

     Actually, Dark Seeker is my second book. When I wrote my third book I landed my phenomenal

     agent. So I’d say it was about two years between the time I first wrote it, edited it, sent it to beta-

     readers and my critique partner, and edited it some more, lol. I was also querying and writing

     my third book at the same time. To write the first draft of Dark Seeker it took about two months.

Kristin: Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

     As much as I love Janie, Kai is probably my favorite. He’s mysterious and flawed, with a

     complicated past, which makes him a very interesting character. The book switches to his point

     of view later in the story, giving the reader a look into Kai’s inner thoughts.

Kristin: Do you feel like you put parts of yourself in your characters?

     Definitely. Janie is very dedicated and hard working, which I believe I am too. But she is

     also stubborn and at times reckless. I’m more of a perfectionist. I love Janie’s strong-willed,

     independent personality. I wish I was as confident at seventeen.

Kristin: Will there be a sequel or do you have another project in the works?

     I’m currently working on book 2 in the Seeker series. I’m also designing the cover, which has

     been really fun.

Kristin: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

     I draw my inspiration from the amazing writers in the YA genre. I love reading young adult

     paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I am so grateful for the talent and craft they’ve shared

     with their readers. They were my inspiration to start writing my own stories and for this I am so

     thankful.

Kristin: Do you have any “rituals” when you write?

     Yes. I always create a playlist before I start writing a story. Most of the playlists consist of rock

     and alternative music because I write paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I like to wear

     headphones. In a way, it’s like they cut me off from the rest of the world and allow me to delve

     into the world I’m creating.

Kristin: If you couldn’t be an author, but anything else…what would you be?

    Hmm, that’s a tough question. Reading and writing has become such and important part of

    my life. I actually can’t imagine not writing. I’m a former teacher, so I guess I would use my

    education in reading to become a reading specialist.

Kristin: Independently published or commercially published?

     Independently.

Kristin: If independent…did you attempt to get commercially published?

     My agent has manuscripts for submission to editors so I’m working toward traditional

     publication, but I also love being able to independently publish a series that is dear to my heart.

     I love the characters in Dark Seeker and couldn’t wait to share their stories. So I’m very happy

     for the opportunity to be able to put a novel out on my own.

Kristin: Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?

     Never give up and continue writing. Writing is something we do because we love it. It’s a

     passion and an outlet that helps us stay true to ourselves. It is an amazing feeling to be able

     to share my stories with others and it is my hope that they provide the escape that my favorite

     books have given me. Keep writing, learning and improving your craft, and it will happen.

Kristin: What is the most useful advice you received while writing any book?

     Oprah said something that has stuck with me for years. I try to remember it every day. It helps

     me to not over think and analyze things. “There is a vision for my life that is greater than I could

     ever imagine.”

Kristin: When did reading and writing become important to you?

     I have always loved reading and writing. English was my favorite subject in school.

Fun Stuff

Kristin: The apocalypse is coming…what do you do?

     Find Alex Pettyfer & hide out! (Haha, did I really just say that? Yes, I admit he’s my Hollywood

     crush.) Unless of course it was a zombie apocalypse. Then we’d need to put up an electric

     fence to keep them out. *Hiding with Alex Pettyfer sounds like the perfect idea to me.

Kristin: If you were stranded on an island, name the 5 things you could not live without?

     wine, books, my computer (do I get Internet on this island), my children & my husband

     *Internet is a must.

 

Kristin: What 5 things are within your reach right now? No cheating?

     glass of water, my planner, Milky Way wrapper, “I heart vampires” notepad, purple pen

Kristin: Favorite book ever?

     Wow, this is hard. If I have to name one I’d say the Hunger Games.

Kristin: Ultimate bad boy crush? (TV, Movies, or Books)

     Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. *I love David Boreanaz!!!

Kristin: Ultimate good guy crush? (TV, Movies, or Books)

     Ryan Gosling (Noah) from The Notebook. *Excellent choice...although I cried.

Kristin: Favorite food?

     Bagels or cereal

Kristin: Favorite Movie?

     Pretty in Pink

Kristin: Favorite TV show?

     Vampire Diaries *Me too. Ian Somerhalder...yummy!

Kristin: Favorite Song?

     Set Fire to the Rain by Adele

Kristin: Favorite singer or band?

     Lifehouse

Kristin: One food you would never try?

     Escargot

Kristin: The most exotic food you have ever eaten?

     Sushi

Kristin: Day on the beach or snow skiing down a mountain?

     Day on the beach.

Kristin: Campfire with smores or curled up in front of the fireplace?

     Curled up in front of the fireplace (with a book).

Kristin: If you could move anywhere on this Earth, where would it be?

     Somewhere tropical with a white sandy beach.

Kristin: Health nut or junk food junkie?

     I try to eat healthy by prefer junk food.

Kristin: Two books you think everyone should read. (Yes, you can and should include yours.)

     Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead & Dark Seeker by Taryn Browning.

Kristin: Are there any blogs or websites you frequent?

     I have many friends in the blogging community so I frequent many blogs. I absolutely love

     reading their reviews and posts. They help me decide what to read next. I’m always in awe of

     how fantastic they are at writing reviews.

Kristin: Places my readers can stalk you?

     Facebook – “Taryn Browning” and “Dark Seeker”

     Twitter – @TarynBrowning and @DarkSeekerFans

     Website – tarynbrowning.com

     Blog – yafictionauthor.blogspot.com

     E-mail – tarynbrowning@hotmail.com

 

A special thanks to Taryn for taking the time to answer a few questions for my readers. Be sure to come back on December 21 for my review and an e-book giveaway!