Slam Book with Jacqueline Patricks + "Fairytale Apocalypse" Excerpt

Yesterday, I posted a review of the awesome book called Fairytale Apocalypse . I loved the book and I really think you should read it. And oh, don't forget to join the giveaway when you check out my post!

Today, as part of my stop for the blog tour organized by Lola's Blog Tours, we are graced by the presence of the author of Fairytale Apocalypse, Jacqueline Patricks. She's going to answer my Slam Book and also sharing an excerpt from Fairytale Apocalypse so stick around!

---

About the Author:
As a teen, writing became my passion, and like most aspiring writers, my work was terrible, immature, cliched drivel. I enlisted in the Army, attended college for my creative writing degree, became a paramedic for twenty years (one of the few at the time with a degree), then switched careers into IT. Crazy, huh? Throughout my life, I've traveled far and pushed myself hard, striving to try almost anything at least once (except skydiving unless the plane is on fire).

I write like I live. Come and explore my imagination.

You can find and contact Jacqueline Patricks here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Amazon Author Page

---

NICKNAME:  Jinx
AGE:   44
ZODIAC SIGN: Leo
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS:  Passionate, Loyal, Creative

FAVORITES
COLOR: Blue
ACTOR: Tom Hiddleston
ACTRESS: Sigourney Weaver
SONG: Too many to pick one
BAND/SINGER: Sid17
BOOK: I have to pick one???
MOVIE: Aliens!
BOOK-TURNED-MOVIE: Thor (more myth/comic turned movie)
BOOK/MOVIE QUOTE: “Mostly.” –Newt from Aliens
FICTIONAL CHARACTER: Loki (Of course!!!)
FOOD: Pizza
HOBBIES: reading and sleeping
GUILTY PLEASURE: writing fan fiction (not as much time anymore)
PET PEEVES: People who don’t follow clear directions.

LET’S GET PERSONAL! *aka obligatory cringe-worthy questions*
Note: I don't know how other countries do it, but in the Philippines, these questions are always, always included in a slam book. :)
DEFINE ‘LOVE’: Infinite, patient, compassionate, understanding, passionate—love is the reason we exist.
WHO IS YOUR CRUSH? My real life crush is my husband. My fictional crush is Loki.
WHERE/WHEN DID YOU MEET? 12 years ago online, then had our first date at Starbucks since there’s one on every corner.—I met Loki at the movie theater. *sigh*
WHO IS YOUR FIRST LOVE? My first fiancé, who shall remain nameless.
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENT: The first time I saved a life as a paramedic during my 21 year career.
MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: Oh, man, let’s just say it involves a port-a-potty during pre-dawn darkness and a closed toilet lid.
IF YOU COULD BE ANYTHING/ANYONE/ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW, WHAT/WHO/WHERE WOULD YOU BE? I’d be a millionaire living in Maui writing full-time.

THE REAL STUFF…
1. What inspired you to write the Fairytale Apocalypse? The world-building is excellent so I was wondering, where did you get your ideas?
Great question! I was inspired by one of my favorite movies of all time, Labyrinth. I used to write fan fiction for it and FA was an offshoot of that creative vein. Of course, with FA, I wanted to create my own world, magic, rules, and such, which I've only just begun to explore. There's so much more to the Fae world that's going to be explored in the next books. One of the things I love to do with building a world is to blend it with the real world. The real world is so rich with inspiration. It's just a matter of learning how to reinvent it. I do that a lot with FA using Scottish Gaelic as the Fae ancient language for magic. More of that will be explained as I go along.
2. Do you believe in fairies?
I believe not so much in fairies but other worlds. I believe there is so much more to the universe that we, as humans, have yet to explore and understand. We haven't even peeled back the first layer. So, yes, fairies could be possible.
3. Which character can you relate most with?
I'd say Kagan. It's ironic, but I tend to relate more to my male leads than my female characters. It's the same for my sci-fi series, The Brajj. I relate more with Captain Lewis. Probably because I've worked in male dominated jobs for over 20 years, and I've gotten to know how men think and speak casually. While I'm still a girl at heart, I've come to understand men very well. So writing male characters is more a matter of understanding character motivations rather than making them 'sound' male.
4. If this book gets picked to be a movie, which actors/actresses would you want to play Kagan, Lauren and Tessa?
LOL, I wish! You know, I haven't thought that far ahead. I would have no idea who would play whom. I love Hugh Jackman. Then you'd have to have light and dark females for Lauren and Tessa, preferably younger than Jackman. Since they're fraternal, they would've have to look that much alike. Not even sure where to begin for them. If any readers have ideas for the twins?
5. Any advice for aspiring writers?
Don't let the haters get you down! Keep writing, working, and improving! It's an entirely new world for writers. Take advantage of it because who knows where things are going to be five or ten years from now. It's an exciting time!

I love, love Jacqueline's answers! I'm so intrigued with the embarrassing moment. ;) And yeah, Hugh Jackman as Kagan is spot-on!

As promised, we're sharing an excerpt from Fairytale Apocalypse, and I'd like to say that this is one of my parts of the book. Enjoy!

---

“Get out of my way, Paul.”

Still covered in blood, sweat and filth, Kagan pushed off the armory’s door frame where he’d been leaning the last few minutes since they’d left the battle. Tensing, he prepared to intervene should Tessa need him; however, his presence seemed to have been forgotten, and he watched as their bodies strained around each other but never touched in an awkward dance.

Tessa tried to sidestep the large man, but Paul blocked her again, his arms outstretched. “Think 'bout what you’re doin'.”

“I am.” She feinted far left, then dodged right.

His bulkiness ended up faltering against her speed and flexibility. Paul’s cussing amused Kagan, who smirked and relaxed his stance on the jamb.

Paul laid a restraining hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t touch me!” Tessa pivoted and gripped his wrist, twisting his arm beyond its natural angle.

His torso moved in the direction of her arm lock, but he didn’t step back. Kagan saw pain in Paul’s brown eyes, but he never released the smallest sound acknowledging it. They stared each other down, Paul’s jaw muscles jumping and bunching beneath his stubble while Tessa pushed his arm farther into the lock.

Paul leaned in close to Tessa, his voice so low Kagan barely heard him. “You don’t need to do this.”

“The hell I don’t!” She shoved him so hard he fell onto a stack of food boxes on a nearby table, scattering them like roaches. A few burst open, exposing a type of curved, dried pasta Kagan once ate covered in vibrant orange cheese sauce, bland but satisfying. Seeing it again made his stomach growl. Later, he sighed, partially resigned to never eating again, best to deal with this first.

Turning from the stunned Paul, Tessa started gathering supplies, heedlessly stuffing them into a large olive-green rucksack. No words passed between the three for several moments, only the sounds of metal and pre-packaged containers being slide into the bag filled the room. Paul shook out his arm and exchanged a guarded look with Kagan. Cocking a brow, Kagan frowned at Paul, who continued to brush off his dignity.

Paul mouthed—Well?—at him.

As if she’ll listen to me. Cautiously, Kagan approached her from behind, grateful that his facial markings had faded shortly after he’d sworn his vow to her. “Tessa.”

She jumped, face agog with shock as if she didn’t recognize him in that instant. Her long brown hair hung in matted hanks, a few frizzy strands drifting about her head like a wretched halo. Dirt and dried gore painted her face, making her dilated chestnut eyes appear black. He knew he looked no better, could feel his clothes and hair stiffening as the blood dried. But Tessa—

She was gruesome. She was magnificent. His cock twitched, hardening, urged along by the coppery taste of mortal blood lingering on his tongue. He could hardly restrain his urge to strip her naked, slam her against a wall, and bury himself inside her carnage-soaked body, to forcefully take her as done in ancient times when their worlds existed as one in harmony. Thrusting, pounding, dominating, his ears begged to hear her scream his name in—

“What?” she snapped, pulling him from his lust-addled delusion.

Damn Fae bloodlust! Frustrated for numerous reasons, he growled at her and quickly stepped back to clear his nostrils of Tessa’s primitive scent. Mentally slapping himself, he wished for a cold spring in which to dunk his overheated hormones. He pinched his nose, then cleared his throat. “Whatever your plan to rescue Lady Lauren, you’ll not attempt it without me.”

---

That's it! Thanks for checking out my tour stop for Fairytale Apocalypse. I'm really excited for the second book. :)