EYE OF THE SOUL by Terri Rochenski
Series: Pool of Souls #1
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: October
7, 2013
Book Blurb:
Escape.
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever.
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever.
Terri started writing
stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s
Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love
affair with the fantasy genre.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her two young daughters allow. When not potty training or kissing boo-boos, she can be found on her back patio in the boondocks of New Hampshire, book or pencil in hand.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her two young daughters allow. When not potty training or kissing boo-boos, she can be found on her back patio in the boondocks of New Hampshire, book or pencil in hand.
WELCOME TO THE
EYE OF THE SOUL
BLOG TOUR!
You can view the tour line-up here.
Enter the blog tour giveaway and scroll down for a character interview or two--what better way to meet the people in Terri's newest book?
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Terri Rochenski introduces us to the characters of Eye of the Soul...
Are you a plotter or pantster?
Know how many times I’ve asked /
been asked this question? Dozens. And the reasons other writers give never
cease to amaze me—quirks, what makes muses take off, how character speak to us,
how some plan like crazy, putting off the actual writing.
That last is me, to a capital T.
I’ll spend countless hours doing research, making notes, outlines, and
timelines, doing everything possible from writing ‘Chapter 1’.
One of my favorite parts of
planning out a novel are the character interviews. I actually play out a scene
in my mind of sitting with them and asking them questions. I even make notes of
their facial expressions and gestures. What is truly amazing is going back to
those interviews once a novel is completed and seeing how much a character
either changed or remained the same.
I decided to share a snippet from
two of my characters from Eye of the Soul—our first encounter—a few rapid fire
then one serious question I put to them. I’ll start with Hyla, the MC, a
Native-blooded young woman from the island of Taran.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hyla
Q.
What is your occupation?
A.
Mossy-green eyes gaze at the hands clasped in her lap, but a small smile lifts
her lips. “I’m an apprentice healer.”
Q.
Who are the most important people in your life?
A.
“The sick.” She shifts in her chair, still not meeting my gaze, and tucks dark
hair behind a slightly pointed ear. “They need me.”
Q.
What do you crave?
A.
She bites the inside of her lip before whispering, “Acceptance.”
Q.
Tell me about your greatest moment of fear.
A.
Eyelids close and she heaves a deep breath. “When I realized my seeing is unique and I had no mother,
father, or sibling to share it with—someone to help me better understand what
was happening. It heightened my loneliness.” A frown creases the skin between
her brows. “The contradiction is that I yearn for family, but getting close to
others and involuntarily seeing into their souls makes me more of a cast out.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Poor girl! My heart went out to her
immediately, and although I didn’t know her full story, I knew that I had to
tell it.
Now onto one of the story’s heroes,
Jadon Lim, the 2nd son of Lord Lim of Bradenfeld and a soldier in
the king’s army.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jadon
Q.
Do you start arguments?
A.
“No. I finish them.” Laughter erupts, revealing dimples on either side of his
full lips. “Seriously, though, no. I don’t.”
Q.
What’s your worst physical trait?
A.
A grimace mars his too-pretty features. “I have to admit a fault? Fine. I have long
toes.”
Q.
Do you brag?
A.
Broad shoulders rest back against the chair’s back as long legs stretch out and
cross at the ankles. “No brag. Just fact.”
Q.
Greatest fear?
A.
His relaxed position doesn’t change, but stillness settles as though he is a
cat ready to spring. Dark eyes bore into mine, and I realize his hesitation in
admitting what I’m about to hear.
“Soldiers
such as myself should be emotionless killers. I’m afraid if and when the day
arrives I’m faced with taking a life that my compassion and sensitivity won’t
allow the killing blow. But,” his eyes narrow and chin lifts, “I’m sworn to
protect the innocent, those who cannot protect themselves. Hopefully my oath
outweighs my inner weakness.”
~~~~~~~~~~
And there you have it! I hope you
enjoyed the little sneak peeks into Hyla and Jadon, and I REALLY hope you’ll
read their story to see how and if they changed!