Hidden Gems: Serena Chase

Hello, lovely peoples! I have with me, this week, an author who writes spectacular fantasy/retellings! I loved her four-book fantasy series, and now am looking forward to reading her newest novel (releasing this month!!) a YA contemporary!

Scroll down for an interview and of course, a superb giveaway! ^_^

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Introducing ... Serena Chase

SERENA CHASE is the author of the critically-acclaimed Eyes of E’veria series. The first two novels of that series, The Ryn and The Remedy, released in 2013. Book 3, The Seahorse Legacy released May 2014 and Book 4, The Sunken Realm released September 2015. Her first contemporary YA romance, Intermission, will release November 15, 2016.

Serena lives in Iowa with her husband Dave, teen daughters Delaney & Ellerie, and a goldendoodle named Albus.

A frequent contributor to USA TODAY's Happy Ever After blog, Serena is a lifelong performer who often speaks in song lyrics.

Connect with Serena Chase by visiting her website and signing up for her newsletter and “like” her official Facebook page to stay up-to-date on new release news. Enjoy her sometimes poignant, but more often chuckle-inducing random observations of life on Twitter (@Serena_Chase - also her Instagram handle.)

View inspiration boards for her novels on Pinterest.

Don't be shy. Serena loves hearing from readers!

Why I Think This Author Is One You Should Discover:

• Books are Christian Fantasy
• ...With a Delicious Fairy Tale Twist
• Retellings of 'Snow White & Rose Red', 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses', etc.
• Intriguing World; Sweet Romance; Tender Moments of Faith
• Thrilling, Epic, Enthralling
• Pirates . . . (*ahem* Cazien)

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~ EYES OF E'VERIA Series ~

DESTINED by prophecy. GUARDED by deception. PURSUED by Love.

Centuries ago, an oracle foretold of the young woman who would defeat E’veria’s most ancient enemy, the Cobelds. But after two centuries of relative peace, both the prophecy and the Cobelds have been relegated to lore—and only a few remain watchful for the promised Ryn. 

Finally, a child is born who matches the oracle’s description, but a Cobeld curse accompanies her birth. Led to believe they succeeded in killing the prophesied child, the Cobelds emerge from hiding with plans to overtake the Kingdom.

But the child survived.

Secreted away and called “Rose” for the first nineteen years of her life, Rynnaia E'veri has no idea of her true identity until a chance meeting with an injured knight reveals not only her parentage and true name, but the task assigned her by the oracle: discover the Remedy that will destroy the Cobelds' power. 

Now, her time has come.

Offered the assistance of pirates, scribes, storytellers, a young woman who died centuries ago, and the knight who is quickly working his way into her heart, Rynnaia is fortified with friends. But if the Ryn is to complete her task, she must come to terms with not only who she is, but for whom she must be willing to die. For the kingdom’s survival depends on her.

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Having come to terms with her long-hidden identity, Princess Rynnaia E’veri is ready to take her rightful place. But before she can join her father at Castle Rynwyk, she must endeavor to fulfill a 200-year-old prophecy and defeat the Kingdom’s ancient enemy, the Cobelds.

Joined by her faithful knight, Sir Julien de Gladiel, and a gifted group of friends, Rynnaia must trek a dangerous path through canyons, forests, and into the very depths of a mountain where, if the prophetic scrolls prove correct, she will face an unknown foe, alone.

Treacheries will be discovered, sacrifices will be made, friends will be lost, and love will be tested, but if even one line of the riddled prophecy is misinterpreted, Rynnaia will fail . . . and the Kingdom will fall.

Beginning at the point The Ryn ended, The Remedy concludes an epic re-imagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, Snow White & Rose Red. But the Eyes of E'veria series is only beginning . . .

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a Pirate, bound by a centuries-old oath

As Keeper of the Seahorse Legacy, Cazien de Pollis is a King among pirates, divinely appointed to dispense justice on the seas. Bound by the sacred oath of a long-dead ancestor, he must fulfill a contract to wed the green-eyed Oracle’s Daughter named therein—or risk losing everything he and his people hold dear. But at nineteen, with the identity of his betrothed only recently revealed, Cazien resents the contract—and the urgency within him to see it satisfied.

a Knight, determined to prove her calling

Erielle de Gladiel returned from the quest for the Remedy, changed. Not only are her formerly-blue eyes now a brilliant shade of green, but she must don gloves to hide inky evidence that her prophetically-bestowed title, the Oracle’s Daughter, demands more from her than the task already completed. Erielle’s dearest-held dream is realized when she is knighted by her King, but unbeknownst to her, that very honor jeopardizes the prophesied purpose to which she and Cazien have been called.

a Legacy, demanding surrender

Just as Cazien summons the courage to collect his bride, dark rumors and darker deeds crawl up the coasts, calling its guardians, the Seahorse Pirates, into action—and Cazien away from Erielle. But even though the Oracle’s Daughter knows nothing of the contract to which she has been consigned, Cazien’s enemies have somehow learned of his interest in Erielle. And if they reach her before his ancestor’s weighty oath is executed, the Seahorse Legacy will be forfeited . . . and darkness will be given reign.

The third book in this series-within-a series, The Seahorse Legacy begins an epic tale of piracy, adventure, and romance. Giving subtle nods to several fairy tales, including an unexpected twist to the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, this romantic adventure will conclude in Eyes of E’veria, Book 4: The Sunken Realm.

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She is an outcast among knights

Her reputation in ruins, her knighthood revoked, and her future bleak, Erielle de Gladiel would have welcomed death as her due. Captured by pirates, she was beaten, whipped, branded a thief—and worse—and then set adrift to die. She did not expect—or even want—to be rescued. Especially not by the dashing blasted pirate now calling himself her husband.

He is the King of Pirates

His oath satisfied and his Legacy secured, Cazien vows vengeance on all who harmed Erielle. But before he can hunt them down, a strange visitor appears with an urgent message—a message that aligns with prophecy Erielle has written in her sleep: The Seahorse Pirates must reach Nirista before the famed Tournament of the Twelve . . . or hundreds of stolen children will die.

Together, they are relentless

With the fate of many resting upon them, Cazien and Erielle sail to Nirista. Once there, they are forced to follow separate paths to achieve their aims. Treacheries are uncovered and allies are gained, but in the shadows, a hidden foe plots a grievous betrayal that could shatter not only their hope, but the Seahorse Legacy itself. 

The epic conclusion of this series-within-a series, The Sunken Realm sweeps Erielle and Cazien along a pulse-pounding voyage to discover all they are meant to become, together. Giving subtle nods to several fairy tales, including an unexpected twist to the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, this romantic YA pirate adventure is the final novel in the Eyes of E’veria series . . . but the Seahorse Pirates and their friends in E’veria may yet have stories to tell.

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~ Standalone Novel ~

We are starlight on snow. The reflection of something already beautiful—absorbed, reflected, and remade into something . . . more.

And this kiss . . .

This kiss is everything I’ve needed to say . . . and longed to hear.

Sixteen-year-old Faith Prescott eagerly awaits the day she will exchange her small Iowa hometown for the bright lights of Broadway, but her success-driven parents want her to pursue a more practical career, labeling “artsy” people—including their daughter—as foolish dreamers worthy of little more than disdain.

When Faith meets nineteen-year-old Noah Spencer she discovers someone who understands her musical theatre dreams . . . because he shares them. 

Faith’s mother despises everything about Noah—his age, his upbringing . . . even his religious beliefs—and she grasps at every opportunity to belittle his plans to study theatre and pursue a stage career. When those criticisms shift further toward hostility, resulting in unjust suspicions and baseless accusations, an increasingly fearful stage is set for Faith at home, where severe restrictions and harsh penalties are put in place to remove Noah Spencer from her life.

But Faith has never connected with anyone like she has with Noah, and no matter how tight a stranglehold her mother enforces to keep them apart, Faith will not give him up. Behind the curtain, Faith’s love for Noah continues to grow . . . as does her determination to hold on to her dreams—and him—no matter how high the cost.

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Author Interview

What genre(s) do you write?

Serena: My Eyes of E’veria series is epic fantasy, geared toward teens and other YA readers. It consists of four novels, The Ryn, The Remedy, The Seahorse Legacy, and The Sunken Realm. On November 15, 2016 I will release Intermission, a YA contemporary coming-of-age romance.

What impact do you hope your books will have on readers?

Serena: My author tagline is “Find yourself in the fairy tale” and all of my books, so far, have characters who struggle with the concept of identity. I think it’s a universal struggle, the quest to discover who you are and how who you are fits within the grander scheme of things. I hope my books help readers discover hidden gems within themselves while encouraging them to jump, gut-first, into the journey of life.

What’s one of the best things about being an author?

Serena: I have to admit: I love being able to show up for work in a t-shirt and yoga pants. That is awesome. But that I also get to spend my days hanging out with my imaginary friends? That’s pretty sweet, too. But the very best thing, in all the evers, is hearing from readers who say my books have touched them in a deep way, or helped them through a rough time. That, is priceless.

Which one of your books would you call the ‘story of your heart?’

Serena: There is a little bit of me in all my books, in all my characters—even the villains, I suppose, though hopefully not as often. And although it may not be the best, most tightly written of my published novels (it was, after all, my first) The Ryn is the ‘story of my heart’—the one that affects me deeply, still. It took seven years from conception to birth (publication) with that story, but I have some very precious, tender memories of writing it.

What writing project are you working on right now?

Serena: While readying for the release of Intermission, I plan to use the month of November to complete a first draft of a yet-to-be-titled E’veria novella, featuring Veetrish Storyteller Rowlen de Whittier. It is a mash-up of two fairytales and I am really, really excited to see how they will meld together and come to life!

What are some of your favorite books and who are the authors who inspire you?

Serena: Since my “other job” involves reviewing books for USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog, I read a LOT. Wow. It’s hard to pick favorites! J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series will always rank among my favorite books, as will The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series is awesome, as is The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer—I devoured those books! A.G. Howard’s Splintered series blows my mind. So good! When We Collided by Emery Lord is flat-out brilliant. More recently, I’ve fallen in love with some newer authors like Katie Kennedy (Learning to Swear in America) and Kara Isaac (Close to You and Can’t Help Falling) I am blessed with three amazing critique partners who are such great storytellers that I feel like I become a better writer simply by reading their books: Amanda G. Stevens, Jess Evander, and Charity Tinnin. I am always on the lookout for debut authors and discovering new authors to love is one of my very favorite things!

What does your writing process look like?

Serena: In short... it’s a hot mess with a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I usually begin my stories with only a vague idea of where they’re headed and then I let the characters take over and tell me what to do. (I’m not crazy, I promise. Okay, maybe a little...) First drafts are particularly painful for me, but once that hideous thing is finished and I get some feedback from trusted author friends and my oh-so-wonderful critique partners, I start to get really excited about re-writing, revising, and editing—still difficult, but much more enjoyable for me!

Where do you usually write?

Serena: For the length of my battery, I write on my laptop, facing the picture window in my living room, with my goldendoodle Albus nearby. My office is a tiny cave that seems to be the dumping ground of life’s paperwork, so I only work there when the family is home and I need to be secluded.

Thanks so much for being here, Serena! I so enjoyed showing off your lovely novels, and can't wait to read your latest! ^_^

Connect Further With Serena Chase:

• Website ~ Serena Chase
• Blog ~ Serena Chase
• Facebook ~ @SerenaChaseAuthorOfficial
• Twitter ~ @Serena_Chase
• Instagram ~ @Serena_Chase
• Goodreads ~ Serena Chase
• Pinterest ~ Serena Chase
• Youtube ~ Serena Chase

Giveaway:

Enter the rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a book of choice from Serena Chase! Paperback or Kindle edition! One winner! USA ENTRIES ONLY (if choosing paperback).

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