I’m thrilled to be part of the Jaguar Sun blog tour. Today author Martha Bourke will talk a little about what sets Jaguar Sun apart from other YA paranormals, and how her background in teaching shaped the book. You also can enter for your chance to win a Jaguar Sun skinned Kindle 3G!
About Jaguar Sun:
December 21, 2012
Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind? Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately.
Maya Delaney is just an average sixteen-year- old. She’s busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in. But Maya’s got bigger problems. She’s hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can’t control. In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth. Will the spirit magic Maya wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping her from her destiny? Or will that destiny destroy her?Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind? Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately.
Check out the Book Trailer:
Interview with Author Martha Bourke:
Your book tackles the end of the world topic that everyone is thinking about this year. Why do you think readers are drawn to that dark subject matter? 
I’m sure there are as many answers as there are people. My great interest in it comes from a historical and sociological perspective. I tried to stay very positive about the Mayan prophesies in Jaguar Sun. I emphasized a shift to a New Age, rather than the end of the world. In reality, that’s much closer to what Mayan leaders themselves believe. As far as choosing the topic as a reader, I think people truly love a hero. And can there be a bigger hero than one that saves the world?
How does your background in teaching and foreign languages influence the story?
Honestly, I don’t think there would be a Jaguar Sun if I hadn’t been a Spanish teacher. Most of my ideas were born out of having taught Latin American culture in the classroom. My knowledge of languages is also found throughout the book in small ways and I think it lends more authenticity to the story.
What inspired you to write a YA paranormal romance?
I was inspired by that genre mostly because my friends and I read buckets of them. And I love a good, strong YA voice, especially if it’s in the first person. I guess I really identify with the age group through teaching as well. I’ve been obsessed with both the paranormal and fantasy genres since I was a kid. One of the first short stories I ever wrote was a ghost story.
What sets Jaguar Sun apart from other books in the genre?
I would say that the Mayan aspect certainly sets the book apart. I think that both the use of the culture and also the mythology makes it quite different from anything out there right now. There is a multicultural aspect to it that is quite unique. There is a genre called multicultural fantasy that is up and coming. I’m hoping to see some great books come out of that.
What are your favorite YA paranormal romance books and why?
Wow, we’d be here the rest of our lives. Let me tell you what my two favorite YA paranormals from last year are. The first book is Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. I loved that book. I’m a sucker for a good old-fashioned ghost story. I also loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, because it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever read.
Do you listen to music when you write? What would be the theme song for this book or the series?
I don’t. I can’t focus. I love music so much that I always find myself paying more attention to the music than my writing. I do write with the TV on in the background quite often. It’s good company. For some reason that’s works and music doesn’t. I always create a playlist though. I listen to it around the house and in the car. It helps to keep me inspired. I’ll be sharing Jaguar Sun’s playlist later in the Tour.
What are your favorite scenes or lines from Jaguar Sun?
I’ll give you part of one scene. And it’s a major one!
That’s when he pulled me to him and kissed me. Oh, God. It was like my whole body woke up. Something was different. I could feel his strength and power, the perfection of his being. I ran my hands along his chest, slid my hands under his shirt, felt the heat of his skin. I wasn’t just some high school junior with a schoolgirl crush anymore. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t trying to figure out what he was thinking. I didn’t wonder where we stood. Every muscle, every nerve ending, every fiber of my being was completely attuned to him. He was my mate. I was home.
Any hints on what to expect in the sequel Jaguar Moon?
Expect a major new central character and a step up in the action for some of the secondary characters. And possibly a jaw-dropping revelation or two. Other than that, my lips are sealed!
Thanks so much Martha for stopping by to tell us a little about the book. I love the multicultural aspect of Jaguar Sun and hope to see more multicultural fantasy books like it on the shelves. Love the scene you chose to highlight too!
Connect with Martha Bourke here: Blog | Jaguar Sun series FB | Twitter | Goodreads
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KINDLE DEAL ALERT:
Friends, mark your calendars for April 15 and 16th when the kindle edition of Jaguar Sun will be available for free download on Amazon.com.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
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Thanks again to Kismet for hosting the tour. Follow the next stop on the tour at Fictional Distraction tomorrow. Be sure to click here to see all the tour stop information and to enter the GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY.
Contest details: One winner will receive a Kindle 3G skinned in the sleek Jaguar Sun cover art and loaded with a copy of Jaguar Sun. Click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway. Open to US/Canada entrants – see full contest rules here.
This is so interesting! The whole Mayan end of the world thing is crazy interesting and I love that it’s the basis for a book! Can’t wait to read this one; hopefully the world won’t end before it comes out! 🙂
This sounds so unique, thanks for posting about it because I haven’t heard of it! Will keep my eye out for it on Amazon on April 15!