BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Black Dawn: Black Dawn [1]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Mallory McCartney to talk about Black Dawn (14 February 2017, Clean Reads, 152 pages), a New Adult Urban Fantasy, book one of the Black Dawn series.

"Shape shifting, betrayal, romance and time travel conspire in Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney. [...] I enjoyed Black Dawn. The title is apt and the graphic cover design is as beautiful as it is sinister. This 150-page work of fiction is fast paced and introduced me to colorful characters and ethical dilemmas. The relationships were complex and full of teenage angst. It was a coming of age story as Emory Fae learned about her past. Mallory McCartney is a talented writer with a gift of enthralling her audiences with genuine characters and beautiful imagery. The dialogue was genuine and added credibility. This is McCartney's debut novel. Black Dawn is highly recommended." ~ Reviewed By Danita Dyess for Readers' Favorite

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Mallory McCartney; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

"Thanks for having me!! "

Here at BooksChatter we love music, so Mallory has shared with us her music playlist for Black Dawn - enjoy!

What was the inspiration for Black Dawn?

"So, Black Dawn’s inspiration came from different timelines in my life.

The first manuscript I wrote for my cousin, just before I was going into high school. She is my family, and my best friend, and we often spend our time lost in our fictional dreams, and fantasy. The world of Kiero first came to me in our talks, Emory Fae and Brokk Foster being the first characters that were vivid to me.

After that I left the story alone, and finished high school, went to college and the travelled for a year. I travelled Australia and New Zealand, and let me tell you, those beautiful landscapes and scenery helped me breathe life into Kiero.

I read avidly, but I didn’t write for seven years. This brings us to three years ago when my husband and I were talking about our favorite authors and books. It came into conversation and that’s the day I decided to rewrite Black Dawn, and I haven’t stopped writing since!

The characters were the first who came into my mind first, again. The inspiration for the story is a blend of what the original manuscript was, and I blend a lot of mythology into the story. I get inspired myself by music, and art, and being in nature, so a lot of the time the story will come together in my mind during these times."

I love that rose :-)

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"The characters are not a complete reflection of anyone in my life, but what they feel and some of the things they must face and go through, I have pulled from my personal experiences.

Emory, I would say, I poured more of myself in her character, her fierceness and her pull to follow her heart, and to try to find the truth, and to protect the people she loves. I relate to her more, because some of the decisions she must make, especially in Queen to Ashes, I can understand on a deep level.

Nyx too, on that matter, I have poured a bit of myself into her character."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Black Dawn - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Thank you!! My cover artist is Cora Graphics Book Cover Designs, and she is completely fantastic!!

With Black Dawn, the imagery was so important to me. The cover encompasses Emory, and the growth she goes through in this book. Without too many spoilers, we know she is the long-lost heir to the throne, the rose represents royalty. But being a black rose, with embers, and fire, really nails home the underlying concepts of the Rebellion, the war, and the darkness that is in their world."

Why should we read Black Dawn and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"Like any author, I am of course biased to my work. But for my readers, I can promise the growth in the series is worth the wait, and where we see the characters go.

Black Dawn is unique in the sense that I can promise it will surprise you, with every turn, main character or secondary character, we get to see everyone’s side, with each chapter being a different perspective.

Black Dawn is set to be a series of four, as well as a novella coming out this fall. My characters are fierce, with strong male and female leads, it is a story that blends fantasy, fairytale and mythology into a unique world where I can promise my readers, nothing is as it seems."

Can you tell us something quirky about Black Dawn, its story and characters?

"With the dark faeries, The Oilean, in the original manuscript that I wrote in grade eight, I had called them “The Emeralds”. Oilean, I pulled from Gaelic, meaning isle."

Who would you recommend Black Dawn to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Black Dawn, is a clean read, though it has some graphic violence. It is marketed as a Young adult fantasy, though the characters are older, it has also been pulled into the New Adult category. "

If you could / wished to turn Black Dawn and the Black Dawn series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I love this question! I would without a doubt love to film in New Zealand!!!!!!

Here is my dream team

Emory: Emmy Rossum
Brokk: Diego Boneta
Memphis: Alexander Ludwig
Nyx: Morena Baccarin
Alby & Azarius: Shawn and Aaron Ashmore
Bryd: Chloe Moretz
Adair: Bill Skarsgård
Lana: Tina Desai"

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"Right now, I am a writer of Epic Fantasy. It is my favorite genre to read as well, I just can’t get enough of it. It’s equally exciting to read as it is to write. I love blending fantasy with myths, and having complex characters that are relatable."

What is your writing process?

"I usually take my dogs for a hike early in the morning, and this is my time to mull over plot lines. Then I consume a copious amount of coffee, and then allow the story to get out of my first, not over thinking it. Once the first draft is done, then go back and rework it many times before submitting it to Clean Reads."

What is in store next?

"I’m excited to share I am working on a couple of things!!! In the next year, you will see Renegade: A Black Dawn Novella, which is the prequel to Black Dawn, and will be released in the fall, as well as Queen to Ashes, the second book in the series, coming out February 2018.

The Black Dawn series currently has four books scheduled in it, and I am working on a separate upper YA fantasy series as well."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"My two dachshunds, Link and Lola!!!! I adore them 😃 And here is a family photo for you!! My husband is awesome and lets me play out my artistic visions! This is an Alice and wonderland photoshoot we did a couple years ago, with Link and Lola! "

Photo cred to: Madness Inspiring Images

Oh, wow, I LOVE that picture - thank you for sharing it with us :-)
And of course lots of cuddles to Link and Lola, I saw some more pics on your facebook page and they are simply gorgeous :-D