Thursday Takeover: Priya Kanaparti Interviews Axel from Dracian Legacy

Today I am handing the blog over to my dear friend Priya Kanaparti, who is celebrating the release of her book Dracian Legacy--the first in the Dracian Legacy series. I've read an earlier incarnation of this book, and cannot wait to read it's final form. For now, Priya is going to help us get to know her number one hottie main character Axel with an interview. But first: The book! Check out this cover, you guys!

At seventeen, Ren Pernell knows the meaning of tragedy.

But then, a year after losing her parents, Axel Knight walks through the door and changes everything. Strange creatures start to appear, her best friend suddenly finds her irresistible, and an undeniable, unexplainable bond with Axel threatens to drive her insane. She knows he’s the key. There’s something he’s not sharing, and she’s determined to find out.

Demanding answers, she finally learns the truth: everything she ever believed is an illusion. Caught in a centuries-old blood feud between races she never knew existed, Ren discovers her true destiny. She’s the chosen one, the Echo, preordained to end the bloodshed.

There’s just one catch–in order to save those she loves and a homeland she’s never seen, she’ll have to die.

With the clock running out, she’ll have to navigate a new world of betrayal, lies and deceit. If she can forgive, finding love even in the darkest places, she just might be able to escape the prophecy. But how much is she willing to sacrifice for a cause she didn't know she was part of? And what will it take for her to be free?

Take it away, Priya!

Priya: Hello Axel! Long time no talk.

Axel: *smiles and raises a quizzical eyebrow*

Priya: *looks away and laughs nervously* Right, It's only been five minutes... Anyhoo, what is it that makes you tick?

Axel: Dean.

Priya: Really?

Axel: *nods* I've never regretted anything in my life. But is it too much to ask that Dean and I never met? It's like he's got make-Axel-angry switch turned on every time he's near me.

Priya: Well, are you sure it's not just jealously? I mean, even a guy like you can't be that confident in a relationship.

Axel: *shakes head* I'd rather not open that can of worms.

Priya: Fair enough. Okay, let's see... If you can be anywhere in the world, where would you be?

Axel: *thinks about it for a second* I'd go back in time & tell my mom how much I loved her.

Priya: aww... Shucks! Okay, next question, in a battle between you and Telalians, who would you want by your side?

Axel: Dimitri. He's been my best friend for as long as I can remember. If there's one person that I know would have my back, it's him.

Priya: Aww! Isn't that sweet? *looks at time on phone* Oh, look time's almost up. Okay, last question! If you had the chance to pick your own power, what would you pick?

Axel: *lips curve up* My air elemental power. Without a doubt!

Priya: *laughs* Good choice! Well that's all the time we have folks. Mara, thank you for letting Axel and I take over your blog!

Axel: Yes, Thank you Ms. Valderann.

Want more? Get your copy from REUTS.com or Amazon today!

Priya lives in the beautiful city of Boise, ID as a full-time working mom and part-time YA Novel Author. For the past 7+ years she has worked in multiple Fortune 500 companies and has recently found the passion to read and write.  The Dracian Legacy is her first YA paranormal romance series. She strongly believes that true love conquers all and that’s a common theme you’ll find within her novels.

You can find her online at: Blog - Facebook - Pinterest  - Twitter

Interview with Author Priya Kanaparti (Dracian Legacy)

It isn't everyday that you come across a really awesome author so willing to connect and share their stories with you.

Okay, I have to admit. It is starting to feel like an everyday occurrence with all of the amazing people I have met through these blog tours. I have to put Priya Kanaparti at the very top of that list. The work she has done on this blog tour is awe-inspiring, her book sounds AMAZING, and she's even willing to let someone toeing the waters of self-publishing pick her brain with borderline non-questions. I'm very happy to share her interview with you guys and encourage you to go check out her book, Dracian Legacy (you can find it at Barnes & Noble and Amazon). And now let me show you guys why you should be in awe of her too!

Mara Valderran: What can you tell us about your process as a writer? Are you more of a pantser or a plotter?

Priya Kanaparti: LOL. I’m a complete Panstser. Although I’m a planner in real life, for the life of me, I can’t seem to make myself plan on what I’m to write.

MV: What inspired you to write the Dracian Legacy series?

PK: I had been reading a lot of amazing books and I wanted tell the world a story of my own. Since I had been a bit fan of paranormal and supernatural kind of stuff for a long time, the ideas that weaved through my head were similar to that and the story for Dracian Legacy was born.

MV: What made you decide to go the self-publishing route rather than traditional publishing?

PK:  I had sent out few queries to agents and publishing houses. I had received few rejections. After much thought and weighing in the pros and cons, I thought it best that at least the first book is self-published, instead of traditional. Oh, and I also wanted to publish within the first year, since I started to write the book.

MV: What advice can you offer to other authors hoping to self-publish?

PK: Self-publishing is a lot of work, which means, you need to have a lot of patience and persistence. But know that after all of that hard work, it would be worth it. Just hang in there and don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask for help…

MV: Your blog tour filled up with hosts very quickly! What do you think the trick is to marketing as a self-published author?

PK: Yes, it has! I think it’s about connecting with your readers, with the community. I made sure that I had responded to every email, every tweet personally. I also wrote guest posts on other blogs and promoted other authors and bloggers.  I think it helped build the support that I needed… I still need.

MV: The cover for the book looks amazing. How did you get the cover designed? Did you already have something in mind or find someone with inspiration?

PK: Thank you! I had inquired few awesome cover designers and found the one that I thought would best fit with my needs for my book. I had few ideas and designs that I really loved from other books. So when I talked to my designer, she had created some awesome designs and we worked to make to fit how it is today. She took in every details, from the font, to the background, the magic elements, and she just put it all together. My amazing designer is Regina Wamba from Mae I Design, if you want to know!

MV: How has your process changed from writing the first book to writing the second?

PK: *chuckles* not much. There were so many things I had learned about writing, like showing versus not telling concept or the punctuation or the kinds of words I could use. So I’m using everything I’ve learned while writing this book. So apart from that, and having one less draft to work on, everything else is pretty much the same. I’m still a panster.

MV:  If you could turn your book into a movie or television series, who would you cast?

PK:  Gosh, I don’t even know.  But if I need to pick how they look, I would say, Ren in my mind looks like a mixture of Emma Watson and Jessica Alba. For Axel, I totally could see Jensen Ackles fitting  the looks perfectly!  Um, Dean is a tough one. I’m not sure who would fit the bill.

MV: How do you balance your time as a professional, a mother, and an author?

PK: One word. Negotiations! Since I can’t control my time when it comes to my daytime job, I negotiate my time available at nights and weekends with hubby. So ever Friday and Saturday nights, I work through the night, almost until 3 a.m. Then following morning, hubby takes care of my little man until I wake up. It’s kind of nice!

MV: What is ahead for your writerly future?

PK: Well I have two WIPs scheduled for this year. One is the book 2 of Dracian Legacy. Which is currently labeled as Dracian Origins. And I have a NA Contemporary Romance.  At currently time, I don’t have blurbs for either of these stories. But I’ll post them on goodreads as soon as they are available.

Want to know more about Priya or the Dracian Legacy series? You can visit her website, check out the Goodreads pages for Dracian Legacy and Dracian Origins, or connect with her by following her on:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Google+
• Goodreads
• Pinterest

Dracian Legacy Book Cover Reveal!

Today is THE day! Today I (along with others) are tearing away the curtain to reveal the cover of Priya Kanaparti's Dracian Legacy--the first book of the Dracian Legacy series. The cover was designed by Regina Wamba and the book itself will be released February 14th, 2013. Just in time to make you fall in love with this series! But for now, your hearts will have to go pitter-patter only to the cover and book info below! Oh, and a chance to win prizes, of course!

Book Title: The Dracian Legacy - Book 1 (Dracian Legacy Trilogy)
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Blurb:
Ren and Axel are caught between two powerful magical races: one destined to end the bloodshed, the other out for vengeance.

Seventeen-year-old Ren Pernell is prophesied to end the war between the Dracians and the Telalians. So when a Dracian, Axel Knight, is sent to find and bring back the prophesied one before she turns eighteen and Telalians discover of her existence, unexpected sparks start to fly between the two. Once Ren finds the truth behind Axel’s arrival, she wants everything to do with him and nothing to do with his mission.

Things prove to be difficult as Ren’s life is constantly threatened by forces that are beyond her control, including the leader of the Telalians.

With the clock ticking and Ren’s life in jeopardy, it is no longer just a mission for Axel. It becomes a personal endeavor to save the only one he’s ever loved. In a heart racing ending, they must find a way to evade the preordained war that won’t also end Ren’s life.

About Priya Kanaparti:

Priya Kanaparti was born in India, grew up in Detroit, and is now living in Boise, ID. She attended Wayne State University for her undergrad degree in Bachelor of Science in Biology, and University of Phoenix for her Masters in Business Administration. Priya works as a project manager in software field during the day and lives in the world of her characters during the nights and weekends. She had found the love for reading and writing early this year, when she stayed home with her year old and needed something to occupy those 'downtime' hours.


She loves playing tennis on a good summer day and chess during the cold winters, but reading and writing has become a year round hobby.

She lives in Boise with her husband, son and a Yorkie. Dracian Legacy is her debut novel.


You can find Priya on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest! For more information on Dracian Legacy, check out the Goodreads page and keep an eye out for the blog tour February 12th through March 15th, 2013! I'll be a host, so you can be sure to find more information on the book, as well as an interview with Priya, during that time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway