Monday 27 February 2012

Embrace Blog Tour: Guestpost & Giveaway!

Jessica Shirvington

Angel Pecking Order

Researching for EMBRACE, I discovered the entire subject of Angelology to be truly fascinating. In the end, I chose to go with the most popular theory, that there are 3 choirs of angels and within each choir, 3 ranks.
At the top of the angel hierarchy sit the Seraphim. They are the angels that are supposed to burn with an all-consuming white flame and who perform the all-important role of maintaining the source of Existence within the physical world.
Following the Seraphim come the Cherubim, and Thrones. I always like the descriptions of the Thrones – bringers of justice.
In the second choir are Powers, Dominations and Virtues. And in the third choir – Principalities, Archangels and Angels (guardians).
In writing EMBRACE, discovering each of these ranks and their purpose on earth was what led to the development of my characters powers. Each character is specifically placed within a rank of angels and then given powers accordingly. For example: Griffin is parented by a Seraph angel, meaning he is a leader and his unique power is a mind power (that of reading and delivering truth) to correlate with the description of the Seraphim’s function in the universe. It is a great way of keeping order to the power pool!
Each angelic rank also has a different appearance and different color that represent them and I found this really interesting. Any time I describe an angelic image, it relates back to this research in some way. Additionally, combining this research with things like the Chakra has led me to the use of color as a representation of power and also gemstones as a link to old mythology. For example: Phoenix’s hair is like opal – so black that it shimmers with purple and it catches the light exposing streaks of dazzling silver. First, I loved the idea of his hair being different, but also, it linked to the significance to his power, and his heritage in the story.
Basing the story around the bones of angel mythology and hierarchy gives me a solid structure to use as my foundation. It anchors the story and gives me direction any time I think the story might be straying.
Also, it allowed me to develop one of the big mysteries within the series: what rank is Violet from?


 Giveaway:

One person will win a finsihed copy of Embrace sent from the publisher Sourcebooks fire. US/Can only!









a Rafflecopter giveaway

45 comments:

  1. I absolutely love angel books and this one sounds amazing! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  2. I just love a good angel book! Thanks so much for this awesome giveaway!

    Shana @ Sizzling Reads

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  3. I love angel books and this one sounds unique and different.

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  4. I love angels and I am looking forward to all the Angelogy the author uses and the 3 ranks. I can't wait to see all the different angels powers! Sounds like an awesome book. Thanks for the guest post and giveaway!

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  5. to find out stuff about angel mythology I never knew and a good book!

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  6. I can't wait to read this book because it sounds very different then things I've read lately!

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  7. I'm looking forward to Embrace because I love discovering new awesome authors

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  8. I'm looking forward to embrace my Chinchilla which is at home!! HE is such a cutie!!!

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    1. Lol I was talking about the book, but it's nice that you want to embrace your Chincilla :P

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  9. I'm looking forward to Embrace because it just sounds so good!

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  10. Hi! Thanks for this giveaway! This book sounds really good and the cover is amazing!

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  11. This sounds like a really interesting read. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  12. The plot...there are a lot of angel books but this one sounds especially unique:)

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  13. I am looking forward to Embrace because I have recently started getting into books about Angels and this one has an interesting concept to it. I think it's going to be a great read!

    GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

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  14. I love reading the new angel mythology. It always intrigues me how the author handles this. Plus the cover is fabulous!

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  15. Awesome giveaway!!

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  16. It looks amazing and I love the cover.

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  17. Any kind of angel book gets my attention. :)

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  18. Angels as got to be on the top of my list of paranormal creatures that I wish were real. I'm glad this is what this book is about. :) Thanks for this giveaway.

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  19. I love finding new authors and I love books about angels... win win :D

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  20. I'm looking forward to the awesome love triangle i've been hearing so much about in Embrace! :) Love me a good love triangle!

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway! Id love to read Embrace because I LOVE angel books!!

    Brianne @ memoriesovertakingme.blogspot.com

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  22. Why am I looking forward to Embrace? Well it's because I love the mystical world of angels, and romance. Most YA books don't do romance very well, so I'd like to think that Embrace will prove me wrong! :D Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  23. I really haven't read any angel books before, but this one looks really interesting! And I love to find new authors. :)

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  24. Very intrigues by angel theories

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  25. I've only heard great things about Embrace, and like everybody else apparently, I love angel books. I actually haven't read an angel book that I hated so much that I've given up on reading angel books, so while I've read a lot of angel fiction, I'm not tired of it and am SO excited for Embrace.

    Ashelynn @ Gypsy Book Reviews.

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  26. I love angel books and I've heard a lot about this book.

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  27. I want to read Embrace because I'm still really into angel books and I've heard awesome things about this one! Thanks so much for the giveaway:)

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  28. I love reading stories with angels in it. I'm looking forward to how this book will play out. :)

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  29. I love angel books! And I know the cover is insanely gorgeous! I can't wait to read it :))) Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway!

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  30. I've seen Embrace in so many places so I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ~Paige
    http://paigebradish1996.blogspot.com/

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  31. Though it's been said, I can't deny it, I love books about angels. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  32. Well, firstly, I'm starting to like angels. Hallowed really got me hooked. So this seems good, I've seen it over on Goodreads. It looks good.:D

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  33. Angels? Hell Yeah! Plus the cover looks amazing!

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  34. I would love to read this book because all of the reviews I have been reading on it can't stop gushing how amazing it is - I feel I just have to read this book :)

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  35. this looks like such a great read and the cover is so pretty!

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  36. cuz its an awesome book :p niiice post chikita!! ;D

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  37. Aside from being a voracious book reader and hoarder for my own personal library, I'm interested in reading about the angel hierarchy that the author talks about in this book! Please, please---I hope I win!!! C'mon, Rafflecopter!!!

    Thanks,
    Zara D. Garcia-Alvarez
    zgarcia(dot)alvarez(at)gmail(dot)com
    On Twitter: @ZaraAlexis

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  38. It looks like it's going to be an amazing book!

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  39. Embrace looks like it will be quite different for me. I usually go for contemporary but there's something about the cover that makes me think it will be a good starting point.

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  40. I haven't read a good Angel book in awhile and I'm excited to learn about the different choirs of Angels.

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  41. I love angel books and this one sounds fantastic! I've heard a lot of great things about it. Thanks for the guest post and giveaway!

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  42. Angel books are always really awesome, and this one looks like no exception! :)

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  43. Why are you looking forward to Embrace?

    I'm a huge fan of angel books. . .the first book I ever read was Fallen by Lauren Kate had to do with fallen angels. I've seen nothing but great reviews of Embrace . . but, I want the chance to read it :) I really appreciate the chance to win it!

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Feel free to leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts! :)