Interview with Katlyn Duncan

Soul Taken by Katlyn Duncan

Synopsis

Book 1 in The Life After trilogy from Carina UK.

After-life just got a lot more complicated

Maggie is a Soul Collector. It’s her job to transport souls from the Living Realm to the After – but during a mission to find a stolen soul, she ends up stuck in a teen mean girl’s body.

Trapped, Maggie’s soul is catapulted into Ally’s life – and the human world she hasn’t experienced for one hundred years. But, as a descendant of the most powerful beings in the After, Maggie must rescue Ally before the girl’s soul dies…

To survive, Maggie must uncover devastating secrets – because with one soul taken by a terrifying enemy, Maggie’s could be next!

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Excerpt

I knelt down again next to Ally and reached out to touch her skin. Even though the sensation was unpleasant, I could feel her pulse as it rapidly declined.

"No," I moaned. I looked up again to see if any of the Guard could help, but no one was around.
I looked back down at Ally. Her face was paling by the second. My soul started to tingle. I leaned closer to her body, reaching my hand out to touch her face again, when her arm moved toward mine.
I jumped back.

Heather pushed through the crowd. “Did she just move? Did I see her move?” Streaks of black mascara ran down her cheeks.

A ringing sensation tickled my ear and I tuned in to the True Soul’s presence. I looked at each human. The True Soul was close, but who had it? They all seemed equally shocked at the tragedy.

An uncomfortable pressure in my chest drew me closer to her body. My soul slanted toward hers until I was practically on top of her. I helplessly watched my hand morph and stretch toward her body.

"What the—?” I tried to pull back but the strength of whatever was happening had other ideas. My hand disappeared first, then my arm, then my torso.
But before I could call for help, my world went dark.

Book Trailer

 

Interview with Katlyn

Why did you decide to become an author?

 

Being an author was never a conscious decision. I always wrote, even when I was a kid and I was making up movie scripts or writing in my journal. I always wanted to be an 'author' so that title fell into my lap just recently with my debut, Soul Taken.

How do you balance writing with other things in your life?

 

Yeah, that's the part I'm constantly figuring out. I have a full-time job, and even though I love to write, I do need "me time". This is where a schedule is handy for me. It's not on paper or anything, but I take it day by day. When I'm on deadline, I prioritize writing, I'll write during my lunch break and right after dinner into the wee hours of the morning. But when I feel myself starting to get overwhelmed and I'm not as creative as I'd like, I give myself incentives. For example, if I get to 2k then I can go watch a movie, or as my husband would prefer: clean the house. I think it's all about balance and I know from Soul Taken to Soul Possessed my 'method' has changed. I'm hoping I perfect it as I go along.

What is your favourite thing about being an author?

 

My words being out there for the world to enjoy. It's terrifying, of course, but it's really cool to tell people I'm published. I'm still living on Cloud 9 and don't intend to come down anytime soon.

What are your favourite books?

 

The two series I tend to go back to as my "favourite" are Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. For starters, both have strong female characters and really hot men. With WotOW, the stories are captivating and you care about the characters and what happens to them. With the Outlander series, the love story is top for me, even in a pretty dangerous day-to-day world.

Are there any books/authors that inspired you to write?

 

Like I said, Kelley Armstrong is one. I'd say Melissa Marr (Wicked Lovely) got me back on track with my writing. I love Rachel Vincent's books, and she writes some characters that I'd like to strangle (in the best way).

Describe your book in one sentence.

 

A Soul Collector's latest mission goes wrong, trapping her inside a teen girl's body.

Where did you get the idea for Soul Taken, did anything inspire you to write it?

 

It was one of those inspiration strikes moments. I got the question in my head wondering how a 'reaper' would find herself stuck inside a human and how would she get out, then I went from there.

What made you decide to write a Young Adult paranormal novel?

 

I love to read paranormal and I find my characters are usually in that age range where on top of the paranormal part, they are dealing with teen issues such as first love, heartbreak, and the insane hormones just to name a few.

What would you say makes your book unique and worth reading?

 

It's different than anything out there. I think readers of all ages can relate to Maggie since she is simultaneously 17 and over a century old. And there are two smokin' boys.

Is there any specific message you wanted to convey in the book?

 

I think one of the biggest themes throughout the series is redemption. Most of my characters have pasts that were difficult and overcoming that is a big challenge even after many years.

What are your plans for future books?

 

At this point I am contracted for three books in The Life After. I'm working with my editor on the next thing for me and I will definitely share when I can!

Do you have any hobbies and Interests unrelated to books?

 

I love movies and TV. And obviously writing, in many forms. In terms of interests, I am a scientist so I do enjoy that aspect of my life.

Would you ever consider putting these (answer to above) into any of your books?

 

Absolutely. I am interested in writing a sci-fi novel so my background in science is an advantage.

FUN STUFF

If you could meet any one author (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

 

Probably Kelley Armstrong. I'd just like to sit down with her and share a meal, picking her brain.

Tell us one interesting fact about yourself.

 

I once had aspirations of making it big as an actress, I did a lot of background work for a few years and had some amazing experiences with that.

What is your favourite food?

 

Cheesecake. I could eat that ALL day.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

 

I tend to leave the big adventure to my characters, but I did go to New Zealand once and rappelled. And needless to say I'll never do it again! I cried the whole way down, LOL. I'm not very good with heights.

If you could be any supernatural creature which would you choose?

 

Love this question. This is a constant debate with me and my husband when we watch True Blood. I think I'd like to be a shifter. I've always had an affinity for animals, but I'd want to be the shifter that could change into people too. That would be awesome.

 

About The Author

 

 

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

Contact Katlyn: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Goodreads | Carina UK