Usually, I'm a little goofier than this, but allergies and such have been hitting me like a 2x4. So my creative juices have been a little blocked by my stuffed sinus....

Lucky me, I got to have a personal chat with the beautiful Lila Gray. I have a serious, serious thing for all things fae - I swear I had a *squee* moment knowing I was going to get to speak to Lila (from me that's really saying something... I don't *squee* as a rule.) But read on to get a chance to meet Lila. She SO rocks! See how beautiful she is!

Okay, Lila (love the name, by the way)

You sure have been through so much in so little time, haven't you? Curve balls, and surprises, and secrets- oh, my... how on earth do you manage?

Hey, thanks, Alana. Yeah, life has not been boring with Parthalan and the Shadowborn around, I’ll give it that. My coping strategies are pretty simple, really. I tend to blow stuff up when I’m pissed, or sometimes work off a little *cough* steam with Liam. *rubs red cheeks and stares* Tell anyone I said that, and I’ll not be happy with you.

My lips are totally sealed. In fact, tell anyone you said what? I didn't hear anything!

So, I'm totally curious... I've always heard about fae that they have hang-ups about saying 'thank you'. Is that just a myth, or is it because you were not raised in the 'traditions'?

As Liam once told me, legends rarely get anything right. Yeah, I read every bit of lore I could get my hands on, and very little of it ended up being true. While our oaths hold consequences if broken, the whole “thanking a fae will indebt you to them” is bogus. Probably some fae’s idea of a joke on whatever dumbass wrote that legend. *snort* Wouldn’t surprise me if it was Parthalan. Probably had the guy as a slave for a few decades simply because he was polite.

Isn't it always the way of 'storytellers' never getting everything right!

You just mentioned the 'slave' thing... what is it, do you think, that makes the courts so different? I always think of them as the 'dark' and the 'light' (although there are some dark ugly things in the light, and .... Ok maybe even I can't find pretty, light things in the 'dark' court). It just seems like torture and S & M (maybe even the full BDSM) and such all are so prevalent in the dark. Do you have any guesses why? Unless you're a psycho or something I just can't see why someone would want to rule the dark, or be drawn to the dark. Sorry I'm all rambling and stuff, I just get so excited and have a hard time expressing myself.

We’re all capable of darkness and light. Some of us are more drawn to one or the other, and once we’re there amongst fae of that sort, the shift usually becomes more pronounced. Evil or vain by osmosis, or something like that. The dark side of the court is more driven by passion and strong emotions, and that typically leads to violence faster than the light side, who seem more interested in how their hair looks than power or one-upmanship.

It sounds like the grass isn't greener on either side.

Are you mad about your mother not telling you everything? She obviously did it for a reason, and I know intellectually you probably acknowledge that... but do you ever emotionally just wish you could have been told? Could have had a 'normal' transition from child to adult?

I was hurt for a while after I found out the extent of the lie I lived as a child, but I know now why she had to make me believe I was human. She died to protect me. Everything she did was to make sure I could live to fulfill my purpose. I can't be anything other than deeply proud of her.

Oh, wow.... I'm getting misty-eyed hearing about your love and loyalty to you Mom... *sniff* Okay... I think a mood lifter is in order now... how about some FUN topics? It sounds kind of like the world (overall) went to hell in a hand basket (*shakes my head* not sounding too mood-lifty right now, is it?)- but BEFORE all that (as a child)- did you have a favorite movie? TV show? Food? (I imagine grub worms would NOT make that list!)

TV? Geez, it’s been a while since I’ve thought about that old contraption. We had one in the living room, I think, but I can’t remember ever turning it on. We’d all sit around the fireplace after supper and my Nan would read the classics to us, or tell us stories that I realize now were fae folk tales. And my favorite food would have to be the chili my older brother, Milo, used to make once in a while. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Well, Lila... it has been an absolute pleasure! I have to admit- I'm a little 'fae struck' (similar to star-struck) that I got to sit down and chat with you! But I'm sure you have important people to see (like maybe Liam?); I know you are so busy and I absolutely appreciate that you took time out of your busy schedule for me. Please don't be a stranger! I am eager to hear about what other surprises lay in store for you! I'll be crossing my fingers and wishing on a star that you get a happily-ever-after. *Alana just can't help herself and throws her arms around Lila in a hug* Crap on toast, I know you're not a touchy-feely person, please don't kill me for that! (I just had to get all emotional, BAD Alana!)

“Yeah, thanks for having me.” *smiles awkwardly and inches toward door* “Liam is waiting, so … I’ll see you later.”

My Review:

Shadowborn by Jocelyn Adams

Overall, I really like the series. It's not too often you can stumble across a new 'gem' of a series that seems to have so many genres all rolled into one. A little fantasy, some urban fantasy thrown in, a dash of dystopian, a healthy serving of romance, sprinkle in some magic, weave in dark mystery, and add some adventure... viola! Shadowborn!

I really enjoy the fact that readers are not left on the precipice of a huge cliffhanger. Shadowborn gives you a HEA or at least a HFN. Fae, elves, and selkies- oh my! It was wonderful including even more races and 'other' than human in this book. It really rounds out the world building and adds more depth and layers to the history behind the book and the characters.

I would not consider this a stand alone book; it's best if read after The Glass Man. One of the only things I had an issue with- and this is entirely my hang-up on this - fae saying "thank You" Umm... kinda scary (to me at least). But that one little hang-up of mine should not be any kind of reason to pass up reading this series.

Entire series so far is a solid 4 and even a smidgen over. Recommended for adult audiences only, but not excessive (no bow-chicka-bow-wow bad 70's music but not ideal for high school.) It didn't bother me one bit, but there is adult language in the book as well. I thought it was well placed and added to Lila's character and demeanor.

Snarky! Very snarky, and I liked the overall attitude of Lila. She's a kindred spirit and easy to care about.

"Well, wasn't that just craptacular?"

Lila Gray just cracks me up and absolutely makes me root for her. Go, Lila, Go! Kick butt and take names!

Be Sure to check out the J. Taylor Publishing website for an excerpt!

Jocelyn Adams

http://www.joceadams.com/
Jocelyn Adams grew up on a cattle farm in Lakefield and has remained a resident of Southern Ontario her entire life, most recently in Muskoka. She has worked as a computer geek, a stable hand, a secretary, and spent most of her childhood buried up to the waist in an old car or tractor engine with her mechanically inclined dad. But mostly, she's a dreamer with a vivid imagination and a love for fantasy (and a closet romantic — shhh!). When she isn't shooting her compound bow in competition or writing, she hangs out with her husband and young daughter at their little house in the woods.