BLOG TOUR: Communion By B. Patterson INTERVIEW+GIVEAWAY

Communion

By B. Patterson

Genre: YA/Urban Fantasy

Number of pages: 155

Word Count: Approximately 46,000

Cover Artist: Jason Alexander

Book Description:

"Lester Fuller knows isolation well.  It has been his only friend since Jadarius Singleton humiliated him last year.  But one night after Jadarius's taunts go too far, Lester stumbles upon Gwynn's body.  He's sure she's dead.  Until she bites him.

Vampires are extinct.  There are only the dhampir.

Now something more than human, Lester struggles to determine where he fits in this new society.  Just what secrets about the dhampir are his friends keeping from him?  And what will he do when a notorious figure from dhampir history sets her eyes on him?"

Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

I kill people for a living.

Sorry, that was just to get your attention.  My name is B. Patterson and this is the blog tour for my debut novel Communion. 

I currently work as an academic advisor at a college while writing part-time.  But I hope to eventually write full-time (that way I really can say I kill people for a living). 

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yep, for as long as I can remember. 

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I’m a morning person, so the earlier I start the better.  I get up around 4:45 a.m., write for an hour, and then get ready for work.  Some days I must have a cup of grape juice (preferably Welch’s) while I write. 

What would you say is the most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

The most challenging part is finishing.  So many people say they want to write a book but once they hit the dreaded half-way mark, they give up.  Completion is the most rewarding part to me.  I love that feeling of having accomplished my goal.  Also, I LOVE when readers notice the small details in my books.  I have a few subtle jokes here and there for unexpected laugh-out-loud moments.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Communion is a fresh take on vampires (er, dhampir) at a time when the genre needs one.  I include several new powers to make my dhampir stand out, such as the ability to cannibalize another dhampir to grow even stronger.

Vampires aside, Communion sends a powerful message about bullying.  Lester, the victim of a school bully, makes several bad decisions for the sake of protecting his sense of security.  But HOPEFULLY he figures out what’s really important before it’s too late.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

Originally, I had this image of an African-American Vampire who didn’t like other African-Americans.  He hoped he would fit in better with vampires.

But, when I became serious about writing this story, I realized I didn’t want that to be the focus.  Too moody.  But I knew I wanted a character who’s trying to find his place in the world and people he connects with.  Even if those people drink blood from others.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

I’m currently fixing up short piece I plan to publish in April called Sparkle.  It’s about- you guessed it!- sparkly vampires.  But, believe me, these vampires are totally b*d*ss. 

I’m also in the planning stages of another dhampir book, which I’ll be publishing next October. 

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Lev Grossman, Richelle Mead, JC Harker

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?

Haruki Murakami and John Steinbeck

Open your book to a random page and please reads us a few lines.

                Then I gripped something more tangible:  my forehead.  I cradled it in my palm and leaned forward.  My pulse still raced on its stationary treadmill in my chest.  I tried to focus my enhanced hearing on something else besides each thunderous, frantic beat.

          “Do you have a headache?” Roman asked, worry drenched his tone.

          “Shouldn’t I?”

          It wasn’t there.  But I couldn’t help but check anyway.

          “Maybe if you were still human.  Hell, you’d probably be dead.  We found you with the back of your head caked in blood.”

          “I’ll go get Gwynn,” Brent mumbled, heading out of the room before any possible objection.

          “Gwynn?” I mumbled stupidly, as if I didn’t know.

          “Any memory loss?” Roman asked, right before my mind filled with the image of a bloody body, ferociously beaten and bruised against the pavement.

          “No,” I answered.

          I lifted my head from my palm to show I was physically fine.  And I should’ve been mentally, except there was the unshakable sensation that I had lost something.

          “Can we still get concussions?”

          “Yeah, with enough force,” Roman said, still eyeing me cautiously.  “But, given our recovery abilities, there shouldn’t be any permanent damage.”

          “With enough force…” I repeated, allowing the words to drift me away.

          Perhaps whatever dhampir had attacked me either got the slip on me or simply overpowered me.  But how? 

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter, the Trials by Jonathan Yanez, Talented by Sophie Davis

Have you ever used anyone from your real life encounters in any of your books?

Yes, Jadarius Singleton, Lester’s bully, is loosely based on one of my own from high school.  He influenced Jadarius’s humor and hair style.

What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself while you were writing?

Going back to what I said about finishing, there were times when I doubted I could seriously finish a WHOLE novel.  And when I did finish it, I doubted I could go back and revise it.  Did that, too.  There were days when I was frustrated and was worried that people would think my work sucks.  In the end, I kept going and now I have a novel I’m proud to give to the world.  

I’m a 25 year old writer.  I’m a graduate of North Carolina State University where I majored in Psychology and minored in Japanese.  I currently live in Maryland.

I wrote a lot as a kid.  I began a new story (or 3 or 4) every school year, but rarely finished them. I finally finished one when I was 16.  It was about ninjas.  It was really bad.

Communion, my first completed novel worth publishing, will be released October 1st. I have that and many other works coming down the pipeline.  I plan to be writing for many years to come. 

My values as a writer include:
Writing high-quality books
Diversity
Integrity
Entertainment

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