Five (Elemental Emnity Book 1) by Christie L. Rich - Blog Tour

Rayla Tate’s life is about to turn vertical…again. As if it wasn’t bad enough her mother disappeared under questionable circumstances leaving Rayla to be raised by her aunt in a horrendously small town. Her overprotective guardian is determined to ruin Rayla’s life. She refuses to let Rayla out of her sight or out of the state. Provincial living might be what her aunt demands of her purposely sheltered niece; but, Rayla has other ideas. In a desperate attempt to follow her dreams she flees the safety of her home and runs away to college with her best friend toward a bright future in the art world.

However, excitement over her newfound freedom turns into terror when she is chased by a mysterious stranger on her way to school. When his motorcycle suddenly morphs into a fire-breathing pegasus, Rayla questions her sanity. Worse, the man riding next to her stirs a burning desire in her soul she has never known or could have ever imagined. Using all the will she owns, she manages to resist the compulsion she feels; yet, as he disappears into the night, she is certain he hasn't gone far.

Rayla quickly dismisses the encounter to her overactive imagination. She is determined to settle into her new life, yet the images and feelings of that night still haunt her. To make matters worse, her aunt seems to be in on the act, insisting that Rayla will soon be hunted by a pack of fae lords for a power over the elements she never knew she possessed—a power that could change the world. Quicker than she ever thought possible, she finds herself surrounded by stunning men that all seem determined to win her heart. Why does she feel drawn to each one of them? More importantly, what dark power do they hold over her? Rayla must quickly learn to fend off these beautiful and seductive pursuers using whatever means necessary or find herself lost to the fae world forever.

My Review:

Five (Elemental Enmity #1) by Christie Rich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Five by Christie Rich is the first book in the Elemental Enmity series, Christie is one of my favorite authors, her writing is fantastic and Five is a great read. She has written a story with a strong female lead character and some very hot co-characters. The plot was unique and I really enjoyed reading this novel. But there is only one downfall to this story at that is as soon as your finish with it you have the need to go purchase the next book in this series (Dark Matter (Elemental Enmity, #2)).

Rayla, who has been raised by her aunt Grace on a pig farm, has spent most of her time helping her aunt around the house and taking care of her cousins. She can’t wait to escape this life and head to college for some freedom. On her way to college a few things happen and she actually thinks she may be going a little crazy as she sees things that are out of this world. At college Rayla feels like she is being stalked by a man on a motorcycle that changes into a Pegasus and four other men are introduced to her eventually. And let me say these men are amazing looking, hot, sexy and they want Rayla. Rayla learns a lot about herself and finds out things that she never knew existed. Rayla realizes that the freedom and escaping her life back home may not have been the smartest decision she has made. Maybe there was a reason her aunt wanted her to stay close to home. We are introduced to the Fae world and how special Rayla is to this world.

This book is full of adventure, love triangles, sexy men and one strong young woman. There are some surprises; some betrayal has everything in it that makes for one amazing read. Christie Rich has written a series that you cannot put down. I have rated Five a 4 star rating and recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great paranormal novel.


Interview with Christie L. Rich

1. Did you always want to be a writer? And what inspired you to write? 

I grew up thinking writing was what other people did.  It wasn’t until I’d read enough and had a story that I considered writing.  I’m so glad I took the plunge.  It was scary because I didn’t have much background, but it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

2. How would you describe Five?  

Five combines my love for fairytales with my love for suspense and mystery.  It’s a story about the importance of freedom and choice and consequence.  Rayla is a down to earth girl who gets caught up in an age old battle for world dominance between the fae and the Order.  She quickly has to learn that not all truth is the same and not all love comes naturally.

3.  Which character you had most fun writing? 

I’ve had fun with all of them, but Styx, the fire breathing Pegasus has been such a blast to write.  He is just so snarky, it cracks me up.

4.  What was your main source of inspiration for the story? 

I’d read Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series.  Something about the way the fae were portrayed bothered me.  Elemental Enmity emerged from one question:  What if the fae were misunderstood.

5.   What should readers expect from Five? 

Five at its heart is an adventure.  It combines the real world with the fae realms and has tons of magic, treachery, and manipulation.  Rayla has to uncover the truth, and that’s not as easy as it sounds.

6.   How did you come up with the title of your book? 

When I wrote the first draft of this story, I called it Fae-rly Bound.  The editor I sent it to told me I’d have to rename it because that would look horrible on the cover.  After I thought about it for a while, I decided to call the first Elemental Enmity book Five because it represents of course the five elements, earth, air, water, fire, and space.  It also represents the Five lords that want to claim Rayla and her power.

7.   What books have most influenced your life most? 

I’d have to say, the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

8.   What are your current projects? 

I’m finishing up the Elemental Enmity series with book four, Horizon.  I’m also working on a new series called Dreamscape.  I’m really excited about it.  It combines mythology of Morpheus and Hades.  It’s been really fun to write, especially because there is a male point of view.

9.   Do you see writing as a career? 

I do.  I have to write part time right now, but I’m hoping to one day make it a full time employment.

10.   When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

About three years ago.

11.   As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to be a princess ;P

12.   When and why did you begin writing? 

I had been reading so much that my mind finally gave me a story.  I tried to give it to a friend that told me she wanted to be a writer, and she told me that if I had a story, I needed to write it.  I didn’t know the first thing about writing a novel, but I researched and began typing words.  My first words were awful, but soon I figured out how to string sentences together, and I haven’t looked back.  Writing has become a need of mine.

13.   Do you hear from your readers much?

What kinds of things do they say?  Lately, I have been getting many thanks and some questions.  It’s wonderful to discuss my books with readers.  I love it.

14.   Where do you hope to take your writing in the future? 

I want to be the best writer I can.  I’m always looking for reasons why I connect to a story and trying to emulate that in my own writing.

15.   What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your book?

I thought writing was a linear process, but it isn’t always.  Sometimes scenes come so strongly I have to stop what I’m doing and write them.  The funny thing is I always find out where they fit into the story later.

16.   Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers? 

Thank you so much for your support and kind words!  You don’t know how much it means to me.  I hope to always entertain you and leave you with a good feeling in your heart when you are done with my books.

17.   Who designed the covers? 

Amber McNemar at http://www.ethinkgraphics.com/.  She is amazing to work with.  And I love her art.

18.   What was the hardest part of writing your book? 

The first words of the day are always difficult, but once the words start to flow, it’s all good.

Any last thoughts or words of wisdom you would like to share with the readers?

Thank you so much for having me here today, Tana!  Writing is an amazing experience, and I hope you’ve enjoyed my interview.  The truth is, if you have a story to write, you will likely have more.  I used to worry about not having enough ideas, but now, I can’t keep up with the ideas that come to me.  Once you open that part of your mind, it will not stop.  I’m grateful for the experience, and my whole goal is to entertain, for that is why I read.

Author's Bio　
I grew up daydreaming about fairytales, and my love for discovering new worlds has never died. I am not one of those writers who always knew I would write. I thought that was what other people did until one day a few years ago, I took a challenge from a friend and typed my first words. My journey has been wonderful, and I cannot imagine a day where I would ever give up writing now. My love for reading is what fueled my imagination in the first place and still does. When I am not writing or reading, I am enjoying family time with my husband and two children. We live in a quiet community under the Wellsville mountains in Utah, and I am so thankful for the rich life I have been blessed with.

　
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