BLOG TOUR: Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder (GUEST POST)

Hello all! Welcome to Day 1 of the Shadow Study Blog Tour! As you know, I'm a HUGE fan of Maria V. Snyder and all her books! Poison Study was my first fantasy and I fell in love with the story and characters! I was delighted when Maria said she was coming back to Yelena's story and I was eager to learn why! 

Now you can too!

Why did I write more stories about Yelena?

The short answer is because of my readers!  They’ve been clamoring for more books with Yelena and Valek since Fire Study was released back in 2007!

The longer answer is that for years I truthfully thought I’d wouldn’t write anymore books about them.  I’d been with Yelena and her friends for ten years and I liked how Fire Study ended.  She’d grown and learned how to use her magic and was at a good place in her life.  When I received those heartfelt emails, I’d hedge and say…maybe, but I was more excited about new projects and enjoying the break.

I wrote a couple short stories with Yelena and Valek for my newsletter subscribers over the years and they were fun to do.  A few readers suggested I write Poison Study from Valek’s POV, which sounded cool, however, the thought of writing the same story just didn’t appeal to me.  I already know what happens – where’s the fun in that?

With writing the short story, Assassin Study, I dabbled in Valek’s backstory as he grappled with an assassin he knew before the takeover and that really intrigued me.  I didn’t provide a full history on Valek in the Study books, and I considered writing a prequel to the series.  But I wouldn’t be able to have any romance since Valek could never be with another (my readers would never stand for that – right?). I still wanted to write more stories for my readers and I was finally ready to return.

Then one day, I sparked on the idea of doing another story with Valek.  The story could be in the “present” time so he’s with Yelena, and I could write flashbacks to Valek’s past.  Transitions to the past could be because of a new young hot shot assassin that has arrived to try and take his job.  As he deals with this pup, it reminds him of when he was young and out for the King’s blood. 

But what about Yelena?  As a Soulfinder, she is very powerful and, other than a null shield, there’s not much that can threaten her.  So I blocked her magic, returned her to square one and put her in danger.  That was a challenge to her and to me! (She hasn’t forgiven me yet ;).

Excited about the new idea, I pitched it to my editor.  I’d write chapters from both Valek’s and Yelena’s point of view.  I thought I’d only have enough story for one more Study book with Yelena and Valek, but I could write two more from the point of view of one or two of the new characters like the new assassin.

My editor agreed and we planned three more Study books.  As I worked on Shadow Study, I enjoyed switching POVs between Yelena and Valek and then Janco popped up with his own scenes (he’s so much fun to write).  And a funny thing happened, I have plenty of story with these two!  Both Night Study and Dawn Study are going to be about Yelena and Valek and a few other POV characters (Leif has a few scenes in Night Study).  I’ve no idea what’s going to happen in Dawn Study, but I’m sure it’ll be fun to discover. 

I’d like to thank my readers for being patient and persistent – without you these books would never have been written!  So Thank You!

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder wowed readers with Poison Study, the unforgettable story of poison taster Yelena. Now she's back with a new tale of intrigue.

Once, only her own life hung in the balance.

Oddly enough, when Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But she'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek's job - and his life - are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret - or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is - while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous.

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Maria V. Snyder changed from being a meteorologist to a novelist in 1995, when she began writing to keep her sanity while raising two children. Since then, she has published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and teaches fiction-writing classes at the local college and area libraries. The classes give her the wonderful opportunity to encourage fellow writers, and to keep improving her craft.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. Dreaming of chasing tornados, Maria earned a bachelors of science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. But she discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. In order to chase tornados you had to predict where they might form. Creating fantasy worlds where she has complete control of the weather was more agreeable to her.

Maria's research on food-tasting methods with an expert chocolate taster, her husband, turned out to be a delicious bonus while writing Poison Study.

Maria has a brown belt in Isshinryu Karate, and enjoys playing volleyball and the cello. Traveling in general and via cruise ship in particular are her biggest distractions from writing. Maria has traveled to Belize, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

Maria lives with her husband, son, daughter and yellow lab, Hazelnut, in Pennsylvania where she is at work on more LUNA novels. She is also pursuing a master's degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University.

Readers are welcome to contact Maria at the following email address: maria@mariavsnyder.com.

Where you can find Maria:

Website/Blog/Facebook/Goodreads

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/16/2015-a GREAT read- Guest Post

2/17/2015- Alice Marvels- Review

2/18/2015- Reading YA Rocks-Guest Post

2/19/2015- Tales of the Ravenous Reader- Interview

2/20/2015- ReadNow Sleep Later- Review                          

Week Two:

2/23/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

2/24/2015- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review

2/25/2015- Magical Urban Fantasy Reads- Guest Post

2/26/2015- Mundie Moms- Review

2/27/2015- Parajunkee- Interview