Synopsis: “The stranger’s cloak fell back, and with it, a long, white blood-stained wing.”

Melaia, a young priestess, witnesses the gruesome murder of an emaciated stranger in the temple courtyard. Just after she discovers wings on the stranger, the murderer enters the temple, and what Melaia has known only through song and story suddenly takes on flesh. Angels and shape-shifters were myths and stories . . . until now.

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud between two immortal brothers who destroyed the stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the earthly realm. When the feud turns violent and Melaia becomes a target, she finds refuge with a band of wandering angels attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible without the repayment of an ancient debt, the “breath of angel, blood of man,” a payment that involves Melaia’s heart, soul, and destiny.
Melaia, its an honor to welcome you to my blog Poisoned Rationality!

Thank you. I’m familiar with herbs and know most of the poison ones. Rationality is a new one to me, though. I’ll look for it in the future. Where does it usually grow?

Aha...funny story its not really a poison you see...erm...moving on...Growing up with Hanni, you knew your future (to be High Priestess), but after the Erielyon's arrival your worldview (and destiny) suddenly becomes larger. Do you feel that had things stayed on course you would have felt fulfilled in life?

I have always wondered what was over the horizon and have always wished I could journey out to see at least a bit of the world. I was yearning for freedom, but I didn’t know that at the time. I’m sure that if I had become High Priestess, I would have found reasons to travel to temples in outlying towns. I like to think I would have been satisfied with that. But my eyes were opened to a greater world than I had ever imagined. Now that I have a vision for the world and my place in it, I would find it terribly difficult to be content with my old life.

That I can understand quite well.  Once I got the chance to travel...well.  I didn't stop either.  With all the changes and revelations throughout the book do you wonder what may have been had you been 'in the know' (so to speak) from the beginning?

Yes, I do wonder about what might have been. But I also understand that my ignorance probably saved me from many dangers and allowed me to have a fairly normal childhood – if you can call being raised as a priestess normal. I guess what I mean is that I was raised without certain fears and inhibitions that I might have had if I had been, as you say, “in the know.”

Trust me when I say this Melaia, Ignorance is a wonderful place to stay in.  Do you have a favorite memory from your childhood that comforts you?

My favorite memory is really a ritual. It began when I was quite small. Our chantress would tell a story set to song every night as my sister novices and I lay on our pallets with the breeze blowing through the windows, the night safely outside. It was a very peaceful time. Eventually our chantress left and I became the storyteller. I enjoyed singing a peaceful mood into the room for the younger girls, giving them the gift that I had been given so young.

Oddly when I sing its never very peaceful...When all is said and done, the world is saved and things are put right again, what is the very first thing you want to do or say?

That’s a very personal question, but you seem to be the type of person who will share the answer only with those who will hold it in honor. So . . . when all is put to right, the first thing I want to say is, “Trevin. I’m yours.”

Oh dear...you made me blush with that comment...erm you didn't mind I shared it here...?  Let's move on!  Do you wish that Angels could have stayed a legend?

There was a time when I might have made such a wish. But not now. I’ve seen that our world needs angels. But we need them whole and free to help us in the ways they were intended to help.

Thank you Melaia for being with us today! Also please tell Trevin that he's singlehandedly gotten me addicted to dried apricots again. Every time it was mentioned I kept thinking 'That sounds like a lovely treat...'.

You’re welcome. And I’ll tell Trevin about the apricots. He’ll be pleased. I can see his disarming half-smile already!

If possible have him deliver some? :grin:


Want to know more?  Check out Karyn's website, her blog and make sure to check out the book trailer!  And check out the Reader's Guide!