Feb 27 2012

Find Your Element: Guest Post & Giveaway with author Terra Harmony

First of all, a big THANKS to Missie for giving me the opportunity to post on her blog! I love ‘My Book Boyfriends‘, and have to check in often to get my weekly dose of eye candy.

On to my post – elemental powers. This is the premise of the Akasha Series. I am under the impression that when most think of elemental powers, they think of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’. At least that is what my 12 year old would say (who hasn’t ready my book, by the way – because it is definitely an adult book). There are some similarities between the Akasha Series and the Last Airbender. In my story, Elementals specialize in one of four powers; water, air, fire, or earth. A Gaia can manipulate all of the elements at once and usually to a stronger degree. That is where the similarities stop. The Akasha Series is a contemporary piece, set in the here and now. A group called the Seven use elemental powers to counteract damage done to the ecosystem by humans. The first book, Water, takes a dark turn as the antagonist develops his theory of depopulation in order to save Earth. As the series progresses, we watch his theories become an obsession and then a reality.

I’ve always been sort of obsessed with elemental powers, and absolutely love when fantasy books, especially those involving witches or vampires, incorporate these ‘elements’, so to speak. What is it about elemental powers that can be so intriguing? Maybe it’s the fact that when they are at odds with each other, neither one has a particularly strong advantage. Like a Mexican standoff, in a way. On the other hand, one cannot necessarily function without the others. And when they are working together in perfect harmony, it can be the most powerful thing ever. You won’t necessarily see this until the third book in the series, when Kaitlyn, the Gaia, learns to blend all four elements to create her own Akasha, so stay tuned!

If the world I’ve created in the Akasha Series became reality, and you were an Elemental working for the Seven, which would you be? And why?

Earth: The earth element is the most dependable, steady and practical. Earth magic operates at a slower rate, but it is more likely to persist and endure. The Earth elements represents North, the color green, midnight and winter. It signifies stability, order, birth and death, and fertility.

Air: Air expands your consciousness and represents truth. It is also associated with thought and language, the breath of life. The Air element represents East, the color yellow, mornings, and spring. It signifies intellect, reason, science, and youth.

Water: Water elementals can be described as timid and shy, though some of the most dangerous natural disasters are water based. The water element represents West, the color blue, twilight and autumn. It represents emotion, intuition, healing, and wisdom.

Fire: Fire is the purest element in the sense it cannot be polluted – though it depends on other elements to exist. The fire element represents South, the color red, noon and summer. It represents strength, passion, energy, and transformation.

Despite my name, I think I’d have to go with fire. I am a Leo, after all. Answer the poll below, and let’s see how many complete ‘circles’ we can create!

And if you are into elemental powers as much as I am, be sure to check out our new group on Goodreads; The Elementals.

Terra Harmony

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Water (Akasha, #1)

All of the elemental powers are in the palm of her hand…and it won’t be enough to save her. When Kaitlyn Alder is involuntarily introduced to a life of magic, she becomes part of an organization hell-bent on saving the Earth. Just as her new-found life holds promises of purpose, romance, and friendship, the organization divides and a rogue member holds Kaitlyn hostage. Now one of the most terrifying men the human race has to offer stands between her and Earth’s survival.

Air (Akasha, #2)

She carries more than just elemental powers. In ‘Air’, the sequel to ‘Water’ of the Akasha Series, Kaitlyn has a secret. One she won’t be able to hide much longer. As the strongest Gaia the planet has ever seen, she must face mankind’s greatest enemy as he campaigns for ‘One Less: Depopulation’. Everything depends on Kaitlyn fully embracing her role as Gaia. Her family. The Seven. The Earth. Something has to give, and it won’t be Kaitlyn.

Thanks to author Terra Harmony, I have an e-book package of Water (Akasha, #1) and Air (Akasha, #2) to giveaway!

Giveaway deets:

To enter, leave a comment saying which elemental power you’d choose and why.
Open to anyone who accepts e-books.
Retweet for an extra entry! Include RT link in comment.
Ends 3/4 at 11:59 pm CST.
Winners will be selected using random.org.

Winner: BookAttict

49 comments

Posted at 6:00 am • Labels: 2012, Author Guest Post, giveaway, Terra Harmony

by Danny on February 27, 2012

I choose Air but I did it just from a gut feeling. Initially I would have picked Fire because I'd think it's the most powerful. But there is something about Air that grabs me… But after reading your description it made sense I picked it… Science – well I'm a scientist – there you go!

Great guest post and I'm looking forward checking those books out!

by Jade on February 27, 2012

I'm actually really digging the sound of these books. Takes me back to my childhood and my Captain Planet days. Wasn't he awesome? Anyway, going by the descriptions, I seam to be more of an Earth kind of person. Though I have small touches of the other elements, Earth seems to fit best. Persistent, steady and strong…sounds cool. I'm curious about the Earth book!

Love the guest post, thanks for the introduction to these books and thanks for the giveaway!

jadaloves[at]gmail[dot]com

by BURIED IN BOOKS on February 27, 2012

I'm water because I love blue and I'm emotional and intuitive and I'm into healing and learning. And I love twilight. It means bedtime. Oh, and I love the other Twilight too!!

I loved Avatar! I was so glad that I finally got to see the last show! There were some very interesting concepts in that show. It was one that I really looked forward to watching with my kids.

Heather
hrose2931(at)gmail(dot)com

by Mimi Valentine on February 27, 2012

Oh my gosh, I used to LOVE Avatar: The Last Airbender as a kid — it was one of my favourite TV shows! I think that's the reason I love reading so many elemental books now, which is why I'm crazy excited to read your book now even though you said it was really different (which is so awesome — I love how different authors incorporate elementals in different ways! And like you, I love it when fantasy books use them too!)!

Really awesome guest post, Terra! If I was an elemental, I think that I'd probably choose to control water because I love to swim and I'm not afraid of it like I'm of fire LOL! x)

by Bookish Brunette on February 27, 2012

Sooooo much awesome!!! I'd probably be FIRE… Or at least want the FIRE element!!!

by nea barabea on February 27, 2012

I've chose Fire Which is funny because my sign is Pisces so I've always thought it was water my element. But everytime I think about it.. well, I guess I am more fire than water. Sure, I love swimming, but I have too much passion and energy to be anything else than Fire

https://twitter.com/#!/neabarabea/status/174143682608508928

by Rain Maiden on February 27, 2012

Im going with earth. Love the sound of this series. Thanks for the post and giveaway!

by Melliane on February 27, 2012

I confess I didn't see the Last Airbender, only the movie but really enjoyed it. You're right the elements are always an amazing subject, so you series sounds really nice! And well, I really like the covers too. I think I would love to be water, I don't really know why this one and not another but it's the first answer that came to my mind. thanks for the post!

by Jenny N. on February 27, 2012

The two elements that I've always been attracted to are water and air. I've never watched The Last Airbender but I know my younger brother and sisters probably watched it since they're big anime fans.

by Jenny on February 27, 2012

Ooooo look at those pretty covers, LOVE them! I think I'd have to go with water, I don't know if everything listed applies to me, but I think I would most enjoy the ability to manipulate water:) Such a cool premise, I'm looking forward to reading these!

by Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings on February 27, 2012

Ok seems I am in the minority. I picked Fire. I think it would be awesome to fling some flames!
This looks like an interesting series. The cover artwork is awesome. I would definitely like to check it out! Thanks for the giveaway!
Happy Monday Missie! Have a great week. Send me some of that sunshine will ya?
Here is my tweet:

by Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings on February 27, 2012

https://twitter.com/rnydayramblings /status/174190292826722305
oops sorry!

by Kristi The Book Faery on February 27, 2012

The books look amazing! I'm not entering the giveaway but wanted to say how much I enjoyed your GP! I'm really interested in the elementals!

Thanks so much For sharing!

Get reading JeniFFer Estep-Quick-You'll love her!

Sorry about the Capital F's but I can't use my lower case because it pulls up this weird 'Find Computers' box and then another box pops up saying “The domain services is currently unavailable” it's crazy! I'm going to restart right now and see what happens! I can't avoid F's all day, LOL!

Hugs!

by Lisa on February 27, 2012

I love the covers of the novels. How gorgeous. I've always like the idea of people manipulating the elements, but I'm not really sure which element I'd be. I think I have a little bit of everything depending on my mood.