THE OATH: MADDY AND SILENUS by Susan Badaracco

THE OATH: MADDY AND SILENUS
by Susan Badaracco

When her past merges with her present, Maddy is not sure what to think. Was that really an abduction she witnessed? Does she have the courage to find out?

Silenus is a unicorn haunted by his past failure to protect his charge. He trains relentlessly but is he fierce enough to protect this innocent? Will she even trust him?

Can a mortal and immortal pursue the truth together or will Maddy pay the ultimate price?

EXCERPT
Silenus shoved emotion down and boldly, systematically, scrutinized the victims strewn throughout the meadow. He saved the copse of trees for last. Coming down the hill, he’d determined that tactically, the trees provided the best defensive position. It would be the only logical place to go if you had a younger, slower unicorn to protect. It was there, under a canopy of graceful tree limbs and flickering sunlight that he found them both. He knew his wife, who was known for her speed, gave up any chance of escape in order to shield their beloved daughter. His wife was bloodied, her chest splayed open, her pearly horn crimson stained. His daughter looked peaceful, undefiled with the exception of a single puncture wound to the chest. Her tiny horn sparkled as it caught rays of sun filtering through the trees.

Silenus nuzzled his wife, but although her body was still warm, she remained motionless. He leaned down to breath in her essence but instead the metallic scent of blood hit his nose. Tears slid down his muzzle and dropped in dark splotches on both his wife and daughter. Tears that would normally heal wounds and cure poisons but were ineffective against death. He pawed at the ground in front of them, sending up dust that cloaked his mouth and burned his eyes.

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AN INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN
-What inspired you to become a writer?

I became a writer by accident. My initial plan was to come up with a unique fundraiser for the Children’s Advocacy Center. The whole premise depended on me writing a good book. So I read books about writing, took online classes, attending writer’s conferences… and started writing. Then I almost gave up. It’s harder than I ever dreamed. I’d made a promise so I kept trying…got an editor that whipped me until my writing resembled an actual story!

Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the craft. Before I finished “The Oath: Maddy and Silenus” I was already working on the second book. It’s quite addicting.

-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?

Go to the Last Chapter bookstore and pry Rose away from the register for a bit. We’ll escape into the back room and she will instruct me on how to make the perfect cup of tea (I already know). She’ll tell me about her favorite books and oddly, she will have the exact same list as me!

-Give us a fun or interesting fact you learned researching this book.

I learned lots of distressing facts when writing this book. I was tempted to include them all but then I would be info dumping and the book would have sounded preachy. But you asked….

-Youth age 12 to 17 are more at risk for homelessness than adults
-75% of runaways are female
-60% will go without food for at least one day a month
-50% report intense conflict or threat of physical harm led them to leave the home.

The more fun facts had to do with Tulsa, Oklahoma. After investigating the city, I haven’t figured out if this is just a really unusually quirky city or if I searched hard enough I would find really cool facts about most places. I suspect the latter.

-Which of your characters would you go out for drinks with?

I would definitely like to go out with the Markham’s for a glass of wine. They seemed to have found the right formula for how we should lead our lives. Work hard, give generously, make time for your family, raise your children to respect others.

-You’re in a tavern, and a dwarf challenges you to a duel. What do you do?

Accept.

In the past I would have asked lots of questions. How tall? How skilled? Why? Do I have weapons? Does he have magic?

I’m older now. No one has all the answers. Sometimes you just have to go down the path and see where it leads. It’s more interesting that way.

-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?

Erotica. Because…nope…I just….nope….(blushing)

ABOUT SUSAN

Susan Badaracco is the author and independent publisher of “The Oath: Maddy and Silenus”.

In her real life, she is a pediatrician at Kids First Pediatrics where she routinely consoles anxious moms, retrieves interesting objects hidden in ears and laughs at made up knock-knock jokes.

She lives with her husband, a dog (ADHD is not limited to humans) and a cat. Her daughter and son both made the unfortunate decision to grow up which means she travels more than she used to.

Find her online:

–website
–blog

~Follow the rest of the tour

GIVEAWAY

Susan Badaracco will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.