The Tiger’s Watch (Ashes of Gold #1)
by Julia Ember
Publication Date: August 22, 2017
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Sixteen-year-old Tashi has spent their life
training as a inhabitor, a soldier who spies and kills using a bonded animal.
When the capital falls after a brutal siege, Tashi flees to a remote monastery
to hide. But the invading army turns the monastery into a hospital, and Tashi
catches the eye of Xian, the regiment’s fearless young commander.
Tashi spies on Xian’s every move. In front
of his men, Xian seems dangerous, even sadistic, but Tashi discovers a more
vulnerable side of the enemy commander—a side that draws them to Xian.
When their spying unveils that everything
they’ve been taught is a lie, Tashi faces an impossible choice: save their
country or the boy they’re growing to love. Though Tashi grapples with their
decision, their volatile bonded tiger doesn’t question her allegiances. Katala
slaughters Xian’s soldiers, leading the enemy to hunt her. But an inhabitor’s
bond to their animal is for life—if Katala dies, so will Tashi.
About the author
Originally from Chicago, Julia Ember now
resides in Edinburgh, Scotland. She spends her days working in the book trade
and her nights writing teen fantasy novels. Her hobbies include riding horses,
starting far too many craft projects, PokemonGo and looking after her
city-based menagerie of pets with names from Harry Potter. Luna Lovegood and
Sirius Black the cats currently run her life.
Julia is a polyamorous, bisexual writer.
She regularly takes part in events for queer teens, including those organised by
the Scottish Booktrust and LGBT Youth Scotland. A world traveler since
childhood, she has now visited more than sixty countries. Her travels inspire
the fantasy worlds she creates, though she populates them with magic and
monsters.
Julia began her writing career at the age
of nine, when her short story about two princesses and their horses won a
contest in Touch magazine. In 2016, she published her first novel, Unicorn
Tracks, which also focused on two girls and their equines, albeit those with
horns. Her second novel, The Seafarer’s Kiss will be released by Interlude
Press in May 2017. The book was heavily influenced by Julia’s postgraduate work
in Medieval Literature at The University of St. Andrews. It is now responsible
for her total obsession with beluga whales.
In August 2017, her third novel and the
start of her first series, Tiger's Watch, will come out with Harmony Ink Press.
In writing Tiger's Watch, Julia has taken her love of cats to a new level.
1) What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said about your writing?
A few people have said that my style is very poetic/lyrical! I’m not sure if I can believe this is true … but it was definitely nice of them to say!
2) Are you a full-time or part-time writer? How does that impact your writing?
This is an interesting question. At the moment, I feel like I do full-time hours as a writer, while having a full-time job. I’ve had a lot going on in 2017, especially this summer! Between working on the sequel for The Seafarer’s Kiss (my May release), launching The Tiger’s Watch, traveling to the US for the launch of TSK in May … a lot has been happening in a very condensed period of time.
I do have a full-time job working in the book industry. I’m a Sales and Marketing Manager for an Edinburgh based distributor. It’s my job to convince non-traditional sellers to buy books! I work mostly with gift shops and heritage sites like castles.
I am trying to be more balanced with how I write! I’ve learned this year that as long as I work full-time, I probably need to become a one book a year author. And that’s okay! Sometimes learning your own limits and balance takes time.
3) Describe your perfect weekend.
I’m a pretty stereotypical Taurus – I love comfort and food. Luckily, my partner also likes these things so we do try to occasionally go for spa weekends. I live in Scotland, so it’s easy to visit the Highlands. There is nothing I love more than taking a relaxing swim, having a huge meal, then sitting by a fire overlooking the Scottish hills.
4) What is the most difficult part of writing for you?
Tearing myself away from social media. No really! I have a terrible Twitter addiction, and if I don’t turn off my wireless, I really struggle to get into the writing headspace. It’s amazing how much more productive I can be if I turn off social media. I do okay with just Facebook, but Twitter is my weakness.
5) Name your four most important food groups.
Sweet Lemony Goodness – seriously, lemon cake, lemon cookies, lemon flapjacks … if it’s sweet and has lemons in it, I am all in.
Ketchup – I grew up in the Midwest, if it’s got meat or cheese in it, it need ketchup.
Diet Coke – Not exactly a food, and I am trying REALLY HARD to cut back … but cutting back is going only okay for me and I am addicted.
Author Q&A
1) What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said about your writing?
A few people have said that my style is very poetic/lyrical! I’m not sure if I can believe this is true … but it was definitely nice of them to say!
2) Are you a full-time or part-time writer? How does that impact your writing?
This is an interesting question. At the moment, I feel like I do full-time hours as a writer, while having a full-time job. I’ve had a lot going on in 2017, especially this summer! Between working on the sequel for The Seafarer’s Kiss (my May release), launching The Tiger’s Watch, traveling to the US for the launch of TSK in May … a lot has been happening in a very condensed period of time.
I do have a full-time job working in the book industry. I’m a Sales and Marketing Manager for an Edinburgh based distributor. It’s my job to convince non-traditional sellers to buy books! I work mostly with gift shops and heritage sites like castles.
I am trying to be more balanced with how I write! I’ve learned this year that as long as I work full-time, I probably need to become a one book a year author. And that’s okay! Sometimes learning your own limits and balance takes time.
3) Describe your perfect weekend.
I’m a pretty stereotypical Taurus – I love comfort and food. Luckily, my partner also likes these things so we do try to occasionally go for spa weekends. I live in Scotland, so it’s easy to visit the Highlands. There is nothing I love more than taking a relaxing swim, having a huge meal, then sitting by a fire overlooking the Scottish hills.
4) What is the most difficult part of writing for you?
Tearing myself away from social media. No really! I have a terrible Twitter addiction, and if I don’t turn off my wireless, I really struggle to get into the writing headspace. It’s amazing how much more productive I can be if I turn off social media. I do okay with just Facebook, but Twitter is my weakness.
5) Name your four most important food groups.
Sweet Lemony Goodness – seriously, lemon cake, lemon cookies, lemon flapjacks … if it’s sweet and has lemons in it, I am all in.
Ketchup – I grew up in the Midwest, if it’s got meat or cheese in it, it need ketchup.
Diet Coke – Not exactly a food, and I am trying REALLY HARD to cut back … but cutting back is going only okay for me and I am addicted.
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