The time it was about NIL Unlocked

I was able to get my hands on an arc of NIL Unlocked and I devoured it. Lynne has created such a creepy setting, I was eager to get back to the island and see what she had in store for us.  So it goes without saying that when I got the invite to be part of the blog tour, I very happily agreed.

Before we get to Lynne’s interview, let’s check out the book!

On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die. Rives is now the undisputed Leader of Nil City, but keeping the City united is tougher than ever.

Raiders have grown bolder, supplies are dwindling, and non-human inhabitants have taken a turn toward the deadly. New arrivals cause rifts within the City, putting the Search system at risk, and calling everything Rives knows into question. Desperate for answers, he teams up with the only other person searching for them: Skye, a new arrival with a mysterious past of her own. Soon the duo find themselves locked in a desperate race to save all the residents of Nil—and possibly destroy the island forever. But at what cost? And who will pay the price?

Sounds good, right?

1. Where did the idea for the NIL series come from? 

I love this question! NIL was born on the island of Hawaii–the big island. My husband had won a trip with his company, and as we flew in, we could see the full breadth of the island from the air. It was gorgeous: lush and green in parts, on fire in others, barren in stretches, with a coastline dotted with cliffs and sandy beaches. As we left the airport, we drove through miles of ancient lava fields. Broken red rock stretched endlessly on each side, gorgeous and desolate. No roads, no buildings, no people–-just the eerie sound of wind blowing over the barren rocks. I remember thinking how much it all looked like an alien planet, and thinking how creepy it would be to wake up there, alone. And I remember thinking how scary it would be as a teenager, to wake up by yourself, not having a clue where you were or how you how got there, and what if–because isn’t this every person’s worst nightmare?!–you woke up naked? NIL was born in that moment.

I loved the idea of a deadly paradise. It’s a cool contrast to play with, because for those characters, they can never relax completely, even though their surroundings may look like the perfect island retreat. On Nil, the characters’ clocks are always ticking, making each day a race against death . . . even when the characters are running on a gorgeous white sand beach.

2. Why do you love Skye and Rives and why should we root for them?

I DO love Rives and Skye!:) As individuals first, and I think that’s why I love them so much as a couple. They compliment each other perfectly: when one is fire, the other is ice. They always have each other’s back when the island is at it’s most frightening, but also in those quiet, vulnerable moments when they’ve laid themselves (emotionally) bare. I also kind of love that Rives was soooo determined not to risk his heart after losing Talla, but that Nil had others plans for him. And when he loses his heart fully to Skye, to have his heart broken a second time would be so cruel. But Nil definitely can be cruel, so maybe if you root for them, Nil will let them go and Rives can finally get his HEA.:)

3. What makes a good villain and how did you incorporate that into NIL Unlocked?

Oh, great question! I think a good villain is one that always keeps you guessing…wondering if they truly are a villain. In the Nil series, the ultimate villain is the island. Rives constantly ponders whether the island is good, bad, or somewhere in between. If Rives had to pick a word to describe Nil, he’d pick calculating. So being stuck on a sentient island that’s calculating? Creepyyyyyyy. And that’s Nil, which you start to really see in NIL UNLOCKED.

4. Without spoilers, were there any scenes that you had to cut that you wish you could have kept?

Not really! I cut a scene with a panda but I don’t miss it. I love the final version of NIL UNLOCKED!!!!

5. Describe NIL Unlocked in 5 words.

Survivor meets LOST on crack. (Thank you Sara B. Larson for this near-quote.D)

Speed [ish] round:

1. You get the call/email/letter that says you’re being published for the first time. Describe the next 5 minutes. 

Lots of screaming, dancing around the kitchen, unstoppable smiling, calling my husband. Repeat.:)

2. What three things would you take to a desert island?

A knife, a cup, and a firebow.

3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?

The Bible.

4. Who are your favorite swoony boys/girls?

How long do we have? lol :)

Swoony boys: Tarver (THESE BROKEN STARS), FiB (THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND) {Note: Lynne listed FiB’s real name, but I changed it for spoilery reasons}, Warner (SHATTER ME), Jace (MY LIFE NEXT DOOR), & more–all for so many different reasons.

Swoony girls: America (THE SELECTION), Hermione (do I even need to name the book?), Mia (IF I STAY), Celaena (THRONE OF GLASS), & more—all I love for different reasons. And if course Charley & Skye…and go add Thad & Rives up with the boys. And Michael. And Dex. I’ll stop now.;)

5. What is the one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?

That patience and deadlines need to be your friends.:)

6. You wake up and discover you are Bella in Twilight. You know how it plays out. What do you do differently? {Huge thanks to Bookish Broads for letting me use this question!}

Oh, wow. That’s a tricky one. Am I waking up as Bella before I get on the plane? Or am I already in Forks, already swooning over the pale-but-hunky copper-haired Edward? Do I tell myself not to move to Forks after all? Or do I tell myself just not to go to that ballet studio? (You know the one…full of mirrors and sadistic vampires.) Or do I tell myself that I’ll be a vampire in the end, so we should just skip ahead?:)

In NIL UNLOCKED, Maaka insists “the end is already written.” He also claims “the middle determines the weight and shape, the form and the substance. Life.” So, if this is true—i.e, even if I know I’ll become a vampire one day, I’m not sure I’d do anything differently. Because the trip is as important as the destination, right? I mean, it’s just not all about me ending up as a vampire. So, I think I’d just tell me-as-Bella to (1) not fight Alice as much on the clothing issues and occasionally accept fashion help; and (2), be thinking of baby names ahead of time.

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I grew up in Georgia in a house full of books and a backyard full of gnarly pines. Back then, I’d stay up late, reading Nancy Drew books under the covers (with a flashlight . . . a weak attempt at ninja stealth). Now I still stay up late reading books and writing them.

When I don’t have a book in my hand, you’ll find me listening to music, messing around with paint, or hanging out with my husband and our four boys . . . or all of the above.

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Huge thanks to Macmillan for the invite and to Lynne for taking the time! Make sure you’re checking out her website, following her on Twitter, liking her on Facebook, and adding all of her books to your Goodreads TBR shelf!

Definitely check out the rest of the blog tour stops for all sorts of extra goodies! Lynne and the other Fierce Reads ladies will be going on tour soon, click here to see if they’re coming near you.

Now. Macmillan has so awesomely offered up some giveaway copies! One winner will get a paperback copy of NIL and a hardcover copy of NIL Unlocked. Contest is US only and additional rules are here.

**Good Luck!!**

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