Monday, February 06, 2012

Guest Post by Kathleen Peacock + Giveaway: Signed Hemlock ARC + Swag!

Hi everyone! The domination continues with this guest post by Kathleen Peacock, the author of Hemlock. Stick around for a giveaway later!


Strictly speaking, HEMLOCK isn’t a dystopian. The world it takes place in—a world struggling to deal with a virus that turns people into werewolves—isn’t considered utopia by anyone. Not by the werewolves who live in constant fear of being reported. Not by the people who realize not all wolves are a threat. Not even by hate groups who want the government to be more aggressive in finding and detaining the infected.

But I think there are things HEMLOCK has in common with dystopian fiction and—as someone who loves dystopian books and movies—I hope there are things in HEMLOCK that will appeal to my fellow fans of that genre.

To me, the best dystopians have always seemed plausible. Those are the ones that hit you hardest and linger long after you’ve set the book aside. And while a werewolf virus isn’t exactly likely to sweep the globe anytime soon, I think the way the government—and the general public—deals with lupine syndrome in the book is believable.

In HEMLOCK, the world went from disbelief to fear to chaos to persecution. My characters all grew up hearing public service announcements about the dangers of lupine syndrome. They know there are camps where werewolves are sent, and they’re urged to report suspected infections. A few people question the ethics of persecuting and interning werewolves for life based on the fear that they might attack someone, but most people are too frightened by the virus not to accept the status quo.

And to me, that’s sadly plausible. History is littered with cases where people didn’t ask enough questions or stayed silent when they knew something was wrong.

Maybe that’s why I like the new crop of YA dystopian fiction so much. It’s filled with characters who realize their worlds are broken and who find the strength to do something about it. The settings themselves might be dark, but the characters give me hope.

In HEMLOCK, the situations might be bleak, but the characters draw hope from each other. And it’s my hope that even though it’s not strictly a dystopian, it asks some of the same questions and appeals to some of the same readers.

Thanks so much to Precious and Kai for inviting me to take part!

Giveaway: Signed ARC of Hemlock + Swag


Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf. 

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control. 

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.
 

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding supernatural mystery series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.
 
As usual, just fill out the form! This is open internationally!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Kathleen Peacock spent her teen years crushing on authors and writing short stories about vampires. She put her writing dreams on hold while attending college, but tripped over them when office life started leaving her with an allergy to cubicles. Her debut, HEMLOCK, is coming May 8th, 2012 from Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of Harper Collins, and will be published in the UK under the title DEADLY HEMLOCK from Simon and Schuster Children's Books .

Connect with Kathleen: Twitter | Goodreads | Site



70 comments:

  1. Thanks for letting us know more about Hemlock.

    I just have few quick questions for Kathleen: How does one become infected with Lupine syndrome? And where exactly is Hemlock?

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    1. Hi Stephanie,

      Lupine syndrome is spread by bite and scratch from a fully or partially transformed werewolf. Hemlock, itself, is in an unnamed state in the US.

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  2. I like the mixing of genres. Especially fantasy and dystopian, they just seem to fit. But I can see where paranormal and dystopian compliment each other. I totally agree with Kathleen's following statement about YA lit, "It’s filled with characters who realize their worlds are broken and who find the strength to do something about it. The settings themselves might be dark, but the characters give me hope."

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  3. Thanks for introducing me to Hemlock and Kathleen. The book really sounds amazing and I'll definitely be getting it :)

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  4. This book sounds amazing, and I hope to get a chance to win this contest, and read it soon. I have a few questions: What was your inspiration for the plot? Did you base any of your characters on people you know?

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    1. Hi Brandon,

      A scene from the (now trunked first draft) of the book popped into my head and I built the plot around it. None of the characters are based on people I know.

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  5. I'm really intrigued by the Lupine Syndrom! I don't think I ever read any book with such a unique approach to Werewolves! Did you have to do a lot of research to create the whole medical background for it?

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    1. Hi Birgit,

      I actually tried to stick fairly close to traditional werewolf stories in terms of transmission and incubation periods and such. I think most of the medical research I did was on the forensic side, trying to figure out what defensive wounds people would have and what the crime scenes might look like.

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  6. This sounds so good. I really like reading books that have hope as a theme too. I think hope is something many of us could use a little more of these days. Can't wait to read Hemlock!

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  7. The cover is just gorgeous! The title definitely caught my eye. The premise has me hooked. Can't wait for this release!

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  8. This does sound like a dystopian though it's not the usual. The concept is really interesting as well. I love the title as well. Wonder what it actually has to do with the book.

    Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire

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  9. I don't read a lot of werewolf books but Hemlock sounds soooooo good! Can't wait to read it!

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  10. this book sound really interesting

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  11. I like books where the situation seems hopeless, but the characters motivate each other. And I adore the cover! Excited for Hemlock :).

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  12. I can't wait for Hemlock!

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  13. The cover is gorgeous! I love reading books with paranormal and mystery. It sounds somthing I would like. Thanks for the giveaway! :D

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  14. Looks wonderful - thanks for hosting.

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  15. I've been interested in reading Hemlock for a while. Anyway thanks for the amazing giveaway and post!

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  16. What a fantastic post! As if I wasn't dying to read Hemlock already, with the gorgeous cover and captivating synopsis, but this post has made me even more intrigued. Especially having a glimpse into the scary and chaotic world her characters know. And she's so spot in with people not asking enough questions, just blindly obeying and going with whatever the higher powers dictate. I love those dystopians with characters that rebel, that offer hope and FIGHT.

    Fantastic post! <3

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  17. The premise of this book sounds fascinating!

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  18. I can't wait to read Hemlock! So excited.

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  19. The synopsis is really intriguing. Werewolves, a murder mystery, and betrayal...sounds like my kind of book.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. Love the story, concept and the cover! I want to read this now!

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  21. I have a question for Kathleen: What (if any) character did you feel most attached to and what one did you have difficulties with?
    The book looks and sounds fantastic! Thank you for holding this giveaway!!

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    1. Hi Tiffany,

      My favorite character seems to switch daily. Today, I think I'm most attached to Amy (Mac's dead best friend). I usually describe her as a nightmare version of the Cheshire cat and her scenes are spectacularly fun to write.

      I actually had the most trouble with Mac. She can be very guarded and aloof and it could be tricky balancing those qualities with her emotions--because she does feel things rather deeply, she's just not always good at showing it.

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  22. This book sounds amazing, and I love the cover! Can't wait for this book!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  23. This books sounds amazing. Can't wait to read it.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  24. I think the synopsis of Hemlock is pretty brilliant, and I like edgier dystopians. I'm really looking forward to reading a UK version of this book Deadly Hemlock (I prefer that cover) along with The Hunt by Fukuda. Thanks for the opportunity to win.!
    P.S. gfc kara-karina (I forgot to add my name in the rafflecopter entry for the comment)

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  25. Honestly, I'm just in love with the pitch and the cover and every single one of my friends that has read it/is reading it is raving about its sheer fantasticness, so yeah, I'd definitely like to read it.

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  26. Hemlock has an amazing premise!! I am very intrigued about the ex bf, Kyle and all the secrets hidden away in Hemlock. The cover is very beautiful and I absolutely LOVE the swirls :)

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  27. Oh my gosh, I'm just SO excited to read Hemlock! Everything about it sounds absolutely amazing, so I can't wait to get my hands on this book! :) And the cover is GORGEOUS too!

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  28. Could you please comment on this post: http://inabookshelf.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/youll-get-infected/

    It would mean a lot to me. Thanks!

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  29. Hemlock sounds really good, and it is true that people don't think twice to turn in suspected people to the authorities.

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  30. Hey Kathleen! My question is; Why did you decide to write about werewolves? Are they your favourite mythical creature?

    Ok so that was two! :)

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    1. Hi Hayley,

      I'm not sure I decided to write about werewolves so much as I decided to write about three characters, and since one of them happened to be a werewolf, a werewolf book followed. At the moment, they are my fav mythical creature.

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  31. Thank you so much for this post
    I always love reading about a book from the authors point of view and it's interesting to know it's one of your favourite genres too! =)

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  32. Thanks for the giveaway! I am looking forward to reading "Hemlock"!

    Question: Vampires or werewolves? And you MUST choose one. :)

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    1. Though I'm a semi-reformed vamp addict, it's Team Werewolf for me!

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  33. Lupine syndrome? Werewolf virus? Interesting! Science Fiction and Paranormal combined in one. Quite risky but I can't wait to grab this book.

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  34. I had not heard of this book before I found this post. I think the cover is beautifully done...the colors work so well together.

    It does sound interesting to have the SciFi elements and the Paranormal elements together. I cannot wait to read it.

    Shanan
    http://thebookaddictnet.blogspot.com

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  35. Hemlock sounds like an amazing read, i cant wait to read it! Thank you so much for the Giveaway! BTW i LOVE the cover,really draws you in.

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  36. Question for Kathleen. What is your favourite dystopian book of all time and did you draw inspiration from this?

    This sounds great btw and can't wait to read.

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    1. Hi Nina,

      My favorite dystopian book is The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. I didn't consciously draw inspiration from it, but one of the things I love about the book is how plausible it seems and how Atwood talks about the real world events and situations which she drew on to create the world she depicted. The propaganda and the idea of the camps in Hemlock were loosely inspired by sad periods in history, so I guess you could say authors like Atwood encouraged me to look to the past and the world around me for inspiration.

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  37. I haven't read anything by Kathleen Peacock yet but Hemlock sounds truly amazing. Can't wait to read it.

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  38. I'm a fan of dystopias, so I hope to read Hemlock soon! It sounds fabulous.

    A quick question for Kathleen: who is your favorite character in Hemlock and who was the most fun to write?

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    1. My favorite character is probably Amy, Mac's dead best friend. She was also the most fun to write.

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  39. The book just sounds so great. And the beautiful cover is just another plus :)

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  40. This book is one of my most anticipated YA of 2012. Look at that cover! I can't wait to read this. Thanks for the giveaway. :)

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  41. I just love the idea of a "lupine syndrome" epidemic. I'm excited it's going to be a series. I love zombies, I love vampires, but I have yet to really find a werewolf series that has grabbed me.

    the imagine tree at aol dot com

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  42. Hemlock sounds amazing! Can't wait<3 The cover is beautiful! The synopsis sounds so captivating! On my wishlit for sure!

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  43. This book sounds amazing. Even if I don't win, I'll be sure to pick it up.

    Good luck everyone!

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  44. This book sounds really good! How did these werewolves look like? How did they turn? :)

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  45. Lupine syndrome can turn you into werewolves? Wow

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  46. this is the first i've heard of this book, but i'm so glad i saw it here! it's definitely a book i will be reading. also, the cover is awesome and makes me want to read it that much
    more : ) thanks so much for the giveaway!!

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  47. Well, first of all, I love the cover. I think this will be a pretty dark story to read, but I'm very excited about it. There aren't that many werewolf YA stories out there ;)

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  48. First of all: COVER LOVE!! I <3 that cover! Even if the books is not dystopian the plot is awesome, werewolves virus, society chaos, there so much things that alter the type of world we live and know. Is always exciting to read this kind of books! I love them!

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  49. I've heard awesome things about this book! I cant wait to read it!

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  50. Eeek! :D I've been wanting to read Hemlock, it sounds amazing, and that cover is just to die for! Gorgeous!!! Thanks for the guest post, and for the chance to win a copy of Hemlock! :D

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  51. I love werewolf books and this cover is beautiful! I've heard great things about it and I'd love to read it :))

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  52. This book sounds really interesting, werewolves have always been my weakness :) I love Klaus from The Vampire Diaries! I do have a question; Where did the idea of Hemlock come from???

    Kayla @ Simply Kayla's Book Reviews

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  53. Congrats on the release! Sounds like a great book.

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  54. Ah! I discovered this book just yesterday and was immediatly intrigued! Thank you for the chance to win!

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  55. I was hearing bloggers buzzing about this one at ALA Midwinter. It looks and sounds amazing.

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  56. There are many werewolves books out there, what makes your book different than from others. I can answer tis- it is about a lupine disease.... IS you book like Shiver? I cannot wait to read. :)

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  57. I think HEMLOCK sounds like it most definitely has some things in common with dystopian fiction, and I can't wait to read it! What I also love about dystopians is that no matter how broken the world the characters have hope and fight for that...so HEMLOCK is a definite must read for me!

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  58. Hemlock sounds great and I really can't wait to read it!

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  59. Thanks for the great giveaway I've been seeing this book around a lot.
    How long did it take you to write this book?

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