In the new paranormal young-adult novel “Blood Ties,” college senior Grace Valois is half witch, half mortal, and one of the most powerful supernatural beings in existence. Problem is she doesn’t know it yet. And when she finds out, all hell is literally going to break loose.
“This isn’t your typical paranormal teen romance,” says Gina Whitney, author of “Blood Ties,” in which Grace, a soon-to-be college graduate, is thrust into a world full of shape shifters, vampires, and demonic forces—and finds herself in the middle of a ferocious fight for her life. “Grace is no Bella Swan. She is a fighter, a survivor, and she will do anything to protect herself and those she loves from the forces of evil that want to eradicate them.”
According to a study conducted by feminist website “lady business” (ladybusiness.dreamwidth.org), despite the current belief that female main characters are dominating popular young-adult novels, only 36% of books that won the 22 major YA lit awards since 2000 have been girls.
“The bottom line is we need more independent and strong girls in books,” says Ms. Whitney. “We need to see more Katniss Everdeens, more young women who are butt-kickers, not just sidekicks. Grace Valois is in this camp. She has a loyal circle of family and friends who want to protect her, but when it comes down to it, she saves herself—and everyone else. This is the message we need to get out there for today’s younger generations, both girls and boys: that no woman has to sit and wait for her Prince Charming. She can take care of herself all on her own.”
In “Blood Ties,” as Grace’s powers begin to awaken, her transformation reignites an ages-old war between her clan and a rival witch faction that will stop at nothing to see her dead. Her immortal Aunt Evelyn and her best friend Julie—who happens to be a werewolf—are there to defend her. And then there’s James, a witch from the Bolingbroke clan, which has vowed since Grace’s birth to keep her safe. The two share a supernatural attraction that could protect Grace or put her in greater danger.
“Blood Ties” is Gina Whitney’s first novel. She lives in Massapequa, New York, with her two sons and their dog.
“This isn’t your typical paranormal teen romance,” says Gina Whitney, author of “Blood Ties,” in which Grace, a soon-to-be college graduate, is thrust into a world full of shape shifters, vampires, and demonic forces—and finds herself in the middle of a ferocious fight for her life. “Grace is no Bella Swan. She is a fighter, a survivor, and she will do anything to protect herself and those she loves from the forces of evil that want to eradicate them.”
According to a study conducted by feminist website “lady business” (ladybusiness.dreamwidth.org), despite the current belief that female main characters are dominating popular young-adult novels, only 36% of books that won the 22 major YA lit awards since 2000 have been girls.
“The bottom line is we need more independent and strong girls in books,” says Ms. Whitney. “We need to see more Katniss Everdeens, more young women who are butt-kickers, not just sidekicks. Grace Valois is in this camp. She has a loyal circle of family and friends who want to protect her, but when it comes down to it, she saves herself—and everyone else. This is the message we need to get out there for today’s younger generations, both girls and boys: that no woman has to sit and wait for her Prince Charming. She can take care of herself all on her own.”
In “Blood Ties,” as Grace’s powers begin to awaken, her transformation reignites an ages-old war between her clan and a rival witch faction that will stop at nothing to see her dead. Her immortal Aunt Evelyn and her best friend Julie—who happens to be a werewolf—are there to defend her. And then there’s James, a witch from the Bolingbroke clan, which has vowed since Grace’s birth to keep her safe. The two share a supernatural attraction that could protect Grace or put her in greater danger.
“Blood Ties” is Gina Whitney’s first novel. She lives in Massapequa, New York, with her two sons and their dog.
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