MARGARET WEST.

Welcome to Emlyn Chand

2012-02-02T03:21:00.000-08:00

Morning folks.
I have to say thats its freezing here in not so sunny kent. Its a good job I have my virtual log fire crackling away in the blog lounge. Before we start, here is a bit about Emlyn.

From an early age, Emlyn Chand has counted books among her best friends. She loves to hear and tell stories and emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). Her affinity for the written word extends to absolutely every area of her life: she has written two-and-a-half novels, leads a classics book group with over three hundred members, and, of course, runs the whole shebang at Novel Publicity.

The book that changed Emlyn’s life is Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crocket Johnson. It opened her eyes to the world that could exist if only she was willing to create it—a lesson she has never forgotten. While she enjoys all types of novels, her greatest loves are literary fiction and YA.

Hi Emlyn. It's lovely to met you and i have enjoyed our chats about the paranormal side of life recently. I hear that you have a book hot off the press. Tell us a bit about it.

Hi Margaret. Its good to be here. I'm a long way from home in your virtual lounge lol My new release Farsighted tells the story of Alex Kosmitoras. Here’s my mini teaser: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.

Loving the teaser. Paranormal elements always intrigue me. I'm sure your book will catch a lot of peoples interest. So what’s next on your writing agenda?

I’m working on book #2 of the Farsighted Series. Its title is Open Heart, and the story is told from a different character’s POV for added fun/complexity. I am also beginning work on a new YA science fiction series. I like to be mysterious and reveal as few details as possible, but I’m really excited about the upcoming works ;-)

Wow you are a busy bee. How about some fun! Pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

My favorite character from Farsighted is definitely Shapri Teak—she is also the favorite of many readers I’ve spoken with. Not only is she the most fun of all my characters, but she’s also the kind of the person I wish I could have been like back when I was younger. She’s strong, always true to herself, and won’t let anyone disrespect her. Sure, she has fears, but we all do. Shapri is the kind of girl I would love to be friends with. You know she’ll always go to bat for you when you’re too tired to step up to the plate. And, oh, she has a mysterious, other-worldly secret too.

I can't wait to read this book. it sounds right up my alley. So do you have any marketing advice for other authors that you'd like to share?

Stretch far and wide. Stay focused and true to who you are as an author. Readers can sense authenticity, which is why the BUY MY BOOK BUY MY BOOK BUY MY BOOK strategy just doesn’t work. As an author, you’ll want to have an awesome, well-designed blog, a presence on the major social media networks (and try to devote avid attention to at least 1 or 2). And don’t under-count the tremendous value of paid advertising. Sites like Kindle Nation Daily, Pixel of Ink, Cheap eReads, and eReader News Today are just fantastic for getting exposure.

Before you go, I'm goimg to get up front and personal lol Where did you meet your partner? We all love to hear a good romance story on this blog.

Oh, lordy. I’ve been with my husband for over 7 years. Married 4. He’s from New Delhi, India, but we met in one of the least romantic places imaginable—Detroit. We went to the same college. He was pursuing his PhD in materials science engineering while I was finishing up my BA in sociology. To help cover the cost of classes, I got a job at the student center working as a cashier at KFC. Basically, I was the only non-Indian there and tried really hard to fit in by showing off my (then nonexistent) knowledge of Hindu culture. One of the workers invited me to his place for some Indian food. He was my hubby’s roommate. That’s how we met. In the oddest twist of fate, I met my coworker and became close enough friends to venture to his home on my very first day on the job. That ended up being his last day working there. We had one day to intersect, and we did. Fate?

Ah, fate. it never ceases to amaze me. So where can your followers find you?

I'm everywhere. Seriously, Google “Emlyn Chand” plus your favorite social media site, and you’ll find me. Visit me at my website and my favorite networking sites are
Facebook,
Twitter,
Google
GoodReads.

Thanks for stopping by Emlyn. Its been lovley meeting you.

Farsighted is Emlyn Chand's first novel. Here is a short excerpt.

Simmi and I arrive at this rally point together from Mrs. Warszynski’s to wait for Shapri. Several minutes go by. I want to suggest we leave without her but don’t think that’ll score me any points with Simmi.

“You didn’t want Shapri to come tonight, did you?” Simmi asks.

“Well, I—no, I mean, it’s fine. I’m glad she could come,” I sputter.

“You’re such a horrible liar,” Simmi teases, pushing me playfully.

“Hey, that’s not fair. I can’t hit you back. You’re a girl.”

“I’m just teasing you.” Simmi blows a raspberry and pulls her body up onto the circular wall surrounding the flagpole area. I hesitate before pulling myself up too. Simmi scootches over so we touch at the hip. She loops her hand through the crook of my arm and places her head on my shoulder. “I never would have gotten away with this in India,” she says. “But I’m glad I can here. I’m a psychic feeler. I need to be in touch with others.” She pauses and strokes my arm with her free hand. “You know, when I touch someone I can make them feel what I want them to, but I can also sense their existing emotions. It’s almost the same as being able to read minds. Everything important has to do with the heart, not logic.” She lightens her tone. “But don’t tell Dr. Brown I said that, he’d take marks off of my next chem exam out of spite.”

I laugh nervously. Is she like Miss Teak in a way? Can she read my feelings for her? If she can, why hasn’t she said anything? I contemplate reaching over and kissing her, so I can know for sure how she feels. But I’ve never kissed anyone before. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to initiate it. Do I take her out for dinner and a movie first? Or make some lengthy speech declaring my intentions? Do I kiss her, just like that? Or do I ask for her permission before making my big move?

I decide to ask if it’s okay. Simmi is a classy girl. She needs respect. I swallow, hoping the motion will open up my airway, because right now, I’m kind of having trouble catching my breath. “Simmi,” I start.

“Yeah, Alex?” She lifts her head and links her hand in mine, nudging her slender fingers in between each of mine.

“Would it be okay if I…”

“There you two are!” Shapri says, running over to us, panting heavily. “I thought we were meeting in the commons.”

“No, we agreed on the flagpole,” Simmi says, hopping down from the wall.

The moment is gone. I don’t know when I’ll get the chance and the nerve again. My opinion of Shapri transforms from cautious indifference into outright hatred. Why did she invite herself along?

Shapri clears her throat. “Did I—Did I interrupt something here? Maybe a little romance?”

“What? No, no,” Simmi says shaking her head adamantly. “Nothing like that, Alex is like a brother to me.”

Ouch. Pain. Stabbed in my heart. I’m like a brother to her? I guess this means romance is off the table…

Welcome to David Knight

2012-01-28T02:04:00.001-08:00

Good Morning everyone.

Today on my blog is David knight. His book is an inspiration to read. Here is a bit about him.

DAVID KNIGHT was born into his current physical embodiment in 1964. He is married to Caroline and they live with their adopted cats Toby, Treacle, Spiky and Missy in the UK. In growing up he describes himself as a Mr. Average or like a 'Joe Bloggs'. Whilst earning a living in various types of work, (this ranged from HM Forces, Financial Services, a Care Assistant and also self-employment) his search for fulfilment changed from the exterior and without to the interior and within.Spiritual education gained a greater momentum and at the age of 21 a more urgent sense of dedication as well as a new realization had set in. New evidence of and from God, were soon revealed through his life experiences. With the aid of Spirit guides and beings from the ethereal planes, the foundations were laid for all who wished to develop and experience their Hearts flame of love and light and to embark upon a unique opportunity for all soul's in this lifetime.

About davids book:
I am I: The In-Dweller of your Heart, is a stepping stone for all who embark upon their own quest for 'Spiritual' education and guidance. So, even if you are comfortable with your own faith and religion, you may have decided to explore new interpretations and such issues on a personal or global scale.The author David Knight has received and transcribed these passages of text in a process known as 'Inner Dictation'. He describes this as writing from within the connection of his heart where peace, bliss, love and light reign supreme. God's wisdom and teachings are laid out before you so you can simply choose and read whenever or whatever your heart needs or desires. They are guidelines, principles and simple directions for you to now dip your toes or dive headfirst into the waters of you're own Divine essence.These books will form the very threads of life's new tapestry, each being spun into 52 lessons from, to and through our own hearts and soul's. They are like a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, partner or personal friend who knows you better than you can ever know 'yourself'.
Part 1 is a companion for life which does not judge, condemn or scold, but hopes to encourage, guide, console, teach and remind you of who and what you are, why you live and for what purpose too!

David's book is being launched on 2/2/12 on Amazon. There is an exciting contest that is in effect from now until the Launch.
There are great prizes that are involved:
$100 gift certificate for Amazon toward a Kindle
Two $50.00 Amazon Gift Certificates
Authors can substitute their choice of a video book review or Facebook Welcome page for the Kindle Gift Certificate if they win.

To enter, visit David's blog.
Please fill out the Contest form. You can complete at least one task option to enterbut the more tasks you complete, the more entries you will have.

Here are a few words from david.

Be still and feel my peace and comfort as it protects and lifts your consciousness to greater and brighter things. When you are still it enables the individual to be their true self and to reflect, like a mirror, the radiance of Love and Light that you are.During times of quietness, peace will wrap around you like a layer of finest silk that cannot be seen or touched by human senses. None the less, it is there as a token of my affection to and for you all.When you disconnect the exterior thoughts, concerns, and the illusion of any fears that you have, then you become a being that can truly comprehend and understand who, what and why you are to go ‘beyond’ the place in the world that you now reside.Often people feel trapped in their own demise when in reality you are all free. But how can this be so when your home, environment, family, work, etcetera is spun like a web all around you? Perhaps you could picture the hub of a wheel instead, with the spokes leading out to the circle which contains you. This could lead to thoughts that, without you to connect to everything, all those around you whom you feel depend upon your existence, will fall down and fail to exist.Instead of these images that now flash through your mind, imagine the hub as your heart and Soul and the spokes as rays of your Love and Light that emanate in all directions. It is this that truly exists and nourishes those around you physically, mentally, emotionally and within the ethereal realms of existence. This is more important to get right rather than the material aspects of the world around you.Now then, as your very core finds rest, do not let exterior feelings or thoughts enter your being. These will only restrict your ability to truly see with your eyes of mind, body and Soul as one. They are not separate and so true insight prevails.In this state you can find all the answers you seek and it is this that needs nurturing and rekindling to ignite the spark within. When your flame burns brightly it illuminates into the darkness and erases internal and external negativity, worries and stress enabling you to feel your correct path and true self and goal. Eventually, understanding and wisdom ensues, leading to self-realization and eternal bliss in me.Until human beings fully know themselves, then the level of true intellect and the comprehension of many mysteries remain. Throughout time immemorial scholars and sages, together with scientists and religions, have disagreed on many areas of discovery and the information collected. One looks for answers, but more often than not they are sought incorrectly.As discussed once before, mankind still looks for information externally rather than internally. Many have found clues for what they are looking for when they are not actually seeking the answer itself. Flashes of inspiration and ‘Eureka’ moments describe what I mean.This is because truth is relayed when and where it is needed and at the correct time for progress’ sake. Please do not fret or misunderstand, nothing is held purposefully back if it is for the benefit of the individual and their circumstance of the expansion of Love and Light.Within your current state of technology and its search for understanding of such things like Space and the Universe, these just keep revealing more questions than answers. Beyond the Earth, your satellites and communications are sent to discover and examine planets, moons, the solar system, and so forth. You look to evaluate the ‘big bang’ and contemplate ‘dark matter’ and dark energy and the effects and meanings of such occurrences.Scientific minds across the globe wonder in amazement at such things and some hope that answers they find will help their fellow man. Please, do not misunderstand that inspiration and information can help you all, but ultimately it would be of greater help for your wellbeing as a human race to live and love each other.Discovery and the searching of many a mind is not at all wrong, but it is sad that millions go hungry or live in poverty when the worlds community could share so much of its wealth and power to live and radiate Love and Light. (Now that would be true progress!) However, great minds such as Einstein and Galileo wanted and needed to expand both to grow and discover, so many scientists and astronomers are no different today.Having mentioned ‘dark matter’ and ‘dark energy’ a few of your moments ago, let me clarify a so-called mystery. These both go hand in hand. It is true that the Universe is expanding and hence in millions of your Earth years as distances between worlds extend, planets will freeze, composite structures will change or evolve differently.Intellectual minds though will state they want specifics, equations, information and the like, but they are not ready. All must strive (if that is their academic goal) to discover the truth. As we are all ‘one’ and I am everything, so you are everything too. The pulses and the contracting and expanding of matter are the essence felt of my heat-beat and also of my breath. Do not picture a human heart, but try to imagine a source and power of all things instead.All the billions of galaxies and solar systems are a minute part of me. That said, people will now say that mankind must be infinitesimal, or even insignificant. No, because of your essence, your heart and Soul, you are all things too. You are me and I am you. No division… wholeness. This is why you can know everything that your ‘need’ requires if in truth, Love and Light.So, be positive and kind in your actions, thoughts and words. Hold dear your faith in yourself, for then your faith in me is sustained. Do not forget me, but hold me close in all your endeavours. Do not be afraid or fear will eat away your conscience and the ability to live in harmony and peace.You can all try to learn and question that which is far beyond the Earth, but ultimately your most direct route to me is not the exterior but the interior. There lies your greatest mystery and the most beautiful discovery and answer. I am willing you and I am waiting for you. Know yourself and you will know me, I love and care for you all. Amen.

Next question

2012-01-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

Wednesdays question.

Who are the couple who had the greatest on screen and off screen love affair?

Compo question Two

2012-01-24T05:01:00.001-08:00

Day Two.
Question fo the day.

Who was the man said to be the greatest sex symbol of his time and starred in Gone with the Wind

David knight

2012-01-24T03:56:00.000-08:00

COMPO TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

Today I am doing a blog competition. All you have to do is hit follow, (if you're not already following) to keep up with news about all the lovely authors that I’ll be hosting this year, and answer the question.

So lets meet up and have a bit of fun. I am giving away fabbo, but strange lol, prizes. It is open to ANYBODY!!!!! No country barriers here :-)

Each day I will post a question and at the end of the week everyone will go into a hat and FIVE people will get a fabbo freebie from moi :-)
Its as simple as that.

So here is todays question.... What was the first film ever made of a couple kissing in cinematic history

Book Talk

2012-01-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

A very happy new year to you all.I know, I'm late. But that’s nothing new for me. I’m always behind with something. Last year was quite a slow time for me when it came to writing. But I did set up a new business, so that’s my explanation for that. My new Holistic e-book came out last year and inside is a wealth of alternative ways of treating illnesses. I DO NOT however, advocate not seeing a doctor. The alternative ways work very well with modern medicine too. These unique therapies have been around for thousands of years. The Chinese have known about the energy flowing through the meridians for over 4,000 years and developed acupuncture to tap into and unblock the energy system. The principles and thinking behind complementary therapy go back more than 4,000 years. In India and China, it was accepted that wellness and dis-ease were opposite forces where wellness held dis-ease in balance. It was realised then that the focus should be on achieving balance and harmony of the body, mind and spirit as a means of keeping dis-ease at bay. This is where the yin yang symbol of the sun and moon - opposites in harmony – originated. Nowadays there is generally suspicion towards complementary therapies, although some therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic are gaining acceptance in many countries. This type of treatment can work with modern day medicine, there is no barrier.There is also another book available and it’s called herbal cures. You will be surprised how many ailments can be cured with plant life. For instance, did you know you could Reduce stress naturally? One of the most commonly treated medical conditions in the world today is anxiety disorder. Some of nature’s natural stress relievers are passion flower, lemon balm, lavender and valerian. Consider trying these various extracts to test their effect on your anxiety and stress levels with essential oils, teas and other forms. They really do work.You will find all you need to know here. http://www.connectionswithspirit.co.uk/book-store.phpSo please pop by, have a browse and make this year - a natural year.

Kirstin Battestella

2011-12-04T07:06:00.000-08:00

Good Morning.
Its freezing today, but my virtual lounge is warm, thanks to the company of the lovely Kirstin Battestella. She's here today to kick start the christmas month with her new vampy book. AND for a Christmas treat I will give a present for the best comment.

Hi Kirstin. I hear you have another fabbo book out. So spill the beans about it. I can't wait.

Hi Margaret. When we last spoke in the summer, my new series with Muse It Up Fate and Fangs: Tales from the Vampire Family was just beginning with Love: Ann and the Viking. We’re all the way up to Book 5 now in the collection hosted by Professor James. Lust: James at the Sundowner is out this month! After all the Punishment with Lilith, Struggle with Elizabeth, and Debauchery from Victoria, it is going to be nice to let some of the men of The Vampire Family have the speakeasy spotlight. Here’s our Blurb from Muse It Up:
The Sundowner offers steamy Welshire vampires Jessica, Pamela, and Slava for underground vampire sex and biting fetishes in this mid-century tale from Professor James. Victoria’s twin brother James, however, is content with his gig as piano player at the club owned by their brother Stephen. James’ own love Catrina is the alluring singer at The Sundowner, but can he keep his longtime vampire companion away from the tempting, exciting young clientele?
I really love the juicy mix of vampires and dark underbelly amid the fifties timescape. We often think 1955 was so ideal and happy and Leave It to Beaver with the wives at home in pearls and big skirts making meatloaf with 2.5 kids and a dog. But obviously, such is not the life for The Vampire Family. Much as James might not like the system, he’s still deeply entrenched in the bloody excess and hidden desires of middle America.

Why don't you pick your favourite character and tell us about them.

I must say, I do have a soft spot for Lust’s main player James, dating all the way back to the original composition of The Vampire Family novel, which is now on kindle with Eternal Press. I think he might steal a few hearts with his mellow piano player mentality. He is a vampire, doing what he has to do, but he doesn’t believe in the blood and gluttony- an ideology that is dividing James from his lady vamp Catrina. Really, after a few hundred centuries, there were bound to be a few bumps in the road! It’s strangely weird yet appropriate that Lust: James at the Sundowner ended up as our December Fate and Fangs release. Yes, it is some vampy innuendo kinky speakeasy for Christmas, not your typical Yule. But the melancholy here reminds me of all the unhappy winter depressions that people feel during the holidays when they are alone. I also particularly love all the pouty and moon themed musical material in James repertoire. Again, we don’t often think of bloodthirsty fangness with those tinny type swing nickelodeon sounds. All the layers just add up to a lot of festering brooding and eternally hidden torment. It just makes James so sensitive and juicy. It is so easy to love him and love to hate his wicked twin Victoria! Here’s an excerpt to tease you!

" Unfortunately, after five centuries or so, the comfortable vampire enchantment can, in fact, wane. Sometimes I think Catrina is longing for something more-just like her fooled admirers. I enjoy my music. I have to occupy myself with some post-war Goodman ‘Moonglow’ and Miller ‘Serenade in Blue’ in order to control my Welshire urges. These dark gifts cannot and shall not rule me. I will not succumb to animal anarchy the way Stephen does. For myself, I am content in my respectable role here until the next war comes calling. Can I admit to myself that I know Catrina is not content? How could she be? My voluptuous love has the predatory power of the wolf and all her fun feline charm. I enjoy watching her exude the dark magic allure as I play the music for her. Her exotic and spooky look brings the silver screen to life-curly black hair and white skin stamped with a perfectly deadly pout of red lips. I love her, I always have. I could not bring the vampiric gifts to anyone I did not love. I expected to spend the rest of my unnatural life with her. Although I don’t doubt Catrina loves me and will always have a space for me in her black heart still; deep down I know she intends to leave me for new vampire lusts. ...."

It sounds great. I'm sure it'll do very well. As this is a site that helps other authors, what's the best marketing advice you can offer.

I’ve been asked this a lot recently and have even done several seminars and panels with the New Jersey Authors Network discussing marketing and publishing trends. I do really love meeting new authors and aspiring writers and helping give them the lift they need, that extra push of hope, confidence, or information that pushes them to personal accomplishment or publication glory. Really, half of marketing is just having the confidence to put you and your work out there. There are so many options in publishing today that there is no reason for hesitancy. However, it worries me more that it seems marketing is beginning to take over the literature. A bad book with phenomenal right place right time and solid backing can be a blockbuster, where a quite quality book will go unnoticed if left to speak for itself. Its weird that we have to know and love an author and see their every goofy gaming and photos on facebook and twitter in order to make a decision on buying his or her book. We complain when we watch a crappy movie that is just a actor playing himself or is larger than life celebrity for no reason and makes run of the mill popcorn entertainment. Yet we want to turn our literature into the same gimmicky moneymakers. Open your mind, open your pen, let the juices flow. Make the best work possible, research your publication options, craft and polish to perfection with editors and revision. I think the best marketing advice is too make a damn fine book that is going to be a solid piece of literature- whether it ends up having sensational hullaballoo or not. Does that make sense or am I being to idealistic or pessimistic? Just because you can churn out something cheesy, slap on the bells and whistles, and tack on smart celebration campaign does not make it good marketing advice, you know.

So whats on your writing agenda for next year?

Up next is more Fate and Fangs! We still have two more Tales coming from the Muse in 2012. Humanity and Resurrection bring The Welshire vampires back into contemporary times after all of the historical escapades we’ve had thus far. Both of these lead towards to next full length novels I’m editing now. I still like the titles Requiem or The Vampire Family Forever, though I’m not sure. I have such trouble with titles!

Before you go, where can your followers find you

Everywhere overnight in the darkest depths of the internet!
http://vampfam.blogspot.com
http://jsnouff.com/kristin
http://kristin724.livejournal.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vampire-Family/157922293588
http://www.myspace.com/kristinbattestella
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kristinbattestella/
http://www.facebook.com/kristin.battestella

Thank you so much Margaret for having us visit again!

Its a pleasure to have you kirstin. Have a wonderful Christmas and new year. xx

Welcome to Chris Lindberg

2011-11-09T04:06:00.001-08:00

Good Morning Everyone

Today in my vitual lounge I have the fabulous Chris Lindberg. He was born and raised outside Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Northern Illinois University in the mid-1990s, he headed out to the west coast for a couple of years, where he began writing as a casual pastime.
Some time after returning to Chicago he began attending writers workshops at StoryStudio Chicago, where he wrote two character studies, both of which have since been developed into key characters in Code of Darkness.
Chris now lives outside Chicago with his wife Jenny and their two children, Luke and Emma. Keep yopur eyes pealed, because you just might catch him working away on his second novel while commuting on his morning train into the city.

Hi Chris, a little birdie tells me that you have a book hot off the press. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

Morning Margaret. It's nice to be here in your virtual lounge.
Code of Darkness is my first novel. It’s a dark thriller that also has elements of sci-fi and even a little horror. It centers around a mysterious vigilante only known as Rage, and Larry Parker, the Chicago Police officer who is hot on his tail. When Rage’s past catches up with him, a covert Black Ops division within the Pentagon is dispatched to find Rage, and eliminate Parker, who is seen as knowing too much. The deadly chase takes them cross-country to a top-secret military facility, where the greatest danger of all awaits.

That sounds like a brillient first book. So what’s next on your writing agenda?

I’m bouncing back and forth between two projects: a coming-of-age space opera, and an apocalyptic thriller. But I’m getting some welcome feedback from readers that I should be doing a sequel to Code of Darkness, so I suppose I’d better get working on that, too.

Ah yes, it's always wise to listen to your readers. Just for fun, pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

This is probably like choosing a favorite child, but I’ll do it anyway. One of the two main characters in Code of Darkness is a vigilante named Rage. I honestly can’t remember what inspired me to choose that name, but over time I found that it fit the character better than any other name I could’ve given him. Rage is a loner, an outsider who doesn’t know much about his mysterious past until it catches up with him. He’s the archetypical anti-hero: he doesn’t want to be a hero, but he ends up being one despite his best efforts not to. I chose to write about him because I always enjoyed stories about darker, misunderstood figures who in the end wound up being forces for good: you probably shouldn’t have been rooting for them, but you found yourself doing it anyway, and in the end you wound up being happy that you did.

When your charatcers get under your skin that much, you know they are good lol I know your new to the writing industry, but have you aquired any marketing advice that you can share today?

Be persistent. When you publish your own book it seems like the system is designed to make you fail. Even with e-books and Amazon, the barriers are still high. Keep at it, be shameless for a year and ask people for help. I’m still working at it, but if I’m lucky enough to make the big leagues in this industry, I’m going to remember who helped me out along the way, and make it a point to help others myself.

Thats a nice thought chris. I'll hold you to that lol We all love to hear a romance story, so where did you meet your partner?

On a beach in Mexico. No kidding. It was at a company retreat; we worked at the same company but had never met. We took one walk on the beach and I knew she was who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Fifteen years and two kids later, we’re still together.

Aw, I can feel my readers turning to mush already lol Before you dash off, Where can your followers stalk...ahem... I mean, find you?

You can find me HERE and on Facebook by searching “code of darkness”. I also have a Twitter handle, Chrislindberg7. You can also email me at chris (at)codeofdarkness (dot)com – I’d love to hear from you!

Click here to buy Code of Darkness

Sneak peak.

When a routine bank robbery takes an unexpected turn, veteran Chicago police officer Larry Parker witnesses a heroic act by a mysterious intervener. But seconds later the Samaritan disappears, leaving Larry only with unanswered questions.

Suddenly, vigilante activity begins popping up all over the city – including several murders. Larry begins to gather the missing pieces of the puzzle, and finds evidence the Samaritan might be tied to them. When he learns the man’s identity – a loner known only by the name Rage – he prepares to move in for the arrest.
But there is much more to Rage than meets the eye: the case has also drawn the attention of a covert Black Ops division within the Pentagon. Their mission: find Rage, while keeping their operation out of the public eye. Seen as knowing too much, Larry suddenly finds himself in the crosshairs as well. After a deadly standoff, Rage is captured, forcing Larry to search for answers while on the run.
The deadly chase leads cross-country to a top-secret military facility in Virginia, where Rage and Larry uncover the greatest danger of all -- and only they can stop the unthinkable from happening.

Welcome Jane Richardson

2011-10-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

Today I have the lovely Jane Richardson in my virtual lounge and we are eating a nice continental breakfast while we book talk. Before we start, here is a bit about her.

Scots-born Jane Richardson now resides in a historic seaside town on the south coast of England. After a couple of super careers, the last of which was her dream job of working as a DSM in professional theatre and opera – where she met her gorgeous husband! - she’s now an incredibly busy, home-educating stay-at-home mum to two gorgeous kids. When she gets the chance, she loves to write, read, listen to music, walk in the sunshine and the breeze, paddle at the edge of the sea, cook and share food with family and friends, talk, chat and listen, catnap, write and read some more. She’s also very fond of lemurs!

Morning Jane. I hear that you have a book hot off the press. Can you tell us a bit about it?

Hi Margaret! Yes, that’s right, I have a story called Edinburgh Fog which has been released in e-formats by MuseItUp Publishing.

The central character is Greg Morton, a real grafter who’s worked hard to achieve his dream of running the best bar-bistro in Edinburgh, a fabulous place called Tellers’, which is housed in a former bank one of those beautiful old Georgian buildings you see all over Edinburgh. Sure, Greg’s been successful in business, but he’s sacrificed a lot for it over the years, not least a relationship he once had in London with the beautiful Julia Brady. When Julia appears out of the blue one day in Tellers’, Greg knows this is one and only chance to win her back….but someone else has his sights on Julia now. Greg’s going to have to work fast, or lose Julia a second time, for good.

The story means a lot to me because I lived in Edinburgh for many years and I have such fond memories of the place – the settings, the characters and Tellers’ Bar-Bistro itself are all based on people and places I knew there. There’s something very magical about Edinburgh, and I do think it’s just the sort of place a story like this one about Greg and Julia could happen.

It is my belief that when a book touches an authors heart, that's what goes into it. This novel is special, I'm sure it will do well. I know an editor at Museitup Publishing. It' got to be a great publishing house if she works there lol So what’s next on your writing agenda?

I’m revising a previously published novel and I’m still deciding what I’m going to do with it! The idea of self-publishing intrigues me, and it seems far simpler for authors to do it now than it was even just a few years ago. The quality of self-publishing has improved every which way, I think it’s a real, viable option for authors. Having said that, I’m thrilled with the publisher I’m with now, and particularly with the editor I worked with there, and I wouldn’t have that input on a self-published basis. So, there are lots of big decisions for authors these days!
Other than the revised book, I’m working on another story set in Edinburgh Fog’s Tellers’ Bar. One of the secondary characters from that story is getting her own story, and I’m loving it enormously.

Once that’s done, I’m returning to another project I’ve had on the back-burner for a while, a story set in two time periods in the same place, Sussex, in the present day and in WWII. The seed of this story planted itself when I was living in a beautiful rural cottage on the Sussex coast. One summer, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flew right over the cottage on its way to a local air show – a Lancaster, a Hurricane and of course the iconic Spitfire plane. Later that same night I watched the Spitfire do a solo exhibition flight over the coast, and of course, I began to think of all the women who’d stood maybe right where I was standing then, watching their men fly into battle and wondering if they’d come home safe. The story began there and then – and of course, with my love of contemporary fiction, I wanted to tie one woman’s WWII story in with the present day too. It’s a big project for me, and I just hope I can do it justice.

I think self publishing is really picking up speed nowadays. A lot of authors seem to be going that route. Anyway, I digress lol Pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

You know, I love every single character in Edinburgh Fog, so I really can’t pick just one of them – so if I may, can I pick Edinburgh itself? It’s the most beautiful city. Steeped in history, as you know, the very stones seem to resonate with all the souls that have gone before. In different parts of the town, you can imagine so many different parts of history – Scotland under the reign of the ancient kings, or the cradle of science, philosophy and learning during the age of enlightenment in the 18th century. You can see the run down, impoverished parts of the city on one side and the elegant, genteel Georgian buildings on the other, with all their contrasts. The Edinburgh of today, the Edinburgh I spent a long time in, is still vibrant, a centre of commerce, finance, art, theatre and music – it’s a wonderful place. Above all, it’s the people and their wonderful, wry sense of humour that I absolutely adore – and I like to think they’ve always been that way, right through history.

Being an author isn't easy, especially if you are just starting out. What is the best marketing advice you can offer?

Getting to know other writers and helping them as much as you can will also help you. It’s a two-way street. I’m a great believer in the expression, ‘ candle loses none of its light when it’s used to light another,’ so never be afraid to use your time and space to showcase other talents. You will all benefit!

I so agree with that Jane. If authors just spend a few minutes helping each other along this rocky path,everything can be gained by it. I spend a lot of time helping where I can and I've met some wonderful people because of that.
Here's where we get upfront and personal lol We love a good story here, so tell us where you met your partner?

Ah! Well, both my partner and I have background in the theatre, but in different places. I was working freelance for a number of local theatres in Sussex, and was spending some time working on a charity production in a theatre in Brighton. He was literally between jobs at the time – he’d just left a position in one of the biggest theatres in London and had just a week before he was due to take up another post at a new and very exciting theatre also in the city. He was staying with friends in Sussex and came along to help out on the charity production, and that’s how we met. If we hadn’t both had the week in the same place, I guess we wouldn’t ever have met each other. We got married a few years later and held out wedding reception in – yes, you’ve guessed it – the same theatre in which we met! So I think that/s maybe what you’d call a romance story!

I'd call that synchronicity lol Before you eat and run, where can any followers find you?

You can catch me at my blog, Home Is Where The Heart Is, and I’m always happy to hear from readers by e-mail at jane (at)janerichardson(dot)co.uk I’m on Twitter too, where you find me as @Gimmeahugyou.
Edinburgh Fog is available in all e-formats from MuseItUp Publishing.

Thanks for popping by Jane.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES

2011-10-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Newman is the Octagon Theatre Bolton's Associate Director. As well as directing productions she also runs the Theatre's new writing department. She has worked as a casting director for theatre and television and has been a lecturer and senior lecturer at various HE and FE facilities across the country.

Elizabeth Newman, Head of the New Writing department at the Octagon Theatre and she is in search of authors of all genres, with some exclusions that I will be putting in the competition guidelines. She is launching a competition to find three novelists who would be interested in coming to the Octagon to learn more about adapting their writing for the stage. This competition has been inspired by her working with little ole me. I have already been picked to join the chosen three at the Octagon in December 2011. So I look forwards to meeting the lucky winners.

Ms Newman is currently leading a team of eight playwrights to adapt Frank L Baum's classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, for the Octagon audience which will open on the 19th November 2011.

The competition will open on Food for thought Thursday, 20th of October 2011. You will be able to post your submissions on the Author promoting Authors comments section. You will also be given a chance to post on the 27th October on the Thursday Food for Thought day.

Winners will be announced on Thursday 10th of November 2011 on my blog and the APA site.

The UK winners will not only attend the day workshop at the theatre, with playwrights who adapted The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but they are also invited to see the show in the evening. How spectacular is that!! One international winner will have skype session with Elizabeth about their novel.

PLEASE NOTE. Winners are responsible for their own travel arrangements to the Octogan on the day.

THE GUIDELINES ARE AS FOLLOWS.

You need to be a follower of this blog and the APA. You will need to keep up with any updates.

Ms Newman is looking for all genres.
Exclusions are Erotica and Gay/Lesbian fiction, Horror, stories containing rape and child violence.

I must stress these are the Theatres guidelines, NOT mine. Competitions exclude genres all the time. Because of the volume of emails that I am receiving about this competition, please do not contact me complaining about the exclusions. There are many competitions out there. Find one that fits your genre.

RULES.

In NO more than 100 words write a short biography about yourself and why you would like to adapt your novel for the stage.

In NO more than 200 words write a synopsis of the novel you wish to adapt.

Please Include your publishers name and your email with your synopsis.

Open for submissions 20th/27th October 2011

Because of the volume of participants expected, any submissions that do not meet these guidelines will be immediately disqualified.

Please note.
IF YOU CONTACT MS NEWMAN OR THE OCTOGAN THEATRE VIA ANY SOCIAL NETWORKS, PHONE OR EMAIL, BEFORE THE COMPETITION END, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPETITION SHOULD BE SOLELY THROUGH MARGARET WEST VIA EMAIL.

Welcome to Kristie Cook

2011-10-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

Its a sunny morning and I'm pleased to have kiristie in my lounge today. Before we start on the book talk, here is a bit about her.

Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, with the first two books, Promise and Purpose, available now and the third book, Devotion, coming February 2012. She’s also written a companion novella, Genesis, coming October 2011.
Besides writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:

Author's Website & Blog:
Series Website:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Tumbler:
Google+:

Good Morning everyone. I'm so happy to be here today.
Many readers of the Soul Savers Series ask me who my favorite character is. If you have children, you understand how absolutely impossible this is to answer. I love all my characters as if they’re my own children. They kind of are, considering I created them and put almost as much blood, sweat and tears as I have into my real-life children. Okay, not quite, but sometimes it feels like it. Like real-life people, I love them for different reasons.

Alexis – The main series tells Alexis’s story from her point of view, so she and I share minds most of the time. I’m closer to her than anyone else. She’s like the daughter I never had and I love her to death. She can be strong but she has her insecurities, especially in the beginning of the series – Promise – because she’s young and learning her way. By the end of the series, she’ll become one of the strongest women you’ve ever met.

Tristan – Oh, how I adore Tristan, Alexis’s soul mate. He’s (almost) everything I love in a man, including super-hot-and-sexy. He has issues, as they all do, that sometimes scare me, but most of the time just make me want to hold him and tell him everything will be okay. I think you’ll want to do the same and stroke his hair (or chest) while doing so.

Sophia – Alexis’s mother has such an interesting background that I can’t help but love who she is. Little of that has come out in the books so far, but you can see what her background has resulted in: a strong, no-nonsense woman who has to carefully balance her love for her daughter and her responsibilities as the next leader of their secret society.

Owen – Everybody loves Owen. He’s tough but sweet, cute, funny and just all around great. Unfortunately, life takes a difficult turn for Owen in upcoming books and I’m worried about how he’ll handle it all. You just want everything to be right for him.

Dorian – We don’t get to see much of him in the first two books, but he’s an awesome kid who readers are falling in love with. His role grows as the series progresses and, sadly, it’s not all good for him either.

Cassandra – Now we move into my upcoming release, Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella, which is a prequel to Alexis’s story. Cassandra, one of the main characters, is independent, strong, kind, caring and trusting to a fault. She lives in a time of constant war, which she hates, but she never stops seeing the good in everyone. Unfortunately, that’s her downfall.

Jordan – The other main character in Genesis, Jordan is the ultimate bad boy, but I still can’t help but love him. He’s hot and he knows it – arrogant, self-serving, often cruel. If you like Eric Northman (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood), Damon (The Vampire Diaries) or Jericho Barrons (the Fever series), you might like Jordan.

These are only the primary characters. I could go on and on about the rest, but suffice it to say, I love them all and hope you will, too.

Thanks for sharing kristie. Good luck with all your books.

All things spooky

2011-09-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

I’ve had a few emails from readers to say that my latest release Abigail Cottage is too real and is freaking people out lol I take this as a compliment. I base all my books loosely on my experience as a medium and the interactions I have with the other side of life.
I have a question for you. What would you say, apart from, OMG, or arghhhhhh, to a spirit person if they were standing in your lounge. What is your burning question??
If it's a good one you will win a pressie from me :-)

Abigail Cottage is pure fiction. It speaks of shadows and all who dwells in them. Let’s face it, our greatest fears live in the shadows of our minds. In Abigail Cottage, evil dwells in the shadows. Entities live in them, watching and waiting for an unsuspecting mortal person to fall under their spell. But always with darkness, comes light. In the light dwells all things good. A problem arrives when you have one foot in each. Read Abigail cottage and find out why you really shouldn’t have a foot in each side of life. It won’t end well …..mwahhh.
On the flip side of the spirit world comes Spirit Intervention. Just because your parent dies it doesn’t mean they have gone for good. It just means they have gone from your sight. Except for those who can see the dead of course. AKA Me!! Seriously, I can.

Spirit Intervention is a light hearted romance, with complications. The complication being a certain mother who refuses to stop interfering in her daughter’s life even after death. BUT..and this is a true fact... there are spiritual laws, and they are set in place for a purpose. If a spirit person alters the life of a mortal, it means they are interfering in a life plan. So when this mother decides her daughter’s boyfriend isn’t up to standard and separates them, the children who are supposed to be born to them now can’t be. What a disaster. Can it be rectified? You’ll have to read the book and find out.

Ami Blackwelder

2011-09-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone and do I have a treat for you today. Not only is Paranormal and SciFi Author Ami Blackwelder here with me today, we are also giving away a fabbo prize to someone who comments.

She has two New releases out soon and let me tell you, these are not to be missed. Do you want to know more about her books? Go here.

The Invasion of 2020, the first book in the Shifter Evolutions series is scheduled to be released Sept 1st 2011, (Books 1-5 are out now)
The Invasion of 2020 is the prequel to Shifters of 2040. The Shifter Evolutions begins with the middle book, The Shifters of 2040, and gives the reader the choice for the past or future.

This release of the first book in the series, The Invasion of 2020, will allow readers to engage the series chronologically as well.
Readers will enjoying finding out more about Uri Petrov and Dr. Samantha Croon as they discover what exactly brought the shifters to Earth and what sparked human fears. Who was the young Marn and young Raul and what molded them into who they became?

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine. Visit her at her blog site.

Short Story contributors.

2011-08-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks
This is a continuation from Thursdays Food for Thought post at Authors promoting Authors. It was a shame more authors didn't participate. There was a method to my madness. I hinted to everyone that you never know who is watching the blog!!!??? I wasn't allowed to say what was really going on lol

Unfortunately no one seemed to click on, so my innuendo fell flatter than my victoria sponges. The blog was being watched by a company who are looking for fresh, novelists for various drama projects. I can't tell you who yet, there is another huge event planned soon and I don't want to spoil that in any way.

It was their idea to do the post and I thought it would be fun too.
The good news is they emailed me to say, although it was a shame the blog wasn't very active, they were impressed with two authors who did participate. I can't tell you who because they didn't say lol but they will be looking out for them at the next event. So well done all of you. Your foot is in the proverbial door lol

I've decided to call the very short story lol
A collaboration of authors

Carrie Sanders sat in the car, which rattled like an old tin can, as the rain pounded on the roof and sighed. What on earth was she doing at midnight, sitting in Rattlers Cove, freezing her backside off? Mist hung like a silken shroud across the shore line obscuring most of her view of the water. With camera poised in her hand, she squinted out of a window which had begun to steam up, annoying her further.
This would be a good scoop for the paper if she got a picture of the, so called, Selkie, who was said to visit the cove every year, for one week. So the locals had whispered to her. Too scared to say it out loud in case the mere mention of it reaped terrible luck on their fishing boats. Carrie didn’t believe a jot of it, but her editor had become intrigued and she had been sent out to investigate. A flash of lightening lit up the sky, casting a hazy light over the water and it was then she saw it. A dark shadowy outline of someone on the beach. Carrie rubbed at her window to clear the fog, and squinted out. She held her wide angled camera up and looked through. Her eyes widened in shock and she blinked several times, hardly believing what she was looking at. There was a selkie and it was a man, who turned and looked straight at her, his red eyes flashing in anger.
Carrie's first inclination was to turn tail and run, to quail in the face of such obvious anger. But then she stiffened her spine, reminding herself why she was there, and the moment passed. Bugger all, the scoop of a lifetime stood within reach and damned if she was going to let it get away.The next flash of lightning to split the sky revealed an empty beach. Carrie swore under her breath, scrambling from the car. She'd never forgive herself if she let this one get away. She'd also never live it down. It would become part and parcel of the local legend that was Carrie Sanders. Local joke more like.Carrie Sanders was known for letting all the good ones get away. She couldn't hold a man to save her life. They all figured her out for what she was and ran for the hills.Putting such dismal thoughts behind her, she was thinking seriously of giving up when a blessed intervention in the form of a jagged flash revealed that the selkie, if indeed that was what it was, had simply changed position. He stood just outside her car, peering into the window. She worked hard not to leap back in fright.
Her heart pounding, she clutched her camera. The movement started him and he jolted back."No! Don't go!" she shouted and opened the car door and stepped outside. This was a photo opp she was not going to miss. Not this time."Carrie!" he said. "I thought that was you."She recognized the voice. It was Jack. Of all people! Stepping forward for a closer look, his face came into full view. Their eyes met and held for a long moment. They both saw it, then. Something moving beyond the rocks. Watching them.
Get back in the car." Jack's voice was rough in her ear, and Carrie's first instinct was to balk at being ordered to do something. But as his fingers tightened around her arm, tension ran through them both like the lightning that played in the sky above them. "Did you see it...him...too?"Jack didn't answer. He took a step toward the car, dragging her with him."You did, didn't you?" So it hadn't been her imagination. The red eyes, the anger...Yes, getting in the car and leaving would be the best thing for both of them right now. But this was the chance of a lifetime. How could she walk away?In a wrenching movement, she tore away from Jack's grip and ran, not toward the car, but away...toward the rocks, and the man who waited there. She was going to get her picture, one way or the other.
Through the pouring rain, Carrie ran hard and fast towards the rocks beyond. Lightning flashed over and over as she came closer to what, she knew not. Carrie only knew that she was not to be denied.Another flash of lightning, far closer that Carrie was comfortable with and the loud crash of thunder came barreling over the landscape, causing Carrie to shriek with fright and nearly drop her camera.Suddenly, she felt something soft and gentle on her shoulder and the rain-soaked young woman turned to tell Jack that she was just fine. The flash of lightning and crash of thunder revealed a sight far more frightening than Carrie thought possible and realized that the hand on her shoulder was not Jacks.
Ran towards the rocks she could feel her heart pumping. She could hear the voice of Jack in the distance calling to her as she ran. The thunder booming violently and lightning playfully dancing across the sky. The brief flashes of light to darkness made her even more determined in her pursuit. She never liked the rain but this story was to important to her. She continue to run towards the rocks panting but exhilarated. Suddenly she felt a blunt push knocking her to the ground. The rain soaked ground cold and unforgiving. Her drenched her covered her eyes but one thing she was certain of she had snapped a picture before the fall.She remembered pointing the camera towards the area she had seen the silkie and the only light the flash of her camera as she fell to the sand.She clamoured to her feet and before her stood Jack. Jack did you see who pushed me she asked. Jack..The figure known as Jack stood there not saying a word. Jack she continued....
She and Jack had a shared history, not one she was particularly proud of but they had been very close over the years. There was a time when all of the locals thought they would be together, marriage, baby's,the whole shebang but that was before Carrie had been betrayed. Jack had wanted her but being aware that he was the most eligible bachelor in town,how old fashioned did that make her sound, he could not resist flirting with every woman he came across. Not in a sleazy way but with an air of confidence that danced in his eyes.Little by little Carries self esteem had dwindled as she tried desperately to compete with the prettier girls in their small seaside town.Her older brothers had made it quite clear that in their opinion their little sister was batting out of her league and should give up any ideas of hanging onto Jack and when She had turned up at his house unexpectedly that spring evening seven years ago they had been proved right.Jack was not to be trusted with her heart and now here he was again, as he was at every momentous moment of her life, trying to spoil things. She would find the Selkie and claim him as her own,that would show him.Carrie ran blundering into the dark her knees buckling as she clambered over the dunes the soft sand shifted under her feet. Despite the spiteful wind she could hear Jacks heavy breath behind her as he gave chase. Panic thumped in her chest as she pounded along the stormy beach.she had run from jack before and she would outrun him now, if he thought he was in a position to stop her he was sadly mistaken.She must find the Selkie man, he would be her champion, he would save her.

Welcome to Kirstin Battestella

2011-08-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

Good morning Kirsten and welcome to not so sunny kent. As it is raining, I thought we’d take our brunch into the lounge and chat today. I hear that you have a book hot off the press. Tell us a bit about it.

Love: Ann and the Viking is the first title in my new FATE and FANGS: Tales from the Vampire Family series with Muse It Up Publishing. The novellas and vignettes here- Love, Punishment, Struggle, Debauchery, Lust, Humanity, Resurrection- are based in the same universe as my 2008 Eternal Press novel The Vampire Family. This set is hosted by the family’s occult go to guy Professor James-though he isn’t always so reliable and unbiased as he pretends to be. These 7 books are also first hand accounts; some of them are actually earlier material that was excised from the first full length novel because of the viewpoint. As was the case, I wanted this collection to come inbetween The Vampire Family and the next full length sequel so we can slow down and- for better or worse- find out what makes bad boy Mestiphles, goody goody Samantha, and the rest of the divided coven tick. There is a certain uncomfortable intimacy in getting to read the inner most thoughts and feelings of the confused Elizabeth, naughty Victoria, or lovelorn James. I find it amazing to get into the heads of antihero characters and witnessing their m.o.! They’re vampires you know, so there’s a lot of room and most definitely times and places to explore with these characters. Really, is it any easier to break up with someone after 200 years? FATE and FANGS opens with the medieval steamy in Love: Ann and the Viking and continues through Civil War strife in Debauchery and concludes in contemporary melodrama for Humanity and Resurrection. And yes, some of these folks are totally melodramatic predators and proud of it. There’s no glitter glow here, and Muse has been so cool in handling our dirty love, gore, and period-hopping adventure. Whew.

Wow, they all sound fabulous. I have a lot of time for vamps and am especially interested in these confused thoughts of Elizabeth. Lol It looks to me like you have not had time to breath. So what’s next on your writing agenda?

What isn’t on my writing agenda, Margaret? I still do some hometown newspaper work, have been for the last seven years, and I write reviews, film criticisms, and other articles and essays for anything and everything that will have me in print or in the vastness of internetdom. There’s still the bells and whistles yet for the FATE and FANGS follow up, too. Yes more beyond these 7 tales! Currently I call it Requiem for the Vampire Family. But I am slow, or at least slower than the speedy writers today, and it is getting big, maybe into two books. That might be The Vampire Family Forever. I stink at titles! I’m also doing some editing for fellow EPer and neighbor Leigh Wood. She’s more twisted than I am, and I am getting into her Horns of Myleness unicorn kink just a bit too much. I enjoy alternating the work and the material. I don’t tear through a world for both fear of rushing it all on and worry about staying too long on the stale. I like to switch it up, get practice and tools from non fic ways for the genre. Edit sexy medieval smut as Leigh calls it to push my own writely boundaries for ideas. The key is too always be writing something. Not that it is all always good, but getting it out there on the page, gaining experience, and habit. Hopefully it’s all fabulous and positive habits, but c’est la vie.

*Sniggers* medieval smut. I rather like that phrase lol Pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them

Ah, I can’t choose! For Love specifically, of course I like my leading man, Eric, the titular Viking obviously. I wrote his introduction to the Welshire vampire world years ago. He’s so strong and yet even considerate in his cutthroat ways. You’d think his vampire woman Ann would be so please with the rough love, yet she is always in Antonio’s shadow. When I first started writing about The Vampire Family, none of this glitter undead baby stuff was going on. I was interested in the actual family dynamics- which are already totally effed up- and how adding immortal darkness and power would shift the teetering balance. Now everybody has a ‘vampire family’. What ever happened to the word ‘coven’? Doesn’t anybody like covens anymore?

Aren’t covens more for witches than vamps? What is the best marketing advice you can offer.

I dare say I’m not that good a marketeer. I know how to promote, where to do it, what and when. Unfortunately, I don’t feel I have the zest or spin angle upon which true salesmen thrive. I don’t like to be pushy. I’m old fashioned. I think a work should speak for itself. Of course today that is no longer the case but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write your manuscript any differently. You should damn well write your book like it is the next big thing, the Great American Novel. I’d much rather read something of greatness then get the used car salesman push. Write your book to the best of your ability. That is the best marketing you can do for it. Granted you do need to consider genre and audience a bit while in the draft, but write for yourself, write to create the best damn literature possible. Don’t get swelled in the head with the promotion with a half finished or half assed manuscript. The best advice is to not let the marketing obsessions of today compromise your writing vision.

I think we could all follow that advice. To jump totally out of subject, being a romance writer I love to hear about a real romance. So, probing gently lol where did you meet your partner?

Is Sears romantic? My husband and I both worked the magic of retail! Romance shouldn’t necessarily peak at the meeting. It should grow in bond, comfort, satisfaction. Wow, I think I’ll just stop there. Too near the danger territory!
Lol spoilsport. Before you go, where can your followers find you
Well, you won’t find me on Twitter. Everyone says it’s the way to go now, and my negativity about it has been called Luddite by some. I just don’t understand the conundrum of busting your butt to write the best dang book possible and then fleetingly trying to catch people’s attention in 140 characters or less. What if Shakespeare could only get one line of a Sonnet out at a time? Ridiculous! I am on Facebook, for better or for worse, and I still have a probably very outdated myspace page! Blogger, goodreads. What dark corner of the internet have I not found yet?

Mmm Maybe Shefari lol I think you have covered the rest.

Blog
http://jsnouff.com/kristin

http://kristin724.livejournal.com/

http://www.facebook.com/kristin.battestella

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vampire-Family/157922293588

http://myspace.com/kristinbattestella

Thanks, Margaret!

Thursday Blog hop question

2011-08-04T03:12:00.000-07:00

QUESTION: How does a writer make marketing their stories easier on themselves?

In my opinion Internet book marketing is an absolute necessity if you want to sell your book.
I have a good, easy to navigate website that heavily promotes my current releases. I also have a link to where you can purchase it.
An auto responder is a good informative, sales or promotional tool. It is just an email that you can schedule to go out to any email list. It can be set up to create a series of emails to send out every Monday for six Monday’s in a row and then once a month after that. The benefits are that you can write the emails ahead of time and that the email can be sent to any list that you desire. Blogs can be sceduled to release you current information too. They need not just be for guest posts. They can work for you and you can check the stats on them to see how much traffic you have. Whether a certain promotion worked or not.
As we have to mostly market ourselves, I am up for anything that makes the path smoother.

A trip into the dark side.

2011-07-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

I wrote my first serious novel, Abigail Cottage, way back in my twenties, when computers were unheard of and electric typewriters were highly prized lol It was so dark, with characters that you love to hate and hate to love, is bordered on the macabre side lol The trouble is, I have never been able to recreate the atmosphere of that book. Maybe because there was no happy endings in my life at the time, who knows.

I believe our emotions are reflected back at us in our writing. Today my novels are romances or comedies. My life is in balance and that reflects back into my characters. But the problem is, Abigail cottage needs a sequel, so how do I get back into that dark imagination?

I often think what on earth rattles around in authors heads when they write horrors? I can hardly bear to watch films like that never mind read books. What dark place, if there is one, do they imagine for themselves, to create these wonderful, but scary characters? I’d like to delve into the mind of a horror writer, but to be frank; I’m worried what I would find lol

Anyway, I digress. Abigail Cottage is about a demon who desperately wants to live a mortal life, but he can’t. His sins, when he was alive, have caught up with him in death and made him a hideous wreck of a creature. He can transform into the handsome man he was, but it’s hard to pretend that you are something you are not all of the time, and throughout the story his disguise begins to slip.

W Which brings me to this thought. How many of us try to be who we are not? For example, we put up with people treating us badly, so we do not upset the proverbial apple card so to speak, we bite back harsh words, because we know if they burst forth, the problem will escalate. BUT, doesn’t this just bottle up the emotions we feel? Instead of releasing the pressure valve, are we not instead building up pressure for it to explode?

Do you think it is better thing to speak your mind, regardless of the consequences?
Abigail Cottage is a minefield of different emotions. The bitter feeling of betrayal, the unrequited love, the pain that love brings with it, all encapsulated in a dark world that is desperately seeking the light.

Welcome to G.A. Hauser

2011-07-24T07:51:00.001-07:00

Morning everyone. Spotlighted today is award-winning author G.A. Hauser, who was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer, G.A. has written over sixty novels, including several best-sellers of gay fiction and is an Honorary Board Member of Gay American Heroes for her support of the foundation.
For more information on other books by G.A., visit the author at her official website.
G.A. has won awards from All Romance eBooks for Best Author 2009, Best Novel 2008, Mile High, and Best Author 2008, Best Novel 2007, Secrets and Misdemeanors, Best Author 2007.

Because my blog is not rated I can only spotlight this fabbo book. It really is a good steamy read. Here is a blurb.

Cowboy’ Charlie Mosby worked on a horse ranch in Heber, Utah. He loved his work, the owners of the ranch, and his co-workers; wranglers who helped tourists with guided horse tours and trail riding all year round.But after a chance meeting with a handsome gay man who had helped Charlie change a flat tire on Interstate 80 a month ago, Charlie was beginning to wonder about his sexuality. And if that wasn’t confusing enough, strange things were happening on the ranch.Satanic worship? A strange cult ritual? Whatever it was, it wasn’t good for the owners or the horses on it.One night Charlie stumbles upon Roman Burk in the woods, naked, bleeding and shivering in the cold. What Charlie never imagined was who -or what- Roman was. Even though the handsome stranger seemed to vanish at times and reappear as if by magic, Charlie was infatuated by this man.Roman was fearful of revealing his secret. Most of all to a cowboy who was spending more time hunting him, than loving him.In this shape-shifting story of sexual bonding and discovery, can both Charlie and Roman find what they’re looking for? It’s a question of honor; one that has been up for debate since the first time man set his eyes on this formidable predator. It’s about the mutual respect of Wolves and Men.

View her lost of novels here.
The G.A. Hauser Collection
Single Titles
Unnecessary Roughness
Hot Rod
Of Wolves and Men
The Order of Wolves
My Best Friend’s Boyfriend
Mr. Right
The Diamond Stud
The Hard Way
Games Men Play
Born to Please
Got Men?
Heart of Steele
All Man
Julian
Black Leather Phoenix
London, Bloody, London
In The Dark and What Should Never Be, Erotic Short
Stories
Mark and Sharon (formally titled A Question of Sex)
A Man’s Best Friend
It Takes a Man
The Physician and the Actor
For Love and Money
The Kiss
Naked Dragon
Secrets and Misdemeanors
Capital Games
Giving Up the Ghost
To Have and To Hostage
Love you, Loveday
The Boy Next Door
When Adam Met Jack
Exposure
The Vampire and the Man-eater
Murphy's Hero
Mark Antonious deMontford
Prince of Servitude
Calling Dr Love
The Rape of St. Peter
The Wedding Planner
Going Deep
Double Trouble
Pirates
Miller's Tale
Vampire Nights
Teacher's Pet
In the Shadow of Alexander
The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Band of Thebes

The Action Series
Acting Naughty
Playing Dirty
Getting it in the End
Behaving Badly
Dripping Hot
Packing Heat
Being Screwed
Something Sexy
Going Wild

Men in Motion Series
Mile High
Cruising
Driving Hard
Leather Boys

Heroes Series
Man to Man
Two In Two Out
Top Men
Writing as Amanda Winters. Here are some of her books.

Sister Moonshine
Nothing Like Romance
Silent Reign
Butterfly Suicide
Mutley’s Crew

Here is where you can find her.
MySpace:
FaceBook:
GA Hauser’s Blog;
Book Trailer

Welcome to Martin Sharlow

2011-07-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone.

I would like to say I have a man in my boudoir today, unfortunately it is just business lol I am happy to have as a guest Martin Sharlow the author of Shades of Blood.

As usual, the best comment wins one of my fabbo gifts.

Hi Martin. Thanks for popping in today. Lets get right down to the interrogation
...um...I mean interview lol Can you tell us who inspires you to write?

Morning Margaret. Thanks for having me here today. I have a need to create. It's really hard to define, and it can take shape or form in different ways. When I was younger, I use to role-play and build worlds for me and my friends to entertain ourselves in. When I was a teenager, I used to build imaginary worlds in my mind that I would populate and participate in as I did chores, worked, or just explore as I fell asleep that night. So I think I've always felt the need to create. When I started reading in my late teens, I discovered other worlds that people created through writing. I have to say that just spoke to me in a way that was similar to what I used to do when I was younger.

As to who inspires me to write? I would say that Robert Jordan was my first really big inspiration. He got me started writing fantasy. Amanda Hocking inspired me to write paranormal romance, specifically stories about vampires being the good guys, not the monsters that I grew up with in the movies.

Well this is a blog that LOVES paranormal romances, so you are already a hit with me lol What’s next on your writing agenda?

That's kind of hard to say. I have a whole slew of books, at least for story ideas written down. In fact I swear I come up with a new story multiple times a day. Usually I don't write them down and pretty forget them, unless of course one of them catches my eye. I have a half written novella that I intend to finish over the next week or two, and I'm supposed to start to actually physically write book 3 of my Fallen series. I've been working out the kinks in that, so now all I have to do is write it and edit it. So those are most likely my next two works.

Oh my god, you are busy. Okay, just for fun, how about you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

Wow that's a hard one. I think the most interesting character is probably Sarah. As to my favorite…my readers probably won't believe me, but I'd have to say Melissa. I mean, after all, the story is about her, or at least her perspective. What I think is probably the best thing about her is watching her grow. In book 1, Melissa starts out as a naïve, sheltered young adult who's just starting out in her life. She's not very sure of herself, but sure enough to be out on her own. Some people don't like her, because they think she's too whiny. I think she's just the way she should be, since she comes from a sheltered life and finds herself thrust into a world that can't be real. I personally thinks she holds up pretty well.

I rather like the concept of seeing a character grown like that. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out.

I think the best thing I can say to them is to know your audience. You need to know who you're writing for if you're expecting to have an audience for your work. I think as writers we get lost in our story without ever considering who we're actually writing for. That's fine and dandy when you're just writing for yourself and not for anyone else. But if you intend to have others read it, especially if you intend to make a career of it, then you need to know who your audience is. That, and seriously consider what your cover is going to look like. I find it strange that authors who create their own covers, or pay for one, treat them like their babies, the same way they protect and guard their stories. You have to be very subjective about your covers, and in fact you need to be willing to change them as necessary. You don't want your cover to look like it's a spy novel when it's about vampires. Unless of course it's about spies that are vampires.

Your book sounds like the sort of thing I'd like to read. Before you leave us please tell us where can your followers can find you.

I'm at several places, here let me give you a couple of links.
Website
Twitter
Blog

Okay, a tease question. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?
Superman. No competition at all. I'm sure there's a lot of other good characters out there, and I can think of a few, but how can you compete with flying, super strength, perfect health, invulnerability, and of course immortality. Not to mention all the other things he can do. So I have to go with him hands down.

Well, you can fly by here anytimes Martin. Good luck with your books.

Winners

2011-07-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

It was really hard this year to pick a winning comment, but three literally jumped out at me after I read and re-read them. The gifts will help them tremendously.
Thank you for stopping by.

The winners are:

Karen Michelle Nutt - Purse

Alison - Angel Crystals.

Darlene - Meditation CD..I need you to email me though as I can't find you anywhere lol

PS. I really think you all deserve something.

Thanks for participating.

Closed

2011-07-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Blogfess has now ended. I will announce the lucky winners Monday 18th July.

Thank you to all those who particiapted.

Welcome to Martin Sharlow

2011-07-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone.

I would like to say I have a man in my boudoir today, unfortunately it is just business lol I am happy to have as a guest Martin Sharlow the author of Shades of Blood.

As usual, the best comment wins one of my fabbo gifts.

Hi Martin. Thanks for popping in today. Lets get right down to the interrogation
...um...I mean interview lol Can you tell us who inspires you to write?

Morning Margaret. Thanks for having me here today. I have a need to create. It's really hard to define, and it can take shape or form in different ways. When I was younger, I use to role-play and build worlds for me and my friends to entertain ourselves in. When I was a teenager, I used to build imaginary worlds in my mind that I would populate and participate in as I did chores, worked, or just explore as I fell asleep that night. So I think I've always felt the need to create. When I started reading in my late teens, I discovered other worlds that people created through writing. I have to say that just spoke to me in a way that was similar to what I used to do when I was younger.

As to who inspires me to write? I would say that Robert Jordan was my first really big inspiration. He got me started writing fantasy. Amanda Hocking inspired me to write paranormal romance, specifically stories about vampires being the good guys, not the monsters that I grew up with in the movies.

Well this is a blog that LOVES paranirmal romances, so you are already a hit with me lol What’s next on your writing agenda?

That's kind of hard to say. I have a whole slew of books, at least for story ideas written down. In fact I swear I come up with a new story multiple times a day. Usually I don't write them down and pretty forget them, unless of course one of them catches my eye. I have a half written novella that I intend to finish over the next week or two, and I'm supposed to start to actually physically write book 3 of my Fallen series. I've been working out the kinks in that, so now all I have to do is write it and edit it. So those are most likely my next two works.

Oh my god, you are busy. Okay, just for fun, how about you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

Wow that's a hard one. I think the most interesting character is probably Sarah. As to my favorite…my readers probably won't believe me, but I'd have to say Melissa. I mean, after all, the story is about her, or at least her perspective. What I think is probably the best thing about her is watching her grow. In book 1, Melissa starts out as a naïve, sheltered young adult who's just starting out in her life. She's not very sure of herself, but sure enough to be out on her own. Some people don't like her, because they think she's too whiny. I think she's just the way she should be, since she comes from a sheltered life and finds herself thrust into a world that can't be real. I personally thinks she holds up pretty well.

I rather like the concept of seeing a character grown like that. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out.

I think the best thing I can say to them is to know your audience. You need to know who you're writing for if you're expecting to have an audience for your work. I think as writers we get lost in our story without ever considering who we're actually writing for. That's fine and dandy when you're just writing for yourself and not for anyone else. But if you intend to have others read it, especially if you intend to make a career of it, then you need to know who your audience is. That, and seriously consider what your cover is going to look like. I find it strange that authors who create their own covers, or pay for one, treat them like their babies, the same way they protect and guard their stories. You have to be very subjective about your covers, and in fact you need to be willing to change them as necessary. You don't want your cover to look like it's a spy novel when it's about vampires. Unless of course it's about spies that are vampires.

Your book sounds like the sort of thing I'd like to read. Before you leave us please tell us where can your followers can find you.

I'm at several places, here let me give you a couple of links.
Website
Twitter
Blog

Okay, a tease question. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?
Superman. No competition at all. I'm sure there's a lot of other good characters out there, and I can think of a few, but how can you compete with flying, super strength, perfect health, invulnerability, and of course immortality. Not to mention all the other things he can do. So I have to go with him hands down.

Well, you can fly by here anytimes Martin. Good luck with your books.

BlogFest 2011

2011-07-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

Blogfest has arrived!!!!!

So many prizes to be one it will boggle your mind. On my blog today I am giving away

A beautiful purse

Two beautiful crystals attuned to the angels

A Meditation CD made by myself that can only be bought exclusivly from my site.

How do you win these prizes. Its open to every country, just follow the blog and comment on this question.

If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?

If you are feeling crazy and want to enter all the giveaways on the BlogFest 2011 list, here are the next five giveaways. Hurry, this ends today at 12am (GMT)

At Home With Books

Aubut Family

Under The Covers

Whirlwind of suprises

Obsession with Books

Get your running shoes on. Good Luck!!!

Welcome Chloe JonPaul

2011-07-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

It's is a bit miserable outside today, but the fire is crackling nicely in the grate and we have fresh coffee, so all is good. My guest today is Chloe JonPaul. What a lovely lady she is. Here is a bit about her.

Chloe Jon Paul, M.Ed., is a retired educator and writer of several published articles and a previous book entitled "What Happens Next: A Family Guide to Nursing Home Visits" and More...

Her many achievements since the age of 55 include:
Title of Ms. Maryland Senior America 2003

Recipient of the Fulbright Fellowship Seminars Abroad award to South Africa, 1996
• Volunteer internship during the 2005 Maryland legislative session as a Legacy Leadership Institute graduate
• Lead facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence Project in prison and community workshops on conflict resolution for ten years
• State representative for the National Family Caregivers Association's caregiver community action network 2006-2008
• Advisory board member: MD, Health care Commission and the Interagency Commission for Aging Services: Maryland Dept. of Aging
• Hospice and homeless shelter volunteer
• Coordinator for the Good Samaritan Project at her church
• World traveler - all 7 continents

I am so please have the star of the book with us today. Do sit down, Deidre and have a cup of tea while we talk about your interesting life.

Now you seem to be a feisty young woman with a history of political and teacher union activism you seem to want to leave behind you. Can you tell me why?

Thank you for inviting me, Margaret. Yes, my life had been full of political and teacher union activism. I marched in anti-war protests during the Vietnam fiasco, and worked on countless committees fighting for teachers’ rights all my professional life.

So what exactly happened to change you in Blevins, Maine?

Well, the first thing that happened was the school-redistricting plan that had been announced. It looked like my school was being dumped on and that special interest groups were being served. I went to the School Board meeting and asked some pertinent questions about it. The next morning the headline in the local paper read: TEACHER CHARGES THAT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS SERVED IN RE-DISTRICTING PLAN FOR SCHOOLS. You can imagine what happened after that! I was literally dragged into a fight I had hoped to avoid. Anyone who reads this novel will discover how that happened.

Mark sounds like the type of man I’d like to meet. If I’m not being too nosy, how did your relationship with him develop?

Mark…ah, yes! I really thought he didn’t like me at all but in late October, I had forgotten to order heating oil. The temperature was already in the mid-30s and I didn’t know how to use the wood stove so by Monday, I had a miserable cold.
Mark took one look at me, asking why I had come to school and I explained what had happened. He offered to come and show me how to work the damper handle on the stove.
He came…and we wound up talking for hours. There’s more I could say but I’ll leave it up to the readers to find out what happened to me less than a month later as I was waiting for the elevator in the lobby of the Holiday Inn where I was attending a Leadership Conference for the Maine teachers Association in Portland.

Now there is also a bit of subterfuge around Stu Martel, another teacher. Tell me about the dark secret he shares with you?

Stu… how I wish I could have done more to help him. I was the only one he ever confided in…I don’t know why. He was a closet gay and surely you must know how the AIDS epidemic mounted in the mid-80s. Whoever reads this book will find out how I convince him to be tested and there is a hilarious scene that reveals what happens when the two of us spend the night together in a motel.
I only wish I has picked up on what Stu was really trying to say in what turned out to be his final telephone message to me.

Okay, let lighten this now. Three quick questions from our readers.

What’s your Favorite color? Yellow
Favorite drink? Chardonnay wine
Secret vice? Secret Vice? I have plenty of vices but none of them are secret. For one thing, I guess I smoke too much.

I’m a romantic at heart so you’ll have to excuse me if I ask you why didn't you ever marry.

I almost married years ago but I broke the engagement two weeks before the wedding. I figured that real love would be something so natural, so powerful, that there would never be any question – and I didn’t want to have to try. Besides I’m not the kind of woman most men feel comfortable with. Like I told Vera, my teacher friend and colleague: “Women like you marry. Women like me have affairs!”

When did you realize that your affair with Mark couldn't continue?

It actually happened one Saturday morning in April. I needed to pick up some cat food and laundry detergent so I went to the local supermarket in Blevins. Readers will find out what happened to me at the checkout counter when I saw Mark and his wife at the far end of the checkout aisles. They seemed to be looking over a shopping list. That’s all I can tell you for now. The final episode between us takes place during the candlelight vigil we teachers held in front of the Murphy Building as we fought for ratification of the contract.

I can’t wait to read how this all ends. It’s been nice to meet you Deidre. Thanks for popping by.

Vera Harriss, Deidre Fletcher, Mark Pettingill, and Stu Martel are elementary school teachers in the fictional town of Blevins, Maine whose secret, private lives change dramatically as you read.
Vera, who is about to retire, vents her anger during a Board of Education meeting with a speech that brings the audience to its feet. Why does Deidre, an exceptional teacher, leave the job she loves to become a corporate trainer down South? Then there is Mark, the perennial job hunter looking for a corporate position with more prestige and pay but then turns down the perfect offer when it finally comes through. Stu, one of the most popular teachers in the school, struggles with a deep, dark secret that he can only share with Deidre. What causes Stu
Vera Harriss, Dee Fletcher, Mark Pettingill, and Stu Martel are eager to share their intriguing secrets and entangled lives with you.

Buy this book here.

Welcome to Katie Salidas

2011-07-09T05:56:00.000-07:00

Good Morning everyone. The sun is shining and the day is going to be brillient. WHY?

BECAUSE...just for one day Katie Salidas is flying around on an epic blog tour to promote her new book Pandora's Box. I have to tell you folks, what a fabbo book this is. There will be a lot of giveaways, reviews, interviews and guest posts happening and a chance for everyone to win. We are giving away one grand prize. A signed print copy to a lucky person that leaves a comment on all of Katie's posts for the day. Make sure that you email your username to bkwalkerbooks(at)comcast.net, and let them know you have commented on the entire tour. Please place "Pandora's Box Blitz" in the subject line. ALL OTHER GIVEAWAYS ARE FOR AN E-COPY FROM SMASHWORDS

Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.
And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…
Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.
You can find katie at her Website

You will be able to meet and greet her here

EXCERPT
After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.
Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?
When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Apparently powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?
Werewolves… Buy it now.

Here is what katie has to say about the supernatural world.

What are the origins of vampires? While the word “vampire” is a relatively new term (circa 1800’s), the idea of bloodsucking undead has been around since the dawn of time. Some legends state that simply being buried improperly can cause a human to reanimate as a vampire, Slavic legends for example. Other legends stat that one must have committed a heinous crime to become the undead. There are other legends about animals jumping over a corpse. Some popular ideas that have been adapted to fiction, have vampires as the children of Cain or Lilith. Still more involve demonic spirits and possessions. If we seek far back into mythology you’ll find the Greeks and Romans believed in demonic spirits themselves and in many ways they were the prototype of the common vampire of today.
That hooked me! I love ancient mythology and happened across some very interesting similarities between creatures of the ancient Greek world and the vampires I wanted to create.
The Keres, in fact were dead ringers for what I had in mind. Daughters of Nyx, Greek goddess of the night, these creatures are described as winged female death spirits with an insatiable lust for human blood. Perfect!
According to my research they were also one of the evils released when Pandora opened the fabled box (You’ll find this link in my newest release, Pandora’s Box as well). While they sound fearsome and probably would be, they weren’t exactly evil. They existed in a murky gray area of morality. They were agents of the fates, also known as Death Fates. They did not attack people openly or without reason. They did however; hang around battles waiting for someone to fall. That’s when they swarmed, finishing the poor dying man off, savoring their blood as they sent his soul to Hades. They essentially sped a person’s fate on to its course. If you were going to die, they’d be there to do it and drink your blood at the same time.
I fell in love, not literally of course, with the creature and knew I just had to base my vampire legend off of them somehow.
In the first book, Immortalis Carpe Noctem, Lysander explains to Alyssa the origin of the vampire species. He tells her that the first “vampire” was created by a mating of one of the Keres with a dying man she encountered on the battlefield. The resulting child was immortal, like its mother, and carried the same insatiable bloodlust, but had the features of its father. Being a hybrid and the only one of its kind, Nyx (essentially Grandma) cursed it to the night so that she could keep watch and protect it.
The use of the legend doesn’t stop there however. As the Immortalis series progresses we delve deeper and deeper into the history. In Hunters & Prey, we are reminded of the fact that a human-turn-vampire is not a dead creature, they are “changed” but that change must happen properly. If not done correctly it will create a hideous abomination. In the third book in this series Pandora’s Box, we’ll delve even deeper into the legend’s origins and learn more about the first vampire and what became of it. Along with that, we also learn about other supernatural creatures and how closely they are linked to vampires.
Needless to say I really do love my vampires and the legends they spawned from and I hope you will too. Please enjoy the Immortalis Series!

Buy these books here or here

Internet Bhahhh

2011-07-01T03:54:00.000-07:00

Morning folks.
Why is it when I'm excruciatingly busy does the Internet decided to play up and virtually die? What's the problem sent to drive me crazy? Tree's! Yup, you heard me, I said Trees. Evidently one grew up over night and is now blocking my signal to whatever it needs to be able to work. Then, to add insult to injury, the engineer says I have to wait TWO weeks for them to fit a pole to make my receiver higher. Come on, Really? TWO WEEKS! I could get an axe and chop the thing down quicker! Unfortuatly I'd be arrested, but that may not be a deterrant if this keeps on.
For now I am trying to carry on and keep calm when my Internet is slower than a Ferrari running on prune juice!

I was supposed to be on the Fabulous Book Boost site yesterday. I'd waited a month for that slot. But I couldn't even view it, never mind log on and say something. I also have a regular thursday 'Food for thought' blog day with Authors Promoting Authors.

A great site to join if you haven't already.

As I rather like the post thats was on Book Boost, I am putting it here as well. Its an old revamped one. But I'm quite attached to it, so have another read. I'm doing a give away as my latest release Spirit Intervention is a romance with a difference. It has ghosts helping the living. Always a plus in my book of life lol

I have a beautiful Chinese style purse that I will post to the author or reader with the best true life romance story. It's an international contest so it maters not where you hail from.
I await your stories with bated breath.

What is Romance? If I had to define it, I’d say that it's the very essence of life. Without it you will forever miss out on an essential component which makes you whole. It brings identity to your relationship. Distracted and occasionally jaded from the daily grind of life, it's quite possible to forget that your partner ever had feelings. The flame that once seared your veins with passion, filled your heart with bliss, begins to diminish into a pale glow of insignificance. Complacency sets in. The silent and fatal murderer of relationships.

So where does romance come from? Extravagant gestures, flowery words? No, that is just a tiny part of it. Romance comes from the heart. William Shakespeare once wrote, Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind. And therefore is winged Cupid is painted blind. Hence the saying, love is blind.

To hold onto love there has to be romance and that’s why I am a romance writer. You write your own love story with every deed and action you do in your life. My life is full of romance every day because my husband and I put ourselves out to make sure it’s like that.

The most romantic thing he ever did for me was when we were first together. We had been dating a month. My car was clapped out and dead on its wheels and I was struggling to get the children to school on time as it kept breaking down. One morning he posted an envelope through my door and inside was a key and instructions to walk up the road and take the first left. I did as I was told and parked up was a little blue mini, covered in flowers with a huge pink bow on top. It wasn’t brand new, it wasn’t pristine, but it was like a Rolls Royce to me. He had spent all his free time fixing it up (he was a mechanic) just so I would have a car that was safe for me and the children. To top it all off, he had filled the inside with flowers. It mean't I couldn't get in straight away to test drive it, but what the hell. LOL That memory has stayed with me for sixteen years and it never fails to make me smile.

Not all romances are fairytales. Some are bittersweet. I hope yours is always filled with flowers and grace.

Welcome Lorelei Confer

2011-06-23T01:46:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. Today, sitting in my lounge I have the very talented Lorelei Confer We are going to eat hot scones with cream, while chatting about her latest release Deadly Revenge

Don't forget the best comment will win a surprise gift from me.

Lorelei is an author of romantic suspense she loves reading almost as much as writing. She lives on a peninsula in the mid west coast of Florida with her husband, two cats, and AJ, her long haired Chihuahua.

Now I have always wanted a Chihuahua, but for some reason have always ended up with huge dogs. I do envy her lol

She wrote her first story in the fourth grade in the form of a play which actually was produced by her teacher for parents and students. She continued writing and majored in English in College.

So lets get right down to hearing about her book, Deadly Revenge. Here is something to whet your appetite.

Tory Richards returns to North Carolina to help her mother set up a B & B never expecting to stumble across several murder victims, fall in love, or get abducted by human traffickers.
Fortunately, when she’s run off the road on the way into town, Dave Miller, working undercover on the task force for human trafficking, comes to her aid. She blows off the near fatal accident as just that--an accident, but rethinks her position once events escalate.
Someone is trying to kill Tory. Failing that, she’s being set up as a suspect in four murders. As Dave falls more deeply for Tory, how will he tell her who he is and what he does? Will she ever trust him?Trust becomes a moot point when Tory is abducted and everything points to the group of human traffickers Dave’s had under surveillance. He calls in the entire task force, but will they reach Tory before she’s used as a sex slave?

Hi Margaret. Thanks for having me here today.
DEADLY REVENGE is the second book in a series with the theme of human trafficking. I’ve been working on the third book in the human trafficking series titled DEADLY DELIVERANCE, which hopefully will be finished by the end of the year. (out early next year) As writers we all have favourite characters, mine is Tory. I love that she photographs everything, leaving discernable clues about her life and what happens to her. She becomes a stronger woman by the end of the book and has to make a decision about leaving the NC mountains and returning to the beach, where she has a home and job waiting for her, without Dave. She can’t stay and he won’t leave.

I’ve been working on the third book in the human trafficking series titled DEADLY DELIVERANCE, which hopefully will be finished by the end of the year. (out early next year)
My favorite character from the book is Tory. I love that she photographs everything, leaving discernable clues about her life and what happens to her. She becomes a stronger woman by the end of the book and has to make a decision about leaving the NC mountains and returning to the beach, where she has a home and job waiting for her, without Dave. She can’t stay and he won’t leave.

Tory sounds like a strong Alpha woman. The whole premise intrigues me. Do you have any marketing advice that you'd like to pass on?

The best marketing advice I can give would be to blog and participate on the loops for readers, Goodreads if a great source of readers and authors.

As this is a romance blog, have you got a real life one that you could share?

Sure I do. My husband and I were high school sweethearts. On our first date I asked him to let me drive his car because I was taking my driver’s test the next day and wanted to be prepared. Anyway, I took a turn too sharp and hit the side of the road which had a five foot embankment which side swiped the entire passenger side. We were never able to get that door open. He was going into the Army a few months later and sold the sold the car for $300. We’ve been married 41 years in May.

Wow, 44 years. May you have many more. Is their anything else you'd like to say before you have to dash off?

Just to say thanks again and to ask if anyone would like to drop by and see me please do, at www.loreleiconfer.com. I love meeting new people. I also have a blog.

Welcome to Tamara Rose Blodgett

2011-06-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Good Morning every one. The sun is shining, so my guest today, Tamara Rose Blodgett, has the best chair on the veranda. As she sips my rather nice, Earl grey tea, let me tell you a bit about her.Tamara is a 'thinking-out-of-the box' paranormal enthusiast who believes there's a 95% chance zombies do not exist; but loves to write as if they do. She is from Alaska and has worked as an online journalist. She's beavering away on book two, Death Speaks, which is due for release in Aug. 2011. Her other paranormal romance, The Pearl Savage, is due to be released in mid-June.

In her spare time she's a [reluctant] serial-re-modeler,
project-slave and big time reader. She tells me she does a great
deal of day-dreaming about impossible scenarios and events, writing books to capture them in stories and is convinced that all Gnomes should be exterminated!!!

As I am a well known saviour of the maligned I say....run for hills little gnomes....save yourselves!!!!

Tamara, good morning. I hear that you have a book hot off the press. Tell us a bit about it.

Morning Margaret. I love your garden. This tea is wonderful.

I do have a scorcher just off the press! “Death Whispers,” is my début young adult urban fantasy about a group of teens who receive government-sanctioned inoculations which cause some to manifest paranormal abilities.

Here is a little blurb as a taster.

Caleb has the most rare of the paranormal powers, Cadaver-Manipulation (aka corpse-raiser). In this world of the future, with Brain Impulse “pulse” Technology’s wide-spread use and influence keenly realized, routine school inoculation has expanded to include a pharmaceutical cocktail, which once administered, unlocks the genetic potential for paranormal abilities. Using this small window of puberty, teens who have the genetic propensity find themselves manifesting extraordinary gifts; some of which garner the full attention of our government. Caleb must camouflage his new “talent” during the mandatory eighth grade Aptitude Test so that he remains undiscovered while establishing choice for his future. However, events beyond his control systematically reveal Caleb and his friends, which force them to fight for their freedom. In the midst of this struggle, his girlfriend's father battles to reassert his abusive dominance in her life while a couple of “peer enemies” thwart his efforts of secrecy at every turn. In the explosive climax, Caleb must protect his friends, and Jade, the one he loves...at all costs.

This sounds like it should definitely be on my TBR list. So what’s next on your writing agenda next?

I was writing my YA paranormal romance as I was revising/editing DW. When DW published, I really focused on finishing, The Pearl Savage, and it was published June 15. Currently, I am hard-at-work on the sequel in the Death Series, Death Speaks. I anticipate publishing that around mid-August.

Just for fun, pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

My favourite character is definitely Jonsey (best friend of the MC, Caleb), he is one of those rare individuals that was born without a filter! He behaves in a way, at times, that I really admire and vicariously would love to personify once in awhile!

I know you write paranormals, but how about some real life gossip? Where did you meet your partner? We all love to hear a romance story on this blog.

This is so romantic but I met my husband when we were thirteen and fourteen, respectively. Romance blossomed when we were older and he'd returned home for a vacation to visit family and we attended the same wedding. We started dating and were married ten months later. Now, almost twenty-five years and four sons later...still going strong. (And yeah, he's pretty hot!)

Wow five sons!!! Almost a football team lol Before you go, where can your followers find you:

On my blog site. And if you follow me, I always follow back~!

Twitter:
Facebook:

I'd like to thank Margaret for hosting me and my readers and for spending their time reading my stories!

It's been lovely having you Tamara. Good luck with all your books.

Lorelei Confer

2011-06-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. Today, sitting in my lounge I have the very talented Lorelei Conifer. We are going to eat hot scones with cream, while chatting about her latest release Deadly Revenge.

Lorelei is an author of romantic suspense she loves reading almost as much as writing. She lives on a peninsula in the mid west coast of Florida with her husband, two cats, and AJ, her long haired Chihuahua. Now I have always wanted a Chihuahua, but for some reason have always ended up with huge dogs. I do envy her lol She wrote her first story in the fourth grade in the form of a play which actually was produced by her teacher for parents and students. She continued writing and majored in English in College.

So lets get right down to hearing about her book, Deadly Revenge.

Here is a blurb.

Tory Richards returns to North Carolina to help her mother set up a B & B never expecting to stumble across several murder victims, fall in love, or get abducted by human traffickers.
Fortunately, when she’s run off the road on the way into town, Dave Miller, working undercover on the task force for human trafficking, comes to her aid. She blows off the near fatal accident as just that--an accident, but rethinks her position once events escalate.
Someone is trying to kill Tory. Failing that, she’s being set up as a suspect in four murders. As Dave falls more deeply for Tory, how will he tell her who he is and what he does? Will she ever trust him?
Trust becomes a moot point when Tory is abducted and everything points to the group of human traffickers Dave’s had under surveillance. He calls in the entire task force, but will they reach Tory before she’s used as a sex slave?

Hi Margaret. Thanks for having me here today.

DEADLY REVENGE is the second book in a series with the theme of human trafficking. I’ve been working on the third book in the human trafficking series titled DEADLY DELIVERANCE, which hopefully will be finished by the end of the year. (out early next year) As writers we all have favourite characters, mine is Tory. I love that she photographs everything, leaving discernable clues about her life and what happens to her. She becomes a stronger woman by the end of the book and has to make a decision about leaving the NC mountains and returning to the beach, where she has a home and job waiting for her, without Dave. She can’t stay and he won’t leave.

It sounds like Tory is a strong alpha lady. I think this will be added to my TBR pile. Have you any advice for authors?

Let me see. The best marketing advice I can offer, would be to blog and participate on the loops for readers, Goodreads is my favourite and a great source of readers and authors.

Before you go, can you tel us a bit about you and your hubby. How did you meet?

My husband and I were high school sweethearts. On our first date I asked him to let me drive his car because I was taking my driver’s test the next day and wanted to be prepared. Anyway, I took a turn too sharp and hit the side of the road which had a five foot embankment which side swiped the entire passenger side. We were never able to get that door open. He was going into the Army a few months later and sold the sold the car for $300. We’ve been married 41 years in May.

So a happy ending in this non fiction lol. Thanks for coming Lorelei. You can find this lovely lady here and her blog. Which I have to say is fab and I've just followed.

AWARD

2011-06-14T04:30:00.000-07:00

I have recieved this fabbo award from my friend Julie Hayes But it has come with rules. I have to tell you seven random facts about myself.

I speak to spirit people
I'd eat chocolate for breakfast,dinner and tea if I could.
I treat my two dogs like children.
I am obsessed with bags and shoes and have a dressing room dedicated to them.
I don't like 'proper' food very much and eat mainly to stay alive.
I'm paranoid about aging
I try daily to help whomever I can.

Pass the award on to other awesome blog buddies. Please take some time to visit these fantastic bloggers that I gave the award to.
Lorrie Struiff
BK Walker Books
Smockturtle
Lizzie

REVIEW

2011-06-10T02:33:00.000-07:00

The Locket

By Ginger Simpson

This short novella starts in the mid 1940’s and tells the story through the years about a cursed locket that forces the wearer to kill the people they love. Whether it somehow activates the hidden rage we all harbour within ourselves, or it is actually cursed, will be down to the reader to decide.

A canny detective O’Day eventually recognises this necklace has been mentioned in a lot of murders through the years. He doesn’t know, when it eventually falls into his hands, why he feels the need to lock it away from human contact. But he does. The stories that unfold around this locket are unique in the fact that the victims are murdered by whatever was appropriate for that time frame. So each one is distinctly different and therefore they do not get tedious to read. The only thing I can say that would have made this better for me would be to learn how the locket became cursed in the first place. Maybe that’ll come out in a sequel!

I gave this book 4 Stars.

Rescue Dogs

2011-06-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

I am totally off topic here. I want to talk about my little rescue dog Sparkie. I contacted RSPCA, Last Chance and Battersea, to get a small dog as a companion to my rather crazy Huskamute, Odin. I have to say, these places where sadly inadequate in their responses. The RSPCA emailed me back about a dog I’d seen on their site, to ask me, where I’d seen it as the one I wanted was rehomed three weeks ago. Obviously, they don’t know or update their sites much. The others did not contact me at all, except Battersea, who has a three day, I’ll get back to you, policy!!! Is it me, or do these places keep harping on how over flowing they are? Maybe the reason for that is that they NEVER get back to anyone who contacts them.

Anyway, I stumbled across Rescue Remedies one Friday night at 10pm. I rambled through their site and saw Sparkie, a Staff/Jack Russell mix. Just the right size and stature to put up with Odins boisterousness. I dutifully filled in a really long questionnaire, supplied pictures of my garden fence (as requested) and of odin. I hit send, didn’t expect to hear back for ages, yet 15 minutes later my phone rang and it was the centre. Within half an hour I was booked in to have Sparkie visit me on the bank holiday Monday. THEY came to ME!!

To cut a long story short, my husband and I fell in love with him, although it took Odin over a week to warm to him and even now there are still a few issues to iron out. Sparkie was painfully thin, as he wasn’t settling at the centre and had been a stray for a while. All he wanted to do was sit on your lap and be cuddled. It’s been almost two weeks since he arrived and now it’s like he has always been here. I can’t think why anyone would want to let this dear little dog go. I wish I had thought about rescue centres years ago. So to anyone who is thinking about getting a dog/cat, please try the rescue centres first. If you are lucky you will get a precious little boy like mine.
Here is a short clip of Odin and Sparkie in the garden. Finally playing with no teeth, snarls or reprimands.

Nothing in particular

2011-06-01T06:06:00.000-07:00

I once knew a pub called ‘Nowhere in particular’ the name always made me smile when I passed it. I could imagine how many men said to their wives that they were going nowhere in particular as they left the house lol It’s long gone now and that brings me to my blog today. I’m feeling a little nostalgic.
I’m going to cast out into the ether a question. A part from the people we have lost, what would you reclaim back if you had the chance? I’d get back the little chocolate toffee nuggets that have disappeared. As a youngster I used to go in the corner shop and ask for thrupenny’s worth. I loved them sweets, all stuck together in the little white paper bag.

The best comment will win something nostalgic from me.

Welcome Debra Kayn

2011-05-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. It's a glorious day and I have the lovely Debra Kayn visiting with me. She's chatting about something we forget to do sometimes. Have fun!

Summertime fun

As we approach summer, I can’t help being excited. I have 4 books coming out between May and September, but it’s the sunshine that has my energy level soaring. Around the Pacific Northwest, we’ve put up with long months of dreary skies, and rain. It’s a known fact that those who live in this area lack Vitamin D, and going by the way we all start smiling a little more when the sun comes out, I tend to believe the experts.
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is swing in the hammock. Whether it’s reading on my Kindle, or brainstorming plot points while I close my eyes, I find time stands still for those precious minutes…like when I was a kid, and summers lasted forever.
That made me think of other things I do in the summer that I also did as a kid, and I came up with a lot of things. I think this also has something to do with the happier attitudes and relaxed moments in our lives. I love to go fishing, ride motorcycles, play tennis, and putter around in the yard trying to grow things. Putter is a good word for what I do, because I’m not known for my green thumb. Ahem.
What kind of things do you like to do in the summer? What are you looking forward to doing the most?

Today, the first of my summer books comes out at Breathless Press. Betraying the Prince is a rerelease, that is sure to grab your heart. Here’s a blurb…
All Princess Celina wants is to stay on her beloved island of Antaka, marry a man of her culture, and make her papa proud. So when Prince Joqua ships her off to America, Celina’s believes she’s being punished. While she’s not prepared for the wild ways of the Americans, no one is more surprised than her when she finds herself falling for a California hottie…

Drake Randall looks forward to a vacation from work, especially if it means showing the princess how people their age have fun. But when Celina strips off all her clothes and announces she’s trained in Kama Sutra, he’s left with an even bigger problem than wanting to make love to the princess.

Drake's holding on to a secret that could not only ruin his chances with Celina, but could also ultimately destroy her.

The fun doesn’t stop there, because Chantilly’s Cowboy comes out June 6th at Carina Press, Harlequins Digital First Imprint. Who doesn’t like a little cowboy on a hot summer day, hm?

Multipublished Romance author, Debra Kayn, is not only a writer, she's a wife and Mom to four great kids. When she's not staying up late dreaming of new stories to write, she enjoys riding motorcycles, gardening, playing tennis, and spending time with a fishing pole in her hands.

She lives in the beautiful Coastal Mountains of Oregon on a hobby farm. Her love of animals includes dogs, chickens, goats, rabbits, turkeys, geese, and yes...pigs. The peacefulness of a flowing creek across her property provides an excellent spot to read a book on a summer day, go swimming, and catch the ever elusive fish.

One thing she can promise is her books will always have a happily-ever-after. In a world where the news is discouraging and people are busy, she wants you to escape, laugh, cry, and sigh as you read her books.

Debra’s website Twitter Facebook

Welcome Kane

2011-05-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

The Virtual Book Tour today kicks off on my lovely rooftop garden.

Kane and I are sitting here sipping a morning cupper.

While I butter the toast, here is a bit about him.

Kane A. has followed the genre of fantastical creatures for as long as he could remember. Though a typical child and diligent student, his imagination never ceased to paint a surrealistic vision that could force many to question their own reality. Early on, Kane expressed his creativity by means of drawing, writing short stories ranging from science fiction to horror, as well as through poetry expressing love, hurt, and betrayal.
His fascination with the undead grew when he studied the history of the witch, werewolf, warlock, and sinking his teeth finally into the world of the vampire. Kane began his first of five novels detailing the lives and challenges of being immortal.
He now resides in Atlanta, GA where he spends the majority of his time writing.

Good morning and thanks for having me. It’s absolutely wonderful up here and the breeze...oh the breeze! About me, huh. Let’s see, what shall I tell that won’t bore you to tears, or prompt you to press that secret panic button? Everything in my life was very typical until I met Aleron, or more correctly put, he made himself known to me. Before that point, I worked 9-5. I called my mother every week, took care of my family, and paid my taxes. Occasionally I wrote poetry about love and pain. And of course, the occasional horror short story would crawl out of my imagination. Now, everything has changed. You see, it’s very hard to tell one as persuasive as my new friend “no”. Once he chose me, there was no turning back. He hasn’t shared his dark gift, however I am still somewhat hopeful.

Just a few questions before we get to your fascinating article. Who do you think inspires you to write?

I believe I began writing as a result of the insistent silent voices that seem to accompany me everywhere I went, especially when I was asleep. They whispered to me, secrets. Some were good. Some not so good. Some were frightening! But I found release in writing about it. That’s probably why I was afraid of the dark as a young child. Now Aleron dictates and I write. It’s the perfect arrangement. I couldn’t make this stuff up.

I don’t know about you, but I only ever have one writing project on the go. I tried two on the go once and the characters morphed into each others books somehow lol So what’s next on your writing agenda?

-Of course I can’t leave fans hanging for long, so I am diving deeper into Mynea and Vlad’s tale which will be revealed in Book 2 of the Strigoi Series. I am also working on The Nephilim Project which is a fantastical tale about the beauty and evil when God’s True Sons (Angles) embrace the sensuality of the daughters of humankind as well as the division that occurred in Heaven through Satan’s challenge. Nephilim is guaranteed to quench that romantic and supernatural thirst of yours. And in the not so distant future, you can expect to see our hero Aleron on the BIG Screen!

Wow, remember me when your famous kane! Mines a brandy and coke!! Just for fun, can you pick your favorite character from your new release and tell us about them.

-If I had a favorite it would be the main, Aleron. I simply admire his ability to adapt to any situation and even though he is a powerful immortal, he has never really lost his humanity. A demon with morals! Go figure.

Now that’s interesting. A demon with morals, is he handsome too?

Aleron was very handsome as a human, however, when he became more than human, he also became more than handsome. Imagine the best looking man you have ever seen. Now imagine him frozen on Michelangelo’s canvas, where he chisels away every human imperfection and ads the perfect countenance and build of a ravishing angel. Aleron would embody that angelic canvas. He personifies it. It was Aleron’s charm, wit, and great looks that made him desirable for Mynea before she gave him the dark gift. After which, he became perfection.

How about some advice for all the new writers out there. Got any tips?

-Yes. Keep writing. And on that occasional break, don’t be afraid to quench your thirst with that favorite cocktail or whatever guilty pleasure you care to keep secret from all others.

Yum, but I prefer chocolate. A universal remedy lol. So where can your followers find you?

-Whoever told you I had a chocolate martini before I came up here was wrong! I had two. Can’t believe you can smell that. Well, anyway, my followers can find me at kane@aleron.co or http://www.aleron.co/. They can also “Ask Aleron” anything they want when they click on the Ask Aleron tab on the site www. aleron.co . We are also on twitter Aleron11, and Facebook as Aleron Kane. Just understand, when you post questions before dusk, Aleron will answer them before you awake.

Sorry, can you explain that please. What tab..show me..I want to speak to Aleron lol

When you visit Aleron, and after you read the “see inside”, you can click a tab that says “Ask Aleron” and you can comment or ask any question you wish. He will answer. I was against this, however, he says he rather enjoys getting to know the thoughts of others through their questions instead of their blood. Of course, given this explanation, I obliged! I really didn’t have much of a choice anyway.

I know this article is going to get you all thinking. It did for me. I'm going to dash and get one of those chocolate martini's kane likes. I swear I saw a pre made bottle in his rucksack.

Where and when.
How many senses are tickled when one reads? Can you smell a sentence? Can you hear an unspoken paragraph? Is it possible to touch a thought? Absolutely. A writer must use the pen to provide a gateway into a person’s perception. How do you accomplish this? This can be achieved by carefully researching the setting and environment of the world or time you are creating or revisiting. For example, everyone knows that Manhattan NY does not sound nor smell like Miami Florida. Likewise, Paris is very different from Athens. Each place has its own distinct feel, smell, taste, as well as look that combine to create its personality. A writer must capture as much uniqueness the setting has to offer then by means of descriptive writing, creates accurate sensory perception in the reader. Of course an apple will differ in taste between individuals, however there remains a commonality.
In addition to place, time is also important. For the earth and everything in it is ever changing as time progresses. Dialect, customs, fashion, structures, and even entire environments evolve with the passage of sand trapped within the glass. A writer must be learned in the era of which the story lives. For the ancient Mycenaeans have very little in common with the current civilization in Greece.
A writer must totally submerge himself in every aspect of the settings place and time to be able to write in such a way as to convey proper inputs for perception. Visiting the location if it still stands, or attaining extensive knowledge if it doesn’t is often required to successfully tickle all the senses. And so when I ask you to meet me, you undoubtedly want to know where and when.

Thanks for popping by kane. You are welcome anytime. Just bring the bottle with you .

REVIEW

2011-05-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

REVIEW of the week.

Ginger Simpson

The Forget ~ Me ~ Nots

Forget me not is a bitter sweet story of a daughters journey through her grief when she looses her mother.

Sarah Palmer and her sister have the sad job of sorting through their mothers personal effects after she dies. When Sarah is looking through her mother’s jewellery she discovers, tucked away, three little silver charms held together by a black ribbon. The date and name engraved on them are a mystery to her and her sister, so she searches within her family for an answer. Through doing this Sarah learns about a beautiful side to her mother that had remained hidden until her death.

Ginger Simpson highlights the pain of losing a loved one without the usual depressing overtures we see so often relating to death. In this short story she shows how grief can move us forward, instead of holding us back.

I really enjoyed reading Forget me Nots and I give it a 5 star rating.

CONTEST

2011-05-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon everyone.

I’ve been tardy in updating my blog because I have been so busy commenting on others, writing books and generally running around like a headless chicken.
SOOO, I have decided to run a contest and no, I won’t bombard you with a copy of my book. Instead, I’ll snail mail you something fabulous.

All you have to do is....

If you have a kindle, go here and download a FREE chapter and tell me the name of Abbeys roommate and in what county is her inheritance?

If you don’t have a kindle...WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...No seriously, why? Leave a comment explaining YOURSELF...and you’ll be put into ‘maggies millions’ draw to win a surprise gift.

For those who don’t have a Kindle, go here And tell me who is the woman who knows Justin very well and who is the real hero in the story?

All the replies will go into a lucky dip and the winner will get something very nice from me.

Ready...steady....go.........

To work, or not to work!

2011-04-21T09:28:00.001-07:00

I shouldn’t complain really. The winter was long and hard and I suffered through it NOT in silence. The garden looked desolate, the plants pitiful. Odin, my dog, broke his toe running on the snow covered grass and the dark months were fraught with tension. So now that spring is here and its hotter than the fires of hell, why am I now complaining it’s too hot? Because it is. I live near a beach and take Odin there in the mornings. It’s lovely. I always think the ocean re-energises you. Gently smoothing away tension and giving you a thorough clean from the inside out. Do I want to come back to a stuffy office and work...God no! It’s too hot. So I procrastinate. I sit in the garden and tell myself another hour and I’ll get back to work. That hour comes around and makes way for another until its stupid o’clock in the afternoon and there is no time to do anything practical.

So what I want to know is...how do you work and manage to stay in the sunshine? How do you procrastinate?

Crystal Power

2011-04-14T10:01:00.001-07:00

My new book, Abigail Cottage has caused quite a stir. There is a chapter which explains how one of the characters, Rosa, a Romany gypsy, unleashed the power of her crystals to connect with the spirit world. Is this a true fact? You bet it is. Crystals work with your vibration, enhancing it and making you shine like a bright light in the darkness. We are all energy encased in a vehicle we call the body. When we pass on, that energy is released. In all my books you will read little factual titbits about the after life. Abigail Cottage has many and I think that's what attracts people to the book. If you have read it, please let us know on the blog, good or bad, it doesn't matter. If you haven't read it, maybe there are questions you'd like to ask me about the afterlife. Comment. Ask me.

Welcome to Ami Blackwelder

2011-04-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. The sun is shining today and I can see the first buds begining to emerge in the garden. To make the day pefect, I have Ami Blackwelder taking breakfast tea with me today. Before we start, here is a bit about her. Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand. Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine. So, you have read a bit about her. Fab, isn't she! Here is here new book, Shifters. The cover is so striking it made me look twice. Good news for Ami!! Click cover to buy this really good book. America 2040. Three Species. Divided Lovers. The Race is on for Planet Earth. Set in Alaska in 2040, Melissa Marn and Bruce Wilder must work under the iron fist of the SCM, while still trying to maintain humanity. Discovering a world of shifters and hybrids, the scientists must struggle with human prejudice and betrayal. With the original ancestors, dubbed shifters, still living on earth, humans are in the midst of a fifteen year old war. As the eldest hybrids, Unseen and Diamond, learn about humans the hard way, with the loss of loved ones and sacrifices, love on planet earth proves challenging. With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages. View her trailer. Here is her take on What makes a good pitch. Great idea's here, so do read it and digest. What makes a good pitch? When you send your query out to agents and publishers, you want to sound professional and draw them in from the first line. Check out my sample below for my book The Shifters of 2040. Notice the gripping first line followed by information and confidence. Make sure you address the character, plot lines, and what differentiates your books from others as well as what genre and marketing might be useful behind the book. A pitch is different from a query though. Underneath my pitch, is a sample of my query for The Shifters of 2040. A pitch draws you in like a commercial, but a query gives all the needed information for the agent to make his/her decision. A synopsis goes from beginning to middle to end telling the agent what your story is, with exciting details, character descriptions and more. But I won't include my synopsis here or else your readers will know how my book ends. However, the agent wants to know you can seal the deal with the synopsis, the good ending. But enjoy my pitch and query! Alaska 2040 Three Species. Divided Lovers. The Race is on for Planet Earth. Book three in a six part saga, the author chose to first engage the reader by beginning in the middle of the series, allowing the reader to then chose between reading the past or the future. Set in Anchorage, Alaska 2040, the story begins with Melissa Marn, a dedicated and methodical scientists, working under the iron fist of General Raul for the SCM. The Shifter Counterinsurgency Military formed in 2030 and has been in charge, with bases all over the world, of eradicating the shifters from Earth. Since alien invasion in 2020, fear and panic has gripped the heart of many humans. A sentient form of light, this species fled their crumbling home planet in search of a viable one. Able to morph into animals of Earth, including the human species, the aliens were dubbed shifters. After Melissa Marn has one guiltless night with a man she picks up at a bar, she realizes she has become pregnant by a shifter and must confront her own prejudice of the species in wake of the two baby girls growing inside of her. Discovering the shifters can and most likely have mated with other humans to produce hybrids, offspring which will better survive the conditions of Earth, and yet growing a sympathy for the alien race, the scientist and her peer Bruce Wilder, struggle with what to do next. The future of her twins and the future of the Earth waver in the balance. As the eldest hybrids, Unseen and Diamond, guide the other hybrids, they learn about humans the hard way, with the loss of loved ones and sacrifices. When Diamond falls in love with Keenan, a military soldier, the two break all the rules, drawing danger to each of their lives. With a few of the younger hybrids caught by SCM, the escape proves to show them that life on the streets is as difficult as in the forest, and the reader is drawn into the plight of the shifters. As the SCM draws closer to the location of the shifters, the reader follows this thrill ride to the culminating end where the annihilation of the shifter ancestors leaves a devastating mark on the remaining hybrids. With only two elder shifters left to watch over the children, their future appears bleak. And with Melissa finally coming to terms with who the shifters really are, she realizes too late that her twins are forever out of her reach. With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages. The Invasion of 2020 The SCM of 2030 The Shifters of 2040 The Hybrids of 2050 The Hunted of 2060 The Revolution of 2060 As with Star Wars, the novels do not have to be read in order to be enjoyed or understood and readers may engage the stories in any sequence, with exception to Hybrids and Revolution.

Welcome Jen Wylie

2011-04-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

The usual rules apply on my blog. The best comment gets a virtual book basket and if you follow, you'll get a surprise pressie from me. Please remember to leave your email and tell me you have followed in your comment box.

Good Morning Everyone. I have a lovely lady in my study today, Jennifer Wylie. We are drinking breakfast tea and enjoying some home made toasted bread and butter. Yum Yum. While she chews and swallows, let me tell you a bit about her.

Jennifer Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales. Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories. Sweet light is her debut novel to be published in 2011. Jennifer resides with her husband, two boys, Australian shepherd a flock of birds and a disagreeable amount of wildlife.

I am wondering at what point does wildlife get disagreeable lol

Series: Tales of Ever #1

Banished by Jen Wylie Short Story 0.99.

Published March 1 2011 by Echelon Press

Good Morning all. I'm glad to be tucked inside Margaret's study, as it's freezing outside.

I am really excited about my first short story series. Tales of Ever is part of a new short story program being put out by Echelon Press. Electric Shorts is a pilot program for reluctant readers. Each series contains six short stories presented once per month as electronic downloads (eBooks), much the same as a television series. Tales of Ever is a fantasy series written for young adults (13-17 year olds). The first instalment, Banished, debuted March 1st, a new instalment will be available the first of the month ending in August. At only $.99 each, the short stories are affordable for all walks of life. I was lucky enough to have a mother who was an avid reader, and became one myself at an early age. I've now passed the love of reading onto to my own children. Tales of Ever is full of action and written to captivate even the most reluctant readers. I'm hoping to share the joy of reading with many young adults. One of my favorite parts of a new work is creating the world it takes place in. Sometimes the differences between 'our world' and my invented world are few, mostly the differences being magic or what beings are there. But not always. My new short story series also has a new world. It is drastically different from what we could consider 'normal'. Needless to say, I'm having the most fun EVER (excuse the pun) creating this world as well. Though technically, Ever is not a world, but a place. I wanted Ever to be bizarre, crazy, and also wild and dangerous. Part of its deadliness is that nothing is normal or known. At least not to someone from earth. My character does her best to describe the crazy world she has been banished too, and I have a great time coming up with her descriptions of things. For example when she lands in Ever she falls on the border between two drastically different environments, a desert and a jungle. “The sand is pink. Not the washed out pink of granite, but clashed-really-bad-with-my-hair bright pink.” The jungle she describes as “one colored by some crazy kindergarten kids, maybe.” I'm very excited the series will be six stories long. Misha, my main character, stays in the Rainbow Jungle for the first two shorts, however in the 3rd she travels to the Tall Forrest. I'm sure many interesting things will happen there! The second of the series, Fire Girl, will be out April 5th! I hope you all enjoy the worlds I create! Happy reading and thanks so much for having me today! Series Blurb: Welcome to Ever. Ever, a deadly realm where feared, powerful and dangerous magical beings are banished. Though very large, it is not a world but a magically created prison. You can’t break through its circular boundary. Who, or what, made Ever? I’ve no idea. They were powerful, and cruel. That is all I can tell you. Ever is like and unlike every other world. Nothing is safe. Safety is a dream. Ever is a nightmare. Few survive their first day. Nothing is what it seems. If something appears safe, it isn’t. If something appears dangerous, well it is, but probably more so than you think. Ever has no sun, no moon, no stars at night. Time is told by the ever changing color of the sky where portals open, dropping new inhabitants, or new terrors. Time does pass. Don’t worry, you won’t get old. You won’t live that long. The landscape changes without reason form dessert to jungles. The flora isn’t safe at any time. There is food, if you can find it without getting eaten yourself. Most plants and animals are poisonous. So is the water. Are you afraid? You should be. This is the end. It gets worse of course. Remember the portals? Do think angels come through? Rarely the innocent do. Mostly, it is people of evil, people too powerful to kill. Their magic works here. The creature’s are worse. Do you understand? Well you will eventually, or you’ll die. There is no escaping Ever. Ever. Banished Blurb: My life was normal. It sucked, but it was normal. At least until I got this new power. I can control fire. It would be cool if it wasn’t so dangerous and if I knew how to use it. Pretty much my sucky life took a nose dive once I got it. Yup, everything gone. I suppose I should be thankful some uncle I never heard of took me in. Turns out the whole family isn’t normal and my power is a lot more dangerous than I thought. I thought things couldn’t get any worse. I was wrong. They banished me to Ever. If I’m lucky, I might survive my first day. Fire Girl Blurb: Surviving Ever may not be easy, but somehow I’m managing. So far. Luckily I’ve made a new friend, Jadus. He’s not exactly human, but he’s teaching me how to survive here. Even though I’m tired, I’m hungry and I miss home, he makes life bearable. Despite the not human thing I think I may be falling for him. Unfortunately Ever isn’t the place for romance. Now I have to deal with a barbarian king and a crazy shape-shifting witch on top of the everyday dangers. With each day that passes it becomes more important I learn to control my fire powers. If I can’t I might lose everything; any hope of finding my dad, Jadus…my life.

Available at

Omnilit Smashswords Amazon B&N

You can find Jen at her website www.jenniferwylie.ca and on her blog.

Prizes

2011-04-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

For the contast run by Nora Weston, Liliut was the winner of the contest.

Cheryl gets my random comment prize. If she could contact me, I need her snail address as I can't find her email on her blogger.

WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!!

Welcome to Julius Thompson

2011-03-31T02:41:00.000-07:00

Good morning. I have Julius Thompson in the author chair today and over a cup of tea and a rather nice carrot cake, he will be talking about his frustrations when it comes to writing.

Frustration!

That is how I feel as I try to carve out time to write my novels. After teaching high school English classes all day and then doing essential things around the house it is almost 11:00 PM. My creativity is ignited sixty minutes before the midnight hour. That is good and bad, because for me I'm at my most creative late at night. When I start to write, time really speeds up and when I realize it is past midnight. I have to be up at 5:45 AM to start the work day cycle all over again. What's a writer to do? When at midnight you feel as if a pint of adrenalin has been shot into your veins. Without a doubt late night feels like 9 a.m. I’m a child of the sixties and when I put on my earphones with the Delfonics, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Mary Wells, Wilson Pickett, the Drifters and the music of the Sound of Philadelphia, the ideas start to flow. My minds eye is filled with the visuals. When writing parts of A Brownstone in Brooklyn, I was so deep into the fictive dream that I would look at the clock and it would be 4:00 am. I had written over 2,000 words. My alarm clock was set for 5:45 am. No way was I going to get up and attempt a full days’ work on less than two hours of sleep. I just called in and took the day off. I slept for a while and then edited all day. And at the same time on the next night, 11:00 p.m., I was ready for a great night of writing but I would come up with only one sentence. That’s why it’s an art, not an exact science. When the writing muse hits you, you’d better take advantage. It’s just another peril of the frustrations of the nightlife of writing. About Ghost of Atlanta: In The Ghost of Atlanta, Andy Michael Pilgrim faces demons from his youth that haunted his life. These are the ghosts in the crawl spaces of his life; some are real and some supernatural. After landing a job with The Atlanta Defender, Andy returns home and visits the place where he finally faces remembrances of his deceased abusive father. While walking around the grounds, he meets his mysterious cousin, Joe Boy, and finds out that the property is going to be sold by unscrupulous cousins. While Andy fights this battle, he must confront the personal demon of a possible drug addiction, breaking the color barrier at the south’s largest newspaper, The Atlanta Defender, meeting his old girl friend and fighting the lingering effects of segregation in small-town Georgia life. As the story unwinds, all these forces push Andy toward the breaking point, where he almost quits on life. Malevolent mortal deeds are committed and Andy could be next in line. "The Ghost of Atlanta" is, overall, a superbly written book. 5 stars!~Readers Favorite

Julius's books can be found here

Amazon

Barnes and Nobel

Passionate Writers

Welcome to Nora weston

2011-03-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. I have a rather lovely lady on my Blog today. We are going to drink tea on my virtual seaside veranda, enjoy the ocean and have a chat. First let me tell you a bit about her and the contest she's running today.

The rules: Simply introduce yourself, ask a question, or comment and you’ll be entered to win the e-book version of Guardian 2632! The winner will be chosen randomly.

As usual, I'll be offering a prize to a new follower and a prize to a the best comment.
Nora Weston’s fiction and poetry slips in-between and all around science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Her publishing credits include the anthologies Mind Mutations, Cyber Pulp’s Halloween 3.0, and Dark Pleasures. Other venues in print and online include; The Hacker’s Source, The Dream People, Hoboeye, Abandoned Towers, Lost in the Dark, Sputnik 57, Soul Engravings, and Decompositions. Recently, Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine, Worlds Within–Worlds Beyond, Trapeze Magazine, and Four and Twenty published her work. Melange Books has accepted The Twelfth Paladin for a May 2011 release. Nora has had the pleasure of reaching people through the airwaves on radio stations throughout the US, and episodes can be downloaded from Blog Talk Radio’s show Not Picture Perfect

Hello Nora, can you tell us who you think inspires you to write?

Good morning, Margaret. I’m thrilled to be visiting with you today! One second...I must have a sip of this tea. Ooh lovely. Right, my fascination with all things speculative began as a child because my home, in Wheeling, WV was positioned right smack dab in the middle of nightmare land. No! I’m kidding. My childhood home was set against the most beautiful woods that, at times, held me spellbound. Especially at night, with a full moon casting shadows of might and magic amongst the crooked trees, my imagination brewed taking me backward in time, forward in time...and everywhere in-between. When I was nine years old, I would’ve sworn a witch lived in the green shack found deep in those woods, and vampires definitely scratched my bedroom window at night.
So, that was actually more of a “what” inspires me to write! “Who” would be the unhinged muses running around in my dreamscape. They fight like crazy to be heard causing many z’s to be lost forever, but they are why I write.

Wow, it sounds like paradise to me. Sometimes I think people are in places for a reason, nothing is ever done at random. Maybe you were supposed to be there, just to be inspired to write. So tell, us, what’s next on your writing agenda?

I’m finishing up the final edits for The Twelfth Paladin. It’s a heaven-hell adventure that takes Jake Cottrell for the ride of his life into virtual hell and back. A true seeker of mischief, he dares hell to burn him. Hell agrees.

I like the sound of that book. Are all your books paranormals? Would you write in any other genre?

I have tried to write mainstream fiction, but I only make it to about three thousand words before speculative elements slide in! Yes...my family thinks I was dropped one too many times as an infant, because so-called “normalcy” does not appear in my work. My characters are drawn to ghosts, demons, angels, and the cosmos...but since my characters are pretty feisty, they can handle the paranormal world just fine. I believe the speculative world, where paranormal happenings thrive and ethereal beings linger, is a fantastic realm to explore the human condition, so I’ll stick with that.

Being a paranormal writer myself, I can understand that. I tell you what. Instead of me firing questions at you all the time, why don’t you pick your favorite character from your new release and tell us about them.

As you can see by the way my dark gray eyes just lit up, I’d love to tell you about Zane Grayson. He’s the executive director of Guardian TMF and my favorite character from Guardian 2632. Is he handsome? Yes! He’s a military man with a body to die for, and his almost black eyes hypnotize his love interest, Julia Emerson, but there’s much more to him than that. Intelligent, full of sarcasm, and always looking to feed his desire for danger, Zane is a rush...exciting to be around, yet the best thing about him is his heart. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to protect Julia. Guardian TMF aspires to succeed by following Albert Einstein’s saying, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile,” and Zane believes that with every cell in his body. I like that about him.

Is Zane based on anyone you know? Come on, fess up, we won’t tell a sole. lol

Oh, heavens! *Sigh* I wish Zane was based on a real person. He’s a wild guy, gorgeous from head to toe, but he’s also a one woman type of guy. Dedicated to his family, Zane would die for them with no second thoughts. Wait a minute...I’m married to a guy like that. Okay, so I lied just a little. lol Honestly, Zane was conjured in a dream, but the deep love he has for his family is like my husband.

Mmm, me thinks you might have slipped a little of your hubby in Zane lol This is a question most people ask and believe it or not, all the comments do help. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out?

Observe and report! What I mean is, a new writer should watch, listen, and keep track of exactly how people interact with each other, speak to one another, and then write it down for future reference. People do not say each other’s names too much in dialogue, nor do they speak in complete sentences. An accent, geographical slang, and the tone a person uses while speaking all can be used for character building. My teenagers constantly surprise me with funny ways to say ordinary things, so if you are lucky enough to have them, speak to them! They will give you some good stuff.
Observe and report works well for imaginary places, real places, and people too. If your story takes place in a far away land, then at the very least, research the heck out of it long before your first word is written. Complete character studies and setting studies as precursors to a story so you’ll have fewer headaches once the writing process begins. Most importantly, have fun!

Before we go off for a swim, you’d better tell us where you can be found.

Did you say swim? Holy cows...my body has not seen a bathing suit in twenty years. I write some horrifying stuff, but “bathing suit” sounds really scary! Okay let’s do it...

I can be found on Twitter as almostsanelady
Email: noraweston.nw(at)gmail(dot)com
On Facebook
Website:
Noracast:

Thanks for popping buy. Come on, i'll race you to the sea.

I had a great time visiting with you! Thanks for having me.

Buy the book here
View the trailer

Julius Thompson

2011-03-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

Add banner

Good morning. I have Julius Thompson in the author chair today and over a cup of tea and a rather nice carrot cake, he will be talking about his frustrations when it comes to writing.

Frustration!

That is how I feel as I try to carve out time to write my novels. After teaching high school English classes all day and then doing essential things around the house it is almost 11:00 PM.
My creativity is ignited sixty minutes before the midnight hour.
That is good and bad, because for me I'm at my most creative late at night. When I start to write, time really speeds up and when I realize it is past midnight.
I have to be up at 5:45 AM to start the work day cycle all over again.
What's a writer to do? When at midnight you feel as if a pint of adrenalin has been shot into your veins.
Without a doubt late night feels like 9 a.m.
I’m a child of the sixties and when I put on my earphones with the Delfonics, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Mary Wells, Wilson Pickett, the Drifters and the music of the Sound of Philadelphia, the ideas start to flow. My minds eye is filled with the visuals.
When writing parts of A Brownstone in Brooklyn, I was so deep into the fictive dream that I would look at the clock and it would be 4:00 am. I had written over 2,000 words.
My alarm clock was set for 5:45 am. No way was I going to get up and attempt a full days’ work on less than two hours of sleep.
I just called in and took the day off. I slept for a while and then edited all day.
And at the same time on the next night, 11:00 p.m., I was ready for a great night of writing but I would come up with only one sentence. That’s why it’s an art, not an exact science. When the writing muse hits you, you’d better take advantage.
It’s just another peril of the frustrations of the nightlife of writing.

About Ghost of Atlanta:
In The Ghost of Atlanta, Andy Michael Pilgrim faces demons from his youth that haunted his life. These are the ghosts in the crawl spaces of his life; some are real and some supernatural.
After landing a job with The Atlanta Defender, Andy returns home and visits the place where he finally faces remembrances of his deceased abusive father. While walking around the grounds, he meets his mysterious cousin, Joe Boy, and finds out that the property is going to be sold by unscrupulous cousins.
While Andy fights this battle, he must confront the personal demon of a possible drug addiction, breaking the color barrier at the south’s largest newspaper, The Atlanta Defender, meeting his old girl friend and fighting the lingering effects of segregation in small-town Georgia life.
As the story unwinds, all these forces push Andy toward the breaking point, where he almost quits on life. Malevolent mortal deeds are committed and Andy could be next in line.
"The Ghost of Atlanta" is, overall, a superbly written book. 5 stars!~Readers Favorite

Julius's books can be found here
Amazon
Barnes and Nobel
Passionate Writers

Welcome to Julius Thompson

2011-03-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

In the bookwriters armchair today we have Julius Thompson. Before he talks about frustration,

Welcome Ami Blackwelder

2011-03-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

Good Morning. The sun is shining today and I can see the first buds begining to emerge in the garden. To make the day pefect, I have Ami Blackwelder taking breakfast tea with me today. Before we start, here is a bit about her.

Ami Blackwelder is a forbidden romance writer in the paranormal and historical romance genre. Growing up in Florida, she went to UCf and in 1997 received her BA in English and teaching credentials. She travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University;), her fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the country. Later, she achieved the Semi-Finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

So, you have read a bit about her. Fab, isn't she! Here is here new book, Shifters. The cover is so striking it made me look twice. Good news for Ami!! Click cover to buy this really good book.

America 2040.
Three Species. Divided Lovers. The Race is on for Planet Earth.

Set in Alaska in 2040, Melissa Marn and Bruce Wilder must work under the iron fist of the SCM, while still trying to maintain humanity. Discovering a world of shifters and hybrids, the scientists must struggle with human prejudice and betrayal. With the original ancestors, dubbed shifters, still living on earth, humans are in the midst of a fifteen year old war. As the eldest hybrids, Unseen and Diamond, learn about humans the hard way, with the loss of loved ones and sacrifices, love on planet earth proves challenging.

With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages.

View her trailer.

Here is her take on What makes a good pitch. Great idea's here, so do read it and digest.

What makes a good pitch?

When you send your query out to agents and publishers, you want to sound professional and draw them in from the first line.
Check out my sample below for my book The Shifters of 2040. Notice the gripping first line followed by information and confidence.
Make sure you address the character, plot lines, and what differentiates your books from others as well as what genre and marketing might be useful behind the book.
A pitch is different from a query though. Underneath my pitch, is a sample of my query for The Shifters of 2040. A pitch draws you in like a commercial, but a query gives all the needed information for the agent to make his/her decision.
A synopsis goes from beginning to middle to end telling the agent what your story is, with exciting details, character descriptions and more. But I won't include my synopsis here or else your readers will know how my book ends. However, the agent wants to know you can seal the deal with the synopsis, the good ending.
But enjoy my pitch and query!

QUERY
Alaska 2040.
Three Species. Divided Lovers. The Race is on for Planet Earth.
Book three in a six part saga, the author chose to first engage the reader by beginning in the middle of the series, allowing the reader to then chose between reading the past or the future.
Set in Anchorage, Alaska 2040, the story begins with Melissa Marn, a dedicated and methodical scientists, working under the iron fist of General Raul for the SCM. The Shifter Counterinsurgency Military formed in 2030 and has been in charge, with bases all over the world, of eradicating the shifters from Earth. Since alien invasion in 2020, fear and panic has gripped the heart of many humans. A sentient form of light, this species fled their crumbling home planet in search of a viable one. Able to morph into animals of Earth, including the human species, the aliens were dubbed shifters.
After Melissa Marn has one guiltless night with a man she picks up at a bar, she realizes she has become pregnant by a shifter and must confront her own prejudice of the species in wake of the two baby girls growing inside of her. Discovering the shifters can and most likely have mated with other humans to produce hybrids, offspring which will better survive the conditions of Earth, and yet growing a sympathy for the alien race, the scientist and her peer Bruce Wilder, struggle with what to do next. The future of her twins and the future of the Earth waver in the balance.
As the eldest hybrids, Unseen and Diamond, guide the other hybrids, they learn about humans the hard way, with the loss of loved ones and sacrifices. When Diamond falls in love with Keenan, a military soldier, the two break all the rules, drawing danger to each of their lives. With a few of the younger hybrids caught by SCM, the escape proves to show them that life on the streets is as difficult as in the forest, and the reader is drawn into the plight of the shifters.
As the SCM draws closer to the location of the shifters, the reader follows this thrill ride to the culminating end where the annihilation of the shifter ancestors leaves a devastating mark on the remaining hybrids. With only two elder shifters left to watch over the children, their future appears bleak. And with Melissa finally coming to terms with who the shifters really are, she realizes too late that her twins are forever out of her reach.
With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages.

The Invasion of 2020
The SCM of 2030
The Shifters of 2040
The Hybrids of 2050
The Hunted of 2060
The Revolution of 2060
As with Star Wars, the novels do not have to be read in order to be enjoyed or understood and readers may engage the stories in any sequence, with exception to Hybrids and Revolution.

Welcome Julie Hayes

2011-03-17T05:46:00.000-07:00

A very good morning to Julie Hayes who shares the 'chatting' sofa with me today. I wonder who she likes...a lot!!!!!!! Here is a bit about her.

Julie Lynn Hayes was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she'd never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another's arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with her daughter Sarah and two cats, loves books and movies, and hopes to be a world traveler some day. Currently unemployed, she continues to write her books and stories, and is also a copy editor and reviewer for animeradius.com, and director of yaoiradius.com.. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn't mind. Marching to the beat of one's own drummer is a good thing, after all. Her published works can be found at Wicked Nights, Dreamspinner Press, and Silver Publishing.

Morning mags. Love your new sofa!!

Until last March, if you’d have said anything about Timothy Olyphant to me, I’d have said, “Who’s that?” Now, not only do I know, but I really know! Ask me about him now and my response is, “Timothy Olyphant rocks!”
I first met Timothy when I saw the trailers for Justified at the movie theater and decided to give it a go. I began to watch the show, because the trailers intrigued me, and I quickly got hooked, not just on the series, but its star. In the show, Timothy plays Raylan Givens, a US Special Marshal who got into a mite of trouble over a justified shooting in Florida for which he gets sent back to the place where he originated – the coal mining country of Harlan County, Kentucky. There he’s back in his roots, and that isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially when you factor in an ex-wife he still has a thing for and a jailbird father who isn’t going to be nominated for Father of the Year any time soon.

While I was watching Justified, which comes on Wednesday nights on F/X, 10 est/9 cst, I saw an ad for Hit Man, and at first I didn’t make the connection, til I realized that the shave-headed guy in the promo was none other than Timothy. The one with the bar code on the back of his skull. Well, that intrigued me, so of course I had to check it out. I found it at my library and borrowed it and watched it – and then I went to Amazon and bought it. I’ve seen it three times already. Timothy plays a hit man – naturally – who was raised by a religious organization since he was very young to be just that. No name, just a number, and a bar code tattooed onto the back of his head. He’s very good at what he does, but it must be a lonely life. He receives his instructions over his laptop from an anonymous user with a feminine voice. Things start to go wrong, when his current assignment gets changed, and then a girl gets thrown into the mix – you know how that goes – and if you want to know more, watch the movie. It’s worth it.

I just found out by reading his bio that he was born in 1968, is six foot tall and married to his college sweetheart, raising three children. And he manages to stay out of the tabloids. Kudos to him.
My next stop in my Timothy Olyphant fascination was Deadwood. This was a series that ran on HBO for a couple of seasons before it died, a victim of the writer’s strike. There has been talk of a movie to be made, but I think that that rumor too has finally been laid to rest. Deadwood takes place in the town of the same name, in the territory of South Dakota before it was South Dakota. About 1876, I think it was. Deadwood is a raw and wild and untamed city, still early in the throes of its existence. The town is under the control of Al Swearingen (Ian McShane) who owns the notorious Gem saloon/brothel. Two men come to town to open a hardware store – Seth Bullock (Timothy) and Sol Star (John Hawkes). At one time, Seth had been a Sheriff, but he’s looking to settle down, start a business and establish himself in order to send for his wife and child (not his child, but that’s another story).

Where to start here? Timothy completely energizes what is already an amazing cast with his portrayal of Seth Bullock, one of the two pivotal characters in the series, the other being Al. There are also so many other great characters, both real and fictional, that it will boggle your mind. For example, Keith Carradine as Wild Bill Hickok. I don’t consider it a spoiler to say he dies in the first season. C’mon, it’s history. No more than if I would mention while you watch Titanic that the boat sinks, right? Powers Boothe plays Cy Tolliver, rival saloon/brothel owner; William Sanderson is sleazy hotel proprietor E.B. Farnum; Brad Dourif as Doc Cochrane, whom I swear was modeled after Doc Holliday – and so on. But oh the fascination, the energy, when Seth Bullock is on the screen. Perhaps it was this role that helped to engender his receiving the lead in Justified. I saw somewhere that Elmore Leonard said that Timothy was the only actor that delivered Raylan’s lines and made them sound like he’d heard them in his own head.

So, two officers of the law and a hit man. What else? I did some digging, and discovered that he was the featured villain in Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard. I hadn’t seen that yet, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to, but after learning he was in it, it became mandatory. Guess what? It’s now my second favorite Die Hard Movie, only surpassed by the first one – seriously, you can’t top Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber for anything; that first Die Hard just works on too many levels (does anyone else think the guy at the front desk looks just like Huey Lewis?). In this incarnation and final (I hope) entry in the Die Hard series, John McClaine (Bruce Willis) is reduced to taking a young hacker into custody and escorting him from one location to the other. Sounds simple enough, until strange things begin to happen, starting with an explosion in his apartment. And then the traffic lights. The hacker seems nervous, almost scared, and when John presses him, he posits a textbook scenario for a possible terrorist takeover. It turns out not to be so farfetched as it sounds, and the man behind it all is computer genius Timothy Olyphant. It was actually interesting, and fun to watch – look for a cameo by Kevin Smith as a computer nerd actually living in his mother’s basement.

I haven’t seen The Crazies yet, so I can’t comment on that, but I intend to – I hear he did really well. I did see Catch and Release, where he plays opposite Jennifer Garner. She’s a young woman who, on the verge of her wedding day, has her fiancé die tragically, as the film begins. She is living in the house that they were to live in together; he’s never moved out of his own house yet, where he lives with two roommates, one of whom is Kevin Smith. She can’t afford the new place on her own, so she ends up moving into his place, with them, and with his friend Fritz, who has come from California, played by Timothy. Jennifer finds out stuff, and secrets are revealed, as she tries to cope with the death of her fiancé, and she and Timothy get closer, etc. It’s a very sweet film, I really enjoyed – a very satisfactory watch indeed. Timothy is great as Fritz – he has a vulnerable quality about him that just makes you want to huggle him. I recommend watching this movie. Although I cried, it was nowhere near as much as I bawled for PS I Love You – I barely stopped crying in that film.

What’s Timothy working on now? Other than Justified, it looks like he’s got a voice part in Rango, the Johnny Depp animated flick which is coming out in March, I think, and he plays the guardian of Alex Pettyfer in I Am Number Four, but I don’t know anything beyond that. Luckily, we have Justified to hold us for a while, the new season begins February 9th. And the first season is available on Amazon – I already own it.
Get to know Timothy Olyphant – you’ll be glad you did. The man is sex on two legs!

This is where you can find Julie and her books.

My blog:
My Website<
My Facebook
My Goodreads:
Silver Publishing:
Wicked Nights:
Dreamspinner Press:

Good Morning to Lorrie Struiff

2011-03-10T04:47:00.000-08:00

Lorrie is back today to talk about reading gadgets.The tea is steeping in the pot and the freshly baked bread is ready to butter.

Howdy Margaret,

Thank you for having me today. I had such a wonderful time chatting with you and your visitors the last time, I’m glad to be back. Now, pour that tea.

How about we talk short stories and what I call ‘gadgets’ today.

Have you noticed that many E-zines and small press publishers are asking authors for short stories? I’m not talking for anthologies, but actual lone shorts. And the shorter the better. Short stories seem to be getting more popular every day.

Publishers have been asking for 125 words to 5000 word stories.
What is this big push for shorts about? Why?

Okay, I’ll confess, I’m not up on all the technology available in today’s market. It’s all rather confusing to me. Everything is built right into your cell phone.

I have seen articles about reading apps—whatever they are-- for all the, hmm, can I call them gadgets, out in techno-land? I understand that readers want short stories for all these cell phone gadgets that have these apps to download stories. Some of these ‘gadgets’ are no bigger that the palm of your hand and slip into your pocket or purse easily. How cool is that?
They know shorts fit nicely with these small many app devices.

The mere thought makes me dizzy with all that is available at our fingertips today. To be honest, it makes me a little crazy, too, because I am not familiar with all the gadgets. I’m lucky I know enough about computers to write and an E-reader to read. That is my limit. I don’t even text on my ancient cell phone.

I may be behind the times, but I’m not with trying to help meet the demand for short stories. As I understand the fast moving technological world, short stories are in demand for;

1. A quick read on your lunch break.
2. Your bus ride to and from work.
3. Your wait in the doctors’ waiting room.
4. And so many more situations where you have to wait for more than ten minutes.

Perhaps your visitors can tell me where they read on their ‘gadgets.’
I’d really like to know.

Meanwhile, let me offer a variety of short 99 cent reads that span different genres. Take your pick.
And if you prefer longer reads, or want more info, check out my website

PASO DOBLE(Adult drama)
Have you ever watched Dancing with the Stars? Do you know what the dance Paso Doble signifies? Here is your chance to find out.
Lisa needs to win the gold medal to garner prestige for her dance studio. She lures Eduardo, a sizzling hot Latino dancer visiting from Miami, to be her partner in the contest. Will Lisa’s plan work? Click the cover to buy and find out.

LAST DANCE(poignant drama)
Were the good old high school days really that sweet? Come back to yesteryear when Bren is in love with a troubled boy named Rip, and she hopes he asks her to his senior prom. The most popular girl in school, Jean, plays on Rip’s tortured soul. Does Bren get revenge?

.

A BLOODY VALENTINE(Historical fiction)
One of the bloodiest Valentine Days in American History. Think Chicago and prohibition

SPLAT(humor)
Poor Winnie tries skydiving with her husband for their anniversary. Bad, bad idea! She ends up on the halfway plateau. You know-- that place between heaven and hell. Her revenge is unintentional but sweet. Come along for her humorous adventure.

WILD BLACKBERRIES(paranormal)
A roller coaster ride of thrills and chills.
Morgan is researching on an Indian reservation in Prescott, Arizona, for her new paranormal novel. She doesn’t believe in the paranormal, but writes it for the trend and the nice royalties. That is until her soon to be divorced husband tries to kill her, and she survives by her wits and a little “strange” help.

Spirit Intervention

2011-03-08T03:12:00.000-08:00

Spirit Intervention touches on the spirit world in a way that everyone can understand. Being a medium I get to see the funny and sadder side of those who have passed onto the next stage of their life. This book is fiction, but the spirit world isn't and it frequently collides with ours.

Here is a review I'd like you to read. The reviewer has really captured the essence of the book.

Spirit Intervention by Margaret West
Publisher: Eternal Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (117 Pages)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Fennel

When the spirit world collides with the living, anything that can happen, does.

Patricia is a mother who refuses to stay out of her daughter’s life, even when she dies.

Sally can hear her mother, but she can't see her spirit. At first she welcomes her return, but as the month’s progress she starts to feel increasingly peeved by her mother’s constant interference in her life.

When she tells a few white lies on a dating application form, Patricia sets out to prove lies are not a foundation for a healthy relationship. She sabotages Sally’s relationship with Emilio to prove her point, not realizing her interference has caused a catastrophic chain reaction in the spirit world.

It is now down to the spirit of Emilio’s grandmother to put things right. But has Patricia caused too much damage for her to mend?

Have you ever tried to laugh through clenched teeth? Do you love great characters, plenty of laughs and the ‘meddling mother’ routine? Then this is the book for you.

They say ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’ and the combination of Sally’s economy with the truth and her mother’s interference ensure that Sally and Emilio’s path to romance is strewn with house-sized boulders.

Sally can ‘hear’ her late mother, Patricia, but can’t see her. Emilio can ‘see’ Sally’s mother as well as hear her.

As far as Patricia is concerned it is a mother’s duty to protect her daughter, but in doing so she breaks too many karmic rules and it takes the intervention of Emilio’s treasured Grandmother to set Patricia right.

Ms. West sets her scenes with a clarity that takes few words, and populated them with her hero, Emilio, and her heroine, Sally. Both characters are flawed and have lessons to face, and yet both endear themselves to the reader. I ground my teeth at Patricia’s antics and yes, you’ve guessed it, laughed at the same time.

If I had any nits with this story, one was with Emilio’s character. He’s in a position of authority at work and yet seems to lack self-confidence at moments when he should have known exactly what to do. Another involved Patricia’s constant meddling in her daughter’s affair. Hence the gritted teeth! And yet, the title says it all!

What I particularly liked about Spirit Intervention is that in this instance the paranormal element of the story did not equate to darkness and evil. Just a mother’s love unleashed.

Ms. West knows her subject and it shows in her writing. If you enjoy paranormal, humour and a gentle romance, then you have all three in this story.

2011-03-06T06:34:00.000-08:00

The morning is warm and I thought it would be nice if my guest, Ginger Simpson and I sat on my veranda an over a nice pot of tea and toast had a chat about what she is doing at the moment.

Ever notice that artists, singers, actors/actresses, and authors have a lot in common? Not long ago, I equated being a writer with an Olympian, and I saw the similarities as the athletes prepared for their moment of competition, hoping for their best performance ever. Each time I begin a new novel, I pray that it's better than the previous one...that something in that next attempt reaches out, grabs attention and earns me my "moment."

That comparison still applies but now I've added other entertainment fields to the mix.

What is the commonality, you ask? Unless an author touches the reader's heart, just as any other performer, we've lost our ability to connect. People buy artwork because it's appealing to the eye. Singer's voices and the lyrics connect the a listener's heart, actors and actresses are the vehicles through which the words of a screenwriter are conveyed. Like SHOWING in a novel, those holding movie roles must become the person, feel their emotions, experience their pain. Working for a Grammy, Oscar or recognition of any kind takes devotion.

In the ten plus years that I've been writing, I've learned more than I could possibly list here. Through a fairly recent class taught by Cheryl St. John, well-known HQ author, I've received validation of what I know to be true. Rule number one: The reader has to care! Not everyone will, and that's a fact.

Some art lovers adore Monet, others don't.

Most women swooned over Patrick Swayze in Ghost while others considered it romantic drivel.

Some music lovers grieved the loss of John Lennon; personally I was never a Beetles fan and his passing saddened me, but I cried when Luther died. He touched my soul with his songs.

Conflicting opinions continue in reading as evidenced by two reviews of the same novel: one appreciating and one picking the book apart. But I still apply rule number one and work to make whoever reads my book care about my characters, my plot, my storyline. If I don't, then I won't ever please anyone, and that would be horrible. I'm sure every other "artist" has faced the same dilemma and disappointment, but that doesn't stop a professional from reaching for "that moment."

I'd like to share a little of Sister's in Time with you.

This book has garnered great reviews and was a challenge to write. Rather than have one hero and heroine, I have two because of the time-travel element and needing to display the differences between the old west and modern day. Normally, an author only has to work hard to connect the reader to the hero and heroine, but in this case, my job was doubly difficult. Here's the blurb to give you an idea about the story and hopefully entice you to read the book.

Blurb:

Two eras collide when a modern day attorney and a pioneer wife find themselves locked in a time not their own.

Mariah Cassidy awakens in the twentieth century. Confined in a pristine environment, hooked to tubes and beeping machines, she’s scared, confused and wondering why everyone keeps calling her Mrs. Morgan. Who is the strange man who keeps massaging her forehead and telling her everything is going to be alright?

Taylor Morgan tries to focus on her surroundings through a blinding headache. The patchwork quilt, the water basin, and the archaic room don’t strike a familiar chord. Her mouth gapes when a handsome man waltzes into the room, calls her darling, and expresses his delight that she’s on the road to recovery.

Thank you for joining me today at Margaret's blog, and to her, my love and appreciation for allowing me time and space. Tomorrow, I'll be at Marsha Moore's site, talking about Sparta Rose, yet another historical western romance. Hope you'll join me there: http://marshaamoore.blogspot.com

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE WITH GINGER
2009 EPIC Nominee
LRC 2009 Best Historical Winner
http://www.gingersimpson.com
http://mizging.blogspot.com

Julie Hayes

2011-03-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

In my lounge today, is Julie Hayes. We are drinking a nice blend of English tea, while sampling my yummy, freshly made for the occasion, breakfast muffins.

Julie was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she'd never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another's arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with two of her children and two cats, loves books and movies and role playing on the Internet, and hopes to be a world traveler some day. By day she does payroll and accounting, by night she writes and is also a copy editor and reviewer for comicsonline.com. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn't mind. Marching to the beat of one's own drummer is a good thing, after all. She is also the Director of Yaoi and Fantasy, as well as a copy editor and reviewer at AnimeRadius.com.

Today she wants to talk about what inspires her to write. As usual, any new followers will go into a draw to win a gift from me, so do leave your email in the comment box.

Thank you so much, Margaret, for inviting me, I’d love to taste some of your favorite tea, sounds lovely. I hope I don’t ramble on too long and bore your readers to death, but I wanted to talk to them about inspiration, if I may.

When Inspiration Calls, Be Sure to Pick UP

Someone asked me once, did I have a muse. I’d never been asked that question before, so I had to stop and think. I write, therefore I must have a muse, right? I’ve never called it that, and I don’t have a clear picture of what this muse may or may not look like as some people do. A friend told me her muse is six foot and blond. Sounds great, I should have one of those for myself. I suspect if I did have one, and if he did have a face, he would look like Gary Oldman. But I also think another name for a muse is simply inspiration. And inspiration doesn’t have one look, it has many, and many voices. But I have learned one thing in my many years of writing—when Inspirations calls, be sure to pick up or you may miss out on something important.
Ever have a flash of something when you’re not in a position to write it down? I think we all have, because frankly it’s when you’re not trying to think of new ideas that inspiration is most likely to strike. In the shower, in your car, at a concert or movie, maybe even when you’re having sex—any time or place that isn’t quite conducive to stopping and jotting a few notes on paper so you’ll retain them. I think that this happens because of the left brain/right brain thing. And my theory also deals with writer’s block and how to handle that. I can honestly say I seldom get writer’s block and when I do, I take care of it and make it go away. In my head, at least, these two situations are connected.
You have a practical side and you have a creative side. It’s when you’re doing practical things like showering, driving, laundry, whatever, that your creative side is free to come out because you’re not calling on it to do something, so there’s no pressure there. I have two ways of dealing with writer’s block, depending on my mood or what I perceive to be the cause. Sometimes I do something as simple as play cards on the computer, engaging my practical brain. Or I’ve been known to do some free association word games—write words on a piece of paper (or on the computer, whichever you’re using), and don’t try to make sense of them, just write. Eventually the words become sentences and then becomes ideas. Or my other method is to read something or watch something, and fill up the empty spaces in order to draw on them for creative purposes.
But as I was saying, there are times when you can’t do that right away. I learned early on that if I let the words I hear rattle through my brain, I’ll lose them. When I go to write t hem down, they’ve disappeared into the ether of my creative brain, never to be retrieved again, gone like so many wisps of smoke. Why? Because they didn’t imprint, they came they went and I didn’t get to keep them. Like the dream you had where you thought of the greatest novel ever, and you were sure when you woke you would capture it, but surprise, you couldn’t cause it never made it into the part of your brain that retains that stuff. In those situations, here’s what I do. At least in the waking ones, I’ve given up on dreams and just hope those ideas recirculate in my head at some point. I take the words and fix them in an image and imprint them in my brain—like making a macro of them. I hold on to them until I’m in a position to deal with them, and then, oh then, let them please spill forth unto my anxious fingers.
Even more, though, I want to talk about the inspiration which you don’t immediately recognize as inspiration—the voices in your head which make you wonder at first if you’re just plain crazy. I’ve ignored those before and been sorry, so now when I hear a voice and it’s talking, and I suspect it’s a character trying to come out, I’m listening.
A few years ago, I was working on a book about composer Percy Grainger (which I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never done anything), and a voice began to talk to me. He said he was a gay werewolf. That’s all. A gay werewolf. But I could feel him, somehow, and he seemed nice and interesting, so I politely told him that I would get to him, once my other book was done. But he kept talking, like he was just very anxious for me to write about him, so finally, to placate him, I thought well, it can’t hurt to just jot down a few notes, see what this fellow has to say. I literally knew nothing about him, name, background, age or any other pertinent information one needs to write about a character. But he was willing to talk, so I wrote what became the first chapter of To the Max. I pretty well wrote that chapter in one sitting. And needless to say, I didn’t go back to my other book, and To The Max was born.
What if I hadn’t listened to Max, would he still be there? I don’t know, and I’m glad I didn’t have to find out, as I’ve written a sequel since then, which Silver Publishing is releasing in June, and I plan to write more, not because of expectations of publication. Yes, I have those. But because I truly enjoy writing this character.
Have I ever had ideas I didn’t write down right away, thinking I’d retain them until I could do so? Yeah, lots of bestsellers, gone and lost forever. Why did I think I’d remember them when I can go to the grocery store for a few items, one in particular that I really need, and come back with everything but the one item I really needed? Ideas are a lot harder to hold on to, they’re more ethereal and prone to dissipation.
A few months ago, or whenever it came out (my grasp of time here not being the best), my daughter and I went to the theater to see Inception. I guess that was last year, come to think of it, maybe July. Wow, time flies. Anyway, it’s while we were watching that (an excellent film, by the way, for those who haven’t seen it), that a voice spoke to me, and it said: “Leonardo di Caprio is a vampire.”
Mine not to question why, mine but to remember. I realized it was a new character speaking, so I knew I needed names, as soon as possible. I kept repeating the line to myself during the film, and on the way home, my brain began to churn. One of the characters in that film is played by Cillian Murphy. His character name is Robert Fisher. I took that, turned it around, and added an s to Robert. Now I had Fisher Roberts. I needed another one, the one who was actually speaking to me. I began reading billboards on the drive home for inspiration. I saw one having to do with hunting. Well, that’s not a name, but wait, Hunter. Yes, I liked that. So thus was born Hunter Long. I didn’t know who these guys were or what their story was, but I had an opening line, and I knew it would be fun to find out what they were about.
Which I did. Leonard di Caprio is a Vampire is being released by Silver on April 30th, and the cover art, done by the very talented Reese Dante, is spectacular. If I’m at all successful, I will owe a great deal to her beautiful cover, it draws you in. Seriously.
Other of my novels have been born in the same way. Revelations began with Judas swearing. “Goddammit, Jesus” he said, and I began to write. I trust in my creative brain now, even if sometimes I look at it like are you crazy? You want to say what? But I go with it until I figure out what it’s trying to say.
So, when Inspiration calls, don’t be afraid to pick up and find out who’s on the other end of the line.
Do you have stories of inspiration, expected or otherwise? Do you have a muse to guide you, or is your inspiration faceless like mine? I’d love to hear! Thank you so much for having me, Margaret, the tea has been lovely, very delicious. I bet a tea shop would be an interesting place to write about, the stories that could start over the selection of a particular brand. Hmmm…

Virus or not!!

2011-03-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

Ever had that feeling that your hearts going to pop right out of your chest with terror?? I just experienced that moment. I was going through some book sites that I belong to, minding my own business, eating my cheese and pickle sandwich and I find a link there that says, please add your blog link here...I thought great. Another promo avenue. Sandwich in one hand, multitasking with the other, I click on the link. Then chaos reigned on my screen. It was like Spike, the vampire from Buffy, had chomped on my neck, ripped out a chunk of flesh and my life was ebbing away.

A warning box came up on my screen. For the technophobic like myself, that means ‘shit’ run away, turn off all electrical things running to the computer. But I can’t as I have committed the unspoken sin of writers. I have a WHOLE chapter unsaved on my desktop. My cheese sandwich drops to the floor, to be devoured by my dog, who has not a shred of compassion as he drools all over my foot. So I wrack, my silently screaming brain, as to what I should do.

The box said I am open to a virus, click here to download whatever it is to stop it. Again, I relate to my technical abilities, which are NONE, and think... ues, click now. yet a shouting single brain cell says..mm are you sure thats right? It’s a dilemma. I'm arguing with myself, so who is exactly right here? Panic drives me to the point of insanity as more red writing tells me to hurry up, before the viruses eat me too. Well, not exactly in those words, but you will all know what I mean. So, what is a girl to do? Ring their computer savvy husband of course and scream down the phone incoherently until he says, just click off the box. As simple as that. Move the mouse and click X.

Grasping the mouse, I click off the box and suddenly it’s like a scene from the hammer house of horrors. Blood is dripping down my screen in the guise of more red boxes, erupting like acne spots, each containing a poison that will wreck my life! Suddenly a bigger box flashes up. This is the one that will kill me, I know because I can feel my heart palpitating. It says, I have opened a window and trogons, viruses and god know what, are all vomiting over my work somewhere in the bowels of my computer. What damn window? I never opened a thing, the internet just hates me!

My life is over! I can’t breathe, months of work is slipping through my fingers and all because I clicked on a tiny, innocuous link on a book site page. So I am screaming, wishing the computer had a neck so I could wring it. The dog runs, splattering my face with soggy chewed bread and drool, my husband, somewhere in the realms of my hysteria is saying, click off the internet. It’s a scam. You have an anti virus. So I click and click and click, until finally the screen is calm. The red boxes are gone, my chapter is saved and I am left with my desktop page, all in full working order.

I sit back in my chair, my heartbeat slowing to a more normal pace. My husband resumes his work, the dog heaves a sigh as he sits down beside me and I still have one half of a cheese and pickle sandwich left. Who said a writer’s life was boring?

Lorrie Struiff

2011-02-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

Good Morning. As the sun is shining here today and it's quite warm for a change, I've orbed Lorrie Struiff away from the snow and over to my lounge today to have a cup of tea and talk about about her thoughts on life.

Buy Splat

Morning everyone. It's nice to be here in the warm sunshine. I've forgotten what it's like!

Do you need a short breather from real life? Some time to just relax, escape into another world? Concentrate on one thing instead of multi-tasking and doing a million things at once?
Don’t we all deserve that little bit of “me” time?

You may think of long bubble baths while sipping a glass of wine. Or perhaps you like taking long walks alone to enjoy nature. Or locking yourself in the bedroom and sticking your head under a pillow to shut out the world. Yes, we all need some “me” time.

I hope you’re like me and like to take that little breather by reading a novel or a short story.

Step out of your busy world for a few moments and come along with John May who is part of Bug’s Malone’s gang in the late Twenties, the time of prohibition, Capone and flappers. He gets a Valentine gift history doesn’t forget in “A Bloody Valentine Day.”

Or, you may prefer to dance with Lisa and Eduardo as they go for the gold and make forbidden plans in “Paso Doble.”

Oh, then of course, there is Winnie, the poor dear. She tries to do something special, like parachuting in tandem with her husband for their anniversary. I have to say it doesn’t turn out well for her when she goes splat. But her revenge is sweet in the humorous short story-- what else but, “Splat.”

All have been previously published in anthologies. I do hope you’ll take that little “me” time and download a quick breather just for you.

Buy A Bloody valentine

Buy Paso Doble

Welcome Cara Marsi

2011-02-22T04:10:00.000-08:00

Good Morning. Today in my lounge I have Cara Marsi the author of Curse Mates, which is the book I have just reviewed. Today she is talking about her fantasy's. So pull up a seat, grab a coffee and join us.

Click the book to buy.

Good Morning Margaret and thanks for having me in your home today. So lets chat.

ESCAPE INTO ROMANCE AND DANGER
Did you ever have one of those days? Or a lot of those days? Days when you thought your head would explode at the monotony of your life? You rise at the same time each day, go through the same morning ritual, then it’s onto your job. Maybe you’re a corporate drone and cubicle dweller as I was. Mind-numbing. Boring.
Many a morning as I drove to work, I’d fantasize about something extraordinary happening to relieve the boredom. I don’t mean any earth-shattering event, or anyone’s getting hurt. Just something different. Like I’d come upon a bank robbery in progress and be taken hostage by one of the robbers. Oh, wait, I could get hurt. I didn’t want to escape my cubicle-dwelling world that badly. Maybe the robber is really a sexy undercover FBI agent. That led to other kinds of fantasies I won’t go into. But you get my drift.
Escape, romance, danger. Don’t we all need a little of that in our lives? My life isn’t altogether boring, and of course, I’ll take mundane over dangerous. But isn’t it fun to escape once in a while?
That’s where reading comes in. It gives me the escape I crave. As a child, I devoured everything I could find to read – cereal boxes, billboards, clothes tags. It didn’t matter. If it had words on it, I was hooked. Reading opened a whole new world to me and allowed my imagination to soar.
Within the pages of a book, we can be the FBI heroine fighting a deep secret from her past while trying to bring the bad guys to justice. Or we can be the ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary circumstances, caught up in international intrigue and murder. Or we can go back in history and be a young, unmarried daughter of a duke who wants freedom from the constraints of the rigid mores of her class.
And then there are time travels. I love them. Don’t you? I love fantasizing about going back to a time before all our modern conveniences and learning to deal with a more primitive way of living. I’d probably fall apart if I time-traveled, but the heroes and heroines in the time-travel romances I read always cope with their new environment. And they find love along the way. Pure escapism.
Paranormal books and movies are scorching hot now. There are the Twilight movies and books and Harry Potter and the vampire shows on TV. Some popular culture experts say the uncertainty in the modern world makes people gravitate toward the supernatural. Maybe they’re right. Or maybe the paranormal taps into that dark part of us that civilization can’t completely suppress. I enjoy reading paranormal romances. I love witch stories and shifter stories and fallen angel stories. Vampire stories - not so much. I’m afraid of vamps and believe they exist.
Regardless of what sub-genre I read, a good love story is central. I crave happy endings as much as I crave escapism. If, in addition to the romance, the book also has twists and turns, a mystery, maybe a murder or two, and a ghost, werewolf, or witch, that’s even better.
Do you sigh when reading a hot romance and imagine yourself in the arms of that handsome rake of a duke, that sexy tortured werewolf, that pirate who wants to plunder your charms? Then you know what I mean.
Do you ever fantasize about escaping your routine world? And when you do, do you pick up a book and allow it to fly you to exotic places? I hope you do.
I feel like going to Regency England today so I’ll read that book about the duke’s restless daughter. Tomorrow I might want to meet a sexy werewolf. And after that, I may just meet that hunky FBI agent who’s working undercover and takes me hostage.
What about you? What are you reading?

Excerpt of Cursed mates.
Prologue

England, the outskirts of York, 1530

The ancient witch began her chant. They were sacred words, passed from mother to daughter through the centuries since men had claimed this mystic ground. Her song vibrated through the small hut as the smell of burning peat filled her nostrils, and the iciness of the winter night burned her skin.

"Wood spirits, come to me, I beg. Hear the plea of your servant. Help me take my lord's pain as my own." Wisps of blue smoke curled around her, changing solid walls into mere shadows. Without warning, a sharp blade of pain shot through her veins. She welcomed it, had begged for it. His pain. Nicholas Radford. Her liege lord. Her body convulsed, and she cried out.

She lay over him and closed her eyes. "I beg you, mighty powers, keep my master from death, and show me the way to undo the Demon's curse."

Chapter One

Present Day

There was nothing angelic about Heavensent, Maine. Kyla Yaeger felt evil all around her, watching, waiting. A hell of a lot more was going on here than one werewolf. Her stiletto heels clicked on the sidewalk as she hurried up the street, but she couldn't outpace the feeling of malice. She had to block it out. Nothing could distract her from her mission. As an elite were-hunter, she had one job—slaughter the werewolf haunting this strange little town.

Anticipation of the next hunt pulsed through her. She hungered for it as an addict craved the next hit. Maybe someday she'd find the peace she longed for . . . but not until she had vengeance.

The fresh smell of pine from the surrounding woods wafted by on the slight breeze. The aroma brought the memory of that hunt in the Adirondacks. Foreboding chilled her. Her breath caught. Would she meet the black wolf again? This time, she wouldn't miss.

Quickening her steps, Kyla reached the homey-looking restaurant, a welcome touch of normalcy in this place tainted by wickedness. As she grabbed for the door handle, someone on the other side pulled the door open. Losing her balance, she wobbled in the entrance as a hand cupped her elbow, steadying her. An electric charge coursed up her arm.

"Sorry." The deep voice was definitely male, with a trace of a British accent, and so close to her ear she could feel his warm breath. She inhaled his scent of spice, familiar, yet exotic.

The timbre of his voice ignited a spark of recognition in her. She was eye level with a very masculine chest covered by a black T-shirt that stretched over hard muscles and defined biceps. Slowly raising her gaze, she met deep topaz eyes—eyes touched with sadness that spoke of pain and unbearable loss. Thick, black hair framed the rugged beauty of his face. The large, jagged scar on his neck saved him from being too perfect. She didn't know him, yet she felt as if she did.

How odd.

He stood holding the door, not moving. The awareness in his eyes gradually changed to shock, then fear. Rooted to the spot, Kyla couldn't look away.

A roaring noise filled her head, and pain stabbed her temples, signaling a vision. The man, the restaurant, the street wavered. Disjointed scenes flickered before her. A tall man, his face shadowed, his long, black hair blowing in a rush of wind, stood before an empty grave. She felt his crushing grief as if it were her own.

She blinked, and the vision left her. And so had the mysterious stranger. The restaurant door closed slowly behind her, leaving her alone on the sidewalk. She looked both ways down the street, but the man seemed to have disappeared.

"Hey, I thought you were going to get us a table. I found a parking spot a few blocks away." Todd, her best friend and business partner, sauntered toward her. He frowned. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost, or maybe a werewolf."

"I don't know what I saw." A shiver ran through her. Had the man with the topaz eyes caused her vision?

REVIEW

2011-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

It has taken me sometime to get through this book as I have been slammed with so much work recently. Anyway, I've managed to complete it and here is the review for

Cursed mates, by Cara Marsi

In Maine strange things are happening. People are being attacked and killed by wolves. One problem. There shouldn't be any wolves in Maine. It's sherrif isn't the most agreeable person, mix that with an NYPD detective, a witch and a few Vampires give it a good stir, and the North Woods becomes impregnated with all sorts of supernatural goings on.

Kyla Yaeger is a feisty werewolf hunter. Although her cover is the owner of a thriving video software company, with her foster brother Todd, in reality she works for Hunter-Wolf, an organization whose one aim is to wipe-out any supernatural’s who pose a threat to human life. Kyla is on the trail of a black wolf, whom to her is more than just any old werewolf. It's a demon destructive in any shape or form.
The final ingredient to the mix is Nick Radford. A 500 year old werewolf intent on freeing himself from the curse that has blighted his life. He has never killed a human – yet. But as the monster within him grows stronger, he is deeply afraid of losing the little bit of humanity he has left. To stop the nightmare, he needs to
kill the one who sired him.

When he meets Kyla – phew the attraction is instant, but so is a deep suspicion. Each want the other, but Kyla is reluctant. Men and her just don’t seem to gel well. When Nick finally realises what Kayla is and what she is hunting, he is resigned that he will meet his death at her hands. When her foster brother, Todd disappears everyone looks at Nick as being the one responsible. Kyla armed to the hilt with werewolf killing paraphernalia, begins to hunt him down. Refusing to acknowledge that she loves him.

My Thoughts.s

Cursed Mates is a Story between two people, each carrying separate curses. I found it to be well written, but I would have liked the cover to be more passionate. I don't feel it reflects the emotion cleverly written into this story. The characters felt very real. Kayla is the feisty woman in all of us, but she is out for vengeance. A powerful driving force.

Their endless struggle not to unite makes you feel like you want to bash their heads together sometimes. Their goals are really the same at the end of the day. I found myself edging them on, while in the back of my mind wondering if it would all end in tears.

The dialogue was a bit of a letdown in part. It seemed very awkward in places. BUT, overall this is a real page turner. I enjoyed it.

Rating 4 stars.

Valentines Day

2011-02-11T06:58:00.000-08:00

Opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day vary. Some say that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". I’d like to think that was true. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine. He wanted to make it a day to celebrate love and affection. But did that happen? I’m a true romantic but I think over the years I’ve become a little jaded about Valentine day. People seem to think it’s what you give, rather than what you do for someone, that makes the difference. Now don’t get me wrong, do I want something nice and sparkly on valentines, of course!! BUT, would I prefer soft words, candles, music and a cosy night in doing...whatever takes our fancy more...you bet!

My question to cast out there into the ether is...who thinks Valentines days has become too commercialised? What’s your idea of the perfect Valentine or Valentine’s day?

The best comment will win a valentines surprise from me.

2011-02-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

I know of about 10 authors who have half finished novels sitting idle on their computers. Holds hand up slowly...I have three myself! So what can be done with them? Ask yourself WHY did you leave it. Was there something about the setting that just wasn’t quite right? Because that can make or break a good story. If so, change it. I once wrote a book based around the Victorian era. Being less that great at my research I shelved it as being too time consuming. A year later I went back to it and changed the time period to modern day. It did mean that I had to change the characterisation and a lot of the points of view from which the story was told, but it worked much better this way. Suddenly it became a whole book and a few months later was published. It’s called Abigail Cottage. It took 25 years to surface. I hope you don’t leave yours that long.

Stories need to be told. Don’t let yours sit idly gathering dust. I’d love to hear other people stories. Did one of your idle books finally see the light of day and publication? If not, are you thinking of revamping it?

Kiki Howell

2011-02-01T05:03:00.000-08:00

WARNING
This blog is PG rated usually, but just for today please be advised that Torn Asunder has adult Content, Explicit Graphic Language and Violence.

Today I’d like to welcome Kiki Howell to my blog. The day is cold, the rain is trying hard to make the day miserable, but with us in the house today, it’s going to be great fun. Firstly, here is a bit about Kiki and don't you just love her fabulous hair!

Ever since she was young, Kiki Howell has loved to listen to a well-woven tale with real characters, inspired plots, and delightful resolutions. Kiki could spend hours lost in a book, and soon she knew that creating lives, loves, and losses with just words had to be the greatest thing that she could do. To that end, she pursued her study of literature and writing, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. She then followed in a Master’s program in Creative Writing.

“After a long break having my boys, I finally just had to write again. And, as soon as I gave the stories the space, they entered it. It’s both awesome and humbling to find the words in my mind become characters on a page and create their lives.”

She has now had over twenty stories published between five different small presses. She could not be more thrilled or grateful to see her creations polished and out in the real world. Please look around. Although, a bit of caution, most of her stories tend to hang out on the graphically sexy side of town.

Kiki resides in the Midwest with her incredibly handsome and talented, singer/songwriter husband and two children. When she is not writing, she is spending time with her family, reading, baking or knitting.

So with the tea poured, the scones warmed, lets get on with the interview.
Kiki, can you tell us why you write?

First and foremost, to escape the stress and hype of everyday life. Reading has always been an escape of mine since I was a child, and the more I read the more I wanted to write. Now, the two have become interchangeable. However, most of the time, I really like to escape, thus my love of paranormal romance. I want my heroes bigger than life, otherworldly with all the complications and blessings their gifts and abilities can be.
I think that’s why a lot of people read fiction. I know my days are filled with a ‘to do’ list that never ends. Can you tell us what’s next on your writing agenda?
This summer I finally got to visit Salem, MA. So, right now, I am finishing up a paranormal novel which takes place in Salem. The novel is more mainstream than my usual, and the paranormal elements I am dealing with are all new to my writing. I am very excited about it. I even found my name on the Salem Patch website in January, A Literary Shout Out about my being inspired by the city. I don’t know how they found out, but it was really cool!

Wow how fabulous. I tell you what. Why not pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

Aubrey Griffen. She is a witch back in Regency England. She was brought to London to study with her cousins, Lord and Lady Sanderly who are descendents of the notorious Pendle witches. However, their magic must be kept a secret. So, she is brought under the guise of being a poor relation who is to come out in proper society. Her plan all change however when she catches the eye of Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. I found her to be strong and admirable in the face of relentless obstacles, although her fiery passion and ease of magic does get her into some trouble a time or two.

EXCERPT:

The roses, elegant in their refinement, fell from one another with little grace as she undid the paper around them. Staggering back a few steps until her back met with the wall, she slid down to the floor letting the wrapping and flowers fall where they may. Aubrey wrapped her arms tightly around her midsection. Her chest ached more with each beat of her heart as she swallowed hard, blinked away the mistiness over her eyes, and remembered. It had been the beginning of the season, a bit over a fortnight ago, when she first encountered Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. Although she rolled her eyes still at the title, she felt impelled to live through it all again--through the days of fantasy in which she had allowed herself to participate. Love at first sight didn't always give way to rational thinking. It did, however, make possible even the wavering delusions of believing impossible dreams could come true. She had just come to London to live with Lord and Lady Sanderly, her cousins who had paid for her travels under the guise of giving a poor relation of marriageable age a chance to find a good husband.Whereas, the truth of the matter was, she was a relation who had shown a great aptitude for learning of the magical powers she had inherited. The good Lord and Lady, while holding the public title of Earl and Countess, were actually descendants of one of the notorious Pendle witches. They were to teach her to harness and utilize her innate talents in secret while flaunting her about from various parties and balls in the public eye.She recalled with a weak smile the first ball Lord and Lady Sanderly had thrown to immerse her into proper society. At the time, she had consciously gripped her hands before her waist to resist fidgeting while trying hard to fix to memory all of the titles of those to whom she was being introduced. Her level of discomfort had increased, however, as an unsettled awareness of someone in the room, a haunting premonition of sorts, had made her heart race and her mouth dry. She had paid mind to ignore the successive shivers which rushed the length of her spine until they pooled as heat in her tightening stomach. Reminded she was holding her breath only when forced to speak, her ribs had begun to ache. When a chill more pervasive that any she had ever known even in the drafty county cottage she had been raised in permeated her shoulders, she had turned in the direction of the source, and her eyes had met with a man standing just across the room looking back at her. She had immediately felt challenged to not look away from the gaze of his dark eyes. They radiated a raw energy unlike anything she had ever encountered before even among those with her own esoteric abilities. A connection was made. Her heart beat at a frantic, uneven pace like a horse racing over shoddy roads. At the same time, a vague forewarning had made her break out in a glistening of sweat while she fought the urge to escape as well the need to move toward the man. She had given merit to her reactions based only on the fact she had captured the glance of an aristocratic gentleman with a lady in a lavish satin gown on his arm of obviously higher circumstances. Engrossed in his fine manners, she watched as his hand removed the one holding onto him from his arm with a slight nod of his head. The lady in return had given him a slight curtsy but glorious smile before turning back to her other acquaintances which Aubrey recognized to be a duke and duchess she had recently met. His tempestuous form fit in posh attire spun on the heel of his expensive footwear to find her again with his haunted and hungry eyes. He seemed an odd mix of rugged and refined. She had felt the thrill and danger of being pursued by a beast which lurked inside of the man.
I loved the excerpt and the sound of this book. Mainly because I like historicals. Where ladies are ladies and men are cads lol. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out?
Find you voice, and stay true to it. There will always be nay-sayers whenever anyone tries to achieve more than they have, and there will always be the ones who tell you to change. Don’t! Your story is best when it is from the heart, in your true voice. The trick is finding that person that loves and believes in your work as well. Just don’t take any rejection to heart. Not everyone will like what you do. So, when you do succeed, you know it is not because you conformed, but because you were true to yourself. This was said with passion, not preachy-ness. I understand that need in the face of rejection to want to change, to try to do things as you are told. Only in this business, or any creative business for that matter, those rules are constantly changing depending on who you talk to.

Before you go, don’t forget to tell us where your followers can find you.

My website
Twitter

I often ask this question. The replies I get either make me laugh ior cry. If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?

Me! I am so grateful for my life, for my family and my career. I have fought hard through two high-risk pregnancies, depression, etc to be the person I am now, one who is still learning, growing and healing everyday. But, I am excited about the path I am on. And, getting to write for a living, again, it has been a hard road at times, but so worth the trials to get to feel so accomplished and to see your dreams lingering out there before you as well.

Thanks for popping by today. Good luck with your books.

Self Publishing

2011-01-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

I am proud to be involved in a new venture. It is called The Authors Collective. It is for authors who are looking to republish their books or looking down the self publishing route. Please stop by and give your thoughts, This is a new venture and so worthwhile if everything goes to plan.

An Award

2011-01-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

Wow, my flabber is ghasted. I have just received a 'Stylish Blogger award' from Heather Kuehl
BUT, I see there are rules attached to this award.You have to thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

Thank you Heather!

Share 7 things about yourself.

Award 10 recently discovered great bloggers and contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.
So here are seven things about me.

1. I have a degree in Parapsychology
2. I can hear, see and talk to spirit people
3. I'm a real romantic at heart
4. I'm addicted to chocolate
5. I also have a paranormal blog
6. I eat too many chips
7. A lot of my spiritual experiences are in my books

My 10 awards go to these fab blog sites, where you'll find me lurking most days!!

Ginger Simpson
Stephanie Gamm
Julie Hayes
Louise Wise
Lorrie Struiff
BK Walker
StephanieLoves
Carole Owens
Yolanda Sfetsos
Savannah Rose

News!!!

2011-01-14T13:58:00.000-08:00

The new follower prize goes to Cathie. Thanks for following.

Now for bigger news.

Buy Abigail Cottage from Lulu quote read2011 and get 10% off...BARGAIN

Got a kindle??

Download a chapter FREE

It's all happening here today!!

Tommy Batchelor

2011-01-12T01:12:00.000-08:00

A warm welcome to Tommy Batchelor

Here is a bit about him.

Growing up in central Georgia gave Author Tommy Batchelor many outdoor adventures either in the woods or along the banks of the Flint River. Tommy's first book, a picture book for ages 5 - 9 , "Sunday's with Papa T, A River Adventure. “Lost on Spirit River”, is Book 1 of the Spirit River Trilogy and Tommy’s first Middle grade fiction for ages 9 – 12 He resides in Middle Georgia with his wife, Cathy.

Here is his latest release.

Thirteen-year-old Tony’s parents are in the middle of divorce, his mother sends him to his Grandpa’s along the banks of the Flint River in Southwestern Georgia. With his younger cousin Kathryn, they set out to look for a Christmas tree for the holidays, along with Grandpa’s aging beagle, Sally. The three become lost in a snowstorm, Finding shelter in a hidden cave, stumbling upon Native American wall art. Now the adventure really begins.

Good morning Tommy. It is lovely to have you here today on my blog, is there anything you would like to say before we have a chat?

Good Morning Margaret and thanks for having me here today. As the world around us changes from day to day, so does the world of books. I remember as a small child, I’d sit on the library benches to read or curl up in bed with books before bedtime. A good book in my hands made me feel grown up, it felt as if I was on the same level of my sisters and parents. I can read, I kept telling myself. Least I never told this to my school friends. Each year, as I progressed to the next grade level in school, we were given at least one new book to use. I loved the smell of a new book.

The books I read were my escape from everyday life. I could catch a plane across the ocean or dive to the deepest bottom of a lake. I might blast off for the moon or end up on Mars, march with soldiers across Germany or France. I was there with General Lee in Virginia and I was there when the first Englishman came to the Americans. I greeted the Native American with open arms, sat down with them and ate a meal together.

Our book world changes to e-books on Kindle’s and Nooks, even though I haven’t bought one yet. My Dad bought my Mom a Kindle this year for Christmas, she loves curling up on the sofa or reading chair with a hardback book in hand. That’s changed now. I guess this is best for her, since she is now in her eighties. It doesn’t smell like a new book and it’s too small to curl up with, I think, I’ll wait another year or longer to buy an e-reader. Maybe I’ll wait until they smell like a new book each time you turn it on!

How lovely that would be. I have to agree that I just can’t think of anything better than a book in my hand. I have many writers who inspire me, but mainly life does that job. Can you tell us who inspires you to write?

It was mainly my Grandchildren, several of them had problems getting into reading and I knew this would hurt them once they started school. I began writing short stories to use for bedtime stories. They seemed interested in my stories, inspired by Grandpa’s books they began to reach out for other books to read.
How fascinating. It looks like there is a real niche for your type of writing. Now you can share it with your family as well as others. Something to be very proud of.
I’m always looking for something special to leave for my Grandchildren, I believe a book is the perfect gift. Maybe two hundred years from now, I’ll pop back in to see my great-great grandchildren and there on the book self is only a single book, entitled “Lost on Spirit River, Book One”

Do you have any more books planned?

I’m working on several project’s, book two of Spirit River is one and a memoir non-fiction of growing up in the sixty’s as a young boy from Central Georgia. This is something I’ve wanted to do for quite awhile now, before my memory gives out.
That’s very different from your new book. So while it’s still fresh in your mind, can you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them
Tony is my favourite character; he’s hurt and bitter in the beginning with his parent’s divorce. He feels his father and even his friends have abandoned him. He decides to not accept anybody’s help for anything, he feels he doesn’t need anyone. That’s far from the truth as the story progress farther into the book. Can he change ? Will he accept his cousin’s help? You have to read the book to find the answer!

Do you have any advice for new writers just starting out?

Patience, is the key. Since I self-published through Mirror Publishing, most self-publish author seem to rush to get the book out and on the shelf. That’s the big publishing houses and consumer’s weapon against the self-publisher. You might have written a great story, but it hurts you and the self-publishing authors to rush your book. Take a little time to have everything set up before you publish. Have Patence’s!

Being self published, would you use the ‘publisher’ route now or do you consider self publishing the way forward? Do you edit your own books?

I like being in control with my books, doesn’t everybody who self-publishes. You can pick your Illustrators, editors and cover designers. You can control the cost of your book and/or e-books. You do most of your books marketing. I think we’ll see more and more of the big name authors getting into self-publishing their own books and e-books.

Before you go can you tell us where can your followers find you?

Website
Author site
Barnes and Noble

Thank you so much for popping in Tom and I wish you lots of luck with your new release. Please come back when your next book is out and tell us about it.

Katie Salidas

2011-01-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who commented for the small compo. Country Queen gets the pendant.

To kick of a brand new year, I have Katue Salidas as my guest today. She is the author of the hot new Urban Fantasy series, Immortalis, Katie has always had a desire to entertain. Since, early childhood, she's dreamed up fantastical characters and scribbled them into pages of various journals and notebooks. Taking an interest in vampires at an early age, she devoured every book, featuring those mysterious, blood sucking creatures, in any genre she could find. She claims that, of all the monsters out there, vampires had always been the most interesting.
It was only natural that a love of reading about vampires, and a love of writing, turned into a desire to write her own stories.
A Las Vegas native, having grown up in the famed City of Sin, Katie loves to feature it as a recurring setting for many of her stories.

You can find Katie here:

Good Morning Katie, can you tell, us who do you think inspires you to write?

Everything inspires. It’s just a matter of working with it. The novella, Karma & Melodies was inspired by a concert I desperately wanted to go to. I couldn’t make it but was able to catch scenes from it on YouTube. Hunters & Prey was inspired by a question I asked in my first book Immortalis Carpe Noctem, “could vampire’s and humans really ever be friends?” You can find inspiration everywhere!

Thats so true. I'm inspired by life and all the muddle that goes on inside it. What’s next on your writing agenda?

I’m finishing up a Paranormal Romance novella called , Karma & Melodies. That one should hopefully be out by Valentine’s day. After that I have revision work on book three in my Immortalis series to complete. Pandora’s Box will hopefully be ready by October of 2011. I’m always working on something. If I’m not writing, I’m revising something.

My, you're a busy bee. How about you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

Here is a small taster.

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.
Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.
Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.
If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.

Click here to buy.

I’d be in big trouble if I didn’t say Alyssa was my favourite. She’s my troublemaker. She’s stubborn to a fault but also just as loyal. She’s a magnet for trouble and often welcomes it with open arms. Needless to say she keeps you on your toes. Sometimes she pushes your last button and you just want to smack her and then she turns around and does or says something that makes you love her all over again. The best part of writing her in the Immortalis series is that you get to see her character learn and mature as each book progresses. She may be an adult by our standards, but as vampires go, she’s a baby and makes plenty of mistakes.

Sounds interesting. It doesn't seem to go along with the usual vampire scene. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out.

It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there. Being published whether it’s traditional or indie is hard. There are days where doubt creeps into our minds. We think we are terrible. We think no one will ever like our stories. We wonder if people will laugh at us after reading our words. We hear whispers and think people are saying terrible things; calling us hack writers and suggesting a kindergartner has more of a vocabulary.
Don't allow those thoughts and feelings to stop you.
Look at yourself in the mirror and say “I am a good writer!” three times. Hell, say it more if you need to. Say it until you believe it.

Tell yourself you are good and always keep writing.

Good advice. Even when those rejections come, think of it as just a stop gap to another publisher. How do you make your characters so true to life?

You have to know your character before you can write them. If you don't you'll end up writing a flat, cookie-cutter, person. You don't want that, do you?

Of course not!

So, how do we get to know these fictional characters we just pulled out of thin air?

We give them a life and history all their own.

And the simplest way to do this is to give them a resume. Pretend they are sitting down in front of you, applying to be a character in your story. Treat it like a job interview. You are the interviewee, so ask them the questions you would want the answers to.

Start with the basics. (beyond the image stuff, which I assume you have already come up with; hair color, eye color, skin color, height, etc...)

What is their full name?
How old are they?
Where do they live?
How long have they lived there?
Did they ever attend school? If so, where? (I write vampires, so school could mean listening to the great Socrates, discus philosophy back in the A.D. days)
Any specialized degrees?
Previous work history? (The jobs we do help to shape us as much as our education. Did your character have to work some menial job they hated? Were they some high powered executive? For fantasy stories, rulers of Kingdoms and peasants count as well)

Now, once you have the basics out of the way. Ask your "applicant", what qualifies them to be a character in your story?

Are they applying for a main character or a secondary character position?
What special powers and/or abilities do they possess?
Ask them to list one good and one bad quality about themselves.

And finally, your character needs to provide references! What kind of friends do they have? What is their family like? Do they have any enemies that they wouldn't want listed on a resume? List a few of those people in their life, both good and bad.

If you (or your character) can answer all of these questions, you’ll be off to a great start. The goal is to have a character that not only feels real to you, but reads as a real person to your audience.

A background and history help to create that "real" feeling.

Thanks for stopping by Katie and good luck with your books. You can buy Katies book at Smashswords or Barnes & Noble

Welcome to Tommy Batchelor

2011-01-03T09:30:00.001-08:00

Today I have Tommy Batchelor with me.

Here is a bit about him.

Growing up in central Georgia gave Author Tommy Batchelor many outdoor adventures either in the woods or along the banks of the Flint River. Tommy's first book, a picture book for ages 5 - 9 , "Sunday's with Papa T, A River Adventure. “Lost on Spirit River”, is Book 1 of the Spirit River Trilogy and Tommy’s first Middle grade fiction for ages 9 – 12 He resides in Middle Georgia with his wife, Cathy.

Here is his latest release.

Thirteen-year-old Tony’s parents are in the middle of divorce, his mother sends him to his Grandpa’s along the banks of the Flint River in Southwestern Georgia. With his younger cousin Kathryn, they set out to look for a Christmas tree for the holidays, along with Grandpa’s aging beagle, Sally. The three become lost in a snowstorm, Finding shelter in a hidden cave, stumbling upon Native American wall art. Now the adventure really begins.

Good morning Tommy. It is lovely to have you here today on my blog, is there anything you would like to say before we have a chat?

Good Morning Margaret and thanks for having me here today. As the world around us changes from day to day, so does the world of books. I remember as a small child, I’d sit on the library benches to read or curl up in bed with books before bedtime. A good book in my hands made me feel grown up, it felt as if I was on the same level of my sisters and parents. I can read, I kept telling myself. Least I never told this to my school friends. Each year, as I progressed to the next grade level in school, we were given at least one new book to use. I loved the smell of a new book.

The books I read were my escape from everyday life. I could catch a plane across the ocean or dive to the deepest bottom of a lake. I might blast off for the moon or end up on Mars, march with soldiers across Germany or France. I was there with General Lee in Virginia and I was there when the first Englishman came to the Americans. I greeted the Native American with open arms, sat down with them and ate a meal together.

Our book world changes to e-books on Kindle’s and Nooks, even though I haven’t bought one yet. My Dad bought my Mom a Kindle this year for Christmas, she loves curling up on the sofa or reading chair with a hardback book in hand. That’s changed now. I guess this is best for her, since she is now in her eighties. It doesn’t smell like a new book and it’s too small to curl up with, I think, I’ll wait another year or longer to buy an e-reader. Maybe I’ll wait until they smell like a new book each time you turn it on!

How lovely that would be. I have to agree that I just can’t think of anything better than a book in my hand. I have many writers who inspire me, but mainly life does that job. Can you tell us who inspires you to write?

It was mainly my Grandchildren, several of them had problems getting into reading and I knew this would hurt them once they started school. I began writing short stories to use for bedtime stories. They seemed interested in my stories, inspired by Grandpa’s books they began to reach out for other books to read.
How fascinating. It looks like there is a real niche for your type of writing. Now you can share it with your family as well as others. Something to be very proud of.
I’m always looking for something special to leave for my Grandchildren, I believe a book is the perfect gift. Maybe two hundred years from now, I’ll pop back in to see my great-great grandchildren and there on the book self is only a single book, entitled “Lost on Spirit River, Book One”

Do you have any more books planned?

I’m working on several project’s, book two of Spirit River is one and a memoir non-fiction of growing up in the sixty’s as a young boy from Central Georgia. This is something I’ve wanted to do for quite awhile now, before my memory gives out.
That’s very different from your new book. So while it’s still fresh in your mind, can you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them
Tony is my favourite character; he’s hurt and bitter in the beginning with his parent’s divorce. He feels his father and even his friends have abandoned him. He decides to not accept anybody’s help for anything, he feels he doesn’t need anyone. That’s far from the truth as the story progress farther into the book. Can he change ? Will he accept his cousin’s help? You have to read the book to find the answer!

Do you have any advice for new writers just starting out?

Patience, is the key. Since I self-published through Mirror Publishing, most self-publish author seem to rush to get the book out and on the shelf. That’s the big publishing houses and consumer’s weapon against the self-publisher. You might have written a great story, but it hurts you and the self-publishing authors to rush your book. Take a little time to have everything set up before you publish. Have Patence’s!

Being self published, would you use the ‘publisher’ route now or do you consider self publishing the way forward? Do you edit your own books?

I like being in control with my books, doesn’t everybody who self-publishes. You can pick your Illustrators, editors and cover designers. You can control the cost of your book and/or e-books. You do most of your books marketing. I think we’ll see more and more of the big name authors getting into self-publishing their own books and e-books.

Before you go can you tell us where can your followers find you?

Website
Author site
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Thank you so much for popping in Tom and I wish you lots of luck with your new release. Please come back when your next book is out and tell us about it.

New Release's

2011-01-03T06:08:00.001-08:00

I'm hoping everyone had a good Christmas and New Year. Mine was quiet and I decided to have a break from reading and writing. But I'm back now and so excited about my TWO, yes I said TWO, new releases. Abigail Cottage came out in December and Spirit Intervention will be out on January 7th 2011. My question today is do we prefer paranormal's or are we still romantics at heart and prefer a good old fashioned love story? The best comment wins a selenite pendant.

Abigail Cottage is a dark paranormal. I wrote it long before computers were out and the electric typewriter was the ‘in’ thing. It’s not your usual paranormal romance. This one has dark elements where you are not really sure who is the hero and who is the enemy. It is full of twists and turns and characters you will love to love and love to hate. With this book is a very special offer. When you buy it, let me know and I will send you my hand made demon in the dark soap. Blended from essential oils, its dark mystery will sooth your skin and add a bit of adventure to your shower time.

Spirit Intervention will arrive on January 7th. It is a light hearted comedy romance. When a dead mother decides to come back to her daughter and help her find a man, all sorts of things happen. Not all of them good. The spiritual laws are there for a purpose. If you meddle with life, there will be consequences. Patricia’s consequences are that’s because of her interference, her grandchildren may never be born. Can she put everything right before it’s too late? Not without the help of a very angry grandmother in the spirit world,, who is not at all happy Patricia has interfered with the physical life of her grandson and changed his life maybe forever.

With this book there is a very special giveaway. I will send out to the first three buyers a bag of Angel crystals. These can be worn to calm you and help focus your mind. As an angel therapist, I have attuned these crystals myself. They do work.

Katie Salidas

2011-01-03T04:45:00.000-08:00

To kick of a brasnd new year, I have Katue Salidas as my guest today. She is the author of the hot new Urban Fantasy series, Immortalis, Katie has always had a desire to entertain. Since, early childhood, she's dreamed up fantastical characters and scribbled them into pages of various journals and notebooks. Taking an interest in vampires at an early age, she devoured every book, featuring those mysterious, blood sucking creatures, in any genre she could find. She claims that, of all the monsters out there, vampires had always been the most interesting.
It was only natural that a love of reading about vampires, and a love of writing, turned into a desire to write her own stories.
A Las Vegas native, having grown up in the famed City of Sin, Katie loves to feature it as a recurring setting for many of her stories.

You can find Katie here:

GoodReads

Good Morning Katie, can you tel, us who do you think inspires you to write?

Everything inspires. It’s just a matter of working with it. The novella, Karma & Melodies was inspired by a concert I desperately wanted to go to. I couldn’t make it but was able to catch scenes from it on YouTube. Hunters & Prey was inspired by a question I asked in my first book Immortalis Carpe Noctem, “could vampire’s and humans really ever be friends?” You can find inspiration everywhere!

Thats so true. I'm inspired by life and all the muddle that gpes on inside it. What’s next on your writing agenda?

I’m finishing up a Paranormal Romance novella called , Karma & Melodies. That one should hopefully be out by Valentine’s day. After that I have revision work on book three in my Immortalis series to complete. Pandora’s Box will hopefully be ready by October of 2011. I’m always working on something. If I’m not writing, I’m revising something.

My, you're a busy bee. How about you pick your favourite character from your new release and tell us about them.

Here is a small taster.

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She’s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum’s most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she’s missed more than anything.
Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.
Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.
If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she’ll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan’s support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum’s new threat.

Click the cover to buy.

I’d be in big trouble if I didn’t say Alyssa was my favourite. She’s my troublemaker. She’s stubborn to a fault but also just as loyal. She’s a magnet for trouble and often welcomes it with open arms. Needless to say she keeps you on your toes. Sometimes she pushes your last button and you just want to smack her and then she turns around and does or says something that makes you love her all over again. The best part of writing her in the Immortalis series is that you get to see her character learn and mature as each book progresses. She may be an adult by our standards, but as vampires go, she’s a baby and makes plenty of mistakes.

Sounds interesting. It doesn't seem to go along with the usual vampire scene. Do you have any advice for new writers just staring out.

It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there. Being published whether it’s traditional or indie is hard. There are days where doubt creeps into our minds. We think we are terrible. We think no one will ever like our stories. We wonder if people will laugh at us after reading our words. We hear whispers and think people are saying terrible things; calling us hack writers and suggesting a kindergartner has more of a vocabulary.
Don't allow those thoughts and feelings to stop you.
Look at yourself in the mirror and say “I am a good writer!” three times. Hell, say it more if you need to. Say it until you believe it.

Tell yourself you are good and always keep writing.

Good advice. Even when those rejections come, think of it as just a stop gap to another publisher. How do you make your characters so true to life?

You have to know your character before you can write them. If you don't you'll end up writing a flat, cookie-cutter, person. You don't want that, do you?

Of course not!

So, how do we get to know these fictional characters we just pulled out of thin air?

We give them a life and history all their own.

And the simplest way to do this is to give them a resume. Pretend they are sitting down in front of you, applying to be a character in your story. Treat it like a job interview. You are the interviewee, so ask them the questions you would want the answers to.

Start with the basics. (beyond the image stuff, which I assume you have already come up with; hair color, eye color, skin color, height, etc...)

What is their full name?
How old are they?
Where do they live?
How long have they lived there?
Did they ever attend school? If so, where? (I write vampires, so school could mean listening to the great Socrates, discus philosophy back in the A.D. days)
Any specialized degrees?
Previous work history? (The jobs we do help to shape us as much as our education. Did your character have to work some menial job they hated? Were they some high powered executive? For fantasy stories, rulers of Kingdoms and peasants count as well)

Now, once you have the basics out of the way. Ask your "applicant", what qualifies them to be a character in your story?

Are they applying for a main character or a secondary character position?
What special powers and/or abilities do they possess?
Ask them to list one good and one bad quality about themselves.

And finally, your character needs to provide references! What kind of friends do they have? What is their family like? Do they have any enemies that they wouldn't want listed on a resume? List a few of those people in their life, both good and bad.

If you (or your character) can answer all of these questions, you’ll be off to a great start. The goal is to have a character that not only feels real to you, but reads as a real person to your audience.

A background and history help to create that "real" feeling.

Thanks for stopping by Katie and good luck with your books. You can buy Katies book at Smashswords or Barnes & Noble

Toni Sweeny

2010-12-24T01:58:00.000-08:00

Golly it's cold outside today. Toni arrived on a sleigh and is now safe and warm in my lounge. I think it's magic because I didn't see a sign of a reindeer!!

Here is her fav recipe.

TONI

Here's a recipe I like to use at Christmas because it's colorful and spicy. It even won first prize in a cooking contest once!

Pepper Soup

4 med red Bell peppers
1 small yellow Bell pepper
2 small chili peppers
1 clove garlic
1 large can chicken broth

Remove stems, membranes, and seeds from peppers. Boil until tender, then run through blender and puree. Peel and chop garlic clove. Add garlic and pureed peppers to chicken broth and bring to boil, stirring well. OPTIONAL: Serve with spoonful of sour cream and basil garnish.

You can find Toni here
YouTube:
MySpace:

I think we all can agree that her book cover is really lovely.

Stephanie Gamm

2010-12-23T04:10:00.001-08:00

Stephanie and I have been outside building a snowman. We've just come in to share with you her Christmas Cookie recipe.Brrr, pour out the coffee Stephanie, my feet are freezing.
By the way, have a look at her blog. It really is worth a browse.

Christmas Monster Cookies

Ingredients

3 eggs

2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon corn syrup
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup red and green M&Ms

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a very large bowl, beat the eggs.
Add the remaining ingredients in order, mixing well.Knead with hands if needed.

Use an ice cream scoop to put on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Cate Masters

2010-12-22T02:29:00.001-08:00

I’ve stoked the log fire, mulled the wine and heated the mince pies. All we need now is cate Masters, and here she comes battling against the snow and wind, looking very glam in her faux fur coat.

The door opens, wind whistles in, snow follows cate, leaving small puddles on the wood floor…

Cate.
Happy holidays!

What a fun idea, sharing recipes, Margaret. If only our parties weren’t always virtual! It would be a blast to get together with everyone and raise a cheer.
One of my favorite treats is Pfeffernuesse cookies. Actually I just like saying Pfefferneusse, it sounds like something Monty Python might cook up, lol. But they are yummy and snowball-like, so fitting to serve up this holiday. Just don’t say ‘bless you’ when the hostess brings around the tray and offers, “Pfefferneusse?”
Making them’s a two-step process, so start early.

Pfefferneusse Cookies

Ingredients
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup light molasses
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Directions
1. Stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, spices, and dash black pepper.
2. In large saucepan, combine molasses and butter; heat and stir until butter melts. Cool to room temperature.
3. Stir in eggs. Add dry ingredients to molasses mixture; mix well. Cover. Chill several hours or overnight.
4. Shape into 1" balls. Place on greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are done. Remove. Cool. Roll in powdered sugar.

To otherwise warm the cockles of your heart, you should read my latest Eternal Press release, Follow the Stars Home:

Reviewers have described it as: “an insightful and entertaining novel that’s bound to teach you a few things about history. Kudos to Cate Masters for another winning novel. You won’t be able to put Follow the Stars Home down until you turn the last page.” And “The love story between Black Bear and Quiet Thunder is tenderly told, and well-written.” And “Quiet Thunder and Black Bear love each other. But can their love survive them being uprooted from their people, betrayed and lied to by the white man? Will they ever find their way back to their own people?

You will have to read this story to find out. But it is a fabulous journey, and you will enjoy it every step of the way.”

You can read an excerpt, the full reviews, and view the trailer here. Feel free to browse around my website a bit: And please visit my blog: I’d love for you to like me on Facebook:

However you celebrate it, have a cool Yule!
Cate