#Author Interview with Sebastiana Randone @sebasti29567440 #Fantasy #Romance

What social issues interest you the most?
The environment and how we, as humans, deal with this problem of over population. Generally speaking, humans by nature are acquisitive and thus avaricious. Perhaps this is hard wired, due to atavistic urges for survival. This being the case, we cannot, as a globalised world, keep birth rates so high. Here in Australia it keeps going up. Originally it was 2 children per family, now it has gone up to around 3.5 per family, which is conservative compared to the developing world where birth rates average around 6 per family.  It is unsustainable and mother-nature is suffering.
I am saddened by the thought that animals are the victims of this bloated human presence.  I am also aware that if ALL humans lived a modest lifestyle (which is still very comfortable when compared to the years prior to the 1970’s), then there would be sufficient for future generations.
The problem is getting through to the pervasive extreme right wing forces of politics, who due to their strength in numbers are the makers of policy. Policies which are largely predicated on the selling of armaments and a resource intensive war industry; oil and polluting minerals – invasive practices requiring the land and sea to be drilled into.  
There are so many alternatives that could offer a cleaner way forward. The old guard are powerful, stubborn, avaricious and unwilling to change.
It is those rare individuals who are driven by selflessness, benevolence and an inherent desire for social equity and a love of nature, who HOPEFULLY will save the planet.      
Do you find the time to read?
Yes! I love reading. It is not a long session, but it is one I look forward to every evening before sleeping. 
Last book you purchased? Tell us about it.
Armadale by Wilkie Collins. 
It is a thick book, which is fine, for I like my books big and challenging. 
This is an interesting book and as with all Collin’s books, there are underhanded seedy characters scheming and plotting. The story largely is about a naive, new to wealth individual named Armadale. He befriends another who, unknown to himself, carries his name and a dark family history that links them together. This new friend goes under a different name now and although he is aware of this dark history, Armadale is not.
When both were children, the father was murdered by the other’s father who had stolen the victim’s name of Armadale.
As these 2 friend’s paths merge they become close. Then, having only recently come into wealth, Armadale falls in love with an older woman, who has been planted there to attract him due to this new found wealth.
Meanwhile the other friend falls for this vixen as well, and realising that she carries evil intent, he runs away, much to the chagrin of his close friend(half brother), who due to his guilelessness is none the wiser. This is the story so far, given that I am half way through.
Who do you admire?
Alive: Germaine Greer, Stephen Fry, Noam Chomsky
Dead: Martha Graham, Isadora Duncan, Picasso, George Eliot, Balzac, Dickens, Somerset Maughan(and all the guests at my dinner(see above))

The House is an adult fairy tale rich in mystery and intrigue.

Here is a tale of a woman so absorbed with historical novels that her own reality ceases to offer any hope of romance and beauty.

Until one day this dreamy idealist finds herself in a mysterious forest. How she arrived there is unknown. Soon she encounters a dilapidated house, within whose ancient walls magical rooms that transport to parallel worlds lie in wait.  There she is transmigrated to 18th century England, where our heroine interacts with an odd mix of characters whose dysfunctional lives become immediately apparent.

Her first tribulation involves a nefarious lord, an archetype of the monstrous characters one encounters in fairy tales. The ramification from this confrontation sets the tone for the narrative.

A magic portal finally enables escape from the austere Georgian dwelling. She is then spirited back to the enigmatic house, and a journey to Regency London follows, where a large cast of eccentric identities present themselves.

Late one night, following a long stay in Florence, a young, heart-broken poet arrives. His introduction to the beautiful time traveller offers promise of restoration and love. But there are several more obstacles ahead before her destiny in this curious adventure is made apparent.

In the end an unexpected twist is revealed. But like all good fairy tales, this surprising conclusion is pleasing, even though the means of getting there are dark, and at times sinister.

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Genre - Historical, Fantasy, Romance

Rating - PG-16

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The Man Who Lived at the End of the World by Robert Davies @ahundredstories

September, 2013: When the summer ended, so did the world.

Staggering under a volley of meteorite hits, cities the world over are evacuated by the military as violent earthquakes, floods, storms and fires rage across the planet.

The journey unfolds through the jaded yet childlike eyes of Silas Stanley, a recently escaped psychiatric patient who must travel hundreds of miles across a devastated Britain to find his dying daughter before the world ends. Through ruined and deserted cities, flooded countryside and burning fields, Silas makes his way from an evacuated London all the way to his old home town in the Lake District, all the while startled and amazed by the world around him. En route he must avoid the strict martial law that is in force, and steer clear of the huge nuclear explosions being set off by the military in a last-ditch attempt to correct the earth’s faltering orbit.

On a world knocked off course and brought to its knees, love for his family finally forces Silas to face the enormity of his own past with just as much bravery as his uncertain future.

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Genre - Apocalyptic fiction

Rating – PG

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Website http://robertdavies.co

Author Interview – Ian Truman @iantruman

When did you first know you could be a writer?

Only a few years ago. I was always writing songs for my bands or short, short stories. I tried writing political essays or papers, did a few zines. I studied political science for a year then left because it really wasn’t me. I didn’t even know you could go to college to study writing (like, fiction writing) until my spouse (who was then my new girlfriend) just said one day “Why don’t you go back to college. You can take writing classes and you’d be good at it.” And I said “That’s a program?!?” Turns out Concordia admitted something like 40 new student a year in creative writing programs (drama, fiction and poetry combined). I had to apply twice before I got in, but I did.

What inspires you to write and why?

All things of life and a lot of art. I feel inspired by the everyday lives of “common” people. But on the other hand, I also like these huge surrealist worlds where you can allow your imagination to run wild. So far my work had been very realistic, very down to earth, but I know I have these stories in me that will require me to work in more surrealist ways.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

Noir.

I didn’t plan to be a noir writer. It’s not like it’s a very popular genre anyways and I thought “Wow! I can make a fuckload of money doing this.” But what I do comes out dark, so I roll with it. I’d like to think I write what Lehane once called “literary noir,” and hopefully that’s what readers will feel as well.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My first (short) novel was The Factory Line and it’s a true-ish account of life in a Montreal factory. I worked a lot of shitty jobs and odd jobs back in the day and it provided me with enough material to write a novel.

Who or what influenced your writing once you began?

When I was younger, it was Bukowski, but I don’t think I write like him or that we are driven by the same things. I like the fact that he “had” to write, but then again, his stuff is mostly about being drunk and/or an asshole. I mean, I loved Post Office because I felt I could relate to a shitty work environment, but the whole “I’m drunk so fuck you” thing is really not like me at all and I got out of it quickly.

I then found Mordecai Richler and Truman Capote. I mean, you can’t try to write like someone else did, it probably won’t be good anyways, but I think that we’re in the ball park if you compare my stuff to Richler and Capote.

Who or what influenced your writing over the years?

Music is always important. There are a handful of artists and songwriters that have influenced me in a positive way. I often cite Jabob Bannon, but I could also include White Trash Rob from Blood for Blood, As far as novelists goes, one professor game me Faulkner to read a few years ago and it change the way I see literature.

What made you want to be a writer?

I can’t pin point one thing. I just always kinda wrote. I used to think I could be the lead singer in a successful punk/hardcore band. When that went south, I turned to writing instead. At one point, Mary (my spouse) just turned around and said, “But why don’t you make a living out of this.” I never thought I could and writing still don’t pay the rent but the inspiration still keeps coming, so why stop?

“All they really wanted to do was fuck around, be creative, listen to music, skateboard or go to shows. People kept telling them growing up was supposed to be tough but it’s not like they didn’t know that already. Timmy had listened. Timmy had finished school and got himself a job. That didn’t stop him from running his van into a pillar one night so what was the fucking use? Nobody seemed to have an answer.“

Conor and his friends are growing up in a one factory town where the most likely employment prospect is the assembly line or the farmer’s coop. Aiming higher than the local college, Conor finds himself spending more and more time in downtown Montreal, discovering himself through punk and hardcore music. But as his girlfriend wants nothing to do with the city and his friend Jake loses his brother when the factory closes, Conor’s ambitions could require him to burn bridges he might not be ready to burn.

With A Teenage Suicide, Ian wanted to write a story about kids making decisions and kids making mistakes. Stylistically, it is fair to mention influences of Truman Capote and Mordecai Richler. Imagine of the “cold-hard-fact” descriptions of In Cold Blood mixed with the realistic and witty dialogue of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.

Ian Truman is a hardcore kid turned writer. He proudly claims to be from a working class family and has been straight edge and vegetarian for at least a decade now. He hopes to bring the passion, verve and dedication of hardcore into the art form of the novel. Born and raised in Montreal, he is a graduate of Concordia University’s creative writing program. A Teenage Suicide is his third novel.

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Genre - Literary, Coming of Age

Rating – PG13

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Website http://www.iantruman.com

Malpractice! The Novel by William Louis Harvey @sexandlawnovel

Louise also seemed to have more evening and late-night meetings than previously, which left Paul available again for occasional one-night stands. He knew the bars where young women liked to congregate. They were in their late twenties or early thirties, attractive, and well dressed. They were easy to approach and usually drank white wine, although some could hold a surprising amount of the eighty- to ninety-proof stuff. Their apartments were generally small but nicely decorated. If they went to a motel, most of them were prepared with a toothbrush and fresh underwear in their purse. Most of them weren’t very imaginative sexually. The missionary position, a little foreplay, and then the old in-and-out was the norm.
Paul took care to assure that each of these women was brought to orgasm. This was not altruism or a form of chivalry but an integral part of his self-image as a great “cocksman” (a term he and his teenage friends used to describe guys who succeeded with the opposite sex). When he was unable to bring his partner to orgasm, he remained depressed until the next encounter was successful.
They usually wanted him to spend the night, but he never did. He asked for their phone numbers, never gave out his own, and never called them. (p. 143) Malpractice! the Novel

Malpractice! the Novel is an electrifying work of realistic fiction written by an anonymous insider who worked the frontlines of the clash between the medical and legal professions during the California medical malpractice insurance crisis, which began in the 1960s. William Louis Harvey, a nom de plume, takes readers on a steamy adventure involving power, sex, lies and money in this candid courtroom suspense thriller. While Malpractice! The Novel, is a work of fiction, it is rooted in the personal experiences and firsthand knowledge the author acquired during his decades of working inside the medical industry. California in the 1960s and first half of the 1970s had already seen a dramatic increase in medical malpractice lawsuits as juries awarded progressively higher sums for “pain and suffering,” a category that had no concrete limits and caused physicians’ insurance premiums for malpractice to skyrocket. Harvey chaired a committee that reviewed all malpractice claims involving a major California hospital during the crisis. Details of some of the cases he experienced are engraved in his memory, and small portions of these tidbits find their way into Malpractice! the Novel, his first novel. Roused by a recent New York Times article about the American male novelist’s fear of addressing sexuality, Harvey interleaved honest sex histories for his novel’s characters, adding a titillating sensuality to the suspenseful novel.

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Genre – Steamy Courtroom Drama

Rating – R

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Dora Machado Goes Face to Face with Her Villain @DoraMachado #Paranormal #Romance

Face to Face with My Villain

By Dora Machado

Hi, my name is Dora Machado and I’m doing something a little unusual but very fun today. I’m interviewing one of the characters of my new fantasy novel, The Curse Giver. 

But first, let me tell you a little about the story. The Curse Giver is about Lusielle, an innocent healer who is betrayed and condemned to die for a crime she didn’t commit. She’s on the pyre and about to die, when Bren, the embittered Lord of Laonia, rescues her. He’s not her savior. On the contrary, he is doomed by a mysterious curse and Lusielle’s murder is his only salvation. Stalked by intrigue and confounded by forbidden passion, predator and prey must band together to defeat not only the vile curse obliterating their lives, but also the curse giver who has already conjured their ends.

For my interview today I’ve invited the villain of the story, the curse giver herself, to answer my questions. Please forgive me if I seem a little on edge. The curse giver is very devious and mysterious and I’m not necessarily comfortable having her around. So don’t expect any kindnesses from her and beware: You don’t want to attract the curse giver’s attention.

Let’s begin:

DM: Welcome curse giver. Perhaps we can start with the basics. What should I call you?
CG: Curse giver is fine.

DM: Don’t you have a name?
CG: Why would you want to know my name?

DM: Well, for easy reference, I suppose.
CG: Have you been cursed lately?

DM: Me? No. Don’t look at me like that. Why do you ask?
CG: People who want to know my name usually have an agenda.

DM: What do you mean?
CG: Do you think I’m a fool? There are people who say that one way of defusing a curse is to learn the name of the curse giver.

DM: Is that true?
CG: Like I would tell you.

DM: Well, if it isn’t true, then you shouldn’t have any trouble telling us your name, should you?
CG: You think you know everything, don’t you? Well, you don’t. My given name is Jalenia.

DM: Jalenia, how old are you and where do you live?
CG: I’m ageless, but you know that. As to my lair, I’m not sharing any of that with you. Suffice to say that I travel the land of the Thousand Gods, east and west of the great river Nerpes.

DM: Okay, well, do you want to tell us a little about your occupation?
CG: I make my living casting curses in the human realm. That’s all you need to know.

DM: Curse giver—I mean, Jalenia—I’m curious. Why did you agree to do this interview?
CG: As you know, I don’t do interviews often. More like never. But I was curious about you. After all, you wrote me. You must have some redeeming qualities. I’m also looking for work. Who knows? Maybe you or one of your readers needs my services?

DM: Let’s not cast any curses today. Remember? You promised.
CG: I’m just saying, if somebody needs a casting . . . .

DM: How about we talk about the book? Do you feel like I did a fair job portraying your character?
CG: Me? Fairly portrayed? I don’t think so. Creatures like me are never fairly portrayed. We are secretive, devious and mysterious by nature. We don’t like the spotlight. We believe in wickedness over goodness. We enjoy doing evil. We have to cast curses to exist, and yet people fear us because we do our job so well. Face it, villains never get fair press.

DM: So you felt I was unfair in the way I portrayed you?
CG: I fault you for leaving a couple of situations up to the reader’s interpretation, but overall, I think you did okay. I mean, I like being evil, and you got that part down. Oh, yes, you wrote me devious and powerful, just the way I am. You didn’t make excuses for me. You didn’t make me good, friendly or caring. So what if the readers loathe me?

DM: In the story, why did you curse the Lord of Laonia with such a virulent curse?
CG: You want me to spoil the story? No way! ‘ll tell you this: The Lord of Laonia’s father did me wrong. He deserved to be cursed. He and his entire line deserved to suffer, all the way to the last of his sons, Bren, whose tragic story you tell in The Curse Giver. He was a fighter, that one. He wasn’t willing to lay down his sword and wait for my curse to kill him like other reasonable men might have done. His sense of duty was as impressive as his endurance.

DM: It almost sounds like you admire the Lord of Laonia.
CG: Admire him? I don’t know about that. I really enjoyed stringing him along. He waged a good fight. You must understand. I relish what I do and I enjoy a worthy opponent every so often. Heroes like Bren are hard to come by in my business. Fear usually neutralizes the cursed. Not Bren. He refused to be neutralized. He made it interesting for me.

DM: Did you ever feel any compassion for him?
CG: Compassion? That’s a joke, right? I don’t feel compassion and I relish suffering. Death is nourishment, craft is breath, work is life, grief is gold. You wrote those words into my dialogue. You ought to know better.

DM: Did you have any positive emotions towards the Lord of Laonia? Did you at any time regret his suffering?
CG: I treasured the man’s hatred for me. Loathing, hatred and revulsion are thrilling, satisfying emotions worth living with and for. I cherished the Lord of Laonia as my enemy because he refused to forget and forgive. He knew that I was dangerous and would always remain so. He was a creature after my own heart and I will forever relish the scent of his scarred soul.

DM: Did you at least feel bad for all the suffering you caused Lusielle?
CG: The remedy mixer had it coming. She thought maybe she was going to be able to defeat me with her potions, to heal the curse from the very man that was trying to kill her in order to save his people from destruction. Little did Lusielle know about how foul and terrible her death would be at the hands of the man she tried to heal. Little did she know about the terrible secret that the Lord of Laonia kept from her until the very end.

DM: What are your virtues?
CG: Virtues? I want nothing to do with virtues. I’ve got none.

DM: Okay, let me rephrase the question. What are your strengths?
CG: I’m powerful, more powerful than any other curse giver that has ever existed. I’ve got potent blood lines, excellent training, and I’ve lived a long time, which means I have the skills and expertise to cast a virulent curse. I can command the elements, travel swiftly through astonishing means, and kill the strongest man with but a twist of my wrist. I’m persistent, oh yes, tenacious like the Goddess herself. And I’m a planner. My curses are impregnable, carefully crafted to address contingencies, anticipate disruptions, and ensure my victims’ demise. Finally, I’m merciless, selfish and wicked beyond redemption. These are the traits that make me the most powerful curse giver in the realms.

DM: What are your weaknesses?
CG: I don’t have weaknesses. I’m the perfect curse giver. Shudder when you hear my name.

DM: Did you fall in love in the book?
CG: Love? Ugh. There’s enough of that from Bren and Lusielle in the story. Those two fought off the forbidden attraction growing between them almost as hard as they fought their enemies and me. I never understood. What did Lusielle see in the bitter, wretched lord fated to die by my hand? Why would she want to heal the very man who was destined to kill her? I mean, what kind of madness fuels that type of compassion? I never did figure all of that out.

DM: So I guess you don’t believe in love?
CG: If you ask me, love is a pretty disgusting ailment. It makes the heart weak and the mind feeble. Lust, on the other hand, is a bit more interesting, something that perhaps I might consider to ease my boredom from time to time.

DM: Are you interested in anyone in particular?
CG: Interested? No. There’s this creature that I had to work closely with there at the end the story, a traveler of the dark realms like myself, a soul chaser who claims the souls of the cursed when I’m done with them. To satisfy a fit of lust, he wouldn’t be bad. But love? Please.

DM: Was there a point in the book when you were afraid that your curse was going to be defeated?
CG: Afraid? Me? Ha. I’ll admit that Lusielle gave me a few surprises along the way. She ended up being stronger, more skilled and resilient than I had anticipated. Perhaps I should have taken care of her early on. Lusielle’s wits turned out to be more impressive than most.

Until he found Lusielle, the Lord of Laonia was all brawn, wrath and desperation, easy to tease, mock and mislead. But together, they tried to defeat my curse. Fools. She gave him hope. Hope is another disgusting emotion, a dangerous delusion. Have I told you how much I relish tearing people’s hopes to shreds? It’s extraordinarily fun. You ought to try it sometime.

DM: Um, no thanks. I think I’ll pass. Moving on. Spoilers aside, did you like the way the story ended?
CG: Some might think the ending curious, but I think that it reflected the true measure of my power and strength. Doomed and damned are the souls of the cursed. Useless are their struggles. I’m the curse giver and you, you will always be my prey.

DM: Do you have any words of wisdom for me, if I decided to write another book with you in it?
CG: Embrace the wickedness within and you will find me; relish it and you will understand me.

DM: Thank you for this interview, curse giver Jalenia.  Will we ever see you again?
CG: Perhaps if The Soul Chaser has a story to tell, you will include me in it, for cursed souls rarely live for long and the soul chaser must come.

****

Dora Machado is the award-winning author of the epic fantasy Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, available from Twilight Times Books. She grew up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories. She lives in 

Florida with her husband and three very opinionated cats.

To learn more about Dora Machado and her novels, visit her website at www.doramachado.com or contact her at Dora@doramachado.com.

For a free excerpt of The Curse Giver, visit:  http://twilighttimesbooks.comthingsTheCurseGiver_ch1.html.

E-mail:Dora@doramachado.com

Website: www.doramachado.com

Blog: http://www.doramachado.com/blog/

Newsletter: http://doramachado.com/newsletter.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoraMachado101

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoraMachado

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Lusielle's bleak but orderly life as a remedy mixer is shattered when she is sentenced to die for a crime she didn't commit. She's on the pyre, about to be burned, when a stranger breaks through the crowd and rescues her from the flames. Brennus, Lord of Laonia is the last of his line. He is caught in the grip of a mysterious curse that has murdered his kin, doomed his people and embittered his life. To defeat the curse, he must hunt a birthmark and kill the woman who bears it in the foulest of ways. Lusielle bears such a mark. Stalked by intrigue and confounded by the forbidden passion flaring between them, predator and prey must come together to defeat not only the vile curse, but also the curse giver who has already conjured their demise.

Award-Winning Finalist in the fantasy category of The 2013 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News

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Genre – Fantasy/Dark Fantasy

Rating – PG-18

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Website http://www.doramachado.com/

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J B McCauley – Booksigning Tips to Sell That Book @MccauleyJay

Booksigning Tips to Sell That Book

Authors by their very nature are generally shy, retiring and hide behind the covers of their books and words. They may communicate well on the written page but to put yourself out there in front of group of strangers and sell yourself. Now that is a different matter entirely. So I can give some sales pitches that help in a book signing.

Never just turn up expecting to just sign books. Make sure the venue has a microphone and that you are well practised in engaging an audience. When people turn up to a book signing they want to hear you what you think. For some this needs a prompt. For me, I can talk underwater with a mouthful of marbles. It is not an issue. For others this is not the case. So here are some scenarios that may work for you.

• DO NOT PANIC AND BE PREPARED
• If you are not comfortable stalking a podium or a stage get a stool or stand behind a lectern
• If you cannot talk off the cuff don’t read from notes as it becomes stilted. Engage someone to interview you and practise with them. That way it can feel like an intimate audience with someone with other people looking on rather than a speech.
• If you are the type that can talk unaided don’t be afraid to plant some people in the crowd to ask some well-crafted questions. It works for politicians in the town hall meetings so why not for you? It is not cheating. It is just filling space whilst audience members work up their own questions.
• Employ a spruiker.
• If you are going to have a Q & A sessions make sure you are well prepared. Most questions will be standard. Very rarely will you get something that will stump you but make sure your responses are fluid and understandable.
• Put on a show and provide some free beverages/food. People can’t resist a freebie and once you’ve got them on the hook all you have to do is land them.
• Once people buy it very often starts a feeding frenzy so stay on track on and make sure you don’t run out of books.

The King of Sunday Morning is a geezer. Not in the traditional sense of the word as in old man. This geezer is a face, a wannabe, a top notch bloke. He is the greatest DJ that never was. He should have been. Could have been. Would have been. Now becoming a has-been.

Tray McCarthy was born into privilege but with the genetic coding of London’s violent East End. Having broken the underworld’s sacred honour code, it is only his family’s gangland connections that save him. But in return for his life, he must deny that which he has ever known or ever will be and runs to Australia where he is forced to live an inconsequential life.

But trouble never strays far from Tray McCarthy and eventually his past and present collide to put everyone he has ever loved in danger. He must now make a stand and fight against those that are set to destroy him and play their game according to his rules.

Set against the subterfuge and violence of the international drugs trade, The King of Sunday Morning is the tale of what can go wrong when you make bad decisions. Tray McCarthy has made some of the worst. He must now save those he holds dear but in the process gets trapped deeper and deeper into a world where he doesn’t belong.

“I want three pump-action shotguns, about twelve sticks of dynamite and a blowtorch”

THIS BOOK CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE, FREQUENT DRUG USE AND SEX SCENES – NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

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Genre – Thriller, Action, Suspense, Gangster, Crime, Music

Rating – PG-18

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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Sarah Krisch

1. I am a mother of three boys.  They keep me very busy with their myriad of activities!
2. My full-time job is a manager in a large corporation, where I am constantly challenged to be a better leader.  I am very fortunate to work with such a great team of people.
3. My husband is a full-time writer, Glen Krisch.  He writes horror and supernatural thrillers, which is quite a departure from my light-hearted romance.
4. We have a major case of role-reversal in my home.  My husband works from home full-time, while I work outside of the home.  I am very lucky to have his support in pursuit of my business career, as well as my fledgling writing career.
5. I am a vegetarian, and have been for more than 20 years.  It’s definitely not for everyone.  One of our kids claims to be a vegetarian, aside from the occasional corn dog.  Another would chase a cow across a field with a knife and fork.
6. My dream vacation always includes a quiet beach.
7. I love to craft.  I enjoy sewing, knitting, and painting.  Our middle son tells me he is going to be an artist when he grows up, so now that I have a partner in crime, I can shamelessly spend money on fabric, paint and whatever else strikes our fancy.
8. My favorite way to relax is with a cup of tea and my Kindle.
9. My favorite memories always include my siblings.  We have such fun together.  In a few weeks, some of us are going on a research trip to a ghost town for Glen’s next horror novel.
10. I enjoy the outdoors.  I love to hike in the local canyons, view the waterfalls, and spot the wildlife.

    

A failed actress, twenty-something Julia McCarthy begins writing a fictionalized blog as a form of self-therapy. Based on her carefree summers at her grandparents’ farm, she never expects her little experiment to garner a viral following, but it does. Boy, does it ever.

Now, with thousands of loyal blog followers, and a syndication deal with the Chicago Herald, Julia is approached by GreenTV to adapt her blog into a TV show. The producers see her as a “Rachel Ray on the Prairie-type”. She sees herself as a fraud.

In Julia’s fictional world, she’s successful. She can pay her bills on time. Heck, she even has a fictional gorgeous husband and charming little boy. Ready to realize her dreams, Julia returns to her grandparents’ farm to shoot the TV pilot.

Brad Taylor is definitely not her type: he’s rugged, sensible, and oh-so smug about learning that Julia’s blog is a farce. As the manager of her grandparent’s farm, Brad doesn’t have time to deal with whimsical women who don’t even know how to cook.

Julia can’t allow her attraction to Brad to distract her, not when her dreams are about to come true. But are these truly her dreams, her good life?

A fun, fast (150 pages) contemporary romance

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Genre – Contemporary Romance

Rating – PG-13

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Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview - Laila Ibrahim

Do you plan to publish more books?

I have another idea that I am working on.

What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time.

I have three other sources of income:  I am a birth doula, the director of Children and Family Ministries at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, and I manage property that we own.

What other jobs have you had in your life?

Preschool teacher, director and owner.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?

Fine art.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Permanently:  Berkeley;  Temporarily:  just about anywhere.  We took our kids out of school and traveled for 5 months.  We loved it.  I am scheming about how to do it again.  We saved for years to pay for the trip.  And now we are paying for college.  So it may have to wait awhile.

How do you write lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

Mostly on a lap top.  When I feel particularly stuck or insecure I write in a note book.  It feels like it does not count so I am more free.

Where do you get support from? Do you have friends in the industry?

Friends who admire my work.  It means a lot to me when people ask about my writing.  And fan mail or good reviews are a great boost.

 

In 1837, Lisbeth Wainwright is born to the white mistress of a sprawling Virginia plantation. Seconds later, she is delivered into the arms of her black wet nurse, Mattie. For a field hand like Mattie, her transfer to the big house is supposed to be considered an honor—except that the move tears Mattie away from her beloved grandfather and her infant son, Samuel. But Mattie is a slave, with no say in the matter, and so she devotes herself to her master’s daughter, though she longs to be raising her own child. Growing up under Mattie’s tender care, little Lisbeth adopts the woman’s deep-seated faith in God, her love of music and black-eyed peas, and the tradition of hunting for yellow crocuses in the early days of spring.

As the years pass, Lisbeth is drawn slowly back into her white parents’ world and begins to learn the ins and outs of life for a high-born young lady. Still she retains her connection to Mattie, befriending Samuel and drifting comfortably between the two worlds. She accepts her parents’ assertion that their slaves depend upon them for guidance and protection, yet that notion becomes more and more difficult to believe as she gains awareness of the inequality of life in the big house versus the slave quarters. When, on the threshold of her society wedding to debonair Edward Cunningham, Lisbeth bears witness to a shockingly brutal act, the final vestiges of her naiveté crumble around her. Just twenty-one years old, she is forced to choose between what is socially acceptable and what is right, a decision that will change her life forever.

This compelling historical novel chronicles young Lisbeth Wainwright’s coming-of-age during one of the most difficult chapters of American history. Lisbeth’s powerful bond with Mattie makes her loss of innocence in the face of society’s ugly secrets all the more heartbreaking, and yet it is the courage she learns from her stand in mother that enables Lisbeth to blaze a new path for herself. Yellow Crocus offers moving proof of how the greatest social change often blooms forth from small personal acts of love.

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Genre - Historical Fiction

Rating – PG-13

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Author Interview – A.M. Griffin @AMGriffinbooks #LovingDangerously

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? My mother writes so it was something that I grew up seeing and being around. I remember growing up and she’d always be at her desk on her typewriter. It was a normal thing in my house, something that I grew up around. I’m surprised that out of 6 children that I’m the only one of her kids that was struck with the writing bug.

How long have you been writing? I’m a newbie writer. I started my first book in 2011 and it was published in 2012. But I’ve been on a mission ever since that first book was published. In 2013, I wrote 3 novels. I’m striving for 4 in 2014.

What genre are you most comfortable writing? I love science fiction and paranormal. I think for me those would be easiest to write as I am able to use my creativity. I’m writing a superhuman story now and it requires a lot of research on my part. I don’t mind doing the research but I like making up things better.

What inspired you to write your first book? My mother writes so it was something that I grew up seeing and being around. I remember growing up and she’d always be at her desk on her typewriter. I didn’t know then that’s what I wanted to do, but as the stories in my head began to take shape and my characters became louder and louder I knew what I had to do. Eva from Dangerously Mine (Loving Dangerously #1) was the first character that I wanted to complete. She’s so strong that it was no way that I couldn’t have ignored her any longer.

Can you share a little of your current work with us? Dangerously Hers is the 3^rd book in the science fiction, erotic, romance Loving Dangerously Series. I love the characters in this book so much! Jess has a razor tongue but underneath it all she’s an abused woman who is learning that she is worthy of being loved. Rasha, my alien hero wants Jess so bad, but he’s having a hard time figuring out human women, especially one with a past like Jess.

I’m in edits with the fourth book in the Loving Dangerously series titled Dangerously His and I’m one week from submitting the fifth book titled Dangerously Forever. Dangerously His is about two people who want to be together but are being separated by forces they can’t control. Dangerously Forever is the story where Eva (from Dangerously Mine) and her best friend Allysan finally reunite. It’s definitely not the end of the series. There are still so many worlds and characters to explore.

Can you tell us about your main character? Before Jess was taken from Earth, she was a big shot in her father’s infomercial company. Jess didn’t rise to the top because she was given any favors, she worked hard for it. She was used to being in control of her life and had a linear plan on how her life would work out. Being taken from Earth and sold to an alien brothel changed a lot for her. She’s having a hard time getting over how much her life has changed and getting back on track, even after she escaped the brothel. She’s mad at everything. She’s been given a chance to start a new life and we see her really trying to let something’s go (her ill feelings for all things aliens). She thinks she has it under control until she begins to develop feelings for Rasha, her new boss. It’s funny at times to see how she says one thing but is really thinking another. Through this book we see Jess grow as a person and learn to love again.

Who is your publisher? I have a wonderful publisher, Ellora’s Cave. They are small enough to know my name and big enough to draw the readers. They have a conference every year, Romanticon, and if you’ve ever been to one you’ll understand what I mean. It’s a very family oriented publishing house. Everyone seems to love their jobs and it shows.

Why did you choose to write this particular book? I didn’t set out to write Jess’ story. The next book was going to be about J.B. but from the first scene it became Jess’ book. It starts off with her taking that first step off the transporter and being overwhelmed with emotions that she is trying to stay in control of. Her voice was so powerful that it was hard to override it. I tried for over a month to keep it as J.B.’s story, but in the end I had to give up on that idea and go with the flow. Characters have a funny way of telling you that it’s their turn for their story to be told. I’m glad that I relented and wrote her story. I think it needed to be told especially after she was the hard-headed bitch in Dangerously Yours. I’ve found a new appreciation for Jess and I like her now.

How much of the book is realistic? None at all. My books are science fiction and futuristic so unless hostile aliens invade Earth, my books are way off from being realistic and I think that’s a good thing for all of us Earth bound people.

Have you included a lot of your life experiences, even friends, in the plot? None of the characters are based off of anyone I know but their names are. Many of my characters share a name with my loved ones. It’s like a secret present to them. I have my sisters’ name in a few of my books. They get a kick out of finding it. It’s not easy to spot because I spell it backwards which works for alien sounding names and places. My husband and children are littered throughout my books. When I’m long gone I’d like to picture them reading one of my books and spotting their name and thinking, “My mommy loved me.”

Jess hates aliens. After the invasion that destroyed Earth, the extraterrestrial bastards sold her to a brothel as a sex slave. She may have escaped but the old memories and fears still linger in the dark corners of her mind. Supposedly Sonis is just the place for her—somewhere safe, where she can heal and start fresh. She’s almost hopeful…until she meets Rasha, her new boss.

Rasha, captain of the Sonis Royal Guard, is a warrior through and through. He’s huge, sinfully sexy and could have any woman on Sonis—but the woman he wants is Jess. He’s very much an alien and Jess knows she should hate him or at least be wary, but whenever he’s around, she loses control. She tells herself it’s only sex—amazing, mind-blowing sex like nothing else she’s ever experienced—but there’s something about Rasha that shakes her soul. The feel of his skin against hers, the look in his eyes as he touches her—they make her want to believe it’s possible to find love and begin again.

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Genre - Science fiction

Rating – R

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What Inspired Me to Write My First Book. – Ramz Artso @RamzArtso

What Inspired Me to Write My First Book.

Since early childhood, I’ve always been a storyteller. I’d always come up with an extra episode or two of my favorite cartoons or try to picture a day in the life of some random animal – like a rabbit, for instance, or a fox. When I turned a little older, somewhere around eight, I think, I began drawing. More often than not, my ‘masterpieces’ would consist of screenshots, if you will. Anywhere from four to twelve slots would fit on one sheet of A4 paper, and together, they would tell some simple, short story. I usually drew UFO battles and racing cars, as well as evil witches dancing around cauldrons on broomsticks.

When teenage years came knocking on my door, I began considering becoming a director. But that was a long shot, so I started reading instead. Reading made me realize that I could write down my thoughts and create worlds, and after having read Harry Potter, I got so inspired that I decided to give it a try. I had nothing to lose after all, only my dreams. It took a lot of plotting and rewriting, but in the end, I had roughly two hundred pages entitled Eldar Cornavian. For various reasons I’m not going to state here, the book never saw the light of day.

Time passed and I grew older. Writing was no longer a priority in my life, as socializing with my peers was much more exciting. But the tumult of teenage years sizzled out and it just so happened that the event coincided with my watching of Christopher Nola’s Inception. It inspired me so much, I immediately took to concocting a new plot before hitting the keyboard and bringing my ideas into existence. Sometime later, I was done writing Peter Simmons and the Sovereign, which I later split into three different books, entitled Peter Simmons and the Vessel of Time, Peter Simmons and the Sarpian Triplets, and Peter Simmons and the Sovereign. I’ve done so much thinking and plotting that it’s safe to say you can expect at least another five Peter Simmons installments. If they catch on, that is.

In addition to everything that’s been said, I also like to point out that writing is a cathartic experience for me. I have so many ideas clogging my mind that I just can’t do without sharing my stories with the world. The notion of awakening emotions within people is titillating; it’s one of the main things about creative writing that keeps me going. I love scribbling, and don’t know what I’d do without it. Storytelling is my passion. It’s my life, and I really mean it.

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Genre – Young-adult, Action and Adventure, Coming of Age, Sci-fi

Rating – PG-13

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Website http://ramzartso.blogspot.com/

The Island of Lote by Emily Kinney @theshadylady

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel? I hope, quite sincerely, that my writing will both make people think and invigorate their imaginations. I am a firm believer in wonder and possibilities, and also hope, joy, empathy, exploration, and excellence. I want my readers to experience something new, something that they themselves might never have considered or thought about and perhaps it will challenge them. But I want them to rise up and meet that challenge. The way I think is rather singular, and allowing yourself to be caught up in the vision and ideas of another, admittedly strange, person is an incredible, brave thing. The best kind of writing is that which makes you feel. Whether it be fright, rage, joy, or motivation. This is the sort of writing I want to put into the world.
What’s your favorite meal? Pizza! All the way, every day. I adore me some pizza, and I can cook a mean pie myself. Shoot, now I want pizza. Pardon me . . .
What movie do you love to watch? My favorite movie is West Side Story, and I must have seen it about seventy times. It’s glorious. It has everything; terrific acting, amazing directly, timeless music, unforgettable lyrics, a relevant message, and a bunch of Oscars. I also love 8 Mile. They’re both neck and neck with how many times I’ve watched them.
How do you feel about social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter? Are they a good thing? I see them simply as tools. You can either do good or bad things with tools. It all depends on how you use them. Your decisions and actions are what matter. The same goes with matches, scissors, and nails.
If you could do any job in the world what would you do? – I’d be an author and an actress. One down. I can honestly and passionately say that I love, adore, crave what I do.
What are you most passionate about? What gets you fired up? I am most passionate about storytelling. From films to literature to hip-hop, you bring it up around me, I come alive. It can be a bit shocking for people, since I’m not always very chatty. But I’ll go off like a fuse about words and stories and their delivery. I’m also very enthusiastic about food and art. Anything that utilizes creativity gets me hyper and happy.
What makes you angry? Cruelty is a big one. Lack of mercy infuriates me.

Milo Hestler is a lonely, unusual, fourteen-year-old girl. She is constantly moving from home to home with her oblivious parents. The only friend she has is her conscience, whom she has named Bob. Her only comforts are cooking and listening to hip-hop.

When her family moves yet again, Milo is bullied mercilessly by her classmates. Such treatment prompts her to travel to Australia for summer camp. During the plane ride, Milo awakens to find the plane deserted and about to crash.
After parachuting into the ocean, she discovers she is near an island. Milo passes out, and upon waking, learns she was rescued by a boy named Simon, who is cute, but can’t speak English. Not able to understand him, she accidentally says yes when he asks her to marry him.

He leads her to a small town on the island, where they locate someone who can translate for them. Milo is outraged to hear that she is engaged to Simon and wants to call it off, but learns that this island has rules that cannot be broken. She must go through with the marriage against her will.

After learning about the trick he played on her, Milo hates Simon, though it is obvious that sixteen-year-old Simon really likes her. What will happen next on The Island of Lote? From her earliest memories, Emily Kinney has wanted to be a writer. She lives in Maine. “This book is just the first of many to come, rest assured.” Publisher’s website: sbpra.com/EmilyKinney

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Genre - Young Adult Fiction

Rating – PG

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Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.

Author Interview–Derick Parsons @1_DerickParsons

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

My family are very supportive, particularly my wife. She doesn’t understand my need to write but she absolutely supports me in every possible way.

Do you plan to publish more books?

Yes, I’ve a few ideas that excite me, that I want to develop.

What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…

I was an engineer but now I write full time.

What other jobs have you had in your life?

In my youth I worked in factories and bars and building sites, which gave me a great respect for the ordinary working man. Joe Lunchpail may occasionally be ignorant and even bigoted but most workmen have an honesty and integrity you will never find in a boardroom or a courtroom.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?

I think Anthropology; I have a great interest in the ascent of man from the ape. Archeology and ancient history fascinate me too.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I don’t think Dublin could be improved upon, if we could only evict all politicians from the island. I despise all politicians but Irish ones seem to be even more incompetent and corrupt than usual. The weather could be better too.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

I have a laptop but I usually plan my books with pen and paper, and jot down notes in a ledger.

Where do you get support from? Do you have friends in the industry?

No.

How much sleep do you need to be your best?

Seven or eight hours is optimal, but I generally only get five.

Why has a beautiful young woman been committed to an insane asylum? What is the truth behind a shadowy past containing drug use, promiscuity and murder? What secrets does she hold that others will kill to keep HIDDEN? These are questions that psychologist Kate Bennett must answer if she is to save her patient’s sanity…and both their lives. But Kate has secrets of her own, and a dark past of her own that will come back to haunt her.

HIDDEN is a thriller, set in Dublin, but it is also a voyage of self-discovery for Kate, as she uncovers not just the truth about her patient but some truths about herself.

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Genre - Mystery, Thriller

Rating – PG-18

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Website http://www.derick-parsons.com/

Author Interview - Beca Lewis @becalewis

Do you plan to publish more books?
Absolutely.  However, I they won’t all be spiritual self-help books.  I have other kinds of books on my mind now too.
What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
It’s true; I couldn’t support myself by writing. However, writing supports my coaching practice, and I teach course based on what I have written.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
I have had so many different kinds of jobs in my life it would take pages and pages to list them all. A few: taught dance, financial advisor, sold diamonds, and waited on tables at a multitude of different kinds of restaurants and bars.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
That’s a tricky question because I love being a student.  I think I would like to take a smattering of courses from gardening to drawing, and maybe some history.  The idea of learning and being creative with what I have learned is very appealing!
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
If that included a way to stay to see family and friends, I think my husband and I would like to live in New Zealand.
What are your goals as a writer?
The very simple goal I have as a writer is to communicate clearly to the reader. After that, my desire is to reach out as much I can, hoping that I will reach readers who would benefit from, and enjoy, my books if they knew they existed.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

A year after my husband and I first met, we decided to travel around the country to find a new place to live. While we traveled, I wrote what was happening and emailed it back to family and friends.  Sometime I hope to put that trip into a book, although it may turn out it was simply a good bunch of emails and not a book at all.  That is the only travel we have done specifically for a book. However, I do find that traveling does help me come up with fresh ideas about anything that I am working on, so an occasional trip is a good thing.  Otherwise, I love being at home.

“A refreshing and powerful new look at the results of shifting perceptions to your true spiritual nature.” Alan Cohen, author of My Father’s View

A profound, thought provoking guide to shifting perceptions to reveal what is hidden in plain sight: heaven on earth.

If you are tired of fooling around with material-based thinking that only puts Band-Aids on problems, and if you are ready to choose spiritual perception and the spiritual solution, than Living In Grace: The Shift to Spiritual Perception is the answer.

In this book, I will guide you through powerful-proven-practical-perception-shifting exercises and personally teach you useful tools for shifting anytime, anywhere, and any situation.

You will find yourself restudying the book over and over again because each time your perception shifts you will experience greater insight into Reality.

Living In Grace, provides practical tools like The 7 Steps To Shift and an eight step-by-step system based on the word GRACIOUS, which makes the necessary process of perception-shifting easy to remember and simple to use.

Chapter by chapter, the reader is taken on an inner journey that encourages her to achieve her goals, and in so doing, lead a spiritual life.

This book will be a constant companion for every advanced or beginning student of spirituality. It provides answers about the nature of God, and his children, for every honest seeker of Truth simply and elegantly.

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Genre – Spirituality, Non-Fiction

Rating – G

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Website http://www.becalewis.com

Author Interview – John H.T. Francis @JohnHTFrancis

Are there any books you really don’t enjoy?

I abhor naïve sensationalism and shallow entertainment.

What genre are you most comfortable writing?

Essays, the genre in which I have written Reflections on Fundamental Matters. I find it to be the clearest way of communicating and articulating ideas and thoughts.

How did you come up with the title?

I wanted a title that portrays a serene description of the content of the work, but at the same time something not difficult to remember and somehow timeless. I also wanted to hint in the title to the types of readers who might be interested in this particular work. Hence a title in two parts: Reflections on Fundamental Matters, Not for the Satisfied Mind.

What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

Of course first and foremost I have realized the dream of becoming a writer, but also the dream of being able to contribute to the world of thought in a lasting manner. There is something deeply satisfying for me in leaving behind a long-lasting work. And not just any work but rather something of which I am particularly proud.

What makes you angry?

I guess like everybody there are some things that tick me off quite a bit. But particularly, top of that list is Hypocrisy. I cannot stand when someone is claiming something while you can perceive that he/she has actually something else in mind, someone criticizing a lot other people without bothering to look at his/her own behavior, or someone carrying a  certain intransigent facade while acting differently under cover. There are not only individuals that are more hypocritical than others, but I think there are also particular groups or sections of societies that are generally more hypocritical than others.

Do you find it hard to share your work?

The difficulty is not in sharing the work; we live in a world where communication is much easier than before. What is hard is to get people to pay the right amount of attention to the work or to focus on it, as there are so many distractions nowadays and people are more focused on the easy and immediate.

Have you met any people in the industry who have really helped you?

There are a few, not that many to be honest. I think the key issue is that for most people in the book industry, it is just a business, they are there to make money, as much and as easily as possible. This is understandable as most make their livelihood from it. But this is not the reason why most writers write, nor should it be the prime and only objective of books.

Addressing important questions that have been discussed across many times and cultures, this essay, written in a simple style, seeks to awaken you from the slumber of intellectual complacency. Author John H.T. Francis presents a multi-disciplinary look at prevalent interpretations and fundamental questions of human interest. He tackles many of humanity’s most important and difficult topics, drawing on many fields of knowledge and action, including science, philosophy, sociology, economics, politics, anthropology, and psychology. This study explores history, knowledge, the human mind and psyche, the nature of existence, the phenomenon of life, socio-economic and political dynamics, ethics, religions, and several current, pressing individual and collective challenges. It provides elements of answers and attempts to position subjects of general importance under a new light. Universal in his approach, Francis reaches out to those who are interested in delving deeper into the human understanding.

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Genre - Philosophy, Non-Fiction

Rating – G

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Website http://www.johnhtfrancis.com

Author Interview – Adrian Powell @AuthorAdrian

How important do you think villains are in a story?

I think villains are as important to the story as a hero. Often times I think it is a matter of perspective on who the villain is and who the hero is. The graphic novels that I am releasing next year explore this concept. Sometimes making the “wrong” choice for something you deem to be right can garner you the title of the “villain” if you fight for what you believe in.

Who is your publisher?

I decided to start my own publishing company and publish my own titles. I feel as though we are in a unique time in publishing history in which we have the ability to produce the stories you want, unfiltered whenever you see fit. I think the flood gates of publishing have been opened up and endless opportunities await those who act on it.

Can you tell us about your main character?

My main character name is Kenny. He is a young man 6 years old and full of all the limitless curiosity and naivety that usually accompanies someone that age. He wants to fly because he sees his favorite cartoon character can but he is greeted with opposition form almost everyone he meets. But he is very determined to make his dream a reality.

Why did you choose to write this particular book?

I chose to write this particular book because it was closely related to my own story. Being African American wanting to become a professional in the aviation industry was almost in heard of. Often times when I told people my career goals they either laughed or gave a doubtful look like “yeah right”. So I decided to write a book that hopefully children of all races could reference to show that if you believe and align yourself with people who can help you to bring your dream in to fruition you can accomplish anything that you want.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?

The hardest part about writing this book is thinking how parents would react to the character being African American. I know aviation is a subject that is not popular in the African American community and I wasn’t sure of non-African Americans would label the book as a “black” book that their kids couldn’t relate to. But this story transcends color and cultures and really centers itself on universal principles I think every child needs.

Kenny wants nothing more than to learn how to fly high in the sky like his favorite cartoon character. But with everyone discouraging him, and no one willing to teach him the fundamentals of flight, will Kenny’s dream ever get cleared for takeoff?

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Genre - Children’s Book, YA

Rating – G

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Author Interview – Johannah Reardon @JoHannahReardon

What’s your most embarrassing moment?
When I was pregnant with my first child, I had terrible morning sickness that would come over me suddenly. We were trying to buy a house, and the realtor was pointing out certain aspects of a room we were in when I knew I was going to be sick. I ran outside as quickly as I could and threw up in the front yard. When the realtor followed me out, I couldn’t help saying, “I really didn’t like that house.”
Are you a city slicker or a country lover?
Country lover! However, I love visiting London and Chicago, my two favorite cities. But I’d never want to live in either one.
How do you feel about self-publishing?
Self-publishing is a great idea if you are sure your book is good and you are willing to market it. I’ve read some phenomenal self-published books, and I think this market will continue to grow. It allows a lot more creativity and options for the reader because they get to choose what kind of book they want to read instead of a publisher deciding what they want you to read.
Do you know your neighbors?
Yes, I have the best neighbors in the whole world. Most of us have known each other for years, and we would all do anything for each other.
How important are friends in your life?
Extremely important. I have several friends who have picked me off the floor more than once, and who make me glad I’m alive. They also read my new releases and give me all the accolades I could want.
How many friends does a person need?
One really good one will do!
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes, but if I have to tell you what it is, I’m not a very good writer!

Ella is a bored, inner-city girl trying to fill the long, monotonous days of her summer vacation. As she keeps a promise to her mother to clean the cellar, she discovers a crumbling brick behind an old trunk. Even though it’s raining outside, sunlight pours through the opening. Intrigued, she chips away at the brick to find the source of the light. To her astonishment, she finds another land beyond her cellar wall, gripped in the freshness of spring.

In the land of Neo, she makes new, unusual friends, discovers breathtaking beauty, and learns of Kosmeo who will guide and direct her during all of her adventures. She discovers Kosmeo has brought her here for a purpose. Princess Onyma must choose a suitor who will eventually rule all of Neo. Many of the citizens of Neo are threatened during this perilous time of choice between good and evil. Can Ella save this beautiful kingdom from disaster? THE CRUMBLING BRICK is told in the tradition of C. S. Lewis’s and George MacDonald’s fairy tales.

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Genre – Fairy tale, Fantasy

Rating – G

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Website https://www.johannahreardon.com

Author Interview – Lee Tidball @leetidball

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? Not yet, but I hope to do that more in the future.  I love connecting personally with an audience.
Can we expect any more books from you in the future? Oh yes!  I have a middle-grade/YA historical fantasy coming out soon that is actually a new edition of my first-ever novel, and also the concluding chapter to a three-part graphic novel series for kids should come out sometime this summer.  Really excited about that as it completes a three-part series.

Have you started another book yet? Currently outlining several projects, not sure which I’ll really go with next, but more books are definitely coming.

What are your current writing projects now? Two book projects; a YA female superhero series, and a funny family romantic comedy that involves performing primates, and a couple screenwriting projects; a true-life story about a down-and-out woman who starts a children’s performing arts school and a YA series about a girl who has superpowers, etc.

Are you reading any interesting books at the moment?  Yes!  Dan Brown’s “Inferno” is really good, and I also enjoyed the YA novel “Divergent” a lot as well.

Are there any new authors that have sparked your interest and why? I focus more in on stories that specific authors.  There’s so many YA authors these days (and so many imitating each other) that it’s almost impossible to keep them straight.  But some at least seem very good.

What are some of the best tools available today for writers, especially those just starting out? A good outlining program can really help a new writer get a good handle on their ideas and give it structure and substance.  Also, there’s some good online courses that teach the writing process that would do the same thing, or more.

What contributes to making a writer successful? Self-discipline more than anything.  You’ve got to be able to stick with it.

Do you have any advice for writers? Yeah, if you want to be successful, work hard and don’t quit.  While writing both screenplays and novels involves increasing amounts of just plain luck to get your work out there and noticed no matter how good you are (and that can be very discouraging), quitting is the only way that you guarantee that you won’t be successful.

Amazon bestseller - Teen/YA Literature and Fiction

“Imagine the unimaginable.”

That was the mantra of young prodigy Hector Chevas’s mentor in architectural design, Gellini. But even Gellini couldn’t imagine the horrors that his prize student and adopted son would fill Suburbia’s new Heartland Mall with to wreak revenge on those who killed Gellini and murdered Hector’s only friends. “Black Friday” was never blacker.

But Hector couldn’t imagine that, in the middle of his deathly rampage, an “angel” from his past would re-appear into his life; wild-child Janey, whose life he’d saved years before, and who’d never forgotten her promise to “always love him…for reals.” But was that love strong enough now to learn the unimaginable truth; to call Hector’s “dead” soul back to life and resurrect him from his mad plunge into oblivion?

MALLED is a story filled with tragedy, terror, raw emotion, unspeakable horrors, and, above all, the awesome power of ferocious, undying love. Go for it. Get into it. Dare to “imagine the unimaginable.”

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre –  NeoGothic Horror / Thriller

Rating – R for violence & language

More details about the author & the book

Connect with Lee Tidball on Facebook  & Twitter

A Day in the Life of (Pepper Winters) – Pepper Winters @PepperWinters

A Day in the Life of (Pepper Winters)

I’m pretty boring really. It’s all about the written word and socializing with my awesome readers. And I’m a nerd too so I spend about 14-15 hours a day on my laptop.

Morning: I spend the morning answering emails, fan messages, and wasting time on Facebook. I check twitter and pinterest and I have a minor addiction about checking my amazon rankings to see how people are going with purchasing my work. I try and avoid Goodreads as much as possible, but sometimes I can’t help myself and have a sneak peek at reviews.

Afternoon: I finish up my other online work. Answering emails and clearing my desk. Then I open my manuscript and try and get 5000-10000 words done in one sitting.

Dinner: After dinner I re-read what I read and try and tweak the little bits. I then move back to Facebook, twitter, and arranging some more promotion for my work.

As you can see, I eat, sleep, and breathe writing and getting the word out there! J I’m a slave to my craft!

Tess Snow has everything she ever wanted: one more semester before a career in property development, a loving boyfriend, and a future dazzling bright with possibility.

For their two year anniversary, Brax surprises Tess with a romantic trip to Mexico. Sandy beaches, delicious cocktails, and soul-connecting sex set the mood for a wonderful holiday. With a full heart, and looking forward to a passion filled week, Tess is on top of the world.

But lusty paradise is shattered.

Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror.

Captive and alone with no savior, no lover, no faith, no future, Tess evolves from terrified girl to fierce fighter. But no matter her strength, it can’t save her from the horror of being sold.

Can Brax find Tess before she’s broken and ruined, or will Tess’s new owner change her life forever?

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Dark New Adult Contemporary Romance

Rating – PG-18

More details about the author

Connect with Pepper Winters  on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.pepperwinters.wordpress.com/

 

Quality Reads UK Book Club Disclosure: Author interview / guest post has been submitted by the author and previously used on other sites.