April 27, 2014

Interview with Author Kyoko M

Hi everyone! We would like to welcome Author Kyoko M to the page and blog today.

What is your book(s) about?
The Black Parade series tells the tale of Jordan Amador—a Seer, or someone who can see, hear, and talk to ghosts, angels, and demons—and Michael O’Brien—archangel and Commander of Heaven’s armada. They met through the curious circumstance of Michael’s murder when he came to her as a poltergeist with no memory of who he was or what happened to him. Solving his case opened the doors to the violent and sordid nature of the archdemon Belial—a Prince of Hell who set his eyes on Jordan’s soul. The series follows the friendship, and eventual romance, between Jordan and Michael as they help ghosts with unfinished business find peace and prevent the demons from taking over. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m just your average everyday raging nerd-monster. I grew up reading Brian Jacques, Judy Blume, J. K. Rowling, a ton of Greek mythology, and assorted comic book series from Batman to Amazing Spider-Man to the Astonishing X-Men. I’m a die-hard dork for sci-fi films and urban fantasy tales. My love of reading led me to get a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. I write because I bleed words, day in and day out. I love the act of creating my own universe to run wild in and fill with all kinds of oddballs. If reading is escapism, then writing is getting to charter a spaceship to your planet of choice with all the coolest people you’ve ever known.

What started your interest in writing?
A lot of different sources deserve credit. First and foremost goes to my mother, who used to read me books every night before bed. Secondly, I have to thank the brilliant minds behind Batman: The Animated Series, which captured my imagination as a young girl and made me want to tell stories as grand and exciting as the ones they did. I began with rudimentary fanfiction and eventually graduated to writing my own original fiction. As time went on, I realized I had more fun writing than I did in my first major in college—veterinary science—and so I switched my major. I never thought I could become a professional author until I met Jackson Pearce, an urban fantasy YA author who did a lecture on creative writing and publishing at the University of Georgia. She inspired me to decide take a chance on myself and my work, so I did. Thus, if I die a penniless nobody, I’m totally blaming her.

All kidding aside, I became a writer because I love the act of storytelling. I love the freedom. I love the scope. I’ve watched all kinds of television shows, anime, cartoons, and movies, and read hundreds of books that made me realize that writing is one of the most fulfilling feelings one can experience. 

What are you currently working on?
I just finished the third and final installment of The Black Parade series, which is due in spring 2015. I’m currently preparing The Deadly Seven, a short story collection set during The Black Parade, for publication as well as the sequel novel, She Who Fights Monsters, due this July. 

When I’m not editing those monstrosities, I’m working on my epic high fantasy novel. I’ve been describing it to people as “Avatar: The Last Airbender meets the X-Men with a dash of Firefly.” It’s about a third of the way done and I plan to have it finished this year for publication in fall of 2015. 

After that, I’ve got a book I’ve been dying to write about a widower and his daughter who hunt dragons in modern day America. I’ve been keeping character notes and story ideas under my hat for almost a year now so I can’t wait to get working on it next. 

How long did it take you to get your rough draft finished on your latest release?
Oh, goodness, just dredge up the pain, why don’t you? I started The Deadly Seven sometime in January and it proceeded to kick my skinny butt all the way through mid-April. For me, the trouble came from creating 21 unique stories that wouldn’t become repetitive or annoying and yet still fit the tone and continuity from the Black Parade. I had never written original short stories before, and so the main challenge was figuring out how to tie everything together, and yet allowing each piece to stand alone. The readers will be able to tell me if I was successful. I certainly hope I was able to pull it off. The only experience I’ve had with brevity is one-shot fanfics I’ve written in the past. I applaud short story authors now that I’ve given it a shot and I encourage any upcoming novelists to give it a shot someday. I guarantee you’ll learn a lot about the creative process when you have to keep it condensed and varied. 

If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?
Are wizards paranormal? Please say yes. If not, I’d opt for a werewolf over a vampire, if we’re going with the standard fair for paranormal fiction. I have no desire to be immortal or never be able to walk in sunlight again. Werewolves also have enhanced senses, which would be infinitely awesome. 

What was the first book you remember reading?
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. I remember being that awkward, introverted kid, and I always related to what the narrator was going through. I read it so many times that my copy of the book split in half. It’s always been a classic to me and it always will be. 

How did you come up with your title?
I think a lot of music-lovers can answer this one for me. The Black Parade of course gets its name from the My Chemical Romance breakout hit “Welcome to the Black Parade.” The titular “black parade” is a metaphor for death: a parade we will all someday join. It ties into what Jordan Amador does for a living, which is leading the dead towards their eventual peace, sort of like the drum major of the black parade. I loved the song and the imagery the phrase invokes. 

Who is your support team?
My parents are huge supporters of my work, each in their own way, and I have a handful of friends who have my back as well. They are my confidants, my editors, and my critics. I run all my work past them because each of them comes from a different walk of life and can tell me when I’ve done something great, or need improvement. 

The biggest contributors, though, are probably my mother and my soon-to-be-sister-in-law, who give me detailed feedback on the meat of my books. I always hire a professional editor, but the two of them let me know how they feel about Jordan as our heroine, Michael as the love of her life, and the infinite wickedness of the main villain, Belial. I trust them more than anyone else to tell me if my writing is compelling and where it can be improved. 

I also have to give a shout out to my writing sensei, Andy Rattinger, who has been kind enough to offer advice on all three of the novels in the Black Parade series. He’s one hell of a scriptwriter and for some reason he took me under his wing. I can’t thank him enough for smacking me upside the head when I’m off the beaten path and pushing me to be a better, more confident writer. I hope all young authors get the chance to have a mentor of some sort because it makes the journey that much more bearable when you have a support system. 

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I like to draw every so often to relieve stress. I’m slightly above average—I’d never try to draw for profit and you’d agree if you saw my work. I’m also an avid reader by nature, but I’m more of a moviegoer than anything else. I love movies. I love the exciting, electric air of a midnight premiere of the latest superhero flick. I love the feeling of walking out of a theater after having my expectations blown away. I hate to be disappointed by a bad film, but I enjoy ripping it to shreds later if it truly deserved it. I could discuss and dissect films for hours on end. It’s why I someday plan to become a screenplay writer and move to LA to pursue filmmaking after I’ve written all the novels I want to write. 

What was the latest book you read?
The Unconsciousness of an Ethiopian Princess: Attack on Love by Talisha Harrison. She’s a great friend of mine with a lovely book of poetry that I highly recommend to anyone who has experienced the unending frustrations of dating, relationships, and love. She’s a masterful poet and one hell of a wordsmith. 

Where did you get the idea for your book(s)?
I was taking a class on Greek mythology when I got the idea for The Black Parade. I recall getting this feeling that the modern equivalent to Achilles and Hercules were a little closer to home than I thought. However, I can’t give the gods all the credit. My first inspiration came from the 2005 film ‘Constantine’, starring Keanu Reeves and directed by Francis Lawrence. I know it’s not a faithful adaptation of the Hellblazer comics, but I really loved the idea of angels and demons on earth in our modern times. My second inspiration came from John Milton, author of Paradise Lost, the epic poem that I’ve adored since high school. I decided to meld the two ideas together and then put Jordan front and center because there aren’t enough women of color in paranormal and urban fantasy stories. I wanted to see someone with Jordan’s background tackle the hellish tasks of fighting otherworldly creatures and falling in love with the fairest angel of all. 

The idea for my epic high fantasy novel actually came from a dream, which is rare since most of my stories come from things I wish already existed but don’t just yet. I remembered standing in a stadium holding the hand of one of the main characters and listening to another character give a speech to the bad guys surrounding us. I didn’t know either of their names, but I got the feeling that we were a ragtag bunch of misfits and yet we were a family. We meant the world to each other, and we were standing against injustice. After I woke up, I scribbled down what I could remember and then just filled in the blanks. 

Are any of your characters like you?
Jordan and I are certainly cut from the same cloth, but she’s got way more armor on than I do when it comes to other people. I like to describe her in my head as a hedgehog—prickly on the outside, but a soft belly underneath. She’s also not nearly as much as a nerd as I am. I spend most of my time fangirling over handsome celebrities on Tumblr or giggling madly at Internet reviewers and Let’s Plays, while she spends hers slaying monsters and reading classic literature. 

I do admit, though, that one of the most surprising characters I’ve grown attached to in my time writing the Black Parade series is the recurring villain, Belial. We are nothing alike, and I think that’s why I have enjoyed writing him so much over the years. He is a self-absorbed, cruel, arrogant, lecherous, manipulative bastard, and he has allowed me to tap into the darkest corners of my personality. I love that he doesn’t give a crap about what people think of him and I love that he knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. I tend to be an introvert but I don’t have to worry about that when I write his scenes. He’s a callous jerk, he knows it, and he’s comfortable with it. 

What genres do you write in?
I categorize my work under urban fantasy, but it’s alternatively paranormal fantasy. 

Is there anything you will never write about?
My first thought when I considered writing a novel was to do a modern day version of the Greek gods, but then I read Neil Gaiman’s American Gods and knew I could never get anywhere close to writing gods as interesting as his, so I threw in the towel. I also don’t ever foresee writing about vampires or werewolves since every author from every walk of life has pretty much written about them and I’d have nothing to add. 

Do you have a favorite quote from your book(s)?
As long as you promise it won’t make me look vain. Actually, yes. It’s a quote from the Seer Jordan accidentally killed who definitively began her story: “I know that right now things seem at their darkest, but there is an old saying: sometimes it’s darkest just before dawn. There is a dawn for you, and me, and for us all. So hang a nightlight by your bed and wait for the sunrise, angel.” 

Is there anything you would tell aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. You will have infinite chances to throw in the towel. The easiest thing in the world to do is not write. Ignore that cruel voice in your head that tells you no one cares and keep punching them keys, my dears. You’ll get through it if you do. 

If zombies attacked what kind of supplies would you want?
Gasoline for the car, a machete, a crossbow, an M-24 sniper rifle, an automatic shotgun, tons of canned food and gallons of water, night vision goggles, a flashlight, a fully-stocked First Aid kit, an iPod, and an endless library of books to read while I wasn’t killing zombies. 

Who designed your cover(s)?
A designer named Gunjan Kumar designed the cover for The Black Parade. Christine Savoie and Katie Litchfield both designed the cover for The Deadly Seven.

Have you learned anything from writing your book(s)?
This job is not for the faint of heart, nor the impatient. Older authors warn you that it takes time to build sales, fans, and a reputation, but you don’t understand how much until you start. It’s incredibly painful and miserable, but the end result is still worth it no matter how huge or few the returns. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book(s)?
The post-40,000 word mark is by far the hardest part of writing for me. I wrote the first 50,000 words to the final installment to the Black Parade series in just a few months, but then I lost all my juice and couldn’t write for months afterwards. Keeping the momentum is a task in itself, let alone writing an ending worthy of the rest of the novel. 

If you could sit down with any author dead or alive who would it be?
I’d definitely love to sit down with John Milton and hear him orate Paradise Lost. It’s such a vividly beautiful reimagining of the fall of Satan and creation of life on earth that I can’t imagine what it must have been like to hear it from his own lips. 

If you co-write a book with any author who would it be?
Though I could never write something as amazing as him, I’d LOVE to co-write a novel with Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden Files. Ever since I read Storm Front, I’ve been madly in love with Harry Dresden. Between the two of us, I think Mr. Butcher and I could make the world explode with sarcasm, nerdy references, and self-deprecating heroes. I deeply admire the way that he writes such a humble character who has these amazing powers and struggles with the idea of how to use them for good without getting corrupted. I also love the way he writes the supporting cast—each of them unique with their own hang ups, motivations, and strengths. I would learn so much if I could sit down with him and see his process. 

What is your favorite paranormal being?
Vampires have been done to death—ha, don’t you love a good pun—but I’ve always liked them. The basic mythos stays the same, but I always enjoy different interpretations of what they’re like. I love the balance between civilized and murderous. Vampires always have a sense of style as predators who walk among us. 

How do you react to a bad review?
Junk food and a marathon of one of my favorite shows, like Castle or Batman Beyond. 

Do you keep a notebook near your for when new ideas pop into your head?
Yes. I actually have a file in my Documents called “Novel Ideas” where I dump any character notes, story notes, or story ideas I come up with on the fly. 

If you write a series do you reread your previous books before you begin the new one?
Of course. There is so much continuity to keep track of as well as reminding myself of the main characters’ desires, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses before they start their next journey. I’ve written four books in the Black Parade series now, so there is a ton of material for me to keep up with now. It can get tedious, but it is absolutely necessary to keep the story straight. 

Does much research go into your novels?
I often joke that the FBI has me on their watchlist for the sheer amount of bizarre things I Google on a weekly basis. I probably spend a few hours every week looking up locations, weapon specifications, climate, mythology, and fighting techniques. And don’t get me started on how much time I spend researching how to market my novels. It would make your head hurt. 

Is there anything you wish to say to your readers?
I must express my sincerest thanks that you took a chance on me. You have thousands of authors to choose from, and somehow, you chose me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope that I continue to write entertaining stories for as long as you wish to read them.


The Black Parade by Kyoko M

Blurb 
Jordan Amador. 21. New Yorker. Waitress. Mild alcoholic. Murderer. 

Two years ago, Jordan accidentally shot and killed a Seer: a person who can see, hear, and talk to ghosts with unfinished business. Her crime came with a hefty price, too. She has two years to help a hundred souls cross over to the afterlife or her soul is bound for hell. Tough break. 

As if that weren’t bad enough, two days before her deadline a handsome pain-in-the-ass poltergeist named Michael strolls into her life. His soul is the key to her salvation, but the cost just might be more than she can handle. Solving his death puts her right in the crosshairs of Belial: a vain, bloodthirsty archdemon who won’t rest until she’s his slave. Can she rescue Michael and save her own soul, or will they both be dragged down into the clutches of the eternal black parade?
Links



Smashwords Link for The Black Parade:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/340296

Top Ten With Author Kristen Day

Hi everyone! We have Author Kristen Day with us with info on her books and her top ten favorite foods.

Top Ten favorite foods!
10. Lucky Charms cereal
9. Reeses cups
8. Golden Oreos
7. Cookies and Cream ice cream
6. Krispy Kreme donuts! (hot'n'now of course)
5. Baked ziti
4. Strawberries
3. Cheesecake
2. Red velvet cake w/cream cheese icing
1. Pizza (cheese with extra cheese on top of more cheese)

Those sure sound yummy to me!

My Daughters of the Sea series will be released throughout 2014 - 6 books in total! - and are YA fantasy/paranormal romance. They are based on sea mythology and follow the descendents of the sea gods and goddesses that attend a boarding school off the coast of North Carolina!! They are full of suspense, twists and turns, darkness, and a secret world below the sea that we could never even dream exists - right under our noses!


Forsaken (Daughters of the Sea Series) by Kristen Day
Blurb 
Once you’ve been touched by darkness, it never leaves you… 

Seventeen year old Hannah spent her childhood wading through countless foster families until finally being adopted by a wealthy family from Georgia. Unfortunately, Atlanta’s high society wasn’t quite ready for Hannah… or the strange events that plague her. After being sent to a boarding school off the coast of North Carolina for kids ‘like’ her, she finds that things are never what they seem. 

Chilling visions of murder, unexplained hallucinations, and a dark, mysterious guy who haunts her nightmares all culminate to set in motion a journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she’s ever believed; not to mention her sanity. 

When the ghost from her dreams appears in the flesh; her nightmares become reality and her dark visions begin coming true. Inexplicably drawn to him, she can’t deny the dangerous hold he has on her heart. The deadly secrets he harbors will ultimately test her courage and push the boundaries of her love. 

She must decide if she is ready to embrace the ancient legend she is prophesized to be a part of. The fate of all the daughters of the sea will forever depend upon it.


Awaken (Daughters of the Sea) by Kristen Day
Blurb
The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be… 
After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. 
The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.

Links
Chosen - coming May 27th!!

Interview with Author A.D. Trosper

Hey everyone! We have an interview with A.D. Trosper today as well as info on Bound by Time.

What is your book(s) about?
Bound by Time is the title and it’s about an inherited magic, a love that spans centuries, an ancient demon, and an angel trying to protect.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a writer, mother, and the ruler of the world inside my head. I’m also a lover of chocolate and coffee but never together. I garden and have a flock of chickens and I spent several years rescuing everything from dogs and cats to goats, and even a horse.

What started your interest in writing?
I have always written.

What are your currently working on?
I’m currently working on the third book in my epic fantasy series, Dragon’s Call and I’m also working on the second book in my Bound series.

How long did it take you to get your rough draft finished on your latest release?
My latest release is Bound by Time and the first draft of 70,000 words was finished in ten days. This book kind of took over my life for a few days.

If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?
Probably a vampire

What was the first book you remember reading?
The very first I remember reading? Bambi Gets Lost

How did you come up with your title?
It revealed itself as I wrote the book

Who is your support team?
My husband is my biggest supporter. He is my cheerleader, my comfort when things aren’t flowing well and when I read my manuscripts out loud to catch awkward areas, he listens. Even to the paranormal romance.

My mother is also a big supporter is often my sounding board when I’m trying to work story issues out. 

Blue Harvest Creative is my design team and they are very helpful and encouraging.


What do you do when your not writing?
I garden, play Minecraft with my kids, collect eggs from the hen house, cook, and enjoy the occasional night when we order pizza and veg out while watching Gilmore Girls.

What was the lastest book you read?
Beloved (3rd in the Crystor series) by C.K. Bryant

Where did you get the idea for your book(s)?
For this book, it was a picture of a stained glass window that sparked the story idea.

Are any of your characters like you?
I don’t think so. They are all far more interesting than I am

What genres do you write in?
Epic fantasy and YA paranormal romance for now. I do have an urban fantasy planned and possibly a horror. 

Is there anything you will never write about?
erotica

Is there anything you would tell aspiring writers?
Keep writing and don’t be afraid to let the voices in your head have voices in their heads.

If zombies attacked what kind of supplies would you want?
Food, clothing and medical supplies

Who designed your cover(s)?
Blue Harvest Creative 

Have you learned anything from writing your book(s)?
I’ve learned a lot from researching aspects of my books. I’ve also learned determination.

What was the hardest part of writing your book(s)?
Finding quiet, uninterrupted time to write. I have three children.

If you could sit down with any author dead or alive who would it be?
Robert Jordan

If you cowrite a book with any author who would it be?
I have no idea. 

What is your favorite paranormal being?
Either angels or Vampires….I don’t know though, I’m really fond of shifters too. I don’t think I can pick just one.

How do you react to a bad review?
I don’t. It’s one person’s opinion. I don’t expect everyone to love everything I write.

Do you keep a notebook near your for when new ideas pop into your head?
I don’t usually have to. Once a character shows up in my head with their story, they tend to stick around pretty firmly.

If you write a series do you reread your previous books before you begin the new one?
I sometimes reread parts of them if I need to. Most of what I need is kept in notes.

Does much research go into your novels?
It depends on the book. A lot of research went into Bound by Time

Is there anything you wish to say to your readers?
Thank you for reading and for your support.

Bound by Time by A.D. Trosper
Blurb
It's her destiny to break the seal and his to keep her alive... 

Isobel Moore is looking forward to spending her summer break alone while her parents are overseas. Until she returns from college to find her home isn’t quite the welcoming place it used to be. The stained glass window her parents installed is more than just a beautiful piece of history; something sinister is sealed within the colored glass. 

When Isobel meets her new neighbor, Damien DeLuca, she discovers the gorgeous and mysterious stranger has plenty of his own secrets. Including the knowledge of what's happening in her home. 

As her world spins out of control, she unravels a past that not only tests her limits, but also everything she thought she knew. The darkness within the window yearns to be free and it will do anything to escape—including killing Isobel.

Links
Website (should be up and running in a couple of days): www.adtrosper.com

April 26, 2014

Interview with Author Jennifer Raygoza

Hey everyone! Please welcome Author Jennifer Raygoza to the page and blog today. We have an interview with her and info on her book.


What is your book(s) about?
I have a vampire series out currently. It's told from a young womans point of view. It is her journey from a human, to being turned and thrown into a vampire world that tells her she has the key in her body that will stop the war, and save humanity.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I live in Corona, California with my husband and kids. I love to write books that border all the genres. My first and current series is a vampire based story. I have two short stories coming out in the fall.

What started your interest in writing?
I used to write poetry as an outlet when I was younger. There was always something inside of me that liked writing. 

What are your currently working on?
Part 3 in my vampire series The Guardians.

How long did it take you to get your rough draft finished on your latest release?
5 months.

If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?
Vampire of course.

What was the first book you remember reading?
The Golden Egg. Kids book.

How did you come up with your title?
It just came to me. It was a strong name like my characters.

Who is your support team?
My husband.

What do you do when your not writing?
I love music, or going places where I can relax. Although I am always thinking about writing.

What was the lastest book you read?
I am reading the Divergent series currently.

Where did you get the idea for your book(s)?
My brain is a crazy place. Scenes just come to me out of the blue. I was reading a lot of vampire books at the time.

Are any of your characters like you?
My M/C Gianna. She has my fireball temperament I had as a youth.

What genres do you write in?
Dark Fantasy currently.

Is there anything you will never write about?
I don't know. I am taking challenges this year to see what I can and cant do. I just wrote an erotica short.

Do you have a favorite quote from your book(s)?
"Caleb, I... I was lying earlier about how I feel about you. It’s insane, but I think I lov..." he stopped me by seizing my body and pushing me against the bed.
He climbed on top of me and held both my arms over my head with one hand. I felt the handkerchief come loose from my gash.
“Your skin is so warm,” Caleb whispered. I melted into the bed.

Is there anything you would tell aspiring writers?
Yes, Do not let anything, anyone says negatively about you or your work get in the way of what you want to accomplish. 

If zombies attacked what kind of supplies would you want?
Gun, knives, spears, Axes, Chains, Food, Water.

Who designed your cover(s)?
Riley Steel from Vivid Designs

Have you learned anything from writing your book(s)?
I learned how to write better action scenes. I learned how to edit better and watch for consistency. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book(s)?
Editing!! Editing can be frustrating.

If you could sit down with any author dead or alive who would it be?
hmmm. I guess Stephen King. He has been in the industry for so long. It would be cool to pick his brain. 

If you co-write a book with any author who would it be?
E.L James lol. Let's mix some erotica with my edginess and make a crazy book. 

What is your favorite paranormal being?
Vampires of course. 

How do you react to a bad review?
It does bother me, but its just somebodies opinion, and I have to remind myself that. You have to learn how to take what you can from it, learn any critique if anything and move on.

Do you keep a notebook near your for when new ideas pop into your head?
I write on anything I have near me. Receipts, notepad on phone. ANYTHING.

If you write a series do you reread your previous books before you begin the new one?
No. I do sometimes go back into pages of previous books if I need to verify something that happened prior, but I don't re-read the whole book. 

Does much research go into your novels?
I had to do research on witches for part 2 of my series. It took me a few hours and I whipped out what I found for them. So nothing heavy, but light research.

Is there anything you wish to say to your readers?
Thank you for taking a chance on my series. I hope you enjoy it.


The Guardians: A Vampire Novel: Feel the Fire by Jennifer Raygoza
Blurb 
I thought I had life all figured out. We live. We suffer pain. We die. Death never bothered me much. It was love that scared the hell out of me, because love made you weak, and in my line of work there was no room for that. My name is Gianna Botticelli. I am the daughter and only female employee of a Los Angeles mafia boss. Today was supposed to be like any other day until Caleb walked into my life. He is sexy and mysterious and knows things he shouldn’t. I don’t like it at all, but I can’t help the way he makes me feel inside. There is something different about him. What is he? All I know is that after meeting Caleb things will never be the same as he introduces me into his world. A world unknown where the battle of good versus evil rages on. Sacrifices will be made, hearts will break and lives will be taken. How far am I willing to take this journey I keep asking myself? If I have to sacrifice myself to save everyone and everything, then the answer is easy. All the way.

Links

Interview with Author Patricia Eddy


Hi everyone! Please give a welcome to Author Patricia Eddy to the blog and page today. We have info on her book and an interview with her today.


What is your book(s) about? 
I write books about all sorts of paranormal creatures. By the Fates is a series all about witches, humans, and devils. Secrets in Blood is a twist on the classic vampire tale. I write about strong, capable, kick-butt women and the alpha men who fall for them. I'm a sucker for happy endings, but I also like the dark side of society, so my characters usually go through some pretty intense experiences. 

Can you tell us a little about yourself? 
I've been a writer my entire life. I write every day, even if it's just for ten or fifteen minutes. I can't stop. I have four books out currently, and am planning on three more books this year including a non-paranormal erotica novel. 

What started your interest in writing? 
I can't really say. I've always written. I remember sitting at my parents' kitchen counter when I was no older than seven or eight typing out little stories on their first computer. I really ramped up my writing during a bad marriage. Writing helped me process my emotions and my stress. Even though my life is pretty good now, I'm still going strong. 

What are your currently working on? 
I just sent my erotic suspense tale, In His Silks to my editor and I'm now going back to finish my elemental werewolf romance: A Shift in the Water. It's about a werewolf who's trapped as his wolf by an elemental (kind of a witch). When he gets free, he realizes that his rescuer is his mate. 

How long did it take you to get your rough draft finished on your latest release? 
Oh my. This was a long one. Six months. Though it was that long because I don't tend to work on one thing at a time. I was writing two other books during that time - on that's been published already and A Shift in the Water. 

If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?
  This answer changes by the day. I love the idea of being a shifter. I'd love to be able to hide out as an animal sometimes. Plus, have you ever seen a cat or dog sleep? They sleep so completely and totally. But I'd also like to be a vampire because being nearly immortal would be awesome. 

What was the first book you remember reading? 
Oh my . I have no idea. probably a Nancy Drew mystery. 

How did you come up with your title?
 By the Fates came to me easily and it really ended up shaping the novel. Secrets in Blood just made sense. But A Shift in the Water was a hard process. I went through dozens of titles before I came up with that one. When I choose a title, I always do a search on Amazon first. I don't want my title to be the exact title of another book. It helps for searching. 

Who is your support team? 
I have a couple of amazing beta readers who give me great feedback (good and bad). My husband is awesome at doing dishes so I can write and I just hired the most amazing assistant. I'd be lost without her. 

What do you do when you're not writing?
 I'm a professional editor as well as an author, so I edit other indie authors. I love to run and do Barre classes and I have a full time job as well in technology. I do a little bit of everything-except sleep. 

What was the latest book you read? 
I just finished First Surrender by Katie Reus. She writes wonderful strong female characters. 

Where did you get the idea for your book(s)?
 A lot of the time the ideas come to me in dreams. I tend to start out with a single scene in my head and build the story around that. 

Are any of your characters like you? 
Oh, I think I have small pieces of myself in a lot of my characters. My heroines are the types of women I want to be and want to know, even if they occasionally do things that I hate or would never do. 

What genres do you write in?
 I write paranormal romance, paranormal suspense, and erotica. 

Is there anything you will never write about?
 Nope. Nothing is off limits. I even have a memoir type non-fiction book with a few thousand words. I don't know if I'll finish it, but it's started. 

Do you have a favorite quote from your book(s)?
"Clearly screwing a vampire doesn't mean you care for one." (okay, I didn't use the word screwing. My word started with f.)

Is there anything you would tell aspiring writers? 
Just write. Keep writing. You're a writer if you write. And if you don't write, you can't publish. So write. 

If zombies attacked what kind of supplies would you want? 
A very sharp sword and very comfortable shoes. 

Who designed your cover(s)? 
Ravven (www.ravven.com) has done all of my published covers. I just chose a new cover designer for the erotica series. Melody Barber. 

Have you learned anything from writing your book(s)?
 Oh too much to type out! But mainly I'd probably say that I learned to not always listen to the little voice in my head that tells me I'm not good enough. I let it spur me on to make me better, but I don't let it discourage me. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book(s)?
 Editing. 

If you could sit down with any author dead or alive who would it be? 
Carolyn Keene. Nancy Drew had such an effect on me. 

If you cowrite a book with any author who would it be?
 Lindsay Buroker. I love he books. She was the indie author who really got me into writing. Hers was the first indie book that I read and I just loved it. 

What is your favorite paranormal being? 
That changes regularly. Right now it's werewolves. 

How do you react to a bad review?
 It depends. Most reviews have some kernel of knowledge in them I can use. I've been fortunate to not get many bad ones, but the few I have motivate me to try to do better. But I also know that I can't be all things to all people. So I read the review, let myself wallow for an hour or two, and then move on. If there's something there I can use, I use it. Otherwise I move on. 

Do you keep a notebook near your for when new ideas pop into your head?
 I never go anywhere (other than to a fitness class or on a run) without my notebook. And even those places I usually have my smartphone so I can always email myself a note. 

If you write a series do you reread your previous books before you begin the new one? 
Absolutely. 

Does much research go into your novels? 
Definitely! I love research. It's one of the best parts of being a writer. I've learned to fight (a little), learned how to pick locks, and am about to take archery lessons. I also make sure that my geography is accurate and that my medical facts are as close to accurate as I can get without going to med school. I have a friend who is a nurse. He's helped a lot. 

Is there anything you wish to say to your readers? 
Leave reviews! Share! And thank you to all of you who've sent notes of encouragement. Those mean the world to me.

Secrets in Blood (In Blood #1)
by Patricia D. Eddy
Blurb 
Vampires have been living in the open for centuries, but the laws prohibit them feeding directly from humans. A group of young American vampires wants those laws changed and will do anything to accomplish their goal.

An extremist religious group, believing vampires to be an abomination against God, works to develop a serum that will stay the vampires’ quick healing, effectively turning them mortal.

While visiting America, Italian vampire Nicola Angliatti tries to rescue a lost little girl, only to discover she is being used as bait. Captured by the extremists, restrained in silver, his body is used to develop the serum. Years later, near death, he’s discovered by that same little girl, now grown. The attraction between the two of them is instant and inexplicable. Can Evangeline free Nicola from his silver bonds? And if she does, what will happen between them?

By the Fates, Freed (By the Fates #1)
by Patricia D. Eddy
Blurb 
An ancient prophecy. A secret clan determined to see the world returned to war. A witch marked for death. 

Ealasaid has just come of age when the devil clan binds her. They steal her name, her voice, and her virtue. Her magic suppressed, she is held in the dark for ten long years, tortured and alone. She prays for a death she knows will never come. 

Raven is a powerful warlock, but though he has made a name for himself as a finder and a protector, he is largely unfulfilled. When the Fates send him to the witch, he has only to touch her to discover that she is his mate, the one he is fated to love for all eternity. He must free her and protect her or his life will be over. 

Once freed, Ealasaid fights against the darkness that still threatens. The fate of the world rests on her scarred shoulders, but with Raven by her side to share the burden, can she triumph?

Destined (By the Fates #1.5)
by Patricia D. Eddy
Blurb 
Ami escaped the devils' torture, but her body and mind are far from healed. She fears what she was forced to reveal when the mind-mage invaded her thoughts. 

A dark protector, exotic and powerful, arrives from the west. Seònaid knows from the first time she meets Ami that the two are destined for each other. But Seònaid harbors a secret that threatens to destroy the budding relationship between the two women. 

When the secret is revealed, Ami is shattered. Will she overcome Seònaid's betrayal? Can she ever trust her again?

By the Fates, Fought (By the Fates, #2)
by Patricia D. Eddy
Blurb
Spring in Gralvein brings Ealasaid peace. Six months to the day Raven found her shackled and tortured in the devil's lair, their public handfasting is the happiest day of her life. But a storm is coming. Devils join King Eideard's Guarda and watch Ealasaid constantly. Faolan's spies report Lobhdain is plotting. What is this mystical artifact he searches for? 

When the devils attack and one of their allies disappears, Raven and Ealasaid fear they will never be safe. Can they manage a daring rescue? Or will Ealasaid lose everything she holds dear?

By the Fates Origins, Rhona
by Patricia D. Eddy
Blurb 
Edan and Rhona Guinne had two wonderful years together. But as their daughter is born, Edan's life comes to its end. Alone and frightened, Rhona receives a message from the Fates. Run. 

This is an origin story for the By the Fates trilogy. It is approximately 6,500 words and is intended to be read as a companion to By the Fates, Freed.
Links 

Interview with Author Elodie Parkes


Hi everyone! We have an interview with Author Elodie Parkes today! Please join us in welcoming her to the blog and page today!


Author: Elodie Parkes
Book: A Little Mysterious

What is your book(s) about?
A vampire who can also shift. He ends up in a town alone and hungry. Little does he know fate has him there for a reason.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal or suspense. Her books are always steamy, cool stories and hot love scenes.
Elodie lives in Canterbury with her two dogs. She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.
She has also released titles as an individual indie author.


What started your interest in writing?
I used to be asked to write letters, stories, poems by my school friends and just kept writing.

What are you currently working on?
A contemporary romance.

How long did it take you to get your rough draft finished on your latest release?
About three months.

If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?
A shifter

How did you come up with your title?
For ‘A Little Mysterious’ it’s what other characters say about Dhruv my vampire/shifter

Who is your support team?
I have a couple of Facebook friends who share blog posts and we message each other when we are a bit down.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
Work at my day job. Read. Listen to music. Watch movies. Get out into the country.

What was the last book you read?
I read a lot J The Wilde Sisters: Emily by Sandra Marton

Where did you get the idea for your book(s)?
I get ideas from everywhere. Stories just drop into my head at the strangest things, road signs, names of places, buildings…sometimes people, usually strangers that I pass

Are any of your characters like you?
They all have a little of me in them. All my stories have a piece of my heart.

What genres do you write in?
Erotic romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, romantic mystery

Is there anything you will never write about?
Real violence, war...it’s too horrible

Do you have a favorite quote from your book(s)?
Come here babe…’ No seriously, there are so many things I could write here. I always fall in love with my characters and sometimes they say things all by themselves that crack me up…

Is there anything you would tell aspiring writers?
Just write. Don’t let the negativity of the publishing world put you off, keep going if you love writing.

If zombies attacked what kind of supplies would you want?
A flame thrower and a jet plane equipped with water and supplies. I wouldn’t mind a gorgeous guy to help me fly the plane.

Who designed your cover(s)?
I do for the most part, but Evernight Publishing did ‘A Little Mysterious’

Have you learned anything from writing your book(s)?
That I love writing.

What was the hardest part of writing your book(s)?
Marketing it actually. J

If you could sit down with any author dead or alive who would it be?
Charles Dickens

If you co-write a book with any author who would it be?
Christine Feehan

What is your favorite paranormal being?
That’s a hard choice. So would choose a Carpathian ‘vampire’

How do you react to a bad review?
I stopped reading reviews. Reviews are subjective when applied to any art form. I take note of my editor and publishers.

Do you keep a notebook near your for when new ideas pop into your head?
Not a notebook, my smartphone

Does much research go into your novels?
A little. I research when I have no knowledge of industries or places I want o use.

Is there anything you wish to say to your readers?
Thank you so much for reading my titles. If they mean anything to even one person that makes it all worthwhile.

Blurb
He’d been sent off course…he thought he was lost…until he found Daisy. 

His vampire abilities were special. He belonged to an elite group. Moving home, they are set off course by a storm that lands Dhruv alone, hungry, and desperate in a strange town. That’s where he meets Daisy.

They gazed at each other, and Daisy was mesmerized by his beauty. She gave an involuntary sigh as she looked at him. She wanted him so badly it made her dizzy. 
Available on All Amazons, Evernight, AllRomance, and Siren Bookstrand

April 20, 2014

Interview with Author Adrianne Brooks

Hey everyone! We are happy to welcome Author Adrianne Brooks to the blog and page today. 

What is your book(s) about?
I prefer writing paranormal/fantasy. There will usually be some aspect of romance in my books. I don’t always intend for it to happen that way but there’s often no helping it. I like looking at untold aspects of a story. Taking on an angle that most people don’t get to see.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I started writing when I was in the second grade. I entered some nationwide writing contest where I had to make a story and then do pictures to go with it. I almost won but then the judges told me that my children’s book wasn’t appropriate for children and I was disqualified. I’ve been writing ever since, but I’ve never mastered the art of a good kid’s story. Oh, also I eat a pint of ice cream a day and I own a cat. I imagine that my thirties are going to hit me pretty hard given my current lifestyle of debauchery.

What started your interest in writing?
When I was three or four my mom took me to the public library in Atlanta and it was so big that we had to ride an elevator to go to the different floors. I got a book about a princess who was given a pair of magical red slippers. The slippers made her dance until she died and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever read then or since.

What are you currently working on?
The Dragon King and I was originally a standalone but enough people liked it that I was asked to write two more for the series. Right now I’m finishing up book three and making plans to begin a Young Adult series once it’s done. On a side note, I’m also working on the first book in a zombie series but I have no idea when that will be finished.

How long did it take you to get your rough draft finished on your latest release?
Four weeks. I usually set goals for myself so that I have at least one thing published a year, no matter how small it is. I’ve upgraded to the point where I can turn out a book a month.

If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?
I would be a shaman. My grandmothers on either side were Native American and I love books that surround Native American culture and beliefs. I.E. Jane Yellowrock, the Urban Shaman Series, and the Stormwalker books.

What do you do when your not writing?
I read, or I watch ridiculous shows on netflix like Bob’s Burgers (Louise is my spirit animal).

What was the lastest book you read?
Kim Harrison’s The Undead Pool

Are any of your characters like you?
My best friend text me when she first read Kissed by Moonlight and she goes, “This isn’t a paranormal romance. This is a biography. About you. With werewolves in it. You disgust me.” Well I added that last part but it was implied. In short, apparently I’m like Phaedra Conners.

What genres do you write in?
Romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and etc. I like to touch on pretty much everything.

Is there anything you will never write about?
Nope. During my work as a freelance writer I’ve written about pretty much everything, some of it pretty offensive. I’ve learned never to shy away from where the muse decides to lead you. I may not feel completely comfortable with a topic, but at the same time working on it helps generate new ideas.

Do you have a favorite quote from your book(s)?
I dreamt that I danced.
Dressed in a glittering white gown with a slashed skirt and a button up bodice I was held in the arms of a man with golden hair and dark red eyes like old blood. His hair fell in waves down his back and his features were soft, like that of a man not fully grown. His smile was sharp, mischief ruled his face, and when I looked into his eyes I saw the Devil. There was a beauty mark beneath his left eye that fascinated me and in this dream I reached out to touch it as he spun me faster and faster around the dance floor.
Then in the dream... he started to cry.
A river a honey fell from his eyes like rain and dripped from his nose to land between the upthrust rise of my breasts. It glittered on my skin like dull metallic gold and when I looked back up from it, the man's eyes sparked like liquid garnets. Old blood given life and purpose again.
I found myself entranced.
In the dream...
In the dream I leaned forward, for this man for all his strength and power felt no hesitation in lowering his face towards mine, and licked the honey away so that it swam and sunk into my tongue, coating the cavern of my mouth in liquid gold made sweet. I lapped at his tears and he caught my eager mouth with his thumb. Held me open and still so that he could slip his tongue inside and taste what I’d fed upon. Hunger turned the taste into a caress, the caress into a dance.
Then the dance turned savage.
The almost cruel pressure of tongue and teeth forced my head back as he devoured me, and the sticky, sweet, residue still coating my mouth was washed away under the gentle slide of milk.
Honey and milk, honey and milk, I fed and drunk and tasted of him until I was trembling and throbbing. Until my hips pressed against his on their own volition.
In the dream his eyes were blood, his fingers cruelty, the knife, when it came, bliss. Pain was pleasure and pleasure was pain and I danced and bled and screamed for him.
In the dream...I met the Devil and he turned my world into blood soaked honey.

- War on Souls: Raison D’etre

Is there anything you would tell aspiring writers?
Just keep swimmin’

If zombies attacked what kind of supplies would you want?
A knife, some brownies, and an ipod that has gangasta rap and GaGa playing on repeat. I can handle myself from there.

Who designed your cover(s)?
Kellie Dennis from Book Cover by Design does all of my books and her work is beautiful https://www.facebook.com/bookcoverbydesign

What was the hardest part of writing your book(s)?
Letting other people read them. I’m always afraid that I didn’t do it right. Like I failed somehow or didn’t do as well as I should have. I think someone called it the creator’s curse or something. Where you improve during the course of a project so by the time you finish that project your standards and skills have changed. Which means that you’re never really satisfied with anything you do because you think you can always do better.

If you could sit down with any author dead or alive who would it be?
The list is endless, but the first name that comes to mind is Charles Dickens. I read a Tale of Two Cities in middle school before the teachers told us we had to and it was just so…I don’t know. I learned the true meaning of what it meant for a book to be considered a ‘classic’. It was the kind of story that made me think. I cried at the end of it. The only books that made me feel that way since then have been the Talisman and Black House by Stephen King, The Orphans of Chaos series by John C. Wright, Daughter of the forest by Juliet Marillier, and the Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It may seem like an extended list, but it’s so hard to find a book that really fucks with you on that level, you know?

What is your favorite paranormal being?
I like humans who have mind powers. The possibilities of all that they could accomplish is just fun to consider.

How do you react to a bad review?
If it’s constructive, I learn from it. If it isn’t I start dropping four letter words and try to ignore them.

Do you keep a notebook near your for when new ideas pop into your head?
I have dozens of journals where I write all of my ideas, quotes, ect. I keep one in my purse at all times just in case something comes to me. When I die, my friend has orders to either burn it immediately or use it to make herself a millionaire.

If you write a series do you reread your previous books before you begin the new one?
Nope. I never read a book after I write it. I’ll read sections of it. Get lost in huge portions of it. But I won’t read the whole thing from cover to cover. It’s funny because a lot of times readers will know more details about my series than I do. In fact, I read something the other day and I was all “Who the hell wrote that?” I was really pleased when I found out that it was your’s truly. 

Is there anything you wish to say to your readers?
Thank you for putting up with me. For liking me. For talking to me (I like talking to people about stuff). I love you guys.


Blurb 
The city of Briarcliff is full of secrets, and Phaedra Conners had spent most of her life digging them up. 

Unfortunately, she may have bitten off more than she can chew when she begins working for the enigmatic, and charming, Gabriel Evans. Gabriel isn’t your average CEO, and all too soon Phaedra finds herself caught up in the deadly machinations of the Wild Hunt. 

Between battling the Mad Sidhe and helping the two natured survive persecution, it’s all Phaedra can do to stay alive, let alone sane. She’ll find that following your heart isn’t nearly as easy as she’d once thought and that more often the not, the monster under the bed isn’t nearly as frightening as the one in the mirror.

NOTE: 
This contains all three books in the WILD HUNT Trilogy: 
Kissed By Moonlight 
Haunted By Moonlight 
Touched By Moonlight

Blurb 
Alexandria Greyson is cursed! How else can she explain why every man within sniffing distance comes running to her rescue? She’s not even trying the least to look pretty but she attracts men like a magnet. When a man is killed while trying to bring her an umbrella, she realizes that her condition isn't going away on its own and she’ll need to find a cure if she ever wants to live a normal life. 

So when her "Fairy Godmother" sends her on a quest to cure the curse that’s been plaguing her, Alex is doubtful but willing. Together with her beastly Prince Charming, she starts gathering all 6 ingredients that make up the cure. Everything was going smoothly…Until the last ingredient involves the heart of the one person she has learned to love: A dragon’s heart. 

Translate