Archive for the ‘Interview’ Category

International Giveaway! Paperbacks and Swag/Storm of Arranon by R.E.Sheahan

Posted: September 6, 2012 in giveaways, Interview, reviews, Science Fiction, Series, YA Fantasy
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When I spotted this cover art, I knew I had to read this. Sometimes an image will catch my eye and stay with me. I try not to read the excerpt for the book before I review it, but I do recall that this cover art was complimentary of the story within. That is very important to me. I have difficulty giving a good rating if the story and cover do not match. Check this out!

Storm of Arranon

Some people may think this is too busy. I think it is beautiful. I love the lettering and the way her eyes shimmer. The wolves eyes are like christmas ornaments. And the picture of this girl represents Erynn perfectly.

Before my review I have something great to tell you.  R.E. Sheahan is stopping in for an interview and she has offered 3 signed paperbacks with three signed posters for me to giveaway. Read my review and interview and enter for your chance to win this novel at the end of the post. Just look for the planets at the bottom!

Enter the world of Arranon

The story takes place in the future. The daughter of a famous general, Erynn is in training to be an interceptor fighter pilot. A sudden betrayal reveals an alien species has infiltrated the government at its highest levels. They want to harvest the planets of Korin and Arranon for their resources, which means total annihilation. With betrayal everywhere Erynn and her friends are not sure who to trust anymore.

Forced to flee Korin and seek safety on Arranon, Erynn learns about the mystery of her origins and her ability of Prophesy. She  begins to understand her connection to the planet. A secret forced upon her since childhood may hold the key to saving both planet if only she can unlock it in time.

What an adventure!  It is fantasy and science fiction all rolled up in one.

I really enjoyed reading Storm of Arranon. All of the characters are well-developed and understandable and the world building is almost visual without being too complicated and overshadowing the plot.

Erynn’s connection to the animals on Arranon was fun to read. I kept trying to envision what a Capora looked like – maybe a cross between a yak and a horse? And the Maejen, maybe a giant species of timber wolf?

R.E. Sheahan does a superb job of world building. She shows you the planets, their inhabitants and their cities, revealing an earnest desire for you to easily understand and enter these worlds.

If you have seen Avatar and remember how the flora and fauna all glowed with iridescent,brilliant colors, that is how I picture the Anim Blath.

They are alive, sentient, and they speak to Erynn, sing to her. Like the living voice of Arranon.

There is a budding romance between Jaer and Erynn, but the author kept it in its place. It was not the focal point of the plot but did add to my interest.

Storm of Arranon has magic, action, good and evil, friendship and romance, with an out of this world flavor. I think young readers and adults will enjoy this story.  So well written, I was surprised that this was R.E. Sheahan’s debut novel. This story can stand alone and the ending is very satisfying. I am happy to hear there will be more. A great beginning to a series.

       Loved it! I highly recommend it.

Now let’s get to know R.E. Sheahan shall we!

Hi Robynn. Thank you for stopping in to answer a few questions. Please start by telling us about yourself.

Thank you, Laura, for this opportunity to connect with your readers.

Hmmm, about me, well, I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I love books and reading. For me, bookstores are a bit like drug dealers whose highs are legal.

A few years ago while working as a Firefighter/Paramedic in Northern California, where, by the way, I read at least three books a week, I decided to try writing.

I moved to Oregon, changed my career to rancher and during my free time, usually in the wee hours waiting for a lamb to be born, I worked on my books. Yes, there are multiple ideas, all waiting their turn.

About four years ago, one particular character and her worlds demanded I devote more time to their story. So two re-writes, countless critique sessions, and a huge jump in my learning curve later, Storm of Arranon was born.

I would list your book as YA Fantasy/Science Fiction. What genre do you list Storm of Arranon as and where did you get the inspiration to write this story?

Yes, I would definitely list Storm of Arranon as YA Fantasy/Science Fiction, although many adults seem to enjoy the story, also.

As for the inspiration, okay, don’t laugh. Star Wars. I loved Luke’s innocence, his growth as a person and a Jedi through his adventures. Luke never backed down no matter how bad the situation.

The ‘what if’s’ started and in a very round about, convoluted way, Erynn and her two worlds came into being. The other characters arrived, adding their voices and suggestions, and, with the help of critique groups, I believed I had a story worth printing.

I’ve been wondering. How do you go about building a world and how do you choose names for places and species that don’t exist?

World building, well, sometimes situations, places, and the inhabitants of these worlds, come to me in dreams. Often I just look at my surroundings and wonder, what if? I know, there’s that ‘what if’ again. Imagination. Mine was never restrained, even as a kid, and my parents encouraged this in me.

Naming my creations has been great fun. I’ll share a little secret here. I have an extensive Gaelic dictionary and I will use a translation, but with letters added, dropped, or changed. Hey, with a last name like Sheahan, what would you expect?

What is the hardest part of your writing process and do you have a routine you follow?

The hardest part of a book is the first page, the first paragraph, that first line. It’s so important.

I like routine, but for writing, I pretty much go where my thoughts take me, which tend to be linear. Sometimes there is no choice, though. When the characters are talking, it’s time to get what they’re saying down. This has happened often at four in the morning.

My usual writing process is to take a scene, the setting, the characters, and begin like I’m watching a movie in my mind. (Note: I imagine my characters with actual actor’s faces along with their personalities.) If I don’t like where the dialog is going, I rewind and direct the scene in a different way. I may ‘watch’ the same scene over and over again, until I am happy with what I ‘see, feel, hear, taste, and smell,’ on that virtual sheet of white paper.

Is there a favorite place you like to write?

In the summer, I would sit at the kitchen island. In the adjoining family room cartoons, (frequently Star Wars -The Clone Wars), were on TV and Parker would be sitting with his Legos asking questions every few minutes. I got more work done during those times than when I was alone, in a silent room. So now, I make sure to have something playing in the background. I especially like old- I Love Lucy re-runs.

Who are some of the authors that inspired you?

Dean Koontz, for his descriptions. I felt like I was right there with Christopher Snow, or Odd Thomas. That and the dog never dies in his books!

Nelson DeMille for his intricacies in weaving a complex plot. Wow!

Sue Grafton for her realistic and flawed character, Kinsey Milhoune. She gets herself into so much trouble! I like that in a protagonist.

What are you reading now and what is one book you would recommend?

I have three books going right now.

Dragon Gem By Brian Beam

Symphony of Dreams by Cynthia Rogan

The Watchers by Russell Turney

And, yes, I can keep them straight.

Book recommendations are so subjective. What I love, someone else may not enjoy. But here goes. And sorry, but it’s two books.

Fear Nothing and Seize the Night. The Christopher Snow stories by Dean Koontz.

Is there anything you would like to share with us?

I’m actually quite shy so publishing my book was difficult. A book is such a personal journey and an insight into the author. Well, it is for me anyway.

Let’s do a few fun ones, shall we?

If you could do anything (except write), what would you do?

Good question. I’ve driven fire engines and ambulances code three, run into burning buildings, and saved a few lives. That’s kinda hard to top. I’ve worked on a ranch and helped many a newborn lamb or calf into the world. Very rewarding. I’ve trained dogs, Border Collies, to work livestock. I love dogs!

I think if I could do anything, I’d be a veterinarian.

What is your favorite junk food?

WooHoo! Cupcakes!

Where would you choose to go on vacation if you could go anywhere?

That’s easy. Ireland.

Imagine space travel is a common thing now. Would you go if you knew you would be gone for a long time?

In a heartbeat.

Do you believe in aliens and would you like to meet one?

I would love to meet an alien. In fact, I’m sure I already have.

That was a lot of fun. Thanks for the great interview and for allowing me to host this awesome giveaway!

And now for the Giveaway! It’s International!

I have three signed paperbacks with three signed posters to giveaway to three lucky winners. To enter just leave a friendly comment  about the interview or the book, along with your email address.  Easy! Good luck everyone!

Contest ends at midnight on September 15th. I will contact the winners for mailing information to give to the author. Must be able to provide a complete mailing address.

It isn’t required, but I would appreciate it if you followed my blog and on twitter. To follow R.E. Sheahan just click on the links provided below.

A great beginning to a brand new series. If you like this post, don’t forget to hit that Like button. Thanks so much.

You can find R.E. Sheahan here:

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Happy Dance!!

New Blood comes to town! Meet Donna Ansari’s Vampires

Posted: September 1, 2012 in fiction, Interview, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Series, Vampires
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I was so excited when I finished reading New Blood: Vampire in the City–Book One! I just had to ask the author, Donna Ansari,  if she would do an interview with me. And she said yes!

Even better! Each week this month, I will have something new about this series! So stay tuned.

First I want to tell you about the story.

cNew Blood



Great job with the cover art Donna. This face is now Emma for me. And the graveyard looks familiar. I recall a certain something that happened there:)

Now for my thoughts and ramblins.

Her night starts normally enough. Emma spends the evening at work. Her job at the advertising agency is not like they portray on TV. Most of the work is tedious and time-consuming. Then along comes the night supervisor, dropping on her desk a rush job which keeps her late.

Staying late to finish it is why Emma winds up in the wrong place at the wrong time, or is it? Well, that is for later.

Exiting the subway, Emma is only a block away from her house when she sees them. Two young men are assaulting another man.Before she can stop it,  her scream slips out and their attention turns to her.

She can see one is holding what looks like a knife and the other a stick. Huh?  As they rush her, she realizes she is mistaken, the knife is actually a metal cross. Screaming still seems like a good idea, but just seems to spur them on.

She manages to get her can of Mace out and let’s go into the eyes of one of her attackers, while the other one just places the cross on her skin. What’s up with that? She keeps screaming and they run off. A quick glance at the victim reveals he is none the worse for wear. She takes a long look, thinking “He’s beautiful.”  He assures her he is fine and after she accepts his thanks, Emma scoots towards the safety of  home, ready for this night to be over.

The whole encounter leaves her feeling strange. What did the boy with the stick mean when he yelled”Looks like we’re going to dust two blood suckers tonight!?” And why was it so hard to walk away from the stranger afterwards?

What Emma doesn’t realize is, that night  set something in motion. Her next encounter with the stranger is not by chance. And when Emma wakes up at his place, feeling great, wearing someone elses pajamas, with no idea how she got there, she is none to happy.

“You had better tell me exactly what happened, bub, because the last thing I remember, I was crossing Queens Boulevard…”

Emma’s life is changed in an instant and it will take all of the courage and take-charge attitude she has to get her through the rough times ahead.

And I do mean rough. Emma gets out of one situation and ends up in another and another…. It is amazing she is still walking around.

She has some new friends, strange friends, and gets a roommate, which really complicates things. How do you hide the fact you are now a vampire from your roommate and best friend? This leads to some sticky and funny situations.

Check out this scene where Emma and Alex are looking up how to kill a vampire on the computer.

I turned back to the computer, where I did a search for :”anatomical position of the heart.” A few minutes of searching and we found out that the heart is two inches to the left of the sternum, between the fourth and fifth ribs.

“Great,” I said. “Now how are we supposed to practice this?”

Alex started unbuttoning his shirt and I reflexively turned away…

“What are you doing?” 

“I thought you could practice on me using the blunt end of the stake, and it’s easier to see where the ribs are without my shirt on.”

Still flustered, I said, “I guess you should lie down for this.” I stood up and went back into the living room, where I had left the stake. While I was doing that, Alex completely removed his shirt and laid down on the couch.

I hadn’t really gotten a good look at his naked chest in adequate lighting before. Now that I had the chance, and was technically supposed to be studying it anyway, I gave it a good long look. His muscles had good definition without being beefy. You could see the indentations where his ribs were, but just barely. His chest was mostly hairless, except for a small tuft between his nipples. Looking farther down, I saw that he also had a slim, vertical strip of hair from his navel to the top of his pants.

“If you’re confused, count,” he said, unexpectedly.

Alex must have seen the confused expression on my face, because he looked highly amused and said, “I mean, you should count my ribs.”

“Right,” I said, desperately trying to concentrate on the task at hand. I held the stake in my left hand and used my right index finger to trace down from his collarbone, feeling for ribs. “One…two…three…four…here.”

“That’s too far over. Remember the website we looked at? Go a little more towards the center.”

I slowly moved my finger over a few inches. “How hard do I have to push it in?”

“As long as you aim between the ribs, you shouldn’t have to push that hard. But the main thing is that you will want to do it very quickly, so you don’t give them the chance to wake up before you finish.”

I definitely did not want that to happen.

“Also, I think sitting on his crotch may wake him up,” Alex added.

Did I forget to mention there is some fun, sexual situations in New Blood. They are more hints than explicit, but still sexy.

Lots and lots of surprises, plenty of schtick, and,yes, some romance and sexual encounters, New Blood delivers.

I had a great time following Emma, reading about how she juggles all of the new complications in her life, or is it un-life? You will too.

Like the supernatural? Vamps and other such characters? You’ll enjoy New Blood. Plenty of strange for everyone.

  I loved this book and highly recommend it!

And now I want you to meet Donna.

 Hi Donna. It is so nice of you to stop by and talk for a while.
 
 My readers are anxious for this interview to get rolling, so why don’t you start by telling us about yourself.
 
I live in New York City with my husband and two-year-old son. I’ve lived here most of my life and love it, which is why I wanted to write a series based here. When I was a child, the two things I’ve always wanted to be when I grew up were a writer and a mother, so I consider myself pretty fortunate that I’ve been able to accomplish both of those goals.
 
 I loved how the story started. It felt like it could’ve been me on any given night at work. Did you draw on past experiences when you wrote about Emma’s job and her boss?
 
You’ve discovered my horrible secret–yes, I work in an advertising agency, just like Emma. Although I work in the editorial department, which is probably more boring than working in the art department. Any job where you get excited over the misuse of a semicolon is probably boring by definition. And as for the demanding and annoying co-workers, no comment!
 
 I am always curious about how a story gets started. Where did your idea for Emma and New Blood come from?
 
I’m a long-time Buffy fan, and I love a strong female lead character who learns to overcome adversity. So I wanted to write a story where the protagonist became a vampire and had to deal with all the different dramatic lifestyle changes that it entails. 
 
When you started New Blood, did you already plan on writing it as a series, or did it just grow into one?
 
It’s a little hard to remember at this point. The truth is I wrote New Blood about six years ago. Then I didn’t touch it for a number of years, during which time I went through some major life changes. Then, when finally I read it again, I realized both that I wanted to publish it and that the story had to continue.
 
 Is there a part of the story you really liked but had to remove, and if so, could you tell us why? I know you can’t relate the scene in detail as it would be a spoiler.
 
Technically no, but I did at one point consider writing slightly more explicit romantic scenes. I may have even tried writing a sentence or two, but only ended up embarrassing myself.
 
 Another thing I keep forgetting to ask is, do new characters just pop into your head while writing or do you build them first and then add them in?
 

I am a big believer in outlines, so it’s rare for me to write anything at the spur of the moment, although it does occasionally happen as the story is coming to a conclusion. But part of my writing process is to come up with backgrounds for all the characters, even ancillary ones. 

 
 Now that we have the serious questions done, let’s have some fun shall we?
 
Okay!
 
 Who was the first boy you kissed?
 
My first “boyfriend” was a kid named Thomas in my first-grade class. We insisted on being partners when walking to and from the lunchroom and kissed each other hello and goodbye every day.
 
 What is your favorite reptile?
 
My favorite reptile is a leopard gecko named Spot. Once when I was in an unhealthy relationship, my boyfriend said he would break up with me if I bought a reptile for a pet. The very next day I went out and bought Spot. 
 
If you could have any automobile, which would you have?

The DeLorean from Back to the Future so I could time travel! Seriously, I live in NYC, so driving is the least effective means of going from place to place.
 
 
 What would you like to be called if you had to change your name?
 
My mother told me that when she was pregnant with me, she was approached in a dream by a being who said she would have a daughter and she should name her Donna Marie. I find it hard to argue with that. For awhile, I was thinking about changing my last name to Lancaster (my mother’s maiden name), but then I got married and changed it to Ansari instead.
 
 Say you are locked in a room by yourself. What book would you like to have with you?
 
Can I just have a Kindle and internet service? I know it’s strange but I don’t read that many books in my genre. Right now I’m reading A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. It’s about 1,500 pages. I’d be fine in the locked room for days!
 
 
 Thanks for answering all of my questions Donna. I can’t help myself sometimes. Curiosity gets the better of me and I forget how busy you must be.
 
Thanks! It was fun!
 
 
Hey Donna.  Should we tell them about the upcoming giveaway? I really want to tell them!
 
To celebrate the upcoming release of book three in the Vampire in the City series, I am giving away five free copies of the book that started it all, New Blood!
 
You heard it folks. Next week I will be having a giveaway. Five chances to win New Blood: Vampire in the City – Book One. And there’s more. After that I’ll be…….oops, can’t tell you yet!
 
About the author:
 
Donna Ansari was born in New York City and has lived there for most of her life. Donna graduated from Pace University with a BA in Literature and Communications. Since then, she has been working as an editor, primarily in the field of medical education.
Donna lives in Queens with her husband, son, and large black cat. She is not currently aware of any vampires in her neighborhood.
 
 
You can find Donna here:
 
 
 
 
 
To purchase your own copy, just click on the cover image below.

All’s Fair In Love And…..GIVEAWAY ~ Fair Play by Janna Shay

Posted: August 29, 2012 in Contemporary Romance, fiction, giveaways, Interview, reviews
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Oh My! Do I have a fun book for you! Las Vegas, casinos, steamy romance and mystery!  Fair Play by Janna Shay has everything to offer!

And to make it even better, I have Janna here for an interview and she has offered two e-books of Fair Play for my giveaway.

Keep reading and enjoy. To enter the contest, look for the  Kiss at bottom of the post!

I have so much to tell you. I had such a good time reading FAIR PLAY! This story starts out hot and gets hotter and hotter. The sexual and emotional radar pings frequently.

Dani is enjoying some time alone at the rooftop pool. Her new job as a waitress at the Diamond Hotel & Casino starts soon.  She drifts off to sleep under the warm touch of the sun.

In her dream, cool hands linger on her skin, caressing her body. She awakens slowly, her eyes focusing on a man’s muscular legs standing next to her. Her gaze moves upward to lock on a pair of hazel eyes looking into hers.

Jace noticed Dani lying by the pool and went over to meet the new waitress for his casino. As he got closer, he took his time admiring her body, slim and shapely with curves in all the right places. He couldn’t resist touching her silky skin.

Dani sat up but continued to lock eyes with the handsome man before her, returning his smile. As his eyes travel downward and lock onto her body, Dani is mortified to realize her top was still on the lounger and her breasts were bare to his gaze.

A primal, sexual attraction pulls them to each other, and if not for the distant sound of a door shutting, they may have given in to their desires. Both are left wondering what had happened. Things had almost gotten out of control.

Dani is embarrassed and quickly turns defensive, spurning his comments that she had responded as willing as he did. She makes a quick exit.

What Dani doesn’t know is, Jace is the owner of the casino and her new boss and he is not done with her yet. His pursuit of Dani is relentless, his alpha male attraction to her (not paranormal) sends his blood racing whenever she is near.

Let me give you a taste so you’ll see what I am talking about!

Jace watched Dani until she left his office. There was a latent sensuality about her that was intriguing and pulled at him. It wasn’t just her body, although he’d have to be dead not to appreciate it. She was intelligent, principled, and had a temper. He liked a woman with spirit, and had every intention of pursuing her on a personal level. She may not admit it, but he knew she was interested in him. “Until the next time.”

Dani was having troubles of her own. Her body hums when Jace is near. She can’t have a relationship with her boss. She needs this job, and knows it’s always bad to mix business with pleasure. Still, her body betrays her at each encounter, pulling her towards him. She vows to keep this strictly professional. But Jace will not be denied.

“You can lie to yourself all you want, but there’s something between us, even if you won’t admit it. Ignoring it isn’t going to make it go away.”

This is just a small tease of what you are in store for. This hot and cold romance is full of steamy, sensual encounters and fiery dialogue. Whenever these two get together it is fireworks!

I can’t wait for you to read about Jace’s plan to break down Dani’s denials. It is so devilishly sexy and charming. I laughed in delight. I want me a Jace!

There is more to this story than just romance. Dani has a secret. A big one, that keeps her on the move. All the more reason to not get involved with Jace, despite her growing emotional attachment to him. Her secret, if revealed, could land her in jail. So, no relationships allowed. She is truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

I really like Dani. She is strong-willed and intelligent, but still has her insecurities. That makes her very real for me. I can relate to her fears of  falling in love and forming a commitment. Aren’t we all afraid to have our heart crushed. She is also not afraid to tell it like it is and gives as good as she gets and this makes for some fun, laugh out loud moments. She also discovers her own sexuality and I liked how her confidence grew in the bedroom.

Jace. Oh Wow! He has this sarcastic wit which is a big turn on for me. Nothing sexier! I can just see his lips curve into that sardonic smile. And his tenderness with Dani makes your limbs weak. He can really set your head and heart spinning.

Set in Las Vegas, the city of all that glitters, FAIR PLAY sparkles like a diamond. With lots of entertaining characters and laugh out loud moments along with Dani’s mysterious past, this book will keep you rapt and eager to continue.

Janna really knows how to write erotic, pulse racing, beyond the bedroom door sexual romance. Spicing it up with some mystery and comedy. The pace of the story is fast and fun to follow, and her placement of pivotal scenes is right on.  A few small typos, but nothing that breaks the flow your reading.

Now let’s learn about Janna. Enjoy the interview!

Fair Play was so fun to read Janna. Thanks so much for coming by to talk with us.

 I know everyone is waiting to learn more about you, so lets start by having you tell us something about yourself.

I have 7 grown children, 23 grandchildren, and one very romantic husband, who is the love of my life. And no, I did not want 7 children – I wanted 9. I figured since my husband was drafted by a major league baseball team, I’d start my own team. But instead of a baseball team, I ended up with a cheer squad who support and encourage me in my writing career. I consider myself extremely blessed to have them in my life.

I’m a voracious reader, who reads at least one book a day. I started reading at a very young age and spent most of my youth at the local library pouring through books. I find my laptop, kindle, and smart phone are items I cannot live without.

  Books are listed under different genres depending upon what site you are visiting. What genre would you say Fair Play is?

I’d say Fair Play is a contemporary romance with a little bit of suspense, though most sites classify it under contemporary romance.

 I have never been to Las Vegas, but if Jace were available I’d be tempted. How did you choose this city as the setting for your story?

I knew I wanted to write a romantic novel about a devastatingly handsome alpha male and a beautiful, sexy woman who had an overabundance of chemistry between them. While contemplating my story, I saw an advertisement for Las Vegas that stated, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. The wheels in my head starting turning and I thought I’d put the two together and maybe create some fireworks.

 I really liked Dani. Does her character resemble you?

That’s a difficult question to answer. I’d have to say to a degree. My sense of humor spilled over into Dani, although I don’t have the insecurities she had in the beginning. As far as her strong beliefs, loyalty, and compassion, I’d say we’re similar.

 Was it easy or hard to write your bedroom scenes? You had some steamy ones!

It was actually easy to write my bedroom scenes. I am a person who believes in love and all the feelings that go with it. To me sensuality and passion are a big part of those feelings. To put into words the visceral emotions combined with the physicality came naturally to me.

 Are you currently working on something, and would you care to share with us?

I’m currently working on the second novel in my Diamond series, Fair Play being the first. It takes place in Vegas also, with the continuation of Jace and Dani’s story….the story of their son, Nicholas. I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil the fun. It should hopefully be released sometime at the end of this year or beginning of next.

Thanks Janna. I’ll be waiting!

Now for some fun flash questions!
1) How do you like your man?
a) tender and catering to all of your needs
b) strong but fair
c) no words, all action

How about all of the above? If I have to pick then it’s b) strong but fair. I have a weakness for strong men.

Is there such a thing as all of the above? I want one! Great choice Janna.

2) How do you like your relationship to start?
a) slow and easy
b) knock your socks off, don’t waste time

Knock my socks off all the way and don’t dare waste time. I love a man who knows what he wants and goes for it.

3) If you were stranded on a tropical island and could have one sexy actor there with you, who would it be?

I can only have one? You’re killing me, Laura. If I must choose, then I’d have to say Johnny Depp. Afterall, who’s a better choice than Captain Jack Sparrow with his knowledge of tropical islands?

My choice also. Johnny is a juicy bad boy!

 This has been so fun. I know I threw some wild questions at you. Thanks for playing along and for the opportunity to read and review Fair Play.

 

GIVEAWAY

I have two e-book copies to giveaway today. To enter, please leave a comment along with your e-mail address.

While it is not required, it would be very much appreciated if you would follow my blog and follow Janna at the links provided below. Also, if you liked this post please hit that twitter and Like button:)

Contest ends on September 12th

About Janna

Janna Shay is a native Californian who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and miniature schnauzer.  She is a mother of seven grown children and has twenty-three grandchildren, with all her children living in nearby Northern California communities.

Janna was introduced to books at the age of five, which began a lifelong love of reading.  As a child she would spend endless hours at the local library pouring through all genres of books.  It wasn’t until her teens that her love of romance novels blossomed.

When Janna isn’t following her dream of writing or enjoying her love of reading, she can be found engaging in her other love, which is activities with her family.

Janna is a member of Romance Writers of America and San Francisco Area Romance Writers of America.

Contacts

Website – http://JannaShay.com

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/JannaShayAuthor

Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/@jannashay

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13651928-fair-play

I was given this book for an honest review. Thank you Janna.

To purchase your copy of Fair Play, click on the cover below or in the sidebar.

Giveaway is Over/Signed Paperback and Bookmark/in the midst of darkness by Nicole Bailey

Posted: August 24, 2012 in fiction, giveaways, Interview, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Vampires
Tags: , , , ,
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Lets talk about in the midst of darkness by Nicole Bailey. After my review read further to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed paperback and one of Nicole’s pretty bookmarks, and I have a BONUS for you. Nicole is stopping by for an interview. So keep reading and get to know the author behind this story.

For the giveaway details, just look for the BOOKWORM at the bottom of the post.

In the Midst of Darkness (Book 1)

Waverly grew up in Yachats, Oregon. A small town. A really small town, Population: 617. As soon as she graduated high school she got out of there and landed in Portstewart, Ireland, close to the university she would be attending.

One day, while following her usual routine of heading to the beach for a walk, she quite literally bumped into Finn O’neill.  They both felt the rush of electricity between them upon contact.

They quickly became inseparable, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time.

But Finn is hiding a secret, a secret that if revealed could  put both of their lives in danger.

To complicate things, Waverly’s best friend Jess comes to visit and is caught up in the deadly game of cat and mouse between Finn and his cousin Kieran.

Will they risk all to be together and can they survive what is coming?

You’ll have to read the book to find out:)

I found this book to be fun and quick to read.  There is no love triangle here but there is some instant love. I found it to be believable as we all experienced this “puppy love” as young adults. For some, it lasted, for others, it faded with time. The attraction between Waverly and Finn goes beyond this, is almost spiritual and meant to be. It brought back a rush of tenderness.

As for Jess. She is the friend we all had that we called complicated. She is young and brash, diving headlong into whatever interests her at the moment. Sometimes she behaves selfishly, but didn’t we all when we were younger? She is also very loyal and steps up when needed.

Kieran is just plain bad. Selfish and cruel, he is  always about self-gratification and doesn’t care who he crushes in that pursuit. There is not one redeeming quality in him. His character is well written.

in the midst of darkness is what I would call a YA Fantasy or YA Paranormal Romance. I feel it is written for mature teens to adults and would recommend this to the young ladies out there.

The only thing that put me off was the use of the word Love. It was used as a term of endearment by Finn, and it was used often. But that is a small detail and maybe in Ireland, that is the norm. It did not take away from an enjoyable reading experience.

The story is a little slow in the beginning but once the characters and plot are established it gets rolling and builds to some interesting predicaments and the author wraps it up nicely, with an ending that leaves you wondering what comes next.

This is Nicole’s debut novel and she is hard at work writing the sequel. We will be hearing (and reading) more from this author. I look forward to the next chapter in the lives of Waverly and Finn.

  I really liked it and recommend it.

REceived this book from the author for my honest review. Thanks so much Nicole.

Please welcome Nicole Bailey

Hi Nicole. Thank you for stopping by. Lets get right to it!

What genre do you classify in the midst of darkness as, and is there another genre you would like to write?

I would consider it to be Young Adult Paranormal Romance. I don’t really think it’s for younger teens though, although it is pretty clean compared to a lot of the other stuff out there in my genre. I don’t know if I could ever write another genre. This genre has always been my favorite, so it’s what I’m most familiar with. My friends and family have told me I should write a book about the adventures of living with all boys after reading our family blog. Maybe one day.

Could you explain your writing process? Do you start with a character or does the plot come first?

This book actually started by itself one night. A friend on facebook posted, “So there I was…” That’s it. For some reason, that sparked an idea and within a few minutes, the prologue came to be. I wrote a couple of chapters within the next couple of weeks, and then it just sat there. I never really dreamed that it would turn into a book, though. After the prologue, I had to figure out some names. I have always loved the name Finn, and I researched names for Waverly. I wanted a three syllable name because when he’s calling to her in the prologue, that’s the way I imagined it. In the beginning, I had no plot. It literally came as I was writing. I had a few ideas of what I wanted to happen, but not a set plot. Last summer, I decided that I wanted to work on it, and I ended up writing the entire book during summer break.

I always want to ask this and keep forgetting. How do you choose the names for your characters?

As far as the other characters go, I wanted authentic Irish names, so I went online and looked up some names that sounded cool. Kieran’s name actually means “dark one,” so I thought that fit his character well. Jessie just popped in my head while I was writing. I’ve always liked those boy names that can be girl names also.

Where do you like to write, and do you use pencil and paper or write on the computer?

I wrote the book in my kitchen at our computer desk. The night I wrote the prologue, I grabbed a pen and paper quickly to write it down before I forgot and then put it on the computer.

What do you do for fun when you are not writing?

When I’m not writing, I enjoy hanging out with my family. I love to watch my boys play baseball and football. I like to scrapbook, but haven’t done any in forever. I enjoy watching movies with my husband as well.

I know you are very busy writing the sequel to in the midst of darkness. Is there anything you can share with us, perhaps a tease about what’s coming up?

I’m planning on posting the prologue to Return to Darkness on my blog soon. I will let you know that Jessie meets someone and there is a trip back to Ireland. We haven’t heard the last of Kieran or his father, Darcy either.

Now I am going to throw in some fun questions.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation is Ireland of course! I always wanted to go to Paris. I dreamed of it for years. But then I started writing this book and fell in love with Portstewart. I would love to make enough money from the book sales to travel there with my husband someday.

What scares you?

I’m terrified of sharks. I grew up in California going to the beach. I saw “Jaws” as a young girl and have been afraid of them ever since.

Do you prefer watching movies or TV shows?

I love to watch both movies and TV. But if I had to choose, I would probably pick movies. My favorites are 80’s movies and Romantic Comedies.

Do you like swimming at the beach or a pool?

I love the beach. Waverly has a lot of my characteristics, including a love of the beach. I actually grew up going to Newport Beach all summer long. I loved to swim in the ocean and just got back this summer for a day during our vacation. It’s never long enough for me to get my fix.

What’s you favorite holiday?

Favorite holiday has always been Halloween. I love to dress up and who doesn’t love candy. But the last couple of years, I have decided I love Thanksgiving more. I love my husband’s fried turkey!

Thank you for stopping in Nicole. I know you are busy writing and I appreciate you taking time out from your schedule to share with us.

Thanks again Laura! I enjoy talking about the book and how it came to be. And I appreciate all of your help and interest.

And now for the giveaway!

Nicole has offered one Signed Paperback and one lovely bookmark of in the midst of darkness.

Isn’t that awesome!

 

As always it is easy to enter. Just leave your email and a comment for Nicole, or say something about the interview or this post.

Contest ends September 8th.

While it is not required, it is much appreciated if you would follow my blog.

Also you can follow Nicole here:

http://www.inthemidstofdarkness.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/MidstofDarkness

Contact: Nicole Bailey penquilla@gmail.com

Get to know Nicole

Nicole is a stay-at-home mother of four busy boys. When she isn’t at sporting events and chauffering the boys, she finds time to write. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Boise State University, and she recently rediscovered her passion for writing. In The Midst of Darkness is Nicole’s first novel and she is currently working on the sequel.

To purchase her book, just click on the cover image.

GOOD LUCK!!  If you liked this post please hit that twitter button.

World Exclusive Interview With Author Charles A. Cornell Plus Giveaway

Posted: August 16, 2012 in Book Promos, crime thriller, fiction, giveaways, Interview, Mytery/Thriller, reviews
Tags: , , , , ,
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Information about the giveaway for Tiger Paw is included after the interview. Thanks so much.

As you all know by now. I absolutely loved Tiger Paw by Charles A. Cornell.

Tiger Paw

I asked him to take some time out from his busy schedule for an interview and he graciously agreed. So grab your favorite Tiger Paw Beer Shake and some popcorn or pretzels and enjoy the show!

How about you tell us something about yourself as that is the way these things usually start.

I’m what they call a ‘TransAtlantic’ – born in England, raised in Canada, now living in the Detroit area. I have a degree in Metallurgy from the University of Sheffield in the UK and an MBA from a college in Michigan. I’ve been happily married to the same person for over 35 years (the formula will be bottled and on sale at my website soon). Our one and only son is a talented rock guitarist which means he is one notch above poverty until he gets discovered.

Your book trailer for Tiger Paw is top-notch. I want to see the movie! Where did you come up with the artwork for the Goddess and could you tell us about your process in creating the trailer?

In Tiger Paw, I created a fictional Hindu Demon-Goddess, called Dvaipa which is Hindi for ‘from a tiger’. In the book, I called the antagonists – a cult of devil worshippers – the Temple of Dvaipa. I chose to create both of these as a work of fiction out of deep respect for the followers of Hinduism. They will know that Dvaipa is a work of fiction. Tiger Paw is full of references to Hindu scripture and legends. It also contrasts Hinduism with Christianity in my humble attempt to explore the similarities which bind us as a human race, rather than the issues that divide us.

The ancient art in the Tiger Paw video is actually of Narasimha or Narasingh, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. See Wikipedia for more… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narasimha  Half-man/half-lion, with a lion-like face and claws, Narasingh is a force for good. In the artwork, he is shown destroying a demon. It was my inspiration for Dvaipa – my fictional Demon-Goddess, half-woman/half-tiger. I just reversed the ideas to make Dvaipa the incarnation of evil.

I paid for licensed photos for my book cover, website, blog and video from iStockPhoto. I also use free license photos available from Wikimedia Commons. Link… http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page  I follow their licensing guidelines closely.

One of the cool mini-videos I paid for is the bullet that flies through glass. It has no sound attached to it, so I also licensed a breaking glass sound effect and then had to splice the sound into the video to match it with the exact moment that the bullet crashed through the glass. I use Magix Movie Editor Pro 17. It has some great transition effects that can make still images look like they’re moving. Examples in the video are the fog (it’s a still photo that scrolls and fades), the New York City skyline (a panorama scroll) and the final shot of the tiger coming out of my book cover which is a combination of an ‘earthquake’ special effect with a ‘zoom-out’. After much experimenting, I got pretty dangerous with effects. Just wait until you see my trailer for the sequel, Lucifer’s Key!

There are some excellent sound tracks available from Shock Wave Sound. (Link… http://www.shockwave-sound.com/  ) The music is called ‘Cool City’. With Magix Movie Editor it was easy to splice the sound track so that I could match the drama of specific musical sections with each set of images. Check out the point where the video reveals ‘A Mystic Symbol’ to see that.

When the idea for Tiger Paw first began, which came first, The Temple of Dvaipa and her followers or your protagonist, Scott Forrester? I am curious as to which you used to build the story around. Or was it written around current shenanigans going on with Wall Street?

What an incredible question! I looked back in my archives and pulled up my first chapter outline of Tiger Paw from 2003. Tiger Paw was not my first novel. The year before that, I had finished an espionage novel about a Navy SEAL recruited into the CIA to stop a nuclear terrorist attack. It was OK, but in hindsight it needed some work. It remains unpublished. One of the biggest problems I had was that I’m neither an ex-Navy SEAL nor an ex-CIA agent, so my author’s bio didn’t resonate with agents. Instead of re-writing this spy novel to make it better, I decided to start over and write a murder mystery set in Wall Street, a topic which is definitely in my resume as a businessman and investor.

I’d really forgotten how Tiger Paw originally started until you asked me (that happens when you get older!). There was no Temple of Dvaipa. That idea came later. So the answer is… Scott Forrester came first. Also, well over half of the characters’ names changed from my initial selections for a variety of reasons, some practical and some because I didn’t like the way they sounded!

Tiger Paw is built around the following ‘what if’ question… ‘What if Wall Street defrauded the wrong investors? People who could really fight back?’ I did a lot of research on psychopaths and sociopaths. I wanted my serial killer to be driven by the same sense of revenge that everyone else who has lost money in the stock market feels. I also read the book, ‘Snakes in Suits’, written by a psychologist. It’s about how sociopathic personalities can be very successful in business. You may have a sociopathic manager or executive working in your company and not realize it. They may not act out their value system in a murderous way but evil can take many other forms. So Tiger Paw evolved into sociopaths being murdered by other sociopaths. And us ‘little guys’ get to watch!

But there had to be more to the motive than that. That’s when I came to the realization that sociopaths have value systems which seem ‘right’ to them. But what kind of thought process is this? I studied the concepts of karma and reincarnation, and from that I developed the killer’s warped sense of justice. It’s a form of religious fanaticism that is another current headline maker. The introduction of Hinduism, and the demonic cult behind the killings, hopefully creates a motive that will give readers a new world of mysticism, danger and diversity to escape into.

The final manuscript for Tiger Paw was completed in 2005 which was three years before the 2008 financial crisis and Occupy Wall Street. The ‘shenanigans’ of the moneyed elite have been going on for some time! An agent in New York liked Tiger Paw but passed on representing it. It lay dormant for three years. When the financial crisis hit and Occupy Wall Street was in the news, I knew I had a story that matched the mood of the 99%. So I updated the first chapter to add OWS and self-published it.

How hard was it to keep the killer’s identity hidden while writing Tiger Paw? I don’t recall one clue all the way to the moment of discovery! I know it couldn’t have been easy.

I really love these questions! You’re right, there are few direct clues. I actually had one that I removed because it was too obvious and would spoil the surprise at the end. There’s a way in the novel to figure out what that clue was… but I’m going to keep that secret until after the sequel, Lucifer’s Key is published.

There are actually more red herrings in Tiger Paw than clues. That is deliberate. It’s the ‘mystery’ in mystery thriller!

As you know, Laura, the reveal at the end is preceded by evidence of the exact opposite conclusion. But if I said any more, it would be a spoiler. It’s also the biggest problem I have in promoting the book. Because I can’t really say too much about the plot without diminishing the impact of the ending!

The sequel, Lucifer’s Key will have a surprise ending too.

Tiger Paw touches on some sensitive issues that are going on right now. Will the other two novels in this series have a specific theme?

Absolutely! Tiger Paw has many layers. The surface is entertainment… thrills and chills. Then there is information… about Hinduism, the danger of cults, the mechanisms of sociopathic killers, various interesting geographic locations, the history of Wall Street. Then there is the deepest layer… one that involves the psychology of evil and how it translates into our everyday world. As the Hindu protagonists in Tiger Paw state, “asuras (demons) walk all around us.” Corruption on Wall Street is the current lightning rod for this idea. But there are many other examples.

So many demons, so little time! Here are two world exclusives for Laura Thomas:

The sequel, Lucifer’s Key will involve the concept of the monetary value of human life. What do you think your life is worth? Read Lucifer’s Key to find out.

The third book, Black Venom has the potential to be the most controversial thriller ever written. I’m going to explore a political taboo, something that is whispered about in the corridors of power but never spoken about in public. As an author, this could be very dangerous. But I’m going to try. In literature, questions are often asked, ‘why do wars start?’ and ‘how can they be prevented?’ But ask yourself this, ‘once started, why are some stopped and others aren’t?’ And history has a nasty habit of repeating itself. The plot of Black Venom has already been written in the history books, it just needs to be brought into today’s world.

Tiger Paw is the first of a three novel arc. Scott Forrester’s journey starts with tracking down a demonic assassin. In Lucifer’s Key, it progresses with a prophecy from an Obeah sorceress that is a destiny he cannot escape. In Black Venom, will it be the end of the Temple of Dvaipa? Or will it be the end of the world as we know it?

World Exclusive!
Let’s talk about that missing prologue for Tiger Paw. Why did you not include it in the novel?

Another world exclusive? How greedy!

I’m going to blog about this soon, so I’m going to give you the short answer. The prologue was the original first chapter but since it didn’t include the main protagonist, it violated the genre ‘formulas’ that are prescribed. As a reader, I’m also not a fan of prologues. There’s a purpose for some, typically those that need to provide the historical context of an event that has happened maybe centuries ago. Most other prologues get in the way of starting the story. I actually recommend reading the Prologue to Tiger Paw after reading the novel because when you know who the killer is, and what their motive was, it has an extra chilling meaning.

I know you are anxious to tell us about your other passion – Saving the Tiger! Please share with us.

I don’t know what they teach about extinction in schools these days, but when I was little we were taught about the Dodo Bird. Now this was one butt ugly looking creature that had the unfortunate condition of a bird that couldn’t fly. Man introduced various predators into its environment and the ungainly avian became a toddling buffet. Too bad, eh? It’s gone now. Nothing we can do about it.

But when I was confronted with the following facts… that a hundred years ago there were 100,000 tigers in the wild and now there are fewer than 3,200… and that there are almost as many in captivity (2,500) as there are in the wild… well, it sealed the deal for me. This creature was beautiful! It’s a cultural icon everywhere around the world (it’s on cereal boxes for goodness sake!) And it’s at the very top of its food chain. So why is it going extinct? Look in the mirror to find out. If we can’t save the tiger, nothing’s safe.

For more, please visit the World Wildlife Fund’s campaign to Save the Tiger at http://www.savetigersnow.org/

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I like bulldogs but unfortunately they don’t fit into our lifestyle at the moment. So I have a low maintenance fat cat instead.

I have one fun question for you. Which Tiger Paw Beer Shake is your favorite?

The Siberian (double chocolate stout & vanilla ice cream). My two favorite flavors, chocolate and vanilla, plus beer. What’s not to like about that!

Thank you Charles. I enjoyed this interview so much I hate for it to end. I do want to share with all of you a favorite poem of mine. Please enjoy!

The Tiger – a poem by William Blake

Tiger, Tiger burning bright,

In the forests of the night;

What immortal hand or eye.

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat.

What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain,

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? what dread grasp.

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears

And watered heaven with their tears:

Did he smile His work to see?

Did he who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, Tiger burning bright,

In the forests of the night:

What immortal hand or eye,

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

For more about the Charles:

http://www.CharlesACornell.com

http://www.facebook.com/CharlesACornell

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768487.Charles_A_Cornell

Three ways to win Tiger Paw!!!

To enter a giveaway to win your own copy of Tiger Paw: http://wp.me/p27ipo-k0 

For another chance to win a copy of Tiger Paw: http://wp.me/p27ipo-lq

And for another chance to win, go to Sherry’s blog: http://wp.me/p2uiv4-28

If you are an Amazon Prime customer, Tiger Paw is currently free for Kindle until August 31. Just click on the image at top of the post.

To purchase your own copy, click on this cover image.

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Tiger This/Tiger That

Posted: August 5, 2012 in Contests, fiction, giveaways, Interview, Mytery/Thriller, reviews
Tags: , , ,
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Help Save The Tigers!

 
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Charles A. Cornell.  His debut novel, Tiger Paw, is now available in paperback and e-book.
 
In celebration of his release he is having a launch party over on his blog. You can win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and a free Kindle e-book of Tiger Paw.
 
His blog is all about the tiger, from Tiger Paw Beer to Ice Cream Floats. Charles, along with some friends have concocted some recipes.
The Siberian(Papa)
The Bengal(Mama)
and the baby twins
The Sumatran
The Malayan
He’ll roll out the 1st recipe before Save The Tiger Day on July 29: The Siberian Tiger Float.
 
The giveaway is dedicated to saving the tigers. To enter the contest go here: http://charlesacornell.com/website-launch-giveaway
 
To meet Charles and experience his witty posts go here: http://www.CharlesA.Cornell.com
 
I am reading Tiger Paw right this moment, well obviously not right this moment as I am talking to ya’ll, but you know what I mean!
Let me tell ya, it starts out like gang busters in the first few paragraphs. I’ll be posting my review soon and hosting an interview and giveaway also.
Want to know more about Charles and his debut novel Tiger Paw?
 
Charles A. Cornell was born in England, raised in Canada and now divides his time between Michigan and Florida. After 35 years of global business experience on three continents, Charles A. Cornell brings a diverse and unique perspective to his fiction. His novels are mystery thrillers carved from today’s headlines,  blended with action and intrigue, and cloaked in psychological suspense.
 
To purchase your own copy of Tiger Paw, just click on the image below.
 

In Tiger Paw, FBI profiler Scott Forrester hunts an assassin belonging to a demonic East Indian cult that is wreaking havoc on Wall Street, murdering corrupt CEO’s at the center of a billionaire’s stock scam. Firmly in the assassin’s crosshairs, Scott Forrester is forced underground to stop the killing spree. But will he survive the deal he must make with the Devil to thwart the cult’s plans?
 
Sounds great, eh?  Go ahead and enter the contest, or if you can’t wait, just click the image to get your copy now.
 
UPDATE: Tiger Paw Nominated for FWA Best Thriller
 
Tiger Paw has been nominated for a Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Thriller by the Florida Writers Association in a competition that includes both traditionally published and self published novels. As a category Finalist, it is also eligible to win the competitions’ overall Best Published Book of the Year Award.
 
Congratulations Charles and Good Luck!!
 
 
 
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A Latter-Day Zombie International Giveaway/Review/Interview With Kevin Krohn!

Posted: August 3, 2012 in fiction, giveaways, horror, Interview, reviews, Zombies
Tags: , , ,
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Recently, the author contacted me about doing a review of his book latter-day of the dead. The funny thing is, I had won this book a while ago in a  giveaway from Kriss at http://cabingoddess.com, and when I took a little hiatus to my sister’s house, I grabbed this book for a quick read by the pool. The request for the review and my taking this book with me before I had heard from the author is just so weird.

When I visited Kriss’s blog to enter her very first giveaway, the cover art caught my eye.

Then when I found out what the story line was, I knew I had to review it on my blog. A polygamist compound and zombies. Who would a thunk it? Well, Kevin Krohn did. What an ingenious plot.

Thanks Kriss. It was one of the first giveaways I won.

This book is not real long, took me a couple of hours to read it. But, there is so much in it. You have a secluded polygamist community dealing with a zombie outbreak. Now, where do you think the zombies came from? I can’t tell you how it started, but I will tell you that the victims and the zombies are all from the community. That’s right. Polygamist zombies.

Can you picture the community. These Latter-Day Saints chose to live away from civilization and its influence, raising large families and following their faith. Kevin Krohn writes this story, I want to say, in their language. You feel like one of them, and almost become a part of the community.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jgTZAmrcn4]

Told to you from the perspective of Brother Elias, their community doctor, you begin to understand the provincial lifestyle these people lead.  This is the last place you would ever want something like this to happen.

The bravery and fortitude these characters display is inspiring. This story takes a very dark turn, not even the children are spared. The author is able to write these scenes skillfully, which must have been difficult. Horror and children are a delicate balance. Just remember that these children are not children any longer. They are zombies and age doesn’t enter into it anymore. It makes me wonder about the cover. The blank face on the girl, could it be “not putting a face on it?”  

A well researched and thoughtfully written book, latter-day of the dead will satisfy all fans of thrillers and zombies. Rich in culture and rife with zombies, I have to say it hits the top of my list for originality.  You will not find another story like it.

5 STARS

The story does not end here, as you’ll discover. I also happened to spy the words book one tucked onto the cover. I will definitely be on the look out for the second book.

And now I have Kevin Krohn here for an interview. Get comfortable and enjoy.

Thanks for joining us and doing this interview Kevin. Let’s get started.

L.  When I visited your author pages on Amazon and Goodreads, they were somewhat sparse. Would you like to reveal a little bit about yourself with us?

K.  Haha, yes. I have kept my information pretty vague, and I am not sure why. I am a Sagittarius, a “Breaking Bad” junkie, and I don’t trust anyone with a Y in their first name when it should clearly be an I.

L.  The most obvious question I have is, wherever did you get your idea for Latter-Day of the Dead?

K.  I am really intrigued by cults and people completely removing themselves from the rest of civilization. I started writing from that perspective and the viral outbreak was a way to bring a fun aspect to the subject, although I am unsure if a viral outbreak could be considered comedic relief.

L. Your writing expresses the culture and language of latter-day saints as if you lived it. The research must have been extensive. Could you explain the process?

K.. I moved to Utah four years ago, and being a new resident, I wanted to be able to understand the culture and history. The state takes great pride in its history, so there is an abundance of information to get a full understanding of what all is happening out here. The fundamental polygamists are a little harder to research, but that helped allow me to create some uniqueness to the group in the book.

L.  I see where you have written two other books in a series, Severed Ties(Volume I and II). I’m curious as to why you went in a very different direction with Latter-Day of the Dead?

K.  That is something I hope I can continue to do. I will want the book after the Latter-Day series to go in a completely different direction as well. It may not be the best game plan to establish a readership, but I want to be able to explore many different genres through my writing. I typically let the characters dictate where the story goes.

L.  I couldn’t help but notice it says Book One on the cover. When can we expect Book 2 and is there anything you can tell us about it?

K.  I don’t think I can announce the release date for Book 2 quite yet, but it will be coming out this fall.  Obviously for those who have read Book I they will know there is a lot going on in Book 2 right from the jump. Brother Elias and the rest of the compound are going to have a tough time staying safe, and the future of the group has already been dramatically altered even if they are able to survive.

L.  The cover art for your book really caught my eye. Is there a reason why her face is blank and did you do the cover yourself?

K.  I chose the photo for the cover. I thought the blank face portrayed a great sense of “unknown” evil. There is also a slight nod to the underlying meaning of the way the many faceless women are treated on these polygamist compounds, but that discussion is probably for a much different interview.

L.  What are you reading now and is there a genre you prefer?

K.  I am just jumping into Kings of Cool by Don Winslow. It is a prequel to Savages. I saw the Savages movie directed by Oliver Stone, but never read the original book. I tend to lean towards crime thrillers, but will read anything that keeps me entertained page-to-page.

L.  Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

K.  I just thank everyone that has taken the time to read Latter-Day of the Dead. My only hope when publishing a book is to have people read it, so knowing that is happening brings great satisfaction. And people like you, Laura, helping spread the word about indie books gives us that opportunity, so thank you.

You are most welcome Kevin. The pleasure is all mine and thank you also.

Now for the giveaway. Kevin has generously offered me 1 signed paperback and 2 e-Books to give away.

Entry is easy, as usual. Just leave a comment with your e-mail address and please click on that tweet button:)

Although not required, it would be so appreciated if you followed my blog and visited Kevin at the links provided at the bottom of this post.

So let’s go!! Good Luck!

Contest ends on August 17th.

Other books by Kevin Krohn:

Click on the cover image to purchase a copy.

Author contacts:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1614681.Kevin_Krohn

https://twitter.com/kevinkrohn

http://www.facebook.com/kevinkrohn

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I was just informed that it is Utah Author Month. http://utahbooks.blogspot.com/

 

Thank you Jessica. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on this important celebration!

http://the bluestockings.com

Come Join “The Circle”

Posted: July 24, 2012 in fiction, Interview, Mytery/Thriller, reviews
Tags: , , ,
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I have a really good book to tell you about and an interview with the author.

The Circle by RG Lawrence

I really like the title. It is important to me that the title be an integral part of the story inside.

So come meet The Circle

Cicely Manley is a Protestant teacher in an all Catholic school. Growing up on the streets of South Chicago toughened her skin and she’s not afraid to stand up for herself or to confront any obstacles in her path. Like a boulder, she crashes right through.

Recognizing all the classic signs of drug abuse and futility, Cicely sets her sights on Lisa Dennis. A rude awakening is called for and Cicely gives it to her in spades.

Now, Lisa has been given a soccer scholarship at Pittsburg State University, in Pittsburg, Kansas, far from her father’s heavy-handed control, and the world is her oyster. With her dream of freedom finally coming true, how did it all go so wrong? On the very day she gets her scholarship and a new lease on life, Lisa now lies on a cold metal table in the morgue. The police say it was an accidental heroin overdose. Maybe Lisa’s father and the police believe this, or find it easier to do so, but Cicely isn’t buying it. Not at all.

With her friend and landlord Margaret O’Connor at her side, they set out to find out what really happened that night and things quickly get complicated. When some teen-aged skateboarding assassins try to take Cicely out in her own driveway, the ladies agree.  Time to get help.

Margaret O’Connor used to be somewhat the socialite in her day and has a “Circle” of lifelong friends she can call count on. Tommy O’Malley, rumored to have ties to the IRA and hopelessly in love with Margaret, heads up the Irish Circle, a group of gentlemen mobsters.  She has only to ask and he comes calling.

The Circle, which now includes Cicely, dig deeper, checking all angles and infiltrating a murderous child pornography ring, with dangerous consequences.

Roger has given his characters life. They are genuine, with all the flaws and baggage of real people. The story is fast-paced and addictive. There is a lot of darkness here, but also a lot of special moments. Ones that make you smile, hope, shout, and sit up and pay attention. The story demands that you think.

The Circle is a juicy mystery/thriller with a believable story, characters so real they can walk off the pages, and a darker, seamier side we usually don’t like to think exists.

Not recommended for young readers.

I would like to see this book become a series. I see potential for some stand alone stories here. Many people will want to read more about the fiery, stubborn Cicely and her friend and cohort Margaret- a vibrant, intelligent, loyal companion with a lot of moxie. I would also like to know more about the early years of Margret and Tommy. Now that would be interesting.

5 STARS

I first met Roger some time ago when I first joined Twitter. We tweet to each other and RT each others stuff, but have never really talked.

With this interview, I feel I know a little more about Roger the person vs. RG Lawrence on Twitter. Please come meet Roger and get to know him.

L. Why don’t you start by telling us a little about yourself, Roger.

R. I live in Kansas on a small acreage with my wife. We have several dogs, a lot of cats, and a few goats. I have been writing for many years, starting with short stories that I sold to biker magazines. I also wrote fairy tales for my kids when they were small, putting them in book form. I wrote my first book, Summer With Fidel, a decade ago, and pit it in a closet, not thinking anyone would be interested. Several other completed books soon joined the stack in my closet. I only let my mother and my wife read my work. Last year my mother told me that one of her wishes before she died was to see me published. Although the idea didn’t appeal to me, Amazon made it too easy to refuse. I put three of my books on Kindle, and have truly enjoyed the process. I like the fact that there are people out there who enjoy my thoughts and stories, and I have made many new friends from the experience. I have two books started, one a pirate yarn I am writing that will entertain my two grandchildren when they are older, and another thriller in the vein of The Circle.

L. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

R. I always enjoyed writing, and knew in high school I had a certain talent. I could write a paper for class at the last minute and get good marks, even without much effort. I find writing fiction a certain form of escape. I have sat down at a keyboard and started something, and looked up at the clock and realized I have been working for 12 hours. That is the ultimate high, knowing that I can transport myself into the middle of a story and never even know I’m gone.

L. What is your solution to writers block, if you get it?

R. I’ve never experienced writer’s block. I have a head full of stories that I need to get out, and the problem I have is remembering all of them. My characters dictate my stories, and I just follow along. If I ever sat down with nothing to say, I would grab my golf clubs and go do what I truly love.

L. Is there anything specific you do to stay motivated when writing?

R.  Motivation is not something that concerns me. My only motivation for writing is to do it well enough so that people will enjoy it. I know I’m not going to get rich writing. That thought never passed through my brain. My motivation is that people will like my stuff. If I didn’t think there were folks out there who would enjoy my stories, I would leave them in the closet. Writing is not life or death to me, it is something I do. But I also play golf, and I’m much more passionate about that then writing. I like goats, I love spending time with my wife, I love my kids and adore my grandchildren. So I’m not motivated to write, I just do it.

L. Do you have a favorite genre?

R. I wish I had a genre I could stick to, but that’s not how my brain works. There is no relationship whatsoever between the three books I have on Amazon. I love to read action/adventure like Lee Child, Harlen Coben and John Sanford. I’m addicted to John Locke’s books. And I’m totally hooked on vamp books, and someday will write a vampire story. I try to read all of the Indie stuff I can, and really enjoy many of the authors who I have come to know through Twitter. Many of them are first-rate, and I appreciate their work. Rachel Caine, Zoe Saadia, Wendy Potocki. Lisa Vaughn, Alana Siegel, Elise Stokes, Teri Heyer, Vicky Limbert, and C.L.R. Dougherty are just a few of the Indies who I have enjoyed. Lots and lots of talent out there.

L. Where did you get your ideas for The Circle?

R. The idea for The Circle just evolved from the character I created. I started with a high school teacher in a Catholic school, and then she kept finding herself in trouble. The Irishmen in the Circle just showed up one day on the pages to save the day. I never know what the story is, I just create characters. I know that is not conventional, but it is the way it is.

L. Would you care to add anything else?

R. The one thing that I think needs to be said to Indies is that they need to have their work edited by an outside person or agency before submitting to Kindle. There are so many books filled with grammatical errors and misspelled words, and it turns readers off to the idea that we are a legitimate force. And we do ourselves a great disservice when we give each other 5 Star reviews, knowing that the book needs massive editing. I am as guilty as the next person of this, and have decided that I will not post a review for a book that is poorly edited. I have sent e-mails to several writers, advising them that I think their work is worthy, but needs attention in the editing department. My e-mails have not been well received, but that’s their problem. I care about Indies, and we must put our best product out there to be taken seriously.

I want to thank Roger for sharing this with us. I hope you enjoyed the interview.

Contact info for Roger: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/rg-lawrence.html

If you would like to purchase The Circle, The Golden Boy or Summer with Fidel, all written by RG Lawrence,just click on the cover images in this post.

GIVEAWAY/Review/Interview/ Wormwood/I didn’t have a clue! Contest is Over

Posted: July 20, 2012 in fiction, giveaways, Interview, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
Tags: , ,
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I am so excited. It’s time for another giveaway! Today you have a chance to win one paperback copy of Wormwood or one of five e-book copies that D.H. Nevins has graciously supplied. There will also be my review and an interview with the author. After I am finished telling you about this book, you are going to really want it bad.

Details for entering the giveaway are posted after the review and interview, but make sure you read my review and the interview first. You don’t want to miss anything.

I am trying something new lately. When I start a new novel, I do not read the book blurb on the back flap. Many of the books I review are sent by the authors and they also send the book blurb and links to the reviews. By the time I start reading the book, the blurb is only vaguely in my memory. As for reviews, I do not read a books reviews until AFTER I have written mine.

I did a post on my blog asking for help choosing which two books I should read and review next. I had several other reviews and some giveaways to do first. You can go here http://wp.me/p27ipo-cL to see which books were selected.

I am now ready to review the first book that was selected.

As I stated, I did not read the back flap before I started reading Wormwood. I had also received another book in the mail that day and mistakenly thought this was the book about aliens. Boy,  was I surprised.

The first chapter introduces you to Kali. She is a trail guide at Pinecrest National Park. A quiet hike up to her favorite spot, Lookout Peak, starts out normally enough, but a light breeze quickly becomes a tree snapping gale. The once clear skies have turned a heavy grey-black, the clouds tumbling over each other as they race towards her.

This would not be so bad if the woods had not suddenly gone silent. Not a sound could be heard. The winds had stopped and all was still. Not even a bird song was heard. Into this silence came a rumbling that turned into a roar. The ground began to vibrate under her feet and she could see something was coming. The trees started to shake and then to fall, the ground began to roll. Kali ran.

The earth twists and buckles as she tries to reach the safety of Lookout Peak.  Trees and shrubs reach out as if to grab her. She sees her goal and rushes forward. Stillness. All around her the earth is raging. Great rents appear, lava flows up from below, the skies open up and rain and hail lash down, but from her vantage point all she feels is a mild tremor under her feet. How can this be?

Kali wants to move out from under the overhanging rocks and edges around them to a clear space. The rocks could fall at any moment.  There is a campfire burning. She is not alone up here. A quick look around reveals a figure standing on the cliffs edge, his arms stretched out towards the devastation that is still raging below.

Tiamat.

I tell ya, I was not prepared for this.  I was exhausted from the tension I experienced following Kali’s mad dash to safety. My description is just a wee bit of what she goes through.

I am so excited just thinking about what I want to tell you. This happened and that happened! And what? I have never read a story quite like this. There is so much going on. The story raced to its conclusion, leaving me stunned.

At times I was scared. Other times I was so mad. And at one part, I realized I was crying, and it hurt.

D. H. Nevins has written a fantastic story of the end of the world and the last survivors. Perhaps this description is too simple, but I hesitate to tell much of the story. I want you to read it like I did. Unprepared and wide-eyed.  I want you to get to know each character and discover just what is really causing all the destruction.

I hope when you read Wormwood, you’ll tell me how it made you feel. Did you experience it like I did?

A huge Thank You to the author for an extremely well written story in which to immerse myself.

Beyond 5 STARS

And now lets welcome D. H. Nevins

Hello Danielle. Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions.

D. It’s my pleasure. I’m thrilled to be here, Laura! Thanks so much for having me.

L. From the first idea to the day it was published, how long did it take to write Wormwood?

D. I pretty much shelved Wormwood for a year before publishing it, so that made the whole process take a lot longer. Wormwood is something I wrote for myself, and at the time, I honestly didn’t have the nerve to publish it. But I’m so happy that I finally did! So in total, it took three years: almost two years of planning, research and writing, one year of letting it chill, and the final few months to publish.

L. Is there a favorite place you like to write and are there any must haves for your writing process?

D. Oh yes. We are lucky enough to live in the woods on a lake, and I enjoy taking my laptop down to the dock to write. The only problem is that I seem to do really cruddy writing down there! It’s true! I write best when I’m in this dismal little office we have, and there aren’t any distractions. As for must haves, I always set the mood by listening to music first. I’ve made a gigantic Wormwood playlist just for that purpose, and it always does the trick!

L. Do you have a favorite genre you read?

D. I’m all over the place. I had a historical fiction craze for the longest time, but now I lean towards paranormal, urban fantasy, fantasy, dystopian and some YA.

L. You mentioned a sequel to Wormwood. Is there anything you can tell us about it, maybe when we might expect it?

D. I’d love to tell you about it!  Here are some certainties:

1) The sequel takes place exactly where Wormwood left off.

2) There will be three books in the series. So if you liked Wormwood, especially the end of it, I think the next two will be even better! Kali and Tiamat were just getting started in the first book.

3) Wormwood originally had a prologue that told of Tiamat’s unusual birth. I loved the scene, but pulled it from the book because I wanted to use it as a basis for a prequel instead. So once I’ve done the three books for the Wormwood series, I’ll write the prequel about Tiamat’s very strange childhood. I’m planning to call it Monster.

As for when book 2 will be finished, a lot of that depends on how busy I am with work. I estimate about a year. If I’m lucky it’ll be sooner.

L. How did you select your cover art for Wormwood?

D. My husband was a big help with that. He’s a fan of Gustave Dore, an illustrator from the mid 1800’s, and he suggested we use something from one of Dore’s angel etchings, and while he also illustrated Dante’s Inferno,  we chose this etching by Milton. The mood of his illustrations is quite dark, and I felt that would be perfect for Wormwood. The one I used was taken from an illustration titled Nine Days they Fell,

which appeared in Milton’s Paradise Lost. Unfortunately, I’m finding out that the look of an illustrated cover seems to turn some readers off, so I’m considering an alternate. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind if I asked you and your readers for your opinions?

L. Please, ask away!

D. Awesome. Thanks, Laura! I’m thinking of replacing the cover with an image like this.

It’s something I’ve been playing with, so the image isn’t refined, and the titles been plunked on simply to get an idea of the overall look. But those things aside, what do you think? Which cover do you like more?

L. I, myself like them both, but I think I like the Dore etching better. Maybe it’s because I love the book and don’t want you to change a thing!

L. Would you like to share anything else with us today?

D. I’m presently working on a video trailer for Wormwood. It’s pretty intense! It should be ready in the next few weeks!

L. I can’t wait to see it! I love book trailers and this one should be very interesting.

Now, lets do a few fun shorts!

1. Riding a horse or a motorcycle?  Well, I own a motorcycle(I’ve named it Grendel), so motorcycle it is!

2. Margarita or martini?  Margarita.

3. Snow skiing or water skiing?  Snow skiing(or preferably, snowboarding.)

4. Potato chips or pretzels?  Miss Vicki’s Salt & Vinegar chips hands down.

Thanks so much for sharing with us today Danielle. I can’t wait for the sequel to Wormwood.

You’re most welcome, Laura! And thanks to you too. I really appreciate this opportunity to talk about my book. Hopefully, I’ll have the sequel ready soon!

Now for the Giveaway!  Danielle is offering 5 ebooks and 1 paperback of Wormwood. This is open to U.S. and Internationally so no one is left out!  The giveaway ends at midnight on August 4th.

While it is not required, it would be appreciated if you followed me on twitter and my blog. Also show some love and follow Danielle at the link/links provided below.

If you like this post, don’t forget to hit that tweet button. That always makes me smile!

Please leave your email address along with a comment for Danielle about which cover art you like the most! Easy peasy!

About D. H. Nevins: D. H. Nevins was born in Toronto and currently lives in a relatively remote area of Ontario, surrounded by forests and lakes. By day she is a personable, friendly school teacher. By night, she silently chuckles as she writes about angels destroying the world. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, camping, flying around on her motorcycle or dabbling in live theatre.

She loves to connect with others and can be contacted or followed a number of ways:

Website: http://www.dhnevins.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/dhnevins

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/133020440053518/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5158514D_H_Nevins

To buy Wormwood just click on the image at top of post.

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Vamps, Weres and Warriors!

Posted: June 29, 2012 in fiction, Interview, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
Tags: , , ,
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I have two things to tell you about today. First is my review of Black Warrior by H.D. Gordon. Second is really exciting. H.D. is here on my blog today for an interview. I love interviews, don’t you? Also a peek at Book 2 and her upcoming new release at the end of this post!

Here is my review of Blood Warrior (Book 1 of The Alexa Montgomery Saga)

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Fighting is all Alexa has ever known. Her mother uses makeup to cover the bruises, the ones she herself caused. She never explains why Alexa has to learn, she only says it is necessary to be prepared.

Her younger sister Nelly couldn’t be more different. Always dressed in the nicest clothes, makeup tastefully done and not a hair out of place. She was slight of build, more delicate, and Alexa was glad Nelly did not have to fight their mother. Alexa adored her sister and would do what ever it took to keep her safe, but from what?

I admired how fiercely Alexa loved Nelly. Her protective instincts towards her sister were more lethal than a momma bear for her cub. I have three older sisters and they were  always standing up for me against others, but liked to tease me as older sisters do.

It was a good thing her mother prepared her physically for what was coming, but Alexa could have used some answers to the mysteries surrounding her.

They came late one evening. The Lamias.  They looked like humans, except they weren’t. Eyes completely black, pale white skin, emitting horrid shrieks. There for one reason only, to kill Alexa and her family.

Alexa and her mother fought well, shielding Nelly, but they were vastly outnumbered and when Alexa’s mother orders her to take Nelly and run, she knows there is no other choice. However much she hates leaving her mother behind,  knowing she can’t survive, Alexa must keep Nelly safe. There is no other choice.

I was a little confused in the beginning. It seemed like Alexa was being abused by her mother, but she was actually preparing her for what was surely coming. The Lamias – part demon/damned souls, their only purpose being to cause pain and to kill. Forced to leave their mother behind, the sisters seek refuge at Two Rivers, a spectacular city surrounded by water. They should be safe there. Lamias can not cross water.

At Two Rivers Alexa discovers who and what she is and some secrets are revealed.

Blood Warrior is a great introduction into this series about vampires and werewolves. There are several love interests for Alexa, but not what I would call a real love triangle, along with some intense fighting scenes-vividly written and a whole lot of mystery.

H. D. Gordon has built a marvelous new world. It is always amazing to me how an author can take something tried and true and make it unique and surprisingly fresh. Her writing is crisp, without a lot of fluff, and she tells the story fluidly, capturing you and putting you at the scene.

A great beginning to this series, Blood Warrior sets up the plot, introduces the characters and their world and fills you with anticipation. I already have Half Black Soul, the second book in this series, and am so glad I don’t have to wait to dive back into this world as this is not a stand alone book. I’ll tell you about it later!

I urge you to get Blood Warrior and enter a new world. You won’t want it to end.

4 STARS

And now for my interview with guest H. D. Gordon

How about we start by having you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am 23 years old and the mother of two beautiful girls. My children get the vast majority of my time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They both will begin school next year and I’m not sure what I will do with myself when that happens. Well, yes, I do. I will read and write more. Those are the two activities that take up pretty muck all the rest of my time, and I wouldn’t have that any other way, either. A mother and a writer, that just about sums me up. I also play a little guitar, long walks on the beach, etc, etc.

How did you pick this genre and where do you get your ideas?

This genre was always a passion for me. I love all things fantastical. Ever since I was a child and obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer(I used to carve chopsticks into stakes and carry them around with me, in case I had to slay a vamp, of course) and the obsession never waned. Stories, ideas? Well, they come from everywhere and from nowhere. There’s really no other way to describe it. With Blood Warrior, all I had was an opening scene, which I handed to my father to read. He then advised me to take the next semester off of college to write this book. He is huge on school, and this was unheard of from him. I took his advice and am so happy I did. I now write full-time for a living. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me, other than the birth of my children, of course.

Does your character Alexa resemble you in any way?

Alexa is pretty much me only way, way cooler. Basically, she is everything I wish I could be(except for the homicidal tendencies). More accurately, she is me before children; reckless, hot-headed and young. I think the biggest similarity is our loyalty to those we love. Loyalty is the most valued quality I think a person can have. When I wrote this book I honestly never expected the success it is having. I wrote it for me, and so it indulges my fantasies, and I wrote Alexa to be like me because I sort of wanted to live through her. She is my hero. When I get scared I think to myself “Alexa could handle this.”

What are you reading now?

Lots and lots of Stephen King. Him and Poe are my literary heroes. Poe influenced a lot of my writing as a child, and King embodies everything I aspire to be. I just finished The Stand(awesome btw, so read it) and my fav book of all time is The Shining. I am currently reading The Dark Tower Series and I can’t get enough. King’s attention to the words is just…well, amazing. Someday I hope to be as good as him, and I believe I’m getting there. My new book Joe, due out on June 30th, will hopefully show my growth. Give me a few years and I hope to rival all the males dominating the world of books(Koontz, Patterson, King). I hope to show them what a female writer can do. I guess we will just have to wait and see. But,  I’m getting there.

How do you spend your spare time, if you have any?

Sparetime? Lol, I don’t even know what those words mean. My children come first, but I have gotten used to reading and writing around them, which is to say the least, distracting. But really that’s it right now. I read and write like crazy and make sure my girls get my full attention. There isn’t much time for anything else. But. really, for me, it is like living the dream. I can read and write anywhere, and I do. It’s a dream job. I get to stay with my girls 24/7 and do what I love in between. I couldn’t imagine a better life. (My daughter just came in to tell me about a boy who turns into a turtle and a boy who turns into a “T-wex” as I write this). Gotta love em.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes, I am working hard to get books out. My new book, Joe, is my proudest work yet, and I hope to pull in a wider audience with it. After that, two more Alexa books will be released in 2012, the next one at the end of this coming August. I have a lot of stories to tell, and I plan to do just that. So, huge thank you to the fans! You guys have been so supportive, and for this I love you all.

Thank you for the interview!

You are welcome and thank you for being my guest and sharing with us today.

You can read an excerpt for Half Black Soul (Book 2 in the Alexa Montgomery Saga) at the end of the post. Also included is a blurb from her new book “JOE” scheduled to be released on June 30, 2012. That’s right. This week!

For more about H.D. Gordon and her books:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HDGordon?sk=wall

twitter: https://twitter.com/hd_gordon

Her blog: http://hdgordon.com/

You can sign up for her newsletter and get all of the latest news at the bottom of her blog.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5189455.H_D_Gordon

Mild Spoiler Alert

This is a blurb of book 2 in the Alexa Montgomery Series. If you have not read the first book , this contains mild spoilers.

 In the past few weeks Alexa Montgomery has had her entire world flipped upside down. She’s gone from living a semi-normal teenage life to a life full of vampires and werewolves who all expect her to deliver them from the control of an evil dictator.

Alexa is the last of her kind; a Sun Warrior, and now she has left the safety of Two Rivers to search for her mother, but she’s left her sister behind to do so, and Nelly is the one person that she was told that she must always protect. Kayden, a vampire who is Alexa’s other half, has followed her on her journey. But, secrets are about to come out, relationships will break and danger lies just up ahead. Will Alexa be able to get through all of this and make it out alive? And, will she be able to protect Nelly from danger when she is so far away?

Here is a blurb from Goodreads about Joe, H. D. Gordon’s upcoming new novel, scheduled to be released on June 30, 2012.

Joe
From the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga comes a book that will take you into the mind of a genuine psychopath, the lives of six ordinary people and the world of a very special girl named Joe.
Joe is seemingly an ordinary college student. She works, studies and reads. But in between these activities Joe has a gift that promises to add a dose of color to her life at any given moment. Joe sees things before they happen. Bad things, and the worst thing she has ever faced is just around the corner. Someone is planning a massacre at the college university that Joe attends, and the only person with a hope of stopping the psychopath is her.
Oh, the beauty of foresight. More like a curse. Joe has four days to figure out the mystery, make plans to take down the psycho and save the lives of people. People like you and me. ordinary people.
You can find out more about Joe here: http://hdgordon.com/?p=436
Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!
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