I want to apologize for my absence and not bringing you some of the wonderful interviews I have lined up, but I have had the worst episode dealing with my internet!
I will be back next week with those interviews I promised though, so stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Sarah
Monday, July 29, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Interview with Author, LONDON CASEY
With the release of Torn to Pieces (The Boys of DownCrash #2) I’m left with one more book to complete the trilogy. I’m a little sad to see it come to an end but so excited to finally be so close to having the series out and available. The band in the series is DownCrash and these three guys are the members…
Tripp – (The Stronger, Safe Kind) He’s got attitude, tattoos, and a big heart. From the second he and Scarlett see each other, there’s a connection. But Scarlett is struggling with her own heart after the confession from her close friend, Andy, when he gets drunk and says he loves her. Andy can give Scarlett an easy life but Tripp’s past and his deepest secrets could possibly be enough to get Scarlett to open up about her hidden past too.
Tatum – (Torn to Pieces) The super sexy drummer. He’s tall. No tattoos. But he has piercings. His lip… and somewhere else. When Tatum starts fooling around Scarlett’s roommate, Maggie, things get hot and heavy pretty quick. But then things start to unravel when someone from Maggie’s past comes back, demanding a chance at her future. This isn’t just love and it isn’t just romance… this could possibly mean life and death.
Logan – the quiet but hot bassist. In his book, Logan finally gets a chance to open up. He meets Maggie’s best friend from high school, Annie, and the last thing he’s looking for is a romance. But he can’t help it… he can’t help falling for her… but then fate steps in and Logan feels he’s in the middle of a cruel game.
These stories are packed with love, lust, romance, heartache, addiction, recovery, and real life. It’s been a pleasure writing these books and I hope to keep bringing these kinds of stories to readers!
BOOK #1
The Stronger, Safer Kind
(The Boys of DownCrash #1)
All Scarlett wanted to do was thank the sexy stranger who helped her push away a drunk, grabby college boy at a bar. When that stranger identifies himself as Tripp and then takes the stage as the lead singer and guitarist for rock band, DownCrash, everything in Scarlett's life begins to change.
Her best friend, Andy, confesses his love for her and leaves her with what should be an easy decision to make... yet each time she looks in Andy's eyes, she can't help but face her secret, nightmarish past.
The only thing that makes Scarlett feel better is Tripp... but Tripp isn't just a bad boy rockstar, he's hurt. He's in pain. He tries to hide his pain in a bottle, but Scarlett believes that, perhaps, their secrets can help each other.
Friendship and love is suddenly put to the test, and Scarlett is torn... Will she choose an easy, comfortable, happy life or a life clouded with mixed signals, raw emotion, and intense romance?
(The Boys of DownCrash #1)
All Scarlett wanted to do was thank the sexy stranger who helped her push away a drunk, grabby college boy at a bar. When that stranger identifies himself as Tripp and then takes the stage as the lead singer and guitarist for rock band, DownCrash, everything in Scarlett's life begins to change.
Her best friend, Andy, confesses his love for her and leaves her with what should be an easy decision to make... yet each time she looks in Andy's eyes, she can't help but face her secret, nightmarish past.
The only thing that makes Scarlett feel better is Tripp... but Tripp isn't just a bad boy rockstar, he's hurt. He's in pain. He tries to hide his pain in a bottle, but Scarlett believes that, perhaps, their secrets can help each other.
Friendship and love is suddenly put to the test, and Scarlett is torn... Will she choose an easy, comfortable, happy life or a life clouded with mixed signals, raw emotion, and intense romance?
BOOK #2
Torn to Pieces
(The Boys of DownCrash #2)
Trying to forget about the promises she was forced to make as a young, naive eighteen year old, Maggie creates a false persona that paints her as the girl who never says no...
However, once she lays eyes on the drummer of DownCrash, everything clicks. From his sexy lip ring to the way he stares at her from the stage, Tatum becomes everything Maggie has ever fantasized about.
When trouble catches up to her in a parking garage after a DownCrash show, and Tatum shows up out of nowhere to protect her. For the first time in years, she is intimidated by a man's kindness and sexiness, and not by his temper and jealousy. As real feelings begin to grow Maggie is faced with her past and wonders if she'll ever be able to escape the promises she once made to keep the promises she wants to make right now.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Interview with CATHERINE CASTLE
Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
Captured by the local Mexican drug lord after she barges into the middle of a drug deal, novice Sister Margaret Mary risks losing her life, her vocation, and her heart when she falls for undercover DEA agent Jed Bond who is imprisoned with her. Nuns shouldn’t look, talk, act, or kiss like Sister Margaret Mary. Jed knows she’s off limits, but his heart can’t help wanting this woman who’s been promised to God.
Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
The Nun and the Narc is an inspirational romance. In inspirational romance the faith journey of the characters is just as important as the romance and the external problems the characters face. There are no sex scenes in inspirational romance. Holding hands, a hug, or a maybe kiss is all the physicality in these types of books. I also write sweet romance as Catherine Castle, but I’m not picky about the sub-genres within these two categories. I read and write eclectically. I have partials of an inspirational historical romance, a sweet contemporary romance, another suspense romance, and even a Biblical era novel on my computer waiting to be finished.
When did you start writing toward publication?
I was a published journalist, under my real name, before I started on the serious road to fiction writing. I’ve always loved writing and probably missed my true calling as a college student because I had tunnel-vision about the career I’d chosen. I wanted to be a singer back then.
Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
I think every writer has at least one book stashed away somewhere in a drawer before they get published. I had a couple of play manuscripts I had coauthored with my husband as well as a couple of completed books in my computer when I wrote The Nun and the Narc. I don’t have an agent, so anytime anything goes out it is done by me.
What is your writing routine like?
Since selling The Nun and the Narc, it’s been a bit non-existent as I’ve been concentrating on marketing. In general, I think we all have to find what works best for us. I’m not a very disciplined writer unless I’m under a deadline. Then everything else comes to a screeching halt except for writing. I don’t usually set daily goals, but often set whole days or blocks of times aside for the task of writing. I probably do it this way because once I get in the zone I hate to stop. I’m like that with my gardening, too. It’s an I’ll-just-finish-one-more-flowerbed-then-I’ll-quit mentality. But four hours later I’m still out there saying the same thing. It drives my husband crazy when I say, “Be there in a minute,” and I don’t shut the computer off until hours later. Time flies when you’re having fun. LOL
What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?
Right now, most of my promo is through my blog and guest blogging. I will be doing a virtual book blog tour in the near future. Readers can follow me on that through my website. I’ll be posting where I will be each day. And, no, I don’t have any help, unless you count my husband, who helps cut my gardening chores in half by being day labor so I can get back to marketing ASAP.
Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?
For years I was the president of a local writing group, Queen City Writers, which has now become a monthly critique group. Currently, I belong to ACFW national and the regional ACFW Ohio group, RWA national and Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America (OVRWA). I joined RWA and OVRWA back in the 1990s, and through OVRWA I formed some wonderful friendships that have lasted nearly 20 years. Most of the writers I’ve met are willing to help other writers learn the ropes, and the email loops can be great information sources. So, yes, I think these organizations can be extremely beneficial.
What’s next for you?
The same thing that’s next for most debut (and multi-published) authors—get a handle on the marketing and write the next book. My biggest problem is that I have so many partial books in the fire, I’m having trouble deciding which way to go.
BOOK BLURB
Where novice Sister Margaret Mary goes, trouble follows. When she barges into a drug deal the local Mexican drug lord captures her. To escape she must depend on undercover DEA agent Jed Bond. Jed’s attitude toward her is exasperating, but when she finds herself inexplicable attracted to him he becomes more dangerous than the men who have captured them, because he is making her doubt her decision to take her final vows. Escape back to the nunnery is imperative, but life at the convent, if she can still take her final vows, will never be the same.
Nuns shouldn’t look, talk, act, or kiss like Sister Margaret Mary O’Connor—at least that’s what Jed Bond thinks. She hampers his escape plans with her compulsiveness and compassion and in the process makes Jed question his own beliefs. After years of walling up his emotions in an attempt to become the best agent possible, Sister Margaret is crumbling Jed’s defenses and opening his heart. To lure her away from the church would be unforgivable—to lose her unbearable.
A little bit about the author.
Catherine Castle has been writing all her life. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. Besides writing, Catherine loves traveling with her husband, singing, and attending theatre. In the winter she loves to quilt and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place to be is in her garden. She’s passionate about gardening and even won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club.
To see pictures of her garden, read her poems and blogs, connect with her, and follow her stop by her blog at http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com or her author page on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/author/catherinecastle. She’d love to see you there.
Excerpt
Margaret inched forward, hoping to hear what they were saying. A mariachi band nearby blared out a tune, the polka-like melody destroying any hope of eavesdropping. The shriek of off-key brass sent chills up her spine. She covered her ears and moved closer to Rafael and the stranger.
After a couple of minutes of conversation, the man removed an envelope from his jacket and pulled out a handful of bills. He folded them in half and then slipped them into Rafael’s extended hand. With a furtive glance around, Rafael moved closer to the man, blocking Margaret’s direct view, and handed something to the stranger.
A wave of apprehension swept over Margaret. The chapulines she’d snacked on earlier that morning threatened to see the light of day.
A drug deal! Of all the things Rafael could do, this was the worst.
Esperanza had fought so hard to keep her son away from bad influences. Now he appeared to be involved in the very thing she’d hated most. Margaret imagined Esperanza banging on the gates of purgatory, trying to get out and rescue her son.
She hesitated for a moment, hearing Mother Superior’s admonishment. Stay out of trouble while you are in Mexico, Sister.
Silencing the nagging voice in her head, Margaret charged forward, protective instincts in full swing.
Stopping Rafael and talking to him about the dangers of drugs surely wouldn’t qualify as trouble. Bluntness, maybe, but not trouble. It was more like saving. Yes, that’s it. I’m saving him.
Margaret grabbed Rafael by the shirt. “I’ve been searching for you, young man.” She faced the stranger, giving him her best withering stare. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
The man stuffed the plastic bag into his jacket pocket. “Who is this?”
“Some crazy gringa.” Rafael shrugged, hard, trying to escape her grasp.
The plastic bag contained something white. Heroin? Cocaine? Margaret tightened her hold and drew Rafael closer. She would save him whether he wanted to be saved or not.
“Get out of here,” Rafael snarled.
“What would your mother say if she saw this?”
Rafael’s expression darkened. “Leave my mother out of this!” He wrenched out of Margaret’s grip and spun around to face her. His expression morphed from anger to fear. “¡Madre de Dios!”
The man’s head jerked around. “Get down!” he shouted.
Rafael took off running down the street as the top row of pottery in the stand exploded like popcorn.
Margaret jumped at the loud noise and whirled around searching for the source. The man removed a gun from his jacket, swung around, and scanned the area.
Margaret’s knees buckled at the sight of the handgun. Her body tensed, her gaze frozen on his weapon. He fired off a couple of shots. Heart thumping like a jackhammer, she ran for cover behind the open car door. The window glass shattered as bullets whizzed over her head. She scrambled into the car and crouched on the floorboard. Another row of pottery shattered, sending fragments into the car like tiny projectile rockets. Sending up a quick prayer, she covered her head.
Slamming the door shut as he passed, the man leapt over the trunk. He jerked open the driver’s door then jumped behind the wheel. Jamming the car into gear, he roared out into the market street. Shoppers and vendors screamed, leaping out of the car’s path.
Margaret scrambled into the passenger seat. “Stop this car immediately!”
“Keep down,” he ordered, “unless you want to get shot.”
The rear window glass erupted into the car’s interior, punctuating his words. The man fired at the attackers through the shattered back window.
“Shot?” Her voice rose an octave. “Oh, dear Lord in Heaven, what have I gotten into?”
“Trouble, Lady.” He fired off another round. “Big trouble.”
How can my readers buy your book?
The Nun and the Narc is currently available as an eBook through Amazon. Here’s the link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Nun-Narc-ebook/dp/B00CHU9DH2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368652543&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Nun+and+the+Narc
You can find more information about Catherine Castle and her book, The Nun and the Narc by
visiting her website, http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com, or visiting her Amazon author page at http://www.amazon.com/author/catherinecastle
or her blog at http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/blog/
A few quickies if you don’t mind!
1) Favorite kind of ice cream? Chocolate
2) Pepsi or Coke? Coke zero
3) Mountains or Beach? Both. The beach in the winter and the mountains in the summer
4) Denim or Leather? Denim
5) If you could choose a favorite career, what would it be? Besides writing, it would be singing. I always wanted to be a professional singer.
6) What’s your favorite romantic thing your husband has done for you? Wow, this one is hard as he is a romantic and is always surprising me. Guess I’d have to say getting serenaded by the barbershop quartet on Valentine ’s Day at our favorite restaurant.
7) What’s your favorite time of day? I have no idea. Perhaps it’s late morning after I’m done weeding the garden and I’m sitting on the deck admiring the flowers. I do enjoy that quiet time.
Sarah,
Thanks for hosting me on your blog. It’s been great!
Catherine
Monday, June 3, 2013
Featuring Author KAROLYN JAMES
Since out traveling the net, talking about my rockstar
romance series, Brothers of Rock, I figured I would come prepared with some
questions and answers of my own! A lot of people comment, question, Twitter,
Facebook, and email me all the time about those five sexy men in Chasing Cross.
So let me answer some of the questions right here!
How many guys are in Chasing Cross? 5 (as of right now)
Who are they??? Here’s the band (in order of their books):
Johnnie (lead singer), Davey (guitarist), Danny (guitarist), Chris (bassist),
Rick (drummer)
How many books are in the series? Right now, Chasing Cross will be featured in Brothers of Rock 1-5. One book per band member. And that’s all I’m really allowed to say… **ppsstt** I hope to see the series continue from that though!
How many books are out right now? As of this interview, two books. All Access (#1) and Broken Sound (#2). It’s a perfect time to get caught up because Biter Farewell (#3) is coming the end of June! (2013)
What’s your favorite Brothers of Rock book? Lol… the one I just finished! When I wrote All Access, I said, “This it the one!”. Then I wrote Broken Sound and said, “Oh, wow, this is SOOO good!”. And now, re-reading Bitter Farewell again I’m claiming that’s the best one!
Do I have to read them in order? Technically, no. Each book begins and ends without any sort of cliffhangers regarding the plot of the story. I do have little story lines that play out for future books… it’s best to read them in order but that’s up to you!
Who is your favorite member of Chasing Cross? This is another one of those ‘whoever I just wrote about!’ kind of questions. I fell in love with Johnnie in book one. Then fell in love with Davey in book two. And in book three… well, Danny swept me away.
So there’s some information about Brothers of Rock and Chasing Cross! This series has been amazing to write and I’m hoping it continues to succeed and grow. Thanks for all the support… without you, the readers, none of this would be possible!
Where to buy Karolyn James's book-
BIO-
Karolyn James has been published over 100 times, reached bestseller lists on Amazon, and writes in both romance and erotic romance. Her two newest series are the romance hit, Brothers of Rock, and the erotic romance series, Rock Her Curves.
Twitter: @KarolynWrites
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Buy it now!
DREAMS OF THE HIGHLANDER
ON SALE NOW AT AMAZON!
http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-of-the-Highlander-ebook/dp/B00C12XXBI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369313290&sr=8-1&keywords=Dreams+of+the+Highlander
"They say time heals all wounds, they never said it would take three hundred years."
EXCERPT
Newtonmore Scotland, 1701
“Mairi,” he whispered.
“I love ye with all of my heart.” The evidence of that love clung to her soft voice.
Alexander swallowed the lump of fear that rose in his throat. “I love ye, too.” He lowered his gaze to their beautiful son nestled in his arms. Brown hair dusted the little head and he gently ran his hands over the silky forehead as he fought back tears.
“I want ye to be happy, Alexander.” A blanket of confusion covered him as she turned away in sadness to stare out the window.
“What are ye saying, Mairi? Ye’re going to be fine.” He said it with as much conviction as he could muster. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb slowly brushing strokes back and forth.
Alexander readjusted himself on the bed. She turned then, to stare back into his eyes, her hand grasping his. The sadness had left and in its place, determination settled in.
“No, I won’t and we both know it.” She swallowed with difficulty. “Promise me, Alexander. Promise me ye willna grieve for me forever.” He watched, stunned, as her hand dropped from his.
Alexander heard his mother sobbing in the background as he sat there with his stillborn son held tightly in his arms and watched his wife slip peacefully from this world.
BLURB
ON SALE NOW AT AMAZON!
http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-of-the-Highlander-ebook/dp/B00C12XXBI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369313290&sr=8-1&keywords=Dreams+of+the+Highlander
"They say time heals all wounds, they never said it would take three hundred years."
EXCERPT
Newtonmore Scotland, 1701
“Mairi,” he whispered.
“I love ye with all of my heart.” The evidence of that love clung to her soft voice.
Alexander swallowed the lump of fear that rose in his throat. “I love ye, too.” He lowered his gaze to their beautiful son nestled in his arms. Brown hair dusted the little head and he gently ran his hands over the silky forehead as he fought back tears.
“I want ye to be happy, Alexander.” A blanket of confusion covered him as she turned away in sadness to stare out the window.
“What are ye saying, Mairi? Ye’re going to be fine.” He said it with as much conviction as he could muster. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb slowly brushing strokes back and forth.
Alexander readjusted himself on the bed. She turned then, to stare back into his eyes, her hand grasping his. The sadness had left and in its place, determination settled in.
“No, I won’t and we both know it.” She swallowed with difficulty. “Promise me, Alexander. Promise me ye willna grieve for me forever.” He watched, stunned, as her hand dropped from his.
Alexander heard his mother sobbing in the background as he sat there with his stillborn son held tightly in his arms and watched his wife slip peacefully from this world.
BLURB
Haunted by a recurring dream, Marlana Crawford ventures to Scotland in search of answers. But a careless wish lands her in the 17th century and the arms of Alexander Macpherson—a handsome, brooding, Highlander, who after losing his wife and babe during childbirth, vowed never to love again.
Surprised to find a mysterious, brown-haired beauty in his home, Alexander fights the undeniable attraction between them and is determined to figure out a way to send her packing without losing his head or his heart.
When Marlana has a chance encounter with his enemy, it changes the stakes, and Alexander is forced to face two battles, one to win Marlana’s affection, the other to save her life.
Surprised to find a mysterious, brown-haired beauty in his home, Alexander fights the undeniable attraction between them and is determined to figure out a way to send her packing without losing his head or his heart.
When Marlana has a chance encounter with his enemy, it changes the stakes, and Alexander is forced to face two battles, one to win Marlana’s affection, the other to save her life.
AUTHOR BIO:
Sarah Hoss grew up
believing she could try anything and if she set her mind to it, she would
succeed. Sixteen years of dance lessons, Cheerleading, and school plays proved
to her that her parent’s words rang true. Writing was no exception. Reading the
Outlander series made her fall in love with time travels and the historical
places books could take her. Always a child with a vivid imagination, she
realized as an adult, she could put her imagination to good use and began
writing. Marrying her very own hero, they live in Indiana in the town where she
grew up. They have three beautiful children and one hyper dog. When Sarah isn’t
writing, she enjoys gardening, camping, and watching her kids’ play sports.
Where to find
Sarah-
Twitter- @SarahHoss1
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Interview with Author, RYK E. SPOOR
Today I’m interviewing Ryk E. Spoor. His book, Phoenix Rising is epic fantasy and was released on November 6th, 2012.
*** Ryk will give away 3 copies of his book today!***
Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
Phoenix Rising is the first part of a trilogy I call The Balanced Sword. The main character, Kyri Vantage, loses first her parents and then her beloved older brother to forces unknown, and when she discovers the truth behind those horrifying events, becomes the last Justiciar -- a warrior for the god Myrionar -- to avenge the loss and bring justice back to her homeland. There are two other protagonists: Tobimar Silverun is a Prince of Skysand, on a quest to discover his people's true homeland -- and there are powerful dark forces that don't want him to succeed. Poplock Duckweed is an Intelligent Toad -- measuring about six inches long, from nose to rump -- who finds himself the only hope for his village against a conspiracy to sacrifice their people to summon a great Demon; it turns out that stopping that summoning merely shows him there's much worse going on behind the scenes and he sets out to find out the truth.
Naturally, all three of them are encountering different parts of the same huge, overarching plot against all the established countries on the world of Zarathan, and eventually they come together and join forces. There is a clear start of a romance between Kyri and Tobimar, though they won't get obvious about it until the second and third books.
Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
This is a grand-scale epic fantasy -- countries or worlds in the balance, heroes who must rise to the challenge, dark manipulative bad guys you can love to hate, magical powers, all that -- with my own twists on it to make you think the world is one way, when it's really quite different, and the start of a romance between the two (human) leads.
I have actually written and been published in no less than three other genres: Urban Fantasy (Digital Knight, Diamonds Are Forever), Hard SF (the Boundary series), and epic-scale space opera (Grand Central Arena and forthcoming sequel Spheres of Influence)
When did you start writing toward publication?
A long time ago; I sent my first story to a publisher when I was 11, so that was 1973, or 40 years ago. Dang, I feel old now.
Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
Good lord yes. I must have written a dozen novels and pieces thereof long before I was published. After multiple rejections I stopped sending them out because it was taking too much mental effort. I put parts of what would eventually become Digital Knight up for electronic purchase -- back long before E-Books took off -- and they sold a grand total of six copies.
Then I got into an argument with Eric Flint online and this eventually led to my publication. If you want the whole story, it's here, about halfway down the "About Me" page: http://grandcentralarena.com/about-ryk-e-spoor/
What is your writing routine like?
It may be exaggeration to call it a "routine". I'm limited to two days to write in -- Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon. I have four kids and a day job, so family and regular work obligations severely limit my time.
When I'm writing, I sit down, put on headphones with music to screen out the rest of the world (I also often devise a soundtrack for the books I'm working on), and start writing once I've settled into the right mindset. Fortunately for my output, I average 1200 words per hour and I don't do "drafts", really -- I write, I'm done unless the editors say they need something changed or my beta-readers convince me there's something wrong.
What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?
Fortunately I do have help; I'm traditionally published (Baen Books), I have certain contacts as a consequence of having been online since 1976, and I have an excellent agent (Marisa Corviserio) who all help me find ways to publicize my stuff.
I'm not nearly as good at it as I should be, but again -- full-time job, family with 4 kids. I only have limited time and money for anything outside of that, and most of that time, of course, has to go towards actually *writing* something. *grin* All the publicity in the world won't do any good if I don't get the product out, so to speak.
Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?
I used to be part of a writer's group in Schenectady, years ago. They did help to some extent, at least to being able to point out my general weaknesses. For a while I belonged to SFWA, but I never got much of a sense of what they could do for me or what I could do for them, really. Probably partly my fault -- I'm pretty private and introverted as a rule (though if you see me at a convention you might get the opposite impression).
I do have a beta-reading group on LiveJournal that read the stuff as I write it and offer constructive criticism. This is very useful because I'm incapable of seeing flaws in my own writing unless they're pointed out to me; I assume stuff is there that isn't, etc.
What’s next for you?
Well, the sequel to Grand Central Arena, Spheres of Influence, comes out this November. The final volume in the Boundary trilogy, Portal, just came out at the beginning of May. I'm working on a couple of other things in that universe.
I'm fairly sure I'll be working on the other two volumes in the Balanced Sword trilogy, (titles still under discussion; I wanted Demon, Dragon, Phoenix, Toad and Promise of the Dying God, but the publisher thinks the one might be silly enough to hit the wrong note, and the other doesn't have "Phoenix" in it as a marker for the series), and I am also doing a revised and greatly expanded version of my first novel. Digital Knight, which will be titled Paradigms Lost and will probably be out sometime in 2014.
BOOK BLURB
First her parents were slaughtered in their home. Then after joining the Justiciars of Myrionar, her brother Rion was also killed by something monstrous that tore his very soul apart. When Kyri came to understand what connected these events, she had to swear herself to Myrionar's service to seek out justice and vengeance. But even these dark deeds were only a small part of what was happening on Zarathan; demons harried Tobimar Silverun, Seventh of Seven, as he searched for his people's ancestral homeland, while little Poplock Duckweed, a little toad with immense curiosity, discovered a shrine to evil gods beneath his own hometown. The three heroes must first survive their own challenges, and then meet each other, both to fully understand the perils that face the world -- and to keep all of them from being wiped out for what they know!
A little bit about the author.
Ryk E. Spoor wanted to be published for decades, but none of his submissions managed to make it to the right people... or the right places. But then he cleverly figured out a scheme to be noticed: insult an established editor and author for his butchery of other people's work! What could possibly go wrong?
Fortunately, all the things that could have gone wrong didn't, and his first novel, Digital Knight, was published by Baen Books in 2003; a Top 10 Locus Bestseller, this gave him a good start and he has now published a total of seven novels, with several more already on the way. Phoenix Rising is one of the most personally important, the beginning of a story he first started working on in 1991, with ties to material going back all the way to 1977.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Ryk has lived in Atlanta, Georgia, Latham, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, among other places. Today, he lives in Troy, New York, with his wife Kathleen and their four children Christopher, Gabriel, Victoria, and Domenica. In addition to his current job as Research & Development Coordinator at International Electronic Machines (IEM), Ryk has held many other jobs from fast-food worker to project manager and quality assurance director for an internet company, and has freelanced for Pearson Education's computer publications division and for the gaming company Wizards of the Coast; online, he is more often known as "Sea Wasp", an apellation he has had since 1977, and is well known as a science-fiction, fantasy, and RPG fan.
Excerpt
(From Chapter 14)
She took a breath, steadying herself. This was one of the more demanding parts of the ritual, since you were supposed to stay still throughout the remaining several minutes – sometimes up to a quarter hour – of the service.
But now there was a commotion, shouting outside, running feet, and Kyri felt a terrible foreboding, even as the doors burst open. "Arbiter! Arbiter Kelsley, come quickly!"
She recognized with a shock that the voice was that of the Watchland. Even as she did so, she saw the blue gaze of his eyes across the room, somehow recognizing her, and something in that gaze sent a chill through her, even as the Watchland whirled, drawing his sword, calling for more aid from any who could come, and she heard the three-note clanging of the Watchland's Cry, the warning that Evanwyl was under attack.
Even as she recognized that alarm, an alarm she had never heard rung for real in her entire life, she heard other cries. Those are screams of pain – and I hear fighting!
She saw others backing away, the children in the ritual taking cover, looking for shelter, but to do that never occurred to her. Instead she looked desperately around. A weapon! I don't have armor, but I need something to fight with –
And it was so obvious, really, the great sword which was a part of the Balanced Sword at the altar. She leapt up and wrenched it free, whispering a prayer for forgiveness as she did so. Well, I wasn't blasted to ash, so I guess Myrionar thinks I'm doing the right thing. The greatsword was solid and well-balanced, which was a relief; she'd been afraid that it was merely a show-blade, but apparently the main Temple of the Balance Sword had felt real weapons were in order.
She sprinted out the door, following the sound. The Watchland was vaguely visible ahead, and suddenly he stopped his run, his sword was up and something – several somethings – were slashing at him. Closer now, and the things were twisted creatures, something like caterpillars grown monstrously huge, but with a humanoid torso, massive arms gripping clubs or maces. The heads were worse, with flowing hair and high foreheads and calm blue eyes… and the mouth of a lamprey below. From Rivendream Pass. They must be.
She saw the Watchland's blade dancing back and forth even as she approached, and one of the things fell.
She was stumbling to a halt,frozen now, realizing that this was no sparring match, no fantasy of heroism, no practice, no dream. This was real. Those monstrous… things were attacking her friends, her neighbors, and she was going to have to face them with weapon and speed – and die, if she wasn't good enough.
She tried to make herself move forward, but the fear dragged at her. Did Rion have to face this? Or was he already prepared, able to face it as soon as he knew the fight was real?
With a tremendous effort she forced discipline upon her trembling limbs, made her gut steady, repeated the calm and focus of the Way of the Eight Winds to herself: Speed of East, Guidance of Spring, Light of South, Circle of Summer, Wisdom of West, Flow of Fall, Hardness of North, Cleansing of Winter . Her heart still hammered, she still felt sweat under the ceremonial robe even in the cool of evening… but she could move, and the sword of Myrionar's temple was in her hands. More screams from ahead – I have to hope Jeridan can handle these creatures!
She ran past the Watchland, who saw her and gave a quick nod, as if to say yes, I'm all right, keep going!
She passed near one of the things and felt a crawling on her flesh – both from the wrongness of its presence and the realization that she would have to fight such a thing and kill it. She still wasn't sure…
But then she realized where the screams were coming from. It was the Monn farm, and she felt a surge of horror, remembering little Gallire and Lehi, the twins who had been Vengeance and Truth in the ritual just a few moments before.
Two children, hiding in fear in the Temple.
Two children away from their homes, while their parents screamed.
Fury surged up in her, fury and memory of her own loss. No! I won't let them be orphaned! I won't let that happen to anyone!
The anger sped her feet, and she hurdled a three and a half foot post fence. The night was dim, only a sliver of a moon showing, but she could see the nightmare shapes ahead, one already grasping a man's shadowy form, bending the head down…
A desperate leap and she slammed into the creature, impaling it completely through with the sword of Myrionar. It shrieked and gurgled, as blue-white light shone from the wound. She felt a surge of momentary nausea and revulsion as the semi-human torso and arms twitched and shuddered, forced it down. Turning, she ripped the sword clear, seeing two more of the monsters rippling towards her on shuffling pseudofeet, even as she saw Phenre Monn staggering into the farmhouse, helped by his wife Ballu. They'll be safe there for now. If I can –
And then she heard another cry of pain and horror, but this cry she recognized, the sound piercing her to the heart, sending a wave of cold through her body.
Rion!
"Rion, hold on!" she shouted, and with a pirouette spun past the caterpillar-centaur monstrosities, decapitating one and flowing past the other's grasping hands. They're slower than me… but if they try to chase, I'm at least leading them away…
But her main focus was on the beloved voice somewhere in the thin forest ahead past the edge of the farm, now cursing, and a clash of steel that showed her brother was fighting something in earnest.
She wasted no more breath on calling, just ran, ran with the horrors of the years before shouting at her heels, a terrible forboding making the run seem slow, mired in oil and tar, as in a nightmare.
Ahead there was a flash of silver light… and the light seemed to vanish, even as she heard a choked, bubbling cry.
For a moment – the slightest of moments – she thought she saw… something standing there, something darker than the darkest shadows, with sparks of venomous yellow where there should be eyes, and a monstrous, phantom smile like moonlight through ice. But even as the terror of that vision jabbed like ice through her chest, it was gone – if it had ever been – and she heard and sensed, rather than saw, someone or something else running away, running at a pace that made her own sprint seem slow and lazy.
But she didn't care about that, because on the ground ahead was something else, something silver with black smeared across it. No, no, no, not again, please, not again…
She could not see, and surely there were still things following her, not far behind, and still with prayers in her heart she spoke the words they had all been taught and the flare-light went up,blazed out, turning what had been black to red, bright, horrible blood-red, and she knew her prayers were in vain, for her brother lay there, the Armor of Eagle rent asunder, blood pooled about him, and the last traces of life were fleeing. She dropped to her knees, taking his hand, saw his eyes flicker open for a moment to catch her gaze with wide-eyed horror, trying to speak – but the terrible wounds gasped with his movement and she knew he was getting no air.
"ARBITER!" she screamed, and leapt to her feet, hearing scuttling movement coming up fast. "No, no you will not take him, no!" she heard herself saying, voice trembling, tears starting from her eyes, blurring her vision; but she didn't really need to see the misshapen thing, just swing, block, swing again, and it gave a screaming hiss and tried to back away – but she gave it no chance. More coming, she thought with fresh horror, hearing more movement from three sides.
She refused to give up. Her brother was not going to die undefended and alone, not now, not ever. A club whipped out, grazing her unarmored shoulder, and even that slight contact felt like it broke her arm. She gritted her teeth, refused the pain, focused past the terror and the fear and ducked under the next attack; her blade slid in blue-shining perfection through the lamprey-fanged mouth.
But there were more – not two, three, four, half a dozen, more, and she realized that there was no chance for her or Rion now. They were more cautious, not stupid, perhaps even intelligent, and they recognized how dangerous she was. They were maneuvering, ringing her in, and then…
One suddenly fell, convulsing as its head flew from its body, even as the one next to it shrieked, a slender blade flickering through its body from one side to the other, and Lythos continued, jumping over the falling body, blocking two strikes in a single motion and impaling the next creature, a flowing dance of death that showed her just how very little she had yet learned, and why Lythos was called Sho-ka-taida, Master Of Weapons.
That was a far and distant thought, though, for now she looked down and her brother's gaze was beginning to glaze, horror still in those eyes and desperation and in his wheezing futile attempts to breathe she heard him trying to form words.
"Let me through!"
It was the voice she had most wanted to hear in that moment, and she moved aside, praying that the Arbiter was in time, taking Rion's hand in hers. "He's here, Rion, the Arbiter's here," she said. "It's okay…"
But Rion's gaze did not shift, even as the Arbiter placed hands upon his wounds and one of the Seekers came to assist; she saw Rion's eyes widen, as though to try to tell her something from the sheer intensity of that look… and then roll and fall shut, the hand spasming and then going limp.
"He's fading!" the Arbiter snapped. He gripped the symbol of the Balance tighter and she felt, suddenly, that presence, strong and certain, and blue light radiated from the priest's other hand, forcing wounds to close, knitting them with power channeled from a god directly into the mortal body of Rion Vantage.
But Kelsley's face was pale, and vaguely, at the edge of her shock and denial she realized there were more shouts of consternation now… other victims… She should rise, she should go to them.
Rion's hand twitched, and for a moment she felt a spark of hope. But that was dashed as she heard Kelsley gasp. "I… I cannot hold him." Seeker Reed – one of the students of the Temple – caught his shoulder. "I will help you, Arbiter… By the Balance, what is this?"
They were gazing at things Kyri could not see, and their faces showed utter horror. "Arbiter, what can we do?" Reed gasped.
"I… I do not know. I have never…" Kelsley swallowed, then leaned forward. "Soul injury. It is spoken of in the texts, but so rare…"
"What is wrong?" Kyri demanded.
Even as Kelsley answered, he was busy, focusing more power, pale agony clear now on his face. "His soul itself is injured, cuts across his very essence in parallel with his bodily injuries. Those injuries… were mortal. If I cannot bind… his soul back together… it does not matter if his body is completely whole."
Sweat trickled down his cheeks and Kyri was suddenly aware that the pain he showed was much more real and immediate than the pain of failure. "What are you…"
"Arbiter! Stop!" Reed shouted.
"Reed… I cannot let him…" The Arbiter's voice was weak, but iron-hard in determination, and suddenly Kyri understood. Only pieces of another soul… could bind together a soul so injured. Kelsley is ripping his own spirit into pieces, into bandages of his own essence… to save my brother?
"Arbiter… others are injured. And he…"
Kyri looked up at Reed, wanting to rage at him, but seeing only tormented sympathy that struck her silent.
Kelsley's hand dropped to his side and he crumpled – almost, Kyri realized with another dull shock, dead himself.
And in that moment she knew.
Rion… Silver Eagle… Her brother… was gone.
How can my readers buy your book?
Readers may purchase my book at Amazon, at : http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Rising-Ryk-E-Spoor/dp/1451638418 , in trade paper or Kindle format.
All of my books are also available both in book form and in a variety of e-formats at my publisher's website: http://baen.com/author_catalog.asp?author=rspoor
You can find more information about Ryk E. Spoor and his book, Phoenix Rising (as well as his other books) by visiting my website, http://www.grandcentralarena.com, or my LiveJournal at seawasp.livejournal.com.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Interview with Author, COLLETTE CAMERON
Today I’m interviewing Collette Cameron. Her book, Highlander’s Hope is a Regency Historical and was released on May 15, 2013.
Please tell us something about you that we wouldn’t find out on the internet.
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Sarah.
I almost didn’t submit Highlander’s Hope for publishing, thinking it wasn’t good enough. My beta readers and family convinced me to give it a try. So glad I did!
I love peppermint candy ice-cream, dill pickles, and smoked salmon. Too boring? Let’s see. . .
I had a pet pig as a child. I’ve been to Europe twice and would love to go back. How about, I have horrible handwriting, which is a huge challenge as teacher!
Now, please tell my readers a little bit about your book.
Highlander’s Hope is a Regency historical, though it dares to go beyond the typical trappings of the era. English propriety and Scot’s boldness class in this romantic suspense flavored with liberal doses of humor and a dash of inspiration.
Yvette Stapleton is an independent heiress, disdainful of marriage, fleeing for her life. Ewan McTavish is a titled Scotsman tangled in international intrigue and determined to make her his own. Tempers flare and sparks fly when he exploits Scot’s law to claim her as his lawful wife—without the benefit of a ceremony.
Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
Regency is a specific time period in England (1811-1820) when the Prince Regent ruled by proxy because he father, King George III, was deemed unfit to rule. It was a time of tremendous transition and extravagance. Social propriety was everything, yet immorality ran amok behind closed doors. The Highlander genre is focused on Scotland and highlights a dashing and daring highlander. I decided to combine the two.
My first three books are mixed Regency/Highlander genres. I have ideas for several more books and some are pure Highlander or Regency, and there’s even a colonial in there. I also have ideas for a historical paranormal and a contemporary. We’ll see if those pan out.
How did this story come to be?
A single scene, The Banbury Inn scene, popped into my mind one day. It played out much like a video. I built the entire story around Ewan finding Yvette in his chamber at the inn.
What is your writing routine like?
Weekdays, I’m out of bed by 5:00. After doing a few chores and working out, I either head out the door to teach, or start writing for the day. Right now, I’m doing a job share with another teacher, so I write Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. I check my emails before I start writing and also pop into a few social media sites. I almost always spend some time in the evenings writing too.
On the weekend, I try to get in a few long runs of writing because my writing actually flows better after I’m been writing for a couple of hours.
Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?
I belong to RWA, The Beau Monde, Rose City Romance Writers, Faith, Hope & Love, Inc. and several writing groups through Facebook and LinkedIn.
I’ve received tremendous support and advice from RCRW and TBM. I can ask them anything and there are always several people ready to give advice and help. The authors at Soul Mate Publishing have been amazing. I never expected to have so many published authors be so supportive and encouraging.
What character is most like you or least like you?
It’s funny you ask that. A lot of my family and friends thought I modeled Yvette after myself. I didn’t. In fact, she’s much different than me, except she loves dogs. All my heroines do though I do know how to use a gun, like Yvette, and I too hate spiders. I think that’s where our similarities end.
In my current work in progress, my heroine is totally different than me. So far she’s my favorite heroine. She’s unconventional, feisty, swears, wears breeches, and is obsessed with horses. She’s also pretty darn sharp with a blade. . . . No pun intended.
What most inspires you in life?
I have much to be thankful for, and I have been so blessed. Every time I’m tempted to complain or feel sorry for myself, I remind myself, that comparatively, I have it pretty darn good! Everyday when I wake up, I ask God to help me be a light to others by being kind and encouraging. Some days I do better than others.
And because I’m a teacher, I have the privilege of molding amazing little minds. I learn far more everyday from my students than they ever learn from me.
What’s next for you?
I just contracted my second novel, The Viscount’s Vow, and am plugging away at the third book in the trilogy, The Earl’s Enticement. I do think this is my favorite book so far.
When I finish it, I have a stand-alone that’s nagging me to be written. After that, I have a six-book Highland saga I want to write.
BOOK BLURB
She was the heiress determined to never marry.
Shipping heiress Yvette Stapleton is wary of fortune hunting men and their false declarations of love. She’d rather become a spinster than imprisoned in the bonds of marriage. At first, she doesn’t recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London’s docks, but her reaction to Lord Sethwick’s kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony.
He was the nobleman who vowed to make her his own.
Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, Lord Sethwick and Laird of Craiglocky, hasn’t dreamed of the sensual beauty he danced with two years ago; he’s determined to win her heart. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, he unwittingly draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scot’s Canon law to declare her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, “I do.”
Amidst murder and betrayal, Ewan attempts to win Yvette’s forgiveness. But is it too late? Has his manipulation cost him her love?
A little bit about the author:
In February 2011, on a whim, Collette decided to sit down and write a Regency suspense romance. She wrote Highlander’s Hope, the first book in her Blue Rose Trilogy. She has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. She's been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. She teaches third grade and loves it. Her puppy, Ayva, sits on her lap while she writes. Ayva also nibbles at and lies on the keyboard. Collette loves a good joke, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels.
Excerpt
A sharp rap echoed at the door. Yvette breathed a sigh. Thank Goodness. Lord Sethwick wouldn’t have to answer the question after all. She raised her head and forced her gaze from the document in his hand.
He stared at her intently, then called, “Enter.”
“Lord Sethwick, please excuse the interruption,” a deep voice greeted. “‘Tis urgent I speak with you.”
Half-turning to look at the newcomer, Yvette could not contain her frightened gasp. She shot halfway out of her chair before Lord Sethwick’s hand snaked across the table and grasped hers, restraining her.
“Ewan!” In her panic, she addressed him by his given name.
“Miss Stapleton, Mrs. Pettigrove, may I introduce my associate, Trenton Carmichael?” said Ewan. “You know him as Nigel Collingsworth.”
Yvette sat down so hard her bottom smacked the chair with a stinging thud. Despite the day’s promise to be quite warm, she shivered, chilled to the bone. Searching the viscount’s face she repeated, stunned, “Your associate? I don’t understand. He was chasing me yesterday.”
Mrs. Pettigrove’s gooseberry eyes were round as the moon watching the exchange. “Mr. Collings, er, Carmichael was chasing you, Miss Stapleton?”
No one responded to her probing.
Holding Yvette’s hand, Lord Sethwick explained, “He wasn’t chasing you. Trent was trying to protect you by catching the man who was chasing you.”
“A different man was also chasing you? Whatever for?” Mrs. Pettigrove sounded envious.
Everyone ignored her.
Mr. Carmichael addressed Yvette. “I regret frightening you yesterday. It wasn’t my intent.”
Another knock sounded.
“Come in.” Lord Sethwick was less gracious this time.
Yvette managed not to gawk at the two men who entered the chamber. At least she thought she did. Faith, what handsome men. They must be friends of Lord Sethwick’s. Nobility no doubt.
“Sethwick, you rogue, keeping the arrival of your lovely bride-to-be a secret,” teased a tall gentleman dressed in black from toe to top.
How can my readers buy your book?
Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://soulmatepublishing.com
You can find more information about Collette Cameron and her book, Highlander’s Hope by
visiting her website, http:collettecameron.com or
her blog at http://blueroseromance.com.
Just a few fun questions to answer if you don’t mind.
1) Tent or hotel room? Hotel
2) What is your favorite season? Summer
3) What is your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon? Write or walk on the beach
4) Who is your favorite author to read? I don’t have one, sorry.
5) What’s your favorite snack food? Smoked salmon and crackers with ketchup. Yum!
6) Movies- At home or in a theatre? At home
7) If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island but could take two things with you, what would they be? My Bible and my glasses.
Thank you for allowing me to interview you here at Heart of Romance. Good luck to you in your future!!!
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