Aerenden Series by Kristen Taber - Interview and Giveaway

Kristen Taber is joining us at the Pavilion today as part of her virtual book tour. Kristen will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC and 10 copies of The Gildonae Alliance (Aerenden #2) Audible Book. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Tell us a little about how you got started as an author and how you came up with the idea for this book?

I’ve been writing since I was a child, but I started writing novels around seven years ago and began publishing them in 2012 after repeated requests from friends. The Ærenden series (the third novel, The Zeiihbu Master, is my most recent release) developed from a joke that a friend and I shared in high school. We pretended we were twins from another world (an idea stemming from a short story assignment we never finished), though we both forgot about the joke after a few weeks. Many years later, the idea came back to me in a dream and I fostered it from there. The twins became one young woman, Meaghan, who discovers her true identity after she witnesses monsters murdering her parents. Although I’m sure my friend would find Ærenden unrecognizable to our twin story, it’s still the reason my fantasy books exist today.

Where do you get your ideas for characters? In particular, did you steal some characteristics from yourself or people you know for the main characters?

None of the Ærenden characters are inspired by real people, though I have borrowed characters from people in the past. One example that comes to mind is a detective from the second book of my unreleased Molly’s Tears romance series. When I lived in Florida, I served on jury duty for an attempted murder case. The case lasted a little over a week, so my fellow jury members and I got to know a lot about the bailiffs on duty in the court house. One of them, an older gentleman with a great sense of humor, became a particularly good friend of ours. He loosely influenced my detective character and I can’t help but think of him every time I read the book.

Which author/authors or particular books have inspired you?

There are four authors who come to mind when I think of my writing inspirations. Stephen King, of course, since I grew up not far from his house in Bangor. I’ve aspired to his brilliance from the moment I first picked up one of his books in third grade (though I know I’ll likely never reach that bar; few people could). JRR Tolkien is second. After reading The Lord of the Rings, I fell in love with fantasy and knew I wanted to invent worlds with the same rich detail and inventive creatures as Middle-earth. David and Leigh Eddings are my third and fourth inspirations. The Elenium series is still one of my favorite reads, and I credit it with drawing me onto the epic fantasy path I currently walk.

What were some of your favorite reads of the past year?

I’ve been on a nonfiction kick lately, so my list leans more toward books like The Rough Guide to the Titanic by Greg Ward than mainstream stories, though two novels have really stood out to me over the past year: The Room by Emma Donoghue and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Although I had some gripes about The Room, I found Ms. Donoghue’s story both haunting and brilliant. I don’t think many people could handle such a disturbing subject matter and pull it off as well as she did. Similarly disturbing, but for different reasons, The Book Thief is one of those rare novels that left me in complete awe when it was over. Mr. Zusak’s writing style can be described as nothing less than incredible. I would put The Book Thief as one of my top twenty reads of all time.

For the aspiring writers out there, can you tell us something about how you develop your plot?

I’m probably not the best example to follow when it comes to plotting. Although I start out with a general outline—I know where the book will end and what milestones I have to meet along the way—I tend to sit down and begin typing, trusting my characters to lead me as we take the journey together. Initially, I had outlined the entire Æerenden series as one book, but learned the hard way that my characters (and subconscious) would not tolerate the outline I’d worked so hard to construct. As I fought to keep the book on track, more characters and deeper plots surfaced, and I realized my outline belonged as a road map for a series instead of a limited plot. It’s not really the most advisable way to write if you don’t want to spend twice as long editing (following characters means significant time tightening a manuscript after the first draft is complete), but it works for me. I should add that I’m not completely willy-nilly about the whole process, though. Every plot and sub-plot in the series has a line item on a white board in my office, and I know how it all needs to be tied together. I do have some control over my characters, after all. Or at least, they’re letting me think so!

Tell us about your future? Next book?

I’m working the last two books in the Ærenden series and I want to release a book of short stories as a tie-in for the series. When that’s complete (or alongside it, if I can manage the time), I intend to launch my romance series, which focuses on the members of a popular rock band. Afterwards, who knows? Life has a way of presenting opportunities where I least expect them.

Book One: The Child Returns

Seventeen-year-old Meaghan has no idea her perfect life has been a lie — until she witnesses her parents’ brutal murders at the hands of red-eyed creatures.

After nearly sharing their fate, she escapes with her best friend, Nick, who tells her the creatures are called Mardróch. They come from another world, and so does she. Now that the Mardróch have found her, she must return to her homeland of Ærenden or face death.

Left with little choice, she follows Nick into a strange world both similar to Earth and drastically different. Vines have the ability to attack. Monkeys freeze their victims with a glare. Men create bombs from thin air. Even Meaghan’s newly discovered empath power turns into a danger she cannot control.

But control becomes the least of her worries once the Mardróch begin targeting her. When Nick confesses he knows the reason they want her, she learns the truth behind the kingdom's fifteen-year civil war — a long-buried secret that could cost Meaghan her life.

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Book Two: The Gildonae Alliance

Several months after Meaghan’s return to Ærenden, the kingdom’s war has taken a turn for the worse. The Mardróch army hunts the new King and Queen, destroying villages in its wake. And Meaghan and Nick, training for battle in their remote section of wilderness, are far from safe. Danger hides in shadows and behind innocent faces. Allies become foes. Each day is a fight to survive. But in the end, only one threat matters. And it’s a threat they never see coming.

*****

Book Three: The Zeiihbu Master

Separated and on opposite sides of the kingdom, Nick and Meaghan face different pursuits which could change the balance of power in Ærenden forever.

While Nick trains the villagers to be soldiers, Meaghan and a small rescue party venture into Zeiihbu to find Faillen's young son, before Garon can use the boy's power to destroy those still fighting against his rule.

Everyone knows Meaghan could be on a suicide mission, but when Nick stumbles upon a secret concealed in one of the southern villages, he realizes that Garon might not be Meaghan's greatest foe. The enemy most likely to kill her is someone who has also promised to keep her safe.

About the Author:

Kristen spent her childhood at the feet of an Irish storytelling grandfather, learning to blend fact with fiction and imagination with reality. She lived within the realm of the tales that captivated her, breathing life into characters and crafting stories even before she could read. Those stories have since turned into over a hundred poems, several short tales, and five manuscripts in both the Young Adult and Adult genres. Currently, Kristen is completing the five-part Ærenden series from her home office in the suburbs of Washington D.C.

Website ~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Google+ ~ Pinterest

Buy Links for Book 1

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Buy Links for Book 2

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Author Interview with Kat Loveland - Author of the Honor Bound Series

Some fun and random facts about me :)

Reader Review Book Trailer for my Series 

Video Book Blurb

My Amazon Page 

My website 

Print Link for Honor Bound Awakenings 

Print Link for Honor Bound Sacrifices

Where do you get your ideas?  I’ve always loved paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi and stories that make you see things differently. I would say my ideas come from the big mash up in my brain that exists from reading way too many book and wondering  “Well what if? “  

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? Growing up I read a lot of historical fiction, Tom Clancy, crime/lawyer suspense type stuff but I became entranced by the Katherine Kurtz Deryni Series. Don’t read it unless you want to cry a lot. I love that the series covered several decades of history and the world she built was damn near flawless. Recently it’s been Jim Butcher and Patricia Briggs. Butcher because Dresden Files is a seamless story and Patricia Briggs because I love her take on werewolves and pack. I also love kick ass female characters and that’s Mercy Thompson.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published? I am self published so figuring out how to format everything correctly for both Kindle and Createspace.Then when I made edits I messed it all up and had to reformat it again (nightmare).

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre? This is my first blog tour and I pretty much just market on Facebook and pester people with copies of my book. Honor Bound is a rather nichey type book so I’ve been finding it hard to describe it well.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? All the time. Isn’t that the standard writer’s attire?

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?  Jim Butcher, Stephen Amell, Jared Padalicki, Joss Whedon and Misha Collins. Much high brow, intellectual hi-jinks would ensue.

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you? Water, an umbrella, and rum. The rum should never be gone. :)

If you could have any superpower what would you choose? Teleportation

Night owl, or early bird? A night owl who for some godawful reason still wakes up early (grumble)

One food you would never eat? Durian Fruit

Pet Peeves? People choosing to not be responsible for themselves.

Do you prefer coffee, tea, or hot cocoa? All three have their appropriate time and place.

Red, or white wine? Rum

Do you prefer snow or rain? I live in Phoenix, Arizona. Any form of water falling from the sky is a bonus.

Real sugar or artificial sweetener? Aspartame is the devil. Sugar is what makes your brain work :)

Do you drive a manual or automatic vehicle? Stick shift for life, automatics are cheating.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose? Steve Irwin.

What types of books do you write? Right now all the books I have planned are paranormal with one veering more into epic fantasy. The epic fantasy I am actually co writing with a friend, it’s mainly his story that he has wanted to write for years. Once he saw that I was writing he asked me to help him out as he is not really good at writing himself.

Who's your main audience? Anyone who loves a challenging read that makes you think and question.

When it comes to writing- what are your strong points? Dialogue and character development. 

What are your weaknesses? Remembering to describe things. Often I will write several pages of dialogue 

and then think “Well crap, I haven’t typed a single word about the environment they’re in, what they are doing or anything else. Ooops”

What do you think of this term- Writer's Block? How do you overcome it? To me it just means you need a break from the story. Sometimes I’ll start writing something else or switch the perspectives of the characters in my head to give me a new look on things.

How many books have you written? Two that I have published, I have started but not finished a few others.

Are you self published or traditionally published? Self

What's the hardest part of the writing process for you? Getting people to buy my book.

How long does it take you to write a book? Depends on the book, I wrote several novel length fan fictions in less than a month but those are easier because all the hard work is done for you. Awakenings I wrote in about two months. Sacrifices has taken a bit longer

Out of all of your characters, which is your favorite?  Of the Honor Bound Series, Cesco and John and Clara. My most favorite character is coming out when Testament of An Archangel is published, his name is Remiel. 

Why? Cesco is based off a lot of my parkour friends so is easy and fun to write, John and Clara I love writing the dynamic of twins who can feel what the other feels and know what the other is thinking if they don’t block it out. It makes for some fun perspectives and scenes. Remiel...well he is a lot like the brother who’s just trying to hold his family together.

Angel's Betrayal by H.A. Somerled - Interview and Giveaway

H.A. Somerled is stopping by the Party Pavilion today on her virtual book tour. She's giving one lucky commenter a digital edition of the book in the winner's choice of format. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Tell us a little about how you got started as an author and how you came up with the idea for this book?

I took a correspondence course through the Long Ridge Writing Group and after I was done, I took a free class about plotting a novel at the Missoula Public Library. It was being taught by a local author, and now friend, Danica Winters. She helped me find a publisher, looked over my submission, and assisted with writing a query letter. I was accepted and am now submitting my third book with Books to Go Now. She also got me into her critique group, which is helpful, supportive, and soul crushing all at the same time.

The idea for the Angel Hacker series came from a week of binge watching British drama’s Sherlock and The Adventures of Merlin. I was so enthralled by the two main actors (Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Morgan), I began fantasizing about a story with them as brothers. After a couple of inspired nights, I thought to myself, if someone is going to write this, it might as well be you. That is around the same time I found the free class at the library. It was kismet!

Where do you get your ideas for characters? In particular, did you steal some characteristics from yourself or people you know for the main characters?

As I mentioned, I love watching British television, and also thrilling spy/crime dramas like Person of Interest and The Blacklist. I love big twists and characters you can’t put a finger on. I based a lot of Angel on myself, my former intelligence experience, and her sarcasm.

Which author/authors or particular books have inspired you?

I always enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, but I admit I was inspired by The Millenium Series (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and such) by Stieg Larsson. I was enthralled by Lisbeth Salander, and found myself skipping Mikael’s parts to get to hers. I also based Angel on Lisbeth-- smart, smooth, calculating--except that Angel is more human, she has a sense of humor, where Lisbeth has lost touch with humanity, and rightfully so, I guess.

What were some of your favorite reads of the past year?

Takedown Twenty - by Janet Evanovich, Sacre Bleu - by Christopher Moore, Beautiful Ruins - by Jess Walter, and Where’d You Go, Bernadette - by Maria Semple

For the aspiring writers out there, can you tell us something about how you develop your plot?

I guess you can think of it like pitching a tent. (Bear with me if you’ve never gone camping...) Is the ground stable, have you searched out the best spot to lay down? Do you have sturdy framework, are all the holes patched up? Are the loose ends tied down? Would it withstand a critical gust of hot air?

And did you bring the marshmallows?

Tell us about your future? Next book?

I am starting a new series, a steampunk pirate novel. I’m trying to decide which genre to pitch it under, sci-fi? Fantasy? Mystery? It has elements of all three. Plus it’s about Pirates!

After that I am toying with a fourth book in the Angel Hacker series or starting a Sorority Murder Mystery series.

It's summertime and insects are not the only things flying in the London skies.

Oliver and Danny Murray return in this explosive second-in-the-series novel.

When two CIA agents appear in Oliver Murray's office, he knows nothing good could come from it. An American drone has gone missing and the agents believe that one of their own may have taken it. The agent in question is Sara Parsons, also known as Fallen Angel.

Maintaining her innocence, Angel tries to find the real culprit, but when one of the agents sent to apprehend her turns up dead in her flat, Oliver has a hard time believing her. With the help from his brother, Danny, Oliver betrays his own instincts and decides to help Angel find the true murderer and drone thief.

About the Author:

H. A. Somerled lives in the Missoula, Montana area. After an uneventful tour in the U.S. Navy, she followed her passions and enrolled in Culinary School. She graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art and has also completed a writing course from the Long Ridge Writer's Group.

She has two dogs, a puggle named Fritter and a pug named Flapjack. She considers herself lucky to be single and claims she's half the age she really is.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog
Buy Angel's Betrayal at Amazon.

Son of a Itch by SD Skye - interview and giveaway!

S. D. Skye, author of Son of a Itch, is stopping by the Party Pavilion with us today as part of her book tour. The author will be awarding a Kindle Fire HD and a $25 Kindle Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner (via the Rafflecopter at the end of hte post) during the tour. (US ONLY) Welcome!

You're an award-winning author and former Intelligence Operations Specialist/Analyst in the FBI's counterintelligence program. Tell us why you chose to leave the FBI and become a writer.

Well, I didn’t leave the business altogether when I left the FBI. I worked as a government contractor for the next 12 years with various agencies including the Pentagon, Coast Guard Intelligence, etc. Even to this day I still maintain a full-time job as a Senior Proposal Writer/Editor for a technology firm. I don’t consider writing a hobby. To me, it’s a 3rd full time job (next to being a Mom and proposal writing) that doesn’t pay as much as the one I have to drive to every day. At least not yet!

When I was approaching the age of 40, I had one of those “What do I want to do with the rest of my life?” moments and writing had always been a passion. At first I stuck to writing topics that had NOTHING to do with my former line of work, strictly romantic comedies under a different name, it was only after I got completely out of the field that I considered spy thrillers/romantic suspense.

After twelve years of service, I'm betting you found some great stories to tell. Explain!

After I got the romantic stories out of my system, the J.J. McCall character kept buzzing around in my brain. Her name actually came to me in a dream and I had no idea what she was going to do. I had no inkling when I worked in the intelligence field that I would someday write novels. To develop each of the plot lines, I use a very tiny seed of reality and then exaggerate the heck out of it. I signed an agreement when I left government work that I wouldn’t divulge actual cases I worked in the past, and the FBI reviews each of my books to ensure I don’t let anything slip. So, yes, there’s a lot of reality mixed in, but the cases aren’t real.

There are so many books written in your genre.  What made you to dare to write another book on this topic?

Well, I wanted to tell a side to spy stories that is RARELY seen in movies…and that is the job that FBI agents have to do in the United States, and especially in Washington D.C. every day. You hear bad things about U.S. intelligence, like the big bad NSA, CIA, etc. But you never hear about the thousands of spies sent to the country under various covers specifically to steal secrets and how the FBI contends with these threats. And you really don’t see African Americans much involved in this kind of work in books, movies, etc. So, I thought the J.J. McCall character, loosely based on an agent I worked with, offered a great opportunity to shed new light on a long-told story—the world’s second oldest profession.

You have an iPhone app -- that's interesting! Why did you develop one, and have you seen any advantage yet?

My app is new so I don’t know how well it will work. But I feel like you really have to meet readers where they are…and most of them are on the phone in some way or another. The easier and more convenient that I can make it for them to find me, update me, and stay updated on my new releases, the better for them and me.

This is an article you wrote:  Highly Opinionated Blogger on National Security and Intelligence Community Topics ... any comments?

Oh, yes. Occasionally, a current event topic on National Security will get me fired up enough to write a commentary article and I don’t mince words on my opinion. I’m very much a patriot and I have a lot of respect for how difficult it is to keep this huge country with porous borders safe from terrorists, spies, etc. Too many Americans take it for granted. So, yes, aside from discussions on my books, I do provide my own commentary and opinions and I’m not a fence-sitter. They are usually very strong, one way or the other.

Tell us about your main character and why you created her to feature in your stories.  

Yes, there was one agent I worked with who I always admired. Even back before I knew I’d be a writer, I thought, “Somebody needs to tell this woman’s story!” She was an African American woman in a very white male dominated field…old white guys who’d been studying Russian issues forever. I always wondered what she had to endure, but to be as high-ranking as she was, I knew she had to be the tops in her field. At the time, I had no clue I’d ever be in a position to write a story loosely based on my professional image on her. So, the J.J. McCall character is VERY LOOSELY based on her career—the personal issues are things I made up. I just thought it was cool that she was an African American female agent who was one of the top professionals in the field of Russian counterintelligence, Russian organized crime, and espionage. You don’t often see stories told from that perspective. Also, I have not seen a story in which the FBI Agent was a human lie detector (the source of her “Itch”)—a kind of superpower grounded in reality. That’s certainly a new twist.

What are some of the pitfalls self-publishing authors should look out for?

I could write an article about this alone. There are so many “indie publishing sins” to commit—and I’ve committed a few myself. The biggest ones, I believe are—don’t rush your product, ensure you publish a quality book so that readers will come back for more; always get an editor—you need to a second pair of “educated eyes” to review your book grammar, proofreading, structure, pace, etc.; and hire a good cover designer—people really do judge books by covers.

Why the time gap between your first novel and Son of a Itch?

Great question. In this book I was determined not to rush it, rather take the time to ensure the story was exactly what I wanted it to be. So, I took my time, got a lot of beta readers to review it and give me tips, and I had more experience from the first book that I could use to make this book better. Writing a spy thriller is VERY different from romantic comedies so this has been a learning process for me. But each book promises to be a little better—and if possible, published a little faster. That’s my hope. In this case, slow and steady is better than fast and not ready.

We hear so much talk about sales ranks and review number, etc. What’s your opinion on online polls?

I’ve finally gotten to the point in my career where I stay away from all that. I don’t follow reviews or my book rankings or any of that. I kind of a moment of spiritual awakening in which I was determined to write the stories I wanted to tell without any expectation of what would come of it. I just wanted to write my heart. I also realized that no amount of good or bad reviews would have any impact on the story I’m going to tell—they won’t change one word I’m going to write…but they might get in my head and stress me out. So, why put myself through that? I just focus on the work and making it as true to me and as high quality as I can within my means. The rest will take care of itself.

You’ve got a cool cover that says “Spy thriller” nicely. How much impact do you think covers and blurbs have in getting people to try a book by an unknown author?

It’s really tough to get readers to buy into new authors. I’ve experienced that personally. I absolutely believe that covers have a significant impact as well as cover blurbs…as well as reviews from reputable reviewers. But above all, I think authors have to be in the game for the long haul and they have to use a consistent combination of personal appearances and book signings, blog tours, social networking, etc. to find the audience. If you stick around long enough, and you have the patience to not expect everyone to fall in love with you TOMORROW (as too many indies too I think), then success will come. It may take one book for one, it may take 10 books for another. Patience, I think, is key.

Do you have any plans for translating into a foreign language?

Spy stories tend to have international appeal for the obvious reasons—the intrigue, the excitement, the mystery of it all. I mean, I’m a huge fan of authors like Ian Flemming and le Carre. If I found enough of an international audience, I would definitely entertain the idea of getting translations or even selling the foreign book rights. But I think that’s a good ways down my career path. My focus right now is strictly on getting the series finished fans of the series can see how it all ends—or begins (depending on how you look at it). But every time I get an overseas sale of this series—I think most come from the UK—I’m so super excited that they enjoy the story. That’s always HUGE for me. A great compliment.

I see you tweeting book quotations and other such teasers often on Twitter. Can you talk about how social media helps you?

I love social media and interacting with readers. Sometimes I feel like readers are afraid to reach out. But I’m seriously not one of those DIVA authors who can’t be bothered to reply or respond to people. There are authors who won’t even interact with other authors---and we do the same kind of work! Not me, though. I enjoy and look forward to interacting with others every chance I get.

What are you planning next, and where can people find out more?

This is a planned 5 book series. My first job is to finish up the last three books. Book 3 is A No Good Itch. Book 4 is That Crazy Itch; and Book 5 is “Life’s an Itch.” I’m working on Book 3 as we speak. If I have my way, the entire series will be done by the end of 2015…but I don’t often get my way. Life usually gets in the way.

Anything else you'd like to share?

For writers, you have to be willing to continuously improve and understand there’s always something new to learn or something you can learn to do better.

On the lam from the FBI, the ICE PHANTOM continues with plans to defect to Moscow but not before seeking revenge on J.J. McCall. Meanwhile, the FBI commences Task Force PHANTOM HUNTER, a team ordered by Director Russell Freeman to track down suspected Russian illegals within the U.S. Intelligence Community—and not a moment too soon. An agent of the Russian Intelligence Services is targeting the nerve center of U.S. national security, taking the lie-detecting FBI Agent and her cohorts’ next mole hunt to the highest echelons of the U.S. government.

J.J. and her co-case agent lead the motley crew of spy catchers while she struggles to deal with sobriety, conflicting feelings for Tony and Six, and an egotistical Secret Service agent whose jurisdictional stonewalling complicates her every effort to identify the culprit before he gets away—with murder.

Enjoy an excerpt:

Exactly three moments defined the entire course of J.J.’s being —the day she got “the itch,” the generational curse that sparked random irritating tingles through her body anytime she heard a lie; the day her mother died; and this one, the day in which she grasped the fragility of life and how it could slip away in an instant.

The ambulance siren blared down Pennsylvania Avenue through the remnants of rush hour traffic as she stared down at his tearful eyes, his face shredded with pain, his body curled with anguish. Slowly, his lids opened to expose a bloodshot blank stare. She saw her mother’s eyes in his, and his last breath whispered in the distance, drawing ever near.

“I’m here. You’re going to be okay. We’re almost there,” she said as her voice shook.

George Washington University Hospital was just a few minutes away and had one of the best trauma centers in the D.C. area.

He placed his trembling hand on hers and struggled to speak. “There…something…you should…kn—”

“Shhhh. Save your strength,” J.J. shook her head to dissuade him from speaking. She stroked his fingers and tried to maintain a steady front. “You’re gonna be okay. You can tell me everything when you’re better.”

Her mind whirred as the ambulance zipped into the circular driveway beneath the overhang and masked emergency personnel in blue and green scrubs swarmed the doors. They pulled the gurney out and wheeling him inside, beyond her view. She’d never felt so alone in her life. She had calls to make, people to notify, but her mind was still foggy from the shock.

She searched her purse for the flask, the reminder of just how far she’d come and how much further she had to go.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: S.D. Skye is a former FBI Russian Counterintelligence Program Intelligence Analyst and supported two major programs during her 12-year tenure at the Bureau. She has personally witnessed the blowback the Intelligence Community suffered due to the most significant compromises in U.S. history, including the arrests of former CIA Case Officer Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen. She spent 20+ years supporting military and intelligence missions in the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Skye, an award winning author, is a member of the Maryland Writer’s Association, Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She’s addicted to writing and chocolate—not necessarily in that order—and currently lives in the Washington D.C. area with her son. Skye is hard at work on several projects, including the next installment of this exciting series.

Blog: www.authorsdskye.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsdskye
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sdskye1
Buy Links

S.D. Skye Novels on Amazon – Kindle and Paperback
http://www.amazon.com/S.D.-Skye/e/B00AMAUFK8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
S.D. Skye Novels on Kindle – Worldwide Links
http://authl.it/zn

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Author Interview and Giveaway: DeAnn Smallwood, author of Wyoming Heather

Deann Smallwood, author of Wyoming Heather, is stopping by the Party Pavilion with us today as part of her book tour. Welcome, Deann! Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.

Hmm, well, here’s something. I’m afraid of heights. No matter what anyone says, I know there’s a big whirling vortex, not necessarily of water, out there waiting to suck me, just me, off the edge and into its vacuum center. Get me four feet off the ground and my hands sweat. Drive me up a high mountain road with a sheer drop off one side and I hide on the floor of the car with a blanket over my head. Don’t tell me to look out the window and see the beautiful canyon below. Not when I have that vortex just waiting for me.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I like to read. No, I love to read. Books are my buddies. I read close to a book a day. My taste runs from suspense/thrillers to romances. Romances are sorbet to cleanse my palate in between the suspense/thrillers.

How did you choose the genres you write in?

When I write in the suspense/thriller genre, I have to really move out of my comfort zone. They take more out of me than my historical romances. I really enjoy the research back into the 1800’s for my romances. I’m a romantic at heart and believe in happily ever after. That’s why even when I write about serial killers, my books have a good smattering of romance. I think the genres chose me. They bring me comfort. Maybe you write in a genre that captures your interest to read.

Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?

Nora Roberts inspires me. She makes me want to write. I met Debby Macomber at a Romance Writers convention and her story of how she had to keep trying to get published inspired me. She knew she could write and no matter rejections never gave up. That’s what you have to do, and it’s hard.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

I don’t know if you could call it criticism, but rejections are very tough for me to take. When I get the nerve to send my manuscript off to a publisher, wait three to four months for an answer, and get back a canned rejection slip that is tough. It’s all I can do to put the manuscript back in an envelope and try again. I take it personally, but with every book I get published, I get stronger and more confident.

What has been the best compliment?

The best compliment is when a reader tells me they started my book and couldn’t put it down. There is absolutely nothing to compare to having someone tell you they like your book. I always say that next to writing my greatest pleasure is having my books read and enjoyed. And it is! I can live for weeks on a good compliment. It thrills me to know my books are out there being read. I almost have to pinch myself to believe it.

If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?

This is a hard one. I have so many authors I admire. And…Clint Eastwood is still my hero and burning hunk of fire. I’d love to have dinner with Nora Roberts and pick her brain. I’d ask her for advice and probably drink in every word she uttered. Fictional…I’d like to have dinner with Alex Cross, James Patterson’s detective. Love the way that man’s mind works. And wouldn’t it be fun to sit across from Winston Churchill? I’d soak up his wisdom and clever words.

You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?

Are books considered a luxury item? If so, they’d be number one on my list. I get terribly antsy if I don’t have something to read. Then I’d have to have chocolate. But that’s a necessity isn’t it? Comb and lipstick are a must. I do favor my White Shoulders Cologne, too.

Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?

Okay, Danielle Steel for my mother because she seems to really love her children. When she dedicates a book to them I sense her love. Lee Child for my father because I’d like to ask him about Reacher, one of his main characters. I’d like to be close enough to him to watch him write.

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Hopefully not containers of green fuzzy mold. You’d find three containers of Peppermint Mocha creamer, some diet pop, apples, a ham, pieces of chicken for my Yorkie kids, soy milk, a jar of home canned peaches, and my special canned apricot/pineapple jam. Oh, yes, a jar of peanut butter. I’m addicted to peanut butter and jelly (homemade, of course) sandwiches. Usually my refrigerator has several baggies and containers of things that need tossed.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Wow, this makes me think. How about DeAnn Smallwood, A Work In Progress? Or, DeAnn Smallwood, A Woman That Tried?

Think Fast

Summer or Winter? Summer. Most definitely!
Coffee or Tea? Coffee, but I do like my tea.
Cake or Pie? Cake However, I wouldn’t turn down candy, pie, or cookies.
Car or Truck? Truck. I just bought a new Nissan truck. Love my baby!
Print or Electronic? Print. But, electronic has been oh so good to me by publishing my books in ebooks.
Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?

Just to never give up. Take those rejects, we all get them, and keep trying. Writing is hard, but it’s well worth it. To my readers, keep reading and letting us authors know when you like our work. Without you we wouldn’t be. And to the wonderful blog hosts, thank you and thank you again. You amaze me with your abilities and your willingness to share your blog site with others. Bless you!!

About the Author:

I live in Colorado with my husband and my two Yorkie kid dogs: Stormy, four pounds, and Eli, six pounds. I’m a native of Colorado, but I lived several years in Wyoming and Montana. I draw from these beautiful states for much of my material. My historical romances are: Montana Star, Sapphire Blue, Unconquerable Callie, and Wyoming Heather. Tears In The Wind is a contemporary romance. Then I changed genres from my beloved romances and wrote, under the pen name of D. M. Woods, my first suspense/thriller: Death Crosses The Finish Line. The second book in this ‘death’ series, Death Is A Habit, will be out later this year. Truly, I mean it when I say my greatest pleasure next to writing is having my books read and enjoyed. There are many more stories just waiting to be written and enjoyed.

Facebook ~ Website

Heather is a spirited, independent woman living alone on a ranch left to her by her parents. She is also a healer of animals, domestic and wild. A woman doing a man's work, running a ranch that everyone said couldn't be done, not in this untamed, vastly unsettled land, in the mid 1800's. The ranch had everything she needed except water. She stole that from a neighboring abandoned ranch watched over by a lonely cabin and a grave.

He rode alone, coming back after five years to an empty cabin, a run-down ranch, and a grave on a hill. A former Texas Ranger burnt out on life and afraid to love. Whip had spent five years hunting the man that took his wife's life and left him to die.

Whip and Heather meet in an explosive moment on the banks of the Powder River. Both lonely, both drawn to one another, and both stubbornly fighting the attraction.

Whip vowed he would take up his dream abandoned five years ago and make his beloved ranch profit and to put aside the sweet linger of all memories shared by him and his wife. The ranch would be a jealous mistress occupying his every thought and every minute. He had no time or desire for a woman much less a pair of runaways from The Orphan Train, stowaways in Whip’s wagon and onto the Powder River Ranch.

But fate heeds no one or no thing. The criminal from Whip’s past reemerges in the present. Now, Heather is in danger and Whip stand, once again on the cusp of loss. Fate shows a strong, willful woman, full of love and compassion, just what she’s been missing in her life. And it shows a calloused Texas Ranger that Heather and love does flourish on the Wyoming plains.

Buy the book at Amazon. GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

DeAnn will be awarding a $25 BN gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Remember, the more you comment the better your chances are of winning. Click on the banner below to see the rest of the tour stops.

Author Interview and Giveaway with Dianne Hartsock

Welcome to the Party Pavilion where Dianne Hartsock is making a special stop on her Virtual Book Tour. Dianne will be awarding a $10 All Romance E-Books gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so either ask her a question or leave a comment to be entered. Enjoy the following interview with Dianne:

Tell us something about yourself-- Anything that you think your readers would like to know?

I'm a floral designer for a locally owned gift shop in the town I live in. Besides having a wonderful time creating lovely arrangements and making people happy, I have the pleasure of people watching. We have such an eclectic group of customers! Not only do they give me inspiration for my characters, they've also set up some almost unbelievable scenes for me to use.

Why do you write?

I can't help smiling at this question. I write because there's nothing I enjoy doing more! I love creating worlds and meeting new characters. I usually have a vague idea for a story and where I'd like the characters to end up, but it's always a new and exciting journey for me as, hopefully, it is for my readers.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I hope that I become a better story teller with each book I write. I've been writing mostly short stories (under 20k) but I'm going to try to expand into the novella range with my next endeavors. I'm also going to try my hand at longer fantasy stories. The two I've written have been fun and I think I can take the ideas and turn them into novels.

Do you have any authors that inspired you to become a writer?

It was Ray Bradbury who did it for me. I started reading his stories in my early teens. He blew me away! His descriptions are so unique and involved. He drew me into worlds I'd never dreamed of and made them real for me. I decided then that I wanted to write just like him. I'm not there! But he inspired me to try and to keep at it.

Are you reading any books at this moment?

Omorphi by Cody Kennedy
Odd Thomas-Apocalypse by Dean Koontz
Retribution by Laura Harner

What attracted you to writing?

Once upon a time when I was in first grade, I wrote my first story. I remember it had a giraffe in it and we went to visit him at the zoo. My teacher pinned it to the board for everyone to read and I thought, I like that! I liked writing a story and having people read it. I still do! I enjoy the whole process, dreaming up an idea, working out the plot, fleshing out the characters. I especially like working with an editor to fine tune the story. Also, seeing the finished book cover is a treat.

Tell us what inspired you to write The Dark Bokor?

One of my publishers, Breathless Press, put out a call for zombie stories for their Halloween anthology. I didn't give it much thought at first. I'm not a huge fan of the zombies that can't be killed and go around eating people. But I've always been intrigued by the hoodoo culture down in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans. This was my chance to write my own story on hoodoo magic and the zombies they create, but add the romance that I love to have in my stories.

What was the hardest part of writing The Dark Bokor?

I had a great time writing this story. The hardest part for me was the deadline. The story needed to be submitted to my editor by a certain date, which of course was fair, since they wanted it for October. But there's a lot more to this story that I'd like to tell, so much more that happens after that last scene in the book. I'm planning a novella length sequel to it for the near future.

If you could write a soundtrack for your novel, what two songs do you think would be most important to your main characters?

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol for Jesse and Every Time You Turn Around by Daughtry for Matt

If a movie would be made of The Dark Bokor, who would play the leading roles?

I'd have Chris Pine play Matt and Jay Ellis for Jesse.

Are you working on anything new right now?

Oh my yes! I'm in the middle of writing the sequel to my psychological thriller novel ALEX. I've also started a m/m contemporary romance and also a Christmas story for next year. I'm one of those writers who's happiest when I have two or three projects going at once.

Dianne is the author of m/m erotic romance, both contemporary and fantasy, the psychological thriller, and anything else that comes to mind. Oh, and a floral designer. If she can’t be writing, at least she has the chance to create with the beauty of flowers and bring a smile to someone’s face. Currently Dianne lives in the Willamette Valley of Oregon with her husband, and both her children have chosen to attend colleges close to home, for which she is forever thankful. You can find out more about Dianne here: Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page.

When it comes to the dark weavings of hoodoo magic, only a few can survive.

It's started. Bodies have been found in the French Quarter, torn limb from limb. The undead have been seen walking. For Detective Matthew Rieves, this is the worst news he can imagine. Having spent his entire life in Orleans Parish, Matt's no stranger to the bizarre. Though, despite the growing evidence, he still has a hard time believing in the occult. But when two hoodoo bokors vie for supremacy, it's the innocent civilians that pay the price.

For Jesse Dalembert, he'd left New Orleans to sever his ties with hoodoo. But when a friend is brutally murdered by the bokor's zombies, he returns, falling at once into danger and into Detective Rieves's bed. With their lives on the line, their simmering attraction flares into a passion they can no longer deny.

Working against time, can the lovers find a way to stop the hoodoo war, or will they fall victim to the dark magic, maybe becoming zombies themselves?

Buy the book at Breathless Press.

Return to Audubon Springs by RoseAnn DeFranco-- Interview and Giveaway

Welcome to the Party Pavilion this morning. We have a special guest-- one of our clients, RoseAnn DeFranco-- with a special interview for our Pavilion followers :-)

RoseAnn, we have some questions for you that are writer specific as well as some fun stuff so that we can really get to know the real you. *grin* Plus we will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready to begin?

Absolutely! This sounds like great fun. First I’d like to give a big Geeky THANK YOU for hosting me today. I have a strong background in geek. Some might even say I majored in it back in middle and high school, so I already feel right at home.

Great! Then take your shoes off, settle back, and tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.

I played the flute for twelve years and studied vocal performance in college.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Most of my non-writing time is spent with my family where I play the role of Dance Mom, Soccer Mom and PTA Mom. I also work full time for a Consulting firm. I usually leave that last part out. NOTHING sexy and fun about that!

How did you choose the genres you write in?

Honestly, I think the genre chose me. I’d dabbled in a few other things, paranormal being one, but the Brothers of Audubon Springs series sort of wrote itself. Even then, I meant to write a sweeping epic drama exploring a family in crisis, recovering from grief. Instead I wrote a Humorous Contemporary Romance series centering around three brothers and their warm and loving Italian family.

Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?

I am a big fan of Susan Wiggs and Virgina Kantra. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting both women and I’ve attended workshops they have led. I think I write in a similar style to both yet my writing possesses more of the comedic elements you’d find in a Kristan Higgans book. I fan-girl Kristan Higgans as well!

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

I think the toughest criticism as an author is those rejections without reason. As a writer develops their craft, we are looking for creative feedback and ways to improve our work. About a year ago I won a 50 page critique from a very prolific author in my genre. She sent me the following message: “I’m wowed. You are an amazing writer. Talent oozes from your pages. The passion, the romance, the conflict, the descriptions -- you have what it takes to make it.” This piece of unsolicited feedback helped me have the courage to step forward and seek publication.

If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?

Jane Austen. To me she is the Godmother of all Romance Writers. While you’d never find her in the romance section of a bookstore, she wrote all the original romances. She was a strong, brilliant pioneer. I’m sure she’d have plenty in the way of words of wisdom for writers of today.

You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?

A laptop with unlimited battery life or these voices inside my head will drive me bonkers waiting for me to record their stories. A big pot to cook in over an open flame, because our family motto, regardless of the circumstances is ”We’ve got to eat!” My cell phone, cuz I’m assuming my island has Wifi. This way I can make sure my hubs knows exactly where I am so he can come get me!

Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?

Pink, because she is crazy mad talented. You’d get away with almost anything with Pink as your mom and at the same time you’d be free to explore in your creativity. Steven Spielberg because then hopefully daddy would make my books into a movie, or at least a really cool and funny TV show.

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

A big pot of my homemade marina sauce filled to the brim with meatballs, Italian Wedding Soup and my daughter’s birthday cake that looks like a Cake Boss creation. I should mention my mother is visiting right now. If she wasn’t you’d find the remains of a store bought rotisserie chicken, leftover instant mashed potatoes, and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

VERY cool question! The Show Must Go On! When I transitioned out of the Music Theatre world, I needed a creative outlet. Fortunately the voices in my head and they said the show must go on, so I started to write their stories!

Think Fast

Summer or Winter? Summer
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Cake or Pie? Apple pie, my mother’s
Car or Truck? Truck
Print or Electronic? Electronic – My office is bursting with books. I keep better track of my books on my kindle!

Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?

Thanks you so much for hosting me today. I had a great time answering your questions. As for words of wisdom…Always look on the sunny side, think before you act, and don’t eat the yellow snow. :-)

As a special thanks for checking in, RoseAnn is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to a random commenter on her book tour. You can ask RoseAnn a question or just leave a comment--and you can see the other stops on her tour here.

Before you go, though, here's a little bit about RoseAnn and her book:

RoseAnn DeFranco grew up in upstate NY with her nose in a book and a song in her heart. Following the pursuit of a musical theatre career in NYC, she turned her creative energy to writing romance. RoseAnn blogs about her writing experiences with her critique partners at www.TheVioletFemmes.com. A NJ shore transplant, she enjoys time spent at the beach with her family. She would love to one day live in a quaint shore town like the fictional town Audubon Springs from her BROTHERS OF AUDUBON SPRINGS series. More information about these Contemporary Romantic Comedies can be found at www.radefranco.com and you can socialize with RoseAnn on Facebook and Twitter.

When Emma Grant returns to her family's Audubon Springs beach house to fulfill the stipulations of her father's will, she has every intention of forcing her former lover out of the house for good. She's never fit into her wealthy family and would prefer avoiding her past, but with her brother threatening to reveal her young daughter, she has no choice.

Rafe Iuliano has other plans. The wealthy Grants tried to bribe him out of Emma's life years ago, but he's determined to prove once and for all that a master carpenter is worthy of Emma and the house.

Their ridiculous and steamy battle for the house reignites the love and passion that bloomed between them years ago. But when Rafe discovers she's kept their daughter a secret for two years, can he overcome anger and pride to claim his family and the love of his life, or will the deception drive a final wedge between them?

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