Guest Post: David E.M. Emrys

Hey everybody! We've got a guest post for you today from new author, David E.M. Emrys. David is the author of From Man to Man and It Began with Ashes. Everyone, please welcome David!

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Can there be such a thing as too much fantasy?

Is the fantasy world over-populated? It’s a valid question and one that keeps raising its ugly head in the current era of ‘Lord of the Authors: The Fellowship of the Fantasy’.

Without battling out the topic of Indie vs Traditional, I want to take a moment and talk about fantasy worlds. A simple blog post can’t cover every single fantasy tome to have ever graced a book shelf (or a digital market place like Amazon, for all you e-publishing gurus), but we can highlight a few.

J.R.R. Tolkien with his elves, and his dwarves, his hobbits with their hairy feet, and his trolls. Ringwraiths, a dark lord, and a powerful artefact that is a curse to all those who bear it.

George R.R. Martin with his thrones, and his games, the squabbles of men, and the treachery, futility and thick-fast plots (oh, and if you’ve watched the tv adaptation, there’s a fair share of boobage, too).

Peter V Brett – demons galore! How ‘man’ (and woman!) can overcome their fears for what they believe is right.

Mark Lawrence explores the moral depravity of a Prince who won’t let anything – or anyone – stand in his way, even if that involves burning the world just to keep warm.

Michael J Sullivan brings bromance to the fold (Webster’s unofficial definition of bromance: bro-mance, a combination of brother and romance, meaning ‘a brotherly romance’ between two males. Often seen sharing large quantities of bruises, beauties, and beatings) with a healthy dose of death-defying escapades and swashbuckling adventures.

John Gwynne breaths fresh life into the folklore and legend side of fantasy, giving Giants, Wyrms and even Angels a gritty new lease with a Nordic/Celtic feel.

Brent Weeks forefronts assassins in one, and mages in another, but above all else they struggle with their own powers for further means.

Brandon Sanderson…magic, need I say more? But then again, his world-building is second to none.

Joe Abercrombie touts more knives than any sane man should ever need, but lucky for us not all of his characters can be deemed sane enough to count or care for that matter. But when all is said and done, it’s down to being what you’re meant to be, and (as he often states by way of infamous barbarian Logen NineFingers) once you've got a task to do, it's better to do it than live with the fear of it.

I’ve barely even touched the surface here. I could go on for hours. James Barclay, David Gemmell (big daddy of British heroic-fantasy), Robert E Howard, Patrick Rothfuss, Robert Jordan, David Dalglish, Mazarkis Williams, Moses Sirergar III, Ben Galley, Steven Erikson, Christopher Paolini…ok, ok – I’ll stop.

So, fantasy is a busy world(s). But each and every one of them is different. Yes, a lot of them share themes or creatures (elves, dragons, hobbits, dwarves, damsels in distress…hobbits, or other creatures with hairy feet?), but would you really say: ‘No more’! Heck, I’m sure if you asked a lot of these authors they’d admit to being inspired by one another. Of course they would.

Ok, let’s imagine if someone said ‘No more’ to Robert Jordan. Would we have the Peter V Brett’s, and Christopher Paolini’s of today? ‘Put that pen down’ David Gemmell…and voila, no John Gwynne’s or James Barclay. How many would we lose if Robert E. Howard had run out of ink on the first page, and Conan had been lost to an unfinished sentence?

IMAGINE THE CHAOS if someone told J.R.R. Tolkien to shave his hobbit and write a romcom. Think of the children, pray for their futures!

Publishing is an ever changing industry, and fantasy is an ever changing realm of possibilities. If you’re Indie or Traditional, reader or writer…could you really say NO to one last fantasy? And before you start culling dwarves, shaving hobbit feet, or cashing in dragon fangs for the last copy of ’50 Shades of Grey’ from Amazon…just remember:

A Fantasy author isn’t just for Christmas. They’re for life.

(And even then, they’ll think of a way to come back and haunt you from the afterlife – they’re fantasy authors after all).

D. E. M. Emrys. Author. Soldier by day, Soldier by night - Writer in between. Knows war to write war.

David Emrys, known as D to his friends, is a serving soldier and author. He has clearance to know more than he should, but not the sense to know better. Leaving education with no more than a fifteen year olds understanding of English Literature, D’s storytelling craft is self-taught.

Growing up with the heroic tales written by authors such as David Gemmell and James Barclay, D was inspired to write stories of his own. After joining the army D used his free time to focus on his dream of sharing shelf-space with his idols.

D testifies to the fact that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword – but swords make for better letter-openers. He lives where the army send him, but home is in Chelmsford with his girlfriend. They say that behind every great man there is a woman pulling the strings, but she lets him dance to his own song whilst being the perfect partner in step. D claims that his books would not have been written without her.

David Emrys is not his real name.

Nor is D.

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Thanks so much for that, David! You guys should be sure to check out David's books; the links are below for you. And be on the lookout for a review of Emrys's From Man to Man later this week. 

Published Works:

'From Man to Man'

Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/From-Man-Wroge-Elements-ebook/dp/B009QY4EAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350387280&sr=8-1&keywords=d.+e.+m.+emrys

Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/From-Man-Wroge-Elements-ebook/dp/B009QY4EAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361318621&sr=8-1

'It Began With Ashes'

Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Began-Ashes-Wroge-Elements-ebook/dp/B00ACLW7TO/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2

Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Began-Ashes-Wroge-Elements-ebook/dp/B00ACLW7TO/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1360708069&sr=1-2

Guest Post: Ashley Robertson

Hey, everyone! Today, I'm pleased to announce that we have Ashley Robertson, author of Unguarded and Crimson Groves here with us to tell us a bit about how she maintains a balance between her writing and her everyday life. 

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Keeping a Little Balance—and Sanity!

Most authors like me would absolutely love it if writing were the only thing we had to do every day. Oh my goodness, just thinking about how much I’d get accomplished pulls my lips into a smile, but then reality sets back in and I remember all the other things piling up on my “to do” list. My smile fades as the stress rolls in. But there has to be a way to balance things out, a way to keep things simplified. A way to get everything else done so our writing can take center stage with a mind free of daily worries and hiccups. Sounds good, right?
First of all, I think it’s very important to create some kind of schedule—and do whatever it takes to stick to it. More often than not, I’ll see writer friends of mine complaining about being on Facebook and not finishing their edits. I’m certainly guilty of doing that myself, so that’s why I think it’s very important to set social media boundaries, and including that in your schedule can be very helpful. Also, setting a goal as to how many words you’re required to type each day is a crucial detail. Know how much time it typically takes for you to reach your daily word goal. That way when you block out X amount of time for writing, you’ll know how much to allot yourself. What other daily tasks do you have? Perhaps you can bundle those up and do them weekly instead? For example, house chores and laundry can be done once or twice a week, and the same can apply to grocery shopping and running other errands. On the days you have those extra things going on, obviously it’s going to cut into your writing time, so try to get extra words typed on other days to make up for the slack. Typically I work Monday through Friday on my books and my daily goal is 1,000 words, which gives me 5,000 words a week. If, by the end of the week, I haven’t reached my objective, then that means I’m working on the weekend. That way when Monday comes rolling around, I’m not already stressed from being behind.
Another way to keep some balance is by creating an outlet in the form of a hobby, something you absolutely love doing that will take your mind off everything else if only for a short while. A couple of my hobbies are exercising and horseback riding. I get up early every morning to incorporate my workouts, and once a week, I’ll steal a few hours to go on a horseback ride. Though this creates something else to squeeze on the calendar, I think it’s vital (and healthy) to make it work—whatever your hobby may be. I also enjoy getting my hair done, which thankfully I only have to do about every six weeks, but still, I have to plan that time accordingly as my hair appointments can easily take three hours of my day. So I’ll either need to try to make that time up on another weekday, or…that’s right, I’ll be writing on the weekend. 
So what about you? Would incorporating a schedule help you accomplish the tasks you’re not completing? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you keep the balance between writing (or reading) and all your other responsibilities. 

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Thanks so much for stopping by, Ashley! I hope you all enjoyed that. And be sure to check out both of Ashley's books, Unguarded and Crimson Groves.

Feature Friday: Olivia Hardin

Today we welcome Olivia Hardin here on The Ink Puddle! I recently read Bitten Shame and if you haven't, you need to jump on it. You're missing out. I'm very, very excited to have her share about The Women! Without further ado...

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I’ve been known to use music to set the mood when I'm writing. One day this song "Calling Me" by Alva Leigh shuffled in when I was in the middle of reading a paranormal romance novel.

I was in a "magical" frame of mind and so I began to wonder about one of the lines in that song, "Sometimes I feel that I'm changed by those women on the hill in the rain."

Who are those women? And why are they on the hill in the rain?

And so when I finally did begin writing Witch Way Bends a few months later, those Women remained in the recesses of my mind. In Book 1 Devan learns that the mysterious Women on the Hill have been involved in shaping the things happening in her life.

In Bitten Shame, Devan and her BFF Jill finally get to meet The Women.

So may I present to you, The Women on the Hill:

I hope you'll check out the world of Bend-Bite-Shift soon. Happy reading, All!

~Olivia

Release Party: L.K. Rigel

L.K. Rigel joined us today to celebrate the release of her new book, Bride of Fey. This is the second book in her Tethers series. She is also throwing a party TODAY through Release Day Diva at 11am to 7pm PDT on Facebook. The direct link is here so be sure to stop in to celebrate! We will have the review up next week and let you know all the scoop on what we think about the new book!

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Fairies are all the rage right now, but of course they've been around forever. Some say fairies descended from fallen angels. If that's true, they've existed for a long time indeed! Here are a few fairies I love: 

Shakespeare's Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream - as portrayed here by Michelle Pfeiffer. Titania is all about the sensual pleasure of being alive - a perfect fairy queen.  

 

Lucinda in Ella Enchanted. Vivica A. Fox was hilarious as the self-centered fairy godmother whose "gift" of obedience ended badly. A perfect illustration that we should beware fairies bearing gifts.  

Tinker Bell - the non-Disneyfied Tinker Bell as drawn by Greg Hillebrandt. When I read the original Peter Pan to my son, I was amazed. Yes, it's a children's adventure story. It's also a meditation on gender roles and duty told on an entirely adult level. As an adult, I saw Captain Hook as an antihero and Pan as the villain. And Tinker Bell is a selfish saucy hedonist, as befits a proper fairy.

 

Honey and Nectar, the Twixies in Shirin Dubbin's Keeper of the Way. Dubbin's smart and funny novella features a ton of interesting characters. Honey and Nectar are silly, bratty, gadfly-like pixies with a penchant for telling the inconvenient truth.    

The Cottingley Fairies In the early 1900s, two little girls took pictures of the fairies who lived near their home in England. The girls' story was championed by all sorts of people, from Theosophists to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The movie Fairy Tale: A True Story is based on these events.

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Thank you so much L.K. for sharing some of your favorite fairies with us and congratulations on your new release! I can't wait to finish up Bride of Fey and I promise I'll have my review up soon!

Unguarded Release Party!

Once again we're teaming up with Jessi Gibson of Release Day Divas! This Facebook party takes place tonight 6:00 - 9:00 PST!

Guardian angel Selene was so close to becoming an archangel—the supreme of all beings—until she fell in love with Cole, a forbidden dark one. Once she discovers her vampire lover has been kidnapped and the only way to save him is by abandoning her number one priority—Caitlyn, her human charge—there really is only one answer in Selene’s mind, even though leaving Caitlyn unguarded will most likely cause Selene to fall from grace. But her choice to save Cole doesn’t come without a price…and now Selene is racing against time to not only save her dark lover, but find a way to keep Caitlyn alive as well. With the help of a new vampire ally, Luke, Selene will push her diminishing angel abilities to the point where her very existence lies in the balance. Now threatened with the chance of becoming a fallen angel or even dying, Selene can only pray she’ll have enough time—and good grace—to save the ones she loves.

You can find this book on Amazon for only $3.99! But for now, we're lucky enough to have Ashley Robertson right HERE at The Ink Puddle for an interview! So without further ado...

Where did Unguarded come from?
I was writing Crimson Flames (formally titled Crimson Rain), which is the sequel to my debut novel Crimson Groves, when out of no where, Selene pops in my head, demanding that I tell her story. Well, that guardian angel couldn’t have picked a better time to get my attention since I was having a major writing block on Crimson Flames. So I immediately dove into UnGuarded and the first chapter was written that same night. And granted, I did have several disagreements with Selene—over her relationship choices and some of her decisions—but I still did my best to get the story out the way she wanted it told.

Do you relate to any of your characters more than others? 
Sort of. I’ll keep the attention on Selene because of the theme of this release party. She’s a guardian angel, and that part of her I may not relate to as well, but she has the ability to shift into human form at will, which enables her to experience emotions most other angels don’t. So that’s where her and I connect. She struggles to do what’s right, though at times her human temptations prove to be too great. Actually, I think a lot of people can relate to that; think of the angel on one shoulder and the devil tempting you on the other. I may not have made all of the choices Selene did, but I’ve surely been in plenty of trouble where I had no one to blame but myself. Both of us paid the consequences, and yet there’s been a lot of times that I felt like I got a grace pass too.

Tell us something about you people would find surprising.
I have a slight case of OCD when it comes to my electrical hair-styling accessories and my clothes steamer. Not only do they need to be turned off, but they also must be completely unplugged before I can leave my house. This drives my husband crazy.

Do you have any favorite authors? 
I have several, and the list only continues to grow as I read more badass books. Richelle Mead, Jeaniene Frost, Keri Arthur, Karen Marie Moning, Nalini Singh, Stacey Kennedy, Heaven Liegh Eldeen, Stephanie Nelson, and Stephenie Meyer to name a few.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 5 things could you not live without?
Since you said things, I’d want my laptop (though I’m assuming I’d have a magical way to keep it charged on this island). And with that assumption, I’d also want my iPad, which is where all my kindle books are stored. Red wine (and a wine key to pop the cork with). My travel toiletries bag, which would have soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a couple razors. And lastly, a big comfy pillow and snuggly blanket to go with it. **I would’ve said my hubby, son, and pups (I doubt my cat would want to come along, but I don’t qualify them asthings)

What’s next for you? 
Due out in the winter of 2013, Crimson Flames will pick up right where we left Abby and her quest to learn more about the sorceress powers that were awakened inside her when she was turned into a vampire—making her a whole new hybrid species. There’s a group of rogue vamps banding together and forming a Resistance against the vampire governing body, The Head Council, and Abby’s newly discovered powers are the key to the Council’s victory. Now the Resistance will do anything possible to remove the hybrid threat, and with no other options, Abby is forced to rely on the aid of the Council, yet can she trust the very vampires that hunt for her human lover? And even worse, can she fight the unwelcome attraction that’s growing between her and one of those ancient vampire rulers?

After that, I plan on working on an adult novella series about a succubus, and I’m hoping to have two books complete by the end of 2013.

Thank you so much Ashley for stopping by! Congratulations on your new release and your party tonight. I hope everyone stops by for the fun and games, I know I'll be doing all I can to make it. :)

Announcing Wenona Hulsey's Release Party!

When I got a Facebook invite for Wenona's new book release for Blood of Fire I was incredibly excited. As you may remember, Wenona was the first author to ever ask us to read something of theirs and review. She believed in this blog before I ever believed in it or myself and for that, I will forever be thankful. The following Ms. Hulsey's playlist for the final book in her very anticipated series. We hope you enjoy!

Weight of the World by Evanescence

   

 Trying Not To Love you by Nickelback  

 Do It To Me by This Century

Three Wishes by The Pierces

   

 Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes  

 Lullaby by Hypnogaja  

 Misguided Ghost by Paramore

   

 I Will Not Bow by Breaking Benjamin  

 Bulletproof by 12 Stones

   

 Brick By Boring Brick by Paramore

 

Be sure to join the party, sponsored by Release Day Diva, and come July 14th, 6:00 PST stop by for fun, giveaways and celebration! I'll be there!

Guest Post: Peter Dawes

Today, we have Peter Dawes here with us to talk with us about his book, Eyes of the Seer!

The Hero Nobody Asked For

“I belong to no one now, so I can convince neither camp of my fidelity.” – Flynn, Rebirth of the Seer

Most great men come heralded with some sort of fanfare – be it a prophecy or a revelation – to accompany their arrival. In many fantasy novels, kings are given parades and, with each venture into their kingdom, the standard train of pomp and circumstance follows in their wake. Heroes are set apart from their peers and every soothsayer and sorcerer who crosses their paths knows the triumphs they are destined to accomplish.

But what happens when the only marker of your potential is the color of your eyes?

Throughout Eyes of the Seer, the vampire Flynn experiences the fall even before the mythical cross is placed upon his shoulders. The man who crawls out from the rubble is more villain than hero, thrust into power for which even his dark and selfish desires have no use and placed on a game board he would have sooner avoided. His first brush with temptation comes at the capricious hand of his maker, Sabrina, and by the culmination of the story, he has barely managed to make right all of the wrongs he committed when first turned immortal.

In Rebirth of the Seer, however, a villain tries to be a hero. The penitent vampire reluctantly accepts the tasks he was given by The Fates. His past prevents him from receiving the fanfare of a hero, though; no matter how many times his ethereal eyes are referenced as a mark of distinction, he still has blood on his hands. Sometimes, the trust of another is not so easily won and sometimes the pilgrim on the path of redemption is viewed with skepticism, no matter how earnest his pursuit. The fact is Flynn was never the ‘one who was promised’. And the world doesn’t know what to do with him as a result.

The place he once called home is no longer an alcove. The society which should be a haven has already condemned him. His only ally is a sorceress named Monica, who has wagered against the odds and thrown in her chips with a long shot. Flynn is not completely immune to the charms of darkness or the depravity of his nature, a fact he comes to terms with through each twist and turn along the road.

“There is a chess match for my soul, it seems.” – Flynn, Rebirth of the Seer

But The Fates have called a champion anyway – without any signs and wonders – trusting that a villain can be changed and from the ashes, a warrior might rise. It is the thing of legends in a time of cynicism and what remains to be seen is who might be right – the ones who remember the murderous assassin, or the few who believe in a heart that can be molded into a hero. A destiny trails him, but so does the realization that he has become a country without affiliation, about to be presented with an offer too enticing for him to refuse.

“You belong to me,” she said. “And I know you too well by now to doubt you. There have been many times throughout all of this that you looked ready to buckle and brought yourself back to your feet”

“Damn quixotic woman. How did I wind up with a watcher whose singular ability is to trouble me?” – Monica & Flynn, Rebirth of the Seer

Where would your wager lie?

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Peter Dawes is the author of The Vampire Flynn Trilogy. The first book – Eyes of the Seer – is available through Amazon.com in both print and ebook formats. The second book – Rebirth of the Seer – is scheduled for release on July 25, 2012 and will also be available on Amazon.com.

Thank you to The Ink Puddle for allowing me to guest post on your blog. It has been an honor. 

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Thank you so much for stopping by Peter! Be sure to check out Eyes of the Seer. Click here for a review of the book.  

Guest Post: Ada Adams

Today, we have Ada Adams here with us to talk about the unique characters in her book, ReVamped!  

The Born in ReVamped
The vampires in ReVamped's universe exist in two varieties—The Born and The Made. 

Most vampires in the world are part of the Made group. The Made vampires are humans who were turned by their vampire sires through an exchange of blood in death. The only way for a human to be successfully turned is for him or her to have vampire blood coursing through the body as his/her heart stops. Because of the complex timing of this procedure, the turn is often made out of a loving gesture between the individual and his or her sire. Once a human becomes a vampire, they experience a change in strength, speed, appetite, and much more. Unless, of course, they happen to be the group of Misfits in ReVamped!
ReVamped's main character, Dawn, is very special, as she was actually born a vampire. While most vampires do not and cannot have children, in rare circumstances, a Born vampire can give birth to another Born. This child is a result of a union between the Born and a vampire she has sired with her own blood. The offspring of the couple (always a daughter) is an extremely powerful being. Only about five such vampires are born in the world in every generation. The Born vampire grows and ages much like a human child, and if she does not give birth, she continues out her lifespan and dies of old age. Upon giving birth to another Born, however, the mother is frozen in time at that particular age for all eternity. The Born are the envy of the vampire race, not just for their extreme power, but also because they have the opportunity to choose a more “human” life. They are able to experience birth and even death of old age, if they so desire. Unfortunately, the downside to a vampire giving birth is that it is a very dangerous feat and most, like Dawn's mother, lose their own life in the process of bringing forth another. 


Throughout the first Angel Creek novel, Dawn is still in the dark about the information regarding her origins and the powers that come with being a Born. We learn that Dawn's blood has a healing ability incomparable to any of the Made vampires, but it is only in ReVamped's sequel, ReAwakened, that we delve deeper into the exploration of Dawn's full potential. I'm very excited for Dawn to learn more about her strengths and grow and mature as both a vampire and a person.

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Thank you so much for stopping by Ada! Be sure to check out ReVamped to learn more about these interesting characters. Click here to read a review of the book. 

Guest Post: Tiffany Allee

Hello everyone!
Today I am super excited for you guys to see the interview I did with Mac from the book Banshee Charmer by Tiffany Allee. If you didn't notice, I also have the review up! Unfortunately, I didn't get my hands on Succubus Lost, the second book in the series soon enough to review it today, but I promise I'll have it out soon! So stay tuned.

 Now without further ado... Meet Mac!

1)      The only thing that comes to mind when I think about Banshees is that episode in Charmed where Piper turns into one. Is that idea an accurate one when it comes to what full blooded Banshees are like?

Well, as a detective in the paranormal unit, I don't have a lot of time for television. But luckily, I happen to have seen that one. I would say that the banshees in Charmed are a bit different than the real ones I descend from. They're depicted as evil creatures, whereas banshees in my world are like most people—both good and bad. But they do have to keep their distance from humans because their screams can kill.

2)      I know you would rather be human than the supernatural being you are, but you also mention that you would rather be a sensitive than a half-Banshee. Why?

Oh I think that being a sensitive would be great. You can feel or see the otherworlder energy around you. I'm not entirely certain how the powers work—you'd have to ask our department's sensitive, Astrid—but they sound like they'd come in handy more often then a stunning scream.

Of course, Astrid might disagree with me. Quite forcefully, if I'm not mistaken.

3)      The relationship between you and your parents (father and step-mother) is strained. Do you think you’ll ever be mended?

I don't think that's any of your damn business. But if you put a gun to my head, I guess I'd have to say that the more I learn to accept who I am and find my place in the world, the less strained that relationship will be.

4)      Staying in the subject of family, will we ever get to see a bit of your real mother? Have you ever seen your mother?

That would be pretty damn awkward. My stepmother wouldn't appreciate me bringing it up for one—I mean my mom and dad had to have felt something special for me to exist. Not sure my stepmother would want to be reminded of that. And I think my life is complete the way it is. I guess someday I might look her up, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

5)      What are some of the most dangerous paranormal species you deal with on a regular basis?

The most dangerous that I usually see aren't frightening because of their species, but are dangerous in the same way people are—immoral, desperate, or sociopathic people are good to look out for. That being said, I wouldn't want to tangle with a powerful vampire or an angry lycan for anything. A shapeshifted lycan is a frightening thing. A Covenant witch would be…interesting as well.

6)      Do you think humans will ever be fully comfortable with the idea of paranormals living among them? Or will there always be some kind of fear barrier?

I think that as time passes, normals will get used to us. There will always be fearful, small-minded people who can't deal with new ideas, let alone living next to a vampire. But for the most part, acceptance seems to be moving in the right direction every generation.

7)      You managed to piss off the other cops and those in ranks above you, but is your job still secure? Will we be seeing more of your kick-ass detective skills in books to come?

My job is secure—at least until I piss Lieutenant Vasquez off beyond what I can recover from. Catching a serial killer didn't hurt me any. I don't think you'll see much of my skills in books to come—not on the page anyway. But I'll be kicking ass and taking names in the background until I'm too damn old to scream a goblin down.

8)      Lastly, there is no question about how sexy Aidan is, but the question on everyone’s mind is, will you keep him around? (If our word counts for anything, we REALLY want you to.)

The man is sexy as hell, and seems to like my company. As long as he keeps his hands off my books, I suspect we'll get along just fine. 

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Thank you so much Tiffany for letting Mac stop by, I can't wait to read the next book and I wish you the best of luck with your release! 

Guest Post: Kinley Baker

Today we have Kinley Baker here with us from Bewitching Book Tours to talk about about her book Ruined!  

Testing Perceptions

I’m a huge fan of the paranormal. I love the idea of ghosts, vampires, and werewolves. This fascination led me down the path to writing fantasy. I think this is a good lead into the post because the paranormal tests the limits of our imaginations.

Ruined is a fantasy romance novel, but the story is also about challenging perceptions. Jessa and Vale, the heroine and hero, are forced to fight for their places in the world. They find that they can’t allow others to establish their roles. They must take charge of their own destinies and forge ahead.

There are numerous rumors and scandals permeating this kingdom, but at the heart the story tests the limits of their society.

The ways the people in the village view Jessa are very different from who she is. Part of her struggle is figuring out why the way she’s viewed is important. As the Senior Healer, she is supposed to be something distinct. But she’s constantly challenging the personality that people believe she should have. She’s not a normal Healer beyond her need to save.

Similarly, Vale is faced with living up to being the king. Once he’s thrust into power, he only has memories of his brother ruling and his corrupt Court to guide him. He’s a very different person than his brother, so the way his brother ruled isn’t very applicable. He struggles against who he should be and who he is.

The characters struggle internally. But they also struggle against society as a whole. Then it becomes almost as important for the village to understand why these characters are the way they are.

Many characters throughout Ruined face similar challenges. I think we can all relate to this. How does the world view us? And who are we really?

Sometimes, we make judgments that turn out to be wrong. Characters in Ruined do the same. But part of the fun of a story is discovering the truth. And watching those who made life difficult for a favorite character find out they were wrong.

In a realm that is at risk, with all their beliefs and traditions being challenged, I think that’s the time that really shows the depth of a character. Then we really get to see what they’re made of. I hope Jessa and Vale prove to you that they’re made of strength.

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Thank you so much for stopping by Kinley! Your book sounds great and is definitely on my to read list. In fact, Crissy is in the middle of reading this right now so stand by for a review next week! 

Deceived by Stephanie Nelson Excerpt

I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book! So to prove to you just how awesome it was, I asked Stephanie for an excerpt. If this doesn't convince you to go out and by this book right now, I'm not sure what will. Oh! And check out my review too. :)

When I came around the corner, soft purple light glowed from the ball room. Couples slow danced to a peaceful symphony. It had to be close to two in the morning, but the Midnight Magical was still in full swing. My feet hesitated on the steps as I watched my fellow witches and warlocks enjoying themselves. None of them seemed too upset about Holly’s plans and had gone about their business as if they wouldn’t be going to battle in a week.
“You should not envy them.” A male voice spoke behind me. I peeked over my shoulder to see Dorian Hade standing close to me.
“I don’t,” I protested. It was a lie of course, I envied how easy their lives were and how they could express their love without repercussions.
“They are simple witches, Gwen. You hold a power they could never possess, and when I’m done teaching you, you’ll be the one who’s envied.” Dorian walked so that he was facing me. I studied his eyes. Dark cloud-like grayness rolled within them and reminded me of a coming storm. There was only gray, no pupil to break up the churning gloominess. Long chocolate locks brushed his shoulders. His t-shirt clung tautly to his body and the black leather coat fit like a glove. There was something very bad boyish about him.
I realized I was staring entirely too long when my eyes fell to his lips and saw the smirk on them. Blood rushed to my cheeks and warmed my face. “I don’t want to be envied. All I want is to be left alone.” I said with frustration and then headed up to my bedroom.
“Gwen?” Dorian called from the bottom of the steps. I turned around and stared at his mischievous smirk with annoyance, “What?”
“Sweet Dreams.” He winked and then walked away.

Feature Friday: Sarah Ross

Hey everyone!
If you haven't read Awaken by Sarah Ross, I don't know what you've been doing with your time because this is a book you can not miss out on this one! And lucky for us, we have the wonderful author here today for a guest post! Everyone please welcome Sarah Ross...

 Death has always been a touchy subject to conquer. People don’t really like to talk about it, or even think about it sometimes. I think this is especially true for young adults. When you’re a kid, you think you’re invincible. Nothing can go wrong because I am going to live forever. And then one day, you don’t.
I taught eighth grade English for several years. While I was teaching, I was lucky enough to only lose a few students. But you never forget your first.

The school that I taught at in central Florida was in a rougher area of town. It suited me just fine because I loved those kids. They were so hungry to be appreciated and loved, and I think I learned just as much from them as they did from me. The year after I moved out of the area, I got word that one of my kids died. He was walking home from football practice with his little brother when a stray bullet from a gang shooting caught him. That’s it, just walking home.

I didn’t come up with the idea for Awaken because of this story, but as I wrote it I remembered this sweet kid. He always worked hard in class, and said thank you. He wanted football to be his second chance and fresh start. I think, if the world of the Patronus were real, he would have been given his second chance.
So many things in this world aren’t fair, but my absolute favorite thing about being a writer is that I can take any wrong and make it right. I can solve every problem and make every bad guy pay. It’s what we all want to do in real life, right? That bully from middle school: fat now. That guy that dumped you to go out with the prettier girl: bald! And that Spanish homework that you did but lost and the teacher didn’t believe you: she retroactively gave you an A (thanks Ms. Cruz!). Yeah, in my world I have all the power. Bwahahaha!

When I told my friends that I was writing a young adult novel where every character was already dead, they thought I was crazy. But in my novel, Awaken, I get to right all the wrongs. In my book, children who die are given a second chance. No judgments, no waiting. Just a fresh start. I know I write fiction, but I really hope it’s true. They deserve it. And while I don’t know what really happens when we die, but I am a believer in Karma. And I have faith.



~I’m dedicating this blog post to my step-dad, Tom, who passed away in December. He’d make the most awesome Patronus ever! And I’m sure he’s making a crank call to Elvis or someone right about now. ~

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Wow, thank you for opening up and being so honest with us Sarah, I truly enjoyed the insight into you personally as well as your novel. And I know I mentioned this before, but I can't wait to read book two. :)

So if all of you readers haven't had a chance to read this one, please do. Need prove of its awesomeness? Check out our review!

Guest Post: CA Freeburn

Today we welcome CA Freeburn with us to help promote her book, Dying for Redemption. Everyone please welcome Mrs. Freeburn!

 

The Working Shadow, Inc series came from a conversation I had with a woman after a mystery panel. She was telling me that she didn't read mysteries because people die during those types of books. Wanting to please all readers and being a chronic what-iffer, I started to think about her dilemma and a question popped into my head, "What if all the characters were already dead?"
Over the next few days, the voice of Callous Demar ... a tough PI who was murdered in 1955 ... filled my head and his story flowed onto the computer screen. He was a different character than any I had ever written and while I was having fun getting to know him, there were some bumps in the beginning. I had always written third-person point-of-view (POV), but because of the character's strong voice it wasn't working so I switched to first person POV. Third person felt a little removed and the true personality of the character was hidden. Plus, Callous just didn't speak to me the same way he did in first-person as third-person. And the first person voice was so 'alive'.
The fun part of creating this series was establishing the rules and guidelines for the afterlife in the Limbo where Callous resides: relationships between the ghosts, why some have jobs and others don't, the reason Limbo looks so similar to the world left behind. The challenge I had was making sure the detecting was done by the ghosts using traditional methods with a slight twist, an element of the story that was important to me. Interviewing was done by using a medium, haunting, or eavesdropping on the most likely to have done it. The ghostly detectives examined the scenes themselves or found ways to manipulate the living to look where you wanted them to. I wanted Callous' detective knowledge and skills to lead the way of solving the cases, not his paranormal abilities.
Callous has been in Limbo for over half a century when the first book in the series, Dying For Redemption, takes place. I knew there had to be a reason this would be the first 'documented' case and as I worked on the book another voice entered into the story. Abigail Harris, Callous' grand-niece, enters Limbo and it's her death that shakes up Callous' controlled world and invites the readers into their lives. Abby believes a college paper about the unsolved murder of Callous Demar might be the cause for her death. This is a perfect case for the beginning of the series as the reader learns about Callous' unanswered questions he'd rather never have answered.
I'm working on the second book in the series, Dying For Perception, which has Callous and Abby taking on a case of a recently murdered psychic who first has to be convinced she is no longer among the living.
Currently, Dying For Redemption can be purchased (or borrowed through Prime Lending) from Amazon.

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Thank you so much for stopping by! 

And everyone else, be sure to stop by Amazon today and pick up your free copy! For a limited time only though so be sure to jump on it! 

Thanks,

 

Feature Friday: Larry Peterson

Today we welcome Larry Peterson on The Ink Puddle with Tribute Book Tours. Larry is the author of the book The Priest and the Peaches. This is a book that deals with a lot of loss and struggle and knowing that, we asked him to write about a personal experience of his own in which writing has helped him through.

"Historical fiction novel set in the Bronx in the mid-1960s

Take a seven day journey with the five, newly orphaned Peach kids, as they begin their struggle to remain a family while planning their dad's funeral.

They find an ally in the local parish priest, Father Tim Sullivan, who tries his best to guide them through the strange, unchartered and turbulent waters of "grown-up world." A story that is sad, funny, and inspiring as it shows how the power of family love and faith can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles."

Since "The Priest and The Peaches" deals with "struggle & loss" you have asked me to post something about my own experience working through "pain" and how books and writing have helped me push through. Well now, you have truly challenged me. In fact, many of the requests from book reviewers such as you are forcing me to look inside myself and, I must admit, that many of  the memories that have been stuffed into the far recesses of my mind have been resurrected and it is sometimes unnerving for me when they start suddenly and unexpectedly begin reappearing. (Man, I feel like I'm writing in a journal here and maybe it is a good thing--not sure). Understand this---writing and books have come after the fact.

I was 15 when my mother died. Strangely, I could hardly remember a thing about her. The sound of her voice, what she liked to eat, her favorite color, favorite actor, etc. The only thing I remembered was  that she loved the "I Love Lucy" show. That was it. Even writing the book did not jar the memories loose. What has freed some memories from their dark cave has been posts like this one. They have forced me to think about what has been. This is a place I rarely go. I mean, I do know that this place exists but I avoid it. Sometimes I think that sub-consciously I have done this as an act of self-preservation. I'm not sure. We are all so uniquely different yet we are all so similar. Fascinating--

I have personally experienced the death of my folks when I and my siblings were quite young. I have lived through the death of my daughter at birth, the death of my first wife from cancer, the death of my kid brother and the death of my best friend. My second wife is recovering from chemo treatments and her cancer is in remission. I have had major surgery for prostate cancer and, after almost five years, I am cancer free. I also have MS which, for five years, left me almost unable to walk. That was 25 years ago and today I am doing great and walk around just like most folks. How all of this affects my writing, I have no idea. I guess it must and maybe someday I'll figure it all out.

Here's the thing and I know you guys are a lot younger than I so, take some advice from an "old guy". The key to overcoming adversity, first and foremost, is having faith in God. Now, I know a lot of folks think that is "gobbley-gook". But many know I am right. Faith is that great intangible. You can't see it or touch it or smell it. But, it is the greatest of all gifts and all one has to do is ask God to walk with them. He'll DO IT! Once you do that you have laid the very foundation to build an inner peace that will transport you through any adversity you may encounter. Then--write your little heart out.

Thank you so much Larry for stopping by! I really did enjoy your post and you being here! If you want to know more about Larry here are the links to his...

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Guest Post: Pavarti K. Tyler

Today we have Pavarti K Tyler joining us for a guest post talking about the war going on between the Sualwets and Erdlanders in her book, Two Moons of Sera. If you haven't read this book yet, you're missing out. So right after you're done reading this awesome blog and taking the stellar quiz below, jump over and grab this book! You will not be disappointed.

Also, I want to thank Pavarti for taking time out of her busy schedule to write up this post, you're awesome, your book was great and I can't wait to read volume 3! Thank you so much!






War – What’s it Really Good For? – by Pavarti K Tyler

Conflict is at the heart of every good story. A love triangle, a misunderstanding, an argument, no matter what it is, the conflict is what gives us something to sink our teeth into when we read. We take sides (Team Jacob!), we feel the tension and fear and desperation of the characters as we read, hoping for resolution. And what better conflict that a real live, bonifide war?

The Illiad is the most memorable story in history, not because Paris and Helen lived happily ever after behind the fortress wall of Troy but because Ulysses, Agamemnon, Achilles and Menelaus all fought for the honor and reputation of their people. Hector was respected across the battle lines for his fearless courage in the face of nearly certain death. Its War that shows what a people are truly made of. War makes hero and shames the losers. Who remembers the names of the Trojans? I bet I’m the only one. You know why? They didn’t win.

In my serial novel Two Moons of Sera (Vol 1 is available now on Amazon and Vol 2 will be released in March) the main story is set on a world where the two dominant races are at war. The Sualwet, a waterborne race which can came on land is battling the earth dominant species, the Erdlanders.

Sualwet and Erdlanders are genetically related but that’s as far as it goes. It has been a millennia since the two species were close enough to interbreed and as their evolution has continued it has made the specialization of each species pronounced.

The Sualwet live beneath the water. They have evolved to breath through their skin, absorbing oxygen directly. With no body hair and webbed feet the Sualwet live in a tight community bound together by responsibility and mutual benefit more than emotion. Barely recognizable as human, the Sualwet have wide, dilated black eyes and have not had a live birth in 300 years. Until Sera that is.

The Erdlanders on the other hand are a deeply social species, almost pack driven in their need to have a community and mate. Despite their social community the Erdlanders are having fewer and fewer children. In an effort to continue their race The Counsel has set up camps where the young and fertile are kept until they Match and procreate. This has lead to highly specialized jobs, creating a class system where the most fertile and intelligent rule over everyone else.

In their effort to find a solution to the decreasing population the Erdlanders have been experimenting of Sualwet prisoners, attempting to solve the genetic link that allows the Sualwet to breed but not them. For generations the Erdlanders and Sualwet have fought. The Sualwet tactics are precise and cruel, leading to the deaths of thousands of Erdlanders.

This is the backgrop for SeraFay’s life. Ostracized by her mother’s Sualwet family due to her inability to stay below the surface for more than a few hours at a time and the hair growing upon her head, SeraFay and her mother live in a small cove, undiscovered by both species. The war is a distant thought as Sera grows up, something she reads about in books her mother is able to salvage for her from the sea. Nothing but bedtime stories her mother tells her, she can’t imagine the kind of devastation war can cause: until it lands on her small beach.

So which are you? Erdlander or Sualwet? What side of the war will you fight on?

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