Happy Mother's Day to all our mommy followers.
We'd like to thank everyone who stopped by the blog and commented on our interview with J. F. Jenkins. We hope she will come back for another interivew when her new book comes out.
Now, to announce the winner of the eBook copy of Legend of the Oceina Dragon. Without futher ado, we'd like to congratulate Erin!
Erin, we will be forwarding your email info to J. F. Jenkins and she will be in contact with you regarding your prize.
Check back later today when we interview author Scott Nicholson, an Amazon bestselling author who will be doing an ebook giveaway on three of his titles.
Also, if you haven't already done so, please sign up for our newsletter. We'll be giving you info about upcoming reviews, guest posts, author interviews/giveaways as well as giving you an opportunity to ask the author a question and have it appear on our blog or radio show. Sign up for more details!
Showing posts with label blog talk radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog talk radio. Show all posts
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Interview with Courtney Conant and eBook Giveaway
Hey everybody! Welcome back to another ParaYourNormal author interview. Today we are talking with Courtney Conant, author of The Blood Moon of Winter. This is a page turning, paranormal/fantasy romance that we're sure you're going to love.
Courtney is feeling generous with her book and is giving away four eBook copies to some lucky people who leave us a comment. Make sure you leave your email address at the end of your comment so we know how to reach you to deliver your prize. Now, for the interview.
***
PYN: What inspired you to start writing?
CC: I started reading around the age of 3. I guess I figured that if someone else could do it, so could I. I couldn't resist, as I had a very active imagination. Writing is just something I’ve always done (except when dealing with writer’s block…) and always will do.
PYN: What is your creative process like, do you have goals per day, or do you write when you’re inspired?
CC:There doesn’t seem to be much of a process. The only thing that I require is a comfy seat, candy and a good bottle of wine. If I’m comfortable, then I know I can relax and let the words flow naturally as opposed to trying to force them out just to meet a word count goal.
PYN: Do you reward yourself when you meet word count or chapter goals?
CC: When I was writing The Blood Moon of Winter, I promised myself that if I could finish it, then I could do anything. My goal was to finish the book and then move on to my next goal in life. I had always wanted to run a half marathon but never did. I always put it off. My treat to myself was to achieve that next goal. As soon as I finished the book, I started training and a month later, I succeeded in running 13.1 miles. I know it seems like a strange treat, but it was a big one for me!
PYN: What inspired the storyline of The Blood Moon of Winter?
CC: My mind and my characters were my inspiration. I didn’t plan or plot anything. I sat down and started writing and let the words take control. I refused to allow myself to think about what I was putting on the pages. If I thought too hard while working, I would lose where the story was going. When that happened, I would have to stop and do something else for awhile. I’d go back to the book with an open mind and just pick back up where I left off and lose myself in the story. I let the characters write themselves.
PYN: Is there any book on the market that is comparable to your story?
CC: I’ve been told by every reader so far that my story is completely unique, at least compared to all the books that they have read. I’ve personally never read anything of it’s like.
PYN: Tell us a little about Lily.
CC: Lily is average in the most simplistic sense. She’s a good looking girl with a decent job and a quiet life. She lives her life the way she wants. The only experiences she truly wishes to have in her life are the ones that she can read about. She loves fantasy novels that let her escape into a life into which she doesn’t have to chance getting hurt herself. Her entire life flips upside down when she finds a chance for love and discovers that she herself is living something straight out of a fantasy novel. I’d go into more detail but I don’t want to give away too much about her. Keep in mind that she grows so much and learns about life and love throughout the entire book.
PYN: How do you visualize your characters as you write them?
CC: So when it comes to Jason, I see James Caviezel… I spent quite some time thinking on this and James embodies Jason to a T. While coming up with the design for the 2nd cover, I had to find ‘Jason’, and I did. Caviezel has the look and the personality to pull it off. He has the ruggedly handsome looks and a disarming smile that can melt hearts. He is the ideal ‘Jason’.
Alexis Bledel strikes me as the perfect Lily. She has an innocence about her and a striking beauty that is also subtle and very natural. With her porcelain skin and sweet demeanor, I think she is the ideal Lily.
PYN: Will there be a sequel to The Blood Moon of Winter?
CC: I’m currently working on the sequel, Beyond the Known Horizon, right now along with a short story that will be coming out in the next couple of months (still untitled). Book Two picks up right where Book One left off. In the sequel, the reader gets to follow both Lily AND Jason, not just Lily anymore.
PYN: Where can readers purchase your book?
CC: It’s available on http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615439403 in print and Kindle format. It’s also on http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Blood-Moon-of-Winter/Courtney-Conant/e/2940012624642 for the Nook. The eBook is at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/38966 in all formats, including the previously listed.
PYN: Where can readers connect with you on the web?
CC: My official website is http://www.courtneyconant.com/ but I also have a blog that I update regularly with what I’m reading and what I’m doing in my daily life. It’s at http://courtneyconantreading.blogspot.com/ and of course I can be found on Twitter (@Courtney_Conant) and I have a page on Facebook. www.facebook.com/courtneyconant is the link to find me there.
PYN: Can you share a small excerpt of The Blood Moon of Winter?
The light of the fire flickered. She opened her hand and blew a powder toward the flames. The fire was the only source of light in the underground cave where she lived. Her lips moved ever so slowly, muttering the necessary words, the words that would bring about the change. The ritual she was performing was the only way to bring about the revival of the world.
As she chanted, the flames danced and began to grow. She rose from where she had been seated to stand at her full height, all three feet. She might have been lacking in height, yet she dominated every room she entered. She was the Oracle that all looked to in times of need and desperation. Now was the time for another to take the lead role, yet she still had one task ahead of her. It was her job to bring the Goddess back into the world again. The Goddess would fix all that was wrong, once she finally returned.
Her robe fell away from her tiny body to reveal her pale white flesh. Her dark green hair almost brushed the floor as she walked about the room. After the initial circuit was complete, she began to dance. Each motion, executed so fluidly as if she were a part of the pyre growing in the center of the cave, representing a portion of the spell she had to cast.
As her movements increased in speed, the color of the blaze began to alter, developing into a multitude of different shades of green. As she continued to chant, the flames slowly transformed. Once separate flames from a single base, they started to blend and grow together into something more tangible.
Her voice grew in pitch as her arms rose toward the roof of her little home. The creature that was sprouting in the fire began to take shape. It coiled itself about the base of the hearth, watching her as she moved about the room. The flames were giving birth to something that did not belong in their world, but it was not there to stay. She would bring it into being and send it to where its presence was necessary.
She closed her eyes and continued to circle what was left of the blaze. Her chanting became guttural as she swirled about. A low hissing began to rise at the center of the room stemming from the creature maturing in the flames. Her words cut off as she collapsed to the ground before the fire pit. When she opened her eyes, another set were staring back at her.
The creature flicked its tongue at her and hissed again. The birthing was complete. The time had finally come to bring her home. The Goddess would soon be where she belonged. She would return home and save them all.
***
We'd like to thank Courtney, for taking time out to talk with us. Be sure to tune in to our Blog Talk Radio show this Wednesday at 3:30pm PST. That's right, we have a new time, new day, but we're still at the same place. Call in and ask Courtney a question if you'd like.
That's it for us. Thank you for stopping by our blog and reading our interview. If you would like a chance to win one of the 4 ebook copies of The Blood Moon of Winter, leave us a comment with you email address.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Katie Salidas Interview and eBook Giveaway
Hey everyone. Most of us don’t like the beginning of the work week, but at least we have one thing to look forward to … #MentionMondays and author interviews. We love doing our author interviews. There’s nothing like exploring the mind of a writer. Today, we are talking with Katie Salidas, author of Karma & Melodies. All of our vamp lovers are going to enjoy this one and if you leave us a comment, you will be entered for a chance to win your own copy of this fantastic paranormal romance. Trust us, you want to win a copy :-) Please remember to LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. We can’t stress that enough and we don’t like using all caps. We have no way to contact you and let you know if you’re the winner, so don’t forget to add it at the end of your comment. Now, let’s get to the interview.
PYN: What inspired you to start writing?
KS: It was more of a natural inclination to write than inspiration. I’ve always liked to jot things down in notebooks. I’d make up silly stories as a kid or create funny documents like my tongue in cheek “Contract to date.” It was always just part of my persona and as grew up, so did my writing.
PYN: What drew you to the paranormal genre?
KS: I love vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night. I remember as a kid, watching the old Dracula movies and being interested vs. scared. When I was ten, I read my first vampire book and never looked back. There is an escape there, in the supernatural world, it adds a layer to life that makes the mundane not so dull. To imagine other creatures, other beings living amongst us yet still hidden in the shadows was such an interesting concept.
PYN: Have you taken any writing courses or workshops to help with your writng?
KS: I think it’s extremely important to continually work on your craft and learn all you can. Funny you should mention it; I actually, just finished up a class on self-editing and found it to be extremely helpful. There is so much involved in the technical side of writing. I battle with grammar and punctuation on a daily basis, and joke that the comma is the bane of my existence. Even after this last class, I know there is still more to learn, and I will continue seeking out classes and workshops . Someday, I might even figure out where and when to use the comma correctly.
PYN: Do you have a favorite author or genre?
KS: I’ll always have a place in my heart and on my bookshelf for Anne Rice! However, today it’s so hard to pick a favorite. There are so many great authors within the Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy genres.
PYN: How did you come up with the idea for Karama & Melodies?
KS: Karma & Melodies came to me as a snippet of idea and blossomed from there. I see a lot of stories where the man is the vampire and must save the woman. I wanted to turn things around a little. In this story Kendra is the vampire and she is the one trying to protect Marcus.
While coming up with the background for these characters, I was listening to a lot of music and had planned on going to the Coachella music festival. There was a band playing that year that hadn’t played in the States for over 10 years. I ended up missing the concert, but it gave me inspiration. In the beginning, Kendra attends the concert where Marcus is singing and begins the chain of events that connects their lives again after 10 years apart. From there, the story took off.
PYN: Would you say you are a plotter, a panster, or a little of both?
KS: Total pantser. I have a general idea of what I want to happen, but the story dictates its own direction. Plotting things out ahead of time just ends up in wasted paper.
PYN: Do you set writing goals for yourself?
KS: I used to set a daily word count, but I found it aggravating. Some days inspiration strikes and I can write thousands of words (10k is my daily personal best) and then there are other days where 500 words is a battle. In the end, I just settled for a “write every day” approach. It seems to work best.
PYN: Do you have any other projects you are working on?
KS: Right now, I’m revising book 3 in my Immortalis series. I hope to have it out before October. I’m very excited about this one. As the series has progressed I have really come to know these characters and I think readers will enjoy the direction this story is taking. There will be quite a few surprises in this book. PYN: Where can readers purchase your book?
KS: Karma & Melodies is available at all the major ebook retailers: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Sony, Kobo & Smashwords.
PYN: Can you share an excerpt of your book?
It’s time to come home, darlin’, a voice whispered in Kendra’s mind. She woke from a sound sleep and shot up in bed. Her heart pounded in her ears as she scanned the room, looking for any signs of her old master.
Light crept in from the edges of the curtained windows. Kendra breathed a sigh of relief seeing it. It was daytime, and Hector would be sleeping just as she had been. “It’s just a dream,” she reasoned, and tried to lie back down to sleep.
But sleep wouldn’t come. Between thoughts of Hector and Marcus, her mind was abuzz with activity.
Hours passed in semi-silence. Kendra watched small particles of dust dance in the shafts of light streaming in through the edges of the curtains. Midday light was powerful, more intense; harsher and brighter. She endured the small tingling sting at her skin as she waved her hand in the stream of light.
“What are you doing?” Marcus’s voice startled her.
She turned to find him leaning against the doorframe, with his arms crossed and his head cocked to the side. His tee-shirt clung to his body like a second skin, outlining his pecs and six-pack abs.
“Just passing time.” Kendra sighed serenely, enjoying the view. She couldn’t believe, after all this time, she was here with him. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
“I could ask you the same thing. Aren’t vamps supposed to—”
“What?” she asked with a playful smirk. “Sleep in coffins?”
“Well, maybe just sleep.” Marcus laughed.
“I don’t need as much rest as you think.”
“What are you doing in the light?”
“I like to feel the warmth sometimes.” She passed her hand through the shaft of light again and giggled. “It kind of tingles.”
“So the no sunlight thing is true?”
“For the most part, yeah.” Kendra frowned. “I can handle the dawn, with a bit of help. You know, sunglasses and all that, but midday is completely out of the question.”
“What’s it like?” Marcus looked on her with a questioning gaze, and Kendra found herself entranced, getting lost in the beautiful hazel of his eyes. They were like sparkling gems that shifted color in the light, first blue, then green, with hints of brown and yellow. Sadness crept into to her thoughts. She realized if she stayed with him, and the bond became stronger, he’d want to be turned. She might want him to turn too. If that happened the beautiful hazel would be lost, washed out and faded to the pale bluish gray all vampires shared.
“Don’t ask me what it’s like.” The playfulness left her voice. “You don’t want to know.”
Marcus took a step into the room. His ankle sagged and he stumbled. In a burst of supernatural speed, Kendra was at his side, steadying him before he hit the ground.
“Careful, you still need to rest.”
“I don’t feel so bad. A little dizzy, that’s all.” Marcus draped his arms around Kendra’s shoulder, allowing her to hold him up. His scent wafted to her nose, that tantalizing earthy masculine scent that was all him. She savored it, inhaling slowly as she helped him to the bed.
“I took a little more than I should have from you last night. You need to lie down and allow your body to recuperate.”
Marcus leaned back into the mattress, propping himself up on his elbows. “I can’t get you out of my head... Why?” He stared up at her, meeting her eyes with a look that begged for answers she couldn’t give him.
Kendra knew what he was feeling, and it went beyond the bond they shared. She’d been in his position before: the need, the want, the willingness to do anything for just one more taste… of blood. That was really all that mattered now. Blood and how to get it again.
“That’s just the bond, the addiction talking.” She sat down next to him and gently stroked his arm. “I’m so sorry, Marcus. What I did to you … It was wrong. I should have never—”
Without warning, his lips crushed hers in a demanding kiss. A rush of excited energy washed through her. She’d dreamed of this moment, never actually thinking it would really happen. His lips were silky, his mouth hungry, and before she knew what was happening, his deliciously warm hands were sneaking their way under the hem of her shirt. Goosebumps erupted across her body. She moaned and he swallowed it, deepening their kiss. He was an exquisite temptation, forbidden fruit, and as much as she knew she shouldn’t, she savored the moment.
She wanted to have him, every inch of him, and she knew he wanted the same from her. The need radiating from him matched her own secret desire. The bond they shared intensified this connection, making it hard for her to think clearly.
It took all the strength she had to pull away. “No. We have to stop this.”
“No, we don’t,” Marcus said, breathing heavily as if he had just run a marathon. “I don’t know how I can feel it, but I know you want this too.”
“It’s not real.” Her hands trembled as she pushed herself backwards on the bed, away from Marcus. “It’s the bond. You want my blood, not me.” Kendra felt sick. Her stomach churned with regret and sadness. She wanted his affection to be real, but how could it?
Marcus cringed and clutched his stomach as if he was about to be sick. “What’s happening to me?” Marcus groaned and fell backwards on the mattress. He stared blankly up at the ceiling.
“I’ve cursed you with what I’ve done. You see? You can feel everything I feel. It’s the bond at work.”
“Look, blood bond or not, I know you, Kendra. I remember you from Enigma. You were so beautiful, so sexy. You still are. I wanted you then, but I didn’t take the opportunity. Let’s not waste that chance now.” He rolled towards her. “I want to taste your lips. Your neck, your—” He bit his lip and groaned.
“Go ahead, say it. You want my blood. Vampires are ruled by our instincts,” Kendra said matter-of-factly, repeating the words she had heard Hector say before. “We’re hedonists with a finite limit of control. Wants, needs, desires are all amplified.” She looked down at Marcus. “You see? It’s so easy to give in. To become the beast we’re known to be. I’ve cursed you to this fate. Already you’re acting on your desires. You want my blood.”
“You said I’m not a vampire though, just bonded to you.”
“You’ve tasted my blood. You may not be a vampire, but you’re different now. And no mortal drug will ever come close to the ecstasy you’ve felt. It’s only natural you want more.”
Marcus propped himself up on his elbows. “Then give me more. Share yourself with me. Or don’t you think I could handle it?”
“No. Don’t you see? The bloodlust will consume you.”
“What if I have just a little more? What then? Will I become like you?”
“I won’t let that happen.” She fought the urge to reach out to comfort him. She could feel him struggling to hide the desperation he felt. She’d been there before. She knew the pain.
“I want to be with you, to be like you. If that’s the only way, then let’s do it.”
“I wish things could be different. Marcus, I’ve wanted you for so long. I always have, but I can’t. Fate’s decided things for us. I’m a vampire. That’s not the life for you. You deserve better. Look how hard you and the band have worked. Look at all you’ve accomplished. Don’t throw it away because of bloodlust.”
Kendra took a moment to calm herself. Breathing slowly, she quieted her mind.
“It’s not just bloodlust.” Marcus stared deeply into her eyes. “I want you… all of you.”
Kendra let out a stuttered breath. Echoes of her own pleading request to Hector ran through her mind. After her first taste, she couldn’t resist. She’d been willing to say anything necessary to get another taste. And Hector used those words to trap her into this life.
“You don’t know what you’re asking,” she said, looking down at him.
“Then show me what it means to be with you.”
“It would never work between us. How could I ever know it was me you wanted and not just the drug that is my blood?”
Marcus sat up. “I remember you, Kendra.” He let out a deep sigh. “I remember your poetry. I wanted to get to know you back then, but I was so wrapped up in the band I never had time to talk to you. And then … you disappeared.”
Her breath caught in her chest.
“Why didn’t you say that before?”
“I was a little out of it last night,” he said with a smile. “I have something to show you.” He stood up and walked to a small black duffel bag against the wall, unzipped it, and extracted a dirty, tattered notebook.
Kendra recognized it immediately. Beneath the layers of dirt and grime she saw the familiar monogramed K on her old journal.
He handed it to her. “I found this sitting on the table at Enigma. I had hoped to return it to you at the next show. It gave me the perfect excuse to talk to you.” He let out an awkward chuckle. “But you never came back.”
“You’ve held onto this for ten years?” Kendra pulled off the rubber band holding it closed and flipped through the pages. Among her old writings were notes and sketches in the margins.
“Well, at first, yeah, I held it, hoping to see you again, but after a while…” He raked his fingers through his disheveled mop of sandy hair and cleared his throat. “Well, it sort of helped me to come up with our lyrics. Please don’t be mad.”
Kendra sat silent, filled with happiness and pride. The fact that Marcus had held on to her journal, that he actually remembered her and on some level sincerely wanted her was enough to wash away the doubt in her mind about how he felt about her. But genuine affection aside, she still couldn’t condemn him to her way of life.
“Please say something,” Marcus said, kneeling down in front of her.
“I don’t have the words—” Tears choked back her voice.
“We owe a lot of our success to you. Your poetry.”
“I’m glad my writing helped. I’m… honored.”
“But—” Sadness turned the corners of Marcus’s lips. “I can feel there’s a but there. You’re still not convinced. Why am I feeling this?” Frustration edged his voice.
“I’ve already told you. You can feel what I do and vice versa. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here, to be with you right now, but I just don’t know how we could be together. I’m not human anymore, and I refuse to condemn you to my life.”
“Okay. I won’t ask you to turn me. Just give me the chance to get to know you, now that I have you here. I don’t want to miss that opportunity again.”
Kendra clenched her teeth. She knew she should say no, but she too wanted the chance to see what she had missed all those years ago.
“No promises about the future, but while I’m here, we can get to know each other.”
As if the lights had been turned on, Marcus’s eyes lit up and a wide smile stretched across his face. Through their shared bond, she felt his elation like a warm pulse of energy that matched the beat of her heart.
He jumped up, capturing her mouth, knocking her backwards into the mattress. He landed on top of her but caught himself on his hands before he crushed her. His toned body fit so perfectly between her legs. His hot breath blew across her ear as he spoke. “I’ve wanted you for so long.” Marcus’s words melted her heart. She wanted him too, and hearing the words and feeling their intensity made them all the more meaningful. A small chill, a ripple of excitement, rolled through Kendra’s body. She felt the stiffness of his erection through his jeans, but even without that physical sign, she knew his desire. It was hers too. Their bond was gaining strength by the minute. She tried to fight back the sudden urge to run her hands over his body and pull him even closer. As if Marcus had read her mind, he wrapped his arms around her, rolled over, and pulled her on top of him.
Kendra had a moment of painful clarity that shocked her back into reality. She couldn’t do this. Not now. Maybe not ever. Things were happening too fast. She needed to get a little control. She’d already made too many rash mistakes. She rolled off Marcus and sat up on the mattress. “I want you too. But… let’s take this slow, okay?”
***
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Marsha Moore Interview and Book Giveaway
Hey everyone. Welcome back to our ParaYourNormal blog. Today, we are interviewing author Marsha Moore who wrote Tears on a Tranquil Lake. She is giving away a digital copy of this book to one lucky winner, so please leave us a comment to be entered into the contest. Don't forget to leave your email address where we can reach you if you are our winner. Also, Marsha will be doing an live interview with us Monday, March 7th on Blog Talk Radio. You can find our channel here. Stop in at 3pm PST to listen, or call us up if you have any questions or want to talk with Marsha. The number is 619-639-4626. So lets get this interview underway and learn a little more about this terrific author and her book.
I’ve been interested in mermaids for a long time. I especially like their connection to both reality of the human world and the fantasy world. They are naturally torn between the two, and that strife intrigues me.
What inspired you to start writing?
I didn’t aim to be a fiction author from early on. My path transformed to this end. Growing up I enjoyed reading and for that reason followed an English minor college program, actually just for fun along with a Biology major. Taking lit courses and writing essays for fun--strange, but true! Years later, I worked as a rock music reviewer for several years and from some of those experiences I tinkered with fiction. Initially, I wrote fiction based on the world of rock music. That’s very sexual, so the erotic elements came naturally. Through a lucky happenstance, a man who worked for a major book publishing house read my first attempts at fiction, posted on a music forum. He repeatedly encouraged me to submit my creative writing. Over time, I came to believe him and did. After that, it’s been a waterfall of new and fun experiences.
Who is your favorite author?
I’m a huge J.K.Rowling fan. I admire the complex layering within her Harry Potter series that was designed and carried out to appear so deceptively simple.
Is writing your chosen profession or do you have another job?
Currently I’m not working at any job other than writing. I am considering taking yoga teacher training in the near future and working at that part-time.
How do you balance real life with your imaginary world of writing?
To stay balanced I exercise daily, usually bicycling 16-18 miles each week, kayaking for an hour or so around our lagoon, attending yoga classes, or doing my own yoga routines at home. Exercise gives me so much. It clears my mind, so my writing time is considerably more focused and effective. Also, it takes me on journeys inside my mind or outside in nature that bring me an endless supply of new writing ideas. I write fantasy romance. Those journeys bring me a wealth of magic.
How long did you work on Tears on a Tranquil Lake?
During the winter of 2008-9 when I wrote the book, I moved my mother from NW Ohio to Tampa. It didn’t take much to convince me to stay through the winter to help her get settled before I moved my own household the following summer. My first Florida winter inspired me to write my book Tears on a Tranquil Lake. I enjoy folklore and legend, and sought interesting local tales. When I learned about the annual Tampa Gasparilla Festival I was enthralled and a pirate captain, a mermaid, and a merman became the characters of my book.
Do you set yourself on a schedule or have a word goal when it comes to writing?
I usually have a daily goal of 1,000 words. Most times I meet that, although during the past month of marketing my book, I’ve fallen slightly behind. I’m a very self-motivated person. Also, I work with a critique group and having material on a deadline for them gives me an added push.
Tells us a little about your publisher.
I work for MuseItUp Publishing. The company is nearing its one year anniversary and it has grown fast, having well over 100 authors. The owner/publisher, Lea Schizas, is an amazing woman who never loses sight of her goal to help writers. Communication with her, my editor, or cover artist couldn’t be easier, getting answers usually within an hour or that day at the longest. It’s been a wonderful experience working with everyone at Muse.
Do you have any other works out? Any projects planned?
My next release, Sea Glass and Sand Memories, is a paranormal erotic romance short story, available from MuseItHot Publishing in June of this year.
I’ve just finished the sequel to Tears on a Tranquil Lake and this summer will write a third with those same characters. I have a time travel fantasy romance, Illusions of Intimacy, half done that I’ll finish between those works. Also, part two in my series, The Enchanted Bookstore, will definitely be written before the end of this year. Additionally, a short story, which I recently wrote brought to mind a few wonderful new characters. They’re chasing my muse around, demanding attention for a single title paranormal romance novel with an exotic setting. Those are my 2011 writing goals and will keep me busy at a dedicated pace.
Will Tears on a Tranquil Lake have a sequel?
Yes, there will be a sequel, Ciel’s Legacy: Tortuga Treasure, and I have a third in the series plotted out. My favorite character in Tears on a Tranquil Lake is a Haitian vodoun Mambo named Teega. I love characters who walk a fine line between good and evil…like Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. I didn’t have enough space in Tears on a Tranquil Lake to fully develop her depth as I wished. I’m having a terrific time playing with Teega’s complexities in the follow-ups.
Where can readers buy your book?
ISBN: 978-1-926931-29-6
Purchase from:
Where can readers connect with you on the web?
Can you share a small excerpt with our readers?
Excerpt from Chapter 1, Tears on a Tranquil Lake, fantasy romance
The ‘gator wanted to drown me….make me an easier meal. A chill passed through my body and I shivered. Feverish heat built up inside me, spreading from my head and torso down my limbs. Eventually the wild drumbeat of my heart obliterated everything. I panicked and tried to move, but lacked control of my muscles. Immobile and helpless, I could only listen. The throbbing pulse dimmed as the lake’s waters claimed my life. I submitted…mind blank to all except the faint thump. For an immeasurably long time I heard its rhythm fading away. Seconds or dozens of minutes, I didn't know; altered perception foiled my judgment.
Then, a touch against my face—shattering my delirium.
Fear engulfed my barely conscious mind. What was it? Death seemed welcome compared to experiencing an alligator attack upon my body.
Something soft caressed my lips, not at all like hard reptilian scales.
My sense of touch heightened. Encouraged by returning consciousness, I struggled against the darkness. My eyes searched, yet still failed to see.
Soon, I understood the feeling of lips pressing upon mine. Their burning heat made me panic. I tried to jerk back, but had no muscle control, no way to resist. They forced my lips apart, and a fiery tongue thrust inside my mouth.
In short time my limbs tingled with renewed sensation. Attempting to thrash my arms, I found them both secured.
The mysterious tongue persisted, searing my own.
Strangely, the warmth moved across my entire body and I calmed, mesmerized by this unusual kiss. In some curious manner it restored my consciousness. Peacefulness spread over me, and I accepted this connection as my life force. Our kiss grew pleasurable and I slipped my tongue along the other. Waves of passion rippled through my body and I desired whatever being touched me. Wanting to know more, I opened my eyes. Light pained my limited vision.
A hazy image flashed in front of me.
I pulled back, ending the kiss and viewed a sweep of dark hair turning away, moving up toward the surface.
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