Interview with Kevin Paul Shaw Broden, Author of Clockwork Genie

 Hi everyone! 

Today we are chatting with Kevin Paul, author of the contemporary fantasy/paranormal murder mystery novel Clockwork Genie.  Kevin Paul will be joining us for a live interview on Blog Talk Radio, Wednesday, March 21st, at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. We hope you'll stop by and listen in.

Be sure to leave a comment at the end of this interview for your chance to win a copy of Clockwork Genie. Don't forget to leave your email address in the following format: parayournormalteam(at)gmail(dot)com. Now for the interview!

Hey, Kevin! And welcome! Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thank you and all of ParaYourNormal for sitting down with my genie friend and I.

As a child I discovered comic books and soon knew I wanted to create comics and super heroes of my own. They would eventually become FLYING GLORY AND THE HOUNDS OF GLORY.

While taking art courses to learn how to draw muscular heroes as realistically as possible, I discovered what I was really doing, no matter the medium, was story telling.

This turned into short stories, the first appearing in my college newspaper, and on to scripts for comic
books and for television animation such as for the Japanese series MIDNIGHT HORROR SCHOOL (a series that has as of yet not appeared in America.)

I continue to have a passion for comic books and for animation, but a few years ago I took a serious dive into writing novels. As part of Nanowrimo I wrote a science fiction tale, but about half way through it, a complete different story idea came to me. I paused long enough to write down a page of notes and then finished the story I had committed myself to doing. Once November was over I jumped right into the new idea, a fantasy tale that eventually became my first published novel CLOCKWORK GENIE.

How do you carve out time to write?

I wish I knew. It was easier to find the time to write until about a year ago when I picked up a 'day job' with the scholarship foundation of my local community college. Truthfully, having a restricted amount of time has forced me to dedicate more of it to serious writing. When I have all the free time in the world, nothing gets done. Deadlines are good. No, really, they are.

What’s the biggest creative difference between writing a novel and writing/illustrating a comic?

Comic books are a visual medium and 90 % of the story is told in the pictures. If I'm writing for another artist, the description of the scene has to be made clear enough for the artist to understand, but not overly detailed that it takes away his/her own creativity when drawing it. When I am writer/artist on the comic I don't have to be as detailed as I already have a clear idea of what I want to draw and most of the story comes together as I start sketching the art. The story then has to be told in a 22 to 36 pages comic, usually with 6 to 8 panels per page, sometimes less. When Shannon and I write our webcomic FLYING GLORY AND THE HOUNDS OF GLORY, which is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary online, Each page has to tell its own story because people reading may not have seen the pages before it, and hope it will entice them to stick around for the next page a week later.

With comic books as my background, my novel writing carries some of the same style. I don't always
fully describe the details of a scene other than what is absolutely necessary for the story or to se the mood, and let the reader fill in the gaps with their own imagination as if they were the artists of our shared comic book. Am certain I have a lot to improve upon, and am still learning with each new story I write.

Which book are we talking about today and what is it about?

CLOCKWORK GENIE is my first published novel and is both a Contemporary Fantasy and a Murder Mystery, and in some ways it is also a Paranormal Romance. There may be no ghosts, vampires, or werewolves, but there is a very powerful magical genie that just learned her master has been murdered.

The story is about Cecilia Orchard who has been struggling on her own since graduating from college to earn enough money to pay the rent of her apartment. Her data entry job isn't great and she's always on the verge of being fired by a very nasty boss.

If that's not bad enough, Cecilia has just been informed she's the prime suspect in the murder of
a grandfather she never knew existed. Why did the cop that wants to arrest her have to be so darn
handsome?

Cecilia discovers she's the heir to a vast fortune, and then is given a golden pocket watch. She finds
herself the new master of a very powerful magical genie. The entire world could be hers at the mention of
a wish, but what does Cecilia really want?

You may also be interested to know that I painted the cover of the novel.

What inspired this book?

The original kernel of an idea has been sitting in the back of my head for quite a while, maybe back to childhood. Like many of my stories it grew out of a question: "If a genie is so powerful, why is it trapped in the lamp?" The idea morphed through the years, until it took the form of the golden pocket watch. Along with the relationship with its new master and the people around her, I explore that question and give one plausible answer.

From there the story grew pretty quickly, and I dumped the first drafted on to the keyboard very quickly. It would take several more drafts and rewrites, and introduction of other characters along the way until it became the book that now sits on virtual bookshelves.

Tell us something about your characters that we wouldn’t be able to figure out by reading the book.

I suppose what no one knows is that Cecilia is, minus the magic and millions of dollars, is me. As a writer with a pretty vast imagination, that if I was ever confronted by the supernatural or aliens, I would take it fairly calmly and matter-of-factly. So I took that idea and transferred it to Cecilia. She writes fantasy and mysteries like me, and so when she confronted by it. She's surprised by it but takes it coolly, or at least tries to.

Are there other books in the works? Can you tell us a bit about it?

Last month I released my second novel, entitled: REVENGE OF THE MASKED GHOST. This story
takes me back to my first love of the masked heroes. Going back to the 1930s' Pulps the heroes grew out of and became the super heroes of the comics.

I am currently working on a sequel to CLOCKWORK GENIE. Without going into a lot of detail, our
heroine and her friends must deal with the consequence of the genie's existence. Wishes out of the past come back to haunt them.

Where can readers purchase your book?

Currently my books are only available online as ebooks.

CLOCKWORK GENIE can be found at most major ebook distributors, and some, to my excitement, not so major. Best to start off at Amazon.
Kindle: http://bit.ly/v5f7v2
Nook: http://bit.ly/smHLZX
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/trpoJd

REVENGE OF THE MASKED GHOST is also available on Amazon and soon at other locations.
Kindle: http://bit.ly/zg3PcN
Nook: http://bit.ly/xCaYri
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/xDv5pX

FLYING GLORY AND THE HOUNDS OF GLORY - The webcomic that Shannon Muir and I have
been producing for the last ten years can be found at it's own website: http://www.flying-glory.com

May we read an excerpt from the book?

Certainly, here is an important scene from Chapter 4 of CLOCKWORK GENIE, after this everything goes crazy:

“Tastes like a tin can.” Cecilia said after the third bite of the microwave dinner.

As Cecilia ate, she kept reading each entry on the man who was supposed to be her grandfather. He owned a multinational corporation, which included many subsidiary companies in Los Angeles as well as New York. It went on and on. It was all just crazy.

“There is no way in the world that all this could be possible,” she said as she dropped the dinner
tray into the already overflowing trashcan beneath the kitchen sink. Cecilia felt confused and didn’t know what to do next. She picked up her purse from where she had dropped it on the couch and pulled out the cell phone. She scrolled through the contact list until she reached the right number and pressed Talk.

Her uncle Phil had always been there for Cecilia when she needed the extra support as she
struggled through college. She could always call him when life got too much for her. This was one of
those times.

The phone rang three times and then went to voice mail.

“Darn! Hi, Uncle Phil, it’s me. Can we chat one of these days? No rush, I’ve just got a question
about my dad…” Her voice trailed off when her eye caught the glimmer and sparkle of the watch as it gently swayed in the glass case.

After a moment of silence she realized she was still on the phone, “I’ll try to call you tomorrow.
Night. Love ya.”

Cecilia put the phone down and sat at the table. She stared at the watch for several minutes, almost mesmerized by it. Finally, curiosity got a hold of her.

“I’m probably knocking a thousand dollars off the value just by opening the case,” Cecilia said as
she did just that, “and ten thousand by touching it.”

She unhooked the chain from its support and examined the watch. The outer case had fine ornate engravings all over it and as she turned it in the light the patterns seemed to change, to dance. Sometimes it looked like writing, other times decorative floral patterns, and then again like mechanical gears of what must be inside.

“Has to be a trick of the light,” she moved away from the desk lamp to look at it under the fluorescents of the kitchen and yet again the pattern was different. She saw brushes and quills.

“So exhausted I’m seeing things. Wake up already Cecilia,” she said to her herself.

She was returning to the table to put the watch away when her finger came across the little
clasp and the watch popped open.

“Oh, no. I’ve broken it!”

The crystal face of the watch was perfect like a diamond. The hands pointed exactly at the right
time but suddenly spun around the dial and stopped on twelve.

Light flared across the crystal startling Cecilia and she fell back on to the floor, tightly grasping
the watch so it didn’t break.

“Tommy? I’m sorry, Tommy? Really I am. Tommy? Hey, where am I?”

Cecilia’s vision was blurred from the flash, but she could make out a woman’s form standing in
front of her, “Who’s there?”

“Who the hell are you?” the woman shouted down at Cecilia on the floor.

“I…” her vision cleared. Standing before Cecilia was a young woman; her hair was red like flames
of a campfire. Though dressed in an emerald green evening gown, she wore a leather bomber jacket over it. She was quite beautiful.

“Now this confirms it, I’m dreaming. I’ve gone insane,” Cecilia said aloud, “That woman from
those photographs is standing in my apartment. That … that Genevieve woman.”

“Of course, I’m Genevieve, that’s Tommy’s watch,” the woman said with a childlike voice yet
scolded like a parent.

“The watch?” Cecilia looked from the woman to the watch and back again, “This is my
grandfather’s watch.”

Genevieve gasped, “Your grandfather? How long have I been in there?” She looked about and
began to panic.

Cecilia gathered herself and stood up, and noticed fear in the strange woman’s eyes.

“You have the watch.”

“Uh, ya.”

“You have Tommy’s watch!”

“Ya, this was Thomas Granger’s watch, what of it?”

“Where is Tommy? Where is he?” Genevieve demanded, tears filled her eyes.

“Oh, God, you don’t know. I thought maybe the police had finally contacted you, or that lawyer
Kramer sent you to talk to me.”

“Tell me where Thomas Granger is!” Genevieve was shaking now; tears flowed down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry to be the one that has to tell you this. Thomas Granger was killed yesterday.”

“Killed? No, no, no.”

“Ya, I’m sorry, but he was murdered. The police are still investigating. They’ll probably want to
talk with you. I should call Detective Lambert.”

“I don’t want to be alone,” Genevieve said through her tears.

“Why would you be alone?” Cecilia was doing her best not to freak out, yet she seemed to be the
calmer head here. It was this figment of her imagination that was going nuts. Certain this was all going on inside her head; the stress of work had finally gotten to her. If her imaginary friend had just cracked, didn’t that mean she had already lost it herself?

Genevieve looked at the watch again, and forced away her tears as she looked towards Cecilia.
Suddenly the woman dropped to her knees and bowed her head to the floor facing Cecilia.

“Mistress,” she said humbly.

“What--?”

“Your wish is my command.”

 

Where can your readers connect with you on the web?

The best place to find me online is my blog where I ramble on about writing, comic books, animation, and from time to time put up a book review: http://kevinpsbroden.blogspot.com/

You can follow me on Twitter: @Kevinpsb00

Thank you for this opportunity to explore what's Para in my Normal with you. Genevieve had a good time too.

Interview with Regan Black, author of The Matchmaker's Mark

Joining us today is Regan Black, author of The Matchmaker's Mark. If you'd like to win a free copy of this paranormal romance novel, please leave a comment below. Don't forget to include your email address. 

On Wednesday, we'll be chatting with Regan, live, on our Blog Talk Radio channel at 3:30 pm Pacific Time. We hope you'll listen into the show. Now, for our interview...

Hey, Regan! It’s so good to meet you. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

There isn't much to me... it's a life of servitude to three retired greyhounds, two manipulative cats, and three quirky finches. Oh, and there are bon bons. And a personal masseuse and chef. Oh, wait. That's my fantasy life! In reality there are all those pets, and a fabulous family who support me through the process of every novel. I'm a voracious reader (we all are), proven by our extensive collection of both hard copy and ebooks. I'm also a reformed runner (meaning I do mostly yoga these days), a coffee addict (because mornings seem to keep happening), and an uber-fan of Walt Disney World (it's the happiest place on earth!)

How do you carve out time to write? 

Very carefully - or rather deliberately. It's so easy to get lost in promotion tasks or the wonderful world of social media, so I try to get in one hour on the novel before I even look at a computer with an Internet connection. That seems to keep me on task for the rest of the day, because I'm enthused about what's happening with the story, despite necessary breaks to deal with either the business side of writing or the needs of the pets.

What started you down the path of being a novelist?

Now, that's a funny story. As a stay at home mom and a published poet, I was working on a new poetry collection when my husband came home to work for the second time in two years. My poetry was sunshine and light one day, and angst and despair the next. It was maddening, to put it mildly. So out of desperation I began to write a story, fictionalizing the way we met and trying to recall what the hell I found so attractive about him. The book is THE worst romance novel ever, but I realized I could write a complete, novel length story and I've been addicted to the process ever since. (Oh yeah, we're still happily married).

Which book are we talking about today and what is it about? 

The Matchmaker's Mark is the book for today and it addresses the concern: When you're more than human, there's more to finding your soul mate than answering a survey online. The Matchmaker's Mark introduces Amy (and her greyhound Guinness) as she unexpectedly comes into her power as the Matchmaker - a direct female descendent of a Scottish witch who can persuade and empower love and attraction in creatures that most people don't believe exist anymore. 

What inspired this book?

This book was inspired by my need to tell a more lighthearted story. I'd been working on my 2096 novels and short stories and I love that crew of characters, but the storylines are much darker. It was springtime, I only had a bit of time because of end of school events and I just needed something fun to focus on for a while. The idea of a magical 'witch' who could affect love matches or smooth the path for arranged marriages was full of delightful potential for both tender and comedic moments. Setting the book in Charleston, SC gave me a chance to share one of my favorite places (full of legends and intrigues) with readers.

Tell us something about your characters that we wouldn’t be able to figure out by reading the book.

While some mythical people/creatures seek the Matchmaker for love or soul mate advice, there are plenty of others who want her contained or even dead, to prevent what they consider meddling in matters of the heart or matters of politics. This is particularly critical to the storyline at the moment because Amy Campbell is the last of the hereditary line. If enemies succeed in capturing her, it might be the absolute end of generations of matchmaking.

Is there a book 2 in the works? Can you tell us a bit about it?

Yes, there is a second book on the way! Titled The Matchmaker's Curse, it features the werewolf who was searching for the Matchmaker in book one and who was 'marked' by her accidentally. He did not come to Charleston to find his soul mate, but she just might find him. I'm really excited about this novel, the starring couple, and their overall adventure. It's been a great deal of fun to brainstorm, research, and write.

Where can readers purchase your book?

The Matchmaker's Mark is currently available at Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, and wherever ebooks are sold.

May we read an excerpt from the book?

Of course! Here’s Chapter One:

My dearest Amy,

How are you and Guinness doing? I can't imagine how a skinny little greyhound might feel in that wicked Nebraska winter. Should I send him some snow boots? Surely you are settled in and pampering each other after six months together.

I'm so sorry I missed you and the family at the holidays, business was unusually crazy this year.

Be on the lookout for a package from me, darling, you will absolutely treasure it! Above all take good care of yourself (and Guinness, of course).

All my love,

Auntie Camille

Lily Parker was in her element. Almost completely. Surrounded by flowers and serenaded by the bell above her door as customers walked in and out of her florist shop, she felt as radiant as her own beam of sunshine. She wrapped up the sale and murmured a blessing over the blooms as another happy customer left.

January wasn't typically her best sales month, but her regulars kept her company and she always enjoyed the respite after the rush of the holidays. She'd tweaked the display window yesterday and patted herself on the back, since her register had been ringing steadily since.

Through that window she smiled at the woman on the street. The potential customer was currently admiring the sweet baskets of daisies flanking a stunning array of white tulips Lily's wholesaler had brought in just for her. Then Lily spotted the dog.

She pushed open the shop door. "What a beautiful greyhound."

"Thanks. This is Guinness." The woman at the other end of the leash was pretty in an understated way, but her proud smile lit up her face as her dog leaned forward, eager to bask in any and all attention.

Lily chuckled. "Isn't he a character?" She let him sniff her knuckles and considered herself approved when he ducked his head under her palm so she could scratch his ears. "Is he a rescue?"

"Yes. From an Iowa track. We've been together about six months."

"That's wonderful. I'm Lily, by the way."

"Amy."

Lily took in the open coat and glove-free hands and pegged Amy for a snowbird, or possibly the cruise lines were doing a new promotion. "I didn't know they allowed dogs on the cruises." The other woman blinked, her smile giving way to confusion. "Forgive me. You're not a tourist?" Having lived here so long, she knew the faces of most of the locals.

"Yes. Well no. Not officially."

"That's what I get for assuming," Lily said, cooing over Guinness until the woman relaxed again. She usually read people with uncanny precision, but lately, it was as if she was a half step out of sync. "Would Guinness like a drink of water?"

Amy snorted. "He'd like anything that involves more attention."

"Well come on in."

"Your shop is lovely." Amy held Guinness at the door, her gaze scanning the displays with sincere appreciation.

Lily sensed a kindred spirit, or at least some common interests. "There's not a thing in here he can hurt," she insisted. "I'll just go get a water bowl."

Connecting with new people was the best part of her job. She thought of it as her calling. It gave her such a rush to find out what they needed, how her flowers might brighten a day or mark a memorable, romantic moment. Feeling connected professionally kept her mind off her bleak personal prospects of romance.

She returned to the showroom, bowl and water bottle in hand, pleased to see Amy admiring her cooler while Guinness seemed curious about a stuffed teddy bear tucked next to a planter.

Lily thought of her cooler as an evolving painting, as well as a testing ground for how long she could keep a flower fresh in various stages of design. She'd once kept a carnation going for three weeks, but so far she couldn't keep an orchid fresh beyond its normal life expectancy of a few days.

"Here's some refreshment for Guinness," she said, willing her mind away from her flaws.

The dog sniffed at the water, then lapped it up with the enthusiasm of a broken lawn sprinkler.

Amy started to apologize for his sloppy manners, but Lily cut her off. "Don't worry about it. This place can take it. Water's just one of many job hazards."

"You're the owner?"

Lily beamed. "Primary designer and head janitor, too. It keeps me humble."

"Well you've got a brilliant gift." She waved back at the front window, then the cooler.

"Thank you." Lily smiled. "Spring's my favorite season. Typical for a flower child like me." She laughed at herself. "And just around the corner."

"Around the corner?"

"Oh, February will be brown and bland, but come March things will start budding and popping with color and it won't stop until –" She stopped short. She was as exuberant with the seasons as Guinness had been with the water. "Well not until next February, really."

"Sounds heavenly."

"The excessive humidity and nine months of hawk-sized mosquitoes are the tradeoff," Lily confessed in a stage whisper.

The bells on the door danced and Lily turned her welcome smile toward Jim, the cop who walked the King Street beat. "I've got your order ready." She moved around Guinness to pull a box of roses out of the cooler. "I'll be right back," she said to Amy.

"Good looking dog," Jim said, letting Guinness get his scent and head butt his hand. "Busy day?" he called back to Lily. He moved closer to the register and whistled when he got a look at the roses. "Oh, my wife will love these."

Lily felt a little sting on the inside of her wrist and rubbed it, annoyed that she'd managed to catch a thorn even through her long sleeved shirt.

The bells jingled again, announcing the arrival of the owner of the cupcake bakery two doors down. "Morning, Lily."

"Hey, Belinda. Your order's all set on the back counter."

"Thanks, so much. I'll just put these red velvets in your fridge."

"Oh, today is a good day," Lily said with a grin, earning agreement from Jim. Bartering with other King Street businesses was just one of many perks of her location. Ringing up the order, allowing for the community discount, her shopkeeper's eye roamed over Amy and Guinness to another new arrival.

"Guess it's going to be a busy day after all. Have a great anniversary, Jim." The cop nodded and left, the box tucked under his arm. He looked casual, but Lily appreciated the vigilance he applied to her modest business as well as the rest of the neighborhood.

The newest customer stood tall and lean, and she felt an odd tremor of familiarity. She did a double take to verify she'd never seen him before. His jaw was shadowed by a day's growth of beard and his dark, windblown hair was a little too long, curling a bit around the sunglasses he'd pushed to the top of his head. He didn't have the typical, hang dog look of a guy searching for a way to mend a rift with a woman, which made a flower shop a strange place to stop in.

She smiled at him. "Shopping for anyone in particular?"

He shook his head and gave her a half smile that put her hormones on alert. "Just looking."

When Belinda came back through the shop, carting a box of bud vases and a big bag of rose petals, he moved to open the door for her and followed her out without a word.

Lily stared after him. Weird. She'd call down later and see if the baker was training someone new. Rubbing absently at her arm, she rejoined Amy and Guinness. "So what can I do for you?"

Amy grimaced. "Tell me the secret to keeping flowers fresh. I can hardly keep a silk plant looking healthy."

Flower secrets, well, all of nature's secrets, should've been as easy as breathing for Lily. Since it wasn't that simple, she basked in the praise and tried not to blush. "It comes down to trimming the stems and keeping the arrangement watered," she offered the easiest advice first. "There are certainly specific flower options that will last awhile." Wanting to honor the connection she felt with Amy, she looked around her shop. "Where are you staying?"

"With a friend. I'm mixing business and pleasure this winter." She stroked her greyhound's ears. "My friend has been absolutely amazing to welcome us both."

"Does your friend live here? Downtown," Lily clarified.

Amy nodded. "She's in a neighborhood near the college. Why?"

"Hmmm." Lily considered the options in her cooler. "You should have this." She pulled out a French blue basket filled with yellow button mums, white daisies and a splash of purple statice. Springtime in a basket, she thought. "It's a perfect breakfast table centerpiece."

"Wow! This would just light up Maeve's kitchen. How much?"

"Did you say Maeve?" Lily carried the arrangement toward the register counter. "Do you mean Maeve King?"

Amy nodded, a blend of surprise and 'stranger-danger' worry flitting over her face. "How did you know?"

"Oh, it's a pretty close town. This arrangement's definitely on the house if you're a friend of Maeve's. Consider it a thank you for introducing me to Guinness." She grinned. "He really brightened my day."

Amy turned Guinness's long nose away from the teddy bear. "I've heard of Charleston hospitality, but I'd feel better if I paid for it."

Lily shook her head. "Don't worry. Maeve, or rather her busy social life, keeps me in business. Besides, it's a day old already. Don't tell anyone," she said with a wink, "but I dawdled in the back with my wholesaler." She murmured a little charm over the blooms to keep them fresh and the women happy as she wrapped layers of protective paper over the arrangement.

"She'll love it, if can I get her to open it."

"Is she the sort who refuses to tear into a gift? I didn't know that."

Amy grinned, relaxed again. "It was a shock that first Christmas in college, but we've managed to stay best friends despite her irregularities."

Lily laughed, liking Amy more with every passing minute. "I met Maeve after a particularly busy weekend. It seemed my delivery driver had filled her office to bursting and she wanted to meet me." She glanced at the door when the bell jingled again. Jim's partner walked in, with a face only a florist could love. "Another tiff?" He stared at the floor. "Give me a minute to finish up here." She turned back to Amy. "So how long are you in town?"

"Through the spring semester. We're teaching an interim class on Romeo and Juliet, then I'll guest lecture between bouts of designing a new creative writing curriculum."

"That's fantastic. Will you be presenting the play to the public?"

"Not a chance." Amy's snort caused Guinness's ears to perk, making Lily chuckle at them both. "It's more about digging into the subtext of the story than the performance."

"Ah." Lily nudged the wrapped flowers across the counter. "Please tell Maeve I said hello."

"Will do." Amy sighed and shook her head. "I'm going to take a picture of these and send it to my assistant. It might give her hope to carry on through the remaining snowy months back home."

"Be sure to come by anytime you want to chat or anything." Lily murmured adoring nonsense to Guinness and waved goodbye as the pair left her shop. Empty water bowl in hand, she faced Jim's partner. "What happened now?"

He brought her up to speed while she reached for the first aid kit under the counter. Pulling back her sleeve, she stifled a gasp. The skin around the birthmark on her left wrist was irritated all right, but not by a simple thorn. Unwilling to consider the most likely possibilities and ramifications, she smeared anti-itch cream on it and pulled her sleeve back in place, grateful for the distraction of how to get her customer out of the doghouse this time.

Later, when the closed sign was posted, she'd take time to think about the magic she'd obviously missed in the process of doing business like a normal person.

Where can your readers connect with you on the web?

My website http://www.reganblack.com is full of all kinds of articles, book features, bonus content for newsletter subscriber and more.

Or join the fun at the Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/ReganBlack.fans

And use @ReganBlack to find me on twitter.

Interview and Giveaway with Belinda Boring

We are so excited to talk today with one of our favorite book reviewers turned author, the wonderful Belinda Boring, AKA Bookish Snob. She has a fangtabulous novella out, Without Mercy and she is going to be giving away a copy of it. Want to win it? Just leave us a comment below and you will be entered! Ready to learn about Belinda and her new book?

Tell us a little about your Without Mercy:

Without Mercy shares a story about Darcy, a female werewolf, and what happens when a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning her from cautious prey to dangerous predator? Here’s a little bit of the blurb:

When Darcy’s outing takes a turn for the worst and tests her to the point of breaking, she struggles to maintain her humanity. Where loyalty and pack mean everything, she surrenders to the inevitable and only an act of complete trust can touch her. When all is said and done, with memories flooding her mind, Darcy holds tightly to the only thing that makes sense – it was all a dream. Or was it?

What inspired you to start writing?

In general, it was someone I trusted who asked me one day, “Belinda, have you ever thought about writing?” I laughed, told them I never would and here I am two years later published! LOL

For Without Mercy, I woke up from a nightmare with this gut wrenching feeling of grief that was so overwhelming, I couldn’t shake it. My BFF encouraged me to write the scene out and I did, posting it on my author blog. People really enjoyed and asked if there was more so I sat down one Saturday and finished it.

Is there a full-length novel in the works?

There is but not for the Mystic Wolves novelette series. I’m actually in the process of finishing another urban fantasy story called Broken Promises. It’s book one in the Brianna Lane series, and shares how Bree must not only fight for the man she loves, but also to save the world from a Fae invasion. In one crazy moment, everything in her life turns upside down and it takes one heck of a woman to rise above it. It’s definitely a lot of fun to write and I’m getting good feedback from it. Once I’ve released this, I have other stories to work on J

Will Without Mercy be part of a series?

It is! I actually got the idea from my BFF, Lacey on the day I released Without Mercy. Everyone was so excited about what they were reading, she suggested I continue to write small novelettes and continue the story on. Kind of like a serial that I would release every month or so. I’ve already started on the next installment called Cherished and it spends a lot of time showing the kind of relationship Darcy and Mason have and how they deal with the aftermath of Without Mercy. Lots of swoon! I have all kinds of ideas for future characters and storylines so be on the lookout for a sexy vampire called Devlin.

You’re a book reviewer, so you’ve read plenty of books. What do you think makes a great heroine?

I love the strong and feisty heroine, the one that doesn’t cower in a corner afraid but still has the softness and vulnerability that makes her endearing. She’s the woman that doesn’t take no for an answer and will give everything she has for those she loves. Of course, my favorite part is where she brings the hero to his knees!

If you had to choose a favorite paranormal being, would it be a sexy vampire, a hot alpha wolf, or something entirely different?

Gosh, I hate choosing! I want to say I’m a “fang” girl all the way because there is something so seductive and dangerous about vampires. I’m all about the bite and it gives me the tingles thinking about what it would be like having one set his sights on me. But then in the next breath, having an alpha wolf stalk you, watch you, ready to pounce and ravish you? Its swoon inducing! Especially when that wolf is Mason. Then, after saying all that, I also have a love for angels and demon warlocks. So many that teases and tempts me!

In your opinion, what’s the best part of the paranormal romance genre?

I love that anything is possible and with the danger that comes from dealing with supernatural characters; it really increases the intensity and heat. I love the emotional rollercoaster I find reading the genre, the way I’m able to connect with the women who hold nothing back. It’s all or nothing. And without fail, I love the way the genre makes leaves me sighing in a gooey mess. I rarely read outside paranormal romance and urban fantasy because I don’t get the same rush and high that I do after reading romance. It’s addicting!

How do you keep motivated to write?

I surround myself with supportive people – my husband, friends I’ve met online, fellow authors and my best friend Lacey. Whenever I feel myself lagging, I know I have people I can turn to and they help me stay focused and heading in the right direction. They are all such an invaluable part of my life and I love them!

I’m also an incredibly visual person so it’s not a stretch for me to have music playlists, slideshows of story muses and book covers created while I’m still in the process of writing. Whenever I find it hard to start writing, I’ll put on headphones, crank up the music and stare at photos. Moments later, the story is flowing and I can’t type fast enough. You have to do whatever it takes, right?

What’s your take on the indie book movement?

I think it’s absolutely fabulous! I love being able to have complete creative control of the stories I write – from the storyline to the cover to how I want to promote it. I’m a huge believer in having options and being able to have a variety of directions to choose from. It’s about finding what’s best for you as the author and for your book. When I first decided I wanted to publish, I was terrified not being in a publishing house would hurt my career because where else would I find everything I needed? With the indie book movement taking the book world by storm, an author can find countless resources at their disposal and release something that is just as competitive and comparable. To me, that’s amazing and definitely an avenue I’m going to continue exploring.

Tell us a random fact about yourself:

I’m completely accident prone. I’m just coming off a 5 month stint with a damaged foot and wouldn’t you know it, I’ve almost hurt my other foot already on several occasions. I’ve learned to be extremely careful how I walk and to the amusement of my BFF, she now feels she needs to “escort” me everywhere. She thinks it’s hilarious to text me “walking’ instructions.

If you couldn’t write or read books, what would you do with your time?

It’s almost blasphemous to suggest that! My stomach seriously just sank into my stomach and I had a flash of panic. I don’t know what I’d do. I love what I’m doing within the book world at the moment – writing, blogging, reviewing, promoting – and can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I would hope I’d find something else I was equally as passionate about.

Where can readers purchase your book?

Without Mercy can be bought from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

Where can readers connect with you on the web?

I was recently told I’m everywhere on the web LOL Okay let’s see if I can remember everything:

Belinda Boring’s Official Site – http://belindaboring.blogspot.com

Author Blog: Writings Of A Dreamer – http://thebookishsnobwriting.com

The Bookish Snob – http://thebookishsnob.blogspot.com

The Bookish Snob Promotions – http://thebookishsnobpromotions.blogspot.com

The Romance Reviews - http://www.theromancereviews.com/mypageprofile.php?location=thebookishsnob

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001717962178

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Belinda-Boring-Author/200626723318915

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4849861.Belinda_Boring

Would you mind sharing a small excerpt?

Sure!

The loud click of a gun being cocked stopped me cold. I didn’t need to turn around to see death had finally caught us. I closed my eyes for a brief moment and grimaced.

Seconds. We’d missed freedom by mere moments and with adrenaline coursing through my body, a feeling of defeat crashed over me. To come so close and be stopped was devastating.

I dug deep for courage as my hand was squeezed. Jasmine would be terrified enough without seeing fear in my eyes and if we were going to get out of this, I needed to keep her calm. Or at least calmer than I felt.

Giving her a look I hoped conveyed confidence, I motioned for her to stay quiet as I positioned her behind me and turned to look at our attacker. All night I’d sensed the person breathing down our necks, following closely but always just out of sight. Now I could put a face to our stalker.

I saw the gun, aimed straight at me. The finger poised over the trigger ready to shoot. The hand holding it was steady and trained to adjust to every movement. I shied to the left and back again. Without hesitation, the gun’s motion mimicked mine.

Damn. Judging from the precise motions; whoever was holding the gun knew what they were doing. If they took a shot, they wouldn’t miss and out running a bullet was too risky.

A quick sniff at the air and drawing on my other senses told me I was dealing with a human male and I couldn’t help but grin at the bitter scent of fear mixed in with the sweetness of his excitement. It was intoxicating.

I may be a female but as a werewolf, I held incredible strength. My body began to relax. As long as I paid attention to the gun still pointed at me, and made no crazy moves, our chances of escape had just increased.

I looked beyond the weapon and recognized the determined face that stared back at me. The emotions rolling off his body caused my wolf to raise her head and howl. This wasn’t a pack mate or dominant wolf to play submissive with by showing my throat. Looking at our attacker, I could feel my hackles rise as she growled, desperate to take over.

~ * ~

We want to thank Belinda for stopping by and talking with us. Want to find out more? We'll be chatting it up with her on our Blog Talk Radio show this Wednesday at 3:30pm PST. Go to our channel and set a reminder so you don't miss it. 


Now is your chance to score yourself a copy of Without Mercy. Leave us a comment below, even a simple 'hi' will count. Don't forget your email address in the following format (so the spammers won't get it ;-)) parayournormalteam (at) gmail (dot) com

Interview and Giveaway with Thomas Amo, Author of An Apple for Zoe: The Forsaken

Welcome to our interview with Thomas Amo, author of An Apple for Zoe: The Forsaken, an exciting paranormal thriller. Thomas is giving away two eBook copies of his novel. In order to enter, please leave a comment below the interview and include your email address in the following format: parayournormalteam(at)gmail(dot)com. This helps protect your email from spammers.

Thomas will also be our guest this Wednesday, on Blog Talk Radio, so don't forget to check out the show at 3:30pm PST. Now, for the interview...

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What inspired the storyline for An Apple for Zoe?

In the early 1990’s I worked for the Coroner’s Office. I worked a case that we were not allowed to discuss for two years. At first we thought we might we were very concerned, because this particular homicide had all the elements of a serial murder. I won’t go into great detail, but I remember we found the victim under a railroad bridge in a dry creek bed. When I arrived at the scene it looked like a movie set. It was just dusk and there were lights scattered around so we could see, it was a real lonely desolate place. It was while I there, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the scene for lack of a better term felt evil. That is where the first beginnings of An Apple For Zoe began. 

Can you tell us a little about the paranormal elements of your book?

Well first off there are no vampires, werewolves or zombies, I’m happy to say. But the elements I wanted to deal in were the ones that go bump in the night. When you experience things that make you question your own sanity. Did I just really see that? Am I the only one hearing this? That sort of thing, then I wanted to deal in mental telepathy, possession. Not just ghosts but demons and witchcraft.

What makes Inspector Thomas James tick?

Thomas James has a past that haunts him. When he was a teen in the late sixties he runs into The Zodiac Killer after the Paul Stein Killing and Zodiac lets him go. This fear has followed him his whole life. He joined the San Francisco PD just to try to feel safe. His career has been a typical one, until he’s called to a crime scene at the beginning of the book. From there the story moves into a very fast pace and he’s put into situations that cause him to question everything he’s ever learned or known.

It’s important to note, he’s agnostic about God. Not religion but God. Thomas James doesn’t believe in the supernatural, angels, and demons. But when everything he experiences on this case forces him to accept that things really are not all the random, he’s forced to confront some things police don’t like to discuss or even consider.

When it comes to writing your characters, do you plan them out, or do they come to life in your mind?

Some I do plan out. Some take me totally by surprise. One character in this book I had planned to be a simple transitional character, maybe for one or two scenes and that’s it. But as I began to write her, she came to life in a way I never expected. So I get the best of both worlds that way I suppose.

Did you find any challenges in writing a paranormal thriller?

You know, yeah I do. Here’s the thing I think that may cause you to laugh, but it’s important to me that even though it’s fiction and although no one can absolutely prove 100% on the paranormal, I want what I’m writing to ring true. I wring my hands sometimes thinking…no one will swallow this! But then I have to remind myself, there were no such things as, “Muggles, or Quiddich” before J. K. Rowling imagined them into being. So even though I’m trying to make it sound real, I am letting my imagination go wild.

What puts you in the mood to write a dark, mysterious novel?

I’ve always wanted to write a really cool horror novel. One that would get mentioned whenever you said, “The Exorcist, Salem’s Lot, Psycho.” Dark, stormy days or nights help me find my mood, along with maybe seeing a really well done scary movie. In fact whenever I watch horror films I like there to always be lots of thunder and lightening.

Is there any certain music that would be a good fit for An Apple for Zoe?

Music is such a huge motivator with me when it comes to writing anything. But it has to be film scores. Rarely do I listen to music with lyrics when it comes to writing novels.  Unless I’m trying to make a point. In the beginning of AAFZ, I reference the lesser-known song by The Left Banke, called, “Pretty Ballerina.”  Everyone knows “Walk Away Renee.” In a way sometimes I like to think I’m doing the same thing for someone else that was done for me with a song like that. I originally heard the song in the film, “Off Limits” with Willem Defoe and I looked it up and found out who sang it and was surprised it was by “The Left Banke” because like everyone else I knew “Walk Away Renee.”

Sorry I got off track there a moment. But I love film scores always have. They have been my muse most of my writing life. Composers like, Bernard Herrmann, Jerry Goldsmith, John Barry, John Williams. I listened to a lot of David Shire’s Zodiac score while writing An Apple For Zoe.

Did you put in a lot of research for this book?

I did. In fact I would go to the net to look something up and spend the next three hours going from link to link learning more about the subject than I expected. I even did a road trip to do two things. 1. Was fulfilling a long time dream of mine. 2. Was putting myself at an actual location that’s mentioned in the book. That was a trip to The Hollywood Forever Cemetery in well, Hollywood. I wanted to see the grave of silent film actress, Virginia Rappe, and Silent film director, William Desmond Taylor. It was so worth the trip. Standing there knowing they are right there with you. There’s a great story that happened to my wife and I while at the Cemetery. Remind me and I will share it with you.

 What has the road to self-publishing been like for you?

It’s been a good experience. I self published back in 2000 my novel, “Silence.” With iUniverse and found that to be as best as it could be for that time. Self-publishing this time has been for more rewarding. I did a photo shoot for my own cover, hired an exceptional artist from Australia who has now done another author friend’s cover. This time, it’s been awesome because there is so much support out there, thanks to; Twitter, Facebook, GoodReads, YouTube and Blogger. And now writers have the tools we didn’t have before. For the first time really, writers don’t need agents or traditional publishing houses to get their work out there. I hear that many think this terrible because so many bad books will inundate the market, but those books will speak for themselves, if the author is too lazy to get an editor, or does a slap-dash cover, they most likely won’t go far. Readers have so many more choices now and hey, who can complain? Come on Kindle, Nook, iBooks, gives you a preview of the book. I think what I dislike is the elitist attitude that only the traditional publishers should decide what gets into print and what doesn’t. Everyone deserves a chance at this dream. You should feel beaten down and punished for trying.  I’m very satisfied; I’d be quite content to go sans agent and trad publisher if I can sell well enough on my own.

Will An Apple for Zoe be a stand-alone or part of a series?

It is book one of three. Book II is “An Apple For Zoe ~ The Wicked”

And Book III is “An Apple For Zoe ~ The Damned”

Are you working on any new projects?

Currently I’m writing “The Wicked” plus a screenplay for a production company that liked a film idea I pitched to them.

Any advice for new writers?

Go for it! I’ve been watching some first timers turn out some amazing books and actually sell pretty seriously. A thousand books in a month is nothing to sneeze at. Also, treat your writing as a real job. Even if you’re family and friends don’t support you, keep at it. Write everyday! Even if it’s just a paragraph. Read as often as possible. Also KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE! Don’t submit adult horror to YA’s or Romance readers.

Where can readers purchase your book?

It’s available on The Kindle and Nook in digital format and even though I have it on Amazon in paperback via CreateSpace, I’m pulling that in favor of a paperback version via Lulu, the price is the same. The quality of the product with Lulu is much better.

PAPERBACK

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/an-apple-for-zo%c3%ab/16186768

Where can readers connect with you online?

I’m on Twitter: @authorthomasamo 

I have an official FB page, Thomas Amo:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thomas-Amo/110896962316637

There is also an official FB for AAFZ:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/An-Apple-For-Zoë/189697821051445

Blogger under Author Thomas Amo  http://authorthomasamo.blogspot.com/

And of course on GoodReads.

Would you be willing to share an excerpt from your book?

She looked perfect now. Her hair was combed just right. Lipstick applied with the expertise of a Hollywood make-up artist. Her hands neatly placed one on top of the other to show off her manicured nails. The fresh scent of perfume emanated from her blouse filling the room with a sweet euphoria. Her portrait loomed by her side; it showed her innocent smile that was underlined by a hint of sultriness that reflected in her eyes. Eyes that could catch the attention of any man she desired.

        Flashbulbs popped and lit the room with the brief, yet intense, glow of a lightning storm. Finally her audience had arrived. She was at long last the center of attention. Everyone wanted to see her. Several policemen stood keeping reporters and spectators at a respectable distance. The media sat waiting, eager to learn every detail about what Amanda would have to say.

     Thomas James observed Amanda, noticing just how perfect she truly was. She was indeed the sort of woman that all men desire. He wondered how many men had she rejected? Denied the pleasure of her company or affections. This time someone did get Amanda's attention and he had made her perfect in every detail. Her screams were now silent, all the blood gone, and Inspector Thomas James puzzled over the most bizarre crime scene of his career. His bespectacled hazel eyes looked down at Amanda Carlyle, who was bathed in a pink glow of dimmed lights and lit candles. The coffin lid open, exposing her only from the waist up. A Catholic set up was in place for potential mourners to come kneel and pray the rosary. She was completely prepared for her funeral, the problem was, Amanda Carlyle was alive just six hours earlier.

         James examined the note that had been carefully placed in her hands. To his astonishment the note was handwritten and not typed. In a world of word processors and text messaging, it was amazing that someone would actually leave behind a handwritten clue. He parted the folds of the note, his hands sweating inside the latex evidence gloves that were a size too small; James once again read the words written in the scrawl of a child. 

 “Amanda you are the prettiest girl i have ever seen. i hope you do not have a boyfriend because i like you, i would be the best boyfriend in the world to you. You and me could be together and we would be so happy. So tell me if you like me too? Mark yes or no. hopefully your new boyfriend, Edmund Frayker.”

        A cold shiver ran down Inspector James’ neck as he looked at the bottom of the note with two box shapes under the words yes and no. It reminded him of his grammar school days, when boys and girls would attempt to ask the all-important question of “I like you, do you like me?” The “no” box in the note was clearly marked with an “X” in the same childlike scribble. Even more confounding was the fact the suspect left a name. Was this a trick? Or was he dealing with a monster that possessed the mind of a child?

 ~ * ~

A special thank you to Thomas for stopping by to chat with us about his book. Like the excerpt? Intirgued by the interview?  Leave a comment with your email address in the format mentioned above, and you could win a copy of this paranormal thriller. Your comment doesn't have to be long, though we do enjoy feedback. Good luck to all those who enter. We will announce the winner on Sunday, July 17th. Be sure to check back then and see if you are one of the lucky two. Thanks everyone!