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.

Tears on a Tranquil Lake is about a woman who is transformed into a mermaid. Have you always been interested in mermaids?

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:

MuseItUp Publishing

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Coffee Time Romance Bookstore

All Romance

Omnilit

Diesel

Where can readers connect with you on the web?

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

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.