Fast Facts

Author: Jeanne Lyet Gassman
Genre: Christian historical fiction; literary fiction and creative nonfiction
Books: Blood of a Stone (Tuscany Press)

Official Site

Bio

Award-winning author JEANNE LYET GASSMAN lives in Arizona where the desert landscape inspires much of her fiction. She holds an MFA in Writ­ing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has received fellow­ships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her debut historical novel, BLOOD OF A STONE (Tuscany Press) received a Bronze 2015 Independent Publishers Book Award in the national category of religious fiction. Her work has appeared in Hippocampus Magazine, Hermeneutic Chaos Literary Journal, Red Savina Review, The Museum of Americana, Assisi: An Online Journal of Arts & Letters, Switchback, Literary Mama, and Barrelhouse, among many others. In addition to writing, Jeanne also teaches creative writing workshops for libraries and community groups.

Accomplishments

Independent Publisher Book Award (Bronze) for BLOOD OF A STONE in the national category of religious fiction

Finalist for 2015 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards for BLOOD OF A STONE

Fellowships from Ragdale and the Arizona Commission on the Arts

MFA in Writing, Vermont College of Fine Arts

1st place, WOW! 2012 Fall Flash Fiction Competition

Finalist, Tuscany Press Novel Prize for BLOOD OF A STONE

Violinist, Phoenix College Symphony

Instructor, Creative Writing for community groups and libraries (including numerous grants)

Freelance editor

Short Fiction and Creative Nonfiction published in dozens of literary magazines

Blogger, Jeanne’s Writing Desk

Blurb

Set in the first century on the edges of the Roman Empire and the Jesus movement, Blood of a Stone is a sweeping story of murder, betrayal, love, and the search for redemption.

Faced with the brutality of slavery, Demetrios confronts his master and flees by the blood of a stone. Determined to escape his past, he struggles to create a new life and a new identity with his friend and fellow escaped slave, Elazar.

However, freedom has its price. Secrets cannot remain secret forever. A chance for love is lost. Elazar betrays Demetrios to a so-called prophet named Jesus of Nazareth. Fearing the Roman authorities and Jesus, Demetrios risks everything to silence those who would enslave him again. His quest leads him to startling discoveries and dire choices. Demetrios must answer the question we all ask: Can we ever be free of our past?

Reviews

“Blood of a Stone takes the reader on an adventure in a fascinating period of history where the Roman Empire and the birth of Christianity converge. An extremely well written historical novel.”

— Amazon Best Selling Author The Olivia Series, Yael Politis

“Jeanne Gassman has composed a spiritual journey of one man’s heart-rending path to redemption on the fringe of the Jesus movement.  Wrapped in polished prose and vivid depictions of life in 1st Century Palestine, Gassman’s story transcends genres to offer a rich biblical tale of love, loss, forgiveness, and the restorative power of faith.”

— Barbara Devlin, Bestselling Author of the Brethren of the Coast series

“BLOOD OF A STONE by Jeanne Gassman is an enthralling, introspective historical tale that studies the human spirit in all its various forms: the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. The novel is touching, wonderfully written and has a stunning story line that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!”

—Eliza Knight, USA Today Bestselling Author

“Details of 1st-Century Palestine come alive as Jeanne Lyet Gassman weaves a compelling story of unspeakable challenge and the search for redemption. Trapped in a life of desperation, Demetrios will do whatever it takes to escape, even kill those who enslave him. But when his life comes in contact with the man, Jesus, everything that seemed so important begins to shift. The story moves from pulse-pounding action to heart-wrenching honesty, as Demetrios pursues the Peace every heart craves.”

—Amazon Best-seller Author, Christy M. Bellar, The Lady and the Mountain Man

Grace, one of the most challenging journeys of life and literature, is explored in this fine debut novel by Jeanne Lyet Gassman. Set in first century Palestine during the time of Jesus, BLOOD OF A STONE is a moving, well-researched, beautifully turned novel that had me engaged and in tears. Highly recommended!

— Best-selling author Allegra Jordan, The End of Innocence

“Jeanne Gassman is a remarkable writer who brings a Biblical era stunningly to life in

this powerful and fast-moving tale of sin and redemption.”

— American Fiction Prize Winner, Clint McCown, author of Haints

“In art man finds a conduit to the pine. Blood of a Stone, Jeanne L. Gassman’s artful debut, is a tale of murder, love, betrayal, and redemption in 1st century Judea. Crafted with imagination and superlative style, her story tracks slaves Demetrios’ and Elazar’s arduous climb from sin to forgiveness.”

—Winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award, David Beckett, The Cana Mystery

Excerpt from Blood of a Stone 

by Jeanne Lyet Gassman 

Farmers, merchants, townspeople, and peasants crushed together on the narrow road into the city, pushing toward the marketplace. Shepherds whistled at their herds of goats, struggling to keep them away from the booths stacked with winter figs. Herod’s auxiliary troops circled through the mob on horseback and foot, their shouts lost in the uproar.

“Move, move! In the name of Caesar and the King, get out of the way!”

The people dropped back to clear a path for more soldiers who marched in tight formation. Their conical helmets bounced up and down in waves as they jogged along the road. One of the horsemen accompanying them broke rank and rode into a group of spectators that had pressed closer for a better look. He swung his sword and warned them to keep back. There were a few muttered epithets, but no one spoke too loudly. A space opened around the soldier, and the crowd could see why they had been forced off the path. The troops dragged behind them a captured slave: a dark-skinned man with the letter F, for fugitivus, seared into his forehead. His hands and feet were bound, and if it were not for the rope that jerked him upright and pulled him along, he would have fallen face down to the ground.

Demetrios brushed his fingers across his own shoulder, feeling the raised, damaged flesh beneath his cloak. If he had not killed Marcus and escaped, his fate could have easily been the same as this poor runaway’s.

Someone pitched a stone at the auxiliaries, striking the horse. The animal reared up, and a farmer in front of the soldiers lost control of his cart. The entire procession halted as his crates of doves toppled to the ground.

The terrified birds flung themselves against the wooden slats; clouds of feathers spiraled into the air. The farmer tugged at his donkey’s rope, but the creature dug in its heels and refused to move, its hysterical brays adding to the general confusion.

The slave, sensing he had a receptive audience, raised his head. The wound on his brow had festered. His skin glowed with fever and madness. He blinked, scanning the blur of faces in front of him, seeking one he knew would understand. Then he paused and focused his gaze on Demetrios, a faint smile playing around his mouth.

Demetrios shrank back behind a cluster of men.

Of all the Jews, the soldiers, and the travelers in this place, how did he know? How does one slave recognize the other? Although the sun was warm upon Demetrios’s back, he shivered.

A man behind Demetrios said, “I heard they found him in the caves near the hot springs. He belonged to Herod’s house. Not a good place to hide.” The woman with him asked, “Where are they taking him?”

“With a group of other slaves to the mines. He’ll never see daylight again.”

Holding fast to the reins of his skittish horse, the furious soldier confronted the crowd. “Who threw that stone?”

When no one answered, he hooked one of the crates with his sword and smashed it to the ground. Several doves flew out, sweeping low over everyone’s heads. “Clear this trash from the road.”

Some of the men behind Demetrios laughed and jumped to catch the floundering birds; others complained loudly about the delay. A couple of the women near him finally stepped forward to help the beleaguered man drag his remaining crates to the side. The soldiers began to move again, their captive stumbling behind them.

The slave cried out, “Please! Help me!” before he disappeared into the wall of armored bodies.

“Demetrios of Tiberias? Is that you?”

Over the bobbing heads, Demetrios strained to see who was calling him. He cut across the road and scooted around the people still pursuing errant doves.

“Demetrios of Tiberias!” the voice called out to him with authority.

Demetrios wheeled around. They knew. The soldiers were coming for him. He was caught, trapped like a beetle in the clinches of a scorpion’s pinchers. Someone had revealed his secret, knew that he, too, was an escaped slave. Marcus’s slave. Marcus’s murderer.

“Demetrios! Demetrios!”

Demetrios tried to escape through the crowd, but the throng closed about him. He had to get away. Escape. Again. As he ducked and darted through the multitude, Demetrios realized he would be running for the rest of his life. He would forever be a slave.

“Demetrios!”

He pushed against the backs of a group of men. “Let me through.” But the crowd would not part for him.

A hand clutched his arm. He froze. Doomed. He was doomed. And he would be sentenced to die in the mines like his fellow slave. The hand that had seized him spun him around now to face his fate.

Interview with Jeanne Gassman

If you are wanting to appear on either of my sites, here are the list of interview questions. Help yourself! Copy/cut/paste them, answer them at your convenience, then email your answers to abchrysler@yahoo.com. I can post same day or in the future according to your schedule!

Answer whatever questions you would like. Add your own questions if you wish and send them to abchrysler@yahoo.com along with the date you want them posted 🙂 Also, include your bio, author pic, book cover, and all the links that you want 🙂 This is all optional. I only request that you send me a reminder email a day prior to when you want them posted because I can not guarantee I will remember 🙂 I send out a notification email when I post your interview and I include the links! 🙂

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Angela B. Chrysler: I want to take a moment to welcome Jeanne Lyet Gassman, author of BLOOD OF A STONE (Tuscany Press) available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

Thank you so much for speaking with me, Jeanne Lyet Gassman. Please take a moment to tell us about your book.

ABC: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Believe it or not, the concept for BLOOD OF A STONE was inspired by a dream my husband had. In our house, my husband is renowned for his unusual and interesting dreams, and he likes to share them with me. When he told me he had dreamed about Kirk Douglas filming a movie about a man who plots to assassinate Christ, I stole the idea and ran with it.

ABC: Stories always require some form of research. What kind of research did you do for your book?

Since this is historical fiction, I had to do a lot of research for historical accuracy. I poured through a number of scholarly texts, read articles and stories of archaeological finds, spoke to experts, and visited museums. After the book was accepted by Tuscany Press, I worked one-on-one with a brilliant historical expert who had been on several archaeological digs in the Middle East and who spoke five languages. He advised me on all sorts of interesting details, including ancient magic spells, the way certain foods were preserved and prepared, cultural and religious traditions, etc.

ABC: Which scene or chapter was the hardest for you to write?

Without revealing spoilers, I will say simply the most difficult chapter to write was one in which one of my favorite characters died unexpectedly. Several characters die in this book (it’s a harsh world!), so I’ll leave it to the readers to figure out which character I’m talking about!

ABC: Please describe your favorite scene or chapter in your book and tell us why it’s your favorite?

My favorite chapter is probably the one with the sorceress Endorah. She was so much fun to imagine and create, since she’s a charlatan. The research for this chapter was fascinating as well.

ABC: Which of your characters, do you relate to the most (or) who is your favorite character and why?

Well, I love all of my characters, but I really like Tabitha because she is so strong and courageous. She grows from a spoiled, impetuous young woman to a generous and wise soul. Yet, she still maintains a certain innocence throughout.

ABC: I once read that every author is simply a compilation of his/her favorite authors. Which authors have done the most to influence your writing and why?

There are so many authors I admire that it’s hard to narrow the choices. Certainly, many of the “greats” have had an influence: Dostoevsky, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ray Bradbury, and Flannery O’Connor are a few that come immediately to mind. Can you tell I like intense, descriptive writing? By the way, I was fortunate enough to meet Ray Bradbury a few times when he was alive. Truly a charming and lovely man.

ABC: “Story” has always been the center of all human cultures. We need it. We seek it out. We invent it. What does “story” mean to you?

For me, “story” allows us to understand and explore complex issues via a fictional construct. A good story makes sense of the unfathomable, provides insight into the human condition, and asks us to reconsider our own prejudices.

ABC: Tells us about your next project.

My next book is set in the mid-twentieth century and is about a family whose lives are intertwined with the atomic bomb tests in Nevada in the 1950s and 1960s. When the mother, Irene, becomes convinced something in the area is causing her to have repeated miscarriages, she abandons her husband and young son and flees to Arizona during her fifth pregnancy with the hopes of saving her unborn child. Her choices create a rift in the family that could destroy them all. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, THE DOUBLE SUN is the story of the compromises we make for reconciliation and the grief and guilt that hold us back.

ABC: Where can we find you and your book?

Well, I like to joke that I live on the Internet! You can find me on Facebook, Goodreads, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, and even LinkedIn. I have a website and maintain a blog, Jeanne’s Writing Desk, where I post opportunities for writers. My award-winning debut novel, BLOOD OF A STONE, is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and other selected bookstores.

ABC: Thank you again for speaking with me.

Connect with Jeanne

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JeanneLyetGassman

Twitter https://twitter.com/JLyetGassman

Google+ https://plus.google.com/+JeanneGassman/posts

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jeannegassman/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7751214.Jeanne_Lyet_Gassman

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jeanne-gassman/7/4b8/a23

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Jeanne-Lyet-Gassman/e/B00TOU55PM

Website http://www.jeannelyetgassman.com

Blog–Jeanne’s Writing Desk  http://www.jeannelyetgassman.blogspot.com

Buy the Book!

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Stone-Jeanne-Lyet-Gassman-ebook/dp/B00TKHQ15C

Barnes&Noble (paperback) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-of-a-stone-jeanne-lyet-gassman/1121356130?ean=9781936855315

IndieBound (paperback) http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781936855315

IndieBound (hard cover) http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781936855308

Books A Million http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781936855315

See the Brain to Books Blog Tour Giveaways with Lu!

A Brain to Books Production

Fast Facts

Author: Nicholas C. Rossis
Genre: Epic Fantasy and Short Sci-Fi
Books:Nicholas has released many books, which can be seen here on Amazon!

Official Site

Who is Nicholas C. Rossis?

Nicholas Rossis lives to write and does so from his cottage on the edge of a magical forest in Athens, Greece. When not composing epic fantasies or short sci-fi stories, he chats with fans and colleagues, writes blog posts, walks his dog, and enjoys the antics of two silly cats, one of whom claims his lap as home. His children’s book, Runaway Smile, earned a finalist slot in the 2015 International Book Awards.

Finding Inspiration

Like many authors, I’m asked on occasion where I find inspiration for my stories. The answer varies. Many of them stem from a dream. Others, from something I’ve read, or even a song that I’ve heard. Usually, the initial idea bears little resemblance to the final story.

This is particularly true of short stories; one of my favorite genres. To illustrate my point, here is how I came up with each of the stories in my recently published collection, Infinite Waters: 9+1 Speculative Fiction Short Stories.

The Things We Do for Lust

Beware of Greek gods bearing gifts

As a Greek, I grew up with ancient Greek myths. I was listening to some theories about Greek gods the other day. Everyone seems to have their own theory about them, describing them from anything between aliens to Atlantis refugees. “The Things We Do for Lust” offers a light-hearted alternative. Trekkies will probably enjoy the many Star Trek references.

The Twist in the Tale

A confused woman meanders through a sleepy town. But not all is as it seems

“A Twist in the Tale” came to me while reading on Alzheimer’s. What if the warped reality of those suffering from this terrible disease is actually based on fact? What if we pity them only because we can’t see the full picture?

James’ Life

A man with nothing to look forward to but oblivion, discovers it’s not that easy to escape his life

“James’ Life” is lighter in nature, despite the heaviness. I was reading about advances in 3D technology. What if video technology evolved to the point of the characters having their own feelings about what was happening to them? How happy would they be repeating the same mistakes night after night?

What’s in a Name?

A cruise has an unexpected ending

I thought of “What’s in a Name?” while listening to Little Blue by The Beautiful South. I wrote two versions of this story; one in a tropical setting, and a second in a science-fiction one.

The Lucky Bastard

How far will the luckiest man alive go to escape his luck?

I was going through a rough patch when I thought of “The Lucky Bastard.” Life can throw us a whole lot of curveballs, but where would we be without them? I started wondering how important these times are to us. Would we be able to appreciate a life with no hardship whatsoever? Would someone who has led a perfect life be happy, or deeply miserable, unable to enjoy and appreciate any of their achievements?

Two’s a Crowd

Blood runs thicker than water. Especially when you spill it.

The idea behind “Two’s a Crowd” came to me from a comic I read as a young teenager, and that I was thinking about the other day. A man has a recurring nightmare. Every single night he fights axe-wielding monsters in a bloodied battlefield. When a monster kills him and the police find his body, they are baffled as to why anyone would commit murder with a large axe. However, once again, it is the nature of reality that’s really questioned here. “Am I a butterfly dreaming I am a man, or a man dreaming I am a butterfly?”, as Chuang Chou put it.

Is There a Doctor in the House?

A high school student just loves to experiment

A late-night special lies behind “Is There a Doctor in the House?” It is the tongue-in-cheek story of a well-known doctor’s son. What would he be like, as an awkward teenager? Would he continue his father’s experiments?

Sex and Dinner

A timeless combination. Or is it?

“Sex and Dinner” was a Valentine’s special I wrote for my blog, stemming from a discussion with a couple of friends about the strange ways species use to procreate.

Would You Like Flies With That?

Nothing’s scarier than a supermarket.

“Would You Like Files With That” is pretty much copied verbatim from a strange dream I had. I simply added the Halloween aspects when I published it on my blog as a Halloween special.

Infinite Waters

A woman seeks her future at a carnival. She discovers more than she expected.

Finally, I wrote “It’s in the Cards” as a contribution to the Rave Soup for the Writer’s Soul anthology. It comes from another dream, and was published there in December 2014, and became the container for these other stories under the new title, “Infinite Waters”.

Author at Work

As you can see, an author can find inspiration in pretty much anything. So, if you see me sitting on a chair, listening to music, and staring at a wall, please keep in mind that I’m not lazy: I’m actually hard at work!

What readers are saying about Nick’s fantasies:

“Philosophical ideas woven into science-fiction stories that read like classic stories by the masters, often with a delightful, thought-provoking and unexpected twist at the end.”
“Phil K. Dick is up on a cloud laughing with glee”
“From the very first sentence I realized I was not reading a book, I was going on an adventure.”

For more on Nick or just to chat, visit him on:

Nick’s Blog 
eNovel Authors 
Facebook
Twitter 
Google+

Check out the Giveaways for the Brain to Books Blog Tour!

A Brain to Books production

During July and August, I am co-hosting Angela B. Chrysler’s Brain to Books Blog Tour, where I will share information about 60+ authors and their works.

Just the Facts!

Author: Everett Robert

Genre:

Angela B. Chrysler: What is your book about?

Everett Robert: BASED ON THE… is a collection of four (4) short dramatic retellings of famous stories either based on previously published material now available in the public domain. The first play in the collection is called THE REUNION and is based on Thomas Hardy’s classic poem “A Ruined Maid” and tells the story of two old friends running into each other on the street of a major city and they catch up. I put a modern twist on my adaptation, set it in modern times and made it about a Christian woman and her best friend from high school, who came out as a lesbian. Hardy’s poem is about how others view you isn’t always the way you view yourself and that was one of the ideas I was playing with. The second play, THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF LOT 249 is based on one of the first “mummy” horror stories in literature, “Lot No. 249” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is about a police detective interrogating his primary suspect in a recent string of murders. The play BLINK is based on the true story and many of the newspaper accounts of the infamous Newsboys Strike of 1899 in which a group of New York city newsboys, the “extra, extra read all about it” hawkers, went on strike against the two major newspaper publishers at that time and won. Those kids, there were boys and girls, were organized by a young man somewhere around the age of 13-15 nicknamed Kid Blink (because he had one eye). BLINK is a short monodrama style play that tells Blink’s story of leading the strike. The final play, MIRIAM AND ISA, is based on the famous Nativity story from the Bible but looking at it from a more historical context.

ABC: Where did you conceive the idea for your book?

ER: I’m an actor and director in addition to being a writer so I love to read plays. I also like to work with young actors who are competitive drama and are always looking for new pieces to perform. I thought it would be fun to have a collection of short plays that these actors could do in competition. The fact that there were all “based on” a previous famous or not famous, story also made it an interesting challenge for me. I started writing these scripts after sitting in a class at Fort Hays State University on English literature and studying A Ruined Maid. I thought it would be beautifully dramatic to adapt Hardy’s poem (something I don’t think has really been done with that poem). The Mysterious Case of Lot 249 was inspired when I was watching a movie and saw an adaptation of it done with Steve Buscemi and Christian Slater. I got to thinking about the police detective who would investigate this crime and a Law and Order type interrogation scene. BLINK was inspired while listening to the soundtrack to the musical NEWSIES. I knew that the original 90s movie and the recent Broadway Musical were based on a true story but I wanted to know the truth and found the truth much more interesting then the stage and film versions. MIRIAM AND ISA came when a friend contacted me asking if I would write her a monologue for her church’s Christmas pageant that would explore the historical Mary. My previously published plays (Allie In Wonderland and The Absolutely True Story of Tom Sawing As Told By Becky Thatcher) were both adaptations and that was something I felt comfortable tackling.

ABC: What kind of research did you do for your book?

ER: BLINK and MIRIAM AND ISA took the most amount of research. I have a folder of internet pages and scans of newspaper clippings from the actual strike. MIRIAM AND ISA took a bit more research since The Bible has been translated from one language to another and from an ancient time period to a modern context. The trick was going through the speculations of lots of different scholars (conservative and liberal) and finding the ones that made the most sense to me. What I wrote I believe but I understand that others might have a different perspective then me. Like the inn may not have been an “inn” like we associate it (a hotel like business) but possibly a family member’s house that wasn’t prepared for them.

ABC: What scene/chapter was the hardest for you to write? 

ER: MIRIAM AND ISA was, without a doubt, the hardest to write because I wanted to treat that story with respect and devotion but at the same time give people a new perspective on the familiar story.

ABC: What part of your book is your favorite? 

ER: BLINK is probably my favorite play in the collection. I love that character to death.

ABC: What are your favorite past times? 

ER: I love to act and perform as well as write for the theater, so any chance I get to do that, I will. I also love to cook. I’m a huge TV/film fan so I’ll take any chance I get to “veg out” or even have something playing when I’m writing. I also, in my non-writing capacity, am a wedding DJ and love that as it allows me a chance to drive all over Kansas and celebrate with people on their most important day.

ABC: What is your favorite movie? 

ER: Casablanca or Field of Dreams

ABC: What is your favorite book/author? 

ER: I can’t just limit to one LOL but I will say that Gregory McDonald’s Fletch books, Elmore Leonard and Stephen King have all played a huge part in my reading habits. Some more recent authors I enjoy are Lisa Mantchev, Christopher Moore, and Ernest Cline.

ABC: Tell us about your pets. Do you have any fur friends? 

ER: One cat, named Puck after Shakespeare’s mischievous fairy from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.

ABC: Favorite foods? 

ER: Chili cheese dogs are my go-to comfort food. Love them!

ABC: “Story” has always been the center of all human cultures. We need it. We seek it out. We invent it. What does “story” mean to you? 

ER: To me Story is about distilling the human experience into a bite size piece. To borrow a term from the culinary word, story is like an amuse bouche, a bite sized portion of flavor to set the evening’s dining off. That is what story is to me, a “bite” of the human experience to tease us into what is ahead.

ABC: Where can we find you and your books?

ER: My website is Emergency Room Productions. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, YouTube, and  Tumblr. You can buy my book on Amazon

Additional Links:

Emergency Room Productions
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Goodreads
Tumblr
Author Profile
Amazon Profile

Fast Facts

Author: Rawls E. Remy
Genres: Epic Fantasy, YA, Adventure, Christian, Speculative Fiction
Book: Misfits of Harlow Book #1 of the V Chronicles Series

 Official Site

Bio

Rawls E. Remy dwells in Rivendell and other imaginary worlds, and dreams of becoming an epic swordsmaster, learning how to ride a wild dragon, mastering the art of drawing/painting, and to one day fluently speak Tolkien’s language of the Elves. She lives off of chocolate, iced coffee, good humor and fantasy. When she isn’t writing or blogging, Rawls can be found either sitting outside in the sun with a book in hand, or pedaling away on her bike, or working to create that next piece of art. She is an Epic Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Steampunk, and Christian author in the making, with her first Epic Fantasy novel set to be released in 2016.

Blurb

The world fell to ruin long ago at the hands of the Vampiric Emperor, and according to prophecy he will soon return from the dead to finish what he started. There is only one power that can stop him, an ancient power of a soul reborn, only she doesn’t know it yet…

Living with the enemy. That’s what happens to Cyrus Sole when her elven people cast her out for being a half-blood with Elemental powers—feared even by her own family. She finds herself in the capital of elven kind’s most hated enemy, at the only place able to teach her how to master her power over metal: the elite school of the D.G. League. But there are obstacles. It’s a school for “boys,” and they hate elves. In this kingdom, elves are slaves.

Cyrus must create a new identity for herself, praying she can hide behind it until her training is complete—and hope she can survive her unusual new classmates:

Aken the dreamer and prankster; Hercule the broody, fire breathing noble; Zartanian the shy and blossoming swordsman; genii-like Bakaro of the desert sands; Lykale the suspicious genius; and Mamoru the mysterious puppet master.

Did her life take a turn for the better or the worse…?

Excerpt

“Hey!” she called out, “There’s no reason to throw rocks. Leave him alone.”

Did she just say that? Out loud? When she was only one person, and they were seven?

Oh crud. Too late to back down now.

“Well well, boys. Looky who it is!” The tallest elf gave an unpleasant grin.

“Hehe, I guess their kind come in packs, don’t they?” smirked a second. “Where one is, there’s bound to be more.”

All eyes fixed on her and they took a step near.

A frightened breath escaped her throat and she took a step back before catching herself. ‘No, I can’t let people bully me forever!’ She dashed forward, placing herself between the gang and the cage. The humanoid imprisoned within eyed her through narrow, shadowed lids. “They are people too! They have feelings, same as you,” she affirmed.

“Puh-leeze. Don’t try ‘n get us with the ‘they’ve got feelings and emotions’ bit. We don’t care!” mocked the tall boy through a sneer, and they edged closer. “Hey, I know~ How about you come play with us? You motherless tramp…”

Her hand gripped the iron pole by which the death-cage hung, steadying herself, her mind in a race for what she should do. She had to think fast as the gang moved close, circling her. How had she moved that spoon before? How had she manipulated the metal?

The scraping of footsteps ceased, and she looked up. The elves had stopped, suddenly motionless; eyes bulged wide and jaws slack, staring at something. Puzzled, she followed their gaze over to her left hand touching the pole—an ordinary iron pole, only pieces of iron were separating and peeling off, liquefying and elongating, reaching out like fingers bearing knife-point tips…fingers flying forward like thrown knives.

“AaaaH!” They hollered, ducking and leaping aside.

“She’s a freak like them!”

“She’s a monster!”

“Quick, call the Hunter Elves!”

The seven boys split up, sprinting in all directions, off to get the Hunter Elves Corps—her worst nightmare.

‘Oh no, nonono! They’re coming for me; they’ll kill me; they’ll sentence me to a death-cage!’ Panic took hold. ‘Forgive me, Lord God, I should’ve kept it secret… My life is condemned—condemned to execution! They’ve been waiting for this chance to get rid of me.’

This was the end. The end of everything.

“Girl!”

She jumped at a husky voice suddenly spoke at her back, and half turned toward the cage, raising her eyes up to meet the man’s intense gaze. Already tears of fright streaked her cheeks.

“Girl, set me free and I can take you away from this place.”

Away…what? How? They would track her down! They were called “Hunters” for a reason!

Despite her despair, she imagined the cage’s bars bending open—eyelids closed and right hand fingers outstretched.

Brrrreeee—kk!

The iron bended, almost snapping off, enough for him to climb out and drop down onto starved-thin feet. The gaunt humanoid stumbled from having gone who-knew-how-longwithout using his legs. But his blood’s Healing capability must already be working its rejuvenating power or else he couldn’t stay standing—the average humanoid would be wailing agony and require a wheelchair.

‘Woah, their resilience is amazing! Wish I had inherited that bit from Mom…’ Out loud she asked if he was sure he could make it.

He waved her concern aside. “I can handle myself without life-energy, missy.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her with him down the nearest alley. “You know this town better than I do. Guide me to the edge, and I’ll take matters from there.”

A sudden chill ran through her veins. She was speaking to one of her mother’s kind, and he was holding her arm.

Who was it that had killed Mother? Could these humanoids really be trusted? She swallowed. But then, what choice did she have right now? Her life among elf kind was over.

She nodded, taking the lead and making sure to keep to narrow and dim alleys and pathways. There was one place she had to stop by first. If she really was leaving Elvenstone for good, then there were some important things she had to bring with her…

Connect with Rawls 

Author Blog
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2016. Chronicles: Misfits of Harlow will be available in print format and ebook format in bookstores worldwide 2016. Keep up-to-date via any of the links above.

Angela Interviews Rawls E. Remy

Angela: I want to take a moment to welcome Rawls E. Remy, soon-to-be author of Misfits of Harlow (V. Chronicles: Book 1).

Thank you so much for speaking with me, Rawls E. Please take a moment to tell us about your book.

Thank you for having me, Angela.

Misfits of Harlow focuses on the lives of a group of misfits, foremost among them Aken-Shou and Cyrus. Much of Book 1 revolves around Cyrus the elf as she is chased out of her hometown and banished for the power she possesses. She finds herself in enemy territory—a people who hate elves—and creates a disguise she will have to live under.

She is of mixed blood: half elf, and the other half elves’ bitter enemy, and she is an Elemental Manipulation user. When her own kind turn on her because of these secrets, she is forced to run away and begin a new life in Draethvyle city—within the kingdom of elf kind’s enemy. But she has to hide her half-elf blood, hence the need for a disguise. As if that wasn’t enough trouble, the school she wishes to attend in order to develop her Elemental power with metal happens to be a school for “boys.” Girls with Elemental power are rare, and so the focus is on training males. She must pull out her tomboy side and hide her entire identity.

The story follows Cyrus and her new group of misfit comrades through daily training and schooling they must endure to master their Elemental powers and to one day become a part of the elite guardian force: the D. G. League. We are also shown the sad state their world and kingdom is in, the tragedy of war, the resulting hatred between humanoid kinds, aristocracy life, abuse, and slavery. It is clear that things need to change, and Cyrus and Aken-Shou are determined to do just that.

Angela: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

It was a gradual process. But I would say that my time living in Italy was where the idea first began to blossom. European stories, their myths and legends of elves, fairies, vampires, trolls, etc. sparked my imagination, and this series is the result.

I must also say that Lord of the Rings and Narnia helped fuel the ideas running through my head, and classic animes grew my interest for Asian cultures and languages.
Angela: Stories always require some form of research. What kind of research did you do for your book?

A lot of weapons and combat research. Names and language research. Different peoples in V. Chronicles have similarities to cultures and languages of our world, so I studied some things about other countries. For example, Japan’s language and culture, Romania’s architecture and myths, Finland names, and Western European architecture and clothing.
Angela: Which scene or chapter was the hardest for you to write?

The chapter that details the harsh past of Zarren, who is a sub main character in the series, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write. He’s a survivor of abuse, and knowing that there are so many children and young people in the world suffering through the same thing is what made it so difficult to write.
Angela: Please describe your favorite scene or chapter in your book and tell us why it’s your favorite?

One of my favorite scenes is when Zarren and his twin brother, Elijob, are walking a long, dirt road, and they come across fields of wild flowers. It’s their first taste of freedom, and the world is beautiful and bright in ways they’d never seen before. It is also one of their happiest memories together, and it stays with Zarren forever.
Angela: Which of your characters do you relate to the most (or) who is your favorite character and why?

Such a hard question to answer! I feel that every character, in some way, is a part of me, and I like each of them for different reasons. Aken is entertaining and gets into trouble. Zarren is the sweetest thing ever, despite all that he’s been through. Mamoru is mysterious, wise, and a “big brother” figure. Hercule is a resilient noble, who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. Ellefsen, my favorite antagonist, who brings villain humor and cunning to a whole new level, is a character I have lots of fun writing. So basically, I can’t choose. 🙂

Angela: I once read that every author is simply a compilation of his/her favorite authors. Which authors have done the most to influence your writing and why? 

In my younger writing life, my influences were mostly the places we visited as I grew up in Italy, and the shows I watched on TV. It wasn’t until high school that I really got into reading the big authors. Among my favorite were Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Masashi Kishimoto, Robert Jordan, and Brian Jacques. Their work showed me how to create the worlds I’d been wanting to. They showed me how to formulate battles and strategies, taught me of ships and sailing, and of weapons and combat. I also really enjoyed how much personality they put into each of their characters, and I liked all the different races they’d created. This influenced me to create my own races, cultures, and character personalities.
Angela: “Story” has always been the center of all human cultures. We need it. We seek it out. We invent it. What does “story” mean to you?

It teaches us something, tells us about ourselves, and shows to us both the bad and the good. To me, that is what “story” does, and why it has meaning.
Angela: Tells us about your next project.

Because V. Chronicles is a series, my next projects are book 2 and 3, and several novellas. Also, on the side, is my Steampunk Fantasy blog series: Madnes Solver. No that is not a misspell; go find out why and read it on the blog.
Angela: Where can we find you and your book?

You can find me at my author website and blog: Rawlse.wordpress.com. My book, however, is currently being edited. I will keep everyone up-to-date on my book’s status through the blog and monthly newsletter.
Angela: Thank you, again, so much for speaking with me.

Thank you for having me, Angela! It’s been a pleasure.

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Fast Facts

Author: Crystal Marcos
Genre: Young Adult
Books: Novus from The Cresecren Chronicles

Official Site

Bio

Award-winning author Crystal Marcos has been a storyteller her entire life. As the oldest of five children, she had to do a lot of entertaining. She lives on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State with her husband and daughter Kaylee, with another child on the way. Crystal is the author of BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale and HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE. Novus, her third book and first Young Adult novel, is Book One of The Cresecren Chronicles.

Blurb

 Ideal for Hunger Games and pergent fans, Crystal Marcos delivers Novus, a riveting novel set in a dystopian future of action-adventure, suspense, and romance. Intriguing characters and a gripping storyline keep the reader turning page after page. 

Being a teenager is hard enough. And what if your life’s path is predetermined? On top of that, you aren’t even Human? 

Cayden was given life as a Cresecren. He expected to live out his days with the dysfunctional Human family he was assigned to serve. One fateful night, however, landed him in Gavaron, the home of maimed, elderly, or defiant Cresecren. 

Beyond its borders is the Den, an area much more dangerous than he ever imagined. Now seventeen, Cayden unwittingly becomes involved in a conspiracy and is one of a handful of survivors fleeing a deadly attack. They set off on a perilous journey in search of refuge and the truth. Along the way, Cayden begins to comprehend the difference between fully living and merely surviving, while trying to balance his emotions and a forbidden love.

You can read a short excerpt here 

Connect with Crystal

Amazon US: amzn.to/1IGbLDd
Amazon UK: amzn.to/1MN6OLd
Amazon CA: amzn.to/1UoeXXT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3437107.Crystal_Marcos
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CrystalMarcos
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrystalMarcos
Pinterest: pinterest.com/crystalmarcos/

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Fast Facts

Author: Jessica Marie Baumgartner
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy/Children’s/Paranormal Romance
Books:

By the Stars: Book one of the Embracing Entropy Series
Tale of Two Bookends
My Family Is Different

Official Site

Bio

Jessica is a member of The St. Louis Writer’s Guild. Her stories have been featured by The Horror Zine, Blood Moon Rising magaizne, Bewildering Stories, Fiction on the Web, Beyond Imagination Literary Magazine, Postcard Shorts, Hellfire Crossroads, and others. She has recently released book one of her Embracing Entropy Series, By the Stars, through European Geeks Publishing. Her previous books include a Paranormal Romance novelette titled Tale of Two Bookends, and a children’s book called, My Family Is Different.

Accomplishments and Awards

Received an Honorable Mention in the 2015 All Write Now Short Fiction Contest

By the Stars Blurb:

A nightmare is realized when Allie boards a space ship that will transport her and her children from their home forever. The human population has dwindled to around 15,000 as the Earth’s become hostile. If they stay they will die.

The alien race who’s come to their rescue seem to have no concept of selfishness, but Allie has her doubts. She’s separated from her husband and left to fend for her family on her own. It’s up to her to make sure that they survive the trip across the stars.

Tale of Two Bookends Blurb:

Since the beginning of time Incubi have lived alongside humans without detection. Dane is an Incubus who can have any woman he wants and is intrigued when Jenna turns him down. He is determined to have her, but begins to develop feelings for this mortal.

Working to gain her favor, he wins her over and is compelled to reveal the truth. They enter a strange relationship as he feeds off of her sexual energies, but over time his lack of variety begins to show. Jenna must put aside her preconceived notions about relationships in order to keep her lover alive.

My Family Is Different Blurb:

A young Wiccan girl realizes that her friends celebrate different faiths than she does. As she questions them about their beliefs, she learns that all families are different and accepts the true nature of friendship.

Read the Reviews!

Excerpt from By the Stars

Chapter 1

I used to have nightmares about this. I would wake up screaming as they forced me to leave. People giving up; abandoning Mother Earth. The thought alone caused my heart to race, my under arms to sweat.

Here I stand clutching my children, one on each side, as we prepare to be torn away from everything that’s tangible. Before me, a gargantuan structure glares from above. This beast, this ship is supposed to save humanity, or at least what’s left of it.

I’ve lived through mass devastation. It’s hardened me enough. But leaving? It still scares me.

We have no idea what’s out there for us.

My husband has faith in the alien colony that is aiding us. They made contact just in time. Said they had revolutionized their space program and stumbled upon our signal.

I don’t know what I believe.

As the line moves forward, I pull my girls along. They stumble ahead with fright, carrying their backpacks strapped to their bodies. Our packs are the only human luggage allowed on the crowded craft. But that’s not what they’re worried about.

It’s not the new race they fear. Or even the new world. It is the missing presence of their father.

He has his duty. He’ll stay with his men until we pilgrims are secure, then meet up with us in a smaller craft. I’m glad for it. They’ve already had to break up some fights. People get pretty riled up in situations like this. It’s good to have someone who remains behind to keep order for a while, and to try and find any last survivors before leaving.

Finally we’re ascending the dock and I’m able to see our temporary home. It’s nothing like I imagined. The smell is what draws my attention first.

“Eww mommy.” My youngest daughter, Gwen, pinches her nose.

The odiferous enclosure is beyond human comprehension. I’ve smelt plague pits, leaking sewage, the rank smell of sea life left to rot on beaches. Although this isn’t as horrendous, it does make my eyes water. Despite the nausea I’m fighting, I grind my teeth. “Gwen, these people are saving our lives. Don’t insult them.”

“But…”

“No,” I demand, and watch her eyes swim as she lets go of her nose.

“Look.” My eldest, Maddi distracts us as she points to one of the aliens.

I spot them as the line moves up – the Cih’lnarians. We’ve glimpsed them from afar before. Closer, they’re not as unsightly. Definitely not of this world, but the lack of symmetry in their bodies is more becoming inside boundaries built for them.

The contrast of the human official standing beside the alien as we enter sends my thoughts spinning. Cih’lnarians are about a foot taller than humans, with grey skin, and lop sided features that often give them the look of melted wax. Still unused to these new people, I do begin to compare facial expressions as the man converses with the alien beside him. They seem to smile the same.

The ship itself looks off. Doorways, landings, stairs, none of the usual architecture is visible, just walls. Walls everywhere, but none of them reach the ceiling. It’s a network of big squares, meant to contain us, to keep us out of the way. I don’t know what I expected. Our own officials gave the craft a once over and approved.

Group by group, each living boundary is pvied out. When it’s our turn, the alien in charge of us hands me a chip with a symbol on it, and points the way. As we walk along, we can see that none of the cubicles have doors. There are light beams that penetrate up from the floor to create a boundary. It offers a slight comfort, but anyone could walk in. I desperately hope that the neighbors opposite us are reasonable enough. One sliver of hallway between strangers can leave a person feeling exposed.

I’d heard about this. The Cih’lnarian culture doesn’t know the ideals of living separate. They consider themselves one being; like a single hair growing from our bodies. Very seldom do we concern ourselves with the inpidual follicles unless there’s a problem. They’re only concerned with the greater good.

I admire their lack of selfishness, but it makes me feel insignificant.

Reaching our new living space amplifies this feeling. The small square room is plain and simple. Three walls alone protect us.

Connect with Jessica Marie

Author’s blog and Official Site
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads Profile Page

Buy the books!

Amazon Author Page
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBookstore
Kobo Books

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Fast Fact

Author: M.T. McGuire

Genre: Humorous science fiction fantasy action adventure with a dash of clean romance

Books:

Short story prequel of the K’Barthan Series, Unlucky Dip

Few Are Chosen, K’Barthan Series: Part 1
The Wrong Stuff, K’Barthan Series: Part 2
One Man: No Plan, K’Barthan Series: Part 3
Looking For Trouble, K’Barthan Series: Part 4

Official Site

Bio

M T McGuire is a 46 year old stay-at-home mum. She used to do stand up but sat down to write books when she got married. Sixteen years later, she has finished the K’Barthan Trilogy. She still checks all unfamiliar wardrobes for a gateway to Narnia, which probably tells you everything you need to know about her. She lives in Bury St Edmunds with a McOther a McSon and a McCat.

If you’ve read any of her stuff, she’d like to say, ‘thank you’ and hopes you enjoyed it.

Read the blurbs here!

Interview with McGuire

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started writing? What do you do when you’re not writing? 

My name is M T McGuire and I’m an authorholic. Seriously though, I think the reason I started writing was because I couldn’t not … although it was a while before I realised that was the root cause. Also, my mind spent so much time away with the fairies that it seemed logical to try and show people where it went. I am a stay at home mum so when I’m not writing, which is a lot of the time, I’m looking after my boy, or checking up on my folks, who are a bit doddery and live a long way away, or doing social other things so that I have more stuff to write about. I also like wine tasting, gardening, reading, painting and I go metal detecting quite often. Some of the stuff I’ve found is hundreds of years old but I’ve yet to find anything worth more than about ten quid.

Is this your first book?

It’s my first series – The K’Barthan Series – and it stands complete at four full length novels and a short. Writing them did feel like writing one huge novel at times and I was mightily relieved when I finally got the whole story out there. The beginning of the series, Few Are Chosen, K’Barthan Series: Part 1 was the first decent book I managed to write. It took me 13 years during which time I wrote 3 other books I heartily wish someone else had written.

What genre do you enjoy writing the most and what is the book about?

My genre; when people ask, I say I write humorous science fiction fantasy for teenagers. Unfortunately, it’s a lie as I actually write what pleases me. So take the K’Barthan Series, which is the extent of my novels in the public domain. There’s quite a lot going on. It’s basically about a bumbling cowardly getaway driver in a parallel reality (K’Barth). He’s blacklisted, which means his existence is treason and he’s an outlaw. All he wants is a quiet life but the more he tries to blend in and disappear the more trouble he gets himself into. Eventually he has to take on the nation’s despot leader to save the life of the woman he loves.

There’s a lot of humour, there is science – the cars fly and the mobile phones run on static (rub them in your hair to charge) –the parallel world, K’Barth, is full of weird and wonderful creatures in varying sizes, degrees of hairiness, shapes, colours etc. The Pan’s ex boss is a 6ft swamp thing with orange skin and antennae, the head of the Resistance movement is a Blurpon: a small monopedal cat like creature with red fur, a propensity to extreme violence and unsurpassed laundering skills – shirts, not money.

It’s quite non standard.

What inspired you to write this book?

To be honest, I just wrote the kind of book I wanted to read. To me it’s just an updated version of the Narnia books, which I loved, with funny bits and some ritzy modern gadgets thrown in. A kind of Douglas Adams meets James Bond, except I wouldn’t pretend to be able to write like Douglas Adams and if we’re going to start comparing it to the greats it’s probably more like Pratchett. Except I can’t write like him yet, either but I like to aim high (just a bit) so I’m working on it.

How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

The idea of a pimped parallel version of reality has been with me since I can remember. It went through several incarnations before K’Barth indeed it almost went to press as Yarth and the Yarthan Series, but by the time I got to publishing the first book, I discovered that Yarth was some really obscure realm of Dungeons and Dragons invented by a chap who had died and therefore wasn’t alive to ask. So I thought of G’Barth, my husband suggested K’Barth and it stuck. The book titles were easier because I wanted to project that kind of British comedy feel. Also, K’Barthan Series is the weird bit, so the titles need to be a bit less odd. Hence generic choices like Few Are Chosen, The Wrong Stuff, One Man: No Plan and Looking For Trouble. I hope these say ‘comedy’ first and foremost because that’s what it is.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

The covers were designed by a bunch called A Trouble Halved, who are based in Stratford Upon Avon. They are contacts from my previous life when I worked in marketing. I wanted someone who I could guarantee would be able to interpret my warped ideas and since they have form in that respect they were the obvious choice.

The plot of the K’Barthan Series hangs on getting hold of three artefacts. Their significance is revealed one book at a time until the last book which is just a good old battle between the forces of good and evil. From the point of view of the covers, I wanted to have whatever artefact was relevant to the story on the front of each book with the characters tumbling over one another to try and grab it. I had drawings of what my characters looked like and asked them if they could do it. They told me it would be very expensive and came up with the idea of the hands (less drawing so it was cheaper). After a bit of discussion, we added the flying cars on the back as I thought they’d be brilliant for merchandise, and they are. It cost a lot but to me it was well worth it.

If you could cast your characters in a Hollywood adaption of your book, who would play them?

That’s a tricky one I am really useless on actors and actresses. I have no clue who anyone is and I’d need a time machine. Many of the people I’m suggesting are a lot older than the stage of their lives at which I’m offering them the part or, coughs politely, dead. Time machine procured, off we go.

The male lead, The Pan of Hamgee, is a lot like David Tennant as Dr Who, only with a slightly less rubber face and a dash of Joel Fry thrown in (Stylax from Plebs), for Lord Vernon, the evil baddie, I’d have to find Timothy Dalton, as playing Mr Rochester in a 1980s BBC TV adaption of Jane Eyre, and teleport him to now but actually this fellow is close – in that picture, at any rate. There’s definitely bit of Daniel Craig about General Moteurs. I think Ada would be Maggie Smith and I suspect Judy Dench or Catherine Tate would both make an equally good Gladys. Big Merv is Samuel L Jackson with antennae and a cockney accent but Ruth and Lucy are tricky… I think I’d cast Anna Friel as Ruth maybe, although she’s not quite as comfortably upholstered as I imagine Ruth. Lucy is easier, I imagine her as Claire Danes (Carrie out of Homeland.

When and why did you begin writing?

I think there were two reasons: first, because nobody else seemed to be writing the kinds of stories I wanted, I loved books like Children of the New Forest and the Three Musketeers – yeh, I’m a historical novel sap. Give me a frilly shirt, a big hat with feathers in (or a tricorn) and a sword fight and I’m a happy bunny. However, I also love Day of the Triffids, StarTrek and all those 1960s TV Science Fiction shows like the Avengers and the Prisoner. I love fantasy but I was shy of writing books about dwarves and elves and dragons because knowing my luck all I would get out of it would be a deluge of e-mails from experts in dwarves, elves and dragons telling me I’d done it wrong. Anyway, who wants to write about things someone else has already made up? I wanted creatures. Really, really weird creatures but who were actually quite like us under the green skin, purple fur etc. I wanted James Bond gadgets with sword fights and Terry Pratchett humour. And I wanted romance in it too.

So, what happened, eventually, was the K’Barthan Series, where only some of the characters are human; where the cars fly but the baddie and one of the heroes have a sword fight in the last scene. The book I’m currently plotting – Space Dustmen – is supposed to be straight science fiction, but our heroine, Driff, will probably have horns or something and a laser sword.

What does your writing process look like?

Like a very disorganised thing. I don’t write much down, except as part of the book. I keep it all in my head, which works well but it does take up rather a lot of short term memory. That means it tends to impact on other areas of my life like … I dunno … being able remember my own name, my ability to finding my own arse with both hands, that kind of thing. I probably drive the people in my life nuts. Actually, there’s no ‘probably’ to that statement, I know I do.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m putting the finishing touches to a fifth book, with a working title of Scary Space Creatures which I hope to release next year. It’s been a gas to write but it is a bit mad and it’s single stand-alone story, when the accepted advice is to write a series – always one to buck the trend, me, and keeping the same stuff in my head for eight years while I wrote about K’Barth near fried my brain. I am plotting a sixth full length novel, Space Dustmen, and I have an idea for a spin off about K’Barth for my seventh. I’m also fiddling about with a couple of children’s books, I’ve no idea what they’re called yet or what to do with them but the tinkering process is fun.

Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

Yes there are two and the first is the racy stuff. At one point I thought I should look at trends and write what was selling well, rather than what comes out. So I thought erotica. Now, I am OK at gentle romance, you know, a poignant snog, I can do those, so I thought I should read some erotica books and then try a hawt one. The resultant sex scene could well be the funniest thing I’ve ever written in my life, but so not in a good way. I learned that there’ll be no earning millions as an erotica author for me and resigned myself to closing the bedroom door on my characters and leaving readers to imagine the squelchy bits.

The second thing I have failed to write successfully is anything that doesn’t turn into weird science fiction fantasy. No matter how hard I try, unless the book is set in space, there WILL be Creatures by the end of the first chapter. To be honest, it tends to happen when the book is set in space as well, but they’re aliens so that doesn’t count.

What, when you’re not writing, do you do to support yourself?

I lean very heavily on McOther like a giant, book-writing money sponge.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

It’s a cheeky ask but if you can manage it there are three things you can do:

1. If you enjoyed it, say that you’ve just finished it on social media and share a link.
2. Sign up for my mailing list so you will actually know when the next one comes out. Like many authors I sell my pre and new releases for a short term promotional price so this is worth doing from your point of view as well.
3. Write a review on whatever site you bought it from and any others if you can. It doesn’t have to be long, just a couple of lines: what was good, what could be better, why it moved you – if it did. Reviews help in too many ways to count, so yeh, if you can, please leave one.

Thank you so much for inviting me here today, it’s been a gas.

Connect with McGuire

Website: www.hamgee.co.uk
Blog: www.mtmcguire.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamgeeUniversityPress
Twitter: @MTMcGuireAuthor for easy following: http://twitter.com/MTMcGuireAuthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mtmcguire/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MTMcGuire
Tumblr: http://mtmcguire.tumblr.com/

Buy the Books

Publisher’s Website: www.hamgee.co.uk
Amazon: your local store, anywhere in the world: http://Author.to/MTMcGuire
Barnes & Noble: They are jumbled up a bit but it’s: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?series_id=922556
Kobo: http://bit.ly/MTMcGonKobo
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/2904
Smashwords M T McGuire Author page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MTMcGuire
Goodreads: The K’Barthan Series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/69895-k-barthan-trilogy
M T McGuire author page: https://www.goodreads.com/MTMcGuire

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Fast Fact

Author: Chris Kennedy
Genre: Science Fiction/Space Opera
Books: The Search for Gram (Book #1 from the Codex Regius series)

Official Site

Bio

81% of Americans have a story they want to write. Chris Kennedy wasn’t one of these. He never wanted to be an author; in fact, none of the people that knew him would ever have thought that he could be an author. He had no training…no hi-powered English degree…no friends in the business; he had nothing that would have indicated he could be a successful writer.

It all started one day while he was driving home from work. Several news articles he had seen gelled into the beginnings of a story. When he got home, he decided to write his idea down. Using the knowledge of warfare gained in twenty years of service as a Naval Aviator, he crafted his ideas into a compelling story of a Chinese attack on the United States’ mainland. The more he wrote, the faster the story came, and he hasn’t been able to stop writing ever since. Unintentionally, the Accidental Author was born.

After writing the first draft of his novel, “Red Tide: The Chinese Invasion of Seattle,” he looked for representation, but was unable to convince an agent that his story and plan would be successful. After being turned down by over 80 agents, Chris decided to do it himself. He researched the self-publishing industry and everything required to be successful as an independent author.

On his daughters’ birthday, he launched his first novel, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Chris Kennedy has released seven full length novels, including the “Occupied Seattle” military fiction duology, “The Theogony” and “Codex Regius” science fiction trilogies and the “War for Dominance” fantasy trilogy. He is also the author of the self-help book, “Self-Publishing for Profit” and the leadership book “Leadership from the Darkside.” Called “fantastic” and “a great speaker,” he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences, conventions and writing guild presentations.

See what’s up with Chris and join his mailing list at http://chriskennedypublishing.com. You can also find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chriskennedypublishing.biz and on Twitter at @ChrisKennedy110.

Author Accomplishments: 

Working with schools to help increase writing literacy!

Blurb

Lieutenant Commander Shawn “Calvin” Hobbs has saved Seattle, traveled to the stars and forged new alliances with alien races. With the latest war concluded, he turned his attention to deciphering the strange rod an ancient alien civilization gave him as a test. Was a little “down time” to work on the project too much to hope for?

Yes.

Something or someone is destroying the starships of the alien Aesir race. The elven Aesir are in need of help, and all of the signs point to Calvin as the hero they need. He has already defeated the merciless Drakuls and saved Earth from alien invasion, but is he prepared to face this unknown challenge?

As the Theogony trilogy comes to a close, a new chapter for Calvin is set to begin. “The Search for Gram” initiates the “Codex Regius,” a trilogy that will once again take Lieutenant Commander Hobbs and his Special Forces platoon to the stars. Not even the universe can hold him this time!

Reviews

“AWESOME!  Great read! Couldn’t put it down once I started reading!”  — Dirk Flint

Excerpt

Bridge, Aesir Ship Blue Forest, Unknown System, March 15, 2021

“Continue firing all weapons,” said the Blue Forest’s commanding officer, Captain Elorhim Silvermoon.

“Lasers firing,” replied the laser officer.

“Missiles launching,” replied the missile officer. “For all the good it’s doing,” he added under his breath.

“Engineering, Captain,” Silvermoon transmitted over his implant. “We need more power. How’s it coming back there?”

“I’m sorry Captain, but this is the best you’re going to get,” said the assistant engineer. “Engine Room One is open to space. Everyone who was in it, including the chief engineer, is gone. We’re already 10 percent over redline, and I don’t know how much longer the Number Two engine can take it! With the loss of the Number One engine, it’s already pushing a bigger load than it was built for.”

“Do what you can,” replied Silvermoon. “They’re gaining on us, and we’re not going to make the stargate without more power.”

“I’ll do what I can sir, but it won’t be much. Maybe a percent or two. We’re going to blow the motor if I try to do much beyond that.”

“Do what you can,” the commanding officer repeated. “Silvermoon out.” He looked around the bridge. His crew was maintaining its composure, but he could tell the stress was getting to them. “How long until we reach the stargate?” he asked.

The navigator’s pointed ears twitched. “It’s going to be a little more than an hour at this speed,” he replied. “Engineering just gave us another 10 Gs of acceleration, but it won’t be enough to leave our pursuers behind.”

Captain Silvermoon sighed internally, not letting his frustration show. He wished he had another courier drone, but they had launched both their drones earlier. Launched them and then watched as a second enemy ship destroyed them. They had no idea the second ship existed before then; it had just appeared between his ship and the stargate after the drones were launched. Unarmed and unarmored, the drones were easy prey for the enemy frigate. Whatever cloaking technology the enemy used was outstanding. All of a sudden, it was just there.

“The enemy’s shields are down,” said the laser officer. He didn’t have to say he meant the smaller vessel’s shields; none of the Aesir weapons had made a dent in the shields of the larger vessel that was slowly catching up with them.

“Destroy it,” ordered Captain Silvermoon. Another volley of laser fire lashed the enemy frigate. The alien ship flashed on the screens as the missiles arrived, and something vital was hit.

“Target destroyed,” the missile officer reported.

“One hour to the stargate,” the navigator noted as the Aesir ship hurtled past the expanding ball of plasma.

The missile officer shook his head as he looked at his display. “I don’t get it sir,” he said finally. “The smaller vessel didn’t defend itself after it destroyed the courier drones. It just sat there and let us destroy it. It’s almost as if that’s what the enemy wanted us to do.”

“Yes,” agreed Captain Silvermoon, already thinking along the same lines. “They were probably gathering information on our weapons systems…information we let them have. Too late to worry about it now; there’s nothing we can do.” He paused and then asked the question he’d been dreading, “Range to the other vessel?”

“One million miles,” replied the laser officer. Last time, it had fired at 800,000 miles. They were getting too close, but there was nothing he could do.

“I’ve got the damage report from Engine Room One,” said the damage control officer (DCO), “but I don’t know if you’re going to believe it. I don’t.”

“Go ahead,” said Captain Silvermoon.

“The repair crew says the engine room is gone,” said the DCO, “and they mean gone as in vanished. There is nothing left. No pieces, no bodies, and no equipment. Everything is just…gone. Where the structure of the ship ends, it ends with a clean cut. The repair crew says what’s left is like nothing they have ever seen. They have no idea what could have caused it.”

“Well, I don’t know where it all went,” said the sensor operator. “They asked me to mark the debris field so we could look for survivors later, but the missile didn’t leave a debris field when it hit us. Everything just disappeared.” In their three previous deployments, Silvermoon had never seen the sensor operator look shaken. He was an extremely competent naval officer, and he always had an answer in the past. The captain found he didn’t like the new expression.

“Where did everything go then?” asked Captain Silvermoon. “Anyone have any guesses?”

The bridge was silent.

“Range to enemy vessel 800,000 miles,” announced the laser officer. “Enemy vessel is firing. Six torpedoes inbound.”

Damn it, thought the captain. The enemy ship had only shot one torpedo last time, and they hadn’t been able to stop it. “Activate all defenses,” ordered the captain. “Retarget main batteries on the torpedoes as well.”

The Aesir ship’s lasers and counter-missile lasers began firing at the incoming torpedoes, while missiles and counter-missile missiles leapt from their ports to join the energy weapons. Just like before, the torpedoes disappeared when the Aesir missiles would have hit them, only to reappear once the missiles were past. The lasers seemed to hit the torpedoes, but had no effect on them.

“No effect,” said the ship’s defensive officer. “Shields are as high as they can be with only one engine.” He didn’t say the shields hadn’t stopped the earlier weapon, even with both motors running at 100 percent. He didn’t have to.

“Any idea where the torpedoes are going?” asked Captain Silvermoon.

“I don’t know,” replied the sensor operator, the shaken look now a permanent part of his countenance. “They just vanish. It’s not a shield because our missiles go through the space where the torpedoes were. It’s like they’re not there anymore. I don’t know where they’re going. It doesn’t make any sense.” The sensor operator shook his head, barely able to contain the tears of frustration that Captain Silvermoon could see were perilously close to brimming over.

“That’s okay,” Captain Silvermoon replied. “Keep working; you’ll figure it out.”

“Five seconds to impact,” said the laser officer a few seconds later. “Four… three… two… one…” Six torpedoes impacted along the length of the Blue Forest.

Interview

Angela B. Chrysler: I want to take a moment to welcome bestselling science fiction and fantasy author Chris Kennedy. Chris is the author of “The Search for Gram,” which is the first book in his new “Codex Regius” trilogy, which is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

ABC: Thank you so much for speaking with me, Chris. Please take a moment to tell us about your book.

CK: Hi, Angela. Thanks for having me; it’s good to be here. I’m really excited about “The Search for Gram,” as it is without a doubt my best book to date. The new series follows the bestselling “Theogony” trilogy of “Janissaries,” “When the Gods Aren’t Gods” and “Terra Stands Alone.” I had originally intended to just write those three books, but when I finished “Terra Stands Alone,” the readers said they wanted more and that the series should be a trilogy of trilogies. I’m working on it!

ABC: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

CK: It seemed to me that there are a lot of unexplained events in our past, and I got to wondering one day, what if everything we thought we knew about history was a lie? What if all of the “major” events in our history were due to alien interventions? What if they were here right now, watching us…and what if they needed our help? The first trilogy explored where Greek mythology came from; the new “Codex Regius” series looks at Norse mythology.
ABC: Stories always require some form of research. What kind of research did you do for your book?

CK: Some of the physics was beyond me, but I wanted it to be right for the book, so I enlisted the help of a nuclear physicist and a member of the physics department at Duke University. Some of it was pretty challenging, but we made it work.
ABC: Which scene or chapter was the hardest for you to write?

CK: In the book there is a scene with an orbital bombardment. I really wanted the reader to experience the terror and majesty of a bombardment coming in from space, but it is hard to describe as it’s almost bigger than words. The fact that there has never actually been an orbital bombardment, so what it looks like is all a matter of guesswork, doesn’t make it any easier. It was hard…but an awful lot of fun, too.
ABC: Please describe your favorite scene or chapter in your book and tell us why it’s your favorite?
CK: My favorite scene is the Battle on the Dendaran Plain. Ever since “The Last Starfighter,” I’ve always wanted to fight a desperate battle against incredible odds…this is it. Not only is this the desperate battle, there are special forces and tactics…I’d love to see this made into a movie, just for the special effects. It would be awesome!

ABC: Which of your characters do you relate to the most (or) who is your favorite character and why?
CK: My favorite character is Calvin, the main character. When I first started writing him, I knew him best as I had a lot in common with him. He has since grown way beyond anything I am ever likely to do…but he’s still my favorite.

ABC: I once read that every author is simply a compilation of his/her favorite authors. Which authors have done the most to influence your writing and why?

CK: My favorite author is John Ringo, and I hear sometimes that I write like him (which I take as a huge compliment). He understands military and always nails that part. If you’re writing military fiction or military scifi, I think that is extremely important.

ABC: “Story” has always been the center of all human cultures. We need it. We seek it out. We invent it. What does “story” mean to you?
CK: The story is the most important thing, and the sole reason for the book. It is an escape from reality and a chance to experience a different reality…to forget the cares of the day and lose yourself in a book.

ABC: Tells us about your next project.
CK: My next project is “Beyond the Shroud of the Universe,” which is the second book in the “Codex Regius” trilogy. After that, I will write “Chasing the Past,” the second book in my fantasy series.

ABC: Where can we find you and your book?

CK: “The Search for Gram is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and most other e-retailers.
ABC: Thank you so much for speaking with me.

CK: Thanks for having me!

Connect with Chris

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ti0LPy
Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/5586155
Amazon Author Site: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00E4MIJA8
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriskennedypublishing.biz

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Fast Fact

Author: Elley Arden
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Books: Crossing Lines from the Cleveland Clash series

Official Site

Bio

Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it’s water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness. Elley writes books with charming characters, emotional stories, and sexy romance—on and off the field. Take a peek at her bookshelf for a detailed listing.

Blurb

Party girl and standout wide receiver Jillian Bell sees no problem with her “no rules” lifestyle as long as she’s scoring on the field. But her sexy new offensive coordinator doesn’t see it that way.

Former marine turned successful restaurateur Carter Howl agreed to whip his father’s undisciplined women’s full-tackle football team into shape out of guilt. But the job comes with more trouble than he bargained for thanks to one spitfire of a wide receiver who challenges his every play.

When Jillian’s little sister begs her to come back to their small-minded hometown and be on her best behavior at a family event, she unexpectedly enlists prim and proper Carter to help her keep her cool. But two days and one pretend engagement later, this straight-laced former soldier is doing all sorts of things he normally wouldn’t. Is the wrong girl the right girl for him?

Review

“Arden has definitely done it again. She has penned a novel that will stand up against the best of the best. The wildly romantic (and at times steamy) relationship between the two main characters is so genuine that you can’t help but get caught up in it.”

Read more reviews at http://purejonel.blogspot.ca/2015/05/CrossingLines.html#sthash.ZgRizlcR.dpuf

Excerpt

THE CONFRONTATION

Coach Howl replaced Coach Malloy with his son!

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Jillian said a little too loudly, then grabbed her sore neck and rubbed. What was that bit about the apple not falling far from the tree? If that was true, then their passing game was doomed.

The younger Coach Howl looked at her, and—ooh!—those magic eyes produced a heat that pierced through her to the center of her neck pain, until she couldn’t even feel her toes.

I’m cured, she thought, followed by, maybe he won’t be so bad. In fact, maybe he wasn’t anything like his father at all. Maybe he was the black sheep in his family—just like she was.

He looked away, patted his father on the shoulder, and then stepped up to address the team. “Ladies, I’m honored to be here,” he said. “Rather than bore you with details about my football background, let me just say that I have plenty of experience with both the sport and the discipline needed to get the job done. Winning isn’t rocket science. The team that wins works harder and longer than the losing team, and the team that wins knows how to stay out of trouble—on and off the field.”

Why the hell was he looking at her?

She rolled her eyes. He narrowed his.

“You were late,” he said.

She looked behind her, knowing full well he was talking to her. “Barely late.”

At her response, he stood straighter and narrowed his eyes until they were slits. “Late is late, and it’s not tolerated on this field.” He made a whirling signal with his finger. “Laps … until I tell you to stop.”

He had to be kidding. She was the best player on this team. She’d scored every single one of the twenty-one points they’d scored so far this season.

She crossed her arms and looked at Coach Howl. He was no help. The faintest smile curved his lips.

“I miss Coach Malloy already!” she yelled as she threw her helmet to the sidelines and started jogging around the track.

By the time Thor deigned to release her from lap running, stretching was over and her mood was foul. She got in line and readied to run routes.

“Partying got the best of you this weekend, didn’t it?” MJ asked.

“Never.” They just had a new OC with a stick up his ass. Or a hammer. She looked at him and snickered.

He paced the sidelines, watching the team’s every move, looking way too serious for his own good. He’s going to have a heart attack, she thought. Which wouldn’t be terrible. At least then he couldn’t coach anymore.

He stopped pacing and stood with his feet shoulder width apart, a position that showed off strong thigh muscles beneath his thin athletic pants. She bet he had a six-pack. What a shame. God had formed a whole lot of fine man around one big asshole.

Connect with Elley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elley.arden and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elley-Arden-Author/540667649278016

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/elleywrites

 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elleyarden/

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6934874.Elley_Arden

Buy the Books

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Lines-Clash-Elley-Arden-ebook/dp/B00WN6QFJY/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crossing-lines-elley-arden/1121818315

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/crossing-lines/id989371763?mt=11

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Elley_Arden_Crossing_Lines

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/crossing-lines-4

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